Now that fall is upon us, we can officially break out in our happy pumpkin spice dance. Because, y’all, it’s pumpkin spice EVERYTHING season. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you even my mechanic offers pumpkin spice oil changes. Why is this pumpkin spice stuff everywhere? Because pumpkin spice is awesome, that’s why. Even International…
decorations
How to Make a Fringed Banner
Fun, colorful banners are a must at parties! While you’ll find many readily available in stores these days, there are a few that you are still better off making yourself–like a fringed banner. It’s inexpensive, and really really quick to make. I love how much visual space they take up and you can use them…
Tissue Pom Garland Tutorial and How-To
When I started thinking about fluffy mounds of whipped cream, I kept coming back to fluffy white clouds…out of which my angel first birthday party theme was born. Nothing like getting inspiration from a can of Reddi-wip! The next step was to figure out how to create that airy cloud feeling. There was a picture…
Little Angel First Birthday Party
I was asked to participate in the Reddi-wip #PartyReddi. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own. Babies are blessings, especially sweet little ones like our birthday girl, Emma. She is such a darling, special little girl. She couldn’t be anything but angelic, so we thought it fitting to throw her a Little…
Dr. Seuss Birthday Party
Welcome!! So glad you found my little oasis of Dr. Seuss party ideas here on the web; I’m excited to be able to share them all with you! So many people WANT to add a heavy dash of Dr. Seuss to their parties, classrooms or library celebrations but aren’t always able to follow through. Why?…
Fancy Party Bunting Banner Tutorial
One of my favorite parts of creating a party is creating ambiance. For the How to Train Your Dragon Party, I wanted the fun feeling of the dragon racing ring. The scenery is mostly natural and neutral aside from the brightly painted poles, flags and bunting strung around the ring. So our party life could…
Summer Poppy Birthday Party
In the summertime, when the evenings cool off, I love taking things outdoors. When a friend wants a small celebration of their birthday, it’s a perfect time to pull a couple of tables and chairs out onto the lawn to celebrate. Twinkling lights, bright and cheery summer colors and good companionship make for a…
Star-Studded Broadway Birthday Party
My daughter. I love her to pieces. But she’s definitely inherited a few (ahem) dramatic qualities from her parents. (Ok, really, just from me…my husband is as undramatic as they come.) Lucky for us, we have a fabulous budding acting school around the corner, The Viera Studio, where we can channel all that dramatic energy!…
Champagne Bar Engagement Party
This post is part of a campaign with Shutterfly and LooksiSquare. All opinions are entirely my own. It’s always wonderful to hear about two people meeting, falling in love and making the big leap to marriage. My friend Jackie has been dating a wonderful man for awhile now. They are both huge football fans (of…
Cinco De Mayo Party Hop – Day 3!
Welcome back for some more DIY fiesta fun! See how to make some DIY balloon flags for your CInco de Mayo party that will flutter in the breeze on One Charming Party. Every party needs a centerpiece! Hang out with The Elephant of Surprise and find a fun succulent centerpiece how-to. Fringe and tissue paper…
Papel Picado Banners for the Cinco De Mayo Party Hop – Day 2!
Now for the fun part! Check out all the talented contributors to this Cinco de Mayo Party Hop and get the how-tos on how to make everything. For the inspirational shoot, I made these pretty Papel Picado banners that are a fantastic backdrop for any fiesta. The Mexican folk art papel picado is traditionally made…
Egg-spiration to Get You Decorating!
This year, go beyond the traditional vinegar and water egg dying method and try something new with the family! There are so many unusual mediums to create designs and colors. Here are some Egg-spirations to get you decorating! Nail Polish Marbled Eggs create unique and colorful eggs. Use leftover scrapbook paper and a glue pen…
Time to Get “Hopping” for Easter!
