Spring has Sprung!

These lovely pictures from photographer Silvia Reitsma are just what one wants to see on a less than perfect spring day! These photos are sure to enchant and inspire!

This image of a castle makes one want to read fairy tales and wear a crown and robe!

You can find her at her Etsy shop, on Twitter, and on her blog.

Fernando Brizio- Renewable Clothing

This is not a new find but we do love it so! 

images from designbloom

Fernando Brizio renewable dress is an intersection of art, fashion and conservation.   Brizio's dress has tiny pockets for felt tip pens.  When inserted tip down the dress absorbs the color from the markers and voila a new piece of wearable art.  While initially intended for adults this would make a fabulously fun art smock.  We can see preschool and elementary children clamoring to leave the caps off their markers(for once) and watching the designs appear.  Just wash and repeat.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Have you all been watching this? If you haven't and have a moment you should try. We are huge fans of Mr. Oliver. We have his cookbooks, watch his shows, and have his iphone app. But we think we love him more now.

It is about time someone really spoke to the expansive problem that is the current school food service. It's hard to imagine that some schools feed children nachos (with fake cheese no less) for lunch and call it a meal. And we are all understandably horrified by pizza being served as breakfast. But the larger problem that is exposed by this show is the utter lack of connection children in these schools have with their food. Which in turns means their bodies. How can we expect children to be healthy when they don't even know what a potato is? (Actual scene from last Friday's show. A kindergarten class didn't know one of the vegetables Mr. Oliver showed them and he wasn't trying to get them to identify daikon or chard, just simple stuff like broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, eggplant)  And since the adults in their lives are lacking in passion about food how can anyone expect those poor children to care in the least bit about what goes into their little tummies.
So we figure we can help fight the good fight with brave Mr. Oliver. We are going to start our own Campaign for Food Reform! In the coming weeks, we will feature interviews with nutritionists, chefs, and the like to get more information so we can all make more informed choices. We will provide you with more information to help join the cause in your own hometown. We will post our own favorite healthy recipes (some of which are pretty cheap to make!) and ask you to let us know what your favorite healthy recipes are.
What you can all do today is sign Mr. Oliver's Petition to change the food in our schools! And stop on back in the coming weeks for more info!

Roasted Broccoli

This recipe is originally from The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.
It really is so good you'll be going back for seconds and it's so easy anyone can make it.
For a super easy side dish, buy pre- cut broccoli
(that's what we did here) and join in on step 2.
Otherwise, for the purists,
1. Cut up broccoli leaving a good portion of the stem on. Take a vegetable peeler to the stock first for a more tender bite!
2. Place in bowl and drizzle with olive oil (maybe 2 tbsp.). Go easy at first. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Toss and at this point if you need more oil add it. We don't like ours too oily just barely covered.
4. Spread on roasting pan and roast in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
 Florets should be crispy but the stalks will still be firm.
 We hope you enjoy!

Good to the Grain

 We interrupt this scolding to bring you an important message. . . .
Buy Kim Boyce's cookbook Good to the Grain!
It is in the words of Nancy Silverton "perfection"!  Having had the Chocolate Chip Cookies (made with Whole Wheat Flour!) and LOVED THEM-

 This book is for everyone who has ever wanted to have their cake and eat it too!  Filled with amazing recipes made with a variety of whole grain flours, it is a must have for all who are trying to be mindful of what we're eating. This is a for sure on the Holiday list and will be on a short list for Hostess Gifts for the year!

Bergdorf Goodman-Baby Edition

Bergdorf's baby section looks like a cross between Walmart and ghetto fabulous. . .

We can get behind rocker chic and streetwear when it's well done.  However, is that really the aesthetic Bergdorf's wants to emphasize?  They have us confused.  

Here's what we would showcase. . . 

1. Bunny London
2. Pia Wallen
3. Jottum
4. Jottum
5. Bu and the Duck
6. Marie Morenz
7. Oeuf
8. Franka
9. Tzawa
10. Patachou
11. Patachou
12. Patachou
13. Baby CZ
14. Baby CZ
15. Bu and the Duck

Bergdorf Goodman- The Boys Edition

For the record, the boys section is fine.  However, in this instance fine = dated.  

Their polos from Lauren and Lacoste throw us back to the 80's and 90's and not in a good way.  It looks like a JCPenny ad or something only Mr. Trump's son could pull off(and that is pushing it).  A JCPenny ad is great when you are JCPenny but not when you are what was once the finest Department store in the country, Bergdorf Goodman.  Take a closer look here.

.

Perhaps, this seems harsh but it's for your own good, BG.  We think luxury department stores are having a difficult time because they have forgotten who they are and what their demographic wants.  We want elegance and refinement from you, perhaps even a bit of excess.   Department stores especially BG used to epitomize glamour and in house shopping for all of the finer things in life.  Please Bergdorf's bring back your charm!

Now here is a taste of what we'd like to see featured.  From refined to casual, these clothes are classic and modern.  

