Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Spring is in the air!

I LOVE spring!  The colours, the flowers and party opportunities!  I am planning a Mad Hatter Tea Party for all of our friends and family in April.  I CAN'T WAIT!  When I saw this Easter Tablescapes and Spring Parties Contest over at Maddycakes Muse I just had to pull out some of the things that I had been collecting for my tea party!  Here are a few photos:

 A fabulous view from the top!

Some of the goodies!

Cute bumble bee hey?

I'm also starting to plan for a good friends Bumble Bee Baby Shower in July.  I couldn't resist adding a few yellow, black and white touches!  My friend and fellow blogger, Amy, at Momma Bee's PartyZ threw a Rubber Duckie Baby Shower the other day!  It was fabulous!  And so springy!  Here are a few pics:

Rubber Duckies and an invite.

Yummy party favours!

For more details and photos go to It's My Party Events.   
   

Chocolat(e) Bridal Shower

My sister’s favorite movie is Chocolat, so I was totally inspired to have a chocolate themed bridal shower (or a Choco-Soiree as I called it) for her back in December. 

With a theme like chocolate inspired by Chocolat it was easy to go all out.  We had a chocolate-infused menu, chocolate candy buffet, chocolate games and prizes, and chocolate favors.  Even the colors, turquoise, red, and gold, and the location of the shower were inspired by the movie. 

I was blown away by the Vera Wang Retro Verso invitation.  While gorgeous they are also expensive, so I made the invites myself.  I took a page from Vera’s book and made the shower invites dual sided. I bought paper from Paper-Source.com.  I used the 5.5" circle card in "Pool" and the 5.75" square envelopes in "Red".  And, of course, I had to include the kangaroo!

 
We held the shower at a local winery that was described as a “French Country Chateau.”  The venue itself was simple, elegant, and embodied the “quiet little village in the French countryside” that sets the scene in Chocolat, so we kept our decorations to a minimum.  We used clusters of turquoise and red balloons too add some color.  We also bought centerpieces with all red flowers, including kangaroo paws, and turquoise vases.

 
Budget Friendly Tip:To help create a French Country atmosphere decorate with clusters of grapes and use empty wine bottles as candle holders.  Make this French Country tablecloth for $10. Bright reds and yellows for paper goods will also help give you a French Country feel.   

A local caterer helped us come up with a delicious chocolate menu, which included: 

Vegetable Display with Chocolate Yogurt Dip

Tiki Shrimp with a Ginger Dipping Sauce

Chocolate Soup with Mascarpone Brioche Sandwiches made with honey and cream cheese

Hot open-faced Ham, Swiss, and Granny Apple Sandwiches on Baguette with Dijon Mustard

Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries, Pineapples, Bananas, Pretzels, and Marshmallows

Raspberry Iced Tea

Budget Friendly Tip: Chocolate recipes can be found all over the internet.  Click on the links in the menu above for recipes.

We also had a gorgeous cake designed by the same cake artist that was making the wedding cake.  We kept it simple with three tiers covered with turquoise and red fondant and a gold damask pattern.  Each tier incorporated chocolate.  Our mascot, the kangaroo decorated the second tier.

 
Budget Friendly Tip:  Chocolate cupcakes with red and turquoise frosting or cupcake liners (like these found on Etsy.com at sweet treats supplies and make it sweet) on a tiered cupcake stand will look just as gorgeous and delicious. 

I like playing games at showers because it gives the guests something to do besides chit-chat.  Plus, they’re great icebreakers.  We played “How Well Do You Know the Bride & Groom?” trivia and our version of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” In keeping with all the chocolate, guests had to guess what candy bars they were eating and how many Hershey Kisses were in a jar.

Our prizes were chocolate related as well.  We gave away a fondue pot, a chocolate making kit, a chocolate spa set, and tickets to a chocolate making class.  We like to keep our prizes hidden, so guests get a fun surprise too.

