A Jolly Good Party - Review

If you follow my blog you'll know that I love to decorate our dining room for special occasions, this year with the help of the lovely folk over at Jolly Good Party my birthday was no different.

Jolly Good Party have some of the most beautiful ranges of party decorations and accessories that you could ever wish to see. With an easy to navigate website it is a really lovely place to plan your party, whether for a wedding, birthday or baby shower.

I opted for items from their mint & gold ombre range, the box arrived with everything I needed for a party tea with my family. Plates, napkins, banners, table cloths, straws, balloons, garlands and cutlery, all colour coordinated, it was my idea of party heaven.

My daughter helped me lay the table and it looked absolutely fabulous and the perfect setting for some fabulous birthday fun.

With the addition of a beautiful cake from Oozee Boozee Bakes, courtesy of my lovely partner, my party table looked heavenly and I think you'll agree the whole look is perfect for a more mature party theme.

With items starting as little as £1.59 Jolly Good Party don't break the bank either, so if you are throwing a party soon why not pop on over and see what they have to offer.

I was sent these fab party goodies to form this review, all words, opinions and pictures are my own.

Mums Grown Up Party Fun

I always decorate our dining room table for birthdays, nothing excites everyone more than coming down and seeing what pretties I have put up. Streamers, banners and balloons and then homemade cakes mean we have a very jolly day.

For me though, the house is usually lacking in decoration on my birthday, last year was the first year I got some balloons with my presents, most exciting. So this year after speaking with the lovely people at Talking Tables I set out to create my own bright birthday table and mini party on our glamping trip at Lantern and Larks.

Talking Tables have an absolutely stunning range of party wear, whether for a first birthday, wedding or an all out summer extravaganza, they have something to suit every taste. I had seen some of their summer range in our local garden centre and I knew I wanted to get in on some of the flamingo and neon bright action.

When it arrived I could barely contain my excitement, with garlands, pineapple cups (yes, I said pineapple cups) and an array of other banners, candles, napkins, cups and plates I was setup for mine and hubbies birthday weekends.

Obviously I had to test out the goodies after they had arrived so I setup a little photo shoot with some of the Coconut and Almond cookies I had made and used some of the wonderful props to accessorise and make it look awesome.

I love the brightness of everything and it all makes for such wonderful background, they have thought of everything to add to a party, whether it is beautiful napkins with gold detailing to coasters of all shapes and sizes. I love these animals, they have been sat on side table since we got them and I think they'll be coming out at every summer party now.

Anyway back to my mini party, with the events of the 23rd still resonating with the country it was great to get away on a mini vacation, even better to brighten it up with some fabulous party colours when we got there. The Friday night was a bit more subdued as we had spent an hour or so travelling and wanted to just eat something so we could explore, so with the addition of some cups, plates, flamingo lights, napkins and bunting somewhere out of site, we were ready.

Some cheeses, bread and other nibbles we had a picnic tea in the setting sun, it was a great way to spend the evening and the party wear made it just that little bit more glam.

For our Saturday night bbq we went a little more tropical and out came this quite frankly amazing  and so easy to put up tropical bird banner, the attention to detail in Talking Tables products is fantastic and makes it so easy to use. With pretty gold ribbon to attach to the tent and then clip on parrots for easy installation and removal it made putting this up a breeze.

And as the tassels fluttered in the wind they made for a bright and colourful sight, I added to this the tropical bunting which had hooks on either end so really easy to hang up and again super bright for this wonderful backdrop at Lantern & Larks.

Once the bbq was ready we all sat at the picnic table, donned some funky glasses and enjoyed a supper in the sun. I'm not entirely sure what my son is doing here, I can only assume this is the look of excitement at food that has been cooked on an open fire.

The pineapple glasses also make him look a little like Elton John, and the flamingo glasses have been a hit ever since me and my daughter found them at the garden centre a few months back.

I cannot wait to get this all out again for my husbands birthday this week, I do love to make sure everything looks great and everyone has a wonderful time at birthdays. I just need to decide now what to do about a cake for him that I can incorporate a bright jungle theme too. Answers on a postcard, or in the comments ;)

NB: We were sent some goodies from Talking Tables for review, all words and opinions are my own.

Celebrations and Making Memories

With busy lives and children seemingly growing up quicker these days, I try and make the most of birthdays and celebrations. We often celebrate international holidays such as Chinese New Year and Mexican Cinco de Mayo to name a few, but more important than this, I love to make sure birthdays are super special.

