Spring Learning Centre

Well would you know it, another brilliant learning centre for kids has appeared in my inbox (via Contemporist). Another amazing space for children that enhances learning, creativity, movement and even cooking!

Introducing, 'Spring', a learning centre that specialises in the education and learning for small children. This clever space has been designed by the Joey Ho Design Studio and is located in Wanchai, Hong Kong. The centre resides over 7500 square feet and it aims to bring together the perspective of a child and that of an adult. To me it fills like a Google office fitout for kids, it really does create a space that can be enjoyed by both generations. 

The space tries to enhance the dialogue between generations by the adults viewing the world from the perspective of a child.

I love the furniture systems and the use of colour. The furniture is ergonomic and designed for the use of children so that the reception counter has stairs to allow children to climb up to interact with the adults. The bathroom has a dual height washbasin in the shape of a large fountain with a huge whale graphic on the floor reminding us that the space is for children.

Personally, my favourite part of the space is the large treehouse. This element brings the outdoors in and provides an active space for the children to play, imagine and dream.

Image Source: Contemporist

I just love creative spaces for children and this one may just be the most creative I have seen in a long time. Kita Hisa by Baukind have created an adventurous and entertaining kindergarten located in Berlin, Germany. 

The use of colour has been cleverly used creating a calming interior with splashes of punchy colour.

Here is a detailed explanation of the interior from the designers:

Kita Hisa is located in a space previously used as a retail store, which has been reconfigured to create a comfortable, safe and stimulating kindergarten with space for 70 children. As with all of baukind´s works, the design is rooted in a well thought out philosophy of what children require of a space and how intelligent design can allow them to grow and develop.

In this case, furniture and space merge into one, with many usable furniture zones being created without unnecessarily dividing and breaking the space. A combination of feature furniture, storage space and forming elements save both space and costs. The design creates space by incorporating storage into the furniture; everything is multipurpose, which keep the focus on the children, where it should be. While the spaces all flow into one another, “functional areas” such as the wardrobe, bathroom and hall are emphasized and given extra character with the use of color or standout elements All the spaces are considered educational spaces. Different distinct areas are located in the corners of the room, encouraging discovery and exploration. There is constant visual communication between different spaces, in various forms such as wall openings, small windows, and passageways.

The color concept manages to be both forceful and relaxing. A vibrant palette of blue, orange, pink and yellow is nonetheless calmed by white, natural wood, and daylight to create a childfriendly room with a calm feeling. Children are natural explorers of their environments and this design promotes social interaction and the spirit of discovery of children. Finished in wood, linoleum and carpet and recently opened, Kita Hisa is an exemplary kindergarten, focusing on the child, his or her development, and simple but effective design.

Source: http://www.contemporist.com/2014/02/17/kita-hisa-by-baukind/

http://www.baukind.de/

Little Hipsters - Hipkins

Attention all hipster, fashion forward, edgy and just darn right super chic parents..... because today we bring you a kids online store for the little hipster!

There really is a shortage of super chic street gear for parents who want to dress their kids with a bit of attitude, style and edge! Well here I am to the rescue to introduce you to the wonderful hipster world of Hipkins!

Born out of the need for a 'not-so-kiddy' clothing store, Hipkins is an online store stocking fun, fresh and functional street wear with an adult level of fashion. Hipkins collection of kids clothing showcases fashion-forward brands from around the globe. 

What I love about Hipkins is that their clothing is sourced from the depths of New York Soho, to the corners of Scandinavia and then back to home base, Melbourne.

Hipkins has a very specific style - simple and fun with a bit of a street edge - this is so reflective of the brands they carry such as; I dig denim, Fred Perry, Mio and Cheap Raven to name only just a few. I really adore the accessories they carry as they compliment the clothing oh-so-well, super cute boots, hats, necklaces and bags to complete the outfit.

I really haven't stumbled across another online store quite like these guys, they really have hit the mark of a niche market in kids clothing.

You must stop by their online store and check in to their styling section where they give you styling ideas and their favourite looks from the collections currently in stock.

http://www.hipkin.com.au

Wellness Wednesday - Organic PJ's

Today's Wellness Wednesday features the ever talented Amanda Evans, the creator of Cocoome Sleepwear. 

If your children spend a good portion of the day playing around in their pj's than you have come to the right place. Cocoome is 100% pure cotton designed in Australia. The eye-catching element to these pajamas's are the simple graphics that are carried through from the babies sleepwear through to the older kids. 

