Adorable Handmade Board Book

Goodness gracious this board book that Erin Jang and her husband made for her nephew for his birthday is adorable! See all of the photos here.

Bonpoint + French Sales

Although a little on the pricey even on sale, I find myself falling in love with the looks from Bonpoint every...single...time. What an inspiring site in terms of overall styling! Also, do you know that all the stores in France only have sales twice a year in January and July? Don't know if that concept would ever fly in the states, but I like the French simplicity of not having to scramble and know what stores are having what sales on all of their individual different dates. What are your thoughts about that?

*Update: Thanks to a reader's comment I want to expound. Although I do love the simplicity of having limited sales, stores should also have a say in what works best for them. What do you think? Would you buy less if there were less sales?

Nintendo Art Academy update

Remember the Art Academy learning game I talked about a few weeks ago? See the previous post here. I wanted to give you a quick update and show you how fast our daughter has enhanced her skills, it is pretty neat to see how much art exploring she has been able to do. I'm impressed by how it teaches art skills like drawing a foundational sketch before you paint and how to layer colors. I took these shots throughout the last few weeks on my phone while we were in the car. It has been such a fantastic car and running the errands activity for her, that she doesn't get bored with. Who else has played around with Art Academy?

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Whew... I think it is because of our sweet little newborn taking up most of my time that I didn't get around to making homemade gifts this year, so yesterday and today we decided to wrap up a little something (Chocolate) for our friends and neighbors in a simple homemade way using tissue paper, Japanese tape, crayons, and markers. Our four-year old of course took the lead.

(photos by blackeiffel)

The Twelve Days of Christmas Ilonka Karasz

Check out my latest thrifting find! Vintage Book : "The Twelve Days of Christmas" illustrated by Ilonka Karasz. We were looking for ugly sweaters a few weeks ago and this beauty was sticking out on the bookshelf calling my name. It has been on my list for a few years, and bam... there it was! Have you seen this book before or did you know AIGA liked it back in the day? Don't you love the colors?



Doesn't it seem like when you are looking for something else you find unrelated gems? Have you found anything on a thrifting trip lately? What are your favorite Christmas or holiday books, I would absolutely love to hear your favorites as we are slowly building our collection so we can do this.

ps. The least expensive used copies of this book I've seen are sold by sellers here.

(photos by blackeiffel)

Paul Smith + Striped Mini

Instead of the slug bug game, we play the 'Mini' game and our daughter loudly shouts "MINI" whenever we see one on the road. We miss our little ole' Mini that we used to have so when I see stuff like this ad campaign for Paul Smith kids 2011 I get a little bit nostalgic. I love the way they filled up the mini with stripes, and that it even goes on tours! How fun is that?! Talk about clever iconic marketing.



(via smudgetikka // photos by Sandro Sodano + Paul Smith)

Gifts for Kids (under $15)

Here are some fun gifts for kids all $15 or under.

1 - Walrooz Connectable Sled - Large $12.00
2 - ABC My Favorite Things Flash Cards $11.66
3 - Chunky Chalk $15.00
4 - 14 Piece Vegetable Set $7.99
5 - Alphabeasties Amazing Activity Book $10.03
6 - Imaginary Castle Giant Floor Puzzle$10.17
7 - An Awesome Book of Thanks! $12.99
8 - Eye Spy Camera $11.00
9 - MoMA Modern Shapes Lacing Cards $10.19
10 - The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale $12.89
11 - Thinking Game $12.00
12 - Boon Scrubble Bath Toys $10.00
13 - Clementine Art Natural Paint $13.10
14- Origami Animals $4.95 or Origami Faces $7.99
15 -MoMA Modern Family $10.39 +/or Modern House $13.59

Find my other children's gift guides 15 under $15 guides here & here.

Nintendo Art Academy

One of my most favorite Christmas gifts that I received while growing up was a digital drawing pad that hooked up to our t.v. so I could draw and paint on the big screen. It was my before the real photoshop days and boy, did I love that thing.



Fast forward to today, and I was happy to learn about and receive from Nintendo something on the same note called Art Academy for the Nintendo DS. This program is right up our alley because it is all about art. It teaches you how to draw and improve drawing technique with ten easy step-by-step lessons and instructions.



Although it is definitely not only just for kids, my four-year-old daughter is picking up some mad drawing skills. Her favorite thing to do on Art Academy is to mix her own colors and free paint, but she also likes to show me her what she calls, "fancy new tricks" she has learned from the lessons and I'm pretty amazed. I sit with her and go through the lessons, (because lots of reading is involved) and it is a blast to watch her mind process and get excited about art. She also brings up things like, "I know how to shade now, mom." I am all for 'learning' games that make you develop a skill in a fun way, and Art Academy fits the bill.

Patrick Hruby + Charley Harper

Patrick Hruby has been cooking up some exciting new products for Ammo Books. There is a cool Imaginary Castle Giant Floor Puzzle, ABC is for Circus Board Book, and Memory Game all under $16. Ammo always has quality products and I really dig the bright use of colors and graphic illustrations in these! Patrick's illustrations are so much fun and would be a perfect gift for those little kidlets. I also love Ammo's new Charley Harper Nesting Blocks. Thanks for sharing these with me Ammo!

Wee People

Thrilled to hear about the new line 'Wee People' from Free People. The focus of the first collection, which debuts November 2nd (catalog and online) are girls party dresses and cozy items for the winter that focus upon Free People's signature whimsical and detailed style. The size range is 2t to 6t. Can't wait to see more...

Lettepress Baby Announcement

A simply amazing baby announcement, that I thought Rachel might especially enjoy: designed by Tracy Brockhouse and printed by Brad O'Sullivan of Smokeproof Press, it assembles into a 2x2x2 cube. But what really gets me is the excellent printing: Brad noted that the deboss was quite a challenge, but you'd never know it looking at the final product. Well done, Brad, and congratulations, Holden! (You're one lucky boy.)


(photos courtesy of Brad O'Sullivan)

Post by guest blogger: Jane Potrykus from Simple + Pretty

Zara Kids

Some of these styles may be a little too sophisticated for my three-year old, but wow ... I love what Zara Kids is doing for fall. I find myself gathering tips for my closet from these savvy children's looks along with of course their lovely women's line. Great news for those not close to one of their stores, Zara is going to sell online starting September 2nd. Hooray.



(all images from Zara Kids)

Wooden Toy Cameras

Love these wooden toy cameras that I spotted in the online magazine Babiekins. You can get them at the shop annasusanna peter und hanna. I still also love this wooden camera too.

Alphabet Poster

I am excited that my friend Jeanie's new alphabet poster is now available in her Paper Nut etsy shop. I've mentioned the progress on this poster and alphabet project here and here!

Crocheted Clothing by Teeny Tini

These creative hand crocheted clothing and toys for kids by JK Lange for Teeny Tini really made me smile this morning. Aren't the colors and originality awesome? Inspiring...

crew cuts cute

Long gone are the days of turtlenecks and sweatshirts that I threw on as a kid apparently! I recently received a newsletter from Crewcuts {J. Crew's line of kid's clothing} and check out their kid's couture. Not 100% sure yet about dressing kids in adult-like clothing, but I have to admit...these looks are pretty darn adorable!