My Funny Valentine

We're savoring the last of our candy hearts and our flowers are just about reaching their expiration date but we're still celebrating the ones we love as we go about these cozy winter days.  I got to spend the week with our littlest Valentine in Vermont as a recent skiing injury kept me from the slopes this year.  With every moment that passes, I'm thankful for this unexpected yet precious time together with Mila.  

She might be the only one in our family who can wear red so we've been taking full advantage of that as she dons her Jacadi corduroy pinafore.  A lucky raffle ticket at one of the local holiday craft fairs last year won us this beautiful set which features a onesie with tiny embroidered umbrellas on the collar.  Swoon!

Mila takes a ride on Mommy's well loved rocking horse who's name is displayed proudly on his backside, "Blake" (my middle name).  He's a sturdy little fellow who has now seen two generations of tiny rockers take to his saddle.  I haven't seen another similar but if you're on the lookout for a vintage horse, there are some truly beautiful one of a kind pieces that pop up from time to time on Etsy, Ebay and (my favorite place for vintage), Everything But the House, or EBTH for those who are familiar : ).

Welcome to toddlerhood Mila!  You're rocking six teeth and are a kissing fool these days with a determined walk and twirl to boot.  You are most certainly our funny little Valentine : ).

From Hawaii, with Love

Don't we wish we were in Hawaii right about now with this East Coast blizzard?  Well if we can't be there, at least its nice to know we can bring a little piece of the Aloha state to us.  The fresh designs from Cedar Road Trading Company, a family business based in Hawaii, compliment any little girls' wardrobe. In a seasonal selection of beautiful fabrics, they're  sure to add a bit of sunshine to your day.

I've been lusting after their darling dresses for some time but this cranberry dress in the "Opal" style won my heart and Elise's too.  This lovely dress was named after the designer's daughter who's smiling face shows off her family's talents on their Instagram page.  

Cedar Road Trading Company was born from the passions and inspirations of a daughter and Mother in-law duo.  Opal's Mom, Terri, was first inspired by the world of handmade baby clothing when Opal was born.  With a ready and willing seamstress in the family, Terri and Irene brought their dreams to reality.  "Mom we could totally make these" is all it took and Cedar Road Trading Company came to life.  

Terri has a discerning eye for timeless patterns and quality fabrics.  She hand selects distinctive materials and designs while her uber-talented seamstress mother-in-law, Irene, brings each piece to life.  A perfectionist at heart, Irene is meticulous with every detail.  Just look at how this dress moves!

But what sets them apart from so many is their dedication to a very special cause which they've so beautifully carried over to their business.  Behind the scenes, they make and donate items of clothing, memory boxes and blankets to maternity wards for stillborn babies.  Terri's first daughter, Adella, was stillborn and by giving back to this very special cause, both Adella and Opal have become a part of the business.  In Terri's own words, "they are the greatest inspiration."

Terri and Irene, you are an inspiration to us all.  Thank you for sharing your story and for adding beauty to our world!

All this red reminds me that Valentines day is closer than we think!  Do not hesitate to secure one of these lovely dresses for your little Valentine.  The heart embroidery is enough to make my own skip a beat! 

Cedar Road Trading Company - Pink Linen Valentines Day Dress

A few of our favorite things

There is rarely a dull moment in our home these days with an almost-walking one year old and a lively almost-4 year old.  Yet all of us at times like to escape into our own little imaginary worlds.  Elise draws on daily experiences to create magical scenarios with her friends.  We choose toys that allow her to make her own scripts with few interferences.  For this reason, I'm naturally drawn to clean and simple playthings that act as a canvas for her fantasies.  Toys like those made by the talented husband and wife team at Manzanita Kids.  

Adrienne and David bring us this wonderful brand from their Seattle home.  I first discovered one of their rattles at a local Boston store and it was love at first sight.  The little bird rattle sang to me and I couldn't get it out of my head or hands for that matter!  Yes their products are gorgeous and feel wonderful but when I read their "featured shop" interview on Etsy, I was completely smitten.  To know that our little rattle and dollhouse were born from ideas, drawings, conversations and prototypes gives me just as much joy as they bring my girls.    

Mila's deer rattle was beutifully engraved with her name.  Her little fingers love grabbing every interesting edge and shaking it to hear the soothing rattle which sounds a lot like rain drops on a roof.  

