Spring It On!

My goofy boys and their friends had a blast with the Photo Booth!

When you live in Central NY, you get used to long, gray-skied winters and spending months wishing for warmer, brighter days. So, when my church asked me to help them put together a family luncheon two days after the first day of Spring, creating a theme was easy - SPRING PICNIC! (of the indoor variety, of course - it is still March in CNY after all!)

So, this afternoon, despite the still-frigid winds and ice on our windshields, we celebrated the start of Spring with kids singing, bright colors, lots of tasty food, giant tissue paper flowers and some seed packet favors.

As usual, I didn't get great photos (I have GOT to learn to get good pictures! *SIGH*) but you can get the idea. I got lots of compliments on the tissue paper flowers and the pink lemonade cupcakes and since they were both easy to make, I've linked tutorials with the photos. You can also download the "SPRING" banner and Photo Booth sign below for free!

Tissue Paper Flower Tutorial from Project Nursery and Design Everyday Blog

Streamer Photo Booth backdrop tutorial by Lovely Indeed (sidenote: instead of taping the ends of the tape strip, our smart crew made little tape donuts that ran the length of the tape strip on the top and bottom AND we used an easy-release painters tape to ensure no paint was harmed in the making of this lovely photo booth)

Download SPRING Banner for FREE! 

*For personal use only and please give credit to Pridmore Event Planning & Design

Download Photo Booth Sign for FREE!

*For personal use only and please give credit to Pridmore Event Planning & Design

These (slightly mis-frosted) Pink Lemonade Cupcakes were a combination of altered recipes. Unfortunately, after a week of the hubs and I being sick, I was out of energy when it came time for making the cupcakes I'd originally planned (Martha Stewart's Strawberry Cupcakes - to. die. for. They're my go-to for instant Spring/Summer taste!). So, I cheated and made some boxed strawberry cake mix. Martha, it was not. But, in a pinch...

The frosting, however, was from scratch. I specifically wanted to make the frosting lemonade-y and I found a million frosting recipes on Pinterest but, as I said, I was super low on energy so when I found one from Better Homes and Gardens that seemed simple and easy, I went for it and it turned out GREAT! (This recipe also includes a cake recipe that I might have to try another time.)

A couple of side notes... I halved the frosting recipe and had plenty for 24 cupcakes (plus plenty to sample). Also, I used the full 1/4 cup of concentrate to up the flavor but I used pink lemonade concentrate instead of plain and I used a little less than 1 tsp Lemon Extract.

Finally, I garnished with lemon slice candies and some cut up paper straws. No cupcake's complete without a little somethin' somethin', right?

Well, that about wraps it up. Wish there were more photos to share but, like I said, I'm just no good at getting pics! (and I'm afraid, trying to stay awake while in sick-all-week-recovery-mode didn't bode well for my already dreadful photo skills)

HAPPY DIY PARTYING!

Throw Back Thursday: Vintage Bowls

Lately, everywhere I look - I've been finding vintage bowls that I absolutely adore! Not that there's an inch to spare on my shelves but some things you just know you have to have!

Tell me, who couldn't find good use for these lovelies?!

This pot. 

This gorgeous copper pot.

 I can think of a thousand ways to make this beauty earn it's keep!

Pink! 

Hobnail! 

Punch Bowl! 

Yes, Please. 

 

I saw a milk glass bowl like this yellow one last summer at a flea market and have been kicking myself ever since for not grabbing it up when I could have! Beautiful!

And, Help me, Rhonda! I'm madly in love with these Depression Glass style ice cream bowls.
These bowls absolutely exude Spring. Lord knows, I could totally use something to help me forget we're buried under a hundred feet of snow & ice (give or take a few)!
Perfection!

Can't you just see the pastel-colored Easter eggs tucked into a little nest of 

bright green grass inside these beauties?!

Frozen Party Makeover

If you're like millions of other moms out there, you're over this whole Frozen-craze (like, WAY over it). But the wee ones are still madly in love with Elsa, Anna and Olaf. As a matter of fact, Dear Daughter's birthday is coming up and unlucky for you, she's still insisting on Elsa cups, Elsa plates, Elsa napkins, Elsa, Elsa, Elsa...

My advice to you? Let it Go. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I was recently asked how to host a "subtle Frozen party" that still makes Dear Daughter happy. 

Thanks to Pinterest, this is a lot easier to do these days but Pinterest can also be a little overwhelming, considering the thousands of Pins out there just for "Frozen Party". 

So, here are a few suggestions I have for any character-themed parties...

1. Avoid things with characters factory-printed on them. Cups, napkins and plates with characters printed on them are not only pricey but they can clutter the overall look of your party. 

Instead...

2. Choose a color scheme that matches your characters (i.e. for a Frozen theme, teal, purple, silver and white would be perfect). Mix and match your solid colors with trendy patterns like chevron, polka dots and stripes.

  

 

And don't be afraid to mix and match patterns!

Paper straws are a fun & easy way to mix and match colors and patterns!

3. Get punny - plan your menu with your character(s) in mind. What do they do, eat, wear, play? Who else is this character in cahoots with? What do those characters do, eat, wear, play? Some examples from a Fireman Birthday Party and a Sesame Street/Elmo Birthday Party I designed last year...

Licorice as "Fire Hoses"

 

Classic, crowd-pleaser hot dogs as "Firehouse Dogs"

Errr... please disregard the crookedness of this food sign...

