Lego Birthday Party

13th Mar2013

Lego Birthday Party

by Dinah Wulf

I have another fabulous theme party to share with you by one of my best friends, Maily Cano. You may have seen here Hello Kitty Party, her Purple and Pink Masquerade Party, or her Red and Black Anniversary Party on DIY Inspired before. This time she converted her office into a colorful Lego Birthday Party wonderland for her nephew. She always pays great attention to detail, transforming the party space completely. Thanks AGAIN, Maily for sharing this! <3

Written By Maily Cano

I hosted a Lego themed birthday party for my nephew at my business. I bought plastic table covers from the $0.99 store and stapled them onto the walls, using a different color for each wall. I then printed the Lego logos on colored construction paper that matched the walls.

Using a circle cutter, which you can get at any crafts store, I cut the logos into circles. Trust me, the circle cutter will be an invaluable investment for this project.

I also created take away gift bags and affixed the same Lego logos to the front, making them look like Lego pieces. And since this was party was hosted at my office, I had office supplies (fax machines, files, cabinets) that didn’t go with the theme. To remedy that, I boxed up all of the items and wrapped them in various colors, again attaching Lego logos to also turn them into Lego pieces.

The final result was a fantastic and colorful Lego themed party that any kid, young or old, would love.

All Lego Party photos were taken by Brendan Cao Photography.

For more Lego party inspiration, check out how to make Lego marshmallow pops, DIY Ninjago invitations, and some other Lego party ideas.

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Category : DIY Budget Party

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Maily Cano, Party Favor Ideas, Party Ideas, Theme Party Ideas

2 Comm

10th Sep2012

Elegant Black and Red Anniversary Party

by Dinah Wulf

There something chic and exotic about black and red. This color combination is the formula to throwing a memorable and sophisticated party. I wanted to share an elegant Black and Red Anniversary Party, styled and decorated by Maily Cano.

Maily’s floral hobby is truly an art. She has a natural knack for party planning and decorating. For this anniversary party, she created gorgeous red and black floral centerpieces in tall vases for each table. It fashioned both height and depth to the party decor.

She draped each rose filled centerpiece with black feathers and black beads. This is an inexpensive way to add class and style. Consider using crystals as well.

A single rose bud in a small glass cup was placed at each place setting. It’s a simple touch that adds a lot of elegance. Each table was covered with red table cloths and red linen napkins.

Maily printed the evening’s menu featuring each course in simple black script on white cardstock and made a matching place card for each guest. She tucked each menu into each napkin creating a nice presentation.

Another, gorgeous party, Maily! If you haven’t had a chance to view Maily’s parties, check out some of her other floral masterpieces or the sassy and pink Hello Kitty party she hosted for her niece.

All Black and Red Anniversary Party photos were taken by Brendan Cao Photography.

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Inspiring People

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Centerpieces, Maily Cano, Theme Party Ideas, Wedding Ideas

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16th May2012

Asian Themed Party

by Dinah Wulf

2012 is the year of the Dragon, the mightiest of all the signs… that means it’s MY year… yep I live by my own rules, I’m passionate, and I take risks (kind of sort of)!

I have shown some of my ideas for an Asian themed party in past blog posts like: Chinese Take Out Box Centerpieces and gift idea for an Asian Themed Baby Shower and A fun party favor idea and simple tutorial, How to Make Candy Dipped Fortune Cookies. Here are a few photos.

Event planner extraordinaire, Maily Cano strikes again with a beautiful red Asian Themed Party. Red is synonymous with an Asian themed party because it is an important color that represents good luck and prosperity. I keep forgetting that Maily is a successful Auto Broker by day! Geesh!

No Asian Themed Party is complete without hanging paper lanterns! Lanterns are widely used for festivals in Asia. Especially in China, you will see them hung everywhere during these celebrations. Check out an interesting history HERE. Maily adorned each table with beautiful floral arrangements and draped crystals from their branches.

Red represents Fire and black represents Water, two of the five elements. Each table is covered in a red table cloth surrounded by black chairs. Red also represents good fortune and joy.

Other color inspirations for an Asian themed party:

Blue-Green – represents nature, vigor, and vitality
Green – represents health and harmony
Blue – represents immortality
White/Silver – represents purity and fulfillment
Yellow/Gold – considered the most beautiful and most symbolic and signifies good luck

I hope you found this useful and inspiring! Happy party planning!

All Red Asian Themed Party photos were taken by Brendan Cao Photography.

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Category : DIY Budget Party

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Bridal Shower Ideas, Centerpieces, Maily Cano, Theme Party Ideas

2 Comm

03rd May2012

Purple and Pink Masquerade Party

by Dinah Wulf

Mardi Gras isn’t just for February! A Purple and Pink Masquerade Party is a fun party theme for any time of year. Masquerade parties are associated with carnivals, aristocracy, royalty, and luxury. It’s a grand celebration where the attendees are dressed to the hilt in elaborate costumes.

