With Saint Patrick’s Day in a couple days, you are going to have to celebrate! Remember to wear green (unless you like to be pinched) and go out and do what the Holiday asks of you! Which is have a great time. And spice the normal routine up with just a few quick and easy ideas.
To start up since St Patty’s Day is all about green and drinking, no matter where you go, make sure you bring some green food coloring. You’re going to have to combine these two details if you want to show that you’re out for the Holiday. With only a single drop of green food coloring and your favorite light colored beer, you’re going to be drinking a satisfying green beer!
Another great idea that is very easily done and cheap is face painting! A green shirt can only go so far, so make sure you show everyone that you are really into the Irish mood by getting some paint on your face! You can always go to a professional face painter, but how hard can a four leaf clover be? To help out just a tiny bit, here’s a great video to showcase a simple and great way to paint your face!
Other than these two great ideas, the only two things you are now responsible for is WEARING GREEN! and finding a great party! Sorry to emphasize the wearing of green, but it’s a major rule that we all should abide by. Parties can come from any place as well. You have to know how big of a party you want to go to or have. Just remember that if you put together your own party, this is a holiday of drinking. There will be a mess to clean up after. If you are going out to find a party though, all bars will have something going on. And also, look on Facebook to see if any friends are putting together a nice get together. All in all, you have the makings of a simple and easy, but fun Saint Patrick’s Day. Just remember to be responsible and safe!
March 17th is just around the corner and that means that one of the drunkest days of the year is coming! Of course the main thing we want here at MyPartyPlanner is our readers safety, but we also are a party site and need to bring up the fact that if you want a great night (that is safe), you better start planning NOW!!!
The first thing you need to take into consideration is the venue. Where are you going to have a party? It doesn’t always have to be at your home, you can always rent out a place in case you have too many friends to handle. Also, if you are thinking of putting together a messy party, maybe not having it at your place is a prime idea. For example, if you want to have a super fun Paint Party for Saint Patty’s Day, either have it outdoors or at a rented venue. Please let the people that rent to you know what kind of party you’re having, you don’t want to run into any extra fees for clean up that you didn’t plan on.
The second thing you have to consider is, will there be kids at your party? Saint Patrick’s Day is definitely aimed at parties with alcohol, if you plan on having kids, there is so much you cannot do. The reason i’m warning you now is so that you can be responsible before the day that you may not be responsible comes around! For a children filled party, you’re mainly going to need party supplies. For an adult party, you’re going to need to plan how to get alcohol to your party. Now a new trend for parties is the BYOB addition. Bring Your Own Beer means you don’t have to worry about spending too much on drinks, although you should at least have a good amount to appease the penny pinching friends you may have.
If you are putting together a big, glamorous party, you may want to get a Bartender! This will a great and professional addition to your Saint Patty’s Day Party. And if you find one connected to a catering company, you may have a bartender that can serve appetizers to anyone that comes to your party hungry. Now there is much more to do when putting together a Party, but at least you are getting a fair amount of time to bring everything together in time for a super fun Saint Patrick’s Day!!!
To me, photography is magical. I am a professional photographer who loves to shoot a little bit of everything and when I come home from a session and look at the images I have captured I am always excited. Whether taking portraits of people, pets or candid shots at an event, I have captured moments that otherwise would have gone by un-noticed or never occurred at all! I am freezing expressions that often pass too swiftly for us to truly absorb and appreciate in real time. Freezing a puppy running or a child jumping on a trampoline and having those moments to treasure always is just an amazing thing!
When it comes to parties and events people always hire photographers for weddings but not as often for other special occasions such as anniversary parties, family reunions, milestone birthdays or holiday and costume parties. Yes everyone has a camera these days but the photographs of a hobby photographer often do not stand up to those of a professional nor do most people have the skills to take these photos to the next level in the digital darkroom. Often the person taking the photos is missing from the photo album themselves!
