Lucky 7 Birthday Party

Sheridan just adores animals so we celebrated her 7th birthday by taking a few friends horseback riding. The girls handled their horses very well and loved it! I decorated the picnic area with horse ribbon chandeliers that I made with styrofoam rings and ribbon. I bought the pink and purple flowers from the flower mart in LA and arranged them in silver trophy cups and silver mint julep cups. We had a catered lunch from Stonefire Grill and had cupcakes that I made. I also made the chocolate horse heads that were on top of them. A bit time consuming since I had just the one mold! We played a sugar cube stacking contest and stuffed horses to take home. Everyone got to take home a decorated horse shoe to hang in their room.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Brownie Troop 118 went to a Mad Hatter Tea Party hosted by Junior Troop 111. They got to decorate Mad Hatter hats, eat butterfly sandwiches (half cheese, half jelly), chocolate chip cookies and fancy cupcakes. The Queen of Hearts presided over the event and no one lost their head!

Mary Poppins Tea Party

I hope everyone had a great summer! I have been as busy as a bee putting together my newest theme for Party Wishes---Mary Poppins Tea Party!

The guests wear Mary Poppins inspired hats, decorate kites, play "Tuppins Toss" and "Spoonful of Sugar Relay". They stuff their own penguins to take home and play musical instruments in "Bert's Band".

The favor bags are filled with ceramic piggy banks (to save their tuppins), swirl lollipops, sidewalk chalk ( to jump into their drawings) and a harmonica to make some music at home.

The girls enjoyed a beautiful catered tea by http://www.theteagardens.com/ and caramel apples from http://www.ladydiscookies.com/. What makes this party look "practically perfect" is the photography by http://www.jenniferwilsonphoto.com/ She is soooo amazing!

I have a carousel horse for photo ops and Mary's "Jolly Holiday" dress is available as a rental.

Of course, I can't resist dressing up...I am the servant!

The girls will get a surprise when I introduce Mary Poppin's carpet bag with the hats for them to wear and Mary Poppins measuring tape to see how they "measure up"!

Fairy ParTea

Here is my part of the ParTea Swap- A Fairy Tea Party!!

P- Pretty tea cup & saucer

A- A little something for your garden (seed sticks for Butterfly flowers)

R- Really yummy Strawberry & Kiwi Tea

T- Tiny Fairy

E- Edible candy bracelet

A- A bunch of bubbles

Plus some beautiful molded butterfly sugar cubes and some fairy dust!

I had so much fun putting this together! I hope I can find another fabulous swap to join!

ParTEA Swap

I joined a ParTEA swap with some bloggers through a fabulous party planner's blog, Risa. She owns The Partea Planner in San Clemente, CA. We were given a partner to swap with and I was paired with Mica, a wonderful artist from Washington. She sent me this beautiful Vicorian Teddy Bear Tea. As soon as I send her package, I will post my pics of what I sent to her (I don't want to spoil the surprise!).

Her heritage is Latvian, so she sent me some Latvian tea. She is an artist, so she sent me copies of her artwork. So special! Thanks Mica! I can't wait to enjoy my special tea!

6th Grade Grad Party

My oldest son graduated from the 6th grade Friday morning. Friday night, the parents hosted a grad party at the clubhouse for 160 graduates. It was an American Idol theme and I was in charge of the decorations. I went down to the flower mart and was able to create 12 floral arrangements for $31! I already had the vases, blue glass chips and submersible blue lights. The posters were donated by a dad who works at Fox Studios. The cake was made by the grandmother of a graduate.

We had a red carpet entrance, back stage passes and "bouncers" at the door. We hired a DJ for dancing and the karaoke contest. We served pizza, chips, Dippin' Dots ice cream and cake. The kids got to take home "swag" bags filled with a choclate CD, bracelet, beach ball and an American Idol poster.

Mini Golf Party

(click on images to enlarge)

Today was my son's 9th birthday party. It was a golf theme. We had Putt-2-Go set up a mini golf course in our backyard. There were 5 holes and the kids were divided into threesomes. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd places received engraved trophies.

