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Bishop's Stortford Party Kit Hire

party supplies and kits for hire in Bishops Stortford

So where did I begin

So where did my party obsession begin your ask…?

April 24, 2021      Leave a Comment

Well, I’ve always loved a good party! From paddling pools in the back garden on hot July weekend’s in the 80’s to celebrate my childhood birthdays or a street party to celebrate my Nan & Grandad’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary to getting friends over for BBQs with vodka jelly in mum’s back garden. Any excuse to get people together, laugh, eat and of course decorate!

UK shops are full of party decorations, and I wasn’t as eco-conscious back then, so too much thought didn’t have to go in to it.

Fast forward to 2008 when I moved to a beautiful tiny island in the Caribbean.

Corporate team parties always needed a little something extra and that’s where the DIY decor habit really took off, culminating awards show team Christmas party for my big finale in 2016 – red carpet, host scripts, awards, swag bags, a VIP after party, we had it all (and I couldn’t have done it without my amazing party planning partner in crime Jayne).

Although that wasn’t the first party I’d put together with a red carpet. I think it was 2010 when myself and the other fabulous ladies of 25PP , Nancy and Alethea, hosted an Oscar’s viewing party at our apartment. The red carpet was essential along with beautiful flower arrangements and gold bottles of champagne (no fancy ice buckets for us, we just filled the kitchen sink with ice).

Anyway, my diy decor really came into its own at my wedding (there’s a whole post about that here) – Eat, Drink, Be Married bunting for our reception, a ring cushion incorporating a beautiful brooch which has belonged to my Nan, flower girl baskets, palm fans (it’s hot in Cayman, even at 6pm in February), welcome baskets for our overseas guests, colouring books for our smaller guests, food cards and anything else that came to mind.

The next big event was Sebastian’s 1st birthday a year later. He actually got two parties, a Cat in the Hat (think Three Cheese Trees, Truffalo Trees, Green Eggs & Ham and masses of red, white and blue) party in the UK on his first visit when he was 10 months old, then his actual 1st birthday in Cayman. You can read about the under the sea explosion that took over the downstairs of our house here.

Under The Sea
Wreaths for all occasions
Simple Spiderman inspired table scape

After that we had an Elmo party (the cake tin came back to the UK with us), a Spiderman party (complete with a visit from Spiderman himself). Lucas only got one party in Cayman so for his first birthday we brought Dr Seuss and the Cat in the Hat to Rosemary Street. The joy of living in the Caribbean is that even though your birthday is in October you can have a pool party and celebrate in the sunshine.

When we moved back to the UK there were no parties in our first year but I went all out on decorating the house for every occasion.

The next couple of years brought parties at a local leisure center (bouncy castle, soft play, plenty of space but limited decorating options) and by this time I was concerned about the amount of single use paper and plastic I’d seen at parties. So rather than buy more paper plates, I brought 40 plastic reusable kid size plates and some plastic reusable serving bowls from Sainsburys.

In 2019 we went glamping in Wales, staying at the beautiful Henfryn Farm which had a massive old barn which they used for events sometimes. I was hooked. The dream of becoming a party planner evolved into owning a complete events space.

You know the kind of place where you could just call me up and say, I’d love a flamingo/monster truck/insert your theme here party on Saturday 19th July, 2pm for 30 children and parents, to which I would be reply sure no problem leave it with me, don’t worry about anything just turn up on the 19th and have an amazing time.

I was realistic enough to know that was a long way off. So during lockdown #1 in 2020 I start researching parties in a box and eco friendly party supplies. This was how I came across the amazing Party Kit Network and I signed up straight away!

Sunshine & Smiles – Events by Rachel had been in existence for about 12 months at this point. I’m a great believer in taking the first step so there is no going back even if you can’t move forward too fast. A big shout out to the amazing Vicky of Lexis Place Design for my absolutely amazing and fantastic logo.

I knew lockdown would mean no parties for who knew how long but I also knew I needed to get on with it. So I set out ordering supplies and discovered some amazing bunting markets on Etsy and before long the party kits were born.

There is still a long way to go. My confidence took a knock many many years ago and, although I’m working on it, marketing my business is one of the things I find most difficult. But I need to get over myself and shout from the rooftops about the massive environmental benefits of hiring reusable party supplies and also my love for creating custom DIY party decor out of things which usually be bound for landfill or the recycling bin.

Would love to hear about all your favourite parties so please comment away.

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I love it when customers send me pictures of the p I love it when customers send me pictures of the party kits in action!

I do struggle with trying to keep all the balls in the air as, unfortunately, Sunshine & Smiles is not my full time job and social media content definitely falls to the bottom of my to do list on a regular basis.

But getting photos like this, hearing how much customers love the kits and of course knowing we're doing our bit to reduce party waste thereby helping the planet make it all worth it!

