She Plans Parties

Tropical Beach Summer Party Ideas and Supplies

June 6, 2011 By: Linettecomment

If you can’t get to a tropical island this summer, why not bring the tropical island to you? Put together a tropical island beach party right in your back yard. It’s a great summer party theme for a birthday party, anniversary, graduation or shower. I’ve put together a few tropical beach party ideas to get you started.

Set the mood with the invitations. Here are a couple fun tropical summer beach party invitations from InvitationConsultants.com.

Tropical Tiki Personalized Invitations / Announcements

Tropical Scene Personalized Invitations / Announcements

Some cool tropical party supplies from Celebrate Express will help you decorate and serve in a snap.

See them in complete detail here:
Tropical Vacation Deluxe Party Pack

Here are a couple tropical party centerpieces and decoration ideas from Martha Stewart.

Create a beach sea shell cake to fit the theme. Graham crackers make great sand, and chocolate can be molded into sea shells.

Image via Flickr cc Nicknbecka

Set up a tropical Tiki bar complete with tropical party decorations.

Here’s another tropical party decoration idea I saw. Love that it’s just made out of fruit.

Puts me in the mood for a tropical drink on the beach!

Party Ideas For A 10 Year Old Boy

May 20, 2011 By: Linettecomment

I was recently working on planning a birthday party for a ten year old boy, in other words, my son. Well, a soon to be ten year old boy.We considered several themes and ideas for his birthday party.

I tried to talk him into a creepy crawly bug party, with dirt cake, and gummy worms. He’s a huge Pokemon fan, so I thought maybe he might be into a Pokemon party, but he said no to both. I think he’s almost outgrowing the theme party ideas.

He did consider a LEGO party, or a skateboarding party, but vetoed them in the end and settled in on a guitar hero party or rock star party.

Some other great ideas for a boys 10 year old birthday party include:

A bowling party
Skating party
Backyard water party~ The boys will have a blast throwing water balloons at each other, running through sprinklers, and shooting water guns.
A movie party~ whatever their favorite movie is right now. My son loves anything action adventure.
Sports party~ If the birthday boy is into any kind of sports, or a sports team, center the theme of his party around that sport.
Video game party~ There are some great video game party themes out there, including
Mario Kart Wii and Ratchet and Clank
An Angry Birds party, or another favorite app could make a fun birthday party theme.

Image via istockphoto.com

Cars 2 Party Supplies and Ideas

May 16, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Are you ready for Cars 2 to hit theaters June 24? I am! Cars 2 party supplies are out! So I thought I’d put together some Cars 2 party ideas to help celebrate! Kids love Lightning McQueen so I’m sure the long awaited sequel will be the children’s movie of the summer!

Celebrate Express has already released some really cool party supplies.

You can check out the Cars 2 party supplies in full detail by clicking here: Cars 2 Party Supplies

Looking for something customized check out these Cars 2 personalized party invitations, labels, and wrappers from eBay:

You can check out everything they have to offer by clicking here: Cars 2 Party Invitations and Favors

These cute Cars 2 Cupcake rings are sure to be a hit with the kids. The best part is, they’re simple to make and decorate! Much easier than a cake, and lower cost!

The Cars 2 Party Favor Box includes a sticker sheet, a notepad, 4 primary crayons, a disc launcher, a gold trophy and a wheel yo-yo.

A Lightning McQueen Standup makes a wonderful photo spot for individual or a group photo, it’s also a great party decoration. Oh, and the kids will love it!

Looking for more Cars 2 party ideas? Here you go!

Set up your own “World Tour” by leaving clues around the house or yard for the kids next stop in the party. You can do cake in the dining room, play a game in the back yard, watch the original Cars movie in the living room, open presents in the garage, play Cars freeze tag in the front yard, or local park. Just give the kids clues to lead them to their next party destination.
Build a small ramp and let the kids bring and race their own “Matchbox(tm)” size cars. You can make ramps from wood or cardboard and let the kids take turn racing against each other to see who’s car is the fastest.
Let the kids paint their own race car like this one~Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Race Car
Checkered flags make great party decorations.
Craft idea~ Let the kids make and decorate their own license plates.

If you have any Cars 2 party ideas please feel free to share them below!

Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Adults

May 14, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Adults like to have fun birthday parties too! Just because you’re not a little kid any more doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun. Summer birthdays are the funnest! There so many things you can do during the summer to have a birthday party everyone will love. Here are a few of my favorites.

