A "sweet" 40th Birthday Party Theme

If you have a friend who is turning 40 but doesn't want to make it a BIG DEAL...this party theme is a "sweet" idea. 

The "sweet" theme was inspired AFTER the invitations were sent and the rsvp's started coming in.  Over 10 people regretted they couldn't celebrate our friends 40th because they had other plans.  The adjective "sweet" preceded the birthday girls name in every one of these regrets.

So the party became an intimate gathering.  We booked a "suite" at the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach (suite 1125 offer the following views.)  

In the hotel room I decorated a manzanita branch with the birthday girls favorite flower and used it as the centerpiece.  Sprinkles Cupcakes and Gelsons Market supplied her favorite sweets - cupcakes and french macaroons along with assorted platters of gourmet cheeses, meats, fruit, and crackers.  The cocktail of the evening, a Chief Lapu Lapu geared us up to dance the night away to the 80's tribute band FlashBack Heart Attack at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach.  Get an Imix of the songs here.

The birthday girl went home with a beautiful box of birthday wishes I typed on custom designed notecards as well as a set of beautiful bracelets from Brighton. Set up your wishlist for your party today!

This event turned out to be a great night in honor of a truly special and SWEET friend.

And if you have a friend who frets turning 40, here are 10 reasons why it is really NOT that bad! 

1. 40 is the new 30!!!

2. You're not 40, you are 18 with 22 yrs. experience!!

3. Enjoy the moment because when you are 50 or 60 you will wish you were 40.

4. Just think of all the wisdom you have, pass it on and make a difference in the world!

5. Turning 40 is better than the alternative.   

6. Look for balance in everyday of your life. Don't sign up to do things that will overwhelm you.

7. Like fine wine we get better with age! 

8. Best birthday ever, really! Life starts at 40!

9. It only gets better. What you have learned the first 40 years seems almost irrelevant as you develop into your new and spiritual self. You love deeper, appreciate life more and divine great pleasure in the little things and the world around you.

10. Depends are cheaper at Stater's   

Do you have a great 40th party theme to share? Please share below. 

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SCRABBLE ART

Looking for a great gift to make for a special family?  Personalize a SCRABBLE BOARD with words that symbolize who they are.

1. For the UNDERWOOD family I wrote a list of memories we've shared together. 

Frank Sinatra

Beer

Balboa saloon

Beach

Golf

Traditions

Music

Love

BBQ's, etc.

2. Cut the board so it can be framed as shown above.  Take it to your local framers and measure the size of frame and mat you would like. They should be able to cut the heavy chip board for you. 

3. Starting with their last name UNDERWOOD, I used the list to fill the board while trying to use as many tiles as possible as well as covering the majority of the board.  

Tip - if you buy two games you can share letters and make two at a time.   OR each scrabble game comes with an order form to order extra tiles. If you need an extra s, simply order ahead of time.

4. After the majority of the tiles were used, I glued them down with MOD PODGE glue. 

5. Get it matted and framed at least two weeks in advance.  If you would like to make it a table piece, put a piece of acrylic on top of it and attach it to a lazy susan. 

OR you can include a gift certificate with the completed art so they can customize it for their home.

SCRABBLE art fun craft to make and great piece of art to give to friends or family.

In the meantime, if you are a WORDS with FRIENDS player, find me...I'm BEOBI.

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Big Belly Banks - A great gift for kids

Traditionally when a niece or nephew turns 1 or 2 in my life, they get one of these adorable BIG BELLY BANKS.

It makes saving money fun. And, instead of putting coins in their mouth, they put the coin in the bank and watch it travel down to its belly. When it's full, simply unscrew it and count the savings.

My daughter's bank gets emptied every birthday. It has been a great tool in teaching her how to count money.

Big belly banks have over 20 designs and sizes to choose from to match the decor.

Flowers, race cars, dogs, dinosaurs, football stand, baseball bat, cat, and more.

Visit their website for more details.

http://www.bigbellybanks.com/home.php?cat=1

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Make $ the Scentsy Way

I adore these wickless candles by Scentsy.  They are my favorite gift to give to friends, family, and teachers. Recently I purchased The Patriotic Candle for the 4th of July decor in my home.  To learn more about the product and the business opportunity, I interviewed Lisha Platta, Lead Consultant for Scentsy.

30daysof: What is the product you sell and tell me a little about the company:

LP: Scentsy Wickless Candles is a home fragrance company that use warmers and scented bars to fragrant your home or office.  There is NO wick, NO flame, NO soot, NO smoke, so we offer a very safe alternative to the burning candle.  They use a 25 watt lightbulb to melt/warm the scented bars which are made of wax, maximizing the fragrance time in your home.

30daysof:  Why did you get started in this business? 

