Awesome Picks for Kids: Bold Prints from Winter Water Factory

Patterns, I love patterns, a repetition of color and shapes in a harmonic way can totally take my heart away. But, when it comes to kids' clothing, I prefer to steer away from the typical children themes and arrangements, and many times end up choosing outfits just in solid blocks, to avoid frustration. 

However, here and there I get surprised with the work of designers who may get inspired by the same well known motifs, boats, trucks, birds and dots... The difference is how they put them together, transforming a simple onesie into a piece of art, something that you could even imagine framed and hung on a wall... that artistic!!

Winter Water Factory and its creative prints is one of those names that always pleases my eyes- a combination of modern design with trendy colors and  a touch of vintage. Based in Brooklyn, NY, this design and manufacturing company specializes in screen printed textiles and organic kids' clothes. Every single item is made in the USA, printed on 100% organic cotton and comfortable, basic styles.

Winter Water Factory's Fall-Winter collection is out and we are liking everything. The tunic dresses and hoodies for girls are adorable, as well as the long sleeve tees for boys and the rompers for the littlest ones. I particularly heart the "High Seas" print in gray and the " Bridge and Tunnel" in red or blue. They remind me of beautiful patterns on vintage wall paper... So unique!!

Winter Water Factory available here.

All pictures courtesy of Winter Water Factory.

Awesome Picks for Kids: A YetiToys Tricycle... What a Ride!!

In the world of toys, we may think what else can be new or different to attract kids' attention or develop such a bond that could get them emotionally attached. Well, as we know, creativity is limitless and there will always be an innovation, something with a peculiar twist.

YetiToys tricycles have that, a cool, modern looking ride-on with a special feature- they are customizable. Little ones get to enjoy a ride that is also a character, a friend that they can put together, according to their preferences. It's something like selecting the children's pet, but you won't have to train it or look after it  when you take it home... nice!! 

The process starts by choosing a color, the YetiToys tricycles are made of innovative plastic material with a very smooth, velvety surface. Blue, red, green, pink, the possibilities are many. Then, children can decide if they want their ride to be a dog by adding ears, a deer by adding antlers or a horse by adding a saddle. The wheels also provide a choice, they can be made of plastic or rubber, and if kiddo is too young to start pushing a tricycle, it can also turn into a rocking toy.

YetiToys are also conceived with safety in mind, a wide body and solid steering handlebar to provide good stability, plus compliance with all safety standards in the USA and Europe.

YetiToys tricycles available here. Details also on their Facebook Page.

Awesome Picks for Kids: Clouds & Raindrops ...Rain, Rain Go Away!!

I had other things to post this weekend, but the weather in New York for the last two days changed my inspiration completely. Yesterday, it rained profusely, the whole day. Today, no rain, but still sooo cloudy and dark. I think the sun went on vacation, to the Caribbean, perhaps.

Gray skies, clouds, raindrops and a thunder here and there, that's all we were left with. But then, I remembered how cute and trendy clouds are these days and decided to go to my Pinterest boards... There, they were!! Clouds and raindrops are the theme of many fall-winter collections for kids this year. Of course, over the reigning color, gray.

I love the incorporation of a touch of pale pink to complete a very delicate palette... Black, white, gray and a touch of light pink... Perfect!!

So, while we wait for sunnier days, I'll leave you with this beautiful selection.

1:: Rainy Day Sweatshirt by Emile et Ida available here .

2:: Rainy Day Mini Blanket by Donna Wilson available here.

3:: Giant Cloud Pillow by Noodoll available here.

4:: Baby Boots T-shirt by Emile et Ida available here.

Trendy Nursery: Gray and Mustard Yellow for a Modern Baby Room

I've had a crazy fascination with the combination of gray and yellow for months... I like it in clothes, I like it in home accessories, I like it in illustrations, I like it everywhere, but a few weeks ago I landed on Boondie Baby's website and got happily surprised with the modern Mustard Blossom collection of nursery bedding and decor.

Maybe some years back, the idea of a baby nursery in gray and yellow sounded a little dull, but right now it's a trend and therefore, not so difficult to find all the elements you may need to complete the baby's room. Certainly, gray is a perfect neutral color that brings a nice and delicate effect. We have already seen how beautiful nurseries look combining gray with pink or blue, but there is an additional benefit when combining it with yellow- it works well for girls and boys. A great idea for anyone having girl and boy twins.

