Peach Blossom

We've Moved

2011-07-18T13:56:00.000+01:00

We have decided to move the blog to our own website, here. This blog is not going to be shut down so you can still access all of the old content but plenty of new fresh ideas and posts will be added to new blog site. We look forward to seeing you there!

Beatle Mania

2011-06-23T11:25:00.001+01:00

So with Glastonbury on this weekend it seemed fitting to post this music themed party. Whether you like Glastonbury or not you'll probably find this party pretty inspiring, and fret not - this is a mud free zone!

This Beatles themed party is, perhaps surprisingly, to celebrate a brother and sister's first birthday party. As the twins are too young to really have any interests to create a theme, their parents decided to pick a theme which meant something to them. The twins' mum, Suzanne of She Paperie, shared the pictures of this party on her blog. And they certainly went to town with the details!

Photography by Jeanna Hayes

Father's Day

2011-06-15T10:56:00.002+01:00

Now I know what you might be thinking…but no, today's blog post is not about McDonalds or Burger King. Believe it or not, this is a sweet treat! This creation comes courtesy of Bakerella, who you may know has been mentioned on the blog a couple of times. And her next idea does not disappoint! These 'burger and chips' are actually brownies and biscuits and just as she suggests in her own blog, this would make a pretty sweet treat for your Dad this Father's Day. Please note, this treat would work pretty much anytime of year, birthday party, summer BBQ, Sunday afternoon….

Anyway, if you fancy giving this a go, you can find all the instructions here.

P.S. If you follow Bakerella's blog you'll know she's been a iittle unwell of late so I'm sending lots of well-wishes from over here at Peach Blossom.

Images via Bakerella

Bubblegum Pastels

2011-05-26T10:56:00.000+01:00

Pinks and pastels feature quite a lot on this blog and this party does fall into that category but it's fresh and clean styling would make it perfect for a spring birthday or perhaps a wedding too. Although this party is bubblegum themed, a lot of the features would work well in other party themes. But it has to be said, the gumball machine cake is out of this world!

Images Mrs A in The Cove via Amy Atlas

Where The Wild Things Are

2011-05-18T09:36:00.000+01:00

Even if you've not read the book nor seen the film, I think you will still be totally impressed with the styling of this party. The decoration is quite rustic with the use of the tree stump and grass but the yellow colours really add a pop of colour whilst still reflecting the theme of 'Where The Wild Things Are'. This was exactly the thinking behind the party, which was created by Jackie Culmer. Turning an old classic into a bright and modern theme whilst staying true to the messages of the story is a tough feat, but this party definitely encapsulates all that and no doubt a fun time was had by all!

Images by Jackie Culmer via Hostess with The Mostess

Stylish Fabric Board

2011-05-10T12:17:00.002+01:00

I'm super excited to announce the launch of our new fabric boards here at Peach Blossom. Available in two beautiful fabric patterns and with the option of two ribbon designs, these boards would make a fabulously stylish option for presenting a wedding table plan.

I thought it might be fun to blog about some additional ideas for using these boards at parties and events. For example, you might be brainstorming ideas for a bride's upcoming Hen party. Well how about creating a wish board? If you're having a girly party, one of these boards can be used to create an area where hens can go and write notes, bits of advice and well-wishes for the bride-to-be for her wedding day and married life.

Or if you have a baby shower to host, why not create an advice station? It's a thoughtful and stylish way for guests to leave congratulatory messages and baby tips for the mum-to-be.

As always, we would love to see any of our products in action at your events, whatever the occasion. Feel free to share your photos and comments about any of our products. We would love to hear from you!

Congratulations Will and Kate

2011-05-02T10:00:00.000+01:00

While we can only imagine and speculate as to the food, decoration and all that the Royal wedding reception entailed it was no doubt a joyous, romantic, happy and magnificent occasion. Congratulations Will and Kate!

I loved watching the ceremony, did you?

Image via Mirror.co.uk

Easter

2011-04-19T11:13:00.000+01:00

Following on from last week's Easter themed shoot, today's blog post is just a quick look at a super easy Easter decoration tip from the one and only Martha Stewart. She has suggested creating these Daffodil Candy Cups and the best bit is they're easy peasy to create. Head over here for a template and instructions.

Spring Is In The Air

2011-04-12T13:04:00.001+01:00

Most of the UK has been basking in glorious weather lately so it truly feels like Spring has arrived...at least for now. British weather is undoubtedly unreliable so before it changes here's a pretty Spring themed shoot, created by Anders Ruff, which should get you in the mood for Easter.

