Apocalypse Wow!

With Judgement Day nigh, I thought we should take a few minutes to think about the kind of party we should be throwing on Friday night! Clearly, since the world as we know it will be gone, you shouldn't worry too much about price, and it won't really matter how much you weigh or if you're going to have a hangover so I say celebrate Decatur style! 

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For me, a party isn't a party without some amazing edible/drinkable fare, and that happens to be something we do very well in Atlanta! Sushi from Sushi Avenue and Park Tavern (who's sangria is second only to my own-- in my own humble opinion, of course!), pizza from Everybody's and Athens, beer from Ale Yeah!, wine from Sherlock's, burgers from George's, Indian food from Bhojanic (don't forget smoothies from Nectar while you're there!), a party platter or two from Chick-fil-A and I'm good to go! Sure, that's a lot of food, but who cares? It's the Apocalypse!

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What's more, we're definitely scheduled for some beautiful pre-Judgement Day weather, so why not rent out The Solarium at Scottish Rite for your shindig? Need more outdoor space? Try going au naturale and impromptu at Glenlake Park or hit up the block party feel at Harmony Park in Oakhurst! If you're like me and got to The Solarium too late, perhaps the ballroom at the Old Decatur Courthouse is still open and you can fling open all the windows and feel supah fancy your last night on earth! Heck, go raid the World of Coke or the Aquarium-- we all know those dolphins love to par-tay!

Old Decatur Courthouse Ballroom

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Georgia Aquarium Special Events Dining
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Need decorations? Swing by Ace Hardware and see if they have any of those "old-fashioned" patio lights to string up, then hop by Taste for the tableware and Heliotrope for some party favors!

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It's easy to surround yourself with your favorite things in life here in Atlanta, and whether it's Judgement Day or just any other day, I think living here is a great excuse to throw down and show yourself and your friends a good time!

Birthday Bliss

I went and saw Thor last night for a friend's birthday and it got me thinking about all the amazing parties I had as a child, and the crazy parties I'll be throwing for my kids one day! My favorite party in memory was the Barbie party I had at around 7-- of course, it wasn't fancy shmancy like the inspiration board would suggest, but involved cardboard and foil Barbie tiaras and all of us wearing our very best dress up princess outfits! The inspiration board for this one is small because, honestly, whether you have girls or boys they will all create their own awesomeness when given their favorite characters! Plus, it's a fantastic use for those leftover Halloween costumes and thrift store dress up finds!

1. Super Hero Stationary 2. Barbie Cake 3. Barbie Birthday Stationary 4. Super Hero Cupcakes

The best thing about the Barbie cakes is that now they have more affordable Barbies on the shelves and if you know someone who can cook a dome cake for you BAM! Instant, affordable, impressive to small children type birthday cake!

Baby, Baby, Baby, OH!

I just found out that a friend from HS is pregnant! I was so excited for her, and given that another friend from HS is due any day now I went in to baby shower mode!

1. Invitations, 2. Banner, 3. Round Plates, 4. Cake, 5. Plates, etc.

The birth announcements could easily be turned in to an invitation, the banner is shabby chic, and I even found some modern-style animal accessories to match! This is obviously for a girl, but I went with pink and brown which can easily be replaced with robin's egg blue and brown for a boy.

Inspiration Graduation!

I have sooooo many friends graduating this month that I'm overwhelmed! Several of my staff members and their significant others, girls I welcomed in to the AOII house my senior year of college, and just plain friends are all taking that big sigh of relief and holding on tight to that snazzy piece of paper! Graduation parties were all the rage in high school, so why not college? Probably, it's a little harder to coordinate, but if you have the time and a little spare change... why not celebrate a HUGE achievement?! So, here you have it, my inspiration board for the graduation party of the decade!

1. Rhodes College, 2. Paper Lanterns, 3. Sangria, 

4. Invitations, 5. Central BBQ, 6. Cupcakes

What's better for graduation than a great outdoor area (like Oak Alley at my Alma Mater), some festive paper lanterns, Sangria (you should really check out the recipe on that link!), BBQ and cupcakes, and unique invitations?!