Easy Ideas for a Beach Themed Bridal Shower

photo: Magda Rondeau Photography

 

Many destination weddings take place on sandy beaches. It’s romantic, it’s picturesque, and most importantly, it is memorable. Particularly for couples who love the ocean side. For beach loving couples, why not pull out all the stops and throw a beach themed bridal shower as the perfect pre-wedding party?

Planning a beach themed bridal shower is no easy task, but with a little creativity and help from a few co-hosts, anyone can pull it off. Here are some creative ideas to get you started!

Plan Ahead

A theme party requires a bit more planning than a non-themed party. There are more details to consider and pieces to pull together.

Setting the Mood

The ideal venue for a beach theme bridal shower is somewhere with a swimming pool. Decorations are key when you’re trying to recreate a beach atmosphere. One way to bring the beach feel to your poolside venue is by stringing paper lanterns around the pool. This creates a festive mood and serves as soft lighting after sunset.

If you can’t go to the beach, you can still bring the beach to you. Hang netted sacks with seashells and candles, and fill an inflatable wading pool with sand and prop a surfboard inside and set it by the entrance. Pull up some beach chairs for seating and drape colorful beach towels on the chair backs.

Centerpieces can be paper lanterns with votive candles inside surrounded by sand and seashells to carry the theme through. You can also place small fishbowl with fish on every table. This will surely become a conversation piece for the guests.

For even more beach fun, request that guests come in their beach wear! Now it’s a beach party!

Beach Themed Favors

To thank your guests for coming to the bridal shower, party favors are essential. Needless to say, favors should also be beach themed. You can give seashell tea light candles, starfish wine bottle stoppers, or a decorative seashell picture frame. For a great beach themed gift, stuff a straw bag, or beach tote with an embroidered beach towel, some personalized sunscreen and a hand fan. This custom beach kit is sure to be a hit!

photo Tiffany Chalk Events

Host a Pool Party for Bridesmaids

by Tracy Kunzler
A bridal luncheon is the traditional way brides thank their bridesmaids for all they do to make the bride’s wedding day special. We’ve all been to them. They are sweet, lovely, well-intentioned occasions that, on a fun scale of 1-10, typically rate a strong “Meh.” You want to do something especially fun and memorable, and you’ve come to the right place! We have a plan for a poolside spa party worthy of all the time and energy bridesmaids spend on the bride that won’t take a ton of your time and energy. With the top five wedding months being May-September, a poolside spa party makes sense. Besides, who wouldn’t choose “relaxed, exfoliated and manicured by the pool” over “dressed-up and bored indoors?” This is also a terrific party to host for tired moms, stressed-out girlfriends and helpful neighbors! Best of all, even though it appears to be “all about the bridesmaids,” as host, you’ll get pampered too! Check out this easy plan for creating a spa oasis for your girls!

Spa Services

At least five to six weeks before your event, you’ll want to start preparations and figure out what spa services you’ll offer at your party so you can book your professionals. Pamper Perfect offers mobile spa parties!  They are fun, sophisticated, and allows you to relax and have fun with your gal pals. Poolside manis, pedis and massages are PERRRRRRRRRFCT for your summer pool party, bridal shower, bachelorette party or girlfriends and/or family gathering.

Invitation

You can get custom invitations printed through sites like etsy.com, or you can make your own. We love this one we spied on meandmyinsanity.com. You have to admit it has a certain “polish” to it! It’s so cute; your girls are likely to save it as a special keepsake. Be sure to print all your party details on the label like date, time, what services will be provided, and be sure to tell guests to wear their swimsuits. You can find all the how-tos here.

Set the Scene and the Mood

This party plan offers something appealing to all the senses and offers your busy bridesmaids a chance to slow down and unwind. Just having your party poolside makes for a serene setting. Add to the beauty and serenity of your spa setting with a few “lotus blossoms” floating in the pool. Thanks to water-resistant battery compartments, these beautiful floating lotus flower lights add beauty to your pool both day and night. They’re the perfect compliment to your spa theme.

Consider having pretty, comfortable robes for your bridesmaids to wear once they enter your “spa.” Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa can provide robes to be rented and worn during the party or order  as a keepsakes for your guests.  Bridesmaids can wear them during the party and again while getting dressed on the big day. For as little as $22 each. Or, if you travel a lot, just take one from each hotel you stay in. Just kidding!

