{Real Parties} Safari Adventure

This party was originally hosted by Enchanted Expectations.

Her invitations provide a wonderful 'hint' to what will be in store at the party.  The cake is simply gorgeous, the animal costumes are super fun, and their safari adventure is wonderful!  My kids would have loved this party!  

Enjoy the party, post a comment, and then head over to Enchanted Expectations.

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Safari Adventure

"The Invitation" that I made with the help of Microsoft Word

Safari Birthday Boy

Kids Parties are my passion. I recently completed another fabulous party for my son's 3rd Birthday(seen above). When the kids first arrived they were STOPPED at the "Passport Check In" station where they received pre-made passports and a Serengeti Agenda.

The kids then moved to the dress up station where they "Became a Jungle Animal". The kids received costumes and then got their face painted into an animal. Even the adults got involved. They loved that they were able to keep the costumes.

After the kids were dressed, they visited the "Serengeti National Park"and took pictures with the Lion and Elephant

Next the kids went to "See the Monkey's". Here they created Monkey visors and Monkey finger puppets.

Then the kids and parents "Enjoyed an African Feast" at the jungle table. The Feast included;
Safari Sandwiches - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Jungle Sandwiches - turkey and cheese on wheat bread
Animal Spotted Pizza-pepperoni pizza/cheese available for all you non-spotted lovers.
Snake Eggs- seedless grapes
Croc Teeth: apple slices
Dried Ants - plain raisins
Beetle Wings-potato chips Creepy Crawly Bugs - gummy worms
Jungle Juice-fruit juice

The kids then participated in the "Reptilian Hunt"
I put all kinds of interesting reptiles, from crocodiles to snakes all around the room and the kids went for a hunt to find as many as possible to fill up goody bags.

After the Reptile Hunt, the kids enjoyed "Safari Cake" made by Cakes Plus in Laurel, Maryland

For the Take home gift. I gave out "Safari Backpacks" filled with anything I could find that had animals on it.

Check out more pictures of Bailey's Safari Adventure on Flickr.

{Real Parties} Pink & Orange Parsasol Bridal Shower

Staring out my window this morning with lots of fluffy white snow covering everything, I began dreaming about summer.  Yes, I know it is February.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I am a warm weather girl.  Give me 90 degrees along with the 100% humidity and I'm happy.

Dreaming of warm weather, I was reminded that it was 3 years ago when my mom and I began planning my sister's August bridal shower.  Her shower was a suprise and we successfully pulled it off!  (Not an easy feat for those who know my sister!)

I used hot pink & orange as the color scheme, with parasols, gerbera daisies and kermits in the decorating.

First off, the invitations, menu and registry insert.

 

 The centerpieces alternated hot pink and orange parasols atop trumpet vases filled with orange and hot pink gerbera daisy blooms.  There was about 50-60 blooms per vase.  Falling from the parasols were kermit poms blooms attached with fishing wire.

 

3 small bouquets with votives circled the base of the trumpet vase.

 

 Watering cans filled with real gerberas on top.  I created the rain and paper petals shower.  The petals would contain messages from the guests for the bride-to-be.

  

 

 Seashell placecards in pink and orange writing.  The backside of the shell contained the guests' table number.

  

 My sister wanted a cupcake wedding cake since she isn't a huge sweet eater.  Her fiance didn't go for the idea.  She got her wish at her shower.  This was the first time I used fondant - ever.  We had a baker hired to make the cupcakes, but she cancelled only 3 days before the shower.  This began my obsesssion with fondant as I then made my daughter's 1st birthday cake just 6 weeks later.

  

 Favors were small hand lotions in 3 different scents from Bath & Body Works.

 

One surprised bride!

{Sneak Peak} Upcoming Lines

My birthday is TOMORROW!  WOW!  My last full day of being a 20-something year old! 

 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!  The contest ends tomorrow night at 11:59pm Eastern.  Enter Here - leave a comment and say a little prayer that my area won't get the 12" - 18" of snow they are predicting!

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Upcoming Lines Sneak Peak!

I thought I would share a little sneak peak of a few of the upcoming lines I am currently working on.  Stay tuned!  They will be in my shop soon.

Have a great weekend and happy party planning!

{Inspiration} It's Time to Relax ...

