iShop E-Magazine Issue #2 June 2013

Online Magazine

by

COVER STORY How much is too much?

FEATURE ARTICLE Biggest Vintage Afternoon Tea for

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

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COVER STORY How much is too much Page 28

FEATURE ARTICLE ‘Biggest Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer’ Fundraiser

Page 6

GET TO KNOW... Meet this issues micro business Kids Party Factory Page 16 Life’s Little Celebrations Page 32

PARTY VENUES Find the best venues to host your

next kids party Page 12 PARTY FOOD IDEAS Get some great party food ideas from my newest favourite cookbook Page 20

Page 20 Page 12

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This issue we discuss everything

kids parties and the fun it brings

Welcome to the second issue of the iShop E-Magazine. A special edition totally

dedicated to kids parties and everything that goes with them. Decorations,

what’s hot, what’s not, the best party venues and so much more. I also share

with you my experience at the latest fundraiser I attended for breast cancer. I

was so proud to have attended and want to share it with you all, as well as my

personal breast cancer journey. I hope it sends a strong message home about

early detection.

Check out the fabulous micro businesses featured in this issue and be sure to visit

the websites and/or Facebook pages. Let them know where you found them

and help spread the word about a local micro business in your neighbourhood.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Buy a fundraiser wall

print and 40% is

donated to ‘Mummy’s

Wish’ to help a mum

with cancer

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Only $24.95 4

SPONSORS &

CONTRIBUTORS

Leaf Bean Machine Peggy Saas Photography Kookery

Littlesweet Baking Sign Kiosk Handmade Kids

The Lettuce Shop Clay & Clasp

The Vintage Table

Me & Mabel Perth Design Web and Print Elle J Made by Marnee Kids Party Factory

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Every issue couldn’t be produced without the article content, images and stories of local micro businesses and the community. I appreciate the support iShop E-Mag has received and would like to thank the sponsors and contributors that help make each issue outstanding. I real ly couldn’t do it without you.

Thank You xx

Biggest Vintage

Afternoon Tea

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Venue: Leaf Bean Machine,

Bibra Lake, WA

Date held: June 9th 2013

Cause: Breast Cancer

Businesses involved:

Leaf Bean Machine, Kookery,

Made by Marnee, Littlesweet

Baking, The Vintage Table, The

Lettuce Shop, Clay & Clasp, Me

& Mabel, florist Kay Crowhurst,

Peggy Saas Photography

FEATURE ARTICLE

Photography by Peggy Saas Photography 6

A topic close to my heart... Breast Cancer!! We have all been affected by it, either personally or through a family member or friend. It is a horrible disease and honestly, I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. It tests relationships, shows you who your friends are and teaches you about yourself, but most importantly it doesn’t discriminate and no matter who you are, you are at risk of getting it.

As a breast cancer survivor, I have been a bit dormant since treatments and not wanting to reminisce about what I went through or talk about it. Being quite has enabled me to push back the tears...until now...I saw an invitation on Facebook recently to raise funds for breast cancer through an afternoon tea, and it was from one of my favourite cupcake makers, Littlesweet Baking. Megan and several other local small businesses had

organised to hold an afternoon tea to raise funds for breast cancer, of which I wanted to be part of. She advertised the event on her Facebook page and tickets were $40. I immediately shared it with my friends to see if anyone wanted to go with me and instantly my support buddy from 2012 said “I’ll go”. So we booked our tickets and were so looking forward to the outing.

The day was miserable, wet and cold but the turn out at the event was unbelievable. Over 150 women and 1 brave man, attended the event held at LEAF BEAN MACHINE in Bibra Lake which was styled and catered for by local businesses. A gorgeous table was set with the yummiest cupcakes, meringues and macarons, delicious cheeses and sandwiches , oh, and did I mention the best coffee this side of the river?? I have never had a better coffee. I was very impressed. People could experience a unique range of teas, including an Aniseed tea, and also a special Rose Tea Punch that was served up as you walked upstairs as a welcome drink. Not my cup of tea (boom, boom) but plenty of women were drinking it so I guess it was tasty.

