Since I’m in denial about my BIG birthday this year, we decided to have a “29 Again” Birthday Party!

In addition to the dee-jay, the balloon twister and face painter, we also hired a photo booth to come out and let us entertain ourselves! It was kind of funny because “props” were included in the rental but when the poor fellow showed up he was woefully unprepared for me! He had a few hats, a couple of masks and 2, count em, 2 measly boas! I said, “oh no, no, this will NEVER do!”

Even though it was time for the party to start, I jumped in my car and raced home to pack up more goodies! At Girlfriend Galas, we actually try out our products before we ever present them to our customers. Through the last few years, I’ve built up quite a collection! I have an amazing stash of fun stuff so I grabbed boas, beads, sunglasses, hats and headbands! I threw it in the car and high-tailed it back over to the party! The booth attendant took it all in stride and helped me get it all laid out and it was so worth it! We had such a blast!

When we weren’t dancing the night away, we were throwing on crazy hats and sunglasses and wrapping ourselves in feather boas for colorful, fabulous pictures! Everyone absolutely raved about the photo booth!

You can check out even more photos from the party on our Facebook page!

Halloween Girlfriends

50′s Girls

Pirate Wench

The Chocolate Bunny Kit

Love that Fedora!

These Red Hat Society “Ladies” were actually MEN dressed up as Ladies! Big points for CREATIVITY!

Here’s our pre-trick or treat picture.

I had an extra fun experience last night that I thought I’d share. Since my hubby wasn’t thrilled about leaving Monday Night Football to go out candy-hunting, I joined up with a couple of other cool moms to take the kiddos out and about. My girlfriend has this funky old 6 passenger golf cart that we were going to use to cruise around the neighborhood. We probably should have walked (to burn off the extra candy calories we were about to consume) but she had it decorated all CUTE with flying ghosts and bat trim especially for the occasion.

Of course, my camera battery croaked 30 minutes after we left the house – and it WAS dark outside so pictures wouldn’t have come out that great anyway – or so I keep telling myself. :( In actuality though, it might be better that there is NO photographic evidence of our shenanigans.

One of the many advantages of tooling around in a motorized vehicle for Halloween night is the radio! We had the tunes cranking while we waited on the street for our little monsters to be bestowed with all of that yummy candy that WE would soon be picking through. “Has anyone gotten a Twix yet?” C’mon, you know you pick your favorites out first! Someone on our route was giving out WHOLE Butterfinger bars – no mini snack sizes at THAT house! SCORE!!!! We’ll be marking that one with an X marks the spot for NEXT year!

But I digress….

The radio station went commercial-free and they were playing the most DANCEABLE songs!!! We turned it up really loud and started dancing around – in the street, on the sidewalk and in total stranger’s driveways and front yards! “Da, da, da, da, dancing in the dark!” I know for a FACT that we moms were having as much fun, if not MORE fun than the youngsters! It was, in fact, dark and we had on costumes – as if anyone knew us or cared anyway! That’s the beauty of getting older,  you really stop caring what other people think!

Some of the grown-ups peered out at us curiously from the doorways (I told you the music was loud) but they seemed to find us amusing. We were in a quiet residential area so there were very few cars on the street. A few did pass – along with some missionaries on bikes – who clearly did not know what to think about us! As we admired their clever costumes, we realized that they really were missionaries – which sent us into fits of giggles! Ooops!

We didn’t let anything interupt our impromptu dance party - not even when they played “Monster Mash” – it’s so cliche, you HAVE to dance, right?  We just smiled and waved to the passers-by as we grooved down the street! We were like our own little Mardi Gras parade! It was honestly the most FUN that I’ve had trick-or-treating since I was a kid myself. And I know that it wasn’t really the music, or the candy, or the costumes, it was just because I was sharing it with my girlfriends. Happy Halloween, indeed!

It was short, sweet but oh so fun! Hope that we can all get together again soon!

XOXO, Janna

Happy Glamping! Love, Joli

Don’t forget about all of the gals headed off to college this fall!

Show them you think they’re FABULOUS with oh-so-cute sleep masks, shower caps and other fun accessories!

These make stylish but totally practical gifts for every co-ed!

- artiffact at Miss Omni Media

Feathers have been quite the “in” thing for the last several seasons – from feather headbands to fascinators!

Now we move on to the latest – feather hair extensions!

It’s the hottest look for teens, tweens, and stars, trendsetters and fashion models everywhere!

Are you ready to try your hand at feather extensions?

We have them in stock in lots of gorgeous VIBRANT colors!

You can take them to your hairstylist to crimp them onto your hair or you can do it yourself.

You don’t need special tools. Bobbie pins and needle nose pliers – which you probably have at home – will work just fine!

Here’s a great link with photos and step-by-step instructions for crimping them onto the hair by Miss Omni Media.

http://www.missomnimedia.com/2011/02/shes-crafty-feather-hair-extensions/

If you’re not the handy sort and like to have lots of versatility, we have totally gorgeous clip-in feathers too!

Let us help you go from drab to FAB with the latest and greatest in feather hair extensions!

She looks great in cheap sunglasses, she looks great in anything.”

