Ramadan Preparation: Countdown Calendar

For a while now, I have been interested in making a countdown calendar for when Ramadan starts but really haven't known where to start. There have been a lot of ideas floating about but I just didn't know which one would work best. It would almost be like an advent calendar but I didn't want DS to just get a treat I wanted him to also have something to think about. After much research I decided that each day as well as a treat DS would have to complete a good deed! After visiting the local mosque recently I came across some fantastic child friendly good deed cards, so I went on a search to find them online and found them here http://ummabdulbasirscreativecorner.blogspot.com . 

I decided that I would put a good deed card and a treat in 30 mini envelopes and attach these to a string across the landing. Each evening DS can pick an envelope and we can discuss and think about the good deed he will have to do the next day. 

I sorted the good deed cards according to the difficulty level and put the mores difficult ones for the weekend and school holidays. Some of the treats put in we're sweets but I also put in little notes about things that he enjoys doing like: baking your favourite treat or spending time playing your favourite board game with mummy and daddy. 

The envelopes looked lovely across the landing and contain brilliant reminders of how more deeds can be earned during this Ramadan. I liked this idea as I can keep using the envelopes year after year and change up the cards as needed!

Ramadan Preparation: Kids Gift Baskets

DS has turned five this year, I really wanted him to try to understand and be interested in learning about Ramadan and for this he needed to be excited by the arrival of this holy month. So while surfing on Pinterest I came across Ramadan gift baskets by Aminah at http://littlelifeofmine.com/2013/07/first-day-of-ramadan-gift-basket.html. She had come up with a fantastic concept of creating little gift baskets filled with Ramadan related and other activities to excite the children and give them something to do. Like Aminah I'd love to carry this tradition on so my children can look back on happy and excited memories that will remind them of this beautiful month. Here is my recreated basket:

I put in some Ramadan related activity books for him to be able to learn more. Both the workbooks were given as gifts by my sister. I also purchased the Ramadan Moon book written by Nai'mah Bint Robert, as it had such good reviews, and it truly is a special book that I can't wait to read with my son.

There were also other craft/activity items to keep him busy during times when I will be busy with prayers/Iftar etc. These included superhero activity books and some arty projects he'll love.

I then added a few extras like a cup and some PJ bottoms and also laid out his prayer mat in his room.

I intend to value every moment of this beautiful month and ensure that I also spend time teaching DS the importance of Ramadan.

   

Pretty Cupcakes

My maternity leave is coming to an end soon, but in the meantime I have found myself a new hobby for when the little one takes her naps. And that is baking and decorating cupcakes. I've always loved baking ever since I was a little girl, for one birthday I even received a mini kids oven that had the ability to make one cupcake at a time, my sister and I had so much fun with it. 

I feel very satisfied after I've decorated a batch of cakes and sharing them with everyone. Needless to say I blame Amazon for managing to spend a small fortune on baking equipment..oops. Here are some of my creations:

I made these chocolaty lovelies for my family recently.

These vintage looking cupcakes were made as a gift for my sons teachers, who loved them. 

I intend to keep up this hobby and you'll possibly be seeing my eid cupcakes in the coming weeks. 

 

Hair Clip Holder

I love putting gorgeous clips in my DD's hair and she is accumulating quite a collection so I really needed a pretty and practical storage solution for them. I decided to make my own using an empty Nutella jar. I started by painting the jar with pink acrylic pain, I used instructions I'd found on Pinterest. Here take the instructions,http://www.cape27blog.com/2012/08/diy-painted-mason-jars/. 

This technique meant that the jars remained glossy, here's how it looked

I left the paint to dry for a day and then started to spice it up a little. I started by creating a tag by using pastel scrapbook paper and then using letter stamps to label it. I also added a cute button. I then added string around the middle of the jar, keeping it secure with a sticker and placing the tag over it. I was really pleased with how it looked and it also makes for a pretty decorative piece in the nursery. 

How do you store your accessories? I'm always looking for cute storage ideas. 

More Girly Shopping

I have made a few shopping trips over the last couple of weeks and found some lovely spring and summer items. I'll be sharing some of my favourites with you. I popped into Mothercare a little while ago and loved the Baby K by Myleene Klass collection, it was so stylish and cute but a little bit pricey. These are the items I picked up:

At mothercare i also found a lovely casual shirt dress from the Jools Oliver collection:

I loved the bright coloured stripes and the material was also lovely and soft. Just perfect for play days.

Finally from mothercare I found this flowy summer dress:

I can't wait for DD to wear it, possibly to the park.

I noticed Next had bought in some pretty spring summer items and couldn't wait to get some. I especially loved the jumpsuits I picked a subtle grey one that could be worn with lots of different accessories for different occasions. I also chose a cute cream floral dress for a party coming up, it's comfortable with a jersey top but a beautiful netted skirt joined. Check them out: 

I hope you enjoyed the post, have you found any nice outfits for your LO's.

A new hobby

Pinterset is such a bank of awesome ideas, and when I was surfing one day I came across some crochet projects that were just beautiful and I was suddenly inspired to learn. I really didn't know where to start, when researching I found that all that is needed is crochet hooks and some yarn so I went ahead and ordered these from ebay. I couldn't wait to start. 

YouTube is great for tutorials on anything you would like to learn, and there are many crochet tutorials out there from beginners to advanced. When I first watched one it went completely above my head and I didn't understand any of it. Then I came across a really easy to understand video by HappyBerry Crochet http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dQeq7Hci_qU, she has a very calm voice and repeats steps that are then very easy to follow. I really wanted to make flowers for headbands and this video was perfect. It took a couple of practice runs and there was a lot of undoing but finally I got there and I can't wait to make more and perfect my crochet flower skills before I move on. The possibilities are endless. 

I'm having so much fun with my new hobby. Do you crochet, or have another hobby?

Little Girl Shopping

I have some exciting purchases to share, I've really enjoyed baby girl clothes shopping and just shopping for baby things in general. Who doesn't, right? 

When my DD was born she received lots of gifts that were clothes and all very beautiful but these items are really the first time I've gone proper clothes shopping for her. Here's what I got:

Next

From left to right:

Blue stripy I love daddy top, £4.50 or 2 for £8. I chose this one and the pink I love mummy top which both came to £8. I picked them purely because of the cute slogans and can't wait for her to wear them  with cute leggings or jeans.

Floral t-shirt dress set, £15.50. I really liked this for spring/summer as it was a different to just a dress. It has braces which can be removed and the skirt of the dress is more like very baggy shorts.

Mini clips, £5. Though she doesn't have much hair right now these will be quick and easy to create simple hairstyles when she does.

Bodysuits, £10. I bought these for cooler summer days to be worn under tshirts or dresses to keep her warm yet stylish.

H&M

To be honest not much in the H&M baby girl section caught my eye, it was all rather boring. I picked up this cute pink hat (£3.99) though for the spring days and a simple navy cardigan (4.99) as my little girl seems to have lots of navy in her wardrobe. 

Gap

Navy leggings, £6.95. I loved the cute bows on the hem of these leggings which can't be seen too well in the picture. 

Colour block dress, £14.95. The simplicity of this dress really made me like it. It was a nice soft material too and comes with bloomers. I can't wait for her to wear it.

Zara

Zara were having a end of season sale and I picked up these sale items.

Left to right:

Checked dress, sale price £9.99. I loved the style of this dress and it's uniqueness to other items in DD's wardrobe. I'd pair it with tights or leggings and a cardigan, perhaps navy or a dark brown.

Trousers, sale price £7.99. I'd mainly bought dresses on this shopping trip so decided to get these stylish trousers. I liked the zips and the neutral colour which will go well with most tops. 

Dress, £9.99. This was a nice surprise as it was marked £14.99 but reduced to £9.99 at the till. It has tiny navy flowers and also a belt.

Mamas and Papas

My last stores of the day was mamas and papas for some toy shopping where the two items were 10% off. 

Activity Spiral, £16.95. As my daughter is starting to notice the things around her I love that this spiral has a few different things she can play with when we're travelling. It has a rattle and chime and looks fun on the car seat.

Tummy time toy and rug, £25.95. Usually tummy time for my little one would be on the changing mat but this rug is lovely. To start its so soft and comfortable and has a few simple toys to catch the child's eye. It's good for helping children to lift their head and lift using their arms and other milestones in the first few months. It also rolls up when not in use so good for saving space. 

Have you purchased anything exciting for your little ones recently?