The Mustard Blossom range by Boondie Baby is all made of 100% cotton and includes bedding, blankets, pillows, and the cute owl on the picture above. Every item is handmade by Boondie Baby's creator, Lauren, a mom and designer living in Melbourne. Even though, Australia is on the other side of the world for a bunch of us, Lauren ships worldwide, and  also takes custom requests. Mix, match and get the room you want!!

Baby Boondie collections available here .

Pssst!!! ...and if you love gray and mustard as much as we do, take a peek at our "Gray and Yellow" board on Pinterest. It's loaded with gorgeous ideas ...Soooo beautiful!!

Awesome Picks for Kids: Falling for Fall Coats with Little Goodall

Fall is just three days old, but here in New York, we can already tell the new season is coming strong. Mornings are chilly, leaves are falling, pumpkins and squashes are filling up the markets, and everyone is looking for a cozy blanket or throw.

In a few days, the Hudson Valley will start to turn leaves into wonderful colors and we will be able to admire a feast of brown, red, orange and yellow around us. The green foliage will slowly give room to a whole different palette, and everyone will switch outfits from the vibrant colors of summer to the warm tones of fall.

It's time to get new coats for the kiddos and when it comes to that moment, finding something different, creative, and well constructed is kind of difficult. This is why we have fallen in love with this collection of hooded coats in gorgeous autumn hues by Little Goodall. Don't you love the pictures already? Owls, lions, dinosaurs, foxes made into  coats so unique with their friendly animal head hoods, yarn manes, button eyes, and even attachable tails.

Inspired by her young son and the lack of creative clothing for kids, fashion designer Molly Goodall came up with her own line of high quality coats, totally handmade and carefully produced. Little Goodall coats are made of soft wool blend felt and fully lined to make it easy for children to put on and take off.

Little Goodall hooded coats available here. 

Pictures courtesy of Bellini Portraits.

Wee Gallery: 32 Ways to Dress a Fox or Raise a Fashion Designer

Kids getting loud in a restaurant while waiting for food... Little ones acting up while sitting at the doctor's office... Children throwing toys at each other in the backseat while you are driving from point A to point B, hoping that a disaster doesn't happen... Sure, as a parent, you have been a victim of any of these scenarios, once too many times.

But, soon enough we are forced to learn that the unmistakable trick to combat those outbursts is to provide a source of entertaintment. Ideally, something that challenges their creativity keeping their hands busy for a substantial period of time.

Here is something new that matches to perfection as an antidote for those desperate situations, something to keep handy in your purse at all times. Wee Gallery has come up with these Mini Activity Books featuring three different characters, a piggy, a fox, and a bunny. All three need to be dressed and their outfits are up to your child's imagination. Each book comes with 32 pages and each page presents the main character's head, hands and feet a little different, ready for your emergent fashion designer to dress them up. Use crayons, colored pencils or markers, add googly eyes, glitter, feathers, there is no limit to their fun possibilities, and the price is so reasonable that you might want to get all three of them.

In case you are not familiar with Wee Gallery, it is a husband and wife studio creating beautiful graphics and toys for babies and older kids. Their Art Cards or Flash Cards in black and white are gorgeous, as well as their Rubber Stamp Sets. To make it even better, every single product is ecofriendly, non toxic, printed with soy inks on recycled paper and cardboard.

Wee Gallery available here.  

Awesome Picks for Girls: Baby CZ Super Chic Fall-Winter Collection

We are big fans of Caroline Zapf's Baby CZ and her line of sophistacated cashmere sweaters and accessories for babies and kids. This year we've fallen head over heels with the new autumn-winter '12 collection for girls... It is such an elegant mix of vintage and modern designs with wool dresses that look like heirloom pieces from the 1920's, and trendy knits perfectly matching the latest in fashionable style... Tres chic!!

Our favorites from Baby CZ's collection? Definitely, the timeless houndstooh dresses and coats for baby and older girls, the cashmere poncho with pom poms, and the ruffle scarves with matching hats to complete the look.

Psst!! ... Good news!! This time moms don't have to wish these clothes could be also made in big sizes because in fact, they are. Baby CZ carries a line of sweaters, cardigans, wraps and accessories for women... yay!!

Baby CZ available here.