Affordable DIY party planning

SimplySoirees is taking on a life all of its own. So, it's time to give it its own platform. I'm starting a brand new blog that puts the focus squarely on affordable DIY party planning and everything it entails. Get ready to PartyOn! Coming soon.

Think outside the Chinese takeout box

If there's one thing I learned (actually there are many) from planning my wedding last year it was to shop for things in places with no connection to wedding or special events. When retailers tack wedding, holiday, party or special event onto things, or heck, when they aim them directly at female buyers, they have a tendency hike the prices way up. The key to getting things at the best price is really all about patience and using a little savvy when it comes to searching online. A great example of this is Chinese takeout boxes. In lieu of wedding favors I had a candy buffet at my wedding and wanted to use Chinese takeout containers as the vessel into which guests would place their candy. What I didn't want was to spend $1.00 or more per box.



So I set out in search of cheap Chinese takeout boxes in Toronto, firstly the old fashioned way –by visiting stores. This search took me to Michael's, Wal-Mart, Party Packagers, a craft shop in the Vaughn Mills mall and a bunch of other places I can't recall. However, ever one of those places wasn't giving me a good enough price. That's when I let my fingers do the footwork…across my keyboard of course, and set out searching for wholesale Chinese takeout boxes.


 

Dollarstore diva:Get great serveware pieces on the cheap

The days are ticking away! The pink party is nearly here, so before I reveal any major details I want to take a moment to share some of my fantastic, affordable party gear finds. I'm going with chic yet cheap for my upcoming mocktail party, which means some creativity with the serveware and food is definitely required.

First down the runway in this frugal home entertaining fashion show is this lovely number:

Will I be trying my hand at Asian cuisine? Wonton soup anyone? No, not at all. What I will be doing however, is serving mouthfuls of one of my appies meticulously mounded in the bowl of these darling wonton spoon, which will be nestled in a bowl o crushed ice. Presentation perfection! And the cost? A mere $.59 a piece. Forget any store that specializes in home decor, and departments stores or the like. You can find cheap wonton spoons in Toronto or probably any ethnically diverse city at an Asian grocery store for pennies.

Mocktail Bar: Keep an eye on the curveballs

Sometimes plans just don't go the way you want them to, and sometimes, that can be really good thing.

I went into Ikea last Friday to purchase the bottles and straws I'd mentioned in my previous post about the mocktail bar set up, and guess what? They were out of the bottles for my mocktail bar juices and the straws didn't come in the colors I wanted. 

BOO! Needless to say I was greatly displeased. As I trudged out of the store, through the insidious Ikea marketplace maze (clearly intended to entice one into purchasing frames, candle holders and other bits not previously required) I happened upon the vase section and inspiration caught my eye in the form of this:

 

 
While this is a rather iconic Ikea vase, in that moment I couldn't help thinking that it would make an absolutely fantastic bottle for my mocktail bar. So, rather than driving a few cities over to another Ikea, I changed plans and purchased 5 of these vases(three pink and two clear) for $2.99 a piece. We did a mock up of the mocktail bar last night and I couldn't be happier with my choice. The vases look fantastic. And as for the straws, I was lucky enough to find a pack a gorgeous, hot pink straws at my local Dollarama, which saved $1.99.


 
I wonder how many people have had thwarted plans turn into a blessing in disguise.

Mocktail Maddness

Long time no see! Bad blogger, I know; but it's summertime and life has been busy. However, we now have only one week till the Pink Party! Can you believe it?! Seems like just the other day it was just a thought. So now I'm in power planning mode. Also known as the result of far too much summer fun induced procrastinating. Hey, we can't all be Martha, you know what I mean.

So now here I am with this grand vision in mind and a massive to-do, to-buy and to-make list. First on today's post-day job check list: Get the Mocktial Bar gear together! I'll be making a bee-line to my nearest Ikea for some fantastic essentials.

