I love when all the heart items hit the market around this time of year. I wish hearts (and stars) would stay year-round. Heart pyjamas are my favourite, but they’re not always easy to come by (especially at a reasonable price). I also think adding a heart tea towel is an easy way to bring (more) happiness into the kitchen.
Rose & Rex is a marketplace for educational, well-designed toys and games for kids. Their toys promote imaginative play, and I think there are so many great items to spoil your kids…and to give them a break from virtual classrooms.
Last week, Daniela shared an amazing all-Canadian gift guide with us. She’s back this week with a collection of thoughtful gifts under $30 (Canadian).
***
Hi White Cabana readers! Today I’m bringing you a list of items that are under $30. These gifts are great for family, friends, colleagues, teachers, kids, and secret Santas!
As we enter the last few weeks of the holiday season, I hope this gift guide will help you to cross more gifts off your list.
I’m wishing you and yours all the best! Happy holidays and happy, healthy 2020!
Happy Shopping!
Daniela
***
I know blogger gift guides can get overwhelming and repetitive, but I promise you that this gift guide that Daniela put together for us is inspiring! Truly! Daniela was guided by the theme of “shop local” so the list includes only items that are Canadian. There’s a gift for everyone on your list.
***
Hello White Cabana readers!
I hope you are enjoying the many celebrations that surround us during the holiday season. And of course that you’re taking some time to pause and reflect in front of a Christmas tree with a cup of warm cocoa.
I am taking a bit of a turn with my gift guides this year and wanted to challenge our Canadian readers to support local shops this year or at the very least to learn about some amazing Canadian companies.
Many of the companies I have featured here manufacture, design, and produce their items all in Canada (and, yes, a few do outsource some of the steps). You will see the return of some of my favorite brands and some new ones I have stumbled upon this past year. Happy holidays and happy shopping!
Quebec-based La Grande Gourmandise offers beautiful gift baskets most of which are curated products from Quebec or elsewhere in Canada. With the purchase of any of their gift boxes/baskets a portion is redirected to a fundraising initiative called Youth Fund for School Perseverance.
I am featuring La Grande Gourmandise’s Big Hug box mostly because I like the name, but all their baskets are beautiful, so any item will be perfect for your recipients! The company ships anywhere in Canada and the USA.
This next company carries everything from beds to wooden toys, teepees, baby and toddler toys and so much more. I stumbled upon Coco Village when I was looking for a low-to-the-floor bed when my first child was transitioning to a big girl bed. I love all of their designs and products, but my favorite bed is the teepee bed white top. If anyone has a child who is about to transition to a big kid bed, why not give it to him or her for Christmas? I highly recommend this one!
Have you ever thought of giving “labels” to someone for Christmas? Mabel’s Labels is a Canadian company that distributes labels. I know labels may be an unusual gift item, but if you have anyone on your list that goes to elementary school or daycare/nursery school or is active in sports/extra curricular activities, you can pick out some fun labels for them. Mabel’s Labels also has great personalized gifts, which are perfect for grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Although most of Roots‘s products are now manufactured outside of Canada their leather line is exclusively handcrafted in Toronto. The quality of their handbags, leather accessories weekenders, etc. is exceptional. New to their leather handbag collection is the Victoria tote, which is available in a number of colors.
Love Powered littles, femme, and teen box sets provide daily affirmations that keep you focused on positivity. These boxes are great gifts for anyone in your life. Parents can start the little affirmations as early as birth and keep them going throughout their children’s lives. A positive daily affirmation will create the right energy and the right attitude as you encounter life’s challenges.
I absolutely love Arc’teryx‘s Osanna coat in Morganite. It is a perfect everyday winter coat for our cold winters. Arc’teryx’s line is made in British Columbia, and so many products are worth your look. I have put a few of my favourite items below.
