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Bishop's Stortford Party Kit Hire

party supplies and kits for hire in Bishops Stortford

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Beautiful sustainable and compostable partyware made from bamboo or palm leaves

Beautiful sustainable and compostable partyware made from bamboo or palm leaves

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sunshineandsmilesevents

Woo hoo!! Thank you to everyone who has hired fro

Woo hoo!!

Thank you to everyone who has hired from me over the last 12 months!

Only my cups and plates count for the audit so the figure above doesn't include all the single use serve ware and decorations also save from landfill.

A massive thank you from me and the planet for your support.

#reusereducerecycle #ecoalternatives #ecobirthday #smallbusiness #partykit #reusablerevolution

Thanks @sustainableish for explaining Earth Oversh

Thanks @sustainableish for explaining Earth Overshoot Day.

Would love to hear what ideas you all have to #MoveTheDate

Posted @withregram • @sustainableish Today is #earthovershootdayDay

WTF is Earth Overshoot Day?
Glad you asked.

Earth Overshoot Day marks the point in the year where we've used up the amount of resources that the planet can regenerate in a year.
So after this point we're basically going into debt and 'borrowing' (stealing) resources from future generations.
We're using up the resources NOW, and they literally won't be available to future generations.

In 1971, we were pretty much living within our resources, and Earth Overshoot Day was 25th December.

9 years ago when I first came across the concept, we overshot on Aug 3rd.

Today, globally, we are using up 1.75 earths worth of resources each year.

You don't need to be a climate scientist, or an 'eco-maniac' to recognise that we only have one planet, and that if we keep consuming more than we can replace, then at some point this is going to catch up with us.

IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM THOUGH!!

Just as we've moved the date as society has grown and become more fossil fuel dependent and consumer focussed, and behaviours have changed, we can absolutely move the date in the opposite direction!

🌳 Reforesting 350 million hectares of forest would move the date of #EarthOvershootDay by 8 days

🚌 🚶‍♀️🚲 If we reduce our Footprint from driving by 50% around the world and assume one-third of car miles are replaced by public transportation and the rest by biking and walking, #EarthOvershootDay would move back 13 days

🥗 If we reduced global meat consumption by 50% and replaced these calories through a vegetarian diet, we would move #EarthOvershootDay 17 days (including 10 days from reduction of methane emissions)

So TODAY, could you pledge to:

🙌 Support gold standard re-forestation projects - check out organisations like @just_one_tree

🙌 Cut your car usage by 10/20/50%?
Apparently 38% of journeys in the UK are under 2 miles - replacing at least some of these with 🚶‍♀️or 🚲

🙌 Cut your meat consumption by 50%?
Start with @meatfreemonday and go from there!

Happy birthday to me 🎂🥂🍾 Boys broke up f

Happy birthday to me 🎂🥂🍾

Boys broke up from school yesterday so we're off to the park for a picnic with friends later. I'll no doubt be embarrassing walking down the road with my pink hair and now traditional birthday tutu 🤣

And yep, I decorate for my own birthday too!

I absolutely love birthdays, even my own, getting old is a blessing in my book.

The same amazing flamingo bunting from @buntingtreasures comes out every year. Along with the wall pieces I made out of some foam board and an deflated helium balloons

The flamingos are cake toppers from an amazing cake @nioscakesandmore made for me a couple of years ago.

And as for the presents, I choose them myself as I knew what I wanted but still wanted them wrapped - some fat quarters and ribbon from my large collection did just the trick and already back in the box for the next birthday.

Have a fabulous day lovelies whatever your up to xx

#happybirthdaytome #41isfabulous #reuse #birthdaydecor #flamingos #ecobirthday #fabricwrapping

I always work better with a deadline and some acco

I always work better with a deadline and some accountability! So I've got until May 2023 to sort my knackered knee out and raise as much money for @crukraceforlife

I'll share the like to my fundraising page once it's sorted but I would also love some company so if you fancy joining me in Harlow Town Park on 7 May 2023 for a 5km sort of run sort of walk let me know!

#raceforlife #couchto5k #cancersucks #runwithme

Happy Thursday lovelies, I've been very quiet for

Happy Thursday lovelies, I've been very quiet for a while, you know how it is, kids, day job, life in general just taking over.

But, I'm back! I've been thinking about adding something to Sunshine and Smiles and would love to know what you think, you can ready all about it over on the blog - link is in my bio.

Don't worry party kits aren't going anywhere! In fact the kit is off out to a 6th birthday party this weekend!

#ecoalternatives #ecoideas #partykit #reuse #bishopstrotfordmums #ecofriendly

These amazing birthday badges are now available as

These amazing birthday badges are now available as an add on to any party kit hire. Thank you to the amazing @curlysuecrafts

I'm a bit late to the party but who's signed up fo

I'm a bit late to the party but who's signed up for #plasticfreejuly ??

