This week’s picks for mama and baby… more Christmas gift ideas for both but this time I’ve gone for a black & white colour palette.  Timeless, classic and always chic, you can’t go wrong with this colour combo:

1.  Modern Heart print for mama by Love Maki.

2.  Cable knit pom pom tights for baby by Hansel from Basel.

3.  Soft cotton mini blanket for baby by Fine Little Day.

4.  Liberty print pencil tin and pencils for mama by Liberty.

5.  Mustache body suit for baby by Beau Loves.

6. Handmade deer and wolf soft toy for baby by Lucille Michieli for Minikin.

7.  Reversible cape for baby by Wovenplay for Bobo Choses.

8.  Two tone wool scarf for mama by Aiayu.

9.  Geometry tea/coffee cups for mama by Ferm Living.

10.  Playsam black streamliner car for baby from Smallable.com

11.  Chunky copper and black bracelet for mama from Need Supply.

12.  Handmade hat with little ears for baby by Les Zigouis.

You can also check out my other Christmas gift guides which include lots of gift ideas for babies, boys, girls and mama’s. 

From Sweden with love…

December 5, 2012

"scandinavian design for kids"

Whenever I used to hear someone mention Sweden or when I saw something Swedish I’d always think of one of my closest and oldest friends who is half Swedish.  Sadly we now live continents apart but luckily it’s one of those friendships where this doesn’t matter at all.  Now when I hear the word Sweden, I fleetingly think of my friend and then my mind just gets flooded with thoughts of wonderful Swedish design!  The Swedes, and the other Scandinavians too have a design sense that is second to none and I’m very drawn to their aesthetic.  So when I discover a new Swedish shop I get very excited as I know it’s going to be good even before I check out what they sell.  And that’s exactly what happened with Le Kiosk.

Le Kiosk is a new Swedish store which sells goodies that are sourced from all over the world but each piece has the Scandinavian touch of being simple, light and bright in style.  In their kids section you’ll find fun crafty things like the {make your own} house box and the pretty washi tape covered pencils… {forget the kids, I’d love some of these for myself!}  There are also the cutest kimono baby slippers on offer and some cool mini woollen blankets plus loads of unusual posters and prints.  What I love most about Le Kiosk is that a lot of their carefully selected offerings are handmade and as a result very unusual. 

P.S. Have you seen our Christmas gift guides for kids and mama’s?

"wooden gifts for babies and kids"

In today’s gift guide I wanted to share some wooden gift ideas.  I’m a huge fan of wooden toys so have picked out a few of these but I’ve tried to mix it up a bit by suggesting other wooden gifts too including a DIY gift which is always a pleasure to give and receive.

1.  Yellow Owl Workshop Circus stamp set from Amazon

2.  Wooden promenading elephant toy from Baileys Home & Garden.

3.  Candy coloured bowling set by Nobodinoz.

4.  Wooden block printed pencil case by Bread & Jam.

5.  Colourful London print on wood by Petit Collage.

6.  Vintage Japanese egg cups for play and display from Kickcan & Conkers.

7.  Limited edition Villa Malmo doll house complete with a family of 4 dolls by Caroline Gomez.

8 & 9.  DIY painted wood beads necklace by Handmade Ginger and Sadalewis.

10.  Colourful wooden buses from Romp.

11.  Mielasiela natural wood toy set from Orphan Socks.

12.  Tell me a story – story dice family game from e-side.

You can also check out my other gift guides including gifts for babies, boys, girls, mama’s, soft toy gifts and more.

Sunday in colour…

December 3, 2012

"colourful toys and nursery decor"

Once in a while a drop of sunshine falls in to my inbox and brightens my day.  This is definitely one of those times.  When I visited Sunday in Colour I felt like someone had just given me the warmest hug ever.  This is a new US store that has the most colourful European brands on offer and sells quilts, soft toys, nursery decorations and more  Started by a French mama now settled in San Francisco, Sonia is addicted to bold prints and patterns for both boys and girls.  You won’t find separate boys and girls sections in this store but instead it’s lashings of colour and vibrant, eye-catching prints for all.  Apart from the wonderful offerings, I also love the way that Sonia has photographed and presented everything.  This is such a charming little store and one that really makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when you visit.  Sunday in Colour only ships to the US at the moment but they plan to start international shipping in the new year.

UPDATE Jan 2013: Sunday in Colour now ships internationally.

"christmas gifts for mama and baby"

This week’s picks for mama and baby… as Christmas is coming I thought it would be fun to give you a range of gift picks for mama and baby.  So I’ve rounded up some some pink things that I love for both and hopefully it will give you a bit of inspiration.  Some of this stuff is on my own wish list especially that polka dot clutch which I showed to my husband last night (hint, hint!).

1.  Weekend bag for mama by Lale.

2.  Handmade wood and ceramic necklace for mama from Need Supply Co.

3.  Pequeno Tocon drawstring knit pullover for baby from Smallable.com

4.  Wooden toy camera for baby by Twig Creative*.

5.  Ketiketa winter flower necklace for baby from Orfeo Design.

6.  RosenbergCPH wool dot throw for mama from Leif.

7.  Falconwright polka dot leather clutch for mama from Coverture.

You can also have a look at my other Christmas gift guides which include gift ideas for boys, girls, babies and more.

