Simple Gift Giving Idea

I love, love homemade gifts :) both giving and receiving them is so much fun ..

I (with a little help from my girls) made these simple Succulent Gifts as an end of year gift for my girls teachers ..

They are really simple to make and cost effective too (bonus)

Here is what you will need ::

• Succulents
• Pots
• Compost
• Handful of decorative stones 
• Cellophane and ribbon to gift wrap 

Add a little compost to the bottom of each pot, add your succulent and fill with compost , add the stones on top to decorate :) 

I watered mine and left them over night before gift wrapping ..

I added a "Thank you for helping my grow and Bloom this year" to each pot ..

You can find the printable here 

To gift wrap, I covered some cardboard with tissue paper , so that the cellophane would squash the succulent and then tied with natural raffia..

That's it, simple :)  

Teacher's Gift Ideas ....

The long Summer Holidays are less than a week away.  The late nights, movies , picnics and ice cream will soon be filling our days :) ..

The start of the Summer Holidays also means that another school year has ended .. time to show the teachers a little appreciation for all they have done this past year . I am all for more homemade gifts, if you are too here are a few ideas ...

Simple Sweet Gift ~ B Inspired Mamma

Potted Plant ~ The Blackberry Vine

Starbucks Gift Card ~ Unknown 

Hands Down Gift ~ Eighteen 25 

I hope that these ideas have given you a little inspiration ?? 

I will be sharing our gift idea on Wednesday :) 

Are you more a homemade or pre-made gift giver ???

Thought For Thursday ...

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“And suddenly you just know…it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” -Meister Eckhart

As I start on my new adventure with "Oh So Peachy" , I am excited for change, to be challenged ,excited, a little nervous (Is anyone reading what I have to say ?) ... but these feelings drive me to the endless possibilities of starting a fresh..

After all who knows where this adventure could lead ?/?

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Its no secret that I love to experiment in the kitchen. I love how simple ingredients can come together to create something yummy, cookies are definitely one of those edible things you can make in so many ways, perfect for any occasion.

This weekend I had two little helpers :) my 7 and 3 year old..

Here is the recipe we used ....

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Cup butter, softened
• 1 Cup granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups plain flour  

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

• In a bowl mix cream butter and sugar until smooth.
• Beat in extracts and egg.
• In a separate bowl combine baking powder with flour and add a little at a time to the wet ingredients. The dough will be very stiff. If it becomes too stiff for your mixer turn out the dough onto a worktop.
• DO NOT CHILL THE DOUGH. Divide into workable batches, roll out onto a floured surface and cut. You want these cookies to be on the thicker side.
• Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rac.

We used a simple icing sugar frosting, which we coloured in pink (well what other colour would we use ?? ;)

Enjoy :)

Simple Strawberry Trifle

I love experimenting with new desserts !! The combination of simple ingredients with a pop of colour really makes for an awesome sweet surprise ..

This Simple Strawberry Trifle, will definitely win your guests over and it is really simple to make too, bonus !! 

Ingredients ::

• Pre made Cake/Sponge ~ I used a lemon roll cake 
• Pre made Custard 
• Double or Whipping Cream 
• Fruit of your choice
• Mint and icing sugar to decorate 

Method ::

• Chop the pre-made cake/roll into slices and layer at the bottom of your dish, press together to form your first layer.

• Pour on the custard and smooth out with a spoon.

• Whisk the cream until it becomes smooth but not too thick, add on top of your custard .

• Layer with fruit, I chopped Strawberries in half length ways and places them around the edge, then filled the centre with kiwi  fruit.

• Repeat these steps again ..

• I decorated with a sprig of mint

• When you are ready to serve gently sprinkle with icing sugar.

Serve and enjoy :) 

Do you enjoy experimenting with desserts ?? Let me know your favourite recipes :)

Linking up @ Live Laugh Rowe 

Tips to make Ramadan Fun for Kids

Source 

I came across these tips whilst searching for something else and thought that they were really good and thought I would share them with you too :) 

So, how is your Ramadan so far ?? I am not gonna lie I have found a few days difficult :( but Alhamdulilah ..

