fawn&forest

Elly Nelly is rocking the wallscapes. Simple + sophisticated wall graphics. Yes! Totally fun in your kid's room and playroom. Or the kitchen.

Elly Nelly is comprised of a mother and daughter team, Elaine & Nell Oliver. Both are experienced textile designers with an intense interest in pattern. With their own unique creative approach to design, they were inspired to set up their own studio. Elly Nelly uses a fusion of hand illustration and stylized modern graphics to bring their series of wall decals alive.

Available in 16 colors and 33 designs. Shown above left is 'all boxed up' and right, 'fly away'.  

Hopscotch reminds me of being 8 + the endless hours of summertime. A childhood game we all have surely played with much laughter. But have you played the Alaskan or French version? Want to learn how to play hopscotch from around the world with your kids? And if you need standard instructions on how to play hopscotch, learn how to play here.

Hopscotching ideas + variations are endless. You can even hook your kids up with this  indoor hopscotch mat via Martha or for quick action make a masking tape grid on the carpet. Oh so fun + the kids will strengthen their counting skills + calf muscle at the same time. 

Images from flickr, left and right .

The Bebe Nursery Collection, designed by Robert Gill for Offi is a simple wood + white set with a reasonable price tag. And it's even more of a deal now that the whole collection is on sale!

The Bebe Nursery Collection includes 4 pieces (crib with optional trundle, dresser, changing table and storage cabinet) each on sale for $100 off the list price, plus.... free shipping + no sales tax!

Offi is a company with an interesting start. When Offi was first created, instead of hiring staff designers, founder Kirk Hobbs relied on the connections he had made through previous design projects. Designers were hired on a contract basis to create product, a concept that made sense both creatively and financially for a startup. A bit later, Eric Pfeiffer came aboard and served as design director. But after five years, Pfeiffer got the itch to go independent, which was perfect timing for Offi, Nicholson said. "After five years, it was time to go back and develop individual designers," he said. "It keeps us fresh."

Offi has about 16 designers/teams on its roster, and a select group that routinely creates items for the youth line. Nicholson (VP Sales, Offi) said that sometimes designers will come to Offi with their own ideas. Other times, he and Hobbs will go to the designers with an idea and ask them to execute it. An example was when the duo decided to go into cribs and they asked Carpenter and Gil for designs. The team will also go to designers when they sense a piece is missing from a current collection, such as adding a high chair.

Text above adapted from this article. To read more, click here.  

Ahh, yes. The ultimate do-good toothbrush. The Kid's Preserve Toothbrush by Recycline.  

The Preserve Jr. combines thoughtful engineering with fun colors and shape to make a toothbrush that both kids and parents enjoy. Designed for children ages 2 to 8, Preserve Jr’s ergonomic, pea pod shaped handle makes it easy for young hands to grab on to while the soft bristles protect your child's teeth and gums. The Preserve Jr’s handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups, and is recyclable when mailed back to Recycline.

The Preserve Jr. is available in 3 colors at $3 each or 3 for $8. Brusha brusha brusha.  

What are they?
VOCs are chemicals that become vapors at room temperature. They are typically used in furniture in wood glues, wood stains and paints.

Why you should care?
VOCs are considered air pollutants and cause harm when inhaled.

Not all VOCs are created equal: Many manufacturers claim to be using low-VOC materials. Sadly, the EPA exempts many harmful VOC's from consideration when labeling a product low-VOC. The exemption is not based on any scientific criteria and has been described by a prominent health official as poorly based science that makes a mockery of freshman chemistry at college. In other words,low VOC is a great idea but it doesn't mean you are getting materials that are free of concern.

Q Collection Junior's solution
Every material Q Collection Junior uses is independently reviewed by an expert on toxic chemicals. In addition, they are the first children's furniture independently testing all of their furniture in air chamber testing facilities. Q Collection Junior knows down to the parts per billion what materials are in their glues and stains and consider all of the federally exempt materials. 

Image + text from Q Collection Junior. The Astronomer Stools by Q Collection Junior, above is available in 4 colors and 2 sizes.