Ok so I have to admit I am a little obsessed with dollhouses and when Elise started to show an interest in them, my part time job suddenly became searching for unique mini abodes.  Much to my delight, these creative animal themed modular dollhouses from Manzanita Kids fit the bill.  The unique shapes add an element of interest and offer endless configurations with the other dollhouse offerings in their shop.  But the icing on the cake for us is that it comes with a ladder!  This little three year old will tell you that is a very important detail.

As I write this, our wish list for more of their beautiful creations is growing.  We are eyeing their adorable Animal Seesaws and the clever Modular Tree House.  

Birthday Wishes to our 1 Year Old

Dear Mila, 

Your special day is here!  Happy birthday to you my dear.  We've sat back in amazement watching you come into your own.  You may be small in stature but your spirit and personality are huge.  You love a good beat and a tune and can shimmy like the best of them.  And when the day is done, your head nestles in my neck with hands tucked between us for the warmest cuddle on earth.  

You're a natural in the water and will dive right in, no fear!  Give this little girl a toy bucket and you'll fill it up and spill it out over and over and over... But those tricks are getting old and you're more interested in becoming the world's best standing baby.  Slowly you get up with no hands, and ta da!  you look around the room for your audience who at this point is clapping and cheering you on.  

Our little family feels complete with you and our love for you is endless.  We are all so proud of the one year old you've become and savor every moment watching you grow.  

Kisses and hugs baby girl!  

XOXO

This birthday girl was precious in pink for the occasion.  Pink is a rarity in our home but this velvet number by Rachel Riley needed no convincing.  The heavier fabric drapes beautifully and makes for a classic winter party ensemble.  Since we'll be spending a quarter of this year in London, I'm making a list of our favorite UK designers for wee ones and at the top is Rachel Riley, a brand that epitomizes classic British styling.  

A birthday hat fit for our little princess.  Over the years we've tried our fair share of birthday hats, crowns and the like for that special day.  I've always wished there was something better out there.  Thin elastics tend to  irritate little necks and crowns don't always stay put for the duration of a party.  We were fortunate to come across the wonderful felt flower shop, Fancy Free Finery.  Katie's creations are beautiful and festive.  We practiced wearing the hat before her party (call me crazy!) but there really was no need.  With a comfortable wide elastic bow, she was content as can be and fancy free.

For Elise's first birthday, we had a polka dot theme which carried over nicely to Mila's circus themed party.  The Happy Birthday sign was made by another wonderful felt artist, Lori at The Felt Market.  Paper goods from Meri Meri were the perfect addition to the festive atmosphere.  

This was the most intimate of our birthday parties yet and perhaps my favorite.  It is still up for debate which sister enjoyed it more.  To our little girl who lights up our everyday, we wish you all the happiness in the world!!

Gifting Ideas for Littles

Whoa, hello there December!  I swear this year you were two weeks early, or maybe I just need two more weeks of you.  In any case, you're here and we're in the thick of holiday gifting.  It was both fun and challenging shopping for the girls this year.  What do you get a younger sibling who seemingly has everything she could need?  I've given a lot of thought to this and other gifting quandaries and wanted to share my little list of favorite items.  Some we've had for a while and some are newly acquired but all are well loved and hail from our favorite manufacturers.  From one maker's hands to our little hands, there is something special that transpires during the holiday season of giving.  

1. Sarah & Bendrix Handmade Wooden Dog with Xylophone - I cannot get over this gorgeous toy which was handmade in the Czech Republic from sustainable sources.  As you pull the adorable doggie across the floor, he plays a xylophone with a darling 'ting ting.'  I'm also a sucker for sentimental packaging.  With every Sarah & Bendrix toy, a special tag reads, "I have traveled from a small factory in the heart of Europe, to be your friend. You can name me and take me on all your adventures. When you grow up, pass me on to other children, so I can recount all our tales...I'm here to stay."

2.  Eperfa The Hillside Forest Set from Over the Ocean - These darling wooden figures were inspired by the surroundings of Lake Balaton in Hungary and the hills around Budapest.  Each piece was thoughtfully created to represent the natural world that surrounds these regions.  They in turn inspire us to appreciate and protect our own environs.   

