Those Little Touches

Hey Boos... This is a little party planning follow up from the previous post. :) 

With the holidays upon us there are some key party tricks I feel we all need to have in our back pocket should an impromptu parlay arise... or even a well planning soiree. 

There is a piece of advice I feel we should all consider when we party plan that I certainly take to heart in my own way when planning...

“Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry.” -Coco Chanel

This quote from a woman who certainly knew how to party like a lady in her day is completely spot on with attire. Now, let's apply this quote to the idea of party planning, but let's think the opposite. I know your immediate reaction is to assume that I like tacky things... but I swear in parties this theory is true. Your tacky assumption is correct in my love of glitter and sometimes I do remind myself to tone that down. Im thinking in more simple terms here... Maybe its one extra flower in your arrangement, a couple candles intermixed along your table, or maybe its as simple as changing the lighting just a bit. I love things to look full and plentiful because it seems like theres more than enough to go around. These are the "Little Touches" I end up finding myself engulfed in right before any party. These are also the things that literally bring my husband into his own personal hell because it typically requires an additional set of hands. 

There are a few staple pieces I have on hand at my house that I use as my "add ons" for a party on the regular. These are cost effective, simple, easy to store, easy to transport, and add that little extra touch anytime your husband comes home and says "I forgot to tell you, XYZ and their wives are coming over tonight." While you scurry around, mostly to make sure your underwear aren't the first thing sitting on top of the unfolded laundry basket for everyone to see, you can also throw these items out on the table and you look like the hostess with the mostess. 

Typically, 5 minutes before anyone comes in my house, I am still hiding things under our furniture and wiping dust off surfaces with my sleeves so they appear clean... but hey I look ready. Your friends will compliment you but secretly envy your preparedness for this impromptu event. Jokes on them if you are like me...

Important party success supplies include: 

• Paper Straws in Multiple Colors - Who doesnt like drinking out of a fun party straw? I try to keep at least one box around, but I plan to add on with some multi color packs to really step up my straw game. Because thats whats truly important in life. Cheap and Fun. Ideal.

• Mason Jars - Ladies we are in the south so these ALWAYS work. For those of you who aren't, they still work because mason jars are the shit, but as an alternative perhaps a stemless wine glass set. Anywho... stemless glass and/or Mason Jars are perfect for SO MANY THINGS! Think about is... holders for straws as mentioned above, holders for utensils, candle holders, mini vases, serving device for desserts, the possibilities are endless and these are REUSABLE which makes the investment worth it! Oh and also, you can drink out of them. Clearly. 

• Folding Tables - Invest Girls! A Small plastic folding table is ideal for any occasion. Toss a table up and make it a bar, or a dessert scape, or even just have it handy in the event that a flip cup game ensues...preparation for a surprise game is clutch. You're setting the party tone and let's face it a drinking game is rarely not happening. 

• Table Cloths/Runners - Tossing a table cloth on a folding table makes the the party look well planned and clean. Add a table runner and minds will be blown. People think runners are only for weddings... wrong. Runners are kinda my fav right now because they really step up the look of any get together and guests minds are blown... "OH My gosh... your table runners are so cute. " Swoon. I know girl. Grab ya some from Smarty Had a Party for quite the steal. 

• Poster Board and Metallic Sharpies - Ladies, the main thing that can take your party from "Oh this is nice" to "Oh Wow, look how cute!" is labeling. I swear to the Lord above that putting a sign next to a bowl of Candy that says "Candy" is mind blowing for guests. Honestly there's something mentally for a guest who sees a label on something that draws the conclusion that the hostess spent time on this. I do. Im a slave to all marketing and in my mind a party label is just that. You are marketing to me your chips and salsa, and sister Im buying because of your delightful chalkboard mini stand labels. God, I love mini things too. That alone gives you hostess points. Labeling things is where I really loose control in parties. I love signs, labels, notes, directions, and most importantly glitter. I get crazed when drawing these out and I literally label everything.  I. Can't. Stop. Myself. 

• Tea lights/Flameless Tea Lights - These are so fun for anytime people come over. Set them out in your stemless glass or mason jar and they just add a simple glimmer or planning to any event. Target and Crate and Barrel normally have good flameless tea lights, the Dollar Tree normally has real tea lights for very inexpensive...duh $1 for a bazillion.