The mixture of soft pastels and bold colours works so well and the best feature of the shoot by far is bunny model 'Mini Pearl'!

For shoot styling info visit Anders Ruff
Photographs via Hostess With The Mostess

Mother's Day

2011-03-31T10:01:00.001+01:00

If you haven't already thought of something for your mum this Mother's Day (Sunday 3 April), then perhaps this post can throw a little inspiration your way. If you can't think of anything to buy for your mum, why not make her some cupcakes? After all, a homemade present always seems a little more special. These pretty cupcakes come from the super talented Bakerella, who you may remember being mentioned on this blog before.

Head over to Bakerella's website to find out more about these wonderful treats.

NotOnTheHighStreet.com

2011-03-22T14:53:00.000Z

If you haven't already heard...Peach Blossom products are now available to buy at NotOnTheHighStreet.com

We are super excited to be a part of their community of innovative, unique and wonderful products so if you haven't already, check out the Peach Blossom shop here.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

2011-03-07T11:35:00.000Z

If choosing one colour scheme for a children's party seems a little bland then you will probably find this party colour scheme pretty perfect. Bold, bright and a touch of unicorns for extra magic, this party is sure to brighten your day.

It's so easy to look to artificial food to complement the colour scheme of a party but what I love here is the fact that they were able to create a rainbow of food using fruit! Bright, colourful and healthy too.

There's a post already on the blog describing a rainbow cake made by Whisk Kid. If you fancy getting adventurous in the kitchen, get the recipe here.

Images via Juicy Bits

Oscars Party

2011-02-25T11:37:00.003Z

With the Oscars on Sunday today's blog post is full of Oscar themed party features to give you inspiration should you be throwing an Oscars party (even if it is just watching the red carpet moments on the TV or online!) It's an occasion all the Hollywood A-listers go all out for with big gowns, big jewels, big after parties...oh yeah, and big awards. So why not throw your own award ceremony? Or make your own awards...to eat! If you'd rather focus on the main event, why not take a guess at who or what will win in each category and compete with your friends to see who gets most right? Whatever you plan to do then look no further for ideas.

Black and gold themed vases, napkin and popcorn holders via Hostess with the Mostess
Brownie popcorn bags and Award Cookies via Bakerella here and here
Academy Award Sheet and Paper Bag via The Sweetest Occasion
Red Themed Table via Hostess with the Mostess

Snow White Dessert Table

2011-02-22T09:48:00.002Z

There have been quite a few traditional children film themed parties on the blog recently from Wizard of Oz to Mary Poppins so coming across this themed sweet table seemed quite fitting. This table was the winner of the European Sweet Table Contest 2010 and was put together by the lady behind wedding website Belle Amour and baby blog Belle Bébés. It's easy to see why she snatched the first prize, her table is beautiful! Every element has been carefully thought out and the attention to detail really shows. Check out the photos below. For more info on how she created the table visit her website here and to see how to create your very own cross-stitched cake decoration go here.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-11T12:15:00.001Z

I hope these brownies will provide you with inspiration of what to do for Valentine's Day. It doesn't just have to be for a partner, you could make some for a friend or relative to show how much you love them!

Image via The Sweetest Occasion

There's No Place Like A Great Party

2011-02-09T17:06:00.000Z

Inspiration for a party or event can really come from anywhere, be it a colour, tradition or as is quite common for children's parties, a film. You might remember the Mary Poppins party featured last year and how magical it was in the way it recreated so many important elements of the film. Well today's post shows how wonderful it is to use the Wizard of Oz as inspiration. Created by The TomKat Studio and Kate Landers Events, this party would make any little girl want to be Dorothy for the day!

Ice Ice Baby

2011-02-04T12:44:00.001Z

Monday's post gave inspiration for a cooler colour scheme for any winter soirees you might be hosting. The wonderful thing is that you can create just as much impact even if the colours aren't so bold. Today's post is in line with the same idea. This stunning event styling comes from Luxe Fete Event Planning and Design Studio and although the colour palette is very simple with the use of silver and white with just a hint of soft pink it really creates a strong yet sophisticated impact. This would be perfect for a winter wedding!

Images via Style Me Pretty

Blue Monday

2011-01-31T10:04:00.016Z

The blog has been filled with lots of bright colours and bold decorations lately which may seem a little unusual for this time of year. With the notorious 'Blue Monday' earlier this month and the continuing cold and wet weather making summer feel like it's a decade away, choosing bright colours for your party may seem a little silly. So, you may find that if you are hosting a celebration at the moment that a slightly more muted colour palette would be more appropriate. That's not to say the decoration has to be dull, as this colour scheme shows, a softer colour has just as much impact as its brighter counterpart. And the contrasting white and blue cakes are fabulous!

