recommendation: hunger games inspiration

hunger games obsessed. I resisted this Trilogyfor so long. I just didn't get it. The idea behind the book didn't appeal to me, and I think they were presented too close after I was reading the Twilight series. I soon found Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and was easily captured by that. Well recently my mom insisted I give in to this series and oh my goodness! I flew through these books - I had to consciously put down the book so I could space them out so that when I finished the second book, it lined up with a trip down south to visit my brother in-law and his wife because she had the third book for me to borrow. and god forbid more than a day pass between the two books. ha!

well i am beyond excited about the movie which I plan on seeing next week. i know a lot of people will be fleeing to the theater this weekend to catch this book adaptation, so if you want to go a little crazy and get in Panem character - here are some inspirations:

Hunger Games Nail Art #1

Hunger Games Nail Art #2 by Nailasaurus (awesome site!!!)

Cupcakes on Fire

a full menu by She Suggests if you are hosting a party before or after the movie! everything is themed! I LOVE it!!

Hunger Names!
Click it, it gives you a silly name, which District you were from, and how you died in the Hunger Games (you don't think you win, do you?)

How to do the Katniss Braid

Mockingjay Pin!
Two versions: CHEAP and NICE, both look the same to me.

Last but not least, my brother-in-law's wife's sister-in-law (no there was no easier way to say that) wrote a book, "The Hunger Games and the Gospel: Bread, Circuses, and the Kingdom of God ", I haven't read it yet but check it out if you are interested!

Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.

recommendation: themed party ideas

Still completely obsessed with the royal wedding and Katherine & William (proof is in the $6 collectors stamp I just bought on USPS! Ha!), I came across this great theme party on HostessBlog.com and thought a lot of the ideas were useable for other parties so had to share it. I'm a HUGE fan of themes and matching everything that you can (thanks to my mom!). Not to mention I love the colors – maize & blue means… Goooooo Michigan! Using different signage or perhaps colors, some of these ideas would be great for a graduation party, bridal shower, or birthday party. Here are my recommendations:

- Flower balls in a teacup – I love it! These would be great décor for a bridal shower (My mom did floating flowers in antique teacups for mine!). There are a lot of luxe flowers in these arrangements but daisies and mums would work great as they are inexpensive. Spider Mums and gerber daises are larger flowers that would work well if you want to pop the heads off and float them instead.

- Ornate Picture Frames for Drink and Food Menus – these would work great for any party that has a complicated menu that needs to be displayed. Are even great for weddings. I think its a quick and easy way to step it up and show that you put some thought into decor and theme-ing your party. If its a shower, you can frame the invite, or a picture of the couple. I saw frames like this recently at Target – hurry over!
- Izzy soda’s – these have always been on my recommended list – they are great for kids and adults, have fun flavors (I’m a fan of apple) and are pretty for a tabletop

- Liquor Specific to the event – for the British Wedding they went with Pimm’s.
Pimms is actually a great summertime liquor - its refreshing, you can mix with sprite, ginger ale, soda water, lemonade or iced tea and you can add lemons, raspberries or cucumbers... We made it for a family BBQ and everyone went for one!
- Mini cupcakes - these are easier for people to eat. I've never made them, I would think they are pretty easy, but if you need a quick way out - Trader Joes has some cute vanilla ones. Mini ice cream sandwiches, brownie bites (try sweet moments!), or a small assortment of cookies would work well too. By giving small sizes, people don't feel as guilty trying one of everything!