A Party Fit For A Princess! :)

My daughter’s 2nd Birthday was last weekend…which if you have been reading my lovely blog..you are probably thinking…umm…yes Bethany, we know this..its ALL you have been talking about since you started this “scatter brained” of a blog in October. Planning her party was a blast and it gave me an opportunity to be creative..which is what I thrive on!

Items used:

*2 pieces of foam board taped together and covered in solid wrapping paper (Dollar Tree Items)

* Solid wrapping paper was also used as a table covering

* Christmas garland

*Wall Decals (Dollar Tree had several designs. tip: once they are applied..they are stuck. )

*Cupcake toppers (supplied by my friend that did the cake/cupcakes..she bought them from Dollar Tree)

I wish I would of added a 5×7 or 8×10 photo of my daughter in the center..right below “Princess”

The Birthday Banner came from Dollar Tree. To add a little “bling” I used glitter acrylic paint and painted over the “hearts and stars” on the banner.

*Christmas ornaments are used to add a special touch to the banner

*Ribbon and painted clothespins were used to hang some pictures of my daughter

*Wall Decals from Dollar Tree

Sorry for the crooked photo..its kinda bugging me…

I was really happy with how the ceiling turned out! It only took one package of tissue paper from the Dollar tree to make 4 poms!

*Tissue Paper

*Christmas ornaments

*Purple and Clear latex balloons

What I learned/my thoughts:

Since the party started at 5pm..We served dinner and dessert included cupcakes, a super yummy “Funfetti Cookie Dip” and “Build your own Sundae Bar”…Sorry..I didn’t take pics. If I would of had the party start at lets say 6pm…I probably could of just served dessert..and my guests would of have been equally as happy. Every party that I throw..I always feel like I have to serve an entire meal..and its really easy to go overboard with options…It was a little bit easier not to go overboard..because I was on a strict budget…otherwise..I would have easily spent more on food. So after this party…I’m only serving dessert…THAT’S IT! Oh..and I got “rave reviews” on the cookie dip. If you google “Funfetti Cookie Dip”…you will find OODLES of recipes..basically..Its the “Funfetti” cake mix, yogurt, and whip cream…Its the yummiest party/dessert dip EVER! I won’t have a party without it!

2. I put together a “Build Your Own Sundae bar” I purchased the waffle bowls and cones. I bought the cutest “silver tray” at the Dollar Tree and put the waffle bowls and cones on it. I really think it added an extra “touch”. I also put the toppings in individual glass bowls. I picked up two glass “sundae dishes” up at the Goodwill to put marshmallows and chocolate chips in and bought smaller glass bowls (they come in a 3 pack) at the Dollar Tree for some of the other toppings..as well as using some glass bowls that my Mom had in her kitchen cupboards. I am so glad that I took the time to put the toppings in cute glass bowls rather than guests digging their hands into bags of chocolate chips and marshmallows.

3. I LOVE Aldi! I purchased most of the food there. For instance..the 10 pack of waffle bowls…$1.69! Ice cream (BTW its really yummy) $2.69!

4. Paper products…I went with “plain”..yup..That’s right..purchased at the Dollar Tree I bought plain, generic white styrofoam plates and bowls. I did purchase a pack of the “Princess” plates for the dessert..but really..they didn’t even get used. I could of easily went without.

5. Favors…This is where I normally go crazy..and then after the party is said and done..I have the “guilt” of spending too much $$$ on them. This party..I got away really easily because there were only 2 Toddlers..my son..and then a 13 year old boy…so its not like I had 12 little girls that I could make tutus for! . Since I was limited on time and money…I decided to make playdough as favors. I put the playdough in small plastic disposable containers (purchased at Dollar Tree–of course). I gave the 13 year old boy a “paper airplane kit” (also purchased at the Dollar Tree).

6. Activities: I like parties that have activities..either a craft or a game. I feel like it’s a “must”. I normally have a pinata..but considering the ages of the kids..I opted against it. Instead, I did a “photo booth”. I used a roll of wrapping paper taped on a wall and I had my husband design me some “props”. We drew/cut them out of cardboard and I covered a couple of them in paper and painted some of them. I was really happy with how the “props” turned out!

