Take a look at www.funkycupcake.com <http://www.funkycupcake.com> .We supply delicious cup cakes for all your party needs, whether it be World Cup house-parties, birthdays, weddings, or a simple garden party with a few friends. Our delicious treats are sure to impress your guests!

Tasty Flavour’s include:

Victoria Classic
Baileys & Oreo
Mint Choc Chip
Tiramisu
Lemon Meringue
Carrot and Orange
Vanilla & Raspberry Cheesecake
Choc Hazelnut
Eton Mess
Rocky Road and much more

We are even launching a new ADULTS Only Range….So watch this space.
Follow the Funky Cup Cake Company on Facebook.

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF…

The all NEW Colourful Circus workshop with Zaz!

Just in time for your Summer Parties, School Fayres and events, Zaz pulls it out the hat yet again, with the launch of his fantastic workshops!

Bring the fun to your event; Famous Clown, Zaz will arrive and create a real circus workshop, complete with all circus equipment including tightrope and portable music and pa!

Zaz and the clowns can set up in less than one and a half hours and transform your party or event in to a magical circus wonderland full of possibilities and amazing feats…  including the amazing unicycle show, where your children can astound themselves by cycling on only one wheel! Where they can walk on thin air across the tightrope and where magical juggling happens every day!

Make your guests dreams come true with Zaz and his circus workshops!

The ring mat is 6m round and requires space in front , so the show is best set in front of Zaz’ magical red clown mobile on kept grass, although he can set up on a tarmac surface and even inside large meeting rooms, halls & sports centres.

Get involved with the children and help with the activities to learn and play together and with fees starting from only £350 we suggest you get in touch before he gets booked out!

Contact Matt Zaz today, on 07789187616

www.zazismypal.com or search clown zaz on facebook

Having organised many children’s (and grown-ups!) parties, we decided to let you know the five most simple steps you can take, that we have learnt along the way to make sure your party is a successful one, and here they are! 

1. Get your child involved with organising the party

Not only will it be a great lesson in making ethical product choices, it will help your child to understand the importance of choosing products carefully and making sure they know why they are choosing the products they are.

For example, every party product we sell has a great story, if you can incorporate that into your selections it can be a really fun exercise, which means something. We have sugarcane plates, natural starch cups, and corn starch straws, not to mention a whole range of tableware made from natural palm leaf and all of these are sure to get your child really excited about their ethical party supplies!

This extends to choices for your party bags too; choosing a recycled paper party bags and popping in a small selection of ethical wooden toys such as a bracelet and hair slides for girls and a spinning top and train for boys is a great way to teach children about decision making, organisation and the value of wooden toys.

2. Have more games and activities then you think you will need

We have found that by having a few more children’s party games up your sleeve it really helps on the day! You will find that some activities take less time than you thought they would and some will just not work as well as you thought… having a few other options on your list will help you to save the day if you sense that a party game isn’t going as well as expected.

3. Have more prizes than you need

Sometimes, as we all know, children can get upset at the prospect of not winning a game. Although it is a good lesson in life, it’s actually a good idea to have a few consolation prizes. Make them token gifts so everyone feels special.

4. Don’t display your party bags in reach of the children

We have found that storing your party bags in a separate room until near the end of the party keeps the children’s attention on the party fun rather than the party bag. Sometimes this is a shame, especially if you want to show your party bags off, a good idea would be to use sticker closures on paper bags and tie up cotton bags in a good bow so the kids do just shove their hands in!

5. Have a plan, but don’t be afraid to change it

Having a plan will keep the activities and party on track, but be prepared to compromise depending on how the party goes. If a child gets a bit tired from the games and excitement and would rather sit out a play with toys, that’s fine, move on to the next activity and chances are, they will join back in again soon!

We update our tips and advice with your help, so please do get in touch with us if you have a great idea and would like to see it published.

We offer a prize for the best tip so you never know, your tip might help you win the party bags for your next party!

Contact us on littleidea@littlecherry.co.uk or give us a call on 01784 470570, and good luck with your party!

TEA-TIME ENTERTAINMENT SHOW LOOKING FOR FUN LOVING KIDS BETWEEN 3-5 YRS OLD

‘My Little Soldier’ is a TV show where your children are the stars! So, if you want to have fun and appear with your son or daughter on TV then get in touch with us. Please don’t tell your child what you’re doing yet as we might need to surprise them on the show!

Parents set their children simple missions in order to see how they get on. This results in a great sense of achievement for the child and lots of pride for the parent, with a few laughs along the way.

Please call Susannah on 0207 502 5847 for more information or email Susannah.haley@northonetv.com

London Mum’s Blog has recently given us a lovely review, which you can read here.

Here is what she thought…

How cool is this?! Eco party bags and supplies

Are you fed up with party bags that are filled with plastic toys that end up in the bin? Tired of feeling guilty about the amount of waste from your last party?

