the lorax and his trees are reasons enough for fun parties

On March 2, Zac Efron, Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift star as the voices behind characters in one of Dr. Seuss’s beloved classics, The Lorax. In the story, a 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. But, to find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, who speaks for the Truffula Trees and fights to protect his world.

In honor of the movie release and Dr. Seuss’s birthday {also on March 2}, today is all about Dr. Seuss party inspiration. His books bring out the child in all of us, and open our world to imagination and wonder…while teaching life lessons.

The Lorax Party Ideas
Mustache on a stick, Babble
Lorax face on beverage dispenser, Tonya Staab
Truffula Trees in a frame, Babble
The Lorax cake pops, Bakerella
Truffula Trees Centerpiece, Portraits by Jenn
Truffula Tree Cupcake Toppers: Hank and Hunt
Orange Smoothie served with orange and white striped straws from Shop Sweet Lulu
Give Tree Favors {after all, The Lorax is all about saving trees}
Among other Dr. Seuss inspired snacks {green colored deviled eggs for green eggs and ham, goldfish for one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, etc}, create Lorax inspired snacks such: For Brown Bar-ba-loots swimming in white fruit, serve Chocolate Teddy Grahams in a bowl of marshmallows and a bowl of Goldfish to represent the Humming-fish in the movie {idea by Babble}.

We featured a Cat in the Hat-themed 1st Birthday Party last summer for Jacob. So adorable, chic and loved every detail!

This 1st birthday party featured on Hostess with the Mostess brings the many Seuss characters to life in creative ways. Be sure to click here to read about all the details and clever food/drink titles.  

Courtney at Pizzazzerie featured a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on a Budget…and you would never know it was on a budget by the looks of it. It’s so fun and colorful. After you looks at all the details of the party, you MUST also view the orange and green-themed Green Eggs and Ham party. It’s adorable and you will love it.  
We leave you with some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss, Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!

{images via Babble, Bakerella, Tonya Staab , Hostess with the Mostess, Pizzazzerie, Portraits by Jenn, Hank and Hunt and ByHeartBooks.com}

and the oscar goes to…

YOU for throwing a fabulous party!

I have to say, although “Oscar season” is totally overplayed in the media {with all that we have going on in the world} and the show can be a bit boring, I enjoy the show just to see what people are wearing! I love the fashion that the night brings, and as a party girl, I love the excuse to invite some girlfriends over and watch the Oscars! With these tips. your Oscar party {Sunday, February 26} will be red-carpet worthy.

Kathleen at Twig and Thistle created an ENTIRE SET of Oscar party printables. From the invites, to the voting ballots and place cards – she’s got your covered and they are all for FREE here. Thanks, Kathleen. I based my party inspiration on her classic black, white, gold and kraft paper.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS:

For the table, find a sparkly gold table cloth, or if you don’t have one, find a white table cloth and add a black and white chevron runner down the middle of the table.

Add and light lots of votive candles. Love me some candle lighting.

Place a ballot from Twig and Thistle at each place setting and a gold pencil for guests to fill out at the beginning of the night.

Cut out white stars from cardstock paper, write best actress nominations {Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams…if you have more friends than nominees, add best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees} and attach via black and white twine to champagne flutes. Your girlfriends can be a nominee for the night…and keep track of their cocktail.

For the centerpieces, spray paint wine bottles with chalkboard paint and use chalk to write down all Best Picture nominees {Hugo, The Descendents, The Artist, Moneyball, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, The Tree of Life, The Help, The Artist and Midnight in Paris}. Complete with look with a white flower inside the wine bottle centerpiece.

Hang black, white and gold poms above the table.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU:

I think it would be a blast to pay homage to all the year’s best nominated films by serving foods inspired by the movies. Epicurious had some fantastic ideas…so I picked what I thought would be delicious to try.
Deviled Eggs and Chocolate Cream Pie {The Help}
Hot Dogs and Beer {Moneyball}
Cranberry Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Topping {War Horse}
Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita {Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close}
Twice Baked Potato with Goat Cheese and Chives and Creamed Spinach {The Artist}
Crab Cakes with Creamy Chili Sauce or Coconut Shrimp {The Descendants},
French Champagne {Midnight in Paris}
Skillet Corn Bread {The Tree of Life}
Oven Baked Chicken and Slow Roasted Tomatoes on a Baguette {Hugo}

If all that is too fancy for you, I think Moneyball inspired food – peanuts, hotdogs, beer, Coca-Cola and CrackerJack boxes would be lovely…and of course some French Champagne for a little fabulousness!

