Some Party Ideas

Party planning can be as fun as the party itself. Here are some ideas.

Theme parties-Characters are fun, but can become a little ho-hum. Not to mention expensive. Try integrating different designs and colors. Ie., Tinkerbell. Buy a few big item Tinkerbell items, and the rest could be less expensive star (pixie dust) motives. Goody bags, cups, etc. You can also use solid colors and complement the look with stickers. Elmo-choose primary colors. CareBears, pastel colors. BTW, I once tried a multi-color pastel gelatine. Follow directions, but replace cold water with evaporated milk. OR, replace all water with boiling milk in which gelatine will be dissolved. Layer in gelatine mold. Really cool. Can be used for Easter, baby showers too.

Speaking of, during Easter I would buy those white chocolate crosses and save them for special ocassions (religious celebrations.) A white choc. cross placed on a white frosted cake looks really nice. You can trim the cake with other colors if you like. Also, the hollow chocolate yellow duckies work well for baby showers. Store in a dry, cool place, covered. Don't use dark choc. ,though. Overtime, it changes color.

Those bear-shaped honey bottles-Save empty ones, fill w/pastel colored jelly beans. many places now sell single colors. Blue and pink, just blue, different shades of pink, etc. Or fill with gummy bears, (for bear-themed 1st bday, serve bear crackers too) decorate with ribbons stickers, etc.

How about forgoing characters altogether. Use simple, classic and not generic birthday theme in primary colors. Use balloon, stars, confetti, clowns motifs. Discount stores (ie 99c) have many ideas. Using colored tissue paper is cheap and easy way to decorate. Get creative Just a few ideas. :)

My Quest for All Scents Ocean!

Sure, it's not summer yet, but I'm into ocean-inspired scents. I do have a few of those 'sea-scented' products, which I pack when I go a swimming. I guess I'm obsessed. Went to Santa Monica beach Monday, May 25th. Not quite as hot. Water was delicious though. Then it was too cold to handle. No Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, or Nantucket this year. :( Maybe I can make it to Malibu, La Jolla, or good old Venice Beach. Then comes fall. I LOVE fall too. Amber scents??

Taking a Moment to Remember

Se Habla English!

Why I get approached by in Spanish? No, I don't mean on the streets by people that don't know the language of the United States of America, and have a question for me, are lost, or want to know the time. No. I mean people who are fully employed to serve the public, and who I know speak English. The fresh-faced medical assistant in colorful scrubs, the buttoned up bank teller, the perky denimed teacher's assistant, and even the badge-displaying government employee. "Buenos dias, puedo ayudarla?", they ask. My reply is always, "Good morning. Yes, you can help me." I, then proceed to present my case to them.

So, what is the problem? Well, as soon as I walk in, they are already prejudging me. Thinking that I might be a foreigner. I am an American citizen, born and raised. If I were a foreigner, they assume that I don't embrace my new home enough to learn the language. Or I could be a tourist who just happens to have brushed up on her English skills in excited anticipation to visiting the U.S. and I'm eager to put my linguistic skills to practice. No, they assume that I am at a disadvantage and that I am completely illiterate in English and therefore helpless, and only they can come to my rescue because they are bilingual. Thanks, but I speak English well. I also speak Spanish perfecto.

I know, they don't want to embarrass a person who will not understand them if spoken to in English. Let's insult the intelligence of the person who actually gives a darn. Let's profile him or her. After all, most Hispanics simply don't speak English, right? First, the non-English speaker should be embarrassed. Second, believe me, that person will let you know that he or she does not understand English. Now, dearie, you can show off your bilingual skills and feel good about helping someone with the complexities of life in these the United States of America.

And the Oscar goes to...

Kate Winslet won Best Actress Oscar for portraying a child abuser. Can you imagine if the roles were reversed, like a 30 y/o man telling a 15 y/o girl "I'd rather hear you read it.", while naked in bed? Creepy! Oh, and she's gorgeous, so that's ok.

OCTO-PSYCHO-MOM-O UPDATE-O!!

She, Nadya Suleman Gutierrez might not have a MySpace page. Someone did create a bogus profile, though. The other profiled was eerily similar. The holder of that account, is also an interesting case, to put it mildly. The physical characteristics were also very much alike. I don't see the Angelina Jolie resemblance. Well, anyways, if you are looking for that Nadya Suleman's Website, but are unable to find it, here it is. You can see the picture of the eight adorable babies, who in my opinion, are better off in loving, stable, clean homes.

There is the option to leave a comment (I did!), or make a donation. I say, SOUND OFF!!, instead. They also list an address and phone number, if you so desire to help this heroic, wonderful mother! Let them hear you instead.

NOPE! NOT NO MORE! Who was she kidding?!