The women of the local businesses had displays of their work. Even demonstrations and hands on practise sessions. I tried my hand at adding a rose swirl to my own cupcake and quite surprisingly, did very well. Megan from LITTLESWEET BAKING makes it so easy and is a great teacher. BREASTIQUE ART had a fantastic canvas of different breast art...who would of thought to put paint on your breasts and make artwork out of it?? It’s an absolutely wonderful idea and

keepsake for those about to lose their breasts to a mastectomy or for a group of friends to support someone they know going through the disease.

The wonderful hosts of the event. At the back from

left to right,: Megan (Littlesweet Baking, Wendy of

Me & Mabel, Cassandra from The Lettuce Shop,

Marnee of Made by Marnee, At the front, from left

to right: Fleur of Leaf Bean Machine, Amy of

Kookery, Lucy of Clay & Clasp, Peggy of Peggy

Saas Photography

Just some of the delicious goodies supplied by some

fabulous local small businesses

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Lucy from CLAY & CLASP had a lovely range of handmade earrings, necklaces and rings and I even scored a pair of earrings as a door prize...I was very excited about that. Another door prize I received was a KOOKERY tea towel . The tea towels are gorgeous and a definite feature to any kitchen. Not only did the businesses cater and hold the event, they also donated some fantastic prizes to the raffle and boy were there some happy winners. An Avon hamper, jewellery, gift vouchers and so much more. It was a great effort by the local businesses that they should be very proud, and I am sure I can speak for everyone that attended, you were all very generous and we all had a ball. Guest speaker, Jodie de Lafontaine, (pictured left) a breast

cancer survivor, and friend of mine, sent us home with a message to remember. Her story is one that pulls at the heart strings and makes you think about everything in your life. How grateful we should be, how much we should tell the people who we love that we love them, how precious life is, how strong we are, how love conquers all. I was so close to shedding a tear but I held it back. The last time I cried about breast cancer was last year when Jodie first came to speak to me. She got me to open up and by having a cry, it allowed me to relief some feelings that I was holding onto. Sometimes It’s good to talk about the things

that we don’t like, or understand and it takes some weight off our shoulders. Jodie did a great job at explaining her journey and hopefully she encouraged everyone that attended to ‘CHECK YOUR BOOBIES’.

Early detection is the answer to surviving and could

one day save your life! At the end of the day, PEGGY SAAS PHOTOGRAPHY had us all pose, for a gold coin donation, for funny photo shoots to mark the occasion. People have really good imaginations

when props are available and with the simple, yet clever photo booth that was set up, it was a great idea for the event. Everyone had so much fun with it and we just can’t

wait to see the photos.

Jodie de Lafontaine (right) with the

winner of the Avon Hamper (left)

Gorgeous floral displays by Kay

Crowhurst

Photography by

8

Here is my story: In November of 2011, I found a lump in my right breast. For some reason, I wasn’t worried but I had a feeling it wasn’t good. Two weeks later I had an ultrasound and the sonographer instantly told me it was a suspicious lump. I was in shock. I cried, even if it was for a minute, pulled myself together and went in for my first ever mammogram. Painful doesn’t even describe that test and as a small chested woman, it made it even worse. So after having some unhappy scans, I was sent to the Breast Clinic at Royal Perth Hospital for some biopsies. A fine needle aspiration was done first followed by a core

needle biopsy. Another shock to the system and another cry...such invasion on a personal part of my body. I got dressed and waited for the results...I had cancer. A word I never thought I would hear in my lifetime...WHY ME? Stage 3 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, they called it. I was a non smoker, a gym junkie, I was an ideal weight...I had NO risk factors at all. Just unlucky and a lot of women diagnosed are. Did you know that 9 out of 10 women diagnosed have NO family history of breast

cancer? Alarming I know. My diagnosis came 5 days before Christmas. That gave my husband and I, 5 days to tell family and friends my news and explain the process to them so there was no discussion about this on Christmas Day in front of our children. With Christmas done and dusted, it was time to tell the kids. There is no way to explain that their mum has cancer. They had no idea what it was even.

My daughter was 9, turning 10, at the time and our son was 4. Of course he had no idea what it all meant, but my daughter on the other hand...devastated. So in January 2012, I had a lumpectomy to remove the cancer. They removed the 2.5cm lesion and 1cm safe margin around it. They found pre cancerous cells in the safe margin, if they went undetected, even for 4 weeks, they would have turned cancerous

as well. I was very lucky. However, due to my young age and how fast the cancer was growing, they recommended chemotherapy, and again I cried.

