Denim & Diamonds - A 16 year-old girl's party

What do you do when your soon to be 16 year-old wants a formal dance with princess attire and you want a western hoe-down?  You meet in the middle.  Thus was born, "Denim & Diamonds".

The theme:  Denim & Diamonds

The venue:  Our backyard

Time:  7-10:30 p.m.

Agenda:

Appetizers

Dinner

Dessert 

Movie

with some badmitton thrown in-between

Here is the invite:

When the kids approached the front of the house there was a sign that said, "Party In The Back"  I painted the sign on a white poster board and then cut it to size inside a gold frame that was about a 11x17 size.  I placed this on the front porch.

As the kids walked to the back the first thing they saw was a table where they could check out some jewels.  You know, like they do on the night of the Oscars.  

Then next, on a tree, we had nailed from a string various pictures of Makenzie at birthday parties throughout her life thus far.

Under a canopy of trees was the table set for dinner.  I used blue to cover the table with silver tableware and blue and silver baloons.  The balloons were taped to the table with the jewelry boxes over the tape, a large crystal inside and various other rings and stuff.  Then we scattered some smaller diamond shaped crystals all along the center of the table lengthwise.  We criscrossed lights in the over hanging tree branches so when the sun went down it made a very magical effect, it was beautiful indeed.

On another table we had a large filled punch bowl, water with orange and lemon slices and two appetizers.  As the kids arrived they munched on appetizers and talked until dinner was ready to be served.  We also had music playing from a playlist Makenzie had made on her iPod.

Then they filled themselves on barbecued chicken breasts that were hand pounded thin and then marinated in a zesty herb mixture, colorful pasta salad, sweet juicy watermelon and buttery flaky rolls. 

For dessert there was to be a chocolate fountain but we had technical difficulties called "it's too cold outside" The chocolate sputtered from the top and as it came out it hardened.  oops, sorry, Makenzie.

Then it was time to watch a movie on the ultra large movie screen that we concocted using pulleys, ropes, one bed sheet and one bed skirt.  It worked! 

As we were getting the projector set up two of Chris' brothers carried a couch, a love seat and a chair and ottoman out to the backyard.  I wish I had taken a picture of it, it was pretty cool.  Then we passed out blankets to everyone because it was getting pretty cold out.  They watched "Strictly Ballroom" and I think they enjoyed it. 

All in all, a great party.  I think everyone who came had a great time and Makenzie was happy, end of story.