For the final installment of the Steve Brings It Holiday Campaign, I put together a few party tips in case you feel like holding your own carnival-themed party!

So without further ado, here are my party tips!

Setting the scene is important. White fairy lights, polka-dot cups & pink plastic utensils will all add to the magic & excitement of your theme. See if you can get your hands on a cotton candy machine, popcorn machine or a bubble machine! You can buy them online if you’re feeling excitable, but renting from a party supply store is a great option too!

Have fun with your hair! Throw some temporary colour through it, attach strands of tinsel or tease it up! Glitter hairspray can be really fun too; it kind of looks like fairies are having an orgy on your head! Experiment with pairs of ears, too… They’re so much fun!

Sweet finger-foods will make everyone smile. One of my favourite things to eat — not that I’ve had it in years! — is fairy bread. You essentially butter white bread, cut the crusts off & sprinkle it with nonpareils! (It is delicious!)

Invite your friends in a creative way: write their invitation on a deflated balloon or frost a cake with the details, then send out a Polaroid picture of it!

Encourage your guests to wear their brightest, loudest & silliest costumes. It will make for fabulous photos!

Be sure to document everything! Don’t just limit yourself to your iPhone camera or your point-&-shoot, either; try experimenting with instant photos (I love my Fujifilm Instax — as evidenced! — but Polaroids are fantastic too!) or a Holga or Diana camera!

There are plenty of other visual treats & goodies over on my Birthday Forever Pinterest board! Go & have a look!

On this chilly day back in November, I wore…

Purple bunny ears — I bought these about a million years ago & have worn them so much!
Black polka-dot HeatTech thermal from Uniqlo
Black dress with quilted skirt from ASOS
Yellow bow belt from WORLD
Grey blazer from Forever 21
Stockings bought in Barcelona
Steve Madden Beasst heels

I love busting out the blazer collection in autumn. They’re absolutely perfect, & they top off a short little dress in just the right way! Too bad the days of blazers have already passed us by… It’s all about faux fur coats now!

Okay, this is the last time I’m going to say it… If you use the promo code GalaDarling15, you’ll get 15% off of SteveMadden.com with free shipping! (Clearance is excluded, & the code can’t be stacked with other codes.) You have until 12/31/11 @ 11:59pm EST to use it, too! Hooray!

Photos by the very talented Lydia Hudgens!