Friday the 13th AND Turning 40

My latest event was a surprise 40th birthday party, that was happening on Friday the 13th. The birthday girl is also a HUGE Purdue fan, and it was the night of their opener for basketball. What to do?

Utilize some of those Halloween decorations, put a fun twist on the "over the hill" concept and do it all in black and gold.

Here it is, black and gold glittery skulls with bones to match. I also added levels throughout the table and made a glittery runner to cover. I arranged the skeletons I glittered with the bones and balloon bouquets for a look that was equal parts fun and festive.

The best part is the party was a complete surprise. Happy 40th Birthday, Marina!

Personal Touch

When I'm designing a party, I always like to throw in a personal touch, something that will make this event different from any other party people will attend. That's why I'm crazy about this personalized cupcake tree my friend Katie did for an NYC engagement party.

She took a few different photos of the couple and created little logos in their color scheme. Then she adhered the photos and logos together around toothpicks and created fancy little toppers. It had the guests talking all night and was the perfect personal touch! Congrats Lindsey & Aaron!

Crafty & Cute

I just finished my first craft show. What an adventure! Someone should make a movie about the personalities of crafters. I experienced first hand how territorial they can be!

In my spare time? I make Carrier Cushions. They are wraps for the handles of the infant car seats that look fun and save the forearms of whomever is holding the baby. Practical & sassy, I just love it! Enjoy these photos of the craft show and display. And shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to order one for your own bundle of fun or for upcoming baby showers or push presents. lauren.stiglich@gmail.com

Before You Pop

I am in love with these containers and can not wait to introduce them at the next baby shower I throw. Cute and modern and totally fun, these are perfect for even the most discerning mom-to-be, and who doesn't love a good tub of popcorn?

Barbie's 50th Surprise

A VERY special client, my Mother, turned 50 recently and I was put to the daunting task of throwing her party. Once the cocktail and hos d'oeuvres idea was set, I came up with the idea of a glamour Barbie theme. Barbie is turning 50, and so is Mom. I designed these invitations which set the color theme for the evening.

The rest of the decorations were done in hot pink, silver and black. I glued and glittered three cardboard chandeliers and used submersible battery operated pink tealights to add some flare to the crystals in the vases and the table arrangements.

And there were two cakes. One for the "fifties" and one for that little princess still lurking inside, a Barbie doll cake made with the 50th anniversary doll.

The party was made even more perfect by the look on the birthday girl's face. She had a fabulous glamour-filled party, better than anything ever thrown in Barbie's dreamhouse!

Oktoberfest Fundraiser

Despite the wind storm (it is Chicago after all), we were able to pull off a beautiful and successful Oktoberfest themed fundraiser. Special thanks to Dollinger Farms for their donation of the fall decorations.

I painted the pumpkins to welcome the crowd to the pavilion. You can do this at home on your own front porch.

Mums were placed on each table with sponsor signage hugged into floral stem holders as the centerpieces.

We did a mixture of high and low tables and even added some torpedo heaters to fight off the chill.

But perhaps the biggest hit of the night was the hot pretzel bar, complete with various dipping sauces. Special thanks to Duke's Catering for all of their hard work.

Congrats, Joe. And don't forget to vote..in 2011!

Sports Pumpkins

Happy first Birthday,Cole. This little guy (his parents, really) wanted a sports and cornfest themed birthday party. What to do? Pick a bunch of pumpkins, stick these mini "We're #1" foam fingers into slots of the pumpkins and paint them matte black to give them an edge. The foam fingers were a hit with the kids. They ran around with them on their fingers and the point got across..Cole, is #1. Happy first Cornfest Sports Birthday!