My 8 Favorite Places for Party Supplies

This is part two of my party planning series. Be sure to check out the first installment!

So, you've decided on your theme, pinned some great ideas, and made an awesome menu. Now what? How does your party go from dream to reality? For starters, you have to know the right places to go for your supplies! Here is a list of my all-time favorite places to go for my party needs.

Sources: popcorn, hats, suitcase, flowers

Amazon- I love to order my party supplies from Amazon. I use Prime when possible, but when things aren't available on Prime, you'll have to wait a couple of weeks or pay to rush shipping. Giving yourself a little time can help you save on shipping costs, which can add up. Order things as soon as you decide on them to avoid unnecessary rush shipping costs.

Oriental Trading- I love browsing Oriental Trading for party supplies! I use this site for our monthly birthday parties at work. I'm always getting free shipping coupons from them, so I try to place my orders as early as possible to utilize them. Depending on how much I order, I can save $20/month this way!

Target- Target has some really cute party supplies. If you're on a budget, check out their dollar section first. I've found some really cute spring themed supplies and patterned straws for only $1 each! I also like to peruse the clearance sections after a holiday.  This is a great way to get cute decor and supplies for half the price. Just make sure you keep them organized to find them next year ;)

Christmas Tree Shops- I'm not sure if this store is available nationwide, but their stock goes WAY beyond Christmas decor! My parents introduced me to this store several years ago and I am hooked. They have awesome and affordable party supplies and decor items for each season. I've purchased really cute patterned plates, fun lights, outdoor decor... you name it, they have it!

Marshall's/TJMaxx/HomeGoods- While disposable party supplies isn't what these stores are known for, you can find some really cute party supplies here! Near the register, I've found some great printed napkins in a large pack for only $3. In their baking section, you can find seasonal sprinkles or cupcake liners and toppers. If you have some storage space, you can also find some fun ceramic party platters and tiered trays to match a holiday or color scheme.

Dollar Tree- This store is perfect if you're trying to throw a party on a budget! The party supplies can be great, but they can also be super cheesy. In order to prevent your party from looking cheap, only get things that are well-made or very generic. I like to get my solid colored items from there. I can mix those in with nicer, patterned plates and napkins to really stretch out my budget while matching the theme.

Oh Happy Day- This site has the cutest party stuff! They have some of the most unique items to make your party pin-worthy. My favorite are their mini honeycomb balls and this kitten tumbler. As an added bonus, you can check out their blog for some great DIY tips!

Around your house- Before your party, take a walk around to see what you can add to your party to enhance your theme. Look for items that are the same color or go along with the theme. You can add some rain boots for your garden/spring themed party, or use an old curtain as a tablecloth. I've also used pen cups for utensils, paper organizers for napkins, and a small shelf for holding all my party supplies and decor items.

I'm a bit of a hoarder, so after my parties I like to keep all the extra supplies, even if there aren't too many left over. I put plates and napkins in a large baggie so that it's protected from dust and dirt, but also easy to see. This also keeps each set separated for easy use next time. I keep utensils in baggies separated by color. It's much easier than tossing them all in one bag and sifting through for each color. In addition, it's easier to quantify and mix and match this way.  

You might be wondering, what do I do with these small amounts of random leftover supplies? You can either mix them in with your stuff for your next party (especially if you have random snacks scattered around your house), use them on the wall with your decor, or keep them on hand in case you run out at your next theme party. Better to grab a slightly mismatched set than random Christmas plates!

Be sure to follow my Party Inspiration Pinterest Board for TONS of fun party ideas!

What are your favorite places to get party supplies?

The 10 Best Tutorials for a Sugar Sweet Party

April is a very special for me- it's my birthday month! I'll be turning 27 soon, so I decided I needed a super fun theme to celebrate this momentous occasion. What could be better than a Sugar Sweet party?! I've searched far and wide for inspirational images and ideas. Here's a list of the BEST tutorials for throwing a Sugar Sweet birthday party!

1. Ok, what could be cuter than sending out these invites for your party?! I love that they're 3-D.  If this doesn't get your guests excited, I don't know what will!

via a joyful riot

2. These little lemonade favors bring me so much nostalgia! They would look so cute set out on your party table or placed in a giant pitcher.

