Chevrons seem to be all over at the moment and I’m loving it.  Simple graphic patterns like stripes and chevrons work so well across nearly anything and best of all they look so stylish in an understated way… the best way according to me.  I’ve picked out some sunny yellow and black chevron adorned goodies for both mama’s and babies:

1. Love this gorgeous black and white chevron print maxi dress by the ever stylish Anthropologie and you could even wear it when pregnant.  2.  A sweet airplane baby mobile in yellow and teal by Cactus & Olive.  3.  Simple and stylish bird prints for a nursery or an adult space by Tessyla.

4.  A super modern and super sophisticated black and white baby blanket by Handmade by Paisley.  5.  A yellow and white pinafore style dress that is perfect for spring by Sewn Natural.  6.  A very cute chevron print elephant soft toy with big flappy ears by Lil Kingdom.

I love polka dots.  It’s such a simple design that works so well on many things, especially things for kids.  I’ve picked out some polka dotted lovelies for you and your bambinos:

1.  These polka dot ballet shoes were the inspiration behind this post.  When I saw them, it was instant lust. How adorable are they?! I love the red and white with the black trim and bow.  So stunning.  They’re made by Sayang Design, a Japanese store with the most delicious shoes for kids.*

2.  This bambi-esque tee is made special with the addition of the navy blue polka dots.  So sweet.  This too is from a Japanese store and this store is called Enjoy 2u 2u 4u.*

3.  A baby shower invite with chicks and polka dots.  I’m liking the blue-brown colour combo and the simple design.  Love the little chicks too.  This polka dots baby shower invite comes from an Etsy store called Paper by Jill M.

4.  A little mustard coloured polka dot pencil case by Lale, one of my favourite French brands.  Lale also make very chic retro inspired suitcases for kids and mama’s and lovely girly hair clips too.  This polka dots pencil case is from smallable.com where you’ll find lots of Lale’s other goodies too.

5. More gorgeous shoes by Sayang Design.  These ones are perfect for boy or girl, don’t you think?

6.  Vintage inspired cushions by a cool French store called Les Choses Bizarres.  The store name means ‘weird things’ but the goodies on offer are definitely more wonderful then weird!  Visit Les Choses Bizarres where you’ll find these polka dot cushions for kids as well as some vintage looking bibs, pencil cases and more.

7. A navy and white polka dot cardigan for the girlies. I love the hint of red thrown in.  This is yet another Japanese find made by Cri de Joie and comes from a store called Esserini.*

8. I couldn’t resist this polka dot felt garland.  The vibrant colours and the simple circle shapes are just so attractive.  I found this over on a blog called Living with Punks where there’s a tutorial so you can make your own.

9.  Wow! Loving this navy polka dots satchel so much. So chic, so stylish.  It could be used as a school bag but this one’s really for all you mama’s.  Made by Zatchels you can get it at Liberty’s or try Zatchels own site where they have many colours on offer including a bold and beautiful red one.  Seriously tempting!

10. A very quirky and cool cloth doll wearing a bright orange polka dot dress.  This doll is hand made in Israel and comes from Timor’s etsy store.  All her cloth dolls are handmade and are one of a kind so once they’re gone, they’re gone!

11. Last is another pair of shoes from Sayang Design for the boys. Love the teal colour. I think you’ve probably guessed by now that I’m crazy about Sayang Design’s shoes for the bambinos!

*Discovered via Fuyuu

I’m starting something new on my blog today.  On the 4th Friday of each month I will bring you an online kids shop that is exceptional and unique.  I’ve called this series ‘Beautiful Boutiques’ as that’s exactly what they are.  To start, I can’t think of a better shop than Sisters Guild.  Sisters Guild is the vision of 2 sisters who really embrace beauty and creativity in everything they do.   They offer kids clothes, toys, decor, party stuff and even stuff for mama’s.  Many of their goodies are vintage inspired; some that will feel familiar from your own childhood, others that will be a new take on an old favourite and yet others that will be completely new ideas.

All the pieces are hand picked by the 2 sisters and are chosen for their appealing looks, their design and their ability to inspire.  You’ll find beautifully made toys that you’ll want to keep forever, timeless clothes that can be handed down from one child to another, pretty little things for yourself or for a good friend and covetable pieces to brighten up your home.  This store is special and that’s why it’s absolutely perfect to set the tone for the ‘Beautiful Boutiques’ series.  Check out Sisters Guild and while you’re there don’t miss their blog… it’s seriously good.

