Imagine you are sitting in a rocking chair looking out at a beautiful view of the lake with the warm sun beating down on your face and a cool breeze blowing through your hair. The only thing you are missing now is a refreshing drink in your hair.

Summertime brings back thoughts and memories as a child of late night slumber parties, dancing around outside catching lightning bugs, and a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.

I even remember having my own lemonade stand as a child at my Mom’s yard sales. My Dad would help me mix the lemonade, and we would have a blast doing it together.

In order to bring back some of those fond memories, I decided a lemonade bar was a must for this year. As a Georgia peach, it seems as though the weather has suddenly turned from breezy and cool spring to scorching heat. Therefore a refreshing cold glass is absolutely necessary.

But a lemonade bar just couldn’t be complete by sitting out a jug of lemonade and a few glasses. At least not for me. When friends and family come over, I want a simple cold drink to be refreshing but also have a touch of “cuteness” at the same time.

When looking for cuteness, I therefore bring you Laura Kelly designs. I ran across these lemonade stand printables in her shop and just had to have them.

First I hung her lemonade banner printable above the bar with pink, green, and yellow bakers twine.

Hanging on the front of the table is a “fresh squeezed” sign that was also hung with bakers twine. I loved using all 3 colors together to really make all of the colors in the sign pop too.

To spruce up each paper straw is an adorable little lemon that I simply attached using a piece of tape on the back. Give the glasses that “cute factor” I mentioned earlier by placing the rim of the glasses in lemon juice and then dipping them in pink sugar sprinkles. So sparkly!

I also was able to print a little sign that I attached to the pitcher for an extra touch. But as you have already noticed, my lemonade had to be pink too. The pink is really just my personality. Yellow lemonade is just so ordinary don’t you think?

There is also a round lemonade sign that I placed on the front of the bowl that held the lemons in case I needed more.

To dress things up even more, I found this absolutely adorable towel with the same exact colors of the printable and little lemon slices on it too. It’s like it was meant to be. Add some lemon slices to your lemonade for an extra flair and you are all set.

Now head over to Laura Kelly Designs and get your printables too. Everything is so affordable, and her designs are so unique like nothing else I have ever seen. You will also find craft kits that are perfect for your kids this summer to keep them occupied. Who doesn’t love a craft kit delivered right to their front door?

Enjoy the little things in life like even a sip of pink lemonade on a warm summer day!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

P.S. Please share this post with others if you enjoyed it and found it helpful. We love when you pass on goodness to others.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Laura Kelly Designs, but all opinions are my own.

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

I absolutely love this time of year. Yesterday was my anniversary to my wonderful husband and next week will also be his birthday. It’s just so much fun to celebrate. Well Cinco de Mayo is also next week too which holds a special place in my heart because we went on our honeymoon to Riviera Maya.

Having a Cinco de Mayo party is the perfect way to celebrate and remember those memories even if we aren’t sitting on the beach soaking up the sun. This is the next best thing celebrating with my husband.

To decorate I first made tissue paper flags to hang around the table. They are easy to make and add so much fun color.

I strung up crepe paper banners that were easy to design cutting shapes and punching holes with a hole puncher above the food.

The centerpiece of artwork hanging above the food table is a foam wreath I found at the Dollar Tree that I decorated using tissue paper flowers. You can find the directions for the flowers below. I attached different colors and designs of ribbon at the bottom and the flowers with straight pins.

For a centerpiece on the table, I made sombreros from clay pots and clay trays. I just love the little extra touch that the pom poms give too.

Add copies of the Mexico flags throughout the decorations for an extra touch as well.

You may recall seeing my yarn carrots that I made for Easter with empty spools. I did the same thing for this party to make chili peppers. You can find the full tutorial with a video to make them HERE.

Now let’s talk food. Make yourself a taco bar using ingredients from my blackened tilapia taco with avocado cream sauce recipe that I shared a few weeks ago. You can also make them using chicken and they are just as fabulous.

Make a simple salsa with chips using diced tomatoes, diced onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. I could snack on this stuff for hours. Plus it is so much better than what you buy in the jar in stores because you know exactly what goes in it.

The bowl that I am serving the chips in was a beautiful piece of pottery handmade in Mexico. I leave it on my kitchen table all the time. I think all the painted colors are so beautiful.

For a drink station, I bought these cactus glasses at the Dollar Tree and dipped the rims in water and then in yellow sugar sprinkles. Use ginger ale or something similar for a family friendly version.

Now you may be thinking where dessert is, but I haven’t left you hanging there. Earlier this week I showed you how to make a Tres Leches cake. Find the recipe HERE. It is so yummy, and isn’t hard to make at all. It really is easier than you think and can be made in 3 different parts.

