Rockin' Out - Food!

Now that we've covered the decor, let's talk about my two favorite elements at any event - the FOOD and the FUN!

Sure, some guests will remember the decor but I promise the food and fun are critical elements to any party!

For the rock star party, I kept the food in the dining room.  I decided to use black foam core board to divide the table into two buffets - sweets and lunch.  This decision proved to be unique and provided a decor element guests kept talking about...  Here's what we did:

I wanted easy grab-n-go foods so we kept to a simple menu.

- hot dogs
- chips
- fruit salad

Rockin' Out - Party Decor Pt 2

Yesterday, we spoke about the rock star decor upstairs.  In that post, I also mentioned the kids' area was set-up in the basement.  I've never given a tour of that space but it's great and has LOTS of room for a birthday party.  I mean, if a certain grumpy Hubbs hadn't banned us from ever doing this again, we'd have all KINDS of awesome events down there, lol.

By way of background, during her plans for the birthday party, Munch was less interested in party games and more into dancing.  She had an entire skit for the dance teams that she and Chazzy would lead (imagine a 'You Got Served' with little kid dance crews).

Rockin' Out - Party Decor Pt 1

Finally, today is the day!  We're going to start the party wrap-up!

Before we can talk decor, I have to give you the update.  Hubbs and I caught up with our overdue Spring cleaning.  The house was ready.  I cleaned my floors the night before and I planned to re-clean right before the party started.

The house was set... well, all but the laundry room.  I know.  I worked so hard catching up with laundry... Then, we deep-cleaned the rooms and sorted through our donation items and I was dropping clothes down the laundry chute.  They landed in the basket ready for the wash.  The man went looking for his khakis for work on party day and scattered ALL of the clothes in the basket all over the laundry room floor. It was fine. I would sort them before the party, right?

WRONG.

The laundry room was a big ol' pile of laundry... and laundry baskets...  empty laundry baskets on top of piles of clothes.  Some clean but needing a wash before donation.  Others dirty and found in the corners of Munch's room... All embarassingly piled up in the laundry room.  It's fine.  People probably saw it and thought we were dirty... probably thought I haven't gotten on the fast track toward laundry recovery... The same people would probably see the papers and craft supplies all over the craft room floor and assume that too has been a mess.

We'll speak more on both of those spaces soon as I've been pluggin' away at both of them.  Anyhoo, let's get to this party, shall we?

Like the front door said, "it's time to be NEON."   O and yes, I used a large pinwheel as an entry wreath!

Maya Mondays

Cheers to seeing our scars as evidence we survived.  May they serve as beautiful reminders of how strong we really are...

WW: Rockin' Out

What Helps Clear Party Planner Mind Block?

Sometimes, in the midst of crossing things off the party to-do list, I hit a block.  I get consumed with the details and become completely immobile THINKING about what I have to do rather than DOING what I have to do.  I call it Party Planner Mind Block.

It's where the tasks of an event render me completely useless.

Over the years, I've learned the only way I can recover from the unfortunate effects of Party Planner Mind Block is to DO something else... something totally unrelated to the event at hand... to complete a task as a means to remind myself I can do awesome things :)

In the case of the Rock Star Party, my cure was found in a simple project for the craft room.  I finally started the craft room gallery wall:

I love how it turned out.  Get this: it only cost me $4!  Here's how I did it:

Maya Mondays

"I try to see everyday as a celebration... and to laugh as much as possible." ~ Maya Angelou

We had an awesome time at Munch's Rock Star Party!  The party updates will roll this week!

Happy Time 'Round These Parts

10 years with this guy:

8 years with this gal:

Islanders, please excuse me while I celebrate my blessings. 

Yes, there are family photos you haven't seen :)  O and I'll see you next week with more party updates!

Cheers to a rockin' weekend!!

Rock Star Party - Spraypaint Projects

Yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post was a quick update of party progress.

I've been setting up various items for the party and I'm getting excited just seeing the progress.  I visited our local Party City in search of rockin' party supplies and hit a road block.  They didn't have the right colors :(

There's a party collection that's pink, black, purple and turquoise... which is cute but NOT the colors of our NEON party.  It also has the ONE color Munch isn't a huge fan of for the party - pink.  In her words, "Mommy, whenever you think pink, put purple.  I only want a little pink"

O and you have to squint your eyes and pinch your fingers to show just how LITTLE you want the pink.

The rock star party collection is primarily pink with a little purple.  I googled other girl rock star parties and they're all pretty much the same color combo.  If I wanted the right decor for this party, I was going to have to make it.

I'm okay with that.  Let's start with the basics

I found some cute guitars in the thrift store for $1.  I bought three.  Yes, three.  They're all different.  One, a paper jamz guitar, will be used for the buffet table decor... It started like this:

 After a few coats of gold sparkly spray paint, this is how it looks now:

WW: Rock Star Party Spray Paint Projects

Rock Star Party - The Black Out.

I've mentioned my funk and the added stressors and the kid's weird wanna-be teen phase and, well, you *totally* get me when I say there's some thangs going on in my head...  By way of update, I'm doing much better - crossing things off the party list, involving Hubss in the planning, accepting [some] help from people... things are on the up and up.  You'll see more soon enough.

