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An intricate colouring book for any age

January 6, 2016

As you probably know, adult colouring books have become really popular in the last year or so. There have been many detailed and intricate colouring books popping up all over the place. The whole ‘adult colouring revolution’ has kind of passed me by as I never even considered trying it out. In December Anya was gifted Animal Kingdom – A Colouring Book Adventure for her birthday. I barely glanced at it until Anya asked me to colour with her. She often asks me to do this with her but up to now it’s been with her kiddy colouring books which I would colour in for about 5 minutes and lose interest.

Once I started colouring in this book, I couldn’t stop. I loved it! I think it re-awakened the inner child in me but yet it was so much more interesting to colour than a regular kids colouring book. And not only me but Anya is loving this book too. Even though these books are sold more as adult colouring books, I think they are for any age over around 5 years old. When I first saw it I thought the patterns may be a bit too intricate for Anya but I was wrong. In fact it’s the minute details that capture her attention and mine.

I think the best thing about the Animal Kingdom colouring book for me was that it was a shared activity that both Anya and I enjoyed doing together. No screens, no distractions, no thinking – just me and Anya colouring together and chatting a lot. We both switched off from the world around us and were immersed in colouring and talking about anything and everything. So much so that when it was time to go out for lunch, neither of us wanted to leave and we even started thinking up excuses to cancel our plans!

Have you got one of these books? If not, do you think you will give colouring a go in 2016?

Happy 2016!

December 24, 2015

I am so looking forward to the holidays and some down time with my family. Our plans are to take it easy, see lots of friends and family and cook and eat lots. Before I sign off I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful festive break filled with love and joy! Thank you for visiting the blog, for your comments, for your likes and for your support. My blog is my baby and your support means the world. Here’s looking at an even bigger and better 2016. I shall see you all back here in the new year (but there will be an ebabee shop update before then). Happy & merry everything! – nomita x

Free Christmas gift tags to print 2015

December 22, 2015

This year I have been super disorganised with my Christmas shopping – I’ve still got nearly all of it to do. Eek! Really panicking now. I’m guessing most of you are all done shopping and wrapping. But if there are any last minute types like me, while I can’t do your Christmas shopping for you, I have rounded up some of the best free Christmas gift tags to print. Some are cute and colourful – perfect for kids gifts while others are more minimal and stylish. There are lots to choose from so when you do wrap your gifts, you can finish them with one of these free gift tags.

1. These minimal gift tags with messages would look great on presents wrapped in kraft paper.

2. These colour in printable gift tags are such a great idea – print and let the kids colour them in.

3. These simple & stylish gift tags would look great on any colour gift wrap.

4. How cute are these colourful gift tags? Just adorable especially for a child’s gift.

5. These monochrome gift tags have handwritten messages on each. Pair with black wrap for a stunning looking gift.

6. These fun cowboy santa gift tags come with a colourful Texan twist!

7. These super sweet little animal gift tags are a cute addition to any gift.

These are my favourite free Christmas gift tags to print that I found this year. But if you want to check out some more, take a look at my previous years round-up as there are loads more there. Here’s where you’ll find my favourite free Christmas gift tags from 2014.

Party food: Chinese pork dumplings

December 21, 2015

For parties and gatherings at this time of year I love to serve mini morsels of my favourite foods. That way, in one meal I can serve (and eat) so many delicious foods. Besides, nearly all our parties these days involve kids so making bite-sized party food lets me serve a range of mini dishes that will work for adults as well as kids. The biggest thing I consider when making bite-sized food is how much of the work can be done ahead – I always choose recipes that require minimal last minute preparations but that are still big on taste.

One of my favourite bite sized party foods are these gorgeous flavorful Chinese pork dumplings. Little morsels of deliciousness that go down a treat with any age group. So when Furniture Village asked me to come up with a favourite party food recipe for festive guests, I knew I had to go for this one. I like think of them as the Asian version of sausage rolls that make a nice change when you’ve had one sausage roll to many! And besides, I love dumplings – who doesn’t? So much flavour in one little bite!