Via DesignEatRepeat

3. If you're good at sewing, a few of these pillows would be super fun to toss on your couch or give out as favors. You could probably even use fabric glue instead of sewing!

via Little Inspiration

4. I would rock these sunglasses on an ordinary day! If you're having an indoor party, pop out the lenses before making them and you're good to go. Or, if you already have your own set of prescription spectacles, try this tutorial instead.

Via Studio DIY

5. I love garlands, and this one is no exception. It seems super easy to create, and your guests will love it. Oh Happy Day also has an online shop where you can find all sorts of adorable party supplies as well!

Via OH HAPPY DAY

6. Because who wouldn't want a whole STRING of donuts?! Plus they've got puffy sprinkles!

Via Beau Coup

7. If you have kids, this would be a super fun project to do with them! If you don't have kids, grab your friends instead ;)

Via OH HAPPY DAY

8. These cone hats are an adorable and cost-effective way to get everyone dolled up for the party.

Via One Charming Party

9. These balloon weights couldn't be sweeter (Get it?!)

Via Studio DIY

10. Cotton candy string lights would brighten up any party!  String them up on your party table or photo booth to make them a little sweeter.

Via With Lovely

Bonus time! here are two more must-haves for your Sugar Sweet Party.

11. This donut platter is easy to make, and costs less than $10!

via Party HarDIY

12. For an affordable candy bar, check out this DIY. Can you believe these candy dishes are made from dollar store items?!

via Party HarDIY

Thinking of throwing your own Sugar Sweet Party but need more inspiration?  Check out my Pinterest board!  

What's your favorite party theme?  Let me know in the comments!

How to Plan an Awesome Party- in 10 Easy Steps!

This is part one of my party planning series. Be sure out part 2 and part 3! 

I LOVE throwing parties. Among my friends, I'm known as the party planner. Anytime someone mentions having a party, I always get super excited, ask a million questions, and offer to help if they need it. Throwing a great party doesn't have to be stressful. It can be super fun if you plan ahead and follow these 10 easy steps!

1. Decide on a theme. I absolutely love theme parties. It's much easier to have a cohesive look when you've got something tying it all together. Plus, guests love them! Do some brainstorming and pick a theme that matches the event, person, or holiday you're celebrating. If you prefer to keep it simple, pick a color scheme and follow that when purchasing your supplies.

2. Create a Pinterest Board. I like to create a separate board for each of my parties. This allows me to pin everything in one place and makes it easy to reference. I pin recipes, decor, drinks and inspiration. I also include any how-to's for items I plan to make and items I want to buy. This makes it really easy when I'm ready to sit down and order everything!    

3. Pick a Date. Grab a calendar and pick a date, preferably one at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This will give you enough time to plan while giving your guests ample notice to coordinate their schedules to attend. Once you've settled on a date, plan out the steps for your party and create deadlines for each step, especially any DIY projects.

4. Create a budget. Before going wild buying stuff, think about how much you want to spend. If you notice your shopping cart total is higher than your budget, re-evaluate. Is there anything you can omit? Does a friend have something you can borrow? Can you make it a potluck or BYOB party?

5. Plan your menu. Create a list of all the items you want to make, how long it will take, and if you can prepare anything in advance. This is a good time to create a shopping list and check your cabinets to make sure you have everything you'll need. I also like to get some frozen hors d'ouvers from BJ's or Costco and pre-made dips and salsas. This way if I get held back a bit, people still have something to munch on.

6. Plan out the DIY projects. Don't leave DIY projects for the last minute. Please oh please take my advice on this one. Many times I have left these projects for the night before (or day of!) because I wanted my sister to come over earlier and help me. This is a terrible idea. As with many DIY projects, things take a lot longer than you anticipate. Sometimes the project is tedious as well, and you only end up making half as many as planned (or two...). Do these projects in advance and save the night before for cooking, cleaning and decorating.

7. Think of fun activities. It's a good idea to have a couple of activities planned. They can be simple, like playing a game or a having a contest, or more complex, like a bounce house or petting zoo. Either way, it's a good idea to have something for people to do and encourage conversation.

8. Call dibs. If you plan to borrow something from friends, like a table or a speaker, be sure to ask them ahead of time so they can make it available to you. I also recommend picking up the item a few days in advance rather than having them bring it to the party. If they forget it or come late, you'll be left scrambling! Be sure to return it back to them quickly and in the same condition you received it so they won't be reluctant to let you borrow anything again.