I think it is the thing that makes us all cry...knowing you will lose your hair is a huge thing for a female. Don’t ask me why we rely on it so much, it just is. But shaving it off is sooo liberating. I recommend you all try it at some stage. It WILL grow back. Chemotherapy started in February 2012 and I was told I would have six cycles of FEC (3

different drugs given over a span of two hours) Day one of chemo went down and it was like being hit by a bus...awful! I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. After my second cycle, I rang the oncologist and told him I wanted to stop. It was too much for me to handle. Not just the physical side of it all but the mental side was just too much. Missing kids birthdays, not being able to hug them for 24 hours after a cycle, them seeing me sick...it’s heartbreaking. My oncologist told me I could do four cycles and cut out two

and still have good results, so I went with that choice. Knowing I was half way through was good enough for me. I finished my chemotherapy and was so happy...but then it was time for radiation therapy. Small doses of radiation to my breast, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. That’s right...travelling by train to the hospital every day for 6 weeks. The radiation alone makes you tired, let alone the travelling time. It was a 5 minute session and have permanent tattoos as reminders (that is how they lined me up to the machine every day) A year later, I am still tanned on my right breast but it is cancer free and I am happy.

My support buddy, Jo, and I - 2013

9

For more information on breast cancer contact:

Breast Cancer Network Australia

(BCNA) National Breast Cancer Foundation

(NBCF) Cancer Council

Breast Cancer Care WA

I have come along way and learnt a lot about the people around me and myself. I don’t stress about the small things like getting the dishes done or keeping the house tidy. I

try and enjoy my family time a bit more and am loving running my own businesses from home. If I can give you one message today...it is to CHECK YOUR BOOBIES! Early detection is the key to surviving and one day we will find a cure. Until then, I believe eating as many raw foods as you can, not using chemicals in the home, and being happy is a great start to NOT getting cancer. 10

11

Find somewhere a little bit different for your next party!

Great party venue ideas for kids parties right across Australia

12

Superstar Birthdays

POP STAR PARTY

Record your favourite song in the recording studio Glam mini Make-Over , Pop Star Photo Shoot

Perform live up on stage in your very own concert

Sing Karaoke with your friends

SUPER MODEL PARTY Strut your stuff on the catwalk in your very own Fashion Show

Super Styling Photo Shoot, Glam mini Make-Over Dancing, Karaoke, Fun & Games

Contact: 0409 567 181 Location: Sydney

Visit online

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong

Amazing MAZE Party Party packages include:

Maze entry

Maze Master Passport

Maze Master Badge

Maze Master Certificate

1.5 hour Maze house set up (open to public)

Sausage Rolls

Party Pies

Cocktail Frankfurt’s

Frog in a Pond

Fairy bread

Crisps

Soft Drink

‘Unforgettable fun with no cooking or cleaning up’

@ $14.50 per child

Minimum of 12 children 13

Contact: 03 9751 0443

Location: Melbourne

Visit online

Sydney & Melbourne

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Geckos Family Fun Centre

Geckos Family Fun Centre is an indoor family-based fun centre in Australia with a

three-storey play structure and games for all ages. Geckos is the perfect venue for

groups of all sizes and ages.

It is a venue with a difference, designed to

be a unique attraction that both adults and kids will love. Anybody can have a lot of

fun at Geckos. Geckos caters for all nationalities. Vegetarians and Halal

welcome.

Contact: 07 3800 3488 Location: Brisbane Visit online

Football Birthday Parties Football Birthday Parties by Australian Institute of Football. Would your child love a Football Birthday Party with an Australian Football star? Australian Institute of Football offers children 4-12 the chance to experience their Birthday Party at

a fantastic football ground location, with West Coast Eagle and Fremantle Docker Stars. Packages for groups of 6-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30 plus.

