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Gone fishing

fishing-set

Fishing will teach your children the value of relaxing, doing almost nothing and patience. Something that we all have in short supply during these hectic-paced days. First up, choose a good fishing rod that will have the fish being reeled in before you can say “Bob’s uncle!” I like the Quantum Ultralight rod that’s ideal for trout fishing. Alternatively, plump for this excellent fishing kit that has everything you need. It includes rod, reel, tackle and line. It’s a bargain too.

If you’re looking for a fishing rod that is specifically made for children then this youth fishing rod and reel comes in a pack. Brightly coloured it has everything your kids need to get started. Now you just need to hang out that ‘gone fishing’ sign!

Fishing accesories for kids: Quantum Ultralight rod, WSB fishing kit, and Youth fishing rod and reel

Cooking for kids: Expert macaroni and cheese

frost-bite

Imagine the scenario. You return home from a hard day at the office to find your teenage kids are shock horror, not watching the soaps or on Facebook or running up their mobile phone bills, which you pay of course. No they are in the kitchen having just prepared dinner for you. An unlikely event? Well maybe but most older kids love to cook as long as you let them choose recipes that are fun and easy that they’ll also enjoy eating – and at some point showing off their skills to their friends.

So get your family in the kitchen and teach them to make the best macaroni and cheese ever invented, thanks to chef Stefano Manfredi who has given us the recipe for his fave party dish – macaroni and cheese with asparagus.

1. Boil pasta. At the same time trim 1cm from the ends of the asparagus and slice into 3cm lengths. A minute before the pasta is ready add the asparagus to the pot. Use a good size saucepan, such as this Harrods original pro-deep saucepan with lid.

2. Drain the pasta and asparagus and transfer to a larger saucepan then add cheese, butter, and cracked pepper. Stir well until the macaroni is covered with cheese.

3. Serve immediately and accompany it with a green salad. Choose a cool, modern salad bowl, such as this Sainsbury’s TU wooden salad bowl and then let everyone serve themselves. Simple and easy. Perfect teenage fodder!

Susan Austin Frost Bite Freezer Recipe Book, Harrods original pro-deep saucepan with lid and Sainsbury’s TU wooden salad bowl

Art Attack: Lucien Freud

lucian-freud

Last April I went with my nephews to the Lucien Freud exhibition in Paris at the Centre Pompidou. My nephews are aged 10, 12 and 15 and to be honest I really went because I wanted to see the show – I love Lucien Freud – and I thought they might be quite bored. I was completely and pleasantly surprised though. They adored it. Perhaps because Freud’s work is both beautiful and realistic, they preferred it to what they call ‘girlie’ paintings like Monet’s Waterlilies.

It made me realise how important it is to expose children and teenagers to art, even when you think it might not be exactly their cup of tea. So try somewhere that’s free and with a good, modern collection such as Tate Modern in London. A book on an artist is a great gift too, I love this one on Lucien Freud’s portraits, which I have bought for my nephews. If they’re getting inspired then splash out and buy them some artist’s canvases. Great for getting the kids in touch with their inner artist!

Featured items:  Lucien Freud’s portraits book, and Artist’s canvases

Book Review: Listen to This by Alex Ross

listen-to-this-Alex-Ross

One of the joys of parenting is the idea that you can pass on and impart your knowledge to your offspring. Granted, they’re not always interested, especially when you’re spouting ‘when I was young’ advice. This is perhaps why it’s often easier to suggest a great film or book that you love and which you think is informative and interesting, rather than trying to lecture older children or teenagers.

I have just bought Listen to This by Alex Ross for my friends 14 year old son and I really recommend it for teenagers who are into music. Ross is the New Yorker music critic and his previous book was about classical music, while this one turns its attention to the likes of Bob Dylan, Radiohead and Bjork. As well as looking at specific pieces of music in an entertaining manner, Ross also explains why pop music matters. There are also interesting facts about how Renaissance dance music influenced Led Zeppelin and why the blues sound so very blue. Pitch perfect.

In a jam

jam-making-kit

It’s that time of year again, late summer and the hedgerows are crowded with blackberries and raspberries, which means only one thing in my house. Time to make some jam! My niece and nephews always like to get involved with this and in fact jam making is such a fun family activity for a Sunday afternoon.

If you’re not sure where to start or just fancy a little help then get hold of a great jam recipe book and have a flick through with your family to decide what sort of jam you’d all like to make and where you can go and collect the berries from. This Jam, Jelly and Relish book is beautifully illustrated and is sure to get you all inspired.

Next, invest in a good jam making kit that will ensure you have all the tools at hand to create some delicious jams, just perfect for spreading on toast or scones. Cooking Marvellous’ kit contains everything you need, including an extra long jam spoon and special strainer. Finally, some empty jam jars means you can keep your culinary creations for months to come. If you don’t eat them all at once, that is!

