Favorite 15-- Book pages

Have you all seen this pin?? I just love it. I think the simplicity of the dark, light and greens are just beautiful. I wish I would have seen these before my wedding and shower. It's a new favorite decorating style that seems so cheap!

Source

My suggetion: Keep the pages in the same quality--- I would have used all yellowed pages.

To save money: Buy a new book for $1 at the Dollar Tree and tea or coffee stain the pages yourself!

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, back to school bash, birthday party, wedding, graduation party, or a book group party

Branch out: Use all pages from Dr. Seuss books, Golden Books, science books, love stories, etc... Make it themed to match your party.

Splurge: make wreaths from pages of a book or into pommanders, have a typewriter or library index card guest book, give book mark favors, use quotes or phrases from books on your invitation and in your vows, title tables after favorite books, use a book as the ring bearer pillow, etc.

 

Happy Planning!
Krista



Going Away Party

I got to host another little shin-dig, but this one wasn't for a happy occassion... Ok, maybe I'm selfish, but it wasn't happy for me....   I very very very very close to friend is moving away.... We had her bachelorette party two weeks away and then realized how soon she would be moving, so we had to have one more "girl's night" before she loads up her car and moves to The Sunflower State. 

We had a pitch-in for tacos and desserts. I threw together some directions at the last minute to make it fitting. I think everything cost me $5. I bought 4 bunches of sunflowers at the Dollar Tree, two poster boards 2/$1 and used a free map I found in my car.  I did also use those glittery clothespins that I made for the bachelorette party and didn't get to use, as well as black streamer that I bought and didn't hang.

Map and Sunflower centerpiece

Her state information

I framed a ton of pictures of all of us girls around my living and dining room

Each girl got a picture from the bachelorette party and driving directions from here to there.
She got directions from there to here. :)

I didn't get a good picture of it, but I also made a banner with "We Will Miss You" cut out from map and glued to poster board triangles. I used Dollar Tree jute string that I already had on hand.



One of the girls said during our goodbyes that it's not a good-bye... It's an "until next time."


That's what I keep telling myself.... she's not moving to another country or leaving us forever....
Until next time....
Krista
Happy Planning!





Favorite 14- A love for Ombre

Anyway else loving all of the ombre goodies out there. From hair to wreaths, dresses to curtains... Ombre is taking over the fashion world. When I saw this Martha Stewart centerpiece, I fell in love!

Source   Are you surprised that it's Martha Stewart?? We shouldn't be, right?!

My suggetion: Make the colors fade a little better. There seems to be some variation in the darkest shades of pink. I think I would try to make the blend better.

To save money: Buy artificial. Your flowers don't have to be real and expensive to get different shades. Look around for full flowers that don't have colored centers.

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, wedding, book group party, family dinner, Mother's Day, church luncheon.... This would be gorgeous for any occassion!

My spin: I don't think I would change this.... L.O.V.E. IT!

Branch Out: Imagine all pink or blue ombre for a baby shower.... how sweet! Also, you don't have to worry so much about matching those shades of pink/blue (they NEVER match) since you're hitting almost every shade!!! Use all white dishes, table coverings, vases, etc..

Splurge: Make ombre table coverings.
Serve an ombre cake.
Make ombre invitations.
Wear ombre attire.
Use tissue paper poms in graduating shades of your color of choice.
Create ombre backdrops from different shades of sheets/material sewn in large ruffles. (When I think ombre for a party, I think ruffles....anyone else?!?!)

Happy Planning...

A Night for the Girls

A dear friend of mine isn't getting married until June 2013, but is moving in one short week and will only be home TWO times before her wedding. One trip back will be for Christmas and the other to be another wedding (and we're squeezing in her bridal shower in that same trip), so we decided to have her official bachelorette party this summer! We are all going to have a big sleepover at my house (be sure to look for pics of THAT party next year) the night before the wedding, but this was the party for the games, dancing and naughty decor.


WARNING! This page is for Adults ONLY!
Please exit if you are NOT over the age of 18!



























