Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Bicycle Party

Happy Tuesday everyone! EventLucky here to share some fun in sun ideas!

I love bicycles.  I don't ride one myself (unless it's a beach cruiser), but I always think the women that ride them in city are so cool. They just seem so capable and confident. Sure, the men, too, but especially the women. And lately, I have seen bicycles everywhere-- and not just on street.

I've seen them on fabric

and gifts for her and him:

I thought it would be fun to put together a bicycle party. I recently read the women that ride bikes are capable and confident-- and stylish.  Let's promote bike riding through a party theme!

How cute are these invitations? {photos from here and here}

Download your own bicycle invite here.

And you can decorate with these  stanchions,  tabletop bikes, and fake cross stitch...

and signage with bike images.

And of course the activities should involve bikes!

This party had the group caravan to the next venue.

And this party tied good wishes to the bike.

And, of course, the favors choices are endless.

This custom notebook is cute.  And you can order custom notebooks here.

And a CD and candy packs are good for kids.

Don't forget the cake!

Never underestimate bicycles for getting great pictures!

Do you ride a bicycle? Would you have a bicycle party?

Have a Happy 4th of July! xoxo EventLucky

Inspiration Board

Happy Monday! 

We hope that everyone has some fun plans for the 4^th of July. Here is an inspiration board that we did for a farm animal birthday party for children.

We hope that you enjoy it!

 

Have a fantastic week and fabulous 4^th of July!

 

 { jacqueline, rissa, traci & tara } 

Real Party - Super Striker Soccer Party

Today is my oldest son's birthday so I thought it would be perfect to share some pix from his soccer party last weekend. It was a perfect theme, since the World Cup was kicking off and all of his friends were really excited to show off their skills.

We decided with our unpredictable Seattle weather to have the party in an indoor soccer field...here is the invite. Go figure, the day was absolutely gorgeous! With an hour of play and 45 minutes in the party room, there wasn't a lot of time to do crazy decorating, so I focused on the tables.

A special request from the birthday boy, Neapolitan cupcakes: chocolate cupcakes, strawberry and vanilla frosting with a gumball cherry. Personalized water labels and silly straws for the drink 'station'... More birthday boy favorites; mint Oreos and Crunch & Munch, Chex Mix and green M&Ms in paper cones from In Good Company via Kara's Party Ideas. I snapped these pictures just in time...a whirlwind of sweaty hungry kids descended upon it... Our friends signed our World Cup replica ball.... Silver and gold soccer balls that I scored on at the Dollar Store (4 for a $1!!!) did double duty as place settings and a take-home favor. Can I say enough how much I love the Dollar Store? The gold trophy vases started off as ugly green plastic planters that I spray painted. Why yes, eagle eyes, the vase filler is dried split peas with Whirly Pops, color coordinated, of course.The birthday boy in a shiny new outfit. Can you believe they wanted $49.99 for a child's World Cup jersey? I couldn't do it...of course I would have to get the matching shorts for $39.99. $90 people for an outfit he will be out of before the new soccer season even starts. I don't own $40 shorts. I love my kids, but really? Shame on you sports retailers...plus, the U.S. shirts were not even cool, just white. Couldn't it have been red and screamed U.S.A. across the front like a lot of countries? Then, maybe, I would have given it a second (although not happening) thought.

A fabulous day of fun had by all...and my sweetie is 9! Where does the time go?  Not Just A Mommy!

Win A Thomaspaul Pillow

We will be giving a Thomaspaul Pillow to one Lucky Sendomatic follower. Check back on June 30th to see if you won! Good Luck!

To enter:

1. Go to the Sendomatic Facebook Page
2. Click on LIKE.
3. Comment on the Pillow Post on the Sendomatic Facebook Page.

Cosmo Cookie Fun

Happy Tuesday from EventLucky!

Have you seen Sex and the City 2 yet?

I haven't, and despite the bad reviews, I still want to see it.

When I saw these cute over the rim cookies, I couldn't help but think how perfect they would be for a pre or post Sex and the City party. (Or any other cocktail party, for that matter).

So much yummier than a real lime!