There are two main ways of approaching photography at these events. At outdoor events especially, hiring a photographer to take both ‘posed’ and candid photographs for a few hours is a great way to go. Often, it may be the first time certain relatives have been in the same place for years! A good photographer will capture images that you will treasure for a lifetime. Be sure to give the photographer a list of ‘must-have’ shots but otherwise tell them to roam around and also take candid images of everyone having a good time. Giving a photographer the freedom to seek out the kinds of shots they are good at will often yield surprising and extraordinarily captured moments.
The other way is to hire a photographer to bring a back drop and lights to your event to set up a mini photo studio. This is really great for birthday and costume parties. Guests have the opportunity to have a mini professional session something they may never have had done before! Guests who put a lot of effort and time into an amazing costume or outfit will appreciate having great, professional shots to share later. You need to be able to clear adequate space at the venue for this to work.
I suggest always meeting with the photographer whom you are thinking of hiring in person to plan out your event and make clear to them exactly what you expect. This will also give you the chance if you get a good feeling about them. Be wary. There are a lot of people who buy an expensive camera, get some business cards and call themselves ‘professional’. Check out the photos on their website, ask them if they will be using professional flash and lighting equipment, use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit their photos etc. Remember, as with most things in life, “ you get what you pay for.” Also, realize you are not just paying the photographer for the few hours that they are taking photos at your event. Included in the price they give you is the consultation, drive time to and from the event and also several hours of sorting and editing the photos after the event. Be sure to ask the photographer if they have the ability to post the best photos in a private online gallery you can easily share with everyone interested in seeing them. Also know that most of the time the photo files included in the price you are quoted will be suitable for display on your computer/phone etc. but will not be high resolutions printable files. Photographers are hoping to make more money off of print sales but many will provide a higher priced option for including high-resolution files. Be sure to have them agree to a minimum amount of photos they will include in their package i.e. 100+ etc.
The author, Stephanie Hayes is the proprietor of Stephaniellen Photography. Located in Tampa, Florida, she is also available to work in Orlando and Sarasota. Specializing in on-location portraits, pet photography, and event photography of all kinds, her work can be seen at Stephaniellenphotography.com.
Every child loves a Petting Zoo. Most of the parents who call me to book a Petting Zoo ask these questions:
1. what animals do you bring?
2. can they pet them?
3. can they feed them?
4. are they in a fenced area?
If you want to be sure the kids will be safe and have fun then you need to ask the questions differently. The questions need to cover more than just the basics. If you only ask those questions you may find out when the Petting Zoo gets there that it’s not what you expected.
If you ask the questions this way you get a much clearer picture of what you will be getting.
1. are the animals fenced? how big is the fenced area? do the kids go in the fenced area with them?
how many kids can go in with the animals at one time?
2. can they hand feed them? will any of them bite? do they have their shots current? who supplies the feed?
3. can they only pet them? are they allowed to hold them? is there an adult to help them?
4. have any of the animals hurt anyone before?
5. what rules are there when interacting with the animals?
Asking this way you know exactly what the kids can do. It’s no fun looking at them over a fence, the kids want to be right there next to them. Be sure you are getting what you want with the right questions.
When we bring out the Petting Zoo for your event we tell you what they are allowed to eat so if the kids want to feed them. We do have a fenced area but only the Pig is in it (that’s because she is an escape artist when she has on a harness). About 3 kids can go in with the pig and everybody has plenty of room to move around. We bring 1 or 2 of each animal, according to how many guests you will have. We supply a sitting area and helpers for the rabbits and chickens (kids must be sitting down to hold them). The goats and mini horse are on lead ropes and the kids can even lead them around. The ducks have a small pond and the kids can feed them and pet them although they may get a little wet.
A Petting Zoo should be fun. We answer all the questions the kids may have about the animals. The first question they usually ask is, “what’s their name?” We supply Hand Sanitizer for everyone to use. All of the animals are handled daily by us and have never bitten anyone. Just like us though, sometimes they are having a bad day and don’t want to be bothered, if this happens we put them in the trailer so that we are sure none of the kids will get hurt.