I was searching for a mushroom onesie (don’t ask!) when I stumbled across Linea Carta.  It was like a gust of fresh air in an otherwise very dull search.  Linea Carta make stationary and gifts for the home and for babies, including of course a mushroom onesie!  I love their look: simple, sublte, and so stylish.  Lots of bold drawings of birds, plants and animals adorn onesies/baby grows, pencil cases and table linen.  There’s also a beautiful forest baby mobile and an equally lovely modern baby quilt, 2 of my favourite things.  Everything is very fresh and pure looking leaving you wanting it all. 

Apart from the baby stuff that I’m so in want with, I’m also feeling the love for the napkins, cushions and tea towels.  Beautiful stuff for your home or a gift for a lucky someone.  Based in sunny California, Linea Carta’s range costs from around $10 to $200.  Shipping is around the globe from about $5.60. 

The Frenchies have done it again.  This time it’s a shop called Cocon filled with the most beautiful objects.  Little things like mobiles, cloud coasters and even a handmade linen and wool beanstalk adorn the shelves of Cocon.  Beautiful, delightful and charming are the best words to describe this shop.  Cocon is owned by Masami Akatsuka who hand makes all the objects of desire herself.  She’s a designer, a stylist and an artist who clearly has an eye for exquisite things.

I love all her products; there’s an innate beauty that radiates from all.  But I especially love the little jade plants, the cloud coasters and the balloon mobile.  Perfect little decorative objects that would add a touch of beautiful style to any nursery or to any part of your home.  Visit Cocon to see more and do have a look at Rosemary and Emma, 2 decorative dolls with the dreamiest of outfits.  Prices range from around €10 to €140 and shipping is worldwide. UK shipping costs around €8.  Cocon is truly a rare diamond.

Yes mama’s, you read that right.  This is so not a nappy bag but it’s perfect for nipping out in style with a few much needed baby supplies.  I don’t believe you have to buy something labeled as a nappy bag or nappy wallet, any bag that’s got style will do.  This also means you can buy many more bags ‘cos you can always use them after the nappy days are over (and you’ll be happily feeding that handbag addiction too).

This bag with it’s sunny yellow background and the black and white birds is perfect for nipping out for a few hours.  I’d say it’s in between a full on bag and a nappy wallet.  Do we need an in between, I hear you ask.  The short answer is no, but do we want an in between? Hell, yes!  Which woman would say no to owning more bags?!  If she exists, I haven’t met her yet.  This bag’s by Bantie, a Swedish design company with a penchant for creating unusual and cool textiles.  Head to their shop where the Paradis Yellow bag costs €56.

How super cute are these retro suitcases?  They’re gorgeous and I’m thinking no little girl (or big girl even) should be without.  Use it as storage indoors or better yet take it out filled with whatever stuff you can’t leave home without.  Made by the French Lale, there’s a range of deliciously chic retro prints on offer.  I can’t even begin to choose a favourite, so I’m not going to try.  They come in 2 sizes, small for the smalls in your life and big for the mama’s.  The mini ones measure 21x16cms and the maxi ones measure 39x29cms.  What a stylish hospital bag the big one would make for an expectant mama or even a very covetable retro diaper bag.  My hospital bag time has long passed but I’m seriously tempted for ebabee no.1.  You can get a selection from elias & grace for £40 for the small one and £60 for the big or try smallable.com who deliver internationally.

I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a cool nappy bag (or diaper bag if you’re one of my USA readers) but the ones I’ve seen just don’t cut the mustard.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with them and some are even nice but they’re just so samey (yawn).  Last night, nappy bag boredom was setting in when suddenly I saw it and my eyes nearly popped out of my head!  I speak of this bag by Whoost! Samey, it definitely ain’t.  Quirky, colourful and very unusual, it’s got the wow factor.  Carry this and you’re guaranteed to stand out from the (changing room) crowds.  Whoost! was started by a Belgium mama of 2 and she creates the most deliciously funky bags.  This nappy changing bag can even be customised to your wants and once you’re out of nappy changing jail, you can use it as a handbag or laptop bag.  This funky diaper bag comes in a range of colours, has 2 handles plus a detachable strap and costs €199.95 including shipping.  Check it out at Whoost!

For another cool baby changing idea, checkout baby spare wear. It’s a simple idea but sometimes, the simple ones are the best.