{Travel} Lay-n-Go Cosmo bag

I am loving the practical aspect of the Lay-n-Go Cosmo bag. This cosmetics bag doubles up as a travel-ready make up or jewellery mat. It is the same principle as the large lego storage mat I posted about a while ago.
Check it out

{Design} Ostrich Mini pillow by Studio Banana Things

Get rest wherever and whenever with this small, lightweight and very convenient snooze and sleep aid. I love the fun design of the Ostrich Pillow Mini by Studio Banana Things. 

It comes in a bunch of colours, check it out.

Herman CPH reinvents the Ikea blue tote with Kvadrat fabric

If like me you use the infamous Ikea blue bags for everything, you'll be happy to hear that there is an even better option. Danish brand Herman Cph has redesigned the tote, in a limited edition version, with gorgeous Kvadrat fabric and full grain leather handles. 

It is available for a limited time only, so order quickly here. Bear in mind, it is only £80 more than the £0.40 Ikea version.

VIA Selectism

{Design} Little American Mountain Bag by Herschel Supply Co.

Channel your inner American Boy/Girl Scout with this gorgeous classic backpack from Herschel Supply Co. The Little America Mountain Bag combines heritage with modern touches. It comes in a bunch of colours, but I think I would have to go for the bright orange one. You can get it from Asos or Amazon.
I need one to take on my adventures this summer...

{Kids} Easiest DIY dollhouse

My daughter Ines (7) loves playing with her little figurines. So I thought that with her help we could build this easy homemade dollhouse by El hada de papel. 

There I found the easiest DIY tutorial for a homemade dollhouse yet. Use stiff cardboard to cut out 2 pieces as shown and slot together. As decoration, you can paint the cardboard or cover it in paper. Go with the templates provided or create additional cutouts to add detail. I love this idea because you can also adapt it to be the correct size for your dolls.

VIA

{Art} Hutt Lagoon series by Steve Back

I love these abstract aerial photographs of Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia, by photographer Steven Back. Isn't it amazing that these colours occur naturally because of an algae. In these manmade lagoons, the algae have been concentrated to be farmed for food colouring. Thanks to colour bloc for sharing.

VIA Steve Block

VIA Steve Block

VIA Steve Block

VIA Steve Block

{Craft} Made by Joel | Paris Paper city

A couple of months ago, my daughter had an assignment for school and chose to do her presentation on her trip to Paris. So we headed over to a great blog called Made by Joel, where Joel shares gorgeous paper crafts for kids. We printed out the Paris Paper City and after she was done customising, it looked perfect to for her presentation. Later, the paper toys got a lot of use out of them, and I think the Eiffel tower still gets some attention once in a while.

VIA Made by Joel

VIA Made by Joel

VIA Made by Joel

VIA Made by Joel

Amongst his other things, I love Joel's single A4 sheet travel size of Paris in my pocket that you can print ahead to help your kids with travel boredom blues...

Get printing and playing!

{Travel} Tips for parents travelling with kids in Japan

Today I have a special post to share! 

My lovely friend Donatella, her husband Ben and 2 kids Alvar (6) and Austine (2) are taking a 47,090 km Big Adventure around the world. 

I have not been very good at keeping up to date with where they were at over the past few weeks, but today I found some time to catch up and read about all the wonderful places they have been to... What an amazing experience! Reading the family blog is like being part of their experience and seeing the world through their eyes. Thank you so much guys for sharing!

This particular post I am writing about is one where Dona shares great Tips for parents travelling with young children in Japan. Check it out, it is well worth reading if you plan on travelling to Japan with your little ones.

VIA Ben and Dona

I can't wait to read more about the great adventure and also hear about it all when we catch up next! I hope you enjoy reading about it too.

i ♡ Morocco | Moroccan interior by El Ramla Hamra

Today I am really excited! I am taking a little break from packing to let you know that tomorrow I am going home to Morocco for 3 weeks to visit my family, fiest on tagines and take in the good weather.
I have not been home for an entire year, so I have missed it desperately. I won't let it be that long again, I need to replenish at least a couple of times a year. 
But no worries, I have a few posts planned for when I am away, so make sure you visit me. I'll have plenty of Moroccan inspiration for you when I come back.