Where can you find all this gear?

• Ummmm The Dollar Tree - For any party you are planning go to the Dollar store First and Last to find items. If you go at the start of your planning you can save money on items you were planning to get and get ideas for other "Little Touches". After you do the rest of your party prep, breeze back through the Dollar Tree and see what other gems you find.

• Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Nordstrom Rack - Places such as these alllllways have the key go to party accessories you never knew you needed. I can't tell you how many times I have kicked myself for putting down that $12.99 such and such that I didn't let myself buy, when now it would be perfect for a table scape. Just buy it. 

• Save on Crafts, Shop Wild Things, Smarty Had a Party - I am obsessed with these sites. I buy things from these places for almost all parties. Whether its awesome lights to inset in a ice bin of cocktails or mini disposable serving pieces for appetizers... these are the bees knees. Shop them. And be glad you did.

• Hobby Lobby - Needs no description. I could spend an entire day shopping there and small to moderate fortune. Much to my husband's dismay. 

Lady Bugs I hope these tips and tricks are useful in your party preparation for the Holidays and in having an impromptu party whenever you may need to! I am interested to hear your ideas on parties and your favorite places to find goodies! Where do you shop? What are you staples? I would love to add pieces to my party collection!

Cheers!
D

Planning a Party Pants Kinda Night...

...It ain't easy Gals, but it's sure worth it.

Those of you who know me well, know that I love... I mean LOVE... a good party. If its one I am hosting or helping to plan that ups the anty significantly because I have a problem when it comes to coordinating a soiree. I get obsessed with it. Honestly, I think its the the "little touches" that really send me into the unhealthy place of obsessed, but damn if it doesn't make it fun. I am assuming since most all of you follow me because you were introduced to this blog via my big sissy... the one and only PinkLouLou... that you have seen the pics she has posted of many a party. Some of my favorite parties to plan are bachelorette parties as seen here.... or our annual Panty Parties as seen here.

I love little "add on items" for parties that just make everyone smile. For bachelorette parties you can really get sassy with these and stay on a good budget as well. These "Little Touches" included a beautifully designed invitation created by the amazingly talented Brooke. You can find here crafty goodness here. The image she designed for Ellen's bachey was plastered on everything for the event... koozies, bedazzley name tags and labels, itineraries... EVERY. THING. Little gifty goodies are also a great add on for the ultra planner ...monogrammed champagne flutes for the lingerie shower are a must and can be ordered NOW via the PLL Boutique HERE. 

I also love to know when and where I'm going places and I love it when people feel like they know as well. Then we can cocktail in peace without 100 questions on when we are leaving/going/ dressing/ drinking/ etc, Thus preparing every room for the girls before they arrive complete with an itinerary of events for each room is a must for overnight party planning. The itinerary for Ellen's bachey included things like...a pre-planned fiesta for lunch poolside, a lingerie shower in a private room by the pool and gorgeous dinner with wine and cocktails. While these items may sounds elaborate for planning... it was actually really easy. 

Planning steps for Newbies...

Call hotel, ask questions about WHAT they have that a regular guest may not see from the website, be nice, and ask for free things. :) Hell if you don't ask for it they can't give it to you, so just throw it out there. If they say no... who cares... you're no worse off then before you asked, and hey they may say yes!

The set up is key... just like you can't make a second first impression, you can't recreate someones image of an event after they walk in. Their arrival should be an "entrance". As the hostess your job is to create a special moment for each guest so they feel like it was on purpose that they were invited, that they have arrived, and that you planned accordingly just for them to be there. To do this... you really have to do the leg work but it is totally worth it. When your guests arrive and are full of excitement because they know its going to be an awesome time after that walk in... you know you did it right. 

We were very fortunate to have the uber talented Claire Marie with us to capture the first night of the bachelorette party! I will let her fabulous photos tell you a bit about the first nights details of Ellen's event. Little Ellen has been happily married for over a year and we like to think aside from her awesome husband, that this ladies send off set her up for success.

DETAILS.

DETAILS!

Having a professional photographer friend is ideal. :) Love You Claire.

Party Pants

Hostesses With the Bridey

Girlfriends

This brings me to the Annual Panty Party which Emily and I host each year. Often the most drunken evening of the year, but also the most fun and filled with Shennagains. This year Emily and I determined that we needed to create a "Winter Wonderland" of sorts. Each year the party gets bigger because everyone gets a "Plus One" on their invite. Our goal is to mix girls from all groups of friends and make it bigger each year.... 30+ girls usually come and thats awesome!