I need to catch up with my Quran reading and start my Quran journal Insha'Allah 

I will be back tomorrow sharing a simple Recipe for my Strawberry Trifle !!

Ramadan Gift Baskets ....

Ramadan Mubarak to you all :)

 One of the things I wanted to accomplish this Ramadan was starting a few traditions in our home, getting the girls excited about Ramadan the meaning and a better understanding of the reason Why this month is so special to Muslims.

When I did a search on Pinterest  (because where else do you go when you need some creative inspiration?) I found these awesome Gift Baskets and  i knew I wanted to re-create those for my girls too :)

The contents of each baskets where very similar I just changed the colours up to suit each of my daughters, the older 2 (12,10) had exactly the same and the younger 2 (7,3) had very similar also..

Contents ~ Younger age basket 

• Ramadan Activity set by the Muslim Sticker Company 
• Art Journal
• Colours
• Stickers
• Bubbles
• Paper lantern (to decorate and hang)
• Paper Garland (to colour and hang) Ramadan Joy
• Prayer Beads ~ Check out my simple DIY 
• I also found a Black soap holder , which I thought they could decorate to look like the Kabba
• Embriodery hoop and fabric 

Contents ~ Older Age Basket 

• Ramadan Fasting Chart set by the Muslim Sticker Company 
• Art Journal
• Water Colours
• Stickers
• Bubbles
• Paper lantern (to decorate and hang)
• Paper Garland (to colour and hang) Ramadan Joy
• Prayer Beads ~ Check out my simple DIY 
• I also found a Black soap holder , which I thought they could decorate to look like the Kabba
• Embriodery hoop and fabric 

My girls loved them !!! I definitely think these will be a new tradition and I am looking forward to creating with them this Ramadan whilst we discuss what Ramadan means to us ..

Sugar Cookie Recipes ....

Chewy Sugar Cookies ~ Add a Pinch

Sugar Cookies ~ Our Best Bites 

Simple Sugar Cookies ~ Completely Delicious 

I am looking forward to making some Ramadan/Eid cookies with my girls, so I thought I would share these simple recipes with you too ..

You could quite easily change the simple recipe, by adding lemon , almonds or coco to create a different flavour. 

Happy baking :) 

Re-usable Favour Bags (Ramadan Makes)

I am busy working on the girls Ramadan Gift Baskets , I wanted to make sure that they have enough activities to help keep them occupied, whilst helping them reflect on this blessed month.

So one of the items that I wanted to include was beads, so they could make their own prayer beads.

It was so much cheaper for me to buy a big box of beads and divide them in to 4 piles, rather than buying 4 individual packets, which lead me onto this quick DIY , re-usable favour/gift bags.

The great thing about these cotton bags is that they can easily be sewn for gifts and then re-used, the hardest part is choosing the fabric :)

Materials 

• Fabric
• Ribbon, Ric Rac or Pom Poms 
• Pins
• Sewing Machine 
• Iron 

Direction

• Cut your fabric ( I cut mine 6" x 14" but you can customise your size).
• Fold the fabric in half , right sides together 
• iron, turn over the 6" edges iron to keep the fold in place , you could also pin .. This helps to create a neat finish to the tops.
• 
  
• Add any trim across the 6" edge, sew in place 
• Fold right sides together , pin in place 
• sew down the two open sides
• turn right side out 
• iron 
• cut ribbon for the bow
• Add your treats :) 

I added some tags on to each of the bags .... Cute

I hope that you enjoyed this quick DIY !! It is definetley an achievable "nap time" project ..

Linking up @ Live Laugh Rowe  , Sew Can Do

Blogging Tips and Finding my Voice

Even though my new blog "Oh So Peachy" is less than a week old, I wouldn't consider myself as a blogging newbie. I have been blogging for almost 4 years !!

I have experimented with various blog platforms, designs and names ... each time learning a little more as i go. During my break from blogging from February this year until now I decided that I wanted to find my own voice and share what I love , up until now I never spoke about my religion or the fact that I am a Muslim revert and that I am practising Muslim and have been for the past 6 years Alhamduliallah  ..

