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Fabulous Flashbacks | A Christmas Story!

Oh, the joy of 24 hours of A Christmas Story! TNT started playing A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight from 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and through Christmas day in 1997. Twelve years later, the tradition continues on TBS. My older brother and I used to compete to see who could watch the most of it in one day. He always won, but I truly adore this movie. Its early eighties quirkiness combined with it's hilarious grasp on 9 year-old Ralphie's imagination makes it a classic and holiday-must. I "double-DOG-dare ya" to check out these A Christmas Story inspired holiday goodies:

A Leg Lamp: Okay, so it's not exactly 'classy', but this lamp is a replica of the one that started the 'battle of the lamp' escalating to such heights that when Ralphie's mom broke it, his father buried the lamp in the backyard out of respect for its glowing beauty.

Red Ryder Tin Sign: Every kid has that one toy they wish for more than anything in the whole wide world. Mine was an electric tablet that you could hook up to the tv and draw on. The drawings would pop up on the screen. It was perfect in so many ways, except that it broke within 6 hours of being unwrapped. Ralphie's wish was much more dangerous, and much more awesome. His Red Ryder BB Gun was essential to the Christmas Story plot and the taunting of "You'll shoot your eye out.." is an unforgettable line. 

Snowpoke Party Invitation: This wintry party invitation reminds me so much of Ralphie's aspirations to be a cowboy!

Fortune Cookie & Takeout Box Ornaments: Ralphie's family ends up at a Chinese food restaurant on Christmas evening eating a "Chinese Turkey" as a result of the neighbor's dogs trashing their meal for the evening. It's funny, sweet, and so reminiscent of holiday times that don't go perfectly but end up fun anyway.

A Ralphie Finger Puppet: Who hasn't gotten a Christmas gift that wasn't quite their style!? 

An 80's inspired Christmas dress: Look the part and infuse a little bit of early 80's inspired fashion into your holiday wardrobe. Help me though- have you seen this dress?!? I think it's adorable, but I misplaced the link. Let me know in a comment if you've spied it anywhere on the web!

I hope you find your equivalent to a Red Ryder BB Gun under your tree this year and that you don't find your tongue stuck to a flagpole.

{I LOVE 80'S PARTIES!} Style Icons of a Fashionable Decade

Anyone who is a product of the 80's or lived through this memorable decade most likely has embarrassing photos of themselves in ostentatious clothing. Whether it be wild hair, flamboyant colors, or off the wall accessories, 80's trends were and still are a staple in fashion history. On the flip side of all of this, a lot of fabulous fashions were not just fads; they have either stayed wildly popular until the present or have resurfaced in modern, sophisticated ways. Let's take a peek at three of my totally bodacious and favorite fashion icons.

Madonna. Madonna first moved to NYC in hopes of a career in modern dance; boy did her life take a different turn. To me, Madonna epitomizes a style icon. She has reinvented herself countless times throughout the years and has managed to stay on top of her musical and fashionable game. Love her or not, you can't defend that she she hasn't made a stylish impact in pop culture. My favorite fashion technique that Madonna has used throughout the years is that she plays with different fabrics. From spandex leotards to leather jumpsuits, from jeans and a button down shirt to flowing saris, Madonna experiments with textiles in inventive ways that reflect where she is at in her life, whether it be young and 'material' to spiritual and sophisticated. Her look exemplifies what a performer should look like.

Michael Jackson. It's hard to believe that someone of such phenomenal fame and importance in musical history is no longer with us. He joins Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and so many other musical geniuses in a different realm, but his legacy has and will stay alive. A documentary about Michael Jackson called 'This Is It' is in theaters right now. It's two week span has been extended until Thanksgiving weekend, so I definitely plan to see that in theaters so I can experience his would have been last performance in as real of a setting as I can. Let us commemorate the style of MJ. Of course he is known for so many trends, most notably his cropped pants with white socks, but my favorite pieces that Michael sported so well throughout the years were fabulous jackets. He inspired millions to wear zipper-accented red jackets, slick leather suit jackets, sparkling moonwalk jackets, and military-inspired garb. He did not shy away from hats, embellishments, color, or arm bands. A true style icon in his own right, Michael paved the way for so many pop icons, celebrities, and normal everyday people to take risks with their clothing.

Molly Ringwald. She made her mark in 80's favorites such as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty In Pink...to name just a few. Though she played the quintessential teen girl, she was always striving for individualism in her everyday life, which definitely reflected in her clothing choices. Ringwald has noted that Edie Sedgwick, Marilyn Monroe, Diane Keaton, Dianne Wiest and Brigitte Bardot as her fashion role models. Known as John Hughes' muse, her style reflected femininity and quirkiness. In my opinion, her most notable fashion techniques were pairing lots of things that didn't quite go together, but seemed to make sense at the same time. She defined youth and always managed to achieve that girl-next-door, school girl look. And who can forget her short red do? A refreshing staple in a world of blonde bombshells and brunette babes. She has a nostalgic quality about her, which undoubtedly makes her iconic.

