Springtime Blooms At Whimsy Child: Brand New Arrivals From Llum, Ada Ada & Coco & Ginger + Up to 70% Off Sale + 10% Off Storewide* Offer

Springtime Blooms At Whimsy Child: Brand New Arrivals From Llum, Ada Ada & Coco & Ginger + Up to 70% Off Sale + 10% Off Storewide* Offer

Japanese Kids Fashion - Rio AW11 Range

This Japanese Brand offers ranges for all ages.  However, these are definitely the two strongest.  Super cute!

Images courtesy of:  http://www.rio.co.jp/

The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer: Activities & Amusements for the Curious Paper Artist

I came across this book, which looked really lovely.  So I did a bit of research and came across the Emily's (author) Blog and Etsy shop.  Beautiful illustrations, slightly whimsical, naive, but with an edge.  As i've mentioned before, I am a sucker for a paper doll.   This book is all about paper dolls!  You can purchase some as well as gorgeous dolls, postcards and jewellery on her Etsy site.  The dolls have a lovely tag that is like a vintage book and it has a little story inside. 

http://theblackapple.typepad.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackapple?section_id=5584015

More cool Boyswear AW11 - Fred Perry & Zara

I thought i'd do a quick review of the high street for Autumn Winter 2011, however, nothing is ever quick is it!  So anyway, thought i'd just show you Fred Perry's Boyswear Range and Zara's Boyswear.  Both are pretty cool and practical, not over stylized.  A mistake that many brands make. 

Fred Perry have a great illustration of their boyswear.  Its very smart, but in a mod way not in a Next way!  So it still looks quite casual, and easy for the boys to wear.

Zara have a great footwear range for the boys with Trainer style boots, baseball boots and Gola style trainers.  All rather retro looking.  Teamed together with skinny jeans or coloured trousers.  Great Parkas & scarf accessories.

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home/uk/en/zara-W2011
http://www.fredperry.com/kids/kidswear

Weekend Round up A La 'Cup o Jo' Blog!

I'm finding there are just not enough hours in the day to do things!  There are so many things I want to share with you.  So many talented people, so many cool kidswear brands, so much to look at!  I also have an ever growing blanket list to crochet, dresses to make, dolls to make, cushions to make as well as everything else.  So i'm gonna take the weekend off blogging, as we are going to a wedding and its bank holiday.  Gonna try and get some crocheting done.  So I thought i'd steal Joanna Goddards weekend round up!  A quick fire round of cool stuff to look at and i'll feature them more in detail soon!

http://www.knuckleheadsclothing.com/

http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.com/search/label/Shop

http://kateslaterillustration.com/

http://miniandmaximus.com/

http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.com/2010/08/little-black-dress.html

                                                     http://www.pickles.no/

Zu

I came across ZU, whilst looking at another blog and forgive me I can't remember who it was.  I got too excited over the gorgeous Deer, clouds and lovely illustrations.  My favourite is definitely the bear with a pipe!  Absolutely beautiful items check them out at http://zushop.bigcartel.com/

Zigouis Collection for Small snow Blog

I have featured quite a few cool kids brands that have a simplistic, yet still stylish.  However, let me introduce a little French quirkness!  There is a blog / shop called The Small Snow Store which features the rare and the beautiful.  Handmade clothing / photography / illustration creating their own unique vision of the world.  Here is the clothing range by Barbara Berrada for the Zigouis.  The range contains tweed, cord, velvets and fur.  Quirky hats, tippets, capes etc.

Available:  http://www.zigouis.bigcartel.com/

 Images Courtesy of: http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://thesmallshop.blogspot.com/&ei=HMNSToWaFNSEhQe7l_jcBg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ7gEwAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsmall%2Bsnow%2Bstore%2Bblog%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ACAW_enGB352GB352%26prmd%3Divns

PLOC Magazine

I love Anorak Magazine for kids and now they have brought out PLOC magazine illustrated by Alain Gree.  The illustrations are very 60's looking and are just lovely and colourful.  I need to buy one! 

The illustrations reminded me of a kids book I picked up from the charity shop, not so long ago.  Its from 1968 and it was illustrated by Ferelith Eccles Williams.  The story is hilarious and of its time.  Basically dads in a transit van and he keeps picking up people like Auntie Pat with baby Paul and they all go to the seaside in the back of the van.  No seat belts or car seats then!  They all have a bit of food that they bring with them and dad brings a bottle of beer and a newspaper!  Cool illustrations though!

Images from Leila Berg 'A Day Out' and http://www.facebook.com/#!/plocmagazine

Twinkle

Twinkle was a great comic and annual.  I loved the illustrations and stories.  I'm pretty sure that Nancy nurse buying her fabric for her toy hospital started me on the road to becoming a designer.  Untidy Una has a fabulous bedroom and great hair!  I love the way 60's/70's kids are illustrated with big hair. 

(Images all from Twinkle annuals Dedicated to Belle & Boo as I couldn't reply to your comment!)

Yarn Bombing / guerrilla crochet

As a keen crocheter (if thats a word!)  I was very taken by this new street art movement...Yarn Bombing or Guerrilla Crochet.  Maybe this is another thing I can add to my ever growing 'TO MAKE' list.  Quite fancy brightening up with city with some cheery rainbow crochet!

