In my mind there are five things that truly make a great party. A party where, when you leave, you can’t stop talking about it and can’t wait for the next one. These five things are what work for me and all the bashes I throw and I’m going to share them with YOU! Because you deserve to throw a great party if you wanna ; D. Because it is the beautifully haunting season, I’m going to share with you how I go about throwing my annual witches night.
I have always been a huge Halloween person. It started at a very early age where I can remember picking out the most perfect poofy princess gown to wear to my elementary school carnival. It was just beginning to feel crisp in the air in Northern California and the leaves were starting to turn the brilliant colors of orange, yellow and red. I remembering feeling the excitement of a new season with all of it’s change and wonder. The sights, the smells, the atmosphere of it all.The carnival was truly a magnificent scene for a little one to behold. I could smell caramel apples, cakes and baked goods wafting over from the cake walk, the tangy smell of cider and orange juice being served from the cafeteria outdoor window. It was almost too much for the senses. I could hear the traditional Halloween songs being played over the loud speaker and dancing the monster mash with my best girlfriends on the blacktop where, on any other day, we’d be playing four square. It was totally transformed and I loved it!!! I still remember Trick-Or-Treating with my brothers and the excitement of going door to door and getting goodies galore poured into our pillow case sacks. Then going home and sorting…did you do that? LOL My brothers and I would trade on the floor as my dad watched Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein or some other old classic Hollywood monster movie. We would eat and eat till all hours of the night (probably 10pm but ya know, to a little kid, that’s practically 3am!) and go to bed exhausted and so deliriously happy. As a family we went to Disneyland almost every year and the Haunted Mansion was one of my favorites. Some people don’t remember anything from when they were super little, but I remember bits and pieces from my first trip there at the chubby age of 5. I saw a huge house and thought nothing of it really. Surely it couldn’t be a ride. My mom told me it was a fun spooky house and that I would like it. I LOVED it and vowed my house would look the same as that house at Halloween time.
I. Love. Halloween!!!
This story illustrates what can happen when you incorporate these elements of throwing a great party. Ready to take your party game to the next level and leave your guests with a sense of wonder and magic?
Element #1:
THE LOOK
Begin by inviting your guests with an invite that will set the tone. I typically have a food sign up sheet to go along with what I will be providing. I find that when people have an food assignment of their choosing (of course it is voluntary) they are more prone to come and stay. I googles spooky invites, bought the one I liked and now use the same graphic every year and just change the date and time as needed. Here is what I use:
My son also did a Halloween party (for his birthday in June lol) and we sent out THE cutest/spookiest invites. We cast his fingers, broke them off the mols, rubbed them with ink and tied a silk ribbon around them. We placed them on a bed of moss and told them to not forget to come. It was classic.
Now let’s set the scene…
Image: Pinterest
Wherever the location of your party is, transform the look of it to match the theme. Halloween wreaths can be so expensive so I take pictures of different ones I like for ideas then just make my own.
I look over every inch of my home to see how I can transform it into a haunted mansion. Now pause, this will look different for everyone. You may be into more whimsical Halloween decor, gore, scary, cutesy etc. Whatever it is, keep your guests in mind for what they will be comfortable with that evening then go for it. I love to add draperies to nooks and alcoves, I put sheets over the furniture to make it seem as if it’s been “turned down” for the season. I add pictures all over of faces that change as you walk by them. We even did a family photo shoot in victorian clothing in a graveyard and blew it up at Costco.
This is what got me started on doing a theme every year for our family photos (you can see more of those here). Throughout the year I look for pieces that look like they could be added to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. So many things can be found year round because I’m not necessarily looking for things that say “Happy Halloween”. I’m looking for everyday items that can be hauntified, or add the the scenes in the house. Candelabras, pewter serving dishes, old lamps, ornate frames, vintage telephones, clocks etc. Even though it wouldn’t be found in a victorian home, I still can’t resist turning my French Country hutch into an apothecary filled to the brim with spell books and potion bottles.
I add bats flying over the grandmother clock and surrounding walls. Adding cut pieces of white gauze can separate sections/rooms in your home and can look eerily like cobwebs hanging down. Cheesecloth can look fantastic hanging from chandeliers and other light fixtures in your home. Never underestimate the power of those cheap bags of cobwebs. Really stretch and string them out and put them everywhere! Do you have an office with doors? Make it into a haunted elevator! Those wall coverings are cheap and just staple on. The doors we made with butcher paper, cardboard, tissue paper and paint.
