Beautiful Baby Showers

When one of my oldest friends announced she was pregnant, it seemed to be the most obvious thing for 'us girls' to throw a baby shower for her, something that would have been pretty unheard of a few years ago.   This Americanism has really caught on with the twenty/thirty somethings du jour.  My friend is the first of my friendship group to have a baby so this is a new tradition for us all.  Move over hen parties which we have nailed down to a tee, personalised invitations, gifts, games and pampering, yes we can organise one of these in a heartbeat, we've had enough practice, but it's time to embrace a new party style...the baby shower!  

Bring on the baby themed cakes, sandwiches and games galore.

Of course how do you accessories this most feminine event?  An elegant and calming soiree is key with a subtle colour palette, obviously blue for a boy, pink for a girl, or a pale lemon/cream palette.  

Here are some of our favourite images to find inspiration from...

Baby Shower Must Haves:

1.  Finger sandwiches

2.  Tea from teapot and saucers

3.  Champagne (for guests of course!)

4.  Novelty cakes/biscuits

5.  Flowers for decoration

6.  Games - you an get some great ideas online

You can really infuse the 'baby theme' in your cakes and biscuits.  This cup cake tower just screams celebration!  

If you haven't got time to make biscuits, Biscuiteers make the most perfect baby biscuits around which are frankly too cute to eat!  

Party sandwiches are a must...

Coconut cupcakes...

Sweet bunny biscuits...

Embrace the afternoon tea theme with Butterfly Lane's pretty rose print cups, saucers and teapot...

Flowers are a must and add a feminine, prettiness and of course a sense of occasion.   

Welcome guests with this gorgeous wreath...

Do you have any top baby shower tips?  

Table Style: Elegant Ideas for Decorating a Table

Table settings were once a formal affair, today entertaining is a far more relaxed and we have happily abandoned all of that pomp and circumstance.  Here at Butterfly Lane we believe that setting a table for a lunch with friends or a dinner party shouldn’t be an after thought or a chore, creating a decorative tabletop is super easy, satisfying and most of all fun.  The simplest of schemes will have a transforming affect on any occasion and Butterfly Lane would like to give you some simple design ideas to inspire you, whether you’re having a cocktail party, an al fresco supper, an intimate dinner party or a Sunday brunch with family, we are here to help.  Setting a table is so easy to achieve without buying a cupboard full of new dinnerware, successful table dressing is not about silverware and crystal (although that does sound fabulous!), it’s about making the most of what you have and purchasing a few special accessories to treasure that you can use time and time again.  So you don’t need the family-heirloom china or silver spoons to recreate these table settings, fresh flowers, twinkling candle light, and quirky decorative touches are all that’s needed.  Whether it’s a week night supper or a sophisticated cocktail party, these simple, pretty and imaginative table settings will bring a dash of originality to any occasion.  Here are our top tips for a successful tabletop, and remember, it’s all in the detail! 

Al Fresco Supper

Butterfly Lane has everything you need to put the finishing touches on a perfect summer party.  Enjoy a carefree celebration in the sunshine with a selection of fun tableware and garden accessories. I love to use fresh flower arrangements outside, and this ridiculously elegant patioware will be available to buy at Butterfly Lane very soon.  We are so excited about our discovery, from jugs, cake stands, champagne glasses, salad bowls and cutlery it looks like your finest sparkling crystal but is in fact plastic and patio proof.  It looks just stunning and to be put on our waiting list please email info@butterflylane.co.uk.  Prices start from £10.00.

Sophisticated Cocktail Party

Whether your guests prefer it shaken or stirred here are some inspiring images to throw a swarve and sophisticated cocktail party at home.  Think sparkling martini glasses, champagne saucers and elegant accessories.  All you’ll need to do is master the cocktail recipes…

Intimate Dinner Party

A Dinner Party is about delicious food in perfect surroundings.  Invest in gorgeous serving platters, bowls and plates so your guests can serve themselves leaving you time to play the part of the perfect host!

Sunday Brunch


We just love the idea of bringing the outdoors inside using garden planters as centre pieces. Inspired.

Tea Party

Bring out your best china, the Tea Party is having a revival!  So for you tea party enthusiasts or anyone looking for a fresh approach to this beloved tradition, look no further.  Whether you are planning a summer tea party in the garden or a cosy gathering in front of the roaring fire, Afternoon Tea is a treat any time of the year. Just make sure that your finger sandwiches, scones and Darjeeling tea are served with the most delicate and pretty china around.