3. 1978 Fox Boot in Chocolate from Zimmerman Shoes - I don't think I could have imagined a more perfect shoe for Mila's first steps.  As her confidence builds and with the help of her big sister, she'll be walking before long.  These gorgeous baby booties are sturdy enough to support her baby steps and double as a beautiful heirloom decoration for baby's room.  

4. Bambi Blanket Beige in Organic Cotton from Fabulous Goose - A great gift for anyone in the family, you simply cannot go wrong with a Fabulous Goose blanket.  Thoughtful Scandinavian design paired with organic GOTS certification is a recipe for one 'Fabulous' blanket.  They have served us well, from stroller rides, to picnic settings and most recently, designated dance floors for indoor lip sync parties.  

5. Sugar Plum Adventure Belt from Oma + Jo - We've been eyeing these adventure belts from Oma + Jo for some time now so when they came out with a (gulp) shiny purple version, there was no hesitation.  We are at the age of favorite colors and purple rules the roost these days.  With a little hint of glitz and a big appetite for adventure, this belt has quicly become a favorite place to stash our treasured findings.  

Among the Trees

Mila is now ten months old, sporting two bottom teeth and a constant smile.  At just over 15 pounds, her size fools most but her physical determination is unmatched.  With one leg out front and the other bent at the knee she'll crawl out of sight in the blink of an eye.  So how do you get a baby like this to stay in one place?  Stick her in a tree!  With leaves and twigs to explore, she's perfectly content with her tree trunk position.  While Elise could spend her day playing indoors, Mila is most certainly our outdoor explorer.  

With a baby this petit, I was eager to fill her wardrobe with the coziest of knits and easy layering pieces like this gorgeous Misha and Puff tunic dress and wool Briar Handmade bonnet.  We've been eyeing this lovely bonnet brand based in the Pacific Northwest for some time now.  The details are darling, down to the Liberty of London print ties that stay perfectly in place.   

To keep Elise's noggin just as toasty, I reached for her new Peppermint Pine Fair Isle hat that we custom created with the help of knitter extraordinaire, Megan.  For me, knitting is therapy and one of my great escapes but it seems I never have the time (I am a rather slow knitter!).  I am also a bit of a yarn snob so I was super excited to find Megan's beautiful creations made with the the softest acrylic and wool blend in a array of delicious colors.   

As of late, Elise has been toting around a doe that lives peacefully inside a medicine bag made by Marie of Leather Treasures in Martha's Vinyard.  She's at that age when little treasures like this doe, bring great comfort and joy just knowing they are near.  

Misha and Puff is a long time favorite in our house and you could say we were waiting (not so patiently) for their fall release this year.  Thankfully one of our favorite retailers has a wonderful selection of these pieces.  Thank you Minikin for somehow always reading my mind!  

The calm before the storm

For a little ski town this time of year is the lull before the storm.  Our favorite local establishments take a much needed break from the onslaught of leaf peepers and gear up for a (hopefully) white winter.  Its a perfect time of year to cozy up indoors and take it EASY before the rush of the holidays is upon us.

This might be one of my favorite photos of Elise.  As her Mom, I can see her playful personality and joyful wonder.  What are you thinking Elise?  If only I could tap into her imagination!  When I first saw this whimsical mouse blouse by Oma + Jo, I knew it was the perfect compliment to Elise's charming nature.  The mushroom and mouse print is beyond adorable and the peter pan collar with pom pom trim makes it sweeter than pie.

Living here in the States it sometimes feels we are among the last to receive domestic stock of wonderful European labels like Collegien.  We have a pair of their darling slippers and now can safely say we are die hard fans of their tights.  Do not underestimate the importance of a good waistband!  Collegien has perfected one that stays put and is comfortable across a wide range of both timeless and modern colors.  If you'd like to join us on our Collegien love fest, hop on over to Over the Ocean.  We adore this new retailer who has stocked many of our favorite European labels that had once been nearly impossible to find without hefty overseas shipping. 

Elise's hug attacks can come on strong as can be witnessed here.  Mila is accustomed to the frequent affection but it doesn't take much to topple her over!

Our first case of the sniffles arrived this season so Mila opted to stay cozy indoors with her Briar Handmaid bonnet, naturally. 

If these walls could talk...

