Life of Riley

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Dress: Review cotton

Brogues: Wittner patent leather with moulded sole

Bag: Vera May patent leather with silver hardware

Belt: That Shop, Coolangatta elastic with silver clasps

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

Brooches: Zing Pop Culture silver, resin

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So excited to share all the gorgeous photographs from the "rocket & space" themed second birthday party of my cousin's darling youngest son. We celebrated our sweet little Riley with presents to open, games to play, bikes to ride, cuddles to share, space-themed party food (both hot & cold) to fill up on & a bright rocket-shaped birthday cake to blow candles out, make a wish & share among friends... with a couple of cheeky surprises thrown in!

For the occasion, I wore a whimsical navy & red heart-printed cotton fit-to-flare dress from Aussie label Review cinched in at the waist with a retro-style belt from That Shop in Coolangatta, shiny black patent brogues with chunky white "creeper" soles from Wittner (the very definition of stylish yet sturdy & comfortable) & a vibrant patent leather handbag with silver clasp from Vera May to echo the texture of the shoes. Jewellery was simple - a cute pair of silver & resin brooches in the shape of Walt Disney's Mickey & Minnie that I found by chance at my local Zing Pop Culture store (ideal for capturing that "young at heart" feeling) as well as a thick silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop for some daytime shine.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Opening the first of many gifts...

Big Brother James helping assemble the "spaceship" tent...

Granny gets involved...

The finished product...

Floating in space...

Trying out Riley's Rocket, made with love by Aunty Jo & Uncle Rayne... & myself, of course!

Birthday Boy cuddles with Uncle Nick & Aunty Mel...

Like one of those vintage tin "wind up monkey on a bicycle" toys, no?!

Opening more thoughtful gifts...

Pass the Parcel

Time for CAKE...

This one was made specially by Aunty Jo. Look closely to see Riley looking out of the rocket & Big Brother James & Mummy floating in space!

Blowing out the candles & making a wish!

Cutting the cake...

Yum!

Biker Gang

Fun & Games

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And a little something extra...

There's no better feeling than to know that the gifts you put so much time & effort into purchasing or making, wrapping & presenting to the recipient are used & enjoyed. This little series of photographs - brothers engaging in some make-believe with the Whatever Next! inspired "imaginative play" aspect of Riley's space-themed gift - really warmed the heart. These are the moments that I want to remember forever!

Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy (1983)