Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Shower Season

EventLucky back this week to share baby shower ideas with you. Hope you enjoy and would love to hear from you! 

With the warmer weather upon us, it is sprinkling outdoors and in!  Friends are having babies left and right, and announcing babies on the way.  I bet more than a few of you are planning showers, so I have gathered some cute baby shower ideas to share with you!

Invites

I found these cute invites on etsy, but there are tons out there. These can work the "shower" theme--

Or these invites would be cute for a clothing theme.

Decor

I love the clothesline as decor-- too cute, and can be added to the guests of honor's gift!

If you don't want to do a literal clothesline, cut pieces of paper with warm sentiments make for a nice wish book.

And this hanging message is so sweet.

I  love these natural centerpieces, with potted plants and fruits.

I also love the use of letter blocks, whether the name of the baby or not.

Seating cards are also a fun way to decorate. If using the clothesline, the pins are cute napkin holders.

Or these little fabric sachets with safety pins.

Or, if you choose a tea party style shower, tea bags can tell people where to sit.

Activities

Not everyone wants to plays games, but you also don't want your guests to get bored.

Asking everyone to bring photos of themselves is always fun. Have people guess which baby picture matches which guests. Or, try this game with celebrity baby photos.

Or have some scrap fabric around to encourage guests to personalize clothes for the baby on the way.

Favors

A friend of mine loves these cookies in cellophane wrappers-- they are beautiful and thoghtful. Also, sachets could fit the bill.

Also, even though the lollipops are rings, you could steal the idea to make pacifiers.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for your next shower! Please send me pictures from your best shower ideas!

xoxo EventLucky

Tools, Cars, Beer and His Party

Having trouble planning an event for a special man in your life? Does he say provide the beer and a football game and I’m set? You’re not the only one. This makes it a huge challenge to get creative but not overbearing. Don’t let this deter you away from planning a great event. Here are a few subtle ideas to celebrate with your special man.

This formal men only club invitation is perfect for a bachelor party. The wording provides a fun twist on a formal invite.

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A golf tournament with his friends would be enjoyable and a great guy’s day out. Foursomes could fight for 1^st place in a scramble. Prizes are given to those closest to the pin, longest drive and hole in one. An awards dinner following the tournament would make this birthday celebration a hole in one. Get creative by serving drinks named Tiger Rehab or brandy and cigars.

 

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Change it up by playing golf at night with glow in the dark golf balls or floating golf at a large pool. 

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Not much of a golfer? Well, everyone loves baseball. Invite your friends to the public park to enjoy a game. Have a concession stand full of fresh popcorn, Cracker Jack and peanuts. IN-N-OUT Burger would be the perfect caterer for the event. Don’t forget to provide the players a uniform. The classic rival of the Red Socks and the Yankees would be the perfect match up. Batter up!  

 

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Customize your own old fashioned scoreboard.

 

 
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Have all his buddies sign a baseball bat for a lifetime memory.

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Have a fabulous week everyone!

 { jacqueline, rissa, tara & traci }

Amazing Race Adventure Party Ideas

We love the Amazing Race show in our house and this Sunday nights show is the season finale. I have been collecting a few great party ideas that can be used to create an incredible and fun Amazing Race Party. A fun party for the teen or tweens!

As guest arrive snap a Polaroid picture and get them started on their journey with a passport. This is fun for each kid to have stamped as they journey threw each leg of the race. I love the idea of each guest having their own tote bag filled with tools and items for different challenges they must complete during the race. This inspiration comes from A. Party Style and her fantastic Around The World Party. There are many more photos and details to see - here.

1. & 2. I featured this Around the world party from Happy Hour Mom - here. I loved the post card centerpiece and the globe beach ball. The beach ball could be used in a "pool leg of the race" or even a great party favor! 2. & 3. A. Party Style decorated the room with flags from different countries, a runway tablescape and had an amazing cake!

This intercontinental adventure starts at the passport center. The kids travel the globe doing activities from each country with their suitcase in hand. They sample international foods and on an over-sized map they match flags with countries. You can find more ideas and details about this party at Cookie. There are also instructions for making this amazing globe cake!

Below are a few great sources for places to have this type of adventure party, games and activities.

1. Chase Games has created a couple of games in the Amazing Race style. The Amazing Chase is a complete set of down-loadable plans for parents who want to put on the event their kids will be talking about for weeks! Purchase as many legs as you want leaving you with more time to concentrate on other aspects of the party.

