A must-have for a kid's party!

Rocket balloons are really simple.  They’re just colorful long balloons and a hand pump.

You use the pump to blow up the balloons.  Then you let the balloons go and they fly super high in the sky and make a funny noise.  Simple, and yet the kids LOVED them.

We used them right as the party was starting to bring the kids together.  It worked like a charm.

The only downside was we used up all the balloons pretty fast so make sure you buy replacements.

Trust me, rocket balloons are a cheap, fun way to get your outdoor party started!

What got me interested in Sharon is how one-of-a-kind her parties are.  In fact, I’ve never seen anything like it.

For her Musical Princess Tea Party, Sharon comes dressed in a big pink ball gown and tiara.  She brings a rack of princess gowns, shoes, tiaras, and magic wands for her guests.  She provides royal table settings, satin chair covers, room and table decor, plus she can even take care of catering (including gorgeous princess cupcakes) if you like.

The princess table.

The rack of gowns, with shoes, tiaras, and magic wands.

Since Sharon is a trained vocalist and educator, her parties aren’t just about the makeup and glamour (although that’s definitely part of it).  They involve musical stories and games, ribbon dancing, professional face painting, princess crafts, and beautiful hand-made princess favors she custom orders from craftspeople on Etsy.  Sharon’s parties are so complete, she also provides custom invitations and thank you notes for her hosts.

Princess Sharon leading her guests in ribbon dancing.

Princess Sharon face painting.

Her handmade favors.

Her custom cupcakes.

Her one-of-a-kind spa parties.

One of her happy princess fairies.

Even though Sharon throws these extravagant parties, what she prides herself on is creating warm, enriching, inclusive environments, so that all her guests feel like happy princesses when they leave.

If you live in the Boston area, and you want to give your daughter the party of a lifetime, hire Princess Sharon.

And for those of you who don’t live nearby, but want to partake in all-things “princess,” visit Princess Sharon’s online gift and favor shop where she sells many of her custom items.

Keaton told me that for her wedding, she had her company make custom hula hoops in her wedding colors, then put them out for her friends and family to enjoy at the reception.  She said it was such a hit, that even her husband’s “guy” friends got into the action.

What I think is so fantastic about this idea is that it is simple and fun — come on, who doesn’t love a hula hoop? — and yet it can add so much to a party.

I’ve been to so many weddings and events that are beautiful, but leave me bored at the end.  And why is that?  Because they all follow the same script.

So, I’m always looking for that personal touch, that playfulness, the element that says, “So what if this wedding dress cost more than I make in a year, it’s getting dirty!”   Those are the parties I enjoy the most, the ones that feel the most “real,” and the ones that stay with me months, even years, afterward.

So if you’re looking to add a spontaneous touch, and want to harken back to those good times you had on your fifth grade playground, contact Hoopnotica and they’ll set you up with some awesome hoops.

Here are some pictures of Keaton’s beautiful wedding by her photographer Ryan Jensen.

Yes, that's the bride...

And the best man...

And of course, this girl's just meant to hula hoop!

To see more of Keaton’s wedding photos check out her party page.

Also, if you’re looking for some cool entertainment for your wedding or party, Keaton said Hoopnotica performs as well, and even does a fire hoops show that is out of this world.