Announce the arrival of your baby in style!

I wanted to let you know about the huge new range of birth announcement cards that I've just added to the site. They are all my own designs, and are available in both classic or contemporary styles, and photo or non-photo designs.

The cards are a lovely generous A5 size and are professionally printed on quality card. They are available in three different finishes: as a folded greeting card or flat card style (both with envelopes), or as a flat postcard style. They are totally personalised and individually created just for you - so much nicer than the mass produced paper style invitations you buy in the shops - and no need to sit and write the details on each one either (who has time to do that when there is a new born baby in the house?!). The designs are so lovely you could also keep a spare copy and frame it for the baby's nursery.

All the designs would work beautifully as personalised christening invitations or 1st birthday invitations too. They can easily be adapted to your own specifications - so if you're looking for something tricky like a birth announcement for twins or triplets, for example, these are ideal.

The cards are available in packs of 25 or 50 and prices start from as low as 84p per card, including FREE UK delivery (overseas orders are very welcome too).

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: To celebrate the launch of the new range I'd love to offer you a 15% discount on announcement orders until the end of August 2010. Simply quote order code: BL1508. (Sorry, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.) To view the designs and for further details just click here: PhotoFairytales Personalised Birth Announcements

I do hope you like them - let me know what you think!

Best wishes, Sarah x

RIGHT! I've got something to say about this Blog!

Dear Reader

Well, I think it's about time a little sense was shown on this so-called "blog" - there's been far too much about dogs and hair, and I'm here to stand up for all the cats in the world to say: "We need more cats on the internet!".

Honestly, you'd think a dog had never had a hair cut before - on and on he goes, "have you noticed my hair?", "does my hair look nice?", "do you think I still look like me?", blah blah blah. Well, I've had it up to here (pointing to collar) - so you've had your hair cut, now get over it!!

Everyone's out to get us cats - even the fish. So you think harping on about dogs is interesting. Well it's not - now, I've made my point, time for a little lay down.... enjoy the video (I didn't).

Love Bella Cat ....zzzzzzz

PS: Yes I am sticking out my tongue, yes it is rude, and no I'm not sorry so there

In which Freddy has a close shave...

Have you ever had a bad hair day? A truly, truly bad hair day? I guess you probably have at some point or another, so to make you feel a little better I thought I'd share the adventure Freddy had this weekend...

He has just celebrated his 1st birthday, and frankly, things had got a bit out of hand in the hair department. If Mr Dyson had invented a hoover with hands, my hoover would have been gripping the doorframe of the cupboard everytime I tried to drag it out and vacuum the carpet - screaming, "Please! No more fur! I just can't take it. It's the fifth time today!!!"

In the first year of his life Freddy has got through 4 brushes, a de-tangling comb, and a de-matting brush for "excessively hairy dogs" (oh, and he's on his fourth lead, but that's got nothing to do with hair - that's all teeth!). So, this Saturday it was decided that the time had come - poodle parlour here we come....

Now Freddy is a cross between a cumberland spaniel and a standard poodle, so we had no idea really how he should be clipped - poodle pompoms or spaniel short back & sides..? To be honest, the tangles were the decisive factor and so the look this season for summer 2010's fashionable pooches is known as "The Squaddie" (with slight mullet overtones if you have the ears to carry it off).

He is now starting to loose his slightly reproachful stare, but he is wondering why the children at the school gate every day keep asking who he is: "I'm Freddy - style icon and lead chewer. Stroke my tummy and I'll tell you the tale of the time I took a trip to the hairdresser. Trust me kids, it will make your hair stand on end..."

Sarah x

An important message for all mums...

This is for all mums: mums-to-be, new mums, experienced mums, old mums, working mums, stay-at-home mums, yummy mums and stressed mums...

• For always being the one who eats the broken biscuits at the bottom of the tin that nobody else will touch;


• For being able to wake up from a deep sleep in the middle of the night to attend to nappies/wet beds/trips to the loo/nightmares/projectile vomiting when everyone else seems unable to;


• For always having food in the cupboard, loo roll in the bathroom, and the knowledge to cook a dinner out of nothing;


• For carrying on when you sometimes REALLY don't want to;


• For teaching your child how to walk, talk, use the potty/toilet, eat with a knife and fork, hold a pen and write, count, learn colours and a million other things;


• For sorting out the bills (because you probably do, don't you?);


• For remembering X's birthday/anniversary, etc and sending a card - on time;


• For feeding the pets every day - and changing their water too;


• For doing the school run every day, rain or shine;


• For having that magic touch that rubs away pain and kisses tears dry;


• For not being too shy to sing and dance in public when it means you can avoid tantrums;


• For putting on all the voices when you read the bedtime story;


• For checking for nits (and dealing with them if you find them);


• For sitting in the park when you really want to be sitting by a pool with a glass of wine;


• For being the secret Sock Fairy who can wash, match and put away endless not-quite-identical black or white socks without breaking down;


• For making sure the family get their 5 portions a day;


• For having an answer at the ready when you are asked where babies come from;


• For being the only one who cleans the bathroom properly and knows where dirty washing belongs;


• For saying "no" to those high heeled shoes/freakishly expensive trainers even if "all their friends have them";


• For having the best cuddles, end of story;

I just want to say "thank you" - because I don't think mums are thanked anywhere near enough. What we do may not necessarily have a £60k salary or a swanky office, but we do an amazing job shaping and nurturing these human beings under our care (even before they are born). It may seem like a grind (and worse some days), but all those big and little things we all do every day keep the world turning and life flowing. Without mums in the world it would be a grim place (not to mention an untidy one with everyone wearing odd socks and never getting anywhere on time!).

I salute you/me!
Sarah x

PS: and if I've missed anything off, please feel free to add it below!

Sneaky Peek at some great Discounts!

Recently I came up with an idea to join forces with other online retailers to produce a booklet which featured special offers and discounts to customers.

And here it is! I thought you'd like a sneaky peek!

Basically, PhotoFairytales and eight other independent UK online retailers have come together in one little booklet which will be distributed up and down the country during this spring and summer at various mother and baby events. We are offering money off discount codes to all readers.

Whilst many of the retailers offer superb products for parents with young babies and toddlers, even if this doesn't apply to you take a look anyway - there are some fabulous general gift stores there too!

If you would like to take a look, and see the discount codes for yourself, just visit the Special Offers page on my website for details.

Best wishes,

Sarah