Plan a pool party~ You don’t have to be a kid to have fun in the swimming pool with your friends. Get a game of water volleyball, or water basketball going and everyone will have a blast.
Plan a beach party or luau~ Plan your party at the local beach, complete with sand volleyball, and a cookout. Give it a luau theme and hand out leis to guests as they arrive.
Plan a golf party~ If the birthday man or woman enjoys golf or put put add it to your party theme. You can even take the party on location and play a game of putt putt, or head to the golf course for entertainment.
Plan an ice cream party~ Complete with a make your own sundae bar. Yum!
A backyard bbq or cookout with a few friends can make for a casual summer birthday idea.
Head out to the local park for your birthday where friends can play games like volleyball, horseshoes, or Frisbee. Just bring the grill along, or have everyone bring their favorite dish.

I hope one of these ideas inspires you when you’re planning your summer adult birthday party! Have fun!

Image via sxc.hu

Summer Cookout Recipes~ Baked Potato Salad

May 13, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Potato salad is one of my all time summer favorites, so I’m always on the lookout for a new variation to try for spring and summer cookouts. This recipe is courtesy of the US Potato board, and I think it puts a great twist on the traditional potato salad recipe. I think I might have to give it a try at my next backyard bbq.

Baked Potato Salad
To save time, chop vegetables while potatoes are cooking. This salad may be served right away, but is best if refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Start to finish: About 30 minutes total
Cost per serving: $1.47

1 1/2 lbs. red potatoes*
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/3 cup minced red onion
1/3 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
3 tablespoons real bacon bits or pieces
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley

Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe dish. Cover dish. (If covering dish with plastic wrap, poke small hole in plastic.)
Microwave on HIGH for 10 to 12 minutes depending on strength of microwave.
Use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave; carefully remove cover from dish due to steam build-up and let cool.
Cut potatoes into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl with remaining ingredients; stir well to mix. Makes 4 servings.

*Russets, yellow or white potatoes can be substituted, but make sure to peel skins off potatoes after cooking and cooling, but before tossing with remaining ingredients

Nutritional analysis per serving with skins:
Calories: 240, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 620mg, Potassium: 712mg, Carbohydrates: 41g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Protein: 11g, Vitamin A: 15%, Vitamin C: 50%, Calcium: 30%, Iron: 4%

Baby Shower Game~ Moms Multi-tasking

May 12, 2011 By: Linettecomment

We planned a baby shower for my sister a couple weeks ago, and one of the games we played at her shower was called Multi Tasking Mama. It’s a fairly simple baby shower game (until you’re actually playing the game and trying to multi task yourself), and you can use props you already have to set it up.

Start by hanging a couple clothes lines from one point to another. You can hang it from one side of the room to the other, or from one tree to another if it’s summer. If you already have a clothes line that’s even better.

The rules of the Multi Tasking Mama baby shower game are simple. Divide your guests up into two even teams. Each team gets a clothes basket with the same amount of clothes, clothes pins, a phone, or cell phone, and a baby doll.

One at a time the team members come up and either hang all the clothes on the line, or take them all off, while they’re holding the doll baby, and talking on the phone without dropping either one, or the clothes.

If they drop the baby or the phone they have to go to the end of the line and go again. The first group to have all their members successfully multi task is the winner.

It’s a really fun game to do, and to watch. You’ll find out who’s the multi tasking pro.

Images (c) L Gerlach

Baby Seuss~ Dr. Seuss Baby Shower Supplies and Ideas

May 11, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Dr. Seuss has been a childhood favorite forever! There’s a new baby shower party supply line based on the fun and colorful Dr. Suess books. I love the bright primary colors, they’re perfect for a new baby!

You can find the Baby Seuss party supplies in more detail or to buy here:

Baby Seuss Baby Shower Deluxe Party Pack

The Baby Seuss party supply pack includes 8 invitations and thank-you notes, dinner plates, dessert plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives, 16 napkins, Baby Seuss tablecover, centerpiece, foil balloon, 18 latex balloons in 3 colors, 3 colors of curling ribbon, and crepe paper rolls in 3 colors.

More Dr Seuss baby shower ideas:

Have your guests each bring their favorite Dr. Seuss or other children’s book, to give to the new mom, and help the new baby get a head start on becoming a good reader.
Have guests bring their favorite Dr. Seuss quote to add to a guest book or wall mural along with their signature for a shower keepsake for mom.
Write quotes from Dr. Seuss and have guests figure out which book they’re from. Give a prize to the guest who gets the most right.
Have a Dr. Seuss hat decorating contest, give a prize to the guest who brings the most outrageous Seuss hat.

