Floral Festivities

Little Miss Giggleberry is turning 10 this year! Double Digits!! A decade of life - done! That deserves a special celebration for sure.
About 18months ago I spotted, via a friends social media, a party idea I knew my girl would love. Something a little more unique than all the other parties going around, something creative, colourful and fun - my girl all over.
We used some stunning custom handmade paper flowers made by Sand Paper Designs as invites by adding a cardboard leaf with party details on it. Lots of fun to hand out to friends and a special something each guest can keep for a long time to come.

Yesterday was party day and Floral Expressions in the Hills District of Sydney made it a day to remember! I had it all booked via a phone call a few weeks back with ease and from the minute we pulled up in the carpark yesterday to a 'Happy Birthday Milla' sign and balloons on the front door the afternoon was FAB!

When I booked the party I was asked what Milla's favourite colour was - Yellow - and that set the colour scheme for the party. Floral Expressions had yellow helium balloons, chair wraps with yellow flowers attached, yellow centre pieces on the activity table and other yellow decorations around the gorgeous florist shop. I was able to take along some goodies, treats and cake to finish off the party set up.

Once all the guests arrived the creating began. The girls were seated around a table in the middle of the shop and handed a plate of yellow and white flowers and a headband each. One of the gorgeous staff then gave the girls a quick tutorial on how to make a flower headband/crown before the girls got making. So much fun and the girls all did a great job creating a unique crown each with extra help for those who were struggling a bit. Each girl was rather proud of their creation and wore them proudly as soon as they were complete.

The girls had a little break after they had made their crowns and had snacks. A game of pass the parcel, that was all organised and supplied by Floral Expressions, as well as a couple of games of Simon Says and Musical Bop (basically Musical Statues) to get the wriggles out.
The girls were then sat back down at the table and had a quick few moments of being taught some floral facts... Did you know the worlds largest flower wouldn't even fit in the doorway of Floral Expressions? and it smells terrible apparently. See, even I learnt something new!
Next up was time to make a flower arrangement each. The girls were given a fresh plate of yellow and white flowers each and a little box with florist foam in it. Again the lovely staff gave quick instructions on how to start their arrangements then they were given free reign to create a masterpiece each but the staff were there to help if needed. Its so lovely to watch the girls concentrate on their creation and each one was completely different.

Before we knew it the 2hrs were up and it was time to sing happy birthday, cut the cake and take a few group shots of the girls and their creations. Such a fun afternoon!!

We handed out a small favour bag to each guest - nothing huge as they already had a flower crown and posy to take home. Each girl got a small bag (I added the yellow paper flowers to tie it back to the theme) with a pack of Sunflower seeds, a little cactus eraser, some mint leaf lollies, a yellow lollipop and a yellow hairbow handmade by the birthday girl (LMG Bows) herself.

THANK YOU Floral Expressions for a wonderful, unique and fun party for my girl and her friends. I will be recommending you guys to anyone and everyone!

Giggleberry Turns 30... almost!

Earlier this year I received an invite in the mail... not just any invite. This particular invitation was inviting my family and I to MY 30th birthday party!

It was a complete surprise. The details on the invite (I since have worked out they were designed by Cake Ink.) were the obvious ones; date, time, place and RSVP to my (sneaky) mum. On closer inspection of the invites it was clear the party colours would be yellow, white and black and with a certain city scape (& how much of a Newyorkaholic I am) I could only assume it would be a NYC themed event - Yay!!
Although it is a month earlier than my actual birthday the party day finally arrived yesterday and what a lovely day it was! A family friendly picnic was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday with the ones I love.
The first thing I noticed when we arrived at the picnic ground, besides the big sign announcing we were in the right spot, was bunting.... Matching perfectly to the colour and theme, I hadn't made it so we all had a giggle that Grandma Giggleberry would put me out of business!! There was also NYC images and a few popular NYC street signs hanging around to set the mood :)

Once everyone arrived lunch was served... NYC style hot dogs with the lot - we're talking cheese, onion, mustard, ketchup, cheese, chilli, bacon etc and all served alongside some bagel chips, onion rings, pretzels and a drink in a little cardboard taxi cab.
No party is a party without a cake and mine did not disappoint!! Again my sneaky mum was on the case and had got in contract with the one I would go to for cakes, Leora, from Party Cakes by Leora. With a few hints and ideas I was told Leora was left to create and I adore what she came up with!! It totally matched the party AND even had bunting on it!!!!

