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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

FREE Summer Banner + TOP 5 Luau Planning Tips


summer luau table decor, how to plan a luau, tips for planning a luau, Fruttare


“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Fruttare, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

    
Summa summa summa-time! Time to sit back and unwind! Am I right? We are celebrating the arrival of summer around my house and I wanted to share with you one of our favorite things to do in the summer. We always like to have themed small gatherings but with a twist, especially luaus. One year we did an Americana Luau that was all red, white and blue which ended up being one of my all-time faves. Another time we did a graduation luau and had flamingos as the main focus but today we are focusing on a SUMMER LUAU!


Luaus can be as big or as small as you want them to be. They can be held indoors or outdoors. Lots of food or just a few items. To help with this, I will be sharing my TOP 5 Tips when planning a LUAU!




1. the DECOR
The decor has to be festive but it doesn't have to be expensive. Pick up a few decor items from your local Dollar Store and then use food for the rest. Try to have a focal point, in this case I used a printed background behind my table (from the Dollar store) to set the tone for this gathering. I also picked up this fun blue hula tableskirt and taped it to my table. Then add pops of color to your table by using placemats you already have. When planning a colorful table, I suggest using white platters and plates to put food on so the colors pop. The other decor item I used for this, was the FREE mini Summer banner that you can download, cut out and use bakers twine to string between two pineapples like I did here. Decorating doesn't have to be hard and it doesn't have to be a typical "decor item". For example, I used colorful drinking straws under the mini cupcakes for added interest on my table. I also sliced limes up and used them underneath my Fruttare fruit bars that I served.


luau backdrop, luau decor, luau table, how to plan a luau, pineapple
summer banner, lime cupcakes, mango, strawberries, tropical fruit, coconut
Fruttare bars, sliced limes, pineapple, tropical fruit, luau party food


2. the FOOD
The food can be simple. Pick a few things and then call it done. Sometimes we can go overboard on food and then we have all of these leftovers and we wonder WHY we made so much. I however, would not know anything about that though. ;)

In this particular case, I chose to have my "food" be just fruit and mini cupcakes. Fruit is the perfect food for a luau so mix it up and have a variety for your guests to enjoy. Always make sure you have at least ONE coconut though, I mean c'mon . . . luau + coconuts just go together like peanut butter and jelly, ya know! 

I added small slices of limes to these store bought mini vanilla cupcakes and by the time we enjoyed them, the frosting tasted like lime frosting! Yum!


luau party food, mini vanilla cupcakes, lime slices, tropical fruit, coconutfood for a luaa, sliced kiwi, strawberries, FREE summer banner, mango
mini vanilla cupcakes, lime cupcakes, striped colored straws,sprinkles



3. the DRINKS
The drinks. The drinks may be the thing I look forward to the most when planning luaus as there are so many tasty tropical drinks out there to choose from, which is awesome! For this mini party, we mixed up some coconut rum, lime, pineapple juice, Sprite and a little strawberry mix. Oh my yum!

Always plan on a mocktail version of your party drink as well in case you have children at the luau or people who wish to not drink, so they can have a yummy drink as well. Also a nice tall pitcher of ice water or seltzer water with some sliced fresh fruit in it would be a nice addition to your drink menu too.

The most important thing to NOT forget when hosting a luau is the drink umbrellas for your drinks. These are a MUST for luaus and I always have them on hand as they are so inexpensive and make for fun little decor touches on the table as well.


drink ideas for a luau, mocktail, drink umbrella, lei, Fruttare, luau decor
flamingo glasses, drink umbrellas, luau cocktail, luau drink ideas
cocktail umbrella, striped straw, luau cocktail, luau drink, strawberries



4. the MUSIC
Personally, I can NOT live without my music. You can easily transform your guests and the party with music. Pick a variety that everyone will enjoy and have it playing in the background. Turn it up if you decide to partake in some fun games like limbo though. We need to keep the guests pumped!

I can also help you out with some FREE music today as well. That's right, for this party, when I shopped at my local Kroger and picked up my food items, I found out that Fruttare fruit bars will have a special promotion going on from July 1 until July 31. If you buy just one Fruttare item, you can redeem a Music Reward which will let you take advantage of some FREE music. Make sure to get your $4 Music Award here starting July 1, as it's only good while supplies last, during this promotion. How sweet is that? ;)


 
tips on planning a luau, free summer banner, mini cupcakes, luau food



5. the DESSERT
The dessert table needs to be simple. People are cutting back these days and watching what they are eating plus they want to stay healthy, even with their desserts. For this table as you have seen, I had mini cupcakes and fresh fruit but always want a FROZEN treat for the dessert as well. 



FREE summer banner, mini lime cupcakes, summer luau tips, summer

cake stand, mini lime cupcakes, tropical, drink umbrella, luau flowers



I picked a couple flavors of Fruttare fruit bars for the perfect frozen treat for this luau. They are bursting with real fruit taste, creamy milk or refreshing juice. To be honest, I bought the ONLY two flavors they had in stock: mango and the strawberry and milk. I really liked the strawberry and milk as you could really taste the fruit but the mango wasn't my favorite just because I don't care for them. I was hoping for one of my faves, the pineapple or the lime but I will keep watching for it. There are ten different flavors to choose from and they all sound delish: strawberry and milk, peach and milk, banana and milk, black cherry, pineapple. lime and more! These bars make the ultimate refresher for your luau!