 
Budget Friendly Tip: You can keep prizes simple by handing out the jar of kisses as one prize and centerpieces for the rest of the prizes.  Chocolate scented candles are also inexpensive.

The favors were wrapped in red damask boxes with turquoise ribbon and a kangaroo button. Along with an Egyptian perfume bottle (which the bride collects) each guest received the movie Chocolat, Bride and Groom Chocolate Miniatures from Oh Nuts!, Poppin' Time Brittle Bark from Brittle Bark , and white chocolate fudge covered Oreos with the bride and groom's picture on them from Cookie HQ.

 
Budget Friendly Tip:  Make personalized candy bar wrappers, like these from CandyUnderCover.com,  and let everyone take home the bride’s favorite candy bar.  For a slightly more expensive option, set-up a chocolate candy buffet!

In addition to our other favors we also set up a chocolate buffet.  Guests filled up their own bags before they left.  We bought some chocolate from a local candy store and some prepackaged chocolates from the grocery store.  Each chocolate had its own dish and was labeled, so guests knew what they were taking with them.

 
For more pictures and ideas visit A Yummy Mummy on a Pink Park Bench.

 

Pink Lemonade Color Scheme

Wouldn't this be a darling color scheme for a shower or little girl's party? It's so quaint and unique; sure to be a crowd pleaser!

1. DIY Favor Boxes

2. Cotton Candy

3.  Monogram Cookie

4. Sparkling Punch Recipe

Sweet Cuddlecakes   

The "Winos" that I Know...

...would go crazy for this! How do you keep up-to-date on the hottest, most delicious recipes and snag the best bottles off the shelf every month? Why you simply join the Cookstr.com team and their brand new "bookclub"! Each month, not only will you receive the cookbook of the month but TWO...thats right TWO bottles (a red and a white) that complement the included recipes will also arrive on your doorstep. If this isn't the perfect inspiration for a monthly get-together, I don't know what is! I could see a monthly girls night of wine and trying new appetizers or even a very special date night once a month where the two of you bookmark your favorites and surprise each other with a dish to devour!

DIY Recipe: Fortune Cookies

 

 

Am I the only one that likes to take packages and packages of fortune cookies away from my favorite Asian restaurant? I usually end up having to pay extra because they're just that delicious! Well, I found a pretty simple recipe that adds a gourmet spin to this cultural staple. Head on over to No Fuss Fabulous for more. 

More ideas at Sweet Cuddlecakes.  

Summer Backyard Barbecues

Hot BBQ + cold drinks = a good time! For laid-back, no-fuss entertaining, it's hard to beat a backyard barbecue. With easy, fun dishes and activities for both kids and adults, your party is destined to become and instant classic. Not Just A Mommy!

Get The Party Started
Have the kids cut Popsicle shapes from colored construction paper, then glue the cutouts to Popsicle sticks after you've written in the barbecue details.

How about this perfect print-and-mail template from Real Simple, it even has a line for what guests can bring to round out the refreshments.

Cleverness at Maggie's Dinner Dates who used condiment bottles to invite friends to their bash.

Setting The Scene
Take a tip from Instructables and turn kettle grills into planters. Fill the grill to the top with soil, and add whichever flower or plant of your choice just as you would in a regular flower pot. Don't cover with the lid, instead prop it against the bottom of the grill.

Skip the cooler and fill a child's wagon with ice and stock it with sodas, beer, and bottled water. Plus, the wagon can be rolled around for a bit of curbside service!

Take another tip from the party planning gurus in Real Simple:Celebrations; set out utensils and napkins in rinsed Campbell's soup cans, keeping everything orderly and adding a little more color to your spread. Just make sure that the rims don't have any jagged edges.

Bypass the checkered tablecloth and paper plates. A long sheet of white butcher paper is the ultimate table covering. Set out cups of crayons like they do at the restaurants and let guests add to the decor. These retro serving baskets lined with parchment paper make fun and reusable serving plates. I've purchased mine at our local Party City.

If you insist on paper plates, nestle them into an upturned Frisbee for a sturdier surface and a fun take-home favor.

