I need to use this crazy cool contraption ASAP….it is so stinkin’ cute I canNOT stand it! The Dough-Nu-Matic machine is a reasonably compact machine that turns out a dozen mini doughnuts in under six minutes…
When was the last time you had people over to your house? People you actually invited ahead of time to DO something; eat a meal together, catch the game on TV…
As an event planner, it is my job to give the client what he or she wants. Sometimes this requires jumping through multiple, entangled, jumbo-sized hoops…
The folks over at The Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery just informed me of the real “scoop” behind that now infamous crooked cake photo released this week from Jenna Bush & Henry Hager’s wedding…
One word: THRILLED (to be mentioned in Abby Ellin’s article featured in today’s New York Times Style section!). I have a friend who innocently asked what the big deal is in being included in the NYTimes as opposed to any other newspaper…
Immediately following our time at Sirius with Mario Bosquez at Martha Stewart Radio , we were onto the next event; that being preparing for the TV segment on WABC the following morning…
Yes, yes, we know….pink for girls, blue for boys. {yaawwwn}. In the wedding industry there is a saying that “Brides get married in packs”, which is really pretty true. You know how it goes, one friend gets the bling and everyone else starts jumping on board. The pressure…
I received an email asking for tips on what in the world to do about the candy excess after October 31. Throw it all away? Donate it? Let the kids just eat all they want until they are (literally) sick of it?…
Some days are just better than others. Today was one of those days. My cyber blogging friend Jenn Sbranti, or The Hostess With The Mostess, as she is more commonly known, featured our recent High School Musical 3 party on her painfully hip website…
As you are preparing for your Thanksgiving celebration, whether you are Host or Guest, keep the stress at bay by remembering this:If the turkey isn’t done on time (or over-done!), if no one likes the cauliflower dish you slaved over, if you accidentally break a wine glass…
A friend of mine wanted to throw a casual Holiday affair, potluck style, but still have some easy yet elegant touches. I was so happy that she understood the difference between “casual” and “lackluster” and was happy to offer a bit of guidance. A few tips for you last minute “casual” party throwers…
Stay tuned for a year of more resourceful, helpful, insightful and inspirational blog posts in 2009! Have a question or want to share an idea on the Mix Mingle Glow blog? Leave a comment any time or shoot me an email at robyn@mixmingleglow.com.
Q. We are going out to our condo at the lake with two other families. Do you have any fun ideas for party games for 6 adults?
A. Thanks for the great question! I always think you just can’t go wrong with board games, although my new favorites are the board/DVD combo variety (like the “Scene It?” games). It’s not too late to swing into your local Target or WalMart to pick up a couple of great new games for tonight!
We have found that the 80’s Pop Culture Trivial Pursuit is always so much fun, since most people know much more about recent events and trends than the traditional Trivial Pursuit questions. The DVD component mixes it up and adds a fun interactive element. The new Seinfeld Edition is especially great, because everyone THINKS they know Seinfeld factoids, but the truth is, it is much trickier than it seems (”Which soup did George ask for in the Soup Nazi episode?”). Partini and Pictureka! are also fun new options. Because you will have a smaller group of just 6 adults, I’d recommend a variety of games (even if you start out with something like Jenga while everyone is snacking/drinking/getting warmed up) and then see what everyone decides on. If you don’t have any good games of your own or don’t want to pick up a few new ones today, you can ask each couple to bring one or two with them. You may have to take the reigns if you find that your guests are just sitting around. Just pick a game and open it up…once you break it out, everyone always has fun. Personally I have found that if you go ahead and have one game set up and ready to go party guests are much more likely to join in. Anything that takes too much concentration, seriousness or learning, its not usually a good “party” game, so try to keep it simple. Also, no one likes “forced fun” so participation should always be optional!
For a non-board game twist, have everyone write 3 unknown facts about themselves on separate slips of paper and put them in a bowl. Have people try to guess who each fact applies to. Or you can mix it up and have each person write 2 truthful facts and one lie about themselves and everyone has to guess which is the true (or false). Some of the best “games” occur spontaneously, like predicting how many times Ryan Seacrest will say “rockin’” in Times Square tonight!
Whatever games you decide on, keep it lighthearted, fun and be safe tonight and have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
…but until then, here are some fun, easy, clever ideas for you to celebrate with your friends. It is definitely not too late to throw together a fabulous time and ring in 2009 with your nearest and dearest!
Clockwise from top left: Hang inexpensive clocks from monofilament (that’s heavy duty fishing line, kids) from the ceiling, some individually, some back-to-back. I mean seriously, is there an easier, cheaper way to decorate for New Years AND use vertical space (my number one all important decor element reminder)?? These clocks are available at IKEA for $2.99 - $9.99!; Gather all the clocks in the house (hit the thrift shops, borrow from your neighbors and ask guests to bring some too!) and group them together to create lovely centerpieces, mantle decor and more (remember, you make more impact if you group items together, as opposed to spreading them out everywhere) via Martha Stewart; Place colorful clocks under clear glass plates for New Year’s Eve dinner (you can even get away with using nice quality clear plastic plates with “chargers” like these!) like Denise did over at Little Ant Designs. Serve a jolt of java in these adorable numbered cups before sending your guests home for the night, available from Japanese Modern Design.
Create your own balloon drop by following these directions from Family Fun (very easy and inexpensive) or just buy the kit from Target (who doesn’t love falling balloons and confetti at midnight?!); Give guests their own New Years Kit by filling baggies with confetti and taping a noisemaker to the top like Martha did (another one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas!); Observe the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight for a year of good luck (while serving the prettiest champagne in town), via Martha Stewart; Pass out fun 2009 glasses to your guests and then be sure to grab your camera! Glasses available at Goggles and Glasses.
Have fun, be safe, and call me if you want me to plan that party at a clock store…seriously….I think it would PHENOMENAL to have all those clocks chiming, chirping, binging and bonging at midnight! Next year I’m doing it….you’ll see!
The Top Ten Finalists are in over at Hostess With the Mostess (we narrowed it down from 463 entries - PHEW!!), so now its up to YOU to vote for your favorites. There are some seriously talented people out there in the blogosphere, so here’s your chance to get majorly inspired and put a few ideas in your back pocket for your next party! Honestly, if you haven’t felt the urge to host something yet, take a look at how simple and affordable the submitted ideas are in this contest and you’ll be a party throwin’ fool before the New Year even rolls around!
So I came across this idea about six months ago on how to make your own disco ball using styrofoam and old CDs (like the ones you get in the mail from AOL). I thought it would be a great little tutorial for a 70’s themed party, but I just kept wondering if anyone would actually DO something like this. Then today, I was out and about shopping and in two different shops I saw these cute little Christmas ornaments that looked like….well, little tiny disco balls! Immediately I knew this video tutorial was as timely as ever.
Make a bunch this weekend (perfect if you have some little helpers around) and deck out the office tree, give them as favors at the company party, attach them to a simple cardstock New Year’s invitation and deliver in a small kraft box…the possibilities are endless. If you go through your own old CDs (when was the last time you actually listened to Garth Brooks Greatest Hits??), you can literally make these for pennies.
