Yesterday Hailey and I attended a party sponsored given by Jenn of Mommy B Knows Best. The party, sponsored by Frush, was a great way to get some ladies together, most of whom I’d never met.
It was so much fun watching the kids run around, chatting it up with some new friends and trying sampling Frush, of course.
Hailey had a ball mingling with Jessica, Tricia, Jamie, Jenn and Lindsay. She even got to tell Lindsay how excited she was about her little girl, who is due to make an appearance in September! They’re practically due date buddies, one year apart.
We left the party smiling, and a little sweaty because I didn’t realize how hot it was and wore a long sleeve shirt (genius), which had me down to my undershirt mid-party. You stay classy, Brittany.
We really had a fun time, which switched my focus to a party David and I are throwing this weekend. We’re throwing a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! I’m so excited because we’ve talked about doing it for so long and finally we’re going to make it happen… and are expecting about 40 or so people (!!!).
I’m pumped, but this situation also brings out my inner nervous nelly. I always want to make sure everyone has fun, so much so that I tend to stress out and talk a mile a minute in a high pitched voice.
Maybe I get nervous because David stays SO relaxed, but I just want to make sure people have a good time. So help me out.
What makes a party a success to you?
Good food? Music? Decorations? Drinks? People?
Any tips on how to throw a successful party?
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Lindsay@Fuel My Family says
Food and drinks! Decorations don’t seem to matter much. And the more people the more there are to mingle, have fun!
Michelle says
She is so cute! Love the dress! Where do you get her clothes?
Brittany says
Aw, thank you!! I get her clothes from Target, my mother in law and garage sales mostly- HA! But I do love Zulily (http://www.zulily.com/). They have great deals that are hard to resist. THey can take a while to ship, though. I can send you and invite if you’d like!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Have fun throwing a fiesta!!! I’m sure you guys will have a great time 🙂
Jenny says
I agree that an ample supply of food and drinks ensures a successful event. Decorations are nice but I like to stay simple like maybe a few vases of fresh flowers and I always stress about making sure my house is clean. Your home is beautiful an you are sure to have plenty of everything so don’t stress. Just enjoy it! Can’t wait!
Paulina says
I love planning and hosting parties. For the first hour or so, I’m usually nervous too and can’t really relax until everyone has a drink in hand. I think food, drinks, music, and decorations are important, but the people really make the party. If you have a party full of awkward, shy friends, it will take a lot more alcohol to get things going compared to a more outgoing, fun crowd. Think of the party scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s…those were some crazy, fun people! People tend to congregate near the food and bar so if you put them in separate places, people will have to mingle all over the house. Enjoy your party!
jennifer says
I too get party anxiety. So then I talk myself out of even having one. Good food is always the key I think.
Christina says
If I’m having people over and I know I have a friend coming who doesn’t really know anyone else, I try to introduce them to one of my most outgoing friends, so they immediately have someone to talk to and feel more at ease. (I’ve been that person before and it’s no fun!) For a Cinco de Mayo party, I bet it would be fun to string little white lights around your outside areas! (maybe use leftover Christmas lights?)
Brittany says
We totally used Christmas lights- great suggestion!
Andrea says
Snacks! Make sure there are yummy munchies out at the beginning of the party. And I find a self-serve beverage station goes over very well along with a few lawn games (corn hole, that golf ball throw toss game – things that require a few people to play and thus mingle). Have a fun time! My niece’s 5th birthday party is tomorrow and my sister is doing a Cinco de Mayo theme with a taco bar, sangria and decorate your own maracas.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
It will be fun you nervous nelly! 🙂 Gosh I wish we could of made it yesterday 🙁 I was so bummed we had to sit out because of this stupid virus! Anywho I say a good party depends on the people and the drinks. Food is nice too 🙂
Kelly@Runmarun says
I love Hailey’s dress- it is gorgeous! You two look so sweet together.
I agree with above comments- drinks and food should ensure everybody has a good time and I wouldn’t go overboard with decorations…have a great time!
Mastering Mommy Brain says
I am a new reader, and am LOVING your posts! We throw lots of parties, and I have to say that its the people, food, and drinks that make it. I also love having everything done in advance so that I can enjoy the time as well. I think when people see a relaxed hostess, they relax more. They don’t feel like they should be in the kitchen helping, or cleaning stuff up as well. Enjoy…such a fun theme!
Whitney says
I love a themed party!! I am making a Tres Leches cake tonight for a fiesta tomorrow! I think the most important part is the BOOZE! haha If you have plenty of that then no one cares about anything else. You will do great 🙂
Jodi says
okay, i am officially commenting! Have a drink or two before the party starts. That will most certainly help you out, the rest will just fall into place! 🙂 We are hoping we can make it! Jayson, Jodi and Avery 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You MUST have guacamole!!!
Lisa says
I think the drinks and food are the most important part of a successful party! That dress is just the cutest! Love it. You are both beautiful. Have a fun time!!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Your party is going to be so much fun! (I’m a little angry the hubs told his family that this weekend was a good weekend to visit. Uh – hello? Of course we’re going to be missing fun stuff!)
Anyway – as for party tips – I’d just say let it roll. I always stress out right before people come over, but I don’t recommend it. You can’t make people come/not come, bring things/not bring things, or whatever else. You’ve planned, and you’ve prepped. Now just enjoy the party!
Jennifer B. says
So glad you girls could come, it was GREAT to see you and to meet H finally 🙂
Look at you 40 people!! 🙂 It’ll be awesome though and I get stressed too, even if it’s just a handful of people.
Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Samntha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
The pictures of H are absolutely precious!!
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
LOL at talking in a high pitched voice. I thought I was the only one that did that when in nervous hostess mode.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Good party = friendly people + good snacks + a relaxed atmosphere. And a game of Taboo never hurts either haha! 😉
Lauren B. says
Planning events and entertaining are some of my fav things to do, but I inevitably stress out for no reason, too! Focus on food and drinks, don’t worry about decorations. I usually put too much pressure on myself to make sure that everyone ELSE has a good time, but realize halfway through that I’ve been running around like crazy and everyone is getting along just fine. So relax and enjoy- cant wait to hear about it!
Jen says
I am so bummed we’re missing it! I know it’ll be tons of fun 🙂
Healthiful Balance says
Sounds like you had a nice time.. thats great! 🙂