Goonies Birthday Party + Halloween Party

How creative is this GOONIES THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY { would make a great HALLOWEEN PARTY, too} submitted by Audrey Novak of Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats! Wow, so much detail and so many wonderful ideas!

Audrey said- “To celebrate my son’s 4th birthday we planned a GOONIES themed party! We are all BIG fans of the movie around here, and after all the guests left he told me it was his “BEST party EVER!”

When Dane originally told me he wanted a GOONIES party, I have to admit, I spent a couple of weeks trying to convince him that maybe he wanted a different party theme…one that was a little easier to plan – LOL! He had his mind made-up and I figured out a way to make it work. I decided we’d have GOONIES elements, with some pirate decorations, skulls, lots of treasure and hoped it would all come together. I tried really hard to not make it just a pirate party and didn’t want a Halloween feel…I think the end result was more than I could have hoped for!

Squared Party Printables created a GOONIES themed party package for me. It really gave the party a cohesive feel! I wanted to incorporate several quotes from the movie in the printables, and they looked great framed throughout the party. I used the 2” cupcake toppers on SO many things…cupcakes (of course), Cake Pops, Cupcake Shooters, favor bags and several other treats! I found a few different GOONIES movie posters online and hand them hanging throughout the house. We framed the Truffle Shuffle poster and plan on hanging it in my son’s room after the party. I also framed some printed GOONIES cards from Thunderpeep Designs. She had created caricature-style renditions of some of the key characters, Sloth, Mama Fratelli and One Eyed Willy…another FUN way to tie in the movie. I used a TON of borrowed items to decorate, along with LOTS of thrift store finds. My Grandma had most of the trunks that we used just tucked away in her basement. I also managed to borrow a Statue of David figure! I’m not sure that all of our guests got the movie reference on that one…but TRUE fans of the movie thought it was hilarious!

The favor station included lots of FUN goodies including Ring Pops, Rock Candy, Skull rings, necklaces, jewels, golden coin candy, candied cornfetti, eye patches and Pinchers of POWER, to name a few. I put out paper bags and skeleton stickers so the kids could decorate their own goody-sack to fill-up! I also had some COOL favors for the grown-ups at the party. Inspired by the Lost Garden Wishing Well scene from the movie, Two Jennifers created stamped quarter charms! Some were stamped with “My Wish” and some with “My Dream.” They look great on necklaces or even key chains and turned out SO super cool!

I created ALL of the desserts for the party…I love doing it and had LOTS of fun ideas! To honor our favorite character from the movie, Sloth, I made several Rocky Road-inspired desserts! We served Rocky Road Cupcakes, giant marshmallows dipped in chocolate and then rolled in walnuts, and cupcake shooters. I pre-scooped Rocky Road ice cream into cupcake liners…and then forgot to get them out during the party! I also made “Buried Treasure” Cupcakes, they had a layer of Crunch Coat topping under the frosting…SO fun! I have to say, out of ALL the desserts…the Cake Pops STOLE the show! Dane had requested some skeleton pops and…SLOTH Cake Pops! I figured he was already lumpy to start with, so they were worth a shot – LOL! They turned out hilariously cute…I was literally laughing out-loud as I was making them.

Another fun movie reference, I wanted to serve a drink that looked like the grody-water Mama Fratelli serves to the boys in the Lighthouse. I made an Apple Juice/White Grape Juice combination and put it in our big beverage dispenser. Next to it, I put a framed printable with a quote from that scene in the movie…funny!

One activity the kids really enjoyed was digging for buried treasure in our backyard. We buried a bunch of seashells and colored gems in our sandbox and the kids dug away! They put their buried treasure in some SUPER cute, hand-stamped canvas bags from Thunderpeep Designs. We also had a bench in the backyard so they could walk-the-plank! I planned on having a Truffle Shuffle dance-off, but the kids were having SO much fun playing outside, we just never got around to it!

When I started planning the GOONIES party my son asked me if we could invite Sloth to the party! I immediately got online, found a Sloth mask, Superman Shirt, red suspenders and made the purchase. The next day, Dane informed me that maybe Sloth shouldn’t come to the party because, “Sloth kinda freaks me out sometimes Mom!” LOL! I told him it was rude to uninvited people, but if he was scared when Sloth got to the party, he didn’t have to see him. Well…Sloth arrived…Baby Ruth Bars in-hand…and most of the kids were willing to go up to him since he was giving out full-size candy bars. Dane hid in his playhouse and told Sloth he could just toss one up to him…SO funny!

