Flintstones Meet the Jetset: Sight

So, by now your itching to host a co-ed caveman themed spa party featuring hot stone massages and great food right? Now, you just need some design inspiration.

For the "spa portion" of the program I'd suggest using animal print towels, which can be used during the treatments. There are a variety of beautiful animal print towels on the market though I must say I'm partial to the ones carried at Nieman Marcus and Anything Animals.

Photos: Safari  & Cheshire Animal towels, Nieman Marcus

You can also purchase plain towels in ivory and chocolate brown and embellish them yourself, pick out a different animal print for each couple, make one ivory and one chocolate set of each print for his & hers coordinating towels.  If you are offering a foot soak as part of any of the treatments it may also be a good idea to purchase a animal print bath mat (also available at Anything Animals) to catch any splashes.

Finish off the room with some votive candles in holders made of coconut cups or bamboo.

Photo: Shindigz

For the buffet area take some tips from these amazing prehistoric parties thrown by Denise of  Little Ant Design & Brooke of Jackaroo Love

Photos: Brook Meyerber of Jackaroolove

Photos: Denise Baker via SmugMug

And there you have it treatments, food, and design inspiration for your very own prehistoric pamper party (just don't call it that in front of the guys :) )

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Milk-n-Cookies (Sight)

This month's Spa Party of the Month Theme is Milk-n-Cookies. If you missed the Touch post with spa treatment suggestions and the Taste post with menu suggestions be sure to check them out. In this last segment, I'll share a few ideas for decorating your Milk-n-Cookies Spajama party.

Since this is a Spajama Party the decor will be inspired by the bedroom.

Treatment Area

Photo credits from l-r [Hostess with the Mostess (2),Walmart, Party Wishes, Setting the Mood with Jamee (3), Walmart]

I just love the idea of setting the table to look like a bed. Originally done by The Hostess with The Mostess for a  bedtime story themed baby shower, the concept has been adapted by other party planners like  Donna of Party Wishes, and Jamee of Setting the Mood for fun and colorful sleepover party decor. I also like the little extras that Jamee did for this pajama party like the sweet dreams sign, and the floating candle with toe separators. Included in my photo montage, are two sheet sets available at Walmart.com that I think would work well for this theme.  Instead of using your "bed table" as your buffet area as Jamee did, I'd suggest using it as your treatment area. Put all of the necessary implements in the center of the table, and set a place setting for each guest, similar to the Hostess with the Mostess' table, substituting plates and napkins with manicure bowls, and hand towels. You can choose to set emory boards, nail brushes, orangewood sticks and buffers at each place setting or just have them available in small receptacles on the table.  Having manicures set up at the dining table allows guests sufficient work surface, and keeps them from having to lean over to a low coffee table or using their laps as table tops.

Cookie Buffet

One thing I've picked up from Amy Atlas' beautiful dessert bars is that she doesn't just dress the table. She often uses a backdrop which ties together the individual design elements on the table nicely. One example of this is the Moroccan inspired dessert bar she created for Sunday Suppers 

Photo: Karen Mordechai

You can make your own bed-inspired backdrop for your cookie buffet by creating an upholstered headboard. This popular DIY project is one which I undertook myself (though it was before my bloggy days so no photos, sorry); it is a relatively quick project if you have another pair of hands available. Many of the DIY tutorials you'll find online call for more expensive upholstery foam, which you can skip since you'll only be using this headboard for show. I'd also skip the drilling and do a fake-out tufting by just using my staple gun to secure the fabric where I wanted the buttons, and then glue gun the buttons on top. No need to drill new wholes in your wall, pick a place in the house where you already have photos hanging to set up your buffet, add d-rings or other picture mounting hardware to the back of your headboard, and switch out your photos for the event. If you are going to have a lot of pattern going on on the table, its a good idea to stick with a solid color headboard. If you have extra shams or pillow cases left over from the bed set you used prop some pillows up against the headboard on the table.

In Jamee's photos above you can see that she decorated the inside of the jars she used for her candy buffet (to see it done with cookies rather than candy visit the Milk-n-Cookies Taste post). This can be done with complementary fabric, scrapbook paper or wrapping paper.

For any additional decor throughout your party space, you can use storybooks and stuffed animals to add an element of whimsy.
 

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FALL in Love with Apples: Sight

Fall is such a beautiful time of year with all of the foliage and rich colors. I imagine a party, with guests sitting at red picnic tables, soaking their toes in galvanized tubs with an apple orchard as a backdrop. However, in reality I assume that most people who would host a fall pedicure party would do so indoors, for reasons of warmth and logistics. Therefore, I'll share a few decor ideas that will help you bring a bit of the outdoors in, while keeping the cold out. I like the rustic, "down on the farm" feel with a touch of elegance that lends itself to a casual and relaxing spa party.