All of these icons can inspire tons of looks for everyday life as many fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs and Betsy Johnson (to name a few) have done. Not only can you make 80's clothing wearable and very today, but they are always festive for Halloween or appropriate for a decade themed party. I must say that 80's parties are all over college campuses nationwide, and is the ideal theme for a birthday party because it's so easy to achieve and fun to do. Start with a Totally 80's Party Invitation that plays up the neon hues of the decade, or perhaps this Stylish 80's Invitation will inspire people to wear something fabulous. Take cues from these style gurus and individualize them! Be your own fashion icon or inspire others! Stay Fab*ulous!

Madonna Image Credits: Madonna photo and ankle boot, celebrations print, & Cameron Diaz as Madonna photo via Polyvore.com. 

Michael Jackson Image Credits: Black & White image,  embellished black jacket & red leather jacket via Polyvore.com

Molly Ringwald Image Credits: Pretty In Pink image and Tiered Skirt & Hat image via Polyvore.com.

{Fabulous Flashback} It's a Jolly Holiday with a Mary Poppins Tea Party!

'Tis the season to snuggle up with your sweetie, cozy up by the fire, and watch classic movies that remind us of why it is so wonderful to be young at heart and imaginative. This week's post pulls from an old favorite of mine...Mary Poppins! A lot of my friends poke fun at me (and some join in my love) because I adore timeless musicals, Disney movies, and other classic flicks filmed before my time. My parents always exposed me to these films, which I'm certainly grateful for, but there are those that weren't acquainted with classics such as Mary Poppins. So if you're totally confused right now with my favorite-movie-rant, let me expand your imagination with a Mary Poppins Tea Party! If you already familiar with Disney's cinematic genius, you'll find this post "practically perfect in every way!"

A Mary Poppins Tea Party is ideal for a young girl's birthday party or a leisurely ladies day out. With the holidays just around the corner (can you believe it's already almost November?), we've tailored this party to have a festive flair. The caramel apple imagery and adorable tablescape seen above is courtesy of the Party Wishes blog. She has literally pinpointed every detail of the movie and incorporated them into the party's theme. Some favorite ideas are:

• have everyone wear Mary Poppins inspired hats: (perhaps the white tie around the neck number tickles your fancy, or you'd like to be a little more casual with a plain black one adorned with little flowers)
• provide artful activities such as kite decorating (to fly to the highest height of course) and sidewalk chalk (to jump into their drawings)
• play games such as "Tuppins Toss" or "A Spoon Full of Sugar" relay
• set up a photo shoot with a carousel horse

Some other ideas we came up with are:

Fabulous Flashbacks | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

Hello gumshoes!

This post reaches (not too far) back to around 1991. A widely popular computer game turned TV game show, the point was to ask yourself Where in the World is this woman as she had her V.I.L.E. henchman (perhaps Vic the Slick, Robocrook, Double Trouble, Eartha Brute, Top Grunge, or Kneemoi had something to do with it) carry out such tasks as stealing famous landmarks. The game show contestants had to use their geographical knowledge to follow the criminal from place to place all around the world. The person with the most points at the end of the show had the chance to catch the villainess.

Find out how you can throw a fabulous detective party!

Fabulous Flashbacks Part Two | Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

Oh what I would give to travel back to the summer of 1963. Dirty Dancing (1987) was a flashback to that summer, set in the catskills, and filled with the best music you could ask for. It had everything: adventure, romance, humor, and it was full of heart. It remains one of my favorites, and I think having a Dirty Dancing themed party would be a perfect way to end a summer.

Some tips for a perfectly sweet dirty dancing celebration:

1. Wear a whispy pink dress like the innocent frock Baby wears when she is heroically lifted from the stage by the hulky Johnnie.
2. Serve watermelon treats as an ode to Johnny and Baby's first conversation in which she nervously tells him "I carried a watermelon".
3. Hang photos or illustrations of famous scenes from the movie. Featured above is one original by my favorite Etsy artist Elloh.
4. Set up a karaoke machine and host an impromptu talent show. In the flick, Baby's older sister Lisa practices a hula song in costume so have some props and costume wear on hand.
5. Play 'Hungry Eyes' or 'I've Have the Time of My Life' and see who can reenact the scene with the least giggling.
6. Invite your guests with sweet and summery floral invitations like featured above or fun dance themed invitations.

Images from left to right: Bedroom Eyes Dress and Bedroom Terrace Dress by ModCloth, Watermelon Sorbet from the Food Network, Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner by Elloh, Dirty Dancing logo, Purple Petal Invitation,  Johnny and Baby Dancing, & Baby and Johnny's cousin carrying watermelons.

Fabulous Flashbacks Part One | I Want My...Saved By the Bell

Mark Paul Gosselaar's recent stint on the Jimmy Fallon show was a dream come true for so many people. It brought back delicious memories of Bayside High School with dreamy Zach Morris, athletic AC Slater, nerdy Screech Powers, brainy Jesse Spano, girl-next-door Kelly Kapowski, fashionable Lisa Turtle, and good ol' Mr Belding and his unforgettable high-pitched laugh. It started to make me think of fabulous parties inspired by shows, movies, toys, and anything else that I could possibly think of as a blast from the past.

Here are just a few ideas that you can incorporate to make the perfect Saved By the Bell party: