A few days ago I came across some kids bedding by Oh My Kids from Belgium and I was smitten.  Their simple aesthetic of lots of white with tiny bits of colour really appealed to me.  Also, I just adore the random scattering of little shapes which extends across most of their designs.  I need to start looking for new bedlinen for Anya soon, and this is definitely going on my shortlist.

I soon discovered that Oh My Kids also create handmade clothes for kids which include dresses, skirts, sweatshirts and leggings.  I’m not normally a sweatshirts and leggings kind of gal but these ones are an exception.  They’re so simple, stylish and fun.  And that little balloon skirt… too cute!

And before I go, have you entered our fab giveaway?

I’m loving this dreamy new store from Spain called Bel & Soph.  It’s full of soft linen cushions, cosy quilts and cute decor items for babies and kids.  Created by 2 mums who wanted something unique and special for their kids, they recently launched their store and the result is just lovely. 

While I’ve seen many a cloud cushion, I love these for their simplicity, their colours and the rawness of the linen fabric.  I’m also loving the little wooden storage boxes in natural wood combined with pretty coloured backs.  Their designs are simple but there are lots of gorgeous little details like the pom pom ties on the play tent and the raw edges to the cushions that make them so lovely.  Much of their collection is in soft grey’s, dusty pinks and cool ivory’s giving it all a very chic look. 

Everything on offer from Bel & Soph is understated and very classy.  Any kids room decorated with their goodies will be one magical space!

I had my birthday in January.  Nothing unusual about this except January is the bleakest month of the year in this part of the world. So it’s really not a good month for a birthday but this year at least I managed to escape for some winter sun.  Growing up in Mumbai, January was the best month to have your birthday.  Most Indians don’t celebrate Christmas so there was no Christmas hangover to speak of, it was a new year, the weather was at it’s best and everybody was on a high.  How the tables have turned on me!  But as bleak as January is, come the 1st of February and it feels like everyone has a renewed vigour, a spring in their step, a positive outlook once again.  For me the 1st of February brings with it the hope of Spring and that’s what makes it special.  Today, it feels like the worst of winter is over and so to celebrate the coming of Spring I wanted to share my first Spring 2013 collection with you.  It’s a new brand from Sweden called Gabor & Friends and they make the most wonderful bed linen for babies, toddlers and kids.

Stylish, sophisticated kids bed linen is hard to come by and that’s why when I saw Gabor & Friends I couldn’t wait to share.  On offer are duvet sets, blankets, crib bumpers and cushions.  The prints, like the bird one, are so pretty but the solid colours of sea green and salmon are equally appealing (my favourite I think is that Purple Rain snuggle blanket).  Most of the tones and shades used in Gabor & Friends’ Spring collection are soft, muted and understated except their cashmere-wool blankets that come in the boldest and brightest of colours.  Many of the pieces are 2 sided – a print on one side and a solid colour on the other giving you the option to change the look as you please.  I’m so loving this collection and looking at it really makes me feel like Spring is in the air.  Gabor & Friends don’t sell through their site but you’ll find their cashmere blankets at the lovely Scandinavian Minimall who will soon be stocking the rest of the collection.

When I was a kid I remember my mum getting my brother and me an Indian liberty print quilt each.  We both got so attached to our quilts that we would take them with us everywhere we traveled.  I’m sure that hadn’t been part of my mothers plan as taking two bulky quilts everywhere is far from ideal but we wouldn’t be parted from our beloved quilts.  When my quilt had to be washed my mum always made sure it was dried within the day as sleeping without it wasn’t an option (thanks mum!).  I don’t know what it was about the quilt that made me so attached to it… the tiny floral print, the muted colours of pink and mint green, the softness of the fabric or was it just a comforter of sorts?  Even though at the time I had no clue what a Liberty print was, I now know that is my earliest memory of owning something in this wonderful fabric.

