Once a year, there is one event that changes most people’s lives…THE OSCARS…well not just anyone’s life, but some!  Anyone who likes movies, celebs, fashion, celebration and talent recognition tunes into this pivotal moment in entertainment history every year.  I know I have, for as long as I can remember.  My mother has always liked to do something cute and fun for this special evening so she inspired this idea.

I love a reason to throw a little soiree and have the girls over for some drinks, bites and fun.  With everyone’s hectic schedules it also isn’t easy to get everyone in the same place at the same time…but trust me when I say, as long as you provide the honey, the bees will come!

I have a few tools and some great tips to help you throw the best Oscar Party your friends ever did see!   Below I have attached some printouts and instructions to add that special touch to this special night!

Drink Tags:

This is perfect to remember which drink is yours; are you “Best Actress” or “Best Picture”

• Print the “Drink Tag” document onto card stock
• Cut around each perimeter
• Hole punch the top
• Tie onto the glass with your ribbon of choice

Treat Bag Tags:

These can be presented on your table for guests to have.  The idea is for them to take the same corresponding “Title” as their drink…keeps things fun and less confusing

• Print the “Treat Bags” document onto adhesive paper (this can generally be purchased at any office supplies store)
• Cut them out along the perimeter
• Fill bags of your choice with the treat of your choice and seal with the sticker

Ballot Sheets

I pulled the nominees off the official Oscar website and put them in a “theme” consistent document for a fun game!

• Put them into an envelope of your choice
• When the guests have arrived, hand them out and have everyone select who they think will win
• Throughout the awards, make sure everyone is keeping track of how many they guessed correctly
• At the end determine the winner! (As the host, make sure you have a small joke gift or something nice…a homemade Oscar award, bottle of wine, etc)

Swag Bags:

Because we all know these award shows have the “Swag Suites”  (I’ve personally always wanted to receive this so called “Swag”)!

• Print the “Swag Bag” tags onto the same adhesive paper used for the “Treat Bags” and cut around the perimeter
• I took regular gift bags and cut the knot off one end and pulled the handle out leaving just the holes
• Fill the bag with “swag” of your choice
• Thread ribbon through the holes where the handles used to be and tie it into a bow
• Fold down the top and seal with the “Swag Bag” sticker

• Use your imagination for the contents of your bags.  They don’t need to cost a lot; be creative.  I went to a local movie store and bought previously viewed Oscar Nominated DVD’s for $3.99, chocolates dusted with gold, homemade cookies in the shape of stars and a mini bottle of champagne.  Also, a thank you card (as previously posted,  http://www.shaymitchell.com/2012/02/19/thank-you/   …Thanks Jody)!

THE TABLE

I bought a red table cloth (from the dollar store) and placed it down the center of the table…replicating a “red carpet” and scattered gold star confetti. EASY!  For the centerpiece I suggest using a short vase and filling it with a selection of yellow flowers.  Trust me when I say, fresh flowers make ANY table look fresh and glam.

THE FOOD

Cocktail parties generally don’t leave guests feeling full, but essentially provide them with something to snack on throughout the night.  Some of my suggestions would be things that don’t need much preparation: a cheese plate, veggies, fruits and dips.  Google some appetizer ideas and again, have fun with it.  Tip: To bring down costs, throw a potluck! Everyone brings their favorite share plate and not only does each person make a contribution, it is a great way to share ideas and recipes (during commercials only).

THE DRINKS

To keep those palates moist I recommend anything yellow (as close to gold as possible): Lemon water, sparkling apple juice, lemonade, champagne, white wine…you get the picture!

These are all just ideas and helpful guidelines for your party.  Use your imagination and have fun with it.  You don’t need to spend a ton of money to make it a good night…dollar stores are my place of worship when throwing a party!

FEEL FREE TO USE THESE TEMPLATES!

Swag Bag Tags

Party Ballot Sheets

Party Popcorn Bag Stickers

Party Drink Tags

THAT’S NOT ALL!