Not just for the children either, my husband loves a bit of a celebration so I include him in this too, making sure to decorate the house so when everyone comes down in the morning they see banners and balloons and making special cakes like this Maltesers cake I made my husband last year.

I remember when growing up, my dad who always left at six in the morning would put all of the birthday cards by the front door, like the postman had delivered them (receiving mail is still exciting right?.) It is something that has always stuck in my mind and so I hope that what I do for my children will for them too.

When it comes to birthday cakes there is nothing more special than a homemade cake, whatever your skills. I remember some of mine even now, with everything from the standard hedgehog cake of the 80s, to the time my mum made me a cake that looked like a house, with buttons used as tiles on the roof, it was the best.

This year has seen my daughter turn five and my son turn eight, my daughters tastes change all the time but we decided on something pinktastic. She is such a pink loving little girl and so when I found these fabulous Talking Tables candles on the Candle & Cake website I knew that these were going to be pride of place on her cake, along with a one of their fabulous little balloon numbers.

This particular cake consisted of three layers of sponge, layered in between with a bit of raspberry jam and some icing, followed with more icing on top.  The overall effect of this was really great, with the simple cake, topped off with the candles and balloon number.

My son wanted something that I knew would be a bit controversial, especially with members of the family who don’t like bugs! However, it was his birthday and so, after a busy Saturday drinking gin at the Gin Festival, I was up early on Sunday morning to make his chocolate covered bug cake.

With some Bon Anniversaire banners I'd picked up on our visit to France last year, party hats, and another of the fabulous balloon numbers from Candle & Cake his cake definitely had the required effect and he loved it.

These are the moments in life we remember forever, the memories that shape what we become and what we love.

Do you remember any birthday cakes or parties from your childhood?

Celebrating National Superhero Day with Barbie

Today is National Superhero Day and to celebrate this, we held our very own superhero party with a different star at the centre of it.

Barbie in Princess Power is the latest addition to the Barbie collection and one that we couldn't get enough of.

In a world that is dominated by male superheroes, Mattel decided that it was time for a female one. With many children aspiring to be a superhero why not create one who can be strong and powerful whilst wearing something sparkly?

We were sent some of the new toys to test out during our own Barbie Princess Power party where we got to know the new toys and talked about 'what makes you super?'

We set our table, donned superhero capes and masks and set out trying to be superheroes in our own special ways.

Once our guests arrived we ate some party food for lunch, then decorated some cakes with sprinkles and superhero stars!

We then watched the Barbie in Princess Power DVD, a great addition to the range which tells the story of Kara, a modern day princess who gets kissed by a magical butterfly and soon discovers her amazing superpowers. But when her jealous cousin catches the magical butterfly and transforms into Dark Sparkle, her nemesis, their rivalry takes to the skies. But when they meet their true enemy, can they work as a team to save the kingdom?

Superpowers don't have to be about fighting or who is the strongest, we talked about how superhero's can be anything from a firefighter to policeman or lifeguard. My daughter is the kindest person I know, and my son has the ability to amaze me with his generosity, pretty super if you ask me.

The dolls themselves are fantastic, the way that Barbie's dress pops out to make the cape is genius, she is sturdy and has stood the test of time with a three year old and four year old playing with her. Along with Corinne (aka Dark Sparkle) and Chelsea my daughter has enjoyed playing her own version of a superhero tea party with them.

So what's your super power?

NB: We were sent a selection of dolls and goodies to host our party, all words and opinions are my own.

Is Two Not Enough?

It was my sons sixth birthday party on Saturday and as usual it brings round a whole load of emotions, my baby is growing up so fast etc etc.

My sons friend's mum bought her newborn baby (and fourth child) to the party, it was inevitable I would end up holding him.

I love babies and get all clucky around them, but that doesn't mean I am going to have any more, then come questions from said mum and the others who were there. You should have another one, when are going to have another one? Why not, you're still young!

Hold on a minute, I have two perfectly healthy children, one of each in fact! It was difficult a time to conceive those two without the worry of another.

Why do people feel it is OK to ask these questions, no one asked the 40 something year old mum if she would have another one, so what if I am only 31 that doesn't mean I need anymore.

For a start I couldn't fit them in the car, I certainly wouldn't be able to pick up the child of one of these other mums if I had 3!

I suffer with a terrible back and neck now and just 20 minutes holding that newborn left me in agony, I suffered with PND after my son and then had a miscarriage between him and my daughter so having another isn't really something I want to put myself through.

