Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Back To School Bash Inspiration

Some of you have already started school, and some, like us in the Seattle area don't start until after Labor Day.  Want to throw a end of summer soiree to get the kids back into the school groove? There are so many interesting directions to take your Back To School party's theme; normally it's about using school supplies and such for a more generic feel.

But no one said you couldn't focus on an aspect of school like a school bus or your child's favorite subject. Here are a few inspiration boards to...inspire you. And the beauty of it all, you can mix and match to your heart's delight. Not Just A Mommy!Apple
This icon never goes out of style. Candy Apple cupcakes from Women's World; apple yarn favors from Make and Takes; teacher themed baby shower from Bower and Power. School Bus
Check out this awesome inspiration board from Divine Party Concepts; how perfect would this be for a Get On The Bus theme for first-time riders, a.k.a. Kindergartners. Chalk/chalkboard
Seating labels from PubSub; chalkboard tabletop from Martha Stewart Weddings; Fancy Flours' cupcake picks; sidewalk chalk favors from Mighty Girl ; a fun photo op like this speech bubble photo booth from Junebug Weddings. Art/Crayons
Art party inspiration board from The Party Dress; paint bucket decor from Maddycakes Muse; Picasso party from BHG; Lizard N Ladybugs' pretzel crayons. Science
Test tube favors from Following Phubie; Cookie Mag's radioactive wrap; science experiments at The Celebration Shoppe; Living Locurto's mad scientist invites. Alphabet/Letters
Letter chandelier from Blonde Design; initial party from Martha Stewart; One Charming Party's flower centerpiece; the Hostess Blog's alphabet baby shower; alphabet invite from City Cradle. Reading/Books
Books can be for decor or serve as the theme. This book party from Ashley Ann asked guest to bring books to donate to children at a local hospital; Food For Thought's storybook baby shower; Curious George inspired birthday party at the Hostess Blog; a pretty centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings; Pat The Bunny baby shower at The Smith Family. Geography
Check out my post on a 'Where In The World' themed party; A. Party Style's party place setting; Cookie Mag's globe cake. Breakfast/Snack Time
What's more quintessentially 'school' than milk & cookies for snack? Plan a whole party around it; check out my post on cookie buffets. How in love am I with The Purple Pug's breakfast bar; it makes a perfect neighborhood Back To School party. Wanting to do something simplier? Donuts, juice and milk are always appreciated, but take your donuts to a classy level by displaying them on a nice stand. Or personalize individual packages with a fun logo like this one from Got 2 Have Faith.

Mexican Dinner Party

Last week we had some dear friends over for dinner. They are moving to Korea-- good for them but sad for us.  Knowing that Latin food is hard to come by in the east, we settled on a Mexican menu. As usual, my husband was in charge of the food and I was in charge of the decorations.

I got some great potted succulents at Home Depot. They were already in those beautiful turquoise pots.  Then I got some bright fuchsia flowers from our local flower guy. The runner was a beautiful embroidered piece I picked up in Guatemala a few years ago.  It really added nice color to our white table!

I didn't have tons of time, so I hand wrote the place cards and the menu in a matching sharpie color (of course I have all the colors on hand!).

I, unfortunately, didn't get pictures of every course, but here are the fish tacos and churros. Yum!

We had a great time-- and think our friends did too!

Until next week! xoxo EventLucky

Need YOUR Input!

My husband's 30th birthday will be around Thanksgiving. Since we are planning to travel to Los Angeles to celebrate -- the majority of his friends and family are there--  we are in preparatory party planning mode.

I saw these images and fell in love! How great would it would it be to have a party like this-- with a food truck!

This party was in San Diego, in a parking lot behind the Casa Atrelexia shop. Complete with food, popsicles, a DJ, summer movies, and super fun decor, this parking lot party offered unexpected treats.

Wouldn't this be great for a birthday party? Since our party is in November, I would make it more fall themed (easy) and a little more masculine (not as easy).  Any ideas, readers? And any ideas of where to host a party in a parking lot in Los Angeles?

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

Eco-friendly Bash Ideas

I've blogged before about being eco-fab; reusable party decor like paper lanterns and tablecloths, making party favors do double duty as a craft and a keepsake, etc. Today is all about more fun ways to save yourself some green and save some green...ba-dum-bum. First stop, Bash Events. Owner Paige Appel specializes in modern sensibility and sustainable practices for events and weddings. Check her wedding out in her Utterly Engaged spread; eco-fab details include renting her wedding gown, having an at-home wedding, organic food and natural decor. Her husband even painted the Love Is Sweet theme on their garage door. Loving this eco-friendly artist party from One Charming Party. Details include invitations made from 100% tree free paper and junk mail, favors are recycled crayons and upcycled notebooks, aprons made from mens’ dress shirts and fabric banners made from stained clothing and old pillowcases. Giggleberry Creations' book-inspired party includes cupcake toppers and wrappers made from old book pages and a handmade backdrop. Check out this eco-chic tablescape from Emerson Made at Ruffled; a kraft paper runner and stunning, reusable handmade fabric flowers are clean and practical. Plus, check out the Emerson Made site, not only will you find lots of fabric flowers but other green goodies. I heart this cactus-themed wedding board from Fine Stationery; succulents are more affordable than flowers, and of course last longer. Check out the tiny potted plants that work as favors and place cards and the wreaths made from cactus and succulent plants in a variety of colors and sizes. This summer fiesta at Design*Sponge also utilizes succulents and lots of tissue-paper projects, both affordable and recyclable. The fabulous Katherine Marie Photography used newspaper-wrapped gifts and mason jar treats for a birthday celebration. I bet she had ribbon lying around, it's a perfect use of leftover ribbon. The ladies at Lolliblog know how to stretch a dollar! Check out their favorite party details from vintage tea cups from a local thrift store, apron chair covers, yarn balls, to mini chalk boards for reusable name tags. In the Gospel According To Simply Green: Parties Danny Seo, the celebrity eco-stylist often called the "Green Martha Stewart" shares a plethora of eco-chic ideas; a few gems include making invites from recycled makeup compacts, salad-bar radish roses, baby-clothes shower invitations and tea lights from oyster shells. Check out this farmhouse brunch from Pottery Barn, so many great elements you can duplicate! A casual tablecloth is layers of brown butcher paper with pencil outlines of place settings, flowers, even personalized messages. The fun place tags at each seat are torn squares fastened to the glasses with rubber bands. They even fashioned an edible napkin holder out of the large outer leaf of a cabbage. Overhead, hang multiples of our mason jar candleholders, with herbs and single flowers tucked into the rim with rubber bands. Not Just A Mommy!