This hourglass beverage jar from Sur La Table has a 2-gallon capacity that is perfect for lemonade, sangria and more.

What To Do
Sorry, y'all, not everyone wants to just sit around, especially with kids involved. Another great idea outlined in Real Simple: Celebrations, keep the kids occupied by setting up a lemonade stand. Place a few dishes of quarters around so adults can patronize the stand as often as they like.

The classics never go out of style. Set up lawn games like croquet and badminton, and nothing beats water balloons and sidewalk chalk.

The Munchies
Yes, hot dogs and hamburgers are a given, but take standard fare to another level. Set up a flavored butter bar for your corn on the cob. Check out BHG's slide show of exotic ways to jazz up your ears with blends like curry powder and nuts.

I love food stations; less work for me and another way to keep guests engaged. Have a fruit kabob station; guarantee kids will eat their fruit. Use Popsicle sticks for little ones, older kids and adults can use regular skewers. Have a S'more station with a twist; indulge in toppings that allow guests to top off with one more goody. Before sandwiching with the second graham-cracker square, Sunset.com recommends to try sliced strawberries, bananas, peanut butter, and even caramel.

Send Them Home With A Smile
Back at Maggie's Dinner Dates, she bought BBQ oven mitts (a score at Michael's), rolled them up tightly and tied with a thick ribbon. Placed in the tin buckets on the table they make perfect centerpieces.

Parker's Crazy Cookies

OK, so every now and then something comes along and I think "I knew someone would beat me to it". Meet the latest in tasty personalization and cooler than photo cakes...Parker's Crazy Cookies!

Turn your favorite photo into a bag of pure genius...have them design something special for your next guest of honor! Or choose from themed assortments for a baby shower, wedding, or any other social occassion. The cookies come individually packaged in a tied cellophane bag with a customized label, and you know they'll be a hit! Not Just A Mommy!

Margarita Madness

Why go with traditional margaritas when you can mix it up with these unique recipes for your Cinco De Mayo celebration? Not Just A Mommy!

Triple Orange Margarita - courtesy of Glam.com
1 1/2 ounce ultra-premium tequila
3/4 ounce Imported GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 ounce agave nectar (a natural sweetner; you can sub simple syrup to taste)
1 lime wheel 1 orange peel

1. Pour the tequila, orange liqueur, juices, and nectar into an ice-filled shaker.
2. Add the orange peel, shake vigoriously, and strain into a chilled ice-filled glass or chilled margarita glass to serve it “up.”
3. Garnish with a lime wheel and the orange peel.

Pomegranate Margarita - a great group recipe, courtesy of Southern Living
6 cups white tequila
12 cups water
4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
2 cups pomegranate juice
1 1/2 cups Triple Sec
2 (10-ounce) cans frozen margarita mix, thawed
2 (11.5-ounce) cans frozen cranberry juice cocktail, thawed and undiluted
2 (12-ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed and undiluted
Light corn syrup
Coarse sparkling sugar

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a very large plastic container. Cover and freeze at least 24 hours or until slushy.
2. Pour a small amount of corn syrup onto a flat plate. Pour coarse sugar onto another plate. Dip rims of margarita glasses in corn syrup; dip each glass into sugar.
3. Pour margaritas into prepared glasses.

Pineapple Margarita - courtesy of High Octane Blenders.com
1 1/4 ounces tequila
3/4 ounce triple sec
1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce sweet-and-sour mix
1/3 cup pineapple chunk, frozen
2 cups crushed ice

1. Rub rim of margarita glass with lime wedge and dip in granulated sugar.
2. Combine ingredients into mixer until smooth.
3. Garnish with a speared pineapple chunk and cherry.

