The 'holidays' are a coming!

Here's a tradition I'll probably miss about America, the department stores and their preparations for the Holidays.

One of the most beautiful is the Christmas Book from Neiman Marcus. This year it is 50 years of the fantasy Christmas book for Neiman Marcus. It's filled with things you can't afford, don't need but want to admire and ogle none-the-less.  It also has some pretty cute gift ideas that are surprisingly affordable. 

But then there is the sublimely silly - like the Munchable Manor from Dylan's Candy Bar. $15,000 of edible Gingerbread Playhouse.  6.6 feet high by 5.25 feet wide by 4.1 feet deep of edible, yes edible, candy.  I can only imagine that tit would smell divine, but can see by the end of Christmas Day it looking less than perfect as everyone eats just a small piece... Where would you start eating?

Happy browsing, it certainly is a beautiful publication!

xo S

Mute button.

Oh-so-true!

via babble: This funny pacifier clip says out loud what you are thinking in your head. This would make an amusing little gift for the parents-to-be who have no idea what they just signed up for. Get it right here for $10.

Why don't we call them that anyway?

xo Sam

Planes, Trains & Automobiles... Stuff for Boys!

Mamista recently featured My First Autobahn from Donkey Products (available through Sleek Identity). It's tape that you can put where ever you like to create a roadway... Then you can rip it up to start all over or return your living room to something resembling an adult space once the kids have gone to bed.

People are forever saying that boys clothes aren't as cute/fun to shop for or something along those lines... I think that's where shopping for boys toys becomes so much fun! Like the My First Autobahn there are some seriously cool toys and stuff for boys - and girls - when it comes to transportation toys.

Here is some of what I've found that I just love.

Brio. My First Railway as I previously wrote about.  There's also the my first battery operated railway - left. Oh, and let's not leave out the seriously cool Brio cars - right.

Melissa & Doug have an awesome railway set. Oh and there is the obvious Thomas the Tank Engine sets too.  I'm pretty sure that the Thomas the Tank Engine pieces fit onto the Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway too. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

There is also a very cool few items from Munipals that look like the New York Subway, MTA and Chicago trains. You can get them while in either city (we have the Chicago train as Little O was crazy for the trains) or you can buy online from Amazon.  The Munipals are compatible with other wooden railways. 

Then there's playsam...  Just take a look at the range on the Kids Scandinavian shop . Cool. Moolka.com also stock the cool brand.  The cars and yoyo's would have to be my favourite from the ultra sleek and shiny line.

For little boys there's the Viking Toys Chubbies... the ones with the uber cool white wheels that don't mark surfaces.  Amazon or Kids Scandinavian Shop.  I'd also like to mention that these cute classics are fairly inexpensive... the bucket pictured left has 15 pieces and is just $16 on Amazon.


Obviously there's Lego. Enough said? Lego for all ages, and Lego for all likes - from Star Wars to Toy Story it's all there. Lego.com or Amazon. There's also Lego games...

Remote controlled cars are also a great idea... you can find everything from a Ferarri to RC the car in Toy Story.


Finally I think I'll add the time honored Hobby Horse. Doesn't get much cooler than that!  Well, I know at least Miss O, Little L and friends would probably love to prance around on these!

You'll find that many online toy stores allow you to separate their catalogs buy age, gender and interest. Which is helpful when searching for a gift...

I could probably search forever and find more stuff for boys! 

Happy Shopping!

xo S

Images from: mamista, tesora.com.au, kids-scandinavian-shop.com, amazon

When I was little...

... the only way my Mum could get me to eat an apple was if I could put my thumb through the middle. So she (and my Grandmother if I recall correctly) would lovingly core every apple I ate.

I found an apple corer for my little munchkin this week and it's fantastic. It is far easier than the one mum had all those years ago. It even splits open so you can get the core out of the contraption easily.

I found it at a local store - Home Rule on 14th Street here in Washington for just $9.99.  You could buy online from Home Rule, or Amazon have it too for $15.21

Now... to see if Little O will eat her apples with a hole in them?

