... here's the email (in all it's rambling-ness) I sent to Erica in hopes of becoming the YMC Party Mummy Blogger. Thanks for choosing me Erica. And, for putting up with my puns and verbosity and obsessive use of smiley faces. Oh man, remember how drunk we got right after this photo was taken? The cow tipping, the skinny dipping in the Nathan Phillips Square Fountain, the sailors. Good times. ;)
Hi Erica,
I just saw your tweet request for a mama with party tips to share with her fellow yummy mummies. I think I might be your mummy (well, that would technically be Journeywoman, but you know what I mean—the mama with the party-know-how). I bartended my way through university and then teacher’s college, so I know my way around a cocktail shaker. I’ve been an elementary school teacher for the past 10 years so anything involving a “theme” element fills me with joy. Since I’m now a stay-at-home mum without lessons to plan, I get my fix by planning and hosting parties (yes, usually with some sort of theme...can’t help myself). I’d love to share some of the stories behind the parties, girl’s nights, book club gatherings, etc. that I’ve organized and hosted.
I can offer some helpful tips that I’ve learned to ensure a successful (FUN!) party, but also fess up to some definite party planning/hosting don’ts that I’ve personally discovered. For example, the hostess should never get completely hammered and pull her once full-coverage bathing suit into a thong and yell, “Check this out!” while bending over to dive into the pool. Though it makes for a funny story, it’s definitely a hostess “don’t.” (Or so my husband tells me).
Our second child is dealing with some complicated medical issues, so I’ve chosen to give up my teaching career for now to stay at home with her. I’m grateful to be able to do this, but it means we’re now a one-income family and have made some changes to our spending habits. We live in a nice area, but we are by no means wealthy. We DO, however, attend parties at friends' houses who live on what I call, the “other” side of the creek. (Ya, the rich side). Great people, fun parties...they hire party planners, caterers, etc., and always throw a fabulous shin-dig. I’d like to write about putting together a great event without breaking the bank—sort of a recession-friendly, Party Planning 101 for the common man or woMAN in this case. ;)
You’ve chosen some fab woman to blog for the YMC. Sharon and Candace are my two personal faves. I’m fairly new to blogging, but I love to write. My blog address is: www.foreverinmomgenes.com
I’m sure your inbox is full of messages from mummies like me, but please let me know if I can send you a sample of what “Party Mama: Throwing A Party With Style Without Breaking The Bank” might look like.
Thanks!
Lisa Thornbury aka @pdgrove*
P.S. I listed a few of the parties we’ve thrown (or attended) that might make interesting blog topics.
Host A Cooking Class At Home: Hire a caterer (look for an up and coming business on Craig’s List—cheap and eager). Each guest contributes $20ish. Caterer does the shopping and clean up! Guests help prepare the meal while sipping wine and learning cooking tips along the way. Then eat and enjoy your creation. Don’t forget to toast the hostess for including you in such a fab evening!
Host An Easy and Inexpensive Wine Tasting: Invite guests to bring a favourite wine. You can choose to give parameters i.e. price range, wine region, red or white. Each guest also brings a small appy to compliment their wine. Hostess provides the glasses (rent them...makes it easy).
Fun-do: Host provides a cheese and chocolate fondue. Guests are assigned food items for dipping. The ‘fun’ part is up to you! Karaoke, Wii tournament, Pictionary, whatever!
Passion Party: This was my all-time favourite party! Hired consultant from company called “Passion Parties”. Invited 40 fun chicks. The consultant displayed her “products” and answered questions. I served “pervert punch” and chocolate penises (local adult novelty store sells penis shaped ice-cube trays). I also provided penis straws. Can you see why this was my favourite theme so far? Hilarious. Each guest brought a small appy and had to give it dirty name...we howled.
Annual Cookie Exchange: Great way to stock up on baked goods for the holidays but also a fun excuse to get together with friends. Yes, there was a prize for the ugliest Christmas sweater!
Pick A Decade: Recently had '80s party for hubby’s 40th. Easy to put together and so much fun! Sadly, I was able to find most of my costume in my own closet!
Backyard Cookout: Guests bring their own meat/veggie item for the grill. Host provides salads, bread, etc. Blender drinks with umbrellas for the ladies and a tub of beer on ice for the boys.
Chicks with Chips Games Night: Girlfriends and chips and wine and a deck of cards. Seriously, what else do you need?
Book Club (club soda that is, with vodka and lime): PJs and ponytails. Need I say more?
Mexican Fiesta—Cinqo de Mayo Party: margarita, mojitos and fajitas...ole! Put on a little Gypsy Kings, crack open some Corona, decorate the table with some cacti and sombreros and you can’t go wrong (we do this one a lot...mostly due to my guacamole addiction).
Appy ABCs: Assign guests a letter from the alphabet and they are in charge of bringing an appy beginning with that letter. So easy and who doesn’t enjoy appetizers for dinner?
Pool Party: Take a dip and bring a dip (e.g. bean dip!)....mooning guests is optional.
Dear readers, thank you for partying with me for the past three years. It's been so much fun. Here's to another fabulous year ahead.
FYI, I've tried not to let my fame go to my head. LOL! :) Oh my... the obsessive use of smiley faces continues.
Sincerely,
Lisa aka "Party Mummy"
*My old twitter name before becoming the new me... @LisaThornbury which if you think about it, is more the old me than the new me. But I digress.
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