Contact: 0414 078 172

Location: Perth

Visit online

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16

KIDS PARTY FACTORY

Tell us about the person behind the business:

I’m a Stay At Home Mum with a wonderful husband and

2 gorgeous boys – Callum 5 and Ethan 3. We also are

expecting a new addition to our family in July so very

exciting and busy times ahead! I worked for close to 15

years for a number of international conservation non-

government organisations working on wildlife and habit

protection and preventing the international trade in

wildlife and their products. While it was very rewarding

work, it did entail quite a lot of domestic and

international travel, which I found increasingly harder to

do once I’d had my children and was working part time. I

just didn’t want to be away from my family and miss out

on so many special moments and wanted a better work-

life balance.

Tell us about your micro business:

Kids Party Factory is all about making the busy lives of

busy parents a little bit easier when it comes to organising

their child’s next birthday party or celebration. We aim to

be a one-stop-shop for everything you need to host your

next event, no matter what size or budget you might

have and to save parents the time and hassle of visiting

endless stores and internet sites to find all the elements

they need to put their party together.

In addition to all the usual party supplies – tableware,

decorations, balloons, party favours, games and lollies,

Kids Party Factory can also help locate entertainment

and party hire options, cake decorators, candy buffets

and venue options in your local area.

While we are based in Sydney, we are able to ship our

products Australia wide and have an ever growing list of

suppliers and contacts around Australia to help us find

the entertainment and party hire extras that our

customers are looking for to make their party extra

special.

17

What made you decide to start a micro business:

Having planned a number of birthday parties as well as 2 naming days for my own kids

while working part time, I found it incredibly time consuming and frustrating that I couldn’t

find everything I needed in the one place. I had to search countless websites and

numerous stores before I found all the elements I needed. I just thought there had to be

an easier way - especially for time poor parents! So I decided starting my own micro

business, would not only to fill a gap that I saw in the market, but also have the major

bonus of allowing me the flexibility to work around the needs of my growing family. So,

Kids Party Factory was born!

What makes your business different from your competitors?

Kids Party Factory differs from other party supply businesses largely on 2 main counts.

Firstly, we have taken all the guess work out of choosing the basics you’ll need by putting

the key essentials – plates, cups, napkins, table covers, loot bags, balloons, decorations

etc - together in party kits to suit budgets and parties of all sizes. Customers can then add

any extras they like including extra themed party ware and decorations, solid colour

tableware, balloons, favours, games, lollies and much more. Of course they can also just

build their own party kit from scratch with an always increasing number of themes and

products available. Secondly, we are able to help our customers’ source and, if required,

book local venues, party hire, entertainment, candy buffets, and cake decorators, all

without leaving their lounge room.

What are your best selling products or services?

We have found our Essential Party Kits to be the most popular with customers as it contains

the basic items to host a party for 8 guests but they then have the flexibility to add extra

decorations and either themed or solid colour party ware depending on where they are

having the party and the number guests attending.

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What is your top tip for someone thinking of starting a micro business?

Choose something that you are keenly interested in or love to do and be willing to learn!

You don’t have to have worked in the industry before – my background is science and

environmental law – yet here I am running a successful kids party business! Running a

micro business is definitely not a standard 9 to 5 job and at times will require working long

hours and around family and other commitments. Working on something that you enjoy

really helps to keep you focused and interested.

How can you make someone’s event spectacular or different?

We are continuing to source additional suppliers and products to add to our already

wonderful network to help make our customers’ next birthday, baby shower, christening,

naming day or other celebration one to remember! If you can’t see what you are looking

for then we invite you to contact us and we will do our very best to source what you are

after.

What does your business offer to party planners?

Kids Party Factory offers a one-stop secure online shopping experience for people to

organise their next birthday or special celebration from the comfort of their own home. No

more running around to endless shops to source what you need. Just choose your theme,

build your party kit and let us help you source all the extras you need to complete your

perfect party! Then sit back, wait for your kit to arrive in the mail and enjoy the fun!

Do you have a special offer for iShop E-Mag readers?

Absolutely! We would love to offer iShop E-Mag readers 20% OFF any of our party kits and

extras! Simply pop over and “Like” our Facebook page and let us know that you’re an

iShop E-Mag reader, and we’ll send you a special discount code to receive the special

offer!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We’d love iShop E-Mag readers to check out our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages

for great party ideas, recipes’, party games and loads more freebies, special discounts and of course fun!