Emily and I went about making our winter wonderland by determining first where this could ensue... the garage. Mostly empty... semi warm... easily manipulated by draping table clothes from the ceiling. DONE. And to this decision winter magic became ours. Garage Style. We always want to one up the year before. I fear eventually our only one up remaining will be a Santa Stripper but thats a bridge to cross later. Anyway, the result of winter wonderland below.

You'll also notice that there is a Photobooth set up here. AGAIN... the doings of one Claire Marie. I'll now dazzle you with some of her captured moments. Please remember there had been a number of signature cocktails consumed at this point.

All our Ladies!

Yes it is tradition to wear the panties you won over your outfit.

The Hostesses.

This brings me to signature cocktails, other details and those " LITTLE TOUCHES". Each year we like to think about special details that will make people laugh because the panty party in and of itself is about laughing. The whole premise is set to the idea of the White Elepahnt gift exchange only using panties. Additionally, Emily and her husband wrote a "Night Before Christmas" parody which is read at the start of the panty exchange each year to get things moving. From there panty opening and stealing takes place. Now prior to all of this happening, we have food. Lots. And Cocktails. Make it a double. 

In years past we have come up with a fancy plethora of cocktail accouterment and last year was no different. People LOVE a fun cocktail especially if served in a unique way. See some of our party cocktail history below.

The Prep.

 

The Product at the Entry.

Cocktail Table and ornament cocktail disposal.

Now amongst the cocktails you will also find little fun holiday details. Headbands. Never did I think crafty holly jolly headbands would result in adult women having a knock down drag out over who wore it longer. I usually make 12 for sharing and typically all are gone, having been worn to the bars at nights end. I love it. 

In closing ladies... get creative with it. Check Pinterest for ideals and such you can follow me here, but be your own party innovator. What would YOU like to see when you walk into a party? Go from there! We will see what panty party 2014 brings to the table here in a few short months! Here's to all the parties coming in 2015!

Cheers,

D

Life Changes

Oh hey boos. Long time no speak. Girl, I know. Sorry about that. 

Life happened and I got really busy, but now life has happened again and these life changes entail a lot more of my time blogging, branding, and beautifying. 

Let me explain...

My little lady love PinkLouLou and I have been glamming up friends, family, models, and bridal divas for the last several years. Overtime and many glasses of chardonnay we decided about a year ago that it was time to get serious, make it a business, and see what happened. Guess what? We got CRAZY busy by nearly doubling the number of weddings we had last year to this year AND we opened an online boutique to help our little bride muffins in finding unique and custom gifts for themselves and their bridal parties. We started small and let it grow organically as any blonde, ambitious twosome would, and we were overwhelmed by the growth we saw this year. Thanks to all of you who have been a part of our growth in the past several years and who have already booked us for 2015! 

YES... I said 2015... we are already booking in November of 2015. I can hardly believe it! We are just so excited to now have the chance to make this a full-time employment adventure so we can fully discover what we can make this little nugget of an idea into. 

Hairs and Face
We have delighted so much in being a part of the most special day in our brides lives over these last few months. The joining of two people in marriage is so sacred and we are blessed to be a little part of that process for our ladies. Plus... You know we have your poofs, curls, and lashes covered and we are not putting those combs down until you are perfectly quaffed and all veils/hairpieces/perhaps faux hair are securely tightened for all photography elements... climbing, wind, a clumsy groom, etc.

Glitter and Goodies
Over the next few months we will be adding custom, unique, and many handmade items to our online store to help our brides not only find the perfect gift for their friends, but to make it individualized by girl and party. Our goal is to help our brides feel beautiful inside and out on their big day and ya know what... giving a special gift to the girls standing by your side on that day certainly makes a girl feel beautiful inside. Plus everything has to be monogrammed because we are in the south so you may as well let your lady lous get that done for ya :)

Peep our site here for updates and new factoids about your girls! We will be adding new things daily starting at the end of this month! We are excited to see where this will take us and look forward to sharing the journey. 

In the meantime... I'll be typing away and finding you all the most precious treats and gems for our website in this little home office escape. 

Cheers Friends!
D