Now relax and enjoy yourself at your own Cinco de Mayo party! Please let me know if you try any of these crafts or recipes. I would love to know what you think in the comments below.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

No 80’s party is complete without a giant rubik’s cube, an 80’s themed cupcake stand with cassette tapes, and serving bowls made from records. What makes all of these so cool is that you can make them all yourself and for much cheaper than what you would pay in the store for 80’s party décor. Be sure to also check out more of Mark’s Totally Radical 80’s Themed Party Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 if you have not already.

We all can remember playing with rubik’s cubes as kids and most of us probably becoming frustrated when we couldn’t figure it out. Well this is one rubik’s cube that is easy to make and will bring much more pleasure and satisfaction when displayed at your party. Parties for Pennies really hit this idea spot on and I couldn’t wait to make it when I found her idea.

When planning Mark’s party, I also wanted some way to display the dessert instead of just using any old ordinary cake stand. I decided on doing cupcakes but actually didn’t have my own cupcake stand anyways. When I found a cupcake stand that I could make myself using cassette tapes from Parties for Pennies, again I couldn’t wait!

And as if a giant rubik’s cube and cupcake stand with cassette tapes wasn’t enough, I found serving bowls made from records. This was just the icing on the cake.

Let’s not waste any time. These are some pretty awesome décor items that are a blast to make as well. I will first start with the giant Rubik’s cube.

Supplies you will need:

• 1 large box or smaller boxes of the same size that will form a cube when taped together
• Package tape
• Black spray paint
• Black craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Neon colored paper- You will need 5 different colors.
• Ruler
• Paper cutter/trimmer
• Adhesive runner or Hot glue gun

First you will need a large box. If you do not have one large box, then you can use package tape to tape several small boxes together in order to make a large cube. I simply held the boxes tightly together while wrapping the package tape enough to keep them secure.

Spray paint your box black to coat completely. I decided to end up painting a 2^nd coat on the box with craft paint. The craft paint seemed to make a thicker coat that covered the box completely and to cover up any writing on the box. The craft paint seemed easier to me personally than having to keep spray painting to cover the writing especially.

While your paint is drying, you can go ahead and cut out your neon colored paper for the squares of the cube. You are going to need 5 different colors in order to have one color for each side of the cube. You will not need a color for the bottom since it will be on the floor and no one will see it. You will end up with a total of 9 squares of each color for a grand total of 45 squares. I found a pack of paper at Wal-Mart that had neon green, blue, pink, yellow, and orange that worked perfectly.

The size of your individual squares that you need to cut out will depend on the size of your box. I measured the length of one side and also considered that I needed to leave a black border around the box and then between each colored square.

Once you have your squares measured and cut out and the box is completely dry, you are ready to attach your colored squares to the box. I choose to place one color on each side of the box. You could also mix it up like a rubik’s cube that has been played with all the colors mixed up.

I used an adhesive runner to apply the squares but would have used a hot glue gun if making again. The adhesive runner did not seem to want to adhere well to the paint on the box.

Your giant rubik’s cube is now complete and was not hard to make at all. Plus as I said earlier, it is definitely much cheaper to make than the typical store bought items. I used mine as a table to place Mark’s gifts on at the party.

I am very excited now to get to the cupcake stand. You cannot have an 80’s party without using cassette tapes and this just displays them perfectly.

Supplies:

• 2 different sized boxes that can be stacked in two tiers with space enough to stack the cupcakes on each layer- I used only 2 boxes but if you need more space for cupcakes, then use more boxes of course to have more tiers.
• Cassette tapes
• Black spray paint
• Neon colored spray paint- I used neon pink and green to alternate the colors.
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Package tape

I layed out my boxes and cassette tapes for a display to have an idea of how many cassette tapes I would need and how many of each color I would need to paint. My dad happened to have some cassette tapes that he no longer wanted. I also found a book on tape at Goodwill that was very cheap and gave me the majority of the tapes I needed in that one set.

Spray paint your cassette tapes with the neon spray paint. I did have to paint 2 coats in order to cover the writing on the tapes completely.

While your tapes are drying, you can assemble your boxes. Always thinking of the most efficient way to make the most of my time. I first taped the boxes shut with packages tape and then stacked in two tiers. Using a hot glue gun, glue your boxes together. I added extra hot glue around the edges of one box where it sits on the next almost like caulking something added extra support.

Paint your boxes black with spray paint until covered completely.

Once your tapes are completely dry, hot glue them to the boxes on the sides in the pattern you choose.

Your cupcake stand is now complete and ready to show off those neon cassette tapes that you thought you would never ever use again. What a neat way to show off the dessert.