After all of our guests went home, Dane still told me his favorite part of the party was when Sloth came, but quickly added that he didn’t want him to visit again anytime soon.”

Vendors and Credits:
Party desserts, photos and event styling- Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats
GOONIES party package- Squared Party Printables
GOONIES cards and treasure pouches- Thunderpeep Designs
Stamped Quarter Charms- Two Jennifers
Paper Straws- Green Party Goods
Custom Party Banner- Puddin’ Pies
Upcycled Toddler GOONIES dress- Little Overcoat

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Cupcake Liners
Rock Candy
Linen Favor Bags
Fabric
Striped Paper Straws
Jute Twine
Gold Coins
Nut / Candy Cups

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Cupcake Liners
Rock Candy
Linen Favor Bags
Fabric
Striped Paper Straws
Jute Twine
Gold Coins
Nut / Candy Cups

Snoopy 1st Birthday Party

This cute SNOOPY 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY was submitted by Carleen Manuntag. I’ve never seen a Snoopy party, how fun!

Carleen said- “My munchkin just turned 1 and since he is our first baby, we wanted to go all out. =) It was 3 months preparation. We decided a Snoopy and the gang themed party since we started off the Snoopy theme on his bedroom. Blue and yellow mixture best suited the theme plus a touch of multi-colored polka dots blended in. Everything was customized from stationery, table linens, centerpieces, buffet and dessert tables to all the decorations around the hall. Special credit to my loving husband and amazing mom. =) Dessert table was bountiful since we had to accommodate 80-100 guests. It was a blast especially for kids! Laughter was all over the place while they were watching the clown/magician do his tricks, having their amazing face painting done, choosing from tons of fascinating balloon designs and munching on their delightful treats =) The party was a success. But the most satisfying second there was seeing my son very, very happy for he knows that he is being loved and blessed, not only for the first year of his life but forever.”

Vendors and Credits:
Cake- Jovian Mendoza
Food Caterer- Rolymie Restaurant
Entertainment (Clown, Face paining, Balloon making)- Giggles Faces N Glitter
Inflatables- Jumpy things
Cotton candy machine- Bounceroo
Photographer- Lindsay Hood

Items available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Clear Cellophane Bags
Cupcake Liners
Paper Party Hats
Lollipop Sticks
Mini Pedestal Cups
Candy Sticks
Balloons
Ribbon
Apothecary Jars
#1 Candle

Items available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Clear Cellophane Bags
Cupcake Liners
Paper Party Hats
Lollipop Sticks
Mini Pedestal Cups
Candy Sticks
Balloons
Ribbon
Apothecary Jars
#1 Candle

Kara’s Party Ideas Online Book Tour- Week Two

The second week of the online book tour for Kara’s Party Ideas {the book} is kicking off!

Tomorrow {Wednesday} check out a really insightful, in-depth interview I had with Jenn Sbranti, the one and only Hostess with the Mostess!!

On Friday, head over to Tout Mon Amour for another fun tutorial!

You don’t want to miss either of the amazing stops on the tour this week! I’ll keep you updated on what’s going on all week on Facebook, too! :]

Kara’s Party Ideas will be hitting shelves before we know it…October 9th. You can pre-order the book on Amazon HERE.

xo
Kara

Retro 70′s Camping Barbie 6th Birthday Party

This RETRO 70′S BARBIE CAMPING 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY submitted by Maria Davis of Love & Sugar Kisses is absolutely darling! What a creative twist on your regular camping themed celebration! I adore the vintage barbie touches…take a look at the darling barbie camper van cookies & boxes, for example!

Maria said- “My party theme was a 70′s Vintage Barbie Camping Party! The inspiration for the party was the 1971 Barbie Camper, which I found on ebay. I wanted to evoke the spirit of the 70′s by using colorful and girly fabrics throughout the party and used bright pink, aquas green, yellow & orange as my colors. I used feathers in several of my decorations and made 70′s style feather hair clips for all the girls. I used some touches of nature like twigs for the frames, pine cones and a tree stump cake stand. But I added some Barbie sparkle to them as well!

Piggy Bank Parties created all the beautiful printable products including the amazing favor boxes which were detailed replicas of the Barbie Camper! Inside each camper were Barbie stickers & bottlecap necklaces.