I’ll say it again..I really LOVED planning this party. It was fun/challenging planning it on a tight budget..Actually..I probably could of done the party on $50! There were a few things that I could of done without..especially if I would of made it a “dessert party” rather than serving an entire meal. I probably could of done without the “photo booth”…my guests really didn’t get that into it..but that’s okay.

….Sooo…when’s the next party?

The Princess Has Left The Building……….

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I threw my daughter, who turned 2..a Birthday party fit for a Princess!  I was so thrilled to see all of my hard work come together. There were a few challenges which included a small space..several guests..and a limited budget. I tried to keep it to $100 or less…I’ll have to add up the receipts..but I think I did pretty well. I didn’t get a chance to take many photographs…I was really hoping to get those “detail shots” that you see on those fancy party websites/blogs… (Have you checked out http://www.catchmyparty.com?….TOTALLY drool worthy!) but I was way too busy running around like a chicken with its head cut off and there were parts of the party that just didn’t turn out as “picture perfect” as I wanted it to…but that’s ok. I’m still thrilled about how it turned out and excited to share it with you!  The picture below will give you an idea of what the ceiling looked like. I was very proud of the overall look of the ceiling. It is pretty much what I envisioned..I wanted it to hang up a few more ornaments to give it some more “bling”..but honestly..I ran out of time…one thing that happens every.single.time. ..but the ceiling still looked very pretty..and I really doubt my guests noticed.

I already had the purple and clear balloons left over from previous parties and the fuchsia/magenta ornaments are from my Christmas stash!…I was able to make 4 white tissue poms out of a ONE package of tissue paper from the Dollar Tree! SCORE!

And a tip when hanging balloons from the ceiling ( if you look close..you can see them in the clear balloons) put a smooth glass stone/bead into the balloon before blowing it up. It helps the balloons hang nice! Thanks Melissa Newell http://www.melissanewell.com/ for that tip!

Tis the Season to Think Girly!

While you are Christmas shopping for your loved ones….and strolling through the glitzy and yummy Christmas decor aisle at you local stores…go ahead..take a looksey at some of the “less traditional/trendy” decor available…take a look at the pinks..the purples..the teals…

Why? You may ask? Well…you may just have a little girl in your life…or know of someone who does..,and that little girl may be having a Birthday coming up…and when you combine girl + Birthday Party…it may equal GLAM…PRINCESS… And what better time of the year to find items that are sparkly and yummy…than Christmas!

A few years ago we decided to purchase a white artificial tree. I envisioned a white tree decked out in the colors fuschia, purple, and teal….with maybe a bright green thrown in…I wanted the tree to look whimsical…like a tree that was in “Whoville”. If I didn’t have children…I would have a candy/edible tree in a heartbeat!

So this year…while I’m brainstorming…trying to think of how I could make my daughter’s “Princess Party” sparkle and maker her go Ooooooh….what’s THAT!” and still stay on budget…it came to me! Our Christmas tree decorations! They were exactly what I needed for that extra pop of color…sparkle…and 10000% girly yummimess!

One Day Left……………………..

My sweet daughter will only be “ONE” for for one more day…Today. Tomorrow she turns TWO! Am I ready? NOPE. Not.a.single.bit.ready. I am excited to see what “2″ brings. She is so spunky, sweet, smart and just full of love..I love hearing her “little voice”. I love hearing her giggle as she rolls around  with her big brother. I love watching her imagination blossom as she plays with her toys. I love seeing that every.single.day she is becoming so independent. It makes me sad but proud at the same time. It is an honor to be her Mommy and I LOVE her a million trillion!

This Thanksgiving weekend is her Birthday. A small gathering with close friends and family. This party has given me a few challenges. 1. The party will be at my Mothers (inside a small apartment) 2. I have only had a couple of weeks to plan this party. 3. I gave myself only $100 for the entire party (food and decorations..favors). 4. I’m trying not to spend more than $1 on any particular item for the party (excluding food items). 

 

Sooo..how much have I spent so far: Here ya go (approx..I’m not digging out receipts! LOL)

 

Dollar Tree $20

Goodwill: $1.25

Target: $1.00 (YES…that IS possible LOL)

Aldi (some groceries) $20.00

Walmart $7.00

Costco $11.00

Total so far $60.25...STILL on Budget! YEAH!

