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My youngest daughter loves Squishy and collectable characters, she also loves to be creative. When I heard about the smooshins surprise maker kit I immediately thought it would be something she would want to try. The smooshins surprise maker kit provides over 10,000 different combinations and you can purchase additional colour pouches and moulds so the surprise maker can be used again and again.

Whilst the instructions are really clear and easy to follow I am rather grateful that the Surprise maker kit comes with a practise colour pouch. Our first 2 attempts were unsuccessful, which is why in the video the kids are wearing different clothes! On one of our attempts we did not mix the colour enough. You have 90 seconds to mix all the colour together. In another attempt we took too long to squeeze the colour into the maker, you only have 30 seconds to do so. 


The maker also lights up different colours in an attempt to guide you through the process.


We were very much third time lucky.

It is really important to fully pop the colour pouch and then mix it within the allocated time, followed by squeezing the colour before it hardens. A top tip would be to make full use of the practise pouch that comes with the kit, as it really does give you an idea of what to do. We also found that the longer you leave in the mould the better the product is. We left in the maker for 4 hours and then left it in the mould overnight. 

The girls talk through step by step how to make a Smooshin here



Now we know what to do and have had practise runs it is actually a lot quicker and simpler than the first time we did it. The girls really enjoy making the Smooshins and the extra surprise of not knowing what the character will be like really helps add to the magic. It is also great that additional moulds and colour pouches can be purchased so that you can continue to use the surprise maker kit once the supplied materials have been used up.

Smooshins are a really cute collectable toy, and the added mystery of not knowing what they will look like adds a whole element of fun to the creating process. My girls aged 8 and 6 really enjoyed making them and could do so with very minimal help. They are wanting to make some more so I am going to have to buy some more colour pouches for them.

The Smooshins maker was sent for review, all words are my own opinion. 

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Both girls love to get creative and either make things, or draw.  They love to try new things and I love to watch them use their imagination.  My eldest daughter has her SATS this year and so whilst helping her with a reading comprehension, I gave my youngest a mirror and a packet of Chalkola pens.

I simply gave her the instructions that she could do whatever she wanted on the mirror.  To which she looked rather confused.  The thrill of drawing on something that wasn't paper.  It wasn't long before she got stuck in and started getting creative.


Chalkola are liquid chalk markers.  They come in a variety of sizes and some fantastic vibrant colours.  To begin with you need to give them a little shake to get the chalk flowing, but from then on you use them just as you would a normal pen.  The Markers are best used on Non Porous Surfaces such as Chalkboards, Whiteboards, Glass, Plastic, Windows.  Porus surfaces have small holes which absorb the liquid chalk and it can be difficult to erase.  I found it best just to test a small area first to make sure.

My eldest daughter soon wanted to join in and so as soon as she had finished we set about completing her maths homework on the mirror!


After taking photos of her work to stick in her homework book, she too then got very creative and made a cat in the hat mirror!


The girls found Chalkola really easy to use.  The chalk pens were as easy to hold as a normal pen, and they loved that they could draw on a surface other than paper.  I find it a great way to keep them entertained too, as they love to draw on the patio doors!

Chalkola have offered a 15% discount code if you wish to have as much fun as us with the code 15OFFSTR and I am even pleased to offer one reader the chance to win a Pack of 21 Markers.  Giveaway ends on 6th May 2017 midnight GMT and full terms are on the widget.  Good Luck. 

Chalkola
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It really begins to feel like Christmas when you start decorating your home.  Bringing the decorations in or buying the tree, it all begins to set the tone for the festive season.  In addition new items for the home seem to bring in a new lease of life to your house and sets new goals for the year ahead.

1. Cuisine Companion from Tefal

The Cuisine companion is at the top of my wish list, and top of a must have item for the kitchen.  It cuts, prepares and cooks impressive recipes at the touch of a button - all without taking up valuable kitchen space. Every Cuisine Companion comes with a ‘1 Million Menus’ recipe book, providing inspiration for every course from ratatouille and risotto to sauces and soufflés. Thanks to its five detachable accessories, the Cuisine Companion can essentially replace up to ten traditional kitchen appliances leaving you with enough space to serve up all of your Christmas meals, and its smart control panel comes equipped with six automatic functions. This product can chop, emulsify, whip, crush, melt, beat, knead, mix, steam, slow cook and even prove dough.  It is like Santa’s little helper in your kitchen


2. Get Creative

I left the B&Q press show feeling incredibly inspired.  I would never have thought of making either decorations for the home, or as gifts.  Yet you can make some amazing things which look incredible and are fairly easy to do.  I love this sign that is created using wood and fairy lights.  Really simple but looks impressive.  The idea could be taken to make any saying you wanted and would make both a great gift for the home and as a decoration.  


3. New Bedding

The sensation of climbing into your own bed with fresh, clean new bedding is amazing.  A good nights sleep ready to face Christmas morning and the very excited kids is certainly needed.  Dunelm Mill offer a gorgeous range of home furnishings set within very distinct themes, Frosted Pines, Christmas Cabins and Vintage Christmas.  New Bedding also makes a wonderful gift as it is something which lasts the whole year, and can add a new feel to a bedroom


4. Copper Kitchen range

The new copper kitchen range from Wilkinson would not only make a perfect gift but would also be perfect to cook Christmas dinner from.  The range has everything from Kettles and toasters to plates and fruit bowls.  Something for those who want to replace everything and for others who want a few key pieces.


