{Kids} A party fit for a Birthday boy!

It seems like such a long time since I last posted... I have had such a busy time lately, but school is finally of for my eldest and summer has arrived in London.

Giant Silver Foil Balloon

One of the many things in the diary in the past few weeks was my boy's 2nd birthday. Last weekend, my baby boy turned 2! Since he is a July baby, a picnic in our local park was obligatory, and will be for years to come. We were very lucky with the weather, as summer decided to arrive just in time for the party.

The first thing we did, was the all important Birthday walk! It is a tradition that my daughter's school has started for us, and I love it! Every year, we make a poster for the Birthday person through the years. It is a great way to see how baby has changed: newborn to 2 years old.

After a long breakfast at home, we took the party to our local park, where many of our friends came to celebrate with us. I loved chatting to everyone and catching up over a glass of wine and some cherries.

The birthday boy was so happy with the celebrations and all his amazing presents. Thank you all for coming and helping us celebrate in style!

Here are a few of my ideas for the party:
1. Healthy Bento boxes: a hit with both parents and kids.

2. Brownie tower, decorated with icing sugar, colourful sprinkles and Legos. He loved blowing the candles so much, we had to do it 3 times!

3. Potted succulents as party favours, since the birthday boy is a keen gardener these days.

Jad was so happy with the celebrations and all his amazing presents. Thank you all for coming and helping us celebrate in style!

There are so many cute ideas that you can find these days to make your child's party a little bit more personal and crafty. Check out my Pinterest board on Parties for my selection of more great Party ideas.

Has anyone been planning birthday parties recently? I'd love to hear some more ideas...

{Art} All the buildings in New York by James Gulliver Hancock

This post is to showcase some of James Gulliver Hancock's illustrations. Originally from Australia, this New Yorker has set himself the task to draw all the buildings in New York. I love the idea and the colours he uses in his sketches, they remind me of super hero comic books from my childhood.

You can see more of his great illustrations in his book All the Buildings in New York: That I've Drawn So Far.
Check out his blog also, you could place your own order of a drawing of your favourite NYC building...

This book would be a great gift for anyone who love New York City and drawing!

{Kids} House chair by Paloma's nest

Check out this cute kids chair that also works as a doll's house, by Etsy shop owner Paloma's nest. It comes in 3 different designs: colonial, victorian and modern house, but my favourite has to be the colonial style one. Love it!

VIA etsy 

VIA etsy

VIA etsy

{Design} Life's Journey measuring stick by Baum Kuchen

I knew as soon as we moved into our home, 6 years ago, that I wanted to track my daughter's growth on a doorframe. But since I am not 100% positive we will live under this roof forever, I looked for a wall mounted growth charts.
I love Baum-kuchen's new product, the life's journey measuring stick. A simple, blank measuring stick where you can record the special milestones in your child's life. You can keep it hung on your wall and can take it with you when you move. I also love the philosophy behind their brand and hope to see more elegant products from them.

VIA

VIA

VIA

Competition news: Win the Eames Rocking chair

Today I have some good news to share with you. The lovelies at Decora tu Alma, have decided to giveaway an Eames Rocking chair. Check their website to know the options and join in. Hurry as it ends 23rd April 2013.

VIA Handz on Etsy

Here is a bit more eye candy with the oh so famous Eames rocking chair!

VIA poppytalk

VIA Femke Brooks on Pinterest

VIA the boo and the boy

VIA Hearth and made

{Interiors} Fauna animal cushions by Areaware

I am loving these animal pillows by Ross Mendes for Areaware, I think they would make a great gift. The pillows are hand printed on 100% organic cotton and filed with hypoallergenic wadding. They are made in Brooklyn, NY, but you can order them from here if you are in Europe.
They have a huge choice of cool animals: zebra, elephant, koala and many more. I particularly like the Zebra!

Labrador Cushion

Cat Cushion

Penguin Cushion

{Shop} Folklore in Islington

I have been meaning to go into Folklore for a while now (they opened in June 2012), and I finally got around to having a peek around last week. I loved it!

Folklore is an independent store that teams up with designers to bring us carefully curated designs for home and life that are made to last. Their ethos is simple: "Craftsmenship, quality, simplicity, durability".

Folklore’s product range includes homewares, furniture, lighting, art and lifestyle goods, all made with a concern for the environment.

With its white painted wooden floorboards the shop has a calm scandinavian feel. If you are looking for a gift for someone (or yourself), it is a great place to start. Alternatively, you could visit their online shop.

FOLKLORE

193 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1RQ (0207 354 9333)

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm

Print your Instagram photos with Origrami

I love the photo sharing App Instagram, and take a lot of photos using it. I love how I can easily tweek your photos, use the filters to create dreamy effects... The photos easily look like somewhat of a special photograph even though I am not so good at photography. 

I was trying to find a way of printing mine and Ori­grami stood out. This Australian company prints your Insta­gram pho­tos in a fun Polaroid-style format or on a roll of film. 

The double-sided prints include a photo on one side and the date and num­ber of likes on the other. If the photo is geo-tagged, they can print a map of the loca­tion where the image was taken on the back of photo.

For around A$20, you get 36 polaroid style prints with free world­wide ship­ping. So easy: go to the Ori­grami web­site, con­nect your Insta­gram account and select the pho­tos you want to print. 

Japanese linen aprons

I have had the same apron for the past 15 years. A great purchase from Muji. I am sad to say goodbye to it, but I really need a new one...

I have a little penchant for Japanese aprons and I love these by Le RepèRe des BeletTes.

Gorgeous linens with great colours. Enjoy!

VIA French by design

{Travel} Best chocolates in Paris by chocolatier Patrick Roger

I discovered these amazing designer chocolates by Patrick Roger a few months ago, when friends visiting from Paris brought us this wonderful treat.
To start with the packaging is gorgeous and allows you to anticipate what you will find inside the box. And then, 12 delicate chocolate bonbons filled with creamy ganache, enrobed in bittersweet dark chocolate and beautifully decorated. You almost feel bad about disturbing the symmetry.
I have tended to need a sugar rush on a daily basis since I had my first child, but these chocolates are so good, that your brain is overwhelmed by all the flavours. I can only have them one at a time, so in itself that is a good thing!

If you are ever in Paris, I urge you to go and try them here.

{Kids} House sharpener

This cute house sharpener by DOIY made want to sketch.

VIA Bord de scene

{Design} Anna Leena's candle holders

Thanks to Countlan I came across, Swedish interior stylist and product designer, Anna Leena. Her geometric candle holders made of steel, iron and brass really caught my attention. They are very tactile, I would like one of each type as they work really well as a group. I can see that becoming a classic!

VIA ANNA LEENA SHOP

VIA ANNA LEENA SHOP

VIA ANNA LEENA SHOP