End Of Summer Picnic

I tell you, this has been "the-summer-that-never-ends" for me. We STILL have a week to go before school starts!! So I'm in the mood for an easy-going backyard picnic to finish the summer off stress-free. The traditional Labor Day colors of red, white, and blue work perfectly for this casual picnic party with bandanas, checks, dots and stripes.

Display drinks in cool recylcled glass bottles set inside a wooden crate(you can get from Michael's). Then just use a clothespin to attach swatches of fabric. You could even use a marker and write the type of drink that is available, on the strip of fabric.

Wrap paper napkins and serverware in more strips of fabric or scrapbook paper to match the color scheme.

Serve easy snacks in coordinating buckets.

Don't be a slave to the grill. There are several options to serve yummy sandwiches. 1)Make up a few large sandwiches with ciabatta, focaccia, or Italian loaves. Then cut them into single serving sizes. Have guests bring side dishes. 2)Set up a sandwich-making station for everyone to make their own. 3)Have everyone bring their own sandwich while you provide the side dishes.

Style your tables with simple and classic daisies. Use pretty colored vases to set them in, or make a clever statement with layers of colored sand.

Get Crafty!

Today's party lesson, boys and girls, takes us to art class! I found all these fantabulous crafty ideas at BHG and immediately thought of ways they would be used in showers and parties.

Notice the owl collage up there...That would be a fantastic focal point hanging above the drinks or dessert bar(done in your chosen theme of course). I love to blend traditional 'interior decorating' elements with party elements. You could make this using an old window and applying a different image to the back of each pane, or just use a multi-photo frame(as shown here).

Another cute addition to the party decor is these frames showcasing the guest of honor's monogram, or use them in small groups to spell out a word like "love," or "baby;" or showcase a special date(wedding or birthday). Just insert a letter/number and line with pretty paper.

And what about those shower "activities?" Line some clipboards with more pretty paper and set them out for guests to use when playing "baby bingo" or "match the famous couple."



Create party flowers from paper, buttons, and photos, to top off cupcakes, straws, pencils, drink stirers, etc.

Finally, add this tiny little detail to clothespins. Just glue on a strip of coordinating paper to the front edge. These can be used to clip on folded napkins, attach cards and photos to anything, hold a place card, or attach a name or Thank You card on to favor bags.

For more crafty goodness and instructions for all these, go to BHG.com

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots {Stuffed With Almonds}

Here is a no-fail appetizer I love to serve to guests. You need to try this one....seriously. It is the perfect combination of mildly sweet and salty with a nice crunch from the almond.

Bacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Apricots
12 dried apricots, cut in half cross-wise
24 whole almonds
8 slices Center Cut bacan, cut into thirds
Stuff each almond into the center of the cut apricot(there is a natural slit inside the apricot). Wrap 1 bacon piece around each stuffed apricot and secure with wooden toothpick. Place on a wire rack set on top of an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is cooked to your desired color and crispness. Turn once half-way through baking.

Make a dipping sauce by combining 1/2 cup apricot preserves and 2 TBsp soy sauce. Microwave 30 seconds - 1 minute or until preserves are melted and smooth.

A Perfect Pair Bridal Shower

There seems to be so much cute baby shower inspiration around the web, but here is an equally creative and perfectly detailed bridal shower found on Weddingbee. The theme is "The Perfect Pair" and it is carried out using pairs of shoes as the icon. Notice the shoe boxes used to hold a "boxed lunch" at each place setting! There were also pairs of shoes all around for party decor, and shoe cookies on the dessert bar. Speaking of dessert bar, notice how they wrapped each tootsie pop with coordinating paper to match the color scheme. Great idea and anyone can do it!

There are several more pictures to see from this shower so head over and see more great details!

That's A Wrap

I love giving edible favors. For the most part, everyone loves a sweet treat, and it's affordable. While searching for some other ideas recently, I came across several great ideas for wrapping candy bars....thanks Google Image!

For starters, you can make wrappers like the ones at top from KSpinning, by wrapping a candy bar with pretty scrapbook or wrapping paper, then wrapping another smaller accent layer, and adding a scrapbook embelishment.
If you really want to create something special, then follow the tutorial at K. Werner Design Blog to make these stunning candy bar sliders.