Be sure to load your iPod or smart phone with soothing, instrumental music or nature sounds and play your selections via a pair of portable speakers or docking station during the party. Many libraries have a selection of CD’s of instrumental music and nature sounds you can check out at no cost.

Light scented candles throughout your spa setting. Put out a few containers of scented body butters for guests to apply to hands and elbows. Place a few fashion magazines around. Take clippings of fresh flowers, large leaves and ornamental grasses from the yard to put in vases. Scatter some pillows on your lounge chairs, and set out a pretty basket of your best towels for guests to use.

Menu

Being that your party will likely occur just days before your bridesmaids will don the bridesmaids’ dresses they’ve had carefully altered, your guests will probably prefer to eat light. (Believe me, I know from experience Spanx can only perform so many miracles!) We recommend a menu made up of small bites your girls can eat one handed as they sip and receive a mani or pedi by the pool. Keeping portions small will allow each guest to try a taste of this and that, leaving them happily satisfied. Here’s a spa-tacular menu that’s easy on waistlines and hosts!

• Cucumber-mint water – No spa is worth its weight in bath salts if it doesn’t offer the classic spa drink. Simply add sliced cucumber and fresh mint to a pitcher of ice water.
• Flavored ice tea – It’s also nice to offer a flavored iced tea such as peach or raspberry.
• A signature drink – By offering one signature cocktail you make by the batch, you’ll save time and money. We like this Skinny Girl-Inspired Sparkling White Sangria from nutrition coach Linda Wagner. It’s a slimmed-down version of a summer favorite that is beautiful to boot.

Skinny Girl-Inspired Sparkling White Sangria – Lindawagner.net for the full recipe. Simply add the sliced fruit and mint to the wine and then the stevia until desired sweetness is reached. (Linda recommends an alcohol-free stevia.) Let sit for at least an hour in the fridge to let the flavors infuse. You can also freeze half of the fruit and add right before serving to keep the Sangria cold without diluting the flavor.

Spa facial cheese ball – We fell in love with this clever and adorable appetizer from Hungry Happenings and are sure your girls will love it, too! Check out the Hungry Happenings website to see what you need!

 

Finger sandwiches – Use favorite sandwich fillings to make finger sandwiches. Consider perennial girl favorites like chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese and pimento cheese. You can buy prepared chicken salad to save time – Trader Joe’s has several delicious varieties – and prepared pimento cheese as well.

Fresh fruit skewers – make up skewers of fresh fruit guests can nibble on while receiving spa services. Seasonal and favorite fruits like strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, pineapple and cantaloupe make a pretty and delicious combination.

Mini dessert tray – Make up a tray of small favorite desserts like mini éclairs and cream puffs (these disappear any time I serve them), mini lemon bars, and cheesecake bites. I will share my secret recipe for these with you: I buy the cream puffs, éclairs and cheesecake bites in the frozen food section of the grocery store. I buy the lemon bars from the bakery and cut them up into smaller bites. I arrange them on a pretty tray with some fresh mint leaves or a few pansy blossoms. You’re welcome!

When Your Guests Arrive…

Greet them with the drink of their choice, offer them robes to wear over their swimsuits if you choose to provide them, and encourage them to turn off their cell phones or at least set them on vibrate.

Discuss what treatments are available and let the guests rotate through the circuit. While they are waiting their turn to have a mani, pedi or massage, let them enjoy a facial mask you can make up easily and inexpensively. This DIY skin-brightening mask caught our eye. Be sure to have enough ingredients on hand to make up enough for all your guests.

Ideal bridesmaid gift – Tradition dictates that a bride gives her bridesmaids a thank you gift such as a picture frame, scented candle or a necklace or pair of earrings for the bridesmaids to wear during the wedding. Tradition once dictated that women were not allowed to vote or show their knees. Present your bridesmaids with a unique, nontraditional gift they will cherish using during your spa party and all summer long like a pool float! Your girls will happily think of you and your savvy gift skills each time they peacefully lounge. Picture frames, candles and earrings are really nice, but I can’t nap, lounge, or tan in any of them! Just sayin’!

 

Allow guests to rotate through desired service stations and sip and nibble at their leisure. You will have created a spa afternoon so wonderfully Zen, that when the party is over, your bridesmaids will say, “Leave? Namaste right here!”