Party in pink! How to host a Cook for the Cure cocktail party - Entertaining - Food - Canadian Living

Party in pink! How to host a Cook for the Cure cocktail party - Entertaining - Food - Canadian Living

Our cook for the Cure cocktail party/slash housewarming party will be here before too long. While searching i found a great article from Canadian Living about that very topic. I don't know about that whole silent auction thing, but of course the food ideas are exactly what I'm searching for.

Virgin Bevvies or Vintage Sammies?

That is the big question.

So it's finally confirmed, we will be hosting a pink party in order to participate in Cooking for the Cure.

What we do know is:
The party will be sometime in August and feature the color pink (possibly along with a tangy splash of lemon and tangerine). There will be lots of tasty homemade food. There will be sweets. Guests will be asked to bring a small donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I will most likely go overboardy.


What we don't know is:

Do with go with a mocktail party or a tea party?

The Mocktail Party would have a bit more splash, with great appies and interesting non-boozy drinks. I would have to consider music and some really great swag. It would be later at night and guys would likely be invited along.

The Tea Party would be more of an afternoon gathering, with a selection of ices and hot teas, vintage tea sandwich recipes, tiny baked treats and other such nibbles. Music would be less important, there would be the possibility of great looking hats, and it would likely be more of a ladies gathering.

At the moment I'm still undecided. Both options sound like fun. Should I go for the mocktail party or the tea party?

Eeeeee is for Eco friendly, disposable serveware

So you've figured out that becoming eco chic should be at the top of every domestinista's todo list. Congratulations! Perhaps you've procured a beautiful new set of bamboo dishtowels, have created kitchen recycling station or filled your crisper with a bounty of home grown, organic veggies! No matter what steps you've taken to add a bit of green to your home, you're certainly to be commended.

However, with summertime making its glorious arrival (despite some ominous looking clouds saying otherwise) eco chic domestinistas are faced with something of a dilemma. What to do if you'd love to throw a festive, sun-filled barbecue, or even whisk your significant other away for an impromptu picnic, but simply hate the thought of buying paper of styrofoam plates?

Using your everyday dishware is an option, assuming you have enough for all of your guests and don't mind a whole lot of washing up afterwards or the chance of breakage.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful and even quite stylish option, and that is Compostable Serveware from Green Living. Green Living offers plain white plates and bowls made from Bagasse, which is the fiber left over from sugarcane stalks after they've been crushed, flatware made out of potato starch and soy, and my absolute fav -bamboo veneer plates, which I happen to think would be perfection at a green wedding, backyard birthday soiree or other festive event that has eco friendly entertaining on the menu. All of Green Living's compostable dishware is certified organic, FDA approved, free of any dyes or bleaches and will biodegrade in 4-6 months after disposal.

Eco friendly, chic, AND affordably priced. I am eeeeeeing with absolute delight. Time to put my order in, start perfecting my version of this luscious-looking Jerk Chicken Panini I saw the other day, and grab the hubby for a romantic picnic by the lake.

Cook for the cure: Updated

It's almost impossible to find a person whose life hasn't been touched by breast cancer in some way; myself included. So when I heard about Cook For The Cure, sponsored by my beloved Kitchenaid, I absolutely had to share the news!

This summer, the weekend of July 16-18th, Kitchenaid is providing domestinistas (and domestinistos of course) with an ab fab excuse to dazzle friends and family with an unforgettable soiree. Now, what makes Cook For The Cure truly special is that in lieu of the traditional hostess gifts of wine, chocolates or flowers, party hosts are to encourage guests to bring a donation to Susan G. Komen for the cure -possibly the most reputable and well known breast cancer charity in America. In Canada, donation will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation


Not that we need any added incentive beyond helping to find a cure for this horrible disease, but if party hosts raise more than $50.00 (US parties only), Kitchenaid will send you this adorable serving plate.

Feeling inspired? Have a peek at the American site or Check out the Canadian Site and start planning!