J Crew Sale & Wiggles

J Crew has 20% off Sweaters today only...

AND!

The Wiggles  are coming for one show only at the Patriot Center in Fairfax on Sunday, November 7th at 2pm. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on September 24th at 10am.

Um really?

Ok so I often find very random products and have a giggle... but this website is full of giggles.

I am a little bit sad that we wont be in the US for the husbands next birthday becaause I always imagined that he's make a great Ukulele player - and now he could learn how with the "Learn to play the ukulele kit" - $149.95 and includes the Ukulele.

Maybe the roll up drum kit would be better? There's also a learn to play the Banjo Kit, as well as a Marble Glockenspiel and a Maui Pocket Xaphoon to name but a few of the items in the music section.

Who knows you might be the next best Banjo player!

Visit the quirky store for a HUGE range of useful and interesting items...

Happy Shopping

xo S
Images from Hammacher Schlemmer

Free photo canvas!

I was looking around for a good fathers day present and I found this deal -$55 off any size canvas, or a free 8x10 canvas. You will have to pay shipping...

I think it might be a good gift!

Happy printing!

xo S

ps. image from canvaspeople.com

Lego Watch

This is a post especially for my friends D & C...

It came via a Babble post and I think they, or rather D will love it.

From the Watchismo site:
"JCDC POP HOURS LEGO DIGITAL

Fashion designer JC de Castelbajac, the self-styled King of Cartoon, was inspired by his childhood love of Lego to create the JC/DC Pop Hours watch. Each link in the chunky strap looks like a brick from that classic toy. It has cool invisible buttons that are touch-sensitive and the oversized LED display can be set to scroll the date, time and a message... and it comes in a fantastic box like a Rubik’s cube..."

It can be yours too for $143 plus shipping! 

Happy Shopping Lego lovers! 

xo S

Images from Watchismo.com

Play on design

A lover of modern design I had to share this slideshow from glo.
Full of cool designer toys for kids ranging from these Eames blocks ($175 from House Industries). Granted, these sit a little outside of the magic number I'd be prepared to play for blocks but they are beautiful and educational, no?



Then there is this stunning dolls house by Brinca Dada... graded for kids aged 13+ the Emerson house is described as "...perfect home for the modern family." I wish!

This large open plan dolls house has has a living room, kitchen, library/office, master bedroom, bathroom and child's bedroom.

Oh, and the dolls house with floor-to-ceiling windows and extras "including mitered-glass corners, two fireplaces, sliding glass doors, solar panels, and recessed LED lights. Finally, the house is easy on the environment with only non-toxic and lead-free wood stains and paints."

Um, does it come with a view of Sydney Harbour? Please?

Also included are the Muji "City in a Bag" blocks. Which we have, and love. Little O is too small to play with them just yet but our New York, Paris and London cities look gorgeous on her bookshelf.

I originally saw them in an LMNOP magazine - where they featured the "World in a bag"pictured left.

At just $14 a bag they're more than accessible.

Finally, I love the "Chalk it to me" piggy bank (right). $60 from Ladies and Gentlemen

Cool slideshow I thought.

Happy shopping!
xo S

PS. Images from - Glo Play on Design, House Industries, Muji, LMNOP, and Brinca Dada

Tin Parade

Mamista is quickly becoming  my favourite daily email, this week they posted these classically themed party kits from Tin Parade. 

I think I love them! The kits are not cheap; however they are beautiful and ideal for a small party. The kits come for 8 or for 16 people.

Pictured right is the cute "Oscar's Baseball Party" which includes -

• Custom-designed invitations and matching thank you notes
• A 1954 replica tin baseball sign
• Old-style stadium bunting
• Two custom-made felt birthday all-star pennants
• Red tin ice tub 
• Two ticking striped runners
• White tin plates with red trim
• A classic pinball-style baseball game centerpiece
• Popcorn cartons
• Vintage-inspired baseball caps
• Baseballs 

There's also "Emma's Green Party", Jax's Train Party, Ben's Circus Party and Ruby's Tea Party... And for grown ups there are a couple of beautiful shower kits.