Have a fab day lovelies xx

#smallbusiness #partykit #partykithire #thejuggleisreal #bishopsstortfordmums #partykitnetwork #partydecor #bishopsstortfordparents #bishopsstortfordparties
It's #ShowYourStripes Day! The warming stripes we It's #ShowYourStripes Day!

The warming stripes were created by Ed Hawkins at Reading University.  Rather than me trying to explain it, here's what it says on the website:

"These ‘warming stripe’ graphics are visual representations of the change in temperature as measured in each country, region or city over the past 100+ years. Each stripe or bar represents the temperature in that country, region or city averaged over a year. 
The stripes typically start around the year 1900 and finish in 2022, but for many countries, regions and cities the stripes start in the 19th century or sometimes even the 18th century."

Have you seen the Warming Stripes before?

Are you showing your stripes today?

www.showyourstripes.info

#climatecrisis #climateconversations #showyourstripes
Thank you to the lovely ladies @bakebelievedunmow Thank you to the lovely ladies @bakebelievedunmow and @paper_star_create for providing two of the gifts for the Northgate PTA Father's Day shop.  Hubby got both of these and was absolutely delighted.  Although Lucas has said he can only use the "Control of the remote for the day" token on the weekend, because he can watch Netflix on his tablet then 😂

#happyfathersday #supportsmallbusiness #smallbusiness #ptamum
What a fabulous day at the Northgate Summer Fayre! What a fabulous day at the Northgate Summer Fayre! Feet are sore and I probably got a little bit too much sun so definitely time to put my feet up! I was on the stall all day but hubby brought me delicious lunch from @stortfordsunnyisland and a nice cold beer from the @thebelgianbrewer so all was good

I still have some stock from the summer fayre so if you'd like to get your hands on the fabulous books from @wildtribeheroes or @sustainableish, snack bags, food pouches or ice pop bags from @nomnomkids, plastic free crafts from @paper_star_create or some lovely bits from @ecopartybag.uk then let me know!

#ecoparty #plasticfreeparty #smallbusiness #bishopsstortfordmums #bishopsstortfordparents #ecobirthday #ecoalternatives
So excited (and nervous!) for my first ever stall So excited (and nervous!) for my first ever stall tomorrow at the Northgate Summer Fayre.

I'll have one of the party kits, some decorations and some of the vintage crockery on display so you can see what the party kits are all about.

I'm also going to have the amazing products shown above from some of my fav small businesses for sale - @wildtribeheroes @sustainableish @paper_star_create @nomnomkids @ecopartybag.uk 

Hope to see some of you there, please do come and say hi.  For those of you local to me but unable to make the fayre, if there is anything you'd like drop me a message or comment below and we can sort out getting them to you over the weekend.

#bishopsstortfordmums #harlowmums #sawbridgeworthmums #bishopsstortfordparents #harlowparents #sawbridgeworthparents  #bishopsstortfordparties #ecoalternatives #ecoparties #supportsmallbusiness #summerfayre #ecobirthday #ecofriendly #ecobusiness #ecoideas
Think it might be a very slow wet Harlow 5k for me Think it might be a very slow wet Harlow 5k for me and my knackered knee tomorrow but I'll still be there tutu and all!

Thanks to all those who have donated and there's still time if you'd like to donate, link is in bio.

Enjoy the Bank Holiday Weekend whatever you're doing xx

@crukraceforlife 

#raceforlife #cancersucks #charitywalk
Did you see the news last week? Scientists predict Did you see the news last week? Scientists predict we could reach 1.5 degrees of global warming this year. This was the limit given for a liveable planet. We all need to be talking about it. If enough people do, we will reach the 25% social tipping point, which will trigger a cascade of positive change. You don’t have to be an expert in climate science, or lead the perfect ‘eco’ life to care about this (I certainly don't). Just telling your audience (Insta audience, your family, mums at the school gate, person who serves you coffee, anyone!) that you’re worried too will make a big difference. 

Here are some fab accounts which have amazing resources and information.@parentsforfuture_uk @sustainableish  @contentedearth  @theclimatecoalition @earthlyeducation  @greenpeaceuk @extinction.rebellion.families

If you could, like, share or even copy and paste to your own feed / stories would be amazing.

#wecanmakeadifference #talkaboutclimatechange
It's pretty much No Mow May every month here!! Bu It's pretty much No Mow May every month here!!

But if its new to you - free the wildflowers in your lawn so they can grow wild and provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution, and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground.  All by not doing something, it's definitely a win win situation.

Aside from the obvious nature benefits above, it also means cleaning my oven shelves all year round is super easy.  Leave them overnight (or a few nights the first time you try it) and some kind of magic happens with the dew and all the grease and grime wipes off.  I was a bit sceptical when I read it in @nancy.birtwhistle book but it really does work! I've got to do the next one, so will do a before and after.

