Head over Heels: Crocs & Native shoes...

I have to say I have never been a Crocs fan, and the only reason my kids wear them, is because they were hand-me-downs and the daycare strongly suggest kids have a pair for when they go swimming... Ok, ok, so I admit, that they are quite practical and for some reason my  kids love them and not only because of their level of comfort, because even before they had tried them on, they were really attracted to them. As much as tried to hide them, or try to persuade them to try something else, those were the ones they wanted... must be the bubbly shape and the wholes! And still, I would never go out and buy a pair!!! Between Crocs and Huggs, I am not sure which I dislike most!

Well I am happy that a new options is out there now, with Native shoes! I would definitely buy a pair for Miss E and Mister M. (they have them at Jack & Jill, a block away from my home!) I find the design much more appealing, and they have 3 different looks to choose from...

Corrado:

 Jefferson:

 Miller:

Now over the years Crocs have come up with some new designs.... here are two styles I might be tempted to buy!!!! 

By the way, did you know both companies are Canadian... BONUS!!!!
 Native shoes, find them at Jack & Jill, 5330 Queen Mary Rd, Montreal, QC H3X1T7, 514)488-5841
Crocs: 384 Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC H3G 1P8, (514) 750-9796

Good Guide...

So I don't know if you have noticed, but there is no theme this week on my blog.... Unfortunately there will no longer be a theme to my weekly posts. Why? Well I have a new job, and that means new responsibilities and a much less flexible schedule.... So I don't officially start until september, but the whole weekly theme concept takes a lot of time and energy.   Since, I won't be working from home anymore and summer has finally arrived,  I would like to spend more time with my kids and a little less time on the computer. No worries I will still be blogging, just a little less often and a little more spontaneously... I hope you will still enjoy it as much!

Today, I came across the most amazing website, perhaps you knew about it already, the Good Guide...

With GoodGuide, you can:

• Find better products that are healthy, green and socially responsible
  
• Search or browse over 100,000 food, toys, personal care, & household products to easily learn about the best and worst products in a category
• Rely on our scientific expertise and sophisticated rating system to simplify complex and confusing product information 
• Get mobile advice while shopping in a store by downloading our iPhone app
• Create and share personalized favorites lists of products that are right for you and your family

Since Summer decided to show up, I was trying to find the best sunscreen for my kids, and this guide gives a list of products and a rating with 3 criterias: Health, Environment & Society.

So I found out that the Johnson & Johnson's Baby Lotion SPF 15 was top ratted, and the bottom rated sunscreen is Banana Boat's Ultra Mist Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen! So guess what I'm going to buy this summer!!!

I also found out that Little Marc Jacobs scored 5.5 on the scientific rating... 6.0 for Environment... Facinating!!!

Here's a screen shot , to give you an idea how it works...

WaterAid + H&M

Did you get your H&M WaterAid outfit yet? I did! I just happened to go into H&M today and was surprised to see their new collaboration ( I'm a sucker for collaborations!)... Who is WaterAid? They are an international aid organization that helps provide the world's poorest communities with access to clean water. So how can you help? When you buy an item from the WaterAid collection at H&M, 25% of the sale price will be donated towards this cause... So hurry up, before they run out of stock! If you're in Montreal, the collection is available at the downtown store on St-Catherine...

Here are some of the children's designs...

Here is what I got... I might go back for more!
For Miss E

And Mister M

Mommy Cool: wedding style!

photo via my PINTEREST

O.k. so I have a wedding coming up, and all the dresses I have, I have already worn and been seen in! I am guessing that this will be a pretty fancy wedding and my taste and my budget just don't match. So you might ask, what is your budget? It's pretty much nil! Then you might ask, why don't you make your own dress? Well, I never make anything for myself. Why? I'm never happy with what I make... But I have to say, daddy cool, got me an amazing japanese book called DRAPE DRAPE (you can find it on Ebay), and I'm really tempted to try and make something!

image via Machine and Dream

What do you wear at a wedding? Long, short, sparkly, basic, colorful, black, dress, pants... Well I created an inspiration board, my keywords are: sequins, gold, maxi, lace and drape... but I'll probably end up with something black!!!!

dress style by Petit à Petit featuring ball gown dresses

Any suggestions? Please help!!!! I think I might try to find or make something like this...

photo via my PINTEREST

DIY: rag dolls...

So If you read my post yesterday, you probably realized that the prices for handmade dolls can get pretty expensive, it's no wonder since a lot of time goes into making these dolls and let's not forget the creativity... that has a price too! So do you have some sewing skill? Lot's of time? And more importantly, patience? 

