Wednesday 24 December 2014

Happy Holidays!




 



Oui!!!

I've been a good girl all year, working hard on my blog, shop, pinterest and fashion tumblr, so fingers crossed, Santa will be kind to me tonight!

I'm sure I don't need to tell you how giddy my kids are right now. The decorations are up, meal preparations are underway and most of the presents are wrapped, sitting pretty for tomorrow morning.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas if you celebrate it, and of course, Happy Holidays to all.

I will be taking a few days off now to spend some quality time with my family.

Enjoy!

All images: DecoBox Ro


Friday 19 December 2014

Inspiration: Hanato Morito



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What a soothing way to end a busy, stressful week.

 Japanese illustrator Fumi Morimoto and Netherlands-based creative director Soonhwa Kang have sown the first seeds of a very special project. Aiming to design products that will inspire and be appreciated by children and parents every day, their first collaboration comes in the form of a beautiful alphabet poster, available on etsy.

Tokyo-born Soonhwa felt it was the right moment to create a Japanese Hiragana poster for her son when he showed an interest in learning the Japanese alphabet. She wanted to make him something special to keep and remember for a long time. I am in love with Fumi Morimoto's animal illustrations; what an original use of colour! 

The creative duo are putting the final touches on a Dutch animal ABC and animal Hiragana cards, so do keep an eye open for new work in the coming months.

Another team to follow in 2015!


Monday 15 December 2014

Shop Watch: The Velvet Egg









Good Morning!


As I wrote on Facebook this morning, this has to be one of the busiest weeks of the year for many of us, and I really felt that I had to brace myself when I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning. Onwards and upwards, and all that ...

I thought I'd share something to put us all in good spirits today. Something to put a smile on your face despite the stress of last-minute Christmas everything (yep, I'm late again with presents, how do I manage it everytime, I thought xmas was supposed to be a holiday?).

I've had my eye on York-based creative duo Catherine and Elle for a while now, and I'm obviously drawn to their modern, quirky kids' products. I love clean, minimal design, so I can easily imagine a couple of The Velvet Egg's cushions or posters in my own home, especially in my pre-teen daughter's bedroom. 

As is apparent from these few images above, The Velvet Egg offers a striking range of textiles, artwork, stickers, cards and pocket mirrors in pretty shades and bags (lovely stocking fillers or party favours there). But that's not all. Yesterday I noticed their brand new children's Pierrot wallpaper and I have a feeling these two designers have plenty more in store for 2015 and beyond.



Bonne journée !


Friday 12 December 2014

New Collection Watch: Let Me Grow



 The best collections always begin with a story.
This one is about two girls who meet in one of my favourite places in London, 
Kew Gardens.
They visit the iconic glasshouses every month and gradually forge a lifelong friendship.


 

 The friends share the same dreams of travelling and note down their ideal botanical destinations in special stationery. They send each other postcards from favourite faraway places when they're apart and collect seeds which in turn grow into beautiful plants for all to admire.


 Let Me Grow

is a brand new collection by Severina Kids for STU.



Based on a tale of friendship, of a love of plants and nature,  Alejandra Salvatore has designed an extensive collection of goods for the stylish Argentinian store. Let Me Grow is on a much bigger scale than anything she has done before (she sowed the first seeds last Summer if you remember).



Fans of Severina Kids' signature style will not be disappointed. Let Me Grow includes a limited edition handmade doll with a selection of limited-edition handmade accessories, and a wooden memory game. I am also delighted to see that the talented Rigoberta del Tesouro has contributed to the collection again, designing handmade bonnets, crowns and tiaras for the dolls and little boys and girls. I love her work.



But that's not all. Ale has designed handmade soaps, paper tablecloths, cardboard coasters, bed linen, serigraphed pillows, handknitted garlands and handknitted mushrooms. Her two little lady friends like to celebrate their birthdays with a picnic in the Spring you see.


There's stationery too - notebooks, sketchbooks, wrapping paper, stickers, paper garlands, paper tags, a market list. Nothing has been left out, and as you can see, everything is so beautifully and delicately presented.




Let Me Grow
is already on sale at STU (doesn't it look special on display!) in Buenos Aires.
It will be available for worldwide distribution shortly (  more info  or Severina Kids).


A wonderful collaboration and collection.
May it blossom in 2015!



Saturday 6 December 2014

Holiday Gift Guide: Get Graphic


Dot, Dot, Dash, Dash
Yes, I'm still here!



  I have been working on the Kickcan & Conkers shop this week, so keep your eyes peeled for an update. I have some lovely vintage finds to add for all tastes and budgets.

Until then, for those still looking for Christmas gift ideas, I thought I'd share a few eye-catching black & white presents for the graphic family.
I hope you see something inspiring!



 Bon week-end !



Graphic Gift Guide:
4) White Cotton Dolls ( on sale!) from Cachette


Monday 1 December 2014

High Five #87






Welcome December!
 Let's hope it's a good one, full of treats, surprises, good health and happiness.

