INSPIRATION | Ada Ada

There is a lot to love about Ada Ada right now. I got a few samples sent home the other day and even though I knew their clothes was extremely soft and of great quality I still manged to get surprised. The light garments are perfect for our weather down here, where you can either layer it up or keep it simple for those hotter days. We will jump into these clothes straight away!

Ada Ada was recently in Paris, for the big Playtime event and there was only good things said about the new AW12 collection and their new woman & maternity line Grey Area. I can't wait to see it and how great is it that there is hope for some lovely clothes for women as well? So thrilled I will be able to get to wear some of this labels clothes for myself. There are quite a few labels that have started with adult lines and then done a children's wear line but I don't know many who have done the other way around. Exciting!!

Bright Idea!

How great are these balloon lamps by Estiluz? Very cleverly made so that it looks like they are floating in the sky when they are actually just mounted on an existing light socket. Brilliant in a kids/playroom, or anywhere else in the house for that matter.

via habitat kid

Switch

Just as we got used to the hot weather, it switched in typical Victoria manner and gave us a chilly Tuesday. Just as well, we got to use our lovely, soft Ada Ada scarfs on our afternoon walk!

It's a bird!

I am loving this budgie costume I found here. Line Galst Jørgensen has also made a swan one that I am sure girls would swoon over for years to come! Beautiful!

Pump up the Colour!

I am loving the colour of denims these days. Just bought a pair of jenny jeans by Cotton on Kids, which feels really nice and soft. My girl is hooked on skinny leg versions at the moment so she is loving this model and the green was just a pleasant bonus as she put it. We also spotted a nice red denim skirt which was a great little piece, but we had to put a stop the the shop there since we already own too many skirts right now. Cotton on Kids is an Australian chain that I am sure most families have something from in their wardrobe. Nice, well priced, basic clothes to stock up the wardrobe with.

Temperature Rising

It is hot in Oz right now. So hot if you are close to water your kids will walk in with clothes and all. No chance to even stop and and change into swimwear. Oh well, at least we got to cool off.

Totoro

I had to show this little bag we got for M when we were on vacation in Perth. We happen to see a little shop called Tokyo Underground, and we had to have a peek, and low and behold, it was a paradise for all things Japanese. M loves having a bag with her outside which she packs with pens, drawing pads, bits and bobs and all sorts of toys. You know... to have in case of an emergency (read cafe visits, or if mum here meets somebody to talk to). Well this little bag was an instant love since one of her very favorite movies is My Neighbor Totoro. It has two different sides to it, one front and one back and two different length in the shoulder strap.
I did a quick search for it and I think you can actually get it right here.

I ♥ Tucci Brown!

Had a chance to run by one of my favorite shops the other day, Tucci Brown. It is one of those stores you wish you had hours to spend in. Packed with nice notebooks, wrapping paper, pens..well everything really! They also happen to have the best coffee around and barista's that simply know their business. I had my boy with me so I can't say it was a relaxing visit. He was in heaven, exploring every little thing with his hands. Still had time to munch on a gingerbread man and sip on a lovely cup of coffee. Also got home with one of the most awesome drawing pads. I will enjoy filling it with sketches soon! Hope you all had a lovely weekend too.

For Him + For Her

Two great items from the lovely online shop Pipsqueak in Denmark. For him I have chosen the great looking knitted cardigan from mads nørgaard , and for her the great cut denims with nice button details from mini nümph.

INSPIRATION | Mark Giglio

I am smitten by this wooden pirate with his smug smile and pen peg leg. Made by Mark Giglio, an illustrator, photographer and designer from Oakland, California. His studio pen pencil stencil has some amazing work to boot so check it out while you are at it.

Mini Rodini SS12

The new Safari inspired collection by Mini Rodini is now available over at Oii barnkläder. Packed with bold colours and animal patterns it should be enough to settle the most avid animal lover! My own personal favorite will be the multi-coloured panda print and the yellow cords.

Australia Day

What a week! First it felt slow and then it raced away and gave us a lovely public holiday in the middle! Australia Day is the day when all Australians celebrate everything that is good about being an Aussie. It is so funny to watch, all the people head to the nearest beach or park to BBQ and play cricket. The air is filled with BBQ smell and the sound of cricket balls being hit is all over.

The flag is proudly held high and the spirit is high. This is our 4th Australia Day and we enjoyed it a lot. Here are some photos from yesterday, and with those I wish you a lovely weekend. Any special plans for the weekend? Would love to hear.

Q&A with Mini & Maximus

The interview I did with Mini & Maximus is now available over at the Babiekins Magazine blog. Have a read and check out their new amazing collection, Rock, Paper, Scissors. It will be out in February, at their website and in selected stores.

Don't Sweat the SMALL stuff!

• Octavio Bird Rattle
  
• Boubotte Mango Slippers
  
• Jäll and Tofta, Mr. Mustache Gold Mobile
  
• Aden + Anais Super Star Dream Blanket
  
  All items available at Noeuf
  

Thank You!