Beautiful Backgrounds

Colorful backdrops make for great pictures-- and these people seem to know it. Here are some creative ideas to plus up the background of your next party-and photos.

I love this use of colorful strips of fabric . It looks fantastic!

The setting of this wedding is already amazing, but the lights hung like moss take it to another level.

The sheer curtains used at this bridal shower look great in the windows...

And behind the food table.

These streamers make a big impact-- at low cost!

What do you think? Will you try one of these colorful backgrounds?

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

Bubbles Birthday Fun

My BFF (of the Fishing Party and Inspiration board fame) is preparing for the 1st birthday of her daughter.  She was thinking a bubbles theme-- a great idea for a baby- so I put together an inspiration board for her. I also threw in few other theme ideas for fun!

Bubble Fun!

Invitation: These colored circles prepare guests for a bubble theme! Or, even better, write the party info on inflated balloons, deflate them and send them to guests.  Even better if you use the clear latex balloons!

Decor: Lanterns and clear latex balloons give that bubble feeling where ever you look! I saw a few suggestions to use bubble wrap, but I can't imagine that is cute--unless used in strips like this party.  I also like this runner of different colored circles-- with coordinating hats. There must be hats! Fun polka dot napkins that coordinate with invites really add. And don't forget the cake!

Activities: The bubbles-- its all about the packaging. And have you seen these colored bubbles? Amazing! Also, if you add tempura paint to bubbles, the older kids can make some fun pictures to take home. Bubble wands also look like fun. And don't forget the bubble gum! That offers bubbles galore!

I love the bubbles-- but here are some more ideas just for fun.

How about a princess and the pea party?

How about a "one" of a kind party?

And I love, love, love this flower birthday! So sweet!

So many choices!

See you next week! xoxo EventLucky

Party Favors

Happy Tuesday! EventLucky here to share some fun ideas!

We all know that take home favors really take a party to the next level. You know that your host is thoughtful and paying attention to details. So I have rounded up some fun favor containers for you! I hope this will offer some inspiration for your next party!

Paper bags are so great-- and you can do so many things with them!

I love these striped ones:

Or you can print a personalized message on them.

How about a muslin bag? You could make these up pretty quickly!

Or felt? There are lots of shape choices here!

Beautiful fabric is always an option-- and way to use up some old scraps!

What about boxes? These colorful boxes can be used for so many things!

And this container is great for pie!

What about something a little different? Instead of sending your guests home with cupcakes, send them home with the fixin's!

Or how about making the bubbles formula and packing it super cute?

Did this round up inspire you to try something new? What are your favorite containers for favors?

Until next week! xoxo EventLucky

Paddycake, Paddycake, Baker's Twine

Oh, baker's twine...how I love you...let me count the ways.... ...as lovely pom-pom gift topper I made to dress up a candy box filled with pretty votive holders... ...making kraft paper even more scruptious at The Purple Pug.... ...on lovely invites from Paper Thick Ink... ...as clever accents from Suzonne Stirling via Whisker Graphics... ...flickr user Dayben makes a pretty vase even more fab... ...embellished with hearts to make a lovely little garland... ...adding a special touch to baked treats at Bake It Pretty... ...incorporated into a Martha Stewart wedding from the balloons to napkin ties... ...even a cupcake gets special treatment! I could go on and on...but I won't, because I don't have that kind of time. But I hope this inspires you to get your hands on a spool or too, and I'll even help you out!

Remember The Twinery from my Tweeps McLovin' post? Yup, ordered my own sampler pack and I fell in love. My pom-pom gift topper used her twine in Maraschino, Pink Lilac and Pink Sorbet. Well, the lovely Nicole is offering my readers 25% off your entire order to their online shop with the code MOMMY25. It expires in one week, so hop to it!

And...I would love to see what you make with their twine. Not just because it will be fabulous, but if you send a photo of your twine-covered goodness to Nicole at thetwinery [at] yahoo [dot] com by August 1, she'll be selecting 3 images randomly and the creators behind the images will win a full spool of twine...in any color you'd like! If you send me a photo it won't win you anything but my adoration and a feature on my blog, which is priceless. Not Just A Mommy!

4th of July Entertaining Ideas

A few great ways to show your entertaining style this 4th of July. Southern Living has created this easy table with a mix and match set of red, white and blue dishes, star buckets hold all the table accessories and make these festive straw drink tags.

Better Homes and Gardens has created these patriotic ideas that look great even using paper products as you see in this tablescape - just a mix and match of patterns looks great. Simple baskets hold the utensils, paper cones hold the fresh fruit and paper wrapped glassware provides a place to write the guest names.
Enjoy the holiday!
See more party and entertaining ideas at Entertain Exchange.

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