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One of the things I love best about Party Planning is getting to know my clients on a very personal level - who they are, what they like, what makes them happy - and it is sometimes as much a discovery for them as it is for me! And when I wrap up a successful party (or have one of my own) I love to hear about the way the event made them FEEL - connected, happy, silly. I'm glad when they like the flower arrangements - I'm more satisfied with a positive emotional climate. 
So - during this tumultuous economic climate, I want to encourage you to take the time to entertain(and yes - you can do it on a budget). I know that might sound
ridiculous on the face of it - but nurturing others through opening your home, cooking, and decorating can be very cathartic and self-satisfying. And it will also allow your guests to forget about their issues for a while and have some fun!
While I love the decorative parts of a party - the invitations, centerpieces, napkin rings, take home gifts, etc., etc. - the truly meaningful part of a party is your connection with people. Whether you are extending yourself for a special guest of honor or celebrating your best friends or gathering the soccer team for an end-of-the-year party or sharing a meal with family, take a moment to think about the little things that will make the event that much more special. When you do, your
decision on what colors, textures, activities, location, etc. will all come from an authentic place for the group of people that you are gathering together.
I wish you positive people connections,
Barb
Color obviously plays a central role in party decorations and many of us choose to add that splash of color with a fresh floral centerpiece. But what happens when your color of choice isn't represented in nature, or hales from a remote island in the tropics?
Well, thanks to Master Design and their floral spray "Just for Flowers" you can take inexpensive, easy to find locally, long-lasting flowers like carnations and turn them into the perfect shade to compliment your other party design elements.
I must admit I enjoy crafty projects - they bring out the artist-wanna-be in me - so I enjoyed taking to the patio, laying down some paper and spraying
the carnations. I tried different shades with the purple and stayed at a consistent shade with the green. I think the results are fun! You can't do wrong - just remember to spray about 6" away from the flower and allow the spray to dry between layers.
The cool thing about the Design Master spray is that you can layer colors and they blend (not cover) to create different shades/colors.
Checkout PartyOriginals.com Carnation How-To for specific directions and ideas about how to arrange these fun flowers.
Take Care,
Barb
Celebrating a graduate's accomplishments is a great reason to throw a party. Be it kindergarten, 6th grade, high school or college you always want to start with the basics: Creating the Essence of the Party. This step is the most important and will help you to develop the real heart and purpose of the party. It should be done before you start ANY party.
Ask yourself the who/what/when/where/why/how of your event.
Who. . .
Do you want to invite? Size of group? Mixed group or already friendly? Mixed ages? Does the guest list make your graduate "feel good?" (Yes - there is therapy involved in Party Planning!)What. . .
Do you want to accomplish - ( Real thought-out words: I want my child to feel surrounded by love, I want to throw a fun party kids will enjoy, etc.) What do you want your party guests to be doing at this party (if they don't know each other and you want everyone to mingle and stay for hours you need to think nametags, fun activity, ways to break for strangers. If there will be a significant number of young kids at the party - think bouncy house or setup games or crafts.)
When. . .
Date/Time/Weather considerations, prep time
Where. . .
Do you want to have the event. Consider the obvious (home, restaurant, park, rental facility) and then think outside the box. Keep in mind "what" you want to accomplish and "who" you are inviting.
Why. . .
Are you this hosting event (I want my child to feel special, I want to celebrate with other families of graduates, etc.)
How. . .
Much money do you have to spend? How can you get help in pulling this off (other family members, your best friend, joining in with a couple other Moms for a joint graduation party, hire a caterer, etc.)
As you spend time answering these issues you can keep going back and checking if they all fit together. (You may feel you need to reciprocate an invite to your office friends - but if they don't fit into what your purpose is for your graduate - then invite the office gang over another night for a barbecue party.)
And always keep in mind the personality and the preferences of the special guest of honor - Your Graduate! If your child is embarrassed by the idea of a luau and her Uncle Bob coming in a flowered shirt - skip the sale items at the local party store and celebrate her style.)
I've developed some fun Open House Graduation ideas at PartyOriginals.com. Hope they help! I'd loved to hear what you've got planned!
Happy Spring -
Barb
PS - I'm always available to answer simple party questions or to help with larger needs through my online consulting at PartyOriginals.com!
OK - I must admit I have never had a client ask for a Mother's Day Party and I, as a mother, never celebrate in a traditional "party" kind of way. The only time I can remember doing that is when we were away from family and the kids were very young. Then, for survival sakes, I invited another family over and the other mother and I made the food for our families together. Typically, however, moms enjoy a day off from cooking. Do I hear an "Amen" in the house???!!!Now that I am a little older and wiser, I like to spend my mother's day surrounded by those that I love doing something I love. A few year's ago, my sister-in-law and I chose to play tennis with our families and then go to a beloved Chicago Hot Dog joint! We're midwest girls, so going for a Chicago dog in the west was just a blast to us!!! And getting out in the fresh air and batting the ball around with our families made my feel gleeful!
