Kick of the New Year Superhero Style with Pretty Up Parties and Amy Williams Photography.  We've teamed up together (kind of like the Justice League) to bring you this fabulous contest giveaway.

Our Superhero Prize Pack Includes:

• 30 Minute Superhero Themed Photographic Shoot with Amy Williams
• A CD with 25-30 stunning high resolution images
• A Superhero party for your child's next event

Are your spidey senses tingling yet?  This is such a great giveaway, Amy is a SUPER talented photographer who really captures a child's spirit on film.  Don't miss this opportunity to work with Amy for free!

You don't even have to wait for your child's birthday to have a Superhero party.  Have one cause it's Tuesday!  Or a Pro-D day or just because.  We'll set up and take down all decor and deliver everything to your house.  It's going to be good times with costumes, decorations, games and more!

To enter into our draw;

• Like Amy Williams Photography's new facebook page
• Leave a comment on our Pretty Up Parties facebook page telling us what your child's superhero name and power would be.

That's all you have to do to be entered into this great prize giveaway!  If only it was this easy to save the world...

Terms and Conditions

1)The winner will be notified on February 13th, 2011.
2)Amy Williams Photoshoot and Pretty Up Parties Superhero Party are two seperate events and can not occur on the same day.
3)The winner shall grant Amy Williams Photography exclusive rights to post images on the Amy Williams Photography website, Facebook Page, Flickr and any other sources at Amy Williams' discretion. 
4)The location of the photoshoot will be determined by Amy Williams. 
5)Photoshoot dates and Superhero Theme Party dates are subject to availability.
6)Amy Williams photoshoot and CD valued at $325.
7)Pretty Up Parties Superhero School Theme Party valued at $175.
8)Contest is open to residents of the Lower Mainland only.

This Halloween host the most WICKED party on the block!   Our Halloween Special Edition Theme Decor Rental Kit includes:

Halloween Tablecloth
Scary Flower Arrangement
Giant Spider & Spider's Egg
Enough Ghoulish and Ghostly Decorations to fill a room!
Mummy Wrap Game
Stake the Vampire Guests Game
Gooey Cauldron Activity

Theme Party Kit price: $60

Add the Pinata Evil Witch for $40 (candy not included).

Book today for your Halloween Party Extravaganza, only one kit available so claim it before it's gone!

What's the perfect accessory for our new Hawaiian Luau Theme Birthday Party?  Why an adorable Hula Tutu skirt of course!

When I started dreaming up this theme I knew that I wanted some pretty little dress up skirts for birthday girls and their friends.  Not any old grass skirt would do!  So I did a little research headed down to our local fabric store and this is the result!  If you would like to recreate this look at home, here is my how to:

2 meters of green tulle
1 elastic band strip (under 1/2 " will do)
Raffia
Ribbon
Decorative add on's
Glue Gun
Scissors

Measure the length of elastic you need for the skirt.  You can either tie the ends together or leave them open to tie up with ribbon.  Cut tulle into 26 inch long pieces and then split each piece into 3 strips approximately 6" wide.

To create a nice finish end fold the strips in half and cut the ends into a rounded shape.  Trust me this looks much prettier than just leaving them square.

Keep strip folded and place the top hoop part over the elastic.  Bring both ends up through the hoop and over the elastic.  Pull into a loose knot.  Have a play around with it until you like the finish work. Once you pull it tight it's not that easy to move them around.  Continue this procedure with both raffia and tulle until your elastic band is almost full.  I quite liked the effect of the two tulle strips to one raffia strip ratio.  You may also need to trim the raffia to a desired length.
 

Glue ribbon to the ends of the elastic leaving enough ribbon to tie into a pretty bow.  Decorate your Hula Tutu Skirt with sweet little embellishments however you wish.  Don't forget you'll need a lei and a flower for her hair to complete the look!

Gone are the days you went to the bar and danced all night even going to a movie will be something that needs to be planned with military precision.  But you know what?  This is your opportunity to grow and show her how amazing a friend you can be.

As an "Auntie" to four (and one on the way) gorgeous kiddies I can tell you for sure that your friendships will change... but for the worse?  No way.  You'll have so much fun being a kid all over again that all those memories of clubbing and partying will fade and be replaced with fun giggles and adventures.  Being an Auntie...seriously the best job in the world.

Speaking of Aunts if you haven't watched Being Erica yet, you should!  In the episode Adultscence Erica perfectly illustrates how easy it can be to be made to feel left out of the Mommy group.  However our heroine prevails by learning all the lingo, hosting a rockin' baby shower (okay the part in the middle where she skips out to go the club and sing karaoke doesn't count) and most importantly by being there to listen to her BFF Judith.

The best advice I can give you?  Be involved and have fun and you'll be rewarded with an even stronger friendship and the adoration of the cutest little ones ever.

Heading to a party and not sure what to bring?  This sweet, luscious tart is definitely one you can take over to meet the family and friends.  I found this delicious recipe in an issue of Vegetarian Times Magazine back in 2008.  I've made this tart several times since and it's always a hit at parties! 

It's always a good idea to check with the hostess to see if any of her guests have nut allergies before you bring over a dish.

Triple Nut Chocolate Tart

Serves 12

Crust

• 1 cup pastry flour
• ½ cup cornmeal
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ½ cup vegan margarine (1 stick)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Filling

• 3 cups mixed walnuts, pecans, and almonds (1 cup each), coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup vegan margarine (½ stick)
• 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped or in chips
• 2 Tbs. pastry flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. To make Crust: Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in bowl.
Rub margarine into flour mixture with fingers until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle in vanilla, and stir. Add 1 to 2 Tbs. cold water until dough clumps together loosely. Press dough into pie dish or tart pan until sides and bottom are covered. Chill in freezer 30 minutes.

2. To make Filling: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread nuts on baking sheet,
and bake 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned.

3. Melt margarine and chocolate in saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Sprinkle in flour and salt, and stir until smooth. Stir in maple syrup and vanilla. Stir in nuts.

4. Spread nut mixture in piecrust. Bake 25 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is firm. Cool on wire rack at least 20 minutes before serving.

Source: Vegetarian Times Magazine November 2008