Wednesday 21 May 2014

How to Create the Perfect Kid's Party

By Shoshana Kazab - Fuse Communications 

Children's birthday parties have become a big business in the UK. Many parents are keen to 'keep up with the Jones's' and parties have become increasingly elaborate, starting from a baby's first birthday. Party planners like Sharky & George have become a household name in a couple of years, and are popular amongst busy parents who have less time to spend on organising parties, but still want to create something special.

I caught up with Gabriella Toscan du Plantier and Dorothée Monestier, founders of the super cool Parisian party brand, My Little Day, to ask them what their Top Tips are for creating the perfect birthday party! Here's their exclusive Top 10 List for Bubble & Speak:



1. Prepare the invitations with the birthday boy / girl and involve them in customising the cards; it will really make them feel as if it is their party! Do that 3 weeks before the party and do not forget to include your contact details for the RSVPs! (It happens...)

2. As far as the food is concerned, the simpler the better! Buy colourful and funky sweets and make the easiest cake recipe in your repertoire. Just cover the cake with a delicious chocolate fudge and stick some fun figurines on the top. This way you can transform a basic cake into a great cowboy fort, for example!

3. The day before the party, prepare a few group games and workshops to entertain the kids. Simple and easy, and try to recall the games you liked to play yourself when you were a child!

4. D-day: hide all the toys and forbid the kids from entering the room where the party is taking place. The idea is to add a sense of fun and intrigue on the day!

5. Enlist the birthday boy / girl to help you with the decorations to make him / her feel even more important! Hang up as many garlands and balloons as you feel comfortable with. Minimal or maximal! For the table, you can either lay out a sweet table or a proper dinner table, depending on the number of children who come over and the time of the party.



6. As a parent, make sure you dress up, even if it's just with an accessory: a tiara on mum's head and a cowboy hat on dad's will turn the parents into heroes for their child and for the guests!

7. With a Kohl pencil, make-up each child as they arrive: fake eye lashes on girls, fake moustaches on boys, or anything more complicated if you have make-up skills! It makes them feel welcome and at ease.

8. During the party, dance a lot! Children love it. And be sure to play with them; they love that, too!

9. Open the presents at the very end of the party. Again: save the toys!

10. Give each guest a goodie bag as they leave; that will prevent them from losing their precious gifts and having a meltdown during the party!

The My Little Day girls know so much about parties, they've put pen to paper and have even brought out their own book with a host of inspirational ideas! 

For dreamy partywear for girls check out Australian couture girlswear label, Mischka Aoki, whose dresses have become highly coveted amongst girls and their mums alike: www.mischkaaoki.com. 



And for the perfect party feet, check out British baby & kids footwear label, Step2wo, whose party shoes are not only super stylish but incredibly comfortable, too: www.step2wo.com. 




Fuse Communications is a specialist baby and kids PR agency: www.fusecommunications.co.uk. 

Thursday 15 May 2014

Pigeon at Bubble London

After 9 happy years in business, ethical clothing label Organics for Kids was rebranded as Pigeon

Since then, the range has acquired a life of its own, marrying soft organic cotton with unique-yet-classic designs. 




Now, it's set to introduce Pigeon Home. Available in stores for the first time over summer, this complementary homeware range for the nursery will feature Pigeon's trademark bird and elephant prints. 

Catch the Pigeon s/s 2015 collection at July's Bubble London, which will see the brand celebrate a successful decade in business! 

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Teaming up with Tablet

Looking to book your trip to London for Bubble, then look no further!

This season, we have teamed up with Tablet Hotels, to offer everything you need for an unforgettable stay during our next show.



A carefully edited selection of London accommodation, including these top picks, can be effortlessly booked via the Bubble London website at the lowest available prices, with live, dependable customer service from Tablet Hotels.

1The Rookery Hotel, Rates Starting from £120 2. The Bloomsbury Hotel, Rates Starting from £140 3. The Zetter Hotel, Rates Starting from £150 4. Rosewood London, Rates Starting From: £295





Friday 9 May 2014

Bubble pops up with Boxpark

Remember that exciting news we were keeping under wraps? Well, the secret's finally out!

This season, Bubble is offering UK-based exhibitors the chance to win a week at Boxpark, Shoreditch's revolutionary pop-up mall. 




Bubble and Boxpark are joining forces to launch a new competition, which will afford one lucky brand the opportunity to showcase its product in a unique ‘Box Shop’. 

To qualify, entrants must be exhibiting at the Spring/Summer edition of Bubble London (13-14 July). They should be based in the UK, have been in business for more than one year, and have some previous retail experience – or, the desire to have direct consumer experiences.

Representatives from both Bubble and Boxpark will judge entrants on their creativity, marketing and branding, previous experience, key achievements, direction and planning. 



The winner will receive one-week's use of a 300 square-foot 'Box Shop', complete with cube shelving, lighting, free wifi and changing and stock rooms. 

Fancy popping up at Boxpark? Entry closes on May 30. Visit the Bubble website for more details...


Friday 2 May 2014

Albetta

Have you met Albetta?

This Danish childrenswear brand has been exhibiting at Bubble since its inaugural event six years ago. 


Launched in 1999, it takes its name from the eldest of designer Annabel Landra's four children. Today, her brood continue to inspire Albetta's stylish, wearable collections. 

Catch the latest range at Bubble this July!