More Animal Cuteness

I'm really taken by Sharon Montrose's portraits of animals. They are sweet and formally beautiful at the same time. They would be great in a nursery but equally at home in any room. I really love this set of four together, but would honestly have a difficult time choosing from the fantastic menagerie available at her Etsy shop.

Beyond Cute

Cute Overload goes in to high gear with this picture. This puppy would be irresistible, I’m sure, even without the bun. The photo makes me want a dog, but thankfully only this one because the last thing I need to add to my To Do List is walk the dog. Maybe when my daughter is old enough to ask for one, I’ll remember this photo and happily breakdown and say yes.

Moving Forward with Hope

It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since a recount in Florida sent George W. Bush to the White House and Al Gore on a path to greatness. I remember the disbelief and distrust when the election was finally called. Four years later, I remember being in a hotel room watching Kerry and Bush debate while on a business trip to Milwaukee. I was amazed how every lawn in the city seemed to have a campaign sign and how evenly split they were. I remember a sense of personal disbelief that Bush managed to get re-elected and a sense of resignation about what we were in for. Cynically, I felt that the country deserved whatever it got. So how amazing it was to watch the election results pour in last week, to hear that Pennsylvania had not fallen to the Republicans, that Ohio went blue and at the 11 PM witching hour (EST) to hear the stations were finally willing to call what the math was making obvious. Watching the images of the crowds cheering in Grant Park, Harlem, Times Square, and around the world was moving and testament that hope is back. This time around, as the mother of a 14 month old, I want the US to have a chance at what we deserve.

Yes we can. Yes we can.

ABC3D Ships!

Yeah, my copies of Marion Bataille's ABC3D are finally on their way to me. Thanks Amazon! I pre-ordered them months ago and had basically forgotten all about them. So the email saying they shipped was a nice surprise and now they will be on the doorstep any day now. I bought three copies, one for my little one (yummy, books are delicious!), one for safe keeping and one for some lucky friend. Check out the video here to fully appreciate just how cool ABCs can be!

Naughty is Nice

I love Rob Ryan’s work. My recent favorite image is “Why are you so naughty?” It makes me think of my daughter and the devilish looks she gives me when she is ripping off her diaper or peering out from her hiding spot behind the chair. The tile version is sold out but now there’s a children’s T-shirt available at his new store Ryantown in sizes 12-18 months, 18-24 months and 24-36 months. A size for every naughty little stage! I want to get one for the upcoming terrible twos!

Wee and Wonderful Worlds

Wee Gallery's wall graphics are a great and affordable way to add interest to your little ones' room. As an added benefit they are designed to be seen by the littlest of babies and sure to stimulate even the youngest imaginations. My favorite's are the Jungle and Woodlands with its own little hedge hog.

A Good Hair Day Makes Me Giddy

Or rather giddy giddy. I love this mom-owned company's sweet line of hairclips for little and big girls. As the mother of a little girl who arrived in the world with a full head of hair containment is a big issue and hairclips an everyday essential. So, I was thrilled to find these cute clips while browsing small magazine's site which consistently showcases great stuff for kids along with amazing photography and illustrations. I loved the small flower clip they featured (like the orange one above) and went to giddy giddy's site in search of it. Instead, I found even more great clips and now can't decide which I like best. Here are some of my favorites.

Cat Adoption

A friend sent me a lovely email today inquiring if I wouldn't be interested in adopting her cat. Said kitty is a pedigree, has a lovely disposition and is cuddly. Unfortunately my cat Lola is mutt from Brooklyn with a mean streak! But very lovable and cute in her own right. So adoption is out, although I'd be happy to give these two lovelies from little love blue a home. Cary Walker crafts lovely little creatures and flora too. Her mushrooms and pumpkins are a perfect fall gift for someone you really like.

Magic Walls

Studio Printworks produced this beautiful hand-screened wall paper “Maiden and Moonflower” by Kiki Smith for her show Her Home, at the Museum Esters, Krefeld Germany. I think this would be so magical in a child’s room or a special nook of one’s own. The creatures that populate this nocturnal world would be perfect companions for a sweet slumber or lazy daydream. Even the color names spark one’s imagination. Twilight, Dawn and Winterfrost are my favorites.

