Parties
For eco-conscious hosts, it’s important to ensure each element of a celebration is as sustainable as can be. To help you pull off the perfect party that’s both enjoyable and kind to the planet, here are three helpful tips you should follow.
Read Moreby Kacey Bradley
It's Springtime, which means it's almost outdoor party season. Before you create an event on Facebook, you'll want to think about a theme. This way, you can put your best foot forward — and throw a warm-weather bash that everyone will want to post on social media.
Look at these Instagram-worthy party ideas
A New England Seafood Bake
There's no better way to spend an afternoon than enjoying a seafood feast. With a few select touches, you can put a unique spin on this classic New England get-together.
You'll want to create the perfect menu for your seafood soiree. After all, what's a clambake without the lobsters and potatoes? You can either grill or boil your shellfish.
Once you've settled on food options, head outside and set up a few tables. Traditionally, clambakes are super relaxed and casual — so don't worry about place settings. Arrange a large sheet of paper across each table and serve the meal directly on it. People can sit down and dig in as they please. Guests will love to take photos of the delicious bites and coastal decor.
A Fancy Casino Night
If it's too rainy or cold to throw a party in your backyard, here's a fun idea. Put on a casino night with snacks, drinks and games.
After you put together your guest list and establish a dress code, it's time to get to work. Clear out your basement or family room so you can arrange game tables. Feel free to hire a service so you have attendants in each area. Blackjack and poker are the most popular casino games. Of course, you won't want to forget the chips or play money, either.
Create a self-serve bar with a mix of cocktails and alcohol-free beverages. Don't forget to whip up some hors d'oeuvres in place of dinner. If you plan to throw a large party, consider a bartender and caterer. This way, you'll be free to enjoy your night. You can also set up themed backdrops for photos.
A Delicious Dessert Soiree
If you've got a sweet tooth, look no further. You can skip the appetizers and dinners and focus on just the dessert. Don't worry — if you're not a baker, you can still have a ton of fun with this idea.
Put up a ton of fun decor. Arrange flowers in mason jars and set out unscented candles. Then, think about what you want to serve. A cupcake bar is super Instagram-worthy. Guests can choose their base and add icing and toppings. Serve pitchers of sangria or other springtime cocktails. A dessert party works well for birthdays and bridal showers alike.
A Relaxed Garden Party
Springtime calls for beautiful flowers and plants. You can celebrate this renewed season with a garden party, with or without a garden.
You can head outside or stay indoors for this soiree. As long as you have an array of vegetation, you're ready to go. Hang ivy on your walls and tables. Place vases of tulips and daffodils throughout the space. Then, set out antique plates and cups. Serve different teas and snacks instead of a heavy dinner. You can also use sparklers to create a few memorable photos -and don't forget the string lights, either.
The best part of this party is that your friends can come dressed in their most elegant attire. White dresses and fairy crowns create an ethereal atmosphere, or you can stick with pastels instead.
A Family-Friendly Barbecue
Here's a terrific way to get the entire family together. Once the weather's warm enough, there's no better time for a backyard barbecue. Invite your friends and their kids for a day full of yummy food and exciting games.
You'll want to make sure there's enough seating for everyone — coolers can serve as a chair in a pinch. Your menu should be diverse enough for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. Go for grilled chicken and black bean burgers, along with an array of veggies. Put our pitchers of iced tea and lemonade.
Set up basketball, cornhole and badminton for entertainment. Children love to play with chalk, too. If it's an especially hot day, water balloons are always a hit. Give your guests disposable cameras so they can take a ton of pictures.
Throw the Best Event Ever
Whenever you want to throw an awesome party, make sure to consider these ideas. You'll enjoy a memorable time as you capture a ton of Instagram-worthy shots.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
by Kacey Bradley
Kids look forward to a few main events every year. They want to celebrate the start of summer vacation and open gifts during the holidays. Outside the time off of school, they also anticipate the fun that comes with their next birthday.
As a parent, there's pressure to meet the expectations of throwing a birthday party every year. You have to think about which of their friends will come over, who has food allergies and if they're old enough to go home without expensive goodie bags.