Lucy from Little Cherry was in touch the other day and really opened my eyes regarding party bags and products. She sent me a nice box of samples and my girls had a ball playing with everything. And I was surprised (and happy) to learn that most of the items could go right into the compost bin after use.

My greatest discovery was the biodegradable balloons. A party isn’t really a party without them. These balloons are made of natural latex, which is tapped from rubber sustainably. They have been FSC certified, are traded fairly and packaged in a compostable bag with a recycled paper label. They come in seven colours and you get 10 for £1.99. I got pink ones for my daughter’s party. They were easy to blow up and lasted a few days. Now they are with the worms.

My second coolest discovery was the compostable cups, which are made of bio plastic which can be described as a greenhouse neutral polymer which means they have a low carbon emission footprint. They are available in pint (.18) and half pint (.15) sizes. They are durable (and reusable) and look great — I would use them for adults as well. The best part is when you are done with them, they can be composted.

The party bags are excellent. They are all made of cotton and contain a selection of eco-friendly toys made from sustainable wood and painted in non-toxic paints by fully vetted manufactures who pay fair wages and ensure good working practises. They come in three categories per child: less than £4; £4 to £7, and more. The £3 and £4 bags have some cute stuff like clips, bracelets, spinning tops and door hangers.

Also cool: the palm leaf bowls, which are made from naturally fallen leafs, which are then soaked in spring water before being stamped into shape. They are made in a rural community in India where the producers are supported and earn a fair wage. There is a large range that includes serving plates, bowls, dip bowls, and others.

This stuff doesn’t come from Tesco, and will eat into your wallet. But why not cut back in other areas and help save the Earth. That’s the best birthday present you could give your children.

This post was written by Susanna, a London Mums Blog founding contributor. You can read more at her blog, A Modern Mother.

I am really pleased to see such a wonderful article about Little Cherry in this months Berkshire Life magazine! Buy it and see page 109 - Entitled Little Cherry proving fruitful in the business inspiration section!

Hints and tips for a GREEN HALLOWEEN!

Halloween parties are always a great treat for little monsters. And with a little planning, you can make sure they are a treat for our planet too! Here are some tips to get you started thinking about a clean, green Halloween:

- Use organic, locally grown pumpkins and apples for carving jack-o-lanterns and for apple bobbing. The pumpkin seeds removed whilst carving can be roasted and make a delicious and highly nutritious snack for party guests.

- When the party is over, the fruits and vegetables can be used for cooking pies, soups and other dishes.

- The fruit and vegetable scraps are then suitable for compost for your garden. You could even use them to nourish your vegetable garden, helping to grow what will become next years Halloween pumpkins!

Composting reduces the amount of waste you send to landfill.

- Instead of buying a disposable Halloween costume your children will only wear once, why not create a costume from clothes you no longer wear or cheap charity shop clothing? Kids enjoy helping to design and make their very own outfit.

- After the party, you can store the costume for re-use another year, pass them on to or swap them with friends, or donate the clothing they were made from to charity.

- If your children are trick-or-treating, be sure they carry a reusable bag rather than a plastic one. Plastic bags end up as litter, kill thousands of marine animals every year, break down into particles that pollute soil and water, and also require large amounts of fossil fuels during production. Kids will enjoy helping to decorate old pillowcases or cloth or canvas shopping bags to use instead. Try reusable cotton bags from Little Cherry, whch have been handmade in the UK! Halloween themed shapes such as ghosts and pumpkins can be cut from old fabric and sewn on; and the bag can be reused again next year.

- If you are giving treats to trick-or-treating children, ensure they are an environmentally friendly option. Give organic chocolate and sweets with little or no packaging, or give more useful, longer life treats such as pencils and toys. Little Cherry has a huge range of eco-friendly toys and treats to choose from!

A fun new way to say thank you with flowers is the latest product from eco-friendly party specialist, littlecherry.co.uk

The unique seeded ‘thank you’ cards are designed to encourage green-fingered children to venture out into the garden to grow their own flowers.

The decorative thank you tags are made from recycled, biodegradable cotton paper embedded with British wildflower seeds. They are printed with soy based inks and tied with biodegradable ribbon.

Perfect for children’s parties to say thank you to the guests, when planted the cotton paper biodegrades and acts as a mulch to help the seeds grow.

“We all know how much enjoyment children get from planting seeds, watering them and watching them grow,” said Lucy Brindley of Little Cherry.

“So we decided to try and combine this love of nature with a small card tag to thank guests for coming which, when planted, turns into beautiful wild flowers.”

“It’s a great way to encourage young children to develop an interest in nature and growing things. And, as we all know, nothing says thank you like flowers!”

Ends

Contact: Lucy Brindley

Email: lucy@littlecherry.co.uk

Phone: 01784 470570

Website: www.littlecherry.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

The seed thank you cards are just one of the unique eco-friendly products available at the Little Cherry website, which include beeswax birthday candles, recycled gift wrap, biodegradable latex balloons, palm leaf plates and bamboo cutlery.

