Zero more sleeps!

We've been waiting for this one and are soooo excited.

Thanks to the hard work of our resident tech-head (aka Bec) and Matt from Webnovation, our new website will be up and running from tonight. These two have been working so hard on getting everything just right so that shopping at The Party Studio is even easier.

So many exciting features have been added like being able to save your wishlist, but one thing we are really excited about is 'Create-a-Party'. This function pretty much takes you through the whole thought process of what you need to buy to create an absolutely fabulous party or design your own theme. Of course, for the time poor parents out there (aren't we all), our packages are still there for you to choose from.

So, when you get a spare moment, please do check out our new-look website.

Reality check: Charlotte is turning 1

I've been dreading this for the past 4 weeks. I had a little tiny baby, I sneezed and now my little baby is about to turn 1. I have on my hands a toddler.

Every morning for the past month I've had a different random thought on what to do for her party. My first crazy idea was a bookworm party. She just LOVES LOVES LOVES books. Every day, she goes to her little set of shelves and pulls down every book she owns and devours them (yes, literally, corners missing everywhere). Lately, she sits with them, turning the pages, and makes lots of gorgeous gobbledy-gook sounds. It's SO cute!



I thought we could get a 'Hungry Little Caterpillar' cake made out of cupcakes and all. But then I got a bit stuck when trying to work out whether she'd need a costume for a book party or not..., in the end, decided to shelve it for now... though I reserve the right to the idea next year!

Next thought was a rainbow party. This was Pauline's great idea, basically based around the fact that I had no idea, and we found that draping tablecloth material from the marquee looked gorgeous for Amelia's party, and that we could get disposable tablecloths in the 7 colours of the rainbow (don't you hate it when some books only show 6!?!) and -- voila! I like this idea actually, but Charlotte hasn't really ever seen a rainbow so I felt it had little relevance just yet.

So, what have I decided?? In the end, (and now I'm committed because I just wrote all the invites today!) I've gone for a 'Making Music' party. Cha cha just LOVES music and will jive along to any song that she hears. Decorations wise we'll just have lots of colourful things, but for the party favours I'm going to give out little percussion instruments - maracas, tambourines, castanets, even maybe wrist-chimes for the tiny babies! - and we'll put on some groovy kiddy music and they can sing, dance, shake along to it. I'm going to use the 'Freckles' Party from our range, just because it's got lots of nice funky colours.


Anyway, invites going out in this afternoon's post, so cross your fingers that I don't change my mind... again!!

Bec xx

Amelia's Party - Part II

So how did I go about entertaining 15 little fairy princesses?

I had some craft set up for children to do when they arrived. It was a picture of a fairy ready for them to colour, paste and glitter to create a magical masterpiece! We practically had to drag the little fairies away from the activity to start the next game. The girls were so engrossed that you could hear a pin drop! If only I knew what a success it would be, I would have just given the children lots of paper and other art materials and let them do their thing!

After craft, we played the much loved Pass the Parcel (or as Amelia calls it "Pass the Castle"). Instead of wrapping a present in each layer (which is the politically correct thing to do these days!) I placed 16 presents in a gift box with a lid. Each time the music stopped, the child would open the gift box and choose one of the gifts.

The little fairies then flew off to our front yard (the only part of our garden that has plants) and went on a lady bug hunt followed by bubble blowing. After lunch and cake, we squeezed in a home made game of pin the star on the fairy wand.

Amelia's Party - part I

My daughter had her long-awaited fairy party on the weekend. A 10am start meant that I was up late finalising the last minute bits and pieces, trying to ensure I wasn't running around crazy in the morning whilst feeding my 11 week old, cooking food, dressing the girls, setting up, tidying up the house and welcoming guests all at the same time!

I was determined to be asleep no later than midnight which is a great achievement compared to past years. I had decided to order the cake rather than spend hours mixing icing sugar to get just the right shade of pink. I tried to keep the food as simple as possible and of course, they were all things you'd find in fairyland! We had pink jelly, skewered pink and white mini marshmallows, fairy bread stars, fruit balls and as a special request from the birthday fairy - cheezels. Keeping everything mini not only looks adorable but it means that there's less wastage.

I presented food in meal boxes (pink of course) and the marquee we had set up was draped in pink (we used plastic tablecloths instead of tuille - cost effective with great results). Satisfied with all my preparation, my daughter asks me on the morning of her party, "What colour will my party be? Blue?"

Oops...in all the hoohah of preparations, I'd forgotten that blue is her favourite colour! Fortunately, she was very understanding and told me that both pink and blue are her favourites!

It's Party Time -- article on Style Collective

Hi, check out my article written for a hip online directory at the forefront of what's funky in fashion, Style Collective. A big hello to Amanda, Style Collective's fabulous editor, who knows what's hot when it comes to kids, grown-ups, weddings -- and just about everything!!

Cheers,
Bec xx

PS - the photo of the kids below is my gorgeous niece Mimi's 3rd birthday (she's the second child from the left). She turns 4 next month -- I cannot believe how fast this year's flown by!!


Author - Rebecca Yeo (The Party Studio)

When it comes to parties, everyone wants to throw something spectacular for their child. But with current economic conditions, few people can afford to spend thousands of dollars on outsourcing the party planning. And so, the backyard birthday bash is making a comeback.

Having a backyard birthday party doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish or fun. In fact, most little kids will be thrilled to run around with a few of their best friends, and are more than able to entertain themselves for hours. Any open space – be it a backyard, local park or hall – will do. Some really simple games – what’s the time Mr Wolf?, running races, statues – will keep kids giggling and wriggling for ages – and won’t cost you a cent! Even just popping on some funky kid’s music and getting them to dance is bound to bring smiles to faces.

As for making your party look gorgeous, there are many simple ways to give your party that extra something whilst still being light on the hip pocket. Just a little bit of planning and your party is going to make everybody else wish that they’d thought of doing a backyard party too!

The most striking feature of a spectacular party is how it looks, which then boils down to how you decorate your party area. You could obviously go for balloons and streamers, but for something different, consider more long-lasting decorations, such as party bunting. Available in plastic or more resilient fabric, bunting is a great way to add colour and fun to your party. Not only can bunting be chosen to especially match a party theme, but you also have a great keepsake that can be used to decorate a bedroom or playroom.

Cleverly chosen centrepieces and table settings are some other ways of making sure your party has that ‘wow’ factor. Colour co-ordination is the key to an attractive table setting. There is an amazing selection of coloured plates, cups, napkins, cutlery and tablecloths available on the market.

You could go for decorated tableware, with all items embellished with the same image, but a classier way to decorate is to go for matching solid colours. This makes for a much cleaner look and looks fantastic in photographs. Spice things up a bit with a patterned table runner, add some funky take-home gifts, and your table is set!

Give a gift that lasts the car ride home. Avoid plastic toys, which often don’t last, and can look a little tacky. Wooden or cloth toys are a great way to provide entertaining, lasting take-home gifts. They may cost a little bit more, but are well worth the effort. Attractively packaged lollies also make fantastic take-home gifts and are an easy way to make your party that much more special.

For more party tips and ideas visit thepartystudio.com.au.

the party studio's blog debut

Hi and welcome to The Party Studio blog!

Here you will soon be able to find all the resources you'll need for making your next kid's party spectacular. Practical party tips, imaginative ideas, recipes that will keep the kids coming back for more... as well as our own thoughts as we navigate through the party world with kids of our own!

Stay tuned!

Rebecca & Pauline xx
www.thepartystudio.com.au