Frozen Frenzy!

Frozen Birthday Party Inspiration! These are some of the many Frozen parties we’ve done over the last year or so. Most of these photos are from my Party Boutique but we’ve also done them at houses too!  This has been one of my favorite themes to design. We try to do it a little different every time. I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves but if you have any questions please let me know in the comments below!  
    
    
    
    
   

I’ve been a little all over the place lately so later today I’m going to put a blog schedule in the sidebar so you know what topics to expect on each day from me every week. 

Thanks for reading!!

Party Essentials

These are the places I buy all of my essentials from! They are the cheapest I’ve found, best selection, good quality, and best of all you can buy them in person rather than online in case you’re purchasing last minute. I always get clear cups because I think they look nicer than paper and super cute with paper straws in them. BONUS: free straw flag template download below! I also neverrrrr buy character plates. I like to mix and match my essentials to coordinate with my theme and use the characters in other elements. This makes your party look more thought out and unique.

FREE Download: strawflagtemplate

Just downloaded and add your text (leaving room to cut the triangle at the end) and print! Then cut and glue them to the straws.

Party On! And feel free to pin this for future refernce!

About The Partyist

Ok so I realize I may have jumped into this blog thing rather quickly without telling you much about me. And I’ll admit my “about” page is a little vague. I’ll be sharing bits and pieces about my life as I go but I wanted to share how we got here in the first place.

I’m 28, married, a new mom, living in South Florida, and I’ve been doing parties for over 10 years now. Yes, I started when I was 18! In college I randomly fell into a mall job at a division of Saks 5th Avenue, now dissolved, called Club Libby Lu. Long story short, they asked me if I liked pink, I said yes, and I was hired on the spot. Club Libby Lu’s claim to fame was in store makeover parties. Swoon.  I had no idea this minimum wage job would change my life. I quickly climbed the ranks and took every party seriously. Hey you only turn _ once and it was my job to make sure those memories were good ones.

Fast forward a few years and that company is no longer,  I’m married, working a corporate job and wishing for more. I had the incredible opportunity to open my own Sanrio (think Hello Kitty) franchise store. I did just that but only under the pretense that I could host birthday parties in the store. Sanrio Corporation agreed and I was the first and only Sanrio store to host makeover parties and events. We built our own party room complete with pink chandeliers and it. was. fabulous!

After Hello Kitty’s popularity declined we decided to switch the store to our own concept called Party in Pink Boutique. Parties got fancier and more expensive and custom decor was added. That’s where I really fell in love. Fast forward another 2 years or so and due to the economy, rise in rent, and sub par location, we closed our doors. I was to find out I was pregnant after a year of trying just days before we closed for good. Fate? I’d say so.

So now what? I was in major debt and not yet ready to stop doing what I loved. Which brings us to today. I do on location parties. We offer decor, makeovers, and princesses. I can work from home with my daughter and there’s no overhead. I couldn’t be happier. I truly have my dream job.

I started this blog to share my passion for parties first and foremost. You can also expect to see a little bit about my life, some diy projects, my mommy style and more! My hope is to inspire. Every day is worth celebrating.

Thanks for reading!!

How to Throw a Birthday Party for $100 or Less

As promised, here is the guide to throwing a party for $100 or less. Of course there are a few variables here but I am going to show you the formula to use for parties of 12 guests; with a main cake table, 2 sit down tables complete with paperware, and goodies for each guest. If you’re really on a tight budget you can cut the goodies and use that money towards food instead.

It’s not always possible but I do recommend planning at least a month in advance if you can. That way you have time to shop around for items to go with your theme and fit in your budget. It also gives you time to play around with your design to get it just right. Remember, most items can be returned or exchanged.

All of these stores always have coupons online you should look up when paying! Just google the store name and “coupons” on your phone. Also don’t be afraid to shop online too but be wary of shipping costs!

• Invitations: evite.com (FREE)
• 1 Fabric Table Cloth: cvlinens.com ($12.99) I usually go for satin
• 1 XL 30 x 40 Foam Board for backdrop: Staples ($6.79) also sold at Hobby Lobby
• 1 Yard of Fabric to cover board: Joanns with an online 50% off coupon or Walmart ($5.99 or so)
• Scrapbook paper for banner and backdrop: any craft store like Michaels, Joanns or Hobby Lobby (usually around 5 sheets for $5)
• Thin Ribbon for Banner: Craft Store ($1)
• 2 plastic table cloths for sit down tables: Walmart for bright colors or Dollar Tree or pastels ($0.97 each)
• 1 pack of large paper plates from Walmart or Dollar Tree ($0.97), 1 pack of small paper plates ($0.97), 2 packs of clear cups ($2), Paper Straws from Walmart ($2.60), clear utensils ($1), 1 pack of small napkins ($0.97), 1 pack of large napkins ($0.97). I usually mix and match colors for all of this.
• Table confetti can be anything from tiny jewels to glitter to stones to sprinkles or sequins or just plain paper even! (About $2.99)
• 2 Basic Centerpieces (optional): 2 vases from Dollar Tree ($1 each) filled with tissue paper from Dollar Tree ($1), wrapped with thick ribbon from a craft store ($3.99). You can also cut out figures and glue to skewers to stick in there from Dollar Tree ($1) {other ideas include figurines or plush from the theme you’re doing or other diy projects that go along with it. Always check your cheapest sources first for supplies}

{Here’s a perfect example of mixing and matching to portray a theme without spending a lot!}

All of this brings you to about $55 or so or $65 if you don’t do centerpieces. Whether or not you need centerpieces depends on your table size and set up. I feel they’re usually necessary but sometimes you just don’t have room for them. 

I usually split the rest of the money across 12 goodies for the guests but the remainder of the money can also be spent on more decor, activities, or even food and drinks instead. Getting creative with your own mixing and matching of colors and designs can portray your theme in a really fun and unique way without going to Party City and spending a ton on overused licensed party supplies. 

{This party here was only $100 because in lieu of favors, we bought fabric for the awning (from Walmart) and a floor drop. Everything else is from the formula above!}

A word about stores: I am most certainly a Target girl through and through! But the stores above have the best prices for each of these items. Feel free to visit Target and any other stores for some additional items but buying everything from one store, while convenient, is usually difficult given selection and is also more expensive than shopping around. 

Happy Shopping!

We all Scream for Ice Cream

Here’s a party I did last weekend. I love the way it turned out. Best of all, the whole thing only cost about $100 or so. Ya, $100! I’m obsessed with the floor drop and the awning. I think they made the whole thing fab. Next week I’ll be posting how to throw a party for $100 or less. 
Awning: Fabric from Walmart (cut in scallops and hung on 2 Backdrop Holders) / Floor drop: Aliexpress.com

  
Ice Cream Cups: Hobby Lobby / Sprinkles and Compartmentalized Tray: Dollar Tree / Napkins: Walmart / Chalkboard: Michaels / Runner and Table cloth: CV Linens

Tub and Paperware: Walmart / Banner and Board made by me with vinyl cutter

Letter E: Michaels, brushed with glue and covered with sprinkles
 Coloring Pages: Pinterest and customized by me / Inexpensive Crayons: Dollar Tree

Thanks for reading!

I’m a Barbie Girl

This party is the perfect example of why I love what I do. A mom called me searching for a very specific Barbie party for her daughter. Her daughter didn’t want just any Barbie party, she wanted a “Barbie and the Secret Door” party. That’s not something you’ll find in any stores, not even on etsy. I was happy to watch the movie and really customize the party for her to fit the theme.

Frame on board: Michaels / Fabric on Board: Joanns / Butterflies on Board: AC Moore / Flowers we made from coffee filters and dyed with fabric dye / Glass Vases: Dollar Tree / Pink Poofs, Confetti Jewels, and Placemats: Hobby Lobby / Paper Goods: Walmart / Coloring Books: eBay

She wanted a Barbie look alike to attend the party too so I made this poofy no sew long tutu out of tulle. I found a one shoulder tank and pinned (can you tell I don’t sew?) tulle poofs that I made to it. And voila, a Barbie costume!

Guns or Glitter?

This was a very simple party we were planning for a friend for her gender reveal. The whole thing was less than $50! They’re a southern couple and the theme was too perfect.

  
    
Chalkboard: Homegoods / Toy Guns: Dollar Tree spray painted blue /  Glitter Stones: Party City / Paperware: Dollar Tree /  Wooden Utensils and Paper Straws: justartifacts.net / Twine and Mason Jars: Michaels. Banner and Box Graphics cut on my Cricut Explore

Thanks for reading!