Boomtown Fancy Dress 2014

Next week sees the gates of Boomtown Fair open. What can only be described as one of the most colourful, immersive, exciting and fantastical festivals on the UK summer calendar!

Carnival Masks - Flingers

Each year, Boomtown starts a new chapter in its fictional history. The festival is made up of eight different city districts, each with its own identity, musical style and fancy dress code. Last year saw the mayoral elections from across the various city districts, resulting in Barrio Loco being made the Mayor of Boomtown.

Consequently, 2014 sees Boomtown transform into a wonder celebration of Latin American culture and colour as it celebrates Barrio Loco's winning district.

If you are heading to the wonderful world of Boomtown Fair next week, you had better stock up on some colourful latino inspired costumes and fancy dress accessories to get you in the spirit. At Flingers we have some awesome carnival inspired masks which will be sure to add a little carnival spirit to any outfit or fancy dress you plan on wearing.

Or if you are a big supporter of Barrio Loco and imagine you will be spending a lot of time in his Mexican and Latino inspired city district, then check out our range of fiesta inspired fancy dress to get into character.

Barrie Loco - Boomtown Fair - Mexican Fiesta Fancy Dress

However, if Downtown Boomtown is more your kind of thing, don’t miss out on the Pimps and Bling fancy dress theme. Head to Downtown if you want to dance the night away and keep on going until the sun comes up. Just remember your Inflatable Ghetto Blaster and some seriously slick Pimping costumes.

Downtown - Boomtown Fair - Pimps, Pimpettes and Bling

If you are looking for a more chilled out vibe and getting busy with some creative activities during your time at Boomtown Fair, maybe Whistlers Green if the place for you. Here, fancy dress codes include Hippies, Flower Power, Silliness and Folk. So get inspired by our 1960s offerings and spread the peace and love vibes.

Whistlers Green - Boomtown Fair - Hippies, Flower Power and Peace and Love

All this and much much more is now available online at Flingers. You’ll be sure to find fancy dress to suit whatever city district you prefer. Stock up on your Boomtown fancy dress now with UK delivery from just £1.40.

Are you heading to Boomtown next week?

Summer Time Cocktails

With the UK set to simmer under the sunshine for this weekend, we’re getting thirsty for some tasty cocktails to help keep us cool.

A summer time classic has to be Sangria! Bring a little bit of the Algarve into your back garden this weekend by mixing up the super simple cocktail below. But if zesty sangria isn’t your drink of choice, then the Strawberry Daiquiri recipe below might be just the sweet treat you’ll be craving this weekend? Or for a really refreshing drink, don’t forget the ever popular Mojito!

Sangria

Ingredients ·     3 parts red wine ·     1 part orange juice ·     2 parts lemonade ·     ice ·     fresh mint ·     sliced fruit such as oranges and lemons

Preparation method 1.   Mix all the ingredients together in a large jug and add more red wine, orange juice or lemonade according to taste and desired strength. 2.   Pour into glasses, garnish with mint sprigs and fruit.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Ingredients ·    4 fresh strawberries, plus ½ strawberry to garnish ·    2 tsp white sugar ·    35ml/1½fl oz white rum ·    1 tbsp strawberry liqueur ·    25ml/1fl oz lime juice

Preparation method 1.     Place the strawberries, sugar, rum, strawberry liqueur and lime juice into the base of a cocktail shaker and mash (muddle) with the end of a clean rolling pin. 2.     Place the lid onto the cocktail shaker and shake well. 3.     Strain the mixture into a Martini glass and garnish with half a strawberry.

Mojito

Ingredients ·     1½ limes, cut into wedges ·     20 fresh mint leaves ·     2½ tsp granulated sugar ·     handful ice ·     65ml/2½fl oz white rum ·     splash soda water, to taste ·     fresh mint sprig, to garnish

Preparation method 1.     Place the limes, mint and sugar into a sturdy highball glass and 'muddle' or mash with the end of a clean rolling pin, to bruise the mint and release the lime juice. 2.     Add the ice and pour over the rum.                 3.     Add soda water to taste and stir well.              4.  Garnish with a mint sprig and serve.

To maximise your opportunity to relax in the sunshine with a cocktail or two, why not make up a big batch at once! Pick up some colourful punch bowls or cocktail jugs to mix up your cocktails in, add some ice to keep cool and enjoy your cocktails all evening long. 

This is especially useful if you plan on inviting around a few friends to make the most of the glorious weather, prehaps getting a BBQ on the go? If so, stock up on our range of BBQ tableware, paper plates and cups - disposable paper plates mean no washing up!! And don’t forget to check out our Summer Vegetable Kebab Recipe for a delicious snack to add to the BBQ.

Will you be trying out any of these recipes this weekend?

Recipes sourced: bbc.co.uk/food/

All Aboard the Good Ship Bestival

Our highlight of the festival season must be Bestival! Each year, Bestival cements its status as the funnest festival around by setting a seriously cool fancy dress theme all festival goes must abide by.