What easy plastic free switches have you made?

I've got a fabulous keep cup which I don't always remember but from now on if I don't remember the cup I don't get the coffee!

Hello lovelies, sorry I've been so quiet for so lo

Hello lovelies, sorry I've been so quiet for so long, life just kind of happened. Anyway, I hope you are all well.

So while I've been gone I've been thinking of ways to expand all things Sunshine & Smiles to spread the eco love and knowledge while the party barn and eco shop are still more dream than reality so was thinking along the lines of......

You're a tired, time poor, overwhelmed parent concerned about the climate crisis wanting to make some eco / sustainable changes but have no clue where to start. Would you be interested in a starter / subscription box that gave you the chance to try out a different product(s) each month and included some treats and a QR code to that months resources?

Would love to know what you think. Thank you 😘

I've started a Carbon Literacy course with the ama

I've started a Carbon Literacy course with the amazing @sustainableish today.

One of the things that really hit me is that to solve this problem we as individuals need to talk about it more. We don't for many reasons but in my case it's because I'm not sure anyone else is that bothered or will ask me questions I can't answer. But the point is that starting the conversation is the start of finding solutions and changes (I'll put some of the easier ones I've made/am planning to make in my stories) So I'm putting out there:

I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Would love to know what you think about it - let's start the conversation

Would also love to hear any eco swaps / changes you've made

Rach x

Photo credit - Ronan Furuta

#climatecrisis #weneedtotalk #starttheconversation #ecoswaps #bethechangeyouwanttosee

Hello amazing Insta family. Sorry I've been so ab

Hello amazing Insta family.

Sorry I've been so absent, home schooling and summer holidays got the better of me.

I'm hoping you can you help me please

As you know the climate crisis and ocean plastics are things that I'm really concerned about.

I truly believe we need to teach our children about these issues from a young age.

I set up a crowdfunding page to try and get the amazing Wild Tribe Hereos books in to all primary schools in Bishop's Stortford.

There are two days left for donations and if you can spare even £1 it would be a massive help.

If you can share with everyone you know that is equally as amazing!

If you want to know more about the books or the project then just shout.

THANK YOU!!xx

Https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-our-children-understand-environmental-issues

@wildtribeheroes

#climatecrisis #oceanplastics #teachourchildren #teachourkids #bishopstrotfordmums #bishopsstortford #ecoliving

Paper packaging from IKEA and washi tape makes for

Paper packaging from IKEA and washi tape makes for beautiful birthday presents. Paper can be easily recycled and no money spent. I'll be saving all paper packaging now!

What do you use to wrap presents?

#birthday #wrapping #reuse #washitape #brownpaperpackages #ecoideas #reusereducerecycle

Love how this turned out! And I couldn't waste th

Love how this turned out!

And I couldn't waste the off cuts so have turned a random chopping board in to a lovely mini serving tray type thing - just the right size for a couple of glasses of fizz 🥂

@fayejennifervinyldesign I might have to cover everything in your amazing vinyl!

#partydiy #flamingos #flamingoparty

So the big reception class party has had to be pus

So the big reception class party has had to be pushed back to September 😢

Which means it's now full speed ahead for my 40th flamingo luau! 🦩🦩🌺🌺🥂🍾

Absolutely love this amazing vinyl from @fayejennifervinyldesign

@hobbycrafthq is my go to for MDF or mache numbers

#birthdaycelebrations🎉 #partydiy #flamingoparty #flamingos #diypartydecor

You might have seen me talk about these books befo

You might have seen me talk about these books before. We discovered them last year and the boys and me love them! There any amazing way to get children thinking and taking about issues such as ocean plastics and climate change without terrifying them.

They're already in schools up and down the country but I think they should be in every school in the UK, in fact the world (I am a bit all or nothing!). To start with though I'm going with all primary schools and preschools in Bishop's Stortford and surrounding villages.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-our-children-understand-environmental-issues

Link also in my bio

If I've tagged you it's because this is your Community and I'm hoping you'll be able to help by sharing the crowdfunding page with everyone you know or maybe making a donation if you can.

If you're not in Bishop's Stortford but would love the idea of the project then please get in touch.

Thank you!

#wildtribeheroes #booksinschool #ecoeducation #climatechangebooksforkids #endoceanplastics #bishopstortfordmums #bishopsstortfordschools #ecoliving #ecofriendlyliving #climateaction

My climate anxiety wasn't helped by the fact that

My climate anxiety wasn't helped by the fact that I thought I was the only person thinking my small changes would actually make a difference. Then I discovered the fabulous @sustainableish and she made me feel much better about the small changes I could make. If you get a chance I definitely recommend reading her fab book The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting. It includes a whole section on parties and the wonders of party kits.

If you're in Bishop's Stortford and would like to borrow my copy let let know!

#bishopsstortfordparties #bishopstortfordmums #sustainablelife #ecopartyplanning #doyourbit #ecoliving #ecoideas

I'm not one for getting in front of the camera but

I'm not one for getting in front of the camera but thought I'd better say hello again as I've got a lot of lovely new followers - thank you!

I'd like to say the me on the left is the every day me but that would be far from the truth!

So I'm Rachel, mum of 2, full time day job, massive lover of parties, tutus, flamingos, pineapples and all things sparkly.

Sunshine & Smiles started off as my way of making sure I never forgot my dream of an events business. Then in lockdown #1, while looking more in to the climate crisis, sustainability and generally all things eco friendly, I decided to start up a party kit for hire. The amount if single use plastic at birthday parties is crazy and I want to do what I can to reduce that.

I've really been thinking about the climate crisis and how overwhelming it is. I'm a great believer in that if we all make small changes, collectively we can make a big difference.

To that end I'm also going to be sharing eco friendly party (and non party) tips and ideas along with some fab products and businesses I've discovered.

And if you had any party questions I'd love to hear them and do my best to help xx

If you go this far a massive massive thank you 😊

#ecoalternatives #ecofriendly #ecoideas #ecoliving
#ecoparty #kidsparty #lesswaste #savetheplanet
#smallchanges #supportsmallbusiness
#zerowaste #zerowasteideas

Take a closer look at one of the fabulous books in

Take a closer look at one of the fabulous books in the Wild Tribe Heroes Books. I think you'll agree they're absolutely amazing.

If your based in Bishop's Stortford and would love to help get these books in to our local primary schools please comment below 🙂

Posted @withregram • @wildtribeheroes 👀Take a look inside my true children’s book on climate change - Hunter’s Icy Adventure! ❄️🐻‍❄️

🧊Learn about the problem of melting ice and the dangers for our fragile Arctic ecosystems.

📚Great for primary aged children - a positive, true story with a happy ending and ideas for the future. Perfect for story time or schools, all books have excellent free teaching resources. 🐻‍❄️Hunter’s Icy Adventure helps you open important conversations with your child and puts the issues into context for them.

Order your signed and dedicated copy from my website - link in the bio ❄️🐻‍❄️💚🌎
#wildtribeheroes #climatechangebooksforkids #climatechange #arctic #polarbear #savethearctic #savethepolarbears #ecosystem #meltingice #polar #childrensbooks #booktrailer #bookpromo #sneakpeek #lookinside #bookstagram #booklover #storytime #kids #primaryschool #primaryschoolteacher #primaryschoolbookclub

Woo hoo! Parties are back! From Monday parties of

Woo hoo! Parties are back!

From Monday parties of up to 30 people will be allowed outside 🥳

So if you're planning a party and would love to hire party ware to save yourself the hassle of sourcing, while helping the environment at the same time, please do get in touch.

Beautiful bright table ware and serve ware as well as themed decor kits are all available for hire.

Themed kits I currently have are flamingos, dinosaurs, rainbows, armies, monster trucks, pirates, football and unicorns.

If your after something a bit different or need help planning the party from the very beginning let me know because I'd love to help

#bishopstortfordmums #essexmums #bishopsstortfordparties #essexparties #ecofriendlytableware #ecopartyplanning #ecofriendly #reusuablepartykit #partykitnetwork #partykithire #supportsmallbusiness

I won a set of these amazing @nomnomkids sandwich

I won a set of these amazing @nomnomkids sandwich bags and snack bags in a competition and they are amazing!

I love them such, I've brought the bigger wave sandwich bags and snack bags and ice pop bags too.

There also going to feature in my first party bags but more about that later.

They're brilliant for the obvious things, sandwiches, crisps, biscuits, fruit but also great for storing left over pasta sauce etc in the freezer, trips to the refill shop for rice, the uses are endless! I ❤ them.

What do you/would you use yours for?

#reusereducerecycle #ecofriendly #reusables #bishopstortfordmums #essexmums #snacks #nosingleuseplastic

This is my kind of happy post! A box full of amazi

This is my kind of happy post! A box full of amazing snack bags from the wonderful @nomnomkids

My boys love their snacks but they're not all for them. They're going to be part of the party bags for the big class birthday party I'm putting together 😁

Also a few wave sandwich bags and snacks for my and hubby and some fab ice pop bags for when the sunshine comes back.

Thanks as always to the amazing Suzanne for the best customer service

#mumsinbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #ecofriendlyparty #ecofriendlyproducts #reusables #snacks #kidspartybags #bishopsstortfordparties #bishopsstortfordkidsparies #bishopstortfordmums

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