Habitat Kid

DISCOVER: Playtime New York (Sneak Peek)

Today has been such a happy day! I had an amazing morning checking out Playtime New York, the international trade show for all things kid. It was wonderful to meet so many talented designers and vendors and I was so inspired by what I saw. I can't wait to share some things with you on Monday!

In the meantime, I couldn't resist sharing some photos from their  Playtime Loves Japan Pop Up Shop. Designers from the show have generously donated some of their beautiful products to KIDS (Kids in Distressed Situations) to be resold at deep discount prices in the Pop Up Shop. All proceeds from sales go to help earthquake victims in Japan. The shop is open to the public, but it closes when the show ends on Monday. If you are in the NYC area, make sure you stop by! They are located at 82 Mercer Street in Soho and are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow, and until 5 p.m. on Monday. If you would like to donate online, please visit here. For every dollar donated, KIDS provides ten times the amount in donated new goods for children and families! Here's a few beautiful things I scored on the cheap!

Ikat dresses by Ode  - $20 each!

Adorable pencil case from Kico Kids - $10! London will be using this in church tomorrow...

Ready to show my Japan love with this cute tote from Atsuyo et Akiko - $11!

IMAGINE: Photo shoot from Anne Valérie Hash

I am so in love with these gorgeous photos from children's clothing line by Anne Valérie Hash. This spring/summer 2011 Mademoiselle collection is beautiful, but I'm really impressed by the lovely way the children are presented: carefree, happy, playful, active. Nothing pretentious, just natural and soft. I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you to enjoy some outside play this weekend!

via DecoPeques

OBSERVE: DIY ideas from Pottery Barn Kids

I'll admit right now that I'm not the biggest fan of Pottery Barn Kids. It's all just a little too matchy-matchy, pristine-looking for my tastes. I flipped through their latest catalog yesterday, not expecting to find much that appealed to me, but they had some really great projects displayed in some of the rooms that would be fun to try to recreate. Take this solar system mural, for example. So cool! And it would be fairly simple to paint, even if your artistic skills aren't anything to brag about.

This wooden tree would be much more difficult and time-consuming, but would look amazing.

 

I really love the cardboard mushrooms at the foot of the beds in this shared room. It just doesn't get any more simple or inexpensive than that. And the upside-down bucket light in the other room is so doable.

 

I think this pendant lamp made out of a globe cut in half is probably my favorite project idea of them all. It's one of those things that screams, "Why didn't I think of that?" So perfect for a study room.

 

DISCOVER: Madison Square Park

 

I don't believe I've mentioned yet that we live in New York City. A fabulous city, yes. In the past five years of marriage, my husband and I have moved 7 times (!) and have lived in a handful of states including Alaska, Idaho, Tennessee and now, New York. We've loved each place for different reasons, but there is definitely an energy and creative pulse that makes this particular city irresistible. 

Raising a child here is anything but boring. We moved here when London was only seven months old, so this is really all that she knows. I've been pleasantly surprised by the kid-friendly side of NYC, which boasts a long list of parks and playgrounds, as well as indoor play spaces (we will be checking into those more in the winter and I look forward to sharing them with you!) Yesterday we needed a change of scene from our usual parks, so we headed up to Madison Square Park and shared a lovely morning of play and ice cream from the super popular Shake Shack. (If you haven't been there, you must! And make sure you get in the B line if you are only ordering dessert - much faster!)

Afterward, we wandered around looking for the subway going downtown. Not sure why I had such a hard time finding it. We passed by the Flatiron building, which is something I've always wanted to see ever since I learned about it in one of my interior design classes in college. They had a pretty cool art installation on part of the first floor that we enjoyed studying for a few minutes – it's made out of twist ties, straws, vinyl tape, yarn, cellophane paper, and hair tinsel! What a fun and crazy mix. (Sorry for all of the camera pics. I promise I will be better about lugging my camera around next time!)

We also spotted this bit of good news. You can bet I'll be checking this out soon.

I'm secretly hoping it will look just like this inside:

 Image courtesy of Marimekko

And just for fun...I was sort of tickled by an ad campaign from Swatch, which wrapped subway cars in oversized images of their products and logos. There's lots of interesting subway advertising that goes on, but this idea was new to me. 

ORGANIZE: Senegalese baskets from Serena & Lily

I think baskets are quickly becoming one of my favorite storage solutions - with one little glitch, however. No lids! Tricky to cover up a stash of toys when you can still see everything you just crammed inside of the container. Nonetheless, I still love them. :) Something sweet and homey about them.  These colorful baskets from Serena & Lily are the best of both worlds. Beautiful storage that truly keeps the contents out of sight. Love. Oh, and p.s. they just went on sale. :)

LEARN: ABC posters from ilovedust

There are tons of ABC themed art prints out there these days, but this one really caught my eye. Designed by London-based design boutique, ilovedust, the colors are fresh and it feels so crisp and modern. I also wish I would have seen their Circus Alphabet print when I was compiling my circus room inspiration post! Simply awesome.

Images courtesy of ilovedust

Found via seesaw

ENJOY: Resin animal heads from Z Gallerie

So great, aren't they? And starting at $49.95, these mounted heads are super affordable and would look great in a kid's room (or even a living room!) If the white is too boring for you, spray paint is always an option... Not such a scary idea when you didn't spend a fortune on the piece to begin with. I think a cluster of these in different colors or several white ones on a painted wall would be so fun.

DISCOVER: Children's furniture from Les Petits Bohemes

While reading one of my very favorite children's blogs, Decopeques, I saw this inspiring room featuring vintage furniture pieces from Les Petits Bohemes, a French shop that seems to find the coolest pieces for kids. I seriously want to have everything. And I adore the way they have pulled things together effortlessly to create unique rooms that are a blend of mystical and industrial at the same time. Lovely!

ENJOY: Art from Amber Alexander

I came so close to buying some of these watercolor prints from Amber Alexander while decorating my daughter London's room. She has so many great animal prints, and each one looks so delicate and beautiful. I think I am especially in love with the great horned owl painting - so many wonderful greys in there!

ORGANIZE: Leather Bins from Gildem

You may have already discovered Gildem, Etsy's featured seller last week. I am so impressed with her fine craftsmanship and simple, functional products. I think these leather totes are great for any modern room - a nice change from obvious, super colorful boxes and totes.