Monday, May 24, 2010

BPA in Canned Food


I was shocked to read new research showing how pervasive bisphenol A is in canned food. One can of food eaten one time is too much BPA, and it is extra important for pregnant women and small children to avoid this chemical. We've been eating our beans only from Eden Foods brand, since their cans are lined with a natural resin and do not contain BPA. They don't make green beans though, and sometimes we get lazy. But this article is a wake-up call, and we can boil our vegetables to mush ourselves if we really want to. Who needs cans for that? Check the store locator to find Eden Foods near you.

Telegram Invitation


Such ingenuity! Check out these cool airplane invitations made by Brenna at paper & ink. She built toy airplanes, painted the boxes to look like an airstrip runway, and even found airmail tape and labels. The best part is the telegram invitation itself. Fantastic!

Liberty Fabric


Isn't this farm fabric cute? Lucy's Farm is one of the many gorgeous fabrics from Liberty of London. I've seen it in blue, pink, brown, and purple colors, and although it seems to be out of stock, you can usually find it on eBay and Etsy. The cotton lawn fabric from Liberty is the softest breeziest fabric, just so lovely.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Mommy Calling Cards


Make friends the old-fashioned way--with handy dandy calling cards! No more writing phone numbers on grocery lists at the playground; no more fumbling for a pen and writing on your hand. Be cool, be organized. For just $18, you can have Etsy seller ArtsyNikki make you the cutest calling cards you've ever seen. She was such a joy to work with, the most patient person on earth, I think. The sight of your little one so eager to bestow this little gift, suddenly not shy at all about making friends, will melt your heart.

BY FRYD Magazine


You have to go see the cuteness that is the new BY FRYD online magazine. It is full of gorgeous Scandinavian decor and kids lifestyle shots, created by blogger Jeanette Lunde.

Environmental Toxins


I'm such a nag when it comes to lecturing friends about environmental toxins. And I don't even know what I'm talking about. Imagine how friendless I'll be once I read this book! Could everyone please read Slow Death by Rubber Duck and learn about the environmental toxins that are hurting your kids? I would sleep so much better if I weren't worrying about you anymore. Thanks. Because I love you. To give you an idea of how ubiquitous the dangers of chemical exposure are, here is a quote from Mindful Momma:

The book is pretty engaging, for a book about chemicals. Each chapter starts with a story. One of my favorites was when one of the authors was appalled to discover that there was triclosan in his garden hose. "For the love of God...Is there no corner of our lives that hasn't been invaded by chemical companies peddling their modern-day snake oil?" he said, when he realized that he had been watering his homegrown tomato plants with germicide.

Farm Fabric


This super-cute farm fabric is $16 a yard at fabricworm. It comes with the Eau de Mer logo on it though, which is annoying. But you could cut and sew around it, making little pouches or quilts. (via Bloesem Kids)

Felted Ball Chandelier


Chandeliers are so expensive but so pretty for a little girl's room. Teri of giddy giddy (whose hair clips we own and love) created this colorful chandelier out of felted balls. And I'm so jealous of those fantastic vintage curtains in the background!

Stamp Cake Garland


Wow, this is so pretty! I remember stamp collecting as a kid and having to sort out all these British stamps with queens that looked exactly the same in just subtly different colors. This lovely spectrum cake garland is made by Denise of d.Sharp and is $75 in her Etsy shop.

Lift?


To quote Liz Lemon: "Whuck?" and, "I want to go to there." Where is this crazy place?! (via tiny happy, who also makes cute things)

Heart's Desire


Kids at the Circle of Peace School in Uganda were asked to draw what they would buy if they had $50, and their drawings are being sold for $50 to raise money for the school. The results are charming and also a little heartbreaking, as it is clear that most of these kids (many of them AIDS orphans) have no concept of money, their desires ranging from a banana to a house. Mamatove Irene, age 5, wants to buy the moon. (via Junior Society)

Wealth and Giving


"All personal wealth beyond that required to supply the needs of one's family should be regarded as a trust fund to be administered for the benefit of the community." --Andrew Carnegie, The Gospel of Wealth, 1889.

Embroidered Patches


Remember before this current disposable society when kid's clothes used to be patched? You can buy Anja Rieger's forest critter designs for embroidered patches if you have a fancy sewing machine. (via print & pattern)

Blue Loves Green


Blue and green look so great together in a kid's room. (via Jojo's Room)

Seven Kids


I'm obsessed with this show, 9 By Design, about the super-cool Novogratz family with their seven kids and house remodeling gig. I start getting giddy with anticipation about a day and a half before the show is available on my instant viewing thing. I love that they design with a few major impact pieces and not a lot of clutter. I especially love the antique beds in the twin girls' room. And I love all the kids' names: Wolfgang, Bellamy, Tallulah, Breaker, Five, Holleder, and Major. The only thing that would make the show better is if they filmed their kids eating vegetables every so often. (via decorology)

Vintage Peasant Dress


I want this so badly. But it will immediately get ruined, right? This cotton gauze peasant dress with blue embroidery ($95) is just one of the many gorgeous vintage clothes at Belle Heir.

Colored Sand


Such a pretty mess. By dianamuse.

Outdoor Party


Wow. I'm so in love with outdoor parties lately. Just wow. (via the style files)

Three Boys


I love three beds in a row, and I love giant art, so I love this Moscow room for three boys by Kate Hume. (via Remodelista)

Fox Print


How cute is this fox print by KidsHaus on Etsy?

