Since I moved to Los Angeles in March, my life has been full of fun and exciting things, and I’ve been moving at a faster pace than ever. My family has been busy, busy, busy, with hardly any downtime at all! I hate to say it, but it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park.
By my birthday in October, I was burning out. I was so tired that I decided to do something different than the typical “dinner and club” itinerary I had grown accustomed to for my birthday. (This itinerary, of course, didn’t apply to the birthdays that fell during my pregnancies, when my birthday was reduced to just dinner.) I thought it would be fun to change things up and do something relaxing. Basically, I wanted to treat myself — after all, relocating my family of four halfway across the country while shooting a reality show, and establishing roots here in our new home, has been exhausting. I wanted to get together with some girlfriends and stay in for once. So I decided to host a “pamper in pajamas” sleepover party! I wanted to share a small recap video of my birthday dinner, including five essentials for hosting the ultimate “pamper in pajamas” party. More importantly, I’d like to encourage all you mommas out there to do something special for yourself every now and then. I know how easy it can be to fall into the habit of putting yourself last, but I’ve found that I serve my family best when I feel my best. When it comes to taking care of yourself and your family, it’s important that you keep things balanced.
Here’s what you need to throw the ultimate “pamper in pajamas” party:
1. An Awesome Venue
I threw my party at the Sixty Hotel in Beverly Hills. I wanted to create a super-luxe, grownup, and sexy atmosphere, and this hotel fit the bill. The Sixty Hotel has an upscale, modern appeal — and let’s not forget the rooftop pool, cabana area, and spacious penthouse suites! It was perfect for the occasion.
Now, don’t get me wrong — you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a lavish venue to throw an amazing party. Why not throw your party at home? Transform part of your house into a posh sleepover-themed wonderland. Using pillows and sheets and other things you find around the house, you can create a super-cute adult pillow fort and host your guests there!
2. Great Food and Drinks
I wanted my guests to leave feeling stuffed and completely satisfied, without abandoning their healthy eating habits. (That said, I definitely enjoyed a cheat meal at my party!) Our menu was crafted by Caulfield’s Beverly Hills, the restaurant inside the Sixty Hotel. We enjoyed a family-style meal with three courses.
Starter: Kale Chips
Small Plates: Crab Cakes and Arugula Salad
Entrees: Choice of Pan-Roasted Chicken, Pan-Roasted Salmon, or Braised Short Ribs. YUM!
My guests and I paired dinner with rosé champagne and signature cocktails. Then, to top things off, I served custom treats and a cake designed by Sweet Serenity Desserts. My dessert menu included vanilla and chocolate cake pops; chocolate-covered, caramel-filled pretzels; gold-leafed donuts; milk and cookie-made shot glasses; and a delicious strawberry cake. Everything looked gorgeous and tasted even better!
3. Spa Services
After we gorged on our delicious meal, my guests and I threw on our pajamas to begin the “pamper in pajamas” portion of the party! I brought in some super-talented service providers so we could indulge in the best spa services LA has to offer:
[videos file=”https://youtu.be/vfmTWywAIu4″][/videos]
At your next “pamper in pajamas” party, I would recommend featuring a professional esthetician, a lash extension technician, and if you’re really feeling bold, tattoos — or even Botox and fillers provided by a licensed esthetician! We set up different stations around the suite so that guests could get pampered while listening to great music and enjoying each other’s conversation.
4. Games
Encourage your guests to mingle while they are waiting to be serviced. I would recommend entertaining them by offering the following games:
*Junk in the Trunk – This is a contest-style game that will determine which of your guests have the best twerking skills! To play, you’ll need a couple of empty tissue boxes, string or elastic bands to attach the boxes to participants’ waists, and a bunch of ping pong balls. Your guests will compete in pairs to see who can shake a certain number of ping pings out of the tissue box the fastest. You’ll share plenty of laughs watching your guests shake what their mommas gave them!
*Drink If – This is a drinking game that you can play all night long! All you need are a Drink If question card (I used this one), alcohol, and either cups or shot glasses. Interrupt the party every so often to ask a question, and those who respond “yes” will drink! This game is a great way for guests to get to know each other in a fun and memorable way!
5. A Parting Gift
At the end of the night, I didn’t want my guests to leave empty-handed. (It was my birthday, but they deserved some party favors!) I gifted my guests with custom-labeled wine bottles and a super-cool, handy (but somewhat dangerous) wine glass attachment that can be used to drink wine straight from the bottle! I wanted to offer my friends an easy way to unwind after a long day. (Any mom out there will appreciate that!)
My pamper party was a huge success. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was to let loose with my girls! No matter the occasion, I encourage you to throw a pamper party of your own. It’s a great way to catch up and relax with friends. The best part is that you can customize your party any way you want. As long as you have the five essentials I’ve listed above, you can’t go wrong.
Have fun! Cheers!
