DVF hearts GAP KIDS

 

So I discovered a new advantage of being 5 foot 0 and 100 pounds... When Diane von Furstenberg does a kids only collaboration with Gap Kids, I can actually fit into a size XL. Score! The collection launched yesterday and is full of super adorable prints in bright colors. It's selling out quickly, so be sure to check out your local store soon!

There's no place like...

 

...home.

Clockwise: Page Markers sticky notes, Donna Wilson cushion, Kidsonroof Collectors House, Tulp Kids desk, Kast van een Huis cabinets, Mudpuppy Playspace, Ben Light "Mobile Home" avail @ the Swissmiss Shop, Ladies & Gentlemen candlesticks via poppytalk

Sean Mackaoui

ABC collages by Sean Mackaoui spotted at Baby Deli, my favorite children's store in Madrid.

Kiko+

 

Here's a color palette to file away... Pretty, pretty star shaped domino set by Kiko+, one of my favorite booths at the Maison & Objet show in Paris.

Atsuyo et Akiko + Winnie the Pooh

I rarely see licensing done in a palatable way, but this Winnie the Pooh line by Atsuyo et Akiko is on the money for me. Classic illustrations + neon details. Yes, please.

Renegade Craft Fair, Brooklyn (my favorites!)

 
Quirky porcelain and terra cota pieces from Michiko Shimada, mgmy, and Bettle & Flor...

This patterned paper-cut map of Brooklyn by Lekker Haas...

Pretty, pretty gilded ceramics and hand-dyed linens from Love, Daniella...

Adorably silly salt & pepper shakers by Janet Macpherson...

Colorful jewelry by Sofia Masri...

Darling handmade dolls by tidiworld...

(photos by me)

New at Mudpuppy

 

I refer to the end of January through the beginning of February as "trade show season," and today marked my last day. The powers that be in the gift/toy industries must think it's reeeal funny to hold the New York International Gift Fair and New York Toy Fair just one week apart...

But my aversion to the Javits Center aside, the best part about working a trade show is seeing your products OUT THERE for the first time--watching buyers' reactions, hearing their comments, and hopefully taking some orders. We work so far in advanced that sometimes it can be hard to remember that "the public" hasn't seen this thing that may have been sitting on my computer's hard drive and my physical desktop in some form for a year+...

So, I figure it's high time I share this "new to you" product that I've been excited about for awhile now. Many months ago I mentioned that I had two new "Painter's Palette" products coming out in Spring 2011, and here they are: wooden magnetic letters and numbers in a re-snappable milk carton package! There's Playful Patterns too, and all four products are now available for sale here!
 

Whimsy Whales

 

In case anyone needs to prove that whales are in fact a design trend (wink), here's a whole bunch of ammo...

Top Clockwise: Jonathan Adler Whale Pitcher, Areaware Whale Box, Magnetic Wooden Tongs available at MoMA, Enormous Champion Tea Towel, Don Carney Pillow    

Bottom Clockwise: Thomas Paul Tray, The Modern Baby Co. Mobile, Ink + Wit Stamp Set, Petit Collage

Happy Town Menagerie: Close Up

 

If you're out of town (like me) and unable to visit The Curiosity Shoppe, (Happy Town Menagerie gallery show previously blogged about here), Lorena's hand-painted wooden dolls are now viewable and for sale online!

If you are in San Francisco, the show is up till December 12th. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Town Menagerie

 

Attention San Franciscans: this Friday, check out Lorena Siminovich's art show, Happy Town Menagerie, opening at The Curiosity Shoppe! It will feature this collection of hand-painted wooden dolls and other printed goodies. Lorena is the former Creative Director of my company and has since founded Petit Collage, the most adorable line of baby and child decor and gifts. If you have a little one to gift, you should head over to her shop now.

Puppy Love

Few things in life make me happier than a cute puppy (yes, I refer to all dogs as puppies). Despite years of begging, I never had one of my own growing up, but I think that deprivation has only caused my love for cuddly canines to grow even stronger. I'm still not at the right life stage to be adequately responsible for a pup in the city, but one day the time will come...

Last week Adam dog-sat for his cousin's mini Shih Tzu, and it was a dream come true for me...

This little sweetie is named Belly because she likes her belly rubbed! Adam had too much fun coming up with silly nicknames including... Bell Bottom, Belarusky, Jelly Belly, Belly Ache, and my personal favorite, Bell Pepper!