Besides the price of the room and the food that we bought, the price of the party was only about $50! This is the 5th bachelorette party we've had in our group, and we've not thrown away much. I keep totes in my basement of all of my party supplies with labels. The Bachelorette tote just keeps expanding!

We had ONE HOUR to decorate and be across town to pick out bridesmaid dresses. It wasn't nearly the amount of time that I was prepared for and not everything got done, but it was still fun.

I made these little babies, and didn't get to use them. Tutorial soon!
Ignore my dirty window. I was trying to get the glitter to look pretty and the natural light helped.

Kiss kits for each attendant. Tutorial soon!

Favor pack for each attendant. 12 boxes for $1 at the Dollar Tree. Designed the tag and printed it on cardstock.(I did trim up the edges, but forget to take "after" photos.) Painted the clothespin and glitterized (that is SO a word!) it myself. 

Mock up at home

Have to throw in a little zebra at EVERY bachelorette party

This was purchased for my party and it leaks horribly, so it just gets used for decor!



Ignore the spacing--- it wasn't straightened yet. We had an hour to do everything,
so I was snapping pictures when I could.
This was made with $2 of posterboard, $3 of ribbon, $1 diecut letters and about $2 of tissue paper.
This was made to be hung on the curtains (with those gorgeous clothespins!), but with the layout of our suite, it wasn't practical because the window was in the bedroom, which was on the other side of the bathroom from the living room part of the suite. Luckily I bought tiny Command Hooks for $3. No damage to the walls!



balloons, zebra material, paper lantern and blindfold. The paper lanterns are left from my bridal shower.
I tell ya, I'm a party supply hoarder.

Kiss the Stud was $3 from the party supply store. I mixed it up by having the girls wear BRIGHT RED lipstick from the Dollar Tree to kiss him instead of just using the lip stickers. It was hilarious!

Bachelorette party cup left from another party, pencil caddy and ribbon to hold favors, $.50 of scrapbook paper (bought on sale!) favor box used for prize, paper lantern and a leopard scarf to cover the base of the lamp.

We couldn't find anywhere to stash the phone, so it stayed out.
I threw out a zebra necklace, another pencil caddy of suckers, paper lantern and a $.20 black boa bought on clearance after Halloween.

We had a "Panty Line" but because we couldn't hang ribbon across the curtains, we didn't have anywhere to hang the line, so they just stayed on the back of the couch.
Each girl brought a pair of undies similar to what they would wear. The bride had to guess who brought which pair. Our bride did HORRIBLY! haha

You always have to have naughty game, right?!? This was my budget breaker! It cost about $15 at the adult store, but we had a lot of fun with it!


Shopping List:
Clothespins $1-- glitter and paint were already in my stash
Balloons $4
Banner $8
Paper supplies $5 from the Dollar Tree (in purple!) and Target (zabra)
Favors: $10
Ring Toss $15
Prizes: $4

I already had: paper lanterns, zebra material, 2 bachelorette banners, naughty straws and cup, bridal tiara/sash/beads/etc, sketch pads, crayons, blindfolds, scarf, pencil caddies, fishing line, tiny clothespins,

I had about $10-15 in supplies that I didn't use--- streamers, balloons, more table cloths, etc.



Because this is the 5th Bachelorette party for the same group of girls, I had to dig pretty deep to find games we hadn't played multiple times.
We played:

I hate sex because:
I had all of the girls think of their least favorite household chore. They then wrote down why they hated it, without wordy details. They then had to say aloud, "I hate sex because" and finish the sentence with what they had written. We had answers like "because it makes my back hurt" and "because it takes so long and it gets dirty so fast." We were laughing so hard at this one! It was a great mood setter!

Chick Flick Quotes:
We had started the party by watching Magic Mike, so I thought adding a movie themed game might be fun (and we hadn't ever played this one). I found 15 quotes from famour chick flicks that had to do with love, weddings, friends or naughty things. The girls had to match the quote to the movie.

Name that Drink:
Our group of girls do not drink... so what better than having them name naughty drinks! haha
I found the names of the naughty drinks and found synonyms for each of the words: intercourse on the sand, azul spheres, burst my fruit, etc. It was difficult because we don't drink, but we had a good laugh at all of the names!