Another great tutorial with free download, is from Creature Comforts. Love the cute label she provides!
Finally, one of the easiest, but no less adorable, is the simply "wrapped and tied" version from Notes from a Cottage Industry.

These are such cute ideas and are a great way to carry out your theme or color scheme from the party. I hope you're inspired to wrap it up!

"Natural" Elegance

Create a beautiful tablescape inspired by nature, like the one here from Green Wedding Shoes. Incorporate large leaves, birds nests, birch candles, green plants, and birds. You automatically get a soft color pallete of green with lots of interesting textures.

A Teeny Tiny Treat

I love these teeny tiny truffle cones from Firelilly. Look how little they are compared to the hand holding it! They would be so perfect as part of a dessert buffet or take home favor.

Who Knew The Magic Of Cellophane?!

On a tight budget? Break out the cellophane! These vases are filled with crumpled cellophane and water, people!!!! And if it's good enough for a wedding of 500 guests, then it's good enough for you ; ) I found this on Australia Entertains, and was their way of working with a "tight" budget....hmmm, okay, I'll play along. No matter. It looks like a million bucks!

Quick & Cute

I found this ADORABLE idea on be different...act normal blog(love that sentiment too!). It is actually an idea from alpha+mom and you can get the tutorial and downloads here. Perfect for the kids lunchbox, but also a gread idea for a bridal shower or engagement party!
Notice she used rubber bands instead of ribbon to attach! ....Love This!

Apothacary Madness

Apothacary jars are not just for Candy Buffets anymore! Bring those babies onto the tabletop to create a wonderful centerpiece. Here are 3 beautiful examples filled with seashells, flowers, sand, and other natural elements. Be sure to use different heights and shapes for more interest.

You know how cute they look en mass filled with candy. Use those lovely shapes for cookies and favors as well...or cookie favors! They can also be set up to hold well-wishes, words of advice, or special sentiments written by guests as keepsakes for the guest(s) of honor.

Also use them in conjunction with glass cloches as part of the party decor. You can put ANYTHING inside: numbers(for a special date), pictures, vintage cards, letters to spell out words(b-a-b-y for a baby shower), family photos, etc, etc, etc...

Links:

table 1, table 2, table 3

cookie jar, jar with matches

numbers, boo

"Flowers & Butterflies" Inspiration

With the end of Summer near, it won't be long before we are focusing on pumpkins, black cats, and ghosts(oh my!). If you have a chance to sqeeze in a "Flowers & Butterflies" themed shower, luncheon, or birthday party, let this board be your guide.

Set up your dessert table with oversized butterlies, and flowers that are both real and hand crafted. Offer up cupcakes topped with butterflies and flowers.

Set the table with a grass(faux or wheat grass) runner and more butterflies hanging from above. Tuck long stems of flowers into the grass runner, and place a large butterfly sticker onto a paper plate for each place setting.

Further enhance your party decor by creating your own butterfly confetti using scrapbook punches, and sprinkling it on the table or serving platters and trays. You can even bring in some framed art pieces (butterflies or flowers) and set around on tables or hang on a wall above the drink or dessert table.

Send your guests home with a beautiful favor box topped with a butterfly and filled with flower-shaped cookies.

links:

dessert table, letterhead, cupcakes, confetti, butterfly decor

favor boxes, cookies, plate, butterfly art, table setting

other resources:

butterfly cupcake toppers

A Cupcake Bouquet

Here's a fabulous centerpiece for your next party. A bouquet of cupcakes! Make 2 and set one at each end of a dessert buffet, or use just one for a table centerpiece. Get the directions here.
I love those double-duty ideas!

The Dog Days Of Summer

There's still time to sqeeze in a few more summer parties. Here are a few ideas to inspire you: Build a "room" with bamboo poles, large potted planters, and light gauzy fabric. Don't forget to string some lights around for ambiance. (my home ideas)

Hang lots of old lanterns from trees, and use antique tubs, crates, and tables for an "old fashioned" backyard bash.(country living)

Don't forget to supply some fans for your guests to stay cool!(country living)

A Modern Jungle Theme

I found this beautifully photographed, beautifully detailed birthday party at Shooting Star Photography blog. It is for a 1st birthday party for a little boy and it's all very clean and modern.

Look at the great ice cream table set up with dipped sugar cones!

I love the monkeys hanging off the side of the glasses!

Perfect party favors are bags of animal crackers, and a comemorative book mark.

