Party Planning: Push Pop Containers

A couple of weeks ago the fab Dawn of Not Just A Mommy, shared these awesome party goodies and I had to check them out. I haven't seen much of them and I was so intrigued, that I placed an order for my very own Push Pop containers! What a neat way to display a treat at your next party! I ordered mine from Cupkates Event Design on Etsy. You have to check out her shop! I can't wait to see them and definitely can't wait to use them at Nate's birthday party.

Check out what some have done with these cool containers!

(Image source: Hip Hostess)
(Image source: And Everything Sweet)

(Image Source: CupKate's and Parties)

Party Essentials: Got Buckets?

Here's a little tid bit you may not know about me but I'm obsessed with buckets. Yes, it's true! I love buying buckets in all colors. They are just so useful! You can put beverages in them, favors, prizes, candy, use them as centerpieces, you name it. So of course when I started to plan Nate's 2nd birthday party, I thought of looking for buckets and buckets that match. Well I HAVE had some luck, a few times apparently. I didn't realize that I had already found buckets, a few months ago and when I seen MORE buckets, I bought those too! LOL! I now have an abundance of buckets. Take a look!

These I purchased at The Dollar Tree

These (top and bottom) are from the dollar section at Target @ $2.50 each

Technically these aren't buckets but I love bowls too and they matched, so I had to grab them! @Dollar Tree

Party Essentials: Apothecary Jars

Recently, I have been on the search for Apothecary jars. I'm in love with them and how beautiful they can make a candy/dessert table. I'm constantly seeing them used by party designers as well. As I start working on an event I've been contracted for in January, I decided these are something I'm incorporating. I was fortunate enough to find a few at Ross and T.J. Maxx, at really low prices. I'm also working on collecting more cupcake/cake/dessert stands, I can't get enough of them! My goal is to build my party supplies and maybe one day have my DREAM party storage room (see photos at the end of post).

$9.99 at Ross

$7.99 and $4.99 at Ross

I purchased these vases at T.J. Maxx, all under $10 each.

My DREAM party supply room/warehouse!! Martha Stewart's magazine prop room!

Aren't they gorgeous?!?! I'm in LOOOOVE!!

Images source: Couture Parties (by the way, how LUCKY is Stephanie to have the opportunity to visit Martha Stewart's studio! I'm so jealous!)

Pier 1 Imports: Tasting Party

Another one of my new favorite trends right now is mini EVERYTHING. I'm loving the idea of having mini desserts, especially for a kids party. Even for an adult party, having mini desserts and appetizers, is very cute and chic. I absolutely love the "Tasting party" line that Pier 1 carries. They are perfect for any kind of party, big or even small cocktail parties. I just made mini desserts for the lingerie party I had and they were a big hit! (Hopefully I can post those pictures soon) So now I'm thinking of mini desserts that I can make for Nate's 2nd birthday and how cute they will look on his sweets table. I probably won't use martini glasses, it just doesn't seem appropriate but those shot, I'm mean mini CUPS hehe, will be perfect. Take a look at how fabulous minis can make your party look!

Price range from $2.50 each and sold in sets as well. You can find the recipes for all the treats shown above at Pier 1 Imports.

75 cents a spoon

Below are some inexpensive alternatives you can find at Party City. They've come out with lots of mini barware as well and when filled with something yummy, they look just as cute!

Mini martini plastic glasses 20ct $6.99

Cocktail mini cube cups 12ct $2.99

Colored plastic shot glasses 40ct $4.99

I really like these for Nate's birthday.

Monogram Labels

This past Saturday, my mother in-law had a birthday party at our home. It was planned really last minute, so there wasn't time for many details. She asked if I could take care of a couple things and of course, being the good daughter in-law that I am, I was happy to oblige. Hehe! I thought I would share the centerpieces I made up for her. B is for Blanca!

Paper Glitter on Etsy

You may have seen in my last post, I purchased a printable party package on Etsy.com. This is the second printable package I have purchased and I really am starting to become obsessed with them. Not only can you find the cutest print-outs but if you are party planning on a budget (like most mom's out there ARE), this is a great way to go, without sacrificing style. Of course we would all love to be able to throw an over-the-top, fancy, soiree. But let's face it, that isn't realistic for most families (certainly not mine). That is why I really love the "Printable Package"! It think the extra time that it takes to print, cut, and glue, is definitely worth it.

I just thought I would give you a quick explanation to my recent obsession. On to the feature! I really wanted to share the invitations I was able to print myself, for the last minute "Luau/Grad" party I planned for my daughter. PaperGlitter really has some adorable stuff. You HAVE to check out Linette's Etsy shop and blog.

Cupcake Topper Craze!!

For those that know me, they know how much I use to LOVE cake decorating. Anytime I threw a party, it was ALL about the cake. It was always such a big deal to me, how it was decorated. Most of the time I wasn't the one doing the decorating but I always designed them, then let someone else do the work. Since I started my blog, I've come across so many cupcake blogs and sites, that I've fallen in love! I am a beginner when it comes to cupcakes and their decor but I'm having a lot of fun experimenting. Cupcake toppers are what I'm really loving right now. Especially when I started planning Nate's birthday party. When I purchased that great printable package from DimplePrints on Etsy, I have been on the hunt for more. But I am trying to create my own, which is a work in progress. I hope you all checked out my Lakers toppers, that I made for Father's Day. My first attempt to create my own, not too bad if you ask me! Well here are a few more that I've been working on. Hope you like!

These adorable, printable, Luau cupcake toppers are by PaperGlitter, on Etsy

These USC themed toppers, I did myself.

Party Essentials: Beverage Dispenser

This is one of my favorite party items, the beverage dispenser. I purchased one a couple of years ago for one of my girls birthday parties. And surprisingly, it was a big hit! People really thought it looked nice and gave the party a little something extra. When I purchased it, I had paid $30 unfortunately and now you can find it at a great price of $19.82, at Sam's Club. I just thought I would start sharing some of my favorite party items, or as I like to think of them as, "Party Essentials". I will be breaking this baby out for Nate's party and adding some tasty lemonade, to the other drinks that will be on hand. I really get into details like this! Now that spring is here, this is a great item to add to your Spring and Summer get-togethers. You've already seen my love for beverage totes, now check out my love for the beverage dispenser....YES, I know....I'm nuts! But party planning is my obsession! :)

Sam's Club $19.82

Party Essentials: The Red Beverage Tote

This necessarily isn't just for Nate's carnival birthday party but anyone, having a party could use them. My preference for cooling beverages has always been, oversize tote/buckets. Instead of using general ice chest/coolers, they make the beverage area look more festive. If you're having a small get-together, beverage tubs are great but with a large party, 20 gallon totes, work best. So, I was very excited to find red 20 gallon totes at Smart and Final, last week! Even better, they were just $8.99 each, which is even cheaper that most small beverage tubs. Go out and grab them, before they're gone!

Smart and Final @ $8.99 each