LP: Because it was a fantastic product no one had heard of and there were very few consultants in California! I was getting in on the ground level and knew success would be easy. The company is based in Idaho and just celebrated their 5 year Anniversary this year.

30daysof: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars?  

LP: The start up cost is only $99 and that includes everything you need to sell! There is no stock to buy, so you are not spending your own money upfront.  When you join at $99 that includes a warmer, scented bar, room spray, car candle, 50 catalogs and order forms, literature and training as well as 80 scent testers to get started! You are completely ready to begin.

30daysof: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who  inspire, etc... 

LP: My motivation purely comes from the passion and excitement I get from my customers reactions to the product! You would be amazed how "smells" can really lift a persons spirit or mood and transform them into another place and time with that fragrance. 

30daysof:  What is your favorite product or the best selling product  (service) you offer? 

LP:  The best selling product are the warmers by far, with the scented bars. They are very affordable at only $30 and each scented bar is an amazing $5!!  The hot sellers currently (warmers) are the Safari Collection (zebra, cheetah, giraffe) as well as the Resaissance Collection. The nice thing is you are not replacing a $20 candle every time you want a new fragrance in your house or office... you just switch out the scented bar and instantly you have a new scent!

30daysof: What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?  

LP: Don't need too...the minute people see it, or walk into a scented room and ask what's that yummy smell, then they are instantly sold on the product!!  My bathroom plug in warmer gets noticed everytime someone goes in there to use it and they always ask where did I buy it (and that strikes up a conversation about Scentsy!) Also, our warmers light up so they have a certain beauty about them.

30daysof: How do you get paid?  

LP: By the company (25% commission on up) and by my customers at 100% profit if I sell products I received at no charge.

30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)?  

LP: Yes...by the amount you sell and by introducing people to join your team!! That is what I am currently trying to do, since there are not allot of consultants in California yet. It's great exposure since the market has never seen this product yet!! 

30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours? 

LP: The only other candle company that would be considered competition would be Gold Canyon, although they offer only 7 warmers currently, and we offer around 40.  Their scented bars cost $6 and last for up to 20 hrs, while Scentsy scented bars cost $5 and lasts for 60-80 hrs. 

30daysof: How can someone contact you to learn more about this business? 

LP: At my website at www.scentsy.com/lisha by phone at (949) 636-4988 or by email at lishaplatta@gmail.com 

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Resolution New You #20 - Journal it. You could be the next Stephenie Meyer

We are not vampires.  Our time passes by so quickly, and if we don't write down some of the memories - we'll be to old to remember.  So start journaling now.  Sometimes a thought comes to you that you aren't sure what it means.  Out gut instinct tells us it is something important but we usually let daily activities occupy and take over our ideas.  Luckily that is not the case with Stephenie Meyer, author of The Twilight Series.  She had a dream about our beloved vampire, Edward (pictured left).  She woke up and started to write it down.  

Your ideas and journal entries might not turn into a major motion picture, but to your kids, you are the creator, producer, director, editor, and star of their movie.  There are times when our kids just overwhelm us with love.  The things they say, how quickly they learn, how full our hearts feel just because of the way they giggled when they see something ordinary to us, but new and exciting to them.  Record those emotions.  Keep your journal in your purse, in your car, and write it down.   I guarantee they will want to know about it when they are older, for you are their biggest fan.

If you take a lot of vacations or enjoy traveling, there are two ways to journal your trip.  First the old-fashion way is to journal it.  For two centuries, legendary artists, writers, intellectuals, and travelers have used the brandname journals titled, Moleskine.  My favorite are the Moleskine City Books.  With almost 40 different cities to choose from, these are a great gift to give to a future traveler. The second way is to photo-journal your vacation.  Have you seen the the latest version of iPhoto?  It incorporates a new  technology called GPS - Geo-tagging. GPS Geotagging is the process whereby GPS coordinates are used to tag digital photographs in a way that identifies the location where the photograph was taken. Check out the latest demo from Apple to see how iPhone users and photographers can make journaling easier than ever.  Facebook users will want to see this as well.  

Speaking of Facebook, it could be considered a journaling method as well.  One friend uploaded a picture of her son's homework assignment in which he used inappropriate words to fill in the blanks. How many times have your kids brought home a homework assignment that made you laugh. Journal it and record the memory.

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Gift #30 - Breaking Bread and Sharing Time

This is the last gift giving idea featured in my blog, 30 days of.....  For those last minute shoppers or holiday parties you are rushing off to, stop by Panera Bread and pick up a loaf of their holiday bread.  It is sweet and hearty, filled with apples and cinammon.   

Or you can stop by Trader Joes and pick up a box of the Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint JoJo's, and a container of peppermint hot chocolate from Williams Sonoma.  These decadent cookies only come around for the Christmas season and are so good and plenty that each cookie counts as 4 pts on the weight watchers diet.  