This year, I'm opting to invite another family for a hike, followed by a picnic. (See How @ PartyOriginals.com) A picnic lunch is a great option because it is "do-able" by my family or if it ends up being me doing the organizing, I can buy some yummy treats and still feel very pampered! I know some moms prefer to go out to a wonderful restaurant, but the hike and picnic combination gives me the entire experience that I am looking for.So if you are like me and fresh air and a picnic sound great, here are some details to pull this off. (I'll be printing this out and taping it to the refrigerator for my family to see!):
- A great picnic basket/case is a really fun and unique gift for Mom to go along with the theme. One that comes with all the accessories to make a picnic chic is ideal!
- Fill the basket with simple delicacies but make sure it is food that kids and adults will enjoy.
- I love nibby-dibbies, so things like olives, smoked oysters, hummus and pita triangles, brie(also get cheddar for the kids) and french bread or crackers, and fresh fruit, all make me very happy and are fun to nibble on while chatting with friends. For the main course a selection of your family's favorite sandwiches( PB&J, turkey, chicken salad) and a great
baby green salad for the Moms is terrific. Make sure and include cookies or some other finger-friendly dessert. Throw in some Pellegrino and Jones soda pops and you have happy, happy people which makes for a Happy, Happy Mother's Day Celebration!
Here's hoping your Mother's Day is filled with people YOU love and doing something special that you love to do!Take Care,Barb
Can't you feel the collective sigh as the fresh, warm breezes blow in. I am so thankful for the sun and warmth and it makes me want to do everything outside. So why not move your entertaining outside as well? Keep it casual and relaxed (that means for the host/hostess as well!).
Here's a few ideas to tryout:
1. Girls Night Out on the Patio - Lettuce wraps, grilled veggies, decadent dessert, and a rose champagne such as Laurent-Perrier. Let the good times roll!2. Family Fun - After a long day on the soccer fields (or whatever your children's activity of choice) it is great to grab a few families and have them stop by the house. Make it a potluck dinner, setup a chocolate fountain with plenty of goodies to dip. Light the fire pit for the adults to gather around with plenty of wine to sample, have a trampoline or some simple outdoor games available to keep the kids busy. (I also recommend renting a bouncy and hiring a local teen if you really want to entertain the little ones!!!)
3. Sports and Dinner - Who says kids get to have all the sports fun? Invite a few friends for a late afternoon game of tennis or golf followed by a simple dinner of grilled salmon and asparagus, rice and great salad (I love some of the recipes from Barefoot Contessa) and a light, fruity dessert. Keep the martinis flowing!
4. Pizza and Wii - Set up a do-it-yourself pizza bar with Boboli Crusts, pizza sauce, cheese and a variety of toppings, a selection of beers from your local brewery, and a cooler of fun and unusual bottled soda pops for the kids. Then take the fun inside as the adults take on the kids in Wii sports or the boys against the girls, etc........ You will have a hard time getting everyone to leave!
Happy Spring to All!
Take Care,
Barb
I have had quite a few inquiries lately about 50th Birthday Party Ideas. I think landmark birthdays are a great reason to celebrate and when done well, a special event will create treasured memories for all who attend.
Here's how I start to plan out an important event like this:
Essence of the Party -
I put together a short description of the real heart and purpose of the party. I can't stress how important this is. People often pick a "theme" before they have thought about the guests and, in this case, the birthday guest of honor.
It is important to take the time to think about the birthday person:
What do they like to do - dance, bowl, tea parties, wine connoisseur?
What would make them feel special and cared for - small dinner party, large dance with a DJ, Casino Night in your home, a all-girls luncheon in a beautiful garden?
Who should you invite - old friends, neighbors, all-girls/guys?
When you take the time to answer the deeper questions a theme, venue, and activity will often emerge on its own rather than forced to fit into a preconceived theme.
If you are going to take the time and money to host an event - putting some upfront work into creating a "Party Essence" is so worth it!
Goodluck and Have Fun!
Barb
PS - If you are stuck - please check out my online Consulting Service available across the country as an easy and affordable option - PartyOriginals.com.
There is nothing like a short break to allow you to refresh and come back even stronger doing something you love! And I love Party Planning! I like the creativity - colors, textures, moods; I like the organizational aspect - the details of the who/what/when/where/why/how; and I love the outcome of a good party - the smiles, personal connections, warm feelings, outrageous fun!I decided to transition my local party planning into a national informational/how-to and ecommerce site and blog in August 2007. The journey has been fantastic. I have learned so much about the internet world and it has really set my brain neurons on high! We just completed 
a revamp of the site - www.PartyOriginals.com - including a much cleaner and easier to use Party Product Shop Section.
I am also ready to add lots of Party content in the coming months. Look for Mother's Day, a Mexican Bunco Party, Baby Showers, Birthday Parties and More!I am also looking forward to utilizing the Blog as a Party Planning Conversation Place. I would like to answer/brainstorm solutions to any of your party dilemmas as well as have fun, unique ideas shared by other hostesses. I'm off to shoot some photos of a "Significant Sweet Sixteen Party." Look for upcoming posts when completed!Take Care,Barb
ridiculous on the face of it - but nurturing others through opening your home, cooking, and decorating can be very cathartic and self-satisfying. And it will also allow your guests to forget about their issues for a while and have some fun! 
decision on what colors, textures, activities, location, etc. will all come from an authentic place for the group of people that you are gathering together.
Barb