Mad Libs:
This game is a favorite, but I had to get creative! We had done the "free printable  bachelorette mad lib" a couple of times, so I wanted to mix it up. I found another naughty one as my base and made it a little dirtier. The girls wrote down words as they gave their cue "1. verb, 2. adjective, 3. room in the house" and then I had a posterboard with the mad lib written and the blanks numbered. Each girl read aloud. The bride had tears running down her face from laughing so hard!

Price is Right:
This is another favorite. I printed off the pictures and description of about ten items from the website of a local adult store. The girls each wrote down the price as I played my best "price is right beauty." After each item was described and prized, I gave the actual retail price. The girl with the closest price without going over won a point for the game. The girl with the most points won the game.

Pictionary:
Our group plays pictionary almost every time we are together, so what better than to play bridal pictionary. They broke into teams of 3. Each group had a huge sketch pad. We took turns alternating who picked the clue from the stack of wedding words. I showed the artist on both teams, said "go" and the first team to guess correctly got a point. Team with the most points won.

Ring Toss

Kiss the Stud

We watched Magic Mike, played games, ate, and then went dancing. It was a great night with the girls! Be looking for more posts with tutorials of the clothespins and kiss kits!

Favorite 13--- Don't judge a book by its cover



Thoughtfully Simple



My suggetion: Mix centerpieces of books, apples, vintage school supplies, flowers, and chalkboards. Stand some stacks of books up with pretty bookends, or lay them out flat and turned to a favorite page.

To save money: beg and borrow...  Have you heard me say that before?? It's my motto. Don't be afraid to ask around. Teachers, parents of young children, novelists....ask around to different types of people based on your theme. And as always-- hit up used stores and yard sales!

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, back to school bash, birthday party, wedding, graduation party, book group party

My spin: depending on the event--- make the stacks of books themed (Golden Book, Dr. Seuss, Poetry, love stories, research). A set of encyclopedias would provide many books that are all about the same size. Many of them are trimmed in gold or silver and would make pretty centerpieces. If you can't find enough books in your theme or that have a pretty cover, wrap some in brown paper and stamp the spines with words or titles.

Branch out: Use books as the centerpiece for your Beauty and the Beast party. Pair them with tin can vases for a vintage party. Use only books of photography or art for a dramatic art show. Use all children's books and decorate with a 'bedtime story' theme at a baby shower or child's birthday party.

Splurge:
You can take the whole book idea in a few different directions.... Use the whole "school theme" or make it more like a library/den.... or use research books for a wedding of a scientists or mathematician.
--- pair the books with alphabet letters, flash cards, pencils, crayons, composition books, school lunch, lined paper, etc. Vintage or Modern--- you decide. Also throw in some stuffed animals that match the book characters.

--- make wreaths from pages of a book or into pommanders have a typewriter or library index card guest book, give book mark favors, use quotes or phrases from books on your invitation and in your vows, title tables after favorite books, use a book as the ring bearer pillow, etc.
--- Send library card invitations
--- Having a party for adults? Decorate part of your home to look like high school lockers and let guests doodle and decorate them.

--- Rent or borrow a giant chalk board like coaches use and allow guests to write messages in your new 'photo booth' area.
--- Cover the tables in chalkboard paper and use chalk to label seats for place settings, or allow guests to doodle.
--- Buy or borrow an apothecary table or library index cabinet for your guest book table, cake table or dessert display.
--- Set the mood at your party with a den/library feel. Use large bookcases, leather chairs/sofas, lamps, and coffee tables to create seating areas.


Happy Planning!
Krista

Favorite 12-- Diamond Rings

First of all---if you haven't checked out Kara's Party Ideas, you really need to. What an amazing site! While I was looking for ideas for a bachelorette party and bridal party breakfast, I stumbled upon this picture. I've also seen it floating around Pinterest! Tell me, how C-U-T-E are these?!?! Unfortunately, the Etsy seller has quite a pricetag on them. They are $36 for 24 of them... $1.50 for diamond cutout plus the price of donuts.... THAT is a bit out of my price range for a home party, but I love the idea.