        Images all courtesy of:  http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=3554

AW11 Trends Babiekins online Magazine

I've just read this online magazine for Autumn 2011 and its full of great kids fashion, interiors etc.  One article that caught my eye illustrates the autumn/winter 2011 trends.  A really lovely way of displaying the trends, easy to understand and to the point.

Images courtesy of:
http://babiekinsmag.com/issue6.html

Random

My nana past away recently and we have been going through all of her photographs etc.  I found this negative card, which I thought was rather cool and then I came across this letter for my nana and her twin sister.  Its from 1943, look at the stamp! 

Then my husband got a a new light for his bike and the packaging was really cool too!

Essentiel - Antwerp

In my search and promise to find good boyswear, here is another brand that seems to hit the spot.  Antwerp is a great place to shop for kidswear, there are many cool shops that approach kidswear as adultwear.  When I say this, I don't mean that they offer mini me options, its just that the same thought, care and attention to detail is evident.  Treating children as individuals. 

Essentiel offer ranges for women and girls, but the boyswear is cool and a little quirky. 

Photos courtesy of: http://www.essentiel.be/kids-collection   

Anatole by Eve Titus Illustrated by Paul Galdone

I found this book on the shelf in the bedroom of my gorgeous niece, it was her dads.  Just love the illustrations and the simple story.....VIVE ANATOLE!!!
Anatole is a mouse.  He lives in a French village with his wife and six children.  One day, he overhears someone say, 'to be a mouse is to be a villian'.  He is very upset, and decides that he will show everyone that a mouse can be useful.  Then he has a really wonderful idea - which earns him the title of 'Mouse Magnifique'. 

Finger in the nose

A French brand that does great girlswear too, but i've been asked by my lovely friends (mothers of sons) that I need to feature more boys stuff....readdress the balance.  And as a mother of a son I rightly agree.  Its all too easy to be sucked in to girlswear, because on the surface it is far more appealing, however, boyswear is subtle and cool.  Or at least it should be.  A great example of this for AW11 is Finger in the nose.

Mooza Designs

Images all courtesy of Mooza Designs

Thrifty day

I found this in the charity shop today...no batteries required!  The kids love it.

I have a little obsession about vintage toys and we've been building quite a collection.  My mother-in-law kept lots of my husbands toys, lots of cars and lego.  plus lots of records like The Muppet show, playschool and Rainbow.  I featured some of the vintage books I've picked up, I just love the illustrations.  Like the Fisher price school Desk, the illustrations are absolutely adorable. 

 

Crochet Flower Garland

First completed Crochet flower garland.

Mod cards @ Etsy

Just look at these amazing cards available at Etsy by the talented Maggie Mattioni, see the link below.  My favourite is the Parisian one.....Just love them!  Only £2.00 too!

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/79433057/card-1-design-per-pack?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

Amazing graphics - Mod girls Journal

Saw this amazing Journal with great mod girl graphics.  The German based illustrator, Rebekah Ginda  has decorated the cover of the notebook with a repeated pattern of 60s-style haircuts. Huge eyes peer out from under heavy fringes or skull caps. Inside the pages are blank, waiting for you to fill with your own stylistic inspirations. 

        Featured on Retrotogo.com and available at     http://en.dawanda.com/product/18230057-Journal---Mod-Girls

Winter Water Factory

Bold striking Graphics printed on organic cotton.  Range includes Tees, dresses, vests etc.  Super cool...check them out below:

Paper Dolls - Amy Winehouse Fred Perry Aw11 Collection

I love paper dolls.  At university for my final collection I used this illustration technique to add a childlike / quirky feel.  I'll probably feature some I have saved including gorgeous free downloads from the Belle & Boo blog.  However, I've just seen the Amy winehouse collection for Fred Perry and I am loving the paper doll cut out header:

Looks cool doesn't it....RIP Amy

Shine Collection - Paper Lanterns

Shine lanterns designed by Jurianne Matter.

For those who like to dabble in DIY, Shine asks for a touch of creativity. Push the flaps inwards or outwards – whatever you like best – and simply choose the side you like most, because these lanterns are reversible! Once lit up, the inner side of the lantern becomes slightly transparent, giving it an enchanting look.

Each Shine set contains 3 lanterns. The pop-out cards are size 31 cm x 15 cm. The lanterns are large enough to fit over most drinking glasses and jam jars.  See Website Below...info & photos courtesy of here too!
http://www.bijzondermooi.nl/Shine-–-reversible-lantarentjes-p-928.html

Mila-Moo

Images courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/franci1?ref=si_shop

Pink Chicken

Images courtesy of http://www.pinkchicken.com/default.asp

Gro

Images courtesy of http://www.grocompany.dk/

Patience

I've been blogging for a month or so now and I feel its starting to come together a little more.  You will all have to bear with me a little, time is rather sparing!  I've quite a few crocheting projects to do as well as sewing projects.  The constant desire to scour charity shops / car boots for vintage toys, books & crockery. (like I need anymore!)  Plus we are still trying to do up our house!  When brought it two years ago from a lady that had lived here since it was built in 1932, it needs a lot of work.  But at least there were loads of original features left.  Its been quite exciting finding original tiles behind wallpaper & Fireplaces behind chipboard!  There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.  My mind is rather full of all sorts! 

So since I am rather new to this malarky, it would be lovely to hear from youX

Nostalgic Nighties