Game Night

I got a call from a friend the other night to invite the kids and I over for Game Night. And when she said the game I about fell off my chair - MASTERPIECE! I loved that game as a child and haven't seen it around recently. It is an art auction game - and of course you want to end up with the most money in dollars and art at the end.

My friend had played it a lot when she was young as well and we laughed and reminisced as we played the game and compared which paintings we loved as a kid, who was our favorite character, etc. It brought back great memories, and such fun to share the game with our own kids!

Playing Masterpiece also gave me the idea to bring over a few side dishes from my childhood - my Mom's strawberry/pineapple layered jello, dill weed dip and chips, and angel food cake with butter cream icing! I had fun making them and it was fun to share memories of my childhood with friends and family. Overall - a great night! I encourage you to try it out yourself!

Take Care,
Barb

PS: Here are the recipes!

Strawberry/Pineapple Layered Jello
1 lb. Can Crushed Pineapple with Juice
2-10 oz. Sliced Frozen Strawberries - Thawed with Juice
2 Small Packages (or 1 Large Package) Strawberry Jello
1 Cup of Boiling Water
1/2 Pint of Sour Cream

Combine Jello and boiling water. Stir well. Add crushed pineapple and strawberries. Dip out half of the mixture into a large glass rectangular baking dish. Let set in refrigerator. Spread sour cream over Jello. Gently spoon remainder of Jello mixture on top.


Dill Weed Dip (Such a great change from Spinach or French Onion!)
1/2 Pint of Sour Cream
Mayonnaise
Worcestershire
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper
Dried Dill Weed

I feel a bit like Rachel Ray in telling you I don't measure this - just go by taste! But here is some general directions!
Mix 3 - 4 heaping TB of mayo into sour cream. (You want the 2 tastes to blend - not taste too much like sour cream or too much like mayo! The ratio is a little less mayo than sour cream) Then add 3 - 4 splashes of Worcestershire and a then a shake of garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust! Then add a lot of dill weed. You want to be able to see it in the dip and have plenty in each taste.

Angel Food Cake with Butter Cream Icing
Start with a store bought or homemade Angel Food Cake

For Butter Cream Icing:
1 Cup Butter
1 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
5 Cups Confectioner's Sugar
3 TB Milk

Blend butter with mixer until soft. Add vanilla and begin adding and beating in powdered sugar slowly. As mix gets dry, slowly add in some of the milk and continue adding powdered sugar. Blend until light and fluffy and yummy!

Flower Personality

At your next Birthday or Cocktail Party, try a unique kind of Take Home Gift, that comes from your heart and expresses your true feelings for your friends. Pick out a fresh single stem flower that reminds you of each friend. And for an added personal touch, attach a little note with ribbon letting them know how much you appreciate having them in your life.

Do you have a granola, sporty friend? Give a Sunflower

An elegant, sophisticated friend? The Orchid is a match

A tried-and-true, loyal, consistent friend? The Rose

An out-going, happy friend? A bright, happy Gerbera Daisy

A friend you can share anything with? The sweet, fresh Tulip

A creative friend always full of neat ideas? The unique Iris

A complex, unique friend? The stunning Tiger Lily

A friend with a sweet, kind personality? The Hydrangea
A strong, courageous friend? The bold, graceful Gladiolus

A unique, exotic friend? The unique, exotic Bird of Paradise


This is a Take Home Gift that your friends won't soon forget. And until you hand them out, you can have them all sitting in an elegant vase or keep boxed in a cool place with an individual water holder.

Here's Hoping all of your Parties are Filled with Special, Meaningful Touches,
Barb

Hiring Extra Help for Family Parties

I'm a real kid person. And if you are planning a backyard family party this summer where kids will be attending, I can't stress enough how important it is to think ahead and plan out a few things for the kids. Taking that extra planning time will help both you as the host and your guests with kids feel a little more comfortable.

Hire Extra Hands:
If you or several of your guests have children under the age of 7, hiring a babysitter to help at the party will be the best money spent!!! This is especially true if it is your children who are still little. Having an extra set of hands and eyes to watch over the kids is sooooo helpful. It frees you up to mingle with your guests, handle the food, refill drinks, etc.