Canadian based Mytagalongs has amazing travel accessories and tons of other stuff mainly geared towards woman. I love this mini backpack and the chargeable ear buds case. This would make a great gift for the teen on your list
Smash Tess has expanded its romper collection to include even more styles and colour options. The rompers feel soft and silky going on, and you never want to take them off! With matching romper options for kids, you can twin with your mini me
Next up is another favorite brand of mine. It’s Vancouver-based Brunette the Label. The quality of this sweatshirt line is unbelievable, and I assure you will last for a long time. Have someone on your list who likes a more laid back New Year’s Eve? Then why not gift them this sweatshirt that has a little bling?
You could continue to support local businesses by purchasing this sweatshirt at Tiny Trendsetter (which offers delivery across Canada).
Rocky Mountain Barber has some great gift sets for men. Whether men are sporting the very trendy beard or just need an amazing Canadian product for everyday shaving, Rocky Mountain Barber has a perfect gift set for them.
Drake General Store is a great all around Canadian store where you are sure to find a gift at your ideal price point. Many products are made by Canadian artists. Here is a T-shirt great for a true patriot.
Lastly I am featuring Canadian jewellery company Birks that definitely has a number of perfect gift items for someone you love. This white gold heart necklace is so pretty!
Happy shopping!
DanielaÂ
***
You did it once again, Daniela! You introduced me to more Canadian brands like Mytagalongs, and you’ve reminded me of some of your favourites like Rocky Mountain Barber and Smash + Tess! Thank you for sharing this guide with us today!
As many of you know, I have a background in education, and I have taught kids of all ages all sorts of things in my life. These days, I teach young adults, so I don’t have many opportunities to interact with young kids. I love watching young kids learn new things, and I also love to challenge them! I had the opportunity to observe my sweet (super sweet) nephews and niece trying new things when I was in North Carolina a few weeks ago, and I caught some of this learning on time-lapse video. Once I showed them the first fast video, they all wanted to be video-taped, so I now have a collection of videos that make me smile. Here are three of my favourites. I just love the kids’ facial expressions as they work through their activities.
First up is Duke. He was building a whale from a Japanese mini-lego-type kit I brought him.
Next, we have Holt who is a little inventor and needed help crafting a plastic helmet for his hedgehog who was taking skydiving flights down the stairs all morning.
Finally, we have Gigi who was writing a thank you letter. She’s putting so much thought into carefully spelling out words.
Time-lapse video is an easy and fun way to capture kids’ learning as well as their very cute facial expressions!
Oh, I almost forgot…Happy Halloween!
I’m thrilled that Daniela has come to White Cabana today to share sweet items for kids – all in pink – for this post in my #WhiteCabanaWearsPink column. Daniela is a huge supporter and fundraiser for the Princess Margaret Foundation in Toronto. She regularly hosts events – bowling tournaments, poker nights, a gala – to raise funds! In fact, I’m heading to an event next month, and I have no doubt that it will be a success! Beyond her dedication to fundraising, Daniela is a two-time cancer survivor, and her strength and determination to fight this disease is absolutely remarkable. Most importantly, though, Daniela is a mom of two sweet little girls and she knows just how to spoil them – and many of the kids in her life – with the sweetest little things!
***
Hello White Cabana readers! I am back in honor of breast cancer awareness month with some super adorable pink gifts for the little ones in your life.
This baggy comfy empire dress in blush is a must have staple – now if only they made it in adult sizes!
You can’t get a more magical gift than unicorns, rainbows, and snow globes.
Have a wee one and not sure what to wear on Halloween? There’s nothing cuter than a pink Dino! The best part is that this costume can be used all fall to keep your little one cozy!
For the girly girl who also loves to run around, consider this two-piece outfit. It’s playful and fun!
Designer diva girls in your life will stand out in these fancy Moschino shoes
This pink cardigan will keep your little one cozy for fall. It has a slight shimmer to make her shine! It’s from Hatley, which is a great Canadian company.
Ralph Lauren is one of my favourite brands for kids. The pieces are always classic and so well made.
When budget isn’t an issue, this fabulous Gucci number is, well, perfect!
And while you’re at it, grab these trendy sneakers!
