let's get together & feel alright.

so, i came to the realization that my husband's 30th party is less than a month away today.
needless to say, the insane list making has begun, i like to write & re-write lists... i'm kind of ocd about it... ANYWAY...i wanted to share  my brainstorm with you.

party planning is one of my passions & his theme is Caribbean... the secret to a great party is good food, food & plentiful drinks, good music & good people!  & have fun with the decor - transform your venue to the look & feel of the theme you are going for... your guests will appreciate it!

the menu

jerk chicken skewers

papaya & garlic shrimp

pulled pork sammys

cuban black bean dip

Caribbean rice

chopped tropical fruit

brazilian chicken salad

the drinks

mai tais

margaritas on the rocks

beers of the islands: 

carib

red stripe

presidente

sol

bottled water

wine

i am making the mai tais & margaritas

ahead of time & keeping them in big drink

dispensers. i ordered a TON of these adorable coconut cups for the mai tais, and plastic margarita glasses for the 'ritas!

in addition, i made a sign for each drink dispenser so guests will know what's in each one.

"red, red wine"

"white sand, white wine"

"mai tais, mon!"

"margarita, seniorita!"

so fun!

dessert

surf board cake

margarita cupcakes

key lime pie

ice cream

hubby has always been a beach bum,

and surfs whenever he can get himself to a beach

with good waves, so a surf board cake is more than fitting!

the rest, go without saying, don't they?



music

reggae

Caribbean

timpani music

decor

my favorite!

so we are having his party poolside, naturally.

the in-ground pool will be surrounded with tables that i will cover

with natural burlap fabric that i bought on ebay!

for centerpieces, i am using large tropical fruits:

pineapples

papayas

mangos

coconuts

i will be floating hibiscus flowers in the pool, and have floating candles

for nighttime.

i bought a large fish net that i am going to use to pin pictures of

the hubby from childhood to present to & drape somewhere for all to see

& point & laugh ... [wink, wink]



i'm so excited to see the party come together...

pictures of the outcome to follow - pray for sunshine!

xo