 

 

 

Could not. Would not. Nap!

I have an “almost” two year old. I’m holding on to these last days. I can’t believe that it has been two years since we were anticipating her arrival. These two years have gone WAY.TOO.FAST. She is growing into her own little person, and with that…it means independence. It means Mommy is losing some alone time in the morning. It’s bittersweet. I do love spending time with her…she is so much fun and has so much personality…but since she isn’t taking a morning nap…it means that she usually doesn’t get a nap…and then she gets super crabby….or she falls asleep in the car 10 minutes after being on the road…which is what she is doing now. Here we are sitting in the car as Mr T is at playgroup. But I’ll take it…it’s the “quiet time” that I have been waiting for all day. .

I realized that right before Halloween…I teased everyone…I went on and on about the costume that my husband worked soooo hard on. A costume that with all my “Googling” that I couldn’t find. What was it? Well…my son is crazy obsessed with the “Tower of Terror” Ride at Walt Disney World! We probably rode the ride about 20 times…no joke! So here it is!

Dollar Tree Sneak Peak

I took these photos via Instagram…so the colors are not precise.

I wanted to go to the Dollar Tree..with a game plan…but it didn’t really happen that way..because I was a “tad” indecisive. I wasn’t 100% sure if I wanted to go “princess” but one thing that I did know…was that my daughter is showing interest in shoes…clothes…and all that is glitter and sparkles. Also, I was on a mission to buy the majority ( maybe all) items at the Dollar Tree in hopes that all my items would only be $1 ea. I took a good hard look at the Princess collection at my Dollar Tree…they had everything including banners, Tiaras…cups..plates…you name it. It’s a cute collection…but I have do admit…I personally love the bright shades of purple and pink and I’m seriously digging turquoise…which wasn’t a color on the collection…and I DO NOT for some reason like the shade of light pink that the Dollar Tree carries…Sorry…but I’m a “color snob”. I REALLY wanted to emphasize the bright shades of pink and purple. So what would I buy from the Dollar Tree in the “Princess Collection” so my party would have that “Princess feel” but not look all “matchy matchy/I just grabbed on of the everthing and put a party together? Well first off,   I knew I needed a Birthday Banner…sure I could make one from scratch..but in the past I have purchased one and then “embellished it” to make it a little bit more “custom”. I also knew that I wanted cute plates for the dessert. So I grabbed up those two items and went from there.

I LOVE the Dollar Trees selection of gift wrap! It’s the best price around and they have patterns for every occasion. I wanted to buy some gift wrap to serve as a table runner and to use as a photo backdrop. There I found 2 rolls…one bright pink and bright purple…now the bright purple isn’t in the design of the princess plates and banner…but that’s okay..it still works and I believe it gives it more if a “whimsical” look when everything isn’t so ” matchy matchy”

I was sooo excited when I found some Princess theme wall decals! SCORE! We have used them before…they are an AWESOME find. I’m not 100% sure how they are going to be used…but I have ideas. You’ll see!

I also found some very glitzy “ornaments” in their Christmas section…they look like “jewels”. I have an idea of how to use them… And some if the jewels are turquoise..that color I can’t get enough of…I KNEW I would find a way to squeeze it in!

So…after spending about 2 hours strolling the Dollar Tree (enjoying Mommy alone time) going through every aisle…nice and slow…items in and out of the cart…and circling the store about 20 times…I walked out with a bill of less than $20! I’m proud! Now I don’t have everything…and I still have to buy some paper goods and the food..but I still have $82 left to spend! Wish me luck!

I’m shopping at one of the best places for party supplies!

I went to our local Dollar Tree and found some great items. They have an entire selection of Princess party items. Out of all the items…I purchased one pack of plates (18 ct) for The cake/dessert and a Birthday Banner that I’m going to embellish!

Budget Friendly No Hassle Tip: Our Dollar Tree has brownie and cookie mixes! The cookie mixes make a dozen cookies and the brownie mixes make a small pan. They also have Ice cream cones (dip them in melted chocolate and add sprinkles for an extra touch!)