GOOD ON PAPER - Bridal Shower Invitation

bride and prebliss


On the weekend, my sister hosted a bridal shower for her friend, Stacey. I haven't seen any photos yet, so really just as excited as I am sure you will be. Especially, as the theme was Pride and Prejudice - or rather as I reworded Bride and Prebliss. Hopefully, I will get the pics quick quick - but I thought I would share the invitation that we did in the meantime.

GOODIES - From Our Shop

make a magnet


When I was in SA early this month, I was so glad that I was able to get a seat at Debbie from Cook Studio's Christmas Course. This year she did an all White African Themed Christmas and it was spectacular! I seriously recommend you get on her mailing list and sign up to her blog right away for great tips and Christmas Course highlights that I sure she will post about too!


One of the cool ideas that she did for her table was to make her own little magnets featuring pop art pics found on the internet of Mandela. And then decorate vases and place settings with these - cute little favours to take home too! It was such an easy and effective idea to bring across the theme, that I quickly hunted to see if I could find some similar DIY kits - and yeah I did! Wouldn't it be fun to put a photo of each guest in one and use instead of place cards at your next dinner party or escort cards at your wedding?

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
DIY Magnet Kits
R30 for 5

GOOD DAY - Happy Halloween

IN GOOD HANDS

paint it polka


How cute do these little wooden cutlery sets look when decorated with dots or stripes? A great idea from My Little Day, and so easy to do to with our plain cutlery to suit any party colour scheme.

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Wooden Cutlery
R2 per item

GOOD LIFE - Real Weddings

pinwheels


A little letter from a bride:



Hi Julie,

I am not sure if I ever sent you a photo of how we used the pinwheels at my wedding in March? Ages ago, I know but just saw that there is a shop open now in Parkhurst (how exciting and congrats!) and thought I would send through the photos. They were a hit and I still have some of them hanging up in my flat!

A PURCHASE WELL WORTH IT!

Thanks again and good luck with the store!
Tamaryn

UP TO GOOD - Behind the Scenes

more good


I can't believe In Good Company is two years old this month, and a fun and exciting month it has been. I am desperately trying to find my camera cable as there is so much I want to share about what we have been up to this month, but I think I must give up the hunt and just get another one... so soon, soon I promise.


The highlight of this week was our launch of our Christmas Catalogue, so check it out here - and with Christmas just around the corner things are only going to get better! Or as we like to say "more good!" We have so many goodies arriving at the moment that I actually can't even load them onto our website fast enough - plus last night I even added another 50 gorgeous goodies that didn't even make it in time for the catalogue and have arrived even before some of those in the catalogue!


And the really really exciting part is that I had a peek at the Globus Christmas campaign (it is the Harrod's of Switzerland) and spotted very similar themes and goodies that we have in stock! So tonight for my birthday we are going to Luzern for dinner and I am going to pop into Globus and treat myself! I have to get a nutcracker - especially as this is Zara's Birthday Party theme (the perfect choice for our ballet loving girl and her joint party with her "boy" friend from school - as they share the same day a week before Christmas!). Oh happy day!

GOOD LIFE - Halloween Party

last minute


So I have been "thinking" about the Halloween party tomorrow, but haven't actually been doing much... luckily I found two really quick ideas on the Pottery Barn Kids website:
Doughnuts on a string and Cheesy Popcorn
Now I just need to figure out what I am going to wear!

GOOD GUIDE - Our Catalogue

christmas is coming to town...


For those of you who just can't wait to get started on all things merry, here is a peek at our Christmas catalogue. Some of the goodies are already in store, and lots, lots more to arrive in the coming weeks! For quick download visit here.

GOOD LOOKS - Themed Parties

a breathless banquet


This year Halloween is on a Monday night, October 31st but many a scary party is to be held the weekend preceding, and who says you can't invite a few friends over on Monday for some cocktail concoctions and creepy canapes?

Our new collection: A Breathless Banquet just arrived in stock yesterday and it is ideal for a night of doom and gloom. It has everything that you need to have a devilish dinner party:
- Come if you Dare Invitations (pack of 10) R50
- Spooky Bunting (3m) R85

- Cut of table runners (pack of 2) R65 (1.4m x 0.3m)
- Black Card Candelabraes (pack of 2) R65

- White luminaries with punched out crows (pack of 6) R60

- Paper cups (R40 for 12), plates (R50 for 12) and napkins (R50 for 30)

- Enter if you dare door signs (pack of 2) R50

- Scary Photo Booth Props and Masks (pack of 8 masks and 8 props) R85

- Terrifying Table Trivia Box R40 for 60 cards
- And my favourite! Wine Bottle Labels think "poison" (R50 for 8 self adhesive).

