Going Vintage

When you're throwing a party one of the most important elements is decor and creating the right atmosphere. You don't need to go out and spend a lot of money on decorations or hire a designer or a party planner. This ongoing series of blog posts will be about creating a party atmosphere on a budget.

This October, we're throwing a murder mystery party set in a depression era carnival. Since we're looking at the early 1930's, we're incorporating some vintage pieces reminiscent of that time period.

These fantastic vintage glass insulators are a perfect small detail that will add to the overall atmosphere of the party.


Check out the scallop detail on these insulators, the varying colors and the raised glass lettering. All these little details, while they might seem insignificant really add to the overall feel that we're trying to create.

What do you like to do or think about when creating a party atmosphere? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thrift Shopping for a Costume

One of the best parts about throwing a murder mystery party is putting together a costume. If you’re short on time and creativity, you can always rent a costume. All the work is done for you and you’re ready to go. But if you have the time and inclination, thrift shopping is absolutely the most exciting and creative way to put together a costume. During the next few weeks, Jay and I will share with you how we put together costumes as avid thrifters.

The first step in the process is finding the thrift shops near you. Checking out the local Goodwill or Salvation Army is great - but there are always smaller, hidden thrift shop gems just waiting to be discovered. Most thrift shops are charity based and don’t have big advertising budgets - so you’ve got to seek them out. Thankfully the internet has come to the rescue. The Thrift Shopper is an amazing resource for anyone who loves to thrift. You can pop in any zip code or city/state combo and BAM - you’re provided with a list of all the thrift shops near you. I’ve discovered so many great thrift shops using this great site!

Hopefuly we’ve encouraged you to get out there and thrift your Halloween costume this year! If anyone is putting together a thrifted costume, we’d love to see some pics!

Don't forget to enter our murder mystery party game giveaway! You could win an evening of diabolical fun with your friends and family!

Murder Mystery Party Giveaway

To announce and celebrate the launching of our new blog and the impending Halloween season, Toe Tag Mysteries is offering one lucky follower the chance to win their very own murder mystery party game! The winner will receive a .pdf download of the game of their choice via email. Visit www.toetagmysteries.com to choose which game you’d like to win!

Entry requirements:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Visit www.toetagmysteries.com and leave a comment in response to this post with which game you'd like to win and your email address.

For additional entries (You must leave a comment for each entry performed):

Like Toe Tag Mysteries on Facebook.

Follow Toe Tag Mysteries on Twitter.

Like this post using the Facebook button at the bottom of the post.

Tweet about this giveaway.

If you have a blog, mention and link to this giveaway on your blog.

Please leave one comment in response to this post for each of the additional entries.

You can enter to win from now through Wednesday, September 7th at midnight! The winner will be chosen at random (using www.random.org) and announced Thursday, September 8th!

This giveaway is open to everyone - domestic and international entries are welcome! Good luck!

The winner will receive via email a .pdf that will include everything you need to host game:

• Invitations – Forms that you fill out with your guests name and character, time and date of the party and costume suggestions.
• Character Selection Chart – For the host to easily assign guests to characters.
• Character List – A short description of each character in the game.
• Step-by-Step Guide – A timeline that shows the host how the game will progress.
• Host Checklist – A way to ensure the host is prepared for the party.
• Character Bios – All guests are given a character background and a set of goals and objects to complete during the game.
• Props – All the evidence and clues needed to run the game.
• Solution
• Toe Tag Money
• Name Badges
• Prize Ballots