One of the biggest tips I can give when decorating your home for Halloween is to layer. Layer, layer then layer again!!!!! This time I did use the cheesecloth as a table runner. I used twin sized flat sheets to cover the dinner tables, layered the cheesecloth, then added black and sheer rose petals, porcelain bones, rubber insects, spooky birds and dried moss sprinkled over top. Then I added the chargers (in a deep hue of purple to match my drapes), white paper dinner plates (thing of the dishes not having to be done!), black salad plate, then a bit more of the cut up white gauze and a spider ring as a spooky napkin.
The lighting in the home can go a loooong way for transporting your guests to a completely different place. Here’s an example of a spooky book club meeting we had a few years back. We read the Haunting Of Hill House and different rooms were described using color. Our hostess masterfully achieved mood lighting that changed as we discussed each room. It was a genius touch!
Asking your guests to dress in costume really adds to the look of your party. They become some of the ambiance of the night.
Never too young right? We always seem to rope our kids into helping for bookclub lol.
The night will be one your guests don’t want to forget. Make a designated place to take photos so they won’t! Mine is always in my makeup studio (behind the elevator doors). It’s out of the way and big enough for people to take group shots. I set up a tripod with a phone holder so they can set a timer and not have to wait for someone to snap a pic. I transform the back wall and then they have a great backdrop.
This last year I stapled black dollar store tablecloths to an entire wall then layered framed and spooky Halloween portraits. I LOVED it!!!!
I think I’ll add a frame or two every year to keep layering on top.
Element #2
THE SOUND
This element if fairly simple and straight forward. I make a playlist on something other than my phone (so I can take pictures) and play it over the speakers in the house. I typically put organ music that you might hear in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. I play it soft enough for people to talk, but loud enough to where it’s a presence in the room and fills the nooks and crannies of dead lulls in the conversations lol. There are other places where sound can be heard as well. In one area I have Madame Leota from the Haunted Mansion in a crystal ball. My husband put her narrative on a loop on an old iPod and I put it right inside the crystal ball. Moving books that cackle when someone walks by, old telephones that speak to you when you pick up the receiver. All details of sound that can add to your party. Hopefully the sound of friends conversing and laughing themselves is the cherry on top!
Element #3
THE TASTE
This is where you can get crazy creative depending on how much time you have. There are scores of ideas on Pinterest for making the yummiest and spookiest delights for your guests. To make it easier on yourself and let others be creative and feel needed a sign up sheet is a great idea for your party. I typically will choose the menu like so:
Soup
Salad
Fruit
Veggies
Appetizers
Breads
Desserts
I get my four soups signed up for first and typically ask for a crockpot full. Then I get about four people to do any salad they want to bring, two people to bring fruit, two people for veggies, six people to bring an appetizer, five people for bread, and eight people for desserts. If more people RSVP, then I just add one or two people to each category. More often than not people ask what they can do or bring. I’ll let them know in what area we are lacking and they can choose. Writing it all down helps to know where you might need more. I also do ask people to bring a liter of Sprite as an assignment (see the drink I serve down below).
Like are you kidding me right now? Before we ate these she drizzled caramel over these delectable pastry pears. They were to die for!!!
Dark berries always look amazing in a Halloween spread.
Adding haunted utensils like these skeleton tongs? Always a good idea!
Adding decor to the food table always makes a nice devilish touch.
Displaying desserts could be one of my favorite things!
Sugared berries were to look like poison berries for this night. Mission accomplished!
The drink part is one of the things I make special for my guests. So many different combinations can be had but Sprite, orange juice and a bit of raspberry syrup is my fave combo. I buy a few liters of sprite and fill these dollar store goblets half way. I then grab my handy syringes ( .10 a piece at Walgreens) and fill them with raspberry syrup and gently place them in the sprite. Ikea drink jugs line the tables filled with orange juice. You fill the rest of the goblet with oj then empty your syringe. It mixes beautifully, looks so cool and tastes amazing!!!
element #4
SMELL
Has a scent ever brought you back to the past? Like thrust you into a chair and zooooomed you straight back to where you were when you last smelled it? Your sense of smell can be that powerful! Just like sight and sound, it’s a necessary element to your party so don’t discount it. I’ve heard it said that it’s a faux pas to add a scent to the home when food is cooking, or being served….or present. I don’t get that. As long as it’s not competing, I saw go for it! Plus, who’s ever been to a potluck? Competing smells much? It’s totally fine lol. This is also where you can think a little outside the box. My friend’s set up their front yard to be Pirates Of the Caribbean every year and it is MAGNIFICENT to behold! They went a thousand steps further than just the sights and sounds and procured an oil that has the SMELL of the ride at Disneyland!!! They drop it into their waterfall and boom….you’re there. Next time you’re at Disneyland, pay attention to the smells of each ride. I could write a whole post just on that =). For me, I like to have the candles on either side of the haunted elevator lit and glowing to greet guests. The waxy smell is almost eery and dusty….I like it! A caramel apple scent is in the mudroom which spills into the kitchen and guest bathroom area without being too strong and one cinnamon harvest scent is plugged in upstairs so the downstairs gets just a hint of it. Essential oils in a diffuser are never a bad idea either (as long as you think of complimentary smells). The eery smoke that comes out can definitely add to the ambiance.
