Easy-peasy no-sew dress-up skirt/tutu

Much as I'm enjoying tinkering on my sewing machine, every now and then it's nice to make something super-quick and easy without having to lug it out.

This little dressing-up skirt has become an instant hit with Ruby - perfect for twirling and whirling.

Not only is there no sewing required, you can make it in minutes and it's a great 'upcycle' of something old.

You will need:

Length of lace cafe curtain style net (choose one with cotton content if you're dying it.)
Length of ribbon
DYLON fabric dye or DYLON curtain whitener


You can often pick up lengths of lace curtain second-hand in charity shops, car boots or on Ebay for a pound or two.  The length you need will depend on the girth of your child and the fullness of skirt.  For reference, my piece for my 4 year old is approximately 52 inches.

You can of course leave it white (use curtain whitener to freshen it up), but I prefer to add a bit of colour.  I chose DYLON china blue, and also dyed a pair of white leggings at the same time.

If you've not used machine fabric dyes before, then I'd urge you to give it a go.  It's so simple.  Just wash your fabric first, check the instructions and add the required amount of salt and dye to your machine drum, place your clean wet fabric on top and run a 40 degree cycle.  Wash again and you're good to go.  The dye won't take on 100% nylon, so choose a net with some cotton content.

Once your fabric is dyed and dried, simply thread the ribbon through the curtain rod holes, tie it around the waist like an apron, fan out the ruffles an you're done.

This is only a play skirt and obviously she'd always wear leggings or tights underneath as it's see through.  For the sake of decency you could stitch the two end seams together, but personally I don't think you need to.

Disclosure: I have ongoing sponsorship with DYLON however, these concepts are my own.

Peppa Pig goes camping

We were sent one of the newest Peppa Pig play sets from Character to try out recently.

It's fair to say, it didn't start well.  For me, my biggest bug-bear is having to hunt out the tool box simply to remove something from it's packaging (why, oh why... don't get me started...)

Ruby was excited about her new toy, until she realised it only came with one figure.  ONE.  To the High Priestess of Bratishness, this is a total insult (I know, I know, she should be more grateful; lots of children don't get any toys; she doesn't realise how lucky she is; when I were a lad we had to play with coal...I did all that.)

So, before I got very cross with her, I left her with her new toy and went and did the hoovering.

Peeping round the door 10 minutes later, I discovered she'd dug out some of her other plastic Peppa Pig family characters, and they were all sitting down to a civilised al fresco lunch and chatting about the sandwich fillings.

Happily, she now concedes that it's a very nice toy, and she's pleased to have it.

Peppa and other assorted friends from her toy box can now flit off at the drop of a hat for a weekend away in the camper van, or simply enjoy a bit of outdoor fun searching out muddy puddles.

From my perspective, it's a nice sized item - not too small to lose the pieces and not too large that you can't take it out with you.  It's more robust than a lot of play sets she has too - always handy if you've got a clumsy pair of size 11s crashing about the house.

Peppa Pig's Camper Van is suitable from age 3 and retails at around £10.

Disclosure: Whilst Ruby can be a brat, I for one am grateful to Character for sending us the set to review.  All opinions expressed are my own and are honest.

Brush-Baby giveaway

It is never too early to teach your children about good oral and dental hygiene. Your child's first teeth are important for their speech development, eating habits, facial appearance and they establish the spacing for adult teeth in later life.

Milk teeth are also just as susceptible to tooth decay as adult teeth, and a study has shown that over 30% of children have some degree of tooth decay by the time they reach school age.*

Brush-Baby provide innovative dental care products for babies; toddlers and children.

Born out of frustration by a mother who battled with her daughter to brush her teeth, she discovered that whilst she wouldn't brush, she would chew her toothbrush.  So she developed and brought to market the chewable toothbrush that cleaned as it was being chewed.

Now stocked in all UK major supermarkets, brush-baby also offer an easy to follow 3-step pathway to good dental health, and are supported by dentists.

I'm pleased to be able to give away a set of brush-baby products suitable for babies.

Gentle apple mint baby & toddler toothpaste for 0-3 year olds is specially formulated to protect little teeth from decay.

The chewable brush can be used from 10months to 3 years.  The silicone brush gentle massages and soothes gums and cleans teeth with every chew.

And finally, I'm offering a couple of dental wipes, for ages 0-16 months.  Individually wrapped, these are handy for hen you are out and about, as you can use the finger sleeve wipes to gently cleanse teeth and gums after meals.

To win this bundle, simple leave a comment with a tip for children's dental health.  Remember to leave a way for me to contact you should you win (Twitter ID or an email).  The winner will be picked at random.  Open to UK only.  Closing date 12:00 Friday 27th April 2012.

Disclosure: Prize provided by brush-baby.  Prize pack consists of 1 x baby toothpaste; 1 x chewable brush and 2 x dental wipes. I received a sample of children's toothpaste and a brush.

Magpie Monday - Hello Yellow!

There must be something about this glorious spring-time weather that seems to have drawn me to sunny yellow purchases this week.

Firstly I spotted this pretty porcelain pin in the jewellery counter of my local charity shop.  I don't see me ever wearing a lapel pin like this, but I plan to remove it and pop it onto a ring blank making a delicate rose ring instead.

Only this morning I picked up this set of 6 etched glass tumblers for 50p each.  As my interest in foraging and wild food grows, I'm hoping these will be perfect for serving up my next experiment - dandelion tea!

I'm pretty sure the old man will be unamused at these beauties.  There's no room in the cupboard for them and they're totally impractical as they don't stack, but I will find a home for them somewhere and enjoy them.

Even the Irish Linen tea towels they are standing on where thrifted - 99p each for a pair.

