Bodacious Birthday: The Final Chapter of MsiCandi Movie Night Summer Series

Celebrating my 40th birthday this year has been an absolute blast, filled with memorable

moments and exciting experiences. One of the standout events during this milestone year was

undoubtedly my 80s-themed birthday party, which was also part of the MsiCandi Movie Night

Series. Not only did we have the chance to revel in the nostalgia of the 1980s, but we also

enjoyed a fantastic screening of "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo," a movie that holds a special

connection to my birthday. From the vibrant decorations to the delectable food and engaging

activities, my 80s-inspired birthday bash was truly one for the books!

Decked Out Decor

To create the perfect 80s atmosphere for my birthday bash, I enlisted the help of my talented

partner in crime, Michelle Smith from Expressions Unique. Together, we brainstormed ideas by

watching the movie beforehand, which inspired Michelle to come up with some fantastic décor

concepts that really brought the 80s vibe to life.

One of Michelle's most creative ideas was transforming our driveway into a colorful dance floor

using repurposed cardboard boxes. She spray-painted them with vibrant colors and adorned

them with popular phrases and sayings from the 80s. This not only added a splash of color but

also set the tone for the party's theme. Additionally, she designed an eye-catching balloon arch

surrounding a life-size poster of myself from a recent photoshoot—a touch that not only added

to the festive atmosphere but also served as a great conversation starter for guests.

When our guests entered the party, they were greeted not only by the vibrant decorations but also

by the fantastic beats spun by our talented DJ, Penny. Penny was a lifesaver when our original

DJ unfortunately came down with Covid at the last minute. Thanks to Penny, our guests were

jamming and dancing throughout the night, and the party wouldn't have been the same without

her. We are so grateful for her stepping in and keeping the energy high!

As I was planning my 40th birthday party, I knew I wanted to showcase a film that held a

special place in my heart—something that truly represented my personality and interests.

That's when I remembered "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo," a movie I had watched and loved

countless times as a child. Even though I was initially hesitant about choosing this film due to

its somewhat cheesy reputation, I ultimately decided to stay true to myself and celebrate my

birthday with a movie that brought me so much joy.

The fact that it was also the 40th anniversary of the movie made it all the more fitting, as I

could share my love for the 80s, dance, and upbeat atmosphere with my guests. "Breakin' 2:

Electric Boogaloo" may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, it encapsulated the fun and

carefree spirit I wanted to bring to my party.

Delicious Delights

For our culinary needs, we turned to the talented Alicia Manley from A’liciously Saucy Catering

& Desserts. Alicia's vision was to create a mini smorgasbord of tasty delights that would give

our guests plenty of options to choose from. Unlike previous movie nights where food was

served in stages, we wanted our guests to be able to enjoy their meals right away, so Alicia

prepared an impressive spread that greeted them as they walked up the driveway,

accompanied by the infectious beats of 80s music.

A’liciously Saucy Catering & Desserts provided us with a mouthwatering selection of dishes

that were both delicious and memorable. The menu featured a variety of appetizers and

desserts, including the crowd-favorite salmon croquette sliders, spinach dip, shrimp cocktail,

pasta salad, and cupcakes.

Alicia and her team also went the extra mile by incorporating an interactive element during the

movie's dining scene. As the characters in the film sat down for a less-than-appetizing dinner,

Alicia's team served us all meatballs, adding a fun and immersive touch to the experience.

Sweet Treats

I can't forget to mention the amazing charcuterie expert, Tasha Love of A Lil Bits n Bites, who

also co-hosts these dinner and movie events with me. For my birthday cake, I challenged

Tasha to create a unique fruitcake, not the traditional Christmas fruitcake that many people

don't enjoy. Instead, I envisioned a stacked fruitcake inspired by the stunning creations I had

seen on social media, featuring watermelon or pineapple with decorative fruits. Tasha worked

her magic and created a magnificent fruitcake, using only fresh fruits and chocolate. The cake

was beautifully stacked with colorful layers of watermelon and adorned with an array of fruits

that served as vibrant decorations. The finishing touch was a cake topper that proudly declared

"Happy 40th Birthday," making it an incredibly special and eye-catching centerpiece for the

celebration.

Interactive Moments

The party began with an hour and a half of socializing, eating, and dancing to the upbeat

sounds of the 80s. As guests arrived, they were warmly greeted by my nephew Jayceon and

my son Cairo, who were running a lemonade stand promoting Jayceon's business, Jayceon’s

Jungle Juice. Everyone enjoyed sipping on his delicious signature lemonades, which added a

refreshing touch to the party atmosphere.

Once everyone had a chance to mingle and settle in, we kicked off the festivities with a fun

fashion walk-off. Guests eagerly showcased their amazing 80s-inspired outfits and competed

for the title of best-dressed. This interactive moment set the tone for the rest of the party, and

everyone had an absolute blast.

Once the film began, we had even more interactive moments planned to keep the energy high

and the guests engaged. During a dance-off scene in the movie, we held our own dance

competition. A few enthusiastic guests, including myself, joined in and showcased our best

moves. It was a fantastic moment that had everyone cheering and laughing.

In another interactive moment, I changed into a nurse's outfit and distributed shots in syringes

to my guests during a hospital scene in the film. This fun twist not only tied the movie into the

party but also provided a unique and entertaining experience for everyone involved.

As the celebration fundraiser scene approached, we handed out glow sticks, glow glasses,

glow slinger clips, and glow-in-the-dark beach balls to our guests. With the evening darkness

surrounding us, these colorful glowing accessories truly enhanced the atmosphere, making it

bright and vibrant as everyone participated in the excitement.

Overall, these interactive moments brought the film to life and allowed my guests to feel like

they were a part of the action, creating unforgettable memories from my 80s-themed birthday

bash.

As I reflect on my 80s-themed birthday bash, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the

incredible memories and love shared by all my guests. This party wasn't merely a celebration

of turning 40, but also a tribute to the power of nostalgia, creativity, and the sheer joy that

comes from embracing life's moments. The 80s hold a special place in my heart, as it marked

the beginning of my journey in this world, and I was thrilled to share this celebration with those

who have loved and supported me from the very beginning.

A huge thank you goes out to my incredible team, Aunt Michelle and Tosha, for co-hosting

these movie nights with me, and to Chef Alicia and her staff for crafting such a delicious

spread. To baby bosses Cairo and Jayceon, thank you for being our fantastic greeters and

serving up refreshing lemonade to our guests.

I am incredibly thankful for London and Kayden, our fantastic teen staff, who took on various

roles, from serving and directing guests to capturing content throughout the night. Their hard

work and dedication played a significant role in ensuring that our party ran seamlessly and that

everyone enjoyed themselves. We are truly grateful for their efforts and appreciate them being

a part of our team.

If you'd like to learn more about the amazing people who contributed to this unforgettable

event or reach out to them for your own special occasions, please find their contact

information and links below. Thank you again for your continued support, and we look forward

to sharing many more movie nights with you!

Tosha Love (Fruit Cake Delight) Lil Bits n Bites

Michelle Smith (Decor) Expressions Unique LLC

Alicia Manley (Catering) A'Liciously Saucy Catering & Desserts

Jayceon's Jungle Juice : Link