After a consult with my mom (the original Malone party planning guru!), I decided that a poolside soiree with a tropical theme would be a fun way to kick things off. She was fabulous and put together some fantastic themed party supplies for me to use. Since it's about 80-bajillion degrees here right now, I played it safe and assumed we'd be spending at least half of the day upstairs, seeking relief from the sun. I hung up some fun streamers and decorated the tabletops.
An ice bucket full of sodas and white wine was ready for the gals when they needed a break from the margaritas we'd be having at the pool. I also had champagne (buy it on the cheap at Trader Joe's) chilling in the fridge for a lingerie surprise later in the day.
In prep for our girls night on the town, I picked up some pink (duh!) swag for everyone to wear. A pink lei would showcase Laurie as the Bachelorette, while we 'maids had some fun light-up rings and name badges (on which we of course wrote our alter-ego names!)
Down at the pool, I reserved a corner for us to relax and chat for the afternoon in the sun. I love the cute chalkboard sign that my mom let me borrow - I announced our Bachelorette theme there for everyone at the pool to see! Some fun candy-striped straws worked perfectly for the margaritas on the rocks (everyone knows you drink faster through a straw...) and flip flop and flower cut-outs kept the tropical theme going. We even had pool toys on reserve in case the gals got a little crazy. Koosh paddleball, anyone?!
The party wouldn't have been complete without the food, though! Since we were planning on a fun night out complete with dinner, I kept the snacks light. Oriental Salad filled up adorable Chinese food take-out boxes, which I then kept in a cooler, and fruit kabobs were on standby for a healthier snack.
Some people like salty and some like sweet when they drink, so I was sure to have both on hand. Chips and a pineapple salsa for the first group, and then fantastic cookie bars for the others! The recipe I used was a hit, so enjoy it with your next gathering - I have included it below :)
After our day in the sun, we celebrated Laurie's last days as a single gal with champagne and girly gifts before heading out for some Ormsby's bocce fun and Cosmo/Lava dancing.
Congrats, Laurie! We are so excited for you!
Macadamia Coconut Cookie Bars
Via Rachael Ray
1 package dry sugar cookie mix, prepared to package directions
1 cup macadamia nuts
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup white chocolate chips
Softened butter or Pam for Baking, to prepare baking dish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. To cookie mix prepared to package directions, add nuts, coconut and white chocolate chips. Butter/spray a 9x12 baking dish and press cookie dough evenly into a thin layer across the bottom. Bake bars for about 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven, and cool slightly. Cut into squares, remove with spatula and serve.
Notes from KJM: it may be my oven, but my bars took closer to 20-25 minutes to bake. Just follow the "lightly golden brown" rule and yours will turn out great! Chill the bars overnight to firm them up for a party.
2 comments:
Such a cute party!
Speaking of, it was great meeting you at the 22/MSL mixer today. So nice to put a name with a face.
Take care!
Molly
Thanks Molly, and same to you! That was a blast :)
Post a Comment