So after looking for Muslim mom's voice in the blogsphere, I decided to change the direction of my own blog to fit that bill !!

My aim for Oh So Peachy , is to create a space for like minded Muslim and non-Muslim Moms to come together , relate to each other, share ideas and to create friendships and inspiration .. Insha'Allah 

The most important thing that i have learned these past 4 years is that you have to be true to yourself, blog about what makes you happy !!

I found this awesome "Pin" on Pinterest which i thought i would share with you  !!

Source

Are you new to blogging ?? Do you have any tips you would like to share ??? 

Leave us a comment below :) 

Claire 

Fun Ramadan Craft Ideas for Kids ..

With Ramadan less than a week away, I thought it would be fun to share with you some fun and simple Ramadan Craft activities to enjoy with your children ..

Ramadan Decor ~ Ramadan Joy 

Paper Punch-Out Lanterns ~ Kids Activity Blog 

Eid Cookies ~ Ode to Inspiration

Numbered Flag Garland ~ Ramadan Joy 

I really want to try having a go at a few of theses activities with my girls, I love homemade decor, I think it would be the perfect start of making our own traditions too, Insha'Allah ..

How are you starting to prepare for Ramadan ??

Claire x

Salaam and welcome :)

Its been almost 4 months since I last blogged !!  To be honest I think I needed the break, time to re-evaluate content and purpose ..

Since I last blogged I have changed my blogs name and look :) something fresh and something that represents my life ..

What you can expect from me , still plenty of creativeness either DIY projects, sewing, recipes ect ..I will also be sharing more of my thoughts about being a Muslim revert and full time mommy !!

With Ramadhan quickly approaching I will be sharing with you some DIY decorations, ideas and inspiration.. 

I want this blog to be a place where we can connect, discuss and get to know each other so please feel free to share your thoughts and feelings in the comments below ..

So with Ramadhan just around the corner I would love to know if you have any family traditions ??

Claire xox

Cut It Out Wall Sticker Review ::

Our Customised Wall Sticker

One of the fun things about blogging is being able to work with brands, experience and try out there products ..

So when I checked out Cut It Out Wall Stickers, I knew that I would love there products ..

About the Company ..

Cut it out wall stickers was created with its customers in mind, offering you an affordable yet innovative way of styling your interior. We are a team of professional London based graphic designers who set up cut it out in late 2011. We began as a trio, tired of our mundane 9-5 jobs we decided we needed change! Following the recent trend for wall vinyl we followed in swift pursuit but of course with a little cut it out flare. Our doodled designs on post it notes grew to become panoramic wall art.

The hardest part about this review was choosing which Wall Sticker !! There is something for everyone, every style , every room .. The images on the site give a clear example of how the Wall Stickers may look in your chosen room ..

Find this Sticker here 

Cut It Out also personalise stickers,  that was the sticker I chose, it really finishes off my youngest daughters bedroom..

I will be buying more for the rest of my girls and my kitchen once that's had a makeover ..

Ordering was easy and delivery was quick ..

Application of the sticker, took a bit of time, but once you get the hang of it , its fairly easier .. the stickers are quite delicate so taking your time is the best thing to do..

All in all , a great company to work with an excellent product... 

Find this Sticker Here

So if your looking for a little something to add that finishing touch to your home, I would definitely recommend checking out Cut it Out Wall Stickers ..

Claire 

Instagram Blog Hop !!

Welcome to the Instagram Blog Hop! If you're new around here, the Instagram Blog Hop is a party where you link up your Instagram account, find and follow new Instagram friends, and be continually inspired by what you see in your Instagram feed! NOW ON SATURDAYS! No need to have a blog, just an Instagram account! So come hang out with us every weekend!