I'm in a great mood today, so I thought I'd share something bright and cheerful for a change, I mean, it is "Colour My Monday".

I'm sure many of you will already be familiar with Agatownik's fun, original art work and soft toy designs. I have been following Agata Czechowicz for ages, especially on pinterest  (she has a talent for finding  kids' products), and I love her quirky style.

Agata recently blogged about a beautiful children's book she has been working on, and it's just too special not to share! Obviously handmade with love, this educational soft book is about a small fox and his animal friends. It looks gorgeous, full of stimulating details and eye-catching fabrics. She made it for a toy competition, but if she were to produce more, I'm sure they would make wonderful Christening gifts for newborns or toddlers. 

Definitely one to keep anyway -Love!

Friday 28 November 2014

Trees and Things




I'm excited this evening! 
After yet another week of terrible weather, torrential rain and all, we've lit the fire and have started putting our Advent Calendar together. I hope it works out OK - watch out for some pictures on Monday if it's a success!

We're never very extravagant when it comes to Christmas decorations, prefering to bedeck our home with simple natural wreaths, garlands, candles and fairylights. I really love crafting things with the kids at this time of year, and I think they enjoy creating a magical, handmade atmosphere too.

I seldom buy decorations but Anthropologie in the States has some real beauties this year, including this fringed tapestry made from silk, cotton, wool, acrylic, paper and wood. It must look stunning, and would certainly be a welcome addition to our festive home.

If you're tempted, it's Black Friday in the US and Anthropologie have a huge site-wide sale (- 25% using code HOLIDAY25). Go on, treat yourself, it's - almost - Christmas!

Bon week end!


Tuesday 25 November 2014

Inspiration: Plainly So






 

Bonjour !

Busy, busy, busy! Why is it everything happens at once, when you really could do without it? I seem to be juggling with one too many balls at the moment, so please bear with me while I get my personal, family act together.

 Despite the chaos and mad rushing around, I am missing sharing snippets of my daily life on instagram. The South of France is beautiful at this time of year, and Christmas decorations make it even more special. I am counting the days now until Santa brings me a new phone, so, again, if you follow me there, you'll have to be patient just a little while longer.

Today I'm craving simplicity. In contrast, perhaps, to all the bright lights, tinsel and  inescapable pressure to over-consume. Yes, I'm a simple girl at heart! 

If you're still thinking about Christmas decorations, do take a peek at VDJ's gorgeous collection. I love all their stickers, tree murals and handmade paper garlands, and I'm convinced they'd look stylish and creative in any home all year round. 


Thanks for the inspiration!

2) Wooden French frame from La Mère d'une parisienne



Sunday 23 November 2014

Holiday Gift Guide: The Floral Family





Well, I'm back in the land of the living after catching a nasty sickness bug last week.
I'm sorry it's been so quiet, it's not like me to stay offline for so long.

I'd like to start the new week with another selection of gifts, this time with a floral theme. I'm really into all the modern and vintage botanical prints that are trending right now, so here are a few arty ideas for plant lovers, big and small.

 I hope you'll find something inspiring amongst them!

Happy Shopping:
1) - Mountain tapestry - Belles and Ghosts
2) - Black paper flower garland - Les Copirates
3) - Turtle softy - Jo Waterhouse
4) - Ficus cushion cover - Vontrueba
5) - ABC for the spelling bee - Rebel Walls
6) - Zoe organic floral bonnet - Roar Haus
7) - Morning Kite - Fredericks & Mae
8) - California palm trees - Luna Reef
9) - Dark wall mural - Anewalldecor
10) - Tulip photograph - Oh Pretty Shiny
11) - Fabric Feather - Puur Anders


Wednesday 19 November 2014

Holiday Gift Guide: Minimal Kids


No Mercredi Moodboard this week, I'm afraid.
I'm getting excited about Christmas, and I've been pinning like mad!

  

As you probably know, despite all the colour on this blog, I love black & white. 
Our own French home is very monochrome, with lots of worn wooden objects and vintage finds to add warmth in the Winter months in particular.


I don't like clutter or excess or waste; simplicity is for me.
I try to buy less but better quality even if it costs a few extra pennies.


I hope you will be inspired by the Christmas Gift Guide for Kids I'm curating over on pinterest. This small selection is just a sample of the beautiful black & white, handmade or minimal children's products I am in love with right now. But gosh, there will be more, I promise!

Happy Shopping! 


 

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Shop Watch: Little Wood







Well, you should know by now how much I love wooden toys.
 
That said, after more than five years online, I'm getting somewhat choosy when it comes to new designs.

I came across these very quirky toys the other day, and was pleased to see three different types of modern family. A welcome, refreshing change - thank goodness someone is moving with the times!

Christmas is obviously on a lot of people's minds right now, so if you're looking for an original, handmade memory game, an unusual DIY dollkit, a toy robot, or even a plain wooden city set to decorate in the comfort of your own home, wander over to Little Wood, a gem of a Spanish shop selling on both etsy and dawanda.

A happy find, don't you think?