Totally Radical 80's-Inspired Birthday Party!

I have been meaning to share these photos for (literally) months now.

My sister-in-law, Emily, asked me to design a party for her husband's 30th birthday based on an 80's theme.   It was a complete honor - especially since Emily is a known photographer and has been featured quite a few times for her skill and talent. I was pumped for these photos before the party was even set up! It's was quite the journey, since first researching ideas and coming up with ways to execute it all. The preparation was fun, especially scoring some sweet finds at my favorite thrift store and just about every Goodwill I could find. I was so fortunate to have help from so many people (see credits below!).. There's no way I could have done it alone. I think it's because I choose the DIY route every single time. Definitely more work, but I'd like to think it's worth the quality and time and detail I try to put in, especially for being on a budget! Setup was pretty crazy.. good crazy. The event was held at The Chatterbox in St. Paul, a totally retro hangout/restaurant with loads of vintage board games and old video game systems. The servers and other customers walking by would keep peeking into the party room and stop with their mouths open - I am pretty sure it's mostly because there was SO much decor in that small party room - including 3 different garlands, a photo booth, trivia game, buffet tables, seated tables with centerpieces, big-screen Nintendo and a crazy amount of vintage 80's props. I had a pretty rad 80's playlist going.. full of just about every good 80's hit I could find. Everyone seemed to have a really fun time!

I just about died when I found out the party was going to be featured on one of my favorite party sites - Hostess with the Mostess! Check it out HERE. 

Feast your eyes on these totally awesome party photos, dudes!

The invites were pretty fun! They resembled an old video game cartridge and were made by Emily's friend, Dena Swenson. 

Party favors - full of the birthday guy's favorite retro candies, including Pop Rocks, Nerds, Razzles, Pixie Stix, Laffy Taffy, Gobbstoppers and suckers

Food by The Chatterbox - delicious!

Retro fabrics + slinkies + cassette tape

Trolls + A-tracks

One of the party activities - Aaron Trivia! 

One of my favorite garlands I've made for a party.. Pac-man! 

Made this cassette garland out of about 100 tapes I found at various Goodwills. Took a little extra detail to spray paint them, especially since most of the labels were still shining through. They were really heavy to hang as well. 

Gaudy neons + Zubaz-inspired prints

Photo Booth set up with one of Emily's camera's and a remote. It worked so well!

Chatterbox set up a huge screen and Nintendo for guests to play - huge hit!

Greatest Hits of 2010

Well, another year has come and gone! Like last year, here are my most memorable moments from 2010. Ready?

January

• We celebrated Romeo's first birthday! He sure made us proud when we took him downtown to the doggie "Barkery Bistro" for some treats and a new toy. While inside the store, he managed to potty 3 times and poo once in the matter of 10 minutes. I was so embarrassed. 
• I was rear-ended by some dude, on my way to pick up a client. I ended up with one, crazy (and embarrassing) story during the process of having my bumper replaced. 

February

• I did makeup for a Redbook Magazine photo shoot. After all the excitement and anticipation, the article was never published. Total bummer.
• Our 'Wedding Story' was featured in Belle Magazine!
• My Mom and sisters flew/drove to visit for an incredible weekend! We saw MUSE in Georgia, ate lots of great food and celebrated their birthdays. It was one of the greatest and most memorable weekends in my life!

March

• We celebrated our birthdays with each other and close friends

April

• We celebrated Easter with family and delish food.. I introduced Justin to the "art of egg-dyeing" (ha!)
• My sister and her friend drove from Indiana to visit for a week. We hung out, cooked and spent a few windy (and fabulous) days in Charleston
• My dear friend, Tiffany got married.. Although it rained, it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to

May

• I did makeup and assistance for my friend Tiffany's fabulous bridal photoshoot at LaBastide
• I dropped my blackberry in a pot of water, while doing the dishes. The entire experience and replacement to get a new phone was a nightmare
• My college roomies/good friends Jade & Mulder came down to visit from MN. We relaxed poolside, ate yummy food, saw a movie and made more memories

June

• My little brother graduated from High School and began his plans for Army National Guard - BCT
• Justin and I hosted a LOST costume party, as a farewell to one of the coolest shows EVER
• Justin's fam came to visit and stay with us for a week.. Of course, we planned our usual beach trip for a few days
• I began planning 2 very-inspired bridal showers my sister, Vanessa, and booked a flight home for an action-packed weekend in MN

July

• My friend Beth invited me to a last-minute trip to Atlanta to see Phantom of the Opera. Fabulous evening of getting the giggles and enjoying my first Broadway show
• Justin and I had a memorable 4th.. Dinner and crazy people in the mountains, followed by a super fun bonfire with family and friends
• I was honored to have my very first article published in Belle Magazine
• I had a blast seeing Rooney live at the Handlebar with my friend Jennie
• Justin and I enjoyed an amazing, problem-free trip to Charleston.. just us! It was the best trip we've taken since our honeymoon

August

• Our friends Marco & Michelle had their baby, Ruby. God really took care of her after having some severe breathing problems and many days in the hospital (Later that month, we found out my Tiffany is expecting!)
• I flew home to visit family and friends in MN. I hosted (with the help of Stacie and Lanae) 2 bridal showers  for Vanessa, met Lanae's infamous boyfriend and hit the MN State Fair

September

• Justin and I booked last-minute flights to MN for Vanessa & Jon's wedding
• I created Vanessa's wedding programs with lots of help from friends
• Justin broke his toe and spent 6 weeks out of work
• We flew home to MN for 13 days: Vanessa's wedding, Mitch left for basic training, many fabulous dinners and nights out with old friends, lots of hot tub 'double date' nights with my Lanae and Jordan, caught up with family & relatives

October

• Some friends and I hosted a fabulous woodland-forest inspired baby shower for our friend Erin
• Justin and I celebrated our 2-year anniversary and received some really amazing gifts from friends and family
• My little blog turned 1-year old!
• We hosted a big, spooky-glam, Halloween costume party 

November

• I was featured in Skirt! Magazine for an article about my love of entertaining
• My friend Marta flew down to SC for her birthday and Thanksgiving.. We had a blast as usual!
• My parents came down to visit, arriving the day Marta left. Besides hanging out at home and around Greenville, we spent a few days in Fort Jackson for my brother's BCT graduation

December

• We saw Skillet live, thanks to some friends of ours who scored some free tickets
• I hosted an Italian Soiree "Girl's Night" for a bunch of my close friends.. We enjoyed some yummy Italian food, good wine and watched a chick flick
• Justin's family drove down for Christmas and stayed with us for about a week
• The day the fam left, Marta came back to visit! She stayed for 5 days and we celebrated New Years together

Miscellaneous Pictures from 2010

Married Life & More - Album 3

Just Another Photo Album.. 2010

Happy New Year!

xo