ARRIVING

I'm excited to see what Restoration Hardware has in store this summer with their new line, baby&child.

BRAGGING RIGHTS

I don't really mention family much on MStetson, but my niece is brilliant. I just had to share. ARE YOU LOOKING AT THOSE PAINTINGS!?! She started art classes when she was three. I was (and am) always so excited to encourage her creative passion. I remember asking about her painting and her reply… "Noooo Auntie, I use pastels." Then, I would ask how her pastels were coming and she would reply, "Aaaauunntttiieee, now I do watercolor." Now that she is seven, it is more like "Ahhhh Auntie Lindsay, I did watercolor when I was five. I paint with oils now."

One of my favorites I tuck away in my heart is when my sister told me about my niece wanting to move to California to be an artist like her Auntie when she grows up... pretty sure this seven-year-old has already surpassed her twenty-seven-year-old aunt.

Want to inspire creativity in your little one? Make sure to check out Bloesom Kids craft projects... and maybe the DIYs too.

A STEAL

Olli & Lime are offering 10% off their new wallpaper line. Just thought I'd share the love...

Register here and the online promotional code will be emailed to you shortly after.

4 THE KIDS

I love this children's playroom in Trump Place by Nitzan Design. Such a nice bright, playful space while being modern and inviting. The stripe column is so great, wrapping up and over to the adjacent wall. Below, Nitzan Design created an inspiring display of children's art intermixed with bold letterforms... great idea and, obviously, well executed. Hope you all have a great weekend... I'm on the hunt for some Craigslist finds!

SO SWEET

Some dear friends welcomed their little baby girl in February. Seeing as we are in California and they are in Washington, we have not had the honor of meeting their darling daughter, nor have we been able to see the completion of the top floor addition to their house. It was quite the undertaking, with a serious deadline… to finish before the baby arrived! Didn’t it turn out so sweet? They are both so talented… an artist and a craftsmen. I think she may have whipped up an Amy Butler lotus quilt too!

PREVIEW

Desiree at Baby in a Blanket emailed me their fall/winter 2008 line of fully organic graphic toddler tees. They should be updating their online shop soon. Below are some of the cute new blanket prints we have to look forward to. Thanks, Desiree; the email came just as I found out some close friends are expecting!

PLUSH

{ papaver vert }The grouping of these gorgeous felted wool trees is too sweet and the stitching makes them even more charming. Each tree is handmade to order. Make sure to check out the vessels and pillows Patty offers as well.


{ debi van zyl }Debi creates some of the best paper goods on etsy, but these quirky little guys are what really caught my eye. They are so full of character with their bright color combinations and patterns as well as the adorable button eyes. I love that one of her customers created a blog to document their travels.


{ tinywarbler }These little handmade plush animals are precious. The fabric combinations make each animal so unique. I love them all; I can’t pick a favorite. Kate’s stock should be updated shortly at both indie fixx and her etsy site so make sure to check back often. (You can start a convo through etsy for requests, as well.)

W O O L I E

As I sit here on my laptop, browsing away, I am getting chilly… and what do I do? Start googling. This time it was definitely worth it. I found Swans Island, a company best known for its handmade wool blankets. Their high standards and quality craftsmanship have made Swans Island a leader in hand woven, earth-friendly products. The lines have increased over the years from blankets and pillows to scarfs and handbags and even to a new line of skin care products in 2007.

I just love the idea of custom monogramming on a blanket or pillow. (See Lars & Nancy below.) Even the Swans Island logomark on the corners is charming.

O N E M O D P O D

If I were needing to design a nursery, this is definitely where I would begin. (Don’t worry… no exciting announcements here!) Nurseryworks’ tastefully mod furnishings, bedding and accessories are sure to appeal to the design-savvy and, on top of it, are environmentally friendly (renewable materials, low-VOC finishes, lacquers, and glues, and formaldehyde-free dyes). Each product has plenty of options (color, shapes, wood stain, textile prints, etc) so there is sure to be the perfect item and combination for your little one. Check out Modern Nursery to purchase.

WE WERE LEFT OUT

Both M and I ( Stets ) were the babies of the family. Competitive. Peacemakers. We would never make our siblings' mistakes. But when it comes down to it, we totally got the shaft. Our mothers had the best of intentions to create, and complete, our baby books. However, like most parents, when it was our turn to bask in the limelight, it seems they lost inspiration. And so, with the continued excitement from our previous post, we just had to show you Binth's Baby Book. If only our parents had known; we might not have felt so ignored. This sucker is so fantastic, we are confident it will be completed regardless of whether it's your first child or your fifth. The pages will guide you through the documentation of everything from “The First Big Journey” to “Third Birthday Firsts and Favorites.” The cotton bookcloth cover is screen printed in white and sits in a delightful keepsake box.




Make sure to check out the other products designed by one of our favorite companies, Binth.

REPRODUCERS

Is something in the water? To all our friends who are expecting, here are a few of our favorite picks. These almost make us think we're ready to have children.

Ooba's Nest Collection


Ducduc's Austin Collection

Celery Furniture


Netto Collection's Moderne Collection