It's a lot to handle. Nevertheless, you can switch things up to make it fun for everyone. Discover party planning tips that will help you celebrate your child's next birthday with ease.
1. Take Them to a Movie
Is your kid a movie fanatic, ready to go to the theater the moment a new trailer drops? If so, they'll love going to see a new movie on their birthday, especially if it happens to be when a favorite premieres. Take them out to dinner afterward or eat something at home for a simple celebration that requires nothing more than buying tickets.
2. Let Them Pick a Vacation
Kids dream about going to different places, like a new campsite or the beach. Why not let them spend their birthday at their favorite vacation spot? Give them a list of options within your budget and say the decision is up to them. They'll experience a fun activity, and you'll get to head out of town for a bit.
3. Try Old-School Fun
When you're bored of throwing birthday parties at home, call your local bowling alley for some old-school fun. Most offer discounts for large parties and provide food for the cost of renting out space. You can also invite your child's friends to meet you there and head back home for food after. It's always fun to host a bowling alley birthday party, especially when it's ultra-affordable.
4. Go Big With Entertainment
This year, go big with entertainment at your child's party. Get everyone outside with something fun, like water balloon fights or backyard races. If you want your child and their friends to use up all their energy, consider setting up a bounce house where they can jump for hours on end. You'll entertain everyone and give them something new to experience.
5. Countdown With Daily Activities
Make your child's birthday a month-long event when you create a daily countdown with special activities for each day. Think about what makes your kid happy, then decide what the surprises will be. You might give them an extra scoop of ice cream one night or let them have 30 more minutes with their electronics. They'll feel extra special each day, and you'll stretch out the birthday fun.
Give Them Extra Love
Everything you do on your child's birthday is a way to show them your love. Give a little extra this year by using a few of the tips above. Take them on vacation, rent a bounce house or do something fun each day. They'll shine in the attention, and it will quickly become the best birthday yet.
About the Author
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
Contributed By Helen Bradford
We are slowly but surely approaching the time of the year most known for its special occasions. They are called special occasions because they do not happen every day, and we thought this was the perfect time to start prepping for the big event(s). Whether you have prom coming, a wedding, someone’s birthday, or simply want to know what to expect this Christmas and New Years, keep on reading to find out the best and easiest ways to look like a super star!
Hair
Your outfit is not the only thing that can influence your overall look. Deciding on what to do with your hair can make or break your look. It all depends on the type of face and hair you have.
If you have heart-shaped face, opt for a softer hairdo. Curly or wavy styles will frame your face perfectly. This shape of face is perfect for a bold, pixie haircut, so if you have been thinking about it - now may be the time to go for it, and leave a really strong impression! Show off your pretty face to everyone! Another great style for this hair is layered, long bangs. For a more formal look, go for a low messy bun with lots of hair accessories.
If you have a round or square face, the best thing for you is long hair. Anything that is longer than your chin will help soften the sharp lines of your face. Side bangs will also help soften your face and give it more dimension. The perfect hairstyles for these types of faces are voluminous up-dos with natural-looking fly-aways to frame your face. Or, for a more relaxed look, you can always opt for a half up-do with lots of big, soft curls.
Nails
Having your nails done is almost a must these days. Manis and pedis have become a norm that you can rarely avoid. And why would you? Treating yourself once or twice a month with having healthy and beautiful nails is not something you should be against. If anything, your nails will be stronger, grow faster and look more polished if you do treat yourself.
Similarly to hairdos, there are plenty of choices you can make in the nail department, too. You can opt for natural nails, or go for acrylic, if you are not patient enough to wait for your natural nails to grow. When you make that choice, the next is to decide on the shape of the nails - whether you want the square, oval, rounded, almond, stiletto or ballerina shape is up to you.
The next thing to choose is the color, whether you want glitter or not, do you want the rhinestones or not. If yes, do you want them on every finger, or just have one or two accent fingers. Do you want your fingers matte or glossy? The options are endless. And if you are feeling a little overwhelmed, you can always reach out to a professional nail salon. However, be careful that they have professional nail care, such as Jessica Cosmetics, for example.
