RubikCuberubik'srubik,cube

Update!

Post Halloween Blow-Out Costume Sales!!!

zz

zz

Box Costumes

Rubik’s Cube Costume

I just saw this costume on the Today show and thought, wow — easy and fun!  You can create it using one box or three boxes askew, solved or unsolved, large or small, with arm holes or without.  Wear tights or black pants underneath.  You can get as fancy as you want.  If you have truly waited until the last minute — simply spray paint your boxes black with quick drying paint.  During the 15 minutes it takes for the paint to dry completely, cut out your  squares of colored paper.  Now glue or tape them to box(es) being sure to leave space between the squares so it appears they are outlined in black.   If you don’t have boxes at home your local postal store or office supply store  senerally stock boxes.   If you don’t have a paper cutter or glue gun consider investing in one for the next time!

Joann

My absolute favorite craft tool …

3M Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape ATG 700 Dispenser

Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape, 0.5 Inch x 36 Yards (924.5)

Adhesive Transfer Tape Roll for Scotch Tape Gun , 3/4

This tape is hard to find, so be sure to buy at least 6-12 rolls at a time.  There is nothing worse than getting half way through a project just to run out of tape.)

zz

Gift Box Costume

Just wrap up a box and add a ribbon and gift tag!

And if you actually plan in advance, you might consider ordering personalized wrapping paper!

Personalized Wrapping Paper

Personalized Ribbon

zz

Lego Brick Costume

Lego Bricks

Choose a color.  Dress head to toe in that color or dress in all black or all white.  Cut head and arm holes out of box with exacto knife. Paint a box with quick drying glossy  spray paint.   Attach round painted plastic containers with glue gun.  Voila!

zz

Pizza Box Costume

pizza box

Wear a as much or little underneath this costume as you are comfortable with.  Hot glue as many pizza boxes together as you desire (I’ve seen this costume done  with as little as 1 box or as many as 6 boxes glued together for more coverage).  Cut a hole in the middle so that the box(es) sit on top of your hips. You might want to attach suspenders to ensure the box stays on!

zz

zz

Duct Tape Quickies

Lady Bug Costume

Ladybug

Dress in red.  Add black duct tape circles.  Roll black or red duct tape into long snake like pieces and form into wing shape.  Attach with duct tape to back of shirt.  Add duct tape antennae to an old headband.  Alternatively, wear black and add a red polka dot cape.

zz

Tic Tac Toe Board

tic tac toe

Wear Black or White.  Run strips of colored duct tape down and across your shirt.  Add x’s and o’s.

zz

The Future is Now.


This is the old traditional garbage bag costume.  Wear all black or all white.  Cut  holes in black or white  garbage bag.  Step into bag as if you would step into a pair of pants.  Take a second bag.  Cut a hole for your head and 2 holes for your arms.  Put on like a shirt.  Now tuck the shirt into the pants. Take silver (or any color) duct tape and wrap around your waist like a belt so the 2 pieces stay together and stay on you.  Consider trimming the sleeve edges and color with duct tape to make the costume look a bit more finished.  WARNING! Please, do not put this costume on young children.  If worn improperly, garbage bags can lead to suffocation.  You might also want to create a headband or crown out of the duct tape for a little extra pop or even create tin foil fringe for the belt and headband.  You can also wear a single garbage bag like a halter dress as shown on the picture above.

zz

zz

Accessorize

Boas

Wear any solid color leotard with tights or unitard.  Use 4 boas (any single color or mix and match) and drape loosely around neck — one in front, one in back, 1 on each side.  Tie at waist with with a 5th boa.  Take extra material and create a boa headband.

or

Simply wear any sexy dress in your closet and add a contrasting boa and lots of bling for an over the top glamorous look.

Boas

Deluxe Boas

Feather Boas

zz

More Bling. More Glamour.

Simply don  tiaras, and lots and lots of bling! Don’t forget your camera.

