Darcy's 4th Birthday

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It seems like 5 minutes ago I was sitting on my old cream sofas at about 8.30am in the morning, with a tiny newborn laying on a duckegg blue hand sewn pillow whilst I typed about my labour and delivery story to share on my blog. That post was written in 2 parts because in those days I never had more than quarter of an hour to myself and I was rushed off my feet learning the art of motherhood. 

I'm not sure I've yet mastered it but 4 years on, I feel relaxed and confident and very happy with how that newborn is turning out. 

Every year I try and get a picture of us all together at cake time. I love it. 

This weekend we celebrated her 4th birthday with family and friends and although you may have already seen this pictures on my instagram or twitter, I wanted to share them here too so that I can preserve the memories and also because you might not follow me there. 

The day started out slightly flustered because the house was a tip and I had no food in. The day before I'd gone out to do these errands but just after buying all the decor I felt really poorly and drove home to be near my own bathroom haha. Luckily it was just an afternoon situation and with a bit of rest I was fine again. 

So, Matt came over to take my shopping list and grab all the food items and I set to work on the house. I tidied and hoovered and dusted and decorated and after about 3 hours it was looking great. Very party ready! 

We had decided on a Frozen theme because it's one of Darcy's favourite films (along with Cinderella) and I thought I could do a decent job decorating and co-ordinating to that. I taped blue, silver and purple crepe strips to the windows, scattered frozen glitter sequins eveeerryyywhherree, bought in balloons, hung paper pom poms, layed out lilac and silver paper plates/napkins/cups and my Auntie Judith made cupcakes with silver sprinkles. It all worked out so well. 

By 4pm everyone was arriving, coats were being thrown on the spare room bed, cups of tea were being made and Darcy was jumping for joy every time someone new came to the door. We invited mostly just family but also a few of our close friends, our neighbours and a couple of children from Darcy's nursery (who I think she was MOST pleased to see and immediately took them up to her room to wreck it!). 

Although Matt and I separated last year, we enjoyed the day together. It's hard to explain because most couples who split up don't get along but we decided not to be a Husband and Wife team, we never opted out of being a parent team. We love that team a lot. There's only 2 people in the entire world who know the joy of being Darcy's parent so we gotta stick together on that one! Also, we want her to always remember her parents treating each other with respect and kindness so a party all together just made sense. It was really nice. 

We did all the usual party activities - opened presents, chitchatted, served nibbles, laughed as kids went cray cray hyper, lit candles, sang 'Happy Birthday' and thanked people as they left. It really was the perfect day. 

This one is pinched from Zoe's insta account because just look how beautiful that wrapping paper is. It's from Oliver Bonas. 

Darcy loved it. She loves to have special things in the house like balloons or sparkles or magic wands and kept telling me it was her birthday party and she was going to be 4 and picking out wands for all her friends.

On her actual birthday (2 days later) Matt and I took her to a lovely nature reserve that has a kids park, then to lunch at Frankie and Bennies and then to the cinema to see Cinderella. That night she stayed at Matt's place (she woke up with me) and to celebrate on my own, I ordered takeaway. 

I vlogged both the party and the actual day so keep your eyes peeled for both of those very soon! 

It is so wonderful to share highlights of life on my blog again. Long may it continue!!

Toodlepip!

xx

Happy 5th Blogday!

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Today my blog is five years old. Half a decade. Wow. 

Thank you Chummysugg from Tumblr for making me this image. 

When I started Sprinkle of Glitter, I wanted it to be a fun Autumn project that I could enjoy in the evenings when I was bored or whilst Matt was at work. I was renovating our home and wanted a place to talk about all the crafts and DIY I was doing. Our house was (and still is) always a mess, we did everything on a shoestring budget and my biggest aspiration at the time was to get a nice office job in the new year. 

Thank you slowemotions from Tumblr for making this image. 

Well, I did get that office job but by that point I was so hooked on blogging that I carried it on. A couple of times Matt remarked on the fact that I had done well keeping it updated for a few months and he pondered how long I'd be keen - I'm flighty you see. I struggle to stick at things. 

Months ticked by and turned to years and in those years big, big things have happened. When I sit down and really think about all the opportunities that have come out of writing this blog, I feel teary. Because of this blog I started my YouTube channels, met other creators, visited new countries, stayed in very posh hotels, met literally thousands of Sprinklerinos, have been on TV, in magazines, on stages, in debates, on red carpets, interviewed celebrities, documented the entirety of my Daughter's life and become financial secure. Because of this one blog. It's insane. 

Thank you hey-im-zana from Tumblr for making me this image. 