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Friday chat: New years resolutions for kids

December 18, 2015

Do you encourage your kids make new years resolutions? I’ve started making resolutions throughout the year whenever I feel I need to make a change but there is something special and a feeling of a fresh start that only a new year brings. I especially love making them at this time of year and have been thinking about encouraging Anya to do the same.

Last year we talked to her about making new years resolutions and while she liked the idea, she struggled to come up with what resolutions to make. I’ve since realised that she’s a bit too young to come up with resolutions herself so this year I’ve decided to give her some prompts which will help. I’ve come up with a list of 10 questions and prompts which I plan to give her and see what she comes up with. I thought I would share them here in case they inspire you to do the same with your kids. So here are my ideas for new years resolutions for kids:

What I especially like about resolutions is that it allows you to take a little time out and think about yourself – what you like about yourself and what you feel you can improve on. For me, resolutions aren’t just about changing the bad but also a lot about doing more of what you are good at or love. They’re about broadening your horizon’s and living a more fulfilled life. So are you going to be making resolutions? And will you encourage your kids to?

Snoopy and Charlie Brown – The peanuts movie

December 17, 2015

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to a private screening of Snoopy and Charlie Brown – the peanuts movie. Growing up I was never much in to cartoon characters but there were two exceptions – Miss Piggy and Snoopy. With snoopy & charlie brown I particularly remember reading the comic strips in the newspapers and really enjoying them. But as the years went on I forgot about Snoopy and Charlie Brown because you didn’t see much of them. That was until I received an invite to see the film and really wanted to go almost for old times sake.

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6 creative decor ideas for small kids bedrooms

December 16, 2015

Doing up a kids room, especially one that is small can feel like a bit of a challenge. Kids have a lot of things – toys, books, games, dress-up gear – the list goes on and on! Trying to find space for all this stuff plus all the necessary furniture can be tricky in small spaces. So today I wanted to share some great space saving tips and ideas for small kids bedrooms. Having a small bedroom doesn’t have to mean untidiness or compromise. Instead there are lots of fun and stylish ways to maximise the space even in the smallest of rooms. Here are 6 clever and creative ideas for small kids bedrooms:

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Sparkle & shine this Christmas (without splurging!)

December 14, 2015

When it comes to kids shoes, I have a simple rule – no more than one type of shoe per season. Kids feet grow so quickly, there seems little point in splurging out on too many shoes. So in summer it’s a pair of sandals, a pair of closed shoes and that’s usually it. In winter it’s a pair of boots that will go with everything and a pair of converse trainers (love them!). But come the Christmas season we do like to add one little extra indulgence – a pair of sparkly festive shoes.

This year Pisamonas kindly sent Anya a pair of these sparkly mary janes and she is delighted. Ever since I discovered Pisamonas – an online children’s shoe shop – they have become my go to place for Anya’s shoes. Once you check it out you’ll know why – great styles and quality for incredible prices and free delivery and returns on every order. And not just for girls – they have some great boys shoes including stunning boots and much more for boys all at incredible prices. Some stylish occasion wear for now but also a great selection of everyday wear. So why spend more than you need to especially on kids shoes?

These beautiful sparkly mary janes are unbelievably under £20 with free delivery. I love the chic and subtle glitter paired with the bow – so pretty. They come in a few different colours including a gorgeous burgundy but Anya chose the black (she is my daughter after all!). Even Richard (who doesn’t ever pay attention to Anya’s shoes) commented when we opened these saying ‘wow, they’re nice.’

At the prices that Pisamonas offer, I’m thinking of buying at least one more pair for Anya for all the upcoming parties and outings. I’m really loving the soft pink croc print bluchers – so cool! If you too follow a similar shoe rule to me, you will probably break it once you get to know Pisamonas. It’s hard not to!

{all photos by ebabee except last collage}

Party food: Blackened corn risotto cups

December 8, 2015

I love serving finger foods at parties because they are so practical and easy for everyone to eat from the little people to the grown-ups. But they are labour intensive as you have to make at least 2-3 bites of everything per person. So I often mix up the menu with food that I can cook in large quantities in one pot and one of my favourite one pot party dishes is risotto. It’s easy to make and then you can serve mini portions in lots of ways – my favourite way is to dish the risotto in to mini espresso cups. Today I’m sharing a delicious corn risotto that I serve to big kids and little ones at parties.