~ Brad Paisley from “She’s Everything”

It’s a scientific fact!

Cute sunglasses make everything better!

Really! I SWEAR it’s true!

It’s the last couple of weeks of our “Sassy Shades Sale” at Girlfriend Galas!

Like us on Facebook to get your monthly coupon codes to Save On Sunglasses!

Your mood will instantly improve! Promise!

And that is a feather boa and long gloves.

It’s all you need.

Why, you ask?

Because no one can ever be pompous, tragic, desperate or take themselves seriously if they’re wearing a pink feather boa.

You have to loosen up and laugh at yourself and the total absurdity of life.

So, throw your shoulders back, sisters.

Wrap that boa around your neck, trying not to trail the ends in your drink or thwap it in someone’s eyes.

Attitude, my children, is everything.

- Anne Stuart

www.GirlfriendGalas.com

In case you don’t read the fun gossip magazines, Vanessa Minillo is a celebrity TV host (“True Beauty” and “Wipeout”) who is engaged to          Nick Lachey, of boy-band 98 degrees fame and also Jessica Simpson’s ex-husband.

Just wanted to acknowledge her FABULOUS taste in fashionable party accessories….

She looked just dazzling in her super-sized sparkling cocktail ring at her bridal shower in Beverly Hills and one of the oh-so-cute          bachelorette sashes at her bachelorette party in Las Vegas!

Love that the requisite pink feather boa is prominently featured too – what bachelorette party would be complete without them?

Photos by Angela Weiss/WireImage.com & Us Magazine

Photo by David Becker/WireImage.com

Show YOUR celebrity style!

Visit us at GirlfriendGalas.com for all of your upcoming bridal and bachelorette parties too!

I have a new addiction.

Fortunately, this one is good for me (and hopefully will counteract some of my other not-so-good addictions like pizza, chocolate and ice cream.)

I am completely and totally addicted to Zumba!

Have you heard of Zumba?

According to their website, “It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party^™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health.”

Yeah, that’s pretty much it. I’ve been Zumba-ing for 2 months now and I love it more with every class. It’s always different but always so much fun! I actually look forward to going (and let me assure you, that’s a first for me!) I even look up class locations before I go out of town. I’m here at the South Dakota office this week and I made Joli go with me. She immediately loved it too. She’s planning on going again tomorrow night. Yep, it’s that good.

It’s a work out, definitely, but it’s just so fun that you don’t really notice that you’re exercising. There comes a point after 20 minutes when what I call the “Zumba high” kicks in. Those endorphins are cruising around my bod, the music is thumping and I feel like I could go on forever.

Even the instructors feel like friends. They dress in eye-popping colors and they act like they’re having a darn good time too. It really does feel like a party. Since we’re in the party business, it just fits my lifestyle perfectly. If you haven’t tried it, you simply must check it out! I’m absolutely positive that you will love it too!

Today is a day that I end up in tears off and on all day long. I just can’t help it!

It’s Memorial Day.

Everything that I see and hear reminds me of our troops overseas.

The radio plays “I’m Proud to be an American” which makes me boo-hoo EVERY time I hear it.

TV is sending messages from the troops to their families, showing parades around the country and pictures of Arlington Cemetery.

The flags are flying in our neighborhood and in our front flower beds.

We are so very blessed here in the United States to have so many freedoms.

In honor of Memorial Day, we thought we’d share some some info on organizations that help our troops.

We have used most of  these groups ourselves! I just joined Operation Paperback a couple of weeks ago to clear out my old paperbacks.

So do what you can – even if it’s just a card or letter!

A Million Thanks – Sending Cards and Letters

Adopt-A-Platoon – Sending Care Packages

Operation Gratitude – Sending Care Packages

Operation Paperback – Sending Books

Operation Troop Aid – Sending Care Packages

Operation Uplink – Provides Free Phone Calls Home

Operation Write Home – Sends Stationery & Cards so the Troops Can Write Home

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the brave men and women in uniform!

We love and appreciate you!

Happy Memorial Day!

P.S. The post office no longer accepts packages addressed to “Any Soldier” so you need to have a name!

These organizations will connect you with the servicemen and women that need your help.

which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity,

but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

- Washington Irving

Another week, another round of deadly tornadoes in our beautiful country.

The pictures, once again, are horrifying.

The devastation is unimaginable.

My own little spark strikes immediately when I see the awful images.

Today I shipped a box to a little girl in Tuscaloosa full of gently loved clothes and toys that my daughter has outgrown.

Her name is Alissa. Her mother found my post offering them on Facebook.

Her house was destroyed and she lost everything.

Now I will begin packing one for a little girl in Missouri.

I don’t know her name yet but unfortunately she will need them.

It’s always easier to send money but that feels so impersonal to me.

When you lose your home, that’s as personal as it gets.

So I want to touch it and hold it and send it out filled to the top with my love and prayers and tears.

Of course, I added a boa, a tiara and some fun baubles to help her remember the fun.

I drew bright red hearts on the box.

I sealed it with bright red packing tape.

I’m happy to help my neighbors – even if they are far away.

This new adversity provides another chance to break down the walls between us and just love one another.