Happy birthday party to you!

xo Sam

All pictures and information from - http://www.tinparade.com/index.html

Another bag?

Just when I thought I was done with buying bags I see this one...
(via Mamista)

The Magic Stroller Bag is available at Pint Sized Social or you could enter to win it through Mamista...

Long break...

OK, so I've had a vacation/holiday and then a little break from the blogging. But I have loads of things I want to write about. Just not tonight.  We've had a long day in the heat with an unhappy little O.

But... I did read this from LMNOP today.

It's the Tiny Origami Animals Colouring Book by Monster Books.  Closed the book is 23mm x 29mm - positively tiny!

(Image from LMNOP, via Upon a Fold).

It's handmade by Monster Books and available at Upon a Fold.

Too cute!  Stay tuned, I'm full of ideas!

xo S

Exciting... Free USA guide from Lonely Planet

I found this while avoiding doing my study...
Go to the Lonely Planet website to get your free USA guide! 

While searching for Melissa & Doug product stockists in Australia I found this very cool Australian kids website - Happy Little Hippos. Cute, easy to navigate website with flat rate shipping.

Happy freebies, oh and shopping!
xo S

Images from - Lonelyplanet.com and happylittlehippos.com.au

Best piggy bank - ever!?

via coochicoos...

This might just be the greatest piggy bank ever... pop the photo of what you're saving for in it and start saving.

While I don't think I'll be saving for my next holiday in here, I think it's a fab idea for kids.

It's available from the Photojojo store for $27 or $50 for two.
There's some other nifty gift ideas in the store be sure to check that out while you're there!

Happy Saving!
xo S

Image from: Coochicoos.com

Father's Day (USA)

Ok, so Hermes sent a Father's Day email.

No the Husband is not getting anything from there, and neither is my dear old Dad. But Again the illustrations just make me happy!

Image from: http://ems6.net/a/?F=am7qjasf4242vnvspyz64pfll3d8rpkfhkjutamrmmq2jt4sekqxs52-1586680

Splat/Splash Mats...

I was recently asked where I found my splat mat... for the uninitiated it's the piece of Oil Cloth under Little O's high chair stopping the food hitting the carpet! And a marvellous job it does of it too!  I decided I'd share my favourites here.

I have this one (left), which is obnoxiously bright pink but I was too impatient to look for something 'better' online at the time. I got it from my favourite store - Giggle.  It's by Mimi the Sardine and it really is lovely. It comes in a blue with airplanes and a cute white & jungle theme. I'd have bought the jungle one if it had been in stock! It is organic cotton too which is a bonus!

I remember some time after buying ours that Daily babble (another blog I love) wrote this article about the Vintage Alphabet collection from Sugarbooger.

From there I discovered the range of splat/splash mats Sugarbooger have. They have everything from the adorable, unisex, modern and un-the-baby-has-taken-over-every-inch-of-the-house-like Vintage Alphabet that led me there to the very cute prehistoric range, lady bugs, fairies, the list really does go on! Check out the designs on their website.

They have other matching items on the site too (left)... fun!

For example... There's a splat mat, table top splat mat, divided suction cup plate, silverware set, sippy cup, bibs and finally closet dividers...

Of course the most customisable option would be to make your own. And it's a project even I could tackle - buy a metre or so of the oil cloth fabric that best suits your decor and you're done.  But if you ask me that takes ALL the fun out of all the matching fun from Sugarbooger!


Oh I forgot to mention - the best bit about the mats is that you can either wipe them down or throw them in the washing machine. Genius.

Happy shopping!

xo S
images from: giggle.com, and oreoriginals.com

Sites, Stuff & Finds - June

Hi there,

A short one this time because I'm busy studying, studying, studying...