1. Apple Vase via Craftzine
2. Maple Leaf Roses via lobzik (use Google toolbar to translate from Russian, lots of pics to follow)
3.Apple Harvest Centerpiece via Floral Design Institute
4. Candle Carver from Perpetual Kid
5. Pumpkin Party Cooler via Martha Stewart
6.Tree Pedestal Cake Stand via lalaLaurie (can use in your candy apple display)


7. Apple Favors w. Pie Recipe via Brides
8. Refreshment Table via Brides replace goblets with mason jars
9. Pumpkin Topper for Soup Tureen via Martha Stewart

>How has the season inspired your decor?



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Prep School: Sight

Now that you know Esthy High's Curriculum and Lunch Room Menu it is time to pull it all together with the decor. Because this party is for back-to-school, I think a preppy look would work well. My secret to inexpensive party decor is Ribbon, Ribbon, Ribbon! Grosgrain ribbon comes in solids, stripes, polkadots, and even argyle, and makes for perfectly preppy party decor. While writing this post I found an online ribbon retailer that has a GREAT selection of stripes and solids.

The Table:

For this purposes of this party the dining room table will be used as your "lab" space. To set the table, use a place mat under each of the silver mixing bowls which girls will use to steam their faces, this adds color and helps to control spills. A cute way to display the face cloths is to use custom made napkin rings out of ribbon and d-rings, by following this easy tutorial at the Hip Hostess' Blog. A larger version of these can also be used to wrap the yoga mats (which you can find for $5 each at your local 5 Below store). Place the face cloths on top of a folded hand towel, next to each bowl. In the center of the table use some low wooden trays wrapped with ribbon to hold the products that you'll be using for the facials.You can use ribbon to dress up a plain white table cloth by using it as a table runner like these photos from Martha Stewart Weddings and Swanky Tables













More Ribbon Crafts & Gifts (b/c some people are just super crafty):

Headbands

This video from VideoJug will show you how to make ribbon headbands for your guests, like this one from Molasses Tree. These make nice gifts and are also useful for keeping the girl's hair off of their faces during their facial treatments.

Magnet Boards & Magnets:


The photo above, from Better Homes and Gardens, shows how a few painted canvases with ribbon accents can transform a space. Take this idea further by using magnetic paint, to create functional magnet boards for the girls to use throughout the school year. To accompany them whip up some quick marble magnets, which look cute when packaged in Altoid tins.

Photo: Hip To Piece Squares

The Diva is in the Details..... more tips for super preppy party



Besides the Pink & Green color palette featured throughout the post, a few other color combos complement the preppy/girly feel including: Lavender and Green and my favorite especially for back to school Pink and Navy. You can print out the striped paper and favor flags needed to make the little notebooks above right here.

Remember those folders that you are going to hand out to each girl with the class schedule and course material, why not dress up plain folders my adding a little monogram detail on the front or even lining the inside with some pretty scrapbook paper, or if your going with the pink & navy palette just print out the striped paper from your computer after downloading the pdf from the link above.

Last, but not least! If your a whiz on the sewing machine, you can even throw together some cute little lined zippered pouches perfect for holding make up or school supplies.

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Everything's Comin' Up Roses: Sight

Photo: Bride.ca

This Bridesmaid's Brunch is all about the Bridal Party kicking back before the big day. With a wedding to tend to it is unlikely that anyone from the Bridal Party will be able to focus much time or money on the decor for this party. Therefore, I'll just give a few simple ideas that'll help set the mood for the affair without breaking the budget.


First off are the towel cakes... Towel cakes, made to look like wedding cakes, often make an appearance at Bridal Showers. A customary three tiered towel cake consists of 2 bath towels, 2-3 hand towels and 2-3 face cloths. Throughout this Bridesmaid's brunch, estheticians will likely be using hand towels while performing their services. The requisite linens can be presented to guests as mini towel cakes, fashioned using the instructions here. To incorporate the damask and rose theme, you can use a thick yellow satin ribbon and center damask tape from TapeSwell or Twos Company over it. After you've cut the ribbon to fit around each of your cake tiers apply the tape to the ribbon allowing some tape to hang over one edge, use the overlapping tape to secure the ribbon around the cake. Once you've got your tiers in place top the cake with yellow silk roses.


For the buffet table, use a cheap but cheery yellow paper table cloth and dress it up with a runner made of damask wrapping paper. Offer a mix of yellow, black and white disposable plates, napkins and utensils for guests to serve themselves with. To jazz up your drinks and help incorporate the flavored syrups, you can make easy drink umbrellas using this template, and these basic instructions. You can also add small beads to the tops of the umbrellas, by varying the color and number of beads you can help guests distinguish their drinks.

The Etsy shop Paper and Cake also makes it super simple for you to dress up any party with their printables. Their Dinner for Two Damask Tablescape package includes all the templates you'll need to print: beautiful napkin rings, candle wrappers, wine glass tags, place cards, menus, food lables, cupcake picks, gift tags, invitations and a gift card holder with pillow box all for only $5, this package is currently available in black and white with hot pink accents, but the shop owners will create a custom color scheme for $20.

Bonus Project: Chapstick Pockets


Photo: Momento Magazine

This project might be a bit much for a Bridesmaid's Brunch, but it is just too cute not to mention since it goes so well with the theme. Instructions on how to make these can be found at Sarah's Ink Spot.