I Love Dogs Greeting Cards by Gemma Correll, Andiamo the Dog by Blabla, Terrier Cushion by Areaware, Litter Pillows by Pillow Pillow, Scottish Terrier Card by Rifle Paper Co.

Biscuits!

 

While wandering around the Lower East Side, I discovered The Sweet Life, a delicious shop filled with all kinds of gorgeous goodies. There I spotted these Two by Two Artisan Biscuits, designed by UK-based Irving and Co. LOVE.

I love the designs of the biscuits almost as much as the charming illustrations on the packaging. The animal vignettes are based on classic children's literature. To be honest, I was only familiar with "The Tortoise and The Hare" story, but coincidentally, LMNOP (one of my fave kids' blogs), just posted this week about Edward Lear's  "The Owl and The Pussycat." TOO CUTE.

Have a Sweet New Year!

 

No, I'm not confused with the dates...tonight is the start of Rosh Hashanah, otherwise known as the Jewish new year. Instead of counting down till midnight, we have family dinners, spend a lot of hours in synagogue, listen to the shofar, and probably the best part: we eat apples and honey to symbolize a sweet year. Yum!

Not that I need another reason to post apples, but today is also the first day of school in New York City (the big apple!). Triple significance!

"L'shanah tovah u'metukah" to everyone! (translates as "have a good and sweet new year!") xo

top row: print by Fine Little Day, collage on wood by Petite Collage 
second row: apple container by Our Shop, tray designed by Lotta Kühlhorn
third row: apple jar designed by Tatsuya Okazaki (no longer available), post-it notes by D-Bros, earrings from Modcloth 
fourth row: reusable sandwich bag by Lunchskins, pillow by Jonathan Adler, apple jar designed by Hiroshi Fujita from MoMA

Mudpuppy featured in LMNOP!!

 


This morning as I was clicking through the latest issue of LMNOP magazine, I was SO excited to see the Painter's Palette Constructibles Building Set that I designed in a full-page feature!! (page 10)

If you're not familiar, LMNOP is an Australian-based digital magazine that features beautiful/high design children's products. I have admired them since their inception for their gorgeous photography and great product finds. It is so thrilling to be included! Thanks, LMNOP!

(Above: LMNOP cover, product packaging)

The Construcibles Building Sets were one of my first big projects when I started working at Mudpuppy (gasp--3 years ago!).  I remember sitting at my desk experimenting with paint textures (yes, with a physical paint brush) and thinking my new job was pretty rad...I have 2 new "Painter's Palette" products coming in Spring 2011--stay tuned!!

You can purchase the Constructibles and lots of other great children's products online at Mudpuppy and you can download the complete (free) issue of LMNOP here!

Karen Kimmel - Art of Exchange

Artist Karen Kimmel's stencil workshops, the "Art of Exchange," inspire kids to literally make their mark. The nature-inspired shapes encourage kids to explore abstraction and flex their creative muscles. Want to get in on the fun? Kimmel has launched a line of crafty tool sets, Kimmel Kids, available for purchase at MoMA, A+R, and other specialty retailers.

For more info on previous and upcoming "Art of Exchange" workshops, follow Karen's blog here.

Therapeutic Zoo

These little guys aren't your typical softies. They were designed by Renate Muller in the 1960/70's (Germany) to be used in a therapeutic setting for mentally and physically handicapped children. Today, Muller continues to hand-produce very limited quantities of her classic designs, as well as new ones. If you have $1800-$3600 to spare, one of these babies could be yours. Available from Partners & Spade.

Plus, in October 2010, R 20th Century Gallery in Tribeca, NYC will be hosting the first solo exhibit of Muller's work in the US!

BANGBANG

Very cool kids' collection from Danish label, BANGBANG.

(via ink + wit)

Flourescents

 

 Japanese ruler pencils do double-duty. Made by Kirin, available from Present & Correct.

Mono y Vaca

I could use a friend like this! Choose from Mono, Vaca, Jirafa, Sapo, Gato, y Perro. Made with love in Buenos Aires by Sopa de Principe. Available at Lama (Latin America in the Modern Age).

Ahh, Refreshing!

Design to sink your teeth into...

1. Pear & apple sticky notes by Japanese design company, D-Bros 2. Fruit collage tin coaster set by Galison with illustrations by the ever-talented Lorena Siminovich 3. Fruit juice packaging by Japanese industrial designer, Naoto Fukasawa 4. Hand knit fruit rattles by Blabla