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

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.