Bride To Be Tiara with Flashing Lights

Light-Up Naughty Girl Tiara

Regal Deluxe Crown

Rhinestone Tiara

Rose & Pearl Tiara Adult

Tiara Haircombs

zz

zz

Red Heart Beads

Bling Ring

Diva Bling Necklace

Disco Ball beads

Disco Ball Earrings
Party Bling Necklace

Champagne Necklace

Rhinestone Bracelet

zz

Sunglasses

fabulous sunglasses

Now add fabulous sunglasses!

zz

zz

Raid Your Closet, Your Kitchen, Your Garage … (you get the idea)

Graffiti Costumes


A simple white unisex t-shirt worn either with jeans or with white shorts or sweatpants work as a simple fashion forward costume. Just take fabric markers or even cans of spray paint (the shirts will be a little stiff if you spray them) and “tag” the shirts with just about anything you like.

zz

Hanes V-Neck T-Shirts

White Shorts

White Sweat Pants

Athletic Shirt

Baseball cap

zz

Don’t forget the

multi-colored fabric markers or fabric spray

zz

Cowboy and Cowgirl


Just wear jeans, denim, plaid shirt, black or white shirt with rolled sleeves, boots,  Cowboy hat, a bandana (optional), and vest (optional)

zz

Cook / Julia Child

zz

Gal:  Any apron over a matronly dress and solid shoes or even over a sexy dress and sexy shoes.

Guy:  Any apron will do, yes, even a floral girly print since just  wearing an apron gives you instant sex appeal!

Chef Hat and Apron Set

zz

Any Athletic Wear

Female Soccer Player Sexy Adult Costume Soccer Player

Soccer, football, ski, snowboarding, tennis, surfing, golf, baseball, NASCAR, equestrian …

zz

Tacky Tourist Costume

Baggy shorts, loud or bold baggy shirt, camera around your neck, ugly oversized hat to protect you from the sun. Be sure to wear socks with walking shoes.  Carry a shopping bag.

Tacky Traveler Adult Costume

Tacky Tourist Adult Costume

zz

Mr. or Ms. Matched


Combine every pattern in your wardrobe to create one crazy and colorful costume.  In addition to your mismatched shirts and pants, think old ties, socks, bandanas, hats, gloves, and scarves.

zz

zz

Make the Party Last a Lifetime!

Don’t let this memorable event fade away with the morning sun. The next day, when all is still fresh, log onto Shutterfly.com to create photo books, memory calendars, and even photo thank you notes.

Photo Books

Collage Calendars

Photo cards

zz

zz

zz

Party hearty!

zz

zz

zz

zz

  • Share/Bookmark

z

Adopt a Bat


Looking for a way to add an educational and charitable element to your classroom Halloween celebrations?

Adopt a baby vampire bat!

or any of these “scary” critters …

Adopt a Wolf

Adopt a Snake

Adopt a Panther

Adopt a Falcon

….

National Wildlife Federation

Still Looking for a Class Pet? Symbolic Animal Adoptions from NWF are mess-free!

Classroom Halloween Party

Most of you are way better than me about planning in advance, but for those last minute room moms, you can skip the drive across town just to find the leftover Halloween pickings.  Order TODAY and have your paper goods and decorations delivered to your front door in time for your student’s classroom party!

These patterns compliment your Baby Vampire Bat Adoption perfectly!  Check with your classroom teachers, even if you don’t adopt a bat, they still may be integrating bats into their lesson plans.

Halloween Craze Paper Goods

Batty Plates and Beverage Napkins

Silly Souls

A simple, one-click alternative …

Halloween Party in a Box
This basic party package for 8 guests includes plates, cups, beverage napkins, a table cover, cutlery, balloons, streamers, candles, and curling ribbon.

Classroom Halloween Decorations

It’s a classroom party — keep it simple and cheap.  Save your money for all the little extras your classroom teacher really NEEDS!

Silver with Black Bats Balloons
Bat Balloon
Tissue Bat

Batty Activities for your Classroom Party

Looking for something to do?  Try the always popular pinata!

Bat Pinata

Include both candy and little bat “favors.”