Will you be joining the #NoMowMay movement?  Or using the power of nature to clean your oven shelves?

@plantlife.loveplants #NoMowMay #greencleaning #dosomethingbydoingnothing
Happy Earth Day 🌍 What are you going to do tod Happy Earth Day 🌍

What are you going to do today help our beautiful earth?

I can't make it to The Big One unfortunately but I'm hoping to be able to rally enough to take the boys on a litter picking walk this afternoon.

While they're at football this morning I'll be emailing my MP and other government departments asking them to support the two demands of The Big One.  Could you do the same?

More info can be found here:
https://digitalrebellion.uk/mps-tbo
https://digitalrebellion.uk/pickets

Let me know below if you do it!

#thebigone #earthday #doyourbit #wecanmakeadifference #youcanmakeadifference #saveourplanet
This is heartbreaking to read but sometimes we nee This is heartbreaking to read but sometimes we need a harsh reality to help us focus on what we can do to make a difference.

The 25% tipping point is really important.  We need more of us to talk openly about our fears and concerns about the climate crisis and also share ways in which we can help to do our bit to bring about change.

Posted @withregram • @parentsforfuture_uk 📢 WHY DO WE NEED CLIMATE ACTION???

With every fraction of a degree that our planet warms, there will be huge consequences for everyone. Take a look at what the future could look like for children worldwide if governments continue to ignore the climate science ➡️➡️➡️

It looks pretty bleak doesn't it?

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Another future is possible! A future where all children will thrive and the natural world will regenerate 🌱

‼️ To ensure a liveable planet for our children, we must come TOGETHER and demand IMMEDIATE meaningful government action.

⚡️According to social tipping points research, it takes just 25% of a society to spark meaningful government action. 

We CAN do this.
We MUST. 

Every fraction of a degree matters. Every fraction saves lives. 

📣 JOIN THE CLIMATE MOVEMENT 

🤝 join a climate activist group like @parentsforfuture_uk or @stopcambo

✍️ write to your local MP

☮️ attend a climate protest like @xrebellionuk 'The Big One' this weekend!

🗣 TALK about it. We need to normalise talking about the climate crisis to make it more mainstream.

💪We must save all we can! We must fight for every fraction of a degree to ensure a livable planet 🌍🌎🌎

Illustration by @chrissy_hazel_holmes

Sources: IPCC Special Report on 1.5c; Climate Action Tracker Nov 22 Update; IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report; Carbon Brief 2016; UN Climate Change
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#ipcc #ipccreport #ActNow #DecarboniseNow #StopCambo #StopRosebank #Act4OurKids #bethechange #climatecriminals #climateaction #climatecrisis #parentsforfuture #forfuturessake #unitetosurvive #chooseyourfuture #ClimateCommunity
So I've stolen the idea for this post from the lov So I've stolen the idea for this post from the lovely @katietreggiden.1 who in turn stole it from @theguiltyfeminist 

I'm am definitely not the perfect environmentalist (or perfect anything else for that matter) but that doesn't stop me doing what I can to have a positive impact on the climate crisis (more on that later this week)

Also stealing Katie's words here (hope that's OK Katie!)

The planet doesn't need a few of us doing this perfectly, it needs every single one of us trying and failing and trying below.

 Would love it if you'd share your eco confessions below xx
Of course Sunday was Mother's Day, here in the UK Of course Sunday was Mother's Day, here in the UK at least, and my first Mother's Day at home with my mum in years.

So pleased I could sneak the crockery in the back of the car and treat mum to a lovely afternoon tea.  Also managed to get this beautiful Mother's Day cake from @dorringtonsltd all the way to Cornwall in one piece - it was delicious.

And of course now I'll be looking for excuses to do afternoon tea as it all looks so pretty!

#mothersday #afternoonteatime #afternoontea #jamfirst #teaandcake #crockeryhire #partykithire
What a weekend!!! We headed to Cornwall for a whi What a weekend!!!

We headed to Cornwall for a whirlwind weekend - first up, my step mums 70th birthday celebrations.  A lovely family meal at @theshireinn, I loved decorating the place with a Japanese Cherry Blossom theme, so so pretty. 

And a bonus for you - will now be a decor theme available for hire 🙂

Watch out for the Mother's Day post later, crockery travelled well!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend xx

#japanesetheme #cherryblossom #partykithire #tullepompoms
Throw back to the year the Ladies of 25PP threw a Throw back to the year the Ladies of 25PP threw a fabulous Oscars viewing party complete with red carpet and sink full of champagne!

Who's watching the red carpet and awards tonight?

I've got a bottle of prosecco in the fridge ready fo 11pm if any one wants to join me!  I know the time difference isn't helpful!

