Last week I got to do something that I never dreamed I would. Sure I did actually dream about it and I even blogged about it last year but I never actually thought I’d experience it. Oprah’s Favorite Things was one of those events you watched from your comfy couch with mixed emotions. You were always so happy for the people receiving the favorite things but you couldn’t help wishing you were right there with them.

When I received the notification that I was invited to attend the event in NYC I couldn’t even believe it. It was another “who me?” moment for me and if you have been following along you know I’ve had a few of those lately.

I would have cried happy tears (if that was a thing for me) but I stared at my email in disbelief and then broke into that OMG smile that you get when realize you’re about to do something you’ve always dreamed of. I booked my accommodations, fretted over what to wear, and started the countdown.

On the day of Favorite Things I hopped on a train and headed to NYC (by the way the train is an awesome way to travel in case you were wondering).  And landed smack dab in the middle of my favorite city. After catching up with a few friends who were also going to share the magic with me, we headed down the street to Hearst.  Entering the venue was everything I thought it would be. The energy inside the room was something I wish I could bottle. It was decorated festively of course and there was a photo booth, a bar serving up Pink Panthers- a signature drink (I’m learning that this is a thing at O Mag events…and I like it), and yummy eats. Though I was too anxious to really eat much. There was a little mingling. I chatted with the editor in chief of O, The Oprah Magazine Lucy Kaylin (be still my beating heart), and a few other O Mag staffers. I also met the lovely president of Pandora (her dress was amazing) and when we took our seats in the first row (yup still pinching myself) the beautiful Alicia Quarles from E was seated right behind me.

Gayle King and Adam Glassman, my cruise buddies (in my head) started the show. Gayle announced gift number one and lo and behold Oprah walked right into the room. You guys I was literally 5 feet away from OPRAH. I thought I was going to fall right out of my seat. I was live streaming the whole thing because I wanted to bring as many of you along with me as possible. Oprah talked about her new book The Wisdom of Sundays which I can’t wait to read and even had us do a shot of Casa Dragones Tequila with her. Let me state for the record I don’t do shots. I just don’t… I am more of a glass of wine or craft beer girl but when Oprah asks you to do a shot you do a shot, and what do you know I liked it..

After that things got really fuzzy for me (not because of the shot of tequila haha)… because suddenly Gayle and Adam starting going through the O-Mazing list. They shared about 60 of the 102 favorite things and over and over again we heard you are going home with one of these… I really didn’t expect that. I knew that the format of the show has changed and I really thought we were there to preview most of the items, not receive them. I thought maybe we’d receive a swag bag to commemorate the event but I never imagined I would leave (although they actually had to mail them to me because I was catching a flight to LA in the AM) with 4 large bags full of goodies!

But here’s the thing about Oprah’s Favorite Things. All those years I watched with a sense of euphoria and a twinge of envy I was focusing on what the audience was receiving but the reality is when it was my turn all I could think about was giving!  Oprah has a spirit of giving that you can really feel and it ignites the same within you. I can’t wait to pay it forward and share my favorite things with the people I love and the great news is you can do the same because there are so many cool things at reasonable price points.

Here are a few of my favorites things…

The Wisdom of Sundays book- I am actually giving this as gifts to all the women I love!

The Smart Nora-I’m giving this to my hubby, here you go honey…However, he says we need two of these… hmmm

NYDJ The Gift of Fit-You get a measuring tape and gift card to get a pair of custom perfect fitting jeans. Genius. I have a special friend in mind who will love this. My NYDJ Jeans are my favorite!

The Gratitude Glass Jar-If you read my planner post you know I start my day with gratitude and write something daily in my planner that I’m grateful for. I love how this jar lets the whole family join in and serves as a keepsake. I actually plan to use this with my extended family on Thanksgiving letting everyone drop in a card and then reading them aloud to the group after dinner.

The Patchwork Memory Bear-My father passed away this year and I miss him like crazy every day. I also have a new grandson and though they met briefly my little Mason will never really know his great grandfather. I am going to turn a few of my dads shirts into this patchwork teddy to gift to my grandson.

Sabatino Truffle Seasoning Salt-I love truffles!! Enough said. I plan to use this on everything including fries! Yum! If we’re friends and you love to cook be on the lookout for this decadent salt set.

I’m going to do a video where I run down all my favorites and why they made my list.  Here is a link to the full list: Oprahs Favorite Things 2017 on Amazon. I’d love to hear what your favorites are. Let me know in the comments below.

Disclosure-I received many of the items listed above as gifts but the thoughts and opinions here are my own.