Contact : Rebecca Keeble

ABN: 45 150 923 649

Email: customerservice@kidspartyfactory.com.au

Phone: 02 8850 6776 or 0434 687 087

Website: www.kidspartyfactory.com.au

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/kidspartyfactoryaus

Twitter: @KidPartyFactory

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kidpartyfactory/

Google +: http://www.gplus.to/KidsPartyFactory

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Make, Bake and Create

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Looking for some great party food ideas?? You have the venue

sorted, the invitations, the games and now it’s time for the food.

Here are some great tips...

Get Organised – Work out what you are going to cook beforehand

and leave plenty of time so you’re not rushed. If you can, cook

some food the day before and keep it in the fridge.

Theme It – If you are having a themed birthday party, why not make

some food relevant to the theme. Treasure chest for a Pirate party,

or mini Teacups for a Princess Party.

Fresh Is Best – Make sure you use the freshest ingredients available

Left Overs – If you have any left over cake or food, wrap it in brightly

coloured napkins and put it into the party bags for your guests to

take away

Drinks – Provide lots of drinks for your guests. Having a party can be

thirsty work.

Recipes sourced from the Make, Bake and Create Party Food cookbook by Nancy Lambert

17 Cheesy Pastries 18 Mini Sausage Rolls 19 Star Sandwiches 20 Chicken Towers 21 Bite Sized Burgers 22 Mini Pizzas 23 Cheesy Ham Potato Skins

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Extra equipment: • Baking tray • Baking paper • Sieve • Rolling pin

Ingredients: • 100g butter (plus

extra for greasing) • 150g cheddar cheese, grated • 100g plain flour (plus extra for dusting bench) • 1 egg yolk

1. Preheat the oven to 180 c

2. Lightly grease a baking tray with butter and cover it

with a piece of baking paper

3. Put the cheese into a mixing bowl and sift the flour.

Next, cut the butter into little cubes and rub them into

the mixture with your fingertips

4. When you have a crumby mixture, stir in the egg yolk

5. Knead the mixture until it forms a dough. Then dust

the bench with plenty of flour. Roll out the dough into

a square, until it is about 1cm thick

6. Cut the square into strips, then twist the strips or make

them into circles or heart shapes. Gently lift them onto

the baking tray

7. Place the tray into the oven and bake for about 8

minutes or until golden brown. Then carefully transfer

to a wire rack to cool

Makes 15-20

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Extra equipment: •Rolling pin

• Pastry brush • Baking Tray

Ingredients: • 1 tbl butter •1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced • 6 pork sausages • handful of breadcrumbs • 2 tbl plain flour

• 250g ready made puff pastry • 1 egg • a little milk

1. Preheat the oven to 180 c

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the onions.

Cook gently for about 20 minutes until soft. Then

spread out on a plate to cool

3. Slit the skins of the sausages and pop the meat out.

Put the meat in a mixing bowl with the onion and the

breadcrumbs, and then scrunch well, with clean

hands, to mix together

4. On a floured surface, roll the pastry out into a

rectangle so it is about 1cm thick. Then, cut it

lengthways into two long, even rectangles.

5. Roll the mixture, made in step 3, into sausage shapes

with your hands, and lay along the centre of each

rectangle

6. Mix the egg and milk and brush over the pastry. Then,

fold one side of the pastry over the filling. Press down

with you fingers or the edge of a spoon to seal

7. Cut along the rolls into the size you want and space

them out on a baking tray. Brush with the rest of the

egg mix and bake for 25 minutes or until puffed and

golden

Makes 10

23

Extra equipment: • large star-shaped cookie cutter

Ingredients: • 1 egg • 2 tbl mayonnaise • butter or margarine,

to spread • 4 slices of bread, white or brown • 2 slices of ham

1. First, make the eff mayonnaise filling. Place the egg in

a saucepan half filled with cold water and ask an

adult to bring the water to a boil.

2. Once the water is boiling, turn the head down and

let the eff simmer for about 7 minutes. When the egg

has cooked, ask an adult to remove it from the hot

water and let it cool.

3. Carefully peel the shell off, then mash the eff using a

fork. Put the mashed egg into a bowl and mix

together with the mayonnaise. Set aside for later.

4. Next, spread the butter or margarine into the bread

slices.

5. Next, layer the ham and egg mayonnaise onto one

slice of bread then top with another slice.

