So December is almost upon us, and for a growing number of families, it means some mischievous elves will be making an appearance in homes very soon!

For those who don't know, Elf on The Shelf began as an American custom, which over the last few years has become very popular here. Santa sends an Elf to watch over your house in December in the run up to Christmas, and over night the Elf moves to a different spot, or gets into sticky situations or misbehaves. Some say that the Elf reports back to Santa, so children (and grownups!) must behave. We just use ours to build up the excitement of Christmas (and occasionally, when my children are being utter toads, I'll glance at the Elf then back at them with a knowing look, which is enough to make them realise that Santa might be watching! Anything for peace sometimes!)

I'm the parent who thinks about planning the whole month's worth of mischief ahead, then realise that it's Elf time and I've no idea what she's going to get up to! And I know I can't be the only one! So here's a few easy, cheap and quick set ups to use when it's almost midnight and you've just woken up after fallen asleep on the sofa and remembered you've not moved that damn Elf!

(Excuse the image quality, they are phone pictures!)

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing Carla for the third time. This time it was for her first birthday cake smash session. We decided on a rainbow theme for the smash - I was so happy as I'd wanted to do a rainbow cake smash since forever! (I LOVE rainbows!)

My cake smashes involve a little portrait session before everything gets a bit messy, and Carla came with a couple of gorgeous outfits for these photos!

Some babies don't like the cake, there is always the 'What if they don't eat it?' moment at the beginning of the cake smash. We needn't have worried with Carla, she's a girl after my own heart and loved her cake!

And of course it's not a cake smash session without a splash session to end (and save on baby wipes!!). Carla had so much fun and even bent right forward, put her face in the water and tried to eat the bubbles!!

If your baby is turning one (or two or three - or maybe even you are about to have a milestone birthday - who says babies can get all the fun?!) then please do get in touch to book your cake smash session today! 

CLICK HERE to send me an email, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

​Emma :)