So why do people ask this question? It's so insensitive and cruel, yes I would love another baby but circumstance means I don't want to bring another child into this world.

And besides when has two become an unfashionable number of children to have?

Linking up to #MumdayMonday on DannyUk blog

Happy 2nd Birth Day

Today marked my daughters second birthday, two years since I became a mummy to my beautiful perfect little princess.

I always feel like that although the day is all about her, part of it, a small quiet part is mine. The day marks one in which me and my body did something amazing.

Although part of me worries this sounds a little selfish I also think that it is this bond that will keep us together forever, that means we will always love each other even when we are apart.

I always feel like my children are a little part of my heart walking around in this world and I will always be proud I gave birth to them and that although this day is about them it is also about something we as a family shared.

As a few tears roll down my face I smile at the birthday pictures and the cake I so loving made for my daughter and wish her a happy birthday as she sleeps in her bed soundly after what I hope was a wonderful day.

I leave you with the lovingly crafted cake that made me wince when it was cut up :)

Jubilee Mini Cupcakes

I bought some Petit Four cases ages ago and have never got round to using them,  I thought they would be perfect for making some mini Jubilee Cupcakes.

Quite a difference from a normal cake case!

I had a go the other weekend as I am hoping to take some to a party one of our neighbours is having.

To start with I used my usual recipe for making the cakes halved:

50g Self Raising Flour
50g Golden Caster Sugar
50g Stork Margarine
1 Eggs
1/2 Tsp Vanilla Essence

Put everything in a food processor and blitz until smooth consistency, put about a teaspoon into the mini cake cases and cook for about 10 minutes!

Once they have cooled I iced with buttercream (I have my own secret recipe but if you need one this one on Baking Mad is really good) which I had split into three, added red to one and blue to another leaving one white.

Top Tip: If you are using a piping bag then a really useful tip is to put it in a tall glass and fold over the sides, you can then spoon the mixture in using both hands if necessary and it stops accidents!

Fold the bag over the top of a tall glass!

Using a Wilton 22 small star nozzle I piped little swirls onto the cupcakes in the three different colours, I decided they look like those mini gems you got when you were a kid. If you don't like too much cake then these are perfect, as well as for the kids!

Although they aren't bright red and blue I love them, if it's possible I think they look a little vintage!

Poor second child!

My poor daughter, she is one at the end of the month and so far I have arranged nothing in the way of a 1st birthday party!

With my son I spent weeks sorting everything out so it was perfect but with her I haven't even started to think about it, it doesn't help it's a few weeks after Christmas and New Year and me going back to work :(

Poor thing, I am now in a rush to find somewhere to have a party as I don't think I can cope with 30 odd people round my house in the winter (normally if it's warm I can shove some folk outside),

I don't want to go mad, but with my son I bought banners, plates and all sorts with Happy 1st Birthday stuff, I went all out on party bags and everything.

It's like with the new baby cards we got when she was born, we must have got about 50 when my son was born but with my daughter we can't have got more than 20.

I never realised how hard it was being the second child, everything has already been done so it seems like nobody cares (I know this isn't true but you know what I mean).

My poor little princess, I really have to pull my finger out I think and sort something ASAP, I will only regret it if I don't :(

Get the vintage look!

I am loving the vintage look at the moment, although my house hasn't the room for what we already own I am hoping to squeeze a few pieces of pretty vintage stuff into it at some point!

I follow a blog called The White Approach and to say the stuff on there is amazing is an understatement, Karen the owner of both The White Approach and All About the Boys has the most amazing eye for pieces that would otherwise just get overlooked!

And the best thing is you can buy some of these fabulous items as she has an Etsy store, if you are looking for something gorgeous and vintage this Christmas then it is definitely worth a look!

I only wish she were closer, I am thinking of having a vintage tea party for my *coughs* 30th next year and as well as running two beautiful stores (and looking after a family) she hires out vintage tea party sets too.

So gorgeous and makes me want a nice cuppa!

The most exquisite and divine pieces I think I have ever seen. If you are in the Devon area (as I wish I was, sobs into a non cream tea) and are thinking of having a vintage tea party for your birthday, wedding or just because it sounds like a wonderful idea then please do check her out. The prices are very reasonable and she is a lovely lady too.

I have spotted one thing I think I may have to purchase to go on our newly decorated wall in the dining room but don't tell hubby!

I just love the personalised print and frame!

I love the passion Karen has for her work and if I had the money I would pay for her to come and fill my house with vintage gorgeousness!