Source

 My suggetion:  Try cutting out a diamond on your own....or... print a picture of a diamond outline in a pretty outline color to match your party, adhere it to a toothpick and voila! You might also ask around for Cricut cartridges... one might have a diamond design?

The event: Kara's theme was Jewelry. I plan to use it for a bridal party breakfast. Also try it for an engagement party, bridal shower, jewely party (Lia Sophia and Premier), Girl's birthday--- princess, dress up, etc.

My spin: I think this could also work for full sized donuts. Not as delicate, but it might still be cute.

Favorite 11- Take me out to the ball game!

Baseball season is in full swing! (no pun intended! hahaha) Baseball themed parties (and showers) are all the craze lately!

Source



My suggetion: ditch the figurines...Unless it's a party for a kid, keep the decor simple and classic.

To save money: beg, borrow and steal... OK-- maybe not steal, but beg and borrow. Ask local sports enthusiasts what baseball equipment you can borrow. Use the empty space trick to save on fillers--- use a jar inside of a jar or place a large object in the middle and pour the filler around it. Use green moss in bowls or vases for grass.

The event: Fourth of July, baby shower, bridal shower, wedding, birthday party

My spin: Love the peanuts... How about some centerpieces with cracker jacks (or popcorn) as well?? Or use the same idea with a long vase and filler, but add a small Louisville Slugger bat laying on top of it?

Branch out: Host a full outdoor sports themed party with golf, football, baseball, soccer.... Keep green as a common color (grass) and make centerpieces and decor out of all of the equipment and balls. Add pennants, whistles, ref jersies, etc.         Switching gears---- the peanut filler would be great for a circus themed party, as well!

Splurge: You have to set the tone of the party with a invitation that memics a ticket to a ball game. Name your house the __________ Field. Have guests sign a ball, bat or jersey. Dress up your tables with miniature bats, or even use them to spell out words or names. Serve baseball cupcakes complete with red 'lacing.' Buckets and wheat grass can be planted and grown before the party. Create a concession stand with hot dogs, pretzels, beer (if appropriate), popcorn, coke and candy. Send guests home with big league chew and cracker jacks! (If it's a shower you're hosting--- send guests home with pancake batter with a note saying "Hey batter batter!")

Happy Planning!

Krista at Sweet T Events

Favorite 10 for the Fourth of July!

Source

My suggetion: DIY your table cloth. Buy an inexpensive plain tablecloth and paint your own stars and stripes, or buy a painter's dropcloth. Use painter's tape to make off your stripes and stencils for stars. Really crafty? Sew on some stars!

To save money: Same thing--- DIY and buy paper products like they did. Easy clean up and bold colors-- two pluses!

The event: Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Flag Day

My spin: Switch out the dark vases for white or silver boxes, vases, or containers for a more modern  approach. Paint the stripes in a darker red and tea stain the 'white' for an antiqued flag.  Also, I would create different favors.... perhaps the firecracker licorice that is all over Pinterest. I also think I would ditch the flags in the centerpieces--leave them simple.  Maybe switch the chargers for something with a little more sparkle?

Branch out: Add bandana and make the colors darker, and you're on the verge of a cowboy party! Replace the containers with jars, toy wagons, hats, boots..... So many options!

Splurge: Host a full Americana party. Serve punches in red, white and blue. Provide popcorn in white and white striped bags. Dip pretzels in chocolate and sprinkle and themed sprinkles. Wrap silverware and adorn with a small flag or sparkly tassle. Add a flag cheesecake or cherry delight to your dessert table. Use bandanas as napkins. Fill vases with white roses, hydrangeas, or peonies. Create pennants and banners from textured and printed scrapbook paper or fabric scraps. Throw in pies, sweet tea, red and blue fruits, ice cream, lanterns (paper and real), hot dogs, tissue poms, wooden crates, and buckets... And you've got an all-American backyard barbeque!

