Colour your party: Peach

With winter nearly over it’s a perfect time to start thinking of Spring and Summer celebrations.

A gorgeous peach colour palette is a perfect choice for the warmer weather

Here is some inspiration and products to get you started. Make sure you visit the children’s party directory as well to find the best vendors when you are planning.

 

 

Find more details here:

Fizzoes peach lollies: The Party Parlour

Peach cake stand: Emerald and Ella

Peach and Tangerine 1st birthday by Little Sooti on the Style Me Pretty blog

Peach honeycomb paper daisy from Occasion by Design

Rustic garden collection invitation: The Little Soiree

Peach polka dot straws: The Social Boutique

Peach spotty favour bags: Emerald and Ella

Ribbon and fabric mobile: Max and Me homewares on Down That Little Lane

Peach and gold tassel garland available from Ruby Rabbit Partyware

Peach drinking jar: Rainy Sunday

 

Enjoy the planning!

 

 

 

 

Review – Picnik Blender wooden kitchen toy from Limetree Kids

 

You all know how much I love birthday celebrations for my children. Well I also love shopping for their birthday gifts. When it comes to toy gifts I specifically look for what will hold their attention and last for a number of years.

I have 2 daughters: a 2.5yr old and a 1yr old and they love playing with their wooden kitchen and wooden kitchen toys. So I was excited to be sent a Picnik Blender from Limetree kids to review as a birthday gift idea.

If you’re looking for kitchen toys for kids which will last and encourage imaginative play then make sure you view the full range at Limetree Kids. I love their whole store as it is filled with unique items including other wooden toys, BPA-free toys, as well as decor and storage items.

Now here is a product image of the lovely Picnik Blender. As you can see it comes with the blender itself, removable bowl, apple pieces, dough, rolling pin, egg (which opens) and milk and sugar carton.

 

 

Now here is a photo taken by me and as you can see – it is exactly how it looks in the product picture (minus the blue milk carton….thanks to my 1year old who has been eating it – see image further down this post!)

 

It is by the Janod brand, made in France and very sturdy and good quality. As you can see it is unisex in colour which will suit all the little mister chefs!

Rebekah has been enjoying playing with the Picnik blender this week. It inspired her imagination as there are a few different activities she could work on. She had fun twisting the knob to make the blender mix around, adding the apples, rolling the dough, adding sugar and milk and cracking the egg etc.

Here are a few shots I snapped during the week:

 

My 1 year old Naomi seemed fascinated with the apple pieces and egg pieces. This toy doesn’t come with any small pieces so it’s perfect for her to play alongside her sister.

However my only issue (which is only an issue for younger kids like mine) is the sugar and milk carton being cardboard as this is what tends to happen to cardboard toys in my house:

 

However this toy is recommended for ages 3-8 so you shouldn’t have a problem if purchasing this for an older child. I do recommend it for this 3-8yrs age bracket as Rebekah sometimes found it a little difficult to lift up the arm of the blender herself and she is 2.5yrs old and I’m sure once she is a little older it will be fine for her. She did find it easy however to operate the blender (ie twisting the knob to make the blender arms spin around).

The Picnik Blender worked in well with my kids other wooden kitchen toys – here is Rebekah putting her Picnik Blender bowl into the “oven” of her wooden toy kitchen for it to cook:

 

Overall I was very happy with the Picnik Blender from Limetree Kids and how it encouraged Rebekah’s creative play and she was using her imagination to make different meals.

She was particularly excited to use it after we finished making some blueberry muffins this morning.  So if you are someone who enjoys baking then your children will love it even more.

It is $59.95 and I would definitely recommend it as a birthday gift for your child. It is a toy that will last and I can imagine both of my girls enjoying it for a number of years.

 

Gift ideas for others

Now I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with you some other gift ideas from Limetree Kids – just because I honestly love their range of unique toys and I think with all the toys which come flooding into a house when a birthday party is held,  parents really appreciate when gifts are somewhat different and are quality items that will last.

All of these gift ideas are under $30 which hopefully fits into most peoples budgets when buying gifts for birthday parties. Click on the image to be taken directly to the product on the Limetree Kids website.

 

For the little ones, I thought this toy rabbit was too sweet!:

 

Stackable blocks is always a fantastic toy for young toddlers or bubs and I love this unique take on this classic toy:

 

 

Limetree kids really has an amazing selection of wooden play food and kitchen toys. Here is one of the items – a fun wooden birthday cake for the birthday child!

