How to throw the perfect Christmas party

December is here! Christmas is rapidly approaching and the countdown is in full swing.

It is time to start planning in indulging in some winter warming treats.

The aroma of Oranges, wine and peppermint candy canes make the festive holidays that even more exciting!

Family and friends are a momentous part of  the Christmas period, when everyone comes together, we wish to celebrate that by throwing parties and eating an abundance of appetising food.

Here is our  quintessential guide to throwing the perfect Christmas party -

Plan ahead - How many guests will be at your table? Once you have received RSVP's back you should have a clear idea of how much food you may need to buy.

Pick a range of food to suit all tastes, sweet and also savouries. While some may have a sweet tooth others may not be so keen to bite into gingerbread men or chocolate fondue! we recommend the gourmet cheese gift set for those savoury lovers! sure to tantalize the tastebuds.

 While cooking, make sure you have at least enough time in advance. This will cut out some of the stress and avoid any last minute errors.

Alcohol - 'tis the season to be jolly!  Whether it's party punch or champagne for your guests, find the perfect holder to store your drinks in, we recommend the copper punch bowl and/ or the copper champagne bucket for a touch of class!

When thinking of décor, set the table in a way that expresses your own unique style. Pick a statement centrepiece for the table, whether that be pinecones, crackers or something more quirky like our copper stag head available from the Flutterbyes shop, as long as you tailor your own style to your desired theme.

Music - Christmas is not Christmas without the Christmas crooners...so get a fabulously festive playlist going!

Games and entertainment - Whether you want to go old school and have a game of charades or even take to karaoke ..have some fun entertainment that all your guests will be sure to enjoy.

We hope these steps will give you a guide on how to host your own Christmas party!

Christina, Flutterbyes Team 2015 

Bringing Shabby Chic Homewares into the Winter Months.

As the Autumn and Winter months draw in so does the transition from light summery interiors to warm, cosy and festive touches..

With Flutterbyes extensive range of elegant and beautiful homewares paired with the celebrations of the holidays we bring the shabby chic style into the colder months with ease. Here is a handpicked gift guide of our luxury interior products :

A gift guide of our Top 10 picks!

1.

Bring a touch of high end glamour into any living space with the copper 5 arm candle holder.. a statement piece that is sure to impress guests at the dinner table.

2.

Beautify your bedside table with this seriously stunning mirror butterfly clock... or even pair with our matching mirror frame to co-ordinate the running theme.

3.

When you've had a long day at work, unwind with a hot chocolate with the double cup drinking gift set.

4.

No shabby chic home is complete without a vintage plaque on the wall, whether its against a Kath Kidston print, a rustic wall or a neutral backdrop, we choose this beautiful dream plaque as our go-to for wall decoration.

5.

Celebrate in style with the copper champagne bucket, it's classy and adds a touch of decorum perfect for the party season.

6.

warm textures and textiles are always a winner in the colder seasons. The I love my cat cushion is cute, quirky and purrrfect for the feline lover!

7.

Treat the lady (or yourself!) in your life to this diamante charm trinket box, a timeless piece for all those treasures.

8.

Bring the aroma of Christmas into your home with the Cinnamon spice diffuser.

9.

Keep fond memories in this fabulously floral photo album, features a beautiful vintage image and ethereal flower girl design.

10.

Keep the cold out with this endearing  fabric moose door stop.. it will certainly add a festive feel.

By 'New Flutterbyes Online Team Member'

Christina xx

Flutterbyes.co.uk

Flutterbyes at Christmas - This is Where the Magic Begins

On the 10th October 2015, our Flutterbyes elves gathered their magical tools and transformed Upper Thames Walk in Bluewater Shopping Centre into Flutterbyes at Christmas.

Baubles of glass, wood and metal hung from glorious trees - some white, some gold, some green. Festive Santa & Snowmen figures dressed in fantastic outfits lined the room and seemed to greet you with their smiles upon entry. Twinkling lights shone brightly from miniature moving Christmas scenes with tiny people skating on ice and snow.

Arctic white reindeer with silver antlers, penguins and baby birds posed elegantly amongst angels and snow covered trees.

Bold & fabulous signs with quirky sayings including 'Santa stops here for wine tasting' were stacked next to traditional advent trains for Christmas treats.

I say all this to say, Flutterbyes at Christmas is a 'must visit' place and it will only be around for the festive season


People travelled far and wide to see what Flutterbyes had inside. 
A lovely lady told us she decided to visit Bluewater after 10 years because Flutterbyes at Christmas was opening!

We've had visitors from around the globe visit our Award Winning Christmas shop and are very happy to share the magic of Flutterbyes at Christmas with the thousands of people who walk through our doors every day.

