Party Planning for Dummies

By Laura Hueto Celebrations are also as varied as the people who organize them, which is why wed like to encourage you to bring your own cards to the table and to try your hand as a hostess in your own way. Hosting a party, no matter how big or small, can be intimidating, but as with everything else, practice will be your best ally, as well as being well organized and preparing everything youll need beforehand. A very good option when organizing such an event is that of giving it a theme or a concept. It can be a bold and straightforward one like a Pirate pool party, or something more subtle and low-key such as Downtown Manhattan relaxed dinner party, just for you to make decisions coherently. I mention decision-making as part of the process, because youll obtain best results when considering the organization of this party as you would any other project, that is by being organized and paying attention to every single detail. - Activities

Celebration 101:

2. ORGANIZATION & COORDINATION 1. INSPIRATION

Getting inspired may seem llike such a silly step, but going through simple rituals such as scavenging Pinterest for ideas or looking at your blogrolls latest DIY posts can make the difference between a celebration thats just one in a million and one that youll all cherish and remember forever. You should also bear in mind that this party can be an excuse for you to indulge in some serious DIY crafty sessions. They can be downright amazing if you decide to make them an event of their own by inviting your friends over, putting some nice music on and just having fun. When looking for inspiration, Id advise you to already have decided on a theme and bearing it in mind as you go, so that by the end you have selected coherent paths for each of these 4 elements: - Food & drinks - Music - Deco Now that you have an idea of what you want to do (check the 4 elements to be sure), its time to organize yourself. First, decide the where & when and see whether you need help with the preparations. Organizing a social event can not only be a lot of work, it can also be challenging. The trick here is to work not only within your capabilities time-wise, but also within your abilities, that is with a clear idea of your set of skills. It is very important to know when to delegate so that, firstly, youre not overwhelmed with work, and secondly, so that everything is at its best. So for example, if you love cooking and have a beautiful rooftop that can hold your party, maybe you can ask your cool DJ friend to cook up a playlist for it as you know that its bound to be more interesting than anything you could put together. Or if cooking is really not within the range of your abilities, then maybe you can consider catering, or having somebody over to help you. Its all about being smart about what you can and cannot do, which is whats going to give you the best results. Another important thing you should do is set up a timetable prior to the event. I know this makes me sound like

an annoying wedding planner, and you do not have to write everything down by any means, but I think it is important you should be aware of the things you have to get done beforehand and finding the time to do them is not always that simple.

3. SHOPPING & PREPARATION

The time for planning has passed, now its all about doing. Buying the groceries, making a playlist on Spotify, putting up the decorations, talking decide it all a before! to your neighbours... You whether you want to finish week in advance or the day Just make sure everything is

and to be banging at our door, feels to me like an excitingly beautiful butterflies-in-my-stomach kind of moment. The end is near. This phrase, however dramatic it may seem, represents so perfectly what these last days of spring are to so many of us. Personally, I feel this more than ever, as I am finishing my fashion studies this year, and with the summer will come a whole new world of possibilities for me to discover. Now is the time to wrap up our final projects, make the most of the last few weeks with our classmates before we each go our own way, and prepare for a new journey to begin. But all this, instead of appearing as a frighteningly despondent project where adult responsibilities seem to have inexorably caught up with us Having worked like a house elf (hey, Harry Potter fans!) for the past few years to get where I am now, I feel not only proud of myself, but also impatient for new things to come. Now is the moment to truly celebrate that this season (both in the literal and metaphorical senses) is coming to an end, and to announce that we intend to cross the threshold of this newly-come life stage fearlessly, and with a smile on our faces. Celebrating feels amazing, and whether it is with a massive block party, with a quiet sleepover or a decadent tea party, you should bear in mind that it is all about having fun and spending some quality time with your friends and/or family.

coherent and makes your concept justice, and bear in mind that this is all about celebrating and having fun! To make it easier for you and give you a taste of MissRobin party planning inspiration, here you have a few playlists, recipes, craft sites and inspiring photos weve cooked up for you. Weve broken them down into 3 themes: - Hawaii pool party - Thai-inspired dinner party - Alice in Wonderland decadent tea party

hawaii pool party

PLAYLIST:
This theme is all about celebrating summer, friendship and having a good time. So think cold soda, bikinis, surfing music, finger food, refreshing soups, poolside dancing and playing Twister or Spin the Bottle! The Coachella Music Festival can be a great dresscode inspiration, and by the end of the evening, Id try to replicate the feel of a bonfire party by asking one of your friends to give a ukelele performance, and maybe even having some fireworks. Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson Bitter Heart - Zee Avi There She Goes - The Las Come to the Sunshine - Van Dyke Parks Surfin Safari - The Beach Boys Honey Bee - Zee Avi Here comes the sun - The Beatles One step at a time - Brenda Lee Why Does It Always Rain On Me? - Travis Tiger Rag - Les Paul, Mary Ford La Tienda de Sombreros - Monsieur Perin Just You and Me - Zee Avi Surfin U.S.A. - The Beach Boys

Useful links
Foodie links
www.whatkatieate.com www.smittenkitchen.com www.tarteletteblog.com theitaliandishblog.com/recipe-index cinnamongirldelights.blogspot.com nymag.com/bestofny/food

DECADENT TEA PARTY

DECADENT TEA PARTY

Here the fun lies in having tons of details that strangely come together in unexpected ways. Its a party, so music, laughter and gossip will have their place, but everything will happen around a table of magic, with an elegant tea selection, butter cookies, candy, macarons, dark chocolate, toasts with butter and jam, sandwiches, maybe even a spring salad! As main activities, Id recommend throwing in a DIY session, but you could even have a Karaoke Hour! Like in Alices world of fantasy, quirkiness is welcome, even expected, so give in to your imagination!

PLAYLIST:
Cou Cou - Monsieur Perin Jai confiance en moi - Isabelle Carr Fool Today - Olivia Broadfield Shooting The Moon - Ok Go I dont know - Lisa Hannigan More Than This - Vanessa Carlton Lunasa - Karen Elson Carousel - Vanessa Carlton Lost In You - Olivia Broadfield Heaven Help - Lenny Kravitz Well OK Honey - Jenny O Nolita Fairytale - Vanessa Carlton 100 Years From Now - Karen Elson

Useful links
Crafty links
www.craftingeek.me www.cremedelacraft.com www.purlbee.com www.abeautifulmess.com howaboutorange.blogspot.com www.sweetpaulmag.com

THAI DINNER PARTY

PLAYLIST:
Love Is Stronger Than Pride - Herbie Hancock Margot - Keith Jarrett Canadian Sunset - Fredrik Carlquist Youve Got A Friend - Stacey Kent Messy Bessie - Jimmy Smith Brownie Speaks - Clifford Brown In A Sentimental Mood - D.Ellington, J. Coltrane My Little Brown Book - D. Ellington, J. Coltrane Fleurette Africaine - D. Ellington Angelica - D. Ellington, J. Coltrane Backward Country Boy Blues - Duke Ellington The Story - Norah Jones Howls Moving Castle - Giovanni Mirabassi

In this quiet dinner party, the focus is on the great conversation, and on spending some quality time with your friends or family. The deco and music should therefore fall to a subtly elegant backdrop where the evening can flow flawlessly. So think candles, deliciously exotic and warm soul food, intellectual jazz, herbal tea and some fortune cookies to spark the conversation.

Useful links
www.griottes.fr ohjoy.blogs.com joannagoddard.blogspot.com www.onemoremushroom.com www.ungtblod.com www.mycakies.com

Inspiration & Lifestyle