More modern masquerade parties although inspired by European traditions, are more casual, however do not lack in the fun and excitement! This real party, by Maily Cano, was decorated in vibrant purple and pink hues, with draped violet curtains and beautiful pink flowers.

Clustered metallic and feathered masks on a stick grace each table as a centerpiece.

The chairs were even draped in a purple satin fabric.

Here are some party ideas fit for a perfect Masquerade or Mardi Gras inspired party.

Make your own masks with decorative card stock or scrapbook paper and dowels. Add ribbon, feathers, and plastic gems or glitter as embellishments. Masks can serve as party favors for your guests.
Don’t forget to reuse and recycle. Check your cupboards or local thrift stores and yard sales for wine goblets, silver and gold utensils or decorative candlesticks to create opulent centerpieces.
Purchasing inexpensive fabric is more budget-friendly than, buying table cloths at a department store. You can use fabric to layer on food, favor, or gift tables. Use sturdy cardboard boxes underneath to create height.
Play classical music in the background.
Have a contest for best costume.
If your party is more casual, or for younger teens or kids, have a mask/headpiece/hat decorating activity.

Do you have any Masquerade Party suggestions? Feel free to leave a comment!

All Purple and Pink Masquerade Party photos were taken by Brendan Cao Photography.

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UPDATE!

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Thanks to DASANI for sponsoring today’s update!

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Holidays

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Centerpieces, Maily Cano, Theme Party Ideas

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12th Apr2012

Hello Kitty Themed Party

by Dinah Wulf

Most every little girl I know, including mine loves Hello Kitty. I have to admit that I was obsessed when I was little, and honestly I still am! I think the first stuffed animal I bought my daughter before she was born was a Hello Kitty doll.

From the cute bow in her hair, to all her cute little friends there’s nothing more girlie than a Hello Kitty Themed Party. This party was beautifully crafted and orchestrated by my friend, Maily Cano for her niece’s birthday. I don’t doubt that she lives by the “go big or go home” motto!

One of Maily’s hobbies and many talents include floral arrangement. With fresh flowers from LA’s floral district, she made these beautiful pink and white centerpieces for the food table.

The dance floor was surrounded by pink drapes and tinsel, and decorated with Hello Kitty images cleverly and inexpensively made out of felt.

Maily crafted large Hello Kitty heads out of felt and Styrofoam balls. Scattered around the room on the floor and tables, this is simple budget friendly way of adding pizzazz and creativity to the party decor.

There were plenty of activities for both boys and girls including dancing, a Hello Kitty piñata, and cupcake decorating. The kids also decorated small individual cupcake boxes to take home.

There was a pin the bow on Hello Kitty game as well. This project was also made out of felt.

Maily created a dress up station and called it Lana’s Beauty Shop. It was complete with vanity, boas, crowns, temporary tattoos, bracelets, and Hello Kitty bow headbands.

There were two homemade Hello Kitty cakes and homemade cupcakes for dessert.

And of course favor bags for both the boys and girls to take home.

Beautiful party, Maily! Thank you for letting me share it!

All Hello Kitty Themed Party photos were taken by Brendan Cao Photography.

What did you think of this party? I would love to read your comments!

Have you signed up for my emails? I’d love it if you did!

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Kid Stuff

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Maily Cano, Theme Party Ideas

16 Comm

06th Oct2011

Maily Cano Floral Design

by Dinah Wulf

Maily Cano is probably best known for her successful automobile brokerage company, Dealer’s Network celebrity clientel and all. She has been in the automobile industry for quite some time. I’d say a female pioneer in a male dominated business. She’s the type of person who will tell it like it is. No sugar coating… whatsoever! You want her honest opinion? She’ll gladly give it to you. She’s far from being a stereotypical auto professional, rather she’s probably one of the most generous and kind hearted people I know.

When I think about Maily, the words diligent, professional, and strong minded, all come to mind. That was my first impression of her when I met her years ago. But what I found out later, through an amazing friendship (what most may not know about Maily) is her creative side and her incredible talent for floral and wedding design.

Maily definitely brings creative inspiration to me. She was asked to do the flowers for a friend’s wedding, and the next thing you know just by word of mouth, she has created an impressive book of business in a short amount of time.

I know her work first hand, as she graciously did the floral centerpieces for my bridal shower. They were gorgeous. I don’t think there was one guest who did not compliment them. She has an eye for design and arrangement and pays attention to detail by adding things like lighting, crystals, beads, feathers, or ribbon while at the same time takes into consideration height and dimension.

This jack of all trades, floors me… and it’s so great to have her in my life. Need a car? Call Maily. Need your wedding planned? Call Maily. Need the truth about your newly shaved head? Call Maily!