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!