6. Repeat with the next two slices of bread.

7. Use the cookie cutter to make star shaped

sandwiches.

Serves 3-4

24

Extra equipment: • Cocktail sticks

Ingredients: • 100g pineapple, fresh or tinned, cut into chunks • 100g cooked chicken, cut into chunks • basil leaves • 2 tomatoes, sliced

1. Take the pineapple chinks and place the chicken on

top

2. Add the basil on top of the chicken, followed by a

slice of tomato. Add another chunk of chicken and

finish with a smaller chunk of pineapple.

3. Repeat until all of the ingredients have been used up.

4. Use decorative cocktail sticks to prevent your

chicken towers from toppling over

Makes 12

25

Ingredients: •1kg minced beef • 1 onion, finely chopped • 4 tbl fine breadcrumbs • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• pinch of salt and pepper to season • 1 tsp mustard • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed To serve: • mini burger buns (or bread cut to size) • salad • cheese, sliced

1. Preheat the grill/pan, barbeque to a medium heat

2. Place the minced beef in a large bowl and add the

remaining ingredients. Mix it all together, either with

your hands or a spoon, until; just combined.

3. Wet your hands, and then mould the mixture into

burger shapes about 2cm thick

4. The burgers can now be cooked either on a griddle

pan, non stick frypan with a dash of oil, under the grill

or on a barbeque. Make sure you preheat the frying

pan, griddle pan, grill or barbeque to a medium heat

before placing the burgers on top.

5. Cook the burgers for about 4 minutes on each side,

turning them once.

6. Serve with mini burger buns, salad and cheese

(optional)

Serves 16

26

Extra equipment: • rolling pin

• large cookie cutters

Ingredients: •290g pizza base mix • 100ml warm water • tomato paste • mozzarella cheese • basil or oregano (optional) • any topping you like

1. Preheat the oven to 200C

2. Empty the pizza base mix into a bowl, add the water

and mix according to the packet instructions.

3. Using a rolling pin, roll the pizza mix dough so it is

about 2cm thick. Use large cookie cutter to cut out

shapes

4. Spread a thin layer of the tomato puree into the base

then add the mozzarella cheese and the herbs.

5. Add the topping of your choice. Why not add a few

different toppings, such as brie or cranberry or

perhaps a sweet topping like pineapple.

6. Place the mini pizzas in a preheated oven for 10-15

minutes or until they are piping hot and the bases are

golden brown.

Makes 12

27

Extra equipment: • baking tray • pastry brush

Ingredients: •2 large potatoes • 2 tbl olive oil • 1 onion, chopped

• 1 tbl barbeque sauce (optional) • 100g cheddar cheese • 6 slices of ham, cut into squares

1. Preheat the oven to 200c. Scrub the large potatoes

well and place them in the oven. Bake for 40-45

minutes until the fell slightly soft when squeezed.

Leave to cool for a little while.

2. When cool, cut each potato in half. Scoop the inside

out with a spoon (reserving for later) leaving a small

layer of potato on the skin.

3. Brush inside and outside of the potato skins with a

small amount of oil and place them back into the

oven.

4. Bake for 15 minutes, turning halfway throu8gh, until

crispy and golden brown.

5. While the potato skins are cooking, heat some oil in a

frying pan and cook the onions until slightly soft.

6. Take the potato skins out of the oven and if you wish,

spread a small amount of barbeque sauce on each

of the potato skins.

7. Mix the reserved potato, cooked onions, grated

cheese and ham squares in a bowl.

8. Spoon the mixture evenly into the potato skin and

place back in the oven for about 5 minutes, until the

cheese has melted.

Serves 16

28

Kids parties and the budgets we spend on them...revealed

We all love a kids party. How can you not? They are great fun. Games, Prizes, Food, Party Bags!! As a birthday approaches, the eagerness sets in, the excitement in their eyes, and the sound of dollar signs going off in your head!! Argh!!! Another birthday. It seems, each year, the birthday parties get more expensive, and so too do the gifts. Not just for your own child, but also when you are invited to a party. This article will hopefully give you an insight into the world of kids parties and answer the age old question... HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? IMAGINE - The day of your birthday arrives and you are super excited and anxiously waiting for your first guest to arrive. You are eager to get the games started and have a fun time with your friends. They love the food, you have fun dancing and being silly. When party time is over, your friends leave with a goodie filled lolly bag and you are left with some great memories. As a child, it all seems easy and carefree, but as an adult now, I realise the importance of having a special birthday memory that you can remember forever. But at what cost does that memory come at? How much is too much to spend on a kids birthday party?

