Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

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

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!

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 }

Splashy Poolside Baby Shower

Hello and Happy FRIDAY!  AFS here.  Many of you know that my husband and I are expecting a baby girl in August.  To honor the coming of our little one, my friends offered to throw me a baby shower, and, of course, I eagerly accepted.  True to form, my friends threw an incredible party, right down to every last fantastic detail.  I just had to share with you their beautiful success!

Since the temps in Memphis are already SO HOT, they knew that a poolside baby shower would be the perfect theme.  The invites set the stage for the poolside par-tay.  Here are the perfect parasol/ beachy invites that they used to announce the event (from tinyprints.com):

My friends used our baby girl's nursery colors (aqua, orange, and pink, as found in the Target Liberty of London crib bedding) as the color scheme, and this awesome tutorial (found at hostessblog.comwas the starting point for their entire decor scheme:

 
Here is their final product: 
Pretty snazzy!

They used a Cricut machine to make monogram labels for everything...from the banner between the topiaries, to the drink tags featuring her monogram for the Izze drinks. 

The food was perfect for an outdoor event.  Melon was served in a watermelon baby crib (built by one of the hostesses' husbands!), and kabobs, pasta salad, spinach salad, and to die for guacamole rounded out the lunch.  Cupcakes with baby girl's monogram were a perfect sweet ending to a fresh and delicious meal.

Everyone was invited to bring their bathing suits, and almost everyone swam after we opened gifts.  It was the pefect "not-your-traditional-baby-shower" activity, plus the kiddos could play, too!

 We sat in the shade to open gifts, and orange and cherry push pops were handed out so guests could keep cool.  Even the incredible diaper cake tied in perfectly with the theme!

All talk of decor, drinks, and gifts aside, this was a wonderful way to welcome summer and hang with the girls on a Saturday afternoon!

 
If you have a summer baby shower, why not consider a poolside party?  The water does wonders for relieving the expectant mama's sore feet, back, joints, etc. (I can speak from firsthand experience on that one!), and there are plenty of party goods and ready-made decorations to take your shower from snoozy to splashy!  Hope you enjoyed this poolside parasol baby shower!

Diving boards and divas,

DIY Father's Day Place Card

I created this simple DIY Father's Day Place Card that will surly make any Dad feel special. This is fun for the guy who loves to spend his day "on the green". Read below for the DIY.

I created two versions - one with an irregular shaped green.

And one with a round green.

Here is what you need.

A piece of floral foam.

A few pieces of grass printed scrapbook paper. Technically golf greens and tees have very short cut grass on them - Joann Fabrics has scrapbook paper that looks just perfect!

Golf balls and golf tees.

X-acto knife and scissors.

Small round containers. I had these green votive candle holders, but it would also work with any small round container. I also tried it with the white Ramekins.

Spray adhesive or glue.

 

I turned the containers over tracing the shape on the back of the paper.

 
Cut them out with scissors. I cut an extra strip of the grass paper to wrap around the inside of the glass container to hide the floral foam.

Cut a piece of floral foam to fit inside the container - wrap paper around the foam if needed.

 Determine where you want to place your golf tee on your "golf green" and make a small X with the X-acto knife. This will allow the tee to go into the paper without tearing.

I printed out bands of color tags with names on them and cut them into flag shapes. I wrapped them around the tee after applying a little spray adhesive.

Happy Father's Day - This would also be fun for any golf event or golf themed children's party!

 

Find more party and entertaining ideas at Entertain Exchange.

CME Roundup - Splashy Summer Outdoor Dining

As the temps rise and we head outside to enjoy the days of summer, outdoor dining is a must!  The following are a few outdoor dining pieces that will help any hostess with a summer soiree.

Walk into any home goods/decor store, and melamine is everywhere!  Whether you are looking for something for a particular party or a timeless addition to your dinnerware collection, now is the time to get it.

Here are a few of my favorites:

 
[1) Outdoor party melamine dinner set from Pottery Barn, 2) Talavera melamine salad plates from Pottery Barn, 3) Personalized melamine plates from More Than Paper,4) Graphic melamine dinnerware from West Elm]

Not into to melamine?  How about metal enamelware?  You can find tons of this great, durable stuff at antique malls and flea markets, or you can buy your own new version at places like Amazon and Pottery Barn.  We have about 14 gingham enamelware plates at our house, and they are our dinnerware of choice when dining outside!

[ 1) Partyware enamel serving pieces from Pottery Barn, 2) GSI enamelware dinner plates from Amazon, 3) Enamelware dinnerware from Pottery Barn]

There are also tons of great serving pieces and glasses that are perfect for outdoor entertaining.  I am a huge fan of acrylic glasses that don't look too plastic-y and brightly colored serving pieces that go with any occasion.  Don't you think these items below are guaranteed to liven up any al fresco gathering?!?

[ 1) Ring melamine serving pieces at Gracious Home and 2) hammered acrylic drinkware from West Elm]

Hope these items inspire you to get outside and enjoy some fresh air! 

May flowers and June bugs,

  


 

Graduation 2010 - One Smart Cookie

It is graduation season again, and it's time to break out of the luau theme. Do you have a smart cookie graduating this year? Well then, let the world know with a cookie-themed soiree! With the dessert table as the new black this party season, use your skills to set up a cookie buffet as part of your party setup.

Since I'm not about reinventing the wheel, here's a repost of my cookie buffet post, with some new twists. Who could resist a milk-and-cookie graduation send-off? And note all the different ways the confections are displayed, from apothecary jars to buckets, just make it special with labels, ribbons, the possibilities are endless. Repurposing shot glasses and cake platters, sheer genius at this wedding. Over at Toast and Tables, a beautiful spread where they served milk out of vintage glass containers. Another inspired spread from Rebecca Thuss; I love the personalized cookie envelopes. b.a.s.h.ful Events put together a lovely spread for a baptism, check out the labels on the bags and the cookie tags. A beautiful buffet at Gourmet.com took the place of the wedding cake at this ceremony. Yes, I can't get enough of this baby shower spread at Most Likely Late, this is the second time I've blogged about it. Need a few freebies to help your party decor budget? Over at No Fuss Fabulous, she shares a free download for placecards while Living Locurto has free downloads that would make great stickers on your guests' treat bags. Not Just A Mommy!

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.

Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Fiesta Inspiration

A Mexican Fiesta is always fun to plan. Cinco de Mayo is next week, but this festive inspiration can be used all summer long.

1. Edible Flag for Cinco de Mayo - Family Fun  2. Festive table and menu - Everyday with Rachael Ray 3. Tissue paper flowers - Fresh and Vintage 4. & 5. Beautiful destination wedding in Sayulita Mexico, near Puerto Vallarta - Evrim Icoz Photography.

Dessert recipe was removed.

 

Posted by Enterain Exchange - party inspiration.