Since then of course I have bought several Liberty print things and have a real love for the fabrics so it’s no wonder that I was drawn to this new collection of bed linen, pillows and soft bean bag type seats for kids.  The collection has been created by Cam Cam especially for the lovely boutique Mimi’s Circus.  While the entire collection is made using liberty print fabrics, it’s the little neon cloud detail that adds that extra special touch.  I’m not normally a fan of bean bags but I think my favourite part of this collection is those bean bag type seats.  It’s a collection that will appeal to both kids and adults and that always gets my vote.

April Showers by Polder is the perfect combination of Scandinavian style with French charm.  Started by a pair of Dutch sisters who now live in Paris, this kids bedding, clothes and accessories collection is just divine.  I love the muted colours with unexpected pops of neon, the subtle prints and the timeless designs.  This is their current Autumn/Winter collection and I want everything in it especially those leggings!  You can shop this collection at Smallable.comwhere there are quite a few items on sale too.  

There’s something about polka dots that grabs me each time.  Large polka dots, small polka dots, I love them all as long as the pattern is kept simple and isn’t overly colourful.  So when I saw the offerings by Hello Milky I was hooked.  Created by a mama from Melbourne, each and every piece in the collection is made entirely by her and her alone.  The designs are mainly teeny-tiny polka dots strewn over duvet covers, cushions and pillows although there are some with teeny-tiny stars too.  I’m loving the natural colour of the linen and the pairing with sometimes bright and sometimes dark polka dots or stars is just delightful.  It’s such a simple design but that’s exactly why Hello Milky’s creations are so appealing.  And seeing all that natural linen… I’ve remembered how much I love this fabric in it’s raw state (without dyes) and need to get some for my home urgently! 

When I was in school, maths was one of my favourite subjects (so geeky, I know!).  I felt completely at one with algebra, logic and even calculus but there was one branch of maths that was a thorn in my side and that was geometry.  How the tables have turned since then… I’ve forgotten all my complex equations but I can’t resist a good geometric pattern.  Not quite the same as studying geometry but it’s those exact same shapes I dreaded seeing that now bring such delight.  And so when I saw the goodies offered by OYOY, a new Danish interior design shop, I was smitten.  I first spotted their clean designs adorned with geometric patterns over at Paul et Paula and I knew I had to share them here.  

From the colourful hexagon bed linen to the cushions adorned with a range of shapes, OYOY’s style is minimal, clean and very Scandinavian.  They use lots of shapes throughout their creations but without ever over-doing it.  Less is more is their design ethos and it clearly shows.  While there are things aimed specifically at kids, I think much of the beauty lies in the ageless appeal of everything they offer.  The colour scheme of using lots of neutrals with pops of neon is really appealing too.  I’ve always been very partial to Scandi design and OYOY is another great new example of Scandi design at it’s best.  Forget algebra, I now know that geometry is the way to go!

‘Less is more’ is what my design and style aesthetic is all about.  The best designs are usually the simplest and that’s why I’m so loving Bed and Philosophy.  Using soft linens, a mostly muted colour palette and a few universal symbols they create some beautiful bed linen for kids and babies.  I’m really loving all of it including the slightly creased appearance of the linen which makes it look so cosy and inviting.  And because of it’s simple, elegant style, your child won’t ever outgrow it.  Bed and Philosophy is the creation of a French lady called Sonia Provost, who is a stylist with a huge passion for linen fabric.  In 2009 she decided to do something about this passion and ended up creating this wonderful range.  Visit Bed and Philosophy to see more.

One of the best things about moving into a new season is the new collections on offer.  While summer is my favourite season, I’ve always loved Autumn/Winter lines the most.  A couple of weeks ago I shared a beautiful kids clothing collection and since then I’ve wanted to share a new collection of kids toys and decor.  I’ve found just the thing with Ferm Living’s new season goodies.  Always stylish and fun, Ferm Living is never too cute or too baby-ish.  Playful designs mixed with bold patterns come to life in kids throw pillows, soft toys, wall decor and more.  Ferm Living also offer an adults range which I think would work very well for kids too.  For me, design that transcends age is always the best!

This week’s picks for mama & baby… let mama decorate with these pretty floral stools while baby gets cosy in that starry duvet set.