Now that you have something to display your cupcakes, you need something extra special for a serving bowl than just using that huge chip bowl you always pull out at parties. You know the one I’m talking about. We all do it. But this time, an 80’s party deserves something extra special to serve those cheddar cheese Doritos in. Why yes, a record bowl is the perfect solution to add another extra 80’s flair.

Supplies:

• Records- I found mine for really cheap at Goodwill. Pick records that have colorful labels that will show through once the bowl starts becoming empty.
• Oven safe bowl
• Baking sheet
• Oven
• Pot holders

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.

Place the oven safe bowl on a baking sheet upside down.

Place your record directly on top of the bowl being sure to center it so when it begins to melt, it will fall evenly around the bowl.

Once the oven is preheated, place the baking sheet in the oven with the bowl and record for about 8-10 minutes.

You will start to see the record “melt” as it gets hotter. The record will begin to fall down around the ball and conform to it. Using a pot holder or mitten, press on the record to check that it has softened enough in order to mold it the way you want.

Once the record has conformed to the bowl, take the baking sheet out of the oven with a pot holder and immediately take the record of the bowl. Quickly turn your bowl over and place the record inside. Mold your record using the bowl as a guide being careful to not burn yourself during this part.

You do have to work quickly once taking the record out of the oven because as it begins to cool down, the record will harden once again. You can place the record back in the oven as previously done if it hardens too quickly and you would like to reshape some.

I also melted the smaller size records around a small bowl which basically only curled the edges of the record. It still turned out really cute, and I ended up using it as a cake plate for a small cake I made for the cake topper.

The record bowls were perfect for serving Doritos and any other snacks but also great for the candy bar. I did clean the records with a wet paper towel before placing food in them but if you do not feel comfortable with putting food in them then just line with a napkin or towel first.

These three projects were by far my most favorite of all of Mark’s party décor. They were different than anything I had ever made before and really embraced the 80’s theme showing it off even more. Everyone loved them at the party and kept talking about them. You will not regret these projects one bit. Don’t even think about having a party without incorporating rubik’s cubes, cassette tapes, and records. There simply just isn’t any other way.

Enjoy yourself and have a blast but don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life.

Continue to check back every week for more 80’s décor you can make yourself. Next week I will wrap up the 80’s party series with games, scavenger hunts, and gift ideas. You will not want to miss so please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter to stay updated. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

First if you haven’t read Part 1, be sure to check it out as well as it has an overview of the entire party!

The first thing your guests need to see on the front door when they arrive is a large 80’s sign welcoming them inside. (Let me first say that if you have not read the Totally Radical 80’s Party, check it out as well for a full description of the entire 80’s themed party.)

Bring the decorations outside and give the guests something fun to look at when they arrive as they anticipate what the decorations inside will be like. Your front door décor is always a hint or sneak peak of the fun that is awaiting them just inside.

I first covered the door with a black tablecloth that I first splatter painted with neon paint and large paintbrushes. Man I forgot how much fun it was to just sling paint all over the place and not worry about a mess. I have to say though there wasn’t as much paint on me at the end as I thought there would be. I did find tiny paint specks here and there on me for the next few days even after taking a shower.

I wanted a sign that would represent the theme so why not keep it simple and just have “80’s” hanging on the door which is exactly what I did.

What you will need:

• Bright pink and yellow poster board- any neon color poster board will be great since neon colors were so popular in the 80’s.
• Cricut Expression 2- If you have a Cricut it does make part of this easier. If not you do not have to have one.
• Cricut Alphabet cartridge- or any font cartridge should work
• Cricut mat
• Cricut tools
• Glue or adhesive

I will show you step-by-step directions using the Cricut Expression 2. If you do not have a Cricut, you should still be able to create the same sign by tracing the numbers or cutting them out free hand, but the Cricut does make it easier and also a cleaner cut.

Cut out the pink poster board, or the color of your choice, and stick to the Cricut loading mat. I cut a piece that measured 8”x12” which was the size of my mat so I could get the numbers I want cut to be the largest possible.

Once turning your Cricut machine on, insert the Cricut Alphabet cartridge or any other font cartridge into the machine. Select the “8″.

Then click the home button in the bottom right hand corner and you will see the screen pictured below.

Click the wrench icon for settings and then click the “ABC” icon that has arrows above and below it which mean to “fit to page.” The “8” will now fit the entire size of the mat to get the largest cut out possible.

Place the mat into the Cricut and click home.

Click the load icon which is a printer with an arrow pointing to the right. Your mat should load into the Cricut.