9. Make a playlist. In the weeks leading up to the event, create a playlist of songs. If you plan to use Pandora or a similar program, sign on and give the stations a listen. Use the thumbs up and thumbs down feature to fine-tune the selection and create an awesome party mix!

10. Create a checklist. Once you've done all of the above, write or type a quick checklist outlining everything. Include your shopping list, the DIY projects, and a rough outline of the schedule for the day of the event (including setup).  This will help to ensure you stay on schedule and organized!

If you’re looking for more inspo, be sure to follow my Party Inspiratio n Pinterest Board for TONS of fun party ideas!

Wedding Wednesdays- How to plan your wedding (once a week!) and save your marriage

Planning a wedding can be downright exhausting. Unlike any other party you've planned, this one seems to hold so much more significance! It seems like everyone has an opinion on what you should do, where you should go, and who you should invite. I've just started planning, and I feel like I've already hit a brick wall. My budget is way below market, I live in the most expensive place to get married (p.s. that's #1, 2 & 5 on the list!), and my fiance has a huge family that we need to invite. All of this is enough to cause anyone stress, including someone who plans parties regularly!

I recently had lunch with a friend/former coworker, and I was discussing (complaining) about how the stress of wedding planning is already causing my fiance and me to argue. In addition, since I love to plan parties and he does not, I feel like the entire burden falls on my shoulders. At this time, my friend made a genius suggestion- pick a day and make that "wedding discussion day". For me, that's Wedding Wednesdays. As soon as I heard it, I was intrigued, and it only gets better! She's one of the smartest people I know, and I'm so lucky to have her inspiring me.

My fiance and I are also having some disagreements about location and other details. This is where Wedding Wednesdays is perfect. Each Wednesday, you can discuss a specific topic or set of tasks that need completion. Then, you can decide what the next week's agenda will entail. This gives each party a fair one week to research their options. At the next meeting, couples share their findings and make decisions. If one person does not do their research by the deadline, then they are essentially not prepared for the meeting. At this point, the decision will likely sway in the favor of the person who did their homework.

To be fair, I think that an extension should be granted for certain topics, but overall it should allow for much smoother and quicker decision making. This method is also great if you have parents or bridesmaids that are helping. Instead of trying to coordinate schedules, there is one set day for everyone to get together and discuss.

Today, my fiance and I will have our very first Wedding Wednesday. I'll post an update next week with a recap of our meeting and some suggestions to get the most out of your first meeting! (Psst! Check it out here.)

Do you have any sneaky tips on how to be more efficient in your wedding planning? Let me know in the comments below!

Be sure to check out my colorful wedding ideas Pinterest board for some great wedding ideas!

Living the Dream

When I was younger, I always imagined my life when I was a grown up. I'd be FABULOUS, working an awesome job that paid me well, be in love, and live out on Long Island. I couldn't wait to be a grown up. Now that I'm here, I have to say that I couldn't be happier.

I'm not quite as fabulous as I had hoped- I can't walk in heels due to my plantar fasciitis, I don't wear makeup or style my hair, and I can't wake up early enough to put on a creative outfit. Despite all of this, I'm exactly where I've wanted to be. A lot of people start blogging when they buy a house to chronicle their journey, so I figured I'd join the ranks of the elite and give it a shot.

They say stick to what you're good at, so I'll go with organizing, crafts, and party planning. The funny thing about me and organization- I love to do it... I'm great at it... but I suffer with the upkeep. I can find a place for everything, but sometimes I can't remember where that place is. Other times, my system fails because it doesn't take into account how lazy or rushed I can be. Admitting you have a problem is the first step in solving it! My goal, both as a homeowner and a new blogger, is to work on creative, affordable solutions that have a lasting impact.  

In addition to making my house a home, I'm just starting to plan my wedding. Party planning is super fun, but wedding planning has been super stressful- this will be the largest event I've ever pulled off, with the challenge of a small budget added on top!  I'll be sharing my findings along the way, and hopefully I can find some tricks to make planning a budget-friendly wedding a breeze.

Cheesy line alert: I hope you'll join me on this journey!