Party Like A Princess

Image: Hayley Marie Photography

I love theme parties. I love to plan them, host them and attend them. When my children have birthdays I always ask them to choose a theme. For my daughter last years was Monster High, the year before that Mermaid/Under The Sea, this year it was Disney Princess as she turned 7.

I was thrilled and immediately knew costumes were in order. She chose Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" and, Sister as Queen Aurora a-la live action Maleficent film.

 Snow White was my choice and Daddy threw down as Prince Charming. 

Snow White's Princess Magical Slippers

SJP Collection - Ursula in Aqua Foil (also avail in Silver for Cinderella)

(Ursula was the appropriate choice for the theme and Snow White's look)

SHOP HERE

Big brother as Aladdin (and his girlfriend a Rapunzel/Jasmin Hybrid) 

and little Blake was a mini-Prince, as seen here being crowned by "Elsa". 

This sweet Prince Charming Shirt I had made on ETSY

GUESTS/GUEST FAVORS:

4-Step DIY Invitations:

Foam Wands from the Dollar Sore (3/pk) = $2

Created and printed the info in Word

Print/Cut

Hot Glue

Done! 

Be Our Guest

Each guest was asked to dress as their favourite princess. I was thrilled to see all of Kaleigh's sweet friends in costume.

Image: Hayley Marie Photography

All of my friends came in costume too ... Cinderella, Tink, Ursula and The Queen of Hearts.

Even the villains turned it out. Ariel & Ursula!

Guest Favors

I purchased pastel colored paper bags from the dollar store (2/pk) = $6

1 Roll of Pastel Ribbon = $1

Tulle = $4/roll

Print Photos of Princesses, Cut & Glue

 I loaded the bags with items the guests could use that worked with out theme. Disney Large Plastic Cups, Disney Kleenex, Princess Mini-Chalk Boards, Coloring Pages, Princess Lip Gloss, Feathered Snap Bracelets, Frames, Hair Bands and ONE princess themed candy; edible jewelry of course (bracelets and rings)

I layered the tulle piece over the skirt and glues down the ribbon bow at the waist for a 3-d effect.

DECOR:

DIY Rapunzel Braid in honor of her 7th year!

Yellow Yarn: $2

Faux-Flowers: $1/bunch

Elastics, Scissors, Hot Glue

Printed Cut Outs

 Covered in Princess plastic table cloth is my Antique barn table with colored mis-matched chairs. Mylar balloons and plastic back drop set the scene for the Royal Celebration.

The white mesh canopy (intended for a bed) was a perfect place for photos and to host our special guest (MORE about Belle's visit in tomorrow's blog)

I used costumes that we had on-hand and hung them around the house. I also purchased a Disney Princess 2015 Calendar ($1) and used the large portrait squares as decor around the interior/exterior of the house. This Pink princess dress and DIY sign greeted guests as they arrived.

FOOD:

Pink Princess Lemonade, Cinderella's Chips, Princess Pop Corn, Plastic Horse Drawn Coaches filled with candies (Ex: Ariel's Swedish Fish). We sued Princess books and figurines as decor. I had small metal Princess Coaches as place card holders for food labels.

 These Snow White chocolate Foil Apples were served at the end of the party and sent home with each guest.

 Princess Flavoured Water - 0 sugar. Displayed in an Ariel Clam Shell.

Snow White takes a break while Prince Charming serves the Princess Pizza

 Princess glove removal. Every princess needs an assistant.

 I served Royal Fruit Wands instead of ice cream when it was time for cake.

CAKE

 I baked 6 cakes.

Each Princess dress required 2.5 (2 for the skirt using a mold and 1 cake = 2 x 9" rounds for the bottom)

The center slab cake was one cake for a grand total of 6!

 ~ Make A Wish ~ 

ENTERTAINMENT:

We Crafted Crowns which really kept the girls busy until the enchanted entrance of our special guest Belle! 

She was escorted in by Prince Charming naturally ...

She greeted the girls, Danced, Read them a story, taught them Princess Etiquette and officially crowned Princess Kaleigh. Kaleigh also took her for a tour inside before she had to get back to the castle. 