Dessert Table Design: Principal Planner

Images via: Amy Atlas Events

Up, Up and Away

2011-01-27T12:06:00.001Z

Following Tuesday's post on the 'Up' themed wedding I thought it was also fitting to post this 'Up' themed birthday. This is the work of Wendy of Wendy Updegraff Photography for her daughter's 7th birthday and it certainly looked like a fun affair! (And that balloon wreath is amazing!)

Images via Hostess with the Mostess

Up

2011-01-25T15:05:00.000Z

If you've seen the Disney Pixar film Up, you are bound to love this wedding. Taking elements from the film, Lynnette and James, the bride and groom, created a magical and sweet wedding, which was actually brought to the attention of Pixar themselves. The use of the model house from 'Up' is a great feature, especially with the balloons! It just goes to show, you can really take inspiration from everything around you to create a day special to you. The stunning photography comes from Wildflowers Photography and the photos reveal what was no doubt a magical day.

Images via Wedding Chicks

Butterflies in January?

2011-01-06T14:02:00.003Z

So you've taken down your Christmas decorations (or are at least contemplating it...) and you've welcomed the new year, so what next? Well there's a whole year of celebrations, parties and moments to look forward to and start planning! Today's post may seem a little 'off' considering spring still feels like a way off but I figured many of us will be looking to plan weddings and parties for the spring/summer time. This dreamy decoration comes from Love The Day, who also created a Sunshine party featured on the Peach Blossom blog here.

Dreaming Of A White Christmas?

2010-12-21T21:28:00.003Z

If you are reading this in the UK you are probably pretty sick of seeing the white stuff, especially if it's put a damper on your plans in the run up to Christmas. Even so, I am loving this white themed Christmas display, as it looks so magical. Alchemy Events are behind this charming decor and their use of birch trees for stands is truly creative, such a great idea! And the candles make the whole display look really enchanting. I hope you can take some inspiration from here for your Christmas.

The star shaped decorations, above right, can be found at Ikea and add an alternate yet classy touch.

A Vintage Pastel Christmas

2010-12-17T10:59:00.000Z

Today's featured display is super pretty, cute and stylish. Glory over at Glorious Treats had planned this table for some time and her inspiration all started from her collection of pink pottery which just goes to show how you can really turn Christmas decor into your own and still have it look Christmassy. Every detail has been taken into consideration like placing baubles within the flower bouquets, such a wonderful idea!

The Alternative Christmas Tree(s)

2010-12-15T15:58:00.000Z

I couldn't help but post this on the blog as it is super cute and would be a really amazing addition to any Christmas parties, if you have the time (and patience!) to put these treats together. These superb Candy Cane Cupcake Christmas Trees were created by Bakerella and she has supplied all the steps to creating your own this Christmas. Love these!

Christmas Calling

2010-12-13T11:22:00.001Z

So with only 12 days until Christmas, it's about time to start posting about it! Today begins the theme of posts with plenty of Christmas ideas, hopefully inspiring you to try something new, alternative, modern and yet traditional when it comes to decorating and hosting over the Christmas period.

One big colour trend hitting the event circuit at the moment is turquoise and red and just because it's Christmas doesn't mean you have to stick to the traditional red and green so why not take a leaf out of Suzanna from Mon Tresor's book and update your Christmas look with these fantastic red and turquoise themed decorations.

This display works so well because it is truly festive but the new colour palette has given it a modern twist. Sprinkling the donuts with coconut to create a 'snow' effect is a great idea too!

Images via Amy Atlas

Christmas Sneak Peek

2010-11-26T10:10:00.003Z

Following Tuesday's announcement of the new Christmas collection, today's post reveals another sneak peak of some of the collection before it is available online. Enjoy!

Christmas Is Coming

2010-11-23T12:33:00.002Z

Super excited to bring the news of Peach Blossom new range of Christmas cards for 2010! Each card is stylish and pretty and will hopefully bring a touch of sparkle to you this Christmas. They will be available to buy online at www.peachblossomparties.co.uk

Get That Friday Feeling

2010-11-05T10:00:00.001Z

So it's been a little quiet here on the blog the last couple of weeks, but it's because big things are brewing behind the scenes, I hope you can forgive :) I will post about these developments soon but in the meantime I hope this video can make up for the absence. You may have already seen it as it's pretty famous but I thought I'd post it as it's such a fun and cute video. Enjoy!

