Flashback - 80s Style

On Sunday afternoon, we attended a Fundraiser Party for our friend Casie. She was recently accepted into the Orange County High School of the Arts (woo hoo!). It is just the perfect place for her, a girl who LOVES to perform. The only drawback - the price tag for a year of attending. The solution? An all out Flashback - 80s style Fundraising party.

Marcy (Casie's mom) rented out the local park facility, and together, she and I brainstormed for all things on the cheap or free or donated. To match the theme, I designed some 80s printable photo booth props for a fun photo booth. We also incorporated the props into table centerpieces, which were white paper bags trimmed with black and white checker tape.

To stay on budget, she put together a dessert table with handmade yummies brought by friends, and included (what else) cake pops! A completely ridiculous over the top display of "Have a Nice Day" pops (I totally made those!).

She and her husband also put together a talent show and lots of "Minute to Win it" games for her guests to enjoy. The big ticket (pun intended) event? Lots of silent auction items to bid on, and raffle baskets to try and win. I have to tell you how impressed I was at the decor, the organization and the turnout! There had to be 75 people there - at least. The fact that each of my kids won a raffle basket didn't hurt our experience either - they were elated to have won!

I couldn't wait to add these printable 80s photo booth props to the shop! I knew you would love them as much as I do.

 

So many totally radical props come in this set, including

Lips (3 styles)
Mustaches (3 styles)
can of Aquanet
Rubiks Cube
Pac Man And Monsters
Phrase Buttons
    Smiley Face, I love the 80s, Awesome, Gnarly, Save Ferris
Sunglasses (4 styles)
Can of Tab
80s Hair band Hair
Plus, a personalizable mini pennant banner and signage to use on your homemade booth.

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Why I Walk

If you are new around here, you haven't heard me go on and on about Multiple Sclerosis. You haven't heard me talk endlessly about a cure, and that they better find one - soon. For the past seven years, I have participated in the Southern California 50 Mile MS Challenge Walk. I walk for and with my oldest and dearest friend Rita - we met in 7th grade, and she is the reason I met my husband.

So this September 23, 24 and 25, 2011, I will walk 50 more miles in support of Multiple Sclerosis. I will also recognize the number ten.

Ten years ago, my dear friend Rita was diagnosed with MS. Ten years ago marks the inaugural 50 Mile MS Challenge Walk. Ten years ago, Rita and I decided to make a difference.

In signing up for the walk again this year, it was not only because Rita asked me to, it is in celebration of my friendship with her, her never ending energy, and her commitment to making a difference. It is not the first time Rita has asked me to join her in this Walk, and I am almost certain it will not be the last.

On this 10 year anniversary of the Walk, I know I will see that MS is not a limitation, it is not negativity, it cannot stifle enthusiasm, it does not diminish an adventurous spirit and it will provide me with some of the greatest memories of my life.

On September 23, 2011, I will join others in taking thousands of steps from Carlsbad to San Diego, each of us making a difference, each of us walking to support research efforts in ending Multiple Sclerosis.

This year in celebration of the anniversary of meeting up with my Walk friends, Paper & Cake will match your donations. That's right, if you feel so inclined to donate - I will write a check along with you.

Please give if you are moved to do so, and thank you for your generosity.

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Lemonade for Japan

I received an email late last week from Missy, of Sweet Funky Vintage Boutique, with the most amazing story. Using our Lemonade Stand printables, she and her girls put together a fundraiser, selling - what else - Lemonade. I was also touched when she mentioned that her husband is currently on the USS Ronald Reagan, off the coast of Japan, assisting with relief efforts. Sher wrote about her experience, here is what she had to say...

After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I sat down with my girls and we watched a few minutes of the news coverage and talked about how sad it was. I was very proud of my girls for wanting to do something to help. They are always begging to hold lemonade stands and I try not to let them hustle our neighbors for money too often!;) I usually only let them if they can think of a charity or a good cause to donate the money too. The last lemonade stand they held, they donated the money to a neighbor who was saving to travel to the East Coast on her 8th grade trip (Washington DC and New York - woo hoo!). So, we discussed having a lemonade stand and donating all of the money to the American Red Cross for Japanese disaster relief. I asked a few neighbors is their children would like to participate, and everyone jumped at the chance to join in. I am sure we all feel a little bit helpless when faced with a tragedy so huge. I mean, with the economy the way it is, we all feel a little cash-strapped from time to time. But, in comparison to the HUGE need in Japan, we kind of feel like "what can I really do?". But, just imagine, if we all held a lemonade stand and donated the proceeds? We could really make a difference! (jumping off soapbox now...)

The girls and I baked TONS of chocolate chip cookies (2 big tubs of cookie dough from Costco. I heart Costco. But, that's another post). Our friends brought brownies and lemon cookies, and we, of course, served lemonade.

Wouldn't you know that it was cold and overcast. In San Diego. Where it is warm and sunny practically 365 days a year. Not the day of our lemonade stand. No sirree. But, the kids had enthusiasm to spare! No grey clouds were going to rain out their parade! Just look at the pictures!

I purchased the printable decoration set from a fabulous party supply designer, Paper and Cake, and made the banner, paper chain, signs, and straw circles that we used.

We held our lemonade stand for 2 hours and sold cups of lemonade for $.25, and 2 cookies for $.50. Our grand total was.... $181.37.

Thanks, Neighbors! Now, just think, if we all organized a car wash, bake sale, lemonade stand or something similar, we could really make a difference! What could you and your kids do to help?

***

Thanks for inspiring us Missy!

If you are interested in putting together your own printable Lemonade Stand fundraiser, our collection is now on sale for 

50% off today through April 8th. Let's make a difference!

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Operation Shower: Sunshine Farms

a view of the Military Appreciation tent on the 14th green

I know I do go on and on about Operation Shower, but I just can't help myself. I have a total weak spot for anything "baby", and when you top it off with our service men and women? I do whatever I can to be supportive. So when Amy from Stem Parties/Operation Shower offered to buy me dinner and cut my meat if I would come and help set up their most most recent event, you better believe I jumped, high.

The venue for this shower was the Torrey Pines Golf Course in beautiful San Diego during their Farmer's Insurance Open PGA Tour. Did I mention how beautiful it was? It really struck me especially because I had just returned from a fabulous but cold and wet trip to New York.

Anyway, I'm going to stop talking, and just show pictures.

Top left: Amy with her hay

Top right: Jenn from HWTM schooling me in veggie centerpiece design

Bottom: Marie (and her oh so patient husband) from Sweets Indeed

Top left: volunteers making some last minute centerpieces

Top right: a volunteer having fun with our 2" punch

Bottom: napkin folding!

ADORABLE! Just add veggies

and the sun sets on our day of set-up

And now some photos from the day of the shower, courtesy of LeeAnn Widyn Photography...

Thirty six Military moms-to-be got the dream shower they deserved, but there are so many more! Please visit Operation Shower's website or facebook page and learn how you can get involved.

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