How to DIY a Balloon Arch for Your Next Bash

Invites

May we have the envelope, please? Every great party has to start with some glam invitations. (via Twig and Thistle)

Oscar Gold Backdrop

This backdrop takes about 5 minutes to get up but really makes an impact in any room or photo. (via Brit + Co)

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Channel 1940s Olympic swimmer turned movie star Esther Williams with these adorable swim caps. (via Brit + Co)

Ticket Roll Bowl

Yes, that really is just a roll of tickets. This is such an innovative way to make a fun movie-themed bowl. (via Buggie & Jellybean)

Gold Heart Piñata

Getting sick of commercial break after commercial break? Take a breather and take turns hitting this shiny beauty! We recommend filling it with some movie theater-esque treats for the ultimate themed party. (via Studio DIY)

Popcorn Bar

Though this awesome popcorn bar is more fit for an outdoor party, you could easily create your own on a decorated table indoors. While you're at it, check out some tasty popcorn hacks to add to your spread. (via Hostess With the Mostess)

Printable Popcorn Boxes

Printables are definitely a dream come true for any busy DIYer. These bright and colorful boxes would be a perfect addition to your popcorn bar! (via Design Eat Repeat)

Vintage Photo Booth Backdrop

A photo booth that's both vintage and movie-related? Yes, please! (PS: We're huge fans of the popcorn cones she's holding. Those would also be great for the popcorn bar.) (via Kelly Golightly)

Paper Oscar Statuettes

If you're going for a sophisticated viewing party, this elegant statuette will feel at home on your table. (via Twig & Thistle)

Glitter-Dipped Bottles

Glitter is always a welcome addition to any affair. Add some pizzazz to your drinks with these glitter-dipped bottles. Our super adaptable tutorial would work well for wine and Champagne glasses as well. (via Brit + Co)

Gold Star Garland

Are your walls looking bare? Sparkle them up with this festive garland. (via Green Wedding Shoes)

Balloon Awards

If you feel like the Oscar statuette is way overrated, give awards to your guests with these festive balloons instead! (via Studio DIY)

Film Reel Cupcakes

These tasty treats are perfect for those with a hankering for something sweet. (via Make Life Lovely)

Award Show Gift Printable

Make like the real thing and send all your guests home with a swag bag — these printable stickers are the perfect finishing touch. (via Elegance & Enchantment)

Oscars Bingo

Keep everyone focused on the ceremony no matter how long it drags on with these v. entertaining Bingo cards. (via Julie Blanner)

Awards Season Tablescape

For a swanky affair, set a stunning tablescape: Lots of gold and black silk are in order, and maybe some confetti. (via Pizzazzerie)

Oscars Viewing Cocktail

Keep the drink menu simple with a cocktail that you can make in batches. The gold sugar rim really drives the glam home! (via Blissfully Domestic)

Printable Temporary Tattoos

Add these to your gift bags, or stick 'em on your guests as they arrive! (via Squirelly Minds)

DIY Celeb Confetti

Little. Tiny. Celebrity. Faces. (via Sugar and Charm)

1. Keep the theme light

You don’t have to have some elaborate theme to make a dinner party classy, but a theme does make the evening seem a bit more put together (plus, it’s fun!). “I keep it pretty light,” Venita explained. “I usually always say, [a] Garden Party in the daytime.” This allows your guests to have some breathing room when it comes to attire—such as sandals and flowy dresses.

For an evening gathering, the reality star recommends advertising the theme as an “Evening Under the Stars,” indicating that the event requires elevated clothing and accessories (heels, long dresses, accented purses). The theme is sure to be a hit no matter which you choose.

2. Match your tablecloth to the invitations

It’s the little details that will take your dinner party from good to great. “If I have an image of the tablecloth, I use it as the background of the invitation so people can know the vibes of the dinner party and have it all set,” Aspen told Brit + Co.

3. Curate flower arrangements based off of the tablecloth colors

Take it from us — you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a flower arrangement for a table to look Instagram-worthy. Greenery and flowers easily elevate the table without having to put in too much effort. Venita has even clipped some flowers from her neighborhood for a gorgeous arrangement at a low cost, as she continued, “I typically will create a flower arrangement based off of the tablecloth colors.” Colors like yellow, white, and green, shouldn’t be that difficult to find in your own backyard!

4. Your plating doesn’t need to match

You may think that you need to buy all new utensils, glassware, and plateware for a memorable dinner party, but you most definitely do not. “When it comes to decorating a table on a budget, utilize the things you already have first in the house and remember that those things don’t have to match each other,” the Bravo star explained.

Lean into the Pinterest perfect tablescape that encourages playfulness and creativeness, versus overanalyzing matchy-matchy details. Grab different colored wine glasses. Go crazy with unique plates. No need for unnecessary spending here—especially when you likely already have such exciting pieces hiding in your kitchen cabinets!

5. Set the ambiance with music

Music will eb and flow with the theme of your dinner party, as it creates an ambiance that is a bit more stature (and background music avoids awkward silences, especially when guests first arrive). If you're going with the Garden party trope, Venita recommends that you include “some beautiful ambiance jazz style music playing in the background—something light and airy.” This tip is up to your discretion and what music you think your guests will enjoy!

6. Let guests pick their own seats

To sidestep any drama that you may or may not have been informed of, let guests pick their own seats. While name tags are cute and all, assigned seats are so drab and can force unwanted interactions. Plus, it’s one less step for you to worry about as the host (or hostess)!

7. Decide on a killer appetizer

Don’t forget — dinner parties need tasteful decor, but they are also all about the cuisine. Appetizers are the first food that invitees reach for, so do your best to cook up something mouth-watering. “I think that when people get to you, they're so hungry that the first dish is what they remember the most.”

8. Don’t go too overboard with the main meal

When it comes to the main dish, go for something that is hearty but also light. Venita opts for seafood as the protein — over meats like chicken and steak — paired with a well-seasoned grain. “Taking something as simple as some fresh herbs and adding that to the grain with a little salt and lemon juice—it will literally make people think that you've gone out and got this whole meal catered and you made it.” Seafoods like salmon, tilapia, and cod are great go-tos and garner a relatively low cooking time.

9. Always serve your guests

In this house, we don’t do buffet style. Often what happens when you let guests fill up their own plate is that you often overbuy food that ultimately goes to waste. Make it simple for yourself — chef up enough food for each attendee and serve the meal pre-plated. “You don't know how many times someone's going to get up, at least when you're basing it off of the fact that I know I have four [or more] people, you can buy for five versus buying for eight if you were doing a buffet style.”

10. Keep the dessert to finger food

By the time your guests have sat down throughout the first two courses, they are going to want to stand up and walk around while socializing. According to Venita, “people get sick of using the silverware,” at this point in the party. That’s where finger foods come in—pastries that you can grab with your hands exert little to no energy and are completely delightful. Head to your local bakery to see what they have on display. Mini eclairs, cookies, and cheesecakes are some of the best handheld desserts money can buy (and the sweets are a great way to wrap up your dinner party!).

Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals

I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.

My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!

1. Just Get The Dang Haircut

Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.

According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.

2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend

His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.

3. Switch Up Your Shampoos

Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.

In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.