Pink-O-Ween

2010-10-29T10:23:00.000+01:00

Now you may be wondering what the title of this blog is all about but it's the theme of today's party. With Halloween coming up I thought it would be fun to show a party which is a little different from the norm when it comes to themes for a Halloween. The wonderful photographs were taken by Kristen Steele and Courtney of Pizzazzerie and Carrie of Anders Ruff Designs came up with a pink Halloween theme which was executed so perfectly! To be able to make pink and glitter look spooky, scary and creepy is quite an accomplishment and it certainly makes for a different Halloween. Has this party given you the inspiration to try something new this Halloween or perhaps for another event coming up?

Wedding Bells

2010-10-21T15:42:00.001+01:00

If you've visited the Peach Blossom website recently you may have already seen that the new wedding collection has been launched. There are seven ranges in total, all of which can be customised to suit the colour scheme of your wedding but I'm also offering a bespoke service should you want a design to reflect you and your big day. Let me know your thoughts on the new designs and for more information visit www.peachblossomparties.co.uk/wedding

What a Supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus party!

2010-10-20T09:29:00.013+01:00

Today's party is simply wonderful, you might say it's practically perfect in every way. You've probably guessed that it's a Mary Poppins party and not only has been decorated to beautifully but there were also plenty of Mary Poppins related activites. Created by Danielle at Belleza e Luce, the attention to detail is great and you can tell that this party was well thought out. You could even turn this into adult dinner party with a vintage vibe by just taking out the Mary Poppins elements, similar to last week's elegant dinner party. There are plenty of photos of this Mary Poppin's themed occasion so look through and let me know what you think.

These costumes are so adorable!

Tropical Wedding

2010-10-15T11:26:00.000+01:00

I love that today wedding's aren't all about white, cream and ivory. Couples are really taking the plunge when it comes to colour and aren't afraid of being bold and bright. Weddings can be just as romantic, beautiful and traditional even if there's not an inch of white in sight. I think you'll agree that this styled shoot is truly breathtaking and would be perfect for a wedding.

Concept design, cake, desserts: Erica O’Brien
Florals and concept design: Honey and Poppies
Coordination and planning: De-Lovely Events
Photography: Jessica Claire
Rentals: Signature Party Rentals
Location: The Villa del Sol

Elegant Fun

2010-10-12T09:41:00.016+01:00

If you've ever wanted to host a dinner or a party that's not for children but haven't wanted to make the decor too over the top or tacky then look no further for your inspiration. This party is cute yet classic and colourful yet elegant, the perfect theme for a grown-up party, no matter what the occasion is. Although I wouldn't suggest dining in your garden in the UK at this time of year, the theme would work perfectly be it a dinner party for friends, a baby shower or even a hen party, or bridal shower for those across the pond :)

Party styling: Desiree Spinner Events
Photos found via: Inspired By This
Photography: Dan Cutrona

A Monster Bash

2010-10-08T09:54:00.000+01:00

Today's party theme is all about monsters and comes from Polkadots & Pirates. It reminds me of the Disney Pixar film from a few years ago, Monsters Inc and these monsters look just as fun. The red, green and blue colours have been incorporated into every element of the party so well and the monster decorated biscuits are so cute!

Firetruck Fun

2010-10-07T09:05:00.002+01:00

So I said earlier this week that I wanted to make sure I featured parties across the spectrum, not just the pink girly ones I am so often drawn to. Although today's party definitely features no pink and zero glitter I am still loving the bold colours and great detail. Michele created this party for her son's birthday and it shows how well a firetruck theme can be used throughout a party. Although we don't have fire hydrants in the UK I think the drinking cups are a great feature which could still work really well. The cake is just great and love that the cake stand has been incorporated by decorating it with brick covered paper.

Dining with Dinosaurs

2010-10-04T11:39:00.007+01:00

So being a girl, I tend to sway towards parties which are girly, pink and pretty. I just can't seem to get enough of the pink, frilly factor no matter how many times I've seen it used in a theme. So I'm going to make sure I start spreading the love by featuring parties for the boys and today's party, which comes from Kim at The Celebration Shoppe, is bold, bright and looks like it was a ROARing success!

Loving the T-Rex on the cake! His teeth are great!

Simply Pink

2010-10-01T09:41:00.001+01:00

Today's blog post has been written from a computer with a cracked screen and so everything looks like it's in a million different pieces! It's a long story so I won't go into detail about how the crack came about but what I thought I'd do is try and make my screen look prettier with some pretty party photographs. So, here are some cute shots of a pink party hosted by Amelia and the cute pink pretty frilly dainty factor is definitely in check!

