16 Pony-Filled Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

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)

Frozen Watermelon Mint Margaritas

f beating the heat is your aim, a frozen margarita is the obvious way to go. Refreshing ingredients like watermelon and mint turn up the cool factor so you can take the margarita bar outside. (via Brit + Co)

DIY Fruit Slice Balloons

With nothing but some tissue paper and spray adhesive, you can make some fruity balloons to mimic the fruit in your drinks. Foil balloons work best for this DIY, and you can have them filled with helium at the store if you don't have a tank at home. (via Balloon Time)

Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas

Infuse a bottle of tequila with jalapeños so adventurous guests can give their margarita a kick. Jalapeños go great with grapefruit, especially with an extra-salty rim. (via Fit Foodie Finds)

Uncommon Goods Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses

Once the margaritas start flowing, tequila shots are soon to follow. Ditch your old spring break shot glasses and invest in a classy set in a rose quartz hue. The best thing about these Himalayan salt glasses is that they're already salty, so you won't have to lick your hand.

Sriracha Salt

If you like to add a bit of spice wherever you can, try making some Sriracha salt. It adds a lovely color to your rim and a slight bite to any margarita. Set out several dishes with different infused salts and sugars for your guest to try with their drinks. (via Ladyface Blog)

Blood Orange Margaritas

If you're able to find blood oranges, you definitely need to try this margarita. It's sweet in comparison to the classic, but totally refreshing. This one is rimmed with vanilla-infused sugar. (via Eat Drink Love)

Mini Emoji Piñata

What situation doesn't require some sort of emoji? Express your innermost feelings with this fun DIY that will get everyone involved. Our vote is for the see-no-evil monkey emoji. (viaI Spy DIY)

Coconut Margarita

This creamy cross between a piña colada and a margarita will have you longing for the beach. Try freezing coconut water in ice trays to add to all of your margs — blended OR on the rocks. (via I Ate the Whole Thing)

Vitamix Pro 750 Blender

You need a heavy-duty blender when making pitcher after pitcher of frozen margaritas. Treat yo'self to one that will stand the test of time and look gorgeous while doing so.

Mini Cactus Piñatas

Margaritas are known for being a south-of-the-border cocktail. Celebrate their desert origins by making these mini cactus piñatas that are much easier to make than they look. Plus, they open with the pull of a string, so you can reuse them again and again. (via Oh Happy Day)

Cucumber Margarita

Stave off an unwanted hangover with this fresh, antioxidant-rich recipe. The anti-inflammatory nutrients in the cucumber help the liver metabolize alcohol quickly and flush the system. Win-win. (via Hello Glow)

DIY Tassel Bunting

This tassel garland is incredibly easy (and cheap) to make. You can customize the colors to match your theme and reuse it for many different types of parties. Hang on the wall behind your bar cart for a fun pop of color. (via Bloesem Design)

Target Falon Modern Glam Bar Cart

No margarita bar is complete without… well, a bar. This stylish gold cart is sleek and minimal, so your decor can be the center of attention. Dress your bar cart with cocktail fixings and cute accessories, and set out a bowl of chips and salsa so your guests can munch while they make their margs.

Crate & Barrel Miguel Margarita Glass

Sure, you can technically serve a margarita in any glass you want, but it's nice to have the option of serving them in traditional margarita glasses. Pick up a few of these beauties, made from recycled tequila bottles.

Crate & Barrel Ona Pitcher

If you're going to invest in a set of margarita glasses, you might as well a stylish pitcher to go with them. A pitcher with a thick rim and an off-center handle like this one will keep your drink cold while also looking beautiful.

Original Margarita

Some would argue that the original margarita must be shaken, rather than blended or made in a pitcher. However you prefer to enjoy yours, you should always have a classic margarita recipe in your arsenal. (via Kitchen Swagger)

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.