Tag Archives: Halloween

Oct13

October Fun Part II: Halloween Inspiration

Posted on October 13, 2014 by samoorstuff

October Fun Part II: Halloween Inspiration

Halloween has to be one of the most creative holidays ever!! There’s so much one can do yet I find myself struggling to find the time.

I love being creative and will use every excuse possible to do something useful. Holidays like Halloween and Christmas give me that fulfillment, if life just didn’t get in the way I would do so much more!

Off course costumes are just the tip of the iceberg. Oh and let’s not forget my obsession with pinterest that has a gazillion inspiration boards.

Do you plan anything special for Halloween??

Well I would like to share a few of my favorite pictures and links for all those “Halloween” and “DIY” enthusiasts.

do you have your COSTUMES picked out yet?? Check out Simply Kierste for some costume inspiration.

What about a special homemade TREAT like Popcorn Balls?? This is a recipe that I’ve been wanting to try for the longest time.

One of the many traditions we have at our house is the carving of the pumpkin. Off course Zeenah looooooves getting her hands dirty taking all the seeds and gutting the Pumpkin.

We tend to do traditional Jack-O-Lantern because it’s just that much easier with 2 kids but I always wanted to venture out and trying something new.

I would love to be able to paint a set of pumpkins or doing glitter designs.

Unfortunately with the lack of Pumpkin Patches in Kuwait and the obscene prices of a traditional pumpkin I’ve resorted to just admiring all the designs online.

Of course I could always venture out into making Paper Mache pumpkins and then doing whatever design but I’m almost afraid to get something like that started and end up with too many pumpkins and no place to store them!

I hope that these few ideas and links helps you get inspired and assists in Making Life Memorable for you and your kids.

Oct1

October Fun

Posted on October 1, 2014 by samoorstuff

October Fun

Its October and the countdown of every even in my life has began.

You might laugh but this is no laughing matter for me…it’s serious and crunch time has officially started with events galore on the horizon.

This is the time when I bring out the iPad and crank up my pins on Pinterest. Whether I do them all or just a few is besides the point. I know they’re there and I’m confident that I’ll eventually get around to it.

October is the beginning of Fall in my book and the preparation of costume season for Halloween.

One of my favorite things to do is have little crafting sessions with the girls with “Fall Themed” crafts.

I’m not sure how we’re going to do it this year with Jennah being in 3rd grade and overworked between homework and activities. But I really hope that I’ll get around to doing something fun like this with the girls.

I would love to go around in our Garden and have the girls collect all sorts of Leaves from the ground.

I’d probably bring down some paint and have them dip the leaves in the paint and make imprints on Paper. Maybe even glue the leaves too. Have actual leaves and imprints would look pretty and introduce them to different “Mediums”.

Off course always on the agenda is baking and decorating cupcakes…. These are a few of the designs we’ve made in the past.

It’s time to get more creative and see what the girls can come up with this year….

Perhaps we can make a whole graveyard?? Who knows….

All this aside this month requires a great deal of creativity and skill because it’s off course costume season for the whole family!!

I think we’ve done every kids of costume from purchasing to making….and it’s time we go all over it again….

Here’s a few samples of what we’ve done in the past and I can’t wait to get started all over again!

I’ve always wanted to have a little Halloween even of my own but with our November birthdays and Christmas preparations I’ve always thought it’s overloading myself.

But we do have one major tradition that we always do and that’s the carving of the pumpkin…. We all go to Sultan and buy a really nice American pumpkin and get all creative in carving it.

Off course Zeenah is assigned to gut it all out, while Jennah is the one that draws out the design and I have the pleasure of carving it all out.

I would like to get more creative and do several pumpkins but unfortunately they don’t last very long because of the heat and they do start to smell.

Maybe this time around we can Paper Mache a Pumpkin…or several pumpkins.

There are just so many ideas that I can’t wait to try out ad share with all my readers. And hopefully in this process I help in Making Life Memorable for you too!!

Oct28

Fabric Heaven

Posted on October 28, 2013 by samarhajjaj

Fabric Heaven

My girls have caught on way to quickly on my “if I can’t find it I’m gonna make it” mentality… It’s supposed to be my little secret… Well secrets out apparently!

Since occasions/parties and dressing up is a big thing in my household my girls get a choice of what they want to be for Halloween.

Jennah wanted to be Zoe from Sesame street and suggested I make it since I couldn’t find a ready made costume (in Kuwait and online). Poor Zoe even sesame online doesn’t have a costume for her. Trust my daughter to choose the underdog! Protector of the weak.

So off to the Fabric Souq in sharq I go….. oodles and oodles of fun. No seriously I wanted to buy it all even though I had absolutely no use for it.

Store after store I was looking for orange fury or feathery fabric. I could find one or the other, either orange but not the texture or Fury but not the color.

All the while thinking, it’s Thursday evening and she needs to wear it on Friday to her cousin’s “Halloween Birthday Party”… Serves me right for asking them! My mind racing and reminding me the faster I get the fabric the quicker I can start designing and sewing.

Finally I was led to a shop called Reemas Bazar, my wishes came true……What a fabulous selection!!! The have more than just fabric, they have all sorts of accessories, beads, and the works!!

The main highlight of the whole thing is that I was in Sesame street heaven!!! I actually found all of the colors and textures for Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie monster, Abby and most importantly Zoe!

I got what I wanted and rushed to pick up the girls from their playdate and couldn’t wait to get home. Mind you I hadn’t thought the whole costume through…. There was still the question of the bug eyes….

I quickly manage to put the girls in bed to get started…ooops I can’t!!! I had to finish the cake and cupcakes I was making for my niece!!! (that’ a whole other POST!!!)

Fast Forward to the next morning……So I set out to make Jennah’s Zoe Costume. I got a visual idea of the main components of the costume and it was time to get all the supplies. I dug through my craft supplies and got two Styrofoam balls, googly eyes, brown glittery foam paper and confiscated a headband from the girls’ dresser.

I’m all set. So I knew that all I needed to use the fabric for was her arms, a little chest area and somehow a wig. I sat there for a while staring at the fabric then it kinda hit me. I made a shrug that she wore backside front. Just a few stiches for the arms and that’s it. I put elastic through the hem the sleeve to hold it onto her wrists.

Next came the real crafty job… I stuck the two Styrofoam balls together and glues each of the googly eyes. I cut out eyelashes from the brown glittery foam paper and also glued them to the eyeballs. Lastly the pair of eyes were glued to the headband.

Now it was time to try it all on and hope for the best.

Jennah was extremely quick to put her ballet clothes on and just waited for me to turn her into Zoe…. Keeping my fingers crossed that it all fits and makes sense.

She wore the arms and I fixed the extra fabric into a wig and placed the headband to hold it all together. And Viola!!! Another creation I am proud to have made.

So this season its all about “Making Life Memorable” the creative way! Oh wait…..isn’t that always the case in my house?!

P.S. If you’re planning a Sesame street character you know where to find the tools to make it!

Oct22

It’s Costume Season

Posted on October 22, 2013 by samarhajjaj

It’s Costume Season

After the rush of “Back to School” is all over and I ever so gladly welcome the routine of a so-called organized life (HAH! made myself laugh) the fun begins!

Yes I’m intentionally going to ignore the endless drives back and forth, school drop-offs and pick-ups, homework and extra-curricular activities and I’m going to talk about FUN stuff like Halloweeeeeen!!

What a fabulous holiday that lets me get dressed up all crazy!! Oh and the kids too….

Every year I keep thinking how am I going to outdo myself this time?? Especially now that I have to think of not just myself (as a couple) but also for the girls!

I take events very seriously and try to be really creative.

It’s a mix of wanting to be unique and the lack of variety when it comes to shopping for costumes in Kuwait.

I mean so seriously that last year I couldn’t find the right wig for my costume so I went and chopped my hair!

I was really happy about last year’s couple costume.

It took me a while to figure out and off course I resorted to ordering it from amazon which made me spend more on shipping than the costume itself. But what’s a girl gonna do?!

We were Neo & Trinity from The Matrix granted I didn’t have Trinity’s long sleek legs but I believe we pulled it off… Not bad Yeh!

I wasn’t that lucky to have enough time to order Jennah’s costume when I got the note from school about the Halloween event stating to “Dress up as a book character” only 4 days prior.