We welcomed November by visiting a special place that is always in bloom.  This was Elise's first time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and my second which is a bit embarassing given our proximity to this extraordinary Boston landmark.  Upon entering you sense you are in a magical space full of enchantment and mystery.  Oh if these walls could talk!  Would they reveal any clues as to who may have pulled off one of the greatest art thefts of all time?  

Well I can assure you it wasn't us!  We're too busy playing dress-up in this gorgeous dress by Soor Ploom.  The delicate pinwhale corduroy in a subtle rose color is quite possibly the perfect combination for Elise's fair tone in the winter months.  It is easy to wear and the gathered empire waist is perfectly precious for a little girl.  What's more, this dress has pockets to keep her treasures close and hands cozy.

What is an outfit without a pair of Zimmerman Shoes?  If you follow us, you'll know we're huge fans and can't really get enough of these beauties.  The Milo boot in chocolate is a staple and they pair well with most everything we own.  The chocolate nubuck leather is velvety soft.  If you haven't already, do check out their new holiday colors of evergreen, cranberry and gold, oh my!

Guarded by its secrets, this museum prides itself on keeping everything intact just the way Isabella left it.  And in a symbolic move, they have retained empty frames where the stolen artwork used to live.  My favorite piece is without a doubt El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent.  I could come here just to see it and leave satisfied.

The museum is incredibly child friendly and invites young visitors to partake in a scavenger hunt.  Elise was given a map of the museum with thumbnail images of different works she was tasked to find.  I was truly amazed by how excited she was to play and her ability to decipher which painting matched its picture in her book.

And while you can't wander into the museum's lush central atrium, you can sit on the edge and dream which is just what we caught ourselves doing.  

Never stop dancing

I have to admit, Halloween literally 'crept' up on me this year and we have just three days before one of my favorite holidays is upon us.  Thank goodness for a Whole Foods pre-made haunted gingerbread house and Pandora's Halloween Party Radio station to get us in the spooky spirit.  With MJ's Thriller playing in the background, our girl needs little excuse to twirl in her favorite dress. 

This Alice and Ames ballet dress is every little girls' dream.  A ballet inspired bodice and super twirly skirt make for endless dance parties.  Elise is a huge fan of anything purple and its gorgeous deep grape hue caught her eye immediately.  But then something magical happened when she tried it on.  She wouldn't stop dancing.  And who could blame her?  This dress was made for twirling the day away.  The Spring collection is just as fabulous and we're in love with the polka dot twirly dresses that are sure to make a sunny day even brighter.  The wonderful retailer, babycubby.com currently has a great selection of sizes so be sure to head over before they're sold out!  For the most adorable video of these dresses (all the more incentive!) check out Babycubby's latest blog post here: http://www.babycubby.com/baby-cubby-blog/the-perfect-play-dress-from-alice-ames/

Elise discovered that age-old pastime of walking around in Mommy's shoes this week and I have to admit, its pretty darn cute.  Even more so when she found my red sequin Walter Steiger pumps.  I came home with these beauties when my husband and I took a trip to Paris while I was pregnant with her and to see her trying them on is something special.  

No we still don't have our pumpkin carved, our costumes are not yet totally figured out but we do have this awesome Whole Foods gingerbread haunted house!  Sometimes I just need easy and you can't get much more foolproof than a pre-assembled gingerbread house with a bag of orange icing and chartreuse sprinkles.  We found some wiggle eyes, trick-or-treaters and creepy crawlers to adorn the outside.  Who says a gingerbread house has to be edible anyway?

The dance party continued on into the evening hours and these two melted my heart with their dance moves.  

Then things started to get silly with some interpretive dancing.  I believe this one was called "watching the flowers grow."

And since the olympics won't be coming to Boston after all, we opted for a family bobsleigh in the living room.  Hold on tight Mila!

Baby its cold outside!

Where in the world did that blistery air come from earlier this week?  If you're in the Northeast U.S., maybe you too experienced the SNOW we had last Sunday followed by the first chills of dare I say it....winter.  Our bodies aren't yet conditioned to the cold so we chose to stay cozy indoors and make the most of our Boston Athenaeum membership.  Behind its red leather doors the Athenaeum is an enchanting place for all ages, a hidden gem of our city.  

I was one of the many folks pressing refresh on Mabo's website during their fall launch a few weeks ago and we were lucky enough to score some wonderful pieces from this fabulous collection (although we did loose others in the process!).  This Georgie dress was at the top of my list, a perfect piece for sister matching with the Gemma Blouse for Mila.  