#redcarpet #Oscars #academyawards
I've expanded! Afternoon tea is one of my favour I've expanded! 

Afternoon tea is one of my favourite things so when I got the opportunity to add vintage crockery afternoon tea kits to my collection I couldn't resist!

I have three kits for 4 people each. So you can hire one or all three if you want.  Or if you just want tea for two thats fine as well.

The kits will come with everything you need to set up a perfect afternoon tea at home.

I can also make up a more child friendly version to go with it if your little ones want to join in.

Perfect for Mothers Day birthdays, Easter or just because.

There are also a couple of themed afternoon tea kits - Mad Hatters Tea Party and Beauty and the Beast inspired tea party.

And of course you can add any of my decor kits and I'm going to put together a special Easter one just for the vintage crockery hire.

What do you think of me new collection?

#vintagecrockery #partykithire #teafortwo #afternoontea #vintagecrockeryhire #reuse #bishopsstortfordmums
#bishopsstortfordbusiness
#partydecor
#partyready #afternoonteatime
My knackered knee means I'll be walking rather tha My knackered knee means I'll be walking rather than running but I'll be there in Harlow on 7th May tutu and all!

1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. I've had to have a few lumps and bumps removed over the years but i've been one of the lucky ones as everything was benign.

I know money is stretched right now but if you could spare a few pennies to sponsor me that would be fab.  Link in my bio 

Sharing my giving page also massively appreciated, and if you'd like to join me on the 5k that would be amazing!

Massive thank you xxx
 https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/rachels-race-for-life-20220507

@cr_uk @crukraceforlife 

#raceforlife #cancersucks #5k #fundraising #pleasesponsorme
Today's work in progress. I'm in charge of decora Today's work in progress.  I'm in charge of decorations for my stepmums 70th birthday lunch next month.  We've gone with a cherry blossom theme as on her actually birthday they're flying off to Japan for a lovely holiday.

This also counts as self care for me as I'm locked away in the conservatory with no one asking me for anything!

What are you up to today?

#70thbirthday #crafting #sunday #decopage #cherryblossom #selfcaresunday
Hi lovelies, each year the school PTA host a Fath Hi lovelies,  each year the school PTA host a Father's Day shop, where the students can purchase a gift for £3.  An easy way to make a little bit of money for the PTA and the kids really love going shopping 🙂

This year, I have the task of sourcing gifts.  As we only charge £3 per gift we can't really spend more than £1.50 - £2 to purchase gifts.

There are obviously loads of wholesale sites I could use but we're trying to support small business wherever we can, bonus points if they're also sustainable/eco friendly.

So if you have any suggestions, ideally local to Bishop's Stortford but that is must, please comment below.

Thank you!

#smallbusinesssuggestions #bishopsstortfordmums #smallbusinessuk #bishopsstortford #fathersday #supportsmallbusiness #bishopsstortfordbusiness
#brandambassador I'm very excited to be a #brand #brandambassador 

I'm very excited to be a #brandambassador for the amazing @graceandmayhome 

Here are just a few of my favourites.

Nemi Green Tea - I'm trying to cut back on the caffeine as it's not great for my anxiety and this lovely green tea definitely makes it a bit easier

Highlighter pencils and Cork pen - I brought the highlighter pencils so I could test them out before suggesting them as an alternative to my day job firm, they're great! This cork pen is the comfiest pen I've ever written with and when it runs out I can just replace the ink bit (which has a proper name which had escaped me for now)

The Solid Bar Company Awesome Lemongrass Repellent - saved us from many a mosquito when we were in Jamaica and smells gorgeous, no chemical nasties

The Natural Spa Coffee Scrub and x10 Treatments Ancient Wisdom Earth Clay Mask - perfect for those self care moments without actually going to a spa

The lovely ladies at @graceandmayhome have given me a discount code to share with you.  SUNSHINEANDSMILES will get you 10% off your order 🙂

#brandambassador #brandrep #graceandmayhome
Back to designing!! Before Sunshine & Smiles was P Back to designing!! Before Sunshine & Smiles was Palm Tree Printables.  Living on a small island meant I couldn't always get exactly what I wanted, so I took a course with the lovely @rachelrouhana so I could design my own printables. 

It fell alway when we moved back to the UK but now I'm back at.  Available as digital downloads so you can send invites via email or WhatsApp or print if your kids are really keen to hand them out 🙂

Also working on welcome signs, thank you tags and bunting.  Welcome signs and bunting will be ad to my kits over time.  But if your not close enough to hire you'll be able to print your own and then pass on to the next person or donate to you local party kit (find yours over at @partykitnetwork )

Current themes I'm working on are circus, cowgirls, dinosaurs, unicorns, rainbows, tropical/flamingo, army camo and footballs.

What themes would you like to see?? Let me know below

#partyinvite #digitalinvite #partykit #birthday
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