And even if your kids are a little older and the guests have younger ones, hiring some extra party help will put everyone at ease and allow your guests to sit back and relax and have fun. I was just talking with a friend of mine who had a wonderful summer party a few weekends ago. They have a beautiful backyard facing the mountains and a great play area for the kids with a lot of fun things to do. And while most of the children were above 9, she has a toddler and not hiring a babysitter to help at the party is the one regret she had! Of course she loves spending time with him, but it is difficult to get around to your guests when you have a toddler trying to join in the water gun fight with the 10-year-olds!

Have Kid-Friendly, Age-Appropriate Toys and Activities Available:
Setting up yard games like croquet or volleyball, filling up a wading pool and buying a selection of water guns, renting a bouncy house, grabbing bottles of bubbles and sidewalk chalk, setting up a craft table with colored sand and containers or rocks and paint, pulling out trucks, balls and other age appropriate toys are all great options to think through ahead of time and get set-up before guests arrive!

Again - I like to be with my kids, that's why I like family entertaining. But having kid friendly activities available allows the kids to be happy and the adults to have a little adult relaxation time as well.

Happy Summer!
Barb

Fruit and Flowers

Although summer entertaining is more relaxed, you shouldn't overlook table centerpieces. And nothing is easier and more natural than combining fruit (or vegetables) and flowers to create simple, stylish centerpieces.

Using fruits and vegetables has been a "hot" trend for a while, but the concept can feel totally fresh because the variations are endless.

For this Tropical Centerpiece, I combined pineapples, coconuts and bananas with white and yellow flowers. You could easily bring in more color by adding orange, red or pink flowers or fruit as well. (For more detailed instructions see: PartyOriginals.com/Tropical Centerpiece How-To.)

The other thing I like to do with fruit is create tealight holders or vases. I've used apples and oranges here for a Holiday Party Centerpiece, but for summer you could use lemons and limes as well. (See more detailed instructions at PartyOriginals.com/Fruit Tealight How-To.)

To make a fruit vase, follow the directions for the tealights, but scoop out the hole in the fruit a little deeper so that a stem can fit down in. I like to pair gerber daisies with oranges and lemons. It is such a happy, whimsical look.

So head to the grocery store and while you are picking up your burgers, chips and other party food, grab some fruit and a bunch of flowers and create a fun, easy, attractive centerpiece.

Have Fun!
Barb

Summer Party Tips

Take time this summer to create fun, family memories. And if the economy has your budget limited, look for affordable ways to entertain in your own backyard. If you are like me, I find myself re-prioritizing how and where I am choosing to spend my "recreational budgeted" money. My kids are doing less camps and more getting together with neighborhood friends. And I am enjoying having families over for casual get-togethers more so than heading out to a restaurant.

I put together an All-American party with some of those ideas in mind. You can check it out at:
PartyOriginals.com/All-American.

Here's a simple, fun, affordable dessert that my kids and I like to make. Hope you enjoy at your next backyard summer party:

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Premade and precut cookies (Whatever flavors you like - chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter, etc. The precut version allows for all of the cookies to be exactly the same size.)

At least 2 or 3 flavors of ice cream (pick your favorite flavors that go with the cookies. IE: strawberry ice cream with sugar cookies, chocolate chip with peanut butter cookies, banana ice cream with chocolate chip cookies, etc.........!!!)

Bake cookies and let cool thoroughly. When ready to assemble, make sure ice cream is soft. Using an ice cream scoop, place 1 - 2 scoops on a cookie and then put the other cookie on and press lightly. Use a knife to clean and mold the ice cream that tries to push out around the sides.

These are best prepared a day in advance. Make sure you have enough room in your freezer for a large container (I usually store mine layered in a square plastic storage container.)

Have Fun,
Barb

Summer Blossoms

I love to take advantage of the wonderful summer flowers that grow in my yard or that I can buy from the local Farmer's Market.

And here's a fun project that takes advantage of recycling an ordinary object into something very fun. Save your cans and create whimsical flower vases. (See How-To on PartyOriginals.com)

This is so easy that it is a fun project to do with kids. They love to clip blossoms from the garden and if you help them cut the paper to fit the cans, it is easy for them to glue on. You can grab lots of fun scrapbooking papers at stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby to fit any theme you can think of!

The can vases are also great for outdoor entertaining because there is no worry of breaking a glass vase. Collect plenty of can sizes and shapes so you have them on hand all summer. They are great to display all around the patio when you are entertaining outdoors.