Iced Gems! I had forgotten about these from my childhood!

FIngers crossed next week's posts start with a new crack-free screen....!

Aeroplane Party

2010-09-28T09:05:00.002+01:00

This is a super cute party, with the theme being aeroplanes and the colour scheme being an unusual but effective collection of oranges and blues. Although 'aeroplanes' are the theme, the aeroplane cake is the main focus and all the decorations and treats are little aeroplane related bits and pieces such as clouds. I think this works perfectly as it certainly looks like a cute but classy affair. The lady behind this party is Jordan at Polkadot Prints and I think my favourite bit of her party has to be the milk cartons, especially with the pegs! What's your favourite detail?

Midsummer Fairytale

2010-09-24T11:13:00.000+01:00

Today's post is a magical and pretty celebration but no, it's not for a children's party. It was created by Paula from Frog Prince Paperie for her mother and she has really put together a grownup fairytale. The combination of pretty and elegant is perfect and the colour scheme is quite unusual but it works wonderfully. In fact, this is a theme which could be recreated for a child's birthday or even a baby shower.

Balloons

2010-09-22T10:18:00.005+01:00

Although balloons have always been a popular decoration for many occasions, the latest trend making its way across weddings, parties and events is the oversized balloon. It's particularly round and much larger than usual but what I love about them is that unlike traditional ones which can sometimes look cheap and tacky, these oversized balloons can add a touch of class to the decoration, especially if only used few and far between. Although they may be more expensive than normal balloons you only need a few to make an impact at an event. I think they would be perfect for weddings!

You may remember the balloons below from the Superhero party I featured on the blog a little while ago.

Stockists are few and far between in the UK although I've located some balloons online here.

Images via Amy Atlas, Elle Belle Creative, Boutwell Studio, Imprintables, A Cup of Jo, Kara's Party Ideas

Halloween

2010-09-20T08:58:00.003+01:00

So it may feel like summer was only yesterday but winter is already on the horizon and Christmas is on its way too, especially as I saw Christmas chocolates in a supermarket the other day (!!) But before we start thinking about Christmas and all that comes with it, I've designed some Halloween party pieces for next month. Cupcake toppers, black and orange confetti and invitations are all available and can be bought here. Let me know what you think of the designs!

Superhero Party

2010-09-15T09:38:00.000+01:00

I wanted to share this super bright party, created by Imprintables, on the blog because whilst the superhero theme may be a popular one, pairing it with yellow and black is quite unusual but it works great. I would never have thought of using black because it's not what I would consider a 'party' colour for a birthday but as this theme shows, it works perfectly!
The detail on the biscuit lollies is amazing.

Really loving these balloons - they make such a big impact, even though there's only a few of them.

Cherry Fun

2010-09-13T10:00:00.001+01:00

This party reminds me of beautiful summer days and picnics in the park so I thought it might be nice to post when the weather in the UK hasn't been so great. Steph, who created this party, came up with the theme after buying some cherry lollipops, which just goes to show you can really find inspiration just about anywhere!

Pretty in Pink

2010-09-09T12:30:00.000+01:00

I designed a dessert table for a girly party last weekend and here are the photographs of it. The theme was 'Pretty in Pink' and so - you guessed it - everything was pink! It was lots of fun picking out pink sweets that would co-ordinate with the theme, although I decided to go with a cream cake for the centrepiece to add a bit of contrast. All the party accessories, including the labels, cake bunting and cupcake toppers will be available to buy in my shop shortly. But for now, I hope you enjoy the photos!

Miniature Bites

2010-09-07T10:18:00.002+01:00

Just a short post today as I wanted to share some nibbles I stumbled across recently. If you've ever organised or are organising a children's party, keeping all the guests' hunger satisfied with fun food can be a tough job, which is why I thought these mini cheeseburgers and mini hot dogs from Tesco would be perfect for little mouths. Quick and easy to prepare, I'm sure they will go down a treat at a child's (or adult's!) party.

Images via Tesco

Under the Sea!

2010-09-06T10:18:00.000+01:00

Having a water themed party needn't be a wash out (boom boom!) Just look at these shots from this bright and bold Under the Sea themed party created by Chickabug. I don't think you can be anything but inspired by this wonderful party which has only been enhanced by the beautiful photography, captured by Susan Gentile.

I've saved the best picture until last because this cake is sensational! The turtle is super cute and I love all the detail in each part of the cake.

