Some ridiculously fabulous parties of 2010.

I am a lova of parties. I adore the unique and meaningful.

2010 was an interesting year in Children's Parties...Lots of staged, fake photo shoot ones-devoid of any actual children...and...lots of brilliant, heartfelt & original parties-with real, live kids!  Printables ruled the scene. Dessert tables dominated. Labeling all items on food and dessert tables still going strong. Cake balls, cake pops in any and every variation are a dessert table staple. Vintage making a thunderous comeback. (sidenote: turning something into silhouette form does not make a design vintage) Striped paper straws everywhere. Mini Cake Buntings surging in the second half of the year. Donuts adding serious cuteness to so many parties. Kandy Kones taking over the world.


Here are some of the parties which I found to be clever, novel and beautiful. So much extraordinary inspiration out there. Ecstatic to see what 2011 will bring.




In no particular order...

Kim, The Celebration Shoppe {Little Scientist}

Amanda, Shindig {Star Wars Party}

Genevieve, Superchick {Little Red Riding Hood}

Natalie, Little Shindigs {Toy Story}

Danielle, AFOMFT {Peek-a-Boo Times Two}

Rebekah, A Blissful Nest {Butterfly 2nd}

Kori, Paper & Pigtails {Preppy Turtle}

Bird, Bird's Parties {Double Party in the Garden}

Brittany, Grey Grey Designs {Retro Rocket}

Dawn, Not Just a Mommy {Back to School Bash}

Kellie & Melissa, Icing Designs {Pink Christmas Birthday}



Pam, Party Starters {Shabby Chic Fairy Birthday}

Jill, Peas & Thank You's {Pink Zebra Art Party}

Cari, Socially Circled {Camp Four}



Do, Piggy Bank Parties {Charlie Brown party for a Big Kid}



Stephanie, Couture Parties {Preppy Beach Party}



 Jenny, Hank + Hunt {First Day of Preschool}

Rebecca, Fresh Chick Designs {Winter Candyland}

I am positive I left off 100 other parties I love just as much:)

Much love to you all...

Wishing you a 2011 filled with peace and good parties:)

Ending the year with some Magic & Giggledust, 74/365 {Jamie, Giggledust Parties}

Welcome to the New Year's Eve Edition of the Pug Crush. 2010 was a truly extraordinary year. I thought I would end the year with an amazing Party Girl:)

The Party Planning Princess, 74/365: Jamie, Giggledust Parties

Jamie is a shining star in the party planning world. Her celebrations are "dusted with magic." I love that- completely. She is the designer and owner of a full service event planning business-focusing on spectacular children's events. She has style, originality and it is a total detail chick. Jamie is sweet, funny and charming. Perfect Magical Party Chick Crush to close out 2010:)

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Fascinating Jamie trivia:)

favorite color? Brown. I know, BORING! I just think it is the perfect neutral..looks great with so many colors..especially pink and pale blue.


• favorite team? I really don't have one! I could lie and pick a Philadelphia sports team since it is my hometown but I would be completely lying...not a huge sports fan :-)

• if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Without a doubt - cheese!

• party trend you are crushing on? Vintage details.

• party trend you are so over? I would be so happy to NEVER attend another bounce house party.

• favorite aisle in the craft store? Clearance - I have found so many great party items in this aisle!

• do you wear Uggs? No! I know this seems strange but I actually have some bad childhood memories associated with Uggs. My brother was an avid surfer and wore Uggs back in the early 80s long before they were mainstream and "cool." My friends would make fun of his Uggs and I HATED them because of it! They used to call them his "Ugg..ly boots."

• do you really exercise? Nope. I pay $58 a month to drive by my gym and say I realllly need to start exercising more. Monday, back to the gym on Monday...

• minivan or non minivan driving? I am ashamed to admit that I joined the dark side back in 2007 with the birth of my 3rd child. I now secretly love my minivan.....shhhh!

• favorite holiday? Christmas.

• favorite smell? Fresh cut grass

• do you color your hair? Yes, but I like to think I am just taking my hair back to its glory days when it was naturally blond.

• do you think you’re cool? Absolutely!

New Year's Eve Eve. Purple Crushes on Pink. 73/365 {Eleanor, Pink Peppermint Paper}

Hello. Happy New Year's Eve Eve...Today, The Purple is crushing on The Pink.

Paper Chick, Party Planner & Pink Lova, 73/365: Eleanor, Pink Peppermint Paper

Eleanor is one of those chicks that cracks. me. up. She is witty, clever and charming. Girlfriend is my kind of girlfriend. Eleanor designs gorgeous and whimsical stationery, invitations, favor tags and announcements. Clean lines and original work. I am kinda madly in love with her partyware and party styling skills. She is an extraordinary party planner and just launched an online-based planning service-another division in her empire- Pink Peppermint Parties. Eleanor is a funny, sunny and super talented. Totally crushing on The Pink Peppermint Paper Chick.

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Fascinating Eleanor trivia:)

• favorite color? I'm gonna have to go with pink for obvious reasons.


• favorite team? The defending National Champion University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Rooooooooooooollll...

• if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate. I need it.

