Giant balloon love!

We have been having lots of fun over the last month with the introduction of helium filled balloons at our retail store. We've always sold balloons but we can now fill them too :-)

Our favourites are definitely the life sized 'air walker' balloons ... here's some pics of some we have filled over the last few weeks and here's the link to all our air walkers: air walker balloons

    

 

  

While these giant balloons certainly make an impact if you want something smaller we can help too as we have a wide range of foil and latex balloons in stock. We're currently expanding our range so if there is anything specific you're looking for just let us know. 

Here's a few recent additions to our range:

   

  

Foil balloons

  

            36" latex balloons                   printed latex balloons

 

Number & letter foil balloons

We also now stock the little 5" latex balloons which are great for displays. We've got some in our window at the moment as bunches of grapes which look really cute :0)

plain coloured mini balloons

Here's the link to view our full range of balloons & decorations: shop for decorations  These are all available online and in store.

Cute ideas for Valentines Day

I've seen lots of cute inexpensive Valentines ideas with clever plays on words so I thought I would share my favourites. There are links included to the printables too, hope they provide some inspiration.

I love these free printables from Hostess with the Mostess: peanut butter and jelly, donuts and coffee, milk and cookies and pie with whipped cream. Here's the link to download: "Perfect Pairings" Valentine Cards

I dig you! These labels are available to purchase as a download file from Abigail Christine Design's Etsy shop, here's the link direct to them: Hey Valentine...I Dig You by Abigail Christine Design

Need a Valentines idea for someone who loves fishing? How about this great idea from www.shakentogetherlife.com, a Candy Tackle Box

I love this idea also shared on www.shakentogetherlife.com - we go together like peas & carrots :0) If you like the baking cases they've used we have the same ones available in several colours (including the green ones): Sundays baking cases / portion-cups

These whale cookies are so clever - check out www.bakerella.com and see how to create them using a Santa cookie cutter!

If you're looking for pretty lolly bag toppers there are some fun ideas over at www.thebusybudgetingmama.com and there's a cute 'be mine' cake topper too

And here are some fun sugar free alternatives ...

These would be fun to pop in the kids lunchboxes (make sure you use edible markers for the apples & pears if you try these!). Here's the link to all the info: cakewhiz.com

Or you can do similar with these printables from alphamom.com

I found lots of other fun ideas over at Alpha Mom as well, these Hersheys kiss lighthouses were my favourites

This is a nice idea from www.dandee-designs.com for the kids to make for their class mates

Found over at WifeMomGeek.com - mini sports balls. You can download the printables here: sports valentines printables

These Tiny Animal Valentines shared by Sweet C's Designs are a great idea for the boys, here's the link to the printables: tiny animal valentines

Here's a cute idea for someone crafty - printables can be downloaded from lilluna.com and if you need some bakers twine we've got pink, green, blue, orange & black in stock at the moment

There are some more great candy free ideas over at www.growingajeweledrose.com

And if you just need a fun little tag to add to your gift check out these pun-tastic ideas from www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com

I hope you've found some ideas here and if you have any other please post a link in the comments as we would love to check them out

Fun kids party games - outdoor games

A while ago we asked for some help from our facebook likers to come up with a list of some favourite kids party games - they came up with heaps! We've combined these with some other ideas and hope these will provide some inspiration ....

Here's some ideas for fun outdoor games:

Egg & spoon races
One of our facebook fans Shelley had some great tips: make sure you used hard boiled eggs! I've also played this game with small apples or mandarins as it's a bit easier for younger children.

At my daughters school sports day last year they used potatoes instead of eggs - I saw at least one get stood on so good job they weren't eggs :0)

And some more 'oldies but goodies' are sack races, tug-of-war, wheel-barrow races and '3-legged' races - these are all great fun for all ages.

bags are available to hire from Party & Fun Depot

The flour and cherry/malteser/chocolate game is a favorite of our facebook fan Kelly-Jo. This could of course be played inside but can get very messy! You can find all the instructions a great series of photos here

Treasure Hunts
Can be inside, outside, in the sand pit, at the beach - anywhere really. If you're hiding things in the sand though you might want to hide something other than the actual prizes in case they don't turn up! My daughter went to a party at the beach last year and they had sticks marking out a big square and the kids had to find rocks with red paint on them inside the marked area and could swap those for a prize - I thought that was a great idea.

And if you're having a party at the beach then a sand castle building competition would be lots of fun. Take along some buckets & spades or ask the guests to bring some along - you could have a few prizes - biggest castle, best decorated castle etc. It would also be nice to take along some little windmills or flags to decorate the sand castles.

{image source: http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com}

A water balloon/water pistol fight always scores high on the fun scale but unless you're having a pool party make sure you pop a note on the invites to ask parents to send a change of clothes for the kids!

Pinata are always a hit (ha ha, sorry couldn't resist!) - fill them with lollies, little gifts or confetti

If you're looking for some carnival style games check out this great article on PartyGamesPlus.com: The Ultimate D.I.Y Carnival Theme Party Games

There are also some fun outdoor party games that can be hired. Check out this fun selection we found at Party and Fun Depot These would also be a great idea to hire for a summer wedding reception.