This year it is ‘Desert Island Disco’.

We’re envisioning shipwrecks, pirates, long lost sailors, palm trees, coconut cocktails and the odd disco ball thrown into the mix!

At Flingers, we think we’ve got the shipwreck look down to a tee. Nothing says desert island more than a ragged beard and out of control hair! Get the look with these bushy Pirate Beards!

Black Pirate Beard   |   Grey Bushy Beard   |   Brown Pirate Beard

But don’t stop there. Complete the look with a few key shipwreck fancy dress accessories. Especially if you are looking to get the Pirate vibe in full effect. Not forgetting any shipwrecked folk’s inevitable side-kick, the parrot!

Desert Island Bottle  |   Pirate Coin Bag   |   Desert Island Treasure Map   |   Cutlass   |   Pirate Flag   |   Feathered Parrot

Whilst we cannot guarantee that the Desert Island Treasure Map does lead to treasure. The Pirate Flag could be secured to the top of your tent and used as a point of reference, guiding you back to your tent after a long day dancing away on the Bestival Desert Island Disco.

Are you heading to Bestival this year?

DIY Confetti Party Poppers

We love finding tutorials for fun party decorations or games. The simpler the better!

This delightful tutorial for DIY Confetti Poppers is perfect for adding a little fun and surprise to any party.

All you will need:
Paper Cups
Balloons
Confetti
Sharp Scissors

Confetti Party Popper Tutorial

1. Cut off the bottom of the paper cup.
2. Tie a knot in the end of an uninflated balloon and then trim it in half. 
3. Stretch the bottom half of the balloon over the bottom of the cup, to cover the opening you created.
4. Fill the cup with confetti.
5. Pinch and pull down the balloon knot, release and witness your DIY party popper in action!

We told you it was simple!

A great idea for a kids party and you can even get them to help create these home made party poppers as it is such a simple idea. 

DIY Party Popper Tutorial - estefimachado.com

Co-ordinate the balloon colours, paper cup patterns and confetti shapes to suit the you party. At Flingers we have a huge range of confetti to suit all occasions, including mortarboard confetti for graduations, pirate themed confetti for awesome birthday parties, love hearts for weddings, baby footprint confetti for baby showers and much more. 

In fact, you can get all you need to complete this tutorial at Flingers, including the paper cups and the balloons!

Will you be trying out this DIY confetti popper idea?

Images sourced from: estefimachado.com.br

Con-GRAD-ulations

It’s that time of year. With summer upon us, universities are closing their doors and sending the most recent graduates out into the real world!

A time to congratulate students on their education, achievements and the future. Graduations are wonderful times to celebrate with the family whether you are planning a lavish event or a cosy surprise party at home.

At Flingers, we have just taken stock of some wonderful graduate themed party decorations, tableware, banners and centrepieces to help celebrate. Including some awesome mortarboard shaped confetti. Perfect for popping in graduation card for an extra surprise or scattering over the lucky graduate as they throw their own mortarboard into the air for the traditional (and obligatory) graduation photo.

Or if you are looking for a extra little surprise for the graduate in your family, why not surprise them with a balloon?! We have a huge range in stock in many shapes, sizes and colours. So you’ll be sure to find the perfect one.

A selection of the Graduation themed balloons available at Flingers

Browse the whole range os Graduate balloons available online or pop in store to have it inflated ready to present.

Do you know someone who had just graduated?

DIY Confetti Candle

We stumbled across this awesome tutorial on Unusually Lovely’s blog and thought it was a great way to create a customised candle with an extra bit of sparkle that would be perfect for a housewarming gift!

If you want to recreate your own personalised candle, you’ll be happy to know it is a really simple! It is up to you what coloured confetti you want to use, and depends on how you intend to use your candle. We think these would love beautiful lit up on the tables of a wedding, so gold, silver and ivory confetti would work well. Or if you fancy using these to add a little colour to the garden at night when you sit out and enjoy the warm evenings, then we think confetti with more vibrant colours would be great!

Confetti Votive Candle Holders

For this project you'll need glass votive candle holders, confetti (or glitter!), Mod Podge (PVA can be used instead if you can’t find any Mod Podge), and a paint brush. You'll also need something to lay your confetti out on.

Use a sharp scissors to chop up your confetti into smaller pieces. Spread out your confetti on a flat surface.

Cover about a third of the glass votive with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Start from the bottom of the glass, and work your way up. I wanted a kind-of ombre effect, so I didn't paint all the way up the glass, but you do as you wish. Roll that section in the confetti and lightly press the confetti down with your fingers. Add another layer of Mod Podge and reroll if you want more coverage, or continue on to the next section. Let sit for 15-20 to start the drying process.

 

After a bit of drying, add another coat of Podge over the entire glass, pressing down the confetti with your brush. This is also a good time to move any loose pieces around. Let dry completely.