Have Fun!
Barb

Eco-Friendly Party Supplies

I recently attended my daughter's end-of-the-school-year party. It was a great time - the parents and kids had a "Murder Mystery Party." It also gave me the opportunity to learn a few things from some of the more "eco-friendly" moms in the group who decided that we must use biodegradable paper plates for the party.

The idea behind these products, such as the ones make by Stalkmarket, is that they are made of sugar cane fiber that is a waste product of the sugar refining process. Once you've used the plates, napkins, cups, etc., you compost them in your backyard compost.

If you decide to use these - just remember to let everyone know that you are going to collect them to compost because unfortunately the wonderful mom who was going to compost the plates was left digging through the trash to pull out all of the plates at the end of our school party! But she did it with a smile!

OK - I must admit - for right now they just come in basic white which isn't quite as fun as colors and patterns for this party girl. But, it is definitely something I will keep in mind and include in future parties. (I've added them to my Shop Section/Paper Goods on PartyOriginals.com) Of course, first I need to get a compost bin and a sign for the trash can to avoid garbage digging.

I've conquered fluorescent light bulbs and reusable grocery bags - now on to composting paper plates! It's a new (and hopefully improved) world.

Take Care, Barb

Summer Party Tip

Yeah - summer is almost here and we are almost through the craziness that is "MAY!!!" (Does every Mom feel this way? The schools, sports, etc. pack sooooo much into this month!)

As I was preparing for a party, I was reminded of how much impact "the details" have on a party. And often they are the simplest things! I came across one of those and wanted to pass it on:
Fruit Juice Ice Cubes!!! I know - sounds ridiculously simple - but ohhhh so fun and you will be surprised at the reaction from your guests.

I typically use a red juice like cranberry or cran-raspberry. I just freeze the juice in rectangle ice trays - but you could purchase a shape that matches the theme of your party for extra fun.

I start a few days to a week in advance, so I can take my time and every day or so fill and empty them. I store the cubes in gallon freezer bags until party time.

I like to use them in non-alcoholic drinks with lemon-lime soda or lemonade. Or you can enjoy them in mixed drinks such as vodka and orange juice or lemonade and Canadian whiskey. The red cubes look so pretty in the light beverage as they melt.

Here's Hoping Your Summer Parties are Filled with Great Laughs and Great Friends!
Take Care,
Barb

People Make The Party

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

Floral Centerpieces

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

Graduation Parties

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!

Outdoor Entertaining

There are certain entertaining staples that every hostess should have on-hand, and one of those is a great set of Melamine dinnerware for outdoor entertaining.

Obviously, it is more durable and lightweight which is great for casual dining - especially if some of your guests are eating on their laps. And it is a better "green" option than paper plates. Now I'm not saying that I never use paper - but melamine is a great alternative. If I have a group of 12 over, I simply pull out my melamine, heat up the grill, blend up some Margaritas. Need I say more?!

The other cool thing is that there are so many new styles of melamine. There are a plethora of options available to match your style. Checkout some of my favorites at PartyOriginals.com.

Speaking of barbecue - I wanted to pass on one of my favorite chicken marinades. These grill up beautifully on their own or you can slice up the chicken for fajitas! Ole!

Herbed Chicken Marinade
2 TB of extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup of lime juice
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1/4 cup of cilantro
A sprinkle of sea salt
Combine all ingredients and place in a gallon plastic bag or non-metallic pan. Add 4 boneless chicken breasts and allow to marinade in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (but I like to do it overnight!).

Heat up your grill to medium-high and get a great grill mark on each side (keep lid closed). Reduce grill temp to low and let cook all the way through.

Happy, "Sunshiney" Entertaining to All!
Barb

Mother's Day Celebration

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

Outdoor Party Ideas

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

50th Birthday Party Ideas

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.

Back on the Party Train

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

Are Do-It-Yourself Projects Really Worth It?

I like being artsy/craftsy - I've already admitted to being an artist-wanna-be - so adding special handmade touches to a party is something I really enjoy. With so many books and magazines and television shows touting all different kinds of craft ideas, I've really learned to choose projects that meet a few goals:
1. Making something that I can't go out and easily buy
2. Making something that would otherwise cost quite a bit
3. Making something that I can fit into my busy life from a time perspective
4. Making something that brings me joy

Recently I designed a centerpiece runner for a party that meets all of those criteria:








1. I definitely could not easily buy it.
2. The materials I bought for it were very inexpensive.
3. It took me about 45 minutes which included time for the paint layers to dry.
4. And it was working with paint sponging and feathered yarn - how fabulous!

