Vote for your Favorite Party Theme on Facebook!

You love throwing the ultimate themed birthday party. You scour blogs for the best ideas and delight in crafting adorable favors by hand. You're the expert, and your opinion is wanted! Vote for your favorite party theme and get entered in the Beau-coup Facebook giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift voucher! Beau-coup is giving away three $100 gift vouchers to three lucky fans who will be chosen at random. Get your vote in order to qualify, and be sure to SHARE with friends! Voting is open till Monday, August 6th. Vote now! 

Beau-coup believes in “celebrating life, one event at a time” and is a recognized leader in the party favor and party supplies industry. Since 2002 they have helped brides and grooms, family, friends and every type of event planner find the perfect party favors, supplies and decorations to create memorable and extraordinary celebrations. Visit their site and while you are there, check out their wide selection of wedding favors, birthday party favors and baby shower favors & gifts. And don't forget to enter the contest - good luck!

Napkin Folds

Fancily folded napkins make your tables look a little more dressed and a lot more fabulous. Click on the links below each picture for folding instructions. 

Fleur-de-lis

Waterfall Pleat

Place Card Holder

For more examples and instructions, go to Delish.com

Throw an Engagement Party

Are you one of the lucky ones to get engaged this holiday season? What better way to announce it to the world than to throw an engagement party?

Photo Source

WARNING: This party should not be as big or as fabulous as your wedding.

Rule #1: Keep it simple so you can enjoy the party. That doesn't mean plain, boring, or blah.

Rule #2: As I always say: DIY means Do It Yourself, not Do It BY Yourself. Get your friends and/or family to help you. Delegate duties to those willing to help so you don't get overwhelmed.

Rule #3: If someone else is throwing the party for you, COMMUNICATE with them to make sure they understand your personal styles and tastes.


Rule #4: Limit the guest list to your closest family and friends... the people who are definitely going to be invited to or be a part of the wedding. Use this opportunity to introduce both sets of parents, if they don't already know each other.

Rule #5: Be prepared to tell the story of how he proposed. You may want to practice if you are shy. You'll probably have to tell it over and over as more people learn of your engagement.

Bonus Rule: Wear something that makes you feel amazing and get a fresh manicure. You and your left hand will be the center of attention.

Coupons & Deals: Week of 8/30/10

American Bridal

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Little Things Favors

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Bachelorette.com offers a free gift with every order

Free Downloadable Bachelorette Party Invitations

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Free shipping on orders of $250 or more

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Use coupon code SAVE5 to receive 5% off of your order

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Home Spa Retreat for Less

Hectic lives and tight budgets should not keep you from enjoying a relaxing spa day. Create your own spa retreat... and invite a few friends to join you.

Planning a spa party at home should not be stressful. On the contrary, if you keep it simple and plan ahead, you will be able to relax just as much as your guests do.

• Send invitations 2-3 weeks in advance (via email or snail mail).
• Your invitation will set the tone for the party so choose wisely.
• Follow-up with a friendly reminder call a few days before the party.
• Ask your friends to bring their favorite nail polishes for manicures and pedicures.
• You can pick up manicure tools for each guest at the $1 store.
• Package them in a pretty bag or box and they will double as a party favor.
• Decide whether to hire a massage therapist and schedule him/her as soon as possible.
• Chair massages are inexpensive (generally about $10 for 10 min)
• Let your friends know in advance if they have to pay for their own services.
• Provide a separate area for the massage therapist to work and your friends to relax without distractions

• Create a relaxing sanctuary in a quiet room with plenty of seating.
• Light candles
• Fresh flowers
• Put out a few magazines for leisurely reading
• Set up spa stations for manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages
• Provide tools for your friends to pamper themselves (or each other)
• cotton balls
• nail polish remover
• nail files
• headbands (to keep their hair out of their faces)
• pumice stones
• loofahs
• massage oil
• chilled cucumber slices (for their eyes)
• White bar mop towels are inexpensive and perfect for spa parties.
• Brand new dish pans are great for soaking feet and they cost less than $2 each.
• Spagirl Gourmet* offers spa-quality bath & body products at budget-friendly prices.
• 
  Provide light refreshments so you don't spend too much time in the kitchen
• Eliminate caffeine. Provide calming herbal teas and cold lemon or cucumber-infused water.
• Dark chocolate (a natural antioxidant)
• Fresh fruits and veggies

*Contact us to learn how to host a spa retreat for free!