element #5
HOSTESS DUTIES
I have thrown a lot of gatherings in my day, like hundreds and I’ve learned a lot from all of them. I’ve learned how early I need to start to make sure everything gets done. How I need to start at least two months ahead of time for witch’s night (a little bit everyday works with my busy schedule). I’ve learned to write everything out and schedule it all in the calendar. I’ve learned to accept help! I’ve learned that it breaks no child labor laws to put my kiddos to work. But the most important thing I’ve learned is that everyone wants a hostess that isn’t stressed, that isn’t present or distracted by a million things. That people feel so much more at ease when you can greet them, chat and laugh with them for however long, can EAT with them. And guess what? YOU will be happier too! Have you ever not eaten at your own party? I have, and being a food girl, I was devastated. Being busy busy and hangry is a terrible combo. Basically, be prepared. Have a few back up plans if things don’t go quite right and then shrug at anything you can’t control. To thank my guests I love having door prizes, a prize for the winner of any games we play and then a best costume prize. Everyone puts their name in a bowl for the door prize, easy peasy. There’s usually a jar full of candy corn where if they are the closest guess then they get a prize and I have everyone vote for best costume. I learn from every single event I throw from my mistakes so I’m glad that I make them. It makes me that much more prepared and excited for the next one.
To see more of my transformations, head to Classycozmetics on IG
My name is Jen and I am slightly in love with Halloween…slightly =). I used to play dress up when I was a little girl and now I get to everyday on my IG account too! I love being creative with my hands and pushing my limits and talents. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and three great kids. We love to travel, see plays, have dance parties in the kitchen, be frugal, be generous and to go to Disneyland! Nice to meet you! Do we have something in common? Feel free to come and visit me: FB, IG, Blog.
When starting any project do you have a place that you go for inspiration? A store that you love the most? A theme that you just can’t get out of your head? As many of you know, I recently did a little bit of an overhaul on my house. Painted almost every wall and am in the process of switching out furniture. Some of you may know the torment of trying to pick the perfect grey. You become easily cross eyed staring at all the different hued paint swatches and want to pull your hair out! Just me? Really? Well, long before we became pregnant with lil Sophie I was having the hardest time picking out the perfect grey for our very warm toned house. I finally decided to call on an expert and BOY was she amazing!!! She truly picked our perfect grey and then told me what color schemes would be perfect for each room. Sophie’s room used to be my makeup/guest room. When Mary Ellen came into that room she suggested a light and airy room where guests would feel refreshed and relaxed. She said different shades of white and I just melted. This room, unfortunately, would be one of the last on my list because it wasn’t used all that much. Fast forward to not only knowing we were pregnant, but knowing this baby was actually sticking around, I KNEW the color scheme. What a beautiful idea to give this baby an all white nursery and to also stick with the color scheme for the guest room when she’s all done with it! Call me crazy but I just adore buying things for the long haul and that can be used for dual purposes ; ).
Welcome to Sophie’s nursery.
I looked far and wide for the perfect keepsake board for right when you walked in her room. A board that would have all of her “firsts” pinned. Her first picture, her first footprint, a lock from her first precious haircut. I even kept the lace bows pins I made for her gender reveal cake for this very purpose (insert heart). I finally found the perfect one at Michael’s and it was 40% off AND the name of the product line??? SOPHIE!!!!!! Kismet much???
Sophie has one of those rooms where the closet placement is just lovely. It’s right behind that keepsake board so when you walk in, it’s right there in your face. I decided to use that to my advantage and run a tension rod across the ceiling and hung these beautiful chiffon drapes right at the entry.
