This summer invite your friends, family, and neighbors over to the backyard for a Luau. Fire up the grill for fruity meaty kabobs or stoke the smoker for slow cooked pork…mmmm. Load the jukebox with Don Ho and hula the night away.

You can send tiki or pineapple shaped invitations. Greet your guests with leis or cut flowers for their hair. Serve dinner late in the evening, just at sunset, and have lots of refreshing fruity drinks available with and without alcohol. Plan silly games like a coconut run or hula hoop contest. And of course, encourage everyone to wear the proper attire.

What’s the proper attire? Grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts, Panama hats, and board shorts. (more…)

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Teachers, they give us the tools to become the people we want to be. Often times they can feel like it’s them against the world. As the school year runs to a close, we honor the hard work and thankless hours of our teachers. Take some time to say, “Thanks, Teach!” on Teacher’s Day, May 4th. Let’s take a look at some of my most memorable fictional teachers. (more…)

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In my Easter Bonnet, with all the frills upon it…

Instead of bunny ears, I’ve made a bunny inspired fascinator. It’s tacky and fun. I used green marabou feathers for grass. In the center of each of the bows are daffodils. The bunny rabbit is a nice touch, I think.

Here’s Judy Garland in Easter Parade. Do we look alike?

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The carnival season featured creative costumes from around the world. Italy’s known for masks and elaborate costumes. France features local customs that light up the night. Brazil shimmies into the spotlight with the help of samba schools and feathers. New Orleans twists traditions into mega-floats and wild ideas. Portugal has water parades and bands. And finally Trinidad and Tobago. Their celebration has inspired the surrounding islands and an annual festival in England. (more…)

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So, you’re planning a Mardi Gras costume and mask party. If you haven’t decided on a theme it’s okay. Mardi Gras is theme enough.

Invitations? Check. Creole and Cajun inspired food stuffs? Check. King cake? Check. Affordable rum for the traditional French Quarter Hurricane? Check. Zydeco compilation CDs? Check. Cheap beads and all the purple, green, and gold decorations you could ever want? Check. That’s people, food, drink, music, and decor ready to get the good times rolling. There’s only one thing left to worry about: masks. (more…)

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Today is the last suggestion for your Mardi Gras party theme. Since Mardi Gras (February 16) is near Valentine’s Day (February 14), how about a Great Lovers or Famous Couples party?

The possibilities are endless. You have all of history, literature, film and television, animation, and modern time at your disposal. From the classic pairing of Cleopatra and Marc Antony to the sweet and funny coupling of Porky and Petunia. Of course, Nick and Nora Charles are perhaps one of the best fictional couples ever created and perfectly brought to life by William Powell and Myrna Loy. You can’t go wrong dressing up as them. (more…)

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