7 Ways to Instantly Escalate Conflict in Marriage

I loved this so much on http://www.theoverwhelmedbride.com I had to share ❤️

7 Ways to Instantly Escalate Conflict
September 15, 2016
Written with love, by Karley Kiker

We’ve all read articles on how to avoid conflict, but does that mean our relationships are completely devoid of disagreements? I think you already know the answer to that question, but just in case, I’ll throw out a response for you. NO. At least in the case of my marriage, that is.

I’m capable of feeling tired. I’m capable of feeling hungry. I’m (definitely) capable of feeling hangry. And all of these states of being have been proven to contribute to the conflict-creating equation.

So if we can’t avoid conflict entirely, what can we do to help put out fires as quickly as possible? I’d give you a few ideas, but I think it would be a lot more fun if we took a look at this question from the opposite side of the coin. Let’s talk about…

7 WAYS TO INSTANTLY ESCALATE CONFLICT

1. Place all the blame on your opponent (ahem…spouse)

It’s pretty rare for one party to actually be 100% in the wrong, so to be on the safe side, just consider it an impossibility and own your part.

2. Walk away while the other person is still talking
7 Ways to Instantly Escalate Conflict
Some people need space in order to process things, calm down, and/or keep themselves from saying something they know they’ll regret 10 minutes later. But it’s still a good idea to set guidelines for taking a cool-off walk when you’re not in the middle of conflict. (i.e., “If we feel like we need to take a step back and clear our heads, we will verbally communicate that before excusing ourselves.”) Because from experience, pealing out for Whole Foods mid-argument is only a temporary high. And just because you cooled off while browsing the frozen produce aisle doesn’t mean he’s been doing the same at home.

3. Throw out a curse word (or four)

Letting a big one fly might feel like it’s helping you make your point in the moment, but what it’s really doing is taking your argument from innocuous to explosive in 10 seconds or less.

4. Use superlatives

“You always say…”

“You never do…”

You get the idea…

5. Go public

Raise your voice in a public place. Argue in front of your in-laws. Cause a general sense of discomfort and embarrassment. Whichever you choose, it will not go well for you.

6. Give your spouse the silent treatment

Guaranteed to cause enormous levels of frustration, especially if your spouse is a “talk it out” kind of person.

7. Bring up the past

Maybe it’s an old argument. Maybe it’s an old girlfriend. Either way, if the hatchet has been buried (and by “buried” I mean healthily resolved and previously forgiven), then by all means leave it there. If you want to cut your spouse to the core and cause a serious rift in your relationship, resurrect an indiscretion or stoke the fire of their shame. There’s almost nothing more painful than weaponizing the past and using it against the person we promised to love no matter what.

I’d close out this column by telling you that everything on this list should be classified as “do not try this at home,” but again…you already know. Let’s do a little experimenting with the opposite—acknowledging our part, hearing out our spouse, controlling our response, avoiding “always” and “never,” remaining in the present—and see how quickly we’re able to move from meltdown to make-up the next time conflict occurs.

Benefits of Hiring Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa

Mobile spa companies offer on-site beauty and relaxation treatments that can be given to an individual or a large group. Often, this company will be utilized to enhance an event by offering guests an opportunity to engage in a beauty treatment on the spot. Although the services offered by the company may differ, they generally offer a variety of services that include massage, manicures and makeup application. In today’s fast-paced workplace and hectic social world, a mobile spa is a welcome source of entertainment at a variety of events that can offer significant benefits to corporate and personal event planners.

Events that Benefit
Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa can be utilized to add an interesting element to any event. Large companies are now beginning to hire mobile spa companies to offer their employees a way to relax in order to increase creativity and production. Smaller companies, such as schools and city services, are beginning to hire a mobile spa company to provide a way to show appreciation to their employees for special events. Smaller events, such as weddings and birthdays, are also a great reason to hire a mobile spa company so that each guest can feel honored to be a part of the special day. For weddings, many brides choose to use a mobile spa to help their wedding party get dressed for the big event.

Services Offered
There are many types of services that are offered. However, facials and massage are the most popular services requested. This is due to the large amount of people who can benefit from the relaxation and pain relief that a treatment can offer. When a person hires a mobile spa for their event, they receive a versatile service that can be tailored to any type of occasion. For example, a mobile spa can create a romantic atmosphere for a couples massage or they can offer employees an outdoor package within a casual environment.