Candy

Bat rings (Sorry — I could not link directly to this product.  You will need to do a quick search once on the site)
Plastic Bats
Black Bat Shaped Lollipops


Play Games

Pass the Vampire Bat
Supplies: one black straw for each child / bat shapes cut out of  black tissue paper.  How To Play: Divide the class into 2 teams and line up each team.  Students pass the tissue bats down the line, teammate to teammate, by inhaling and exhaling on the straw to hang onto or release the ornament. No hands!  The first team to successfully pass the bats up and down the line wins! (Before the game you can get the students to make the tissue bats).

READ!

No bat unit is complete without reading Stellaluna!

Stellaluna


Teacher Gift

Your teacher should not only stand out but also feel appreciated.  Give her a thank you tiara!

Bat Tiara


or

Make the Day Last a Lifetime

Don’t let this memorable day fade away with the morning sun.   Create a lasting memory for your child’s teacher!  The morning after Halloween, when all is still fresh, log onto Shutterfly.com to create photo books, memory calendars, photo mugs, and even photo thank you notes  memorializing this year’s Halloween celebration.  Halloween pictures also make for great holiday presents for your own friends and family.

Photo Books

Collage Calendars

Photo cards

Resources

Halloween School Parties . . . What Do I Do?

Party Hearty!


  • Share/Bookmark

….

Recently we came across a question on the Doctor Simcha discussion forum asking for ideas for a “good things come in small packages” themed bat mitzvah.  Seldom do we come across new great theme ideas, so not surprisingly, we were hooked from the get go especially since there seemed to be so many positive ways to incorporate a lovely message into the celebration. Although we have not developed an absolutely complete theme package, this post is fairly comprehensive and covers most elements needed to put together a great party with an emphasis on charitable giving.

The Charity (or Mitzvah) Project

I love the idea of knitting tiny hats and booties and blankets for neonatal units. In fact even if you don’t knit, it might be worth learning! Either join a group already doing knitting, start a group of your own, or find another way to support these wonderful and fragile children arriving in the world as the tiniest of G-d’s gifts. Look at the following organizations for inspiration or maybe contact your local hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit to see if it has any particular needs:

Knit for Bliss
The Preemie Project
Hadassah Hospital
Baby Charity Knitting Patterns

If your passion is animals, there is no shortage of endangered baby animals to “adopt.”

National Wildlife Federation

Invitation Idea – The Smaller the Better!

I like this Lavender reverse card by William Arthur since it is only 3.5″ x 5″ yet can hold all pertinent celebration information plus a small motif symbol on the top. I centered the text and used a second font for the name, used brown ink and added the lavender and brown Circles and Stripes liner. This particular card is engraved — a special touch which compliments the emphasis on quality in this theme. Consider packing the invitation and any other necessary cards,(ie response cards and envelopes, evening celebration cards) into a small deluxe gift box lined with plumped tissue paper so the cards are inset into the tissue paper. Then wrap the box in personalized wrapping paper.  Affix a mailing label. I can’t think of a more perfect way to set the tone for the theme good things come in small packages! Yes, it is a bit over the top but my motto is always think big and then scale back, i.e. instead of a box you might use a bubble mailer.

Lavender reverse card by William Arthur

Peace Dove Postage

Centerpiece and Party Favor Ideas

Bonsai is the art aesthetic miniaturization of trees …

Azalea Bonsai

Gardenia Bonsai

To add more mass to your centerpiece consider displaying both bonsai or one bonsai and an adorned mini lucite torah (these are the least expensive I could find) on a tiered display rack.

Tiered Display Rack


The third tier can be filled with any of dozens of miniature favors.  Here are my favorites …

present cheesecakes

Individual present cheese cakes (visually fabulous but over the top expensive)

Individual towel cakes,

Bloembox flower seeds

Also consider polka dot favor boxes tied with beautiful  midori organdy ribbon and filled with a single  personalized Hershey Kiss and a small tag saying something like “Hadassah Hospital Neonatal Care Unit thanks you with a kiss.”

Polka dot favor boxes

MIdori organdy ribbon

Personalized Hershey Kiss

Small tag

Place Card Holder Idea

This  mini photo album works nicely with this theme.

Little Book of Memories

Food Ideas

Skip the large plated dinner. Just serve lots of courses with bite size morsels (tapas, tea sandwiches, small plates) throughout the night.

For dessert serve cupcakes, or mini brownie pops, or two tiered mini cakes.

mini brownie pops

two tiered mini cakes

More Inspiration

There is a wonderful theme park in Israel called Mini Israel. It is probably worth a look.

Hope this helps jump start your own take on this great theme.

Party Hearty!

  • Share/Bookmark

An inspiring addition to our

Ladies Yoga Night Party


zz

As Featured on ABC’s 20/20 on 10.09.09!

zz

All of us have watched the transformation of Valerie Bertinelli from a teen star to the sexy bride of Eddie Van Halen to a middle age woman struggling with weight issues and most recently to a new svelte role model and spokesperson for the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program.

zz

This fitness DVD can add an inspirational element to your Ladies Fitness Night Out, especially for those of us who may need to be reminded every once in a while that change is possible.  Plus, it  is a great addition to any gal’s fitness routine whether she is simply seeking to improve her fitness level or working to look great for an upcoming celebration.  (Admit it ladies, we all do this!)

zz

Not willing to splurge on yourself?  Losing it and Keeping Fit makes for a great birthday gift, hostess gift, bridesmaid gift, or holiday gift for anyone near and dear to you.

zz

Valerie Bertinelli: Losing it and Keeping Fit DVD. Get a leaner, firmer body with full-length workouts for losing weight and staying fit. .

Now Only: $14.98.  Free Shipping

Pre-Order your copy today!

zz

New!

As Seen on Oprah! Save 20% off + Free Shipping on the Bob Greene: Total Body Makeover DVD. Now Only: $11.49

Save 20% off select fitness and yoga essentials during Gaiam’s New Year’s Resolution Sale! Hurry, inventory is limited.

zz

zz

zz

Party Hearty!

zz

zz

zz

  • Share/Bookmark

flowers-shoes-by-scherer-gonsales-spring09

There is no such thing as too many shoes!

Don your high heels ladies – it’s time to party!


Shoes, Glorious Shoes is a perfect theme for Ladies Night Out Parties, Bachelorette Parties (Hen’s Night In), Bridal Showers, Birthday Luncheons

and  even

Bat MitzvahCelebrations, Quinceanera Celebrations, Teen Parties, and Sweet Sixteen Parties (especially if you add a charitable element to your celebration)

Add Meaning to Your Celebration

Ok — admittedly a shoe theme party has the potential for being a bit narcissistic.  Elevate it to an entirely new level by indicating on your invitation, “In lieu of gifts, please donate to the “High Heals Foundation,” a wonderful organization dedicated to raising funds to develop methods for early diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer and aiding in the discovery of a cure through research, advocacy, and education.  Another option — if you enclose your floral elements in small plastic baggies you will preserve your centerpiece shoes  so you can donate them to your local women’s shelter after your celebration.


High Heals Foundation

Now you can party guilt free!

NEW and Fabulous!

OMG — Look what we found!   An entire shop devoted to Shoe Lover Gifts including girlfriend pasta, designer shoe paper clip holders, fun ring shoes, flip flop coasters, a high heel charm bracelet, and shoe gift bags!

Plus, check out these chocolate shoes!

Mother's Day Chocolate High Heel Shoe

Edible High Heel Shoe

Elegant chocolate pump filled with decadent truffles.

This product is truly original. The hand-made high heel shoe is made of chocolate and is completely filled with delicious milk and dark chocolate homemade truffles. This edible pump is a great gift, because once you eat the truffles…you can eat the container itself!

Chocolate High Heel Shoe

This beautiful dark chocolate designer shoe is an actual size 7 1/2. The handcrafted designer chocolate shoe is 58% Swiss dark chocolate couverture – rich, smooth and delicious.

Invitations

Choosing your invitation is the equivalent of the title of a paper … it sets the tone for the entire party! z

High Heel with Leather Strap

Pink Shoe with pink bow

Girl’s Night Out “Shoe” Invitation

Product Number:78420 Product Number:24756Product Number:24780

Stylin Invitation

Dancing Shoes

Petal Shoe

..

Thank You Notes

Product Number:58185

Pink Mule Foldover Notecard

Zebra Mule Foldover Card

Pink Stiletto Flat Card

..

Stamps

Heel thyself stamp

Pink and Black Stripe Shoe Stamp

Ladies night stamp

Centerpieces

flowers-shoes-by-scherer-gonsales-spring2009-red z I searched and search for these fabulous “platform flower vases”  designed by the Berlin fashion-design duo Scherer González and debuted at their spring/summer fashion show 2009 during  the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin.  Unfortunately, I cannot find where to buy them.  So if anyone finds them, please email me.  They would be absolutely perfect for a high end shoe theme party centerpiece. zz In the meantime, the closest acryllic shoes I could find are these cute platform sandals with pink pink or red roses (mix and match the colors).  I recommend  adorning them with fresh flowers, and if you are in the mood to go way over the top, add some jewels and large brightly colored feathers,  mini boas or even artful edibles.  The best part … they are on sale at Endless.com for only $27.56 a pair! zz


Adore Platform Sandal with Roses

The adornments …

If you don’t like the roses in the shoe and prefer a simpler clear cinderella shoe to which to add flowers, consider mixing a matching a variety of styles.

Clear Cinderella Wedges

Sandals Clear Strappy  Cinderella Shoes

Clear Platform Sandals

If you want to go way over the top consider using a flower centerpiece base with an acrylic rod inserted in the middle.  attach (hot glue)) the acrylic, or any,  shoe flower vase on top.  This way you have a chic centerpiece with height, yet designed so your guests easily can speak to one another across the table.

Bordeaux by Candlelight Centerpiece

Rosy Romance Centerpiece

Chelsea Rose Centerpiece

Winter Lights Centerpiece

Acrylic Rod

Another centerpiece option

Looking for a completely different take — create centerpieces from other fantastically designed shoes — the more artrageous the better.  Endless.com, Amazon.com, and House of Brides all carry a large selection, many of which can be dyed any color. Use shoes, plain or even jeweled, as vases and planters.  Fill with flowers or large feathers, or both!  (Be sure to enclosing your floral elements in small plastic baggies in order to preserve the shoes so you can donate them to your local women’s shelter after your celebration.) Here are just a few ideas.

Glitter Platform Pump

Yellow and Black Plaid Pump

Blue Sued Ruffled Peep Toe

Orange Bootie

Polka Dot Mary Jane Platform Pump

Metallic Floral T-Strap zz


The More Candles the Better!

Low lights and candlelight can transform an ordinary room into a chic and festive party venue.   There is no such thing as too much twinkle at any party so the more candles, tea-lights and votives, the better.

Although expensive, these diamond shape tea light holders and centerpiece are absolutely perfect for a Ladies Night Out party theme and you we promise, after this party is over, you will want to use them every time you entertain.

icon

Diamond Shaped Tea Light Holders

“Forever Diamond” Candle Centerpiece

icon

Place Card Holders

Mix and match these adorable shoe place card holders or use

Shoe  Placecard Holder Favors - 12pcs Victorian High Heel Shoe Place Card Holder Favors

Shoe Place card Holder

Victorian High Heel Place card Holders

Use a simple or personalized place card


Napkin Rings /  Place Card Holders / Party Favors

Fashionista Personalized High Heel Luggage Tag Favors

Sleek and Chic Leather Stiletto Key Chain

Party Favors

High Heel Shoe Book Lovers Collection Bookmarks Personalized  "Slice of Style" Stainless Steel High Heel  Cake Server Favors"It's a Shoe Thing" Bottle Opener Bridal Party Favors

High Heel Shoe Bookmark

High Heel Cake Server Favors

It’s a Shoe Thing” Bottle Opener

High Heel Cookie Favor

Mis Quince Party Shoe Shaped Treat Boxes 8 pc

High Heel Shoe Lipgloss Keychains Candy Filled Crystal Shoes

Mis Quince Party Shoe Shaped Treat Boxes 8 pc

I have no idea how much these cost but paper artist Carlos N. Molina creates stunning and intricate high heel miniature paper sculptures.  If not prohibitively expensive, you might even stuff the toes with personalized chocolate candies or jelly belly jelly beans

Carlos Molina

Personalized chocolate candies

Jelly belly jelly beans

The little extras …

Cocktail Napkins

These adorable shoe beverage napkins are just too cute to pass up!

One Shoe At a Time Beverage Napkins

Buy the Shoes Beverage Napkins

If the Shoe Fits Beverage Napkins


Table Topics

Great parties begin with great conversations. TableTopics conversation-starting cards contain ice-breaking questions to ensure a fun party for everyone.

TableTopics Game - Not Your Mom's Dinner Party EditionTable Topics - Couples or Girls Night OutTable Topics Bridal Shower Game

TableTopics Conversation Cards Bachelorette Party

TableTopics Game – Not Your Mom’s Dinner Party Edition

Table Topics – Couples or Girls Night Out

Table Topics Bridal Shower Game

Pocket Tissues

Product DetailsProduct Details

Shoe-La-La Swankie Hankies

Shoes Hankies

Tissue Paper

Tissue Combo Packs-Shoes
Tissue Combo Packs-Shoes

Pinatas

(for the young at heart)

Glamour Girl Shoe Pinata

Platform Shoe Pinata

Cupcake Toppers

Decopics Purse and Shoes zz

Ice Cubes

Tipsy Toes Ice Cubes

….

Freshening Baskets/ Emergency Kits

Buy a few of these adorable high heeled trays for your sample sized essentials.  Place in powder rooms.  (Or fill with shoe cookie favors for your guests to grab on their way home.)

High Heeled Shoe Tray

The essentials

First aid kit, Tylenol, Advil, hairbrush, comb, bobby pins, concealer, lip gloss, mouth wash, hairspray, stain remover, antacidtampons and sanitary pads, sewing kit, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, nail file, mints & hard candies, hand lotion, and dental floss

zz

zz zz

Add Some Bling!

Whether you are going out or staying in, why not make a spectacle of yourselves — don boas, tiaras, and lots and lots of bling! Don’t forget your camera.

Bride To Be Tiara with Flashing Lights

Light-Up Naughty Girl Tiara

Regal Deluxe Crown

Rhinestone Tiara

Rose & Pearl Tiara Adult

Tiara Haircombs

BuyCostumes.com also carries just about any style you can imagine.

And now for the boas …

Boas

Deluxe Boas

Feather Boas

What is a party without without bling!

Red Heart Beads

Bling Ring

Diva Bling Necklace

Disco Ball beads

Disco Ball Earrings

Party Bling Necklace

Champagne Necklace

Rhinestone Bracelet


Just a reminder — Don’t Forget to Add Meaning to Your Celebration!

Elevate your celebration to an entirely new level by indicating on your invitation, “In lieu of gifts, please donate to the “High Heals Foundation” which is dedicated to raising funds to develop methods for early diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer and to helping aid in the discovery of a cure through research, advocacy, and education.   Another option — if you enclose your floral elements in small plastic baggies you will preserve your centerpiece shoes  so you can donate them to your local women’s shelter after your celebration.

High Heals Foundation

Make the Night Last a Year

Don’t let this memorable night fade away with the morning sun. The next day, when all is still fresh, log onto Shutterfly.com to create photo books, memory calendars, and even photo thank you notes or  create a 5×7 photo card announcing the day, time, and location of your next Ladies  Night Out.

Photo Books

Collage Calendars

Photo cards

….

Party Hearty!

  • Share/Bookmark