She's keeping court over our secret reading spot on the first floor.  Behind her, you can catch a glimpse of the gorgeous common area that is frequently used for concerts and lectures if you're up for an intellectual date night!

The children's library is the perfect spot for quite play with a collection of fairytale dolls.  It offers the best reading nook in town for our little ones and their weekly storytimes are loads of fun.  

Well at least one of us was eager to be outside!  While Mommy froze, Elise ran around chasing squirrels saying "Hi squirrel, wanna play wif me?"  And when they ran up a tree from this inquisitive toddler, she couldn't for the life of her understand why.

This little hand knit coat has kept her warm for over a year now and I'll mourn the day it no longer fits.  It is by a brand called Le roi booboo which unfortunately I can't find anywhere.  While in Sausalito for a wedding last spring, we stopped into a darling little boutique called Workshop who had a small collection of these beautiful pieces.

At Play in the Windy City

We're a lucky bunch.  A couple of our favorite people call Chicago their home and we get to pay them a visit from time to time in their glorious city.  Over the years we've visited during the bitter cold of winter and my husband and I even ran a marathon during a late fall heat wave.  You never quite know what you'll get here.   Our most recent trip however coincided with some of the most perfect weather I've ever had.  

Two days before we left for our trip, a highly anticipated delivery came from Zimmerman Shoes.  These handcrafted beauties made their way from Eastern PA to Boston and got right back on the road to join us in Chicago.  They are made from the softest suede that you can imagine in the richest of tones.  And please do not glance over the laces.  Its not a detail I normally notice but these are truly something special.  They tie up like a charm into a neat and tidy bow and remain that way even after a day of walking the city.  

Elise was asked to collect some leaves and nature for a class project at school this week so we got right to work scouring the streets of Chicago for some unique items to bring home.  The colors of her findings made a perfect match to her fall ensemble.  It is the age of twirly skirts and tutu dresses but that all becomes so much more tolerable when we come across gems like this beautiful rust colored piece from Alaskan brand, The Tame Fox.  It is one of those garments that adds depth to a wardrobe without even trying and the construction is beyond amazing!

Every winter season we acquire one pair of tights that seem to work well with almost everything.  The accessory of the season for us has to be these Caramel Baby & Child Pointelle Tights.  I first noticed these lovely tights on a fall campaign for one of our favorite collections.  After some digging I came across the source and ordered a pair straight away.  Caramel Baby & Child is without a doubt one of my favorite stores to visit during our travels.  We've stumbled across them in Tokyo and New York and each location offers lovely treasures for all the littles in your life.  

It is hard to imagine this backyard oasis is in the center of a bustling city!  The vegetation is lush and the decor is inviting.  We always feel right at home in Chicago thanks to wonderful friendships and magical spaces.  

Autumn Vibes

Its officially fall in New England and time to enjoy the beautiful changing colors and crisp air.  Time to pull out our tights and scarves and head to the apple orchards in droves.  Once again this year, we collected double the amount of apples we'll actually consume.  About half were used in a failed apple crisp and we're still up to our knees in them.

This little apple picker kept herself cozy in the most delicious infinity scarf made by the ever talented Moriah at Seababy Clothing.  The color is so good, a deep plum that goes with everything she owns.  It doesn't hurt that she's a bit obsessed with anything purple at the moment.  This is by far the easiest scarf for her to wear.  It doesn't need to be tied or adjusted and feels like a big cozy hug.  Moriah lists new items from her fall line every Monday at 8 PM EST on Instagram.  Check her out!

And when I say she's into purple, I wasn't kidding.  We stop at every purple flower to say "hi".   

Although this tinycottons dress would have been very fitting for our pinecone hunt a couple weeks ago, it was perfect for a stroll among the apple trees.  The cotton is crisp like the weather and the cut gives her plenty of room to move freely.  It was on our must have list this fall and you can still get it over at KHM Collections.  

The Little Wears makes the world's cutest socks in a number of different animal prints.  These fox socks have been with us since spring and continue to be a favorite staple in the fall.  Even Mila has a pair and let me tell you they are perfect for a baby's wardrobe.  They might be the only baby socks that stay on and they make diaper changes a breeze in cooler weather.

