I am a big fan of minimal effort, maximum impact ideas, especially when it comes to parties! 

For Sammy's Birthday, instead of a sweet table, I have a selection of homemade candy lollies. When I say homemade, I mean the cheat's way!

Take a rice crispy square bar and cut in half. Push your lolly sticks in half way and dip in icing.

Dip and roll gently in your chosen topping. Set in the fridge for 10 minutes.

You are done!  

Of course you can choose not be a cheat and make the crispy cakes yourself but when you have lots to make sometimes you are allowed to cheat! 

There are some people in life that I hear about and just have to meet. Have to jump in the car, ​race up the motorway and ride over an incredibly bumpy track to get to.

Simon Hirst is one of those people, talented and humble with the most amazing selection of vintage ​and vintage inspired Circus and fairground prop hire. There are traditional swing boats for family events and signs, games and props for parties and as it turns out, for music video recordings as well.

I had been researching for weeks, a local source of a few props for Sammy's party this coming Saturday, but when I stumbled upon Simon, I was left open mouthed!​

Whilst not from fairground background, Simon has always had a love of the Circus and one of his first pieces in his collection was his beloved Henry - the carousel horse.​ An accomplished sign writer, Simon creates incredible works of art that look as though they are from a bygone era of traditional fun. You can see his full range on his website Traditional Fair.

I was so impressed by the attention to detail, the total illusion that some of his replicas are indeed replicas. Simon travels the country with his collection of fantastic Circus memorabilia and hires our various fete games for events and weddings.​

I will be seeing Simon again this weekend when I carefully bundle Henry the horse and the 8ft long Circus sign into our Pathfinder! It is going to be a very special photo booth at this party!

Thank you to Simon for letting me share my photographs - what an absolute pleasure.​

ps. He loves Pinterest as much as I do - what a guy!​

pps. Have you voted yet for the Loved by Parents Blogger of the Year Award? If not why not?! ;) You can vote for my blog HERE.​

I have my party planning head on this weekend. One month to go until Sammy's 4th Birthday Circus extravaganza - the invitations go out on Monday!

​In amongst researching vintage circus prop hire, obstacle course bouncy castles and party supplies I have discovered these incredible party posts plus a few others too good not to mention.

I love Sweet Paul for inspiration ​and ideas for things to eat, make, pets and kids. The magazine looks fabulous and this edition features free Circus printables! 

The lifestyle blog Handmade Charlotte features inspirational decor and party ideas and did a great round up of an article in Food Network magazine, all about how to mix icing colours.​

The Flair Exchange has a fantastic crepe paper bow tie bunting tutorial that I am definitely going to try for the fireplace. After all, all clowns wear bow ties! Although ​I might add some paint polka dots to my crepe paper first.

Now for some non party related links!

One of my US blog friends gave out adorable cookies, her Mum made her for a blog conference. This got me thinking and researching and I found these camera brownies. I might try it for a small event!​ They could be the first cake I ever make!

Since I found this blog by Twigg Studios a few months ago, I have been obsessed with their paper flowers. This week featured another wonder - crepe paper anemones!​

I have got more than a little obsessed with foodie blogs of late. I love learning their photography tips and the best in the world has to be Cannelle et Vanille.​ This is how to photograph a fish. I will be taking loads of inspiration from this blog for future Bento Babies posts so watch out! 

I have bought a printable file from Etsy for Sammy's Circus invitations. In fact, the package came with so much, I worry I won't get around to printing it all in time! If you fancy a nose this is it ;) ​