Materiality

I have been off for the entire summer holidays, and school has now started again in rainy London. I wanted to share these gorgeous images of materials I picked up on Pinterest. I love the copper, brass, marble... So tactile!

Check out more of them on my Pinterest!

Via Maryyys

Via Ffffound

Via travellingwares

{Kids} our summer bucket list: 25 ideas for summer 2013

Summer has clearly begun and I am loving it. No school for 8 weeks! I love the lazy mornings of our un-scheduled days.

Although we are going away for 3 weeks, there will also be plenty of time to take it slow.

So today my kids and I sat down and had a go at writing our first ever summer bucket list for 2013. I have seen a few in the past around the blogs and I think it is a great idea to get the kids thinking about what they want to do by the end of the summer.

Here are our 25 ideas to make summer 2013 memorable!

[] make scones

[] make ice lollies

[] star spotting

[] meet daddy at work for diner

[] make a movie

[] go for a hike

[] swim in the sea

[] go to whipsnade zoo

[] read 5 books

[] BBQ

[] watch a sunset

[] go to a workshop

[] have a sleepover

[] go around thd world in 80 days

[] carve my name in a tree

[] carboot sale

[] have lots of naps

[] have a summer party

[] go camping

[] go fruit picking

[] ride a horse

[] climb a tree

[] watch a movie outdoors

[] finish a project started this year

[] try new food

I am so excited and can't wait to get started. I'd love to hear about what you would  have in your bucket list.

{Kids} Summer craft idea: plaster of Paris statues

Temperatures are heating up, and school is out for the whole summer! My daughter is finally off school and exhausted. So we need a few quiet indoor activities to get her started, so we had our first craft session of the summer. We created plaster of Paris animals and decorated them. 

It was so easy and fun. you pour your plaster mixture in the moulds, leave it to set for 20 minutes and the figurines are ready to decorate. 

The kids just loved it! And it kept them both busy for a couple of hours. Result! 

Are you looking for some ways to keep the kids entertained? Getting crafty with your kids is a great way to keep them busy on those lazy summer days. Here are some links to similar little projects to keep your budding artists busy. Enjoy and don't forget to share!

{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...

{Kids} Revisiting the past

Last weekend my baby boy turned 2! It made me want to revisit a few photos from when he was just born. So cute! I really need to start on this photo album that I have been meaning to make. Soon he will be able to realise that we don't have any printed photos of him around the house. Ouch!

{Design} Iphone Alarm Dock by Jonas Damon

For all you Iphone addicts, check out this clever Iphone Alarm Dock by designer Jonas Damon. It is made entirely out of wood, and has no electronics in it. The wooden box works like an amplifier to make the wake up call louder. I love it. So clever, The perfect mix of nostalgia and electronics that make it retro. Get it here.
Just download the Flip Clock Iphone App, et Voila!

VIA

{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...

Yes weekend!

The weather is glorious this weekend here in London, and I am making sure to spend most of it outdoors... I hope you are making the most of it also. I'd love to hear about what you are up to, and what you would like to read more of. Enjoy the sunshine!

{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!

{Architecture} Minimalist museum illustrations by André Chiote

I love these illustrations by Portuguese artist André Chiote. He has taken to creating graphic images of landmark museums by celebrated architects from around the world.
Love the buildings, love the minimalist interpretations, love the colours!

via Iso50