Peacock Party

2010-09-03T09:27:00.002+01:00

Wow, wow, wow! I love the decoration for this party! Created by Hostess with the Mostess, the colours used are probably not ones I would normally think of using but the effect is glamorous, elegant and very very pretty. The combination of blue, purple and green works so well together and using peacock feathers as the inspiration is so original. In this instance, the party is to celebrate an engagement but I think it would be great for an adult birthday, dinner party or perhaps even a wedding.

I love the use of peacock feathers as decoration underneath the glass jar, it's so expensive looking!

Camping Party

2010-08-31T10:37:00.000+01:00

I love imaginative parties - ones that really push the boundaries of the obvious and that is exactly what I have here today. The detail in this party is fabulous and Lisa from Moore Minutes managed to put it all together in the great outdoors - not an easy feat! Lisa also created a s'more dessert table and as you may know I posted about s'mores a little while ago so I was definitely interested in this!

These sausages are so funny! I love their little faces. I wouldn't even want to eat them!

This cake is amazing! I'd love to know how the fire was made. Wow!

Ooh La La

2010-08-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

My last post was about a wonderful tea party perfect for a girly hen party and I stumbled across this Paris inspired tea party, perfect inspiration for anyone looking for something a little more modern and brighter than the previous tea party. This beautiful idea was created by Glorious Treats and incorporating Paris into the theme is perfect for creating a romantic love theme - exactly what getting married is all about!

Tea Party Bridal Shower

2010-08-26T10:00:00.002+01:00

Bridal Showers are quite an American tradition but in the UK we still like to celebrate the last few days and weeks of a girl's single life before she walks up the aisle. Ideas for a hen party have become imaginative in recent years, with many choosing to move away from the standard night out opting instead for spa treatment days, elegant dinners and fun activity days out. That's why I thought this bridal party would be great inspiration for anyone looking for something unique for their bride to be. Featured on The Sweetest Occasion, I loved the muted yet elegant colour palette for this party. Everything about this display is romantic and it all works so well together. I love the idea of putting the roses in the vintage tea cups, it's such a wonderful idea.

This party was created by Erika Firm of Delphine and photography by Jennifer Dery.

Sock Monkey Birthday

2010-08-24T10:01:00.000+01:00

I love seeing children's birthdays which go against the norm. Opting to run with a theme which is unusual can be tricky for your child's birthday as more often than not they probably want to have a party decorated with the latest Disney, Nickleodeon or cartoon characters. That's why I loved the Owl themed party from last week and this is why I love this party, created by Shutterbug and the Sweet Life. The party is perfectly childish whilst being a step out of the ordinary and I love the red and black theme - it just pops! Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think.

Wedding and the City

2010-08-19T12:52:00.000+01:00

Sometimes having your wedding in acres of tumbling green meadows or at a mansion in the country just isn't an option. So why not bring the country to the city? Elizabeth Anne Designs has shown how it's possible to mimic the beauty and rustic elements of the countryside against a city landscape and the outcome is so perfect for a wedding.

Owl Birthday

2010-08-17T10:52:00.000+01:00

I'm a bit concerned things might have gotten a bit too girly on this blog lately. I think I may have been featuring a bit too much pink, yellow and sparkle on here recently. After all, a creative magical party or celebration doesn't have to equal pink and glittery so I thought I'd show you an absolutely fabulous party which doesn't have the teeniest tiniest hint of pink but is truly breathtaking. This imaginative party is the creation of Sugarcoated Events and what I love about it most is the original concept of owls. Who knew owls could be so adorable?!

The cake is incredible and has got to be one of the best parts!

Little Miss Sunshine

2010-08-13T17:04:00.007+01:00

The sunshine has been bit scarce in the UK lately so I thought I'd post this party to try brighten things up. Its been put together so wonderfully, all the different shades of yellow work so well together. This summery party was the creation of Love the Day.

Pink Lemonade

2010-08-10T18:35:00.004+01:00

Regular readers may know I like lemon themed parties, I love how they can be used for decoration and how they make a party look fresh and bright. Here's another lemon themed party which is just as cute and girly and the best part is that it's all home made! Created by Pam, I discovered this party at Eat Drink Pretty and thought I'd share it here as the colour scheme is just perfect for a girl's first birthday!

Love this lemon, it looks so real but it's actually made of fondant.

There's that drink dispenser I've been trying to get my mits on...

I just don't get tired of the cute pink and yellow colour combination for parties, it's so cute yet sophisticated.

S'mores

2010-08-06T16:52:00.000+01:00

So as I said already today's blog is BBQ themed. You can also see my lighting ideas for dining outside.

