We visited St Michael’s Mount on our last trip to Cornwall eight years ago and it was one of the most unexpectedly magical places I have been to.  On that occasion it rained, we got there late and had to see it in a rush.  One of my most beloved memories however is running back from […]

Over the last few weeks I have been working with my sisters on a project which we have all been very enthused about.  The project is an online shop selling items we have either made or sourced that celebrate our relationship as sisters and our diverse interests and passions. Kooky Little Sister and Shutterbug Sister […]

Our Ramadan Giving series highlights the amazing work charities are doing and showcases their special Ramadan campaigns, giving us all the opportunity to support, donate and do a little good insh’Allah Ramadan Giving Day 10: Uyghur Refugees: COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund The Shukr Foundation currently have a live crowdfunding appeal in LaunchGood, their campaign objective […]

Happy Eid to everyone, hope it was special for each and every one of you. Have had a manic few days (and thats saying something considering I never seem to be able to stop running around like a headless chicklet).Took a week off and spent most of the time running around preparing for Eid and […]

I recently had the most amazing experience with my grandmother. I have written in the past about the problems with youth and identity and Tariq Ramadan’s Two-Parent Theory. I kind of understood what he was saying in that I have never known where I belong. Am I British and that’s all, am I British Asian, […]

After four children, I didn’t think it could happen to me. I thought I would know by now if I was in labour or not. So after a night of contractions on and off, when I woke up to pains every few minutes, I phoned the hospital and went in with hubby. Except by the […]

The Big Book Bubble recently brought their Book Top to town and I decided to take the kids along.I loved how the entrance was a wardrobe full of furry coats reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. There was an elderly lady in front of me who asked the organiser why there were […]

Woke up with myself and the kids coughing and heaving all over the place. Despite that had a nice quiet Eid with family and friends. Little Lady was happy preening and running around in her little high heels. (I thought she would fall on her bottom, but she skipped about in them easily). Did her […]

After much trauma trying to civilise my oldest child, failing and then eventually reaching a truce, I determined to do things differently with my second as he made his way through his teens: firm but fair, kind and compassionate but encouraging independence and responsibility. There are days and weeks when it works and then days […]

The final instalment of the Pellinor Quartet, by the time I got to this book, I was looking forward to finding out what happened next. Croggan has been accused of plagiarism and indeed here you often get the feeling that what is being played out in the book feels like a repetition of something that […]

This is a topic close to my heart and one that has been on my mind the last year or so. I don’t write to be controversial as I don’t like to upset people and I certainly don’t like to encourage trolls. In the past when I have written about marriage I received a very […]

I was recently asked to do a review for Hotel Chocolat.  Although I tend to ignore anything even slightly Christmassy, I could not say no to free chocolate.  I’ve been given Hotel Chocolat Batons Selection before for Eid by my sisters and really, really enjoyed them.  In fact the last time I went shopping with […]

Little Lady and I have been deadlocked over one issue for the last two or three years: her messiness. I seem to spend all day telling her to pick her things up, to tidy her toys and clothes away, to put things back where they come from. Regardless of my repeated reminders, she seems to […]

There are some beautiful parks not too far from us (ValentinesPark being one of the best), but those that are nearer are unfortunately generally either a little grotty or feel slightly unsafe. Barking Park is one we have taken the kids to on a rare occasion, but doesn’t stand out as somewhere we would go […]