May 13th, 2010
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In our last tip, we featured a silver ribbon against a pewter photo guest book.
This time, for a wedding ideas magazine feature on chocolate & lime colour combinations, we created this simpler version and used glue dots rather than double-sided tape.
Here’s how to do it: |
 Measure your ribbon to be twice as long as your guest book, plus 4 inches |
 Stick Glue dots on the front cover in a line where you want your ribbon to be placed. |
 Smooth your ribbon over the glue dots, pressing firmly. |
 Tie a neat knot in the ribbon. |
And you're finished! |
A fully completed, personalised photo guest book! |
Tags: chocolate lime green guest book, personalise guest book, personlised guest book
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April 29th, 2010
This is a topic that’s close to my heart at the moment as I’m hosting my Sister-In-Laws Hen Party chez moi tomorrow, for the weekend. I’m Matron of Honour and it’s the first time that I’ve organised a whole Hen Party by myself and I have to say I’ve been a little daunted by it all. Mainly because I’ve only met one of the other ‘Hens’ before and they live all over the country, so it’s been organised by email. I’ve found it tricky to remember who is arriving when etc because I can’t put a face to a name…but I solved this problem by creating a spreadsheet which helped enormously.
Budget
So what do you need to consider for a Hen Pamper Party? Well budget should be the first thing on your list. If you’re all young, free and single with loads of disposable income, then consider a mobile beautician / reflexologist / masseur to come and give you the top-to-toe treatment.
If you’re like ourselves with kids and mortgages, then consider a variation on the DIY theme. For us this means that everyone brings their own favourite beauty treatments to share (I’ll be bringing my home-made brown sugar and olive oil body scrub which is lovely!) However I’ve arranged for an alternative therapist to carry out a mini Indian Head massage on everyone, costing £10 for 20 minutes. We thought that this is a skilled job whereas most of us can do our own manicures / pedicures / facials if we’ve got time!
Each of the ‘Hens’ is bringing their own towel and I’ve got a stack of glossy magazines for us all to read while we’ve got our feet up. And of course we’ll have a little glass of something sparkly in our hand too…thinking passionfruit bellinis sound rather yummy!
Food and Drink
I’m keeping it simple, with red and white wine and champagne (well sparkling wine) cocktails. Peach and Passionfruit Bellinis will go down well, as will a Kir Royale (just add a little cassis to each glass of champagne). And we’re having a 3 course meal of Prawn Cocktail, Chicken Basque and Black Forest-misu to tie in with our 80’s theme….
Theme
It wouldn’t feel like a hen night unless there was an element of dressing up involved. We’ve gone for an 80’s theme (Batwing top, rara skirt, Blue eyeshadow and BIG hair…) and the food is 80’s stylie too. We’ll have 80’s music and I’ve just bought ‘Just Dance’ on the Nintendo wii, which looks as if it will be very entertaining, especially after a few drinks.
Entertainment
We’ve got a few additional bits and pieces lined up. I asked all the other Hens to send me pictures by email which we compiled into a DVD presentation along with appropriate accompanying music. And it wouldn’t be a hen night unless we had a game of Mr & Mrs, which I’ve asked ‘Mr’ to record on webcam, which should make for some funny replies! Lastly we’ll be compiling a Digital Photo Guest Book over the course of the weekend, asking everyone to write a little anecdote, or wish for the future for the Bride to be alongside their photos – again this could be entertaining after a few glasses of wine!
If you’ve got any top-tips to share, please feel free to leave a comment.
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April 13th, 2010
Our gorgeous photo guest books come already covered in plain dyed japanese fabric, which is elegant and timeless. But if you fancy something more elaborate to tie in with your theme, then we have some ideas for you. This is the first in our series of ideas as to how you can personalise your guest book simply and effectively.
Here we show you how to add a gorgeous satin ribbon to your guest book in just a few easy steps. All you need is a metre of ribbon, double-sided tape and scissors.