To make:

you will need:*
dough
frosting
2 1/2 inch circle cookie cutter
knife
food coloring
3 frosting bags
3 couplers
3 decorating tips
3 rubber bands

step one: bake your cookies
Roll out chilled dough according to the recipe and cut out circles. With a knife, cut off the bottom third of the circle and cut out a rectangle as shown (a little to the left of center). Bake and let cool.

step two: make your frosting
Prepare three colors of frosting: white, bright green and lime. Prepare three frosting bags with each of the colors (use the frosting bags fitted with a coupler and tips, size "4" tip for the greens and size "2" for the white, and tied closed with the rubber band), but reserve about half of your lime green frosting.

step three: decorate your cookies
Pipe a semi-circle with the bright green and let set about 15 minutes.

Flood the rest of the semi-circle with lime green: Pipe an outline inside the semi-circle and around the edge of the rest of the cookie (including the cut-out rectangle) with the lime green and let set about 15 minutes. Thin reserved lime green icing with water, a few drops at a time, stirring well, until a consistency of glue. (If you turn over a spoonful, the icing should fall back into itself without leaving any peaks, but it shouldn't be so runny it falls into itself super-fast. It should take a second or two.) Using a squeeze bottle or a spoon, pour thinned frosting in the center of the cookie and let flood to edges, encouraging with a small butter knife or the back of the spoon. Let set well, at least a couple hours.

Pipe sections with the white. Let dry overnight.

Pair with your favorite cosmo recipe, and you've got a Sex and the City party!

So cute! I might even try these next time I make margaritas!

See you next week! xoxo EventLucky

Summer Tablescapes

Recreating your favorite summer tablescape is fun, easy and can be inexpensive. Take an idea and make it work for the space you have. Take your favorite aspect of the tablescape as inspiration and run with it. Get creative and bargain shop whenever possible.   
{ Source }

Denim Placemats: Walmart at $12.00 for a set of 4. Joann Fabrics at $7.99/yard. Dinnerware: Bed Bath and Beyond at $19.99 for 16 piece set.

 

Paisley Bandana and Clothespin: Michaels Arts & Crafts at $1.99 each and $4.99 for a 24 pack of clothes pins.

American Flags: Party America at $3.99 for pack of 12. 4^th of July Ribbon: Oriental Trading at $5.99 for 300 feet.  4^th of July Candles: Candlelight Solutions at $26.97 for the set.

Total cost of this summer tablescape is around $81.89. The best part is that everything can be used again in a different way. Find a place in your home to organize your bargain finds. Soon enough you will have plenty to throw a great idea together in no time.

{ Source }

White Tablecloth: Target at $16.99 for Oblong Classic Hotel Tablecloth 84x70”. Table Runner: Joann Fabrics at $8.99/yard.

Chargers: Target at $39.99 for set of 6. Mason Jars: Walmart at $15.68 for 12 pack. Napkins: Table Linens For Less at $1.19 each plus shipping. Napkin Rings: DIY for pennies. Scrapbook paper can be found at Michaels or at your local scrapbook store. Vases: Target at $9.99 each. Dandelions: Can be purchased at your local store or at Michaels or Joann Fabrics for reuse for $4.99-$12.99. 

Total cost for this summer tablescape is around $98.75. Again, all items are reusable. I hope this helps inspire you to create a summer tablescape with things you have around the house or with bargain buys. Enjoy the summer and have fun entertaining.

Have a fantastic week!

 { jacqueline, rissa, traci & tara }

Outdoor Movie Night!

One of my all-time favorite summer activities is going to the drive-in movie theater.  Alas, there are no longer any drive-in movie theaters in my area.  However, that doesn’t mean movie watching while sitting under the stars is a thing of the past.  With very little equipment you can turn your own backyard into your very own private outdoor movie theater!

 

The movie screen doesn’t have to be any more complicated than a white bed sheet hung between two poles or on the side of your house.  Or as mama2point0 at Nucking Futs Mama did it, by hanging the sheet from your kids’ swing set.  If you want to get a bit fancier, but also more expensive, Target has several different options.

 

 

Head to your local library to rent an outdoor movie projector.  Simply hook up the projector to your laptop and ta-da!  Movie time! 