5. Paperchase

Paperchase seem to have something for everyone this Christmas.  Everything from the traditional and glass baubles to the more modern, bright and funky and even novelty items.  There are some perfect gifts for stocking fillers, and much larger gifts.  Perfect for getting the house ready for the festive season

6. A little bit of fun

Sass & Belle add a little bit of fun into every home, they have everything from elegant copper bowls to the more modern fun slogan cushions.  Lovers of flamingos and cactus will adore their new ranges.  Perfect gifts to suit all budgets.


7. Be unique

Our home is filled with books, we simply love to read.  Our children have a huge passion for reading too and we love receiving books as gifts.  The gift of reading is one which is cherished for years to come, and perhaps one for all book or story lovers out there is a unique gift from Spineless classics.  This is when a book is no longer a book, but is still a story.  Each piece features the full story carefully written in a unique pattern in which to replicate part of the book it is from.  Featuring classics from Roald Dahl, and Beatrix Potter along with many others, there is a design for every age and every taste.  As gifts go, this is a truly unique and special gift that is perfect for any household.


8. From the heart

As the cold draws in outside candles offer warmth and comfort indoors.  They seem to set the tone for the Festive period and scented candles even more so.  Heart and Home have a wide selection of scents perfect for any home, and some dedicated to the festive season.  Perfect as a gift or as a treat for yourself!


9. For the Disney Fan

Disney, together with thousands of UK parents, has for the first time defined the traits of a modern Princess in a set of ten principles, which have recently been released to encourage young girls to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Disney UK commissioned parenting expert Judy Reith to analyse the characteristics of Disney Princesses including the kind and compassionate Belle (Beauty and the Beast), courageous Rapunzel (Tangled) and confident Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), before putting a long list of their inner qualities and traits to a panel of over 5,000 parents. The parents then ranked the attributes they judged most relevant and important to their 6-12 year old daughters.

Three of the UK’s leading illustrators, Kate Moross, Rose Blake and Kate Forrester, have turned the Princess Principles into posters, which are being made available for free to young girls across the country.


Whilst the poster is free to download, I think you could purchase a gorgeous frame for these posters and give them as a gift.  They have an inspiring image to them and would be great for children to give to their friends.

I have received no financial compensation or products for this gift guide. 


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I have decided that this school holiday we would try and make the most of events happening near to us and spend some time at home as well.  Our local library is hosting a serious of Roald Dahl inspired craft activities once a week and as we were up early this morning we decided to pop along.

Today the theme was Fantastic Mr Fox and the girls were making masks.  The girls were shown an example of a finished mask and then left to use their imagination to create their own.



The girls were really pleased with their masks and pretended to be Foxes around the library. 


This day I love Fantastic Mr Fox
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The 14th March is  National Children's Craft Day.  The girls and I love to be creative and do craft activities together.  Taking part in crafts is a great way for us to use our imaginations and to spend time together.

Whilst we often just use our imagination to build things sometimes it can be really great to have kit to make.  The Natural History museum have a great selection of craft kits available ready for National Children's craft day.  

One of these kits is to build a butterfly mobile.  The kit contains everything you need, except scissors, and even includes a book to tell you all about the different species of butterflies.



My youngest began sticking the butterflies onto the ribbons to make the mobile


The girls were really good and shared the glue with each other.  My eldest preferred the plain butterflies and my youngest the pattern ones. 


It was really easy for both girls to do, but they took their time and really enjoyed making the butterfly mobile


The kit was simple to follow and gave the girls a lot of fun to make the mobile.  We could even use the handy guide to talk about the different butterflies on our mobile.


We will be ordering another kit from the Natural History museum for National Children's Craft day, they are a lot of fun and a great way to encourage imagination and creativity in children.

Thanks to the Natural History museum for sending the kit to us in exchange for review.  All words are my own opinion 
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The team from Santa Maria were at Britmums Live handing out fajitas kits and challenging us to tell them how we eat fajitas at home.  We are huge fajitas fans in our house but we don't have a special secret recipe or an extra ingredient to add in for us the fun is the fajitas.

In our house fajitas mean family time.  Everything is placed in the middle of the table and we all help ourselves, even the girls.  This encourages the girls to be independent, to think about what they are eating and how much and teaches them to share.  

Fajitas are also fab because we can pack them full of peppers and onions and the girls eat them!  The girls like to roll up empty wrap to pretend they are pirates who 'I spy' the fajitas mixture.  They help themselves to the mixture and create the wraps themselves.  This helps with creativity and imagination.

While most people see the fajitas as simply a dinner in our household they are fab!

eldest and fajitas happy fajitas



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About me

About Me

Welcome to This Day I love.

My name is Leyla, also known as Mum to my 3 humans and dog Mum to J. I have a passion for the outdoors and love to run. I can often be found off road exploring the trails and fells and covering distances all the way up to 50 miles. As a family we love travelling and discovering new adventures, as I try and run around the world!

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