April 2021
We're so excited to share another monthly journal written by the lovely Lola Jones, also known as @pocketfullofbuttercupson Instagram. Lola is a wonderful photographer and all round creator of beautiful content, raising her twin daughters Maya and Chloe from her house near the Peak District. Each month she will give us a small glimpse into her world, inspiring you with activity ideas, recipes and more.
April is always an exciting month in the Joneses household with Easter and school holidays. It is also a month of the twins’ birthday. This year they turn six! So plenty is going on, which is lovely.
Earlier this month I also shared some exciting news on Instagram that later this year we are expecting a new addition to our little family. It has been a long time hoping and waiting and we are over the moon to finally be here. Thank you again to everyone who reached out with congratulations and kind messages. It means the world to me.
7 steps to a picture-perfect birthday party
I feel passionate about celebrations, any celebrations, be it a birthday, anniversary,
Easter, Christmas or any other occasion. I think it is important to make the most of
these events, important to celebrate life and make the best of it. Do you agree?
Everything is also somehow way more exciting when you have children. I think that is because children rarely have particular expectations or certain standards, the world is a wondrous place to them and they are easily impressed.
Over the years we have celebrated my twin girls’ birthday in various places (a studio, our living room, in the garden) and I always planned and styled everything myself. Some years we outsourced birthday cakes and invited a photographer and some years I also doubled-up as a baker and a photographer, but I never yet regretted making a real effort to make their day extra special.
Here are a few steps that will help you create your very own picture-perfect celebration.
Step 1: Planning is key. Give yourself enough time to think through all the details and order in advance. I take my time with planning, always keeping my eyes peeled, inspiration can come from anywhere.
Brainstorm ideas, think of themes/colour combinations. Create a dedicated Pinterest board. I often pin ideas I like, as well as actual things that I may want to buy, so everything is in one place and easy to find. Mood boards are also great for helping you visualise how things will look when put it together. I often create one on my computer, it’s quick and easy. You can create one large one or style separate ones for the table, decorations, outfits, etc.
Step 2: If you are celebrating at home, think about what part of your home you will be decorating (is it your kitchen? dining room garden?) and try to imagine what sort of decorations will suit that space better.
The same applies if you are hiring a venue. Look at pictures of the room online and visit it beforehand. Note that venues may have their own rules about balloons, candles and decorations or bringing your own food/cake/drinks, so do ask as many questions as possible, so you know what is allowed and what is not.
Re-use decorations you may already have at home. I have a couple of garlands that are pretty universal and suit most colour schemes and I put them up every (other) year. I bought lace paper lanterns to decorate the garden for the twins’ second birthday and re-used them again, but indoors, for their fourth.
Step 3: Make a list of everything you’ll need. Remember little details like candles, confetti, cake toppers, party hats, etc. I have listed a few companies I have used over the years that sell party decorations.
Meri Meri https://merimeri.co.uk/
Party Pieces https://partypieces.co.uk/
Ginger Ray https://www.gingerray.co.uk/
Partyrama https://www.partyrama.co.uk/
Party Delights https://www.partydelights.co.uk/
Sophia Victoria joy https://www.sophiavictoriajoy.com/
Søstrene Grene (they do not sell online, so visit your local store)
Step 4: Make enquiries if you are ordering a personalised cake or inviting a photographer or an entertainer.
Step 5: If you are a creative type, DIY! Bake a cake, make your own flower arrangement for the table, have a go at making your own decorations.
Step 6: Decorate the area the night before. If you are using helium for your balloons, do those on the day (an hour or two before, as they only float for a few hours). If we are celebrating at home, I usually decorate as much as possible in the evening, once the children are in bed and then get up a couple of hours before they wake-up and finish off the decorations. Last year I also managed to photograph most of the decor before they were up.
Step 7: Soak it all up! Throw confetti, dance, sing aloud, take photos and videos, treasure these moments. These occasions only happen once a year and the children are only small for so long.
Featured photographs are by:
Lola Jones Photography https://www.lolajonesphotography.com/
Marta Yuga https://www.instagram.com/_noir_noir/
Laura Wood https://www.laurawoodphotography.com/
To read: “My head-to-toe body book” by Okido
What beats in your body day and night? Where does the food go after you’ve eaten your dinner? What is the biggest bone in your body? How many muscles does your face have?
A fantastic book we have recently been enjoying with my girls. Features fun colourful illustrations and plenty of interesting facts about the human body. It also includes fun activities to try with your little ones.