Many people will argue that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a party, yet there are some that are willing to spend thousands on an event to make it memorable. It’s all too easy to have a party these days, what with event planners and the new fad of buffet lolly tables, but are they necessary and is it worth it? It has been reported that some parents spend in excess of $10,000 on their child’s party. Maybe in Hollywood but I don’t think that is realistic with today's economy and budgets. Babies first birthday is a good example. Parents don’t hold back and spend big on catering, hiring of equipment and decorations and even professional photographers. Others are happy with a Hungry Jacks birthday or a more intimate gathering at home in the backyard. So, let’s answer the question...HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? Is $100 too much? Is $500 too much? How about $1000? Sometimes it can be hard to gauge, and sometimes we plan ahead and buy items early, and we end up over spending. Let’s start with the basics of a party. They would consist of: Balloons and streamers Pre filled lolly bags Invitations Drinks A few food platters A game or two Just the above alone, can set you back $100 and that isn’t including presents. But then you can go crazy and add toys to your lolly bags, get customised birthday invitations, 29

GUIDES TO HELP YOU HOST

A COST EFFECTIVE PARTY

1. Set a budget – Say how

much you can afford or

are willing to pay out for

the party or birthday and

stick to it. Put that money

in an envelope and don’t

spend anymore than you

have allowed.

2. Sales – Buy presents and

decorations from stores

that have sales. It’s a

great way to save some

dollars and put them

where they really matter

to you.

3. Get help – Ask for help

from family and friends.

They all want to make

your child’s special day

special so don’t be afraid

to ask for help with ideas,

setting up or even

catering.

4. Plan a menu – There are a

heap of healthy, cost

effective recipe ideas for

kids parties online. I have

added a few to this issue

for you to guarantee you

a successful party menu.

5. Happy Snaps – The bride

and groom have been

known to do it but it is a

great idea for kids parties

as well...Disposable

cameras. Ask your guests

to take photos of the

event and you will get a

lot of different

perspectives of the day.

It’s a great way to get

keepsakes without paying

for a photographer.

get helium balloons instead of plain ones and the list can go on. Simple rules though can ensure you don’t over spend and hurt the bank account and guarantee you a day of memories and fun that is affordable to your budget.

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PRESENTS And what about when your child is invited to another child’s birthday party? How much is too much on a present? It seems that my children are always being invited to parties from children at the school. You are guaranteed a birthday each month and that can add up in presents. So let’s ask the question again...How much is too much?

Some parents have a strict $20 policy when it comes to a present budget for other children. There are a huge range of shops, both online and shop front that provide cheap toys and gifts from colouring books, clothing, accessories and even games. If you are stuck for ideas or know nothing about what the birthday boy/girl likes, simply give a gift card. Some people give coins representing the age of the child e.g. 5 year old party gets $5.00, 10 year old gets $10 and so on. At the end of the day, I don’t think the child knows how much you have spent on them.

A few tips for birthday presents: 1. Ask the parent of the birthday child, what they may

like. Are they into Lego, or colouring in, for example. 2. When in doubt, give a gift card. There are so many

available now from cinemas to toy stores. 3. Buy random toys and craft items when they are

special so you have a present inventory at home for emergency parties. Do the same for cards and wrapping paper so you never need to run to the shop at the last minute again.

In the end, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on a child’s birthday party. It all depends on your personal budget, time and access to products and services. If you want to give your child a 1st birthday no one will ever forget, GO FOR IT! If you want to have a bbq with family and friends in the backyard, GO FOR IT! It’s all about having fun and spending time with the people that are important to you. Can we really measure our child’s happiness in dollars and cents? I’d like to hear your party budget. Simply email me with your party budgeting tip or story and I will select my favourite. The winner will win a $20 to spend at any micro business advertised in this issue of their choice. Submissions can be sent to enquiries@finditonline.net.au Competition ends 31 July 2013. Prize can not be exchanged for cash. Prize must be redeemed within three (3) months of the competition ending. Winner will be notified by email and mentioned on the Find It Online Facebook page. Entries must be real and based on their own true story.