GOOD BOOKS - Be In Our Good Books

let's celebrate


Only two days before the book launch of "Let's Celebrate" and I am really thrilled for Debbie and Allison. All of their hard work has paid off to what I must say is one pretty amazing entertaining coffee table book. I got a little sneak peek of the real thing last week but sadly I had to give it back so I will be first in line on wednesday morning to get my stash. So I can read it from cover to cover!


We will be setting up all day tomorrow for the 3 Real Life Party Scenes in the shop and even if you can't make the actual party on Wednesday between 10 and 12 to get your signed copy, we will have the party looks up for the next two weeks, plus lots and lots of books available for sale.

GOOD ADVICE - Did You Know?

colin cowie


One of the world's best party planners, Colin Cowie has just launched his new Wedding Website and it is a wonder! It has great advice for everything from the gown to the guest list to the cake and cocktails. I particularly enjoyed the bit about the "Anatomy of the Ceremony".

p.s. Did you know he is South African?

GOODIES - Our Products

dots are back!


Yeah! Finally not only do we have our favourite polka dot balloons back in stock, but we have 100s and 100s. Isn't this "tween" party pretty with them filling up the party venue!

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Polka Dot Balloons
R5 each

GOODIES - Our Products

boys toys


My little girls have been so excited for weeks, as they are attending our neighbour's party today. The twin boys are turning two and with the lovely weather the Field and Study Center is going to be the perfect spot for a bit of fun and they heard a rumour of a jumping castle! (oh! to be young again).


We had a bit of fun yesterday deciding what to give the duo, here were our top 3 choices - Bailey and Zara went for child's ceramic breakfast sets from Robert Gordon.

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Rice Fabric Horse
Rice Rhino Wall Hanging
Robert Gordon On the Farm Meal Set

SOMETHING GOOD - A Good Idea

DIY glass sweet jars


I am planning my Halloween Party for the end of the month and have been looking for some cute ideas, and the internet has a HUGE choice to look at. But I definitely think this one is worth sharing, especially because the idea can be used for any occasion. Spotted over at The Celebration Shoppe it shows you how you use small glass vases (fish bowl shaped, square etc.) and glue to glass pedestal candlesticks to make little glass "apothecary sans lid" style for your dessert table.

GOOD EVENTS - Our Events

christmas workshop


In Good Company is so thrilled to be presenting a Christmas Workshop with Essentials Magazine. The event will take place on the 21st October at Multiflora. It is a full two hour presentation with tons and tons of inspiration, ideas and more importantly do-able DIYs. Not only is the morning free, but there will be great subscription offers available and goodie bags and gift hampers!


I have been planning the "party planner" for weeks now, and the free party printables just by themselves is totally worth the trip. What's more I am going to pop into Grandiflora this week and get all sorts of décor and flowers etc. to play around with. So why not make a morning of it and get your whole Christmas Party done in a few hours!

click image to make larger

GOOD TIES - 101 Ways with Ribbon

make a ceremony arch

ENJOY EVENT CO

GOOD FUN - Party Games

party games no. 3
simon says


The great thing about this game, is that you don't need any materials and this can be adjsuted to suit any theme: for a pirate party "Captain Calling", for a princess theme "Princess Says" etc.

FAMILY FUN

SIMON SAYS
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Simon says is a children's game for three or more players where one player takes the role of 'Simon' and issues instructions, (usually physical actions such as 'jump in the air' or 'stick out your tongue') to the other players, which should only be followed if prefaced with the phrase 'Simon says', for example 'Simon says jump in the air'. 


Players are eliminated from the game by either following instructions that are not immediately preceded by the trigger phrase or by failing to follow an instruction which does include 'Simon says'. It is the ability to distinguish between valid and invalid commands, rather than physical ability, that usually matters in the game, and in most cases, the action only needs to be attempted, rather than completed accurately.


The object for the player acting as 'Simon' is to get all the other players 'out' as quickly as possible, and the winner of the game is usually the last player who has successfully followed all of the given commands. Occasionally however, two or more of the last players may all be eliminated by following a command without "Simon Says", thus resulting in no winner at all.

GOOD GUIDE - Our Catalogue

sneak peek


I know it is only October, but we have started to get phone calls about when our Christmas goodies are going to be in stock. So as a little update they will be available starting the end of next week, and every week right up until the middle of November we will be adding new goodies all the time. Fa la la la lah la la lah...

