In years past I would have spent this day hustling around the city doing last minute tasks for my Annual Oscar Party. Unfortunately, this year I’ve had to put the event on hold, a home renovation, unpacked boxes and being eight months pregnant means I have to sit this year out of the hostess seat. Don’t fret my friends, this is strictly a one year hiatus and I plan and making next year the best yet. I just adore hosting this event, and while I may even shed a little tear or two on the night of (I’m pregnant people, it doesn’t take much these days), I wanted to share all of my fun tips and tricks with all of you, and reminisce on years past.
The first thing I do after I get invites sent and RSVP’s back is to print off the ballot sheets. I always have my guests fill them out upon arrival and we spend the evening tallying our scores. There’s some sort of prize for the winner, in the past it’s been makeup palettes from Sephora, jewellery from J.Crew or tea from David’s Tea. I love spoiling my guests and it makes the game that much more competitive knowing there are treasures to be won. You can download your own ballots from Vanity Fair HERE, Pop Sugar HERE, or MovieFone HERE. The very first Oscar party I hosted while still living in Vancouver included a game of Oscar Bingo that I had found online and printed out. I was thrilled to see that Cupcakes and Cashmere created her own version of Oscar Bingo and has a link to download it for you and your guests!
Whatever it is you plan on doing for the evening, whether it be hosting or attending a party, watching at home with friends or family or yourself, I hope you enjoy the evening by taking in the fabulous fashion and the often cringe-worthy hosting efforts. You can view my previous Oscar night recaps that I covered on the blog from the Oscars 2013 and Oscars 2014, and below are all my tips and tricks I’m sharing with you.
My favourite way to welcome my guests is to let them know that they’re VIP right from the start. The red carpet has always set the tone, and I love staying on theme for this night.
I adore sending party goers away with a little take-home, and what makes more sense than a mini bottle of bubbly? Extra details like glitzy name tags always helps with the wow-factor of the evening.
One year I decided to up the anti and did a little DIY at home. I sprayed and sparkled each mini take-home bottle of bubbly for added glitz-factor.
For a couple of years I ordered trophies for the winners of each category. I give out prizes for best dressed, best hair, and overall achievement for getting the most correct on the ballot. Prizes for best dressed are voted on by all the guests, which has been a difficult decision every year, my gals really bring it.
This was a picture from the first year I hosted the Oscars party in Calgary. We had two Oscar statues show up along with a gaggle of gorgeous women. The first year was so successful I knew it would be an ongoing event.
First things first, my guests know to grab a ballot when they walk in and get it filled out while we take in the Red Carpet arrivals.
While some years I’ve done straight Champagne, one year I set up a Champagne Bar, complete with recipes and everything you needed to garnish your beverage. The best part was making sure you tried each flavour…twice. Another year I altered this idea slightly and did a martini bar with three different flavoured martinis, a touch harder to try each favour more than once.
The year Ellen hosted the Oscars I knew I needed to take the cue from her and as hostess of my own party I suited up, literally.
The majority of the years I’ve made cake pops, they’re great to send home with guests and an easy and delicious treat to indulge on whilst keeping up with the awards. These little bags of ‘popcorn’ were an absolute hit.
Printing off the ballots, wrapping the prizes and preparing the voting station are all apart of the prep work I do pre-party.
Most years I get to get glammed up, and for 2015 it was all about Lanvin and Jimmy Choo.
Some years are more low-key than others, but I always always make sure to include movie theatre favourites such as popcorn, Twizzlers, and Junior Mints for my guests to snack on.
Last year I was only two months post-baby, and for a while I thought about cancelling the event. Instead, I made the executive decision to change up the dress code. Instead of getting glam and having cheese platters and hors d’oeuvres I stated on the invites that it was strictly pyjamas and pizza.
Last year we also introduced a nacho bar to the mix, because what goes better with pizza, pyjamas and watching the Oscars than a delicious side of nachos? While this was the initial set up I also had jars of salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, onions and tomatoes to add on.
Old Navy Maternity Dress, H &M Maternity Tights, Chanel Booties, Burberry Coat, Celine Handbag
With my impending due date closing in, though not nearly fast enough, I realized I needed something for a wedding this past weekend. I had to pull on my big girl (literally) panties to wrap my head around having to find something to wear. In these late stages of pregnancy, knowing that this could be my last time being pregnant, I don’t want to invest in any additional maternity pieces. You can imagine how thrilled I was to find this fabulous floral number that can be dressed up or down, at an equally fabulous price point. For the wedding I nixed the tights, wore some fab high heels and let my hair down. The best part is I can absolutely see myself wearing this for Easter, styled slightly differently, a couple of weeks post baby. Bonus, extra room for all of that chocolate I plan on eating.
Aritzia Blouse, Alice + Olivia Cardigan, Prada Coat, Prada Booties, Yves Saint Laurent Handbag
I’ve found dressing for pregnancy this second time around more exhausting than exhilarating. The first time I was pregnant it was exciting, I finally got to don those cute maternity dresses that show off your bump with pride. I got to revel in how new and exciting everything was, and I made purchases knowing that I’d probably be able to use those items again. This time around is considerably less glamorous, chasing around a toddler whilst getting larger by the day really puts a damper on those fabulous ensembles. Luckily there are some staples that still fit and are able to get me through the day when I do decide to ditch the joggers. So like a couple times once a week when I do manage to pull it together for a meeting or lunch or date night, something very similar to this look is on repeat. Can we just take a moment to wholeheartedly thank the inventor of leggings?
It’s officially heart day and I’m going back through the blog and rounding up previous Valentine’s Day inspired posts (click on the photos to take you back to the original post). Whether you’re looking for an outfit to don for date night, some last minute hosting ideas, or just some overall pink and red infused inspiration, it’s here for the taking. My Valentine’s Day this year will be spent with the loves of my life in a more low-key manner. Dinner at home complete with wine cranberry juice and sippy cups. Pregnancy tends to put a damper on these more romantic moments. Whatever it is you’re up to, remember this day doesn’t have to be all about romantic love, spending all or part with friends and family is tops in my book.
Camilla Caftan (similar here and here), Steve Madden Sandals, Alexis Bittar Earrings (similar here and here)
I came across these photos taken last July at my parents’ lake house. It was right before I found out I was pregnant, and just seven months postpartum. It was also right before the floor fell out from underneath me, hence why I never had the chance to post them. It’s so interesting when you have the date of something that is so life changing. A date where you can pinpoint an exact moment in time where everything changes. I’ve had a few of these over the years, where life can be divided into before and after. I can usually recall the most uncanny of details from those days as well. What I was wearing, what I was thinking, what I was feeling. Knowing almost immediately life would never be the same. I’m getting better at embracing these moments, as many of them have brought such joy. The ones that have brought pain or hardship have been the ones I’ve learnt the most from, and if we didn’t learn our lessons the hard way, well, what kind of fun would that be. So here’s a little flash back to warmer days amidst of all the snow and cold taking place currently.