Gender Reveal Parties

Has anybody else noticed the Gender Reveal Party craze??!? It's crazy how popular it has become to announce the baby's gender months before its birth and in a party form! I think the idea is adorable! If you're planning one, here are some ideas....

Always have guests vote!

Source

Source

Source

Guests can vote simply by marking a tally or writing their name under a gender, by wearing a colored pin, or by wearing the color the represents what they think the baby will be.


How to reveal!?!?

I've seen the reveal as simple as the parents announcing the baby's name.... Cute!

Or, you can go a bit bigger....

Source
Some parents are creating surprise lanterns filled with confetti of the gender color.
You could have a lantern for each guest, or just one fo the parents to pull.
(I would hate to clean up the confetti from 10-20 lanterns!)
I guess you could do the same with a pinata.



Source
Many parents are filling a box with helium-filled balloons!
The parents could already know and just surprise the guests...or...
have the ultrasound technician write down the baby's gender and develop the
information to the store for the balloons to be done and the parents to pick up later.
I personally like that the balloons are hooked to the bottom of the box. Makes a cute cluster for the photo.

I think the parents above may have also used leis to represents their vote... another cute (and budget friendly) idea.
You could also use mardi gras beads, boas, stickers... there are so many ideas!



Source
Tint the filling or inside of the cupcake. (This source used natural dye instead of artificial.)
I think you could do this reveal at least 3 different ways:
1) The parents know, take a bite and reveal to guests.
2) The parents don't know, take a bite and reveal to guests.
(The sealed gender results from the ultrasound tech would be delivered to the baker.
3) Have a tinted cupcake for everyone to eat-- parents could know or be surprised as well.

Source
This party used cookies to reveal. You could do it the same way as the cupcakes above.
The link to how to make the cupcakes has been closed though :(

Source

Same thing as the cupcakes... parents know or don't know...

You can have the baker decorate the top with phrases like
"What will it be? Open to see!" or "Pink or Blue... We love you!"

Got a bigger budget??

I saw where one couple passed on their sealed envelope to a firework company and the whole party was surprised with color specific fireworks!

You can plan a whole themed party...

Waddle it be? Duck themed.... all yellow

What's it gonna bee?   (This was actually the first gender reveal party that I saw online almost 2 years ago!)  Bumblebee themed with yellow and black

Whooo wants to know?  Owls fill the party with this idea!

Whatever you decide to do... I'm sure your guests will love it!



Recycled Centerpiece... It's Earth Day! Favorite 9

How simple and cutesy-poo is this! And-- It's recycled!



Country Living

Country Living painted coffee and soup cans for an adorable centerpiece.

My suggetion: use all different sizes--- from the Vienna sausage/Beanie Weenie size all the way up to the largest coffee or super-sized green bean cans. Make the arrangements fit the size of can.

To save money: buy the sample sized containers of paint, or try craft paint. (Be sure to read the labels about if it can be used on metals). I think I would keep the paints flat, not satin. Use wild flowers or the flowers blooming in your garden instead of buying artificial. Hosting a big party? Ask friends and family to keep their tin cans for you! Need more than that? Print it in the local newspaper or post it on social networks.

The event: A vintage shower/party, a girl's afternoon lunch, Mother's Day dinner.

My spin: keep the cans metal, but tie them up with beautiful ribbon, rafia, or twine. Pair with a colorful table linen and plates. Also try mod-podgeing (is that a word?) decorative paper to the cans.

Branch out: If you keep the cans metal, the same idea could be used for a western/cowboy party. Group the cans with bandanas, straw, cowboy boots... you get the idea.

Splurge: Hit up antique stores and flea markets for metal cans with the original labels....Add equally colorful flowers to the colorful labeled cans and pair with a simple tablescape.

Favorite 8-- Spring has Sprung!


Whether you're throwing a bridal shower, afternoon luncheon or wedding...this is a beautiful and inexpensive centerpiece!