The cake was a scrumptious chocolate mud cake with a sooooo yummy chocolate ganache under the yellow icing - YUM!!
I made sure I got to munch on the statue of liberty AND some bunting :)

My mum had also made a few cupcakes that were iced yellow and adorned with NYC toppers.

Later in the day I was happily chatting away to someone when I heard my name called out to "look". Hanging from one of the trees was a New York cab piñata!!! Blind fold went on, I was spun a few times and handed a large stick and away I went... LOTS of fun!! All the kids and some big kids too had a go until finally the cab was torn apart and lollies fell from the sky!

We all went home with a lolly bag handed out by two of my very gorgeous nieces or 'candy girls' (just like a NYC baseball game). Inside the lolly bags was a selection of US candy including taffy, Jolly Ranchers, Herseys Kisses, Peanut butter cups, a York mint, a 5th Avenue bar & a gummi pizza.

I felt very spoilt and special and just LOVED all the little details that went onto the day - THANK YOU mummy!!!
Now, with my actual birthday not until the end of April this must mean I get to celebrate all month long, right???

Happy Friday Find!

Could this be one of the most simple and cutest idea fora party? Ever?

Bunting Fairy Bread! So simple to make but would look oh so fab on a dessert table... heck even cut up one sandwich into tiny triangles and make it a fun lunch for your kids (or yourself) today!
Happy Friday xx

Happy Friday Find!

Happy new year! I know we are now a few weeks into 2013 already but this is the first blog post of the year so again, Happy new year!
I am really looking forward to what 2013 has in store... who knows what we might get up to!! My little girl starts 'big school', my son starts pre-school, I turn the big 3-0 and I am aiming to run my first full marathon by the end of the year. All these things make me feel like celebrating!
Enter today's bunting Happy Friday Find... these adorable Bunting Paper Straws from The Sugar Diva.

They come in a couple of colours to suit any theme or festivity and are too fun to resist, I think.
Happy Friday xxx

Media - Shop 4 Kids

What a lovely surprise it was this afternoon to spot Giggleberry Creations in the latest issue of Shop 4 Kids magazine. I always buy this mag and grabbed a copy this morning on a quick dash into the shops but didn't get a chance to sit and enjoy flicking the pages until this afternoon in the gorgeous Spring sunshine.

As I perused the gorgeous pages and mentally made a Christmas shopping list I came to 'The Perfect Party Guide' on pages 136-141 and spotted Giggleberry Creations listed under 'Decorations & Tableware' - how cool!

Thanks Shop 4 Kids for your great mag and ongoing support!!

Firefighter Party Pics!

What a fun night! I'll write that up as a win - a relaxed, smile filled night with one very happy little 3 year old fire fighter!!



We had to bring the party indoors due to all the rain but it still went off without a hitch... just a little bit of last minute furniture rearranging :)




The drink bottles were a hit along with the snack of popcorn, pineapple, red frogs, lolly bananas & marshmallows. That's the healthy diet of all firefighters right?


A HUGE thanks to Harris uncle for lending us all his firefighter gear. I think it adds a real authentic element! The house was wrapped in caution tape and the kids could all try on and play with real firefighter uniform and gear.



I was pretty pleased with the cake in the end - not perfect but it got the tick of approval from the birthday boy and that's all that matters.



Happy birthday little man - we love you to the moon and back!