Second Hand Party Finds

I love to look in second hand stores for items that I can use for a party. Especially if it's something I can repaint! I can go spray paint wild if ya let me. A couple of days ago, on a search for something completely different, I came across a pretty cool piece at the Salvation Army. I happen to find a wooden toy chest, with a Pirate treasure chest look. It's old, worn but oh so CUTE! I'm not planning a pirate themed party at the moment but I have a friend who is. If she doesn't use it, I'm certainly going to save it for when my time comes. Check out my second hand party find!$16.00!!

Party Planning: Donuts & Cookies

It feels like I've been away forever! It's been a week, so yeah, that's forever! Well things have been so busy, with helping a couple of people with parties and working on my own, something had to give. Hopefully I can get more organized and get back on track.

Anyways, I just wanted to share my new little baking goodie, that I will be using for Nate's 2nd birthday party. On a stop at Sur La Table last week, I found this cute mini donut baking pan, along with a letter "N" cookie cutter. I thought it would be so cute to have these mini donuts! I had planned on making #2 shaped cookies, which I still may do but when I saw this cookie cutter, I knew I wanted to make those as well. I found a great recipe for royal icing, that is perfect for cookies and now I am good to go! I can't wait!

Sur La Table $9.99
(image below via google search)

Cookie Cutter $1.00

(cookie image via google search)

Happy Birthday, Monster

A few days ago, while picking up a prescription for Nate, I found the cutest book for him. This pharmacy always has corky, unique items, as well as a bookshelf filled with children's books. When I seen the title of this book, I thought it would be a great little birthday gift for him. It's called "Happy Birthday, Monster" about a monster named Ben who throws a party for his friend Doris....monster style! Too cute!

Valentine's Day: Freebies!!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching us and I thought I would spread the word on some adorable freebies. There really are some generous ladies out there and talented as well! I plan on putting together some goodies for Tahlia's class, like I usually do but this time I'm taking advantage of these awesome goodies. Take a look at the cuteness! :)

Shindig Parties has been so generous to offer a classroom PACK of freebies! Download directly from Amanda's blog HERE

Judy of MyGrafico has offered these cute bookmarks

Click on this link to download

Party Planning: Joie Monster Bowls & Fun Pops

I'm so ridiculously excited about my latest additions to Nate's 2nd birthday party! A couple of weeks ago a fellow blogger posted about a trip to The Container Store (thank you Adriana) and one of the items she bought were these adorable Monster Fun Bowl & Spoon set. Well I thought they would be so perfect for Nate's theme and last week I decided I was going to finally go out and get a few sets. I definitely made it my mission, especially when I saw that these adorable sets were now on CLEARANCE! And to make things even better, on the day that I went out to grab my wonderful craft table, I made a quick stop at Home Goods. I nearly died when I seen matching Monster Fun Pops! I had already planned on making real fruit popsicles for the party but finding these made that idea even BETTER. Aren't these just the cutest things ever?!?

Org. price $3.99 a set; I paid $1.99 a set

Retail price $12.99 for a set of 4; Home Goods price $5.99!!

J. gets spoiled!

If you know me, you know that I am a minimalist. When it comes to myself, I don't buy tons of clothes, I own like 2 pairs of jeans. I LOVE shoes but I never buy myself shoes, so I have maybe like 4 pairs. Even when it comes to my passion of party planning, I usually buy what I need when I need it. And as of recently, I have wanted to start building up my party supplies but of course I will NOT go out and buy everything I want all at once. It will definitely be a little bit at a time. And if you know me, you know it's because I'd rather buy my children everything else! My children on the other hand, have MORE than they need and may be a little spoiled. Oh well! This Christmas though, things definitely went a little different, thanks to my husband, who is truly the MOST generous person I've ever met! He always tells me to go out and buy whatever I want, but for some DUMB reason, I don't. Well, he knocked my off my socks this past week! He surprised me with something I've been wanting since earlier this year, when I started by obsession with cupcake toppers. Not to mention I love the paper crafting part of party planning! Check it out!

I nearly died when this package arrived at my door!