The designs of these pajama's have every organic element covered. The range is chemical free, soft to touch and does not include embroidery or plastic prints that children may find uncomfortable to sleep in. 

Cocoome use the purest 100% organic cotton for all of their sleepwear. 

Why organic cotton?.....Straight from the Cocoome website:

Organic cotton is more absorbent, the fabric lasts longer, there are no chemicals used in the growth and harvest of the cotton so it’s softer and safer for your baby or child and the environment.

Organic cotton production is free of these chemicals and is the safer option for the sleepwear that our children wear to bed.

The production of cotton has a huge impact on the world we live in and the world that we will leave to our children and grandchildren. By insisting on organic cotton and paying for garments that are fair trade you can change the world from the farmers to the environment and make it a better and safer place for all.

Organic cotton feels good on your skin and great on your conscience when your child is sleeping soundly in Cocoome Organic Sleepwear 100% organic cotton sleepwear for baby and child Australia.

When considering your next sleepwear purchase for your baby or child consider you child’s skin and the world’s health.

Head on over to the Cocoome website to buy directly from them:

http://www.cocoomeorganicsleepwear.com.au

Photographer credit:

http://www.naomivphotography.com.au/cocoome-sleepwear/

Trend Hunting Tuesday - Florence Eiseman for Saks Fifth Avenue

Trend Hunting Tuesday has arrived and boy do we have excitement today!

If the name 'Florence Eiseman' rings a bell with you than you would be familiar with her timeless and tasteful clothing, if you haven't heard of her get ready for some fashion inspiration.

Here is a little bit about Florence straight from their website:

Florence Eiseman was the first designer to bring fashion to children's clothing, introducing a new line each season, and the first ever to be featured in a major retrospective by an art museum. Florence never boasted that her clothes were beloved by children of royalty, leaders and luminaries. She would only say, 'We have a lot of notables'.

Florence Eiseman clothes are elegant and honest - because they're made that way. Our designs never skimp, and use only the best materials to create exquisite clothing for girls and boys.

'Children should look like children', Florence said. 'You should see the child first and not the clothes'.

Florence Eiseman has three lines, 'Florence Eiseman' which features expertly sourced fabrics and handcrafted details, 'Studio 342' which is a colourful collection for the young girl who wants to stand out beyond being trendy and 'T.F. Laurence which is the classic American sportswear for boys.

Now the next big piece of great new is that her collection is available from Saks Fifth Avenue which now ships to Australia!

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com

http://www.florenceeiseman.com

Moody Monday: Go Geometric

Happy Monday peeps!

Geometric is a huge trend at the moment so I thought today's Moody Monday could be a source of geometric inspiration.

Our mood board is a collection of images that are suitable for nurseries and kids bedrooms.

I love the colour clashing that you can play around with when it comes to geometric patterns so if you are a colour enthusiast, geometric is for you!

Foodie Friday - Fruity Popsicles by Minimalist Baker

Foodie Friday is here and just writing about this blog post has got me salivating - not drooling- just salivating!

So if you are in good ole' Brisvegas at the moment then you and your kids have probably been melting over the last week or so in our not-so-comfortable summer period. Well do I have the solution to all of your hot problems or what! Introducing the 'Minimalist Baker'. The creative husband and wife duo at the Minimalist Baker Blog have come up with an 'oh so' fruity popsicles that will have you and your kids melting away those summers blues. If you haven't had the luck of stumbling across this blog then you have not truly lived, well that is probably an over exaggeration, but you must visit them because the blog is brilliant!

Here is the recipe straight from their website:

4 INGREDIENT POPSICLES

All fruit popsicles with blueberries, oranges and peaches. No popsicle molds required – so simple and so deliciously vegan!

Author: Minimalist Baker

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Vegan

Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

1 ripe peach, skin removed, diced

1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

3/4 cup mandarin orange segments

1 cup fruit juice of choice (I went with OJ, but pomegranate, grape or cranberry would also work lovely.)

INSTRUCTIONS

Divide orange segments, blueberries and peaches equally between 7 or 8 dixie cups or 6 standard-sized popsicle molds.

Nestle your popsicle sticks down into the bottom center of the molds and top with juice of your choice – I went with OJ, but cranberry or pomegranate would also be great here.

Place close together in a loaf pan or other small pan and freeze until set – at least 4 hours.