For those who can't make a trip to see the store everyone is talking about, Flutterbyes can deliver Christmas to your door. From Shabby Chic Gifts to Plaques with Sayings, you will find a gift for her, a gift for him and a gift for your pet on Fluttebyes.co.uk.

Be sure to visit us soon!

Kind regards

Flutterbyes 'Inspired' Team x

Flutterbyes.co.uk

Intu Lakeside Wedding Weekend

Hi Flutterbyes Fans!

It's 'Wedding Fair' weekend at intu Lakeside this Saturday & Sunday (3rd & 4th October) and Flutterbyes are involved.

To celebrate intu Lakeside's Wedding Fair Weekend, we are giving customers 10% off wedding items online when they purchase in store.

Our friendly Flutterbyes ladies will be able to help you find the perfect wedding gift so do not hesitate to ask their advice.

We have romantic gifts for the happy couple from photo frames that simply say 'I Love You', to unique home accessories like our Love Clock and lots more

Looking for items for a Christmas wedding?

The recent Flutterbyes customer trend has been items for a Christmas wedding.

Flutterbyes fans will already know about our magical Lakeside showroom transformation.
The store is full of glitz & glass from the ceiling to the floor. Silver resin reindeer standing gracefully at knee height while glass angels hang from the lush green Christmas trees.

So if you are visiting Lakeside this weekend, pop in and say 'hi' on your way from Starbucks. It will be definitely worth the trip!

See you soon Flutterbyes Fans

The Flutterbyes Team
xx

Thousands Voted - Flutterbyes Wins Award

Thousands voted...

Flutterbyes are very proud and honoured to have received a Retailer Award this September, voted for by customers of intu Lakeside Shopping Centre.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Jack Tweed at the prestigious Orsett Hall in Ockendon.

The attending guests and nominees included the biggest brand names in retail, including newcomers Hamley's and Kurt Geiger.

Flutterbyes Lakeside was nominated for "Shop I Can't Live Without" and placed 3rd out of all the Lakeside stores.

We caught up with Lakeside's Flutterbyes Store Manager Angie to find out her reaction to winning the award :

I was so proud of our Lakeside boutique when I heard our name being called at the Retailer Awards for the "Shop I Can't Live Without" category. It is such a big achievement for a small boutique to be placed in this category and I would like to thank everyone who voted for us and a huge congratulations to the whole Flutterbyes team for making this possible! Angie <3

You can visit Flutterbyes Lakeside Mon-Sun to check out why customers 'Can't live without' this beautiful boutique. Click HERE for details 

Terms & Conditions : "Flutterbyes at Christmas" Golden Ticket

"Flutterbyes At Christmas" Golden Ticket - Terms & Conditions

Golden Tickets will be distributed to the first fifty individuals to enter the 'Flutterbyes at Christmas' Pop Up store on Saturday 10th October 2015, located in Bluewater Shopping Centre - Upper Thames Walk (Next to Boots).  

A Golden Ticket received at the "Flutterbyes at Christmas" store in Bluewater on the Saturday 10th October 2015, enables the receiver to gain 20% off their "Flutterbyes at Christmas" bill.

This discount can only be used on one occasion and only applies on Saturday 10th October 2015 at the "Flutterbyes At Christmas" Store.

Golden Tickets can only be distributed by Flutterbyes LTD representatives.

Golden tickets cannot be exchanged or used at any other Flutterbyes branch or Online Shop.

Flutterbyes LTD reserves the right to refuse a Golden Ticket should the ticket be previously used or is counterfeit.

Queries regarding the aforementioned should be directed to : Online@flutterbyes.co.uk re: Golden Ticket T's & C's

Sincerely

The Flutterbyes Team

Short T's & C's 

• This ticket entitles you to 20% off of your shopping at the launch 
• This ticket will be taken from you at the till so grab all of what takes your fancy while you’re at our event to take advantage – the discount is only redeemable once per ticket!

• Tickets are valid only on the 10th October 2015 and time of event and can not be used online.

• All items purchased at the Flutterbyes at Christmas Launch with discount will be non-returnable.

Gift Ideas from our Flutterbyes Expert!

Gifts... well thoughtful gifts can be tricky because sometimes you just run out of ideas.

As Flutterbyes is very well known for amazing gifts, we asked Flutterbyes expert Charmain to share her advice

Here's what she said:

I always get asked for gift ideas when I am in store. It’s one of my favourite parts of my job; Ask any of my friends & family... gifts are my thing! It’s one of the reasons we started Flutterbyes!  

I spend hours thinking of unusual gift ideas that are unique to the recipient and I love sourcing unusual items that cannot be found in mainstream shops.
It’s never about the price tag when I choose a gift…  

You never need to spend a fortune to give someone the perfect gift. It just needs thoughtfulness and an understanding of what the gift means to the person giving it and the person receiving it. The perfect gift should always evoke a memory when it’s looked at or used.

