They Are Kind Of Like Duct Tape

You can use them for anything!

Grab these super affordable stacking mugs from World Market in either the multicolor stack or monochromatic version and keep on hand for...

• hostess gifts
• a coffee bar or hot chocolate bar with yummy toppings and syrups (or something with a kick) at your autumn/winter parties
  
• favors for your next brunch
• individual servings of desserts on the buffet
  
• etc., etc., etc.

Dem Bones

Loving this Halloween Dinner Party from Social Couture. The bones napkin fold...I die. Fabulous.

Still a Little Retro

I didn't realize it at the time I was drawn to these toys as inspiration for a baby shower, but apparently I'm still feeling a little retro! Did anyone else out there have this classic phone toy? It's just as cute as ever.

Pair these famous toys with simple primary colors throughout the rest of your decor and you'll have a new twist on a baby shower full of the classics.

Just a few random ideas to help your guests feel like a kid again:

• Use rolls of white paper in lieu of tablecloths and place cylinder vases with crayons on the tables. Fill each vase with varying shades of the same color to add visual interest. Encourage spontaneous art from your guests.
• Play on the same idea above and draw circles on the table in lieu of chargers. Ask each guest to decorate their own charger with crayon art and special messages. Let the mom-to-be choose her fave and give a prize to the winner. When the guests are all gone, cut out each one and bind together with all the photos you took of the special day and send to your guest of honor as a keepsake.
• Make a monochromatic display of cylinder vases filled with Legos.
  
• Take a black Sharpie to the the vintage flash cards and write in the remaining letters of guests' names underneath the big letter and turn them into place cards.
• Use the flash cards to spell out the baby's name make a Welcome banner with them.
  
• Serve colorful cupcakes as shown above courtesy of fab guest post from How About Orange via Hostess With The Mostess.
• Send simple invitations like the carriage one shown here or the adorable old-fashioned bicycle. So maybe that's a little more vintage than we can all remember but, hey, it's cute!

Bonus: Your decor doubles as presents for the guest of honor. Talk about festive recycling!

Let's All Go To The Lobby...

to get ourselves a treat!

There are literally 8,000,000 movie theme products available, but for our purposes on Retro Week the focus is on a special select few. When I say "8,000,000" I mean "okay, not 8,000,000, but a lot."

Come on, who doesn't love a dancing Hot Dog? These dancing snack signs would make great decor items as would the vintage movie posters. I've added some spooooky versions just in case you wanted to do an Vintage Horror Movie theme for Halloween.

What movie is complete without popcorn? You can find all kinds of popcorn machines on the market, but I love this little miniature guy. It makes air-popped popcorn, too, so it's practically a health-food machine. Move over Juicer. Now you don't have to feel guilty for eating popcorn after you've helped yourself to the Concession Stand Style Hot Dog and Nacho Buffet that you've set up for your guests, right next to these cute and simple retro plates and napkins.

I know I've left so many great products on the cutting room floor but I hope this gives you a new/old way of thinking of Movie Night! I have to run, I'm late for my close up.

Welcome, Baby Ella!

Pardon me for the delay but I spent last evening in the hospital with my dear friends and their new baby, Ella Jo. Her mom is the one on the left and looks as cute now as she did then. It's not right.


Welcome to the world, Little One! Well, 9lb 2 oz One, that is. I've never had kids but nothing about that sounds little or easy. I can't wait to have many wonderful celebrations with you, EJ!

Love,

Aunt Amy

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days!

Stem blog reader, Bridget, recently contacted me with a few questions and she just so happened to be planning a 50's Theme birthday party for her daughter. Lucky for us, she was kind enough to let me share some pictures with you.

Guests were encouraged to dress the era and were in turn treated to Bridget doing her part to complete the scene. As you can see, Bridget really went all out and got the adorable blue poodle skirt outfit together for the birthday girl. Oh, and Elvis? That's her son. Talk about getting in the spirit.