Measure your ribbon first, practice tying a bow, then cut
Stick double-sided tape on the ribbon, allowing an overlap for front cover
Remove backing tape, then stick ribbon to inside front cover of photo guest book
Remove backing tape, then stick ribbon to inside front cover of photo guest book
Smooth taped ribbon over front cover
Tie your ribbon bow carefully, pulling taut
Tidy your ribbon bow on your photo guest book, ready for use
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March 9th, 2010
It’s less than a week now to Mothers Day (and you’ve been reminded now so there’s no excuse for forgetting!) so it’s time to think of ways to say ‘Thank you!’ to your Mum.
Plan a Party
If your Mum enjoys social occasions and get togethers, try surprising her with a party? Send invitations to friends and relatives that she enjoys spending time with, but be careful only to invite those who will keep the party’s mood fun, and relaxing. Look through past party photo albums or digital photo albums to get an idea of who best to invite.
Don’t forget though that this is your Mum’s surprise party. You want her to be the queen for the day, so pick drinks and food that are easy to serve and clean up. You definitely don’t want your Mum left in the kitchen with a pile of washing up!
Decorate the party with a “Happy Mother’s Day” banner along with lots of lovely flowers, balloons, streamers and anything that will help make your Mum feel special.
Plan a Day Out
Not everyone likes parties, so if your Mum isn’t a fan, or you think she’d prefer to spend time with close family members, why not plan a day out? Visit an exhibition, take in a show, or simply visit the movies together. Make a day of it by including lunch or dinner at their favourite restaurant, then sit back and enjoy some quality time together.
Inexpensive Mothers Day Ideas
You don’t necesarily have to spend a lot of money to make it a day to remember. Start the day with breakfast in bed, then put the washing on, prepare lunch, wash the dishes etc. Whatever routine chores your Mum normally does, why don’t you do it for a change. It won’t just give your Mum a break but it might also remind you just how much your Mum does for you!
Tags: mothers day ideas, photo guest books
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February 11th, 2010
Confetti Hearts
Following on from our rather tongue-in-cheek Anti Valentines Day Party ideas I thought I’d start a rather more important topic here.
If you’re in a relationship, there’s nothing worse, sadder or in some instances funnier than your partner getting it wrong with presents. To give a personal example, I was in dubious receipt of a statuette of ‘Sawyer from LOST’ a few christmases ago. Seriously.
For Valentines day, I’m not fussed about cards (though I prefer home-made to bought) and would HATE one of those massive padded things that people used to give years ago. Well I assume everyone did, or maybe it was just the young and gullible as my boyfriend bought me one when I was 15, along with a red rose…how romantic (bleurgh).
Anyway, to get back on track and to clear things up once and for all, here is my ideal (realistic) Valentines day. I say realistic, as in an ideal world, I’d be jetted off to New York for the weekend without kids and would eat fantastic meals and sleep late, but let’s face it, that isn’t going to happen.
My ideal Valentines day treat would be simple. Breakfast in bed and a bar of Green and Blacks chocolate. I’d feel loved and adored and would be an extremely happy bunny all day…
Please share your ideal realistic Valentines day and the winner receives a big bar of green and black chocolate!
Tags: valentines day presents, valentines ideas
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December 8th, 2009
As it comes towards Christmas, a great way to get in the festive mood is to have a christmas craft party your children and their friends make some decorations for the Christmas tree.
Have a think about what sort of craft project is appropriate for the age of the children attending. For younger children, why not try making paper chains or Christmas crackers as table decorations. Stringing popcorn or cranberries (yummy!) to use as garland around the tree is another lovely idea – as long as you have plenty extra for those who belong to the ‘string one, eat one’ club!
For older children, you could buy solid glass ball ornaments, and different coloured glitter and let the kids make their own designs on them. Alternatively you could make and decorate some Christmas biscuits – Christmas Tree and Star shapes are always good for this, providing plenty of opportunity to get creative with silver balls and icing! (We like Nigellas Christmas Decoration Biscuits)
To set the scene and get those festive juices flowing, have some Christmas carols or your favourite Christmas music playing in the background so the littl’uns can sing along. Milk and any random leftover cookies will do as tea-time treats, perhaps with some mulled wine for any visiting adults. Don’t forget to take some pictures for your christmas photo album too!
Tags: christmas party, kids party idea
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