Buying a new roll of pretty washi tape, reading a new book with my three-year-old, actually making it to the gym every morning for a week rather than talking myself out of it. These are all things that make me happy. It’s funny how little things can make you smile, isn’t it?
This week, these things are making me smile. It might seem daft, but here we go…
The swimming costume was a sales purchase from Marks and Spencer. I couldn’t resist the bold print – and sshh don’t show it to my daughter because it’s for kids age 5-6 so she’s got at least a year until she can wear it!
Next, a gorgeous sparkly crown from H&M. One of those spur-of-the-moment purchases after seeing it discarded on a pile of pants near the till. Only £2.99 yet will bring my daughter a whole heap of joy when she wears the crown at her 4th birthday party later this month.
My friend Katrina used to make jewellery as her actual job. I met her in the pub last week, and she had made me this beautiful pearl necklace (no giggling at the back). Isn’t it gorgeous? She is a talented lady.
Also from Marks and Spencer, these sparkly silver shoes. The three-year-old needed some new party shoes and she is over the moon with this pair. She would wear them in bed, if we allowed her to. A bargain at £12, they make her smile and they make me smile too (until I have to vacuum twice a day to hoover up all of the glitter she is shedding – ha!)
Last but absolutely not least, the book is one by a new author and illustrator Rob Biddulph. By day, he works for The Observer and by night he’s a dad of three daughters and has been working on his first book. Over on The Motherhood, we featured some of his amazing lunchbox illustrations a few months ago, and now Blown Away
is out to buy. And you should buy it – since we received a copy a couple of weeks ago, it’s been a firm bedtime favourite with the three-year-old. It tells the tale of a penguin called Penguin Blue who has a slight mishap when playing with a new kite. It takes him on a journey with friends and together they have to work out how to get home again. Aside from the illustrations being a treat for the eyes, you can really tell that Rob is a dad himself and has read (I’m guessing) countless kids’ stories. It’s written in a very clever and charming way – the story kind of bounces along and as you read it, you find yourself being caught up in the story. There are also loads of little things on each page to chat about with your kids (especially good for any children who are the sort who like to make stories last forever and delay bedtime…)
What things have made you smile this week?
Aww Alison, so sweet of you to mention your necklace. I totes giggled at ‘pearl necklace’ I’ve such a childish sense of humor! Such cute things for the birthday girl- I do envy all the prettiness for girlies, having a cheeky chap myself- no inuendos!! Ok, enough of my immaturity today 🙂 x
I love this post Alison! I love hearing what other mums have been up to and little gems they’ve found, you hear about great things you may not otherwise have come across.
My LO tried on that crown last week and I’m kicking myself for not buying it!
What’s making me smile this week?
We had a long weekend in Norfolk, I visited my poorly brother in hospital AND met my gorgeous new baby nephew. Spent a night at my parents’ in Essex and they celebrated 36yrs of marriage. I’ve had a productive week on my blog and found time for a run AND made some Hummingbird bakery brownies.
Now I think about it- it’s been a pretty awesome week! (Sorry for the essay!!)
F would love that crown and those shoes! And we’re also adoring Blown Away – it’s just so blooming pretty for starters. In our house, things making me smile include a new chevron knit blanket for the impending new addition, our new bright yellow painted office desk and the knowledge that from next week I’ll be on mat leave! Yippee! xxx
I like the look (and sound) of that book. I will keep an eye out for it. Your daughter is going to look so gorgeous and sparkly on her birthday! x
Ok there are way to many things for me to like in one place. Those sparkly shoes and swimsuit I want in my size (but not to wear together) and that book looks ace! F asked me if he could buy that crown in H&M as he wanted to be a princess but Paul didn’t seem to keen. Ha! x
I love the swimming costume and the book looks fab! Cherry would love the glittery shoes and crown too! x
Lola has a similar swimsuite – such a fab print!! And those shoes and crown Baya would die for
that swimming costume!! so cute. and oh my, the shoes. i have a weakness for tiny cute shoes. who can resist something so cute inducing? (not that i have any reason to buy any, of course). the book looks great too 🙂
Oh seriously how cute is that HM gold crown and I agree the print on the costume is super cute! Oh and a big well done to making the gym everyday – I have been meaning to do that forever 🙂
Laura x
Spot on! After all it is the small things in life that make it worthwhile. Children are excellent at reminding us about it everyday!
My Little F is only one year old and all the pretty paper books that actually have a story in them end up in shreds pretty quickly… He loves books, but so far for the wrong reasons (unless he’s practising for his future in confetti factory!). I’ve put the Blown Away on my Books to Buy in Future list 🙂
I had no idea that crown was from H&M I’d seen it on a few IG feeds and assumed it was from some expensive kids label! love it and I actually want that swimsuit in my size! x
That book looks lovely, will be adding it to my never ending list! Ah and if only I could get away with wearing a crown and sparkly hoes everyday!