Just check out some of those fun touches: old-fashioned soda fountain sundaes, centerpieces made with old records (do kids even know what those are anymore?) and the adorable old Cruiser food boxes.

Games at the party included one where the kids were given toy cars and straws. The objective was to use the straw to blow their car across the floor and be the first across the "finish line." Sounds easy but I'm sure it takes some lung power! I'm really in love with the second game where the kids were in two relay teams and had to race and carry their tray of fake diner food without dropping it. The fake food items were dog toys that Bridget picked up. Come on...that is smart thinking!

I've added a few other items (napkins, record decorations, food baskets) to the mix that can be found on one of my favorite sites - Retro Planet. I think the food baskets would make fantastic containers for party favors. Just fill with retro candies and goodies and wrap with cellophane and ribbon and you have a cool favor, daddy-o.

Thanks again for sharing, Bridget. It's nice to kids having some good old-fashioned fun!

Stem on HWTM

Much thanks to Jenn at HWTM for asking me to guest post this week to help lighten her load a bit. If anyone deserves it, it's Jenn!

Check out her blog for the scoop on all things Candy Corn!

Vintage Bridal Shower

Have I mentioned my love for all things vintage? Oh, I have? Well then, it only makes sense that ever since I saw these plates a few months ago I haven't been able to get them out of my mind. They are the perfect jumping off point for a vintage bridal shower (or any other girlie occasion) that combines vintage refinement with a little "wink."


These simple invitations from Wedding Paper Divas let guests know they're in for something ladylike. Little do they know the kitsch is around the corner. I think it would be amazing if you added a line to the invite asking your guests to come dressed in vintage party frocks. I.Would.Love.That.

I love the simplicity of this table runner from Target. Hurry though, it's on clearance online. (Bonus!) Run it over a simple white tablecloth and then use vintage purses, sunglasses, teacups and round hat boxes for your centerpiece items. Tuck fresh blooms inside the purses and teacups for easy floral arrangements.

If a new plate for each guest isn't in your budget, get a few for serving/decor and get the coordinating napkins instead. Place a napkin centered on simple white plates and you'll still convey the look for less. While you're getting serving pieces, add a couple of these chocolate brown serving platters to your stash. I adore these.

In lieu of regular placecards, get these sassy mugs and put one at each setting. Replace the tag on a teabag with a homemade nametag instead and place the teabag inside the cup. Placecard and favor all in one. Easy breezy, beautiful vintage girl.

Next up, we'll go 50's fun. I hear Elvis might even make an appearance. Stay tuned.

Retro Week!

In case I've only mentioned it once or thirty times...I love all things vintage. Ahead this week on Stem is an entire week devoted to the "days of yore." Apparently I love all things Friends episode quote related as well.

Annnnnd, maybe playing dress up in a few of my vintage garments. Shout out to Shannan: Remember when we were addicted to My Style Diary? We make me laugh.

Stay tuned - lots of retro-inspired fun ahead from around the internet and from some Stem readers as well!

Lemiga Events

Looking for some eye candy to check out this weekend? Look no further than Lemiga Events. Michelle Gainey of Lemiga certainly knows how to create a party that I'd like to attend.




Check out her site and her blog for endless inspiration. Below is just a smidge. I mean, look at her gorgeous letterpress business cards. What a first impression!



Thanks also goes out to Michelle for listing Stem parties as a blog you enjoy. The feeling is absolutely mutual!

Wonder Woman ((cough, cough))

My apologies for being short on or so late on posts the last two days. I'm not feeling well and am trying to get caught up on emails so everyone doesn't think I'm a jerk. : )

So until I have more of the energy I give you something that jumped out at me from Paper Source. Is it just me or do these items make anyone else want to invite your girlfriends over for a completely kitschy Wonder Woman party to celebrate some serious Girl Power?

The mug would make a great favor for your Super Friends. Wouldn't this lunchbox be a fun way to serve an old-fashioned brown bag lunch? I'm giddy. This table runner from Social Couture and these plates from Plum Party are just two of the many items you could add to this Super Party. I have a feeling I'm going to have to explore this idea in greater depth when I regain the energies!

BHG.com, Will You Marry Me?

This Halloween Wedding party theme has me way more excited than one person should be.

It has everything:

Something old (that wedding dress you've been dying to wear again)
Something new (this fantastic party theme)
Something borrowed (from BHG.com)
Something blue (me if I don't get to host or attend a party like this)

In addition to what you see here, there are many more ghoulish ideas here to secure your spot as the ultimate Bridezilla hostess. I dare you to enter the site and see for yourself. It's a scream.

Note: This Halloween party could a great spin on the "Bridesmaid Dress" parties. Ask your guests to come dressed in their wedding finest. Or tackiest. Tackiest is good, too!

Credit: Becky Mollenkamp courtesy of BHG.com

(and sorry about the spacing on this post...Blogger will NOT cooperate for some reason right now!)

I Love a Good Makeover

Give me a human or home makeover and I'm there. I can't get enough. Really, wouldn't you give your left arm for a Candice Olson Divine Design of your own? As my husband says, "You love a show with a 'reveal' at the end. If you can cry, even better." He is wise, that one. It's true.

So when Jenn at Hostess With The Mostess said she was revamping the blog I was very excited, to say the least. Just when you things can't get better, they do. Kudos, Jenn. You did it again.

Congrats on the new features and functionality. How divine.

Read me! Operation Shower

It's always fun to get emails from Stem blog readers asking questions about events I've done or for tips on throwing their own event. I love hearing from you guys and helping in any way I can. So you can imagine I was extra thrilled when I got an email last week from Lena at Operation Shower asking if I could help in any way with a great non-profit organization of which she's a part.

Among other things, Operation Shower provides "Showers in a Box." What is that, you ask?

"Operation Shower gathers donations for a particular mom-to-be whose spouse is deployed during her pregnancy. After gathering enough wonderful donations to fill a large box and packing it with festive paper and ribbons, the Operation Shower stork delivers the box to the unsuspecting mom-to-be! "


Is that one of the greatest ideas you've heard of or what? I don't know about you, but those military families really tug at my heart. I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster they are on all the time.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? (You are asking that, right?)

Well, if you are in the St. Louis area, Operation Shower is holding their first fundraiser on November 22nd from 8p-11p @ CWE's Mandarin Lounge. Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 door. I'll post more details as they are available, but go ahead and mark your calendars now!

Don't live in St. Louis? You can go to the official website and donate financial support or find out more how to donate your own Shower in a Box.

If any fellow vendors reading this would like to donate raffle prizes for the fundraiser, please feel free to contact me. Likewise, any fellow bloggers reading this that want to post about Operation Shower, please do. I think we all know the power of the internet! (If you do blog about this, drop me a line or comment and let me know!)

Cheers and God bless all those serving in the military and the families and friends that support them.

Take A Number

Today's etsy find is Dear Emma Stationery.

While you REALLY need to go spend some time looking at all of the delightful designs for invitations, save the dates, etc., in the etsy store of this mother/daughter team, I'd like to have the honor of at least showing you a few of their table number designs.

So, without further ado....how dreamy are these?

Remember

Today we celebrate the lives of those who were gone too soon.

Her Cupcakes Bring All The Boys To The Yard

How sassy is that card above? Love it. In fact, I love everything about Cupcake Envy. Including the fact that it is NOT in St. Louis. I'd be a danger to myself. CE will ship though people, so don't fret. These brilliant little gems can be yours, too. Send some to someone special, order some for your next party, send some to yourself because you just finished a blog post. Oh wait...



Grab a glass of milk and head on over to their delicious flickr gallery and www.cupcakeenvy.com for more of the good stuff. Don't see that perfect confection for your next party? No problem. In their own delectable words, "Cupcake Envy is constantly creating new ideas for clients and welcome all themes, the more outrageous the better."

