Groom Tested, Bride Approved.

So you're the best bud, the wingman, the broski, the amigo, the comrade... the Best Man. Well, old chum, old pal, it looks like your best friend has tired of the days of 'scoring hot chicks' and smashing beer cans against his forehead. It is your job to wish him well with the biggest, baddest bachelor party this country has even seen. And by God you're gonna do it with a keg and a stripper!

Stop.

Think.

Haven't you been too about 100 of those kinds of bachelor parties before? Don't you get sick of those dollar pinching girls, EVER? Why not do something really manly, something adventurous, something you need some big you-know-whats to do. Try one of these ass-kicking, gut punching, scream like a girl activities and make sure your best friend knows what he is going to be missing as he says good-bye to his single life.

(If you are a bride, don't worry. All of these ideas have been "bride approved!" It's just good clean fun...)

Surf's Up, Bro

If the groom you're planning for knows how to surf and lives near the beach, grab your boards, your old Ace of Base tape (ok, ok... CD) for the road trip, pack a color of great 'beach' beers and go surfing. If he (or anyone in the group) is surf-impaired, try to arrange some group lessons to learn to ride the waves.

White-Water Rafting

Push the memory of you peeing the boat on the family canoe trip out of your mind, you can control your bladder now. White-water rafting is the perfect macho bachelor party activity and you can make a weekend out of it by camping - what could be more manly than man vs. nature and wiping your ass with a leaf?

Day of Thunder

Take the groom to the race track! He will be able to work off a little of his nervous energy in a fast and furious way! Check out RacingSchools.com for local tracks and programs, they have everything from dragsters, to stock cars and even go-karts for the daredevils! He'll be asking you to call him Mario Andretti by the time the checkered flag is waving.

Deep Sea Fishing

Fishing is an age-old bonding activity for men. Why not charter a deep-sea fishing boat and hope the groom gets to spend the better part of an afternoon wrestling with a marlin? Follow it up with crabs and beer on the deck.

Skydiving

You are going to be wearing one-piece jumpsuits, you are going to have another guy strapped to your back, your life depends on them... what could be better? This truly is a heart-pumping adventure if you really have a daredevil to plan a party for. Bring some portable horseshoes or a frisbee while you wait to jump and when you are teetering on the edge at 14,000 feet, don't forget to look down!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, you're either single or paired off and it's the most romantic time of year. Valentine’s Day. (Don't all jump for joy at once.) So, whether you're putting together a romantic dinner for two at home or throwing a Singles Only Valentine’s Day bash, below are some fun (and, of course, inexpensive) ways to decorate and have fun this February 14th ...

Stomachs Are the Way to Anyone's Heart:
- Bake cookies and cupcakes. Crate & Barrel have great heart shaped cookie cutters for just over $5; with those and Nestle Tollhouse’s pre-made sugar cookie dough you’re not spending a lot of time or money! You and yours (friends included) can decorate the cookies when they finish baking and then enjoy them over a nice glass of wine!

- Use a low open vase or clear glass bowl and fill it with conversation hearts! This will provide a colorful “centerpiece” in addition to tasty (?) snack and conversation starter.
(I saw this recently at a friend’s house and it was the cutest thing!)

Setting the Mood: (wink, wink!)
- All you need are some tea light candles and maybe some red streamers or faux red rose petals! Light the candles and scatter them all throughout the house (or bedroom) and sprinkle faux red rose petals (both available at Michaels & AC Moore) around the tea lights and you have instant romance …

- Music gets any party started, pick something that sets the mood you want. I would recommend Wynton Marsalis for a little romance and a little Cindy Lauper for a Singles Only bash, after all, “Girls, They Wanna Have Fun!”

Entertainment:
- At your singles only party, you can have fun laughing with and at each other playing, “Would You Rather? Love & Sex” (Urban Outfitters).

- Movies are an easy way to go, there are so many to choose from! When Harry Met Sally, Casablanca, Good Fellas… you name it, it’s out there!