I have been eyeing this Chrome dessert stand at Target, since all the Christmas decor came out, which was right around Thanksgiving. I waited, knowing that if would be on sale and the day after Christmas, I bought this bad boy for $15.00, org. price $30. Holla!!

I've been wanting this Crock Pot Trio for sooo long. We entertain so much, I just new this would be a great item to have. I actually got to see it put to use at a friends house and it just sold me even more. My BFPV has been on watch for a few months, checking to see when it became on sale and last week I got the text from her. It was on SALE for $49 at Target, original price $89.99 and even $99, in some places. So I ran out the door and grabbed the LAST one!
The Craft table I've been wanting? Oh yeah! The day after Christmas World Market had their furniture 50% off. And as I mentioned that lil tid bit to hubby, he told me go out and get it! Isn't he just the BEST!?!

But NOW, I really have to get my garage in order! Once the weather permits, we've planned on cleaning out the garage and definitely have a yard sale. I have to say.....J. got spoiled this year!

Party Planning: The Kiddie Table

Let me just say it's been a crazy week! My poor son got sick AGAIN, with what seems to be another stomach bug, a week after he recovered from the last bug! At least that's what the doctor says, so hopefully it is JUST a viral thing. My daughters had so many school functions going on and on the SAME days! Having a sick child to have to take with you, every where you have to go is NO fun, let me tell you. After spending a lot of time disinfecting my house today, I'm finally sitting in bed and ready to blog my stress away. So on with it.....

I decided that for Nate's 2nd birthday party I would have a table for him and any little buddies that happen to join us. So of course I want it child size with child size chairs, making it easier for them to sit alone. And how cute would it be for him and his friends to have their own table with their own place setting?!?! TOO CUTE! I just hope they leave their place settings on the table long enough for me to take a picture of it. Nate's way of letting us know he's done with his food is usually by tossing everything off his table! LOL! (fingers crossed) I'm looking into purchasing the table and chairs, instead of renting. We have so many parties and I know I will get a lot of use out of them and maybe even rent them out, as I continue to party plan. Below are some tables that I'm considering, it's just so hard to decide...... I love them ALL!

These are side tables from Target. I can put a few together and make a longer table layout. @ $14.99 each. I actually purchased a couple of red ones for Nates 1st birthday party, that I used to place games on.

I really love this Half Moon Resin toddler table from GoodDeals.com. Leg length options of: 18"-20"-22" and they measure 65"L x 35"W. Choose from red, yellow, blue and green. Priced @ $97.69

Both of these Colored Activity tables are from CSN Stores.com. The picture above is for the Small rectangular table measuring 18"x36". Leg length: toddler size adjusting 16"-24" @$75.00

Below is the Large toddler size, measuring 36"x60" in length @$119.00. Check out the many color options below!

And to really make them perfect, I found these super cute Monster wall decals! As you can see, can be placed on the the tables as well. Is that not AWESOME or what??! (Toys R Us $12.99)

Holiday Gift Guide

I'm sure by now most of you are going crazy trying to figure out what to give your loved ones for Christmas, as I am. Well okay, not crazy! I actually make lists and so far I have most of my gifts figured out. But I continue to search for great gift ideas and I came across these pretty cool items in my "Everyday with Rachael Ray" magazine. Take a look!

This is my personal favorite! I might just have to give this to myself, hehe! This square pedestal cake stand is gorgeous. Made by Rosanna Inc; Rococo Noir cake stand $60

This is so cute for your little sous chef! Nate is mine, he loves watching me in the kitchen and he would love to "cook" with mama. By Leapfrog, at $19.99, the "Cook and Play Potsy"

• Spices up the learning with colors, counting and more!
• Hear food facts and sounds as you cook up a meal of your own imagination!
• Stirring adds music and rhymes to the mix!
• Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog® Learning Path for customized learning ideas and insights from LeapFrog.

A great stocking stuffer for any woman! Sephora's, Limited Edition Holiday color, Eye Lash curler. Priced at $16

For the "techi" type person, these Robot and Hello Kitty flash drives make another great stocking stuffer. And they're super CUTE! Robot 1G Flash Drive $24.95

Hello Kitty 2G Flash Drive $29.88

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!)