#AwakenYourForce with a Star Wars themed Birthday Party

We love parties. Kids love it too. Of all the themes that have been popularized -be it Chhota Bheem to Dora the explorer - the theme which has a movie angle is always more fun.
Take Star Wars for instance.

Lucas' iconic series of films that is a cult in itself not only in the U.S. but all over the world. And this year, the force is back with the release of the seventh installment of the franchise: Star Wars - The Force Awakens.

The Star Wars movies have always been a popular set of movies, with each installment, attracting the newer set of fans to its fandom. Proof is in the hug number of merchandise that has been created from the R2-D2 robots to Darth Vader toilet paper.
As always, the news of the current Star Wars movie launch has taken the media by storm with even the current generation eagerly awaiting the movie, much like their parents did decades back. And such is the power of the storytelling and characters, that a non-believer/ watcher too gets hooked onto the mania.

This time, complimenting the Star Wars fever is leading Notebook manufacturer HP, who has launched the Star Wars Special Edition Notebook  for all the Star Wars fans.


This notebook is a digital powerhouse customized and pre-loaded with a generation spanning Star Wars content that boasts of 1,100 images and sound schemes and wallpapers. The HP Star Wars Command Center is the portal into the collection of rare Star Wars content drawn from the Lucas film archives. Also, thanks to the inbuilt 'Aurebesh' font any general communication can look like a message from the imperial senate. It's like living with the movie every day of your life.

Unleash your inner sith with illuminated backlit display that works in the dimmest of lights and surrender your senses to powerful audio by B&O Play coupled with full HD display.

Don't underestimate the power of lightening-fast performance with an Intel Processor inside.

And how do I plan to Awaken My Force with this unique Notebook?
Lately, my 9 year old nephew has caught on with the frenzy of this intergalactic franchise and with his birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, I have something up my sleeve.

Here's my fun side take on the Star Wars and how I would plan for my nephew's surprise Birthday Party with the aid of HP's Special Edition Notebook of course:

The Birthday Party Invite

The the out-of-the-world decor:

Star Wars Bunting | PC: craftgawker.com

Star Wars Cup |
PC: http://hellosociety.com/blog/top-5-ideas-for-a-star-wars-viewing-party/

R2D2 Trash Can | PC: buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/star-wars-birthday-bash

Kids will love cleaning up in this!

The intergalactic games:

Star Wars Intergalactic Training - Obstacle course | PC: blog.hwtm.com

Intergalactic Photo Booth | PC: blog.hwtm.com

Build a Lego Jedi | PC: blog.hwtm.com

Stormtrooper Bowling | PC: blog.hwtm.com

Star Wars Photobooth Props| PC - etsy.com

PC: pennysparties.blogspot.co.nz

  

PC: pennysparties.blogspot.co.nz

The Ultimate Star Wars 4 tier Cake:

PC: Cakes by Beth

The snacks:

Vaderade and Yoda Soda | PC: pennysparties.blogspot.co.nz

TIE Fighters PC: citybeestudio.wordpress.com

PC: catchmyparty.com

PC: totallythebomb.com

and last but not the least... to sweeten the deal:

Princess Leia Cupcakes - Made by me

And once the party ends, some memory to part with Party Favours/ return gifts:

Light Saber Toothbrushes. PC -momtrends.com

#AwakenYourForce by witnessing a stellar performance and an intergalactic experience with HP's Star Wars Special Edition Notebook.

37 #lilmomentsofhappiness at The Lil Flea, Mumbai

This was my first visit to The Lil Flea - a huge congregation of 200 pop-ups for shopping, food, quirky stuff, live music, open mic and activities. The Lil Flea is a periodic event, I presume three to four times a year and this one happened to be the last for this year. The date and venue: December 11-13, 2015 at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

This post of mine is inspired by my dear fellow blogger Manjulika's post where she shares her Lil Flea experience on her visit to Mumbai for IndiBlogger's BNLF Conference back in November.

So here it is: (lots of pictures coming up!)

At the back, was Mumbai Mirror's wish tree.
You could make a wish for anything upto Rs 1000 from the flea, if lucky, it could come true!

That's right!

Dibs for Dips pop-up

So many choices!

For home decor

Earrings and Trinkets at Spoil Me Silly

Hopscotch anyone?

Hair Accessories

Specially for the kids - an activities station

Kids' activity station - Shoe Painting

The Lil Book Exchange. I forgot to get a book to exchange :(

Open seating area when you're tired from shopping

Fairy lights

Kale Chips - creatively displayed

 If you're wondering where all the food I ate is...Here you go!

Some theatrics when the ice cream is prepared at Nice-Kream. Check the Liquid Nitrogen barrels at the back

That's my Nutella + Brownie + Chocolate syringe Nitrogen Blasted NiceKream!

Shawarmas from Maroosh and Mexican Bean Bowls from Little Food Co.

The Chicken Story - for savoury chicken canapes

Savoury Chicken Canape from The Chicken Story was yummy!

More than fries from Not Just Fries

Parsi fare - Salli Chicken Pav from Bawi and Billi's stall

Desserts!

Lemon Tart, Mini Chocolate truffle cups and Caramel pudding with caramel popcorn from Star Anise 

 The spoils of my visit:

Live Beautiful! - me signing off

Some pointers to remember for those who visit The Lil Flea the first time:

Date & Time:

This time it was:

Fri, 11th Dec, 3 pm to 11pm
Sat, 12th Dec, 11 am to 11 pm
Sun, 13th Dec, 11am to 11pm

But usually is around these times.

Travel:

If you're reaching by Train, once outside Bandra railway station hail an autorickshaw and say 'Exhibition Grounds' to reach the MMRDA Grounds about 3.5 kms away. The fare would be about INR 100 one way trip.

You can also avail a shared autorickshaw which will cost you INR 30 per seat. Alight at Citibank drop point.

If you're coming by car/two-wheeler:

If you are coming from Bandra, town or Western Suburbs

then first get on the Western Express highway (NH8)
Then turn on to the Sion Bandra Link Road at Kalanagar
Take the left that leads you to the BKC Road
Just continue straight on the BKC Road for a couple of kilometers till you see The Lil Flea in a ground on your left.

(As you go straight on this road, you will see NSE and ICICI Bank on your right and Asian Heart Institute and MMRDA Grounds on your left. The Lil Flea Ground is opposite CITI Bank & the Ferrari Showroom and next to BPCL Petrol pump.

If you are coming from the Eastern side, 

then you can reach the BKC road via SCLR.. You will come straight till the Ferrari Showroom Signal(which will be on your left) and from there you take a right to the BPCL Petrol Pump and you will see The Lil Flea ground on the left.

Entry Fee: 

There is an Entry fee of INR 200 per head.

For re-entry the same day or the next two day, you have to pay INR 50 per day.

Price Range: 

Starting range per item: 

Jewelry: INR 100- 500  (like earrings, hair accessories, necklaces, etc)

Clothing: INR 350 onwards.

Food: INR 200 onwards.

Decor: INR 500 onwards

Stationery: INR 200 onwards

Tips:

This is a flea market so you'll have to walk around a lot. So wear comfortable footwear.

If shopping is what you're looking for, reach on the first day of the flea for the best stuff, as it might not last on the last day.

Carry change of 100s to make transaction fast.

Haggling won't work, maybe if it's a bulk order.

I did not spot a loo, but I believe there are arrangements for portable toilets.

There are ATMs available at various corners.