DIY ombre paper mobile

I have been thinking on a craft using the ombre technique, so trendy right now, and finally came up with a cute one to share.  It's so easy, and fun, and if you don't have a scallop punch, you can use any other one.  In fact, it would look as fancy in any other shape. For the tutorial, keep reading.

KidsZone: Zara Home for kiddos!

It's true!  Zara Home has arrived!  And the objects of my affection are stunningly beautiful.

 I'm personally loving this rug for Emilu's space, and this tiny woven wooden chair. Visit Zara Home for kids!

KidsZone: Washi tape mural and more

Photo via 

Photo via 

I'm loving the look of these washi tape murals and play zones. What a clever idea and I love that they are incorporated into the room's decor. If I were a child playing here, I wouldn't leave my room for anything!

Kids Zone: Darling Clementine baby lit

What don't they have for kids these days?  I'm loving these children's books based on classic and timeless stories. I think Emilu would enjoy them too. You can buy them at Darling Clementine.
 

Kids Zone: Pretty tents

These kids' tents are so unique and creative. Kids love a tucked corner just for them, where make-believe happens. And they can be fun and even soothing, as they retreat into their own space to think, create or just play.  I know these images have been posted thousands of times all over the internet.  But, I couldn't help but feel like a kid again with these pretty tents.   I think I know where to put one. 

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{Images via MPMK}

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photo credit

Spotted: Jenni Juurinen, set designer

For a few years now, I've been slightly obsessed with Scandinavian culture, design and lifestyle.  I'm also drawn to other cultures and lifestyles, especifically the islands of Polynesia (quite the opposite, I know) Scotland, and countries of northern Africa.  I recently discovered the work of Jenni Juurinen, a Finnish set designer and stylist whose set designs, and styling is out of this world.  Her works include TV, film, theater and print credits.  She's also the owner of Little Helsinki, a style blog, and style editor at Deko Magazine. She's my new idol, and I would have never been so addicted to Scandivanian design if it wasn't for her. 

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{Set design by Jenni Juurinem. Photography by Jorma Morstia}

Kids Zone: Ceative playtime

Kids play with the darnest things. When I was a child we played elastic band, a game where two kids get inside a long (35") elastic tied at the corners and held by their ankles.  A third kid jumps inside the loop doing a variety of tricky jumping steps as the band gets higher and the game gets harder.  We'd play for hours on end, and sometimes when there was a shortage of kids we would use chairs to hold the elastic in place. We also played with marbles and the game of STOP, with paper and pencil we would go down the alphabet writing all the things we knew with that letter and adding points.

There's an undisturbed innocence when you watch children play with the most creative and organic things.  I always said my kids would play with toys and things that sparked their creativity and curiosity.  I'll do my best when Emilu starts playing seriously.

{Images via HipHip Hooray}

Kids Zone: Newspaper forts

Now that Emilu is officially walking, and her infant months are way behind her, I have been scratching my head collecting ideas for play, and creativity.  She has already tried watercoloring and loved it.  So, I will be setting up a small corner of creativity for her when we get home.  Yesterday, I found this amazing DIY play activity that I can build by myself at home, using only newspapers and tape.  It's a newspaper fort, but really, they have a variety of uses from tents, and structures for toys, or just plain forts for your little ones to play.  So if you have a surplus of newspapers or kraft/wrapping paper this is the perfect toy to build. Click over at Modern Parents/Messy Kids for the entire tutorial. Have fun!

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Inspired by kids: Cool bunk beds

I love the idea of bunk beds. They are charming and versatile, and of course, functional. Whether is part of a themed bedroom or a standalone feature in a room, the bunk bed renders any kids room a fun and whimsical getaway.

All images via Pinterest -some images are uncredited {the boo and the boy, apartment therapy family, noosh loves, and momtastic}

Crates + casters = kids' storage

These adorable and practical DIY storage crates have been transformed into kids' storage bins for toys and crafts.  What a cute idea!  By adding casters to bottom of these crates they become mobile storage boxes. Voila!

Image via Apartment Therapy

Loveliness

I'm always looking for great furniture or rare, unique finds to decorate Emilu's future room. Notice I say future, since we still live in a one bedroom (but not forever). But this doesn't stop me from looking.  How cool are these finds, a unique wheeled cart barrel  bookshelf, a whimsical reading nook and a lovely hanging art display.  Major wow factor.  

Via Simplified Bee, Country Living and Ohdeedoh

The French Cafe

Source: littleplayspaces.com via jan on Pinterest

Step aside Fisher Price, here comes the best next thing in play spaces. I'm so crazy about these French Cafe play space. I secretly wish sometimes I was a small kid, remember when the possibilities were endless, there was fun everywhere.  Take this amazing board dream street cafe from Little Play Spaces.  Now you can play the waitress, the chef or a really wealthy patron, and serve French lemonade, warm croissants and croque monsieur.  Isn't this lovely?  Oh how I wish Emilu was older so I can see her play with friends, while speaking French and serving macaroons.  She'd make her mama proud. One day...

Little Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs being one of my favorite designers, has a children's shop in the Village, which we visited last weekend. The store is called Little Marc Jacobs. Although I couldn't  afford any of the cute dressers sold there for Emilu, it was still fun to see the fabulous designs for children.  The store itself is small, but really cute and not that fancy. It has an air of playfulness and hominess to it.  I want to live here!

The window display: I loved the pool of duckies, and anything with balloons looks amazing!
I drooled over the cute clear raincoat and how about that giraffe, perfect for a nursery.

My NYC partners in crime

I went crazy with this wall to wall shelf (so many goodies)

The crafts table.  Salvador Dali for kids!

Giggle makes me giggle!

As a new post series, I will be exploring children's stores around town and posting the images in this blog.  Last week we were in the Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase neighborhood and found this amazing children's store I never knew existed. It's called Giggle and it's absolutely wonderful. One of the amazing things about being a new mom is discovering the world of baby-related things.  Yeah I know, it's always been there, but you would have never known it was there until you have a baby!

I love the modern lines of this dresser. It's perfection!

I'm digging the new Skip Hop Zoo Backpacks.

Animal design rockers and animal print storage bags.

This is the perfect bassinet!

When you live in the city, space is luxury.  This dresser/changing table is the perfect solution for a cramped style.