I just want to preface this post with this: Yes, we went cheesy ‘Hollywood 80s’. Yes, I know not everyone dressed in neon in the 80s. We also had preppy 80s, vests & teased bangs, heavy metal 80s … we pretty much hit on every 80s cliche. It was awesome. And, yes, I did wear side ponytails 😉
This year was not a milestone birthday, but when neon is “in” and almost every store is stocked with something inspired by the 80s, it just seemed right to throw a big ol’ 80s party, right?! I didn’t take nearly as many pictures as I wanted to (bad blogger!), but when my house is packed to the gills with good food and friends, my camera took a bit of a back seat. But have no fear, I’ve still got TONS to show you!
80s Party BIG REVEAL & TONS of 80s Party Ideas
One of the absolute BEST parts of this birthday was the ultimate surprise from my best friend … a real live make up artist arrived to do our 80s makeup before the party!!! Talk about feeling like a celebrity!
 |
| Amy Lynn rockin’ green & yellow eyeshadow and bubble gum pink lipstick and Yours Truly decked out in bright blue eyeshadow, tons-o-blush and super glossy lips … SO FUN!! |
With all of the party prep done, it was time to get all dolled up … 80s style!! I think this is one of the only full body pictures of me (eek!) on this whole blog and I am channeling the 80s … TOO funny!
 |
| From top to bottom … Flower in my sweet side ponytail: 31 Gifts, lips shirt: Dots, neon tank: Target, denim skirt: American Eagle $3 thrift store find, leggings: Target, bow flats: Target, accessories: Party City, Dots & borrowed |
I shared my 80s party photo props earlier this week and we set up a photo station to put them to use!! I hung a neon green sheet and cool strips of neon paper (thanks for the idea Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts!), added a bright blue chair ($1 yard sale find) and the props!
 |
| BFFs since highschool :: The Saint & I :: Hot Mamas |
The decor was simple, but absolutely 80s! I used a zebra table cloth for the dessert/candy table, hung my 80s party fortune teller garland and some zebra streamers, spray painted some cassette tapes (finally dug up by my mom!) and hung them in an empty frame (that is waiting to be updated – project coming soon!) and added slap bracelets and neon pencils to a Rubik cube paper basket for the last decor details:
And now onto everyone’s favorite … PARTY FOOD!! Of course, there must be cupcakes!
 |
| Rachel from Polka Dots and Lemonade made me the custom 80s cupcake toppers and cupcake wrappers … and now you can find the 80s set in her shop! She has tons of adorable stuff for all your parties!! |
Another seriously popular dessert? The whatchamacallit brownie bites we made!! Coarsely chop 2 king size Whatchamacallit candy bars, add to your brownie mix, bake as directed, frost with chocolate frosting and add a bite of the candy bar to the top! Totally rad, I promise!!
I used 4 more spray painted cassette tapes to label the snacks … hot hot hot buffalo chicken dip, Spaceballs meatballs (classic grape jelly & chili sauce recipe), CHiPs & dip (get it? CHiPs?!) and Little Debbie Gibsons (oatmeal creme pies, star crunches and nutty buddies in a metal lunch box!). I also had Twizzlers and Jolly Ranchers. Everyone loved the flashback food 🙂
There were also magnet boards draped with a neon/zebra dots banner for everyone to display their photos from the 80s … this was one of my favorite things!! I love that my kindergarten dream in 1984 was to be a cheerleader … little did I know how inflexible I would be and what a chicken I am to do a cartwheel, ha ha!
This was one of my favorite birthday parties ever … how can you have a bad day when you are wearing a hot pink fingerless glove? Right?! The party was wicked, the clothes totally tubular, the friends were epic and the food ruled!! I mean, if I had a big enough house, all of you would have, like, totally been invited!!
More Totally Rad 80s Party Ideas
- 80s Party Neon Fortune Teller Garland
- 80s Party Photo Stop Props
- Check out my 80s Party Pinterest Board for more inspiration!