 

Here are some more fun ideas for older toddlers and older children:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is too adorable! We have the bigger size teepee (amazing quality) and I can imagine my daughters enjoying putting their dolls into this doll’s size teepee! What a unique gift idea:

 

 

I love the idea of giving decor or storage as gifts! Perhaps it is because my children are so young they don’t mind what they receive (perhaps an older child wouldn’t be so thrilled!). However with all the items which seem to accumulate when you have kids, some lovely storage ideas such as these are perfect:

 

Love these turntables for holding small toys, craft and I’ve seen them used on party tables as well:

 

We love using little tin suitcases at our house to help contain little figurines, block pieces, wooden play food etc:

 

Some nice room decor is a lovely gift to give. It is meaningful and memorable – I love this one:

 

More gift ideas for your own children:

I thought I would also share some other of my favourite items from Limetree Kids  which are a bit more expensive and would suit as birthday presents for your own children (or perhaps nieces/nephews) where your budget extends a bit more:

Love these box-sets for easy play when travelling or something quick to pack up and take when going to visit Grandparents etc. We have the ‘Fairy’ box-set. There are a few different themes available:

 

Perfect for a child who loves construction and fire trucks:

 

 

This is the wooden toy kitchen we have and the girls really enjoy it. I love that it isn’t too bulky! It also comes in gender neutral colours as well.

 

Rebekah received this for her 1st Christmas and it is great quality. She still enjoys it and it provides a lot of musical variety:

 

Naomi received one of these wooden rocking horses (in white) for her 1st birthday and the quality is fantastic! It doesn’t take up too much room and she is enjoying it:

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the selection of gift ideas from Limetree Kids and found something unique for the next gift you need to buy.

*I was not paid for this review. I was sent the Picnik Blender to keep. All opinions expressed are my own*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet ‘My Sweet Event’ – Dessert & Lolly Buffet Hire

Today I am introducing you to My Sweet Event  – Dessert & Lolly Buffet Hire. A gorgeous Melbourne based hire service, offering a supply of gorgeous glassware, props, decor and accessories to help you style your perfect event.

Hiring items is a perfect way to style something unique and lovely for your child’s celebration but without the huge expense or storage issues afterwards of buying everything yourself.

 

 

Their hire items are beautiful, fresh and fun and best of all they have made it so simple to hire anything you need at the click of a mouse!

 

They supply everything from quality candy jars and drink Dispensers, a range of beautiful table props, ruffle tablecloths and themed accessories right down to the little things such as scoops and tongs.

I love the fact you can hire everything you need in the ONE place!

 

Their products are both beautiful and practical and serve any purpose from birthday celebrations through to baby showers and christenings with both modern and vintage items available.

 

 

 

Flexibility is so important when you want to hire various items and the team at My Sweet Event provide clients with the ability to choose hired items individually or collectively and negotiate personalised packages to suit differing budgets, guest lists and styles. Just perfect!

 

When I was browsing the My Sweet Event website I found something for everyone and every occasion.

For enquiries for your next celebration please contact Sarah at mysweeteventhire@hotmail.com

Also make sure you drop by the My Sweet Event facebook page to keep up to date with their products and hire services!

 

Permission to be a mother

I see it all too often (and have done it myself!)

Business mum’s on facebook apologising for taking longer to reply to e-mails because they are busy with their kids. Apologising for taking longer to complete an order due to their children being sick. Apologising for taking a “break” from their business or blogging etc to have some family time.

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about this as I work on sorting out the balance between business & mothering and thought – It is time we stop apologising and give ourselves permission to be mothers.

In the end – our family and our kids come first. I think most of our fans on facebook and customers understand that because they are mum’s themselves. We all want more time with our children.

Sometimes as a small business owner you can feel that if you don’t post a facebook status update…or don’t write a blog post…or don’t showcase a new product photo etc…that you will start losing business or people will ‘unlike’ our facebook page. So we stay on the never ending merry-go-round that never seems to stop.

However everyday in my newsfeed I see many (too many to keep up with!) inspiring posts and products and status updates. It doesn’t bother me if some of my favourite pages/businesses don’t post anything!

Life goes on with and without our blog posts and facebook photos and e-mail replies.

Don’t get me wrong. I do think customer service is so important to good business practice and if there is a reason why you will be having delays in e-mail replies then by all means it makes sense to say so. Or perhaps if you are a store that offers next day shipping etc then again I understand why immediate response is expected.

However I’m talking about the expectations of small business mum’s replying to all e-mails within a 24hour period (or less!).

