Kids beachy party inspiration

One of our favorite moments on vacation was spending time on the Oregon beaches! Here are a few ideas to Frost your end of the season beach party!

A bit nautical, but I love the colors and HAD to share the swim trunk garland - how adorable?!?  I'd love to see a larger one of these hanging over the entire party space! Source












I love this little favor purse! If you aren't too crafty, there are tons of stickers and cutouts you can buy at the craft stores now.  If the kids are old enough, you can have them decorate the bags! Source

If you are actually at the beach, have the kids collect shells in cute bags - if you are home, why not set up a shell hunt (like an Easter egg hunt!)  Source

Customized baskets might be too pricey to do for every kid - but you could do more simple baskets full of beach themed items.  Source: Book: Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year (Paperback)

Have you seen these plates? Super cute and perfect for a beach theme! I might even start off my morning a little better with breakfast on a sun plate! You could even use them as decorations too! Source

Sand dollar cookies would a simple cookie anyone could pull off! Little almond slices pushed in your favorite cookie recipe (or store bought refrigerated dough wink wink!) Source and tutorial











party add on....

 dozen beach bags for $6.27! buy here (link)

Beach party theme!

We have been taking my (future) stepson to the beach lately - fun AND basically free ;o)  I am not too much of a beach person, but I have to admit, when evening comes in and the temp cools off, I am in love! So all this beach stuff inspired today's post!

Beach themes are great, but sometimes you want a grown-up version! Here are a few ideas to Frost your next beach party!

Start with invites, thank you notes or favor tags with a starfish - classic and beautiful - definitely fits the mood! Source (p.s. ask her for what custom items she can do - she's amazing!)

Keep the color pallet neutral with just small pops of color.  This starfish garland over burlap is just the right touch of beach! Source

Use inexpensive cardboard or wooden letters from your local craft store, cover in glue, dip in sand and you have instant theme letters! Source found via divinepartyconcepts.com

Little details go a long way! Take drinking glasses, dollar store candles, a little twine and glue on a starfish! Just be careful to not have anything too close to the flame! Not a firemen party! lol  Source

Wrap rope around your napkins and glue on a few shells - perfect napkin rings! And you won't feel guilty on what you spent when you don't use them again ;o)  Source and tutorial

This candy "sea glass" is the perfect favor for your party! Finish off with a little rattan or rope instead to tie in the elements above. Source found makemerryevents

You know I have to leave you on a sweet note! Crushed graham crackers and frosting piped into a starfish shape will be a crowd pleasure! Source

Luau Theme

(as requested) A luau is always a great "go-to" theme for summer parties!

I love this table because it shows how a few well placed, simple pieces of palm and netting really help say "luau" without over doing it! You don't have to put a tiki and a lei on everything! Source

Create these fun topiaries with paper parasols to add a fun details! Source and tutorial

You have to have coconuts! How about doing a signature drink served in half coconuts! Source and recipe  You could pour candle wax in and make them into candles too!

Another simple touch - have a basket full of flip flops for your guests! Another basket with towels for wet activities and another basket of light blankets for the late evening would not only look great, but serve your guests well! Source

You know I am going to find a way to incorporate cupcakes! lol These hibiscus flower topped cupcakes are beautiful! Definitely time consuming, but try doing just a handful among plain ones - same wow factor and WAY less time! Source and tutorial

Sailboat (Part 1)

You ever have those days where no matter how much coffee or diet soda, you just can't get focused and productive? That's today!! Had trouble picking a theme for today - so I looked through my files to see what I was hoarding the most of - and that was frosting for Sailboat themed parties...

This pic totally makes me crave melons! Don't you find you stop eating any fruit during the winter months?! I have apples and oranges in the fridge, but I seem to keep eating the cheese that is stored next to them instead lol.  These could be used as placecards or just to dress up the food buffet.   Source:  Southern Living Mag   July 2009

Another food idea - make "tuna boats" with lettuce and cheese "sails".  I love the idea of setting them up in a scene and the little fish thrown around!  Source unknown

Throw some life saves into a bowl, add a marker "for your safety, please take a Life Preserver" or just label "life preserver"... how cute!  I love food labels - especially when you can tie things into your theme!  Source

Don't forget to dress up desserts too! Boat shaped ricecrispy treats would be a great serve or wrapped up with some nautical looking rope and cellophane as favors.  Source

