{OC Blogger Bash 2011} Mad woMen

I was born in the 80's, a time when side ponytails, neon clothes and LA Gear's were all the rage.  A time when MC Hammer pants, mismatched socks {a la Punky Brewster} and big scrunchies invaded the American fashion sense.

So, it's no wonder that when the Anaheim Orange County Tourist Visitor & Convention Bureau announced the 1st annual OC BLOGGER BASH as MADMEN themed, I became excited to dress the part!

Quickly, I scoured Google for the best fashion ideas for that era.  I soon realized I had the PERFECT dress in my closet!  An  H&M black, A-line cocktail dress I purchased over 5 years ago for my company Christmas Party.  It was spaghetti strapped, so a sophisticated small cardigan would have to go over it in order to make it 1960's appropriate.  I had the perfect sweater in my closet!  Ding ding ding ding ding!!!!  Fashion jackpot!! {At least, for me it was!}  I may not have been "Best Dressed" that night, but I was so excited to look the part of a Mad Men cast member and not have to spend a cent to achieve it!  {My husband was thrilled, too!}

The Bash was so much fun!!! I went with Megan of the Mamabub blog.  {She and I are friends and we sort of push each other to attend all these blog events that sometimes we may be too shy to show up to.}  As soon as we got there we were greeted by the step & repeat/ red carpet entry that celebrities encounter at movie premiers....so naturally, we stopped and posed!!

I truly had such a great time!  And it didn't hurt that there were upside down pineapple cakes {flambéed on the spot!}, bottled Pepsi's, popcorn, milkshakes, red vines, sliders and fondue!  We were in food heaven!  Oh...and I forgot to mention the fact that we got two drink tickets each, so, free cocktails tasted even more fabulous!

Megan and I "snacking"

After Megan and I had our sliders and Pepsi's we hurried over to The Photo Booth Pro to capture a complimentary image of our silliness in front of various OC landmarks and locations. {Don't judge us.}

As we headed back to get some more "snacks" we ran into a bloggy friend of Megan's {and now friend of mine}, Wendy Nielsen of Wendy Will Blog, who introduced us to her friend Maegan of Beyond the Bandaids!!  HA!  So, the Me/aegan's and the Wendy's proceeded to take their own photo session of silliness.  Again....don't judge us.  We were a bunch of moms out "late" and not having to herd kids into bed that evening.  :)

Bloggers also had the opportunity to win over 50 prizes.  We got raffle tickets at the door and they also did fun giveaways like "The first six ladies wearing a black dress need to come up right NOW!" {That's how I won a Spa Massage and a Spa mani/pedi at the Hilton Anaheim.}

{Me and my fellow bloggers winning our various prizes!}

Finally, we were all treated to a pretty neat fashion show.  We watched them strut down the escalator in their 1960's best, courtesy of Queen of Heartz.  All the ladies in that room stood their picking out their favorite designs.  It was quite fun!

You might be wondering why Snoopy was there.  Well, Knott's Berry Farm is in Buena Park {Orange County} and Snoopy showed up to tell us that we ALL would be getting two tickets to the park in our evening swag bags.  Naturally, being the gift-hoarders that we are, we all went nuts!  I don't know if it was the two free tickets that did it or the knowledge that there was a swag bag! Nonetheless, we all ran off with some great prizes, a good time and a few hours to mingle with our blog colleagues, twitter friends or the ladies our husbands like to call our "pretend friends".

I hope the OC Blogger Bash becomes an annual event. I had a blast! Thanks to the Anaheim Orange County Tourist Visitor and Convention Bureau for putting it on!  The ladies involved in the planning of it did a marvelous job!

{Photos courtesy of my Blackberry, the Mamabub Blog and the OC Blogger Bash Facebook page}

Christening Theme: And the winner is...

...the Little Guy in a Tie theme!!

After consulting my husband on the possible themes {because yes, he does care about these things} he said he liked "both the tie theme and the burlap theme" and he suggested I incorporate both.  So let's see how I do with that.  Wish me luck and send me suggestions!  Thanks to all of you that tweeted, commented and shared your opinions.

Let the record state that I'm officially in party planning mode for this event.  

Operation Baptism/1st Birthday is in full effect!

Christening Theme #3: Rustic Burlap Baptism

I enlisted your help a few days ago in order to help me choose a birthday/baptism combo party for my youngest son, Noah.   So far you've seen the Little Guy in a Tie theme and the bright and whimsy Birdie theme.  For the third theme, I'm considering a more rustic approach.  This theme would be better suited for a baptism, however, it can easily set the tone for a sweet first birthday party.

Although I didn't find one specific party, I thought a compilation of photo ideas would work to get the theme idea across.

Right now, I think I'm teetering between the Little Guy in a Tie and this Rustic Burlap theme.  All opinions are welcomed and deeply needed.  

Thanks party peeps!!

{This first series of pictures may look familiar.  They're from my friend's sister's baby shower which I featured over a year ago; "How Tweet It Is"}

{This next series is merely a compilation of images}

{photo via Our Creative Life}

{photo via The Passionate Home}

{photo via Push Pin Revolution}

{photo via Our Creative Life}

{photo via Oh So Beautiful Paper}

{easy shop: funkyshique}

{photo via Our Creative Life}

{photo via The Celebration Shoppe}

{photo via Design Decor Staging}

{photo via Southern Grace}

Like I said, all votes and opinions are encouraged and welcomed.  Obviously, I'm all over the place with ideas.  I need to narrow it down!   H....E....L....P!!

Christening Theme #2: Sweet Little Birdie Baptism

I first saw this christening reception on the Amy Atlas Blog.  I was struck by how bright and cheery it was, being that most moms tend to flock to the typical white and pastel color combination.  However, with this event, the mother let the event planner, MaddyK,  have free reign and it turned out bright, bold and fun.

So?  How about this one? Do you like or love?

Christening Theme #1: "Little Guy in a Tie" Baby Blessing Party

Kara, from Kara’s Party Ideas, hit it right on the nose with this event. It's such a sweet and perfect theme.  The color combination is fabulous.  I love all the white with hints of color here and there. So fab!

{Cupcakes by: Dippidee}

{Printables by: Paper & Pigtails}

{I adore this custom tablecloth.  Kara had it made to match her invitation, below, by Pots & Pins. FAB!!}

{I LOVE these cookies!! They're by etsy shop: Bee's Knee's Creative}

Let me know what you think about this one.  I know it's the first in my series of baptism/ christening posts, but I think it may be my favorite!

{For the full post, go HERE}