Sometimes as much as you want to…and as much as you plan to….your little people just take EVERYTHING out of you. At the end of the day you sometimes don’t have the time….nor energy…nor motivation to then go and sit at the computer and reply e-mails.

This is ok. Motherhood comes first. Our sanity and health comes first.

I’m not sure if this is the best “business” advice….but I love this quote from Loralee Lewis:

“No other success can compensate for failure in the home”

I am telling myself this as much as I am sharing these thoughts with you.

There will always be clients, and facebook fans. However I only have this time now with my children at this age to be there with them.

 

And although everyone on facebook or e-mail may not notice me being absent….my children WILL notice my absence.

So women – let’s give ourselves permission to be mothers!

Do you struggle with the balance between motherhood & business/working?

How do you manage your competing priorities?

 

 

Flamingo Party Theme

One of the party styling trends which is still going strong is the bold pink flamingo.

 

 

Lots of people are loving this fancy bird for a theme for a birthday party or baby shower.

You could use it as a stand alone theme or incorporate it into a tropical/Hawaiian theme or a pool/water based theme. Flamingos also work well into an Alice in Wonderland themed party.

You could go mainly with pinks, or incorporate greens/oranges for tropical, blues for a water feel or a stylish black & white to mix in with the hot pink!

Since this is quite a unique theme which you may not easily find decorations for – make sure you browse the businesses in the Handmade Decor” category of the party directory. Some of the talented ladies there will be able to make you some flamingo garlands, flamingo toppers or other custom designed flamingo items!

I’ve also been pinning away some ideas on my flamingo  pinterest board so make sure you check it out

 

Invitations

Your invitations and printables set the colour scheme and theme so here are a few with different looks to choose from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flamingo Party Decorations:

Some fun party decorations to work in the Flamingo party theme:

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporate feathers to go with the bird theme:

 

 

 

 

 

Mix these in with some general pink decorations:

 

 

 

 

Flamingo Party Tableware

 

Loving this pink ruffled tablecloth for a Flamingo dessert table:

 

 

Other party tableware which would work with a pink flamingo party:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These flamingo straws are must haves for this party!:

 

 

Gorgeous coloured confetti to sprinkle on the kids table for a truly festive feel!:

 

 

Flamingo Party Dessert Table items:

A few items to work into a Flamingo dessert table:

 

 

Perfect toppers to help theme your food:

 

 

 

 

 

Create your own lollipops using this Flamingo mould:

 

 

These gorgeous pink ombre chocolates would work well into this Flamingo colour scheme:

 

 

You can create your own cute Flamingo birthday cake using this fantastic DIY cake kit!:

 

 

Find vendors in the Directory to create custom Flamingo cookies, cake pops, and more for this Flamingo party! A lot of the cookie makers can post Australia wide. How gorgeous are these Flamingo cookies?:

 

 

The perfect candles to add a Flamingo touch to a cake!:

 

 

A gorgeous pink cake stand for a Flamingo party!:

 

 

Such a fun cake topper with colours which would well for a Flamingo party theme:

 

 

 

Special themed items

Add some real flamingo touches to this party with these party props such as this sign which would make a fun prop at the party entrance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the vendors on the Directory have gorgeous Flamingo prints which are perfect for bedroom decor but you could display on the day of the party:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flamingo Party Hire

There are plenty of fantastic props you can hire for your kid’s parties to help theme the party. Here are a few ideas but browse the HIRE category on the Directory to find some party hire businesses in your state.

 

 

Such cute pink chairs for the kids in Sydney! For Melbourne try Tiny Tables and Chairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flamingo Party Favours & Packaging

 

Love this glittery flamingo favour bag!:

 

 

 

 

Click the image for a tutorial on how to make this fantastic flamingo favour bag!:

 

 

 

Or some other packaging options which would look sweet with a flamingo gift tag:

 

 

 

 

 

Real Parties

For more party inspiration check out these flamingo themed parties:

Such a fun tutti frutti setup incorporating flamingos by Opulenticity Party and Buffet Styling

Love this retro flamingo pool party by Sweet Style

Gorgeous and bright orange and pink flamingo first birthday featured on Kara’s Party Ideas

Some clever decorating and food ideas on this flamingo birthday party from the Jacinda Hale-Yeah blog

Lots of fun DIY ideas in this flamingo party from the Confetti Sunshine blog

 

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Hope you enjoyed the flamingo selection!

Make sure you browse the children’s party directory to find some quality party suppliers when planning this celebration!