Please kindle your spark and give generously if you can.

Thank you.

You can buy it at the party store.” (Or GirlfriendGalas.com)

- Brittany Pierce played by Heather Morris

“Glee” – The Prom Episode

All photos courtesy of “Glee” from Fox Television.

I know that it was last week’s episode but I’m still thinking about it! It was chock-full of clever one-liners and FABULOUS fashion statements. Kurt in his plaid kilt getting voted Prom Queen was just classic! They all made such a fuss over getting a crown and a sash? Did you notice the SUPER-CUTE accessories that Brittany and Tina were wearing? Brittany had on a tiny top hat headband and Tina wore a black fascinator with a feather and a veil!

You can create your very own PROM QUEEN moment with our great selection of  sashes, tiaras, headbands and cocktail hats!

Get yours today!

Here’s a great article from “The Daily Mail”, a British newspaper about the hat phenomenon.  You can also see the aforementioned monkey hat, although they say it looks like a “pretzel.”

In my own meanderings I found this little tidbit from American funny lady, Irma Bombeck, and thought it would be fun to share this passage instead of a quote this week!

“Women who wear hats intimidate me the most.  It wasn’t so bad when everyone wore a hat, but today, the style is limited only to the few, the proud…the tall.  I think that’s the key word here.  Hats were never meant to be worn by women who can stand up under overhead bins on airplanes and not bash their heads in.

There was a time when I joined the Easter Parade wearing a hat.  One year, it was a dazzler with a wide brim that could have offered shade to Brazil. I felt like Grace Kelly in it until I saw myself in a snapshot.  I looked like the Flying Nun in search of a runway.  I never wore it again.

Throughout the years, I have mentally put together a profile of women who can wear hats.  Generally, they are women of great confidence.  When they visit someone in the hospital, they park their car in the tow away zone.  It is always there when they return for it.  Their hair is always long enough on the sides to pull back and secure without little pieces standing out over the ears like Howdy Doody.  They love blueberries, and they never stain their teeth.

They have two children: a boy and a girl, who are not allowed to watch television.  Their husbands recite them poetry that doesn’t rhyme.  They’re the first to wear white shoes in the spring.  The family dog wears braces for an overbite.

I know I am generalizing, but I’m bitter.  In my heart, I know there is much to admire about a woman wearing a hat who knows that she attracts the attention of every eye around her and can still walk like a person.  I used to give speeches, and I’d be so self-conscious that I’d walk to the podium as though I were marching into Poland.

Today the hat wearers will be out in force: those who are comfortable in them, and those who would not feel more conspicuous if two wombats were mating on their head.

I have a hat.  It is graceful and feminine and has a wide brim with a red ribbon around the band.  It gives me a certain dignity, as if I were attending a state funeral or something.  People are generous in their compliments.  Someday I may get up enough courage to wear it, instead of carrying it.”

From “Women  Who Wear Hats Stand Heads Above the Rest” by Irma Bombeck

None of it will directly affect me but I’ll still be right there watching and cheering them all on! Young men will become future sports stars and a young woman (a commoner no less) will become a princess!

Oh yes! Two VERY important things begin tonight in my household – royal wedding coverage and the NFL draft!

Now you’d think this would be split right down gender lines but oh no! I LOVE watching the draft! Not only because we’re season ticket holders for an NFL team (Go Cards!) but because these young football players will all be sitting beside telephones all over the United States, “wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ and prayin” that they get invited to play professionally. It’s so neat to hear about their backgrounds and then watch them hug their mothers and fathers and family members. Sometimes they jump around like crazy when that phone rings with the magical offer! It’s also pretty awesome to watch them wiping away tears too! Oooooh! It’s good stuff!

The royal wedding is a whole different kind of fun! I vaguely remember watching Princess Diana’s wedding. I’m not a big royal follower but it isn’t every day that a gal becomes a real live PRINCESS! I did a summer abroad in the UK so I do love the Brits and all the pomp and circumstance. So I will be taping it to watch tomorrow – at a more reasonable hour! I have scones in the oven already – just can’t wait to have a “spot” of tea and some scones tomorrow morning to watch every moment! Delicious!

Throw in some American Idol and it’s a “bloody” perfect night! I’m such a happy girl.

A girlfriend posted her “Touchdowns & Tiaras” picture on Facebook wearing her team’s jersey and what else but her tiara! So I had to make my own picture in my red jersey and matching tiara!

Oh yes, lives will be changed tonight and I’ll be watching and loving every minute of it – in my jersey and tiara!!!

No, we haven’t been at the beach.

Well, okay, we did make one teeny tiny trip (as shown) but it was one of those NECESSARY trips! As in, I need to run to the grocery or we won’t have milk for breakfast or in this case, I have to run to the beach or I won’t have sanity for making the transition from blogger to wordpress. You understand, right? So, just in case you wondered, that’s why we’ve been away. We were transitioning. Hopefully this will be a better format for all of us! So I have my wordpress blog tutorial tomorrow. This is my first wp post. I have a college degree, surely I can continue to figure it out and we’ll get back on the blogging track!

Thank you for your patience! We appreciate you!

Janna