Party party party... possible party!

I am always the hostess. I am always the hostess. I am always the hostess.

That's me. I love to plan parties. Love. Love the lists. Love the decorating. Love the menus. Love the cooking and the people and the drinks and the invitations and the everything... except the cleaning. Although, that's not usually too bad because I get that totally insane nervous energy (plus a Red Bull) and I - with a slightly scared but mostly annoyed husband in tow - storm through the house, snatching up every last misplaced item, attacking dust and dirt like it slapped my mama, and basically making my house look as much like Pier 1 as possible. (Thanks, Linnea!) And I am so totally head over heels in love with my house when we're done. If I could somehow manage to keep it looking like that all the time, then I'd have more energy/time for the individual party decor and maybe I could pull off something like Alyssa's French Classy theme. (There are 3 parts - you've got to at least see all the pics!) Of course, if I could keep my house looking like that all the time, then we'd miss out on all the fun of the pre-party meltdown in which I panic and yell at Wayne and end up crying because I'm so sorry for being such a freaking nut but ohmygod we're never gonna get it all done before the people come. And everytime, he says, "We're not having another party, ever, ever. Never." And a few months later, I start planning something else. Because (say it with me):

I am always the hostess.

So. In that vein... I'm in the midst of planning not one, but two parties. With one, possibly two in the not so distant future.

First, we've got the so much fun and not too difficult to plan/prep Girls' Night In on November 7th. It's a Passion Party - an independent consultant company that sells sensual products. Like Pampered Chef or Tupperware but with sex toys and edibles and the like. Since it's an at home party company, most of the prep work is done by the consultant - in this instance, the fabulous Marissa Page. (No, I haven't met her yet but she comes highly recommended and she posts the BEST things on her Facebook page.) She brings her bag of tricks (that could sound very bad) and we all learn new things from her about enhancing our romantic lives. All I really have to do is invite people and make a few snacks. Oh - and get rid of Wayne and Jack. Pretty simple really. I'm planning to get some roses and candles to decorate (romance, right?) and serve some simple snacks - both savory and sweet cheese balls, as well as some pigs in a blanket. For drinks, I'll most likely serve some sort of gin or vodka punch. With sweet tea, water and lemonade (?) on standby for those who prefer. If I can find the mold in town, I MIGHT make some chocolate penis lollipops. Funny and yummy!

The second party I'm planning is a joint effort and, while I am very much looking forward to a fun Girl's Night, this is the one I'm just ecstatic about. My very first big Thanksgiving dinner!! Erin and I have the same traditional feel for the holiday and, since we both are missing our families so far away, we're hosting the dinner together. It's super fun to plan this with her because we are SO MUCH ALIKE when it comes to this stuff! From the lists to the invitations to the menu (traditionally yummy), we've yet to find anything we disagree on!! Our husbands tried to help - by suggesting we move their ginormous table from their house to ours - but we shot them down. Much easier to rent the tables and chairs from a local company. Erin and I had our first planning session today - she came over and we designed the Evite, finished the guest list, and discussed the menu. Next week, we'll finalize our menu planning - including who will cook what - and start on decor. I'm envisioning something Martha Stewart-Sandra Lee for the tablescape. (I love that word!!)

Maybe a white tablecloth with a fall colored (green, brown, or orange) runner - stripes are always a go for me. Then candles, pumpkins, leaves, etc. Nothing over the top or too big - I like people to be able to see each other while they eat. Oohhh!! Was just browsing Google's collection of Thanksgiving tablescapes and came up with a fabulous idea!! I'm not going to say (don't want anyone to steal it) but it involves mini white pumpkins, candles, and felt. I'll definitely post pictures after the event so you can be jealous!!

Party number three is my 33rd birthday! I know, I probably shouldn't plan my own birthday party but how can it be everything I want if I'm not in charge? LOL. Not sure what's going to happen with it yet - might drag everyone to a club for dancing all night long to prove I'm not yet old and boring... or we could end up having a party here. Maybe dinner, then dancing?? We'll have to wait and see!! All I know is, my friends are required to be there, my sisters are wished to be there, and it's gonna be all about ME!!

Possible party number four is a Pampered Chef dealio. Not sure yet if we have the time for it, as we'll want it before Christmas but we're already pretty booked up for November and we're going out of town the first week of December. With my birthday in December, too... Idk. Might not happen!