Sweet Reads #1

No No Yes Yes is full of clever drawings by Leslie Patricelli of all the adorable noes and yeses that fill toddler’s lives. Use it to explain why eating the dog’s food & pulling the cats tail are in the No, No category, or just take comfort in knowing that the pet’s dish holds universal appeal with the toddler set.

Setting up House

My nieces & nephew were playing with a large cardboard box this past weekend and trying to get the baby to crawl in. My nephew was extolling its virtues, saying it was a "secret place". He may have had more luck selling her on one of the sweet cardboard Houses from Kids on Roof. It's great right out of the box but maybe even more fun with a little personalization.

Pirates are Sweet

At least when they are covered with icing. A project at work has me looking at all things pirate related, including cupcakes. Here’s some I found irresistible. I think they’d be perfect for some little scallywag’s birthday. They make me want to throw a party and make the guests walk the plank. I mean eat cupcakes of course!

You can see more goodies here.

ABCs with an Edge

Being a huge fan of Tony Fitzpatrick, I’m convinced there couldn’t be a more fun way for little ones to learn their ABCs and get in a little art appreciation at the same time than a copy of Max and Gaby’s Alphabet. Copies are a little tricky to find but well worth it.

Ride 'em Cowboy

Gymnic's stylized Rody horses would be a perfect addition to any child's room, not to mention how great a few of them would look hanging around your personal teepee. See my last post. The question is not whether your tot needs one, but which of the 13 available colors to choose. Now if they just came in adult size.

A Teepee of One's Own

We had a tepee in my kindergarten class and there was always a line of kids waiting to get inside. Seeing these fantastic teepees (or tipis) from Candy Mill reminded me how much fun it is to be small and made me wish I was five years old again! There are three models available, the Chief Crazy Horse and the Lakota Teepees shown above and a pink version called the Pow Wow. What a great space for little ones to hang out, read a book or get a little privacy.

Around the World with Haba Blocks

Inspire their inner builder and your own with Haba's collection of famous historical structures from around the world. My personal favorite is the pagoda but you can venture to Egypt and build a pyramid or take on ancient Rome with an awesome coliseum. And no kids, it is not nice to feed people to the lions!

Happy Rooms Happy Kids

I can't get enough of the Cookie House Tours. So much great inspiration for the home and a wonderful resource for ideas on how to make your child's room more magical. Here are two photos of children's rooms with details I really loved. The tree bed posts are such a nice touch for a city bedroom.

Little Mermaids

What a great photo by Piotr Redlinski from this year's Coney Island Mermaid Parade. I think it really captures a certain nostalgic quality that is so much a part of the parade and Coney Island as it exists today. Hopefully the plans to rezone the area for high rises will be defeated so that little mermaids can still romp on Surf Ave.

Kitchen Remodeling

Anyone who has watched even an hours worth of programming on HGTV knows it's all about granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances when it comes to the kitchen! Or is it? I just love this wooden stove from momoll. Ah to be five years old and busy in the kitchening mixing up some delicious make believe goodness. Yes it's almost as expensive as the real thing but definitely adorable and on top of the wishlist.

Treasured Objects #1: Our Photo

Here's Brigid and I together about a month before her birth. My friend Alyssa took this picture. I wasn't in the mood to be photographed that day but now I am so glad we took photos. This turns out to be my favorite photo taken while I was pregnant. Thanks Alyssa!

Invest in Art

Yes a onesie is more practical and plastic car keys are more likely to please the little one - but someday they'll thank you for getting their art collection started. Here's a beautiful little print titled San Shui: 06 Cherry blossom from designer Yu I Chan that won't break the bank and is sure to be treasured. It's available at The Shiny Squirrel which has a great collection of affordable art. For more about Yu I Chan, visit her blog Ah-Yi, a personal favorite of mine.

Out of Africa via Target

I fell in love with this zebra rug by DwellStudio for Target as soon as I saw it. I had already created a sweet rug with Flor carpet tiles for my daughter's nursery but couldn't resist and finally broke down and bought it! It arrived yesterday, it's adorable and I'm thrilled no zebras were harmed in the making. Yeah Target for coming up with another great design partnership.

Who Knew - Whoozit

When I first saw this little guy at my baby shower I thought how bizarre and how bright! Nine months into motherhood I have embraced the notion that neutral colors will not be playing a huge role in my life for a while. And of course Whoozit was one of the first toys that scored big smiles from the little one. So now it's a big thumbs up and rates a "must have"