*via pinterest

Mondays milk…

November 27, 2012

"pretty floral quilts for kids"

I often hear people say that each one of us has a story to tell and I think that’s true.  How we tell our own unique story is entirely up to us and I guess I’m starting to tell my story through this blog by revealing little bits and pieces of my life and also through my picks which tells a lot about me.  Writing is one way of sharing but there are many other ways like sharing through your own creations.  One person who has chosen to do this is Rozalinde Innemee who is the Dutch artist behind Monday’s Milk.  She says her designs are her stories and the production is the telling of the stories.  There is something so instantly believable and beautiful about her creations and I guess that’s the reason why.  There is a part of her in everything she makes and that is what makes her offerings so special.

"pretty bow hair clips"

You can expect to find kids quilts, hair clips, soft toys, fabrics and things for the home.  All have a gentle, pure and simple feel to them with a definite feminine touch.  I adore the quilts which come in the prettiest of fabrics and I love the animal soft toys too.  You won’t find the usual suspects here but instead we’ve got cute rhino’s and an anteater.  And today I spotted the adorable bow hair clips which is what reminded me how of much I loved this store and that I hadn’t yet shared it with you.  But now you know so visit Monday’s Milk and I hope you love the expression of Rozalinde’s story as much as I do.

"Christmas gifts for girls"

To start of this week, I’ve put together my next Christmas gift guide and this time it’s for girls.  I have to admit I really enjoyed doing this one as there are just so many lovely things for girls.  I hope you like it:

1.  Kids Kuru-Maru felt necklace by Homako from Minikin.

2.  Handmade bird / fairy wings by Big Birds Boutique.

3.  Indian tepee by Nathalie Lete for Vilac from French Blossom.

4.  Handmade watch bracelets by Specks & Keepings.

5.  Peach coloured linen cloud cushion by Love Maki.

6.  Ice blue tutu with a bejewelled belt by Atsuyo et Akiko from Coverture.

7.  Ferm Living’s decorate your own wooden dolls house from Smallable.com

8.  Little alligator personalised stationery set from Minted.

9.  Liberty print fox masks by the Fox Shop.

10.  Blafre vintage birds lunchbox from Little Yellow Birds.

11.  gg-kids wooden sushi set from Little Fashion Gallery.

12.  Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Emily Patel Haynes from Amazon

You can also check out my other guides: gift ideas for boysgift ideas for babies, gift ideas for mamas (who like to cook & entertain) and some soft toys & dolls.

The circus collection…

November 23, 2012

"circus themed kids clothes"

There’s something so magical about the circus.  I remember going as a kid and the anticipation of going was just as exciting as being there.  I can’t wait to take my daughter but if I’m honest, it’s not just her I want to take, I’m dying to go myself.  The kid in me is so excited about visiting a circus after all these years.  And that’s why I fell for this new Circus Collection by Monikako.  I love the way that they’ve brought the fun, the magic and the charm of a circus in to these clothes.  The collection is very quirky without being over the top and and while the colours aren’t the most circus like, they work so well with detailed black illustrations.  My favourite piece has to be the pale green skirt but I’m also loving the clown trousers and the ruffle neck top.  I’m sure every kid out there would delight in dressing up in these clothes.  I loved Monikako’s first collection which had a safari theme and this one I think is just as fantastic.  I can’t wait to see what they do next but they’ve found an ardent fan in me.

*Harlequin wallpaper by Ferm Living.

mama & baby…

November 22, 2012

"raindrop print skirt for girls"This week’s picks for mama and baby… this Christmas give mama this beautiful raindrop scarf while you give baby that pretty aubergine coloured raindrop print skirt.

A house in the clouds…

November 21, 2012

"dolls house shelves"When it comes to kids decor, all manner of animals have adorned so many different objects.  The fox, owl and elephant have been some of the most popular but I have even come across some unexpected animals like anteaters and bulls.  But now, these {lovely} beasts have got competition in the form of the humble cloud.  I mean how many wonderful versions of cloud pillows have there been?  While I love the whole animal thing, I think I may just love the cloud a teeny bit more.  There’s something quite cuddly and comforting about the shape with it’s soft curves and ageless appeal.  So when I saw this cloud shelf and felt cloud mobile, I had to find out more.

I discovered Coccoli home, a new Spanish shop that makes not only these cloudy creations but also those fun house shelves that double up as dolls houses.  There are also some adorable raindrop wall hooks and lots of colourful wall stickers on offer.  I love the idea of lining up some of these dolls houses with the cloud mobiles hanging above them.  It would {almost} be like having a house in the clouds!  And when your childs grown out of playing with dolls houses, the shelves can be moved to any room in the house as cute storage shelves.  The Coccoli home collection is sold through their own site and also exclusively through the lovely My Little Square.

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