Real Party: Pancakes & Pearls

When I  first spotted the invite for "Pancakes & Pearls" on P is for Party, I was eager to see how the party would come together. The photos did not disappoint, what a wonderfully cute way to celebrate a 4th birthday. I'm sure all the girls enjoyed their mini spa day. I've posted a few  pictures here, but be sure to visit P is for Party for more photos and a list of vendors.

The Invite designed by Hayle Hardcastle

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Real Party: Spa in Color

One of the ideas that I try to communicate on this blog is that spa parties don't have to be all white & cotton candy pink. I love bringing color into a spa party space to liven the mood and create a fun environment for relaxation. Today's Real Party feature is a fabulous example of how to spa in color. This mini party was designed by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs a design firm based in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. Kelly, a color expert, and mother of three boys, hosted this girly party at her home for her eleven year old niece and a friend to enjoy just prior to a new school year. Though the party was designed for "tweens" the color palette she used works well for girls of any age.

She set the girls up for manis & pedis in the bathroom, and used her jacuzzi tub for a footbath.

The girls then headed down to the Spa Lounge for refreshments and a movie.


 All photos featured are the property of Kelly, view more via her Flickr account


For more color inspiration visit Kelly's Blog Color Sizzle.


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Best Foot Forward: The Scoop

It has been a whole week month since I hosted my Best Foot forward Spa Party. The party turned out great and I've really been looking forward to sharing but I'm a bit disappointed with the quality of my photos. I have no problem taking photos of the kiddo as he gets into his various shenanigans, But taking quality bloggable event photos is a whole 'nother cup of tea. This year I am hoping, as I plan and execute more events, to also become more skilled at taking photographs (which in itself is a challenge when your actually trying to run an event). I'll have to get in the habit of staging more shots prior to guests arriving and/or designating a photo person. Nonetheless, disclaimers (and sickness) aside, I'll share the scoop on my Best Foot Forward Party.

The Decor:

I found this lovely wrapping paper at Target, and used the graphic, which reminded me of a henna pattern ( I realize now that it is probably a snowflake ) throughout the party space. In the kitchen I used a wrapping paper runner made with a coordinating paper from the same collection.

One of my favorite elements, when I was planning the party was the "Make Your Mark Tree", which I couldn't get a good picture of to save my life. I used a branch from my yard and spray painted it, and a picture frame in a brushed metallic from Krylon. I found a really nice big vase from Target and filled it with silver and copperish decor sand.  I then printed blank business cards, with the graphic, hole punched them and tied a ribbon on each. Guests were instructed to share how they'd make their mark in 2010 and hang the cards on the tree.

And a shout out to Teddy from Spalean, who read my blog prior to the party and created a "Happy Soleful New Year" banner for me incorporating some of the colors from my teaser post.

The Food:

 This time around the food followed no particular theme I served a salad Cobb style (in rows) so that folks could choose the toppings they wanted I had lettuce, salmon, cherry tomatoes, eggs, and cheddar. The main dish was a vegetarian rigatoni in a spicy cajun cream sauce with onions, tri-colored peppers, baby portabella mushrooms, and spinach.  I also had a dipping oil on hand for the mini cibatta slices. My fun food element was the Hot Beverage Bar featuring hot milk for the cocoa blocks, chai & hot water for an assortment of teas, coffee, etc.. Also on hand were sweeteners, & creamers. Rather than using hot/cold disposable cups I lucked up and found these nice black mugs on sale at Target for only $1.99.

The Treatments:

The featured treatment stations were "Best Foot Forward" & "Make Your Mark". For the Best Foot Forward Station, I hired Spalean Day & Mobile Spa to do foot treatments. I LOVED working with Spalean, they provided great service, and so many little extras that I didn't even expect. I skipped using my "Neo-Sole" playlist in favor of the relaxing spa music that the therapist provided. In order to set the mood she also set up votives, and flower petal or two; while we made use of our fire place for extra warmth and ambiance. For the treatments we received a foot soak, exfoliation, calf & foot massage & foot mask complete with warm booties.

After the spa station, we moved on to the "Make Your Mark" station to have our feet beautifully decorated by the wonderfully talented and funny Nenya Art.

Gifts & Goodies

Guests received my newly minted peppermint pedis (see here), a  homemade henna balm, a sample size of Muscle Rescue Bath Salts (pictured above in cello bags w. gift wrap) , a pair of socks and a trio of business cards for Spalibrations, Spalean Day & Mobile Spa &amp and Nenya Designs. In addition to the gifts I'd already prepared, our therapist came bearing gifts and treated guest to their pick of floral scented bath gels and mini lotion and scrub samples.

Thanks for reading. For more of a scoop visit the Best Foot Forward: Teaser post, The Henna a new New Years Tradition post, and the Sole-ful New Year post. I hope you find your self walking a purposeful path in 2010.


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Best Foot Forward: Teaser

I just wanted to give a quick sneak peek, into the spa party I'm planning to kick off the New Year. I've been crafting away, and I'm excited to share everything with my friends and family. I REALLY would've loved to have featured some of the fabulous manicure/pedicure products that I carry in the Spalibrations Online Store, at my shindig but of course I didn't decide that I was going to have the party until the last minute and I was worried that holiday shipping delays would prevent me from getting my products on time.

And so I'm undertaking a variety of craft projects to cover giveaways, and decor.

The party theme is a twist on December's Spa Party of the Month - Sole-ful New Year. I invited a few friends over to "Put Their Best Foot Forward for 2010", and we'll be indulging in foot treatments (soak, exfoliation, massage & masque) & henna (because I just couldn't resist having a henna party).


I found this great wrapping paper at Target that will serve as my color inspiration (there is a companion paper, not pictured here from which I'll also draw design inspiration). I started making these little favor boxes from scrapbooking paper with the help of this tutorial that I found on Kiyomi Krafts. 

I also made some anklets to give away as door prizes.

Lastly, I wanted to give a spa related door prize so I attempted to make peppermint body candies...of course I didn't measure and they turned out way too soft. So in order to fix them I froze them so they could harden (at least temporarily) and then dipped them in melted cocoa butter (which smells just like chocolate). The combination of the mint and chocolate reminded me of peppermint patties, and since this is a foot themed party I've dubbed my creation peppermint pedis. Which I wrapped in gold foil candy wrappers, which to my luck are silver on the opposite side.

I'll be sharing more of my creations coming soon, including a henna/foot balm to go in the favor boxes.





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