Little Cherry are specialists in eco-friendly and ethical party planning and offer great advice for children’s parties, recipes, simple ordering and express delivery for busy mums.

Created and run by Lucy Brindley, Little Cherry provides a proactive and friendly service and has glowing testimonials from past customers!

For samples, images or for more information on eco-friendly parties please contact Lucy Brindley on 01784 470570 or lucy@littlecherry.co.uk

Win an eco-friendly picnic kit courtesy of Arniston Bay

Environmentally friendly: enjoy a guilt-free picnic

Summer is finally here! It’s time to pack a picnic basket and head outdoors to enjoy all that the British countryside has to offer.

Arniston Bay is offering five lucky readers the chance to win an eco-friendly picnic kit. Make the most of the sunshine with friends and family, knowing that you’re doing your bit for the environment.

Each eco-picnic pack contains a selection of unique products that will help you become a bit more environmentally friendly this summer including:

* Arniston Bay pouch: a convenient and more environmentally friendly solution to wine packaging. Easy to transport, the pouch is perfect for picnics, parties and more www.arniston-bay.com
* Eco-friendly picnic packs containing bio-degradable organic bamboo cutlery and plates, sustainable napkins, natural fairly traded palm leaf serving plates and dip bowls from Little Cherry; your one-stop shop for stylish eco-friendly party supplies www.littlecherry.co.uk or call 01753 857003
* Organic cotton napkins from Greenfibres, purveyors of eco goods and garments www.greenfibres.com
* Organic and natural sun lotion for sensitive and tender skin from Green People, organic and natural skin and hair care for the whole family www.greenpeople.co.uk
* 100% natural mosquito protection spray from Incognitome www.incognitome.co.uk
* A reusable, eco-friendly picnic bag from Let’s Bee Greener www.letsbeegreener.co.uk
* A set of recyclable wine glasses

Inspired by the sunny skies and pristine beaches of Arniston – the Arniston Bay pouch is perfect for those carefree, alfresco dining or easy drinking wine occasions. The Arniston Bay pouch has an 80% lower carbon footprint than the same wine in glass bottles and has been developed to lower the environmental impact of the entire product, rather than just its disposal at the end of its lifecycle. An Arniston Bay pouch will stay chilled and fresh in the fridge for up to one month once opened and when empty flattens down for quick and easy disposal; making it perfect for BBQs, summer picnics, parties and more.

The Arniston Bay pouch is available from branches of Tesco, Waitrose, Morrison’s and Asda priced £9.79 for 1.5 litres. 250ml pouches will be available in retailers soon priced £1.79.

To enter this competition simply CLICK HERE!

Terms and Conditions:
* The prize is a range of the following products: two pouches of Arniston Bay wine – 1 x Pinotage Rose, 1 x Chenin Chardonnay, an eco friendly picnic bag, palm leaf serving plates and dip bowls, organic bamboo cutlery and plates, recycled napkins, an organic cotton napkin, a natural sun lotion, a 100% natural mosquito cream, a set of recyclable wine glasses.
* The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged in whole or part for cash.
* The prize will be dispatched within 28 days of the winner being informed.
* Competition only open to people over the age of 18.
* Competition closes 11 August, 2008.

With summer BBQ invitations coming in thick and fast, the eco-conscious consumer understandably breaks out in a light sweat at the thought of yet more wasteful, disposable plastic party tableware.

Leading the way and offering stylish yet affordable products for an earth friendly party, Little Cherry today announces the launch of a brand new range of stylish compostable tableware, which is not only friendly to the earth, but also friendly to the craftsmen too.

The beautiful plates and serving dishes are handmade in India from palm leaves which have naturally fallen to the ground. India has an abundance of palm leaves, which are shed every twenty-one days or so, these leaves are collected by local people; some are used for earth-worm farming, but most are burned.

The leaves which are destined to be beautiful compostable plates, serving dishes and bowls are collected and soaked in local spring water, before being shaped by stamping the leaves at high heat between two moulds. The process is totally natural and has no need for any nasty additives or chemicals – just spring water and sunshine!

Supporting rural communities, the manufacture of these palm leaf eco-friendly plates is carried by craftsmen in areas where they have been marginalised in the past and have had difficulty supporting themselves. Through collecting the naturally fallen palm leaves and creating these plates, the people are able to earn a living to support themselves and their families successfully.

As the process is very hands on, for the amount of leaves that fall to ground in India every year, up to 300,000 of its millions of under privileged people could be employed making palm leaf plates to replace all the paper and plastic ones around the world.

Durable and robust, they are suitable for hot, wet and oily foods and can even be used in the oven or microwave. Not only are they sustainable and made from a renewable resource, due to the natural variance in each leaf, the plates are wonderfully unique and stylish, and are sure to become a great discussion point at your eco-friendly party!

After use they can become lovely enriched compost for your garden – or they can be donated to local farms to be fed to the animals, who love them!

So spread the word and let’s try to make a real effort to replace plastic tableware this summer with this gorgeous earth-friendly tableware from Little Cherry.