Eliot is now eager to be in his "big boy bed" though I am not yet confident that he won't roll out! A guardrail was in order. The bright standard blue the guardrail comes in are quite unsightly and begged to be slipcovered. I feel safe covering the guardrail in fabric...guardrails usually  have mesh as to not pose suffocation to the child. Use your own discretion on this.

To create the guardrail "slip cover", I measured the length (taking into account seem allowances) and also the height, including both the inside + outside height of the guardrail, allowing extra for the hems. After cutting the fabric roughly down to size and hemming the top + bottom hems, I pinned the fabric, (right-side in) to the guardrail, tracing the curve of the guardrail onto the fabric. I pinned the fabric in place which gave a guideline of  where to sew.  From this point, I just went for it, sewing the slipcover together  with hopes I got it right the first time!!

After a few minor adjustments (ahem...) and about 30 minutes later, the guardrail slipcover was ready to be iron + put in place. The fabric? I bought it at an antique-ish type of store years ago. Someone had originally used the fabric as a valance. I took that apart and sewed it back together to create one big piece of fabric, which explains why it looks, well, pieced together. The plant pattern is fantastic, is fairly nuetral + heavyweight. 

And, thankfully was just enough to create a guardrail slipcover for my son's Kip Platform Bed. 

Summertime is right around the corner, thankfully. The kiddos are sure to have all that sun-induced extra energy, begging to be spent. Why not?

We've had fun zooming around the yard (and house!) with the Sibi Max push car and the Lorette trailer. What have I learned? A 2 year old butt does not fit into the Lorette trailer, no matter how hard Eliot may try. And with a bit of imagination, the Max car is a motorcycle and it goes "fast" (which, sorry to say, the Max does not....). 

Both the Max and Lorette are made by Sibi, an old-time German woodworking company founded by the Sirch Family over 300 years ago. Made of solid birch and ash with non-marking Eva rubber wheels, both pieces are incredibly well made and quite stylish. 

And a lot of fun to chase the dog with.  

I received a sweet announcement from Offi yesterday: the Nest Nursery Collection, formerly branded under the Ooba Nest Collection, designed by Scott Wilson has made a new home + has gotten cozy with Offi! After a 1 year hiatus from the market, the Ooba Nest Nursery Collection is back for the lovin' and is available on fawn and forest, here. 

Currently the Nest Collection includes the bassinet (shown above left + right) which converts into a toy box (or a pint size yacht?) and play table, as well as the impressive Nest Crib. Both pieces are available in Walnut or Maple Veneer.  

Internationally respected designer, Scott Wilson (also the designer of this watch) joins the esteemed design partners at Offi to deliver unique and fresh ideas for the home.  I am so excited to see what else is on the horizon!

And I'm thinking of ordering a bassinet in walnut  for baby#2.

While fawn&forest carries the entire Q Collection Junior line of furniture, I want to first introduce to you the crib bedding. I'm a fabric-y kind of gal and am totally into this soft + muted (though not pastel) colorways + patterns. Gold-ish wheat tones and gray-ish blues seem to be the thing.

And although a minor detail, I am also loving the reversible crib bumper. Thin (no over stuffed bits!) and quilted, yes. But take a look at those bias-tape edges! Could it get any better?!

Apparently. Both the bumper + skirt are reversible, making the dreaded crib sheet change a little more enjoyable, as their are options involved (and hopefully a few less cuss words?). And... it's organic. 100% certified organic cotton with an organic filled bumper.  Available in 2 colorways, Wheat and Sky, with a handful of fitted sheet options. 

No matter what age, Play Dough is indeed a lot of fun. Eliot has recently brought it to my attention that it is even more fun to fill innocent tiny truck motors + flatbeds with play dough and do a little 4-wheelin'. Sound effects are a must! Apparently he is not the only one to crash cars and play dough, images above via  here and  here. I love it.

If you are not a huge fan of the gasoline smell (ugh...) of Play-Doh from the store, Organic Play Dough is also available. I have not tried it myself, but it looks good enough to eat (which, perhaps could be a problem....!). I have tried numerous homemade play dough recipes and have not come up with the perfect recipe thus far; I detest the dry salty feeling left on my hands. Eliot on the other hand does not mind it or the gasoline smell!  Here is a basic play dough recipe, tagged Mr. Rogers. 