GOODIES - Our Products

back in stock!


Yeah! Giant balloons in all colours are back and ready for the party season!

STYLE ME PRETTY

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Giant Balloons
R50 each

GOODIES - Our Products

BIY


Bake it yourself! In an age where we buy everything from hot chickens to frozen yoghurt at the supermarket, it can be refreshing to explore the home baking aisle and go home ready to make your own cookies with this cute cookie stamp and try this recipe.

IN GOOD COMPANY
Cookie Stamp
R100 each


HOME MADE COOKIES

INGREDIENTS
• 250g butter
• 140g caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 300g plain flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 2tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
• 1. Preheat oven to 190ºC.
• 2. Sift together plain flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
• 3. Mix in butter and blend until mixture is crumbly. Stir in egg yolk and vanilla essence. Blend well. Chill dough for one hour for better cookies.
• 4. Regularly sprinkle work surface and stamp with flour.
• 5. Separate dough into golf ball sized chunks.  Slightly flatten the balls and stamp.
• 6. Place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 6 - 8 minutes, or until lightly brown.
• 7. Remove from oven and leave for a couple of minutes to harden, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
• 8. Enjoy your ‘Home made’ cookies.

GOOD LUCK - Enter a Competition

sweets table contest

It all started with the Martha Stewart Weddings Winter Issue of 2004 and Amy Atlas making it into a unique stand alone business a few years later, and now many years later one thing is for sure Sweet Tables/Dessert Buffets/Candy Stations are no longer a party trend. They are deservedly a party staple!

With this in mind, it is only fitting that annually an International Sweets Table Contest  is held – and if the first year’s winner is anything to go by, it is going to be an eye candy fest!

I am thrilled to have been asked to be the South African Judge, and I just can’t wait for you to send through all your submissions as I know that there are so many fabulously talented ladies all around the country, and it would be so awesome if a South African won this year!

All of the details can be found on the Sweets Table Contest website but here are the salient points:

1)   - The competition is open to anyone, provided this is not your profession.

2)   - The competition closes on the 9th December 2011.

3)   - For submissions all you need to do is email ONE high resolution image to contactus@ingoodcompany.co.za and send through the link to where other photos and details can be viewed. If you are not from South Africa, pop over to the Sweets Table Contest’s website to find your judge and their contact details.

Also, be sure to check out the website for some lovely inspiration from past contestants and judges! Are you excited as I am?

p.s. the winner of the South African submissions is going to get quite the BIG fancy prize, so why not participate for the fun of it, and who knows you could win the international competition too!

GOODIES - Our Products

treat boxes


One of our favourite designers is Kate from Sambellina. All of her party products are classics and well suited to just about any theme, and you can see why the Donna Hay General Store chose her product line to form part of their Kids Party Range. We are pleased to also offer her entire range, which now includes this too cute for words treat boxes. I could think of nothing better than to fill these bags with all sorts of sweets and treats. Plus here are some great ideas from Kate on how you can decorate these...

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP

Sambellina Treat Boxes

R120 for 12

GOODIES - Our Products

back in stock!


These Robert Gordon Wrappers are by far our best seller since we opened up shop in Parkhurst, and we are thrilled to say they are back in stock, and a few new colour ways too!

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Robert Gordon Australia
Cupcake Cases
R60 for 50

GOOD FUN - Party Games

musical chairs


On the way home today, my daughter Zara fondly reminded me of this party game favourite. She had played "musical bumps" at school and "won". Musical bumps is pretty much the same as musical chairs, except that you sit on the floor instead of a chair and the last one standing is eliminated. The great thing about this game is all you need are some chairs (and not even that in the case of "bumps") and some music! 

IMAGE

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
Musical chairs is a game played by a group of people (usually children), often in an informal setting purely for entertainment such as a birthday party. The game starts with any number of players and a number of chairs one fewer than the number of players; the chairs are arranged in a circle (or other closed figure if space is constrained; a double line is sometimes used) facing outward, with the people standing in a circle just outside of that. 


A non-playing individual plays recorded music or a musical instrument. While the music is playing, the players in the circle walk in unison around the chairs. When the music player suddenly stops the music, everyone must race to sit down in one of the chairs. The player who is left without a chair is eliminated from the game, and one chair is also removed to ensure that there will always be one fewer chair than there are players. The music resumes and the cycle repeats until there is only one player left in the game, who is the winner.