In the meantime, I thought I would share with you this gorgeous black and white Moroccan interior at El Ramla Hamra.

All images VIA El Ramla Hamra

{Art} Altered route by Kilian Martin and Bret Novak

Today I have something very different for you... I have to confess that this post was influenced by spending more time than usual with my lovely husband, since he has been home sick.

Since we have all been a bit unwell these past few days, we have spent a lot of time procrastinating and watching youtube and vimeo videos on our Apple tv. My favourite was this one: Altered route. 



Kilian Martin is a freestyle skateboarder and he teamed up with filmmaker Brett Novak to create this beautiful video, all to the song "Adventures in your own backyard" by Patrick Watson. The result is this elegant 4 minute short film.

It is not your typical skateboarding video. His moves are fluid and effortless, an almost dance like sequence set in the Mojave desert. I love it!

{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.

{Design} Swissair House of cards circa 1960

The guys at Past Print have shared these great  Swissair cards from 1960. Each card is unique, and they are based on Charles Eames House of Cards from around the same time.  You just slide them together to build your own colourful structure. 
My father-in-law worked for the famous Swissair once upon a time, I bet he would love them!

{Travel} My 10 favourite things to do in Paris

Once upon a time, I lived in Paris for a year. A friend recently asked me for tips and I could not think of a single one on the spot. So this is for you J.

VIA ETSY

1. Rue Montorgeuil
This is a great place to spend the day. It is a pedestrian street where you can eat well, sit in a sunny café, shop for kitchenware, and buy phenomenal breads, chocolates, cheeses, and pastries... I can also recommend it as a great neighbourhood to stay in when in Paris. Very central and still reasonable. If you are planning a visit David Leibowitz has a lot of great recommendations.

2. Hit the market
Every day in Paris, except on Mondays, there’s an outdoor market somewhere taking place. The Marché d’Aligre is a daily market, and has a small flea market in the center. If you are like me, you will love looking around for that special something that you need for your place. You can find a market no matter where you are on the complete list of Paris Markets.

3. Jardin des plantes
This is the one that made my kids happiest last time I was there. A wonderful botanical garden with a small zoo. I particularly like the Evolution gallery: beautiful displays of animals, very inspiring and educational.

4. Mosquée de Paris
I love sipping a glass of mint tea and eat Moroccan cornes de gazelles in the courtyard. If I am feeling more indulgent, I would spend half a day at the hammam. It is a lovely building and I feel transported back home. There are specific days for men and women, so I always check online before I go.

5. Use a Velib
If I could choose anyway to get around Paris, I would most definitely choose the bicycle. It is the original Boris Bike! Self hire bicycles on docking stations dotted around the city. the first half hour is free and you pay for what you use. Choose your route and enjoy. Be careful though!

6. Montmartre
Not much of a discovery there... But I can't help but have it in my favourites. I like seeing the view and the getting lost in the streets at the south-west of the sacré coeur. I can also indulge my fabric buying impulses in the shops below the sacré coeur.

7. Picnic on the pont des arts
Du pain, du vin, du boursin! Beautiful views of Paris.

8. L'Ile Saint Louis
I love to have a Bertillon ice cream l'ile Saint Louis followed by a stroll around Notre Dame. Favourite flavour: pain d'épice.

9. Macarons La Durée
I can't resist them! My favourite treat: a box of 18 macarons au caramel salé.

10. Le Bon Marché
There is more to this grand department store than great fashion. La grande épicerie de Paris is just magical: I usually raid the cheese counter, the sweets aisle and the charcuterie counter.

So this is my Paris. I notice it mostly involves getting somewhere to eat something...

Share your favourite things to do in Paris?

{Travel} Mudac in Lausanne, CH

Today I went to this great museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Musee de design et d'arts appliques contemporains is a young and vibrant place. The temporary exhibition is called Nature en Kit and is about nature today and how it is perceived, experienced and mimicked. Check it out if you are ever in the area.