The Big Game

Even though our Packers' season ended in the divisional playoffs we're still getting excited for the Superbowl this weekend!

In Australia we get the game early Monday morning - it's hard to have people over so early so we suggest recording the game and screening it later in the day.

Whether you're a Giants fan or a Patriots fan, any Superbowl party is all about the game...and the FOOD! Add some creativity to you big game bash with these easy tips and menu ideas:

Football Field Table Cover

Make a bold statement by covering your main buffet area with inexpensive artificial grass in order to mimic the look of a football field. Artificial turf is available at Bunnings and they can cut it down to size for you. Dark green felt or fabric will also work as an alternative option. Use white ribbon or masking tape to add yard lines, or paint them of you're feeling arty!

Crowd Pleasing Menu

When it comes to the menu, keep things easy and approachable by serving up a variety of crowd-pleasing finger foods. Think chicken wings, chips and dips. (Last year we got a 6 foot sub from Subway - we would suggest NOT to do this for your party - it was severely disappointing!)

Cheese & Cracker Football Stackers

Use a circle shaped cookie cutter to cut slices of cheese and salami into football shapes, then stack them on top of oval shaped cracker. Last but not least use a zip lock bag to pipe mustard or ranch dressing laces on top.

Football Devilled Eggs

Whip up you favourite devilled egg recipe then add some chive laces to instantly transform them into little footballs!

Goal Post Centrepiece

Create a striking themed centrepiece for you table from wooden rods, yellow paint, and hot glue. Paint the unfinished rods, let them dry, then hot glue into a goal post shape. Once they're dry stick the goal post into some styrofoam and cover it with whatever you made your table cloth with.

Print & Customise

As always, the design is in the details - and printable paper elements are on the easiest ways to transform any buffet into a unique party display! Check out this complete set of football themes printables from Hostess with the Mostess to use at your big game bash - including buffet labels, embellishments, cupcake toppers, food flags, football player silhouettes, and patterned paper that can be utilised in a variety of creative ways.
Use the following links to download individual design files in PDF format:

Buffet Labels - Pre Filled
Buffet Labels Blank
Cupcake Toppers
Party Circles
Pennant Food Flags
Embellishments
Football Guy Silhouettes

Happy Australia Day!

Hope you all had a great day yesterday! 

Here's a little bit of bogan to keep that Aussie spirit alive a little longer!

XO Elody Events

Last Minute Australia Day Plans

If Australia Day has crept up all too fast on you this year and - like us - you didn't get around to planning an Aussie party at home, check out these last minute options.

Here are our picks for what's on in Perth this Australia Day:

The Aviary Rooftop BBQ

$69 pp includes:

2 drinks on arrival plus MEGA BBQ lunch!

Kick back to the Triple J hottest 100 countdown

Doors open 12 pm | BBQ from 2pm | Cash Bar Available

Australia Day at the Bakery

$30pp

This Australia Day Good Company brings you the perfect alternative to foreshore chaos with a stellar line up of Australia Music + Summer Drinks & Free BBQ

Doors open 6pm

Australia Day at Mindarie Marina

Australia Day will see aussie festivities galore at The Indi Brewery and the Boat Ale House.

@ The Boat Ale House

    Live music in the courtyard 3.30pm-6.30pm

    Free kids activities from 5-8pm

@ The Indi Brewery

    Live music in the courtyard with Halo on stage from 2-5pm

Cottesloe Beach Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge

Event start (registration opens) - 8am

Activities - 10am-4pm

WR attempt including marshalling - Marshalling from 12:00pm, 12:30pm record attempt, out of the water by 12:45pm

BBQ - 11am-3pm

Event Finishes - 4pm

Australia Day Skyworks

There are so many things happening down at the foreshore - click on the link above for the full schedule. But the main thing you need to know is that the fireworks start at 8pm and go for half an hour.

Wishing you all a great Australia Day tomorrow - hope it's relaxing!

Post your snapshots from Australia Day on our Facebook page we'd love to see what you guys get up to over the long weekend!

XO Elody Events

A Bottled Affair

Party planning is a lot like designing a party dress. Like a dress, a party must be made with the appropriate materials (menu, location, guest list) tailored to the occasion (theme) and topped off with the perfect finishing touches. We call these finishing touches, "party sequins". Like a sequin, thoughtful decoration details add an unexpected lustre to an otherwise ordinary event.

We recently stumbled upon a charming party sequin idea at ABeachCottage.com. The idea is as simple as it is lovely: hanging glass bottles with flowers in them from twine as party decor. We instantly fell in love with this since we always try to incorporate creative details like this into our party decor.

Putting these pretty hanging bottles together is very simple...

Here's what you will need...

• twine
• vintage glass bottles (you can pick these up at your local swap meet)
• fresh cut flowers
• scissors

Instructions

1. Measure and cut twine according to the height of the area you will be hanging the bottles from. We think hanging them at or slightly below eye level is most effective. Make sure you leave a little extra slack - about 8 inches on each end - for tying.
2. Tie one end of the twine onto the neck of the bottle.
3. Fill the bottle with as much water as you like. We think it looks best when you vary the amount from bottle to bottle.
4. Cut and place your flower into the bottle. We love the idea of mixing different types of flowers, but keeping them all the same colour.
5. Hang the flowered bottles from a sturdy beam or slat.

Whether you're planning a big party or a simple brunch, these hanging bottle will add the perfect touch of pretty to any event.

If you decide to give this party sequin idea a try post a picture to our Facebook page - we'd love to see how the turned out!

XO Elody Events

He Just Smiled and Gave Me a Vegemite Sandwich

Australia Day is just a week away! Time to gather your mates and do what Aussies do best: barbeque, eat Aussie 'delicacies', swim, listen to JJJ top 100 and gasbag late into the afternoon. It's set to be a sweltering day, so here's how you can make it fun and relaxing - the way Australia Day should be!

Be sure to include these Aussies staples:

• BBQ sausages and steaks with salad
• Lamingtons (try this cupcake version from Boyfriendly Cooking for an easy spin on the Aussie classic)
• Pavlova
• ANZAC biscuits
• Caramello Koalas
• Australia shaped biscuits (use an Aussie cookie cutter, colour green and gold and write Aussie-sims on them!)
• Mini toasts with Vegemite
• Aussie themed cupcakes
• Tim Tams
• Fairy bread
• Slice fruit in the shape of Australia (use the cookie cutter again)
• Meat Pies

Some decor ideas for your Aussie bash:

• Aussie bush arrangement - collect branches from bums, banksias, bottlebrush - anything native you can find (just be sure it's not illegal to pick like the Kangaroo Paw)
• Australian flags
• Flower arrangements with Yellow flowers mingled in with Australian flags.
• For a fresh twist think citrus green and yellow as your theme colours to brighten up your decor. Or for a more mellowed out pallet think subdued whites with splashes of red and blue.
• Be sure to visit your local $2 shop - they have loads of Australian gear on the cheap!

Here are a few photos to get you inspired for your big bash!

Weekend Scenery

We'll be putting photos up on Mondays of the weekend's events so you guys can jump onto the blog and see if you got snapped up this weekend!

Starting this week with some long overdue pictures from the Carols in the Park back in December. 

Have a look below to see if you were snapped.

A big thank you to the talented Meryl Seymour for these fabulous shots!

If you've got some snapshots from the night post them on our Facebook page, we'd love to see your pictures! And while you're over there why not like our page to help spread the word about Elody Events?

Stay tuned for upcoming blogs with tips and tricks for party planning including a soon-to-come Australia Day Party post!

XO Elody Events