• party trend you are crushing on? I am a sucker for bunting of all shapes and sizes.

• party trend you are so over? I'm done with the super symmetrical party table. You know what I'm talkin' about. Those too perfect to eat main food displays. Who wants to be the first one to take a dang cake pop and throw the whole thing out of whack? Loosen up, people.

• favorite aisle in the craft store? Seasonal. No, paper!

• do you wear Uggs? Negative. The mere thought makes me sweat.

• do you really exercise? Only for about 6-12 weeks a year when bathing suit weather starts to threaten.

• minivan or non minivan driving? Non, although I do lurv that remote control sliding door.

• favorite holiday? I'd have to say Christmas, but Easter is a close second. All that candy!

• favorite smell? Baked goods.

• do you color your hair? Nope.

• do you think you’re cool? Who told you that?

Party Wishes Wednesday, 72/365 {Donna, Party Wishes}

Welcome to the Wild Wednesday Wishing Edition of the Pug Crush.

Ridiculously Fabulous Party Girl Crush, 72/365 : Donna, Party Wishes

Donna is the clever and brilliant party chick behind Party Wishes. I love the name of her business:) She is an extraordinary children's event planner. She has unique style, superior service and I simply adore her style. Her parties are original, whimsical and fun for the guests:) Her goal is "..to create childhood memories that last a lifetime!" That is exactly what children's party planning should be about. Donna is sweet, charming and supportive. Seriously creative and way crafty. Totally crushing on the Party Wishes Chick.

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Fascinating Facts about Donna:)

• favorite color? blue


• favorite team? Los Angeles Dodgers

• if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate!!!

• party trend you are crushing on? custom party printables and tissue poms

• party trend you are so over? character plates and napkins

• favorite aisle in the craft store? paint-you can transform ANYTHING with paint!

• do you wear Uggs? yes, pink ones

• do you really exercise? I like to walk and I'm trying to train for a 5K in November with my 9 yo daughter

• minivan or non minivan driving? minivan to haul all of the party stuff

• favorite holiday? Halloween

• favorite smell? My daughter's hair after a shower

• do you color your hair? I 'enhance" my blondeness with weavings

• do you think you’re cool? Mom cool but not quite rock star cool

The Purple Pug Parties of 2010.

Hello party people...I can't believe we will be entering a brand new year in a few days time. 2010 was simply an extraordinary year.

This post is a recapitulation of the Purple One's Parties of 2010. I just realized- I had a whole lotta parties in 2010. LOL. I am not a professional party planner.  I am Mama to 2 very special little chimps, a handmade partyware designer, a very wordy blogger, a detail freak, a creative crafter and a serious lova of parties of all kinds.

Each party I hosted this year was just so special to me for more reasons than you will ever know. I adore parties that are charming, fun, fabulous, off the beaten path, original and filled with smiles. Most importantly, I plan, scheme and plot my parties with my sons' happiness in mind. Always.

Enjoy the recap....I seriously cannot believe how many parties I designed and hosted this year. Why didn't any of your girls try to stop my craziness:) LOL!



The Super Grover Rave, April 2010
Party for my son, Super Gavin, 5 years old

Super Grover for my little Super G. Lots of chunky yarn, Super Grover, clouds, kites, Gs, bright colors, candy, yarn pom poms, rock candy tree, and a whole lotta handmade items. Basement transformed into an art studio/disco. Children made custom works of Super Grover Art, super hero masks-I made all kids capes. Designed the cutest kids lunch line in the universe.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

The Monster Jam Dirtfest, May 2010
My son, Griffin's 7th Birthday

My boy was seriously into all things Monster Jam, Monster Trucks, Cars and anything dirt related. Based the design off black/white checkered patterns, blue, red, orange, yellow and a little touch of pink:) Lots of paper chains, tires and flags everywhere. Tried to balance the butch with the beauty.

Monster Jam Dirtfest

The Cereal Bar Buffet, August 2010

The Cereral Bar Party

Decided to a surprise breakfast party for my kids and family visiting from the Sunshine State. I did a little sneaking around before the party and found out everybody's favorite cereal so I could have it for the party. Lots of bright colors, sand buckets, blinged out milk bottles, personalized spoons, paper flowers in a milk carton vase, real oranges for sipping and Froot Loop garland. And, of course, the Flintstone Vitamins:) Was such a simple, sweet and perfect way to start the day. One of my favorite memories of the year.

Donuts and Dragons, August 2010

Kids lunch and dessert party for a little sunny & funny afternoon.

Donuts & Dragons

Lots of donuts, friendly dragons and vibrant summery colors. A donut tree, donut kebabs and donuts on  individual dessert pedestals I made. No sew pom pom banner and lots of sweet details. Party favors were mini bakery boxes tied with colored twine.

The Water Balloon Palooza, August 2010

The Water Balloon & Weapon Palooza

Water balloons, water guns and ice cream & ice pops galore.

Mad for Plaid, Koalas and Waffles, September 2010

A little back to school Belgian waffle and ice cream bar for my favorite guys. Lots of cozy plaid, pom poms and koala bears. Waffles, ice cream and all the toppings:)

A Very Special & Colorful Christmas, 2010

It all started with the pinata.