There is a lot to do before the Easter Bunny arrives! Decorating, dyeing eggs and making super cute bunny shaped foods, just to name a few! It is so fun to see how excited the children get just thinking about that special day. Here are a few ideas to help you get “hopping”! Try an Easter…
Graduation Party Sprinkle Cake and Glitter Cake Topper
A few years ago, when I did my last graduation party shoot, I used some number-shaped lollipops to top off my grocery-store purchased cake. Now, if you have a good-sized budget, you can order custom lollipops and such for cake toppers. Most people I know won’t do that, so here is a much less expensive,…
New Year’s Eve Party Ideas: NYE Party Decorating
New Year’s Eve is approaching quite quickly! Whether you’re throwing a huge bash, or a small get together, you can celebrate in style with a few simple DIY decorating ideas. I developed this sophisticated and glittery New Year’s Eve party idea shoot in gold, silver and black, where you’ll be able to see: Tissue Paper…
Giant Ombre Paper Cone Christmas Trees – a DIY Tutorial and How-To
My favorite part of the Grinchmas Party I held for Random House and Yum! Food and Fun for Kids magazine were the giant paper Christmas trees I created. They’re fun, they’re huge and surprisingly, don’t take much to make other than time. I don’t mind sitting on the couch on occasion mindlessly doing a crafty…
A Grinchmas Party
All the Whos down in Whoville would heartily approve of this Grinchmas party to celebrate the 25 days of Grinchmas! We put this together for Random House and the winter issue of Yum! Food and Fun for Kids. As far as do-ability for your own Christmas Grinch feast–YES! There was a ton of DIY…
Operation Shower: Journey of Love
Operation Shower is an organization whose work is near and dear to my heart. Growing up a military kid myself, I’ve seen what sacrifices military wives along with the rest of their family units must make while their soldiers are away. It’s nice the there are groups out there like Operation Shower that can bring…
Handmade Holiday Party Hop – DIY Gift Wrapping and Holiday Banners
The Party Hop, led by Sara at Confetti Sunshine, has created another fabulous party hop full of inspiration–this time for the holidays! Over the next few days, we’ll be linking up to lots of fun Christmas time goodies and DIY tutorials for wrapping and tagging gifts, making ornaments and decorations and we even have a…
Fun Fall Crafts for Kids
While everything is still quite green here in Florida, I hear the leaves have turned spectacular colors throughout the rest of the country. Since we don’t have brilliantly hued foliage, we kinda have to make our own fall ambiance–and the result is a few fun fall crafts that you can do at home with the…
Party Inspiration by Evite
We’re down to the last days before Halloween…and if you’re anything like me, you’re still looking for ideas for that last little gathering or class party idea that wins you the mom of the year award. I’m sure you’ve heard of the company Evite unless you’ve been living on the moon or in a cave…
Crafty Halloween Playdate: Spooky Necklaces and Creepy Crawly JELL-O JIGGLERS
This post brought to you by JELL-O as part of the DailyBuzz Brand Ambassador program, making Halloween more wiggly for everyone. Check out more Halloween recipes here: JELLO.com/recipes It seems like every holiday that rolls around, I have small children begging for a party for all their friends to come to. Being a the tired…
Twilight Free Party Printables
The twilight inspired party had some help from some great printables in creating a bit of ambiance. And I’m happy to say I’m going to offer up all these printables – as is – for free so you can throw your own vampire vs. werewolf bash. You can find the links at the bottom of…
Vampires vs. Werewolves – a Twilight Halloween Party
Are you a fan of sparkly vampires, or do you run with the werewolves? Hanging out with either is sure to be a frightfully good time!! In this teen-oriented Halloween party originally published in Yum! Food and Fun for Kids Magazine, we took a few clues from the so-en-vougue vampire book series, Twilight. Highlights of…
20 Easy Ideas for a Puppy Party on a Budget
I see you’re sifting through ideas to create a fantastic Puppy Party. Your child is probably one of the following: Head over heels for man’s best friend Loves the Pound Puppies Is a Paw Patrol fanatic! All are excellent reasons to throw a puppy party. It’s so much fun to see the kids enjoy themselves…
Beachy Shower on the Ocean
The beach is my favorite place in the world. So much so, we’ve made it a point to always live nearby the ocean. And when that wasn’t possible, we always felt a bit landlocked and unsettled…until we were back living on the beach again. We know we aren’t the only ones and the beach’s magic…
Patriotic Birthday Party {Real Party}
Red white and blue, patriotic, and an impending presidency. Sounds about right for a birthday being thrown for this adorable and ostentatious little man. Every year, Natalie at Southern Belle’s Charm creates a birthday masterpiece of her son’s choosing, and this year, it was as cool a theme as it was unique….
Pretty Jute-Wrapped Centerpiece Vases for a Tropical Party {Tutorial}
One of my favorite things about decorating for parties is being able to take store-bought pieces and with a few quick touches, creating them into something unique and specific to the event I’m throwing. Around the time of the anniversary party, the beginning of June, the massive hydrangea bushes in my parents’ gardens start blooming,…
Tropical Palm 40th Wedding Anniversary {Real Party}
Forty years is a long time. Especially when you’re talking about being married. My parents recently made it to that milestone–and we (their children) are very lucky to have such role models in our lives. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, we held a casual sit down dinner party for 16 people out in my parent’s…
Fairy Tale Mash-Up Feathers and Arrows Boy’s Birthday Party {Real Party}
We were so excited to have Elissa of One Stone Events contribute to the summer issue of Festivities Magazine. Her fairy tale mash-up party is definitely a new favorite of mine! I worked with her to develop some new, unique printables for her event, and Nicole of Tikkido.com helped with darling Peter Pan inspired bunting…
Star Wars Glam Spa Party {Real Party}
Star Wars is NOT just for boys. I would venture to say I know about as many little girls in love with these movies as little boys. And what I adore about little girls who love Star Wars is that they totally take a very masculine movie and twist into something very much their own….
Mustache Bash Baby Shower {Real Party}
My friend Richelle is just one of those people that is a ray of sunshine wherever she goes and lights up the lives of those around her. I’m guessing it’s all the sun and water she got growing up in the Florida Keys. The minute she let us know she was expecting another little one,…