What 2nd hand treasure have you discovered lately? Grab the badge and link up.



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A Roaring 20s night out with Future Cinema

Get yourselves down to the Art Deco delights of the Troxy in Limehouse this month and grab yourselves a date at Fat Sam's while you can.

Future Cinema are hosting a series of special Bugsy Malone experiences, including afternoon matinees for budding gangsters.



A rip-roaring extravaganza of speakeasy silliness, you really don't want to miss it.

We went along to an evening performance sans kids and had a ball.  From the moment you step foot inside the renovated old cinema, you are whisked back to 1920s American prohibition.  Up the dark staircase into the secret underworld of extravagance and exuberance.  Practise your Charleston beforehand and go raid your nan's wardrobe of her pearls and furs.

Drunk? How very dare you!  This is Prohibition don't cha know.

I simply can't think of a better way to let off steam than custard-pieing someone it the face!

He's SO got it coming.

Here are my tips for getting the very most out of the experience:

Get there early.  The best seats and front tables fill up quick, and you want to be downstairs for the most interactive experience.

Dress up.  Seriously, you'll be the odd one out if you don't.  Besides, getting weird looks on the DLR in your spats and tassels is all part of the fun!

Mooch around.  There's so much more going on than just what's on stage.  Get involved, go to the bar, enjoy some food, watch the gambling... it's hard to tell who's an actor and who's a spectator!

Be prepared.  Check under your seat to make sure there's a waterproof poncho before the finale - you don't want to find out too late!

Learn your lines.  If like me you haven't seen the film for many moons, it's worth refreshing yourself beforehand, at least on some of the big numbers so you can sing along.

Hang around.  Wait til after the showing of Bugsy Malone and the chaos has calmed and enjoy some 20s dancing at the end.

Take some flowers.  If you want to keep Tallulah sweet that is.

Follow the mayhem on Twitter @futurecinema #futurecinemabugsy

Finally, have fun.  You can't not really.

Glad I'm not on clean-up duties

The kid's matinee shows are at 12:30 on Friday 13th; Saturday 14th; Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th April.

Disclosure: We received a pair of tickets for the purposes of this review, however all opinions are my own.

Linking up with Family Frolics over at Multiple Mummy.

Merci Maman - win a stunning Liberty print bracelet and charm

Have you checked out Merci Maman's stunning range of gifts for him; for her and for baby?  If not, then your really need to pop on over there and check out the stylish ranges for all occasions.

Here's a quick round-up of some of my personal favourites.

For babies:

Personalised health book cover (£29).  This is the first time I've seen one of these, and what a great idea.  Every child has the ubiquitous, clinical looking red book, which you drag around with you from one appointment to the next.  Wouldn't it be nice to prettify it and have something different to everyone else?

Available in dotty fabric of either pink or grey.

For children:

Personalised director's chairs (£59).  How adorable are these?  A beautiful piece of nursery furniture that will last for years to come.  The 100% cotton covers can be embroidered with a name of your choice, and they are removable for washing to keep the chair looking tip-top.

Ruby would love one of these - and guess what?  She has no need for a mega-phone so she'd be good to go!

For him:

Personalised photo case for ipad2 (£35).  I love this idea, you simply email a jpeg of your photo after placing your order, and the production team will transfer it onto this stylish padded grey cover.  They will edit your picture to black and white for you.

For her (and for you!): 

This beautiful bracelet on Liberty print bias binding is £35 and comes with your choice of shaped charms, and engraving.  I chose the beautiful Fairford blue and grey print with a heart shaped silver charm.  It's truly gorgeous and such a relaxed piece of jewellery to wear.  I had it engraved with a very personal and special date and name, so I'm afraid I can't share a picture of it online.

All Merci Maman items come beautifully gift wrapped and you can add a gift card with a personal message if you are having the item sent direct to the recipient.

For your chance to win your very own bracelet like these featured, please complete one or more of the following actions.  Please leave a separate comment for each action so all your entries can be counted.

1. Subscribe to the Merci Maman newsletter at the bottom left of the page here.

2. Like Merci Maman's Facebook page.

3. Follow Merci Maman on Twitter.

4. Tweet the following message: "I'm entering @missielizzieb's giveaway with @mercimamangifts to win a Liberty bias engraved bracelet http://bit.ly/IwJZvA"

One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and will be able to select their choice of bias pattern, charm shape and engraving.  Open to UK only.  The closing date is Friday 27 April 2012 at 12:00.

Disclosure: I was sent a Liberty bias bracelet for the purposes of this review.  The prize will be fulfilled by Merci Maman Gifts.

Spark their interest in Science

I'm a huge fan of learning through play and this range of  toys by 4M in their Great Gizmos Science Museum range does just that.

If you're keen for your kids to get to grips with eco issues, then these help them learn about recycling and alternative energy generation.

We tried out the Trash Robot which went down very well with Ruby - not least because it meant she had permission to go riffling through the bin!

The kit includes everything you need to make 2 'trash robots' - you just supply the used bottles; cans; boxes or whatever you want to use.

Assembling the wheel chassis was very straightforward, and from there Ruby got creative planning out her robot and attaching stickers.

This kit really kept her occupied for quite a while and the wheels can easily be removed and re-used on another project.  It inspired her creativity and encouraged re-use of waste materials.

Other kits in the range are the Windmill Generator and the Solar Rover - a kit which includes a solar power toy car.

For outdoor kids and budding gardeners, there's the Weather Station which re-uses a plastic bottle to make a  weather monitor.  The bottle can also be used as a mini greenhouse to grow plants in.

If you're stuck for idea over the holidays, why not give one a try? Kits are available online and nationwide in toy stores.

Disclosure: We were sent the Trash Robot kit for the purposes of this review however all opinions are my own.