Winter Wonderland Wrap-Up

Almost two weeks ago, I hosted Winter Wonderland at the RH School of Performing Arts. With the help of a dedicated troop of volunteers, blaring Christmas music, and a super dedicated boyfriend that dressed up like Mr. Kringle, we pulled off a fab event!

Children got to read off their wish lists to Mr. Claus and received gift bags with coloring books, toys, snacks, and coupons!

The kiddies piled into the activity room where they got temporary tattoos, coloring pins, and played games! The best part of the whole event was seeing the kids play with each other.

Santa even got kinda competitive with the bean bag toss! I put up more pictures on the facebook page, be sure to check it out! Don't forget to become a Wrightfully Social fan as well!

This event was made possible by Nicole Jones of Sensual Steps Shoe Salon, Thomas Cole of Diamond Bank, Frances Wright of Allstate Insurance, Pink's Child Care Academy, and Rhea Henderson of the RH School of Performing Arts.

www.sensualstepsinc.com
www.dbdiamond.com
www.pinkschildcare.com
www.rhspa.com
http://www.allstateagencies.com/FrancesWright/

Color Me Bold: Lisa Frank Inspired Party

I was in the store the other day and saw a set of Lisa Frank folders. Aside from swooning right there in aisle four, I became inspired to post this bright, bold post inspired by the artist!

This is a fun theme for children's parties, especially ones that include arts and craft activities.

Use bright shades of purple, pink, blue, and yellow to unify splashes of color for your party.

Guests will surely love this rainbow Sprite cake. I found the recipe over at Onomicon for all those brave chefs out there. Find it here. Rainbow lollipops and rainbow sherbet also provide treats for the mouth and eyes!

Give attendees gift bags filled with Lisa Frank activity books, pencils, rainbow stretch bracelets, and porcupine balls.

Make funky centerpieces with these button bouquets. These can be found on Etsy. You can check out my earlier post on button themed party ideas here.

Music playlist inspired by this post:
Prince "Pink Cadillac"
Prince "Purple Rain"
Aerosmith "Pink "
Beyonce "Greenlight"
Kelly Clarkson "Behind these Hazel Eyes"
Beatles "Blackbird" <-- one of my faves! Donovan "Mellow Yellow" Michael Jackson "Black or White"

I am personally grateful to this artist. I used these folders to learn about aesthetics, especially how to draw. Earlier on in elementary school, we would showcase our Lisa Frank school supplies proudly. Any girly girl growing up in the 90s should understand! By the way, this marks her 30th anniversary, congratulations!

Cute as a Button

Celebrate your little one's birthday or arrival in style with this "Cute as a Button" theme. Here is theme that is ideal for a baby shower or early birthday party that you can do on a relatively small budget.

You can create garland like the one pictured here by cutting flowers out of felt material. Secure the floral layers with a hot glue gun (3 to 4 max). Attach felt flowers to ribbon, which can be tied to arrangements for hanging. Recommended for mantles, doorways, and chairs.

Place picture frames with your adorable guest-of-honor on tables and on the walls around the party. This can be another crafty decorative project, glue assorted buttons on the frames. Accent with ribbon to make those pictures pop.

Make guests comfortable with these pillows (pictured right) by Letter Perfect Design. Place on couches, sofas, and arm chairs. You can contact the designer for custom pillows. Pick a design that incorporates personalization by using your little one's first initial.

Make it a tea time affair with this adorable and affordable centerpiece by Really Bad Kitty. Place atop a pink table runner sprinkled with buttons. You can also add coiled floral reeds or curled colored pipe cleaner to spruce up your attention getting centerpiece.

NOTE: If small children will be in attendance, you should secure the buttons with glue dots or a glue gun to avoid choking.

Want a unique favor? Try these flower magnets (pictured below), also by Really Bad Kitty. Couple with a personalized card thanking each guest for attending. Serve brownie pops for a tasty alternative to a traditional cake. Check out my post on the benefits of these unique desserts here.

Winter Wonderland Tickets are Available Now!

