I just found an amazing site that will make all of those dreams come true! It’s called renttherunway.com and if you haven’t heard of it already then you MUST check this out. You can basically rent the dress of your dreams for a fraction of the price. Genius!

Last month, while attending a wedding with a group of friends, I ran up to my girlfriend to see where she found her gorgeous dress. She whispered to me that not only was it originally over $800 retail…she rented it for under $100. Although it sounds strange and maybe a little scary to rent a dress…I can assure you that the dresses are gorgeous.

The dress pictured here is actually from modcloth.com but I wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up on renttherunway.com someday.

The yummy crawfish picture here came from pinterest.com, which lead us to bonappetit.com‘s recipe for Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya.

I can’t think of anything better to spice things up than a big bowl of Jambalaya!

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/03/chicken_and_sausage_jambalaya#ixzz1n38CXsoj

TIPS:   

* Toss Your Beads! Purple, green and gold beads are very versatile. Not only should you hand out beads to your guests but don’t forget to drape them throughout your house. Hang them from light fixtures and incorporate them into your centerpieces. Giant feathers are perfect for the Margi Gras atmosphere too!

* Mardi Gras Hurricane! Every time a friend orders a “Mardi Gras Hurricane” don’t forget to toss some beads their way. This AH-MAZING rum and passion fruit cocktail will be a huge hit! Add some Mardi Gras flair to this traditional hurricane cocktail such as a purple or green sugared rim.

* Cajun Shrimp Boil! Seafood boils are very popular in Louisiana! They usually make their boils with one type of shellfish (i.e. shrimp)!  All you need is a BIG stockpot, seasoned broth, some shrimp, fresh corn, spicy sausage and potatoes! Stick to the tradition and serve this “dump meal” on tables lined with newspaper and dig in! If that seems too messy, line some baskets and platters with newspaper instead!

* Cajun Fries! Cajun fries in paper cones are the perfect snack for your guests. This easy to grab snack is sure to be a hit!

* Bon Appetite! Embrace the French culture with a spin on the American donut. A beignet is a perfect way to cure any sweet tooth and celebrate in true Fat Tuesday fashion! Using purple, green and yellow edible glitter will spruce up the powdered sugar topping.

*  Mardi Gras Madness! Create a game in which your guests receive beads! Shout out trivia questions throughout the party, whoever gets it right receives a bead necklace! The person with the most beads at the end of the evening wins a fun feathered Mardi Gras mask!

Random Mardi Gras FACTS & FIGURES:  

* Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”.

* Fat Tuesday traditionally means a day for eating rich fatty foods before the Lent season begins.

* The first Mardi Gras parade was staged in the United States in 1837.

* Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch Romanoff of Russia selected Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold during a visit to New Orleans in 1872.

* Also known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and most of Europe celebrate this fabulous holiday.

Thank you to the Friends of Ricki Facebook page for the lovely picture/quote!

We also want to give a shout out to some of the founding members in Friends of Ricki listed right here:

@ThePartyGoddess, @Adryenn, @AlexisNeely, @AliciaDunams, @AnnTran_, @BruceSallan, @CarlaYoung, @DailyDimmick, @DanielleSmithTV, @DeeshaPhilyaw, @ElisaTalk, @Girlfriendology, @HennArtOnline, @HillaryRubin, @Holly_Hanna, @JerylJagoda, @JkCallas, @LaJollaMom, @LoriMcNeeArtist, @LoriMoreno, @MelissaOnline, @MomsOfAmerica, @NikaStewart, @OMGwine, @RebelBrown, @SmashFit, @TechMama, @TheGoToMom, @Twylah and @2morrowknight.

When you have a chance, check some of these ladies out! You’re bound to find someone or something exciting to connect with!

TIPS:   

* Keep it light. Choose white! There are many references to white, often related to purity and cleanness, so keep the tone of your party light and not so depressing! Add a splash of color, like the traditional red or hot pink to spice up the mood. Speaking of light, hang clear or red Christmas lights throughout the house for a warm glow and inviting home. Incorporate some black, as it’s the traditional Anti-Valentine color. Use some swanky zebra-print reusable bags as a non-traditional way to display flowers, then let your guests take home!

* Heart healthy. Do yourself a favor and eat something healthy, rather than the usual fatty snack foods found at every party. Beans, peas and lentils are so nutritious, naturally high in protein and fiber and low in fat. For a really, quick and easy solution, pick up Camellia Brand Red Beans & Rice. Your guests will never know you made these in the microwave 5 minutes before they showed up at your door! They come in a to-go version, which is great for on the run, but you can open a few containers and serve in fun, colorful and unique shaped bowls, like the funky zebra print to match the reusable bags.

* Center of attention. To spice up the décor and add to your theme, incorporate some unique and unconventional items to display throughout your home. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune, (although it will look like you did!) just swing by T.J. Maxx or Marshalls and visit the home décor section where you’ll find some really affordable options to deck out your party! Try this desk organizer, why not put some fresh fruit in each compartment. Or a colorful recycled box for napkins. And while you’re at it, use a 3-stacked bowl, which is supposed to be used as a shower caddy, as a way to display sweet treats for your guests!

* Stop sulking! And pull the board games out! This is such a great way to break the ice with strangers and have a laugh while you’re at it. My personal favorite is Taboo, you’re guaranteed to bust at the seams with this one! This is something fun that friends can do together, since marriages last only 50% of the time but good friendships last forever! And since diamonds are a girl’s best friend, use some giant faux diamonds as place settings and let your guests take home to use as a paperweight!

