To hear my Dash Radio interview on the Mom Life, Yo Podcast you can do so here 👇🏻
MomLifeYo Interview

To hear my Dash Radio interview on the Mom Life, Yo Podcast you can do so here 👇🏻
When little lady asked for a mermaid fifth birthday party I knew I had to go big. Not because I’m one of those moms who always has to go big, but because FIVE is big. In fact, it’s huge.
But you know what didn’t have to be? My budget. Yep, that’s right. All decor you see in this post arrived at a total of under $115. Photo booth, centerpieces, backdrops, and more, all for just over a hundred. Here’s a break down of all of the mermaid magic that I made from simple household items and inexpensive goodies from Amazon.
Bubble-riffic Photo Backdrop
Supplies:
– Green streamers (dark and light)
– Scotch tape or doubled-sided tape
– 5′ x 4″ cardboard slice (I used the top of a display board which I also used for all the signs at the party – see below)
Instructions:
Tape randomized pieces of streamers in desired length all along the piece of cardboard, then drape over other side, and adhere with one more piece of tape. Blow up balloons in varying sizes and adhere to top of cardboard. Hang on the wall and viola, you’ve got a backdrop!
I even made a sign for it, which is optional, but only cost me about an extra two bucks. Supplies included glitter glue, glitter, and the same display board I bought for the backdrop.
Item cost: $35 (although some of these supplies will be used elsewhere)
Mermaid Tail ‘5’ Centerpiece
Supplies:
– cardboard
– pencils & ruler
Optional supplies:
– 1 marker (to be disposed eventually)
Instructions:
Trace the desired number on cardboard, then cut it out. Also prepare a base to attach the number to. Cut each cupcake liner in half, then glue in a alternating pattern from the bottom to the top of the number. Glue the number onto the base and use fortification if necessary. Color the base blue, then cover with hot glue.
Optional instructions:
Coffee filter coral can be made from dyed coffee filters (open a marker and stick one end into water, allow all of the color to bleed in, then dip dye the filters). Other coral pieces can be made from pipe cleaners. Then glue them in!
Item cost: $5-$20 (depending on what you have at home already)
Fishnet Photo Display
Supplies:
– net
– photographs of the birthday girl throughout the years
– shells
Instructions:
Hang, pin, and enjoy (this is a great way to add easy, themed decor!)
Item cost: ~ $15.00
Centerpieces
Supplies:
–blue mason jarsblue mason jars
– sand
– shells
– flowers from Trader Joe’s (optional)
Instructions:
Place sand in jar, and flame less candle on sand. Close the jar to avoid spillage. Add flowers for more fun!
Item cost: ~ $25.00
Guppy Grub
Supplies:
– goldfish
– blue sixlets (cheaper than M&M’s)
– serving spoon
Instructions:
Mix, pour, enjoy (this is a crowd favorite, for sure!)
Item Cost: ~ $15.00
Trendy Little Letterboard
I know, I know. It’s so trendy. Like, too trendy. But it’s little, cute, and it makes a statement, which is kind of my life mission. So, when I found this cheap one on Amazon I couldn’t resist.
Item cost: $16.95
Total Cost: <$115!
Relatedly, if you’re in the LA area and would like more information on the wonderful company we hired for our outdoor play, Pump and Splash, see their website.
It’s the end of the school year and the summer holidays are approaching. You know what that means, right? All the amazing Pinterest-y Moms will be at it full force. They’ve designed insane end-of-the-school-year presents like hand crafted paperweights made from real unicorn hairs. And that’s just so not me.
Im the one who loves to get creative, but really… I don’t have much time. So, this year – because my daughter’s teachers worked themselves into the ground with what sounded like a thousand three year olds all day every day, and put up with my neurotic antics all year long, I decided to encourage them to “‘Taco’ Load Off.” Yep, that’s right. As a way to celebrate the end of the school year, I am gifting my daughter’s preschool teacher a Taco Tuesday, complete with margaritas (alcohol optional).
The whole process took me one trip to Target and a few EBay purchases (because free shipping and buying in larger bulk, so I can make MANY of these awesome gifts over the summer!). Each gift cost me about $30 and did I mention it includes homemade taco seasoning?? Read below for the full list of items included (seasoning recipe, too), as well as links to score them!!
Taco Tuesday in a Tin Basket
1 wire basket (or container of your choosing)
1 gift card ($15-20 towards a store that would have fresh items such as meat, lettuce, taco shells)
1 seasoning shaker – taco seasoning recipe/shopping list below
2 ready made mini-bottles of margarita (includes tequila)
1 50 mL bottle of tequila (optional)
Taco Seasoning
4 tablespoons cumin
4teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
Wrapping this beauty up doesn’t have to be fancy – the important thing is that you’re giving someone tequila and tacos – how could you go wrong? I’d say a simple cellophane wrapper and a cute gift tag is all you need! A cute play on words like “Taco Load Off” or a phrase like “Taco Break!” will help tie everything together. Happy gifting(and summer)! Be sure to follow along for more summer fun, travel tips, recipes, and more!