4. Make a scene! Take decorating cues from the character's environment. Choose the dominant elements that will clearly communicate your theme. With the frozen theme, transform a buffet or gift table into a winter wonderland scene with some twinkling lights and layers of tulle. Hang some snowflakes from the ceiling or glitter-bomb some craft cones to make a forest of sparkling trees! And don't be afraid to find new ways to use things you already have around the house (what if you just painted that old picture frame, turned that flower pot upside down, filled that vase with epsom salt or glue gunned some ruffled fabric onto that empty diaper box). Walk the aisles of your local dollar store and the dollar bins at Target! And remember... glue guns, glitter and paint can make anything awesome!

5. You've mentally created your scene. Now, it's time to add some simple decor touches. Take advantage of the internet to find the latest party decoration trends and choose a few to accent your party. Many of these trends are easy and inexpensive DIY projects and are a great way to stylishly incorporate some actual characters into the party... cupcake picks, banners and garlands, food labels, etc.

6. And finally, design your party activities and favors around your character(s). Have the guests "Build a Snowman" with marshmallows and pretzel sticks or bejewel some ice princess crowns (or whatever is specific to your character). Offer your guests themed favors - side note: fellow moms will thank you to make favors more practical and less goody-bag-o-junk. Activities and favors can even be one and the same! 

These crowns are a great activity and also make great favors! 

Kids can wear them during the party and take them home afterwards!

Again, these wands (with a little prep ahead of time) can also make super cute make-n-take favors!

See? Nothing to it! You can totally tackle any theme your little ones throw at you! Just remember to repurpose, mix and match, and check out my Pinterest boards! Happy Party-Planning!

Tissue Paper... A Party's Best Friend

I've always had a bit of a problem with tissue paper. An obsession, really. I can never bring myself to toss it out when I get a gift bag filled with it or when a store wraps up my breakables with something even remotely tissue paper-y. And shopping in Target? Fuhgedaboudit! I almost always come home with a new color or pattern! (I know you know what I'm talking about!) But, there're only so many gifts I can wrap so I've had a little bit of a tissue-paper-overflow for the past few years (insert husband's eyeroll). So, I've been on the hunt for how else to put this stash to work... project time!

First, let me say - I know tissue paper poms are super popular right now and, apparently, super easy to make but, honestly, I don't think they're terribly pricey to purchase so unless I want colors/patterns I can't find online or in the stores, those won't be making my to-make list :-)

But, these fun projects did make the list...

Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
These have been popping up everywhere over the past year! I found this how-to on Linen, Lace & Love blog and, honestly, I can't believe I've waited so long to try it out!

Lace Paper Fans! I'm totally loving these! They'd be much more delicate than the store-bought ones but they're also much cuter!! My favorite part? When you make these, you're doing double-duty... fans AND confetti! Woot Woot! (Found on Oh Happy Day's Blog)




Fringe Banner
Another (even easier!) banner! And, from who else but Martha Stewart herself...



And while I was browsing around on Oh Happy Day, I found these...

DIY Geometric Lanterns
 LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! (bonus - check out the pleated streamer idea!)




And one last (more complicated) project...

Tissue Paper Wisteria 
Absolutely divine! I'm not normally one to recommend complicated or time-consuming DIY party projects because why waste time and effort on something considered one-time-use, right? But these are lovely and definitely re-purposeable! They won't store well, but once you seem them, there's no way you'll want to store them... hang them in your bedroom for a romantic touch or in a window for a summery accent. (Found on Honest to Nod blog)


Well, that should keep us all busy for a while!
Enjoy!

Faux Schmaux...

For the past few years, chandeliers have been popping up again in home and event decor. It's a new old trend and I just can't get enough of all the possibilities! The creativity of people amazes me and I can't stop finding chandeliers I want to use... or own... or make!

This one is in Fratelli Studios, a club in Bucharest, Romania

Stunning!

Columbia College of Chicago's Open Doors Gala

Source unknown - Discovered on Pinterest! Beautiful use with this dinner party setup!

Seriously! There is no occassion that can't use a little chandelier-love. And it doesn't have to be brass, glass and lightbulbs... oh no, didn't I mention before? There are SOOOOO many possibilities!

Paper Chandeliers by CottageBliss on Etsy.com

DIY Gold Fringe Chandelier by 100 Layer Cake - this one will DEFINITELY be getting some use!

Baby's Breath Chandelier by Lunchpails and Lipstick

Paper Fans & Poms by Grey Likes Baby

GLOWSTICKS!!! Great idea and another must-use DIY project by GreyGrey Designs

Ok, ok. You get the idea. I can't wait for an excuse to make a glowstick chandelier!!

Get This Party Started!

Hi! Welcome to my blog! As you can see, it's brand new...

Now, for the slightly wickedly daunting task of getting started!

A little about me...

My interest in event planning began fifteen years ago while working in a restaurant in the suburbs of Philly. Since then, I have designed and managed a wide array of events nationally and abroad, including: weddings, grand openings, sports camps, academic and religious conferences, black tie galas, birthday & anniversary parties, staff trainings/retreats, donor appreciation gatherings, festivals and much, much more. 

I love following trends and I specialize in event design and theme development. My "dream job" would be planning themed events - everything from children's parties to celebrity bashes - themes are so much fun! 

And, as any good trend-lover does, I purge on Pinterest daily. My most recent trend obsession?

GEOMETRIC SHAPES!

I can't wait to use this trend in some of my upcoming events!