2. Peppers and Pollywogs has some tips on how to approach an Amazing Race birthday party and make it a bit more do-able. Here are some other things you will need to give advance consideration for this party:

■The routes the teams will take to complete the race

■Various activities that will be done at each locale

■What the clues will be, and roadblock and detour challenges

■If money will be needed to complete the activities

■Which (if any) stores the kids will visit (be sure speak with each store’s manager about your party activities)

■How many adult helpers you will need to have one at each race location.

3. Chase Games also has a Mall Photo Chase party plan. The Mall Photo Chase is a start-to-finish plan for running the best mall scavenger hunt ever! There is no additional expense because all they are hunting for is digital pictures. The event is run with three rounds, each with separate lists of items or situations for capture on camera. With each successive round, the items or situations to be photographed get trickier and trickier! One Guy Three Girls purchased this party and shares their Mall Chase experience and some great tips.

 

More entertaining and party ideas at Entertain Exchange.

Kentucky Derby Party 2010

Hi!  Artsy Fartsy Shopaholic here...ready to bring you the incredible details of another fabulous fete!  Last week, my uber-talented friend, Elizabeth, of the little harvilles, threw a fantastic Kentucky Derby Party! 

While we Memphians battled tornadoes, we also got to watch Super Saver "Run for the Roses" in style!

Elizabeth really outdid herself with the fabulous decorations, food, and games.  Read on and be inspired by her incredible Kentucky Derby party!

Her front door set the stage for the afternoon soirée...

Go here for a quick tutorial on how to make that awesome wreath.  Would you believe it is made out of coffee filters?!? 

Her food and drink was delightfully displayed, and played right along with the Derby theme.

The appetizers in the plastic cups were phenomenal.  Watermelon, carrots, mango, celery, zucchini and cantaloupe spritzed with lime juice and sprinkled with chili powder.  So refreshing!

Mint juleps were waiting for thirsty guests at the Watering Hole.

Guests were asked to dress in their finest Derby attire, and, boy, did they deliver!  Here are a few of the lovely Derby damsels...

Gentlemen guests also joined in on the fun!

Guests were invited to vote for their favorite hat (for the ladies) and for the best-dressed gent.  Here are the winners!

As for the Derby decor, the theme was red, black, tan, and vintage.  Everything was beautifully adorned with red roses, polished silver, and bright red signs with white lettering to guide you to each food/drink/activity station.  Also, when guests entered the door, they were immediately invited to place their bets for the winning horse and vote on their favorite Derby ensembles of the day.

Elizabeth, thanks for a great party and allowing Create My Event to have a peek at your perfect party!  You outdid yourself as a hostess and party planner - it is clear from the pictures that everyone had a fantastic time!

Mint juleps and miniature jockeys,

 

 

¡feliz cinco de mayo!

happy wednesday and cinco de mayo from living eventfully!
hope you are having a wonderful week.

here is a great last minute dessert you can make for tonight that is kid and adult friendly.
you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry to make CHURROS!!

the only thing you may need to pick up is a large star icing decorating tip and disposable icing bags. they are available at most craft stores and even wal-mart in my area carries them.
you can make them in rounds and serve them in paper bags or make them straight! which ever you prefer.

Churros

1 cup milk
2 Tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup flour
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, depending on taste
Cookie press or icing bag and star tip

Preheat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vegetable oil in a 10 to 12 inch frying pan to 375 degrees.
I used a fry daddy.
In a separate dish mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
Place 1 cup of flour in the bowl of a stand mixer and set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs and vanilla and set aside.
In a medium sauce pan add the milk, brown sugar, salt, and butter. Heat to a boil.
Remove from heat and immediately add to the flour, mixing on low speed.
Mix until well blended.
Slowly add the eggs and vanilla mixture to the flour mixture.
Mix until well blended.
Fill your decorating tool with the dough and attach a large star tip.
Test your oil with a candy thermometer.
Make sure the oil is 375 degrees.
To test oil place a small piece of dough in the oil. It should float and bubble up right away.
Once the oil is hot enough, squeeze some dough into the oil. I squeeze the dough in to a large spiral round. You can also make long, straight churros. Use a plastic knife to release the dough from the decorator tool.
Make sure there is room for the churros to float around, do not crowd too much dough into the oil at once.
Cook them about 1 minute per side or until a deep golden brown. Turn them over with a slotted spoon and cook a for an additional minute or two Remove the churros with the slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-covered plate to absorb excess grease.

While still warm, roll and sprinkle each churro with the sugar and cinnamon mixture until coated. Serve hot.

ENJOY!

until next wednesday!

Coordinating Your Drinks to Your Party

Happy Tuesday! EventLucky is back to share another event planning tip with you! I hope you enjoy-- and I would love to hear from you! 