* Match made in Heaven. Kiss-off the standard box of chocolates and raise your glasses to the all-natural combination of 100 percent mint, pure water with cocoa essence.  This refreshingly decadent taste will leave your guests saying goodbye to their box of chocolates and Valentine’s Day promises and hello to the guilt-free, luxurious enjoyment and refreshment of MetroMint Chocolatemint Water! Serve over ice in a variety of fun shaped glasses with light-up ice cubes. For those who would like to enjoy a fun cocktail, try Strawberry Kiss or American Psycho. Serve in a tall glass jug and pour into small sugar rimmed baby tumblers for another sweet treat!

Random Valentine’s Day FACTS & FIGURES:  

* Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th throughout the world. In the English-speaking countries, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending cards, flowers and offering candy.

* The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, after Christmas.

* Men spend on average twice as much money as women.

* In Saudi Arabia, in 2002 and 2008, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine’s Day items, telling retailers to remove any red items, as the day is considered a non-Islamic holiday.

If you’re looking for a creative way to honor this special occasion, why not create something like we did with this bottle of champagne? It doubles as an invitation to that special dinner!

If you or your friend happen to be opting out from the Valentine’s Day cheering section then maybe this little gift will be appropriate? What a thoughtful little gift for a girlfriend. Sometimes poking some fun at the thing that’s distressing you can make the load feel lighter, right?

Or you can get together with friends and make fun of it all with a little Valentine’s Day dress-up! That’s what we did here at The Party Goddess! today. Take it from us…you’re bound to have a good laugh if you try this option!

There aren’t many people alive who don’t enjoy the beach, so your location is golden. If the weather works in your favor, you have just created a heavenly day for all of your guests.

Small touches like these adorable little lollipops held in metal buckets can create the perfect vibe. This picture is from one of our past events that we created. What a great day of “work” that was!

There are so many options for decor, depending on how casual you’d like to go. These particular clients wanted a touch of elegance to go along with the fun and easy vibe that the beach brings.

Instead of the usual plastic that you would typically see on the sand, we went with the beautiful blue-rimmed serving plates and wine glasses.

When it comes to food, there are no limits on what you can serve. Tapas are always a hit and can make things easier for everyone. Who doesn’t love fresh grilled shrimp with a side of zesty lime dipping sauce?

For drinks, you can choose one refreshing signature drink along with a few fruit-flavored waters. The night before the party, just cut up some of the best fruit you can find and place it in the water pitchers the morning of the Beach Picnic Party. Voila…it’s so simple and fun!

Here are the simple but tasty ingredients for our Blue Atomic Shooters (for more drink recipes you can go to barnonedrinks.com):

Ingredients

5 oz. Lemonade
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
1/2 oz. Triple Sec

How about sitting poolside (or pretending to) with a Coconut Guava Martini? Who could pass up a tasty drink like this?

Coconut Guava Martini

• 2 ounces coconut vodka
• 2 1/2 ounces guava nectar
• 1/2 ounce sweetened lime juice
• for more recipes go to daydreamerdesserts.com

Here are a few Princess Party Pointers:

*Ask guests to wear their fanciest dresses, then provide a box filled with extra dress-up items and costume jewelry for everyone to accessorize with.

*Set up a tiara decorating station for the little princesses to create their very own party hats.

*Instead of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”, play “Kiss the Frog”. After creating a big, green, cut-out of your favorite frog, cut out a pair of lips for each princess and apply a small ball of poster tack (sold at most office supply stores) to the back. During the game, have each child shut her eyes tight, then point her in the right direction to try to pin her smooch on Mr. Frog. Continue taking turns until everyone succeeds.

*Whip up some pink lemonade poured into pretty punch glasses.

*Send the girlies home with sparkly butterfly hair clips, candy rings, and pretty stickers!

With these fun tips, you’re sure to send every tiny princess home with a huge smile.

So, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite iPhone apps that will help you plan your next event.

Punchbowl

Punchbowl.com is a popular online platform that will help you plan a party from start to finish. Now they’ve gone mobile. This handy little app allows you to send invitations, track RSVPs, interact with your guest list, shop, stay organized, and more.

SuperPlanner

If you really want a robust tool, go for SuperPlanner. This user-friendly app will help you handle everything from venue capacity to seating configurations to food and beverage counts to staffing needs. It’s amazing.

Evernote

If you’re not already using Evernote, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon. It’s won lots of awards from geeky types who pay attention to all the apps because it’s awesome at helping you capture information and keep it organized – written notes, pictures, audio recordings, etc. Very cool.

Beat the Traffic

Planning events requires a lot of running around town.  Going from place to place can be a true time suck.  This app helps you save time by keeping you updated on traffic slowing accidents, road work, and even weather.  (I really hate traffic! Don’t you?)

PurpleTrail

PurpleTrail is another event planning app that has some interesting features. You can get your guests involved in the planning process with a consensus mode that helps you pick the best date and a venue.

Mint

The last thing you want to do is go over your budget, right?  When planning a party, it’s way too easy to get caught up in the excitement and not realize how much money you are spending.  Using this app is a fantastic way to track your spending, balances, and transactions.

So there you have just a few of my favorite apps I thought I’d share with you. What are your favorite party planning apps?