Mr and Mrs

Don't get too excited by the title. I might have reported recently on Facebook recently that George has his first girlfriend (aww!) but we don't expect any big announcements anytime, what with him being five years old.

Mrs and Mrs is of course the name of our most popular wedding bunting. Ignoring the weather for the moment it is indeed wedding season with customers already starting to tie the knot (well it is nearly June!). 

This bunting has been a favourite amongst many for its somewhat vintage and cottage-like look which also works well in a modern space. We've had reports of it being hung behind the top table at the wedding reception, in the new couple's home, at hen parties, being given as a gift and more. 

At just £16.95 this beautiful green rosebud material with contrasting white spots boasts letters which stand approximately 13cm high. Have a good look at this and the many other items available on our dedicated weddings page. We love helping customers with the little touches that make their day extra special.

Fun and Fruity Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

I am an optimist and as such am convinced that although spring was very late and has been a very mild one to say the least that summer is just around the corner and will be a zinger this year. There will be blue clouds, grass dry enough for you to sit on without the risk of sinking into mud and sun warm enough to allow us to take off our four layers of clothing and wear summer garb.
It will happen, I am determined!

When it does we plan on christening our new-ish garden with a barbecue. Every barbecue needs a good beverage however as I will be in charge of the tongs, numerous animals and George I've been researching some fruity non-alcoholic cocktails that George and I can make together. Here are our two favourites which we've doctored to suit our own needs.

IMPORTANT: No cocktail is complete without an umbrella and a twisty straw.

The Banana Margarita

For this recipe you will need:
3 peeled bananas,
Ice cubes
A freshly squeezed lime
Sugar to taste (we add it to taste until we are happy depending on how much of a sugar high is required)
450ml fresh milk

This recipe couldn't be easier as it is a chop and whizz-up job. Our smoothie whizzer doesn't really like ice cubes so we add these at the end however if you have a fancy machine I would blend it all together. The lime and banana works really well together surprisingly.
This is a drink for enjoying straight away as it needs to be enjoyed icy cold and is not as yummy if left.

Tropical Cooler

Ingredients:
Fresh pineapple (cut into chunks)
1 tablespoon of honey
Coconut milk
flaked coconut or almond essence.
Ice cubes

This is another chop and blend cocktail which is absolutely delicious. I've deliberately not given you amount for the pineapple and coconut milk as this is very much a trial and error recipe according to your own tastes. I would suggest whizzing the pineapple and other ingredients first and then adding the coconut milk gradually until you have the volume and taste that you want.

These are tried, tested and delicious.
Do you have any fresh fruity non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to share?

Photo Credit

Kissing Boys and Girls Makes Your Teeth Fall Out

Did you ever get told that when you were younger? I always thought these saying were daft until I had George and now this one is right up there with "If you don't eat your crusts your hair will go curly" and "If the wind changes you'll stay like that!". Oh how things change.....

I love the age that G is at right now and I have no doubt that he will soon be robbing me (*cough* the tooth fairy) blind very soon. As hilarious as a child with his or two top teeth missing is, or as cute as that little lisp is while we wait for new teeth to emerge no-one should forget the importance of the tooth fairy ceremony and of course the rules.

1) The tooth fairy doesn't work weekends (this covers you if you don't have any change and really want to have a PJ weekend).
2) The tooth fairy's current rates are £1 per tooth, no negotiations are permitted.
3) The tooth fairy will not swap teeth for coins if the child losing the tooth has been naughty.
4) The tooth fairy will not swap teeth for coins if the bedroom is such a mess that she can't get to it.
5) Teeth swallowed will not be collected by the tooth fairy so there is no need for parents to go looking for them when they reappear. A letter of explanation in cases like these will suffice.
6) The tooth fairy is a classy broad and does not accept scrubby envelopes with teeth in. Parents who don't want her to "have words" about them to the Easter Bunny and Santa will leave the teeth in a suitable place as per the importance of the ceremony dictates.

Fortunately we do have some fabulous tooth cushions that Nanny Plum, err I mean Mrs Rabbit from Peppa Pig, err I mean the Tooth Fairy will no doubt approve of.

These brilliant 10cm x 10cm cushions which are personalised are bound to do the trick.

I have to ask (I'm taking notes for future reference), what rules, regs and traditions do you have regarding lost teeth?

It is Spring (no really it is!)

We've had some false starts, actually we've had quite a few false starts but I have it on good authority that Spring has arrived (George said so and anyone with a five year old will know that they are never wrong).
There are other signs such as the birds tweeting beautifully from 4.30am outside my window which is clearly where they've chosen to make a nest, the daffodils that have cautiously bloomed now it seems the snow and frost has disappeared and of course the blossom is out.

Not only does this mean that we could be on our way to Summer (stop laughing!), it also means that garden maintenance needs to start and start fast. We love gardening together and G still uses the gardening kit I gave him when we first started to sell them. Working side by side to pull the weeds and plant new bits and pieces is great fun and despite us ending up covered in mud we always enjoy our gardening sessions.

We are clearly not the only ones keen to get back in the garden as sales of the gardening kits have jumped. 

For just £7.95 each kit contains a trowel, fork, rake (solid tools - none of this plastic rubbish which breaks in five minutes), a personalised star and a brilliantly designed bag to keep everything in.

Have a look at the different colour options and more images here.

Hopefully the weather will stay warm enough for us to keep digging as we still have a small mountain of weeds to tackle and they won't sort themselves out!

A Sale With a Difference!

I could write reams about our exciting new sale on the 5th April (this Friday!) however this pretty much says it all... (for now!)

Ok, maybe not all but we hope this has got your attention because come Friday you'll be able to grab some fantastic bargains! The sale will run from 10am to 10pm so get it in your diary.
 In preparation keep an eye on the website and make sure that you are a Facebook fan because we don't want you to miss out!

NEW Personalised Canvas Pictures

Our canvas range has been more popular than we ever thought imaginable (not that we are complaining!). This week we have been thrilled with the initial reaction to the arrival of our newest canvas designs.

Gorgeous aren't they?

Each canvas measures 8" by 8", are exclusive to Precious Parcels and easily personalised. Many people choose to use a more generic personalisation such as "nursery" or "playroom" or our personal favourite with the dinosaur canvas "keep out".  Many of course use first names!

Each plaque costs just £16.95.

What do you think? We love the bold and funky colours.

Clocks Clocks and More Clock

At the end of the month the clocks change (I haven't yet worked out whether they go forward an hour or back however am sure checking Facebook nearer the time will put me right). Considering we have had snow every month since October, yes six months of snow in varying degrees, it is hard to believe that we are approaching lighter nights and in theory warmer spring-like weather. 

While on the subject of time, have you new readers seen our clock range? The clocks are so popular and one of my favourite items on the website. Being personalised they work brilliantly in any bedroom, nursery or playroom.

These are just a few of the clock designs and personalisations that we can offer so make sure that you visit our clock page to find out more. At just £14.95 each for a lovingly handmade clock which your child would be delighted with, these are just perfect.

Now, which way do the clocks turn this time.....?