Public Appreciation
When a person chooses to hire a spa for their event, they are able to show their guests that they are appreciated. For this reason, spas are utilized by companies who would like to recognize their employees by providing them with a relaxing incentive. Additionally, mobile spas can be used for bachelorette parties, reunions and other gatherings where a person wants to pamper their guests and make them feel special. When it comes to showing appreciation, there are few better ways than to offer a person a relaxing retreat that provides instant gratification.

Generate Social Media Interest
Any event that has a mobile spa is sure to generate a great deal of social media interest as guests post photos of their spa treatments. This is most beneficial for companies who can maximize their exposure through authentic posts created by satisfied employees and other guests. Because everyone will love to brag about their massage, a brand will receive exposure through each person’s social media page.
The benefits of hiring Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa for an event go much further than one simple beauty treatment. As guests begin to relax, the event will also benefit from a conversational atmosphere that can lead to many wonderful memories. In addition to relaxing, each guest will feel pampered and will generate a positive response that can make any event stand out from the rest. Visit our website at http://www.pamperpeerfectmobilespa.com or call 866-947-9994 to book your Pamper Perfect Experience.

Crafty Bridal Shower Idea-Set Up A Mimosa Bar

Smarty Had A Party nails it with this crafty bridal shower idea!

Set up a Mimosa Bar!

Whether you are hosting an engagement party, bridal brunch, or a bachelorette weekend, setting up a mimosa bar is simple.  Start with champagne in a bucket of ice, carafes of juice and add bowls of fresh fruit. Don’t just stick with orange juice.  Try pineapple, grapefruit, cran-raspberry, blackberry and mango passion fruit.

It’s sure to be a hit! Cheers🍾

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Excitng Bridal Shower Games Your Guests Will Love

EDLT Photo 

We found this great article on Inside Weddings and had to share!
From classics like The Newlywed Game to purse raids, get ideas for your wedding shower.

Bridal showers offer an opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the bride-to-be and “shower” her with gifts or advice. While the bride will certainly know everyone in attendance, her guests may not know each other – and nothing bonds guests quite like a common love for the bride, as well as fun bridal shower games and activities.

Fortunately, there are several bridal shower games that will start the party and encourage loved ones to engage with one another. Despite the different types of personalities in your group of guests, the following games and activities will keep attendees laughing with each other throughout the event.

Consider adding some of the bridal shower games, below, to the schedule of the day in order to plan a fun bridal shower that will be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

1. Funny Notes or Advice on Jenga Blocks
Jenga game at bridal shower
Encourage guests to leave wedding advice or funny notes on Jenga blocks. The bride and her beloved will enjoy reading the messages later and will be delightfully surprised when discovering what each guest wrote.

2. The Ring Pop Game
Bridal shower ring pop game
Ask your guests to wear one Ring Pop at the beginning of the event, and let them know to refrain from saying “bride” or “wedding” throughout the day. If a guest says one of those two keywords, the person who heard it first should take the ring from the guest who broke the rule. At the end of the shower, the person with the most rings wins a prize… and several Ring Pops!

3. Bridal Shower Trivia
Bridal shower trivia game card
Create a quiz including questions recalling anecdotes or characteristics of the bride-to-be or couple. Bridal shower attendees can circle their answers as the bride reads the questions aloud. The guest who answers the most questions correctly will win a prize.

4. Advice Cards
Advice card bridal shower activity
Provide guests with themed advice cards, so they can share wise and loving words with the bride-to-be. Guests will enjoy the chance to offer some words of wisdom and appreciate your interest in learning what they have to say.

5. The Purse Raid
Gold YSL wedding clutch on table
Create a list of items one may have in their purse, such as bobby pins, blush, or even risqué items, if you wish. At the bridal shower, the host will announce the items on the list one by one and will give a prize to the guest who pulls the corresponding item out of their purse first. Not only will it be fun competing with each other, but it will be interesting to see what everyone carries in their bags.

6. Photobooth Fun
Black and white stripe photo booth background
Provide a pretty backdrop for a group photo, which will make everyone feel included on the occasion.

Photo booth props on sticks
Make the event memorable by providing guests with themed props to use while taking photos at a photo booth. A variety of props will encourage guests to trade and interact with each other while posing for the camera.

7. “Don’t Say Bride” Drinking Game
Make it a rule that guests should take a sip of their beverage every time they say, “bride.” This game will keep guests attentive and engaged throughout the event. Provide alcoholic beverages such Champagne or signature cocktails for guests who would like to drink, and offer some non-alcoholic options as well. Cheers!
8. The Newlywed Game

Have a friend gather a list of relationship-centered questions, such as “What is your fiancé’s guilty pleasure?” and “Who takes longer to get ready?” Ask the host to interview and note your fiancé’s responses before the event. At the wedding shower, the bride-to-be will be interviewed in the hot seat and guests will compare the couple’s answers. Ask guests to take their stab at the questions for some added fun!