Blue Margarita - recipe courtesy of Southern Living
1 (10-ounce) can frozen margarita mix
3/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup blue curaçao liqueur
2 tablespoons lime juice

1. Rub rim of margarita glass with lime then dip in salt.
2. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Fill with ice to 5-cup level, and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Earth Day Party Ideas

Doesn't the thought of having a party for Earth Day seem contradictory? Aren't parties like the number 2 reason that landfills are overflowing? (Disposable diapers I believe are number 1). Don't fear, there are many ways to have a wonderful party without insane consumption. Check out my blog's posts on recycling project ideas, and green party ideas, they have some great party ideas, and here are a few more....

Get The Party Started - Use services like Evite and Purple Trail for online invitations; they have Earth Day themed invites. If you just have to have send paper invites, how about writing party info on paper lunch bags that invitees can reuse?

Setting The Scene -  Potted plants and seedlings make great decorations that can be given to guests to take home and plant. Put them in recycled decorated coffee cans, yogurt cups or glass jars.

There are many wonderful CDs featuring relaxing nature music. Check them out for free at your local library.

The Munchies - Menu ideas should include creating foods that use little to no energy, and using natural foods to celebrate the Earth. Do some BBQing, pasta salads, and dips with cheese, crackers, local fruits and veggies.

Younger guests will love eating dirt cups; line clay pots with foil, fill with chocolate pudding and top with crushed chocoate cookies and gummi worms.

What To Do - Earth Day games are a fun way to reiterate the importance of protecting the environment. Test your guests' knowledge with an Earth Day trivia game. Know how hybrid cars manage to conserve gas? How many tons of waste Americans produce each year? A little pre-party research and you'll have plenty of facts to entertain and spread a little eco-awareness. Check out these quizzes at CNN and Lesruba Designs.

Let guests lend a helping hand to the birds in your area by supplying them with simple nesting materials. All you need to do is fill a onion mesh bag with dried grass, short lengths of yarn and string. They can hang their bag in a location that the birds can safely access, watch them collect, and might even get lucky enough to see a nest in one of their trees.

Plan an outdoor scavenger hunt. Send your guests out to retrieve a list of items found in nature, such as acorns, pine cones, even an earthworm. Add litter to the list and the game doubles as a neighborhood beautification project.

See which guest can turn trash into treasure. Use milk jugs, grocery bags, aluminum cans and other recyclables to create sculptures that can be used as centerpieces.

Send Them Home With A Smile - Send guests home with favors that encourage them to conserve. Send home energy-efficient light bulbs or these favors, made from 100% post-consumer waste and embedded with wildflower seeds, recycle themselves by growing wildflowers right of the paper. Not Just A Mommy! 

Cookie Buffet

There are two reasons why I love the cookie buffet: repetition of a theme, in this case the cookie, elevates it from being mundane to magnificent, and it is more simple than serving a multitude of desserts or icing lots of cupcakes.

Martha Stewart displays my kind of cookie buffet. Thick jars holding cookies that we all love from childhood: peanut butter, chocolate chip, chocolate brownie and oatmeal. Note the glassine-lined bags and stickers for guest d-i-y favors. Gallon size jars are available at Container Store or your local home decor store.

The ladies at Toast & Tables threw a cookie business launch party for their friend with this cookie buffet. Apothecary jars and canisters could also be used for displaying smaller cookies such as macaroons or amaretti.

Liz at San Jose Wedding Consultants displayed homemade cookies from members of a non profit for their annual luncheon. She remarks that you can fill just about any kind of vessel with just about anything; candy, popcorn, munchies, mini-muffins, etc., in addition to cookies. Here she uses a combination of vases, apothecary jars, trifle/dessert bowls, platters and candy dishes to create visual interest. 

This was a dramatic display of mini sandwich cookies that could utilize boxes, Styrofoam  blocks or cakes.

One Girl Cookies in Brooklyn, NY can ship you a customized Cookie Bar right to your door.

Christine at Lily's Cookies in San Antonio is my favorite custom decorated cookie baker for special occasions. The cookies don't just look beautiful, they taste amazing. She also ships. Customized cookies tie the cookie buffet to a themed event such as a wedding, corporate event or milestone anniversary. 

For upscale events, have your local baker make black and white cookies and serve champagne.