{real parties} a back-to-school bash

It's time to open our PIGGY BANK for another DEPOSIT sent to us by Dawn of...

  

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Dawn over the past few months. She is an amazing mom but also an amazing party chick. She is real, witty and a DIY queen! Here's what Dawn had to say about her party...

It came, it went, it was awesome. Our last hurrah for the summer, our annual Back To School Bash. It's really just a glorified playdate with friends we didn't get a chance to spend a lot of time with. My boys are apparently in high demand and should quit school altogether and just be socialites.

Must every party include paper straws? That's a big 10-4 good buddy! And what, you say, is that runner made of? Why yes, it is real chalkboard cloth. No one believed me that it was, but I found it at Jo-Ann's, it comes on a bolt just like any cloth. I've had it for awhile with big dreams of putting a ribbon edging on it and make it an 'official' runner, but eh.

And since we all know the trick to an appealing table is having different heights, I figured nothing would be more appropriate than using some of our favorites books.

And how much do you love the edible pretzel crayons? I've been sitting on that idea for awhile but when I saw the lunch trays on Lizard N Ladybug's BTS party and how cute her crayons turned out, I, of course, had to do them too.

Shout-out to Bower Power's apple cupcakes; they were a big hit.

The milk cartons were supposed to be favor holders but (a.) I ran out of time to fill them and (b.) I couldn't bear to see them go. How sad is that?

And double shout-outs to Paper & Cake, I used their too-fun Back To School collection for my water bottle wraps, veggie fries containers and labels for the applesauce cups. They had so much stuff that comes with the download, but I just couldn't use it all. I was having a hard time reeling in the crazy and I had to draw the line.

How could I not have Trader Joe's Schoolbook Cookies and alphabet tater-tots? The bags in the back were serving double duty as decor and favors. I wanted to have the flash card match with each guest's name, but we had 3 T names, so not everyone could. See how the crazy doesn't stop? 

What else did we do? Oh yes, we also did a nature walk around our neighborhood, where the blackberry bushes are ripe and the kids loved picking them.

We asked each guest to bring a gently loved book for a book swap which is a great way to get a new book or two without buying anything. I wanted to read, "Countdown To Kindergarten" since several friends were starting school this year and it's the little one's fav, but alas, time flies when you're having fun!

Another great kickoff to the new school year!
Being a former teacher and the daughter and sister of retired school teachers, Dawn's party is near and dear to my heart. I can't tell you how many times I erased my mom's blackboard after school so the chalkboard runner gets an A+! The jar full of crayons and the books as table props both get GOLD STARS! A great party for the beginning or end of the school year.

I wanted to get to know Dawn a bit better. Here's my lil' interview with her...

Do you do this as a full- or part-time job or is it just for fun? This is a part part-time job, I do a few parties here and there and teach party planning classes.

If a business, how long have you been in business? I've been in business for 4 years.

How did you get started? I got started when my boys were little and I needed an outlet for my creativity--a.k.a. not just a mommy stuff. I wanted a little something that was just for me.

What penny pinching ideas/tips went into your event? Don't underestimate the power of the paper bag. Of course, they are perfect for my school theme but they can be adapted for any party with just a few embellishments!

Another penny pincher tip, party printables! A good printables package and a little creativity on your part can really make a party fab with all the details. Storebought items like water bottles and food containers become a part of the party with a few snips of paper.

OK, I'm rambling with my penny pinchers, but my fav is reusable party decor. Look around your house for glass vessels and containers and other decor pieces that match your theme. I used my kid's books as stands and broke out our red wagon that was buried in our garage. I don't use balloons at most of my parties, but I'm severely addicted to tissue poms and paper lanterns. My chalkboard runner is another great party item that is inexpensive with a store coupon that can be used all year.

I hope your INSPIRED by Dawn's party. I better go practice my penmanship!

Now I'm craving apple cupcakes, apple cobbler, apple donuts and apple cider!

Stay tuned to Oink! for more inspiration...

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