Check out the blog for even more details of a photo banner, and the adorable cake.

Margarita Monday!

I'm finally getting my summer vacay and we are Beach Bound Baby! Since this blog is all about a party, I thought I would invite you to our Margarita Monday Party. Today is the day we take our frozen margarita bucket out on the beach and chill out in the sun. It's a great way to start vacation!

In honor of Margarita Monday, I've included some other "Margarita" options for you to try:

Margherita Pizza

Margarita Pie

Margarita Cupcakes

Margarita Dip

Enjoy, Amigos!

Bridal Shower Decor

Do you know a young bride-to-be who is a school teacher, or just has a fun personality? Why not try this idea for some adorable and whimsical Bridal Shower decor! This is such a fun display of the old elementary school rhyme, '____&____sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G....', done in child-like drawings. I think it would be equally as nice using the rhyme simply displayed in small frames on the table. Wouldn't it be fun to continue this idea for a baby shower down the road, '...then comes ____with a baby carriage'! It will bring out the kid in everyone once they start reading it!

photo: Amorology Weddings

Child Friendly Details

Wheather you are hosting a child's party or just having a family-style party with lots of kids, these cute touches are sure to please the little ones(and big ones!). These cute "cootie catchers" are great for party invitations, or have the older kids make their own with their own quotes/phrases.

After seeing this idea this morning, I HAD to edit to add it into this post. PERFECT kids party favors below are dipped pretzel sticks wrapped to look like crayons. See full instructions at Parties by Hardie.

Below is one of my FAVORITE ideas for kids. Cover the table with brown or white wrapping paper or a roll of drawing paper, then incorporate the food display into some art. Kids would love helping create the picture too!

If it's an outdoor party your setting up for, use colorful towels, and new(clean) toys to serve the food on. Use raw sugar, which is light brown in color, to emulate beach sand.

Photos: cootie catcher & table-parents.com

beachy theme table-newsday.com

Games People Play!

I believe the same old shower games keep getting played becouse people don't know what else to do....and they haven't contacted a party planner;D Try to remember that brides and mothers-to-be are a more sophisticated bunch than say, 20 years ago. With that in mind, I have put together a little collection of "activities" that will be fun, modern, and enjoyable. Starting with this fantastic Baby Bingo Set from Michele's Etsy shop Cluster Design. You can see above, that it comes boxed with either 12 or 24 playing cards, a set of calling cards, and the playing chips. All of the cards are laminated so you can play multiple times, for multiple prizes, even multiple showers! These are designed with the cutest graphics for baby girl, baby boy, or neutral. This is one game I would NOT mind playing at a baby shower.

Here's a fun game that incorporates delicious treats as prizes. The Candy Bar game correlates several different candy bar names, with several different events revolving around pregnancy and baby. For the full instructions and list of candies, check out Simply Creative Insanity here.

Another great activity is this Celebrity Baby game from Mix Mingle Glow. It is so fun to try to guess who each celebrity baby is in each picture. You can read the full post on this, and email them for further instructions by clicking here.

If a bridal shower is in your future plans, why not incorporate this activity posted by The Blonde Excuse. It is a Famous Couples Matching game. You just list one half of a famous couple and then the guests pick it's match listed in the next column. The fun thing about this is that you can use couples past and present, real couples or TV character couples, etc. Get creative with it!

Finally, if you're looking for some post-marriage fun at a dinner party with friends, play this Newlywed Game posted by Kendall's Entertaining Life. There are some great sample questions provided and you can come up with some more as well. This is sure to get some laughter going! If you REALLY want to play the same old "steal the clothespin/necklace" or "open the diaper to see who has the 'dirty' one," or "wrap the bride in toilet paper dress," I can't stop you. BUT, I urge you to try one of these games instead ; )

Also try:
 The Onsie Game here
Wishes for Baby
Mom Pop Quiz
"Who Knows the Bride Best"
Fill in the Blank Nursery Rhymes

Cheese Please!

I'm in love with this cheese display. The simple signs, the tree trunk pedestals, and the wood baskets all work to create a beautifully modern-rustic cheese presentation. How to recreate your own? Well, Target has some wood-grain bowls, and Michaels has wood planks and craft pieces. If you want to splurge, you can find the faux tree trunks here. Here is another option. Now, where is my bottle of wine?.....

Photo: Gloria Wong Designs