Frozen Party Time

My daughter's 9th birthday is quickly approaching and I realized I didn't share her party from last year, a Frozen adventure in the middle of Central California in February. I create the invitations, prep costumes, food and all the DIY details.

We are crazy for costumes here and every theme party both hostess and guest are required to turn it out! Kaleigh chose the Frozen Fever Elsa! Every open branch or hook in the yard we hung a sparkly snowflake.

I opted for the traditional Anna from the original film and my step-daughter dressed in coronation Elsa attire.

Anna Shoe Game (SJP Collection DAME)

even the guests brought the frozen attire and shoe game

SJP Collection LOUISE

 DECOR:

All of the decor was outside (with the exception of the food), The ICING on top of this frozen cake was the theatrical "snow" machine. The machine was a full size theatrical snow machine that dispensed snow like soap suds. I borrowed the machine and purchased the solution online here. I also learned that we could have had REAL snow trucked in ... for a price larger than our backyard budget! The guests LOVED the snow effects!

big daddy snow flake in da house!

I added cotton "fake now" to cover the pavement as well.

We ALWAYS have our large Birthday Balloon! Blake was in charge of this piece of the decor.

Table centerpiece was a photo, light up snow globe! I used a silver plate charger and white ornamental "sand" for the snow effect. I used her most recent school photo!

 I had snowflake decor that I use for decoration at Christmas and I printed her name in the "Frozen font"

FOOD & SNACKS 

 Old school sno-Cones were a MUST at this frozen fete! 

No FROZEN party is compete without an ICE CREAM CAKE! I created the "snow globe" with Else and Olaf. This is the first time I have ever purchased a cake. I got this mint chocolate chip cake from a local cafe, Mojo's in Cambria. I always plate my cakes with fruit. 

all of the snacks were also themed; Cheese Sticks, Pop corn, Frozen Jelly Belly. I didn't photograph the healthy, non- themed nosh.

 FUN STUFF:

Elsa is famous for her fabulous french braid! The gorgeous Miss Heather was on hand and in costume braiding all of the guests hair!

An inflatable Olaf was an amazing prop for photos and the girls had a lot of fun with it.

 I also had an Elsa and an Anna wigs available for use for fun photo op's

We also had some FROZEN "Let it Go" moments on the Mic!

Our guests always enjoy an equally themed "goodie Bag"  - this year was a FROZEN re-usable bag full of word search, pencils, erasers, candies, hair accessories and more.

The party was another themed success that my daughter and her guests will remember for years to come. Mostly because I took hundreds of photos and won't let them. Excited to plan 2017's PAWty. I promise not to wait a year to share the details!

XO

Other Theme Parties:

PRINCESS / BE OUR GUEST

MONSTER HIGH

UNDER THE SEA

Style Scents

There are several components to personal style. It extends far beyond your closet and daily wardrobe but into home furnishings, accessories and scent. I am a moody dresser and just like I have several wardrobe items on rotation I also have a few fragrances. Scent, like clothing can leave an impression or make a statement without having to use language and it is a very powerful message. One that can be left behind long after you have physically departed.

Similar to those people who pair food and wines, I like to pair scent with style.

For this blog I have chosen the top 4 scents in my weekly rotation. They are also amazing for gift giving as they come in different sizes, creams, soaps and other fun vehicles to impart the fragrance like roller balls for easy travel.

If I was to explain my fragrance "type" I like "spicy", "woody" "musk" or "Citrus".

1) CHANEL CoCo Mademoiselle

 SHOP THE FRAGRANCE

Described as a modern Oriental Woody fragrance it is very romantic. I also have the body moisturizer and it is light and fabulous!

Top Notes: Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit / Heart Notes: Lychee, Rose, Italian Jasmine / Base Notes: Indonesian Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver, Burbon Vanilla, White Musk

SHOP THE DRESS

2) SJP - STASH

SHOP THE FRAGRANCE

This is another woody fragrance that to me is both spicy and sensual.

Top Notes: Grapefruit Zest, Black Pepper, Sage / Heart Notes: Atlas cedarwood, Patchouli, Ginger lily, Pastachio / Base Notes: Olibanum, Massoia wood, Vetiver, Musk.

I also insist you purchase the roller ball for ease of travel so you can always have your STASH wherever you go.

 SHOP THE GOLD DRESS

SHOP THE DRESS

3) Theirry Mugler - ALIEN

 SHOP THE FRAGRANCE

Alien is one of my favorite MUGLER fragrances, shown here is the Limited Edition Divine Collector bottle I am currently using. I really want to try the candle they have!

Top Notes: Sambac Jasmine / Heart Notes: Cashmere Wood / Base Notes: White Amber

SHOP THE DRESS

4) Theirry Mugler - ANGEL

 SHOP THE FRAGRANCE

Last but not least this has been as go-to fragrance for over a decade and is still in my rotation to this day. It is a very unique fragrance, a love it or hate it situation.

No layered notes just fragrance: Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Berries, Honey and Bergamot.