{sigh} I love her room. It’s light and bright and makes me happy. It really does make me feel relaxed…that chick knows her stuff eh? lol
Every nursery demands a few things…although we do like to fluff it up with even more right? But it really does need a place for baby to sleep. This beautiful crib was given to us by a dear friend for Sophie and I can’t tell you what it did to my tired, project loving heart, to have it already be the color I wanted. To not have to sand and paint really made me happy. I’ve been a tad bit over big projects lately. The totally breathable, mesh bumper we found {here}. The darling layered tule bed skirt we found {here}. And then we just bought your typical, run of the mill white crib sheets. I wanted to add interesting pieces with a good amount of texture around the room and this rug totally fit the bill. Under $15 at Ikea…score!
More texture and just downright dreamy details can come from blankets as well. The very textured white blanket underneath is also an Ikea find. The layered, creamy with a touch a pink blanket was a gift from my dear friend Summer of She Leaves A Little Sparkle.
I seriously die over her cute lil crib, her darling blankets and her sweet bunny. That was one of her first gifts and you can find a similar one {here}. It is the SOFTEST lil thing!!!
My sweet friend Karen is a beautiful artist. She’s an AMAZING artist!!! She hand wrote this quote for me. Can you even believe that? You can find more of her amazingness {here} on Instagram. I found this quote a while ago and where most people might think of their significant other, I immediately thought of Sophie. We had been trying for so long and I knew that a lil smoosh was out there for us. Right when I saw her sweet face, I knew it. She was the one. She was the puzzle piece that was missing in our family.
Another large piece that is quite essential to a nursery is a dresser and I LOVE the simplicity of this one from Ikea. We decided to splurge ever so slightly for this one and the mirror above it because I loved them so much. I think they are both so well priced though and the simple elegant lines can go with any style. And go figure the cream cart peaking from around the corner holding all of her accessories is also from Ikea lol.
I am slightly obsessed with apothecary jars and use them for almost all of my decorating, seasonal or not. These ones came from around the house and I knew I wanted to put cute baby things in them. Clothes pins, cotton balls and some bow accessories…I mean was there any doubt this little one would have a ton of bows? The porcelain ball and birdies came from Hobby Lobby, the clock is from Michael’s and the owl dish to hold her tiny bracelets was a gift from the amazing photographer taking all these pics ; ).
I decided early on that we were going to do cloth diapers after much fear and research lol. The hubs was reluctant but now we are SO glad that we did and wouldn’t change (see what I did there) a thing! I knew I would need a wet bag close to her changing table so I bought the same crystal tie backs from the curtains to hang it. They come in pairs so I used the other one to hold back the chiffon curtain hanging just at her entry. This hat makes me think of Anne of Green Gables and I couldn’t love my friend Summer any more for getting it for her. You’ll also be able to see her wearing it in an upcoming photoshoot we did!
I’m a big believer in no wasted space but not being too cluttery. The space just above the closet is a PERFECT place to set a scene. I decided to put a few of my favorites up there to share with Sophie a little bit about her mama. I am OBSESSED with clocks for some reason. I love whimsical stories especially romantic ones from the regency era hence the water basin and pitcher (scored from a second hand store!) and I also love to read!!! You all know that from my book club posts but I wanted to be selective in the books I put up there. There are a thousand more, but these are just a few I want her to read and enjoy or live by. Anne of Green Gables was for SURE a must!!!
Well, we sure has a good time showing you around! If you have any questions or comments we would love to hear from you!
Isn’t she just a doll??? Oh how we love her! These are our favorite cloth diapers and her darling bow is from Zelda Matilda. You can use our special code sophie15 to get 15% off your purchase there! She has the CUTEST bows and bibs and accessories for smooshies =).
All photos (except the last grainy one taken with my phone lol) taken by:
When sweet little B told me he wanted to be Superman for his birthday I was blown back, literally. I think I was crouching down to hear his ideas, he sat on my unstable lap and I fell…..but had TONS of ideas hit me all at once that THAT could have been the reason too!!! Oh the ideas for all of the things they would do, eat, learn etc. I think he told me this at the beginning of June and by mid July I was ready to throw him the best super hero bash that I could muster. Both of the boys have about a bazillion dress up clothes (very manly) so their costumes were taken care of. Mine? I can’t ever get a super hero girl costume that isn’t smutty and totally immodest, so I knew I would have to use existing clothes and just modify them a touch. The boys were more than willing to help me so I had them draw, then cut out white stars for my skirt. I made the cuffs out of tin foil and this amazing headband (Pinterest inspired) out of thick sheets of felt and an obliging headband. I LOVE how it all came together!!!
We decided to have all the kids come as super heroes and told them to be ready for training. First we had a laser course set up in the basement (genius idea on my part since I didn’t want the upper levels of the house to get trashed). They needed to rescue poor, defenseless animals and bring them back to safety.