And here's a few other ideas we came across (click the titles for the links)

Summer Twister

Frisbee tic tac toe

And how much fun would this be?! (found on pinterest)

I'm sure there are heaps of other really fun outdoor games we have missed off the list so feel free to add a comment and/or link to any others :0)

And check back soon for some ideas for indoor games and musical games.

Wedding resources

To conclude our wedding series I thought it might be a good idea to share some great resources I have come across:

Pinterest:

One of my favourite places to find inspiration! and it's an excellent way to keep track of all the great ideas you find online. Simply pin all your finds to your board and you will easily be able to get back to them. And use the search function to find lots of other great ideas from people around the world. Here's a link to our wedding board: http://www.pinterest.com/pixieparty/weddings/

I also recommend: Hostess with the Mostess - they have heaps of boards and quite a few are wedding related so have a look through the list.

And just type 'weddings' in the search box to find heaps more!

Facebook:

Weddings in New Zealand is a new facebook group which has just been set up to help people getting married make connections with those in the wedding industry, in New Zealand. It's a closed group so brides can speak openly and ask questions of suppliers without 'giving anything away' to friends & family - if you would like to join here's the link to request to be added: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingsinnz/

Wedding magazines:

There are heaps to choose from at your local bookstore but don't forget all the free online magazines as well. Head over to http://issuu.com/ and type 'wedding' in the search box and you will find heaps to choose from including Magnolia Rouge which is published in New Zealand - it has a beautiful images, lots of inspiration, and features weddings from around the world.

And a lovely new wedding magazine has just been launched in New Zealand - Blush. Blush Magazine is a bridal journal and bridal lifestyle magazine all rolled into one and features real wedding stories, fashion shoots, interviews with people in the industry, a men’s wear section and articles on couples from their first date to the moment they fell in love, and so much more, all laid out on gorgeous organic wood free paper.   The editors are Aleisha Liebezeit from "The Love Collective Ltd" and Renee Calder from “Renee Calder Design”.  Based in Nelson but selling New Zealand wide & overseas. Magazines can be bought direct here. And we are lucky enough to have one of their first editions to give away - check out our facebook page to find out how to enter!

Regional guides:

Here's a few regional guides which will help you connect with local suppliers in these areas:

Auckland: www.aucklandweddings.co.nz

Christchurch: www.christchurchweddingplanner.co.nz

Dunedin: www.dunedinweddingplanner.co.nz

Wedding Expos:

Here's a few I've seen advertised lately that are coming up over the next few months:

Hitched Wedding Show, Rotorua - 1st June 2014: www.rotoruaweddingshow.co.nz

Waikato Wedding Expo - 29th June 2014: www.weddingexpo.net.nz

Mid Canterbury Wedding Expo - 27 July 2014: www.effortlessevents.co.nz/wedding-expo-ashburton

These are just a few resources, I'm sure there are 1,000's more! Feel free to post links to other resources as a comment below. 

And don't forget to pop over to our facebook page to find out how to get in the draw to win a copy of the first edition of Blush magazine (NZ residents only, will be drawn 8pm NZ time 10/5/14)

If you are planning your big day have lots of fun planning a magical day and we hope our wedding blog series has been helpful and provided some inspiration :0)

5 Steps to Planning a Wedding your Groom will want to help organise

In this issue of our wedding blog series Letitia from Quintessential Concierge shares some wedding planning tips ...

We believe it’s important that the Groom be wholeheartedly involved in the planning process of your big day. This is so his tastes and preferences can be encompassed with yours to make for the day you both desire.

Men need to be wanted and needed by their partners, so include him by asking him some questions to help define your personal taste, preferences and style i.e. Is there a hobby or pursuit that he would like to incorporate into the wedding in some way?
{editor's note: if you're looking for some fun ideas check out our earlier blog post: what about grooms favourite things?!}

{image source: stylemepretty.com}

Once you’ve got him on board here are a few tips in planning that perfect day together:

1. Start planning early. If you start late this could drastically reduce your options and you’ll end up with your second choice. Try to have at least 3 months before the big day.

2. Get organised. Create a document that includes supplier names, contact numbers and other important details. Not only are all details in one place you can hand it to your bridesmaids on the day!

3. Be smart with the budget. Keep your wishes realistic. If the budget is tight, spend a little less on things like wedding favours.

4. Send out the wedding invitations. Do your research on design well in advance. Keeping in mind time for printing and delivering. Send your invitations around two months prior to the wedding date.

5. Make it about you and your groom. Keep the day personal, guests love when couples make weddings individual, being pleasantly surprised with unusual and quirky variations.

What are you waiting for, get that gorgeous groom involved and start planning!

To get in touch please view Quintessential Concierge’s website and facebook page. Letitia is your lifestyle management specialist - your personal assistant on your wedding day!