SHOP THE DRESS

The Pussy Grabs Back

It has been non-stop Pussy talk since the obnoxious president elect was exposed for the rude and vile misogynist "celebrity" that he is. His "lockeroom talk" tape created such a stir that I started using the hashtag #ThePussyGrabsBack any time I saw a news story of women standing up for themselves or the rights of their sisters.  Any time I shared a powerful image of a woman on my Instagram I used the tag as well. Then the Pussy grabbed back at the second presidential debate when Melania Trump chose to wear a pink GUCCI pussy bow blouse. I wasn't sure if the was trying to make a statement or if she is just that daft and oblivious to the name of the blouse? Gucci did a full collection of these blouses and the choice of pink even made it more ironic and hysterical since the name is a euphemism for female genitalia. It has also historically been referred to as a pussycat bow I should add. The universe has a great sense of humor sometimes. Regardless of the unfortunate connection I love these blouses and think they are timeless and eternally chic!

$1,100 GUCCI Blouse

Speaking of Political Pussy Bow's The British Prime Minister was in power pussy mode in her wardrobe from 1979-1990

The history of the pussy bow or pussycat bow dates back to the 1930's.  In 1934, the St. Petersburg Times offered a pattern for an Anne Adams dress featuring a convertible collar which could be worn in four different ways, including as "an intriguingly feminine pussy cat bow tied high under your chin."^(Wiki) 

René Boivin 1940 Agnès (Millinery) 1940 Chameleon Brooch Bracelet Vintage advert Jewelry photography by André Durst

The blouse style was seen in the 1960's/70's from fashion houses like CHANEL and YSL and made a resurgence in the business wardrobes of women of the 1980's. It was a great answer to a man's traditional "power" neck tie. The pussy grabs back in 2016! GUCCI had them all over the runway and you can also find a fabulous assortment at both high and low price points and my favorite, VINTAGE!

 GUCCI 2016

EVOLUTION VINTAGE

 SHOP - RED AND WHITE POLKA DOT'S $50

BURGUNDY AND BLACK PRINT BLOUSE - $50

FLORAL PRINT PUSSY BOW DRESS $45

FRAMED: DIY

The holiday season is so inspiring. I am always motivated to DIY décor, decorations, gifts and more. Last year's family photo and Christmas Card (See the BLOG here) was a trip to Candyland. I had the final images printed for the house on canvas from Canvas Print Factory.

I wanted to create a real candy frame for the image and instead of spending a bundle on a framed portrait I decided to use the actual canvas frame. Use you imaginations, you don't have to have a candy themed image to create a fun DIY frame. Consider School photos, kids images, babies, parties and more.

What you need:

Various Candies (Dollar Store Acquisitions = $10)

E600 Glue (Amazon $7.50)

Each piece needs to be applied one at a time and held to the canvas for a little while. I propped up my pieces as I went with other candies. I did a side each day because it takes the E6000 24 hours to fully cure. When it does it has a solid hold so make sure your pieces are in the palaces you want!

I smashed the large lollipops on the counter and used the pieces (2 including the stick) along with sour gumballs, small gumballs, lifesavers, starburst, gingerbread cookies and a candy cane we had leftover from Kaleigh's Frozen themed birthday party.

A fabulous way to make a plain canvas custom!

Cambria Christmas Market

For the last four years our family has visited the Cambria Christmas Market to ignite the Christmas spirit for the season. Last night

we walked away in awe, full of Christmas cheer and inspired for the season. This is a destination for all ages!

There is a market with vendors in a 'Vintage German Style', Food/Drink, A spectacular light display, Santa Visit, Creative photo opportunities,

Amazing Christmas décor for purchase and unique gifts.

Every year they are adding to the market and I have to say the gorgeous shadow boxes/décor installations were my favorite addition.

I am in love with the themed décor rooms in the Nursery area of the display. We always get an ornament when we visit.

This is a MUST VISIT when coming to the Central Coast and if you love Christmas it is worth a trip here just to enjoy the market.

VISIT the WEBISTE for more info on pricing, calendar, buy tickets and more.

Tip: Try the Hot chocolate, it has a hint of cinnamon, available with or without whipped cream. AND get the roasted almonds too! You're Welcome!

A New ADVENTure

December is here and the countdown to Christmas is ON! There have been many versions of advent calendars over the years. Advent, which derives from the Latin word for coming, has been celebrated since the fourth century (source). As a child I used to receive an advent calendar on December 1st and each day I could open a tiny paper door and locate a chocolate treat as I eagerly anticipated Santa's arrival.

It has evolved since then and in my home it has took its form in Books. We are choosing 24 books that are holiday, Christmas, or winter season related. The books will be placed in a bag and one randomly selected each night to read with my children.  No candy and no wrapping paper (I have seen people with a similar idea but they are wrapping them individually and placing under the tree).  Thinking of the environment we will randomly select each title from a bag and avoid the paper.

I was able to pull 14 books from my daughters library to start us off. We will utilize the local library to borrow and access a few on her kindle, as part of our Prime subscription when we travel to Canada for holiday so we can still have our books on-the-go.