Mr. Roger's Homemade Play Dough
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Food coloring

Throw everything in a pot, cook for 3 minutes on low heat, stirring constantly. Turn off heat, allow to cool for a few minutes. Knead with hands until smooth. Add food coloring.

Fun!

As my son Eliot just turned 2.5 years old + the weather is (finally) looking nice, a bit of LIKEaBIKE action is most certainly in order. We have our eyes on the mini, as the seat height is shorter (starts at 10") but still adjusts as your child grows.

"The LIKEaBIKE is a unique bike for children between the ages of two and five. A lot of fun and highly beneficial for the development of their motor skills and sense of balance. A LIKEaBIKE has no pedals. When first trying to ride, kids play with their LIKEaBIKE as they would with a hobbyhorse. They become familiar with the saddle first, carefully sitting on it. Soon they start to walk with it, then run. In no time the little rider becomes more confident and by pushing off, picks up speed. If the bike starts to tip, kids instinctively regain their balance with their feet. 

The LIKEaBIKE was designed with a keen eye to your child's safety, so you won't find any sharp edges on it. The gap between the frame and the fork, moreover, is filled with felt, so your child's fingers can't get pinched there either. The felt also prevents the front wheel from making sharp turns, a common cause for mishaps with young riders of regular bikes." (Paraphrased text from LIKEaBIKE).

Available in 7 different models with a lovely selection of accessories, such as a wooden kick stand + sleek saddle bag. Both images from Flickr. Image on left via here, image on right via here .

Now all we need is a helmut.

It's Mutsy Stroller time, kids. fawn&forest now offers the entire Mutsy stroller collection. And an impressive collection it is!

Mutsy Strollers can basically be broken down into 4 stroller styles: Mutsy Urban Rider, Mutsy 4Rider, Mutsy Slider and Mutsy Spider, with variation options within the Urban Rider and 4 Rider lines. Available in a wide variety of colors and with maximum versatility (hello seat + carrycot!), impressive tire options and deluxe maneuverability.  

Even if you decide to go the minimal route in baby gear, you will most likely have a bouncy seat on your list. Most are ugly + don't fold up and are just plain clunky. You know the ones. Thankfully, the Svan Bouncer is different. Made of bent birch plywood with a non-toxic finish. And that cushion? Totally wipe-able and PBDE free.

And it folds up nearly flat to look like a sled! The fully adjustable seat allows your baby to lay down for naps, sit up to observe their surroundings, or lounge anywhere in between. Rock that sweet child to sleep with a gentle tap of your foot or allow it to bounce with your child’s own movement. Available in 6 colorways. 

And, while there are no lullaby music options or moving plastic gizmos, a free set of Cloud B soft hanging toys will be included with your purchase through May 15th. That's nice.

Born out of the love of linens and modern design, Tikoli tea towels are perfect for the modern kitchen and for that sweet Mom in your life!  Influenced by Japanese prints and mid-century modern design, Tikoli towels are printed on 100% cotton fabric, ready to brighten any  kitchen. Available in five lovely designs, including "mummy", pictured at right. 

Receive a free Tikoli tea towel with purchases over $75 when "tikoli" is entered in the comments field at checkout. Offer ends May 20th 2008. Yep, this sweet deal extends past Mother's day. Because, if you're anything like me, a bit behind schedule......a few extra days are much appreciated, right?

Unless you have one of those toddlers that is a human trash compacter, it is quite true that these pint-size critters are rather randomly selective in the food department. I don't have a eat-everything toddler + have even found myself saying "popcorn for lunch? sure!" as at least it's something.

So enough with being uninspired + having my child eat random bits (popcorn) for substance (lunch). Granted, not everyday is wacky, but if there is one thing I've learned about being a mom: a plan + preparation = success. 

Another thing I've picked up on? Tasty flavors. The kid likes spice + flavor + complexity. And food has to be fun + with variety. 