Children’s Party

Children’s parties are all about colour and fun and with these stylish table settings adults will be suitably impressed as well as your little ones…

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With Gracious Style...


For a more special affair we cannot recommend crisp table linen highly enough (in the obligatory Butterfly Lane cream or white of course!), it will not only hide a multiple of sins on your battered dining table, but will add an air of decadence to the occasion.  The range from Gracious Style is truly exquisite and as fashion constantly changes there is something luxurious and timeless about using a tablecloth.  Why not use something plain and simple for a classic look or damask and embroidered for a decorative edge.  The simple finish a tablecloth gives allows for bolder design choices on the tabletop, with punchy floral arrangements and lashings of twinkling glass and candle light. 

Our friends at Gracious Style have a special treat for the Butterfly Lane readers, simply enter BUTTERFLYLN10 in to the voucher code on their website to receive 10% off all their gorgeous products *.  Thank you Gracious Style and enjoy everyone!

I hope that Butterfly Lane has inspired you to create some amazing and creative table settings.  Let us know how you get on…X


* The Gracious Style offer is not valid on sale or clearance items. Offer valid through 11:59 pm EST, May 31, 2012. Not valid on previous orders, orders with trade discounts, or when combined with any other promotional offers.


All images from the Butterfly Lane Pinterest page, Gracious Style and Google

P.S.  The Butterfly Lane online homeware boutique will be launching soon, for updates and to receive our blogs directly in to your inbox please pop your email address in to the box below.  You will receive an email from us to validate your request, simply click on the link and hey presto, design inspiration direct in to your inbox! 

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High Time For High Tea

(Image: Afternoon Tea Parties by Susannah Blake)

Afternoon Tea is seeing something of a revival and here at Butterfly Lane we have unashamedly tried and tested quite a few.  We’ve gone down the traditional British route with our recommendations, nothing screams High Tea like a grand hotel and a man with a crisp white apron, but we have also thrown in a quirky option for good measure!  So here are our favourite tea haunts in London town…

 

The Ritz

The Ritz afternoon tea is a quintessentially British institution in the most elegant of surroundings.  With a pianist playing, immaculately dressed waiters waiting and cakes baked to be eaten, it has everything you can expect.  Freshly cut finger sandwiches, cakes served on an opulent three tier cake stand and scones with lashings of clotted cream, divine!  Make sure you arrive with an appetite because the food just keeps coming and coming.   The Ritz is very traditional so remember, no jeans and men must wear a jacket, but a bit of British stuffiness won’t do you any harm!  The Ritz is a must.

Sketch

A world away from The ‘appropriate’ Ritz, The Parlour at Sketch is a buzz of coolness.  With quirky and eccentric décor, mis-matched antique armchairs, porcelain stag heads and standard lamps galore, it is shabbily chic!  Using the traditional afternoon tea formula of ribbons of finger sandwiches, egg, ham and of course traditional cucumber, accompanied by a sweet layer of amazing cakes and pots of tea to be served in mix-and-match vintage cups and saucers.  It is laid back and fun, we highly recommend!

The Dorchester

The old school decadence of The Promenade at The Dorchester is the perfect setting for an afternoon of grazing and sipping from an elegant cup and saucer.  With imposing fresh flowers everywhere, it is a luxurious treat.  The highlight of this tea is the scones, which are made from a recipe that has been unchanged at The Dorchester for over half a century, and I can see why, they are delicious!   

*Maybe slip in to The Bar afterwards for an incredible bellini and mouth-wateringly good canapes.  That's if you're not too full from afternoon tea! 

The Wolseley

A champagne afternoon tea at The Wolseley is a real treat.  It has impressive surroundings in the style of the grand cafés of Paris and Vienna, with high ceilings and a bustling atmosphere.  The afternoon tea itself is excellent and as you would expect, but the main pull of this restaurant is the grand Venetian and Florentine-style interiors, large pillars and stunning stairways.

Why not bring the afternoon tea spirit in to your own home with Butterfly Lane’s Afternoon Tea collection. From cake stands, tea pots to tea strainers here are a few of our favourites things to bring some afternoon tea charm in to your very own dining room.  All will be available to buy at Butterfly Lane very soon! 

If in doubt Afternoon Tea Parties by Susannah Blake is full of great ideas and recipes for your individual take on this classic British tradition.  

We think it’s high time you had High Tea, enjoy...X

To pre-order any items from Butterfly Lane please email us at info@butterflylane.co.uk