I love this pic of my oldest. It looks like he’s got awesome dance moves he’s bustin out LOL!!!
The animals brought back to safety!!! And for being such good rescuers, each hero got a Superhero Sucker =).
Next, each hero needed to work on their x-ray vision by seeing how close they could pin on Superman’s cape. This was super fun since all of them got pretty dizzy lol.
When the kids were done with their suckers, we went out for a refresher course…flight school! Each kid (I only chose a few of the nine kids that were there so I wouldn’t have a nine page post)
I seriously loved these and was pretty impressed with some of their poses =D. My oldest really wanted to be a trainer for one of the rotations and I told him what I had planned and that he could do whatever he wanted that we hadn’t already done. He was SO excited to be Captain America and thought the best thing he could do would be to teach them how to throw his shield. The back of these boxes are pretty random but this kid colored paper to make them look like bricks on the front so kids could bash through them with the shield!!! Genius….and SO bugged I didn’t get a pic of the front! But here are some of the more awesome throws after he taught them some tricks =).
The evil mastermind that has been threatening our fair city seemed to have snuck in during this last activity and planted BOMBS all over the grass!!! Luckily as soon as I told the heroes about this, they were ON it and squashed all of them in NO time!!!
After all water balloons….I mean, bombs were safely squashed we thought we might take a break……until……
The evil villain has been SPOTTED!!!! Aaaaaaand he may have borrowed things from the hostess he didn’t ask for (insert me blushing that nine innocent children are about to see my husband in MY unmentionables!!!!)
He came out of nowhere and challenged all the super heroes!
Little did he know that I had already armed our heroes with all they would need to take him down.
And were they EVER ready for the challenge!!!
Down villain, DOWN!!!
Birthday boy’s turn.
With the villain defeated, in jail and the city safe again, it was time to take a much needed rest and replenish with some yummy refreshments.
Invisible Punch will always give you a boost of electrolytes (and not be sticky lol).
B’s fav snack is Cheetos so I knew this was a must. I printed out comic pages on our printer, made funnels and filled them with said snack.
Kryptonite Krispies were a hit! Even Superman was able to eat these since I mixed up the ingredients a bit to leave out Kryptonite =).
Cake colors were picked out by the birthday boy so, of course, it was blue frosting, red cake mix and sprinkles with the same colors.
Love that curl in the front!
Here are a few more extras from the party including set up, goodie bags, presents and a mini photo booth set up for everyone to pose! We had such a good time and can’t wait for further adventures next year!
To make decorating more manageable, I sectioned off a smaller part of the basement and started making my faux buildings.
These were all around the basement and looked like the skyline of Gotham City =).
Had a few of these hanging from the ceiling with fishing line.
Love how these goody bags turned out. SO much fun to make!!!
Now I know you guys asked me FOREVER ago to do this so I apologize but here is the first part =). I would always try to shoot a room or two but then it would e time to get the kids, time to eat, errands to run etc. I’m so glad I got up, got ready, cleaned this area and had time to get it on film. My house really isn’t anything that amazing or ornate but we sure do love the memories we make here so it makes it amazing for us. Nothing will be as important in life as what you do and teach within the walls of your own home. Make it one that is simple, elegant, big, small, whatever, but full of love =). Welcome to our home!
Hi there! Are you ready for an unconventional post? YES??? Great cuz here comes one ; D. I am not a crafting queen per say but I sure do love doing it. I love stalking Pinterest for the next great idea to make my home more beautiful and more me. The holidays seem to make me go on a craft OVERload and I happen to LOVE it!!! I hosted a party last night and had SO much fun putting together giveaways and getting the house all “dressed up”. I am thinking of doing a house tour since some of you have asked about our new home. It makes me feel good that you guys remember what’s going on in my life and express interest so here’s a big MMMUUUUAAAAHHHH to all of you for being so sweet =). In this video I talk about apothecary jar making, Halloween wreaths, what to do with styrofoam balls, treat bags, paper pin wheels and a few more odds and ends =). Here are a few pics of the things I made and the decor around the house. Enjoy! Let me know if you would want to see more of these crafty videos sprinkled in with makeup how tos.
The finished ghosts
darling yet spooky jugs of poison
centerpiece
pens disguised as straws from the dollar tree
fun paper pinwheels
a warning to all
subway art above the cabinetry
apothecary jars
the other side ; )
Trick or Treat banner going up the stairs
fun table display in the entryway
The doors to Kevin’s office (lots of taping newspapers went into this one)
also right outside Kev’s office
our bed with the cute pillow I bought from Shelley