Habitat Kid

ENJOY: Paper Balloons from Sisters Guild

The Japanese just keep on blowing my little mind with their creative creations. And now they had to go and make these cutesy paper balloons that I think just might find their way into a birthday party for London... :) Sisters Guild has added them to their amazing online boutique, supplied by inspiring designer, Petra Boase. I love the idea of keeping them up as permanent décor! Make sure you check out the Sisters Guild blog to read about the history behind these balloons - very fun!

 Images courtesy of Sisters Guild

LEARN: ABC posters

It seems like every time I turn around, some designer has made a new alphabet print. There are so many to choose from these days! Here's a few original and fresh designs I've recently discovered that are now among my favorites.

ANIMALS A-Z | by The Neighborhood Studio

via Babble

ALPHABET POSTER | by Draw!Pilgrim

FRENCH ABC ALPHABET POSTER | by Audrey Jeanne

 VINEY ALPHABET | by Jessica Hische

 via A Cup of Jo

REST: Tiny Outdoor Spaces for Kids

I'm so enchanted by these lovely outdoor spaces for some very special children. Each one is less than 250 square feet, but they really make the most of it! These entries are part of a contest by Apartment Therapy Re-Nest, and you can vote on your favorite before August 31st. As a former Brooklynite, I smiled when I saw that four out of the six spaces were in Brooklyn. :) Brooklyn peeps always find the coolest ways to bring nature into their homes, however small, and I think it's just plain adorable. Because outdoor space is so coveted, these kids must feel extra special!

 Images courtesy of re-nest

ENJOY: Peace, Safety...and some pillows from Zara Home Kids

After a long weekend of being glued to the news at our friend's apartment in Staten Island, we are finally back home and it's business as usual. Turns out Hurricane Irene gave us all a bit of a break. Thankfully we still have power and lots of food from our stock up. :) Really, we lucked out - our friends' neighbors downstairs were out of town and graciously said we could use their apartment. I couldn't have asked for a more comfortable evacuation!

Of course I've been itching to share more things with you, and I'll start it off with these pillows from Zara Home Kids. I'm loving the elephant one!

IMAGINE: A hurricane!

Things are a little hectic around my place right now as NYC prepares for possible hurricane evacuations, so I hope you will forgive me for not having a good post to share with you today. :(  The city has been split up into zones to determine which areas could be most affected by Hurricane Irene, and I am in Zone A so we would be the first to evacuate if there ends up being a mandatory evacuation. We also live in a high rise, which puts us at some additional risk with the expected heavy winds. London and I are headed to the grocery store right now to pick up some last minute things and get ready should we have to leave. Scary! I've never been in a situation like this before, so I must say I'm a little freaked out. Just earlier this week, we had an earthquake, as many of you know. I was baking cookies when it happened and suddenly I felt dizzy. I looked over to see the plant swaying in our living room and the lamp trembling. The whole building felt like it was just rocking back and forth, as if King Kong had latched onto it and was swinging around. Hopefully everything turns out to be fine of course, but it should be an interesting weekend. I'll keep you all updated on how things turn out - assuming we have power and internet!

LIVE: Woodland Princess

 

1: Fizz Sphere Pendant Light, ABC Home  2: Verge Bed, ABC Home  3: Paper Birch Trees and Forks, Nettleton Hollow  4: Miho DIY Stag Head, Rockett St. George  5: Roost Rustic Wood Shelves, Velocity Art and Design  6: Lou Lou Chair by Kartell, ABC Home  7: Silk Lison Pillow, ABC Home  8: Cork Mosaic Sideboard by Iannone Design, Velocity Art and Design  9: Roost Agate Bookends, Velocity Art and Design  10: Mushroom Storage Stool, VivaTerra  11: Wooden Bunny House, Playing Mantis  12: Burrowing Owl by Hansa, Sweet William  13: Color Reform Rug, ABC Carpet  14: Branch Building Blocks, Imagine Childhood  15: Rabbit Girls, Zeng  16: Cherry Tree and Winter Tree Duo, Littleputshop  17: Purple Felted Acorns, Fairyfolk  18: Natural Cherry Edge Bowls, ABC Home

SLEEP: Bedding from Olivelse

Such tiny prints with a big whimsy factor! Olivelse has created a line of beautiful Liberty print bedding, pillows and sleep sacks for infant boys and girls alike. Designed by Olive and Else – two French designers who began to create a line for children after their first daughter was born. How about the ukelélés? Yep, I knew you would like those.

via Smallable

ORGANIZE: Cabinets from Tulp Kids

I've been really enchanted by Amsterdam's canal houses - I even designed an advent calendar inspired by them! More on that in October... So of course I was super tickled to find these shaped storage cabinets from Tulp Kids (based in Sydney, Australia). Sold in an array of colors, they are particularly charming when several are lined up together.

Images courtesy of Tulp Kids

via lmnop

CREATE: Beaded Clouds by Daniel Arsham

These beaded clouds would be the coolest mobiles on the planet, don't you think? If I was a baby laying in a crib, I would be so excited to stare at one of these all the time. I'm not sure what sort of material these beads are made out of, but I think it would be an amazing DIY project to make one out of tiny felt balls threaded with fishing line. Or maybe styrofoam balls. Do they make them this tiny? And more importantly, am I crazy for wanting to make one?

 Images courtesy of Daniel Arsham

 via Design for Mankind

PLAY: My Little Day Party Kit

I'm a huge lover of planning parties, although it is always stressful and exhausting trying to get just the perfect items for a perfect party. This kit takes the stress away and is gender-neutral, which is another plus. Not only does the kit include plates, cups, straws, napkins, spoons, hats, crowns, sequins, little goodies, AND a recipe for a birthday cake (!), it also provides a guide with ideas for games based on the ages of children in attendance. It just doesn't get any easier than that! Available in French or English from Little Fashion Gallery.