Girls' Night Party Ideas: Host a Retro Roller Skating Party!

A week or so ago, we were in the process of celebrating Arden's 30th birthday week (Arden does most of our photography) and part of that celebration was a throwback birthday party at the local roller skating rink. We had such a great time! If you're looking for something fun and different to do for your next girls get-together, dust off your pom-poms, break out your striped knee socks, and get ready for some old-school fun that will have you laughing (sore and bruised) for weeks to come! Here's the party plan:

Call your local roller rink to find out what the restrictions are for a party. Some will allow you to hold your party during public skate times, others will require that you book a private party for your group. This usually depends on how many you have in your group.

Arden and Martie--- on wheels!Some rinks allow you to bring in food or cake. Others don't. If they allow food, take something that does not have to be served hot. Gourmet sandwiches, wraps, chips, salsa, or a delish cheese board would be easy to do. If not, meet for a pre-party party before you head to the rink. Our roller rink did not allow us to bring in our own food but we did get to bring in cupcakes and gift bags for everyone containing stuff from back when: Charms' Blow Pops, Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers ( the huge ones) and original Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum! I remember when that was all you needed to get a boy to ask you to go steady or at least couple's skate:)

If your crowd hasn't skated in a while, be sure and add a package of Advil and some Icy Hot in each guest's gift bag! 

Need other ideas for a girl's night out party? Why not try one of these great party themes?

Guilty Pleasure Party

Spa Party

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE GREAT PARTY IDEAS, RECIPES, COCKTAILS, AND CONTESTS!

Last Fling Summer Parties: Throw an Ice Cream Social

It's no secret that ice cream is one of my favorite splurges---  and an ice cream party or social is an old school idea that never goes out of style. It's super easy and always sure to please every guest on the list.

Start with big containers of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream. Find a way to keep it frozen. I use a cheap metal pail from the hardware store (you can use it for bobbing for apples or to wash the dog after the party) and fill it with ice. Add rock salt to keep it really cold. Dry ice can be dangerous. If you use it, make sure you have it away from the party area.  

You'll need tons of toppings and mix-ins. Set up a buffet. Start with bowls and a variety of cones. Next, comes the ice cream station. It's a good idea to have an adult scooping for the kids. Reserve a large area of the buffet for the toppings and mix-ins. If it is a kids' party, I always make a table just for them--- covered with butcher paper or a water-resistant cloth. You can find great vinyl fabric with a cotton backing at most fabric stores that are cute and cheap. The one for this party was about $5.   

Have some backyard games or contests with prizes for the winners. We made a fun beanbag toss game from an old piece of plywood. Kept the kids (and adults) entertained for hours!

So, how are you spending these last days of summer? Share your pictures and party ideas with us!

More Backyard Getaways: Go Camping!

If you love to camp but really can't find the time or money to go this year, why not bring the elements of a camping trip to the backyard! Pop up a tent, roll out your sleeping bags and build a campfire (if you can) and you're just one ghost story away from really camping!

We talked about backyard camping on our recent Better.tv appearanceand have been delighted at the response! Wooohoo! In case you missed the segment, here are some easy, peasy ideas you can use to create a faux-camping trip right in your backyard!

Hobo packs make cooking easy and are easy serve and easy clean-up, too! If you can't build a fire, you can do these on the grill or in the oven. Take two 12" squares of aluminum foil; one for the top of the pack and one for the bottom. Put your "fixins" onto the bottom square and put the top square on and fold the edges to seal and throw them on the fire or grill. Shrimp, chicken, hamburger patties, sausage--- you are almost unlimited with options for ingredients for your hobo packs.

If you need seating, ask your friends to bring a lawn chair or if you have enough room, ask everyone to set up a campsite and give a prize for the best!

Make sure to have a “summer survival” kit handy for backyard entertaining: include bug spray, sunscreen, wipes, cheap sunglasses and flip-flops so your guests can be comfortable.

You HAVE to have s'mores at a camping party. We exchanged Nutella for the traditional Hershey bars and added raspberries to create super s'mores that are so addictive, you'll be making them over the kitchen stove! Here's the recipe:

• Cookies or Graham Crackers (I love using Biscoff cookies-- the kind they serve you on Delta. You can find them at Costco and Kroger!)
• Nutella (most grocery stores have Nutella these days-- it's chocolate hazelnut spread. Look for it close to the peanut butter and jelly)
• Marshmallows--- only Jet Puffed will do. I like them very toasted but not burned, but to each his own.
• Fresh raspberries (strawberries are also very good but you have to slice them)

Spread Nutella on your cookie. Add raspberry. Toast your marshmallow. Assemble. YUM.  

