You ask the questions; we’ll give you our answers. Take them, leave them, put a pin in them, or marry them. Do whatever you want with our thoughts, but leave your suggestions and thoughts in the comment section as well! A woman can never have too many ideas.
Question: I love your blog!!!!! Ok, to make long story short, I was involved in a car accident a year ago, broke my ankle, been dealing with it since. In April I had surgery to fix the problems of my foot, could not drive for almost 3 weeks and was in a boot for well over a month. My daughters birthdays were in May and June. Since I was out of commission they did not have a party, by the way they are 11 and 8. I was thinking of making up for the lack of party in August by having a pool party for them. I’ve found a few ideas online but not much. I could really use the help with ideas.
Thanks
Kolly
Answer: Oh, Kolly. First of all, we love you too! How cute are you for even thinking about planning a belated duo party when you have had such a colossal year?!?! You are a seriously fabulous mom!! Secondly, we feel your pain…well, Annie feels your pain. Less than two years ago, Annie (in a heroic effort to save her six month old daughter from concrete and stairs) unfortunately broke one leg and sprained the other. Needless to say, it wasn’t pretty and it isn’t easy. She still is dealing with the chronic pain and therapy. In my opinion, anything you walk on should never be injured. You are a trooper. We absolutely hands-down get it. What you have been through has made you stronger, but not without a few tears. Okay, so now on to pool party ideas.
There are so many fun twists you can put on a pool party. Everything from pirates or vintage beach to a nautical theme, but I kept the above ideas classic girly pool party-ish and within a similar color scheme. Here are some of the ideas I found and loved. I tried to find ideas that were fairly simple, because a) our site is named No Fuss Fabulous and b) although you are back on your feet, I really don’t want you overdoing it and negatively effect your healing process! Hope that inspiration sparks through some of these fabulous links!
Pictured from Left to Right, beginning at the top:
1. Martha Stewart’s Sand Bucket Angel Food Cake and Strawberry Shellies – Why was I suprised that Martha had a beach pail cake? Of course, she does. Find how to make it here. And you HAVE to check out her Strawberry Shellies here. They are easy and adorable.
2. Cakes by Becky created these fun beach cupcakes. Personally, I don’t have the patience to carve beach towells and sandals out of fondent ( if you do, go for it! They are adorable.) But for the less patient woman, I definitely suggest taking the paper umberella inspiration and running with it. Paper umberellas offer a very easy solution to turning ordinary cupcakes into pool party perfection.
3. If you are a printable-type of girl, you may want to go this route. Paper and Cake offer a complete printable Poolside Party Tablescape that comes with everything from invitations to straw markers for just ten dollars. They also offer a retro Hawaiian theme that you may want to check out. Truly no fuss fabulous!
4. & 7. A little Loveliness with Melissa Lester created an adorable Flip Flop Tea Party that had a handful of ideas that could easily be transitioned into a pool party. My favorite idea I took from her party were these flip flops shown in box #7. Flip flops can be found at Micheals and Target for less than a dollar a pair right now. Add a cute easy bow on each sandal with bright colored ribbon and you have matching flip flops all the girls can take home! Place them in a fun beach pail labeled ‘flip flops” (box 4) and you have a fun centerpiece as well.
5. There are many many many pool party invitations online, but this custom invite by Sweet Pea Baby was by far my pool party favorite. And I almost died when I realized it was already designed for two little girls and all the wording could be customized to suit your party. If your not in love, check out this little swimsuit one from FineStationery.com It is pretty cute as well.
6. Favors do not come cuter than this. Monogrammed towels are perfect for a small pool party. Flikr’s house on hill road’s photostream Also check out mommawants1more photostream here to see her monogrammed towel favors.
See above for #7.
8. Vanessa Cavaco Designs offers these (as well as other) adorable personalized pool party stickers on Etsy for less than six bucks. Perfect for favors, thank you cards, or even decorating plain cups.
9. I saved the last for best. These little nutter butter flip flops are so easy to make and absolutely adorable. Several online stores sell them premade, but they are so simple I don’t know why you would unless you need thousands of them. Simply pipe a V of frosting on to each nutter butter and add a flower sprinkle if desired. For more pool party cookie inspiration check out, A dozen eggs flip flop cookies here!
