I love the idea of April Fools Food!  These ideas from Family Fun are awesome.  Happy April Fools pranking!!

Chicken Not-Pie

Fakin’ and Eggs

Fauxberry Pie Recipe

Fake Spaghetti and Malt Balls

Fried Egg Sundae

Chicken Cashew Stir-fry

Over the last year I have noticed a lot of fun patterns and colors available in duct tape.  Last summer, my mom thought it would be a great idea to use tape to dress up water bottles.  It is actually genius.  I am always looking for easy and inexpensive ways to add fun to any party.  This certainly fits that.  If you attend a party at my house, it may feel crazy but the truth is that my parties are made up of super simple components.  I rarely take on complex projects for parties, because I like simple.  I made a topiary recently and after an hour of working on it I was only 1/3 done.  What I learned? Ribbon topiaries are not for me.  Simple, but way to time comsuming.  I am always measuring bang for my buck (or time).  It’s a constant battle between the dollar or effort involved against what that item or element will add to the party.

What you need:

Water Bottles

Duct Tape

Here’s How:

1. Measure around the water bottle to determine how long the tape needs to be.
2. Cut the tape to that length.
3. Wrap the bottle.

Super simple!!

I am really excited to announce that we now have a Custom Party to Go available on Etsy!  Do you need a birthday party, but just don’t have any time to plan?  Let us deliver the perfect custom party to your door!  At Shindig Diva we are focused on providing big celebrations with minimal work.  That is what keeps us going…looking for new and improved ways to bring the party to your home.  That is why we created parties in a box!  Our custom parties can be set-up in an hour or less and will have all of your friends and family talking for a long time after!  Check it out!!  Here are some parties we’ve created…

Fancy Nancy

Cute as a Bug

Elmo & Friends

I love creating tablescapes 100% from Target.  It’s fun because let’s face it Target has great stuff and great prices.  The other great thing is that I can share it and anyone can easily recreate it.  As I am developing more Parties in a Box, I am continually trying to simplify the whole party process.  This is a great example of how parties can be unique, but not time consuming or complicated.  I have to admit my favorite part of any party is the treat table.  I love them and they can really set a tone for a party!  So, here’s a DIY for this Target Treat Table.

Target has a wide variety of fresh buckets for Easter.  Fun Easter colors that are really not specific to Easter as much as they are spring.

The great thing is that you can find coordinating items throughout the store.  Like these salmon colored buckets with a big white flowers!  Love them.  There were matching plates on end cap in another location.  It is clear that throughout all of their Easter goodies, they are continuing the same color palette, so it’s easy to pick your favorites and mix them with other items.

I simply could not pass up these little chick eggs.  Aren’t they adorable?  LOVE THEM!! Also found in the Dollar Spot: 2 for a dollar.

Of course, every Easter table needs Easter eggs!  These egg stands were such a fun addition.  You could use either freshly colored eggs or simple plastic eggs and fill them with your favorite Easter candy! Peeps of course had to take the center stage!

I loved the really sweet frog and bunny.  I found them in the Dollar Spot – they are actually banks.  Perfect for an Easter table.

When I started to look through the Easter buckets, I was so thrilled with all of the options!  There were so, so, so many options.  To keep costs down, but not sacrifice on cute I selected one of many felt buckets.  They were only $2!  I filled it with some green foam, pink crinkle paper and some hand dipped rice crispy treats (tutorial coming soon)!  I did add a few egg picks I had on hand.

I have also recently started selling parties on Etsy, so if you want it easier I can just package it up and ship it to you!  How’s that for easy?

I love making cake pops.  They are always a crowd pleaser and let’s face it stinkin’ cute!!  My biggest challenge with making cakepops has been getting that finished product looking fantastic.  So, before….ok while I was making cakepops I googled directions and a Bakerella tutorial popped up on YouTube.  Who better to learn from than Bakerella (photo above is from the very, very talented Bakerella).  By just watching this video, I was able to dramatically improve my end prodcut.  I knew I had to share.  So, here is that video tutorial from Bakerella – the queen of cake pops.  Thanks, Bakeralla!  You were there for me at 1 am when I really needed you.   Check it out:  Cakepops by Bakerella

Cake pop push-ups….really?  Yes, really.  These are SO much fun and I have seen them a few places, so when I saw this one from It’s Alway’s a Party at the Parkers and knew I had to share!

These fabulous cake pops were the work of Kate from And Everything Sweet.

Argh, Matey!

Pretty, pretty princesses!  Love these.

Check out Kate’s blog for a lot more inspiration.  She’s a tremendously talented lady!

Check out It’s always a Party at the Parkers:  The Rocket Ship Cake Pops!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this backdrop.  I have seen this photo a number of times over the past month or so and melt every time I see it.  This morning I was ecstatic to see the tutorial!!  I knew I had to share it with you.  Thanks, Sheek Shindigs for amazing inspiration and a tutorial!!

From Sheek Shindig – here is what, you will need:

• 1 large piece of foam board or several smaller pieces of foam board, depending on what size you want the backdrop to be
• Tissue paper, in assorted colors of your choice
• Floral wire
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Now head over to Sheek Shindig DIY: Pom Pom Backdrop for all of the details!!

I was inspired Spring and all of the cute bug stuff everywhere!  You wouldn’t think that bug stuff could be so cute, but this stuff is cute!!  That said, I couldn’t help myself from creating a party…shocking I know!

Okay…I LOVE this frog.  Isn’t it sweet! That tongue is awesome with the addition of a poor little fly stuck to it.

When I found this ant ribbon, I knew I had to have it for this table!  Fabulous!  Doesn’t it scream picnic.  Another fabulous find were these green snow balls.   Also, every bug table, must have the quintessential dirt dessert.  So, we made single serving dirt cups!  They were super simple.

The bug nets and fly swatters were the real inspiration for this table.  Aren’t they fantastic?  Fly swatters with flower accessories.  Wonderful!

I also found these Toasted Coconut Mashmallows, added lollipop sticks and the looked like something I spent time dipping.  No dipping!  I love super simple party ideas and this one is on my list!  No work Marshmallow Pops!

Another bug party must have…bug houses!  Everyone needs a place to keep their little critter pets!

Get the Cute as a Bug treat table delivered to you from our new Etsy shop!

I adore Rebekah over at the Blissful Nest.  She is amazingly talented!  This Parisian Birthday Party is just one more amazing party.  I heart this party!

Isn’t this cute sign a great way to start the party?

Love the tablecloth and fantastic sign over the table.

Love the cupcake liners and topper.  So cute!

Love this little cutie.  Check out her fabulous hair accessories.  That says Paris for certain.

You know I LOVE Macaroons!  Beautiful.

There are lots more details over at A Blissful Nest.

Thanks, Rebekah for all of your fantastic inspiration!

Many moons ago, I dreamed that of creating a website that would bring together many, many people who share their parties.  Well, I missed the boat on that.  The very talented  Jillian beat me to it and really is doing an amazing job! Her website, Catch My Party, is one that I checkout everyday!  It’s awesome.  So, today I thought I’d share this website with you.  If you are looking for party ideas, this is a must see!!

There are Party of the Day features as well as featured parties.  It’s always fresh and new content.  There are so many uber talented ladies out there planning parties!  What a very cool website!

Here’s what you’ll find featured today…but everyday it’s different so quick, check it out!

Greyson’s Hamburger Party submitted by Brittany S.