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Flag Pennant Garland


I love the sorbet colors of this flag pennant garland, perfect for a garden party or birthday. It's only $15 from Etsy seller 2021leslie, or follow her instructions for sewing your own.

Baby Quilt


I love this sweet baby quilt with the Union Jack flag from Maggie&Sparrow's photostream, which is part of Coochicoos' Flickr gallery of modern nursery design.

Treehouse Hotel


This fantastic treehouse is available for lodging. Treehouse Point is in Issaquah, Washington, just a few minutes from my house, and I'd never heard of it before. So cool! (via A Cup of Jo)

Colorful Bunk Bed Room


The colorful bunk bed curtains and groovy trees on the wall make this room. Check out the portfolio of photographer Anitta Behrendt for more fantastic kid rooms and lots of colorful kid's clothing. (via Desire to Inspire).

Monday, May 10, 2010

Chore Chart


Lisa at ModEco Kids designed this chore chart to encourage kids to feel good about contributing to the family. The free download lets you customize the chores appropriate for your family.

Toilet Paper Roll Costume


I've been saving this photo of a toilet paper roll costume forever. Perfect! It is from Maja, a Finnish book full of great ideas for children. (via Ohdeedoh)

Owl Cake


Now that's a cute owl cake! (via handmade charlotte)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Wallpapered Furniture


I just love the wallpapered furniture by Bryonie Porter, especially this dresser with the large scale map. I think I'll have to find a desk I can try this on. (via Ohdeedoh)

Pink Floral Nursery


This is one of the sweetest nurseries I've ever seen. The floral curtains make the room. (via spearmint baby).

Vintage Book Cover


I'm loving this graphic vintage book cover from 1959, the binding illustration for Válkou narušení by Vašek Káňa. (via wit + delight)

Floral Sofa


Designed by Josef Frank, this is a great sofa. (via wit + delight)

French Theatre Toy




Look at this fantastic French Theatre paper toy. It comes with 18 scenes, text for 20 plays, and 60 characters that you move around on a stick. You can get it for £55.00 at Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop, a London establishment since the 1880s. (via Babyccino)

Food Flags


Yum! These food flags were part of an advertising campaign for the Sydney International Food Festival. This Italian flag is pretty basic, but see more fancy foreign food flag photos here. It is also a great way for kids to explore new foods at home. Go ahead and play with your food! I have to go eat now. (via automatism)

Baseball Birthday Party


Such a cute invitation for a baseball themed birthday party! Head on over to inchmark to see more photos full of great ideas from this party.

Forest Trees Poster


This poster of trees in the forest is just so beautiful in its simplicity. It is $28 for a 13" x 20" poster at Honey & Bloom. (via Ohdeedoh)

Double Bunk Beds


I can't tell you just how much I love this shot of two bunk beds crammed together and dripping with lace in a cozy little room. This photo is from the portfolio of photographer Serena Eller Vainicher. (via Desire to Inspire)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Bluebird Painting


A real, original watercolor painting is only $25 from Etsy seller dimdi, and there are all kinds of other sweet animals to choose from besides this handsome bluebird. What a deal! (via shelteriffic)

Pink Daybed


I remember seeing this in a magazine and loving the mix of pinks in this room designed by Nathan Turner for Amanda Peet's daughter.

Doily Snowflake Cards


There are some cute snow globe cards over at The Crafts Dept. Cut out little snowflakes from paper doilies and leave a few loose ones with the card in a clear envelope. So pretty! I'll have to file this away for future Christmas cards.

Walnut Shell Boats


So simple and so fun! See how easy these walnut shell boats are to make at Made by Joel, a blog about all the cool things a cool dad makes for his kids.

Drinking Glass


We've been using tempered glass drinking glasses ever since Baby could hold a cup, and we've never had any break. So much better than plastic: easier to clean, healthier, and drinks taste better too. These are $3.95 each over at The Glass Baby Bottle, a great online shop for non-toxic baby gear.

Tree Mural Bunk Bed


Has there ever been a cooler bunk bed? (via Design*Sponge)

Paper Art


You've got to head over to Helen Musselwhite's online gallery to see what she can do with paper and scissors. So magical! (via Babygadget)

Bunny Finger Puppets


Molly at The Purl Bee has a tutorial for making these cute bunny finger puppets. (via Babyccino)

Library Birth Announcements


These library card birth announcements created by Suann Song of Simplesong are just so clever and sweet!

Sailor Stripe Dress


I love this sailor stripes Marinière Dress from Petit Bateau. It is 100% cotton and comes with either red or blue stripes in girl's sizes 2-10 years for $81.00. So cute!

Floral Bouquet Wall Art


Oopsy Daisy has a big selection of fine art for kids and also some pretty selections for adults, like this floral bouquet on stretched canvas by artist Angelo Franco. (via Project Nursery)

Colorful Modern Room


What a great colorful and modern kid's room! (via spearmint baby)

Popsicle Molds


Great idea! Make yummy (and healthier) summer treats without using yucky plastic molds or buying wasteful packaging from store-bought ices. These stainless steel Popsicle molds are $35 at The Tickle Trunk, a great source for other plastic-free food ware. (via Safe Mama)