Marimekko

This post is part of the Finnish Design series by guest contributor Eva Jorgensen of Sycamore Street Press.

A week centered on Finnish design wouldn’t be complete without everyone’s favorite Finnish import, Marimekko. I wouldn’t mind dressing my daughter in their clothes every single day.

Mer Mag

One of my favorite creative and modern craft sites (especially for children's crafts) is Mer Mag. Merrilee is a super artistic and talented mother of 2 boys (one girl on the way) and I always look forward to what she will create next and share on her site. Her ideas and projects are fresh, unique, fun, and most likely something you haven't seen before. She has this brilliant knack of using minimal supplies, not a lot of money, and still manages to make cardboard and tape or paint chips look like a million bucks! I got to meet her last week and on a quick trip and was equally impressed by how cool she is.

She let me know about some crafting workshops she is collaborating with GAP kids and thought some of you may want to take your kids on an outing to enjoy some end of the summer fun! You can learn about all the details here and see if her rad craft projects will pop up in your area.

( // All photos from Mer Mag )

Kids Backpacks

Our oldest daughter starts 1st grade next week - eek! School starts insanely early here, I can hardly believe it. Does anyone else start this early? We are scurrying around this week getting last minute stuff and soaking in the last few moments of school-free Summer. Last year for Kindergarten, backpacks were a no-no to save on space and perhaps crazy strain on their little tiny backs, but this year they are game on (probably coupled with a bit more homework). I've looked around for kids' backpacks and here are our finalists. What's your favorite? I want one too now.

1 2  3 4  5  6

Olive Us

Each Olive Us clip is such a blast to watch, I can't get over how cool the Blair family is! If you haven't seen them, hop over here to see them all. I particularly love their newest episode of 'How to Visit a French Bakery' so well done and perfectly French, bravo.

Cardboard Creations by Milimbo

I've mentioned Milimbo and their lovely designs and shop before here, but was delighted to come across their cardboard creations. They are top notch. See more of their fun cardboard designs here.

// photos from Milimbo

Neon Party

All of the details of this neon kids' party put on by Eunice and Sabrina of Hello Lucky is spot on.  See more of the photos here at Apartment Therapy.
 

// photos by Modern Kids Co.

Kid Made Modern at Target

I ran into Target quickly for an errand and was surprised to find Kid Made Modern art supplies on one of the end aisle displays. I believe they came into stores a few days ago, and I must have been under a rock because I hadn't heard of this collaboration yet! Already being a office/art supply lover and fan of the book, I was happy to see such minimalistic Muji like supplies with a cheery twist. You can also find some stuff online if it hasn't already sold out, also check out your local Target. I didn't pick any up yet because I was in a hurry, but I am headed back to stock up. Todd Oldham is a genius, eh?

A| B | C | D | E | F 

The Most Astounding Fact

As I have reacquainted myself with yoga and better meditation lately my introspective moments have soared. After seeing this incredible video clip which resonated with me, another zinger occurred.  My highly 'private person' nature resists typing this out, but I find connecting and sharing my personal life rather challenging. I am going to work on this. The universe is in us, and I want to be more alive.

“…there’s a level of connectivity, that’s really what you want in life. You want to feel connected, you want to feel relevant, you want to feel like you’re a participant in the goings on of activities and events around you. And that’s precisely what we are, just by being alive.”


– Astrophysicist Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson

(Clip edited by Max Schlickenmeyer // via Aubrey Road - thank you. )

Travel log : Seattle Pike Place Market

Every time we go back to Seattle we try to pop by Pike Place Market for a visit and it is always a treat. This time it was just me and the girls and V was intent on following the little pig print path and sitting on the pig. We didn't have any planned stops and just meandered and took it all in. It was better that way. We watched the fishmongers, smelled the pretty flowers, listened to street music, and tasted a few things. Amidst our wandering there were a few dramatic meltdowns, stroller malfunctions and other things that come with traveling with little ones solo, but I will take it -- it is worth sharing with the girls a place full of some of my childhood memories.

They call the Pike Place Market the 'soul of Seattle', it has been around for over 100 years, and has this edgy Northwest charm that I have yet to see replicated anywhere else. It doesn't seem like a trip back home unless we hit the market, and of course take a ferry ride.

12 great children's movies

Both our girls were under the weather this week and when that happens, it just breaks my heart. They are on the mends now and I'm so grateful. Between the runny nose sniffles, coughing, and cuddling, we slowly looked at books, and thumbed through magazines (India especially digs the mini size of Everyday Food) and watched a few of our favorite kid movies.

Here are 12 of our favorite children's movies which some may admittedly be slanted a little to the girly side, maybe not ... you tell me. We have also experimented in our family and work on keeping things 'G' rated around here so there isn't an increase in monster nightmares or sassy talk.

The Black Stallion - The cinematography is breathtaking. This part is my favorite.
Mary Poppins - Classic. You've seen this remix, right??
Willy Wonka & Chocolate Factory I'm partial to the first version, I still get giddy when they open the doors to the colorful candy factory.
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking I hope to get my hands on these next, the original versions look even better. This mashup is fun.
A Little Princess - Endearing and so well done, I may shed a tear or two with this one ... maybe.
Ratatouille - Paris, great food, a rat. oui.
Pollyanna - Playing the 'glad game' is a great lesson to pick up from this one.
Alice In Wonderland - Imagination practice.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Toot sweets and a magical flying, floating car, yes.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks - V's favorite part is the battle - she laughs her head off.
Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron - V (our horse lover) has watched this repeatedly more than any other.
Charlotte's Web - Touching tale about sacrifice and friendship. We also adore this version.

Okay, now it is your turn! What are your favorite children's movies? Shout them out.

Speaking Digitally: Paper by FiftyThree

If you have an iPad, you've got to check out the Paper by Fifty Three App. Basically you can use your finger or stylus to jot notes in your own handwriting, draw, paint and more. My husband ordered a stylus pen that came in the mail the other day and we have been having a lot of fun playing around with it. It is super intuitive and I am impressed with what you can do with it, and it feels more natural than any other drawing app we've tried. It is a perfect app for a quick sketch or to convey an idea to someone. It is crazy to envision the future like say in ten years as the gap between real paper vs. digital paper shrinks. Around ten years ago I think that was about when I got my first digital camera -- yikes how far we have come and so fast. The app itself is free and then you pay for the tools you want to use, pretty smart.

Don't get me wrong, I will always be a paper book lover and a pen and real paper type of girl, and I believe there will always be a place for it, but this technology is incredible and just wanted to share it with you. See their video for an idea of how it works. Have you tried it out? What apps are blowing your mind lately?

Also three cheers for Instagram being on Android.

Travel log : Portland, Oregon

We had a really nice time for Spring Break in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few tidbits from our trip of my favorite places and moments along the way.

1. I used to think traveling with kids was a breeze. Our oldest is and always has been an excellent traveller, we don't know if it is because we took her lots of places when she was tiny or what, but we really lucked out on her wanderlust nature.

2. Ahem... enter child #2 (India) she is not a happy traveller AT ALL and has been that way ever since she was born. Sometimes I don't think she likes to be moving unless it is with her own two feet. In fact, it is quite insane and comical how unruly she is on a plane and in the airport. Tantrums to the hilt, the whole nine yards and boy it is a little embarrassing. We even resorted to the backup 'code red' emergency lolli. (I rarely give her sugar - so it is an extra treat) which only lasted for a few quiet minutes. Do you have a child that travels one way or the other?

3 Shortly after we arrived we stopped by the lovely shop Canoe in Portland. It is such an amazing shop and has to be added to my list of my all time favorites. It is impeccable curated and my husband really enjoyed it as well. We took turns waiting with the kiddos in the car as we each ran in and out, do you ever travel that way? We picked up a few treasures, some great gifts for the future, and we both added items to our wish list.

4. Across the street and close by to Canoe is another wonderfully curated gem called Alder & Co. It quickly became another top notch favorite and I was equally charmed by the items, layout and shop owner who I chatted with for a bit. I picked up some Fog Linen Trays and Common Good Dish Soap and pretty much wanted to add almost the entire store to my wish list, no joke. It is really fabulous. Next time I hope to pop into Gruner next door for a bite to eat, it also looked really great.

5. Circling back to Portland at the end of our trip, I heard about the buzz for Pok Pok and just the two girls and I went and it couldn't have been a better experience. The covered and heated outdoor patio was perfect and cozy for us, the staff was beyond kind and the food was sensational. Next time I'm in Portland I can't wait to take Mac and my sister-in-law and family here to try it again.

Thanks for all of your Portland tips, we hope to hit up this city again real soon. What shouldn't be missed next time around?

(// photos by Black Eiffel, except for 2 product photos from Alder & Co.)

Little Esop

These vintage modern children's looks from Little Esop are fantastic; they look timeless with the perfect amount of mix and matching, fun stripes, and prints. After reading more about Little Esop today I was happily surprised to see that the designer Judy Posey uses organic fabrics and the line is sustainable. I am all for having high quality items that last. My girls are growing like weeds lately and this time around I am working on making better choices so the clothing can be worn down the line again on our littlest one. Little Esop (isn't that name perfect?!) just started selling online here and I just put all of these items on my girl's wish list.

Inside Nature : Illumination

Images : 1: Fireflies 2: Outdoor Lighting by Bruce Munro

Parties in a box

Want to send some snail mail to a friend or loved one? Melanie from You Are My Fave has the best 'Parties in a Box' ideas, seriously Paris in a Box?! Love. A Saint Patrick's Day one, fantastic. She has definitely inspired my brain.

(All photos from You Are My Fave)

Book Love: Henri's Walk to Paris

It has been a while since I have shared some of my favorite children's books (still love 'em) but a month  ago or so I preordered the book Henri's Walk to Paris and it arrived in the mail and my heart is happy. The back story is that I have been scouring the internet and contacting used book stores to find the Saul Bass original ever since I saw this post three years ago over at Grain Edit, I even posted about it.

Henri's Walk to Paris is now in my hands and I read it to the little miss this morning and the beautiful reprinted version can now be found on Amazon. Yay! 

Inside Nature: Repetition

1: Pine cone photo by Cobalt123
2: Crimean Pinecone Lamp by Pavel Eekra

"Nature is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws. She hums the old well-known air through innumerable variations." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cute Little Printer

Oh my goodness, this little printer is so adorable! It prints out receipt sized lists of a variety of things and you can even print from your phone. Watch the video clip here to see how it works here. Eek! Very cute and well designed. It launches as a beta product in early 2012.

(via Fubiz)

Lucky Boy Sunday

The whimsical quirk of the softies from the Copenhagen brand Lucky Boy Sunday is so refreshing, I love their variety of fun items.

(Reminded about them from Raneytown)

Have a wonderful weekend!

It was a gray day today so I felt like signing off for the weekend all kinds of bright! I hope you will have a nice time relaxing over the next few days.

Love You Print // DIY Cool Party Hats // Neon Rope & Clothes Rack // Zebra // Bracelet