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It's The F*cking Catalina Wine Mixer Birthday Party


*We're interrupting our Mermaid Monday for this blog post. Stay tuned next Monday for our next Mermiad Monday post!*

Aside from being a huge dork, I am also a big fan of Will Ferrell movies.

I have watched his movies so many times that I literally know the entire script to Talladega Nights, The Other Guys, Anchor Man 1 and 2, Blades of Glory, and especially Step Brothers.

Well I flubbed and missed the 10 year anniversary of Step Brothers last year. Partly getting busy planning cosplay builds for competition, travelling, and working. Each year, I do try to dedicate a theme for my birthday. It started 2 years ago with a pastel goth tea party, then last year's was goth mermaid. This year I had my friends vote for what would be the best theme, and they chose the F*ckin' Catalina Wine Mixer--the famous fictional event at the climax of the film Stepbrothers.

Below is a few fun facts about the movie, a funny list of outfits to wear and pictures from the party. Let this serve as inspiration for your own Catalina Wine Mixer party.

I know your judgement of me might be different after seeing that I watch and love Will Ferrell movies. But to quote Talladega Nights - "I'm sayin' it with all due respect, that idea ain't worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

So sit back, and enjoy The F*cking Catalina Wine Mixer.

What exactly is the Catalina Wine Mixer?

The Catalina Wine Mixer is a big event in the movie Step Brothers, which stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. In the film, Brennan (Will Ferrell) works his way into managing this event to prove to his brother Derek that he's all grown up and can handle responsibility and should be taken seriously.

Since the movie's release, hundreds of people celebrate the Catalina Wine Mixer. If you did quick google search, there are several parties that have been held with this name on it on Eventbrite and Facebook. I am amazed on how far people have taken this "movie party" seriously and made this a yearly tradition.

Mine is different because it's a smaller group of my closest friends and we just want to have good, clean fun (boo!). Dare I say I'm getting too old, but this doesn't mean we won't have wine or mimosas during the party.

I wanted to put together some fun facts for people to read days before the party. You can see this below -

FUN FACTS

What to Wear?

One of the things I struggled with is what do people were in this party? I couldn't really see a good list anywhere out there, so I decided to create my own and pay tribute to key scenes in the movie -

Outfit Inspiration: The Uptown Girl

This is to pay tribute to the name of the band that played during the Catalina Wine Mixer--a band that plays ONLY 1980s Billy Joel music. This is what I chose to wear to the party.

Outfit Inspiration: Did We Just Become Best Friends

Just like your classic 90's self portrait, with a big dose of brotherly love. This outfit screams classy, and matching sweater vests makes people think you're serious about being the best friends.

Outfit Inspiration: The Wine Mixer Formal

The Classic Catalina Wine Mixer attire- formal, like you're about to lease a helicopter.

Outfit Inspiration: Strictly 80's Joel

Uptown Girl Band is California's Preeminent 1980's Billy Joel cover band. Sorry - they strictly play only 80's Billy Joel songs. If you show up with an uptown girl on your arm, consider dressing like a dashing backstreet guy.

Outfit Inspiration: Keepin' It Classy Beach Look

This is the ultimate Catalina Wine Mixer Look. Perfect for the young Derek's to-be and with matching outfits from their future Alice. I can already hear an a capella version of Sweet Child of Mine being sung just looking at this photo.

Outfit Inspiration: The Helicopter

This is what you came for! The Catalina Wine Mixer is the biggest helicopter leasing event in the Western Hemisphere. What better way to celebrate than to dress up as the helicopter itself? There will be no Catalina Wine Mixer without it.

Outfit Inspiration: The Prestige

Investors? Possibly you! Nothing says business and attracts investors more than a white pant suit combo. So, why not show up looking like Brennan and Dale in their infamous "Boats and Hoes" video, produced by Prestige Worldwide? This outfit makes anyone exude confidence and really brings out the color of your fake tan. We are, after all, going to have an amazing view of boats and Lake Michigan at our party.

Outfit Inspiration: The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria

A little cuter and a dash classier than the ladies in the "Boats and Hoes" music video, but also invokes the lyrics of the song.

Outfit Inspiration: "Don't Touch my Drumset"

Bust out those vintage tees! The Judds, Mountain Dew, It's Better than the Bahamas and of course Prestige World Wide graphic tees are perfect for the occasion.

https://www.spotern.com/en/media/2612/step-brothers

Outfit Inspiration: The Derek

Nothing says douchey brother like this guy! Slick your hair back with some gel and wear that leather jacket even if it's hot out. And don't forget to sing "Sweet Child O' Mine" hiiiiiigh...ayyyyyy!

Outfit Inspiration: Chewbacca Masks

One of the things that Dale and Brennan loved the most was their Chewbacca masks.

Just remember, it's ok if yours is not movie quality.

Outfit Inspiration: The Dinosaur

I had to incorporate this since it's part of the movie in one of the most memorable quotes-

Mr. Doback: Listen to me. Dale, look, when I was a kid...when I was a little boy, I always wanted to be a dinosaur. I wanted to be a Tyrannosaurus rex more than anything in the world. I made my arms short and I roamed the backyard...and I chased the neighborhood cats, and I growled and I roared. Everybody knew me and was afraid of me. And then one day, my dad said, "Bobby, you're 17. It's time to throw childish things aside." And I said, "Okay, Pop." But he didn't really say that, he said, "Stop being a fucking dinosaur and get a job." But, you know, I thought to myself, "I'll go to medical school...l'll practice for a little while, and then I'll come back to it.

Brennan: How is that a skill?

Mr. Doback: But I forgot how to do it.

Dale: You're human. You could never be a dinosaur.

Brennan: Yeah.

Mr. Doback: Hey, I lost it.

Dale: Dad, what's the point?

Brennan: Yeah.

Mr. Doback: The point is... don't lose your dinosaur.

Outfit Inspiration: The Centaur and The Forest Nymph

Are you more of a fantasy person? Then these outfits are perfect for you!

Show off your knowledge Elvish (elf language) while dressed as these fantasy characters.

Perfect for LARPers and Cosplayers.

Outfit Inspiration: Lumberjack and Sexy Therapist

Nothing says true love than a lumberjack travelling a thousand miles to give the love of his life his seed! Not only is this outfit easy to put together, it is sexy as hell!

PARTY DECOR

I converted some image files and used my Brother cutting machine to cut the decor for the party, including some Prestige Worldwide logos, some "Boats and Hos" cards, and some word bubbles with lines from the film to use in pictures. Since we're trying to be classy and all, some flowers from the grocery store that matched the Prestige Worldwide logo helped spruce up the event. The tiny helicopters were from Amazon and provided the perfect touch since after all, this is the largest helicopter leasing event in the Western Hemisphere.

PHOTO GALLERY

I love seafood and since it's summer, what perfect way to celebrate the event at Chicago's Navy Pier. We had brunch at Riva Cafe and the venue had the perfect ambiance for the event, with their sea-faring decor, and view of the ships at the pier. A seafood spot or wine bar by the water would be an ideal location if you're planning your own Catalina Wine Mixer. Shenanigans ensued throughout the afternoon as we went to a couple of bars to grab more drinks.

I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos and decor for my Catalina Wine Mixer party!

Let me know what you guys think. Drop a comment below.

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