Remove dixie cup molds and consume immediately. Store leftovers in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving size: 1 popsicle Calories: 51 Fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 12 g Sugar: 10 g Fiber: 1.7 g
Protein: 1 g

I am absolutely loving their blog, their sense of humour has you bursting out laughing uncontrollably, their photography is beautiful and the recipes on the blog all look delicious. I definitely urge you to check them out....do it! Do it now!

All images have been sourced from the Minimalist Baker.

trouble! emil nystrom

Kids can be both a blessing and a burden… and when it comes to these impossible images, those facts are taken to the extreme. Up and coming photographer Emil Nystrom has only been working in the field for about a year… but you wouldn’t know it from these brilliant Photoshopped compositions featuring his lovely baby daughter. On the helpful side, we see her climbing under the hood to fix the car and lending a hand painting the walls of the house. Probably less helpful, she also seems to love doing cannon balls into the bathtub and hitching rides behind airplanes. Trouble!

The Umeå, Sweden-based Nystrom uses deceptively simple methods for creating the adorable images of his daughter, in most cases simply getting an assistant (like mom) to hold her up for the shot. That’s because at the time of these photographs she hadn’t even learned to stand on her own. Nystrom then erases the supporting arms in the shot and ads other elements. The final images are admirable, and have garnered him attention, like an editors choice from 500px, photos featured in Practical Photoshop magazine and on Hasselblad’s website. Not bad for one year’s worth of work!

Via: http://www.visualnews.com/

I sourced this information and photographs from:

https://www.facebook.com/Bardia.Photography

One of my favourite Facebook pages!!!

Leila xx

beautiful & simple - goo collection

Covering up your babies beautiful clothing with a boring old bib seems like a waste when you have probably put in a fair amount of thought selecting their clothes for the day. Goo Collection to the rescue! Goo Collection boasts contemporary patterns and modern styles for bibs, blankets, clothing, linen and wraps. Made from 100% cotton, they have a double layer of absorbent fleece and clip fastener.

Goo Collection is a Melbourne based family business that was born through a desire for beautiful and simple baby and kids products. 

http://www.goocollection.com/

Leila xx

machi by kukkia - minimalist children's toys

I absolutely love coming across design that makes you think and use your imagination. Machi by Kukkia is one of these designs that will get your children thinking outside of the box and letting their imaginations run wild!

We sourced this project from one of my favourite design blogs, Design Milk, check out what they had to say:

Machi is a minimalist children’s toy designed by Japanese-based firm Kukkia. Kukkia means ‘to bloom’ in Finnish and ‘kuki’ means stem in Japanese. The focus of their products is to provide children with tactile and vividly-colored shapes that are both fun and visually stimulating. They want kids to get involved and to use their imaginations to create, change and re-invent how toys are played with.

Machi is a clear example of Kukkia’s desire to motivate children to use their imaginations. The set includes 15 beautifully designed pieces that can be arranged and re-arranged at will. Kids can create their own town by using the two magnetic chalkboards and the provided eco-chalk. The 15 wooden pieces, which are made of beech wood, include a car, six trees, two traffic signals, three buildings, and two mountains.

The Machi collection comes in either the original, London, or Paris versions. The London version includes the Big Ben, the British Museum, the London Eye, a double decker bus, and a black cab. The Paris version includes the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, and a miniature metro system. I am definitely a huge fan of well-designed products for the youth. Visual and audio stimulation in my earlier years has been a crucial factor in my eventual aptitude for design.

http://design-milk.com/minimalist-toys-machi-by-kukkia/

http://kukkia.co.jp/iteme/machi/

I totally recommend visiting the Kukkia website as it is full of adorable Japanese designed toys for children:

http://kukkia.co.jp/english/

Leila xx

agatha collection - for vondom

This may just be the perfect way to get your kiddies outdoors and playing in the sun. This gorgeous outdoor setting doubles as seating and a planter.

We found this project from the Contemporist website:

The freshness, innocence and spontaneity reaches VONDOM by the hand of the collection AGATHA by AGATHA RUIZ DE LA PRADA, the first Kids collection of VONDOM.

The characteristic icons of the designer, perceived instantly by their simple, sweet and refined shapes. A funny, creative and optomistic composition integrated throughout infantile codes: flowers, hearts…

This Kids furniture collection consists of two basic elements, mini table and chair. A flower with large petals is the result of this mini table which is accompanied by heart-shaped stools.

Its highly resistant material allows its usage in exterior space, for be able to enjoy as outdoor playing area.

