Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Cocktail Hour

At your next event, you might consider mixing things up a little and offering a fun new way of serving drinks. We have Corona Beer popsicles for the gentlemen and Strawberry Margarita popsicles for the ladies. Here are the recipes; 

 Corona Beer Popsicles

Open a bottle and pour it into any form, wait 2 hours for it to solidify slightly and insert a  popsicle stick and freeze for another 2 hours or until becomes solid.

Strawberry Margarita Popsicles

 

In a blender, combine strawberries, tequila, lime juice, Tripe Sec, and ice; blend until smooth. Pour and freeze the Strawberry Margarita for two hours then insert the popsicle sticks in the middle. Freeze for another two hours or until the Strawberry Margarita Popsicles solidify. Garnish with a lime and serve. 

Note: Do not rim with salt until serving time as the salt will melt the pops. Alternatively, you can rim the Strawberry Margarita Pops with chunky crystal sugar for an aesthetic effect without worrying about the melting factor. 

Enjoy xxx Amici Events xxx

 

Spring Baby Shower

You all know about the girl I work with that is getting married, but I haven't mentioned that my other office mate is pregnant with her first! It's so fun to be around so many people with such exciting changes in their lives!

She has worked in design and architecture for many years, so she has a pretty specific aesthetic-- vintage, Brooklyn, and orange (not to mention she ate citrus by the bushel in her first trimester!). She had the idea of an outdoor baby shower with a picnic in Prospect Park in June, so I told her I would put some images together for her.

These would be cute invites and act as a fan at the party as well. Put a map of the park on it, to ensure guests bring it-- and won't get lost!

Blankets and pillows strewn across the ground would be so inviting-- as long as the mommy-to-be can make it up and down.

And string some lanterns up, to add to the festive look.

To make life easier, pre pack a lunch/snack in box with all of the utensils needed.

Then for dessert or favors, pass out bags of cookies or fruit (maybe oranges!).

Add some bubbles, croquet and bocce ball for a fun filled afternoon for both sexes!

What do you think? Would you want to go to this baby shower? 

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky 

 

Mexican Dinner Party

We recently became friends with another couple that is seriously into food. Almost as much as my husband and me. They have hosted us for a couple of amazing meals, so it was our time to host. Which we love-- but we were also a little nervous. We had big shoes to fill!

We were inspired by our trip to Mexico, so we went with it. I have some runners from Guatemala that I love to pull out for such an occasion.  Our friends have a  4.5 year old, which allowed me to have some fun with theme. I put down craft paper (and gave her some crayons) -- and wrote the menu on it for the adults. I added strips of craft paper in the napkin knot for the seating assignments.

My husband did a great job with the food.  Naturally, we started with margaritas, chips and guacamole. If you stick around to the end, I'll share his amazing recipe.

Our menu, minus the salmon tacos. All taken with our new camera, by the way. :)

We had a great time! Can't wait to do it again! xoxo EventLucky

Best Margarita, as promised:

2oz tequila blanco (I used cazadores)

1oz cointreau

Juice from 1 lime mixed with 1oz of simple syrup (sweetest is your call, but I do 1:1 sugar to water)

1oz part beer (something light like corona)

Shake with ice and serve. Salt or no salt, your choice.

St. Patrick's Day Party Fun

Are you still looking for last minute St. Patrick's Day party ideas? I've got some great places with lots of easy projects that you can put together, no sweat! Sheek Shindigs created this inexpensive and fun party table using items from around her home and fun printables from Love The Day, listed further on in this post. Think today is too late to start planning a party? This fabulous adult party from TSJ Photography was put together in two days! Check out last year's Kiss Me, I'm Irish playdate, with rainbow fruit kabobs and free downloads.  You've gotta color your own pasta at least once in your life, and they make great craft items. Speaking of free downloads, check out this plethora of free printables, graciously shared by.... How Does She? 9 To 5 Mom for Catch My Party... One Charming Party... TomKat Studios...  It Is What It Is...  Love The Day... Living Locurto.

Need a grown up beverage? How perfect is Skittle infused vodka? Check out Instructables for the full details, and watch your time frame, it will take a few days so get started now! Not Just A Mommy!

Push Cakes

How cute are these push cakes from Meringue Bake Shop? Give the stick a little push up for more cake or icing.


I didn’t think cake could get anymore exciting but I was wrong!

Letterpress Coasters

 
 

Fantastic letterpress coasters from moontree letterpress. They come in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland & Chicago. Pack of 10 - $12.

Valentine's Day Inspiration

To get you inspired for the month...

Cute Cards:

Cute as a Button:

Cookie Crossword:

Free downloadable cards! Yippie!:

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

C's Party: Entry #8

I love doing events. Really. During set up, making decisions and brainstorming last minute situations, I am so alive and happy.  I have met people who do amazing events but are so miserable and mean to everyone in the process-- I always wonder if they really enjoy what they are doing. Recently I've been loving the details, nearly as much as set up.