Punch Bowls

Great for outdoor events, including wedding receptions. Present your refreshing punch (spiked or virgin) in beautiful vessels. If you are not using the kind with a spout, be sure to provide a ladle so your guests can help themselves. Dress your punch bowl with pretty flowers, as shown above, to make the punch bowl a part of the event decor.

Photo Source

Spagirl Retreats by Always Fabulous Events

Follow the Spagirl on Facebook

A few years ago, we added spa parties to our list of pre-wedding party services. Then we began to receive requests for non-wedding-related spa parties... and so it grew. We now provide home spa retreats for any occasion... or no occasion at all.

You can choose a "Pamper Yourself Party" or upgrade to include professional massage therapists, nail technicians, and/or aestheticians to do facials. You provide the location and we will come to you.

Some basic guidelines to hosting a fabulous Spagirl Retreat:

• 
  
  Clear enough space for everyone to relax comfortably. You may need to move a few pieces of furniture to create an open, uncluttered room. Create spa stations as needed.
• 
  
  Declare a No Phone Zone. Turn off all cell phones and also the ringer on the home land line.
• 
  
  Embrace the power of dimmer switches and candlelight. Avoid harsh bright lighting in the spa treatment areas.
• 
  
  Play soothing music. Piano instrumentals are very calming.
• 
  
  Let guests know what to expect in advance so they are dressed appropriately and comfortably.
• 
  
  Provide a light spa menu, such as:
• 
  
  pitchers of water with slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber
• 
  
  pitchers of light juice or iced tea (not heavy or sugary)
• 
  
  hot tea
• 
  
  fresh fruit
• 
  
  vegetables and dip
• 
  
  cheese and crackers
• 
  
  tea sandwiches or muffins

We also offer customized invitations for your Spa Retreat, like this one:

Baseball Cap Favors

These are great for mitzvah's, teen parties, school events, and even bachelor parties.

Baseball Cap Bar Mitzvah Favor

This is an easy fitting cap that can be adjusted to fit everyone at the party. Your friends are going to love taking this home with them, and you'll love seeing your personalized graphic all over the place! The hat is available in lots of great colors. Just find your favorite themed design, choose an ink color and we'll add your name and mitzvah date to create your one-of-a kind favor. Wondering what your personalized graphic will look like? No problem! You'll have the chance to approve your design before we print your favor.

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Sweet 16 Masquerade Party

>Photo from Control Your Destiny

If done right, a masquerade party can be mysterious and exciting.


Carry your party theme through to your invitation.

Clearly state the dress code on the invitation to make sure everyone understands the formality of the event. Let the guests show off their creativity with their costumes or simply provide a variety of masks for the guests to choose from when they arrive. (Note: Decorating masks may be a fun DIY project for the guest-of-honor and her besties a day or 2 before the party.)


Keep the decorations under control so it doesn't end up looking too much like a Halloween party. A black and silver color palette works well for the masquerade theme. Add a splash of color with a jewel-toned accent like amethyst (purple), garnet (red), or emerald (green). A little glitter helps to create a less childish ambience without being too adult.

Centerpieces can be made with masks, feathers, and/or candles.

Venues to consider include banquet halls, hotel ballrooms, country clubs, or historical mansions.

Serve finger foods so you don't take any time away from the fun. Serve a variety of non-alcoholic beverages like soda, punch, and "mocktails".

The birthday cake can also mimic the masquerade theme either by topping the cake with a mask and feathers or by sculpting the cake into the shape of a mask. And... you can never go wrong with a chocolate fountain.

How to Plan a Fabulous Bachelorette Party

So your bestie is getting married and you want to throw her the most divalicious bachelorette party EV-ER...

BUT...

You don't know where to begin. :(

Don't worry. That's where fabulous planners like Yours Truly come to save the day. Here are a few quick ideas to help inspire you to throw a party worthy of your best friend.

• Remember that one party does not fit all. Plan the party with the guest-of-honor in mind. After all, the party is supposed to be all about her.


• Get spa treatments together before hitting the clubs. You can go to a day spa or have the spa come to you. (Ask us about our home spa retreats). Consult with the spa director before booking to make sure the staff can accommodate the size of your party.


• Food and wine tastings are fun and more sophisticated than bar-hopping. If this is more your bride's style, check out http://www.localwineevents.com/ for special events and tastings. Hire a driver so everyone can enjoy wine tasting without worrying about driving afterwards.


• Take a pole-dancing class together. You'll get a workout, great laughs, and some new moves to try out later.


• If the bride-to-be is the adventurous type, then why not book the group for horseback riding or scuba diving.


• Rent a beach house for the weekend and chill-ax.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are having F-U-N!

Photo from www.bridalxpress.com