A dream garden where catching the vitality, imagination and ingenuity of the kids thanks to these flashy design pieces.

http://www.contemporist.com/2013/01/12/the-agatha-collection-by-agatha-ruiz-de-la-prada-for-vondom/

Leila xx

ubabub - seriously cute kiddies furniture

I am so excited to be sharing this post with you today as I am seriously obsessed with Ubabub.

Ubabub was born when Melbourne parents Natasha and Daniel Dumais couldn't find suitable nursery furniture to suit their modern aesthetic.

This is the story from the Ubabub:

Ubabub (pronounced über-bub) is a range of Australian designed premium-end nursery and childrens’ products available throughout Australia, New Zealand and now in the United States.

Über stylish and practical, ubabub is a range of ultra-safe, durable and ecologically friendly cots, furniture and accessories. With a distinctly modern aesthetic, the carefully designed and constructed pieces not only add a streamlined modern edge to the nursery but also bring extra comfort and freedom to parents and babies.

What I love most about their range is how easily convertible the cot's are to a single bed for kids or a baby change table, genius!

To complete the room Ubabub has a range of affordable artworks perfect for kids rooms!

On a side note, I absolutely love the design and graphics of their website along with the photo shoot styling, oh so cute!

http://www.ubabub.com/

Leila xx

guess kids - 2013 campaign

Guess Kids has now launched an online store!

I am a huge fan of Guess so I was super excited to get the email that the Guess Kids online store is now up and running. I have chosen a few of my favourites along with adorable campaign advertising images but it is definitely worth checking out the full website.....soooo many cute clothes perfect for summer!

1. Little Girl Floral Peasant Top

2. Little Girl Denim Shorts

3. Little Girl Romper with Sash

4. Baby Girl Striped Dress Set

5.Baby Boy Short Sleeve Stripe Polo and Shorts

6. Little Boy Roll-Up Sleeve Archer Stripe Shirt

7. Little Boy Anthony Plaid Belted Cargo Shorts

http://www.guess.com/guess-kids/

Leila xx

what a spectacle! karen walker eyewear

I have always been mildly obsessed with editorial campaign photo-shoots. There is always a brilliantly choreographed brief that is always so creatively executed by the photographer, models and stylists. In this case, the models are all kids looking like they are trying on their parents glasses....to sum up, A-DOR-ABLE!

Here is a short interview with Karen Walker on Forever 2013 campaign:

LITTLE KIDS, BIG SPECS: Karen Walker’seyewear ads are consistently distinctive for their stark, minimalist portraiture and subversive campaign models. Case in point: for its first summer collection, the brand teamed with “Advanced Style” blogger Ari Seth Cohen and used women of a certain age — between 65 and 92, specifically — as its models. Now, for its second summer collection of eyewear, which launches internationally today, the brand has tapped a much younger set of faces, aged between 3 and 5.

“The campaign is about optimism and playfulness,” Walker told WWD. “The idea was always for [the collections] to be presented as bookends. The first campaign, that Ari [Seth Cohen] shot in New York, was based on eternal optimism — the bookend to that brings in the kids' open-eyed, playful point of view.”

The children — Claudia, Tyler, Elise and Alice-Rose, shot by photographer Derek Henderson — each model one of the four new styles (the Siouxsie, the Underground, the Rowdy and the Peek-a-boo). “You have to go with the flow with kids as they kind of do their own thing,” Walker said. “We didn't ask them to do anything specific, we wanted them just to be themselves — we were simply there to capture it.”

Inspired by a “cartoonish, toylike” sensibility, the collection features Walker’s signature exaggerated shapes and ranges from $330 to 350. It will launch on Sept. 5 at karenwalkereyewear.com and at stockists worldwide.

Source:

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/karen-walker-taps-kids-for-eyewear-campaign-7100653

I definitely recommend checking out the Karen Walker website because if you really want to up the anti on the cuteness factor, the shots are displayed on the Karen Walker website alongside question and answers with the kids. The questions go a little something like this:

What do you want to do when you grow up? Be a model. 

What’s your favourite animal? Zebras because they’re very stripy. 

What’s your favourite colour? Pink and purple and gold and black and white and silver and grey and also blue and also purple. 

http://www.karenwalkereyewear.com

Too cute!

Leila xx

floral explosion - kids fair for fashion

A good friend of mine suggested I post about this very unique design installation for the International Kids Fair for Fashion.

It really is an explosion of floral and colour! If you ever had trouble trying to get your kido to try on a pair of shoes maybe you need to take them here.