Makeup
When it comes to makeup, it is almost as important as your outfit and hairdo. However, makeup can be changed throughout the night, and you can always fix it, add more, or remove something. When it comes to makeup, there are plenty of easy, yet formal looks that you can do yourself. If you are doing your own makeup, shimmery eyeshadow will definitely be your best friend - even if you make a mistake, no one will know, since it is mostly see through. If you have little or no experience in doing formal makeup, stick to the basics. Don’t try to contour, put highlight and false eyelashes if you haven’t done it yet. Or, if you do want to do all or some of it, we suggest doing it in daylight to avoid overdoing it and looking like a clown. Another suggestion is definitely to have a practice run beforehand, to learn from your mistakes, while there is still time to fix it.
If you are not confident in your own makeup skills, or you need a highly formal look, consider hiring someone who will do your makeup instead of you. If this is a truly special occasion, having someone pamper you will take off some of the stress away.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have taken away some inspiration to create your perfect look, what to avoid and where to splurge. These tips and tricks will come in handy the next time you have a special occasion.
About the author:
Helen Bradford is a journalism student who always seeks new ideas to write about. She enjoys blogging about beauty, health and style trends for women. When she’s not writing, she spends her spare time being active through fitness and traveling.
Contributed by Nina Simons
Parties are always a bit stressful during the organization - you want it to be perfect and for each guest to be amazed by it. With corporate parties, you are trying to create a great evening for various types of people who may not know each other that well. But it doesn't mean it's an unachievable task - the following tips will help you throw a great corporate party that the staff will talk about for months to come. The key is in the unexpected party details.
Party time is not just any time!
It's important to schedule the party well ahead of time but it's also important to be smart about the period you choose. Many companies prefer parties in December just before the New Year or after Christmas. However, the holidays can be quite exhausting so it will be a better option to throw a party after the New Year when the staff had some time to recover. People feel more energized in January, at the start of a new year.
A place where the magic will happen
The venue should be one of the first things to decide on. Bear in mind that you will have a lot of difficulties changing it if you realize you've made a mistake. You will have to work with what you have, so choose carefully. Make sure the venue isn't too large - you don't want to be surrounded by too much empty space so that the party looks like a failure. On the other hand, you don't want the space to be too crowded so that the guests feel claustrophobic. Another thing to bear in mind is that the venue should have available parking space. If it's too complicated to get there or there's no room for the cars, many guests could easily pass on the invitation.
Every man to his taste - take the saying seriously
When it comes to food and beverage, the most important thing to have in mind is that not everybody is the same. So, you need to come up with a menu that offers both various types of meat and vegetarian meals. It would be a disaster if any of the guests would go home hungry because their allergies or food preferences were not taken into consideration. Inform yourself on this before you draw up the menu. Finally, decorating food is a must - you want to make your guests smile when they look at the foods, right?
Similarly, not everybody will drink alcohol, so offer them interesting non-alcoholic beverages like fresh dark grape juice or fresh lemonade with lime and mint. The wider choice you have, the more people will be pleased. As far as alcoholic beverages go, don't stick to just two or three options but try to include unexpected choices like gin, tequila and rum, too. Of course, one cannot throw a party without offering cocktails as well.
Let this party started - party themes
Every part should follow a specific theme. There are many options to choose from, just keep in mind
what type of people the majority of guests will be. Let it be something unexpected, fun and surprising and you'll definitely have a lot of attendees.
Elegant lounge party
People like fancy parties so why not create a feeling of luxury and elegance? Providing furniture for cocktail lounges around the venue will allow guests to form small groups where they could comfortably sit, enjoy chatting and drinking. Adding lovely rustic carts that can be pushed around will create an impression of having a party in an expensive Victorian castle.
Summer BBQ party
You can go the opposite way by organizing a summer barbeque party (if you opt for a summer party) - it instantly creates a familiar atmosphere. Everybody enjoys a good summer outdoor party. Your guests will feel like they are in somebody's backyard, having a relaxing evening with colleagues. Add white tents around the venue, place picnic tables covered with traditional table cloths and add checkered blankets and balloons.