MORE about Belle and Magic Moment's Princess Parties in the "Be Our Guest" Blog coming tomorrow!

Everyone had an enchanted time fit for a princess!

Do you throw theme or costume parties? 

Post a link below in the comments. I would LOVE to see and/or hear about them.

*Let me plan your party: Bookings/Requests/Info. Contact me: lisa@evolution-vintage.com

Selfie-Absorbed: No Shame In My Game

 Top: Vincent Vangogh, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun

Bottom: Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo

I laugh when I read articles about "studies" that suggest people who take "selfies" AKA Photos of themselves are narcissistic and exhibit psychopathic characteristic like lacking empathy. See an example of such an article here, recently published by the Huffington Post. 

It is a sign of our times and another form of self expression to me. It is not to blame on the narcissists of the world or on the iPhone either. I remember taking "selfies" with friends on a camera with film long before the Iphone when there was not another person available to take our photo. I don't feel that it is narcissistic to want to capture moments with our friends and family or those we experience ourselves. If selfies are "selfish" why not question any image taken with you in it? that family photo from last Christmas, you dare not display unless you are behind the camera. Give me a fucking break! People have WAY too much time on their hands to criticize, I have very little time so snapping a selfie is a perfect photographic solution for me. 

Selfie's are this generation's lazy alternative to the self portrait. It is so quick and easy to snap a selfie when there is no alternative photographer to take the picture or a great way of sharing YOU, your outfit, makeup, location, friends, experiences and the like. The art of portraiture and documentation of life have been part of our cultural landscape since the Ancient Egyptians but self-portraiture a more recognized genre in Renaissance Times (15th century). According ti Wiki, Portrait of a Man in a Turban by Jan van Eyck of 1433 may well be the earliest known panel self-portrait.

Israhel van Meckenem, Self-portrait and Wife, an engraving

Germany, signed, around AD 1490

Selfie of my Daughter and I - 2014.

One of my personal favorite self-portrait artists, Frida Kahlo spent the majority of her life painting images of herself that continue to delight today.

 The Two Fridas/Los Dos Fridas 1939. Oil on canvas 67" x 67".

The Three Fab's /Los Tres Fab - Friend Selfie. 2015. Iphone. 

Recently there was an entire movement of women taking 'selfies' and nominating others to do so sans makeup to make a statement of solidarity against cancer and to raise awareness for breast cancer. Lacking empathy? self absorbed? I think not.

Thanks to the makeup maven and cultural chameleon Rose Shock for this post yesterday:

"For some reason there are plenty of people who think selfies are self-absorbed and look down on people who post a lot of pictures of their face. It's stupid, because we all should proudly post selfies and never be ashamed to do so! Think your hair looks good today? Post a selfie! Think your eyeliner is on point? Take a selfie! Nailed your outfit today? Take a selfie! Having a good time with your friends? Take a selfie together! I personally love faces. All kinds! I love seeing all amazing people here sharing their style with the world and also giving inspiration by posting their pictures. Need inspiration? Just open Instagram! Feel like nothing looks good on you? Well look at that fine as fuck selfie you took last week and realize you are amazing!  ‪#‎selfiecelebration‬

COMMENT HERE BY POSTING A SELFIE! LET'S HAVE A SELFIE PARTY!!"

Of course I RSVP'ed with a recent selfie moment. Thanks Rose Shock for reminding me to show my face!

Rose Shock

Why NOT snap a digital self portrait and celebrate yourself? You don't want to be regarded as selfie-absorbed? then don't do it, just don't judge others for taking a snap. We all should be seen in what we deem the best light possible and against the standard that we alone set for ourselves, society at large be damned. Having a GOOD self concept, caring for yourself and wanting to express and share your life does not make you a narcissist, psychopath, self absorbed or selfish.  Carry on with your fab selfies and be sure to SHARE!

There is NO SHAME in my selfie game. 

You get the picture ....

and I even SHOEfie ...

Wearing SJP "Daphne" & "Fawn"

What say you on the Selfie? Are you as Selfie-Absorbed as me?