Order some confetti online at Flingers and you’ll be sure to find the perfect kind to make this personalised candle holders! Delivery starts from just £1.40.

Will you be trying this DIY candle yourselves?

One-Wonderful Birthday

Are you planning a One-derful birthday party?

A first birthday party can be a wonderfully special event for the whole family. A definite cause for celebration and fun. And of course, the best way to add a little fun to the party is with lots and lots of colourful decorations!

At Flingers we have a huge selection of age specific birthday decorations, ranging from 1 to 100! Within that we have a vast range of decorations perfect for a first birthday party.

A selection of 1st birthday party decorations available at Flingers

From banners, bunting and garlands, to cone hats, crepe paper streamers and badges. Decorations for every aspect of you party! Including all the tableware, paper plates, table covers, cake stands and paper cups you could possibly need to keep all your hungry guests satisfied through the day.

Of course, no birthday party is complete with balloons, not least a first birthday party! We have them in every size, shape and colour. 

Browse our extensive range of balloons and first birthday decorations online now. With delivery starting from £1.40! Or pop in store at 73-75 Gloucester Road to pick up your party essentials.

Are you planning a 1st birthday soon?

Football World Cup Cookies

How awesome are these football inspired cookies?!

Football Cookies - Paisley Petal Events

We think they are a great idea for any of you out there who are planning to watch the last (and most important) games of the World Cup over the next few days. A cute little snack to share with the whole family, or even a tasty treat to slip into the kid’s lunch boxes! 

We have thrown together a little tutorial and recipe for recreating these Football Cookies:

RECIPE

 

INGREDIENTS

• 110 g butter, at room temperature
• 55 g caster sugar
• 140 g plain flour
• ground spices, or finely grated zest (optional)
• Ready to roll sugar paste icing
• Black food colouring
• Icing sugar

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. 
2. Cream the butter in a large bowl or in a food mixer until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy. 
3. Sift in the flour and spices or grated zest (if using) and bring the mixture together to form a firm dough. 
4. Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them slightly apart on a baking tray (no need to grease or line). This recipe should make between 12-15 cookies. Flatten them slightly with the back of a damp fork and bake in the oven for 13-15 minutes, or until they are light golden brown and slightly firm on top. 

5. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. 

6. Separate a small section of sugar past icing and using a few drops of black food colouring to create black spots of the football. Then roll out the two sections so they are nice and flat. 

7. Cut the white icing into circles, the same size as your cookies. Then using a sharp tool, carefully cut black pentagon shapes from the black icing. 

8. Mix up a small amount of icing sugar with water and black food colouring. This will be used at the glue as well us being piped onto the surface to add detail.

9. Once the cookies are cool, use the wet icing to secure a white circle to the top. Then begin to arrange your black pentagons on top to replicate the pattern of a football. Again, use the wet black icing to stick these in place and using a piping bag, draw lines to connect the patterns and complete the football design.

10. Leave to set and then serve up!

Will you be trying these Football Cookies?

A Brazilian Party - The Food

We know that England are out of the tournament, but with the FIFA World Cup coming into its closing and most exciting stages, we’re still hooked!

Whether you are interested in the football world cup or not, we think Brazil is a brilliant resource for party inspiration. And there is no better time than now to throw a Brazilian themed party. 

Over the past few weeks we have shared some of out top party tips for throwing a Brazilian inspired bash. Firstly, decorations are key! This is the easiest way to convey the party theme to your guests as well as adding some carnival spirit to the venue. Then, we shared a recipe to create the finest Caipirnha cocktails. As the national drink of the host nation, no Brazil party would be complete with out a few of these. So get your limes ready to muddle and become a Caipirnha master!

Lastly, you will need lots of food to add to the party spirit and of course it must be Brazil influenced! Heat up your deep fat fryers because we’re going to suggest some of the top party snacks you will need for your party:

Pastel - A popular snack enjoyed across Brazil. Pastry wraps traditionally filled with cheese, seasoned shredded chicken or ground beef, or whatever filling you fancy.
Coxinha - Pear shaped little chicken snacks are a delicious treat but take a little more preparation time.
Bolinhos de Bacalhau - Appetisers are a big in Brazil and these deep fried balls of cod are a popular choice! 
Podrão - A treat from Rio De Janeiro. Consists of a hot dog simmered in a tomato sauce with onions and peppers and then piled high with every imagainable topping including quail egg, potato, corn, cheese and more!

Click on the links to see the recipes and get cooking!

Or for a healthier option, remember to serve lots of juicy fresh fruit. Sprinkle powdered sugar on some chunky pieces of mango and papaya for a refreshing Brazilian snack.

So with the decorations in place, your Caipirnha ready and the food on the table, all you need is your closest friends and family around to enjoy the party!

What tasty Brazilian snacks to do you fancy trying?