Shay Mitchell and the “Right Hand Gals” want to see YOUR Oscar Parties.  Print off the templates and show us your ideas and what you did for YOUR Oscar Party.  We will pick a winner and their party will be showcased on the shaymitchell.com blog with pictures from their memorable night! There isn’t a right or wrong way of doing this, it’s about having fun and embracing this very playful theme.

And the winner is…

I recently moved into a new house with a few friends and was tasked with the thrilling job of getting a multitude of keys cut for everyone (front door, back door, basement door… you get the picture). While I was at the hardware store getting the copies made they had the cutest themed keys (sponge bob, little mermaid, glitter, etc). The only problem was, they were at least $10 ea – so multiply that by 3 people plus 3 each and we are really racking up the bill!

Inspired by the glamourous glitter I wanted to figure out a way to make the keys to our new home just that little bit more special. What better way then doing it myself! Check out this super easy AND cheep way to decorate your keys.

What you will need:

• Keys
• Tape and a Q-tip
• Elmers glue and glitter OR glitter glue (I used Martha Stuart Multi Surface Glitter SO many color options!)
• Clear nail polish
• Scrap paper

Step-by-step glittering instructions:

1. Lay keys on scrap paper

2. Wrap the tape around the bottom of the key so the glue doesn’t run

3. Dab glue on key with a Q-tip and dip in the glitter OR dab glitter glue on key

4. Let dry for 1 – 2 hours and do the other side (I did 2 coats on each side)

5. Finish with a coat of clear nail polish

And Ta-Da -Glitter Glam keys for under $10

One of the first things our parents teach us in life was to always say our “Please” and “Thank You’s”. So as I am building my new business – I find myself asking this: “As I have gotten older, have I ever forgotten to thank the people who could potentially have the most impact or influence on my life?!” The answer is unfortunately YES.

As I start to think about ALL the people who have helped me get to where I am today (teachers, friends, parents, bosses, work colleagues, the gal who blends my booster juice in the morning, all of YOU for reading this), I realize that all of those people have previously opened doors for me that I may not have opened otherwise, and since they have done it once  - and for many of them multiple times – why wouldn’t they do it again? So before shutting the door in my own face and assuming they wont, why not try to keep as many open as possible! Not only does this benefit me, but it also sends a powerful and meaningful message… that their efforts have NOT gone unnoticed.

Developing deeper relationships with connections is absolutely critical to both personal growth and when growing your business. It shows that you are personable, and easy to connect with, and in most cases give you a head start when it comes time to expand.

A “Thank You” gesture can come in SO many different forms: something as simple as a text message, or phone call, or as big as something like a host or hostess gift for someone who has you over for dinner. Why not do it more often!

Here are my favourites:

1. The 24 hour rule: after a dinner at a friends,  attending an interview, or meeting a potential client, make sure to say “Thank You” when you leave, but also wait 24 hours and say it again! Waiting that extra bit of time shows that you are still thinking about how FAB the party was, how excited you are about the potential job, or how thankful you are to have a new client.  Its surprising how much the little things can make such a difference.

2. Old fashioned “Thank You” notes: remember how exciting it was to be passed a surprise note in school?!  Old fashioned paper “Thank You” notes can be just as exciting. They are great because a. they are inexpensive (usually you can by blank thank you card packs on sale for under $5), and b. people tend to cherish things like that. They are such a great fit for occasions like:

- Graduating high school and thanking your teachers.
- Moving to a new job. You don’t want your boss or co-workers to forget what a great job you did!
- Thanking someone who did you a favour.

Also note that both of these cost ALMOST nothing financially but can have a huge impact!
On that note… THANK YOU ALL FOR READING MY FIRST POST!!!!

xoxo

Blue is not only a color that commands authority and trust, it's the color commanding the spotlight on the runway. Royal blue, baby blue, indigo you name it, this hue looks good on everyone. Trend now: pair this regal color with some brights like hot pink, orange or yellow.

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