RETRO SURF PARTY

I have to say, the I LOVE PARTIES retro surf party pack is super cool.


My husband is a surf nut and he recently acquired a retro board which, in turn, provided inspiration for this party theme.


It is a fantastic party theme for young and old, girls and boys.

Here are some tips and suggestions to compliment your I LOVE PARTIES gear:

• Serve up some summery treats, like hamburgers with pineapple, coleslaw, fruit kebabs, homemade lemonade and make a surfboard shaped cake. Serve up some of your food in old fashioned beach pails. Adult guests might enjoy a pina-colada or two! Cocktail umbrellas are a must. Consider hiring a snow cone machine for the day.

• Display your retro surfboards and other retro surfing paraphernalia around the room.

• Put a retro surf movie on the TV or computer to create a bit of atmosphere.

• Put on some retro surf tunes - a great excuse to buy the Best of the Beach Boys (if you don't have it already)!

• Use beach towels with groovy old prints or solid stripes as table cloths. Blow up some beach balls and hang or place them around the party area.

• Ask your guests to come along in their best hibiscus print!

• Why not put some coloured zinc and cheap sunglasses in your I LOVE PARTIES favour bags.

VINTAGE CIRCUS PARTY

Today we are looking a little more closely at the Vintage Circus Party theme - a really wonderful unisex theme that is fun for all ages. This party theme is a particular favourite because it was the catalyst for I LOVE PARTIES. I chose this theme for my son's first Birthday and it was a huge hit.

• Set up a fairy floss / peanut / popcorn stand. If your budget permits, why not hire a fairy floss or popcorn making machine.

• Fill your I♥PARTIES favour bags with lots of old-fashioned lollies, including red & white striped Bullseyes. We recommend Goodygoodygumdrops.

• Scatter or hand out some red and/or white admit one tickets.


• Make some signs for the "Big Top Buffet" and "Big Top Bar".


• Set up a "big top" in the backyard and drape it with red & white striped fabric. Alternatively, find or make some red & white striped fabric and string up a "big top" against a wall inside.

• If your budget permits, and the party goers are of the right age, why not hire a clown.

AS FEATURED IN....

We are VERY excited to be featured in this month's ESSENTIAL BABY Editor's Picks....

Check us out at:

www.essentialbaby.com.au/editor_pick.html

Until next time...

Kate

PRETTY PINK CAROUSEL PARTY

Our second party in profile, we are looking at tips and suggestions to complement our old-fashioned pink carousel party:

• Attempt a carousel inspired cake! Wilton made a carousel cake pan in 1990 that you might be able to pick second hand on eBay or similar. You can also buy a Wilton cake separator set (actually easier than it looks - you cook and decorate two separate round cakes and put one on top of the other)

• Alternatively, you can leave it to the professionals. Look at some of the gorgeous carousel cakes from http://www.fantasycakes.com.au/ - these would go beautifully with the I♥PARTIES Pink Carousel Party Pack!!
• Assemble and display the "Cut and Assemble and Old Fashioned Carousel" available at I♥PARTIES.



• Download some Carousel music such as:"Come To The Fair" Old Time Wurlitzer Carousel Music, "Old Time Carousel Music" by The Wurlitzer Band Organ or "Carousel Memories" by Replica Wurlitzer Band Organ and Verbeeck Band Organ.
• Hire a round white (or pink!) canopy to set your tables up under or to use as a play space. For a smaller version, Pacific Play Tents makes a gorgeous pink carousel play tent.
  
  


• Serve up lots of pretty pink party food and drink like: creaming soda, marshmallows, cream wafer biscuits, rice bubble marshmallow treats, fairy bread...and don’t forget the fairy floss. If your budget permits, you might even think about hiring a fairy floss making machine. Bake some carousel horse shaped cookies using a carousel cookie cutter.

VINTAGE RACING PARTY

Because we are new, I thought I might take some time out in October to individually profile each of our party themes and offer a few party tips and ideas .

Because my baby boy is completely obsessed with cars, I am going to kick things off with our vintage racing car party, which I happen to think is totally adorable.

Here are some extra bits and pieces (to add to your I LOVE PARTIES party pack obviously!) to create a fantastic party:

• Make badges / t-shirts / old-fashioned driver hats for each guest with their name and a number on it. Dress yourself as a “Race Marshall”.

• Create or purchase a black and white balloon arch to display at the entrance.





• Create a “PIT STOP” sign for your food tables/area. Cut sandwiches with car shaped cookie cutters. Make some “Stop/Go” jelly moulds and a cake in the shape of a race car or racing track (you will find lots of images and inspiration online).

• Use matchbox cars and/or vintage looking keys rings at a discount shop to fill your favour bags. We also recommend plastic trophies or ribbons as favours and/or awards.

• Hold a "Grand Prix" in your backyard! Pre-make two "race cars" using cardboard boxes big enough for your guests to step into or break guests up into two teams to decorate their own team cars, setting one team up with a green kit and the other with a red kit (each containing supplies like aluminium foil, black plates for wheels, red/green wrapping paper, etc). Start and end the race with a black and white checkered flag. Each guest takes their turn to be the “driver”. Use cones to define the race track. For older children, you might want introduce some “PIT STOPS” like “change the tire”, “wash the windscreen” or “pump the gas”

Until next time...

Kate

WELCOME TO I LOVE PARTIES!

[Click photos for larger view]

WELCOME TO I LOVE PARTIES!

We are so glad to finally be online at http://www.iloveparties.com.au/...

I LOVE PARTIES offers handmade and vintage inspired party supplies. We sell complete party packs, but you can also make your own themed party by purchasing individual products from our range.

Our products are mostly reuseable and /or biodegradable. You can add personal touches to your I LOVE PARTIES selection to create a fabulous event.

Themes currently offered are:

Happy Hippie Party

Garden Tea Party

Vintage Circus Party

Pink Carousel Party

Vintage Racing Car Party

Retro Surf Party

1950s-inspired Baby Party

If you would like to suggest a theme for I LOVE PARTIES, or if if there are any beautiful (but affordable) products that you think would make great additions to our existing party themes, please let us know here.

I LOVE PARTIES was born out of our eternal struggle to find anything other than "factory" party supplies for our kids' parties. We love homemade parties and would love to hear about your own homemade parties, particularly the creative ways that you incorporate I LOVE PARTIES products. Send us your photos to share with the world (wide web) and party makers looking for inspiration online.

Until next time...

I LOVE PARTIES xx oo

PS A big thanks to Jill from http://www.shutterbubs.com/ for all the beautiful photos.