I spend half my life researching stuff on the net to share on this blog. And often I come across delightful or funny little things that I want to share but they don’t really fit in to posts. So once in a while I like to share them here. My recent fun finds include this playful pear poster and here are the rest:
Add a little sparkle to your kids bedroom in under 10 minutes with this simple idea.
About to become a parent? Practice these 11 (hilarious) steps and you’ll have mastered parenting!
Boys can wear polka dots too. How cool does he look?
This striking neon reindeer may be sold out why not try making it as a Christmas craft?
Your little boy will love you even more if you make this easy Washi tape DIY in his bedroom.
Don’t have space for a Christmas tree? Why not get creative with an alternate tree like this?
Last year the advent calendar I made for Anya was a huge hit. She loved opening those boxes so much and since about June of this year she has been regularly asking when she could have another advent calendar. Of course I was going to make her another one, just not in June! I think the advent calendar may have been her favourite part of Christmas which is just as much about the build-up as it is about the day.
This year I’ve made it a bit earlier as I wanted to share it with you sooner and I hope you like it. I was drawn to origami as I chanced across some lovely matt origami paper in a deep green. So I thought why not make a forest of mini Christmas trees and that’s exactly what happened. But of course I needed to find a place for the gifts and what better place than under the trees?
To make this DIY advent calendar you will need:
Origami paper – you can choose any colour but I went for two shades of green Mini paper cups – they’re called souffle or sauce cups Gold spray Mini number stickers (or you could hand write the numbers on)
To start with make the trees. I followed an origami tree tutorial that I found online. It was a bit tricky at first but after the 2nd or 3rd tree it was really easy so stick with it. I didn’t even need to look at the instructions after the 5th or 6th tree. Follow the tutorial exactly but I added one more step. I blu-tacked each fold of all the trees as I found that they flared out too much otherwise, and didn’t stand up quite as well as I wanted them to.
Next take your mini paper cups – these are the little paper cups that you fill with ketchup and mayo. They’re called soufflé cups and cost very little for loads of them. I had them at home as I’ve used them in the past for Anya’s birthday parties to serve ketchup. They make the perfect little pots to balance the trees on and of course to put your little gifts in. Spray them gold – best to put them in a disposable cardboard box or similar otherwise they fly around when you spray as they’re so light.
Finally take your number stickers (if using) and stick them on. Fill each pot with your little treat and place the tree on top. That’s it – done! You have an easy DIY advent calendar that looks so great. Do you usually make your own advent calendars or do you buy them?
Something very cute for you today. Soft toys have become quite an obsession in this house of late. Anya cannot go to bed without at least five to accompany her. There’s often hardly any space left on the bed for her! And each week her bed companions change so that ‘nobody feels left out’! I like the reasoning of a five year old mind.
With her birthday and Christmas being very close to each other, it always means I have to plan for more than one set of gifts to give her (if you can help it, never have a December baby). Right now I’m thinking birthday gift and I’m loving these pigs softies. From one of my favourite kids toy and decor shops, their collection of pig soft toys is second to none. From baby bacon in a box to that pig in a tin. How cute! And while I maybe thinking birthday gift, that red pig is such a great Christmas present too. My favourite though is the three little baby bacon in a box. They look good enough to eat (sorry, couldn’t resist)!
Of late, Anya has been coming up with some random and funny things during our conversations. She’s nearly six and the way her mind works is quite hysterical sometimes. I’m so glad I’ve started writing them down because they’ll be such fun to look back on in a few years time. Do you keep a note of what your kids say? Here are some of Anya’s latest thoughts which I thought I would share:
Me: You know, one day you’ll grow big and you’ll probably be even bigger than me. Anya (looking delighted): That means one day I’ll be 35 years old and you’ll be 30. Wow! (I wish)
On our walk to school earlier this week Me: Anya, I’m really cold. Are you cold? Anya: No mama, I’m fine. Me: Oh well, at least you’re not cold. I wish I’d worn a scarf so that my neck was warm at least. Anya (in all seriousness): At least your boobies are warm! (what?!!)
Anya was going to a teddy bears picnic at school Me: You can choose a teddy bear to take to your teddy bears picnic Anya: Are you allowed to bring a different kind of teddy bear? Me: Like what? Anya: Like an Octopus?
Anya: Mama, when will I have babies in my tummy? Me: Not for another 25 years at least. Anya: That’s too long. Can I have them in 25 minutes?
What are some of the funny things your kids have said? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Leggings are probably one of the comfiest pieces of clothing especially for kids. One of my favourite new arrivals in my shop are these black and white chain leggings. They are so bold and the best part is they go with practically any colour or any print. Here I’ve paired them with the green feather tunic which is my favourite look but I also love them with the red tunic and the lovely deep sky blue merry blouse. What’s your favourite look?
The cold weather has taken a while to come this year (thankfully for me) but come it has. With the cold weather here and the dark, long evenings it’s now starting to feel like Christmas is really coming. This past weekend I started planning my advent calendar design for Anya which I shall be sharing here soon. This caused much excitement in our house because Anya started thinking about Christmas and for her often the countdown is almost more magical than the day itself. Last years highlight for her was definitely the advent calendar which she couldn’t wait to open each day after she came home from school. And as she neared the end of the calendar, the anticipation of the magical day caused even more excitement.
The advent calendar will be very much a part of this years celebrations too and probably for many Christmases to come. While thinking about other ways to build up the excitement and anticipation of Christmas I came across this new International Elf Service. This is such a cute idea where your kids will get 24 personalised letters direct form the North Pole! The set of letters are sent to you before December 1st and then each morning leading up to Christmas your kids will find a letter from Elfie telling them about all the happenings in Santa’s workshop. Each letter will be personally addressed to your kids (once you supply their names), signed by Elfie and will come complete with ink splodges, marks and smudges. You can choose to hide the letters somewhere each day making it even more fun for your kids to find or just post it through the letter box each morning. How magical for a child to wake up each day and read about out what Santa and the elves have been up to.
International Elf Service is available throughout the UK but International customers are welcome to email them and they will do their best to get the letters sent to you too.
This post is brought to you in partnership with International Elf Service as part of my work with Mothers & Shakers. All content, words and ideas are my own. Thank you for supporting my work with partners that support this blog.
Winter has literally arrived overnight. This morning I was rummaging around Anya’s wardrobe and mine to pull out all our Winter scarves, hats and gloves. While I always dread the cold, I do love the fashion that goes with it especially the accessories. They keep you warm and they look so good. Especially the stuff out there for kids. From playful and fun accessories like these to more minimal styles, there is something for every taste. Today I’m loving the idea of adding a playful twist to a kid’s outfit so I’ve rounded up some of the cutest and most fun Winter accessories out there. Those leopard print knee-high socks – want!
With Winter on it’s way, it’s time to bring those woolens out. I love big chunky knits or anything knitted and if it’s hand-knitted, even better. My mum-in-law is the chief knitter in this family so I’m hoping there will be some delightful new Winter knits for Anya soon. If you’re in to knitting, you have to check out these gorgeous patterns by Paelas. Mostly for babies, the little wool suits, hats and jumpers are just too adorable for words. And if not for your own babies, what a lovely gift to give a newborn. Right now I’m really wishing I knew how to knit!
Ebabee Likes is a style guide for babies, kids, teens and their mamas. It’s all about inspiration, ideas and indulging yourself and your brood. It’s written by me ~ Nomita ~ a style loving girl from Mumbai who now live’s in London. Read More...