Jam Making Accessories featured:  Jam, Jelly and Relish book Waterstones, Jam making kit Cooking Marvellous, and Abel & Cole red chilli jam

I’m forever blowing bubbles…

kids-bubbles
I’m forever blowing bubbles… pretty bubbles in the air! So I’m coming over all nostalgic and musical at the thought of playing lots of bubble blowing games with my niece this weekend. She’s seven years old and give her a bottle of bubbles and she’s amused for hours! Bubbles are just magical for kids, the shape, the way they catch the light, the rainbow of colours and of course the fact that you touch one and pop! It’s gone. Giggles all round, especially chez moi where the dogs also get involved!

John Lewis’ super miracle pack of bubbles is great value for money and a perfect buy for birthday parties or just for a fun weekend with the family. For younger kids the brightly coloured Bob the Builder bubbles are sure to go down a treat. Nice to see a masculine edge to the bubble blowing malarky! On the other hand, wannabe princesses will love these Disney Princess bubbles in an ultra pretty pink tube. Now let the games begin!

Bubbles and toys featured:  John Lewis super miracle bubbles, Bob the builder bubbles, and Disney Princess bubbles

Harvest Festivals

harvest-festival
It’s that time of year again when thoughts turn to mist and mellow fruitfulness. October when I was growing up was also all about the harvest festival in my village, although I do realise saying this makes me sound about eighty years old. (I’m not, honestly!) This time-honoured tradition was of course tied to the church but even if you’re not religious it’s worth teaching your children about the timely harvest festival as it’s such a beautiful tradition in English history and of course ties in with the American Thanksgiving celebrations later in the year.

A good place to start is with a brightly colourful coffee table book about the harvest festival as an education tool that most children will adore. This Acorn book is ideal for young children as it will explain about the religious connotations and the effect on the community in a simple manner.

Next, why not get your whole family involved by taking a lovely hamper to an old person’s home or charity to teach your children the importance and the joy of giving. Mrs Bridges Picnic and BBQ hamper has an old-fashioned appeal, which everyone is certain to appreciate.

Featured Harvest Festival items: Harvest Featival book from Acorn and Mrs Bridges Picnic and BBQ hamper

Celebrate! A level results gifts

a-levels

It’s that time of year again when the nation’s eighteen year olds get their A-Level results. So much hangs on these exams, a place at university and what seems like the whole future for these teenagers. Even though it was over ten years ago now, I remember that August day so well and the excitement and relief when I got my results.

If your children are going through this right now, or even if it’s a niece or nephew, remember to mark the day with a celebratory dinner. A thoughtfully chosen gift is also just the ticket to show how much you care and how proud you are of all the hard work they have put in, not only over the last two years but also for their entire time at school.

The best exam results gifts are about celebrating success. A personalised pop up card with a modern design is a good place to start. Take some snaps over the celebration dinner and then present your child with the results in a gorgeous leather photo album that they can take with them to university. This gold leather one is ideal.  Alternatively, a cool photo frame means they can remember this eventful day for many years to come.

Take a hike

hiking-boots
Go on, take a hike. This is now the in joke between me and my nephews ever since they dragged me on my first ever hiking expedition in Scotland this weekend. Now I’m a fashion girl, I wear heels ok? Even for climbing mountains. Ok that’s a joke, never before have I become more aware of the need to ensure you’re properly equipped when taking a family hike, whether in the UK or abroad.

Hiking boots are absolutely essential to protect not only your feet and ankles, but also your hips and knees too. They should be super sturdy, hard wearing and with laces at the front to make sure they’re done up tightly to protect your joints. For keen hiking parents looking to take their kids out, I recommend they invest in the right boots for themselves, then your children will follow suit. Try John Lewis’ Columbia hiking boots out for size.

Children’s hiking boots should be chosen with even more care. Velcro straps can work, as long as they are tight-fitting and also make sure there is more than one strap to give young feet proper support. These Grisport Junior ones are ideal, especially if your kids struggle with laces or like the ease of velcro better. I also like these Peter Storm girls hiking boots. They are lightweight, waterproof and made from a ‘breathable’ fabric that’s perfect for light hiking. These boots really were made for walking…

Featured hiking boots: John Lewis Columbia hiking boots, Grisport Junior hiking boots for kids, Peter Storm girls hiking boots

Gifts for grads: Pick of the best

grad-gifts-UK
I am in the rather strange position this year of picking out a graduation gift for my mother. After working straight from school she has gone onto obtain a series of very high profile degrees, a masters and has now just got her Phd I am so proud of her! I also feel like a parent having to choose a graduation gift and suddenly realise how difficult it is to choose something quirky, cute and meaningful that the grad will treasure and remember their day by.

Luckily help is at hand with this hopefully useful guide. First up, I think it’s great to choose a cute token gift with just the right amount of sentimentality. This personalised graduation bear is just adorable! Add a classic present, such as this chic two tone photo frame and you have the gift-giving part nailed.

I also love the idea of this graduation memory box by Elizabeth Young Designs. In bespoke solid oak it features your name and the date of graduation, plus is filled with sweet miniatures like books and pens. You can add your own photos, souvenirs of time at university and keepsakes to treasure from the special day.

Gifts for grads featured: Personalised graduation bear, Graduation memory box by Elizabeth Young Designs, and  Graduation two tone photo frame

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