Picnic

Stenciled Toy Bins

We recently made a family outing to The Container Store, a favorite in this household.  It was Bijou's first time to The Container Store and we were pleased to find that she shared our enthusiasm for the place.  Between twirling the tops in the trash can aisle, to spinning around on the office chairs, she was easily entertained.  According to Doug, she was especially enthusiastic about the collapsible cup she discovered in aisle 5.  When we left she said, "can we go back to that toy store some time?"  I said, "it's not a toy store, it's called The Container Store."  She said, "but it's like a toy store!"

We were on a hunt for some simple toy storage to hide the toy clutter I've been hoarding over the years.  We decided on these simple canvas bins which I spruced up with some number stencils using a freezer paper technique.

 
 

Tin Can phones

Her childhood is now more complete.  

Tin Can Phone how-to instructions can be found here.

Gift Guide- Kids Edition

Almost as much as I enjoy making, I enjoying buying.  Here are some unique holiday gift ideas for your little ones this holiday season, that won't break the bank...

 

My bio little Market by Carton Chic

L'archi-maison by Carton Chic 

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown 

Coloring book by Madame Mo 

Yoko Sweet Mint doll by Madame Mo 

Wooden sail boat by Tweet 

Sandpaper letters by Polliwog Learning Products 

Bunting by Wunderlust 

KoolKid rattle by Mimishop 

City in a bag by Muji 

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty 

 

The Bike

As most of you know by now, I'm a bit of a hippie when it comes to my child's toys.  The only Disney-branded items you will find in my house are the films themselves or possibly a tooth brush.  I occasionally cave in when there is some benefit to me.  For example, Bijou is really making a lot of progress in the swimming department this year.  I'd love it if she could swim by the end of summer.  So when she asked for the Little Mermaid swim floaties at Target the other day, I bought them for her because if she thinks they will help her "swim like a mermaid," go for it!

I made this same exception when it came time to buy her her first bike.  I prefer one of these more modern simple European designs...

Wishbone Bike, $249

Tas-ka Tricycle, $250 EUR

and she choose this...

of course.

Basket, streamers, bell, pink, flowers, bunny, the whole nine yards.

Meet Dasha

First of all, I wanted to apologize for the brief post yesterday.  I wasn't feeling very good and it probably had something to do with the rain and the fact that the inside of my house felt no warmer than 55 degrees.  Oh, and I'm sure the massive amounts of champagne I consumed over the weekend probably didn't help any either.  Anyway...

I wanted to introduce somebody special to you today.  This is Dasha.  

She is my daughter's new special friend, a gift from her Mimi (grandma), and purchased on my beloved Etsy.  I know, isn't she so lucky to have a grandmother who shops for gifts on Etsy?!

Dasha is not only the name of this pink-dreaded doll, but the name of every other furry friend and woodland creature in her bedroom.  It's all very confusing and unimaginative, but she's only three, so I'm holding out hope.

The softie possibilities are nearly endless now days and all just so darn cute!  Here are a few more I'd like to share.

Cara Carmina "UMOI" $35

Cocoon Designs Leisure Suit Lily $195

Debi van Zyl "Marguerite" $65

Junker Jane Pirate Hugo $10

little BIG pants "tisdale" $35

Mogwaii Hamish the Highland Hare $36

Quinn Knits Mayfly $120

Holiday Shopping Guide '08- toy edition

ok, I admit, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to children's toys.  I strongly prefer wood to plastic, handmade to factory made, and designer to Disney.  Unfortunately, this usually comes at a much higher price, but in our household, less is more!  I would much prefer a couple of quality toys each year to a room full of junk.  This way, it forces your child to come up with 101 ways to play with the same toy.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Alphabet Animal Flash Cards from  Genius Jones, $14.95

Avalisa Memory Game from Modern Nursery, $15

Plan Toys Large Wooden Airport from Modern Nursery, $89

Zid Zid Animal Cushions from Modern Nursery, $38

Triciclino Tricycle from Modern Nursery, $155

Lili Play Kitchen from Pomme NYC, $450

Lilly Bean Big Box O' Food, $100