Fruttare bars, sliced limes, luau food ideas, mango bars, strawberry bars
Fruttare bars on platter, sliced limes, strawberries, tropical, luau tips




I would recommend picking up some of these bars and also getting your FREE Music Reward, starting on July 1. Then if you decide to plan a small luau or have a summer party, you come back here and download your own FREE mini SUMMER BANNER to use at your next event!



FREE download of summer banner, party banner, luau party tips, luauideas on setting up a luau table, luau decor ideas, luau food ideas, summer
FREE summer banner, tips for a luau, flamingo glass, tropical fruit, luau




So who's ready to LUAU and enjoy SUMMER?! . . .  me! ;)


free summer banner, luau tips, Fruttare bars, mango, strawberry, fruit


So have you tried these Fruttare fruit bars yet? Which flavor would you like to try? Planning a summer party? Let me know if you will use any of my tips . . .








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52 comments:

  1. Such fun ideas! Love the banner : )

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  2. Oh my gosh! Everything looks GREAT!!

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    1. why thank you so much Ami - hope you get to use some of the ideas this summer! ;)

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  3. I love the lime ones, they are so good! I haven't tried any of the other ones, but I'll have to keep my eye out for them and plan a Luau party! :)

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    1. I was so wanting the lime ones but good to know they are good - going to keep looking! Hope you have a fun little luau with your kiddos this summer! =)

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  4. Oh yum! This is so beautiful and looks so refreshing! What great ideas and I can't wait to use the banner :)

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    1. Thanks so much for the love and definitely use the banner - it's the perfect size! ;)

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  5. What great ideas... Now I want to have a summer party.. Pinning.

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    1. Ahhhh thanks, I appreciate that. So glad you enjoyed this & thanks for pinning. Hope you get to have this party! ;)

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  6. My kids love Fruttare! The perfect summer treat!

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    1. Yes I agree - and we can feel good about giving it to them too - BONUS! ;)

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  7. We have to try these. They look so good! Love the styling and summer colors!

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    1. Yes you should as they are really good! Thanks so much for the compliment too - I appreciate it! ;)

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  8. I love this! What an adorable party! everything looks so cute!

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    1. Thanks Mindy I appreciate that - hope you get to use the banner! ;)

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  9. Love this! I also love luau drinks - yum!

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  10. This just screams summer! Love your tips about the food: a few items and call it done (yes!). I think those pops are a must though. They look delish!

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    1. Thanks Tori - I am so loving smaller party menus where you have less as it makes less work for the hostess too, know what I'm sayin! ;) Yes try the pops - delish!

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  11. So adorable! I love all the limes, and all the colors! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. This is so fun! I'm going to plan a luau for my girls this summer! I love the banner!

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    1. ahhhhh sweet - so glad to hear that! Glad you like my tips and enjoy the banner!

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  13. Absolutely love the idea of a luau party, with no clue of how to put it together! Thank you, I love it!

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    1. thanks Dee, and so glad this helped you and look forward to seeing a luau of your own! ;)

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  14. This is so fun, Laura! Love the Fruttare pops!

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    1. I know right Heidi, aren't they soooo good! I'm hoping to snag some new flavors to try! Glad you enjoyed this & thanks for the love!

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  15. The decor is so fun! We should totally host a luau this summer! Those Fruttare bars are yummmmmm!

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    1. Oh girl you totally need to host a mini luau as it's easier than you think + the kiddos would love it! ;) Don't forget to use the banner if you do - super fun!

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  16. WOW - what an awesome party! I love the banner. Fruttare Fruit Bars are one of our favorites! So delicious.

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    1. ahhhh thanks so much Layne, glad you liked it and hopefully you can have one too. Glad to hear you love the Fruttare bars - they are good! ;)

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  17. This is AMAZING!!!! All of that fruit just looks wonderful, now I'm hungry :)

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    1. I know right? I love fresh fruit too and it's definitely one perk to having these little parties - the leftovers! ;) Thanks for checking it out & enjoy the banner!

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  18. This made me want to have a Luau like RIGHT NOW! Thanks for all the fun ideas and visuals!

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    1. well I think you should have a luau like right now! lol It was super fun and easy and hopefully you can fit one in this summer as everyone loves a luau! Thanks for the love! =)

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  19. Those Fruttare bars are so good! And I love all the bright colors of your party :)

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    1. They are good! Totally agree Stephanie & thanks for stopping by!

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  20. Who doesn't love a good Luau! These bars look delicious. I haven't tried them yet but keep seeing them around (that MUST be a sign, right?). Mango is my choice!

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    1. Right? I know - luaus are a blast! Hope you get a chance to try these bars & find mango - wish I could find the lime! ;) They are a whole lotta yum though!

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  21. Summertime is the perfect time for a luau!! These look so delicious! I need to try them! I would have to pick mango first!

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    1. Summer IS perfect for luaus & tasty treats! Thanks for the love & hope you can try these soon!

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  22. I love the use of fresh fruit as decor! So easy and perfect.

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    1. It really is fun to work with plus you get to enjoy it all afterwards if there is any left! Enjoy the banner! ;)

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  23. This decor gives me major aloha! love love love. I've been meaning to try the Fruttare bars. The strawberry ones look so delicious!

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    1. I'm glad to hear you wanna luau - just stop on by anytime as we'd love to have you! ;)

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  24. How fun and festive!! I love the bright colors!!!

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    1. thanks I really tried to make it super festive without doing a lot so I appreciate that! ;)

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  25. two elements I LOVE! The straws under the cutest cupcakes and the lime slices under the bars...AWESOME Job!

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    1. thanks - those just came to me while I was styling and I really like the way it looked - I like doing the unexpected as I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it but I haven't seen anything like it lately. ;)

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