Creative readers: We meet a mother-and-daughter team who love creating their own wonderland

Wonder world!

It’s not every day that you come across a mother-and-daughter team who spend so much time and effort creating their own wonderland together. But that is precisely what Fébé and Mishka Marais do.

Seat, mat and cabinet from Chillie Pepper Kitsch & Vintage in Hermanus.

MAIN PHOTO: The pretty crocheted cushion and blanket on the patio come from a charity shop, but Fébé made the pouffe herself, from fabric that also came from her favourite shop. BELOW, RIGHT: This kitchen sees a lot of baking. ʻMy mom Charon taught us to bake from young, to arrange flowers and create. And here I do the same with Mishka. ʼ

by TERENA LE ROUX photos ED OʼRILEY

We first discovered Fébé and Mishka on Instagram, where as @febe _ and _ mishka _ in _ wonderland they even put Alice to shame. Because in and around their house and garden in Onrus near Hermanus, they style their magical scenes, dress up for the occasion, and make, bake and mix together to create the loveliest things, which the man of the house, Ian, is only too happy to help capture.

One look at their collection of photos and videos and you already know ‒ this is not your everyday family. My son immediately noticed the artistic tattoos on Fébéʼs manicured hands and decided he liked our readers. Our stylist Hannesʼs fine eye for detail admired the coordinated clothes and no-one could miss Fébéʼs amazing bob. And we have endless admiration for nine-year-old Mishka who chooses creativity above her phone and social media. Here is an individualist! ʻWe are on a journey of discovery as mother and daughter … finding the beauty in the world around us, ʼ says Fébé. ʻWe have lived in wonderful Hermanus for the past four years. We moved here from Pretoria. It was always my dream to one day raise my child in a place like this ... ʻThe city is just too busy for me, a country girl from the Eastern Free State. As a child, I came here on holiday with my parents for many years and I can remember how I made a note in my diary years ago that I wanted to live here “one day” . I drove my poor husband crazy and we decided to make the move before Mishka started “big school” … Fortunately my dream has come true and we are so happy to now call Hermanus our home. ʼ

With their farm-style house and a backyard that gives them easy access to the Onrus River, they are indeed fortunate. Picnics next to the river are not unusual and Mishka has her own secret corner in the garden where she can run around and play in her shorts like a farm child. ʻWe have a passion for creating and living life to the fullest. We strive for slow living. The world around us is so frantic, we have to try to live more slowly … to breathe deeply, catch hold of all the loveliness and live in the moment, ʼ says Fébé. ʻWe try to make a difference by inspiring others to be more creative, to recycle, reuse, make something new from something old, buy more second-hand things, cook, do needlework, have picnics and enjoy and understand each other as a family. ʻI was 40 when Mishka was born and I believe it was destiny that I would only become a mother later in life … when I had much more patience and life experience. I am very involved with Mishka and believe that communication between parent and child is so important, the lines must always be open. ʻMishka is our only child and I enjoy life like a child with her; we enjoy the little things in life together. She will soon be turning 10 and I believe we are best friends forever. She still plays with her dolls and almost never asks to watch television. She also doesnʼt spend much time on her cellphone or tablet. She would rather play outside or make something with me. We like baking together, making flower crowns, natural body products, we do needlework, colour in and play with paper dolls, cut and paste and enjoy reading Enid Blyton stories or fairy tales. ʻWe also like supporting small local businesses and are always on the lookout for nice places in the area where we can go to eat, or picnic, or scratch around for treasures. We are both crazy about second-hand shops. I buy most of my clothes second-hand and, where possible, Mishkaʼs as well, otherwise we upcycle her clothes that have become too small or have something made at one of the wonderful local businesses. ʻWe have fun documenting our special moments and we share them on social media to inspire others. Making beautiful memories, thatʼs what we are doing. ʼ

And Mishka? What would she like to do one day? ʻAt school, I love art. Itʼs my favourite subject. But I want to become a pilot or a piano teacherʼ , is her enthusiastic answer. She is already learning the piano, and the guitar and flute. Not to mention the wings that her childhood years are giving her.

ROSE GERANIUM FOOT SCRUB

Fébé and Mishka made their wonderful rose geranium foot scrub especially for our visit. It not only softens your skin, it is also calming, anti-bacterial and good for PMS.

1 Let the geranium leaves infuse in olive oil for a week, to allow the oil to absorb the fragrance properly. Also dry the flowers ahead of time. 2 Melt half a cup of coconut oil and add a cup of sugar. 3 Add 10 drops of the leaf oil. For colour and texture, finely crush the dried flowers and add them as well. 4 Mix everything together in a pretty jar. The scrub will keep for about two months and doesnʼt need to be refrigerated. Make extra to give away as special gifts.