The post was written by Phyllis Elliott
You can contact her at phyllis@prettyponyparties.org
Or visit her at PrettyPonyParties.org
Cloud 9 Parties by Intimate Tickles is so much more than a romance home party company. We offer a complete boutique shopping experience.
Customers love to pamper themselves with our quality spa products, massage items and wide variety of pheromone perfumes, shoes, wigs and bling bra strapes. Our luxurious lingerie line and high-fashion jewelry accessories are in-style, in-demand and affordable. With Cloud 9 Parties, shapewear has an all new look . when you wear our exquisite collection of matching shapewear and undergarments, you will look and feel beautiful all day long. Complete your look with beautifully manicured and designed nails. Cloud 9 Parties offers the hottest new nail foils to match every outfit and season!
Cloud 9 Parties by Intimate Tickles will continue to carry your favorite, most sought after intimacy enhancement products. Men, women, and couples love our lotions, potions, lubricants, and adult novelties. We cant forget the men! Cloud 9 Parties is pleased to present a complete line of products designed specifically for the men in our lives. If you’re feeling spicy, you can check out our costumes, wigs and seductive shoes. Cloud 9 Parties complete boutique shopping is truly an experience that is “Taking Romance To New Heights.”
Cloud 9 Parties by Intimate Tickles offers reasonable prices, the best compensation plan in the direct selling business and an amazing company paid hostess plan.
Cloud 9 Parties by Intimate Tickles offers girls night out, happy hour events, bridal and bachelorette parties, shades of grey parties, Fellation 101 workshops, and much much more. Check out our Toy Party Events
Cloud 9 Parties by Intimate Tickles has consultants across the U.S.A. ready to provide you with the best party experience available in the industry. Click here to see our Directory of consultants around the U.S.A.
For most kids parties, there are a couple things that for years have made these kind of parties fun for the little ones. Face painting is one that has been around for years and continues to be a memorable addition to every party. Today we’re going to focus on one of the greatest and nicest face painters out there, Teretha Johnson and FunnyCheeks Face Painting. With amazing professionalism and a way with kids that not many people are born with, Teretha goes above and beyond to make every kid happy with their face painting.
The reason we chose Teretha to be our featured face painter was because no matter where you look, she is getting praised for her work. All the people that review her or have anything to say about her is always positive and they always have great things to say. She keeps calm when the kids are rowdy, she paints amazing creations that the kids love, and is so great with kids that it leaves a great impression on them that lasts long after the party. So we got in touch with FunnyCheeks Face Painting and asked her to put together what she thinks about most when working as a face painter. She came back with this…
“One never forgets hearing comments from the most open, truthful and brutally honest critics on Earth, Children. I have been honored to hear these actual comments:
~”Wow!…You’re a fantastic painter!”
~”Oh My Gosh, I wish You were My Art Teacher, then we would really have some fun!”
~”Awesome!….You are Amazing!”
~”You are just the bestest painter, EVER!”
They sure can make You feel like Picasso or Andy Warhol. And they will test you, too. One little girl actually insisted that I paint her babydoll FIRST before she would even sit in my chair. So I happily painted a pink butterfly on the babydoll and handed it back to her. She examined it, then looked at me, smiled and sat down in my chair. I breathed a huge sigh of relief! Her mother called me the next day to book me for her birthday party the following weekend. That was a real defining and memorable moment in my face painting experience.
Such comments and experiences continue to push me to be my absolute creative best. Though the paint will wash off their faces at night, the memories are imprinted forever. This is why I Love being a Face and Body Artist.” -Teretha
Thank you Teretha for all your great work. For more pictures of her work, please visit Teretha’s Facebook Page
Teretha is committed to doing her very best to serve the Dallas Metroplex. Contact her directly at 214.578.2434 for booking information.
I’m all about getting grooms-to-be more involved in the planning process. I’ve noticed that when a couple works together during the planning phase, the whole process is easier on BOTH the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Working together on something that’s important to both of you is great practice for marriage, so why not start now? The easiest starting point where the groom can contribute is picking the song he’ll dance to with his mother during the wedding reception.