{images via Twig and Thistle, Snippet and Ink, MaryJane and Galoshes, The Glitter Guide, Reasons to Breathe, Pinterest, Lindsey B Photography and Rue}

sour soiree, the anti-valentine party

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhRMeiyret0]

All the single ladies need something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day too, right?
How about a little party we’d like to call: Sour Soiree, the Anti-Valentine Party

Here are some fun ideas to help you celebrate your fabulous, single self:

{1} Hang this ‘Love Stinks’ banner to decorate the bachelor{ette} pad.
{from Etsy}

{2} Serve Maple Sour cocktails … and keep them coming!
{find the complete recipe here}

{3} Customized water bottle labels, available at Fleur de Lis, for only $5.
Personalize them your own colors, fonts and wording to match your unique party. Be creative!

{4} Sour Patch cupcakes are a delicious {and appropriate} dessert for a single, sour night. YUM!
{find the complete recipe here}

{5} ‘Love Stinks’ lip balm is the perfect goodie bag gift!
{from Etsy}

{6} Black Heart Necklace. Super stylish and very Anti-Valentine.
{from Etsy}

{7} Girls’ Night Out Table Topics. Such a good time!
{sold at Fleur de Lis}

{8} Keep Calm and Plan Your Revenge t-shirt. Love this!
It’s the official dress code for a Sour Soiree!
{from Etsy}

{9} Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster will be the cherry on top of your sour night, trust me 🙂
… it’s absolutely hilarious.

{PS}
Alice 105.9 is hosting a Bitter Ball with Slacker & Steve on Valentine’s Day in downtown Denver at Suite 200. It’s going to be a party for singles who could care less about Valentine’s Day and want to have some fun – another Sour Soiree to add to your list of parties!
Check out their Facebook page for details.

Remember, it’s okay to be a bit sour for Valentine’s Day … because it makes for a cute party!

{images via: Etsy, drinks: Pinterest, water bottles: Tutto Bella, cupcakes: Pinterest, Table Topics and Barnes & Noble}

my funny valentine

We’ve bought boxed Valentine’s in year’s past, but this year we got creative with our words. Some are healthy and others are not, but they are all adorable, and for Valentine’s Day, that’s all that really matters, right? We have cutesy kid-and-adult-friendly DIY Valentine’s for…all the hot mama’s, the stud{s} in your life, all the cutie’s and for those who make you giggle! You can buy them here for just $3, and they are an instant download.

DIY Adult Valentine’s

you are one hot mama
{fill the bag with hot tamales, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

happy valentine’s day stud muffin
{fill the bag with a homemade poppy-seed muffin, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

Poppy-seed Muffin Recipe
Makes 12 muffins
recipe adapted from our wonderful mom

Add the following ingredients to a large bowl and mix:
2 cups flour
1/8 cup poppy seeds {a used a little more, but less than 1/4 cup}
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter

Add 2 eggs{1 at a time} to the above ingredients and mix well

Add 1 cup plain yogurt and 2 tsp. almond extract and mix into the rest of the mixture.

Put the muffin mixture in baking cups and bake in the oven on 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes {It took me about 18 minutes}.

DIY Kid Valentine’s

i think you are quite a cutie
{fill a bag with clementines, fold the custom tag over the top of the bag and staple closed}

friend, you make me laffy
{fill the bag with laffy taffy for your silly friends, fold the custom tag over the bag and staple closed}

Last year’s fold-over labels {above} were so popular, we revamped them, and we did it with colorful stripes.

If your looking for the original cutie file {the orange bubble}, you can buy it here.
The original laffy taffy file {the blue bubble} is available too.

Tags are 2×4. Purchase them here. 

touchdown celebration

I’ve seen many Superbowl Party ideas, but this Chili Bar from the creative and talented Chris at Celebrations at Home really caught my eye. The menu reads winter and football to me AND not only is it adorable, it is doable! For complete recipes and details, visit here.

After your family and friends have stuffed themselves silly with chili and all the fixings, it’s time for dessert.

These football-shaped whoopie pies, cupcakes, brownies and chocolate covered strawberries are sure to satisfy.

{images via Celebrations at Home, Brownies from Tablespoon, Whoopie Pies from The Football Foodie, Double Chocolate Cupcakes from The Baker Chick, Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Pinterest}