One of my favorite DIY books is called Poupées, chiffons & cie by Sonia Lucano.

I picked this up a little while ago at Walmart and you can find it pretty much on any web bookstore like Amazon! It's in French, but if you have a little knowledge in sewing, then who cares if you can't read the instructions... The images are wonderful and inspiring, and the patterns are easy to follow visually.

 There are lot's of different really cool projects to make...

So I haven't made anything from the book yet, but I have used the doll patterns to inspire and make my own version...

The evolution... I first started with some brown stretch fabric, but the filling comes through (not great!), then I used some old linen pants of mine and made the 2nd doll, then refined the pattern a little and made the third one on the right. I still prefer the 2nd one, she has more character!

The face is hand embroidered and I colored the cheeks with a pink crayon.

The hair is made from felt and is removable... These two dolls are the same, the top one has a brown wig and this one   has blonde hair!

 

So it's still a work in progress, there are a few minor details I need to work out... If and whenever I make more, I'll be sure to pst some pictures!

Poupées...

I love dolls... I have always loved dolls and I am so glad to see that my little Miss E loves them almost as much as I do! There are so many kinds of dolls, so today I will share with you some of my favorite...

Jess Brown... These handmade rag dolls are just gorgeous! I especially love all the details that go into the clothing. She has done many collaborations with children wear designers, and so your kids can have a doll that matches their favorite designers outfits. They are 22 inches tall and you can choose wether you want the tea dyed muslin or the brown linen doll. You have many cute accessories to choose from as well. They start at 180$ US.

Wovenplay collaboration

Loup Charmant Collaboration

Erica Tov Collaboration

Atsuko et Akiko Collaboration

Nils & Happy to See You... these dolls are one of my new obsession, I love their expression! They are custom made, you can choose between 2 different sizes, skin color, hair color and outfit. You can also get the matching outfit for your kid, or get a pattern and make your own dolls clothes... Now if only I had 150 euros to spare! The website to order the dolls is at Happy to See You.

My Name is Simone... these dolls are created by Caroline Castagna-Suarez, and are perfect for the whole family! Bonus, they are made from 100% organic coton. Which is your favorite, the wrestler, the super hero, the nerd, the hipster? And the list goes on... My favorite are the"victime de la mode" series (see pictures below). You can buy them online at Smallable. You can expect to pay around 50$.

If you are looking for something more commercial, my favorites have to be the Corolle collection. These are from france and they have a variety of different kinds, from babies to plush. My favorite are the fashion dolls "Les Chéries". Miss E has 2 and loves them. Even Mister M likes them... he really enjoys undressing them!!!! You can buy some cute additional clothing separately. They cost approximately 45$.

All Dolled UP... Girls & Boys!

Anne Valerie Hash Mademoiselle

I took a nice week off and I'm back with some fun themes coming up in next couple of weeks... This weeks theme is "All Dolled Up", since wedding season has started I wanted to show you some flower girl dresses and little boys suits...

Anne Valerie Hash Mademoiselle: this french designer does some of the most beautiful clothing I've ever seen for little girls. The fabric choice and attention to detail is precious. The dresses are delicate, perfect for any summer wedding! And every season A-V-H never ceases to amaze me... LOVE!

Paul Smith Junior: For the perfect little boys suit, you can't go wrong with a Paul Smith suit! And their ever so popular striped shirt... 

Dino E Lucia: an other french clothing line, that does fancy dresses, in my opinion, the best! I used to carry this line when I owned my little boutique Mosspink, and I loved and still love their dresses. Simple with just the right amount of sparkle! And they also have some items for the boys..

 Now not every one can afford a Paul Smith suit or a Dino e Lucia dress, so I took a look at what Jcrew and Zara had to offer...

Crewcuts by J Crew: If you are looking for a little dress, Crewcuts is a really great place to shop... you can find some more traditional dresses or some funky ones as well. I personally really love their selection. And if you need accessories to spruce up your outfit, they have that too: shoes, necklaces and headbands. The boys are in luck too... blazers, trousers, shirts and shoes... even cute bow ties!




 Zara: If you don't want to break your bank, then Zara is your best bet. Their are a variety of styles to choose from... I love the bold colors of this season or the lace dresses. And every season Zara offers a complete suit for the boys, Blazer, vest and matching pants... the fit is really great and so is the price!

 

And If you are looking for some handmade dresses, then I suggest you go on ETSY... they have a selection for every taste and budget...
I thought this little dress was a classic and cute... From Seams So Good

And one of my favorite Etsy shops is Es and Es kids... they always have something interesting to offer...