 

  

  

I don't know about you, but it's been crazy and hectic around here.  Unfortunately, my 'Kick off my 30's' Super Bowl Party had to be canceled.  I never realized how many friends and family go to Super Bowl Parties (Me being single and not into football, I'm perhaps a bit oblivious to this!)  I'm in the process of designing an additional 6 product lines, and completing orders.  Keep your eye out for these in the upcoming weeks!

I am in desperate need of pampering and a trip to the spa!  

I love the idea of spa parties, and they can easily be done at home with a female family and friends.  Bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, or just a girls' night out are perfect excuses to do this at your next party.

Inspiration Board

 {photo credits left to right} Facial; Powder Puff Beauty Invitation at my shop;  

Bath Salts; Crudite; Sorbet; Towel Display

Planning your At-Home Spa Party

Invitations

 

I created these powder puff beauty invitations last spring for a bride who wanted to treat her bridesmaids and close female relatives to a day of pampering for all their help in assisting her create the wedding of her dreams.  This extraordinary invitation features a metal tin where a white powder puff sits.  On the lid, the circular invitation is adhered.  This invitation is now available at Belleza e Luce!  Customization, of course, is always available - changes in color, design and more!  An additional tag may be attached to the powder puff with registry or other pertinent party information.

Color Scheme

The spa party is versatile in color schemes depending on the mood you want to create.  Think grass green and browns for a serene environment or shades of aquas and white for a calming, water-type feel.  Choose a bold color combination such as turquoise, hot pink, black and white to create a chic and swanky atmosphere.

Decor

Simple is key.  You want a relaxing and calm environment.  Lots of candles with river rocks with a single orchid bloom creates a quick and easy zen-type centerpiece.  Float flowers in your pedicure baths.  Tall cylindrical vases filled with water and a submerged orchid stem or wheatgrass in galvanized trays good choices as well. 

Activities 

You can hire licensed beauty and nail technicians, and massage therapists for your party or do your own.  Provide stations for the different services - manicure and pedicures, facials, massage, etc.  If you will be having massages, consider an area that is at least semi-private for this.

Food

Light and refreshing finger foods and snacks are the way to go at your spa party.

Crudite with zesty dips

Fruit Display

Cheese & Cracker Display

Tea Sandwiches  such as:

•Brie with chopped walnuts and watercress
on white bread
•Salmon and herbed cream cheese on white bread
•Rare roast beef with sharp cheddar and
tomato on rye bread
•Cream cheese and mango chutney on
white bread
•Herbed cream cheese and cucumber on
white bread
•Chicken salad with chopped cashews on
wheat bread

for dessert - sorbet

Beverages

Cucumber Water

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Make-over Mimosa (a twist on the traditional Mimosa)

Pour ¼ cup cranberry juice and ¼ cup pink grapefruit juice into a Champagne flute or a thin glass. Top with your favorite Champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately and keep the juices and bubbly chilled for refills.  Makes 1 mimosa.

Favors

We all know what candy bars and dessert bars are.  Well, why not a beauty bar!  Create a multi-dimensional tablescape with apothecary jars, cake pedestals, and trays to showcase the various bath and beauty items.  Some possible items to include: bath salts, lotions, bath gels, travel foot soak, pumice stone, nail polish, bath bombs, body butter, and fresh cut soaps.  You can coordiante the bar to your party color scheme or offer various colors and scents to your guests.  Provide glassine bags or take-out boxes with tags for your guests to fill up on their favorites.

Contact me to plan your next spa-rty for children, tweens or adults!

{Real Parties} Knights of Columbus 10th Anniversary

Two weeks ago, I showed you the gorgeous Black Baccara roses that invaded my dining room.  The party is over - a wonderful success and I finally finished processing the photos!

This event was in celebration of the Rev. James B. Coyle Council Knights of Columbus 10th Anniversary.  It is an organization my father and grandfather belong to and was asked to design the invitations, centerpieces, and photograph the event.  The reception was held at Channel Club in Monmouth Beach.

Invitations

Mass at St. Dorothea's Church

 

 

 

The Party

 

 

The centerpieces each had 3 dozen black baccara roses in them.

 

Self Portrait

 

I never found the owner of this drink to ask what it was

 

 

 Members of the Knights receiving an award from the Mayor.

 

An odd occurance - me actually having my picture taken - with my sister