Source: Contemporist

Spanish designers +Quespacio created this unique forest of flowers to showcase the best Spanish kids shoe brands at the International Fair of Kids Fashion.

From the designers:

Briefing: Create an exhibition for the International Fair of Kids Fashion (FIMI) to make a tribute to Spanish kids shoe brands, using only materials available or producible in the fair. Besides taking in mind the collections for autumn/winter.

Solution: Taking in mind that the fair mainly exhibits clothes, a forest of unique flowers was created with autumn fashion patterns to integrate the shoes collections in a better way. The product was exhibited as the protagonist of the installation on both sides of the flowers. A place in which the buyer disconnects from the rest of the fair, while he experiences the best Spanish kids shoe brands.

homegrown talent - kate & kate

I love stumbling across true homegrown talent and that's exactly what I found when Kate & Kate appeared randomly searching the internet. 'Kate & Kate' specialise in creating the most beautiful graphic blankets and throws for babies, children, adults and the home.

This is a bit about the girls, straight from their website:

Kate & Kate is the brainchild of sisters in law Kate Pascoe and Kate Pascoe Squires (yes, we both have the same name – lucky one of us lives in Melbourne, the other in Sydney, otherwise things could get confusing…)

Launched in October 2013, Kate & Kate offers a range of beautiful blankets and throws, knitted from the softest, breathable cotton and free from harmful substances.

Fresh and contemporary, our design obsessions are clean lines, geometric patterns and graphic elegance.

Kate & Kate blankets and throws are oversized and incredibly generous. Designed with flexibility in mind, our blankets are the perfect size for babies, children, adults and the home. Our throws are just that bit larger, but equally as adaptable.

A little about us… Kate Pascoe has a background in fashion (retail, design, wardrobe – she’s done it all), while Kate Pascoe Squires is a communications specialist in the fields of restaurants, food and wine. We are mums, best friends and family.

Kate & Kate blankets and throws are finally here. To be enjoyed, with big love.

These throws and blankets are a great idea for Christmas presents.....or 'just because' presents.

For pricing and stockists visit their website:

http://kateandkate.com.au

Leila xx

ralph lauren kids

Today in microfashion - Ralph Lauren Spring / Summer 2013

Total cuteness overload is happening here on the blog today with the Spring/Summer 2013 Ralph Lauren Campaign. This year designer clothing for kids steeped in bright and bold colours for the summer and soft subtle tones for the spring. This seasons collection is filled with unique designs, contemporary styling, modern flair and elegance along with the brands iconic logo motif on polo shirts for boys and girls.

Shop Ralph Lauren:

http://global.ralphlauren.com/worldofralphlauren/au

just hanging around - nursery mobiles

Entertaining, peaceful & delightful

Creating the perfect the nursery for your child to sleep and dream in peacefully is important for all parents which is why a nursery mobile is an adorable addition to any child's room.

The mobile is the 'must have' baby nursery accent to hang above a crib. Mobiles create the perfect nursery addition by stimulating your child's imagination and providing enjoyment and whimsical visuals.

The mobiles as seen in the above image can be found at these stores:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlenestbox

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveFeltXoXo

http://www.etsy.com/shop/moloco

maisy dee - interior styling

One of my dear friends sent me a link to this project and I fell in love with it immediately. It embodies an eclectic and relaxed style while still maintaining a fun and creative environment appropriate for kids.

These rooms belong to Samantha from Maisy Dee. 

http://www.maisydee.com.au/

Maisy Dee specialise in children's blankets,  cushions, toys, garlands and bibs with a focus on using bamboo as this material is hypoallergenic and biodegradable, so creating healthy environments for your tots!

The rooms that have been designed in this family home are so creative mainly due to the fact that new and vintage items have been put together which gives the spaces a homely and natural feel.

The images have been sourced from Little One Magazine, check out their blog for the full story and photographs:

http://littleonemag.com/archives/3463

stuck up - wall decals

Happy Friday peeps! The last blog post of the week is all about wall decals.

When I was researching for this post I came across the cutest wall decals for your children's room that can range for all ages. Wall decals are a great and economical way to brighten up a room and they are easily removed when you want to update your tots room. They can be reapplied!

Walls decals are fantastic if you are renting as they can be removed without any damage to the wall.

Etsy is a fantastic source for wall decals and if you are after something extra special Love Mae has absolutely beautiful fabric decals.

http://www.lovemae.com.au/children_decals.html