          Men & gifts 

We get more and more men shopping with us now which is great, as when we opened our first store they would have to be dragged in by their wives/girlfriends. But as time has gone by, they know that Flutterbyes is their partner’s favourite boutique and are told "just get me anything from Flutterbyes”. 

Our lovely sales team are always happy to help choose the perfect gift for a loved one, and we have had many satisfied customers over the years. 

We once had a young man come in asking for help to find his girlfriend an unusual gift for her 21st birthday. I suggested a 6 drawer wooden cabinet which had a heart design cut into each drawer and in each little drawer we chose a small gift, a sentiment heart inscribed with a love quote in one, a bracelet in another, chocolates in the next and so on and so forth. We gift wrapped it for him and off he went happy. Several days later he returned with a box of chocolates to say thank you, his girlfriend cried when she received her gift as she couldn’t believe the thoughtfulness of it.

We have recreated that gift idea for wedding gifts, Christenings etc, and it always has the desired effect. What can be better than a gift within a gift!

We often help out with wedding prop ideas and we always stock romantic plaques & signs which look great placed around the wedding room, "And they lived happily ever after" wooden sign is a favourite. It looks fab on the top table or placed on the cake table.

Our pet range has become very popular and I am always on the lookout for unusual products that will make perfect prezzies for pet lovers,  I work closely with our designers to create products that I know our customers will love, after all my dogs are also my family so I know how much our pets mean to us.

For more gifts, check out Flutterbyes.co.uk and remember Christmas is just around the corner! Flutterbyes will have lots of hand-picked & gorgeous gifts picked by our experts for your loved ones; all with that affordable price tag!

Kat's Top Picks From Flutterbyes (July 2015)

"You know it's good if she has it..."

We asked Flutterbyes team member Kat to tell us her top three favourite Flutterbyes purchases of July and here's what she said :  


Kat's Top 3 Flutterbyes Favourites (July 2015)

Working for Flutterbyes definitely has it's perks - being surrounded by beautiful products that can turn any house into a home and being able to see them as soon as they arrive in store! 

As many of our beloved customers say to me "You must literally spend your wages in here as soon as you get them!". All I can say is, they are not far off with that comment! 

I am a sucker for anything vintage, whether it be quirky, inspirational or just too cute to pass up.
I am currently in the midst of 're-accessoring' my bedroom with more vintage based accessories, while trying to stick to my colour scheme of pink and cream! 
We have just had some brand new goodies come in and I have snapped up a few for myself!  So when I was asked to write about what I've had in my Flutterbyes bag, I was more than happy to oblige! 

1.  Wooden Three Heart Glass T-Light Holder (£9.99)

As soon as this beautiful product hit our stores, I fell in love with it straight away. But I had a different vision for how to use this, and it wasn't for candles! I have a penchant for make-up, and I have alot of it! I was looking for a unique way to store my make up brushes, lipliners and eyeliners and well, let's just say I found it! It fitted in perfectly in my room and has kept one part of my make up collection in check! However, I have indeed tried it with t-lights and it really is a lovely & different way of displaying them. I can imagine this in the middle of a mantlepiece with or without t-lights in! Definitely a must have for anyone obsessed with candles/t-lights! This product has been very popular for birthday gifts, with some customers even buying this as a wedding present.    

   2.   "It's better to be late than to arrive ugly." Plaque (£6.99)

I had to buy this the moment I saw it - the perfect excuse to be late! The amount of times i've been late to events (not work obviously, I'm good like that!) because i've been obsessing over my make up or i've had to re do something - well now i've got a sign to back me up! And where better to put it?! Above my make-up area obviously! It's a glorious pink with white writing, which was a sign I was meant to have it! Always nice to inject a bit of humour into things. This plaque has already been a hit with our customers and I always have a giggle with those who pick it up! 

  3.  "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little bit extra" Plaque (£14.99)

This amazing sign is one of three in the speech bubble range that landed this weekend. I am very fond of quotes, and i'm even fonder when they are displayed in such a cute and quirky manner! I spent a bit of time deliberating over which one to buy, but this quote won me over. However, come payday i'll buy the other one I wanted too. I have more than enough wall space! This sign actually goes so well on my wall even with the extra orange and blue colours, and it's a lovely reminder for me to give that little bit extra in everything that I do everyday! 

Those were my top 3 Flutterbyes favourites for July - all of the above products are new and available in store and online now! I am off to buy some wall hooks to get my brand new signs up! And always remember to live, laugh and most importantly, love! 

Kat xxx

Interior Design Tips From Flutterbyes Experts

Living Room interior designed
by Flutterbyes design expert Charmain

With many of you asking for "Living room design ideas" & "Home Decor Ideas", we thought our Flutterbyes experts were the best people to ask.