Needless to say I was frazzled and frantic. Halloween comes the same time every year, why would they tell us a few days before?

I know why….. to torture ME!

Off course my child of reading age says “I want to be Dorothy” Why oh why did she read the note?? Then I thought I love the idea. Off to the stores I go…..

NO Dorothy costume to be found. 3 days in search and still no luck.

Finally I thought I’m wasting time! Valuable Samoor time.

It’s time to take actions in my own hands. Off to the Fabric Souq I go.

Oh Wow! What fun, rows and rows & columns and columns of fabric from every color of the rainbow.

I stood there wanting to buy it all while thinking “Why didn’t I do this to begin with?”

I found the blue checkered fabric that’s Soooooo Dorothy, an elastic band and two buttons is all I needed.

A quick run to centerpoint for cheap red glitter shoes and I’m halfway set!!

Jennah was smart in digging through her stuffed animals and finding Toto. I guess the obsession of getting it perfect is contagious!

I quickly put the girls in bed and started designing and cutting the dress pattern. I spent the whole night hand stitching Jennah’s Dorothy costume, hoping that the measurements fit.

Now that I think of it I had no back up plan if it didn’t fit in the morning what would I have done? Yikes! Just thinking of that made me quiver.

Morning came and it was a PERFECT PERFECT fit!

I made Jeenah wear one of her white tutus under the dress to give it that extra fluff it needed.

Two braids, white shirt & socks and lets not forget Toto! The whole outfit made complete sense.

I felt such accomplishment and relief that she got what she wanted and “Made Life Memorable” for the both of us.

On the other hand I’ve set myself up without realizing it. The girls are invited to 2 Halloween parties and have already decided on costumes (that I’m not exactly happy about!) but I have to let them have it…..

I’m having a really hard time adjusting to not having control.

Off course the search begins with no results as expected so I told Jennah I can’t find the costume she chose she barely looked my way then chuckled and said “Just make it mama” as a matter of fact….

I guess I’m heading to the Fabric souq and getting my needle and thread ready! Let’s see if I can pull it off this time too.

Oct13

My Store

Posted on October 13, 2013 by samarhajjaj

My Store

Have you missed me?? Did you notice I’ve been lagging on posting on the blog?? NO?! “Seriously” he he he!!!

Well in case you were wondering I’ve been overwhelmed with my upcoming store.

Its been more than a few months in the works…. Moved from our old location in Salmiya to a lovely big tower in sharq called “Kipco Tower”.

The first step in any business and change of location is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork…. oh did I mention more paperwork??

It would be nice if all this was done online….or at least part of it but we are where we are and you just have to accept it and go with the flow.

Off course we went through the usual hurdles, obstacles, leaps & jumps….a real test of endurance and I did it AAAAALLL with a big fat smile on my face.

Always keep in mind the end result, your goal should always be on the top of your mind don’t for a moment get discouraged! You’ll surely feel relief and accomplishment when it’s all over.

Our space is about 80 square meters with a perfect little corner for my office.

After all the designs, carpentry and the works my operation manager (A.K.A my husband) looked after the final steps of making the store organized and squeaky clean.

We used a company called Bleach (tel: 65194789).

The first thing they did was assess our space and the work required. Followed by a quote. After my approval we set up the day and time and we moved forward.

I loved the fact that they were punctual. Such efficiency and time effectiveness. We were very happy with the job that they did and I would really recommend them to everyone that needs professional cleaning service.

Everything fell into place just in time for our big shipment of the season….

All these boxes are filled with lots & lots of fun gifts and collections that are unique, original and one of a kind.

I feel giddy every time I open every single carton, box after box I can’t wait to just open the doors and let all you in to share the joy!

Off course since we are a Gift Basket company I have to always make sure the choices of ribbons are available… I am in love with our ribbon & wrapping station!

It was so much fun organizing and sorting the ribbons!

Given that it’s Eid Holiday our (my) main goal is to open a few hours a day to all my followers and instagrammers (@obb_kuwait) to have a sneak peak of the store and get first bid purchases on our Halloween items.

So far our “owl” shelf is complete.

So stay tuned for dates & times!!! I hope that this fun experience will “Make Life Memorable” for everyone that walks in through our door!

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