And if you enjoy baking and still do have time, packages of homemade cookies, breads, or haystacks are a welcome and affordable gift.  Check out the great ways to package them and buy the materials at Michaels Craft Stores.  

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Gift #29 - Blankets

Give Warmth

In this chilly weather a blanket is the perfect give to give.  At The Company Store there are plenty to choose from (and you can monogram them as well.)

For kids, teens, and adults, a personal blanket will stay with them through the years.

For the grandparents, have the grandkids picture made into a blanket.  Sears is one of the many places that can take a picture and turn into a beautiful piece of art to hang and enjoy or to wrap yourself up in.  

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Gift #28 - Reservations

Make a reservation at their favorite restaurant and give them the menu as the gift to unveil the surprise. There are two restaurants in Southern California worth an annual visit. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is set in remote Crystal Cove with quaint historic bungalows which are available on a first come, first serve basis.

In Fullerton, California,  The Summit House replicates an English Inn and consistently earns the reputation for friendly faces, cozy rooms and cheery firesides.  The Inn Keepers of the Summit House are inspired by this custom to create an hospitable place where friends can meet to eat, drink and delight in the views of North Orange County's countryside. Someone at your table must get the prime rib meal served with traditional Yorkshire pudding, cream corn, cream spinach, and topped with horseradish scooped by your server. 

Whatever restaurant you choose to give, download their menu from the restaurants website and give it along with a bottle of wine.  

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Gift #27 - Massage

So many of us work on the computer, stand up all day, or have mental stress that causes us to be tied up in knots.  Help your friends and family relieve those knots with the gift of massage.  As a designer, my neck and shoulders get all tied up, but the Homedics Neck Massager with heat relieves the pressure.  There are over 30 different types of massage tools to relieve specific areas such as foot spas, back massagers, and high end chairs to sit in.  (See all at Homedics)

Not sure if the person might have one of these machines? Then giving an hour massage with professional hands, slow music in a relaxing spa, will surely make them the happiest.  *At the spas they sell neck pillows ($17) that you put in the microwave to heat.  These are a great gift that travel well and are great at relieving some stress, naturally.

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Gift #26 - Tickets

Tickets!  Anyone got tickets?  A great gift to give to family or friends are tickets.  Tickets to a sports event, concert (see Elton John and Billy Joel perform their Face2Face Tour), or my favorite - plays.   

Local playhouses have season passes such as the Laguna Playhouse Theatre. You can choose a package of plays to attend throughout the year. Start a new tradition by seeing a play every year with someone special.

Ice shows and Circuses are great events for kids to see and experience. Check out the Live Dinosaur Experience. The show is available at many venues across the US and sells out fast.  

Tickets are a great gift, and although they can't use it right away and the price is sometimes steep, 

the experience is a memory to cherish. 

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Gift #25 - Games

Do you want to play a game?  There are so many to choose from nowadays due to the mediums in which we can play on.  My favorites are the games the entire family can play.  Starting with the traditionals, Password (also available on DVD), Yahtzee, Scrabble and Sorry. (These should be a staple in everyones home.)

For the trivia, sports or movie buffs in your family, SceneIt and Trivial Pursuit are great games that have special editions and updated versions sold every year.

For the new Wii players and entertainer wannabes, RockBand 2, will be released in January.  You can download songs to play that everyone in the family knows, versus being limited to what RockBand 1 offers.  Shaun White's Snowboarding is a great gift for teenagers, whereas Mario Kart is perfect for ages 6-60.  

What are your favorite games not listed here?  I am always looking for new ones.

As a hostess gift, pick up a set of TABLE TOPICS and help the conversation along at the next dinner party.

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Gift #24 - Nature and Nuture

We need food to survive so why not give the best there is.  

Harry and David has the most succulent pears, tasty treats, and decadent chocolates (Have you ever tried their Moose Munch?)

Purchase a fruit of the month club for your parents or grandparents - they come in 3, 6, 9 or 12 month packages.

Trees and plants need food and love to survive and are a perfect gift to give to a nature lover. Jackson and Perkins sells beautiful azaleas, wreaths, gardenias, and decorated trees.

If you want to order either of these for the holidays, December 17, is the last day to get them.  

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Gift #23 - Pajamas

PJ's, Pajamas, Nighty - whatever name you prefer, sleepers are always a great gift to give to someone of any age.   Sending a Pajamagram is the easiest way and the styles and fabrics are plentiful.  Right now the value couldn't be better with the specials they are offering for the holidays.  So give a pair of PJ's to a child, a friend, a father, a sister, or a niece -because everybody needs to sleep.  

Another idea:  How cute would this be for a holiday card photo?