Last time I mentioned Mothers Day, this time it's Fathers Day in the US (not in Australia) so you should either celebrate now, or buy a card and keep it to send home to Oz in September!
If you're celebrating now & not later... try the Spoon Sisters for ideas including this "Sportula" (left) or maybe the Golfbag Umbrella is more his style? They have a Father's Day list of suggestions to make it really easy too.  The Spoon Sisters have plenty of gift ideas for everyone... Mums, babies and kids included!

This isn't new but it's an incredibly cool... and well, make me want a pie just looking at it.  I found it on the Museum of Happiness blog but it was food flags designed for the the Sydney International Food festival in 2009.  You can see more of the pictures on the Daily Telegraph website here, some are just incredible. Not only are they food, but they're also the food of the country the flag represents.

The Container Store are having a travel gear sale ( I'm not sure when it ends... but it looks good!)

6pm.com have some amazing sale stock and a new deal everyday... over the memorial Day weekend they had adult's converse sneakers for $28 and kids for $13... they also have Marc Jacobs... like this Marc Jacobs weekender bag for $208 (left) - please tell the husband I want it/need it. They have everything from high end brands like Missoni & Chloe to more accessible brands like Converse and Steve Madden. Fun shopping for all (men, women & kids).

More luxe, for less more your thing? Try - The Outnet. 200+ of the best high end designers and oh my gosh are they serious prices.  Like the Emilio Pucci silk blend kaftan (right)... normally $1500 on the outnet it's 65% off only $558.25 not your everyday shopping site, but fun. Yes very fun.  I'd like to say yes please to this one too, but I know a $500 kaftan is not in my future.  It just wouldn't look good with a Vegemite hand print. Or that's what I'll tell myself.

Wish me luck! 

Sam

Liberty of London for Target

A quick update... it's back in stock!

Also exciting is the 1600 one of a kind bags they're planning to make from the billboards hanging in New York's Times Square. Pre-order now for delivery in September. Example pictured below.

Explore the range here...

Looks like much of it is online only, so hurry!

Exciting!

Images from: Target

Um... I may have told a lie.

I said earlier that I was stumped for ideas for kids.  It wasn't a lie at the time, but it sure is now.

Babyccino featured this adorable book (left) on their site - My Very Own Fairy Tale Personalised Book. There are a few other options for personalised books and goodies on the website too...

The Kids Closet here in DC (on Connecticut Ave) are having a summer sale - 20% - 50% off, and if you're on their mailing list you can get an extra 10% off. 

Then there is this buy organic cheat sheet via Coochicoos - a guide to the dirtiest fruits and vegetables. A print it yourself cheat sheet to carry to the grocery store with you. It shows the "dirty dozen" the ten fruits and veg with the most pesticide residue (tested after they've been cleaned and peeled). If organic is important to you then you'll want to take a look.

Coochicoos also posted an interesting letter from pediatrician Dr Jay Gordon about the vaccine debate (here). Strangely it's the first neither pro neither against article I've read. Gives kudos to Jenny McCarthy where its due, and politely declines kudos to her methods where necessary (I especially liked this).  Well written and harshly critical of a recent PBS "documentary." If only there were more information from physicians such as Dr Gordon more often!

And finally - and probably my favourite blog post - came via Stroller Traffic. The post titled "Lesson of the Day" has a fantastic list of books that will help you teach, explain or just impress a point upon your toddler... The post id on all kinds of topics from curiosity to tantrums, chores and eating.

I think the list is going to be a to buy list of books for our house! 

I guess that will teach me to read a weeks worth of emails and blog posts before I say I'm clueless!

Well, that should about do it I think!

Images from:  I see me, Coochicoos, and Stroller Traffic

Earth Day...

One of my favourite newsletter emails is from Hermès.  They always send the most beautiful delightful drawings - sometimes about a product but usually its about an event, like the begining of spring or Earth Day.
 
I'm signed up simply because it makes me smile, and its a goal... one day one of their beautiful pieces could be mine, until then the emails are just enough.   Here's their Earth Day email image, hope it brightens your Earth Day too.

Discover your favorite shade of Green on Hermes.com 

Image from the Hermès email 22 April 2010.