01.20.2010
Himalayan Yak letters
Wow - here's a new one for all us alphabet-lovers: custom initials knitted in Himalayan Yak wool. At almost 20cm high, they'd even function as an abstract cuddly toy for a wee one. Find them at Custard.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: alphabet knitted toys letters
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01.19.2010
DadGear Cargo Diaper Jacket - yes, really
In picking the tags for this post, I thought to myself, "Should I file this under decor as well, since I'm sure it would hang on a hook in our house collecting dust?" But alas, I'm sure that somewhere someone needed a coat like this one by DadGear and that's when two dads put their heads together and came up with the "wearable diaper bag." Considering how much thought most moms put into this item, it's not surprising that some enterprising guys would design something like this.
Check out the nine (yes, nine!) pockets, all big enough to carry diapers, wipes, and two bottles. And what's that I see in there? A changing pad, hidden in a back panel! This jacket could possibly give your guy his gizmo fix (minus the electronics, but you never know) and, practically speaking, would be pretty great at the airport or on a plane.
If necessity is the mother of all invention, then perhaps jealousy is the daddy who wants some baby gear too.
Posted by Katie
Category:
fashion
| gear
Tags: dad diaper bag jackets travel
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01.18.2010
Brigitte Herrod ABC print
It looks like a pack of alphabet cards scattered randomly across the frame, but this colourful piece is actually a single print from the very talented Brigitte Herrod. She made it for her own child, so we can be sure it was created in love. From Rockett St George.
Posted by Myf
Category:
decor
Tags: alphabet print uk
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01.15.2010
No Allergies to Cafe Press Here
I love Cafe Press. I think that I ordered about a third of our Christmas gifts from there this year. As usual, I made sure to browse the baby section just in case we didn't have enough gear on this end (we do) and came across these clever bibs (all of which can be made into t-shirts or onesies).
At around $10 for bibs and $12-$20 for onesies and tees, these items are great options for parents tired of explaining everytime they ask, "is/are there milk/wheat/nuts in this?" (and getting the eye-roll from waiters, etc.). Now, simply point to the bib.
Posted by Katie
Category:
fashion
| gear
| mealtime
Tags: allergies bibs onsies tees
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01.15.2010
Djeco paper plane origami
Just as with those paper boat kits I wrote about back in August, I'd like to be the person earning good money for what is effectively a few sheets of A4 paper. In both instances, you, the customer, do all the hard work of assembling the things.
Yet somehow, in both cases, you don't feel cheated. Well, apart from anything else, you're paying for the experience, the satisfaction, I guess. With this plane kit, you're also paying for the know-how: yes, we can probably all remember the most basic paper aeroplane, but the more advanced of the five designs you're guided through here really is beyond all but the most super of parents. These planes really glide, thanks to clear instructions and paper of just the right grade.
Then finally, you're paying for some exquisite design. These really are beautifully illustrated, with the sticker pilots just the icing on the cake. So, I don't mind shelling out - and indeed, I did so, several times, giving them to every small person on my Christmas list this year.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: aeroplanes origami paper
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01.13.2010
Light-up balloons - yes, really
Here's one of those products that gets me muttering 'in my day...', while secretly being thrilled that we live in such times as these. Light up balloons? My goodness.
Now, I've seen a room full of five-year-olds utterly and completely entertained by the good old-fashioned standard balloons, but I suppose if you want to take them to the very edge of excitement (and beyond) you buy these, blow them up, and switch the lights off. And plain old balloons will never be the same again...
Posted by Myf
Category:
decor
Tags: balloons light parties
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01.12.2010
Pop-up placemats - yet another way to keep them happy at the table
Sometimes it feels like we'll do anything to amuse our children at mealtimes, in the interest of getting ourselves a little peace and quiet to enjoy the food. If you've exhausted the possibilities of novelty plates, cutlery, and all the rest of it, it could be time you invested in some pop-up jungle placemats.
The little paper fellows accompanying your kid as he eats are a nice idea in themselves, but when you add in the stickers showing different choices of clothes and faces, well now, you really have bought yourself some adult talking time. Just the thing to keep safely until your next family gathering.
Posted by Myf
Category:
mealtime
Tags: paper place mat
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01. 8.2010
Peagreen prints
Help! Somebody hold me back! Every time I look at this fish print from Peagreen I get an itchy mouse finger and an irrepressible desire to purchase. It is just so beautiful.
Their site is certainly worth a visit if you fancy something both playful and artful for your nursery walls - how about the umbrella print, below? There's plenty to choose from, in several styles, all highly desirable.
Via Bambino Goodies
Posted by Myf
Category:
decor
Tags: prints
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01. 7.2010
Bryonie Porter - wallpapered furniture
A casual acquaintance with the world map is no bad thing, and what better way than to incorporate it into your kid's surroundings?
Bryonie Porter in the UK covers furniture in stunning wallpapers, including these pieces. They'd make a great starting point for an explorers' room.
A bit steep for you? You could always take inspiration and see how far you can get with your own world map, a big pot of glue, and some varnish - though if you're like me when it comes to the fiddly stuff, you may find it's best left to the professionals.
Posted by Myf
Category:
furniture
Tags: drawers furniture offbeat shelves uk
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01. 4.2010
Samsonite baby travel design competition
A tweet alerted me to one of the more futuristic designs contending for the Samsonite Baby Travel Design competition: prior to that, I'd never heard of it. Which is peculiar, because what could be more up Babygadget's street than a contest for designs that make a parent's life easier?
A quick Google led me to a disappointingly sparse website, with biographical details of the winners from the 2008 contest, but no descriptions of their designs - weird!
However, some further poking about brought to light the two designs you see illustrated here. Above and directly below, 2008's winner, the Strolley. It's a suitcase with a portion that folds up into a fabric pushchair-style seat: excellent.
Below is the Transtroller, a simpler idea obviously born of frustration with existing double buggy designs - it allows for independent folding of each unit, so you needn't take up too much room when only a single child needs to ride.
Clearly there are some excellent innovations coming out of this contest, so let's hope that this year's winners and runners up are given a little more prominence!
Posted by Myf
Category:
gear
Tags: design prototypes travel
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