There are plenty of daddy’s-little-girl-themed songs out there, but not many mama’s-boy-themed songs, so your challenge, should you choose to accept it, will be to find a love song that isn’t an intimate love song. Unfortunately, non-intimate love songs simply don’t sell as well as the intimate variety, so you may have a tough time with this one. In fact, this is almost always the most difficult (and procrastinated) song choice of the entire wedding reception planning process for many of my clients. Don’t be discouraged, though, because below I’ve listed 10 songs of different genres that tend to work well among Amplify Entertainmentclients. Even if you don’t see a song you like, I hope this list helps you start thinking about what types of songs work well, placing you well on your way to being a contributing groom-to-be!
Here are 10 Mother Son Dance songs that have been some of my clients’ favorites.
1. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – A memorable and classy choice — a great fool-proof option.
2. “A Song For Mama” by Boyz II Men – One of the few songs actually is about a mother and her son. Not everyone’s into the ‘90s R&B ballads, but if you are, then give this song a listen.
3. “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart or Van Morrison – “You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness.” That’s the kind of message you’re looking for in a mother-son dance song.
4. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban – This song is too dramatic for some of my clients, but expect a huge applause after this dance is over.
5. “Hero” by Mariah Carey – Another dramatic non-intimate love anthem. Similar in the effect to the song above, but the female vocals lend to the song being a message from the mother to the son, whereas most are the other way around.
6. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole – Although this is actually a father and daughter, the message works for mothers and sons as well.
7. “I Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera – File this as another in the list of non-intimate love anthems. Another fail-proof option. Just make sure the DJ uses the radio version (or cuts the intro), so you don’t get 30 seconds of awkward ethereal intro music when you’re trying to dance.
8. “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill – One of the best mother-son dance song choices for country fans. It’s poppy enough, that it’s not over-the-top country, so all guests can enjoy it regardless of their taste in music.
9. “I’m Your Angel” by Celine Dion and R. Kelly – Another great duet with a strong, positive message.
10. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King – This one breaks away from the dramatic/emotional, and is a more fun and light choice. It’s an older song and a great multi-generational option.
Sometimes, my clients ask me for less traditional songs than the ones listed above. Although these songs work very well for most people, some want to jump off the beaten path and try something that is more unique. Your DJ can help find the perfect match for you. Or, you are free to contact me on Amplify Entertainment’s contact form, or tweet me @WeddingSavvyDJ, and I’ll be happy to make a few personal recommendations. Best of luck!
With day spas popping up everywhere, it is important to know how to look beyond the decor and relaxing music. Find out from an expert within the industry exactly what to look for in a day spa, what to expect from your experience and how to choose a quality location.
Location
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we have little time to spare and convenience is especially important. Today, day spas are conveniently located within most neighborhoods. If you are visiting the city, you will want to find reviews or identify a popular day spa as an indication that its services and facilities are satisfactory to most clients. You may also find a professional mobile spa and discover the perfect union of luxurious therapies infused with the intimacy, convenience and comfort of home.
The ambiance, aroma and tranquility of the spa experience should immediately transport you into a world of calm. An hour of pampering yourself by getting a pedicure, manicure or massage may be all it takes to rejuvenate and renew.
Pricing
With a surge in popularity and the number of day spas available in most cities, competition has driven prices down and made the day spa experience accessible to most social classes. Going to the spa is no longer just for the rich and elite, and today’s “budget minded” consumers are looking for a little indulgence at an affordable price. This has forced many day spas to offer considerable discounts and deals, further forcing down prices. But you should be leery of very cheap offers. In order to keep costs well below the competition, some establishments may be compromising hygiene, be using sub-standard practices or may not have professionally qualified staff.