I spent a couple of weeks in America last year and got to try out a traditional American treat - smores. They really are a fun and tasty goody to have, and although they are traditionally made round a campfire I figured the next best thing would be at a BBQ. The ingredients are pretty straight forward, using just chocolate, marshmallows and Graham crackers. Unfortunately Graham crackers aren't easy to get hold of in the UK, and they're not like cream crackers as we know them, but are sweet crackers. The next best thing I can recommend are digestive biscuits.

First off, you need to melt your marshmallow until its soft and gooey, then place it on a piece of cracker or biscuit. Follow this up by placing a square of chocolate on the gooey marshmallow then sandwich it together with another piece of cracker. The chocolate will hopefully melt slightly against the marshmallow to create a lovely gooey sandwich. Once made, just tuck in!

Image via Oh Joy Eats

Cue the lights

2010-08-06T13:23:00.003+01:00

Today's blog has quite the BBQ theme. I hope you have had plenty of opportunities to host a BBQ this summer or if you haven't already perhaps you have some lined up. Even though it's summer, the nights are getting darker so I thought I'd put together some inspiration for you to keep your garden lit up in style.

Buy these lighting options from here: Orchos Set of 4 Miniature Torches, Glass Jar Votive,

Sapida Bamboo Shade String

Macaroons, macarons?

2010-08-04T12:21:00.004+01:00

So after yesterday's post about a recipe for macaroons, there was a bit of debate about the difference between macaroons and macarons. The ones I was referring to were the French macaroons, also known as macarons. There are of course the more traditional coconut base macaroons you may have had as a child. What I love about the french macaroons however is their versatility in flavours and colours and as they are so light and sweet, they are perfect for parties. So I thought I'd share some original ideas for how to display them at your party. After all, they say presentation is just as important as the taste. There are many ideas you can do so if you have your own you'd like to add, I'd love to see them. Here, I've put together some of my favourite displays.

I like this one for its simplicity. Simply laying the macaroons out one by one next to one another is so simple yet very sophisticated.

Another simple one but still very effective is piling the macaroons up on a cake stand. Exquisite!

I thought this was an adorable idea for macaroons. Prevents messy fingers so perfect for children's parties.

This one is slightly tricky to accomplish. You need a box or plate which fits the number of macaroons exactly in order to hold them all upright. Also, once a guest takes one it may well be a case of dominoes as you watch them tumble over.

A macaroon tower is the ultimate way to display your macaroons but it is also probably the trickiest. You'll need to get yourself a styrofoam cone, pins and some decorative paper to cover the cone so that when guests take off the macaroons to eat there will be a pretty pattern underneath.

Images via Tracey Lau, Amy Atlas, Mother Driven, Project Wedding and Bobbette and Belle

Mad for Macaroons

2010-07-27T18:13:00.008+01:00

Having plenty of choice of nibbles and treats available for your guests at parties is really important which is why I decided to post about macaroons. They are great sweet little nibbles and not only are they perfect for whatever the occasion you're throwing your party for but you can create different flavours and varieties of macaroons to suit the theme or flavours of your other food.

So I thought I would share a recipe with you for chocolate macaroons, but remember this can be amended to create different flavours.

For the macaroons

• 140g/5oz ground almonds

• 275g/9¾oz icing sugar

• 25g/1oz cocoa powder

• 4 free-range egg whites, beaten until stiff peaks form

For the filling

• 75ml/2½fl oz whipping cream

• 75g/2½oz mascarpone cheese

• 25g/1oz icing sugar

• 1 vanilla pod, seeds only

Preparation method

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
For the macaroons, blend the almonds, icing sugar and cocoa powder until very fine. (The finer the better - a spice grinder is a great way to achieve this.)
Fold the egg whites into the mix. Place into a piping bag and pipe 3cm/1in circles onto a sheet lined with baking parchment. Leave to set for 15 minutes.
Place in the oven to bake for 7-8 minutes with the door slightly ajar.
Remove the macaroons from the parchment to cool. To do this without them sticking or tearing, lift one corner of the parchment and pour some just boiled water onto the tray. As the water hits the base of the parchment the macaroons will lift off easily.
For the filling, whisk the cream, mascarpone, icing sugar and vanilla seeds together in a bowl. Spread the filling onto one macaroon, then sandwich with another macaroon. Repeat with all of the remaining macaroons until all are used up.

If however, you would prefer the easy option of creating macaroons you can always use this macaroon mix from Squires Kitchen for a simple and fast way of making this delightful dessert.

In my next post I will show you some creative and imaginative ways to display your macaroons at your next party.