Best of all, I love how it looks on the table with clear votives alternately filled with roses and tealights sitting on top. Quite a glow!

For detailed instructions on this Artful Handmade Runner, check out the "How-To Guide at PartyOriginals.com"

I'd love to hear about some of your original do-it-yourself art projects!

Happy Creating!
Barb

Beautiful Rose Centerpieces on a Budget

Well the economy has taken a little hit in recent weeks/months - but it's definitely not the time to panic or stop the small things that give you pleasure.

Entertaining can provide a welcome relief from the stress. Gather those around you that you care about and spend time talking and laughing.

With just 6 items (some you may already have around your home) you can create a variety of centerpieces that will work for many different kinds of events, such as Valentine's Day, Wedding Shower, Birthday Celebration, Baby Shower, etc.

6 Inexpensive Items You Can Do So Much With!
Small Square Glass Vases (Approx. $2.99)
Round Glass Votives ($1 - $2/piece)
Roses (Around $15 a bunch at your local grocer)
Feathers (Under $2 a packet)
Craft Jewels (Approx. $3.99 a packet)
Inexpensive Organza Fabric

Here are a couple of ways to put these items together:

Stacked square vases with 1 rose bud take centerstage.

Scattered feathers, gems and clear votives surround the vases.

Stringing rose petals make for a stunning napkin ring.

All of this is set atop an iridescent organza fabric.

* For more detailed instructions, checkout the "How-To" section of PartyOriginals.com


By switching things around a bit, you can have a different look:

Feather votives jazz up the look.

They surround a simple square vase with clumped rose stems.

Gems glitter atop the iridescent organza fabric.


* For more detailed instructions, checkout the "How-To" section of PartyOriginals.com

While I've chosen all pink, the colors can all be changed to fit the look you want.

Use yellow roses with white feathers and yellow and gold gems.
Or
White roses with peacock feathers and pick up a gem color from the feather - blue perhaps.

Have fun with this. I hope it encourages you to realize that you CAN entertain affordably. Have other ideas - send me a comment.

Take Care,
Barb

Love is in the Air

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I LOVE celebrating this holiday!

You see it involves all the "junky-junk" I love — handmade cards with overlapping specialty papers garnished with lacey ribbon and glitter or easy, inexpensive table centerpieces mixing beautiful, classic items like roses with childish stuff - like pink crinkled paper strips and an array of ceramic hearts and cherubs!

I also usually get very sentimental and want to make sure those I love know it. When the kids were little I always gave them a sappy Valentine's book with a handwritten message. Or one year I beautifully arranged 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7: Love is patient, love is kind. . . on a piece of handmade paper.

At my house, another tradition is our Valentine's dinner that my kids love: chicken broccoli casserole, salad, rice and easy, easy cheesecake with cherries. It makes me smile just thinking of it. This is a very kid-friendly meal! If it is adults only. . . no way! I say go classy!

Well, if you are interested in starting a new, classy "romantic" tradition checkout my new Valentine's Party at PartyOriginals.com. Here's a sneak preview!

Bye for now -
Take Care,
Barb

New Party Ideas

Hi Everyone -
Got an email from my friend Kathy, who told me about a really fun party idea! She had a group of friends over for a cocktail party and they played Wii tennis all night! She said it was a ball and they all laughed a lot and had a great time. Finally, a good reason to buy an electronic game system! My son got a Playstation - but I really don't enjoy the car-racing, soccer-playing games,etc. (although he and his Dad do!) But a Wii sounds like it would be fun for the whole family, and now as a fun activity for - AN ADULTS ONLY PARTY!

I'm going to try to work on a partyscape to go along with the activity. I'm thinking yellows and greens. . . hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Keep checking in at Partyoriginals.com.

The other party idea I'm currently excited about is a Girl's Poker Night. I know lots of men have been doing this, but I haven't run across any women's groups. My friend Diane hosts one and said I'm on the list for the next one! That made me very excited. I am a Midwest girl at heart. Put a deck of cards in my hand and I'm happy!

Any other new ideas you've come across? I'd love to hear about them. Send me a comment!

Take Care,
Barb