Tickets are here! Make this holiday magical for your loved ones by attending Winter Wonderland. The holiday themed event will take place at the RH School of Performing Arts, located at 2542 East 83 Street, on Sunday, December 13 from 3pm to 6pm.

Check out the :30 spot below

Ticket Sales Go On Sale This Sunday!

Wrightfully Social has received overwhelming support and interest in Winter Wonderland. For more information about the event, click here.

Originally , tickets were slated to be sold on November 27, but I have decided to accept ticket orders this Sunday, November 15!

I look forward to seeing you and the kiddies there! Again, thanks for the support with this endeavor!

Bring Out Your Party's Wild Side

I think I was inspired by my Halloween costume (I was a cat of some sort). For the purrrfect affair, liven up a small gathering (i.e. dinner party) with these party suggestions.
You can find animal print fabric from just about any fabric and craft store. I would go with a print that has brown or black shades in it. Tone down wild table settings with this brown suede table runner (pictured below, far left) from Plum Party.

Place these customizable candle holders and votives (pictured below, left) from Shindigz on your table(s). Use small bamboo plants to complement the tablescape. You can also dress up chairs with Gossamer paper (pictured below, right), also from from Shindigz. Gossamer has many uses, consider it for table draping or as a "ferocious" garland. They also have leopard and zebra print. I would suggest mixing it up by alternating chair ties.

You can find these animal print lanterns (pictured below, far right) at World Market. They are perfect for adding some animal flare and subdued lighting to your event. you can also find affordable paper lanterns at the Paper Lantern Store. Bundling and mixing the patterns with solid colors will tame a motif that lets the imagination go wild!

Start Getting Excited for The Princess and the Frog

I am so excited about the Princess and the Frog! I will have a party-idea post up in the next couple of weeks. Here is the official video for Ne-Yo's "Never Knew I Needed" off of the soundtrack.


Ne-Yo - Never Knew I Needed - Official Music Video

Ne-Yo | MySpace Video

The rest of the soundtrack can be previewed here.

Winter Wonderland Updates

As you may know, I am hosting Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 13 at the RH School of Performing Arts (2542 East 83 Street). It will mark my first public event. I am so excited, especially, since I'm a winter baby and love to be in good holiday spirits!

Winter Wonderland is a holiday themed craft and activities event. Each child will receive a fabulous gift bag with cool prizes and a souvenir picture with Santa. There will be no charge for adults.

I am so happy to confirm that the Winter Wonderland is being presented in conjunction with the Frances Wright Agency, a branch of Allstate Insurance Co. and Thomas Cole, Assistant Vice President of Diamond Bank. Other exciting sponsors have signed on as well, but I cannot release that information just yet.

Early bird tickets will go on sale on November 27th thru November 30th. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the RH School of Performing Arts.

UPDATE: Tickets go on sale Sunday, November 15.

Still Recuperating from Halloween

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, I know I did! I am still recovering from all the excitement of Halloween. I was planning a girly Thriller themed post, but I think you'll enjoy this awesome theme posted on my favorite blogs. Fabulous!

Click on the picture below to check out this Chic Halloween party.

Tapas for Ta-Tas

My motto is "there's never a wrong reason to celebrate" and partying for a good cause is always the

wRight reason! October is breast cancer awareness month and the perfect opportunity for this Tapas for Ta Tas affair. You and your friends can get together to educate others about breast cancer in a unique and tasty way. Besides, there is nothing better than partying for a good cause!

Serve a variety of tapas or appetizer platters. Tapas can include shrimp, chicken, beef, fish, pork, and vegetables and can be served hot or cold. Usually small and mobile, these morsels will allow attendees to be social. Common tapas dishes are meatballs, cheeses, empanadas, and kabobs. You will need toothpicks to ration portions. Serve Nuvo cocktails to supplement the food.

Pour strawberry yogurt into cups and layer with chopped strawberries or kiwi and granola for something sweet.

You can find information on a variety of breast cancer awareness websites. You can contact local advocacy affiliates or your doctor for resources such as pamphlets, fact sheets, or premiums. I would suggest making it fun with trivia and quizzes.

For those in attendance, make a small donation to an awareness organization on their behalf, such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation or provide favor items that benefit research such as these keychains.

These pom-pom lanterns on Good Things Wedding Favors were simply adorable! Include various shades of pink (baby pink, coral, fuschia, etc.) and pink patterned napkins, table cloths, plates to break up the monotony, we don’t want it to look like (a Pepto Party, do we?) More of an intimate affair? Consider these beautiful paper bouquets over at Pop Flower Shop as centerpieces.

Music Playlist

Destiny Child’s - “Survivor”

Salt N’Peppa “Ain’t Nothing but a She Thing”

Christina Aguliera “Beautiful”

Natasha Beddingfield “Unwritten”

Cute+Edible=Brownie Pops

Occasionally, I come across something that is truly inspirational and I must type my fingertips off to blab about it! Party City has launched Favors In The City, a website dedicated to contemporary favors, favor kits, and party accessories. This is a great resource for people planning weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations on a budget.

During my browsing, I found these Brownie Pops. These chocolate dipped designs are elegant and the favors make for a unique treat for every occasion. The pops are wrapped in cellophane, but you get the option to pick out a ribbon of your choice.

Good idea, but too formal? These treats aren't limited to weddings. Try these animal themed brownie pops for a child's "farmhouse-themed" birthday parties. Pick up chick and sheep covered pops for a Easter themed celebration.

NOTE: When ordering edibles (especially chocolate) online, make sure you budget for express delivery to avoid melting and ensure some semblance of freshness.

Calling All Chicago Businesses and Business Owners!!!

It's not beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS, but preparation puts you closer to a perfect celebration (plus, I'm a Winter baby so the holidays are always on my mind)! I am so happy to announce that Wrightfully Social will host Winter Wonderland in December.

We want to bring an affordable holiday experience to Chicago and we need your help! We plan to have a photographer, pictures with Santa, crafts and activities for children. All are welcome to sponsor this event, we would love for bakeries, children's clothing stores, and recreational companies on Chicago's South Side to show support as this event will benefit the RH School of Performing Arts.

If you would like your company to participate in this event, please shoot us an email. We are super excited and making moves towards having a Wrightfully Social winter event!

Basket of Greek Love: DIY Instructions

When it comes to Greek paraphernalia, you can never have too much! There is always a hat, shirt, jacket that provides the opportunity to brandish letters proudly. Last year, I made this basket for my friend with all the basis Greek letter items to begin her journey.

Celebrate Singledom Chicago-Style

Do you have a friend getting over a breakup or a divorce? Give your buddy a party she won't forget with this jailbreak themed party to celebrate her new singledom in a way that will uplift and tickle her spirit!

This theme is based on Chicago, the broadway hit, about women grandstanding in court and dreaming of stardom as they try to gain their freedom from jail.

Fangbanger Bash True Blood Finale Watch Party

Gone are the days of garlic-hating, cross-fearing vampires! A new era of vampires has emerged, sexier and cooler than ever. Enter, True Blood, one of my favorite shows on TV! With the end of season 2 quickly approaching, audiences should celebrate in an original way... with a Fang-Banging Bash!
I think that this affair can work for any vamp-themed movie night, but I am planning for the True Blood Season 2 finale on September 13^th. Lovers of Charlaine Harris' books can also use this to gather like-minded literary fans.

Prince Appreciation Party

This post is dedicated to my cousin (HAPPY BIRTHDAY) and good friend who just might be Prince's biggest fans! If you ever plan on throwing a regal party for a Prince fan, read the rest!
Obviously, I will recommend prominent purple decorations. Use various shades of gold (antique, polished, etc) to complement the purple, we don't want guests to think they are at a purple people eaters convention! Use these fabulously psychedelic plates and cutlery from Plum Party to punch up gold tablecloths!

Wrightfully Social Fundraising

Last week I was super busy wrapping my head around two fundraisers...back to back! The first event was a silent auction on Thursday to benefit the Greater Westside Community Coalition at Cog Hill Country Club. The auction block was outside so we had to be careful with the placement of the auction items, especially since it rained! Supporters signed up for bid numbers so people wouldn't know who they were bidding against. The winning bids were announced at the end of the event. The fundraiser also represents my first official client!
We received donations from Southwest Airlines, Chicago Bulls' Derek Rose and Ben Gordon, and Flirty Girl Fitness among others.

I also arranged a fundraiser for P.U.M.P.S. on Friday at Sensual Steps Shoe Salon. I didn't have to do too much work because the venue is sooo beautiful! I used pink tablecloths and sprinkled silk rose petals atop glass tables. Joann Tate, one of Chicago's Cooking Divas cooked up vegetarian appetizers while Wings of Flavor provided organic chicken wings. We also received popcorn from Queenie's Court, absolutely the best popcorn I've ever had!
The party eventually turned into a shopping party! Party-goers admired the shoes so much, the owner had to come back (Nicole Jones pictured below, right)!

Sorry for the delay...

I have been very busy assisting with this silent auction next Thursday, I will post a special party theme later today. Definitely worth the wait...

Sodoku Game Night

I don't know about you, but I always look forward to the sudoku puzzles in the paper. It's a great way to sharpen your brain and strategy skills. According to Wikipedia, sudoku, which translates to "single number," was perfected and popularized in Japan during the 80's, but originates from Parisian 19th century puzzles!

If you have a group of friends that are into strategic games, you might consider having a alternative game night like a sudoku themed party. Consider hosting a sudoku tournament, starting with easy puzzles progressing to harder puzzles. The players that finish with the shortest time wins the round. The last players left can do a larger puzzle. These puzzles take some time ( harder ones can take hours), so I would do three rounds. That leaves you time to create a noteworthy social.
You can find free downloadable puzzles online. Give contestants these pencils from Oriental Trading Co. to reinforce the game's Japanese roots.You can also incorporate the game's Japanese origins into the appetizers and drinks. Serve sushi on sushi platters. Serve with saki complemented by lychee martinees. Want an alternative to raw fish? Check Disney's sweet alternative, here. Give guests another surprise with fortune cookies, you can buy in bulk from Oriental Trading Co. Pack them in these assorted takeout boxes from Plum Party.
Musical Inspiration:
Feist "1 2 3 4"
Justice "D.A.N.C.E."
Pitball "You Want Me"
Prince & The New Generation "Girl 6"

A Stoogie Social...This One's For The Guys!

Men like to party too! They just don't need all the bells and whistles that us ladies require for a fabulous event. So why not host a Stoogie Social! This would be a great affair for a milestone birthday, the celebration of a child, a promotion, or something pivotal in Mr. Simple Pleasure's life.

Illinois state law prohibits smoking in most business establishments, so be sure to get permission from the venue or host.

In order to pull off this gathering, I would recommend you consult a cigar retailer. Apparently, good cigars are easily imitated, but never duplicated. See if they are willing to staff the event, possibly provide a demonstration or brief cigar overview.


(From L - R: About Cake, Pink Cake Box, and Cake Alchemy from WeTV)

I feel that cakes can be a dessert, but also function as a centerpiece. Model the cake after a humidor or incorporate the cigar into the theme of the party as the left and center pictures above. The humidor (a cigar case that keeps them fresh) cake, pictured above on the right, was a featured engagement cake, the groom was a beer lover, so that was also incorporated into the flavor, giving the guests a surprise and added "wow-factor."

I am admittedly not a fan of beer and most alcoholic beverages. However, in researching the stoogie, beer is a good companion to a good cigar. Click here for a brief lesson on pairing the two. I also found that chocolate and fruit also compliment cigars really well. Simple Cuban bites will be great, following simple cheese and fruit trays.

I found these napkins on Plum Party, they have a vintage, but masculine look to them. If the guest of honor hangs with a bunch of "suits," consider this motif.

Set the mood with light-hearted jazz and contemporary jazz. Provide chocolate treats. I found chocolate shot glasses on Plum Party, as well. This may be an interesting spin on your average shots, use them to compliment a dark liquor.
Depending on your budget, have cigar parlor staffing. They can assist in handing out cigars as well as cutting and lighting. (The costume above is a Playboy costume) Otherwise, decorate a basket and place atop a nicely finished wooden table.

---Posted by your Wrightfully Socialite, Brittany