Scarves are great! They are that snug, warm cuddle you need on a cold autumn/winter day. I received some super soft ones from Ada Ada the other day, that I instantly thought - great something for me! 5 minutes later one was already claimed by Miss M. Go figure!

Soft Graphics

Yep... I LOVE these plush pillows by Tad Carpenter!! Graphic eye candy that you can put your head on, what is there not to like? Orange fella on one side and the blue on the other. Get them here.

Monster crafting!

We had a bit of time to hang around home today so we decided to try a bit of arts and craft this afternoon. We got a bit inspired by this project, scrap paper pictures and decided to give it a go, with one of Mika's own creations. We bought some thick coloured paper at the shops and a fresh new glue stick and that is pretty much all you need to do some scrap paper pictures. Rip paper, glue and stick on is the whole process and in the end you get a pretty rad looking character! Pretty neat to see the monster grow piece by piece and if you glue it on a thick piece of paper you can cut it out and put it where you like. This one is going in the kiddos room for sure.

This weeks forecast - SUN!

We are having a ridiculously great week here in Australia at the moment. The weather forecast is saying sun, sun and more sun, so if the blog posts become a bit more sparse you know why. Next week means school start so we have to enjoy these few days in the sun a bit extra. El beacho here we come!!

4 the Boys!

Here is a quick sneak peek at the Munster Kids aw12 collection. There will be plenty of nice prints for the boys this season. You can pre-order these over at Little Pinwheel (Australia) right now. In Scandinavia, you can find Munster over at Oii barnkläder.

Black & White

Nothing better than some nice graphic illustrations... these by Giovanni Robertini from his book by the name of Il Barbecue Del Panda is pure awesome!

Blog Watch | Hello. I'm Tiger

There are tons, literally tons of inspiration over at Hello, I'm Tiger. If you are not into words but love to get that inspiration fix this is the blog for you.

images: all from Hello, I'm Tiger.

SALE | Minibots

The good people over at Minibots are still having a crazy sale! Check out these great threads for a boy at a massive 50% sale. Good time to stock up on those nice summer clothes!

Yummy!

The art of ice cream eating puts an end to a lovely weekend with lots of sunshine, thank you weather Gods!

Hello weekend!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend. Here are some photos from ours. I had to include a mushy sibling hug, after all it doesn't happen THAT often :)

Guest Blogging | Babiekins Magazine

Don't forget you will find me over at the Babiekins magazine blog every Friday.
Here is my first post - next one will be a nice little interview so don't forget to check in next Friday for that. Have a nice weekend everybody!

image: lovely art from the issue 7 of Babiekins Magazine.

S as in Spoil

Somehow this year feels very different already. I feel like I am in some kind of strange bubble just waiting for it to pop and to be brought back into reality. This year my daughter starts school. In Australia you start school when you are 5. Being a Swede the first time I heard this I was almost shocked. I thought 5 was too early. In Sweden you usually start at 7 or sometimes when you are 6. I have come to realize though that the kids somehow gets to be ready for school a bit earlier here since their 4 year old kinder is so much more focused on getting them ready for school, so the transition from Kinder to school is so much easier. Still it is going to be full long days, 9 - 3 everyday. Most of the mothers I have talked to who have kids starting school are more or less freaking out as well. The questions are running around in their heads. Are my child ready for school? will they be OK? will they have new friends? etc. I guess it is a universal thing and something all parents go through. Then there is the issue of getting up in time, making a healthy nutritional lunch box each day, and finding a routine that works for the whole family. Yep, there is definitely change in the air.

Well this month before school I have made sure to really do everything I can with my girl. We hang out, do arts and craft, go to the movies, check out the parks, have beach time, and I make sure to spoil her a bit when the opportunity knocks. Yesterday we had to go shopping for a little baby that just have arrived and we ended up having a long cafe break, with pancakes, baby chinos and an extra plush toy rabbit somehow got bought. I feel like these days are numbered and even though I feel it is bittersweet I embrace that we can have this time to just hang out and have fun together. When school does start I will definitely make sure to have a post on some good lunch box recipes - I am sure I am not the only one who wonders how to make some good boxes 5 days a week...

Minor De:tales ♥ Babiekins

I am happy to tell you that I will be doing some guest blogging over at the Babiekins Blog, each Friday, so please join me over there and read up on topics like, children's fashion and other details from the small universe. I will be blogging about things that get my creative juices flowing, everything from creative designs, to small fashion with a hint of street style to it. I will cover both boys and girls labels and items since I am living in the middle of it every day. While you are there check out Babiekins Magazine's current issue as well! Happy reading!

The Brand | Spring/Summer 12

It is an exciting time right now. All the labels are proudly coming out with their new collections and there is a lot ohhh and ahhhs all around. One of the Swedish labels we love are The Brand. Made by couple Johanna and Jonatan Brandström, their style is a refreshing mix of cool and romantic. I recently got to view their new summer and spring collection for 2012 and I thought I better share it with you here. The collection will hit stores very soon! In the meantime check out their website here:
The Brand.