November Update

Hi Strangers!

It's been awhile I know, I know!

I've promised so much and delivered so little.  Please forgive me.  It is the holidays after all.

I've been up to so much - both work related and personally.

First, I know I promised pictures of the Halloween Event that I was teasing about all through October.  Here are a few pictures of its success!

The "Silent Auction" Table

Halloween Trivia & Fun Facts

Welcome Wagon (Bonus: my handmade sign!)

Halloween isn't Halloween until treats are present and plentiful!

Candy Buffet (Bonus: handmade cat signs)

Announcing: Halloween!

Lots of fun, lots of work, but always worth it.

Additionally, I have been frantically trying to stay away from those who are sick in the office.  Having been traumatized by colds and flu (see:http://chococatsm.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-inevitable-seasonal-cold.html), I'm like a vampire when it comes to sick people.  Outside, I calmly step away and furiously rub hand sanitizer on my hands, but inside I'm hissing at them and screaming "get away! get away!"  Listen, I'm a germaphobe and I deal with it as it comes my way.  These months it's like I'm side-swiping everyone though - and boy, am I exhausted!

Now, it's Thanksgiving and so much is happening and so much is in the works.  I have two work events to plan that are occurring in less than a month.  Oh, and they are 4 days apart. (Oye Vey!)  Plus, I have parties to attend, personal parties to host, holiday meals to prepare, baking to ensue...and there may even be a special guest in the mixed.

I'm so, SO excited for the next few months and yet I'm all stressy for the work ahead.  Again I know, I know, I'm vague and don't explain much.  Really, I just don't like to jinx that of what has the potential to be awesome.

I'll try to post more and share more.  Love you all - my four readers. xoxo

Monkey & I

Personal Project

 

Recently I worked on my own project for my home - and thought I would share. 

 

The Problem(...or, what I like to think of as a problem):

      The way that my bedroom is arranged makes it so that when I leave my door open a crack, any guests that might be over can see straight into my room still.  Why don't I just close my door if guests are over, you might be asking?  Well, any pet owner can vouch that NO PET likes a closed door.  If it's closed it is their mission to re-open it NOW!  I'm a bit of a private person (albeit, this blog...but, I digress) and I would just prefer that no one see any unecessary stuff.  (Honestly, I don't want to worry that hubby left a pair of undies out and their strewn casually in the room...again, I've digressed.)

 

The Goal: I thought about purchasing a shoji screen from my local Cost Plus, but on a good day they can range from $50-100.  This may just a temporary thing (I don't always have house guests) and I didn't want to spend that kind of money if it's something I don't keep up all the time.  I have a townhouse - storage is limited.  Then one night it hit me...

 

The Answer...

 

Here are the supplies...and a cat.  I wonder what I could be making??

 

With some gorgeous fabric (on sale!), some curtain hooks and a pack of 3M hooks, I think I'm on to something...



The backside!
(The fabric ended up being too wide, but no matter!  With a few safety pins I was able to make it work without harming, cutting or altering the fabric.  This is useful because if ever I should not need to this "drape" anymore, I can reuse the fabric for something else. Win! Win!)

The Final Product! 
(What's great about the hooks is that everything is removable!  I kind of hate commitment in these regards, and this allows a lot of change. The 3M hooks can be pulled off, the hooks are removable, the fabric is just clipped in and the whole thing can be folded up and stored in a closet between sheets. LOVE!)

My Spider Senses Are Tingling

This weekend I'm taking the time to put up more decor at work.  Our Halloween Spooktacular Event is this Wednesday, and it's RUSH RUSH RUSH!!  Behind the main desk in our lobby, I always like to put up a little something.  It's the first thing that is seen when anyone walks into the office and I want it to pop!

 

Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics carry Martha Stewart silhouette cut-outs.  I always go for the bats, rats and spiders!  The ones pictured below I have had for the last three/four years.  If you are delicate with them and store them carefully, you can get a lot of use out of these guys.  Note though that these items in particular sell out fast at the above stores, so if you are looking to purchase them, get them early!  In fact, I went this morning to possibly get more, and they are all gone with no more coming until next year. Good thing I'm OCD about my storing and care taking. Ha-ha.

 

 

On the back of the "cracks" (right side) is a removable adhesive.  I keep this on and put thinly cut folded tape on the back. For the spiders, I just put folded tape on the back as well.  Over the years, the paper is getting a bit worn and torn up, but no one ever sees that side. Lol.  (Just remember to be careful when removing the tape.)

This is my amazing spider web.  Unfortunately, I bought this so long ago I haven't the slightest idea where I got it from.  The fabric between the thicker lines in the web is a very fine thread and tears easily.  This year I was thisclose to tossing it, but my hero of a coworker said, "I can sew that." - And she did!!!!   

 

 

The outcome!!

 

Haunted House from Target

 

I can't wait for the party - but there is so much left to do!  Luckily, I also can't wait to share more pictures!

Feeling a Bit Webby

Yesterday was Part 1 of putting up decor.  Synthetic cobwebs are a pain in the butt to put up - and when you have a slight case of OCD, it is even worse. Ha-ha.  After many hours, and some good Halloween radio on my phone, I'd say a job well done!  Just check it out!

Living the High Life

One of the best parts of this job is the SHOPPING!!

My bounty so far for this event!!

And, one of the best places to shop is Jo-Ann Fabrics.  They are always having a sale.  Always.  Go now and you will see that even Christmas items are 30% off.

Today I hit them up for their Columbus Day Sale. (Although it might have easily just been a October 13th sale, for as I mentioned, they are always having a sale).  Check out what I scored below!

Candelabra, candles and photo-bombing ghost not included in purchase.

These three glass pumpkins plus David Tutera orange diamond shapped "crystals" were retailed at just under $130 before tax.  I paid only $57 with tax.  Woohoo!!

Also...

...this is Mittens. Although her birthday is in May, she looks like an October "kitten" and so we deem this month: Mittens' month!

Getting Prepared to Be Spooked

Halloween is almost here!!  This is the busiest time for me as an event planner in an apartment community with all the holidays clumped together.  I have been hosting and organizing the resident events since our doors opened to the public in 2009.  That means that I have thrown every single party for 5 years.  I have loved each and every one of them, but trying to find ways to be new and different while keeping on a budget and reusing previous supplies can be challenging.

This party is in less than 2 weeks and I'm at crunch time: getting all the supplies, calling vendors, creating DIY items, and even getting prizes for our contests donated - I'm exhausted, but thrilled that it's almost here. I love Halloween!

Check out my previous Halloween parties here:
 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151327125859923.528788.99927539922&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.494205144922.299347.99927539922&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.192911914922.159379.99927539922&type=3

Welcome

Hi!  Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Melissa and I work for a high rise apartment community in the heart of an urban neighborhood as an event planner/resident services.  I was presented this job simply by accident in a long string of strange events.  I have been here since 2009 and have enjoyed every minute of it.  This is my blog of some behind the scenes activities that goes on while working the ups and downs of event planning.  Welcome...