Wall of Fame

I'm not sure how I missed this post on How About Orange, but I'm glad I found it tonight. Just think of the endless ways you can adapt this not only for decor for your home, but for a party as well. If you have the right venue (even if that means your own dining room!) and use the right temporary adhesive (I agree that painter's tape works wonders for a temporary fix), you could completely transform the walls of a space with this great idea! I think we all know how many amazing scrapbook papers and gift wrap designs are out there. Am I right, ladies?

Another great idea from Jessica. The girl is gooood.

Are You Kidding Me?

Oh, and this has nothing to do with anything, but are you kidding me? How gorgeous is this necklace on Etsy? Does anyone else married to me reading this (hint hint) think I need this so I can design a party around it?

Don't get me started on the rest of her designs. Oh.My.Word. Amazing. One word: peacock.

I Have Designs on You, Beau Coup

I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for anything that reminds me of cute gift wrap. That's exactly what the labels on these adorable favor tins look like to me. I can just imagine sheets of some of these designs in my ever-growing gift wrap collection. A girl can dream, right?

With this many great designs, there's sure to be a favor tin to match just about any occasion. These are just the tip of the iceberg, so take a look for yourself. I bet you find something you need in your life on the Beau Coup site.

"Merci beau coup, Pee Wee."

"Merci, bleh bleh."

(Did I just show my age with a Pee Wee's Big Adventure reference?)

X Marks the PartySpot

If you're like me, then what you lack in height, you make up for in big hair - AND you can't get enough of websites with party and event inspirations.

If you don't have partyspot on your list, then go ahead and bookmark it now. There are some fantastic Real Parties featured on this site, and I'm pleased to have been asked to be one of them.

And, since the site is from the same people that brought the world The Knot, you know it's full of wonderful tips for planning your next event.

NKOTB!

There's a new kid on the block! Baby Lifestyles is her name. (Are websites female?) Baby Lifestyles is a great resource for all things baby. From nurseries, to shopping, to baby showers, this new site is sure to be a hit and promises to keep growing.


"Baby Lifestyles: For anyone with a baby, anyone having a baby, anyone who knows someone with a baby, anyone who knows someone who acts like a baby. " Okay, even though the site really does have something for everyone, I think we can all see why Lauren didn't ask me to come up with her marketing campaign.

Editor and Founder, Lauren Halperin has a great thing growing and features a baby shower article this month with yours truly and another featuring the added bonus of Jenn at HWTM and Joanna at LotusHaus. Check them out and make sure to keep an eye on Baby Lifestyles! They grow up so fast...sniff.

The Very Definition

What's in a name? Well, in the case of Serendipity {Beyond Design}, everything. For those looking for creative, one-of-a-kind invitations and other paper goods for an event - coming across the creativity of Ginger is nothing short of a happy accident.

Check out her site and her Etsy store for more evidence that today is indeed your lucky day!

(Much love to another St. Louis girl. Much love.)

Glam On It.

Bachelorette Party? Evening Bridal Shower? Hip Baby Shower? An excuse to get the girls together? Make it a Hollywood Glam event!



Wanna kick it up a notch? Incorporate some of these ideas and you'll be a star.

• Ask your girls to come dressed like their favorite celebrity.
• Make sure and have a stack of gossip magazines on hand for everyone to dish over throughout the night. Frame some covers and pages from extra mags (or color copy some you've bought to read) and place them around the party site.
• Bring in someone to pamper your guests like superstars with manis and pedis.
• Play Scene It! Movie edition.
• Take paparazzi shots of everyone throughout the night (Party Guests - They're Just Like Us!) and compile the pictures in a mini photo book (kodakgallery, shutterfly, snapfish, mypublisher, etc.) and send one to the guest of honor after the party.

Fun Favor Ideas seen above: Hollywood Tank, Bochox, Diamond Paperweight

Other party items seen here: Hollywood Platter, Cups, Napkins, Cool Jewels Ice Cubes