When I think of all the 'things' I have been given or earned or found, I feel happy. But when I think of all the 'people' who have come into my life I feel completely blown away. I have so many memories that I will cherish for all of my life. There are the 'biggies' like dancing on stage with the boys in New York or eating breakfast on an upper class flight with Zoe and giggling at the madness of it all, but then there are the little ones that really hit me. Once I rang Ben Cook at 8pm from a hotel room in Covent Garden because I was feeling down. By 8.30pm he was there and making me laugh. Once I had to have some pretty painful dental work a couple of years ago, Zoe drove 3 hours to come and look after me and that night Alfie caught the train up to be with me too. There are the midnight skype calls with Jack where I laugh til I cry, the 2am Skype calls with Marie where we discuss everything from toddler snacks to the greater good and there are the 4am texts to Hazel to tell each other we're 'good women'. 

And then, there's you. You the community of Sprinklerinos who continues to grow but never diminishes in your cosy, loving attitude. I feel such an outpouring of kindness from you that I never thought would happen. 

Thank you LaurasObsession from Tumblr for making me this image. 

I thought that when you become well known for something, you gain 'fans'. People that like what you do, tell you so and then you say, 'thanks'. This is different. This feels so much more than that and in each message I read from you, I can imagine a person saying those things with so much feeling that I feel it too. I feel like this is a family. A huge, glittery family that does not exclude nor judge, but love and respect and cherish and I'm proud to be a part of that. I'm proud to be a part of all of this. 

Last year I said, "Happy Birthday little blog! What a journey we've been on. First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year friends, fifth year a....What do you think will come next?"

Well, it's you. Hundreds and thousands and millions of you. More than I can count but not more than I can love. 

So, as is tradition- 

Happy Birthday little blog! What a journey we've been on. First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year friends, fifth year a community. What do you think will come next?

Happy Blogday to every person who helps make Sprinkle of Glitter what it is and makes me so happy. You are so very, very loved. 

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- As if to further prove how much of a strong community this is, all the images in the post were kindly made by Sprinklerinos. If you click on the names below their art, you can visit them on Tumblr. Thank you so much for always making great things. x

Happy 4th Blogday!

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Four years ago, on this exact date, I typed into google, 'Free Blog'. A couple of hours and a lot of tinkering later, Sprinkle of Glitter was born and a whole new chapter of my life had begun.

Yep, that is me at 4 years old. Who knew this whole Glitter World would come out of that little head. *Feels proud*

Having this blog has been such a positive exercise for me. It has encouraged me to see the good in so many situations, to value the things I have, to document the important and mundane moments of my life and it has also given me a constant, when other areas of life have been rocky. Naturally I haven't always shared those scary or sad phases of life on here, but over the space of 4 years, nobodies life is perfect. Safe to say though, I'm a happy little clam. 

What I have enjoyed most about working on this blog is the community that has grown around it. I know I harp on about it just about every time I can but really, it means a lot to me. It means that people are engaged in positive thinking, it means that friendships are made, it means that people are being helped (I see a lot of help between you in the comments and support is often offered to people with queries or concerns) and it means, rather selfishly I suppose, that I never ever feel alone.

Last year on my third blog birthday I said this - 

"So, like last year, Happy Birthday little blog. What a journey we've been on! First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year a ...... . Who knows where we'll go next? I hope you will come with me." 

I think this year the celebration is going to be FRIENDS. This year through blogging and vlogging (the two go very much hand in hand for me), I have made so many new friends and had so many exciting adventures with them. I could go on and on but I think that might be for another post. If you follow Sprinkle of Glitter avidly you'll know who they are. 

As is tradition now -

So, like last year, Happy Birthday little blog. What a journey we've been on! First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year friends, fifth year a ....... What do you think will come next?

I'm so looking forward to the next 12 months and am excited to see what they will bring us. As always, I'll keep you updated every step of the way. What do you think will be the 5th thing??

I'm off to celebrate now! See you on Monday!!

Toodlepip!

xx

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PS- 4 years down the line and blogger still decides not to centralise type sometimes. YAY technology. 

The Ted Baker Dress

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Every once in a while, you find something special. An article of clothing so magnificent that you can't bare to put it in your wardrobe and so lovely that every time you walk by you cant help but trace your fingers over the fabric.

Last month whilst we were shopping in Liverpool, Zoe and I spotted the new Ted Baker line and almost physically swooned.

Rather insanely, Zoe bought me one of the (crazy expensive!) dresses as my early birthday present. She is far, far too good. It was a little snug when I tried it on so it's a huge motivation to loose half a stone so I can look b-e-a-utiful in it. I think if I'd have bought it myself I wouldn't have felt so obliged but since someone else spent their pennies on me, it's a lot easier to choose soup over pizza! 

My aim is to wear this dress for our meet-up at PlayList Live in Florida, which is about 2 weeks away, so hopefully I will have a successful OOTD for you by then. 

Until then, I hope you enjoyed the sneak peaks. If you are tempted by this dress (and who wouldn't be?), mine was bought from John Lewis but weirdly, they don't seem to have it on their site. You can however buy it HERE, directly from Ted Baker. The sunglasses seemed to fit well with the 50's style dress and were bought from River Island a little while a go.

What do you think? The most amazing thing you've ever seen? Thought so ;)

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Toodlepip!

xx

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