Zombie Apocalypse

We got a little crazy with the cheese wiz this year for Halloween...(I don't know what that means but my brother says it so it must be cool!) We are usually so busy getting the kids ready for Halloween we don't have much time for creative costumes. A witch hat is my go-to most years. But all of the stars aligned this year for EPIC costumes for my hubby and me. So many people have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and we have felt separated from most of the devastation here in Utah, but as there often is, the silver lining to a hurricane is interrupted air travel. A "silver lining" you say?! Yep! My brother is a commercial airline pilot by day, but his real talent lies in scary Zombie make-up! He was a Music Dance Theatre major in College and ROCKED his theatre makeup class. He hasn't flown much in the last week because of the crazy flight cancellations. Soooo I got a call at 6:30 A.M. on Halloween from him offering his services. Did we want scary Zombie make-up? Uhh yes. By far the best part was the costumes were 100% FREE. I love that!! The clothes came from my thrift pile and the blood was a recipe I found online that is super simple. Our teenage boys thought we were Rock Stars (and they are not easily impressed.)  3 hours later we looked like this.... 

In case you can't remember what we look like in "Real Life Pre-Zombie Apocalypse"

Off to Mexico today to get some sun on our pale undead cheeks and sand between our rotted off toes.... 

linking up here

Army Party

Every year I start to get anxiety the first of September. It always hits right after the kids start back to school. The cause of my stress? 3 birthdays in 2 days! My oldest son was born 18 years ago on my husband's birthday. Okay so not uncommon. However, then 2 years later my next son was born the day after their birthday! ugh.  Not to mention MINE is a week later. But really, by that point we are pretty "birthdayed" out.
This year we celebrated BIG milestone birthdays, a 16 and an 18. When they were little, we had fun with a different theme each year. One year it was a farm party (yes we rented a pony...so worth it.) that was followed by a Star Wars, Art Party, Carnival, a few Pirate parties, and even a Halloween theme thrown in. I struggled with ideas for teenage appropriate themes this year. I wanted It to be special and memorable because this is my oldest son's last year living at home. So, I finally settled on an Army/Camouflage party. Note to self..there is NOTHING on the web for teenage boys that is remotely do-able. So here's ONE.

For the decor and party favors I picked up some dog tags, parachute guys, army men amd temporary tattoos. They were a big hit even with the girls.

I originally bought some paper camo tablecloths (for easy clean up) but when I put them on the table they were too cheap looking. So I raided my fabric stash and found a large (2-3 yd) peice of cotton camo fabric. It worked perfectly and I just threw it in the wash after! I added a few flags and red, white and blue accents for variety.

                        I snuck in a few vintage props and some Mexican Coca Cola.

 The menu was simple:
Shredded chicken sandwiches with homemade buns
Bread sticks with Marinara dipping sauce
Chocolate Cake Pops
White Chocolate dipped Marshmallows
Fruit platter
Chips and Candy for the Movie

I didn't overdo it on decorations because I knew my boys would think it was too girly. One thing I did have fun with was Crepe Paper Fringe.

Here's what I did:

I chose three colors to look "camo" ish. Cream, green and brown. Each package was 20"x7.5 ft and I sewed 2 of each color end on end for a long piece that I could drape.

I folded once long ways and once again then sewed a seam up the middle.

Use scissors to cut the "fringe" but do not cut past the sewn seam!

Fluff it up a bit and drape it how you like.

I spent $1.75 on each package and I bought 6, so roughly $11.00 with tax and it was a big impact decoration.

The Boys had a great time with their friends and told me later it was just like the big birthday bashes I used to have when they were little. AWW what more could a mom ask for?
Linking up here

American made...

I am always on the hunt for vintage props to use when I style a party. I came across this gem a few weeks ago at an antique store. I was back-to-school shopping and frankly, couldn't justify a ME purchase, but I couldn't stop thinking about HER...So I went back today and she was still there, peely paint and all. After I brought her home I looked up the history of the company (printed on the front). I was even more excited when I found out that Penn Scale Manufacturing Company is still in business. They have been in business since 1923 and still manufacture scales.They are located in Philadelphia, PA. I love a great vintage find, but a good story about an American made product is even better!

                                    Come see me at a wow us wednesday here.

Pool Party

Gummy shark skewers...a crowd favorite

Gold fish snacks 

The Birthday Girl

Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a pool party. We celebrated Jensen and Wesley's birthday at the pool....

The gummy skewers were a little D.I.Y. that I put together for the kids

 

supplies needed:

• can of blue spray paint or craft paint
• piece of Styrofoam
• skewers, we used about 20
• big bag of gummy sharks or swedish fish
• trim cut to look like waves (I found this at Joannes) 

spray paint the Styrofoam and let it dry. skewer your fish/sharks upside down so that when you push them into the Styrofoam they are right side up! trim the front edge with ribbon or waves or whatever you have. this would also make a darling centerpiece...

Enjoy your summer



Heather

Spring Soiree on a budget

This Spring I had the challenge to design the decor, table settings and food for an all-girls party.....on almost ZERO budget. I always like a challenge so I looked in my stash for supplies and my recipe books for inspiration and this is what we ended up with. It turned out very beautiful and very pink!

• pink bread from granite bakery in salt lake (most bakeries will dye it for you as a special order)
• filling for the tea sandwiches is one 8 oz cream cheese softened, one pkg of ranch dressing mixed in, spread on the bread and then layer sliced (very thin) cucumbers....amazing!!
• tablecloths were dip dyed "ombre" it was so easy and they were some lace tablecloths from the 80's that I wanted to re-purpose
• "yarn chandeliers" I found the idea at partiesforpennies  but it is all over the Internet..so cute and easy. I had to purchase the glue and 1 ball of yarn.
• the cake in a jar idea came from dear lizzie
• the place mats are pink construction paper that I bought for $2 for 50.
• the plastic cup rims were dipped in water and then rolled in pink sugar (available at most cake and candy decorating stores)
• the polka dot badges on the plates were made with cupcake liners, lace, vintage buttons and crepe paper.....we made 50 for about $3... a nice party favor

Any of these ideas would also be darling for a little girl's birthday party!

Heather