Gifts:
- Books are always a nice gift on Valentine’s Day. Try ‘Other People’s Love Letters’, edited by Bill Shapiro or ‘Guess How Much I Love You’, by Sam McBratney (both at Barns & Noble)

The list of things to do together or by yourself is endless, just have fun this Valentine’s Day, after all there are 364 other days to say I Love You.

My Favorite Websites ...

I thought I would share two of my most favorite websites, I utilize them all the time when I need a creative jump start on any event I am doing!

Plum Party
http://www.plumparty.com/

Wedding FAVORites
http://www.weddingfavorites.com/

If you know some great websites that inspire ideas, please share them!

'Tis the Season

They say the season of Joy and Cheer is upon us; well whoever “they” are couldn’t be more right! This little diddy is for all those who aren’t planning a wedding but just a FUN holiday party!

No one has to spend a lot of money on their friends & family when putting together the perfect holiday party… don’t be afraid to go to Target, K-Mart and all those less expensive stores – who needs Crate & Barrel?

Whether you are having a seated dinner or a cocktail party there is plenty you can do – and you don’t have to spend a lot of extra cash!

- Make up a specialty drink with self-serve Cosmos and call them Rudolph’s Red Nosed Martini!

- If you’re adventurous, make chocolate dipped marshmallows and call them Snowman Droppings! (My Aunt did this about 10 years ago and we STILL laugh about it!)

- Buy mini stockings (Target, Michaels, the Party Store, CVS – they all have them) and make napkin holders out of them by folding the napkins length wise and inserting them into the stocking. If you have the time you could even buy glitter paint and put everyone’s name on the stocking – now it is doubling as a place card and napkin holder!

- Buy red and white candles in all different heights and sizes and place them all over the house for warm ambiance and a great splash of color! Buy rhinestones and put them around the bottom for a little holiday sparkle! (easier to clean then glitter)

- Use old ornaments (ball ornaments work the best) and fill a clear glass vase with them for a centerpiece

- Make your own Charlie Brown Christmas trees all over the house by clipping a pine branch from the backyard, put it into a clear glass vase and top with a single ornament - perfect for the bathroom or other small space!

My favorite thing to do is flip through the Crate & Barrel, Pier 1 and Pottery Barn holiday magazine and re-create everything they show in the magazines. It can usually be done for less moola and you can add your own little flair, as long as you’re having fun then it is going to be great!

Happy Holidays!!

Going Green?

Going Green at your next event, bridal shower, wedding or birthday party is possible! I’m not talking about having all your guests sit outside on picnic blankets or using twigs for utensils. I mean wearing hemp skirts and going barefoot! Not your style?! No need to worry, there are tons of ways that your event can be environmentally friendly, check out these ideas below and don’t hesitate to think outside the box!

- As wedding favors, give each of your guests tiny tree saplings or a Tree In a Box. When they arrive back home they will plant a new tree and have a long lasting memory of your special day! Check out Tree in A Box to start growing - they will even personalize the box!

- Ask your caterer to utilize local farmer’s crops. Not only will you be supporting your neighbors (who support the environment daily) but your food will be delicious, fresh and most of the time organic! Try http://www.localharvest.org/ to find a farm near you!

- Use recycled paper for your save-the-date, invitations, programs, menu cards and thank you cards! Recycled paper products have come a long way in the past few years and you can find beautiful paper, ink and even stamps that are recycled! Check out http://www.naturallyeverafter.com/ for recycled ideas!

- There is nothing like getting pampered with the girls the day before your party or wedding – or any day for that matter! Take the girls to an organic spa and get back in touch with “natural” beauty! Check out http://www.spafinder.com/ to find a perfect match for spas all over the world!

There are plenty more ways to have your wedding or event be eco-friendly and no reason not too! Don’t get me wrong you don’t have to have solar panel energy to cook dinner for everyone but every little bit counts! Do your research and ask around, a lot of vendors may already be using eco-friendly ways to make your dream wedding or party a success!