Loving Local Links

I've only lived in Portishead for 11 years.  I'm not a 'Posset' and I doubt I ever will be.  

However, Portishead is home.  It has beautiful views, friendly people and businesses who are supportive and wish to make links with others.  It feels great to see companies retweet my tweets (@PartyEaseP if you're interested.)

Yesterday I met with Clare from So-Sublime Stationery.  Clare and her sister share a passion for stationery, and I saw the light in Clare's eyes as she described her favourite childhood shop in Park Street, and rolls of stickers where you could pick up just a few for 5 or 10p. It reminded me of a shop where I grew up and how I used to do the same thing.  So Sublime Stationery has grown from that passion into a business where you can buy personalised notebooks for numerous occasions, and accessories to go with them.

I am now delighted to be able to announce that PartyEase Portishead has teamed up with So Sublime to offer beautiful personalised notebooks and bookmarks as an alternative to traditional party bags.  These beautiful A7 sized notebooks will come in a gift bag, with each child's name printed on the front.  The paper is of fantastic quality and the package is a gift that most boys and girls would love. 

Due to the bespoke nature of the product,  (Imagine 30 notebooks, with a different name printed on each one) I have added a new package, called PREMIUM PLUS. This will give you all the joy of a PartyEase Party, but with the added extra of having this fabulous gift, for just £175.  

There are many items for all ages on their website.  Please take a look and keep it local!

On top of this, at the moment, this is an exclusive, as these products are not yet available on the so sublime website.  (I believe they are being added this week...)

I would also like to recommend Heaven Cakes for birthday cakes.

This may be a bit of a personal recommendation.  I have know Sam for years, through our connection running North Weston Brownies, and have heard from the beginning the passion for baking, the finding of suitable premises, the cold mornings selling on Portishead Market, the opening...  Not only do they do the best pancakes with maple syrup ever, but their celebration cakes are fantastic!  I speak from personal experience, as Heaven on the Hill has made cakes for my husband's 40th birthday, a special occaision for my daughter, my dad and my uncle's 80th birthday cake and my parent's golden wedding anniversary cake. When I have made decorated cakes, Sam and Vicky have always been friendly and open with advice to help me achieve what I plan to, and knowing that I can buy decorating supplies from them too has been really convenient. Remember, that if you buy a bespoke cake, you need to pay appropriately for the HOURS that go in to creating it, and make sure you order in plenty of time.

Lastly, for Birthday presents, why not look at Flutterbies?

Hidden just off Portishead High Street, this is a fantastic shop full of quality toys (think Melissa and Doug toys) for all budgets.  My children love the wooden toys, the pick and mix sweets and the pocket money/stocking fillers there.  There is a great selection of books, many available at 2 for £5 - perfect to have in case of emergency...  Lisa who owns the shop is ready with suggestions and advice too.  An added bonus is that as Christmas approaches, you may wish to buy a bigger, more expensive toy for your son/daughter.  You are able to reserve the item and then pay in instalments, making the season easier to budget for.  (It also has the added bonus of being next door to Shanicatti Shakes who serve fantastic ice cream sundaes, milkshakes and smoothies (as well as sandwiches, tea and coffee...)

There are many great places in Portishead which are great for party items and children's gifts.  I haven't even started on the labyrinth which is Morgan and Westley...   I no longer search for items there, I just ask them if they have what I'm looking for, from coloured card to beetle drive cards (don't ask!). So far, I haven't managed to catch them out with anything paper and pen-wise they don't stock.  I'll keep trying... They have everything!!!

I'd love to know what your favourite shops are in Portishead.  Please leave a comment to let me know, and let's keep it local.