Images via Delicious Magazine, Squires Kitchen. Recipe via BBC Food.

Stylish practicality

2010-07-23T16:41:00.006+01:00

Something you may have found a nuisance at parties and events is the distribution of drinks. If you've got bottles, misplacing or dropping the lids on the floor is inevitable and jugs can be heavy and easily spilt. That's why when I spotted this glass drink dispenser in various places across blogland I got very excited (hmmm...maybe I need to get out more...)

This item would be a great addition be it a children's birthday party, barbeque or even a wedding.

For American readers, you can pick one of these at many retailers including Pottery Barn but unfortunately if like me, you're based in the UK you may have a hard tracking one down. I've searched high and low for a stockist but to no avail. If you find a UK stockist I would love to hear from you!

Images via Pottery Barn, Adam and Eve, Bella Grace Party Designs and Horchow

Facebook

2010-07-23T15:18:00.002+01:00

Peach Blossom Parties has just launched a Facebook page! If you want to keep up to date with all our latest news just click on the button on the left to 'like' Peach Blossom Parties.

Neutral Doesn't Equal Dull

2010-07-22T14:35:00.005+01:00

So yesterday I brought you a lovely bumble bee themed party to show how effective light pastel colours can be for decoration. To follow up on this idea, today I'm bringing you a baby shower using a colour palette full of pale and neutral colours.

The clean colours work so well to create a cute, fresh baby shower. Have you given some thought to using clean pastel colours for your next celebration?

Images via imprintables

Pastels ain't Pasty

2010-07-21T10:59:00.007+01:00

I love the trend of using understated, light colours for party themes. Having bright, bold colours obviously work great but pastel colours can have just as much impact. Just look at this bumble bee theme party which uses a soft yellow as the key colour of the theme.

I love that honeycomb background, it is a perfect addition to the dessert table.

Love these cupcakes - too cute!

Even with the use of soft colours, this party decoration makes a great impact.

Images via Imprintables

Pretty DIY

2010-07-20T11:54:00.007+01:00

I love parties and weddings that have been put together DIY. It just goes to show that you can put together wonderful events on your own without the need for a massive budget. That is why I just have to show you this beautiful wedding created entirely by the bride herself, along with help from friends and family. What I love about the features of this wedding is that they can easily be replicated for other occasions, be it a baby shower, birthday or just a tea party.

These photographs are stunning, and are thanks to Dana Grant Photography. I hope you feel inspired by what was clearly a magical day.

Sunshine and Lemonade = Magic

2010-07-15T13:52:00.010+01:00

Probably the most important factor of any party are the guests. Without guests, you don't have laughter, fun and the magical atmosphere you only find at parties. But of course there are plenty of other elements to bear in mind for a party. Food, decorations, games, goody bags can all help to make a party's theme. I mean, there's no point inviting your guests to a hawaiian themed party only for them to arrive to a bare room, with cocktail sausages and a trifle for party food. Sure, you're guests may still have a great time but will they really want to if it's obvious you've made no effort at hosting whatsoever? I'm not suggesting you have to go all out to make sure every single element of your party is themed, but certainly a little imagination and creativity can go a long way. Making sure your party is lovingly decorated can really get your guests excited and it can only magnify the magic of the party all the more. As I said to begin with, guests are what bring the fun to any party but sometimes you see a party so beautiful it is glowing with magic before the guests have even arrived. And the party I have posted here is just one of those. Hosted by Pen and Paper Flowers this really is a party to get excited about!

Ikea

2010-07-14T11:15:00.000+01:00

There are some great sales on at the moment in the UK high street and I think pretty much everyone loves a bargain. One sale in particular that caught my eye was the Ikea sale. I love Ikea as it sells some great little bits and pieces and often I find myself walking in to buy one thing and coming out with ten. It has a great mixture of plain, simple and quirky, kooky homeware and the prices aren't extortionate either. Ikea is a great place to pick up items which can be incorporated into different events and occasions, all you need to do is accessorise them to suit the theming of your party. For example, tie a coloured ribbon around a vase and it's instantly part of the decor. Line a bowl with coloured or patterned paper and your guests will assume it's always looked like that. I've picked out some of my favourite pieces available now, which would be perfect at any party or special occasion.

Images via Ikea

Circus Inspiration

2010-07-09T12:00:00.005+01:00

So yesterday I brought you a wonderful circus party which got me thinking about how fun a circus themed birthday would be. I put my thinking cap on and put together some ideas for a circus party. If this is the kind of party you'd like to throw, I hope you find this collection inspiring.