Do you have a Dr Seuss baby shower idea? Please feel free to share it in the comment section.

Cinco De Mayo Tequila Cocktail Recipes

May 2, 2011 By: Linettecomment

I can’t believe it’s May already, and just a couple days away from Cinco De Mayo! The year has flown by so fast! If you’re still planning your Cinco De Mayo party, I have some yummy Cinco De Mayo tequila cocktail recipes to share with you today courtesy of Camarena Tequila. Enjoy!

Camarena Margarita

1 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
2 oz fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar

In a cocktail shaker combine all of the ingredients and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Silver Paloma

2 oz Familia Camarena Silver Tequila
3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar
Splash of soda water

In a cocktail shaker combine all of the ingredients, except for the soda water, and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.

Corazón de Camarena

2 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
½ cup strawberry simple syrup (*see recipe below)
2 oz fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon agave nectar
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped roughly
Sliced strawberries

Place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pour in the tequila. Use the back of a spoon (or muddler) to mash the basil leaves into the tequila. Fill the shaker with ice and add strawberry simple syrup, lime juice and agave nectar. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Garnish with sliced strawberries on the rim and ribbons of basil mixed in the drink.

*Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 5 sliced strawberries in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Cool the syrup, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries to extract all liquid.

Camarena Santa Maria

1 ½ oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
1 oz white Port
½ oz Velvet Falernum
½ oz simple syrup
1 oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz ginger beer

In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice, adding ginger beer as you pour. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

For more Cinco De Mayo and Mexican tequila cocktail inspiration and recipes beyond the margarita, visit www.tequilacamarena.com.

Fun Summer Garden Party Recipes and Ideas

April 12, 2011 By: Linettecomment

A few years ago a friend of mine planned a wonderful summer garden party. She set up tables in her apple orchard, between some beautiful flower gardens. It was a fabulous setting for a super fun party.

She had everyone bring their favorite garden dish, with a copy of the recipe to share with everyone else. The hostess also served herbal teas, and beverages. It was so much fun to sit out among her beautiful flowers, sip tea, and talk about gardens and food. I came away with some great recipes, and some wonderful memories shared with friends.

We did several fun things during the party. One of my favorites was the garden hat contest. She had everyone decorate a garden hat to wear to the party. When everyone was seated we voted on our favorites. The hostess put together prizes of potted plants, and she used flower pots to hold an assortment of gardening gifts.

If you planned a party in the spring or fall you could also include a plant, or seed swap in the festivities. Or plan to tour several local gardens during the party.

The best part was the food, so I’ve gathered some links with some great ideas, and finger foods to add to your garden tea party:

If you plan a summer garden party, we’d love to hear about it. Please feel free to share your ideas below!

Image: sxc.hu

Zoo Baby Shower Supplies, Games and Ideas

April 11, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Everyone loves baby animals, so it’s only fitting one of the most popular themes for baby showers is the zoo party theme. I thought I’d put together a collection of Zoo baby shower supplies and ideas to help you with your party plans.

My favorite shower party supplies are these Zoo Crew party supplies from Baby Shower Stuff.

Aren’t they just adorable? You can find them here: Zoo Crew Party Supplies

My absolute favorites are the Zoo Crew cupcake holders.

If you’re more the do it yourself type, you can recreate this elephant cupcake topper, it would work really well for a zoo party theme.

He’s not hard to make, the instructions are here: Elephant Cupcake Topper.

You can also find a large selection of Zoo baby shower invitations on eBay here: Zoo Baby Shower Invitations

Most can be customized, and will come pre printed with your shower information on them.

Zoo Baby Shower game ideas:

Play pass the elephant. Grab a small stuffed elephant (or another zoo animal) from your child’s collection or from the store. Every time the hostess or hostesses say “baby” the elephant gets passed one to the right. Whoever ends up with the elephant at the end gets a prize.
List some popular zoo animals, then have your guests come up with the names of their babies. You can make this a matching game, or really make it tough and make them come up with the names on their own.
Zoo animals word search, or word scramble. Come up with some zoo animals or terms and jumble them up, or hide them in a word search. some good words to use include: elephant, lion, ticket, bear, giraffe, zoo, show, penguin, monkey, panda, you get the idea!
Play pin the tail on the lion, or pin the trunk on the elephant. Pin the tail is not just for kids! You’ll get tons of laughs even with adults trying to pin the tail on anything while they’re blindfolded! And you’ll bring back some fun childhood memories.

The most important thing is to have fun and pamper the mom to be!

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