You guys have to know my cupcake obsession by now! ... even the most weary of fondant could pull off this one! The best thing I have found to cut straight lines on cookie dough or fondant or whatever is a pasty scraper.  A knife seems to pull too much or leave marks from the blade.  Source



....there now...time to go snuggle up on the couch and not be productive ;o)

Beach Wedding Shower Ideas - Party Inspiration Board

I have been working on an inspiration board for a very close friend of mine that is throwing a beach themed bridal shower in March.  I figured I would share it with all of you (and make it easy to send her the information lol).  I have been glad to think about the beach with all of this snow as I am sitting here wrapped up in my gray fake fur throw (on clearance at Target) - fab-u-lous!!

(pssstt... to not squint to see, just click on collage to open bigger in new window)

Links and ideas - top left to bottom right:

Seashell soaps (source unknown)- This would be a perfect favor or spread about as part of the decor - make sure to put a couple in the rest room to carry the theme!
Starfish Menu card - Menu cards at each place setting makes such a beautiful impact and a great keepsake for everyone, including the bride-to-be!
FlipFlop cupcakes - if you want to take a more whimsical approach, these would be adorable!
Starfish cookie cutter & Poem Favor - Attach a starfish to a beautiful story about the bride & groom or a love poem, wrap up for a favor.  Sweet AND practical!
Shell toothpicks - glue a little shell onto the end of a shell and you can add a beautiful theme touch to your appetizer trays!
Shell cookie bag closures - Cut out decorative circles and stamp a shell design on for a theme touch to a cookie favor - make starfish or sand dollar cookies to put inside!
Shell napkin rings (w/ tutorial) - wind rope around an empty toilet paper tube covered in wax paper,hot glue - add tiny shells and slip a rolled napkin through!  
Lighthouse and shell cupcakes - makes you feel like you are on the coast just looking at them!
Starfish Menu Card (2nd) - I love the elegant little silver starfish on this menu card
Starfish and raffia candle - Using inexpensive items, you can really make your tablescape beautiful! Just be careful not to put the raffia too high and burn the place down lol
Flip Flops - why not have the guests come to the shower with flip flops, or make a pair for each person (or at least the bridal party) Decorate with a bow and make a button with the last initial or make make stencil and write the names and wedding date on them... so many ways to do them! And though it's snowy here, all of my local stores have their flipflops out already!
Shell & Starfish cookies - these would be great for the dessert table or just for favors and super easy and inexpensive!
Shell covered candles - a simple way to transform any candle holder (even the dollar store ones!) ... because no one will see what's underneath! If the underneath is really ugly and peeking thru, spray some spray adhesive and cover in sand first - then use a hot glue gun to attack shells.
FlipFlop luggage tags  - in this case the wedding is a destination wedding, so this would be a great favor for the guests of the bridal shower to use when they fly out for the wedding!
Starfish placecards - what an elegant way to let your guests know what table they are at and have a keepsake! Place upright in a container with sand
Chocolate shell topped cupcakes - Best of both worlds! Cupcake AND chocolate.  Shell chocolate molds are easy to find and produce.  Assemble and enjoy!
Starfish cookies - beautiful and delicious! Use for dessert table and/or favors
Blue candy buffet - set up a candy buffet with blues, whites and tans to go with the wedding colors - keeping to a color theme really makes a WOW impact
Blue paper pompoms - these are so simple and inexpensive, but help fill up some visual space above - do a few shades of blue and hang over tables for a room that will look transformed!
Raffia and Starfish chair hanger - simple detail to dress up any chair
Sand filled votives and towel cake (source unknown) - The votives with sand and a candle can be placed any where.  Like a "diaper" cake at a baby shower a "towel" cake at a bridal shower would look great! Just take different sized towels and washclothes and fold around in different sized circles.  Add a coordinating ribbon and even a flower or two.  Great decoration AND the bride can take home and use!
Shell cupcakes (2nd) - yum! Again, simple, yet striking! The color combo on this one is my fav
Flower and sand centerpiece (source unknown)- this centerpiece is beautiful! Fill vase with sand and sea horses, starfish or sand dollars and finish with roses.
Starfish tablecards -  Lastly, another idea for tablecards


Hope this helps, Chelle!!!