That's where the majority of "toddler food" recipes + ideas fall short (oh dear, not another ants-on-a-log!) as they are dumbed down + oddly renamed versions of "adult food". So I was blessed to recently pick up the Toddler Cafe by Jennifer Carden and was so impressed by her fun ideas for feeding toddlers. Fresh, inventive and healthy recipes that look astonishingly fun to eat. I have yet to try any recipes (still in preparation mode) but the first one that I will try? Minty Pea Pops, a recipe that involves cream cheese, petite peas, mint + mini chocolate chips. Frozen + on a stick. I'll keep you posted. 

I was also inspired by the toddler/preschool "bento boxes" from Wendolonia blog (who provided the pictures above, left + right). Simple + look quite lunchy! Presentation is often the key, or perhaps it just makes us feel better about neurotically cutting cheese into mini-men? Not quite sure, but surely more adventurous for the kids to eat. 

And while I would not normally think to link to this store, the Kids section is actually quite fun + Gastrokid approved, so what the heck.  While I am at it, these watermelon icepops are looking delicious as well as this fresh fruit kiddie cocktail.

As we are about to bring on 3 new stroller collections, I can't help but give a shout out to the Bumbleride Queen B. The Queen B happens to be a bit more urban than the rest of the Bumbleride collection. It weighs a bit more + is well fit for the Mom who walks about town rather than drives.

That being said, I have underestimated the versatility of the Queen B! So let's review: Air filled tires? Yes. Reversible handle (baby faces you or the world)? Yes. Five point adjustable safety harness + 4 position backrest? Yep! Smooth ride suspension? Oh yes. Infant car seat compatiable? Check. Spacious cargo basket and easy fold for storage? Yes!

Want a little icing on the cake? The Queen B comes standard with a foot muff, cup holder, safety belt for infant car seat and an air pump. You can also purchase optional accessories such as the bassinet and the toddler seat (shown above, left).

And about that toddler seat: it instantly transforms the Queen B into a double stroller. Wow. The Queen B is available in 3 colors: Bwana (shown left), Ruby (shown right) and a lovely chocolate brown called Koa.

Kelly's baby shower was a lot of fun + a total success, as you can tell from the smile on Kelly's face!

Psalms + I kept it simple in the decoration department. White table cloths, natural kraft paper runners and large chocolate brown pieces of paper as anchors on the tables. Three large arrangements of cherry blossom branches in cylindrical vases filled the space (which worked well as the ceilings are quite high) and a smaller arrangement of cherry blossoms greeted the gusts (top middle) on the entry table. Tucked into the cherry blossom arrangements were small greetings -- 'welcome baby liam' + 'congratulations' printed out on cream cardstock + cut down to size.

The decorations were minimal + not overdone, yet filled the space wonderfully. Space + scale is something to certainly consider when planning the decorations. Also realistically take the time you have to devote to preparations into account. We knew we would be spending more time on food + lunch, so it was realistic to keep the decorations simple + sophisticated. 

Congratulations Kelly! 

So Psalms + I have decided baby shower games are actually a lot of fun. Make them look nice + everyone will happily play along.

Game No.1: celebrity baby name quiz. Kelly was quite eager in the game category, suggesting a celebrity baby name quiz. Kelly, being a celebrity baby maven came up with the questions + designed the game herself! So fun.  You can print the PDF and the answers are below.

Out of all 19 questions on the quiz, the winner only missed one answer. Wow.

Game No.2: guess. The guess-how-big-mom's-belly-is game got a lot of laughs + concentration at the last shower we hosted, so we decided to play it again. And the preparation is quite simple, each guest receives a nicely packaged length of twine. To make, you will need about 4 feet of cotton twine, neatly coiled, with a coordinating tag (Psalms used this cool recyceled paper for both games and the bird punch + cardstock from the favors, gluing the inside of the tag closed).

To play, pass scissors around having the guests cut the length of how big they think the Momma's belly is. The person who has the closest guess, wins.

Prizes for the winners are a must. These towels would be an excellent choice! Images by Psalms.

Answers: 1.B,  2. Apple,  3. Moses,  4. C,  5. B,  6. B,  7. A,  8. B,  9. C,  10. C,  11. A,  12. C,  13. C,  14. C,  15. C,  16. D,  17. C,  18. Suri,  19. B