 

If you're looking for an all-in-one deal (inflatable screen, projector, DVD player and outdoor speakers) Open Air Cinema can hook you up.  I warn you though, it's gonna cost a pretty penny. 

 

Once your movie is ready to roll, pull out your lawn chairs and blankets!  Got kids in the crowd?  Do as Jadi at Homemaking Fun did and create "cars" out of boxes by pasting headlights and tires on them and let the kids watch from the driver's seat! Serve up fun drive-in theater munchies like hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, soda, and, my personal favorite, Drumsticks.

 

 

Happy viewing!

~Nikki

 

 

 

take it outside...

helllooooo everyone...
its kim-erin from living eventfully.

summer is upon us and that means one very important thing to me....dining al fresco!
any opportunity to have a meal in the fresh air with some sand between my toes is a opportunity i won't pass up.
here are some fun accessories that make bringing the party outside memorable and easy.

roll up table in a bag from crate and barrel.
this lil guy is just so handy and easy to carry...also makes for a great presentation.

insulated picnic basket


yes...i am a sucker for cute packaging.
however there is a great reason to get one of these adorable baskets.
the insulation means you don't have to lug a cooler with you.

travel games

my family grew up playing scrabble on the beach.
love it. hours of fun and good conversation.

and most importantly....you gotta have good food!

spinach artichoke wraps

beef tenderloin sandwiches

watermelon and cantaloupe salad

warm potato salad with pancetta
 

caramel coconut shortbread

now that we've got the gear, lets get out there and enjoy the weather!!

better yet...grab the dad's in your life and take them on a picnic for father's day!

till next wednesday....

 

Better Than A Balloon Release

It must be Tuesday, because EventLucky is here! 

I know, I know, balloon releases are pretty.

How can you resist these pictures?

Well, I can resist. I just think of all the dead birds that ate and choked on the colorful pieces of rubber.  Balloon release just make me sad.  I won't get on my high horse about it (like I did here), but I did want to share an alternative with you-- that may be even more beautiful.

Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns mostly seen in Thailand. They are made from oiled rice paper on a frame, and contain a small candle . When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern,  the lantern to rises  (similar to a hot air balloon).  When the candle dies out the lantern floats back to the ground.

As these lanterns are made from natural, biodegradable materials, they will not cause harm to wildlife when they return to the ground. Granted that while the original lanterns used a bamboo frame, manufactures have been using wire frames, which were not good. But as of this year, many lantern frames are made from flame resistant wool, which can be ingested, making these sky lanterns a better option.

Even better,  it is considered good luck to release a sky lantern, and many Thais believe they are symbolic of problems and worries floating away.

Aren't they beautiful? I was in Thailand one Christmas when the locals released the sky lanterns over the ocean throughout the night. It was magical. It would be a fantastic ending to any event-- ecological, different and beautiful. Can you get any better than that?

You can purchase sky lanterns here or learn to make your own here.

Next week I will show you the details from my fabulous dinner party this past weekend. Until then...xoxo

A Graduation Party

We recently threw a graduation party for a very deserving high school graduate named Blake. In the Fall, Blake will start his first semester at Illinois State University studying to be a Special Education Teacher. Over 100 people stopped by to wish Blake congratulations!

We set up tables outside and served a delicious spread of food catered by One World Cafe. For the centerpieces we used pomander balls make of white carnations. They look like pom poms! We then added Blake's varsity letters from tennis and basketball and pictures of him throughout high school.

Guests enjoyed various flavors of lemonade. Sodas and waters were also available.

We gave Blake a "Sweet Sendoff" to college with a candy and dessert bar. We had all of his favorites in his high school's colors: red and white. There were Hot Tamales, M&M's, Swedish Fish, Peppermints, Red Hots, Cake Pops, Red Vines, and Smarties (for the "smartie" who graduated with honors).

We also had red and white popcorn bags filled with white chocolate popcorn.

A family friend made cupcakes and cake for Blake's party. She even made a birthday cake for his 19^th birthday, which was the day after the party!

Blake and his dad made these custom bag games for the party. The "home team" was Illinois State University and the "visitors" were Bradley University, Illinois State's rival.

 

Congratulations, Blake! We hope you have an amazing year at ISU and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you!

{ jacqueline, rissa, traci & tara }