I made the cupcakes and custom made the flag sticks out of scrapbook paper. They sat on tiered stands dusted with raw sugar to simulate a sand trap. The kids signed a scrapbook page, guessed how many tees were in the canister (299 FYI) and received golf hats and medals.

I served hot dogs, chips, limeade, lemonade, fruit and custom printed M&Ms.

My son wrote the menu on the homemade chalkboard.

I made the bunting flags that hung from the patio cover and made the flower centerpieces. I went nuts on eBay by buying lime and navy tees and 100 range balls. I couldn't resist buying the tiny golf pencils from Smart & Final. At the end of the party, I sent the kids home with chocolate candies I made (choc golf club pretzel rods and white choc golf ball lollipops). I bought range ball cards for the raffle and guessing game. The kids all had a fabulous time especially my son, which is why I do this anyway!





These boy party ideas were also featured on Spaceships and Laser Beams.
- See more at: http://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/blog/2013/02/party-central/boy-party-ideas-add-yours-02-26-13#sthash.lqDgxU3L.dpuf

Memorial Day

My son is a member of Cub Scout Pack 66, Den 8 and on Saturday he joined hundreds of Boy Scouts who placed flags at the gravesites of our military at our local cemetary. It was quite an amazing site. We even had a local soldier join us in a moment of silence. Please join me in honoring our wonderful and dedicated service men and women this holiday weekend.

Inside SCV Magazine

In the June issue of Inside SCV Magazine, I am featured on pg. 70 along with my Spa Girlz party. What a thrill! I was quoted in the top section along with 2 others from the party business but the bottom gray section is ALL ME! Please check it out along with my website www.partywishesscv.com

Dancing With the Stars-VOTE FOR APOLO!!!!

My niece, Katherine and Apolo

Katherine with Julieanne and Laila

Heather Mills with Katherine and myself

What every woman wants...to be photographed next to a Super Model!!

Edyta was super sweet! (and TAN)

Shanndi Finnesy, Miss USA 2004. Another great person to be photographed next to when

you haven't checked your hair or make-up for 5 hours!!! (like that would have helped!)

With the final DWTS tomorrow night, I just wanted to post my "pics" and "pick" for the winner. I attended week 2 of the competition with my niece, Katherine, as guests of Tom Bergeron. We got to go to the "Green Room" after the taping to meet all of the contestants. What a thrill! Everyone was sooo nice and we got to meet most of the dancers and their families. Not to mention the sushi and open bar...it was wonderful!

My pick is for Apolo and Julieanne. They are just amazing!!! I keep reminding myself that Julianne is just 18!!! What talent!!! Apolo has improved week after week. Joey has experience with dancing in N'SYNC and Laila looks like she performs the same dance each week. VOTE FOR APOLO!!! Her are my "pics" from the green room (which is beige BTW!)

Tea at Rose Tree Cottage

Edmond & Mary

Beautiful camelias

Stacks of scones!!!

Natalie Kircshner

Our group with Edmund

In January, we bid a fond farewell to our "Tea Queen", Natalie Kirschner. She packed her bags, husband Darin and their four boys and moved to Austin, Texas. Natalie started our little tea group the year before called "Table for 8". We pass the tea ball around to the next hostess. The chosen hostess can host a tea at her home or find a lovely tea room for all of us to try.

I have been a fan of the Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, CA for many years. Native to England, Edmond and his sweet wife Mary have owned the quaint tea room for over 20 years. Unfortunately, with urban development, the tea room has lost it's lease and is being forced to find another location. I buy the scones and Devon cream by the dozens and freeze them. I do hope they will find a new location soon! I don't know how long I can live without the creamy taste of their scones!

I write this because Natalie is coming for a visit in June and I am planning a "Tea in the Park" so she can visit with all of her friends at once. Rose Tree Cottage has their lease extended through June but after that, who knows! I encourage everyone to visit this adorable place with it's vintage camelia bushes out front and their cat sleeping on the chair by the front door!