11.30.2010

Retail Philanthrophy.





An exciting organization that we recently were introduced to is  Nest, a non profit that "empowers female artists and artisans around the world".  Using a unique combination of interest-free micro finance loans, mentoring from established designers, as well as a market in which to sell their crafts, Nest helps its loan recipients create successful small businesses" (Nest website).
With so many fun offerings it won't be hard to help out!  We want that bag!!

11.29.2010

Hard Graft

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!  We've begun our Holiday shopping and have found these handsome iphone and laptop cases.  They're so dapper, we're certain they're a Holiday Hit!  
Plus, this one doubles as a wallet.  Love the idea of merging the two.


11.24.2010

Happy Thanksgiving!



Hello everybody and Happy Turkey Day!


We hope that you are all away from your computers, out and about, and headed towards your feast. For those of you traveling safe travels and stay warm! In honor of the season of thankfulness and gratitude here are a few of our favorite thinkers' thoughts on the matter.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.— Cynthia Ozick


Every heart that has beat strongly
and cheerfully has left a hopeful
impulse behind it in the world,
and bettered the tradition of mankind.

-  Robert Louis Stevenson




For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends
.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

11.23.2010

Spy Ware


There are somethings we think we will never out grow. While we wait for our secret passageway to be built, we will hide our valuables in these Hollow Safe Books from Chicago shop Secret Safe Books. 

And in Sherlock Holmes inspired fun start writing your diary with invisible ink!


By Mazeology

11.22.2010

City Love

We are captivated by Capow's photos and can think of hundreds of excuses to send them as gifts.  We're sure you'll come up with own fabulous reasons to give these great pics(or keep them for yourself)!





11.19.2010

Luxe Mohair Bear

Etsy's Fox and Owl has outdone herself with this gorgeous teddy bear.  She's several hundred dollars but completely worth it.  One sweet handmade teddy bear to last a lifetime!


11.18.2010

Fantastical Playhouses.



Many days in childhood are spent playing school or playing house. Well, who wouldn't want to spend hours in these fabulous buildings?! Designed by Cottage Kits
these are built for some serious play dates!
These miniature dwellings can be purchased pre-built or for those DIY'ers out there in kits were assembly is required. 

  Want to play school? Try their schoolhouse-

11.17.2010

Over the Top Teepee

This week we are featuring goods for children that are "over the top".  Big fans of teepees, tents, and cabanas for children this teepee from Design Within Reach tops out at $2,200.  Now that's luxury!

11.16.2010

Italian Rider



There are many fantastic riding toys for children these days, but this handmade extraordinary Italian Scooter takes the cake-at least from  price point.  Made from fiberglass with aluminum and steel details this scooter is completely made from scratch to order- you pick the color and can change minor details. While you wait the 60 days that this one of a kind item, you can delight in knowing that once it appears on your door step the scooter will delight for years to come. Oh and did we mention it comes with working lights! p.s. prepare yourself you could get yourself a used Vespa for the same price

11.15.2010

Luxe Doll Cribs

"Over the top" is sometimes necessary and Mum Said has it in spades with these doll cribs.  Hand crafted and complete with silk bedding these one of a kind wonders will charm young and old.



11.12.2010

You've Gotta Have Heart


Norway's elineof has needle felted this charming wool teddy bear.  With the long winters of Norway it's no wonder this bear was crafted to warm hearts.  What a lovely way to say send good cheer.

11.11.2010

Emily Ulmer Photography


We would love to say that we found Emily Ulmer, but we didn't. She found us and, boy, are we glad that she did! From the very first photo, we were taken. Her photography is gorgeous and timeless.

 We got a chance to chat with her via the email the other day and thought we would share our chat with you - along with many of her fabulous pictures!



You mentioned you have worked in both New York and LA. Is most of your work with families or do you mainly work for publications like small magazine?

At the moment I'm doing a mixture of the two. I lived in NYC for three years so it's great going back there to work. I love doing commissioned portraits for families as I get to form relationships that tend to last well after the shoots. The editorial work for magazines such as Small lets me come up with interesting story ideas and work with great children's clothing designers and shop owners.

How long have you been a photographer?
I've been taking pictures since my late teens but I didn't start to do it seriously until about 5 or 6 years ago. I was doing fine art portraiture--- mainly portraits of girls in their
early 20's. Photographing children happened organically and became my focus when I moved back to Los Angeles from NY at the end of 2009.


How long does a session usually take?
Of course with younger children, they can only last so long when you're photographing them. A session usually lasts from one to two hours, although I recently did a session
that lasted for over four hours. I shoot quickly so that helps a lot when some kids are over it in 20 minutes!


How do you get children to be comfortable being photographed?
I don't think I could do what I do without being able to make children comfortable in a very natural way. Some kids are at ease with me immediately--- some take a little longer.
It's really all about engaging the children and having them forget that there's a camera there. I start asking them about their weekend, favorite movies, and then take the shots
during the pauses in conversation.


What's been one of your favorite shoots?
My favorite shoot to date was the one I did for the fall issue of Small. I shot four friends in Bronson Canyon. Three of them were 5 years-old and that is an amazing age to capture.
I posed them for some shots but then I just let them roam free and followed them with my camera. After a while I don't think they even noticed that I was there, which can make for the best images. 


Do you have a favorite age to photograph? A favorite setting to have a session?
Five and six are great ages--- they're much calmer by that age and are generally excited about taking pictures. My favorite setting is in a child's home, as they are the most comfortable
there. A couch, a bed, their backyard--- those are my favorite places to shoot. The environment definitely plays a strong role in my pictures.




Do you help pick out wardrobe?
Like the setting, the wardrobe contributes a lot to my work. I like to have the kids where timeless pieces--- I steer clear of crazy prints and graphics. The styling is a lot of fun as most parents let me go into the child's closet and pick out whatever I want. And the kids always help, of course. A four year old girl I photographed pretty much styled our whole shoot once! 

11.10.2010

Viola Studio

Sometimes sweet and simple is all it takes to melt a heart.  Made from upcycled wool sweaters Viola Studio has us smitten.  A perfect welcome gift for a new baby!


11.09.2010

Better late than never...


Forever and a day ago, friends of ours told us about how their lovely young son had suddenly overnight turned in to a beaver and was gnawing away on his crib. We wish we would have known about Gail Clark. Filed under why didn't we think of that- she makes cloth teething guards! Grab one for when your little darling evolves into a woodchuck!

11.08.2010

Just Hatched

We've fallen for Just Hatched's nature puzzles!




The perfect teether!


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