Earlier this week we caught up with our expert in Home Design & Accessories Charmain to get her essential tips for creating the best look for your home.

Charmain said:

Don't feel the need to run with what's in fashion here and now. Always choose a theme that you like and best describes your personality. Remember you have to live with your choices  so they have to be colours you love.   

I often design a whole room around one key piece that I have fallen in love with. It could be the colour or the design of one particular item. I then build a theme around that. 

Mood boards are a really good idea, as you can try lots of different colours, textures styles etc before you actually go out and purchase, it can save pounds on un-liked items.

Accessories for me really make a room, you can inject your personality into any room and really make it unique with the correct "nick-nacks". 

 Always display cushions in odd numbers, its creates a more stylish look. 

As I am a mum first and a business woman second, I treasure (as all parents do) family photographs, so I proudly show off my favourite images. They look fab displayed on a reclaimed cabinet. I mix up the styles of photo frames to create depth and interest. It's my focal point, and my guests always head to that part of the room first.

We hope this post is helpful in your search for beautiful homes and you can also check out Flutterbyes.co.uk for home accessories (Photo Frames, Cushions etc) mentioned above.

Have you got a question on "Home Interior Ideas"...?

Send your questions to online@flutterbyes.co.uk & we will update our blog with answers from our experts

Thank you 

Flutterbyes xx

Flutterbyes.co.uk

Wedding Day Sentiments

After that perfect wedding gift that will be cherished forever? Something stylish, something romantic, something unique? Here are Flutterbyes favourite wedding items of 2015... Whether it's yourself getting married and you are after a top table display piece, a gift for your gorgeous bridesmaids... Maybe you are a photographer and looking for romantic props to make that day extra special... Or if you are simply looking for a gift for both the bride and groom on the best day of their lives then you are in the right place at Flutterbyes...<3

 

Happily Ever After 4x6 Frame - £12.95

 

Happily Ever After Plaque - £15

Happily Ever After Heart Plaque - £15 

Wooden photo boxes - a fantastic way of displaying all those photos from the special day - £14.99

Diamante Embellished Horseshoe - £12

 Diamante Embellished Mr & Mrs Horseshoe - £12

 The perfect token gift for your gorgeous bridesmaids - £9.95 each gift boxed

 Mr & Mrs Collage Multi Frame £16.99

Bride & Groom Champagne Flute Set - £12.99

Mother's Day March 15th

Who would have thought its march already? Mother day is just around the corner (15/3/15) and we have loads of beautiful gifts and keepsakes available to buy at Flutterbyes that we know your mum will cherish eternally.

We have recently had new handmade items delivered in stores and online with lots of Mother's Day quotes including sentiment pillows, heart decorations and compact mirrors (these have all been made locally in the UK and they are beautiful!) as well as our every day MUM plaques and other popular gifts.

If you are looking for a gift that can be used and displayed all year around we have gorgeous photo frames ideal for giving with a photograph of you and mum inside - as well as a bundle of family and home related gifts that we are sure will be loved the whole year through.

We also sell wrapping paper and greeting cards for mum which are the perfect accompaniment to any gift you buy from Flutterbyes.

Please note the last day for delivery online in time for Mother's Day is Wednesday the 11th!

Love, Flutterbyes x

Flutterbyes Boutique Furniture & More

Good hello Flutterbyes friends, it's been a while since we were able to sit down and write to you as we have had so much going on since the new year has begun!

Since our 2015 has started, our stock directors have been out & about sourcing fantastic new products to bring to each of our stores and online, we have had beautiful collections of furniture brought in to store, and we are all preparing ourselves for the rush of Mother's Day & the Spring season. If you haven't already popped in to our Lakeside store over the past week, we really do recommend a shopping trip as we have made a few changes in store to make Flutterbyes more boutique, and our visual merchandisers have been working hard creating excellent displays with our brand new vintage style furniture.

Below are some snapshots from our Lakeside boutique...

All of our furniture collections are limited availability (we only have a couple of each piece) which makes these very unique - because of this we do recommend coming in to store often to view if you are interested & we will be more than happy to explain to you with further details and answers to any of your questions about our products.

In addition to furniture, we are now also stocking the start of a Spring collection which includes a cute selection of little and large gnomes, vases, faux flower plants, box crate display planters, as well as quirky clocks, doorknobs and more!

Do pop in to have a look - we can't wait to see you :)

Love, Flutterbyes. x

Facebook | Website

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We are currently holding a giveaway over on our Facebook page this month - at the end of February 2015 we will be announcing one lucky winner to win a selection of Flutterbyes goodies - all you have to do to be in with a chance to win is be a liker of our page, give us a share and shout about us to all of your friends and family. (And to let you know, the more likes we have on our page, the more prizes will be added to the giveaway!) Good luck everyone x