Hygiene
Scope out the joint. Ask for a tour of the facility and find out about the different treatments on the menu. Be sure to examine the cleanliness and don’t be afraid to ask about their sanitation policies and practices. They should have their policies clearly posted, available for viewing on their website or at least be able to provide you with a copy if requested. It is sometimes hard to image a luxurious day spa that, on the surface looks so beautiful and serene, have bacteria and germs lurking in every corner. For example, jet foot baths seem to add a luxurious touch, but they may be harboring a colony of germs. Pay attention to cleanliness of the floors, washrooms, work stations, linens and slippers. Something as unobviousness as dishes may be hand washed by staff and not given a proper washing.
Practices: Bacteria, fungal and viral infections will contaminate products, tools and surfaces so it is imperative that sterilization and disinfection protocols be in place and followed closely. Staff must be attentive and thoroughly examine clients’ nails and skin prior to providing a service. For instance, nail fungus is highly contagious and applying a nail polish to an infected nail will contaminate the entire bottle. This could easily spread the infection to subsequent users. A highly trained professional will be able to identify possible nail infections and refrain from using a polish that will be shared with other customers. Be aware that there are some establishments that choose to assume a higher risk for causing or spreading infection by engaging in practices such as using credo blades and working too aggressively on cuticles or ingrown toenails.
Other things to look for are clean uniforms and that practitioners wash their hands before and after performing any service.
Products and services
Of paramount importance is that the therapists and aestheticians who practice at the spa be certified and qualified for the job. Professionally qualified staff will be able to identify skin and nail problems, identify any counter indications, communicate this information to the customer without making a medical diagnosis, and advise the customer of how and if they will be proceeding with the services. There are unlimited product lines out there, and spas should only provide its customers with effective treatments using products that are of the highest quality. It is the spa management’s responsibility to ensure that staff is provided the appropriate and ongoing training for the product lines and kept up to date on industry news.
Qualified and knowledgeable staff is more likely to be friendly and unpretentious when suggesting treatment options, describing the benefits of the different treatments, and suggesting retail products for home use. They will also suggest specific treatments that can be added to your treatments to enhance your spa experience or provide an added benefit. These are referred to as add-ons in the industry. However, it is wise to be cautious of gimmicky services that overly promise results. These costs can add up, and as the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Professionalism
Part of the spa experience should be meeting friendly staff that makes it appear as though they have been looking forward to meeting you and providing your services. Staff should introduce themselves, take your lead in the amount of conversation, and be respect of confidentiality. It is never appropriate for a practitioner to complain about their workplace or discuss their personal problems. Therapist should be with their client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.
Health and medical information
Client information forms should be completed at your initial visit to a spa and updated at your regular appointments. Some medicines and health conditions may contradict with certain spa services, therefore it is important that practitioners review and be aware of your medical history prior to your selected services being performed. Based on your medical information, a qualified professional may suggest alternative treatments or even have to refuse certain treatments for your safety.
Reviews and testimonials
It is great to know when a business gets the majority of their business through repeat customers and referrals. This is a good indication that they provide quality services and that clients are generally satisfied. But if you don’t have a referral to go on and if you are trying a place for the first time, it is useful to seek out on-line reviews and testimonials. There are several on-line review forums such as Yelp, Clyex and RatePoint. Some businesses may ask clients to provide reviews and testimonials to judge where improvements could be made. This is a good starting point, however be aware of bogus testimonials. Also, if a business has received a high majority of good reviews with only a couple of unsatisfied customers, it is important to remember that it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time. With a little homework, you can feel a little more confident that you have chosen the right spa and then base it on your own experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I certainly do not want to steer anyone away from enjoying the wonderful and rejuvenating experience the day spa has to offer. Having been in the beauty industry for going on 25 years, I have a true passion for what I do and thoroughly believe in the well-being that comes with taking care of oneself. I simply want to raise awareness of the importance of seeking out truly professional services and high quality standards.
Our mobile esthetic services offer professional esthetic, hand and foot treatments in the comfort of your own home by an experienced esthetician. Ideal for those with busy day schedules, the elderly or convalescing people. After all, there really is no place like home.