We had several party activities. We began with a nature walk and each girl was given a decorated clipboard with items to look for, an embellished canteen, and backpack. After lunch we sat around our faux fire and sang campfire songs. Then we went back outside for a s’mores relay race. The girls were divided into teams and had to assemble s’mores using large pillows and graham crackers & chocolate bars made from foam board. It was a hilarious site and they had a blast!

The dessert table included cake, designer Oreos & s’mores on a stick all made by me. Beautiful cookies designed to look like the Barbie camper were made by Bambella Cookie Boutique. Delicious cake pops in the bright party colors and decorated with feathers were made by Cuter than Cake. We served camp-style hot dogs & chips for lunch along with a 70s favorite soda, Nehi! In addition to their camping supplies, each guest received a bag of trail mix & bubbles along with their camper favor box!

The pictures were taken by my amazingly talented friend Wendy of Wendy Updegraff Photography whose photos are always gorgeous!”

Vendors and Credits:
Photographer: Wendy Updegraff Photography
Custom printables: Piggy Bank Parties
Happy Camping Banner: Stampin’ Fanatic
Glittery mini cake bunting: The Purple Pug
Camper cookies: Bambella Cookie Boutique
Cake Pops: Cuter than Cake
Cake & designer Oreos: Love & Sugar Kisses
Straws: The Sugar Diva
Wooden pencils: Sandra Downie

Items used in this party that are available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Lollipop Sticks
Ribbon & Fabric
Decorative Shred
Baker’s Twine
Striped Paper Straws
Clear Cellophane Bags

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Lollipop Sticks
Ribbon & Fabric
Decorative Shred
Baker’s Twine
Striped Paper Straws
Clear Cellophane Bags

Vintage Boxing 84th Birthday Party

Now THIS is a party to remember! How awesome is this VINTAGE BOXING 84TH BIRTHDAY PARTY submitted by Lauren Borquez of Capes and Crowns! What a fun and original party theme…especially for Lauren’s grandfather! I love it.

Lauren said- “I’m so excited to share my grandfather’s vintage boxing theme party. He was a former boxer so this was the perfect way to honor him and the sport he loves. I’ve been collecting vintage boxing memorabilia for months and each piece I found has such a special relevance that this party really came together in a “meant to be” sort of way and has a world of sentiment for my family and I. My grandfather’s old boxing name was Thomas “The Tomcat” Laster. I knew that I wanted to incorporate cats in small ways thru out the theme. I found some adorable magnets with boxing cats on them as well as a vintage boxing glove from a fabric transfer I’d ordered and knew I wanted both elements to be part of the theme. Miranda at Whimsical Printables was so wonderful to work with on the printables. She took the project on last minute and really showed out. They were far better than I could have ever envisioned and really brought the this party to life. There were lots of behind the scene challenges and obstacles with this event. My grandmother had a stroke a month prior to this event so its been a difficult time for both my grandparents. I still wanted to celebrate this great man on his birthday and it seemed highly appropriate because he truly is such a “fighter”

I asked Natalie of The Knock Knock Factory to make one of her charming wreaths. She never disappoints. The only details told to her was “vintage boxing” and she did such a fabulous job! The menu consisted of my grandfathers favorite foods. My husband is an amateur MMA fighter so I had a little help naming the food using boxing terms. It was lots of fun. We served old fashion cream sodas appropriately labeled “Poppa’s punch”. For the dessert table I wanted to incorporate vintage boxing magazines so I decoupaged the covers of the popular magazine The Ring on the backdrop. The beautiful desserts were made by Hot Momma’s bakery. I wanted stars to be present on the KO Cake to give it that “seeing stars” effect but I wanted the cake itself to have a vintage feel. She executed it perfectly! The guest of honor had a wonderful time and even at 84 he’s still a knockout!”

Vendors and Credits-
Party Design & Concept : Capes and Crowns
Photography : Danielle McCann Photography
Custom Printables: Whimsical Printables
Custom Wreath : The Knock-Knock Factory
Cake, Cookies, & Cupcakes : Hot Mama’s Bakery
Cake Pops: Bite Size Delights by Ann
Flag Banner : Giggles Galore

Items available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Burlap Table Cloth
Ribbon & Fabric
Carnival Tickets
Rock Candy
Striped Paper Straws

Items available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Burlap Table Cloth
Ribbon & Fabric
Carnival Tickets
Rock Candy
Striped Paper Straws