Regardless, after the event I feel spent. I don't want to make any decisions, I want to sleep, I want to eat M&Ms. Remember how you felt after your wedding? Sorta like that, but less extreme. This time was no different, so its taken me a bit of "down" time to get to the re - cap.

So...you know how every event planner says plan for rain? I would tell you to do the same. So why didn't I do this? If you remember correctly, the  house -- and the theme-- required you to be outside! And it's Southern California-- it never rains!

Well, it rained from 7:30-8:30 PM (the party started at 8)--so things didn't look quite as planned. The gorgeous writing that I was so excited about didn't happen-- at least not to identify the nibbles (the drinks and favors were lucky!) thanks to the rain. And the tables certainly don't look Amy Atlas worthy. And my pictures are for crap (here's to a new camera for Christmas!). But you know what? Everyone had a great time-- and my husband loved it.

My amazing husband made the cute tent out front. It was the perfect thing to set the theme. Even had a little "fire" out front.

We went to the Los Angeles Flower Market the day before and got some great white mums-- to bounce the light around. We put them in the tins with the labels and made arrangements with the tin lanterns around the party. Remember-- this is glamping!

I like to create sitting areas around the party, both indoor and outdoor. I did forget the popcorn for the tables! Oops!

And, of course the s'mores area! Too bad I don't have pictures of the gourmet s'mores buffet.  But notice the blanket and pillows!

And here's the airstream just around the corner-- perfect backdrop!

The huge lanterns and outdoor kitchen (all came with the house)...

And the hot dog buffet... with the muslin napkins!

Dessert table-- with whoopie pies and sparkler candles. Both were a big hit.

And the drinks signs-- so cute! (I took your advice and added hot cider!)

And the favors: homemade granola for the morning-- or the ride home! (cute tags here!)

I have to say a big thanks to my MIL, Christian's mom. She made this event happen-- from the tin lanterns to the flowers to the food-- not mention great company. And to my friend, Kim, who did all of the great writing and the music. And to all of you, for reading and your wonderful support and suggestions!

I still have some things to mention (my review of pingg, the invitation service) and other parts of my L.A.trip (including a photo shoot that I won!), but for now...I hope you enjoyed the party adventure as much as I did!

xoxo EventLucky

DIY - Recycled Sweater Wine Bottle Gift Bags

I had three Holiday Parties this weekend and wanted to add a personal touch to my wine hostess gifts. I came up with this simple 10 minute craft that my hostesses loved. I was able to recycle a few out-dated sweaters as well. Yes, these gift bags are made of sweater sleeves!

All you need is one or two old sweaters (I recommend using size small as the sleeves get larger near the arm opening. Even a larger child's sweater would work if the sleeve is long enough.)
Trims or ribbon
Tacky Glue
Needle and thread
First, cut the sleeve off straight across at the bottom at the arm hole. Then turn the cuff over the sleeve.


  Place the bottle in the sleeve to determine the exact length. Trim so there is about an inch overhang below the bottle. Remove the bottle and turn the sleeve inside out. Sew with a loop stitch closing the center. I left both ends open about an inch.


Turn sleeve to the right side tucking ends under the center stitched area. Sew in place. Place the wine bottle back in the sleeve and use the Tacky Glue to attach trims or finish with a bow!

 

Find more party and entertaining ideas at Entertain Exchange.

C's Party: Entry #5

Since we got back from our trip, I am back planning for the party full speed. I want to make sure that anything I order gets here (or to CA) in time! I have some fun decor ideas that I am working on that I can't way to show you next week.

But this week I need your help with menu planning (because I need to make sure I order the right paper ware)!

The idea is to have camping food-- but stepped up.  We have use of an outdoor kitchen and a fire pit...so that led me to hot dogs and s'mores. But not just any, garden variety hot dog and s'mores. Gourmet and customizable.

The hot dogs will stay warm roasting in the grill.

My husband is a foodie and I am picky. So I am thinking of trying out some of the food cart options, but let people create their own recipes. I am planning kimchi, bib lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickle spears, cheese, salsa and bacon...and maybe chili if I can find a crock-pot (but it's the first thing to go). Tonight my hubby suggested having small hot dogs. Such a good idea, so people can try all kinds of combinations. Also, I can order the small holders.

My MIL has a good recipe for gourmet street corn. Hmm-- I think that would be a perfect addition to the grill!

And I don't want usual s'mores. I want s'more likes you never imagined (unless you read my blog!). Honey and chocolate grahams, white and dark chocolates, PB cups, banana, blueberries, coconut, and some spices. Yum!

The hardest part is the drinks. There will be some non-drinkers and possibly a few kids, and I don't just want to put bottles out. Beers, of course, but what else??  I was thinking regular lemonade and hard lemonade (with vodka)-- but I am having a hard time committing. Is there something that is more camp like?? What do you guys think?

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

To see Entry #1 click here

To see Entry #2 click here

To see Entry # 3 click here

To see Entry #4 click here