I'm finally alleviating stress but it hasn't always been like this.  Earlier in the process it seemed stress was piling up...

Have I told you the man is on travel most of 'party week' returning in time to celebrate our anniversary and the kid's birthday.  We recently got word that he may even have to work day-of until two hours before the party. 

I shot him a death glare when he shared this news, he responded with a shrug and, "I mean, you don't want my help anyway.  Well, I'm not typically much help... you know, I would but... well, it is work?"

::silence and blank stare from me::

"... I'll see if I can get out of it or something, ok babe?"

::no words just going back to what I was doing::

Really, dude? You better do something.

Anyhoo, I felt myself slipping out of my funk as it relates to the birthday party when an idea hit me.

A pinata.

Maya Mondays

Go ahead, smile.  Laugh.  They're both outward signs of a trustworthy person :)

Snapshot Sunday

So, yesterday we talked about recent updates to the dining room and I realized there have been some changes to the family room.  Nothing major but DEF some changes for sure.

We last spoke about the family room when I shared my cheap artwork and the pillows (here) about a month or so ago, right?  As I said then, I was happy with where the family room was going.  I admit, however, there was one thing driving me bonkers - the area under the television.

Hubbs and I took care to mount the t.v. and to eliminate the wires.  We hung it (and hid wires) before Christmas.  I wanted my mantle for our stockings and the pain in my neck from leaning back to look so high up was annoying.  So, we did it and it looked great.  It was great.  We had the cable box and, at times, the PlayStation sitting on top of my antique chest and some stacked baskets but... eh, it was better, right? 

Snapshot Saturdays

Now, I don't want you to see things in the background of party pics and think I've been holding back on the house updates.  I've been in a funk but I realized that I've made some updates worth sharing... So, here's a rundown of the Dining Room changes:

How to DIY Easy & Fab Printables

Howdy, Islanders!

Last week I showed you one of my recent designs - the gender reveal invitation:

It's got a white background but, for some unknown reason, it looks dingy gray on my screen.  Anyhoo, recently my favorite photo editing website broadened its capabilities to include PRINTABLE design!  It's an awesome feature and has already saved me a butt load of money (I just like typing butt... so, butt.  Butt.  BUTT LOAD).

Birthday Party Update - Added Pressures

Unlike in the past, Munchface's birthday party is surrounded by a different set of stressors this year.  In years prior, I had the stress of planning decor for a venue and a window of time day-of to decorate... I had to ensure I had every supply and a solution for every potential issue that may arise. I had to pack my car for the party well in advance and account for time spent driving around to pick-up things from vendors before decorating.  I mean, her parties have always been hosted at 11:00 a.m.  Early parties mean REALLY early mornings and REALLY late nights.  I had to account for time to get... O, I don't know, a SHOWER?!

I just knew this whole hosting an event at our place later in the day would eliminate all stress.

Nope.  It's created a new kind of stress.  Sure, I have to figure out how to make the event flow and how to focus decor so I don't bust the budget trying to decorate my entire house.  All of that is an understood stress when hosting an event at a residence...  I'm okay with those challenges but there's even more with this party.

We spoke about my fink fank FUNK the other day (more here).  I'm just not motivated to execute an event AND the basement (where the kids will party for the most part) has an ugly little patch of carpet.  Again, I'm sure I will pull it together but, just so you can see (and maybe relate), I've listed my top stressors below:

WW: Recent Photos To Lift My Spritis

[kinda] Wordless Wednesdays

DatMyHoney reading to me in the store.

Saying, "cheese!" during our recent ChickFilA date.

My roll dawg, my mommy.

Lea cracks up at Munchface's song!

Hugs before leaving Grandma Lisa's.

Reading a page from the book of Esther in the bible PopPop bought her.

That Time I Almost Went to Jail

I know. I've been M.I.A. lately.   I know.

You've probably wondered where I've been.  Well, somewhere between my oral surgery and fussing with my selfish husband and bratty kid, I've just been stuck in a dark place.

Islanders, you know I keepS it real 'round these parts so no need to fake.  I'm not feeling like myself. I'm not in a consistently 'happy' place.  There are days I wake up, thank God for another day and, in the same breath, ask him why I'm still struggling in my situation.

My Maya Mondays post yesterday was scheduled weeks ago and really spoke to me in my [current and temporary] situation.

I. Am. Enough.

As you are aware, Munchface's birthday is approaching and I've been so wrapped up in life circumstances that I've exhausted my desire to pull it together.  I realize that is not me.  This. is. not. me.

I am trying to get myself together but, believe it or not, I'm okay with having a funk.  It's normal.  Everyone has their moments. I'm entitled to take mine.

So, I apologize for falling back and almost OFF the blogging wagon.  I apologize for not sharing buckets of updates and greeting you with the biggest e-hug and kiss like we normally do.  I've had some crazy things happen lately.  Like what, you ask?

Well, only because we're friends, I'll share.  OPEN BOOK OVER HERE, ya dig?

Maya Mondays

I've started saying this to myself every morning. 

I. am. enough.