The Rules are Simple:

1. Follow your HOSTS:

Kimberly of A Night Owl | Instagram: @anightowlblog Erin of My Thirty Spot | Instagram: @mythirtyspot Angie of Little Inspiration| Instagram: @blogali 

2. Follow your CO-HOSTS:

Kelley of The Grant Life | Instagram: @thegrantlife Claire of Live Love Create | Instagram: @livelovecreatex Kendall of Songbirds and Buttons | Instagram: @songbirdsandbuttons ___

3. Link up your Instagram Web Profile:

Just link up your new Instagram Web Profile (http://instagram.com/username) -OR- Webstagram Web Profile (http://web.stagram.com/n/username) in the linky below!

___

4. Check out and follow a few fellow Instagram friends.

Tell folks you follow that you found them through the IGBH! ___

5. SHARE THE IGBH LOVE!

Before you link and run, we'd love for you to SHARE THE IGBH LOVE! We'd love to grow this lovely community, so we're asking you to share - with your friends, on your social media! Tweet about it, share it on G+ and Facebook or post about it on Instagram! And TODAY to celebrate our new day, we're having a little giveaway! Enter to WIN a $15 Starbucks Gift Card below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Dipped Oreo's

These simple Dipped Oreo's are a quick and easy treat to make (I made these for my daughters birthday in January ) ..

You will Need :

Oreo's
White Chocolate 
Sprinkles or topping of your choice ( choc chips, nuts ect)

Method :

Open your Oreo's 

Melt your Chocolate (i melted mine in the microwave)

Pour your chosen topping into a plate ..

Dip the Oreo into the melted chocolate and then into the topping !!!

Leave to set ..

That's it, finished :)

Enjoy !!

Monday Moments ::

I had so much fun writing last weeks "Monday Moments" post I thought it would be fun to do another this week ...

So here are 5 things to inspire you this week ....

I love this awesome print via Studio Calico 

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I am totally in love with black and white, such a classy look for a home. Not sure how practical it is with children ?? But maybe going through my home creating this look one room at a time may be possible, will have to work on my husband first though !!!

Amy Tangerine 

I am a huge fan of Amy Tan (aka Amy Tangerine) I also find her blog and projects so inspiring and I proudly have a lot of her products ... I love how bright and cheerful her projects are .. Amy was a huge source of inspiration that started me scrapbooking and project life , that sadly I haven't managed any this year :( which makes me sad.. I am hoping to get my paper crafting mojo back soon !!!! but for now I am enjoying stopping by her blog and seeing what she is up to !!

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During my 6 week recovery from surgery, I have been unable to drive :( which has definitely been frustrating a times. I have had to think of meal preparation for the week instead of on a day to day basis.. So having a meal planner has been really helpful, and how cute is this one ?? I will be using this one next week :) 

Source 

For all my creatives out there, thinking of starting a handmade business, this series is a must!!! By the awesome Maggie Whitley !!! Who has inspired my journey in so many ways , her blog is one of the blogs i check daily !! So grab yourself a Notebook and pen and enjoy the series ..

What is inspiring you this Monday ??

Claire xo

Craft, Create & Inspire Linky Party

Welcome to this weeks Craft, Create & Inspire linky party

Did you all have a nice Valentines Day ??? I had some lovely surprises from my daughter :)   There were some really great DIY, Crafts and more projects last week !!! Thank you for stopping by each week and sharing your inspiration with us.

Featured Projects from last week : 

Anthropologie Inspired Pom Pom Pens ~ The Casual Craftlete 

Gold Painted Geo Planters ~ Homeyohmy

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Roses ~ The Pin Junkie 

Believe You Can Printable ~ Elegance and Enchantment 

Where you Featured ?? Make sure you GRAB YOUR BUTTON !!

 Ready to get this week's Party started ? 

• Feel free to link up just about anything. Recipes, Tutorials,  Inspiration, Crafts, Printable's     I would {love} for you to follow my blog.   
• Please link to your specific post and not your entire blog. 
•    Please add this party to your linky party list.   
•  Take a few extra minutes to visit some of the bloggy loveliness that has been linked up.  
•   Most importantly: HAVE FUN! 
•    Feel free to grab my button from my and spread the linky fun

An InLinkz Link-up