American Idol Party Time!

Posted on 02 03, 2012

American Idol season is here and your contestant badge seems to have gotten lost in the mail. Now what? Why not plan your own rock-star fabulous soiree! Let The Party Goddess! show you how to throw an American Idol bash like no other! You’ll have your friends lining up for an audition in no time flat!

Here Are Your Party TIPS:

* Contestant #12345! Send out invites that resemble the contestant badges worn on American Idol. Don’t forget the “You’re going to Hollywood!” tagline.

* Karaoke! Let your super-star friends show off their talent! Provide a karaoke machine for your friends to sing the night away.

* You Be The Judge! Create a ballot for your guests to cast their vote for which American Idol sang the best that night. It will be fun to see how your votes differ from the rest of the country!

* Superstar! Serve up a martini for your guests! Add some blue Curacao for a fabulous blue “Superstar” martini that your guests will be sure to love.

* Glitz and Glam! Add some fun décor around the house using skinny vases and disco ball ornaments to create a microphone. Feathers and boas will add an easy and much needed touch to your American Idol soiree.

 

Random American Idol FACTS & FIGURES:  

* American Idol is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle Media North America and 19 Entertainment.

* American Idol aired in June 2002 on Fox, and quickly became one of the most popular shows in the history of American television.

* As of 2011, it is the most watched TV series and the only program to have been number one for seven consecutive seasons.

* The concept of American Idol is to find new solo recording artists where viewers determine the winner through telephone, internet, and text voting.

* The series includes three judges who critique the contestants’ performances. The series has included judges such as Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez.

Useful Tips for “Mompreneurs”

Posted on 02 02, 2012

Since I’m speaking tonight at The Women of Georgetown dinner about being a “Mompreneur”, I thought I would pass along a few tips for all of you that can’t be here.

Being a Mom (or Dad) entrepreneur has its pros and cons. The flexibility of being able to plan your business day around your children is at the top of every entrepreneur parent’s pro list. And the realization that this notion of flexibility is somewhat of a myth is right up there at the top on the con list.

But the fact remains, no matter how hard we work at our businesses, we ‘re on the right track. We do have ultimate say so in how we spend our time, and we are making a living, creating a lifestyle, and establishing a legacy for our children.

Over the summer, we tend to relax our usual busy routine to spend some extra time with the kids. As time passes, however, we start to realize we’re falling behind. And as much as you love your kids, you start to look forward to having them out of your hair for a few hours each day so you can get some work done.

What I’m getting at is being a parent entrepreneur is challenging. It’s natural to have a love-hate relationship with your flexibility and your responsibilities. Routines are difficult to establish, and it’s especially challenging for you and the kids when the routine changes.

So here are some “Mompreneur” tips that should get you off to a good start:

Plan the Year

Sit down with your work calendar and the school calendar side by side. Have conversations with teachers, coaches, and other parents to get a good idea of what the months ahead will entail. Big projects, games, and trips shouldn’t be a surprise. Of course you’ll always run into the unexpected, but careful planning helps things run as smoothly as possible.

Schedule Your Day

I often work with people who plan their work day down to the minute and juggle appointments with ease and grace. But when it comes to dinner, homework, and kid’s bed times, you guessed it. The kids run the show. I’m certainly not here to tell you how to run your household, but I’m just sayin’… don’t you think nighttime chaos creates stress that carries over into your business? Avoid unnecessary stress and guard your “me” time each evening by getting into a routine that protects your sanity.

Hire Your Kids

Of course children should have plenty of time to just be kids, but letting them in early on what it takes to run a business gives them a huge leg up in life. As you ease into the year, brainstorm ways you can incorporate business lessons into their overall learning experience. If they are old enough, give them jobs to do – little ones can dust your office, tweens can help with the filing, and high-schoolers can run errands (and be sure to check with your accountant about possible tax benefits of paying the teenagers).

Get a Support Team

Stop trying to do it all. Grandparents, neighbors, nannies, mother’s helpers, spouses (or exes), and other parents are all part of the village that help raise your children. Throughout the hustle and bustle of the school year, don’t hesitate to call on those you trust and hire the help you need. It’s not something to feel guilty about. Remember, you’re doing this for yourself and for your children. Keep your focus on using your time wisely so you can do your best in all areas of life.

Congrats to our Celeb Client…Sophia Vergara!

Posted on 02 02, 2012

Congratulations to one of our fave celeb clients Sophia Vergara! She was just named AskMen.com‘s #1 Most Desired Woman.

Aside from the fact that Sophia is funny, beautiful, and obviously desirable, she is also super sweet. We were lucky enough to work with her this past December when she hired us to throw a very special Birthday celebration for her manager.

This down-to-earth beauty went so far as to offer to help with setting her party up. Although we didn’t allow her to lift a finger, we took note of what a gracious host she was. Nobody is more deserving of this #1 prize in our eyes.

To read more about Sophia and this honor go to AskMen.com

5 Tips to Connect in an Instant on Social Media (#1 Tip from @RickiLake )

Posted on 01 31, 2012

Social media has changed the world forever. In just 140 characters or an update to your Facebook status, you have the potential to connect with a complete stranger in the same town or across the globe. In an instant, Friendships are being formed. Business is taking place. People are connecting. And the world will never be the same.

But it isn’t that easy…

Many people are standing on the sidelines of social media, unsure of how to jump into the conversation and contribute their thoughts. There is uncertainty about how one can form bonds with people they have never met “face to face.”
Are you one of many asking the question, “how?”
That is why we are here and you can know one thing for sure… You are in the right place! We have teamed up with Ricki Lake, one of the most engaged celebrities on social media, to share 5 tips for connecting with people in an instant on social media.

