Under the Sea 5th Birthday...

I had the pleasure of hosting and styling an Under the Sea 5th Birthday party. It was a tight budget so I tried to make do with things that I got on clearance at Michaels & AC Moore as well as buying a few supplies off the internet. I wanted it to be playful and fun, both for the kids and the adults!

The favors were sand buckets that I got at the dollar store, filled with the usual; goldfish, bubbles, tattoos & candy. The favors I created online that read "Thanks for being part of my world!". After tying them up with cellophane wrap, I tied the sand shovel onto the outside of the bucket to give them a little more depth.

The only somewhat expensive thing I splurged on was the scene setter roll of underwater paper. I strung some christmas lights underneath to give it some shimmer and cut out a cardstock image of Ariel to look like she was swimming away.

The desserts I made myself, just some simple cupcakes dressed up with a picture of Ariel & Prince Eric's wedding scene created a little centerpiece for the platter.

I made some oreo truffle balls that were dipped in aqua chocolate and piped with some orange frosting.

The cake was adroned with some chocolate shells that I molded with some brown sugar nestled along the bottom of the layers.

This "sand castle" was purely for decorating - just used a sand toy mold and filled it with brown sugar and let it harden. Just a little pizazz for the sweets table.

Just an overview where the kids ate - some helium balloons on the ceiling with no strings, along with some cheap netting I found and some clearance ribbon & accessories created the perfect little room for them to play in.

A little Lilly, anyone?

I love this time of year when Nabisco puts out their Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers. You can't get a cuter more appropriate favor for a little girls party or baby shower. If you can't find any in your hometown, I am selling them as favors in my shop. They come to you all ready wrapped in cellophane, shreds

 and a preppy little bow!

Cozy Space for Outdoor Entertaining

Our friends enjoying our finished product last Halloween

When warm days start turning into chilly nights, your evenings are numbered for outdoor entertaining. There is nothing better than keeping your party going by lighting up a fire pit, roasting some smores and keeping the conversations flowing.

My husband and I are not handy people. Not even an ounce, usually we rely VERY heavily on our two brother in laws - we are lucky that one is a contractor and one is an electrician - we definitely scored in that department! (Thanks Brad & Brian!) However, after watching a step by step video on good ol' Lowe's website, we felt confident enough that we could turn some run-of-the-mill stones blocks and a fire pit bowl into something we could use for backyard entertaining.

First step, take the mesh cover off the fire bowl and place it exactly where you want to start building. Start layering the blocks in a circle surrounding the cover.

Second step - Once you have the first layer around, take the cover out of the center. To start building the second level, staggering each one from the bottom layer as you go. For this particular bowl (35" across) each layer will take 16 blocks.

You can do as many layers as you choose - we did 4 so it would be a bit higher up.

Next, if your fire came assembled as ours did, you will want to remove the legs so you just have the bowl. Most of them will come without the legs on, ours only did because it was a floor model - last one in the store. Place the bowl on top of the stacks and make sure there is enough overhang all around it to secure that it won't fall in.

Eventually we would love to get some snazzy furniture to put around it, but for now, our $17 Ace Hardware adirondack chairs will have to do!


Grab some outdoor throw pillows and some candles and you have instant ambience! You can change up decorations for the different seasons or events.

Cost Breakdown:
64 Stone Rocks from Lowes = $2.48 ea minus 10% coupon = $143
Fire Pit Bowl - $60 on sale
Adirondack Chairs - $68
Total = $271
Not bad considering what some people pay for fancy fire pit installations. Another plus? Its not cemented down so its easily moveable for when we decide exactly what we are going to do do with our backyard.

A couple of new invites....

Seems like Construction Parties are all the rage now a days, and barnyard parties are not too far behind. Here are a couple of new invites stocked in my etsy shop. Take a look if you are in the market for some digital print-at-homes!

Use code WINTER for 15% off for my readers from now til February 15th

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSwankySocialite?ref=pr_shop_more

Winter Party Sparkle

I came across this image on pinterest and I couldn't pass up a chance to post it here. Everything about this tablescape makes me wish I was there! This could be anything from an intimate wedding, to a New Years Eve party to an apres ski dinner party. My favorite touch is the fur draped on the seats. Fabulous!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas......

Over here at my house, the holiday decorations have been up since the day after thanksgiving. I wanted to share a little Christmas cheer from my humble abode....

The family room is where we have our "fun tree" all our ornaments are from places we have been or things we have loved over the years.

This is my "A Christmas Story" autograph wall. I dragged my husband to Cleveland, OH 3 years ago to meet all these characters. What a weekend that was! Best.Time.Ever!

Onto my living room, which I call my "Christmas in Connecticut" room. (Where I am from!) This is our formal tree and strewn about I have my collection of Byers Choice Carolers.

Moving on, here is looking from my kitchen back to the front hall. Just tried to use some sparkle and glam here to give this space a little bit of cheer.

And I couldn't resist posting again my creation on our front yard. This little scene has been getting a little bit of attention from motorists, some stopping to take pictures.

Hope you enjoyed the tour! Be back tomorrow with some holiday party tips!

MY Three Wise Men.....

I started this project in October and it is finally complete! Loving how my "A Christmas Story" boys turned out! Nobody can ever forget that classic flagpole Triple Dog Dare Ya scene! Anyone who knows me, knows my obsession with this movie and creating these were the perfect addition to my christmastime lawn!

Linking up with www.iheartnaptime.net & http://www.thegrantlife.com/ check out all the great ideas!