Farewell Party Inspiration

Our friends are moving to California.  And although we’re so sad to see them go, we’re excited for them to finally be living their ‘California dreaming’.  We wanted to throw them a little farewell party before the left.  Here’s the inspiration behind their Ciao Chi Town party.



{skyline}



I love the airport codes as a back drop or as a banner.  Other options could include the a map of the USA with a heart in Chicago and a heart in California, connected by a dotted line. 

Every party needs a little glitter, try a fun Bon Voyage banner or go the DIY route by stringing paper airplanes together.

Chalk accents are so popular right now.  I love the I heart Texas chalkboard photo booth props.  And how appropriate is a chalkboard globe guest book. 

Re-purposing boxes as a backdrop is so genius, this would also work great for a housewarming party, and a great use for those empty boxes.   I love those moving box wine dispensers, and such a cute play off of ‘house wines'. 

You can’t have a going away party without an invite.  Love this one’s play off of childhood sayings.

And if you're looking for a more traditional or international travel decor, these Bon Voyage cupcake toppers would be perfect, with their blue and red boarder.  And finally cookies or hard candy in a ‘goodbyes suck’ bag make great favors.

Glam & Goth Halloween Dinner Party

It's October, and thus the influx of fun Halloween inspiration.  Next to Christmas, Halloween is my other favorite holiday, from the candy to getting dressed up to all the fun decorations.  Love this glamorous and Gothic dinner party, think skulls, antique apocthary finds, and glitter.

{photos via Pizzazzerie}

SWEET SCARY MARTINI RECIPE

2 shots of coffee liqueur
2 shots of butterscotch schnapps
1 shot of white chocolate liqueur
1/2 cup of half and half
Shake + Pour! yields 2 cocktails

College Send Off

We all remember our freshman year of college.  The freedom, the friends, the classes, the exams, the constant eating out/eating junk; the dorms, and the amazing memories.  I love this send of party featured on Pizzazzerie.  It's filled with the basic essentials: pizza, take out, Red Bull, and Ramen noodles!  Some of the fabulous details: the invite was this creative handbook; color pallet: red, black, and white; the spread was on a twin sized dorm bed; the laundry bin served as the beverage bin; and they had a take out food cake.  So fun!

{photos via Pizzazzerie}



Under the Big Top

Victoria Beckham gave birth to a healthy baby girl this weekend (Harper Seven), and I couldn't help but think this would be the perfect baby shower for a girl!  A pink, circus themed shower featured on Hostess.  I'm loving all the details from the tented tables, to sweet pink roses, the pom pom mobile and cake stand trimming, and chalkboard signs.  And of course all the yummy treats, what a fun and girly shower!

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Hammered Spoon tutorial

I love the look of hammered spoons, whether it's spelling out the name of your guest or the name of your potted plant.  Hammered spoons are both elegant and rustic, and relatively simple to create, thanks to this tutorial.  All you'll need are some spoons, hammers (sledge and ball peen), metal stamp set, sand paper, and a sharpie.  

Spud Bar

This is perfect for your next sports related festivities or for a guys' night: a Spud Bar.  I love potatoes as much as the next person, I'm especially a huge fan of potato skins, so I was delighted when I saw this spud bar featured on Somewhere Splendid.   Featuring French Fries, mashed potatoes, potato skins, baked potatoes, potato wedges and of course, tater tots, served alongside all the trimmings!  A fabulous idea!

{photo via Somewhere Splendid}

Bee-autiful Honey House Warming

I'm loving this fresh take on a house warming party, featured on Hostess with the Mostess, a honey theme!  With the warm hues of yellow, gold, and tan, and the abundance of fresh produce from the farmer's market, this party is so refreshing.

 

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Happy St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Some inspiration for your green filled festivities, enjoy!

{top row: Guinness glasses, Leap Year, Guinness Chocolate Cake; second row: horseshoe, cupcake, girl with umbrella, Porsche; third row: table, four leaf clover pendant, cuff links}

St. Patrick's Day Link Love:
~ St. Patty's Day Coasters
~ DIY bars of gold, rice krispy treats
~ St. Patty's Day printables: here and here

And the Oscar goes to...

Oscar Party Kit

{email me, if you'd like a copy of the Oscar Bingo PDF}


 Some fabulous and inspired desserts for your Oscar viewing party:

{Golden smoores, photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

{Tuxedo Cookies, phot via Bakers Royale}

{Brownie popcorn bags, photo via Bakerella}

 Friday Link Love:
~ All your Oscar party needs (ballots, menus, and party advice)
~ Adorable Pink Princess Party
~ DIY destination wedding save-the-date
~ Elevate your photo booth, try a paper moon
~ Yummy Panna Cotta dessert

And the Oscar goes to....

This Sunday is the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, aka the Oscars. I'm having a couple of girlfriends over to basically see who wins the important stuff, and to discuss/ rate everyone's outfits. Doesn't mean we can't do it in style. Some inspiration for Oscar party/evening:

{photo credits: 1. & 4. Hostess with the Mostess, 2. & 5. Twig and Thistle, 3. Dallas Catering, 6. Bakerella}

Serve: Champagne, dirty martinis, finger food, and a pop corn bar. Martha has all your pop corn bases covered here.

Create signs for your finger foods, dual functionality: reminds everyone who the nominees are:

Good ole' fashion Oscar Bingo.  Here's the one I created.