New discoveries

This week, there has been a very special birthday in our house. Our youngest has turned three! And while shopping for her big day, I had three amazing finds...

1. ELLA'S PARTY SHOP. Have you been? Wow! It's amazing. Drive past Sainsbury's Taplow, through Dorney and into Eton Wick, and here you'll find this little gem. Loads of party supplies, cake stands, party bag fillers, decorations, fancy dress – including changing rooms – but best of all, huge balloons that they will fill up with helium for you right there and then. Our little Ayda was delighted with her big, pink number 3 balloon. www.ellaspartyshop.co.uk

2. HITCHAM ICE CREAM & FARM SHOP. So on the way back from buying the big balloon, I came across this lovely little place in Burnham. Hitcham Dairy Ice-Cream is home produced with fresh milk from their Ayrshire cows, free-range eggs, fresh cream and natural flavourings. And what more could a little girl want on her birthday than some Heavenly Honeycomb or Rhubarb & Custard ice cream? Or why not try the Caramel Toffee Crunch and Mint Chocolate Chip flavours? Farm eggs, home-made cakes and preserves are also available. www.hitchamdairyicecream.com

3. RAGTALES. Looking for various gifts for Ayda, I came across Ragtales, a relatively new company that designs and makes soft toys and gifts inspired by the heritage of British childrens literature. They currently supply to Jojo Maman Bebe, Harrods and John Lewis as well as 500 independent retailers, yet designer Danielle Hanson runs the company from her home near Hampton Court. www.ragtales.co.uk