Katie Brown Blog

 Look closely--- those aren't even vases--- they are drinking glasses! You have two options for painting glass like this. You can spray paint the outsides--- like this or paint this insides like this in video. In this particular picture they have painted the inside so that the details around the bottom still show. I love it! You could use glasses, vases, goblets, jars, etc. Cluster them together and fill with flowers.

Hit up your local thrift store, yard sales and boxes in your basement.

Bridal Shower Games

** I have created this post twice from scratch, and when I've published them, about half of my content is missing. Please bear with me. I'm trying to re-create it--- AGAIN!**

I've Never
On the shower invitation, guests are told to bring spare change for a game. The bride creates a list of things she's never done. At the shower, the bride reads her list one by one and the guests have to put a coin in the jar if they've done it. We played this game at my shower and I'm not sure if I've ever laughed so hard. I had some tame ones like "I've never been on a cruise" but I also had some like "I've never been skinny-dipping" and "I've never skipped school." We found out some things about some of the old ladies in the room, including my grandma!  When my sister planned with game, we figured we'd end up with a couple of dollars.... but people were so generous with what coins they chose and some even just dumped their container into the jar at the end that we got over $80! We used this money to splurge on a carriage ride on our honeymoon.

Memory Lane Mysteries

This game is every bride’s sentimental favorite. When you send out each guest’s shower invitations, include

a blank note card along with a request to write down his or her favorite memory of the bride, groom or the couple. When they arrive, have your guests drop their memories into a card box. At the shower, read each memory out loud and ask the bride and/or groom to guess which guest wrote it. From childhood memories to milestone moments, each card reflects the personal bond that each guest has with the couple. And, at the end of the day, the bride has a stack of personal keepsakes to cherish always.

Wedding Night Words

Here’s a nice n’ naughty game that’ll take the bride and bridal shower guests by surprise! While the bride is opening her gifts, have a bridesmaid secretly write down everything that the bride-to-be says (make sure she doesn’t notice). Once all the gifts have been opened, gather everyone together and—with your best bedroom voice—read aloud the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” and exclamations (e.g. “Wow! That’s tiny!”) that the bride said—it’s what the bride will be telling her groom on the wedding night!  

My friends did this for my shower and it was a hoot! Because of some of the older guests at the shower, the shower guests knew nothing of this. They read it at my bachelorette party, which just made it funnier! We have since kept this tradition for two more friends (without reminding them that we were doing it). I had tears running down my face at one of the showers from laughing at her comments! My sister and I knew what was going on and slowly told 3 other friends at our table. It was a riot!

What’s the Bride Wearing?

Pay attention! About 20 minutes into the bridal shower, test your guests’ observation skills with this fun little game. Without letting on that they’ll be tested later, begin the party as planned. Then, once everyone has had a chance to greet the bride and is just getting settled into the party, have the bride leave the room. Give each guest a piece of paper and pencil and have them write down everything they can possibly remember about what the bride is wearing, listing as many details as possible. Bring the bride back in and have each person read his or her neighbor’s list out loud. The guest that accurately lists the most items wins!

Guess How Many
An easy and cheap game is to fill a container with items and have guests guess how many it holds.

Guess What's in the Bag
Put samples of white powders in baggies. Number the baggies and hand out sheets of paper with the same numbers. The white powders can be sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. Without smelling or tasting guests must figure out what kind of powder is in which bags. These bags are passed around during the shower. After everyone has had a chance at every bag, the correct answers are added up and the person with the most correct answers wins a gift.

Advice Book
A gift all guests can give the bride at the shower is an advice book that they have compiled. The host can include a pretty notecard with the invitation and guests are asked to fill it out with their best advice and bring it to the shower. I would suggest having extra notecards at the shower for those that forgot. The cards can be added to a pretty photo album and presented the bride. Instead of cards and an album, guests could write in a pretty journal.

Having a cooking themed shower? Notecards could be recipe cards and guests give their 'recipe for a good marriage.'

Question the Bride

Instead of playing bingo or another game while the bride opens gifts, allow guests to ask her questions such as "Where did you two meet?" "When did you know you loved him?" "How did he propose?" "Where will you honeymoon?". This would be really nice for a larger group of women getting to know each other.