The blackened corn in this risotto comes from my childhood. Some foods evoke such vivid childhood memories that they literally transport you back to that time and place. One of those foods for me is blackened corn. The only way we ever ate corn in India was to roast it on a gas hob flame, rub it with butter and spices and eat. The smoky, charred flavour is so delicious and goes so well in a risotto. I like to sprinkle a bit of pancetta on top but this is optional – you can easily keep the dish vegetarian by using veg stock and omitting the pancetta.

BLACKENED CORN RISOTTO IN A CUP
Makes: 15 mini servings

1 tbs olive oil
2 generous knobs of butter
350g Arborio rice
1 onion chopped finely
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
150ml white wine
1.3l chicken or veg stock
2 corn on the cobs
parmesan cheese
small pancetta cubes cooked till crisp (optional)
small handful roughly chopped parsley
salt & pepper to taste

I start with blackening my corn on the cob. Turn on the gas hob to a medium flame and hold the corn over the flame using tongs or similar. Keep turning the corn around so it blackens evenly and of course be careful! The corn will make a few popping sounds but that’s fine. Cut the corn kernels off the cob and keep aside.

Next make your risotto. You can use your favourite basic risotto recipe or follow the recipe here. Heat the olive oil and a knob of butter, once melted add your onions and garlic. Cook on a low heat till the onions soften but don’t colour. Add the arborio rice and stir well so that all the rice is coated in the butter. Pour in the wine and continue stirring till the wine evaporates.

Now add your hot stock (keep it hot on a low heat) one ladle at a time. Keep stirring until the stock is absorbed by the rice and then add the next ladleful. Once your rice is nearly done and you have around 2-3 ladlefuls of stock left to add, throw in your corn and stir well. Continue cooking with the remaining stock till the rice is al dente (soft and creamy with a slight bite).

Finally add another knob of butter and a generous amount of grated parmesan, taste and season accordingly – you may or may not need salt depending on how salty your stock is.

Now the fun bit – dish out in to little cupcake holders, espresso cups, small glasses or anything similar you have. The corn risotto not only tastes delicious but also looks great in little mini cups. Sprinkle the tops with the crispy pancetta (if using) and a handful of parsley. Dunk a teaspoon in each and serve.

P.S. Here are some more delicious party food recipes that you might like – mini apple pie stacks, mini eggs benedict and a hot favourite with kids is this mini fish and chips.

6 creative Christmas gift wrap ideas

December 7, 2015

December is a month of giving gifts in our house. Not just with Christmas but also Anya is a December baby so we have birthday gifts to give too. For me, the gift wrap is just as important as the gift. After all it’s the first thing the person sees. So I love the idea of making my own DIY gift wrap as it makes it so personal. Recently I’ve been finding loads of gift wrap inspiration so here are 5 of the best DIY Christmas gift wrap ideas to inspire you too:

I mean how cute are these sparkly animal gift wraps? I’ve seen animal gift wraps before but I especially liked the sparkly touch on these.

These are two fun ways to get creative with ordinary wrapping paper. With the first, just stick some pompoms on and use a bit of bakers twine or ribbon to finish and you have a unique gift wrap. The second is so pretty too – you can find the tutorial here. You can take this idea and make cut out trees, snowmen or whatever you like.

Another option is to go minimal and stylish with your DIY Christmas gift wrap. While you can buy beautiful cloth gift wraps like the one above, you can just as easily use something you have at home – think tea towels or scarves. I love the idea of giving a gift where the wrap is part of the gift too. And the second gift is just so stylish, no? I love the marble paper and the idea of using mini honeycomb balls as decorations.

I’ve saved the cutest till last! For all those little gifts, I can’t think of a cuter way to present them. Not just for kids, but if you’re giving a piece of jewellery, what an adorable way to gift it to her or him.

So, have these DIY Christmas gift wrap ideas inspired you to get creative with your wrapping? Which one do you like best?