Petrichor

Petrichor is on a list of the most romantic sounding words in the English language and the meaning might have something to do with its appeal.  It is an earthy smell that follows rain after a long period of dry weather.  Judging from when I last wore my wellies, and how frequently my husband has been watering our window boxes, I'd say we've had a stretch of fairly dry weather so this wet patch is actually feeling pretty nice right now.

Elise is wearing one of our favorite pieces for fall from the coveted label, Soor Ploom.  You can find many of their pieces at Minikin and you won't regret shopping with this lovely retailer who truly makes you feel like one of the family.

Rain + toddler = indoor play and since city living can feel cramped at times, we've tried to make the most of the girls' play area with toys that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  

When I was expecting with Elise (which seems like ages ago!) I first came across Povl Kjer's rocking sheep and knew I'd want to adopt one someday.  Well that day came after Mila's arrival and now I wonder why I waited so long.  It is the perfect staple for any toddler's playroom and is a beautiful piece that works wonderfully with our space.  

I've been known to over-research things at times (sound familiar fellow internet shoppers?) and when the tipi tent became popular I spent a fair share of time finding one that would fit our space and color palate.  Enter the Gray Label tipi tent.  The construction is top notch and the material..., well if you know anything about Emily  Gray's beautiful collection, you know she only selects the highest quality fabrics.  I didn't know I could love a tipi tent as much as I do.  Its Elise's favorite place to read stories to her babies and even Mila enjoys playing peek-a-boo behind its curtains.

I could do an entire post on this Carl Hansen & Sons desk and chair (and surely I will).  For now, please join me in admiring its clean lines and classic Danish construction.  All pieces are fully assembled like a puzzle with no nails or tools.  Genius.  

Hanbok of Korea

On the opposite side of the globe, Korean Thanksgiving is being celebrated.  I discovered a bit of its beauty just by chance last week and felt it was too good not to share.  To make this world feel a little bit smaller I thought it would be fun to do a segment on a special costume worn this time of year in Korea, the Hanbok.

An Instagram search took me to South Korea where the images of preschool aged children in colorful silk gowns were trending.  I virtually met a few delightful folks who helped enlighten me and let me share their stories and captures of this gorgeous traditional dress and its significance.

Korean photographer Sung Chul Chang has captured stunning images of children wearing Hanbok.

Photo: sung.chul.chang (https://instagram.com/studio_creah)

Model: 신린아

Hanbok are typically worn on Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) and Sulna (Lunar New Year's Day).  Yesterday, South Korea celebrated Chuseok and prior to this festive holiday, kids across the country got to wear their Hanbok to school.  Hence, why I kept seeing it on Instagram.

The details are abundant and they each have significance, down to the single braided hairstyle which is reserved for girls and unmarried women.

Photo: sung.chul.chang (https://instagram.com/studio_creah)

Model: 이하은

Hanbok are also worn for a child's first birthday.  Beautiful baby Mare (pictured below) recently celebrated her first birthday and is looking precious in each of her gowns by Hanbok designer, Silosilk.  I'm in love with the colorful adornment around her waist, called a DOL DDI which is translated to "five luck."  

Photo: https://instagram.com/peach_mare

Photo: Copyright©AWESOMMENT

http://www.awesomment.com

Photo: https://instagram.com/peach_mare

Photo: https://instagram.com/peach_mare

Baby Mare's birthday celebration is called a Dol or Doljanchi and the Hanbok is aptly named Dol-bok for this occasion.  She wears a Gulle below, a form of traditional headdress.  Her lovely Mother is pictured wearing a Hanbok.  The celebration itself is attended by the extended family and decorated in a very traditional style.  How wonderful it would be to visit this country someday so steeped in culture.

Photo: https://instagram.com/silosilk

Photo: https://instagram.com/peach_mare

Koreans don these special dresses for wedding celebrations as well.  As part of a bridal party, Ellie (a fellow blogger) had wonderful images taken in her pastel pink Hanbok.  The skirt (or Chima) is sewn flat in two dimensions and gathered around the waist with a  string giving it movement and the appearance of being three dimensional.  This unique construction can be seen along the side seam of Ellie's Chima.  

Photo: https://instagram.com/ellie__ssong2

Photo: https://instagram.com/ellie__ssong2

I hope you enjoyed this little peak into Korean folk dress!  I'm always moved when I see a culture embrace their history and bring appreciation to time honored practices for the younger generations.  