Famous Wives

Make a list of famous men--- musicians, TV or movie characters, actors, etc. Ask guests to write down the name of their wives. Make some really easy, and make others more challenging. Some men have very famous wives, and others don't.

Idioms

Each guest receives a paper with the first part of the sentence and they must complete the sentence in a given amount of time. My guess would be that grandmas and moms will do the best! The one with the most wins!

A woman's work...is never done.

A happy house...is full of laughter.

Behind every great man...is a successful woman.

A woman's place...is in the home.

When the going gets tough...the tough gets going.

A stitch in time...saves nine.

My house...is your house.

The path of true love...never runs smooth.

Variety is...the spice of life.

Every man's home...is his castle.

True love...conquers all.

Marriages are...made in heaven.

A watched pot...never boils.

If the shoe fits...wear it.

A penny saved... is a penny earned.

Home is... where the heart is.

Too many cooks...spoil the broth.

Kill two birds... with one stone.

A bird in the hand... is worth two in the bush.

Don't count your chickens...before they hatch.

Don't put all your eggs...in one basket.

Drastic times...call for drastic measures.

Never bite the....hand that feeds you.

Rome was not built...in a day.

Brand Name, Jingle or Slogan

Show logos of famous products and ask guests to name the product. You could either cover the name or digitally remove it. Some products such as Morton Salt have logos without the name covering it. Try: Toyota (or other car companies), Microsoft, Yahoo, Nike, Apple, BP, McDonald's, Starbucks, Little Debbie, Baskin Robbins,Girl Scouts, Quaker Oats, Gerber, Pepsi, KFC, and Ocean Spray.

Create a list of companies famous jingles or slogans and ask guests to 'name that company.'

Be all that you can be.--- Army

Breakfast of champions.---Wheaties

Eat more Chikin!---Chick-Fil-A

Every kiss begins with Kay.--- Kay Jewelers

Good to the last drop.---Maxwell House

Have it your way.--- Burger King

It takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.--- Timex

Just do it--- Nike

M'm M'm Good-- Campbell's Soup

Obey your thirst.-- Sprite

So easy a caveman can do it.--- Geico

Sometimes you feel like a nut, Sometimes you don't.---Mounds/Almond Joy

You can do it. We can help.--- Home Depot

Finger lickin' Good-- KFC

Taste the rainbow--- Skittles

Your potential, Our passion.--- Microsoft

The power to be your best--- Apple

Drivers wanted.--- Volkswagen

Hot eats, cool treast--- DQ

Hungry? Why Wait?--- Snickers

Everything we do is driven by you--- Ford

Where's the beef?--- Wendy's

Head for the border-- Taco Bell

Get the Sensation-- York Peppermint Patty

Memory

The bride comes out with an apron and a try of various kitchen items. She shows each item to guests while the hostess reads off the list. The bride leaves the room and guests must compile a list of everything they can remember. Want to make it more challenging?? Play a game in between!

Grocery List

Grab the current and local grocery store ad. Choose 5-10 items that you could use to make a great dinner. Calculate the total. At the shower, tell what store ad you're using and explain each item in detail--- brand, size, flavor, etc. Guests write their estimated cost for the item, or just keep a running tally in their head. Guests total their 'grocery bill' (with or without tax--- you decide!). The closest total, without going over, wins!

The Spice Game
Have ten bottles of herbs or spices with the labels covered. Have the guests guess the spices and herbs - they are allowed to smell the herbs or spices. The guest with the most correct answers may keep the spices or give them to the bride, preferably the latter.

 

Sources

Memory Lane Memories, Wedding Night Words, What's the Bride Wearing

Guess What's in the Bag, The Spice Game

April Showers....

A friend of mine is working on hosting a baby shower and we were bouncing around possible theme ideas.... We talked about several girly ideas before I asked when the shower was and she replied "April." Immediately my mind went to "April Showers bring May flowers June Babies." She really liked the idea of umbrellas and boots, so the gears started turning.

