I’m a big fan of wooden things especially when the wood is left in it’s natural state and not painted or decorated in any way. From wooden toys to wooden furniture and even wooden bags, I like them all. Here is a selection of natural wooden things I’m currently loving for mamas and babies (that vintage rattan case – love!):
1. small vintage rattan case… 2. wooden animal toys… 3. minimal happiness high chair… 4. hand carved stirring spoons… 5. ayurvedic yogi soap… 6. natural baby cot
For the past few days we’ve had some house guests from Melbourne. They’re old friends of ours who have a 3.5 year old son. My daughter, being an only child, has been in play heaven. She’s absolutely loving having a ready made playmate and for me it’s been fun observing this playful duo who didn’t really know each other but have ended up becoming the best of friends. While they sometimes make up their own cute little games, they have also been playing creatively and imaginatively with my daughters toys. Toys that she hasn’t looked at in the past 6 months and I was beginning to wonder why I bought them in the first place. But I’m very happy that in the last week the toys have got a much needed workout.
As a result of all this play going on in our home, I’ve got toys on the mind. This morning while surfing facebook I came across Susha Toys from Russia and I loved them. Creative, imaginative and attractive, these wooden toys look like bags of fun too. They’re made and designed by a couple who wanted something special for their first born so they decided to make their own toys. The range includes toys that encourage a child to think, to create and of course to have fun. They offer toys for babies and well as toddlers and slightly older kids too. I love many of the toys but my favourite is that simple set of wooden animals with their detachable ears and noses. So cute and so gorgeous!
Today I have a fantastic giveaway for you so read on…
I have a very dear friend who is quite a bit older than me and she has 2 kids in their late teens. I go over to her place often with my 4 year old who isn’t usually a fan of accompanying me to places where there are no young kids but this friend’s home is an exception. Simply because my daughter always gets delightful wooden toys to play with and sometimes even gets to take a couple home. My friend has saved many of her kids wooden toys from 15+ years ago because she loves them for the memories they hold and intends to one day pass them on to her grand kids. That’s the thing with wooden toys, they never go out of fashion and can be played with from one generation to the next.
I too am a huge wooden toy fan and have kept all the ones that Anya has collected over the last 4 years. I’ve perched them on some shelves in her room and for now they serve as colourful and fun decorations that bring splashes of colour to her room. So I’m delighted to introduce you to the Wooden Toy Shop which as the name suggests, does nothing but wooden toys. And I’ve teamed up with them to bring you a fantastic giveaway. One lucky reader will win a £75 voucher to spend on whatever they like at the Wooden Toy Shop. The choice is entirely yours.
The Wooden Toy Shop sell some of my favourite brands like Brio, Plan Toys and Janod. They have toys, games and puzzles for babies, toddlers and older kids. There’s a lot of choice so it doesn’t matter if you have a 1 year old or 7 year old, there’s something for every kid. If the choice was mine, I think I’d go for one of their play kitchens or maybe even the BBQ set since summer is coming up but more importantly, what will you choose?
GIVEAWAY ENTRY DETAILS: One lucky reader picked at random will win a £75 voucher to spend on toys of their choice from the Wooden Toy Shop. For your chance to win just leave a comment below… easy! Say hi or whatever you like but keep it nice! One comment per person. Sorry, but this giveaway is open to UK residents only. The competition closes at midnight (UK time) on Sunday 5th May 2013. Any entries after this time will not be counted. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 7th May on our facebook page and on this post. And finally thanks to the Wooden Toy Shop for this generous giveaway. Good luck!
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered. The winner is Amy Turner… congratulations Amy!
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.
Japan has held a fascination for me for as long as I can remember. Right from the days of my early childhood when my father would travel to Japan on work and bring back all kinds of cute little stationery, toys and even some delicious Japanese snacks. Even at that young age I felt there was something so special about everything my father brought back. I couldn’t understand why I was so drawn to these Japanese things but I always knew they were different. I remember that I would sometimes carefully stash these toys away as they were just too precious to play with in case they broke.
Over the years this fascination never waned and I finally visited Japan in 2007. It was one of my best holidays ever for so many reasons (amazing food, architecture, people, street fashion) and of course shopping. It wasn’t about buying but just seeing beautiful things and exquisite packaging at every turn. Of course I had to indulge in some shopping (cue extra suitcase back!) but I so enjoyed the window shopping too because Japanese design is such a treat for the eyes. The design style is often very simple, very minimal which is what makes it so stunning just like these wooden toys. The toys have been stripped down to basics and then designed from there and the result is quite beautiful. The little train set is just wonderful and perfect for little hands too. I love the use of natural wood that has been enhanced with just a hint of soft colour. Buchi toys don’t have a big range; just 5 toys but each one is a piece that I would happily have on show in my home and I think any little kid would delight in playing with.
*via spoon-tomago
These are a few colourful little things for kids that have been on my radar for a while so I thought it was about time I shared them:
1. A cute wooden giraffe ring toss toy by Sweet Whirl. It so reminds me of the fun fairs I’ve visited as a kid as I always had to have a go at the ring toss game and I remember if I won, I’d come away with some giant soft toy. 2. Love these handmade soft clock bracelets for kids. My bambino loves wearing a pretend watch and I’ve never seen any nicer than these by Specks & Keepings.
3. I’m a big fan of Elisabeth Dunker’s store Fine Little Day. This ‘Fine Little World’ poster is one of her latest creations in collaboration with French Illustrator Steffie Broccoli. It’s a bright and bold world map filled with animals, buildings and other things representative of the various countries of the world.
4. How sweet are these tulip adorned pony tail holders for girls by Hello Shiso? I’m loving the colours and the girly – ness of them. 5. I don’t normally get excited about crayons but I really liked these with their bright, graphic wrappers from Pomme NYC. And the best part is they don’t need a sharpener, just keep peeling the layers of paper to reveal more and more colour.
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