Carnival-themed party
Every once in a while, people like to be reminded of their childhood. That's why a carnival-themed party would instantly bring joy. Hire a professional clown or a magician to wander around the venue, entertaining the guests. Add fun game stations, for example, a ring toss and a photo booth.
Luau
Even if it's the middle of winter, why not bring a bit of sunshine to your employees? It will feel like being
on a vacation, at least for one night if you use tropical florals as decoration, pink flamingos and leis. And it won't complete unless you get grass table skirts for those who want to "get into the role".
Final comment
A memorable corporate party involves the element of surprise, a carefully planned menu of food and drinks and practical elements which help things run smoothly. Your hard work will pay off if you include all of these elements - the smile on your employees' faces will be worth the trouble.
By Kacey Bradley
If you're throwing a party, why not make it one your guests will never forget? Sure, you've got the food, music and games for the evening all planned out, but it's the little details that really make or break any event. Here are eight things you should be sure to include at your next shindig.
1. Give It a Theme
A fun theme adds an extra layer of excitement to any party. In addition to bringing everyone together and giving them something to celebrate, the right one will make your event much more enjoyable and unique. Some ideas for interesting themes include decades, movies, music, colors or food. You could also take it a step further and give guests a goal, such as a murder mystery party, roast battle or scavenger hunt.
2. Provide Elevated Surfaces for Dancing
Did someone say dancing? Encourage your friends and families to really put their moves on display by providing plenty of elevated surfaces for them to get down on. The more tabletops, tall chairs and makeshift stages, the better! Crank up the music and challenge the two best dancers in your group to get the party started.
3. Serve a Signature Drink
Nothing brings people together like alcohol — especially a signature drink of the night. If your event has a theme, get creative by serving up a signature drink and naming it something that aligns with the celebration. You could even take it a step further by making a guessing game out of the ingredients, and then award a prize to the first person to guess the recipe correctly.
4. Use Lighting to Create an Ambiance
Lighting that's too bright or too dark is a surefire way of making a party just a little bit weird. If you have lots of table or floor lamps in your home or event space, use white light shades to create a warm glow in the room. This type of lampshade will prevent your lighting from being too overbearing and make your guests feel more comfortable and relaxed instead.
If your event is partially or completely outdoors, LED string lights are an excellent lighting option to set the mood when the sun goes down.
5. Consider the Flow of Your Furniture
Sometimes, your home or apartment may not already be set up in an ideal party layout. You'll need plenty of open spaces for traffic flow and mingling, as well as plenty of places for people to sit and converse. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so the layout better suits a large group — at least in the main area where people will be hanging out.
6. Add Some Humor
If the people you invited to your party have a good sense of humor — which, if they're your friends, hopefully they do — infuse a little bit of comedy into your evening. Scatter funny signs, decorations and more throughout the house for them to slowly discover as the night goes on. The bathroom is one place where the jokes pretty much write themselves.
7. Throw in an Element of Surprise
Do you have a surprise guest who could show up to catch everyone off guard? What about a special food that everyone will love? Surprising your guests will make them remember your party and truly live in the moment while they're there. Another surprise element could be a game or activity for people to participate in, or perhaps even a competition of some sort.
8. Give Out Party Favors
Who said goodie bags are just for kids? Nothing makes guests remember your awesome party like a bunch of presents to go home with. Fill some bags with party favors like snacks, candy, booze, small games or whatever else you think your friends might enjoy. It doesn't have to be anything huge or expensive, but just a small gesture to thank your guests and encourage them to come to any future parties you might have.
Get Creative to Make Your Party Memorable
You know the people on your invite list better than anyone, so think about the kind of party details that would make their night. Will they appreciate it if you surprise them with a fun activity to do, or would they prefer more seating than usual for conversation? Consider adding in the eight details on this list to make your next party even better than the last.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
contributed by Kacey BradleySummer is the perfect time of year to host outdoor parties. It's warm enough for everyone to hang outside under the shade or have fun in the pool.
However, wanting to invite friends over for an outdoor summer party, but having zero clue where to start feels hopeless. The following nine tips will teach you everything you need to know when preparing your patio for a party. Before long you'll be well on your way to hosting the perfect outdoor event this summer.
