Custom Children's Art Collage

We took a long Spring Break but we're back and looking forward to celebrating all the wonderful Mothers out there this weekend.   If you're looking for something personalized and lovely to give as a gift, Jan Eleni Interiors has you covered.  Send her your children's artwork and she will create a custom collage featuring the art.  A fabulous present and great way to display those masterpieces.

Ipad/Ipod/Mac Covers by isockit

Even if School has already started it's not too late to snap up one of these vintage inspired laptop covers for the book bag.  Blythe King has designed "outfits" for your technological gear made from upcycled vintage fabric.  What a charming way to protect all of your beloved gadgets.  We think the plaid has "Holiday Gift" written all over it.

Ipad and Iphone Outfit

Ipad cover

Iphone pocket.

Silver Cross Doll Pram

Don't let the gorgeous craftsmanship deceive you, these are prams for dolls not babies.  Oh how we would have loved one of these for our dolls!  An investment piece that your children and the generations that follow will delight in.  They're going to the top of the wish list!

Find them at Mother Goose.

Brinca Dada- Modern Dollhouse and Dolls

Brinca Dada's Emerson Dollhouse is already a hit in modern design circles.  Because let's face it, not everyone's version of an ideal home or dollhouse is a Victorian era mansion.   

So imagine our delight when we discovered their very futuristic yet rustic dolls, that will be ready just in time for the Holiday season.  We secretly wish they didn't have eyes because then we could just imagine their expressions.  Nonetheless, they're still winners.

Personalized Wooden Dolls

Etsy's Urastarhouse will custom make wooden dolls for your family!  Send her a few pics of your desired characters(pets are welcome) and she'll magically recreate your posse!  You'll have a blast watching your tots use their dolls to process their days!

Have school all summer long with The Enchanted Cupboard's portable schoolhouse.   Made to order sets are available, too.  

Flea Bag

Father's Day is around the corner and we are trying to find gifts for Dads but stumbling upon the perfect gifts for Moms instead.  The Flea Bag is a lust must.  Shira Entis and Alex Bell knew what they were doing when they created this eco-friendly, sturdy carry-all.  Stuff it full of farmer's market produce, your tot's essentials, beach toys, the laptop and more.  The bag is so chic no one will ever guess you're carrying half of your house with you.  We want one stat!  Best part- it's masculine enough that your honey might be willing to tote it for you when it gets too heavy.  Just saying: Win-Win.

Night Owl Paper Goods

Night Owl Paper Goods

not only makes the most adorable wooden cards but they also make

these cuddly plush owls!

I love these cards!

 

Design Within Reach

If you're looking for clever items for indoor Winter fun they can be found at Design Within Reach.  This Matroyshka doll set is just waiting to be painted and the nesting of dolls will last for days on end.

Here are DWR's crayons.  Great to keep in the gift closet or break out for your own enjoyment on a cold day.

A swing outside is fun but a swing inside is out of this world!  Hang this swing from a beam and you'll be the coolest grown-up around.

Bruno Munari's Plus and Minus game returns from the 70's.  These cards have transparent backgrounds that allow the images to be layered.  You and your child can create your own storyboards on a lazy day or stash some in your bag to have on hand for unexpected waits.

With Alexander Girard's wooden doll collection displayed proudly on your shelf, neither you nor your children will be able to keep your hands off them.   They will be begging you to bring them to life.  Each one is a keepsake and comes individually wrapped in its own wooden treasure box.

Bell'occhio

San Fransisco retailer Bell'occhio has an array of objects that would tickle almost anyone's fancy.
I simply adore their lovely stationary. But I also want to get my hands on some of their chalkboard oil cloth! How fun would dinner time be with a tablecloth made from that!

For the more sophisticated young ladies in your life, they have the most perfect odds and ends that will certainly delight. I love this wooden box inspired by

French boxes used to hold items that were being patented.

 

Add an apple and go.

I don't know about you but I loved playing school when I was little! Stuffed animals lined up in the row of antique school desks we had in the playroom and I would be there all afternoon!
This fun kit would have had me over the moon!

Reform School

  I was on my way home from a dinner last night when I realized I had no post for today! Yikes! What to do?  I was all ready to just pull a silly and possibly pointless post out of the ether, when I stumbled upon a longtime favorite, LA retailer, Reform School! And then to my complete surprise I realized I had not mentioned them before!! How can this be??  This is online shopping at it's finest- quirky, cute, and filled with delights. You are entertained the entire time you are there! These dolls are an absolute knockout! They are very popular as all styles are currently out of stock! Here's to hopin' they get more soon!

Oh these cameras! This camera is a favorite of a two year old in my life! Every day it's around his cute little neck as he waits for his photo op!

Ocechou

Lovely pictures await you at this amazing French blog, Happy Things for Kids. Designer... also has a shop where she sells her latest designs. Here is a sampling!

More Party Favors!

For wee ones, one thoughtfully chosen favor is often more well received than a bag full of loot.  Here are some favors that can stand on their own!

Leaving the party will be that much easier knowing bath will be filled with a new toy!

Felt Soap on etsy

Fun Soap Shapes

Bathtub Finger Paints

Make your own finger paints and give them away as goodies.  Stir together 1 cup of liquid baby soap, 3 tablespoons(plus more to reach desired consistency) of cornstarch(or potato starch, arrowroot if your tots  happen to have a corn allergy), and a few drops of food coloring.  I have yet to meet a child who didn't think it was a blast or a parent who wasn't thrilled with the easy cleanup!



Form a band while the gang is together and they can take the party home with them!  Maracas are festive and fun for the toddler set!

Let your party goers make merry wearing Wrist/Ankle Bells!  You will all smile with delight as they dance and jump with glee!

  Parents and children are always on the hunt for new tunes.  Play your favorite CD at the party and everyone can relive the festivities for days to come.

When I was little, my Mom purchased plain t-shirts for one of my birthday parties and during the party we decorated the shirts.  Fabric finger paints and fabric markers are a blast for all ages.  Toddlers love "handprinting" and they'll get to take part of the party home with them!

Party Favors or Stocking Stuffers

1. Mustache Crayons
2. Kitty Crayons
3. Balloons and More
4. Bracelet Crayon

1. Sidewalk chalk.
2. Playdough! 
Or make your own- I am partial to this recipe from Nature's Playdough.
3.  Watch this how-to on making something out of napkin! A real lifesaver when out to eat!
4. Or win brownie points from all your green friends with these reusable bags. Add cheddar bunnies and you'll have the two year old vote as well!

1. Book Plates : Moms may appreciate these more than the babes.
2. Favorite for both Mom and bebe.
3.Everyone needs a mustache once and awhile!
4. Mustache 2

This cookbook (which has an AMAZING recipe for Corn Sweet Potato Bisque) has one of the richest back-stories one could find.  Among the devastating losses of Hurricane Katrina, families found themselves without their most cherished recipes. Family cookbooks, recipe tins, newspaper clippings, church cookbooks these were all lost in the flooding.
This cookbook strives to combine a region’s most cherished recipes to provide a way to return home.
For anyone who loves food or knows what it feels like to want to go home again!
www.chroniclebooks.com