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Gift #22 - Lessons

All of us are a work in progress and until we are no longer here, we can always learn more and do better.  So why not have fun and give a lesson to somebody.  Golf lessons are especially helpful for dads, husbands, and grandpas.   Music, instrument, or art lessons are great for kids who are figuring out "who they are going to be."  And if any of you husbands and wives want to rekindle your romance, dance lessons are a way to spend time together, closely. Check out your local city, college, and newspaper guides for the best way to learn a new skill.

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Gift #21 - Candles

Candles are a great gift to give and Illuminations is the place to shop. (Currently they are offering 50% off on most holiday items.) If you want to give a holiday candle, try the Christmas Tree Scent  or the Cinammon Scent. To be safe, the Vanilla Scent is always pleasant and goes with decor all year long. Check out the new scented candle called Cookie. It makes your home smell like you just finished baking and is completely "calorie free."  

A new candle as well as a new home business opportunity is Scentsy.  

They have no wick, no flame, no smoke and no soot. Some of their fragrances are Sangria, Mediterranean Spa, Herb Garden, Vanilla Walnut and Cinammon Cider.  Have a holiday party and try them out!

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Gift #20 - Beauty

Mac Cosmetics comes out with the best gift sets around the holidays. Many times they are sold out before Thanksgiving, especially the exclusives at Nordstrom, but the variety of sets they offer feauture the latest trends in colors or classics every women needs.
Visit Mac Cosmetics to view the newest collections of brushes, lipsticks, and eye shadows. Also, to find out exactly how to make your face look professionally "made-up", see these various styles and look radiant for your next holiday party.

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Gift #19 - Tools for Cooking

When you have the right tools, everything is easy!  This rule especially applies to cooking or baking.  

Put together a gift for the cook in your life of unique utensils or high end tools. Cutco makes knives that are built to last and the knives make cutting and chopping a breeze.  The entertainment pak shown has the BEST carrot/potatoe peeler on the planet!  It is worth every penny and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

For the baker, give a Silpat Mat along with a big Cookie Shovel. It is the best and easiest way to make cookies or roll dough. Try this Santa Sugar Cookie Recipe as seen on the Martha Stewart Show.

Another great gift is Ceramic Pie Dishes.  They transfer from

freezer to oven to table.  No more need to buy Marie Calendars Frozen Pot Pies, make this Chicken Pot Pie recipe ahead of time and keep it in your freezer. Then on a cold, frosty night, pull it out, bake it and enjoy this all-time favorite comfort food. To purchase or learn more about these items, visit the websites below.

Silpat Mat

Ceramic Pie Dishes by Emile Henry

Cookie Shovel

Cutco Entertainment Pak

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Gift #18 - Nativity Calendar

Give a Nativity Calendar to your nieces or nephews for the holidays. You can make one yourself or purchase one of many styles. My favorite ones to purchase are from Pottery Barn.

They have a personalized house as shown to the right, or a large felt tree that is a great decoration for a wall.

To make it really personal, make one yourself from felt and personalize all the ornaments for the family.

My mom made one for us (left) when our daughter was born and filled it with things she was interested in (horses, trains, etc.) As the kids get older, we sometimes wrap cash. This makes them want to open and decorate the tree first thing in the morning. (Tip - Velcro dots help to keep the ornaments in place.)

A menorah calendar is another idea you can make for families who celebrate Chanakah. Kids simply put a felt "light" on the tip of each candle on every one of the 8 days.

Either way, a nativity calendar (advent Calendar) is something a person will bring out every year and remember.

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Gift #17 - Piggies and Paws

Capture the size of little hands and feet (piggies and paws) and turn it into art you can hang in your home for the holidays, if not all year long.  This company, Piggies and Paws, will paint your childs feet or hands onto a canvas.  Then, you choose from over 100 designs ranging from animals to football helmets and the artist will embellish it to look like the image you chose.  You receive the artwork back with a complimentary mat, ready to frame and give.  This is a unique gift anyone will love.  If you have many children to imprint, Piggies and Paws has designs for that too.  We did a flower vase as a gift for grandma with 5 grandkids hands turned into flowers.  The company does not show many designs on the website, so in order to see all of the examples they offer, a rep must be called out to your home or you can host a party with your friends (recommended).   Other designs I have had created were a Santa Claus, an angel, a Jimmie Johnson Race car, a USC helmet, and a bunny rabbit for Easter.  All of them were given with love and many are up for display all year round.

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Gift #16 - Something to Hold

Give a custom designed purse to a woman in your life who loves rich, luscious-feeling fabrics, great designs and unique gifts.  A new business, B's Purses, allows you to design your own purse, diaper bag, daughters purse, tote bags, etc.,  online.  The best way to see and feel the fabrics is to host a party and invite your friends. But take it from a person who adores texture, great quality and design made easy, (me) the purses are worth every penny. Gift cards are available as well.

Pictured left is the design module the website uses to design your purse. B's purses make it so easy and functional, the only difficulty will be making up your mind.

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