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Hippie Luxe: Sights

Hippie Luxe: Sights by Hennergy on Polyvore.com

Note: If you click on the photo above you'll be taken to the Polyvore set, where all items are listed and hyperlinked to their original site.

The color palette for this party was originally inspired by Hendrix's Purple Haze. Purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality. It's deep jewel tones lend itself to a sophisticated and "luxe" take on hippie decor. Green is also an element in this party, whereby I tried to incorporate recycled and sustainable materials for the dinner and serveware; and even the bamboo hand towels for spa treatments.

Hippie is the perfect theme to accommodate an eclectic mix and match of serving platters. If you have any silver platters or chargers laying around now is the time to pull them out. Recycled materials, such as the recycled wine bottle platter pictured above also lend themselves to the overall hippie vibe. Instead of often flimsy, and rarely cute paper plates, use disposable bamboo plates, which are nicer looking, more sturdy, biodegradable and made from sustainable material, disposable bamboo utensils are also available.

To add to the luxe and sophisticated feel of a spa party silver is also used as an accent color. One way to mix earthy and silver is to use sliver leaf to decorate river rocks using this tutorial by poopscape . Download a free hippie font and number rocks so that guests can pick them to determine in what order they'll receive their "stoned" massage treatments. Rocks can also be adorned with other symbols of the day such as peace signs and hearts to be used throughout the party.

One of the elements definitely drawn from the hippie era is the beaded curtain. I opted for a single shade for a more modern feel. The curtain can be used either to define spaces, separating treatment areas from social areas or hung on the wall behind the buffet table to create a focal point. If the color/print on the wall clashes with the beads try draping a black or metallic fabric behind them. Another more subtle way to incorporate beads into your decor is to use beaded wine bottle covers/skirts (as pictured above), even if you aren't serving alcohol it is a way to jazz up your sparkling lemonade or cider bottles, hurricane lamps or pillar candles.

Another item drawn straight from that period is this lava lamp which fits nicely with the other metallic elements. Also check out the iLava ipod docking station pictured above.

Even if you weren't a Dead Head, try incorporating the bandana featuring the band's dancing bear in a mandala pattern, into your tablescape. They can be used to line the dish in which you serve your granola or set them under some of your platters. If you are the crafty type sew a few together to make a table runner.

Mandalas often find their way into hippie decor from this bandana, to t-shirts or wall tapestries. This mandala design kit makes it easy for anyone over 6 to create their own mandala pattern. Use your artwork throughout your party, as laminated coasters, invites, and more.


















In fact, paper is a wonderfully versatile and inexpensive decorative tool. Fish Lips, whose Purple Haze recycled wrapping paper is featured in the photo above, provides a list of ways to reuse their wrapping paper instead of disposing it after used for gifts. Some of their ideas include framing it for use as a wall hanging, or using it to mat photographs, especially black and white ones. A bold printed paper is perfect for use as a mat when using a floating photo frame (also pictured above). If your hippie spa party is being thrown in someone's honor as a 50th, 60th or over the hill birthday party print out photographs of the honoree in varying sizes and use inexpensive photo frames. The photo display can be set up on a table or hung on a wall, or done as a collage on a sign in board.

Mini photo frames, like the one with pressed flowers in the picture above, can also be used to label the food at the buffet table.

There are plenty of ways to bring a hippie feel to your party decor, be creative and above all have fun.

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Slumdog Slumber Party: Decor

Pink & Pistachio are the colors that I chose to center my inspiration board on. Pistachios are actually often found as a garnish on Indian desserts, and pink is one of the many bold colors often found in Indian textiles.

The game plan
Kitchen/Dining Area:Top a pink table cloth with a wrapping paper table runner, using paper from paper-source.com 's new India collection (I choose the Rajasthani paisley wrapping paper and matching thank you cards). If you have a round table not to worry, you can make custom placemats using cardstock available in the same print, seal them with Mod Podge decoupage glue so that they won't get soggy during the meal. In the photo above, the party planner also used wrapping paper to cover the little gift boxes at each table setting, another option is to use the beautiful fuschia with gold scrolls gift boxes also from paper-source.com. Inside the boxes include bindis or glass bangles both available from shopbeachcombers.com and/or stick on mehndi tattoos from dollsofindia.com. Since this is such an informal meal there is no need to set a placesetting for each girl, instead use pistachio colored paper plates and napkins and a mix of pink and pistachio plastic cutlery.

Inexpensive hand towels can be purchased locally and placed in each guest's chair for use during their various spa treatments, and guest towels can be used to bring the theme into the bathroom.

Movie Area: In a corner of the room, set up a small table to hold popcorn, nuts, and candy. Download your favorite Slumdog Millionaire movie poster and use it as wall decor behind your snack station. If you also want to add punches of color to the movie viewing area look for Indian inspired throw pillows at your local Home Goods, Marshall's or similar store. Be sure to have extra blankets or throws on hand for girls to get cozy while watching the films.

Above all have fun!

Decor is Pt. 3 in the Slumdog Slumber Party Series to read about food click here and here and read about the overall party theme and activities here.

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