Quiet Play

Now that fall is upon us, our lives are once again busy shuffling between school and various actvities that will soon become our life blood during a long and at times brutal New England winter.  With all the bustle, the girls are naturally drawn to moments of quiet play.

Mila explores her toys transferring them from hand to hand with a pit stop in the mouth.  Elise loves to gather her heard of friends and line them up in an assembly where they have mostly peaceful conversations.  There isn't much else I'd rather be doing than watching these two play.

This Play Mat has been a godsend since the day it arrived from the talented Syd + Stitch. The mat features a print by Wee Gallery of woodland animal friends at play.  Each can be dressed with removable garments making it a toy in its own and one that can grow with the child.   

While Mila takes her morning nap, Elise wanders over to her sticker book for more quite play (until the stickers start their own conversations of course).

A few throw back photos from our vacation earlier this year when the girls were cuddling on their special mat. This mat is super portable and folds up easily to carry along in a tote bag.   An essential for family travel!

The hills are alive!

Apologies in advance for putting that song in your head.  Over the weekend we visited our musical neighbors in Vermont at the Trapp Family Lodge.  They are situated in the hills overlooking Stowe valley, how appropriate.  Over the years we've found ourselves enjoying their outdoor concerts in the meadow or snowshoeing uphill to a log cabin for some hot cocoa and a banjo picker.

With children we now opt for a bit less adventure and planning and went on a Scottish Highland cattle tour which in my opinion was just as much a feast for the senses.  You can get pretty close to these wonderful creatures, but just be sure to watch where you step!

It started to mist a bit but there was no way we were going home before checking out the greenhouse.  Elise was one with the gardens in her rose hip dress by Duns Sweden.  What don't we love about Duns Sweden?  They're producing clothing from wonderfully soft GOTS certified cotton which is music to my ears.  They  also maintain full transparency with the consumer regarding the production process.  I just loved scrolling through these photos on their website which introduce us to the people who make each piece. 

I might be a little late to the game here but did you know there is an organization called Fashion Revolution that is dedicated to promoting ethical production and sustainability in the fashion industry?  Duns Sweden supports their efforts and I think that's awesome.  Loving the hashtag #whomademyclothes!

When I was pregnant with Mila, I purchased an adorable pair of baby moccasins at an artist fair in Martha's Vinyard. They were made from the softest deer skin leather.  She's been wearing them lately now that the temperatures have been falling and they stay on like a charm.  I tracked down the maker, Marie of Leather Treasures MV and found the sweetest medicine bag that has the perfect amount of room for a few tiny treasures.  The best part?  We got to pick a color for the Czech glass bead that adorns the front for a personalized touch.    

A hunting we will go...

We were on the search for the perfect pine cones and acorns which we'll use as decoration for a new mobile in Mila's room.  Not quite sure yet how this will all unfold but at least we have a good stash of found objects to start spinning our creative wheels.  This is my favorite time of year to venture into the woods.  No pesky mosquitos to shoo away and fewer people means we can take in all the quite noises of nature.

Just past the site of Henry David Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond, we came across this majestic tree that seemed to be lit up by a ray of light.  It felt fitting that we say hello.  These are the unexpected treats we find when we go exploring and they never get old.

Doesn't this dress remind you of a tropical island?  Well it flew all the way from Hawaii from the skilled hands of Naisish Handmade who creates lovely one of a kind pieces sold exclusively through Instagram. The colors and embroidery on this piece make it a favorite in our household.

Elise carries her findings in a woven basket by April Showers which was purchased at our favorite online retailer, Minikin.  When its not being used to collect woodland treasures, it makes for the perfect storage for her dolls' wardrobe.

Believe it or not, both my husband and I have brown eyes. Crazy huh?  These baby blues came from a blue eyed grandparent on each side.  Now back to work on that mobile...

Picnic Time

Elise is about to start school five days a week and I'm trying to savor every last moment with her before the bustle of fall begins.  We took a trip to Ipswich in search of a pair of these Royal Horticultural Society Hunter boots for moi.  I'm a bit of a want to be gardener even though I've managed to kill even the most hearty of succulents and I do appreciate a good flower show (husband makes fun of this on a regular basis but there is NOTHING wrong with it!) so these boots were calling my name, naturally.  