Click the cutting settings icon which is a blade with stars and adjust the settings depending on your specific paper. I selected the cutting options of Heavy paper, Original blade-6, Settings– 5-5-1. Check also to make sure that the actual blade in the Cricut is dialed to 6 or whatever your original blade setting is set to.

Now you are ready to begin cutting. Select the cut or blade icon. Your machine should now start cutting.

Once your cutting is complete and the machine has stopped, unload your mat by clicking the unload icon and remove the “8” with a Cricut spatula.

Do the same above steps to cut out a “0.”

You now need an “s” to make the “80’s” sign complete. I used the “s” that is in the middle of a circle. This cut out is available on the Cricut alphabet cartridge.

Select the letter and then click on the letter to show the pencil icon and select the pencil for more options. Now click the first icon that is a box with an arrow pointing diagonally out.

This icon will allow you to change the size of the letter. Change the measurement to 4.00.

Click save and then it will prompt you to click save again. Then click home to return to home screen and begin cutting.

Again load your paper, check your cutting settings, check your blade, and then begin cutting the image using the above steps used to cut out the “8.” Once it is done cutting, unload the mat and remove the cut out from the mat.

You are now finished using the Cricut. Be sure to replace the plastic cover on your mat to protect its surface.

Lay your cut outs on the yellow poster board and arrange them how you would like. Once you have the lay out the way you would like, attach your numbers and letters using glue or any other adhesive.

Cut out the yellow poster board around your saying leaving a border. I decided to cut different size triangles around the border giving a zig-zag pattern that really added that extra 80’s touch.

Next I hung mine on my door as guests arrived for a sneak peek of the rest of the party. I also had a black plastic tablecloth hanging as a backdrop on the door that had been splattered with neon spray paint.

Another party decoration that I made was two different birthday banners.

I remember as a child always seeing the “Happy Birthday” banners hanging up and thought why not just make one that uses neon colors? I hung one behind the food tables and one on the mantle in my living room above the presents.

You will need:

• Neon yellow and pink poster board
• Ruler
• Neon green ribbon
• Adhesive runner or glue
• Cricut
• Cricut Alphabet cartridge
• Neon starbursts: These are a pack of neon colored cut-outs that were in a pack at my local dollar store, and the pack called them starbursts. I immediately thought of the candy but maybe that’s just me. You can also see the  leftover starbursts I had hanging in the picture below under the birthday banner.

Before you begin, you must decide what phrase you would like to use for your banner. Of course something birthday related if it is a birthday party but if throwing an 80’s party for Halloween then any “totally radical” 80’s phrase would be perfect.

I chose for one banner to say “Happy 30^th Birthday” which I divided up into two separate banners. The other banner read “Luv the 80’s” that I left on only one banner due to the phrase being shorter.

First using your ruler, measure the individual flag and mark accordingly to how large you want it to be on your poster board. The bottom side of the flag (or actually the top of the flag that will attach to your ribbon) for me was 6 inches and 7.5 inches on the other two sides.

Cut out one flag and use it to trace out the rest of your flags. My first phrase requires 15 flags and the other needed 9 flags.

Using my Cricut and the Alphabet cartridge, I cut out my letters and numbers on the opposite color of poster board that I used for the actual flag so it would show up. See above for directions for using the Cricut if needed to cut out your letters.

You could also use sticker letters or any other kind of letters usually found in scrapbooking supplies at your craft store. I chose to use poster board and the Cricut because I wanted the neon colored letters which can sometimes be hard to find. Plus I could make them whatever size I wanted.

Using your adhesive runner or some type of glue, attach each letter to a starburst if you have them.

If not then attach the letter directly to the flag. You could also cut out your own starbursts using poster board and the same technique I used for the zig-zag pattern on the 80’s sign above.

If you choose to use the starbursts, then you will need to attach each starburst to a separate flag of course.

Now you are ready to attach your flags to the neon ribbon so you can hang it up. I chose a neon green ribbon that would really pop off of the neon yellow and pink once hung up.

Leave about 4-5 inches of ribbon on each end of your banner in order to be able to hang it up. I placed a dot of hot glue on each top corner of my flag and then layed the ribbon on top of the flag and pressed down. Be careful if using hot glue gun with the ribbon. The glue will sometimes come through the ribbon easily depending on the kind you use and can burn you.

Continue gluing your flags to the ribbon leave a small space between each flag. Once all your flags are attached, do not forget to leave another 4-5 inches of ribbon on the end to hang your banner.

You now have your own birthday or party banner ready to hang and celebrate the special occasion. What’s a party without a birthday banner?

Look forward to more about this special 80’s party for my husband and how much it meant to me to be able to do it. I will have more post coming describing other DIY décor pieces. Enjoy yourself at your party, but don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life too!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.