{budget}fab*

be a fab* host: plan a diy spa day

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by janelle in socialite

There’s only thing more fun than attending a well planned, creative shindig with friends and that’s hosting one!  Be a proud hostess with the mostess with this fabulous - and budget-friendly - party idea.  Now, I wish I could take credit for this genius concept, but alas I cannot - I read about the Do-It-Yourself spa day on the blog 100 Layer Cake.  Here’s my spin on it…

Invite some of your best girlies over for a ladies afternoon or night in.  I suggest using evite.com to invite your guests - it has some great design options, it keeps track of RSVPs for you and most of all it’s FREE.  If you want to step it up a few notches and do custom printed cards, check out weddingpaperdivas.com general invitation selection.  They are modern, unique and very reasonably priced. 

Now, be sure to come up with a theme for your party.  The easiest theme to work around is color, but don’t be afraid to get creative.  Consider the dishes, platters, bowls and linens you already own and incorporate those into your theme to minimize the amount of additional stuff you have to buy.  As for food, work around your strengths in the kitchen or do potluck.  If you’re on a budget try and avoid catering the event.  My personal favorite, SUPER simple party drink - ginger ale poured over dried raspberries served in a clear glass.  It tastes great and it’s nice to look at.  As for the spa activities, I suggest you do one at the party and make one as a gift for your guests to take home.  Standing around, mixing stuff up and getting messy with friends will be a blast.

DIY SPA RECIPES

While at the party try the Oatmeal & Yogurt Face Mask (only 3 ingredients!)

For each guest you’ll need

• 1 tbsp oatmeal
• 1 tbsp plain organic yogurt
• A few drops of honey
• Now….
• Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together
• Warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon
• Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture
• Apply the mask to the face
• Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water
• Follow with a warm washcloth
• Apply moisturizer

Once done with the masks and eating, make Chocolate Bubble Bath for your guests to take home.  In addition to the ingredients below, you’ll need containers for your guests to take their bubble bath home in - try the Dollar Store or the Container store for these.  Get fancy and decorate the containers to match the party theme.  Each guest will need…

• 1 cup of unscented bubble bath
• 1/2 cup of dried milk powder
• 3 oz. of grated or powdered chocolate
• Now…
• Mix the powdered milk and chocolate well, until blended
• Stir in bubble bath until well mixed
• Pour into container
• Done!

Another fun tip from the 100 Layer Cake ladies for a diy spa day comes - type up the recipes and print them on nice paper for your guests.  It’ll make things easier at the party and then the girls can take the recipes home to make again and again.

Now that’s a party!

Tags: budget-friendly, diy spa, homemade facial, homemade skin care, hostess, party