Wild Rumpus

With each child's birthday comes a unique opportunity to let our inner child come out in disguise of what our children would love. So, I am not ashamed to admit that when my son picked Where the Wild Things Are as the theme for his 7th birthday it was mostly because I suggested it. So out when the invites to his closest friends stating let the wild rumpus begin!

I used pictures from the movie instead of the book per my sons request and tied them from little limbs for my centerpiece. The limbs were stuck into styrofoam. Under the centerpiece the large dough bowl held sub sandwiches. To the right I made a cupcake stand using cardboard and sauce cans wrapped in scrapbook paper. The party had a very jungle theme since that is kind of where the wild things are. Another idea not pictured are the streamers I hung above the present table. I took green streamers and taped leaves to each side and hung them coming straight down like vines.

This party theme would be equally great as a Halloween party. Letting kids make masks and have a real wild rumpus!

Stock thhe Bar

Most guys may not be up for a big party to celebrate birthdays. unless it's a stock the bar party. Invite friends to each bring a bottle they will enjoy some while they are there then leave the rest. Provide drink mixers, appetizers, and a treat. There are plenty of bar related games to play or just turn up the music and dance the night away. Visit a local package store to find empty boxes that can be used for decor. Drink responsibly.

Spring Fling

Spring is in the air and so is the pollen. But don't let that stop you from gathering with friends to celebrate the beginning of what is sure to be a steaming hot summer. This spring dinner was a casual cook out for Easter hosted by my friend Amber. Amber called me for a little inspiration and as usual I sent her to my fav resource; Joann's , to find a fabric for the table runner. The green and white fabric on the buffet was a great find at Marshalls.Under each plate was colorful scrapbook paper. I love raising some dishes by flipping bowls or other containers over and putting them on top. This creates some visual interest to the table. We simply looked around Amber's home and found other spring inspired decor like the cute tea pot. You don't have to spend a lot to make an event special, and your guests will feel honored.

Easter 2010

This Easter I decided to move dinner out of the formal dining room and into the sun room. I believe in decorating with your surroundings not against them, so I went with a yellow and green floral theme that matched the window treatments. The runner on the table is the same fabric as the window treatments that I had left over. I found a great deal on some yellow buttons that I glued to ribbon for napkin rings. I even happened to have a yellow and green pitcher with four glasses on the drink bar. The kids table was pink and green. Some adorable scrapbook paper was used for napkin rings. Foam sticky letters on plastic eggs for place cards. Everyone even adults like place cards so for any dinner with more than six guests I would use some. I kept the centerpieces low so that we could talk easily across the table. I filled a glass bowl with rocks and flowers. I was originally going to add water and floating candles, but at the last minute did not because it was so bright in there. It was a beautiful sunny day and we could really relax and enjoy the view.

Dessert bar

This is a dessert bar for a black belt testing at Premier Martial Arts in Columbus, GA. I used the school colors to decorate the table. Unexpected things always come up at events I originally planned on hanging a polka dotted cloth on the wall, but when I arrived I realized the table was ten feet instead of six. So, I had to compromise and use the green plastic cloth instead. I used lots of chocolates and green candies, cookies and cupcakes. The cupcakes are not on their stand yet because they needed to stay cold until the event started. All in all I think it was a success and the new black belts enjoyed the treat. I provided paper and plastic bags so they and their guests could take some home. Enjoy!

Easter

I have seen different families create a wide variety of Easter tables from very elegant brunches to kid centered fun. These pictures come from the year I decided to make an Easter dessert table for the children. Dinner was served outside where the hunt took place. Children came inside to find all the treats we couldn't hide in the eggs. Since this year I have certainly did many elegant tables. However, I enjoyed making all the sweets too. My favorite was the jelly bean napkin rings.

Tropical dinner party

Cupcakes By Ali

Having a birthday in one of the coldest months in the south didn't stop me from having a birthday dinner with tropical flair. My inspiration came from a vinyl tablecloth I found on clearance at Ross.(3.99) I took flowers and tied them to small branches for my centerpiece in a white vase. Super cheap flower buds in small glass vase accented the table, along with candles. I love assigned seating so each guest had a umbrella with their name attached stuck in a lime. The signature drink was lime margaritas. For dinner we had chicken fajitas. My good friend Ali made chocolate cupcakes with a pink 26 on them for the birthday girls age. This was super cheap and I hardly bought any decor. Ahhh another birthday gone by.

Dr. Seuss Baby Shower

Trivia game top left was one game we played. The bar area had One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish hanging above it. Water bottles wrapped in polka dot fabric and pinned with diaper pin were super cute.

My favorite part was the Horton Hears a Who table. I included a book for guests to write baby advice in. And yes I had to have the ultrasound picture in a frame that says "A person's a person no matter how small. Thanks Kara for the idea.

Cake by Pat-a-Cakes of Columbus, GA.

Little red bags were cut in half and blue cotton candy inside each one to look like Thing 1 & Thing 2

Water bottles!

When one of my very close friends found out she was pregnant before I could think congratulations I was thinking of baby shower themes. I saw a shower done by Kara over at kara'spartyideas.blogspot.com so I can't take all the credit for some of the decor. I took the inspiration from her and fitted to this event. It was a real treat to pick from so many Dr. Seuss books and work them together to create one awesome baby shower.