Photobooths have become the hottest new trend at Weddings! If you have ever been in one, you know how much fun they can be! Not only are they perfect for Weddings, but they are also great for School Dances, Birthdays, Holidays, and Corporate Events!
When you book your event with In A Snap Photobooths, you get the whole package. We will provide a large photobooth that can hold anywhere from 1-10 guests, an on-site attendant, and fun/silly props. There’s no limit to the number of sessions at an event so your guests go as much as they’d like and they will get a picture to keep every time!
Some of the things that In A Snap offers are:
*Photo booth rentals for weddings, graduations, school functions, holiday parties, or any other event.
*At least one, usually two, onsite attendants to setup and tear down the booth, but more importantly ensure guests have tons of fun!
*We’ll work with you to design a custom photo strip to match the theme of the event.
*We’ll provide fun wigs, hats, fake mustache’s, speech bubbles, etc. at every event unless otherwise requested.
*Unlimited Sessions. Take as many photo’s as time permits with a photo lab quality print every time.
*All individual photos and photo strips can be uploaded to a password protected gallery or facebook album at no additional cost
*We’ll mail you a DVD with all individual photos, photo strips, as well as a flip-book style video of all individual photos set to music
So for anyone in the Mount Pleasant, MI area, you have the perfect Photobooth Vendor available! For anyone else around looking for a great Photobooth Vendor, visit our Photobooth section and select your state. In A Snap will always be available to answer any questions that you may have for professional Photobooth companies!
Stereoflavour is a professional, versatile wedding/events band. There are hundreds of cover bands around the city of Toronto, but very few have what Stereoflavour has to offer: energy, youthfulness, versatility, and professionalism. These four talented musicians value their craft as a serious business and a professional full-time career. With a vast repertoire list that ranges from pop to jazz, rock to country, funk to reggae, Motown, top 40, to classical music, Stereoflavour is the perfect entertainment for any audience.
For years, they have been entertaining audiences of all ages, playing at clubs, festivals, and private functions around the GTA. Stereoflavour is fronted by two of Toronto’s most talented multi-instrumentalists – keyboardist/vocalist Stacey Y and guitarist/vocalist Tom Hanley. Supported by Mark Rynkun (bass/vocals) and Thomas Varey (drums/vocals), this group always impresses listeners with the highest level of musicianship and professionalism.
Stereoflavour is available in solo, duo, trio, quartet, and large ensemble formats including a horn section. The band has performed in many venues around the GTA, including: Liberty Grand, The Sutton Place, Toronto Hunt Club, The Granite Club, Mississauga Living Arts Centre, The Phoenix, The Rex, El Mocambo, Lee’s Palace, Drake Hotel, Alleycatz, Humber College, Timothy’s Pub, The Unicorn, Harlem Restaurant, The Central, The Tin Mill Uxbridge, and more.
The band has taken part in events such as: Brantford Jazz Festival, Find Your Spirits Arts Festival, The Annual Canadian Vintage Bicycle Show, Toronto Youth Rally, Weddings, Corporate Parties, Stag and Does, Christmas Parties, Birthday Celebrations, New Years Events, Charity Events, Showcases, Customer Appreciation Events, and more.
Some of Stereoflavour’s clients include: DIALOG Design Toronto, Richmond Hill Hyundai Dealership, Emerald Hills Golf Club, Port Credit Residences, Loblaws, Long and McQuade, Heritage View Farm, Timothy’s Pub, University of Toronto, and more.
“Stereoflavour is an exciting band comprised of four accomplished musicians. Their bluesy sound and tight, soulful vocals make them a live act not to be missed.”
- Will Jarvis (Head of Bass Faculty at Humber College)
Remember fellow readers, all of MyPartyPlanner’s Featured Vendors are here to help in any way we can. If you have questions for us, let us know and we will be happy to use our experience to answer any and all questions. Stereoflavour is MPP’s first featured professional live band. We are an incredible resource of entertainment and professionalism. Make sure you check us out at Stereoflavour.ca
