1960's Mad Men Birthday Party

We had our Mad Men themed Birthday party for our dear friend Molly last weekend and WOW, what a success! My apartment was transported back to the mid sixties for a night of flashback party-goers and Mad Men enthusiasts! Since my apartment is already a blast from the past, it took very little effort to time travel.  What really made it fantastic was the 100% costume participation from our guests!  They all looked fabulous!  So, sit back and enjoy some kitschy pics! (click pics for larger view)

The apartment made a fabulous "set" for our cast of guests.  Seriously, it was in full party mode!  I got to bust out every piece of colorful Pyrex and party ware I own (which is quite a bit).  In addition to the Birthday celebration, there were Christmas decorations up.  We just let the apartment be itself (yes, it seems to have taken on it's own personality) for the "period appropriate" decorations!

Candy Cigarettes and a ton of other sweets!

Our bar set-up, which had a professional bar tender too!

The Pièce de résistance - Astro Weenie Christmas Tree inspired by Charles Phoenix (king o' kitsch)  I made one little upgrade to the original AWCT, I made mine ROTATE with a vintage Rotating Christmas Tree Stand (which was a free curbside find years ago)  OMG!!!

You start out with a styrofoam floral cone and in my case, shove a dowel up in there, cover it with tinfoil and then insert into rotating tree stand.  Then, start skewering your toppings of choice till that bad boy is filled up!  I have never felt more Euphoric than when I was decorating my AWCT!!  It was like my entire existence had been justified as soon as I started sticking those tooth picks in.  I was literally giggling the whole time!

Here is a video of the AWCT in action!

This particular AWCT doesn't have any weenies on it (it's a vegetarian version) but we do have Broccoli, Olives, Cauliflower, carrots, pineapple, apples, colorful marshmallows, strawberries, vanilla wafers and Oreos.  Yes, you can skewer cookies!!! 

For dips, I set up two fondue pots (yes, I own two fondue sets, is one ever enough?) and we made a chocolate fondue and a Frosty the Cheeseball Man (thanks again Charles Phoenix) for the cheese fondue.  Observe:

You make a cheese ball snow man out of Velveta, and then ice him with cream cheese.  Make him some features out on fruits & veggies and there you have it, the cutest little guy that you've ever seen (or will melt into oblivion)!  

Here is Frosty the Cheesball Man taking what he thinks is a dip in the jacuzzi.  I love the pic in the top right.  It's like he's saying "I don't feel so good"...but you tasted great Frosty, you tasted great! Note the olive "eyes" floating in the fondue!

The rest was a fabulous blur!  Just look at these fun-loving people!

There was a photo area in my bedroom  made out of the giant chalkboard.  There is the birthday girl pictured below (top right) channeling her inner Don Draper .

The house really took on a movie set look in these pics.  I had tons of compliments on the apartment, and the food.  Everyone seemed to have a great time at the party.  We couldn't have been happier at the turnout.  It was elegant and kitschy all at the same time.  What a great way to clebrate Molly's Birthday!  

Planning and preparing for this party was great, I was in heaven!  I wouldn't mind having a holiday cocktail party once a year from now on.  It was so great! Cheers to you all!