5 Tips for Planning a Fabulous Quinceañera

When it comes to planning a quinceañera, also known as a sweet 15, parents and their daughters can get frazzled and find it difficult to make all of the final plans before the big birthday celebration arrives. But if you adhere to the following tips, you can rest assured that your planning process will go smoothly and that you'll do everything you need to do in order to really make your party stand out as an unforgettable event everyone will enjoy.

Start Planning a Year in Advance

When it comes to putting together a fabulous quinceañera, you have to plan far enough in advance to get all of the details in place. Therefore, it's highly recommended that you start thinking about the party roughly a year beforehand. Though it may sound a little crazy to think about planning a birthday party a year ahead of time, you won't regret it, as time will certainly fly and the big day will arrive before you know it. Plus, you'll be able to set your budget and begin to save up money for the event.

Book Your Venue Early

It's especially important to book your venue far enough in advance if the birthday falls in the spring or summer, which is the peak of wedding season and graduation season, forcing you to compete with a lot of other party planners in your area who can snatch up your special day before you can get your venue to sign a contract to hold it for you. Planning this far in advance will also help you snag the best deals on the most reliable vendors while also ensuring they don't get booked up before you can get to them.

Pick a Bright, Colourful Dress

Whether you decide to go with a long gown or a short dress, choose a bright, colourful one that will really stand out and make you the centre of attention. Two-tone dresses can be really unique options as well, and the bigger the bottom of the dress is, the more like a princess you'll feel. Opt for a dress that will fit your body best, though, rather than trying to force yourself into a gown that doesn't work for you. This will ensure that you feel comfortable and confident all night long.

Get Your Hair and Makeup Done Professionally

Leaving your hair and makeup duties up to someone else will take the stress off of you and let you enjoy some much-needed pampering on the day of your big event. After all of the stress of planning, you should be able to unwind and let the pros take care of you on your birthday. To be certain that you'll love your look, pay for trials in advance.

Don't Forget to Accessorize

From your crown to make you feel like a princess, to jewellery like earrings with a little flare that can make you feel even more beautiful, don't forget to accessorize. Choose items that match your dress in either style of colour to bring your whole look together so that you're ready for your close-up.

About the author:

Hayley Fox is a freelance writer with a background in party planning. She has helped girls plan their sweet 15 parties and knows how much hard work goes into such an important celebration. That's why she recommends booking venues and vendors in advance. Then all the other details will fall into place.

My Jamberry Nail Wraps Consultant Kit Came!

Yesterday I went to Weight Watchers over lunch while Mr. Kerrie was home with the kiddles. When I got home there was a big gift wrapped in Christmas paper on the counter and the kids were so excited for me to open it. It was my Jamberry consultant kit!

The kids love anything that comes to the house in a box and loved looking at the samples and the catalogs and all the fun things! Here's me with my new kit! I won't inundate you here with Jamberry stuff, but you can go over to Kerrie Jamberry for that fun action.

Yes, Mr. Kerrie was like OH GREAT, one more thing my wife is doing. And I'm like, don't worry, one other business thing dropped off so this one is replacing it and it's just for fun ... I won't be spending millions on my own private stash of nail wraps so it's all good! I am like a Nail Prophet bringing the good news of nails that last 2 weeks instead of 2 hours!

All the Girls in My House Have Glasses Now

Here's a post about this glasses-getting day.

And here are my gorgeous girls!

And come on over to my Jamberry nail wraps blog, where we can have a "jam session" about these things I am obsessed with lately. You can also get a free sample!

Crafty Presents for My Kids ... and Nanoblocks!

When Joel and I went on our date a few weeks ago I turned into some sort of shopping freak. I love shopping for my kids and for other people!

Michael got some nanoblocks, which he has wanted for a long time. They are like teeny Legos.

Got a 12-pack of paint.

And a letter for each kid to paint and decorate with wooden cutesies.

Callie got an American Girl Doll book about Isabella. Joel got a Catching Fire book.

Sam got a Cars book with playmat and 12 cars from Barnes and Noble for only $8 after the  homeschool discount. Eva got a My Little Pony one.

Recap of Dates with Joel, Callie and Eva

Okay, so we are down 3 dates with 2 more to go. I am doing a crap job of taking pictures because we are too busy having fun. I didn't take the camera on the date with Eva at all and took a photo of her at home later. Oops. So here are some photos and recaps before the next two happen! Keep in mind the kids choose what we do. (sorry about the sideways photos!)

JOEL, age 12
We went to BD's Mongolian BBQ for dinner, then Barnes and Noble to peruse and shop and mess around. Then ice cream cones at the mall and then Michael's craft store for some fun things.

My mother is going to give me crap about the way I look here. I wasn't feel well that day and went on the date anyway ... and this was taken at a funny angle (excuses!)

I was feeling rich this evening and we got presents for everyone, which we'll discuss in a future post

CALLIE, age 9
I wrote about this date here and here with some pictures. Here they are again in case you don't want to go look at those pages. Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert then roller skating. Very simple yet so memorable!

She wanted to smash her face into her cheesecake for some reason and really, who am I to stop her? I mean, what's the big deal?

EVA, age 6
Subway for sandwiches, then to Trader Joe's to stock up on chocolate-covered everything. Then to AMC Ward Parkway with the red leather, reclining seats to see Mr. Peabody and Sherman, armed with soda pop and sandwiches and treats. Then to Target to get a My Little Pony toy. Fro yo place was closed so we went to Houlihan's by Oak Park Mall, where Eva got chocolate mousse but mostly ate only whipped cream. Our server was a homeschool mom of 4 and a lovely free spirit like myself, so she got Eva more whipped cream.

So sad for each date to be over. I could do it all the time with the kids ... rotating through each kid then Mr. Kerrie and then taking a night off and doing again the next week!