Staycationing This Summer? How About Italy?

Have your vacation plans been put on hold this summer? You can create a backyard getaway to your favorite places with a little creativity and very little cash. Use some souvenirs and items you've collected from vacations past to bring the party to life. Even if you just throw this party for your family---- it's a great mini-getaway right in the backyard! Any place you want to go can be recreated right in the backyard. How about a seaside cookout? A trip to Italy, New York, Napa, Chicago or Spain? It's super easy--- here are a few ideas to get you started on your own backyard getaway!

Florence, Rome, Venice or The Amalfi Coast. Take the flavors of a summer in Italy- fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil and make a late afternoon Italian-style picnic or a Capri cookout with seafood and pasta. 

Everyone loves Italy. If they have been, they want to go back and if they haven’t been, it’s certainly on the list of places they’d like to go.

By adding one beautiful platter or bowl, you can make over your table completely. This Vietri pattern with an Italian coastal village scene completely transforms this table from everyday to Italy. And use food as decorations—breadsticks, lemons, etc make beautiful centerpiece for this party.

Play Bocce ball! It’s played all over Italy and in Little Italy, too! You can buy this game almost anywhere these days and online.

Limoncello—the Italian lemon liqueur tastes like the Amalfi Coast. Float a little of it on top of Prosecco or drizzle it over gelato, sorbet or fresh berries for dessert. Instant Italy!

ITALY MENU- This is one of the easiest menus to make. Cook your own favorites; simple or elaborate!

Prosecco- The Italian sparkling wine... inexpensive and delicious!

Bruschetta- any kind. Fresh tomatoes, olive oil, basil, a dash of balsamic vinegar, S&P is easy and classic.

Antipasto Platter- Italian cheeses, olives, prosciutto, salami, breadsticks, almonds and spreads like tapanade. I make a great one with artichoke, lemon, capers and olives. No recipe, just put the artichoke hearts in the food processor and whirl until smooth. Add the other ingredients to taste.

Pizza- Frozen or fresh, I like to do these on the grill. Add a drizzle of olive oil and some Parmesan over the top before grilling. Yum.

Pasta- Any kind. Make your favorite. If you need ideas- let me know.

Gelato or Sorbetto- Make or buy it at Whole Foods. Vanilla gelato is great with limoncello drizzle. Lemon sorbetto is wonderful with Prosecco like an ice cream float. Crumble some Ameretti cookies over the top.

We did a few backyard getaway parties on Better TV in New York! Watch the video!

Engagement Parties and Bridal Shower Ideas: Throw a Breakfast at Tiffany's Party

Today was the Breakfast at Bromberg's wedding planning event in Birmingham. What a fun party! Bromberg's is to the South what Tiffany & Company is to New York; generations of area brides have trusted Bromberg's for their wedding rings and bridal registries. Since I am Bromberg's wedding expert, I was on hand to participate in all of the festivities. 

The party was a spin on the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Brides-to-be enjoyed a yummy breakfast buffet among the diamonds and dishes as they met with area wedding professionals to get wedding planning ideas and information. Attendees dressed like the legendary Audrey Hepburn character Holly Golightly had a chance to win a strand of cultured pearls and all of the brides got gifts and won prizes, too. It was tons of girlie dress-up fun for everyone and a unique party theme for an engagement party, bridal shower or your next girl's night party. Have guests dress up in their favorite little black dress and strands of pearls as you watch the movie, drink champagne or martinis and blow off all of your wedding planning stress. Check out the fun in the photo gallery and get ideas for your own Breakfast at Tiffany's party! 

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE GREAT PARTY IDEAS, RECIPES, COCKTAILS, AND CONTESTS!

Update on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 8:18PM by Martie Duncan

So many people have asked for more ideas for a Breakfast at Tiffany shower! Here are a few other suggestions: Serve mini cakes for each guest in Tiffany blue with the signature white bow. (Cake by The Cake Girls Chicago) Send Tiffany blue box invitations from Fine Stationery to let your guests know what the party is all about. Be sure to give instructions if guests are to dress like a character from the movie, like we did for our party. Here are more party pics: