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4 Totally Awesome Themes for Your End of Summer Party

4 Totally Awesome Themes for Your End of Summer Party

Author: Whitney Hollingshead

Have you planned an end of summer party yet? If not, you really should start planning soon. Summer is the perfect time to throw a party for any reason and you still have a small window of time to enjoy what’s left of the summer season. Whether you want to put together a last minute party for your family, a group of friends, or the entire neighborhood, these themes and accompanying ideas will help you plan and execute a party that’s bound to be one of the highlights of your entire summer.

Ice Cream Sundae. Classic hot fudge sundae.

Ice Cream Sundae. Classic hot fudge sundae.

1. SUNDAE SUNDAY

This fun and yet low key party can be thrown together in a single day if necessary. Send out invitations to your guests. You can use cards, flyers, text messages, email, a Facebook notification, or word of mouth depending on your own personal style. Plan the party for an upcoming Sunday afternoon or evening.

The Basics: Purchase large containers of ice cream (enough for all of your guests). You can choose any combination of flavors, but plain vanilla will probably work the best. Ask each guest to bring two ice cream sundae toppings with them to the party. Set up a sundae building station. (Indoors may work best so that you can keep the ice cream frozen nearby until a new container is needed. However, you can guide guests outside to blankets or chairs on the grass once they have made their own sundaes.)

Take it to the Next Level: Have warm freshly baked cookies available for your guests to top with ice cream and toppings.

Other Considerations: If you’d like this party to be more than a simple social gathering, you can play music and encourage guests to dance. Or you can set up a game of volleyball, break out Twister, or play games like tic-tac-toe or hangman on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

2. BLOCK PARTY

An end of summer block party is the perfect way to get to know your neighbors better.Just remember to focus your guest list on all of your nearby neighbors.

The Basics: Choose a central location in your neighborhood (even a cul-de-sac or quiet street may work) and notify all of your neighbors of the location, date, and time. Make the event a potluck meal and ask each neighbor to bring two potluck items to share. You can also encourage each household to bring their own plates, cups, and utensils, if desired. Spend the evening chatting with the adults and set up some simple games for the kids.

Take it to the Next Level: Assign a theme to your potluck meal. For example, make the potluck an appetizer night and ask each household to bring two different appetizers to share.

Other Considerations: You can also ask each household to bring their own lawn chairs or camp chairs so that everyone has a place to sit (other than on the sidewalk or grass).

3. POOL MOVIE

If you have access to a swimming pool, you have probably spent a fair amount of time at the pool already this summer. Instead of throwing a basic pool party, mix things up by planning an outdoor movie at the pool.

The Basics: In order to execute a pool movie party, you will need to think about the technical requirements, ideal timing, seating arrangements, pool friendly food, and the best movie to show. You can learn what’s needed for all of these logistics by checking out the great tips listed here.

Take it to the Next Level: Plan food that goes along with the movie. For example, if you are showing Napoleon Dynamite, you can serve cartons of milk and tater tots.

Other Considerations: If children will be attending your party, have a plan for extra safety measures. Showing a movie may distract a lot of your guests and children should always be closely supervised near water.

Friends having garden party at summer time

Friends having garden party at summer time

4. KICKBALL

Baseball is an American pastime, but kickball tends to be more conducive to a party as it works well for a spectrum of abilities and ages and requires only one piece of equipment to play. Here’s how you can turn a pickup game of kickball into a party:

The Basics: Head to the nearest baseball or softball diamond. If possible, reserve one in advance. Divide your guests into teams and quickly go over the general rules of kickball. Determine a set number of innings ahead of time and let the game commence. Bring drinks and treats that are easy to transport for everyone to enjoy after the game. For example, toss some juice pouches in a cooler with ice and bring s’mores treats. (Make rice krispie treats using Golden Grahams instead of rice cereal and melt half a bag of chocolate chips with the marshmallows.)

Take it to the Next Level: Divide up the teams in advance and assign team colors. Encourage each guest to arrive dressed in their team color.