1. Caramel Baby and Child
2. Dagmar Daley
3. I Pinco Pallino
4. Gelato Kids
5. Velvet & Tweed
6. B.b.
7. B.b.
8. Elias and Grace
9 . Benny & Moon
10. Memini
11. Trozenfants
12. Neige

Bergdorf Goodman- You've been put on Notice!

Let us start out by saying we could not have been more excited when we read that the world renowned retailer in all things glamorous and fabulous Bergdorf Goodman had opened a Children's Section. We were over the moon! Flying high on thoughts of wonderful finds of visual delights, we stopped by the website.  Just look at their window display from last Holiday Season! Isn't it magical!

And in full disclosure we have not been to the actual brick and mortar and would adore any input from anyone on the ground in NYC who has been, and can either confirm or deny whether the website is in fact a reflection of the children's section as a whole.
So you can imagine our disappointment when we went there and found this! We are assuming,  that you are going to check and then come back and when you do -one word-----Right!?! What are they thinking! Of the 108 items in the Girl's Section, 19 were for track suits. Are any of us still wearing those?
We are not mad at the choice for Alice and Olivia- those are some of their cutest dresses. And who doesn't love a Lily Pulitzer outfit. But mainly the girls and gift sections just look like a glorified Juicy ad. We find this to be beneath you BG!
The Boys section is heavy with Ralph Lauren and Lacoste- understandable classic brands, and we adore a seersucker suit for spring,
  but the infant section..... well as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.  So you be the judge-

It's not good....
Nothing organic, nothing bamboo... we are still scratching our heads.

Here's what we would have had them feature instead...
Our imaginary Girl Section
Atsuyo et Akiko from Brooklyn

We would fill the store with articles from
1. I Love Gorgeous
2. Zid Zid
3. Clover NYC
4. Zigouis
5. Neige
6.Talc
7.Poppy and Ned
8. Dagmar and Daley
9. Velvet and Tweed
10. Woven Play
11. Atsyuyo et Akiko
12. Gelato
13. Makie
14. Fournier
15. Baby Bloch
 So here is our plan. We are going to feature what we would have them sell in their Children's Section and then we are going to send them our ideas and pray they change!
What would you have them sell? What would you like to see them stock?
Let us know, so we can add your thoughts and ideas to our list.
We will show you what we'd have them do for the boys and babies tomorrow and Thursday.

Getting Ready for Easter

As always Martha Stewart is THE authority on all things Holiday and Crafty! These crafts just make me want to sing "Here Comes Peter Cottontail..."!

If you want to sing too- here are the lyrics:

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Easter's on its way.

Bringing every girl and boy
baskets full of Easter joy,
Things to make your Easter bright and gay.
He's got jelly beans for Tommy,
Colored eggs for sister Sue,
There's an orchid for your Mommy
And an Easter bonnet, too.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Happy Easter day.

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Look at him stop, and listen to him say:
"Try to do the things you should."
Maybe if you're extra good,
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.

You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those chocolate bunnies
That he's hiding everywhere.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Happy Easter day!

Bodie and Fou

 

London Online shop run by French sisters  Elodie & Karine...Bodie and Fou offers these stunning wall decals. There really is an abundance of wall decals in the world today and it gets hard to care about more.... BUT these are so darn adorable how can you not smile!  Their store is so worth the click over. A real one stop gift shop for everyone on your list. They have a sister site called  Where did you buy that? and a fantastic blog.

Memini

Memini by Kristin Vikse is a Norwegian company making timeless children's clothes.  The styling is classic enough to mix with modern or vintage pieces.  I know a few girls that I suspect would be over the moon for the denim jumpsuit!  Here's a teaser. . . 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Nigella Lawson was on NPR yesterday describing her tasty recipes for the day.  The one I want to try is the Guiness Chocolate Cake.

 

Doesn't that look good!

Very Sisters

The French duo, Very Sisters are bringing jewelry to Mothers and their children.  Why not give the precious one in your life a bracelet to treasure?   They're so sweet you'll want one to match.  

Petit Biscuit

Famille Summerbelle

So last week we had NYC on the mind. Before we move on- these maps by Famille Summerbelle are the greatest. NYC, London, and Paris. I want all three!

ABC Carpet and Home

pictures via Kids Today Online

 

New York Institution ABC Carpet Home is beyond. If you've been you know and if you haven't, do yourself a solid and go! Here is a little spattering of their fabulous inventory for children...

 

How sweet is this stuffed bear!

Perfect for Spring! The expression on this bunny makes me giggle. 

Can't you just hear his very formal voice asking you to please treat him kindly?

This might be my new favorite article of clothing for someone under the age of three. I adore this. It's made from a combination of cotton, flax, cashmere, and alpaca!

One of my favorite features on their website is the guide they offer to the left of the picture. There the icons let you know if the product is locally sourced, eco friendly, and/ or fair traded.

Isn't this fun to keep the nursery tidy!