Remain Aware of Food Allergies
Preparing food for a party can often be a large stress factor by itself. Add in food allergies and you need to be on the ball. As more people become comfortable announcing their food allergies, you want to ask your guests what they can and can't eat before they arrive.
Gluten and dairy allergies can be the most common, so include a variety of food options. Salads, meats and dairy-free appetizers like vegetable trays will give everyone a safe option to eat, even those who forget to mention their allergies.
Invite Friends of Friends
The friends you know might love the idea of going to your party, but if you're busy hosting and they don't know anyone else there, they might skip the whole thing entirely.
When you draft your invite list, make sure everyone has at least one other friend there besides yourself. Everyone will feel much more comfortable that way.
As you create your guest list, you should also look around for cute invitations. There's something extra special about getting an invitation for an event, and not a social media invite or text. It'll add another fun layer to your party to make it stand out.
Provide Some Shelter
No summer party will be complete without a source of shade. No one wants to stand out in the sun for long periods of time, no matter what food is served or music plays.
You won't regret renting a party tent or other kind of canopy. Guests will appreciate escaping the sun for a bit, and it'll help food and drinks from warming up so quickly after everything is set out.
Keep Water Bottles On Hand
It's easy to get lost in having fun at summer parties, which can quickly lead to guests becoming dehydrated. If guests don't hydrate properly, they could start showing symptoms like tiredness, dizziness or fainting.
Avoid this problem by keeping plenty of water bottles on hand. Leave them in ice buckets around the party area and indoors in your fridge. You may end up with lots of leftover water bottles, but it's much smarter to have them than to leave guests without water.
Place permanent markers by the water bottles so guests can easily label their drinks for continued use. The bottles will inevitably be left on countertops and around your yard, but people will be more likely to pick them up and drink from them again if they can clearly see it doesn't belong to someone else.
Create Sunscreen Baskets
Parents with kids will probably remember more than anyone else to bring a bottle of sunscreen to your party, but other guests may only think to bring food or drinks.
Keep everyone safe by creating sunscreen baskets. Leave them where people will need them the most, like by a pool or other outdoor activity. Guests will appreciate the extra thought and enjoy the party that much more.
Decorate your baskets with fabric on the inside or a sign pointing to the sunscreen. Invite people to use as much as they need, and remind them to reapply every few hours if they can.
Rent Extra Seating
A common issue at parties revolves around finding a place to sit. No one wants to sit and eat their food in the grass, unless you lay out blankets for a picnic. Even then, some people may need chairs for their hips or backs.
Rent extra seating if hosting a large party. Folding chairs won't cost that much to rent, and you can set them up in your party space the morning or night before everyone arrives.
Avoid renting metal chairs as they'll heat up quickly in the sun. Look for plastic chairs instead, or even wooden benches if you have the ability to tow them.
Naturally Repel Bugs
What kind of bugs do you think will want to join your party? That will depend on your party's location and time of day.
During the evening, you'll have to ward off mosquitoes. You can easily do that by lighting citronella candles, which naturally repel them.
Have any basil plants around your home? If not, you might want to go out and get some. Basil repels most insects, which can't stand the smell of it.
Entertain the Kids
If any of your party guests will bring kids, make sure they're entertained. Kids will quickly overheat and get hungry, which makes boredom so much worse.
Here are a few ideas you can use to entertain any kids that come to your summer party:
Fill a kiddie pool with water and dish soap for large bubble wands.
Have a sprinkler going for kids to run through.
Set up buckets of chalk on your driveway.
Fill buckets with water balloons.
Providing kids with entertainment will help everyone have a better time. Depending on which activity you choose, include everything the kids will need, like extra beach towels.
Learn to Be Flexible
You may have a certain idea in mind for your party. While goal setting helps, prepare for some things not to follow the plan. Party hosts have to remain flexible to meet their guests' needs. Thinking ahead and preparing with things like party tents and extra water bottles will help.
If you get some of these essential party features together, you're bound to host the best party of the summer. Now it's time to use your creativity and figure out what kind of party you want to throw.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
