Century Of The Child: growing by design 1900-2000

So as you maybe already know, I was in New York City last week attending the New York Gift show, which was amazing and I can't wait to tell you all about it. However today I wanted to share with you the one thing that I was most excited about when I found out I was going to NYC and that was attending the exhibit, Century Of The Child, taking place at the MOMA.  On my short 2 day trip, I found a way to make it to the museum and I am sooooo happy I did. 

Call me crazy, but I felt like the exhibit was made just for me! Yup, the curators looked at my blog, my Tumblr and my Pinterest Borads and were like we should really do something Celina will like!!! Seriously, if you are at all interested in design, architecture, history, education or anything with regards to childhood, then you should R E A L L Y check it out. Bring your kids, I think they will love it too! I am so full of inspiration and craving to know and explore some more...

Here is a small round up of what I got to see with my own eyes... From toys to posters, textiles and short animations, from happy to sad this exhibit was packed with emotions. I was facinated by the impact design had on children and vice versa.

I wish I could have touched and played with so many of the items or even have taken photos, but guess what it wasn't permitted!

So instead I spoiled myself and got the book and a postcard with the little japanese girls (up top) for Miss E's room. I really wished I could have gotten my kids all of the above toys which were part of the exhibit  and available for purchase in the MOMA store, but it's not late some things are also available online.

Playsack via X-O In My Room

It was truly inspiring for me, their were so many toys and furniture I thought should be reproduced. One of them is the Playsack by Fredun Shapur. I couldn't believe my eyes when saw and read on X-O In My Room's blog that they had an original Playsack. Oh I am sooooo jealous! Look how cute this little boy is in his fox paper costume. Now you know I'm going to have to try and a version of my own... I'll keep you posted!

Well, if you aren't anywhere near NYC in the next coming months (it runs until november 5th), then I strongly suggest you check out the MOMA website and the section dedicated to the exhibit, it's nicely made with lot's of great images and information. Have fun!!!

The Birthday Girl...

It was Miss E's third birthday.... HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

This year I was a little busy with work, so I didn't do my usual DIY birthday preparations or gifts, I do feel a little guilty. To top it off I had to go on a business trip the next day, so we had to push the celebrations by a week. Nevertheless, Miss E ended up with 3 cakes and 3 different party "hats" and lot's of gifts, lucky girl!

The day of her birthday we spent it together, one happy family, first for breakfast at our usual spot, The Atwater Market and we ended the day with a cake and small gifts.

One week later, we had a small party with our close family at "our park, as we like t call it. Nothing fancy, just some pizza and some ice cream cake. The kids had so much fun with their big cousins and their littlest cousin too. No I didn't bake the cake, no I didn't make Miss E her party dress and no I didn't make her the flower crown, well I did but it was the one she wore on her 1st b-day! I even forgot the loot-bags... sorry kids! 

I have to say, it was the least stressful birthday party I've hosted in a long time!!!

Look who's happy to be a big girl! And how amazing is that dress... Miss E is one lucky girl, this Isabel Marant dress was handed down from my sweet cousin in Paris. Merci mille fois!

Mister M got a little confused, when we picked up the second birthday cake together, he asked if Miss E was turning 4 now since she turned 3 last week when she blew out her candles! I thought that was so cute.

And finally we celebrated at her daycare, with cupcakes this time around and handmade crown!

So now does that I mean I'm going to have to get 5 cakes for Mister M's B-Day! I think I'll try to go back to my old days and go the DIY route again... Didn't you know I thrive on stress!

Coup de Coeur no.11

Do I really need to say anything? WOW!!!!

The images are from a photgraphy blog: MimiPhotograpy and this photoshoot is just too cute.

The shoes are from EFVVA, a polish company that design some of the most original and creative items for kids I've seen in a long time... I promise to write more about them, soon.

In the mean time check out their blog, shop &  facebook.

Have a great weekend all! 

DIY: kawaii t-shirts

I prepared an easy DIY for you which I call my Kawaii T-shirts. With just a few easy steps create some cute t-shirt with some sweet & simple animal faces.

What you will need:
- A T-shirt or Tank top
- Some Fabric Markers ( I used the Sharpie "Stained" Fabric marker)
- Paper
- Computer & Printer (optional!)

How to...

- Step 1: Draw a cute and simple animal face on a sheet of paper. I got my inspiration from googling "cute kawaii animal faces" and searching the image portion of Google.

OR 

I've provided a few cute faces that I created myself (see image below)... follow the link to get the PDF files. You will find a PDF for each face and all you have to do is print it at 100%.

-Step 2: If you are using a white T-shirt, I recommend inserting the printed paper into your t-shirt and centering it. This way you will see your image through the t-shirt. 

-Step 3: Trace your image with your fabric marker. I like to do the contour first and then fill it in. 

Warning*** do not press to hard when drawing with the fabric marker, the ink has a tendency of spreading.

-Step 4: for added color or fun add some rosy cheeks or a bow tie... Your done!

NOTE: if you are using a darker colored t-shirt, just draw straight on your t-shirt and use your printed image for guidance. Don't forget to insert a piece of paper into your t-shirt to prevent the ink seeping through.

Here are some of the faces I've created. You can find the PDF files HERE. 

Please use these for your personal use and not for re-sale, thank you!

Here are a few examples of some tees I've created...

Now if you are doing this in front of your kids, do not be surprised if they try to add their own design elements when you aren't looking!!! Look how Mister M surprised me, he added a pink smiley face to his t-shirt.

ENJOY!!!

Our little vacation in pictures...

I'm back from my holidays... 

I thought I would share some photos from our little vacation in Ogunquit Maine, a little piece of beach heaven only a few hours drive from home. 

We explored the beach as soon as we got there, even though it was drizzling. Mister M was so excited, he had been waiting for this day to come for 363 days after all!

Miss E enjoyed the beach much much more this year, she was a little scared of the waves, but it didn't stop her from having a blast running away from them.

The kids were so busy... playing, swimming and running back and forth to get water in the huge pool their dad had built. 

The skies were blue, most of days... the water was surprisingly warm, for once! Mister is quite the surfer... I could see him living in by the beach some day.

The evenings were spent walking on Marginal Way and admiring the breathtaking view...

The sunsets were beautiful...

Lastly, we got to see a crimson moonrise, but of course I left the camera and cell phone at the hotel that evening, so this photo is not mine (source), althought it could have been.

I've never seen anything quite like it, perhaps the highlight of the trip.

It was truly M-A-G-I-C-A-L.

The lobster was yummy... We even went lobster fishing with Captain Tom.
We shopped and thrift shop too... always fun!

The kids didn't want to come home, Miss E cried when she saw our front door and refused to get out of the car... we promised we would go back, only 355 to go!!!