CC 00000 DUO 0 0 Personal Touch from 43 terrycloth bathrobes were hung around the ballroom. Novelty pillows with well-known cereal box artwork (70% off at Kohl's) and backrests (90% off at Meijer) became perfect dance floor prizes. Poster Perfect I purchased a huge piece of foam core to use over the dance floor (approxi- mately $20 at Miller's Art Supply in Farmington Hills) and glued on big bubble letters printed on colorful neon paper from Office Max. Then I blew up clip art of bedroom furniture and accessories, and designed a cartoon-like teen room on the sign. I had found poster-sized foam core on sale for $1, and made signs to hang over the food stations and to place on the memory book, place cards and kid's giveaway tables. I also recycled eight 8x4-foot pieces of foam core we saved from Alanna's bat mitzvah. On the bottom half of each poster, I glued on an image of a sleeping Alissa nestled on cartoon pillows and tucked under a real fleece bed sheet (purchased for 80% off and cut into eight pieces to fit the posters) with a slogan that began with "Dreamin' about ..." and ended with "my mom, my dad, my sister, my friends, my fam- ily, fun times, my sports and growing DO-IT-YOURSELF up." Above Alissa's head were dream bubbles containing collages of corre- MONEY-SAVING TIPS sponding photographs. • Use your computer to create your own place cards and artwork • Shop at dollar and discount stores for props and party favors • Recycle from home and borrow theme-related items from friends • Buy an inexpensive memory, sign-in book and decorate it with personal photographs and craft items • Consider serving non-alcoholic beverages • Select a party theme with casual attire options No pajama party is complete without a tasty, tummy-filling breakfast, and Jeanne Silva, Temple Israel's catering director extraordinaire, worked closely with me on a reasonably-priced, home cooking-inspired menu for Alissa's Saturday night soiree. From fun appetizers like miniature breakfast biscuits and small cups of assorted, berry-topped yogurts and cereals to such main course comfort foods as made-to-order omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, blintzes, kugel, plus bagels and lox, it was a people- pleasing feast. I collected comforters, throw rugs, stuffed animals, cereal boxes and American Girl Doll beds from home and from friends, and Jeanne's staff transformed the sweet table area into a messy teen bedroom scene (complete with a pink dresser from Value City Furniture clearance-priced at $20). We served s'mores, doughnuts, cookies, coffee cake, Pop Tarts and fresh fruit skewered on toothbrushes instead of fancy flans and pastries, as well as standard sleepover beverages like hot chocolate, juices, soft drinks, and flavored coffees instead of liquor. f : • • r f J Pt • J r O#e /. 11 a 111/17/0 11 a Bridal Accessory Boutique Unique accessories for the modern bride ... our specialty! Come see our exquisite collection of elegant veils, headpieces, jewelry, couture shoes, handbags... and much more. Our pieces are exceptional and tailored to your taste; contemporary, classic, glamourous. Partying In Our PJ's Come experience something truly special! 251 Merrill St, Ste 231 Birmingham. MI Tel.:(248) 346 5587 Our guests and Temple Israel's staff all wore pajamas. Our family found so many fun, inexpensive pajama sets and matching slippers, we bought several outfits each and changed clothes during the party! Lovingly creating and coordinating every detail of Alissa's bat mitzvah celebration and having our cherished family and closest friends share in our immense joy still fills my heart. As I watched Alissa celebrate this personal milestone in her life, it made those long hours and late nights toiling in my basement bat mitzvah sweat shop well worth it! I www.oneinamillionbridal.com 1224610 4 4 celebrate! 2007 Breakfast, Anyone?