Watch this video to hear Ricki Lake’s #1 Tip for Connecting on Social Media

2. Be Respectful.

Leave judgment at the door and respect that other people on social media have beliefs and opinions that are their own. This is what makes them unique! Just as in offline relationships, if you want to make friends, you have to be one first. If you want people to respect you, start by being respectful of them.
3. Be Inspiring.
People like social media for many reasons. Many will share that they feel uplifted and empowered to live their best life by connecting with inspiring and positive people. If you want to make a lot of friends on social media, be inspiring. Be encouraging. Be a friend.
4. Be Generous.
The more you offer to help others in life, the more “likeable” you will be. When on social media you can help others by supporting their work. Take the time to mention people, and give them positive feedback. When you re-tweet or share the content of others they feel good and are more likely to appreciate and connect with you. Remember, “it’s not about me, it’s about we”.
5. Find a Fun Community!
Following a hashtag community on Twitter or joining a group or community on Facebook is a great way to connect with people who are like you and who are usually looking for the same type of connection you are looking for. Twitter and Facebook are the largest gathering of individuals on the planet. Communities are simply small groups within. Think of communities on social media as you would small break-out sessions at a very, very large conference. The name on the door is the community. Pick the door that tells you that you share common interests with those on the other side. Then, open the door, step inside and say hello via a tweet or a post on the Facebook wall. You will be surprised that many are waiting for… you!

If you are looking for a community that is based on friendship and connection, please join Ricki Lake and the Friends of Ricki for a very special announcement and a first hand look at social media connection onUstream at http://ustream.tv/rickilake and using Twitter hashtag #FriendsofRicki at 5pm PST this Wednesday, February 1. We look forward to seeing you and connecting with you there!

Do you have any ideas or questions about making connections on social media? Please leave your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss.

Tips for the Best Super Bowl Sunday Yet!

Posted on 01 30, 2012

Football season always seems to get everyone rowdy and it’s impossible to contain your enthusiasm. From the NFL lockout, to Tebow Time to the fall of the Indianapolis Colts to the Packers quest for the perfect season, this has been a season to remember.  So make your Super Bowl Bash an event that guests will be talking until next season’s kick-off.  What used to be a few sandwiches and a couple of beers during the game, has transformed into a great American sports tradition. Let The Party Goddess! show you how to make your next big game day party the best one ever. Photo and recipe found at tasteofhome.com

TIPS:    

* Touchdown! Every All-American football party should show that competitive spirit. Make a colorful centerpiece representing your favorite team using a small helmet, mini-footballs, pom-poms and team jerseys. Display over a piece of sod (or green fur!) to resemble a football field.

* Get your head in the game!  Use a football helmet to serve tortilla chips! Line the inside of the helmet with clear plastic wrap to display an assortment of multi-colored tortilla chips. Your fighting spirit will blow your guests away!

* Green Bay Eggs and Ham – Play homage to the current champs with a special dish of green and gold.  Deviled eggs dyed green, or perhaps a cheese & egg casserole with green peppers and green onions.  And since Green Bay is known for its bratwursts, throw some on the grill as well

* Easy-to-Tackle App. Put together a quick, salsa-like salad called Texas Caviar, made of black-eyed peas, peppers and onions. The Party Goddess! uses Camellia Brand Black-eyed Peas because they have no cholesterol, no saturated fat, are extremely low in sodium and are a great source of protein and iron. Serve in football bowls that coordinate with the team’s colors!

* SOUPer Bowl! Serve your homemade chili in an empty can of beans – decorate with the teams logos. Just rinse and re-use. Makes for a really great, vintage prop and is insulated to keep your chili hot!

* “Mo-Tea-To.” Instead of the usual beer in a bucket, why not concoct a signature beverage for the big game day?! Update the traditional mojito by making a “mo-tea-to.” Use a Sweet Tea Vodka and mix equal parts of Sweet Tea and spring water. Mix in a glass pitcher and serve in a tall glass over ice with lime juice, mint leaves and soda water.

* Sundae Night Football! Bring back the sundae! Everybody loves to make their own sundae; it’s interactive and gives your guests something to do during half time. Provide some delicious Marble Slab Ice Cream (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla) topped with colored sprinkles and a cherry on top!

* Show Your Team Spirit!  Set up a station for children of “all ages” to create signs to cheer on their favorite team! This will keep all entertained until it is game time. Use galvanized buckets to hold craft materials and don’t forget the poster paper! Add in some glitter pens to glam up the game.

* Photo Opp with Football Stars – Print headshots of favorite players, post on foam board and attach to a stick – for some fun “football stick people” and give your guests a fun fan “photo opp”.  Create a photo share site for everyone to share their post-party pics.

* Commercial Contest- Create some fun “Ballots” with categories such as funniest spot, most touching, best use of a celebrity and hand out to guests so they can write in their responses during the infamous “Commercial Breaks”.  Compare answers then have a drawing for a prize such as an iTunes Card or gift card for your favorite restaurant.

Random Super Bowl FACTS & FIGURES:  

* The average number of people at a Super Bowl party is 17.

* 8 million pounds of guacamole is consumed annually on Super Bowl Sunday.

* The Green Bay Packers were the first team to win the first two Super Bowls; the years were 1967 and 1968.

* Over 700,000 footballs are produced annually for official NFL use and 72 of them are used for the Super Bowl.