Blythe says
Ha Ha. I totally, like, bet you guys had a radical time. Love the Rubik Cube box!
Blythe
Desperate Craftwives
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
Oh that looks like a good time! I loved seeing all the memories…cassette tapes?? Almost forgot about those already!
hilljean says
This looks so fun! I love all the colors 🙂
Four Marrs and One Venus says
This party ROCKS the House! What a Blast .. totally Radical to the Maximal Decimal!!! I so wish I could have been there to rock it with ya girl! Food looks fantastic- love the cassettes you smarty pants!!! LOVE IT!!!! Happy Birthday you hot mama you!!
Lori says
I love the 80’s!! What a fun party! You did a great job with all the decorations and food and your clothes and makeup are totally awesome!! I might have to do something like this for my hubby’s birthday next year. Thanks for sharing.
Lori : )
Thrifty Decor Mom
Kari at A Grace Full Life says
OMG I soo wanna be in your inner circle of friends! This is THE coolest party EVAH!!!! I am so sharing this on my FB fan page!!! And I am proud to say I am an 80s gal…..graduated in 88!!! Great party!!!Could I add any more exclamation points?!?!?! 🙂
Lisa says
Haha, love this! Everything is so cute! My fave is the cassette tape labels!
Ginger says
Looks like so much fun! 🙂 I love the side pony tail.
Janel from NellieBellie says
This almost makes me want to have another birthday so I can have so much fun…almost! So fun! You are a clever girl!
The Bold Abode says
Wicked awesome, yo! How fun!
the cape on the corner says
cassette tape labels! love it! i think i totally wore your outfit, lol…but i probably had on legwarmers, too.
Jill says
That looks like so much fun! The 80s were awesome – I think we’ll have to have a party to celebrate them sometime too!!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
I love this! I’ve been wanting to have an 80s theme party. Thanks for the ideas!
Angela at A Typical English Home says
I absolute love the “80s photo stop” idea! Your party looks so much fun.
Katie @ Pincushion Creations says
How fun!! Would love for you to share this at my link party!
http://www.pincushioncreations.com/2012/08/homemade-by-you-27.html
Printabelle says
You sure hit on lots of fun 80’s elements! Thanks for linking!
Nici - Posed Perfection says
Love it! I was just transported back to the glory days of neon and crimped hair. I had forgotten about Whatchamacallits. Great job! I am your newest follower. I hope you’ll stop by Posed Perfection for a visit soon and maybe even a follow back. Have a great week!
Blessings,
Nici
Katie's Nesting Spot says
This is one super rad party, I love your side pony you look so cute! The idea to use painted cassette taps was genious!
Stacey says
Looks super!Your post drew me in…I have always wanted to have an 80’s party – great ideas!
Would love if you stopped by to link this up to my party happening now!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Melissa says
I am throwing my hubby an 80’s party in October for his 30th. I am stealing so many of your ideas! Thank you, so glad I found your blog! One question though…where did you find the slap bracelets? I have only found plain colored ones on Oriental Trading 🙂
keri @ shaken together says
Hi Melissa – I found the fuzzy crazy slap bracelets at Walmart in the party favors section – I think they were $1 per pack and I bought three packs. Hope your party is totally rad!!
Melissa says
Great! Thank you 🙂
Shelley says
Super cute! The 80’s were so fun!!
Earning-My-Cape says
How fun!!! I’m having flashbacks! 🙂
Maggie says
Thanks for this post! We are having a neighborhood Decades Dine Around Party in a couple of weeks and we are 80’s! I got some really cute ideas from you 🙂
Rachel @ Polka Dots and Lemonade says
I’m glad you enjoyed your party items – although I’m not happy with how they look after shipping!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙁 Other than that, though, it looks like your party was awesome! 🙂
malia says
Keri, This is like totally tubular! xoxo Malia
Alecia @ ChickenScratch NY says
Very fun! I missed the 80’s fun (I was born in ’88) and this makes me sad I did! (I did have neon shoe laces when I was little though) Thanks for linking up at What’s Cluckin!