When you start Googling and Pinterest-ing (I know...that's not a real word...but you wait...it might become one!) rain shower party ideas, everything BLUE starts showing up, but this little bundle of joy is a girl, so we had to tweak and dig a little deeper.... here are some of the ideas I've come up with so far.

- My first thought was to hang umbrellas from the ceiling, but the venue is two story complete with a balcony so this idea is impossible. Umbrellas are a must, so I think a few open umbrellas (or this one or this one)  around on tables (cake, food, drink, etc.) would still look great and then they could be used as prizes. I mean really---who doesn't need an umbrella?!?! What a great prize idea---how many times have you left a shower with JUNK!?! (I feel a post about 'what not to do when hosting a shower' coming on....haha)

- The host found an invite idea called "Raining Hearts" that is absolutely adorable and perfect for the baby girl's shower. The invite also sparked another idea. I was struggling with how to use raindrops in the shower without making them blue or blowing the budget on 'diamond' strands..... and then the invite shows pink hearts as rain drops! How adorable! I would make double the amount of hearts you would need and hook them to fishing line in a random pattern and hang from the balcony to where the guests will enter below. The hearts will be simple to make because the host has a Cricut.

- Buy a kid pair of rain boots and use as the main centerpiece with a large bouquet of pastel flowers spilling out of the tops and onto the table. These boots aren't exactly as full as I am imagining, but I cannot find a picture that portrays my vision. And I imagine more hyndrangeas and peonies than gerbera daisies, but I'm not a daisy fan. If the budget allows, buy used boots from second hand stores and spray paint them to match.



Source

 - For other centerpieces, I suggest filling galvanized buckets, flower pots or metal watering cans with flowers.

- For favors, give away seed packets. Again, useful and inexpensive!

- I think I would use all white table coverings (and lace or organza would be beautiful!) with bright plates and utensils. I can see pink, green or yellow, but I don't think I would mix. I would use all the same color or style....and polka dots would be a-dor-a-ble!

- I went to Michaels and found so many cute things that would be perfect! Check out these rainboots and tell me they're not absolutely THE cutest! And this tiny umbrella at Old Navy! 

(Don't forget your coupons for Michaels!)

Alternative Ring Bearer Pillow

If you're like me, you don't want the typical store bought ring bearer pillow. But, if you're also like me, then you're trying to find something unique--on a budget. $30-$40 for a pillow is ridiculous just because it has a colored ribbon around it, or was made with patterned satin instead of white. I'm sorry--but it is. I was lucky enough that my talented momma made mine custom, and I love it!

If you're looking for some unique ideas, here are a few that might catch your eye.

Source: The Knot
You must be a member to view

This would be perfect if the couple shares a favorite book

Source: Marth Stewart

 

Source: Project Wedding

This could easily be made, and customized for your colors. Mine only concern is with the rough edges on the twigs. I wonder if they would snag a tux or dress.

Source: Etsystatic

Use a family bible and tie the wedding rings to the bible's ribbon page marker. I just love this idea.

Source: Wedding Bee



This company makes these little plates to hold your rooms. It would be a cute item to display after the wedding, also.

Source: Paloma's Nest

Source: Etsy

Source: Etsy


Many dollar stores sell these kinds of bales in the fall. Look for a deal!

Source: Etsy





A Twist on the Typical Pillow:


These are made from Kermit Mums with pearls as accents.

Source: Francoise Weeks



Source: One Thrifty Girl

Use a delicate lace sewn into a square with a matching ribbon. It would be a nice touch to use lace cut off during alterations if there's enough. 



Source: Etsy




If you plan to make your own, try to find a unique way to create it. Doilies, lace, a family handkerchief, flowers, ruffles and ribbon are great additions that can add to the atmosphere you're creating with your theme and color scheme.

Here are some great resources to help you DIY the additions:
Alisa Burke- She has a tutorial on ribbon rosettes.
TipNut- This site has tutorials for every kind of ribbon flower
Chatelaine- How to tie the perfect bow
Craftiness is Not Optional- Tutorials on felt flowers 
(The layered flower can be made with other materials)


Good Luck! Happy Crafting!