I love it when people match a drink to the decor of a party. Whether a signature cocktail or a few thoughtful choices, it shows that the host took the time to consider her guests preferences while making stylish choices. And, as a host, it can manage your costs.  Good deal, all round!

For a night time event, pick your favorite cocktail and have some pre-made on hand. Or, coordinate by color. 

 

If you love the look- and taste-- of martinis Martha had a great suggestion of using more curved glasses with a stem. Kinda of fun and retro, and less dangerous for spills.

For daytime or more intimate evening events, its nice to have a signature drink deconstructed for the most options.  For an example,  if you wanted to have this Pomegranate and Citrus drink, you could have pitchers of both juices, as well as seltzer and the liquor of your choice (champagne, vodka, or rum).  Even if the signature drink is most dramatic and beautiful, guests can make a drink that best appeals to them. 

You can spruce up your drinks by adding spice (like saffron and vanilla), infuse drinks with tea, or infusing your vodka. Or, the easiest-- adding fresh herbs. This spring of mint makes this cranberry drink special.

Lastly, decorating the bar--

or the glasses can create a party atmosphere.  Paper butterflies, parasols or ribbons make these drinks so festive.

What are your favorite drinks for a party? Do you choose by color or taste?

See you next Tuesday! xoxo EventLucky

Clothesline Baby Shower

Even though most modern moms use clothes dryers today, the ultimate symbol of 'classic mommy' makes a perfect baby shower theme - the clothesline. At this baby shower, guests are asked to bring an article of clothing for the baby. Rather than wrapping the gift in a box, they can hang it on a clotheslines spread across the room. I love this theme, there are many elements that the mama-to-be will be able to keep as part of her layette. Get The Party Started
One stop shop with Sweetly Sweet's clothesline printable files for invitations, Sweet Circles to make anything from cupcake toppers to favor tags, pillow box and baby shower games. Look at that, half the party is done for you! A plethora of cute invites; Noveau Designs, Tiny Prints, Paper Style. Setting The Scene
Using clothing as party decor is a perfect way to display cute outfits and show off some creativity. Having an outdoor party? Check out Project Nursery's hot lantern and clothing combo strung above the party table. These pretty hand-me-downs at Party Spot's baby shower were a gift from the planner. I love how Two Boys And A Beagle used onesies as a banner. How in love am I with Donna Hay's bundled bottles? Did you ever think to use clothespins as a napkin ring? Feel free to paint them and embellish them with sequins or ribbons, or leave them nude. Another option, fold your napkins and fasten with a diaper pin. I love this alternative to a wedding guest book from Melangerie via It's A Jaime Thing; make it work for a baby shower by having guests to write words of parenting advice, tips or well wishes on the articles of clothing, then clip along the clothesline. Plus, it does double duty as decoration! What To Do
I never get tired of the idea of having guests decorate onesies. But along with the usual fabric paint why not set up fabric scraps, fusible webbing, and stencils for making appliqued onesies like these from Kojo Design. Do it yourself for double duty decor items a la Cookie Mondays' country themed shower. You can purchase them colored or dye them yourself.

Play Who's Who? Ask each guest to bring a photography of herself as an infant. String the pictures along a wall on, what else, a clothesline. Number the clothespins and have guests write down guesses.

Make the thank-you-note process easier on the guest of honor. I've done this at all the baby showers I've hosted. I gift a set of thank-you cards, and at the beginning of the shower (a great activity waiting for everyone to arrive), guests fill out the cards' envelopes with their addresses. The Munchies
Your menu depends on your budget and audience, but for dessert, serve cute pacifer cookies or try your hand at these macaron pops that resemble baby rattles. For those of you with fondant skills, how pretty is this clothesline cake? Send Them Home With A Smile
As if they haven't had enough fun, how cute would are these bloomer satchels, hung on a small clothesline inviting guests to take one home? How about trying your hand at making a few onesie cookies in a pretty package? Creatively Satisifed has a wonderful tutorial for making them.  Not Just A Mommy!

Nontraditional Bridesmaids Dresses

Why not let your bridesmaids wear something they will feel great in? Here are some ideas we love for nontraditional bridesmaids dresses.

We love the look of bridesmaids in all white.

 

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Floral bridesmaids dresses are beautiful and add dimension.

 

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Pucci skirt and any white shirt? Perfection! This is definitely something they will want to wear again, and again, and again.

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Or just have everyone choose their own dress. Give them a color to work with and tie it all together with matching shoes.

 

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For beautiful bridesmaid’s dresses, traditional or not, check out the Dessy Group. They just launched their new iPhone app.

 

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Check in next Monday. We have some great ideas for parties the guys will love!

{ jacqueline, rissa, tara & traci }