Authored by: Lynette Haro

 

 

Manis & Martinis For A Cause

 

Share with your girlfriends and host your very own girls nite! Only 10 Pamper Perfect reservations being accepted. Offer includes 4 onsite Shellac Manicures and Martinis (can be mocktails) DE Tri State Area only 💅🏼💅🏼❤️
E-mail for booking!! Reservations@pamperperfectmobilespa.com

http://www.pamperperfectmobilespa.com

866-947-9994

2015 Mani Cams…..And The Winner IS!

The Oscars had NO mani Cam this year. I’m suspecting it had something to do with this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards when Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston made headlines, of a sort, by taking the revolutionary step of refusing to stick their paws in E!’s Mani Cam or maybe because Jena Malone stuck her tongue out at it and Elisabeth Moss gave it the finger.  Baaaa humbug!  It still doesn’t stop the idea of the red carpet is like a beauty contest and nails are no exception to the viewers. Just like you we were keeping an eye out for the nails as a part of the  fashion and beauty trends.  The results are in and the winner is…….light nails and underside colors were what stars preferred at the Oscars! These were some of Pamper Perfects favorites!

Jennifer Lopez~A nude, elongated nail with rose-gold under the free edge to compliment the warm, beachy tones in her Elie Saab beaded gown.

Emma Stone~A light-peach, semi-opaque nail perfectly flows with her warm complexion and light-green gown.

Stone (L) pictured with Julianne Moore (R)

Lady Gaga~Even under those red gloves, I knew she had a perfect mani! Glad we got to see them (and more Alaïa!) as the night went on.

Kerry Washington~The flash of pinky-champagne lacquer reflected against her white gown beautifully.

Lupita Nyong’o~A champagne pearl nail with a Swarovski crystal on the flip side of each nail perfectly combines with her hand-sewn Calvin Klein pearl gown.

So!  Who were your faves?  Are you going to try a nude for old mani cam sake?

Allison

http://www.pamperperfectmobilespa.com

Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa-We All Scream For Ice Cream…. Ice Cream Theme Spa Party

Looking for a unique idea for a Saturday afternoon get together?  Why not host an Ice Cream Pedi Party!  Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa is always looking for new ways to spa and what better way to beat the summer heat than to have cool ice cream pedis wuth all the fixins.  Have a self serve ice cream bar with chocolate chips, M&M’s, nuts, crushed cookies and candied toppings that guests can indulge in.  Based on your faves we create a custom ice cream pedi using aromatherapy infused ice cream foot soaks and shea butter massages. Try out most popular Mini Choco Chip Pedi!  Please share this summer party ideas with you gal pals and get together for a true Ice Cream Social! YUMMY!

 

Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa-The Latest Baby Shower Trend!! Pamper The Mommy

Have you even been invited to a baby shower or even have to plan one and just DREAD the thought of the same ole baby shower shing ding?  We know were going to have to clip bows and make a silly hat, eat baby food and guess what it is, look at a diaper that seems to be filled with poo and try to figure out the candy (uhhhh kinda gross) and tear off toilet paper that we think will fit around the belly of the mom to be (as if she isn’t already conscious she cant see her toes) all in the name of love and congrats on the new bundle of joy!!  Sounds exciting right?  Well what if I told you that the latest trend sweeping baby showers (or baby sprinkles) was the idea of Pamper The Mommy!  Yes! Pamper Perfect comes in and uses all of the mommy-to-be’s favorite things and puts together a complete pamper package!
We take all the pressure off the planner and mom gets to relax while we bring the dayspa to her doorstep.
With custom invites, colors, decor, signature services (like sweet pea pedis and mamma needs a mani’s) signature drinks (virgin of course), baby cupcakes, fun word searches and spa party games, you will be the envy of all the other moms to be on the block when you host your very own Pamper Mommy Spa Party.
She’d want nothing more than to have a pre-natal massage, someone to rub on her swollen ankles and enjoy her gal pals for the day! Trust me….plus she deserves it!

Please repost and share so other mommy’s- t-o be can enjoy the Pamper Perfect Experience .