January 29, 2012

Life's a Party!

Being ladies we've got a lot of hats to put on throughout our years! Amongst everything else we are; we're daughters, friends, housekeepers, therapists and lots of times party planners! Since party planning is so much fun and sometimes a pretty big job, I thought I'd put together a guide to help us all through it!


Let's get down to the basics:

Who *** What*** Where*** When*** How

Who: Figure out who you or the person you're throwing the party for wants to celebrate with. 

Things to consider: 
Space~ To ensure you don't over crowd the established venue find out the max seating and or capacity.
Compatible Guests~ To be fair to everyone and dodge a gossip girl-esque drama; choose your guest list with grace and care.
Mingling Opportunities~ Who's to say everyone has to know each other?! Some of the best parties have dynamic guest lists!  
Children or No Children~ This can be a sticky one; but you are the host and know what's best for the party you're planning. It's great to add a little note on the bottom of the invitation regarding guests' children. They'll want to know if they should, should-not, can, or cannot bring the kids. If it's a grown-up cocktail party, a fragile home, or you simply can't deal; Say it sweet at the bottom of the invite like "grown-ups only please, not much for the kiddos to do" 
Invitations~ This is where you start the tone, colors and theme of the party!These should go out 4-6 weeks in advance whether you choose mailer invitations or e-vites. 
*We would save E-vites for very low key, impromptu, or large impersonal get togethers. 
Dress Code~ There are so many versions of casual and cocktail attire. So try to be as specific as possible with the dress code you're aiming for and let them know if shoes will be left at the door.  No one wants to get all dressed up and then told to walk around without shoes.

What: Here's where you get to be creative! You want to lay out the details so you can organize to-do lists and time frames.

Things to Consider:
Party start time
The Menu
Decor
Games 
Speeches 
Theme
Colors
Music
Photographer
Figure out your style and try to go into as much detail as you can so you're not caught off guard or end up needing more help than you anticipated. That being said if you're throwing a large party you'll most definitely need to delegate some jobs. Other wise you'll be too frazzled to enjoy it all and loose ends will be left untied!

Where: You know what they say... "Location, location, location" 

Things to Consider:
Choose and decorate wisely! 

If it's not your home or a place you've been to before you'll definitely want to see the space in photos so you can lay out your plan and get an idea of the vibe going on there. 

Find out if there are tables and chairs available, a kitchen, bathroom, etc.

Book the location before you order/send out the invitations!

When: Juggling the schedules

Things to Consider:
It's always nice to throw out a couple dates to your extra special guests so they can let you know if there's something going on that'll interfere or so they can move things around in order to make a certain date work. That way you won't be shocked at RSVP declines and everyone is happy.

How: Dom Perignon Taste on a Cooks budget or My Sweet Sixteen Style Allowance. You're gonna want to have a budget!

Things to Consider:
A budget is important whether you have lots or not-so-lots to spend. It'll keep you in line for what you planned on vs. what some companies might want to up-sell you with and hey, could also get you a good deal when letting them know "it's not in your budget."

Once you figured out your overall budget you can go through and disperse it within all the plans and purchases needed. It's a good idea to go as deep as to attach amounts to decor, food, venue etc. Then you'll get a real picture of what things cost. 

Most often you'll see that food and the venue will be your biggest expense!




There's a lot that goes into party planning! Pinterest is a great tool to get yourself inspired and you can collaborate boards with your friends that are helping so everyones ideas get thrown in! Click here to see my board called "Life's A Party" I've spent LOTS of time gathering some of my favorite ideas!:)


Hope it Helps and Have Fun!



January 16, 2012

Let them eat cake!

There always seems to be something or someone special to celebrate in our lives. Luckily with things to celebrate of course comes a party! Even more luckily, with a party, of course comes...  A CAKE!

Party planning is so much fun that you can end up taking on every fine decorating detail yourself. In my experience that also comes with meticulously baking and frosting every last cupcake yourself, until you're full of raw cake batter, covered with food coloring and begging for mercy! 

With that said and that memory forever etched in the brain, you may want to embrace the phrase "live it - and learn it" leave it to the big boys and meticulously order  the perfect cake instead!

Here are some inspiration starters!


For the Bridal Shower







For The Baby Shower








For Your Valentine


Street Style~ Colored Denim

I think of colored denim like a light in the dark, or a hug after a hectic day; things that make you happy  and something you look forward to!

Let's take a look at how you can be a cheerful pop of color while you're casually running errands, out for a date night and anything between.


{Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, and Heidi Montag}



This denim isn't anything to be stumped about. Just wear them with confidence and keep in mind that you're putting smiles on the faces around you!

If you don't want too veer too far from your basic denim but love the look too much to for-go it, pick a pair in a brighter blue hue. If you're ready to step out on the lighter side stick on a pair of a preppy yellow twills or go for the punch with pink!




Determine your top and shoes once you've determined your destination. A slouchy top or tank with a flat sandal will be super cute for a casual day; or switch to a wedge for a more put together look. If you're dressing for a night out, choose a textured blouse (I'm absolutely dying for the Winter Kate Willow top btw!) a heel that's suited for the occasion and you're set! 






January 4, 2012

A Trip to Paris



Okay, maybe not a physical trip... but these enchanting photo's definitely stimulate the imagination! 

I stumbled across Jessica and Holly's beautiful parisian photographs last week on their esty store, Chezjolly and have been trying to contain my urge to leap across the Atlantic ever since. 

Their photographs are meant to "evoke a daydream" by the viewer and as you can see below, they have very much succeeded! 



















I figure if a magnificent chandelier isn't making an appearance any time soon in my dining room. Four of these gorgeous photos grouped together could forge the look just fine. 



It looks like they have a coffee table book coming out too!


January 3, 2012

Street Style~ Laced Legs

At first glimpse of this laced up leg you might be shocked by the bold statement. If you look a little longer though, you'll see how far this look has come from Madonna's Borderline days to where it now sits perfectly in Blair Waldorf's hoisery drawer. 

Here we take a look at how one TV upper east-sider and one real upper east-sider pulls off this look during the day and at night!



{Blair Waldorf and Olivia Palmero}



A sweet dress or a flirty skirt will keep this look fresh and light hearted. You can easily be monochromatic in black and white a la Miss Palmero, English lace on lace-y like Queen B, or add a little color and texture like below. Either way, keep it fun, it's great for balancing the dramatic! 














Shoe Tip about tights, whether lace or knit: You want to blend seamlessly or purposefully contrast. An open toe may seem out of the question but it actually complements and elongates the leg quite nicely! 

Don't get too nervous.... but you do wanna get the shoe right. Test a couple out, you'll see what I mean!

Here it's black. Save the lace for night, but either one is an easy option!


January 2, 2012

5 Reasons to love... EMU!





Out with the old, in with the Emu!

This brand is not only spot on style-wise, the comfort factor of their sheepskin lined insoles is an absolute DREAM! 

One of these pairs is in my very near future... but which to choose!?










1. The out-of-control cute boots they designed for our "little Creatures"



2. Because you know when Kate Hudson is sporting anything, they're one of the most comfortable and easiest things to wear on the planet!
{Kate Hudson in Stinger Hi $189 and Naloo $180}

3. EARMUFFS! Believe me, I know first hand how much these babies keep your head warm and all the complement fielding you'll do while they're on!



4. The Men's selection is just as great as the Womens!
5. THIS JACKET! Not to mention the rest of the Emu apparel and coat collection