Work has been chaos (as usual) but as always in a good way. Have been working on some very exciting events mainly for make up brands with iD Experiential, and as the live date gets closer I’m looking forward to posting a case study more and more as they’re ones I’m incredibly proud of.

So all my English readers (and most likely most of the international ones!) will know it was our Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee last weekend/this Monday&Tuesday. It was a great long weekend for the country and there were some incredible festivities happening all over the UK – especially London.

Lots of people flooded to the banks of the River Thames to watch the Royals float down on a gorgeous boat. I, however, was working for most of the weekend but managed to make it to a FABULOUS Jubilee celebration held by my friend and mentor Allyson Higgins-Halfpenny a fellow Event Producer (and one I aspire to be like everyday!).

Allyson put in a glorious amount of effort, and snuck in some delicious American delicacies as well (devilled eggs and grandma’s potato salad featured!). The spread and decor was incredible. There were sausage rolls, mini toad in the holes, cupcakes, cucumber sandwiches, cheese straws, mozzarella sticks, burgers, chicken wings, pizza rolls, brownies, battenburg, vegetable kebabs, hot dogs, PIMMS cocktails I really could go on and on….. there was so much amazing food I got confused and didn’t even know where to begin.

Allyson pulled off an outstanding party! Had such a great time and I don’t even think these photos do it justice…. Thanks so much Allyson! x

A lot of this week’s inspiration has been the traditional British street party. Trestle tables, bowler hats, gingham, fresh garden flowers and bunting. The thought of all that together makes me so happy…. Especially when you mix it in with a peppering of vintage décor!

So, here are my tips on how to put together a great British street party, low cost and high impact!

• Trestle tables from furniture hire companies cost buttons. Around £6 a table for the day so very very cheap! If you have your own tables, then great – even a wallpaper table will do!

• Plain white table cloths and a table runner give a lovely vintage look. Red or red and white gingham look fabulous. Depending on your colour scheme use a bold colour for the runner. You can get cheap strips of material from fabric shops – runners made up tend to be quite pricey.

• Décor…. Well where do I start? You can go as out there or as simple as you like! My favourites are fresh garden flowers in jars (I love mixing it up with different clusters of different flowers in each jar, mix up roses, carnations, gerberas, germinis and freesias) boiled sweets, bowler hats, windmills, party poppers, crowns, lollies, balloons, bunting (and lots of it!), flags, posters, old photos…. I could go on! For when it begins to get dark pop some battery operated tea lights into jam jars. Safe, cheap and beautiful! If you’re going full on British themed then obviously stick to red white and blue!!

• Vintage crockery! Lots of it! And the more you mix and match colours and styles the better. Or if you’re going for a disposable option then Talking Tables make brilliant vintage style partyware and have made a special edition Street Party range!!

• If I was throwing one of these, all you would see is classic British party food. Fairy cakes, sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches, pineapple and cheese sticks, twiglets, scones, volovants, crudités, salad, chicken and not forgetting my favourite….. Party Rings! But some people don’t have the taste pallet of a 12 year old, so you could go with a Hog Roast, or BBQ, or even a classic English dish like bangers and mash, or Shepherds Pie. Of course there must be plenty of tea on tap and lots of lovely teacups! you could even serve desserts in the tea cups too.

• Pass the parcel or musical chairs ring any bells?? Would love to play that again!!! Or perhaps a nice British quiz to test everyone on their knowledge like this one from Talking Tables! 

• Extra bits and bobs you can add in, like Ideas Box have a BEAUTIFUL Pimms tricycle (I’ve been in love ever since I saw it. I suggest it for every single event I pitch for now. 500 person conference? Pimms Tricycle!!!), you could have a fish and chip van or even ice cream van serving unlimited Mr Whippys! – very affordable!

 If you’ve got any more ideas I’d love to hear them! Roll on the Olympics and roll on the Queens Jubilee!! This is our year Britain!! x