Surprise Party!

SWEET 16!

My daughter turned 16 last week... and we had already agreed not to have a "Sweet 16" party in the modern sense.... inviting 50 or more kids or something like that.   My daughter wanted something more intimate with some close friends.... but I definitely wanted it to feel special for her.

  

I find it funny how different boys and girls are too!  My son was totally peplexed by even THIS amount of work to make her 16th birthday special.... as he doesn't want a party at all.... but then again... he's almost 18!  :) 

Anyway... I was excited to pull of some fun surprises to make her 16th special.

First... a Surprise Sleepover with close friends..... The girls totally loved being part of the surprise!

Second... Disco lights, fun music with  a club-like theme in the basement complete with CANDY BAR and snacks!

Third... A "photo booth" type set up where the girls could take fun photos of themselves all night!

I was told that the HIT of the party was the Candy Bar!   In this sugar averse culture we live in... and trust me... we don't eat much sugar around here.... THIS was definitely a treat! And of course... it is called SWEET 16 for some reason, right?   Sweedish Fish seemed to be the big hit... just saying.

I pulled this surpise off in just a week..... so I went to Oriental Trading Comlpany and ordered the Photo Booth essentials..... mustashes and lips on sticks... "frames" and the little white board bubbles to write captions on.... the girls had fun!  I pulled out some accessories from my costume box such as boas and fun sunglasses and hats and they just took selfies all night!    One friend had a selfie stick.... I think that would have been a good gift for the Birthday Girl too but I didn't think of that one! ;)    I did take a few of the photos the "old fashioned" way with me taking the photo!

Anyway.... It was a fun filled evening.... Pretty simple to pull off and tons of fun!   I do believe it will be a birtday to remember and THAT is the best thing a Mom can do!   

Good luck with your party planning!   Post other fun ideas you've tried or wanted to!  I'd love to hear

what you have done!

Theda 

Spring Update!

Okay.. I need to start out by saying that these light fixtures are NOT in my home but I do like them!  I saw them at a bar in a hotel a month or so ago.   10 years ago, when I moved into my home, I had an eclectic style... fairly transitional!   I have a lot of family furniture pieces and I've updated them with some current fabrics  and to my husbands' dismay,   I think it's time for a redo on some.   

After many years of being married, and finally getting the house "finished" so it seems, its always time for a little update.    Just like a wardrobe... it's all in the accessories and some foundation pieces!

Foundation pieces can be your large upholstered pieces or window dressings.... accessories can be lamps and light fixtures!

We will be updating our kitchen this Spring and I'm looking for some barrel shade lamps to go over my island - KIND of like this one.  (not sure about the crystals)  but it's a great way to update a room without a total overhaul!

What room do you want to update?