For Nahir Ooh la la day-spa

                                    

They have a website http://www.dayspaparties.com.au/Dayspa_Parties/Home.html

They are in Melbourne.

Ideas for Nahir's birthday party

So, the period that lies in between, has finally arrived when my sweet 11 year old niece crosses the threshold of childhood to enter the period where she is just shy of the teenage years. 

Sis here you will find some birthday party ideas for my soon to be 12 year old niece

 

Birthday Party Ideas

You have the pool.  So how does a Spa Party sound?

You can treat your soon to be teens guests to a lavish spa makeover with this great party theme.
You can create your own birthday party invitations. It can be a fun projects. An idea is to just to place some candles and soaps with ribbons and add a tag to announce the party.
You could tie pink, white balloons to direct them to  the spa birthday party.

Set up a screen or a room for the girls to change. Have soft music playing.. Set the mood the minute they walk in.

                                          Have towel stacked in baskets

 

For the decorations you would need lots of scented candles to create a soothing (if you do decide to go with candles you will need to keep a close eye on them) and tranquil lighting for the party.


                                                                                    Scented candles

                   

                                                                           Decoration for your patio

 

                                                     Table decoration                                                             

       

    

     

                        

                                                                
Check them out! They have a lots of ideas for Spa parties http://www.toppartyideas.com/spa-party-makeover-party/

Treat your little fashionistas with whipped yogurt and chocolate fondue.

For the party activities set up small seating areas with tables. The girls can  have fun with massages, facials, manicures or pedicures. You can set up bowls with ribbons, hair clips, make up etc for them to have fun.

                                                                                                                        
       

Check out their website. You can get more ideas. http://spaoohlala.com/gallery.cfm 

 

Cake Ideas

Cupcakes would be great for this Spa theme, because the girls can easily pick them up. If you want to do a cake, you can add one of the party favors onto a plain cake. Or bake a sheet cake and carve out a lipstick tube, nail polish bottle, ect. I think you and the girls can have a lot of fun gettting it ready.

                             

     

                                                                                                           

   

Food And Drinks

Ask the bday girl. She may lead you in the right direction.

Strawberries dipped in chocolate

Organic chips and dip

Cut up veggies with Ranch dip

Pink lemonade(make fresh lemonade and put in blender with a few strawberries) Place a strawberry on the rim of glass.

Champagne(white grape juice with sparkling water)

Party Ideas For Favors

                                    Here you have pictures that can give you some ideas.
                                                                          

                                                                            
                                                                                

                                                                                   
           

                                                                             

 Or you can go with....

Slumber Parties

Sleepover parties include party games, crafts and adorable sleepover party supplies. For organizing a slumber party you would need to fill the party room with pillows, blankets, bean bag chairs, and stuany other decorations that she may want for the room. Decorate the space with twinkling lights and scatter balloons all over. Create your own invitation or go and buy them. It all depends on the time you have left fefore the birthday party. Another option is phone calls or invitations via e-mails. They work wonders.
As the guests start to come in, hand them small flashlights and brightly decorated slipper socks. To make your party a fun event you can organize party games such as pillow case obstacle race. The food for sleepover parties should be simple and should basically include a host of munchies. Veggies and dip, soda, chips and juice are a good choice for the party food. Don't forget to get them some movies.
Let's not forget about the next day. Hot cocoa  for all of them with some cookies and off they go.



Sports Party:

My nice is a very sporty girl so maybe just maybe you may want to consider one as well. Decorate the party room with colors that match her favorite sport, or sports team. You can use streamers and balloons to decorate the space. You can also add sports posters to the walls.
For the party games organize fun games like long jumps and water volleyball.

The sports party favors include stickers of the favorite players, colorful candy, wristbands or power bars.

But at the end of the day, it is best to consult her while planning the big bash. After all it is her special day. So include her in the planning and have loads of fun organizing the birthday bash that she will remember for life. I am sure that by now you have it all in order.

Christmas gifts under $100.00

Are you on a budget? Here you have a few things I found under $100.00


                                                            
                                                Mosaic Spheres $19.00

Ceraminc owls $16.00

 

                
                                           Lamb pillow cover $59.00

Frosted Pillow $29.00

Clear Glass Perfume bottles $7.00

Mercury birds $12.00

                                                                  

                                         Apothecary soap $12.00

Fetch ball personalized with bucket $12.00

                                     Lip glosswand from Sephora $10.00

Zodiac candles $24.00

                                               Navy Aztec bangle $80.00

Christmas day

It extremely cold outside. The weather got me thinking about a nice way to start Christmas day.

What about?

                                         Our family, friends, our special someone

 

                                   A nice fire place, your beautiful Christmas tree

                                           
                                                      Hot chocolate with churros

Let's not forget about the presents. As you know we only get them if we are good Samaritans during the year. So hurry we still have time to make up for the days that we weren't that good. I just hope Santa is watching : ) 

You know sometimes you have to really work for that present.

Tip for the kids: if you want to keep Santa happy do as I used to when I was a girl leave him a token of appreciation. Remember Santa has a lot of other places to go to after he stops at your home.

What are friends for?

I would like to take the opportunity to post a picture of a seahorse tree ornament that I think one of my friends may like.
I love seahorses myself. I used to work at an aquarium and I would stare at them for hours.
They are so delicate looking yet they are so strong. I admire their ability to survive in the vast immensity of the Sea.
So dear friend. I hope you like it.

Minimalist Christmas decor for your home

If you are the minimalist type of person you may like what I found. The maker is Blomus http://www.blomus.com/They have a lot of other items that you may want to look into.


I wish I could tell you "buy it from their website or just click here if you are interested. Unfortunately it seems to me that they are not making it anymore. You may want to send Blomus an e-mail if you are interested. I think it was selling for $150.00

Candles are good for minimalist homes.  Model EDO Tea Light set you can buy the set here  http://www.thestainlesssteelstore.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1 or you can check other websites. I am sure that if you search it you will find many other companies that sell them.

Vintage Silver Mercury Glass

I been hearing vintage almost everywhere and I decided to go with the flow.


I am thinking about a vintage christmas tree for 2010 and what better than vintage silver mercury glass decorations for 2010.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercury glass is the common term for silvered glass, which describes glass that was blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution, and sealed. Although mercury was originally used to provide the reflective coating for mirrors, elemental mercury was never used to create tableware. Silvered glass was free-blown, then silvered with a solution containing silver nitrate and grape sugar in solution, heated, then closed. Sealing methods include metal discs covered with a glass round (England) or a cork inserted into the unpolished pontil scar (American). "Mercury" silvered glass was produced originally from around 1840 until at least 1930 in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Germany and also manufactured in England from 1849-55. Companies in the United States, including the Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., New England Glass Co. and the Boston Silver Glass Company, made silvered glass from about 1852-80. Vases, goblets and all form of tableware were decorated with a variety of techniques including painting, enameling, etching, and engraving. Silvered "mercury" glass is considered one of the first true "art glass" types, that is, glass that was made for display and for its inherent artistic value rather than for utilitarian use.


Here are some inspiration pictures.

Christmas ideas

I can't stop thinking about christmas. I came across some very nice ideas.

For my table. Simple yet chic.

Maybe for a small apartment.

Thanksgiving 2010

I am starting to blog because a dear friend suggested me to do it.
I am very excited about the blog. I have been thinking about it but I haven’t had the time to do it.

I have been extremely busy but here I go. Another project in the making!

You maybe be asking yourself. Why is she getting into it if she sounds so busy? Well my work does not let me express my creative, dreamer side and I can’t take it any longer.

I think the blog maybe a good way to express my ideas. I have many of them but we all have to start somewhere.

I have decided to take advantage of the upcoming holiday season. I love many things about them. They bring me great memories.

Many years ago I worked organizing and catering parties (sweet 15, birthdays,  baby showers, Bat Mitzvah, Christmas, Thanksgiving parties among others).

It was then that I realized that I liked working not only with peolple but also to organize, resolve conflicts and most of all decorating the rooms and buffets and belive me it took some skills.

During a party all happens so fast. One minute you are setting up the room and when you look again the people are dancing and having a good time or the bride and groom are trying to sneak out.

It does not matter if you are entertaining your family, friends or if you have to organize your own wedding or baby shower. You can always add a personal touch and make it special.

Thanksgiving is coming up. I am in Europe now and they don’t celebrate it here but I hope I can give you some ideas that can help you enjoy it with your loved ones.

Let’s say it is Thanksgiving night at your place. You are probably thinking. Oh My God!!How am I going to entertain them and look my best?

First don’t panic!!!

Thanksgiving is on a Thursday and If were in the US the day before would be a normal work day for me. So hurry get a note pad and start with your TO DO list.

We don't want to end up like her.

 

Our goal is to end up like her.

 

Hair: Get it done the night before. You should  cover it with a hat or have it up on a pony tail. It all depends in the size of your kitchen. 

Make up: Keep your make up natural is Thanksgiving. Leave the drama for December 31.

Accessories: Lay them down next to your outfit.

Perfume: Dont' forget it. They say a lot about the person that wears it. Besides you dont't want to smell like you just came out of the kitchen.

Outfit: Remember! Shop your closet. Lay it all down.

Dress shabbily and they remember the Dress.

Dress impeccable and they remember the Woman.

Coco Chanel

Shoes: I love high heels but it is up to you.

Here are some ideas. From J Crew and H&M.

Main course meal: Think ahead go to the market with a "LIST" and buy "ALL" that you are going to need before you start cooking : )

Don't complicate yourself. Remember you are cooking therefore you decide what you are going to be serving : ) I know is turkey day but some people don't like it. So go for chicken instead if that is the case. The important thing here is to enjoy the time that you are going to be spending with your  family and friends.

Appetizers: Eggs (boil and cut in half) with shrimps (buy deveined shrimps. Boil water and cook them with a bit of salt. It only takes a few minutes to cook).
Use a tooth pick to stand the shrimp on top of the egg with pink sauce (mix mayo and ketchup, place it on top of the egg).

Jam, cheese, crackers or sliced bread. Salmon.

Raw vegetables, olives. You are done! You can get most of them ready the same day or the day before.

Dinner:  Salads (they come in a bag), toss some white onions, grape tomatoes, corn, a fancy vinegar and olive oil, salt and you are done), rice , mashed potatoes, corn bread. Turkey or chicken.

Here is a great recipe for the chicken.

Try to get as much organic food as you can.  Organic food is one of the best investments that you can do for yourself and your loved ones. You will love the taste. It is so much better.

You will need for 1 chicken (About 4- 6 serving) or turkey (for a turkey you will need twice as much)

Garlic

               Shallots (1 small bag) if for some reason you cannot find them use yellow onions.

About 20-25 prunes

Salt

1 vegetable or chicken broth cube

1 cup of hot water

About 1 cup or ½  fingers of olive oil (olive oil makes a huge difference. Try it! ). I only use corn oil to make mayo.

A turkey baster to pour the sauce all over the chicken every 10-15 minutes.

Preheat your oven (roast). They are all different. I am sure you know yours but one chicken takes about 45 to 1.

Get you chicken ready. Remove the small bag that sometimes is left inside. I always wash the all chicken before I cook it.

Pour salt as desired. You should use a bit o it inside of it as well.

Chop the garlic and rube it on the chicken.

Clean the shallots and place them around the chicken. Cut them in half if you want to. They usually come in small bags. I use one per chicken (about 8-10)

Place a few prunes around the chicken as well.

Pour the oil on top of the chicken, shallots and the prunes. You need about 1 to 2 fingers max of olive. Use a normal roasting pan.

Place the chicken inside the oven. Wait until the oil starts boiling. It is then when you need that hot water (place the broth cube inside the cup and dissolve it).

Don’t take the chicken out of the oven. Try to do it all without removing it from it. But if you must you must.

I am sure you are starting to smell it. Wait until you taste it.

Well not you will need to use the turkey baster to pour that sauce over the chicken  at least every 10-15 minutes.  You will need to turn it a minimum of three times. Let it roast.

Dessert: Healthy fruit bruschetta. I can recommend: apples, pineapple (if you use the carver just cur the top if you are going to make squares you need need to clean it, strawberries, or any other type of big berries, oranges). You will need a small scoop fruit carver (if you dont have one cut squares)  and wooden skewers.
Cut the oranges and the berries. Once all of it is done stick on a wooden stick.  Cover them with plastic or foil paper.Strain powder sugar on top before you serve them.
I found a nice recipe that you I think is a good option if you want to cook the fruits. http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/happy-fruit-kabobs-540597/

The other option is to buy some butter cake (cut it in pieces), vanilla ice cream and chocolate in a bottle. They sale one that gets hard in contact with the ice cream I think it makes the dessert look a lot fancier. Strain powder sugar on top before you serve them.

For the kids

Drinks: Wine, water, beer, soft drinks among others. Set up the wine on the table. Use some fancy jars for the water. Softs drinks set them aside. Cut some lemon for the soft drinks.

Music: your choice. I love lounge, chill out, lemongrass, bossa lounge, electronica loung jazz. Here some samples. Check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmCR_7DRV-A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRWSvzbFRLU&feature=related

Table set up: You can keep it simple or you can get creative. Use what you have. Place cards with names for table stting. it will make it a lot easier on you.

Chairs & tables: I found that it is best to rent them (it all depends in the quantity that you are going to need). They are not as expensive as you think and they can deliver them or you can pick them up.

Plates, silverware, glassware and table covers (if not sure go for white) and nakpins: http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/.  If you need more you can ask a friend : ) or you can rent them.

             

              

Enjoy!!