Our Birthday Party
When it comes to timing, I’m not great at it. My children were born within four days of each other and in the same week as my own birthday. But it means we have a fabulous week every July where every other day we get cake, presents, treats and it’s party party party at our house.
It also makes it a crazy-busy month, which is why I love Meri Meri – quite literally a one-stop shop for party supplies, with its stylish selection of invitations, paper plates, bunting and balloons. They carry the brilliant Toot Sweet collection, which I opted for this year, as there are some lovely mix-and-match gender-neutral designs (I wonder how long I can make my two share a party?!). And when it comes to wrapping paper, anything from Lagom Design is a winner (see It’s a Wrap! for more). Bold, modern, and original, it seems almost a shame to let little hands near it!
– LD
Our Birthday Party
When it comes to timing, I’m not great at it. My children were born within four days of each other and in the same week as my own birthday. But it means we have a fabulous week every July where every other day we get cake, presents, treats and it’s party party party at our house.
It also makes it a crazy-busy month, which is why I love Meri Meri – quite literally a one-stop shop for party supplies, with its stylish selection of invitations, paper plates, bunting and balloons. They carry the brilliant Toot Sweet collection, which I opted for this year, as there are some lovely mix-and-match gender-neutral designs (I wonder how long I can make my two share a party?!). And when it comes to wrapping paper, anything from Lagom Design is a winner (see It’s a Wrap! for more). Bold, modern, and original, it seems almost a shame to let little hands near it!
– LD
Gift Wrap, £2.20, Lagom Design
This year, I decided not to have party bags, (yes, I broke one of the 10 sacred Birthday Party Commandments). Instead, I asked a local baker to make these fantastic cupcakes, which I then decorated in a mountain of sugary treats (which I think provided distraction enough!). Getting as much done in advance is always a bonus, so I prepared a picnic tea in paper bags for easy, fuss-free refreshments, which cut down on post-party clear-up.
Birthday Crown Card, £3.95, Nancy and Betty
Let’s
party!
Number 4 Balloon, £6.94, Party Savvy
To entertain the kids (and provide some parental chill-out time) I booked Fizz Pop Science Bubbles Party, which had everyone enthralled. Each child had a turn creating huge bubbles, standing in a giant bubble and firing bubble rockets into the air. Even the younger toddler siblings were able to join in. To finish off their science experiment, they made lemon sherbet (the sugar rush had them flying round the garden). Lovely bubbly.
Home Bird
WHIMSICAL WOODLAND
I spent last week obsessing over wallpaper, as I'm at the final stages of my oh-God-it's-taken-forever home extension and now I get to do the fun stuff like deciding on paint colours and stroking carpet samples. Amid the obligatory folding down of corners in home magazines and throwing together a few mood boards on Pinterest, I've found a bit of a soft spot for Cole & Son wallpaper, including this whimsical Woods & Stars print. Here's how I'd add some colour pops and quirky accessories to create a magical woodland feel.