Other Considerations: Mix things up by adding a new requirement every inning for running the bases. For example, in the first inning all players must sing the Star Spangled Banner while running from bases to base. If they forget to sing, they’re out. In the second inning, all players must run with their hands on top of their heads, and so on.

You can use any of the ideas above or use this article for inspiration to formulate your own perfect theme. The end of summer is fast approaching so start planning your end of summer party today!

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Sunny Sunday Stylin

Hello friends and welcome to Sunday Stylin.

I hope you remembered this feature from last year, but if not, that’s okay because I almost forgot about it myself! I try to get to church at least once per month, and before you start telling me that’s not enough, trust me I already know because I can still hear my grandmother’s voice: 

‘when I don’t go to church, I feel like I’m committing a crime!

Sunday Stylin

Actually this was an extra special Sunday because my oldest son Tayair went with me.  The congregation was in awe as to how much he had grown and matured, Malik on the other hand went to the beach with his buds!

Sunday Style

I don’t “make” my sons attend church with me as they converted to Islam many years ago and go to the Mosque with their father. However, every once in a while I do like having them go with me, being flanked by two almost-grown men is humbling to a mom!

Sunday style

I still remember taking them as young boys and now they both tower over me…it’s actually kinda funny.  Anywho, I wore this sleeveless black and white dress with a bolero jacket because I like to keep my arms covered in church.  It along with the Charmingly Charlie purse were thrifted and the statement necklace is from Walmart.

Sunday Style

The bracelet is Avon and the shoes are Rocket Dog peep toe pumps from The Shoe Dept and it was a perfect outfit for Sunday in the Sanctuary.  

Do you make it to church every Sunday?  

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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Summer Songs

Hello friends and happy feel good Friday!

4th of July Celebrations


Before you get caught up in a lot of outdoor fun, travels and holiday activities, make sure you take some time to sit back, relax and listen to a few of your favorite summer songs.

Remember my list from last year, well they’re back again this year because these songs always put me in the summertime mood.

 

Sundress – C.o.C.o Brown & The Phat Cat Players

 

Summertime – Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff


Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters

Celebration – Kool & The Gang

Hot Hot Hot – Buster Poindexter

Heatwave – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Okay, now it’s your turn, what are some of your favorite summer songs?

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Weekend Wind-Down Party #15 | Bloggers Networking

Hello Friends and Welcome to the

Weekend Wind-Down Party!

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Can you believe that it’s already the first Friday in May? Memorial Day is right around the corner so I know this week’s party is going to feature a lot of fabulous recipes, fashions and DIY’s to kick off the summer season.  I’ll be on the lookout for ideas to use at my son’s High School Graduation Party on the 24th!

Oh and speaking of crafts, my Placemats to Purses DIY article was published on the Parade Magazine website, check it out (here) and please leave a comment – I would truly appreciate it!

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 Enjoy the party, have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you soon!  

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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Throwback Thursday DIY

Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!

Can you believe that next week it will be Labor Day, the unofficial end of Summer – where did August go? I don’t know about you but I don’t rush to put away my summer clothes and break out the Autumn gear.  I like to leisurely linger into Indian Summer by continuing to wear white jeans and sundresses.

Last year I did a few Labor Day DIY’s one of which was upcycling a Sundress into a Maxi Skirt, you can read that post HERE.  Today I am wearing that Maxi Skirt with a mustard-color blouse thrifted from GW Boutique (Goodwill) and Wedge Sandals from Target.

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TLP Handbag – TJ Maxx

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When the weather cools, I will wear an oversized sweater with the skirt

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Gold tone accessories including watch from Avon and ring from Burlington Coat Factory

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Are you ready for the cooler weather of Autumn or are you like me and love the heat of the Summer?

Today I am linking up with Katherines Corner, come on over and congratulate her on reaching 10,000 followers – woohoo!

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Have a fantastical day – Smooches!

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