Do you know what a Surprise Ball is? No neither did I until I happened across them somewhere on the internet and now I am thoroughly charmed and desperate for an occasion to gift someone with a crêpe paper wrapped little ball full of teeny old-fashioned surprises… They are I think, like a really pretty Pass the Parcel present: not the newspaper and wrapping paper monstrosities to be found at every kids party since time began, but delightful little balls of vintage inspired fun to be opened by the birthday girl, used as an all grown up Pass the Parcel game at a dinner party or simply gifted to someone in need of a little cheering up… With a range of different Surprise Balls for different occasions throughout the year, they seem to range from the truly elegant to the deliciously kitsch and as you start to unwind the crêpe paper, gifts silly and joyful fall into your lap…
You see I do believe it is the little things that delight the heart and while Surprise Balls, bought or home-made might just be filled with frippery and nonsense, the very act of unwinding something so deliciously silly, is I think, what memories are made of. As Vintage Housekeeper’s then we have the opportunity to make or buy a little stash of Surprise Balls to celebrate the teeniest of family joys: to award little school successes once monthly or to pop a Surprise Ball under the pillow of someone feeling a little down. We can make it a ritual to always have a Surprise Ball at the place of the Birthday Boy on the breakfast table or give one to a child laid low with chicken pox or something equally as miserable… They really are adorable: the perfect mix of whimsy and child-like joy and so very BrocanteHome, for like the Christmas Crackers we lay on our festive table, they speak of both ritual and celebration and exist not for material gain of gifts worth having, but for the sheer fun of unwrapping something so mysterious! The Surprise Balls featured here come from Tops Malibu, who stock a vast selection of these little darlings (alongside the equally lovely Wish Capsules), but you could of course make your own from crêpe paper and ribbon and personalize them with charms and toys collected especially for your intended recipient or occasion… Just right for Valentines Day methinks. // //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
Oh I do so like discovering scrumptious new to me blogs, especially ones with yummy little boutiques attached, and more than that, the in’s and out’s, high’s and low’s of turning yummy creativity into a life worth living… Go say hello to BitterSweet.
I ran away. I packed my little red going away bag, tucked my son under my arm and caught a train. Because sometimes the only place to hide is within the tight knit walls of your family. And it helped. It helped to stick me back together a bit. And to remind me of…
The very very very scrumptious VintageHome is two years old today and in celebration the site has a fabulous new design positively stuffed with the kind vintagey gorgeousness that make me want to cry… Congartulations Clare: it is absolutely gorgeous and two years joyfully thriving is something more than worth doing a happy dance for!
Yep. A new collection of random facts about yours truly…. 1. The pin above, sent to me by my lovely Ouissi, could not be more me. I do always wear black. But there are rainbows in my head. 2. I am smiling too much lately. I swear the shock is giving me jaw-ache. 3. I…
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Your idea of presenting one to a child with chicken pox has reminded me of one of my favourite stories from My Naughty Little Sister. I must go and look it up now x
Your idea of presenting one to a child with chicken pox has reminded me of one of my favourite stories from My Naughty Little Sister. I must go and look it up now x
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Your idea of presenting one to a child with chicken pox has reminded me of one of my favourite stories from My Naughty Little Sister. I must go and look it up now x
Your idea of presenting one to a child with chicken pox has reminded me of one of my favourite stories from My Naughty Little Sister. I must go and look it up now x