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LIFE’S LITTLE CELEBRATIONS

Tell us about the person behind the business:

I’m Tanya - a wife, mum of two little girls under 3, and a

Sydney sider. I’m fulltime at home with my girls

although I enjoyed time in Human Resources and

Teaching before becoming a mum.

I have a bit of a sweet tooth (working on that!), am

slightly addicted to online shopping and I love kids

parties (although I still fall in an exhausted heap after

my own kids celebrations!).

I believe children’s parties are all about truly

celebrating the little one’s in our lives – it doesn’t have

to cost a lot – it is all about the details, the handmade

touches, the time and effort and love that goes into the

celebration.

Tell us about your micro business:

Life’s Little Celebrations children’s party directory

(launching the 1st of July) is all about connecting mum’s

to quality party suppliers when planning their child’s

celebrations – whether it be a birthday, christening or

baby shower. It also aims to promote small businesses

who service children’s parties – often these are run by

mum’s themselves who are dedicated to high quality

service and product!

On the directory mum’s will be able to find party

boutiques online, invitations, handmade decorations,

cake & sweet treat makers, candy buffet stylists, party

hire items, entertainment & venues and photographers!

My Life’s Little Celebrations blog will continue to run on

the new site providing inspiration for mum’s in the midst

of their party planning & helping them know where to

find great products when planning for a particular

party theme.

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Overall Life’s Little Celebrations aims to help mum’ when planning to celebrate the

little one’s in their lives as well as promote the fantastic small businesses which

provide unique services for children’s parties!

What made you decide to start a micro business:

After having my first child in 2010 I discovered the amazing details you could

incorporate into children’s parties – and I became hooked! I first launched a

children’s party blog and after the success of this blog & the networking which came

from it I decided to launch a children’s party directory.

When I started my blog I never intended it to become a business. However I had

discovered so many amazing small businesses via my blog which service children’s

parties and I wanted to create a site where mum’s around Australia could find and

access these businesses as well.

I also love that I can work around my kids although this normally means only working

when they are sleeping – it’s a good thing I’m a night owl!

What makes your business different from your competitors?

I focus on quality small businesses which service the children’s party industry. There

are thousands of party businesses in Australia however my focus is on businesses

which offer something more unique such as handmade decorations, custom party

printables, lovely kids party venues and more. Most businesses who advertise on the

directory are run by other mum’s and I love that I can promote their business!

I believe the Life’s Little Celebrations directory will be THE place to go online place to

discover the best party suppliers for your children’s parties.

What are your best selling products or services?

Advertisements and sponsorships for my blog have been very popular along with the

listings in the Directory.

What is your top tip for someone thinking of starting a micro business?

Make sure it is something you will enjoy and are passionate about as that will

motivate you to put in the hours! I also think it is important to just give things a go! You

will never know if something might work unless you just step out and be courageous! I

was so excited to just reach 100 FB fans for my blog page and now I’ve reached

5000 FB fans which I never imagined would happen. I also took a risk with the party

directory – investing money into a logo & website redesign. However by taking that

risk and believing in my business – it has paid off. So be willing to trust yourself and go

for your dreams!

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How can you make someone’s event spectacular or different?

By searching my new children’s party directory you will be able to source unique and

quality items for your child’s party whether it be invitations, cakes,

decorations…anything really! The blog also provides party ideas for various children’s

party themes and helps you to visualise how different party items would work together

when planning for that theme.

What does your business offer to party planners?

Party planners will not only be able to list their services in my directory but they will also

be able to find other suppliers to network with when planning their next event!

Do you have a special offer for iShop E-Mag readers?

Special 10% off to any businesses placing a listing in the children’s party directory and who mention iShop e-mag! E-mail me for a media kit to find out more!

Business Name: Life’s Little Celebrations Business Location: Sydney Contact Name: Tanya Castellino ABN: 65 508 472 023 Email: lifeslittlec@gmail.com Phone: 0402058199 Website: www.lifeslittlecelebrations.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeslittlecelebrations

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