This town is too cute.  A short distance past the town center there is a darling river walk where we sat down for a picnic.  It wasn't too hot thankfully so we were able to pull out some of the girls' early fall pieces.  Where do I start?

When I first came across The Tame Fox I immediately began to fill my shopping cart with goodies from their website including Elise's ivory blouse.  The pieces are handmade to order in Alaska and the love that goes into each piece is apparent in every detail.  This top is stunning.  It is fully lined and charming cap sleeves are adorned with the perfect amount of gathering.  

Now travel back to New England for the birthplace of Misha and Puff, designer of Mila's merino hand dyed romper.  This is an essential three season piece and she'll be wearing it well into spring.  I've been in love with this brand for a few years now when I first saw it appear in select stores around Boston.  Minikin has a great selection of these pieces and as I've said before, they are always a pleasure to purchase from. 

Flower shows aside, I have a weakness for Scandinavian design.  I even once planned a vacation around it (more about that on another day).  This part of the world can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to clean design and environmental awareness.  The union of these two elements encompasses the brand Fabulous Goose, maker of the softest fleece blankets which also happen to meet the strictest requirements for quality.  This blanket is made from GOTS certified organic cotton and feels like velvet.  

Up up and away

Yes it is September and yes we should be looking forward to the excitement of fall but its also a time to reflect on the wonderful adventures we had this summer.  On one hot balmy day in July we attended one of our favorite events in Vermont, the Stoweflake Balloon festival.  This was Elise's second year in attendance and she was just as upset as she was last year when the balloons eventually took flight.  She doesn't like it much when she sees a stray balloon in the air as she empathises with the little hand that may have lost it.  We watched take off after take off of these majestic aircrafts and down below there was a little girl shouting "no balloon, don't go, stay! come back balloon!" I couldn't help but smile.  

Elise's Wren and James dress has been a favorite of ours this summer as mentioned in a previous post.  The cotton is crisp, the colors are bright, the style is classic.  The perfect outing dress for any number of occasions.  

In case you're wondering, she did eventually get over her initial angst as we repeatedly told her that the balloons would land and come back home.  See we're a little weird about keeping track of our "stuff" with the growing number of toys and hair bows, there is a continuous inventory being taken at our house so frankly I'm not surprised that she was afraid the balloons would be lost.   

New England summers typically linger a bit longer than we anticipate so I'm hoping that means we'll be able to get more wear out of this dress and these sandals before the chill settles in.

Everything old is new again

Our New England travels took us on a last minute trip to my hometown in Connecticut last week and we all soaked in some grandparent pampering and fresh air.  I came back with a treasure trove of dresses and tops from when I was Elise's age.  For the most part, they are timeless, classic pieces and I can't wait to repurpose them.  Others scream the early 80's but lucky us, that late 70's early 80's vibe is back big time this year.  

The little dress that Mila wears below is from our favorite store for vintage clothing, Mary Beth Hale's Etsy shop.  I first ordered some items from her when my husband and I were in search of Halloween costumes for a party last year and I was blown away by the quality and pristine condition.  

This little dress has the perfect amount of smocking and embroidered rosettes.  I love that some of my favorite photos of Mila at this age are with her in this simple piece.  

Apparently Elise's floral dress was a favorite of mine when I was her age.  It was the first of my own vintage finds that she reached for.

If you're on the lookout for vintage children's clothing, you may run across sheer white dresses similar to what Elise has on below.  I'm guessing they were worn with a slip underneath or perhaps they were undergarments.   For our purposes, they are delicate, airy works of art from times past that are perfect for hot summer days.  This was another find from Mary Beth Hale's shop and one of my favorite pieces.  I imagine Mila will wear it as a dress not too long from now.  

Its fitting that Elise's blouse pairs so well with shorts from a brand named Tocoto Vintage.  The blouse that Mila wears above is also from this nostalgic children's brand.  In fact the brand was conceived from a love of antique patterns and clothing.  The collection can be purchased at Minikin in the U.S.

Thankfully it is still sandal weather and these classic Stevie sandals by Zimmerman have been good to us.  Fall we be here soon so on the to do list this week is to measure Elise's feet for our next pair.  Tough part is deciding which of these beauties we'll be ordering!