Zarah Doll: The companion you need

Who would have thought that at 31 years old, I could still love the gift of a doll? Being an only child, most of my tea parties included a doll or two gracing the table and having a slice of velcro-stick-together cake that I so lovingly shared. I still go back in memory to those days when tea parties required barely any effort and life was just simpler.  Fast forward to 31 with work consuming the bulk of my time, it was a nice surprise welcoming two Zarah dolls to my flat one Thursday afternoon. My two new companions now occupy a full-time place on my sofa being the ultimate cuddle partners when it's time to watch something new on Netflix.

I felt almost the same joy that any child would feel having received this 70 cm soft yet real-looking doll- almost the size of a two-year-old. In fact, I was lucky enough to get two Zarah dolls. One was the Belle of the Ballet in her pink sequenced and tuille tutu with matching pink hair and pink shoes. Her pink hair was a very similar shade to the hair of my best friend Aarifah so she was certainly more relatable as I have a friend who shares her exact style. I also received a casually styled doll in her blue and white check dress, matching shoes, and bag with black hair. They both came packaged in a box and I enthusiastically opened up the box to reveal such joy. My inner child was more than pleased!

Who is Zarah doll?

Zarah doll is the brainchild of Mmabua Akpobaro- the founder and creative director. Zarah Dolls is a handmade doll company that has grown from very small beginnings and continues to expand. 

Each doll is handcrafted by Mmabua and her team of three creators.  At the heart of each doll lies the three core principals that drive the Zarah Dolls' team: Love, Strength, and Creativity.

The dolls are created as unique individuals with an identity attached to each one. Zarah Dolls are made from four-way stretch fabric which gives the dolls a soft and tender cuddly feel. Their faces are emblazoned with hand knitting and embroidery, and their hair made of wool generously knotted to the scalp to give a full look. The cute shoes, bags and hair bows are handmade from felt fabric. The beautifully sewn outfits are designed to suit the body shape of the dolls along with the pants and socks.

Why will Zarah be your child's best friend?

They are made from stretch fabric meaning they are gentle on the skin and children can sleep with them.

They are unique dolls each doll having its own style and pizzazz just like each child is unique. Your child can choose a handcrafted doll that meets her personal style preference and aligns with her personality.

The wooly hair can be played with and styled- way to unleash the inner creativity of your child.

They are life-size dolls which makes them more real as companions.

They are handcrafted and anything done by hand is always worth it.

They are the ideal puppets to unleash your child's inner confidence.

Through playing and caring for Zarah doll your child will develop a sense of empathy, care and gain their naturing streak.

The dolls' softness and ability to squeeze their hands and legs make them a great stress release.

My hubby is complaining that somehow the Zarah dolls always ends up next to him on the couch, when he wakes up and when he is sitting in the dining room for supper, but to be honest think both dolls are growing on him too and our flat would seem empty without them.