Designed and made in Canada of merino wool, these pjs are comfy and perfect! They can easily be used as a base layer for our cold winter months.
I hope you enjoyed my take on pink shopping for little ones.
Until next time, happy shopping!
***
Thanks, Daniela, once again for introducing me to such a variety of Canadian brands!
It’s #WhiteCabanaWearsPink month, which means, I can infuse pink into posts on days other than Monday, right? Yes!
Today I’m showing you two sweet designs that share elements of pink and brass. The first is a kids’ play kitchen and the second is a bathroom. You’ll quickly notice that the two photos have pink cabinets and brass globe lights in common.
You’ve probably come to know Daniela, one of my contributors, for her thoughtful gift guides. Today, she’s caught the #WhiteCabanaWearsPink spirit and she’s curated a collection of great gift items for kids
***
Hi White Cabana readers!
It is an honour to write this post as #WhiteCabanaWearsPink for breast cancer awareness this month. I never thought I’d be the mom who loves pink, but then I had two daughters, and, to be honest, the dainty perfection of my girls in pink has made me gravitate to soft pink clothing when I shop for them.
Today I bring you some of my favourite pink items that are perfect gifts for any little ones in your lives.
Cuddle and Kind is a company that all about giving back! Each doll purchased feeds 10 children in need. The dolls are so well made and stand the test of my toddler dragging hers around everywhere. There are many dolls to choose from and for an additional fee the company provides a corresponding photo with an inspirational message.Charlotte the Dog featured here is adorable and soft pink. It’s the perfect thoughtful gift for a child in your life.
Charlotte the Dog, $60+ USD, Cuddle and Kind
Next up are Mini Moc’s moccasins. Not only are these shoes well made (in Canada!) and stylish, the are, most importantly, are hard for kids to kick off! No more missing shoes! These soft pink mocs are subtle in color and go with so many wardrobe options.
moccasins, $45 CAD, Mini Moc
Le MĂ©chant Loup is a Montreal-based boutique that sources beautiful toys, accessories, and clothing for children and babies. I especially love the messaging of this organic cotton sweatshirt by UK brand Organic Zoo.
sweatshirt, $49 CAD, Le MĂ©chant Loup
Posh Peanut is a brand out of LA by a hair stylist turned mompreneur. Posh Peanut’s loungewear feels like butter, and the company has great mommy-and-me matching loungewear and robes. Many of the items sell out quickly, and pre-ordering is always recommended. How adorable is this pink ensemble? It’s made with soft Bamboo viscose.
floral loungewear, $28.95 USD, Posh Peanut
Finally, I love the adorable collar on this perfect cotton dress from one of my favourite children’s clothing brands – Jacadi. Jacadi designs all of its clothes out of its Paris headquarters.
cotton fleece dress, $59 USD, Jacadi
Hope you enjoyed today’s #WhiteCabanaWearsPink for breast cancer awareness.
***
If you’re anything like me, then you read Daniela’s gift guide and thought to yourself: “But where does she find these amazing brands?” I’m thrilled with this gift guide, and I’m going to keep it handy for future baby gifts that I will need to buy for friends and family!
For those of you who are still getting to know Daniela, you should know that she’s an incredible fundraiser. She’s a two-time cancer survivor (Hodgkin’s lymphoma and thyroid), and she has raised thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. She is a true #WonderWoman! I know Daniela is passionate about fundraising for cancer research, and I’m glad she was able to contribute to #WhiteCabanaWearsPink this year!
Thanks, Daniela! Let’s #conquercancer together!
I know. I know. It’s only early August, and I’m talking about back to school. This does not meant that the summer is nearing an end. It just means that we’ve got back to school shopping on the brain! As per usual, I’m happy to welcome Daniela back to the blog. She’s a whiz at gift guides, and her Back to School Gift Guide certainly doesn’t disappoint.
***
Whether you’re sending your children off to nursery school or Montessori or they are heading back to grade school this September, this list of must-have back to school items will ensure your child is well prepared for the year ahead.
First up is an item from the proudly Canadian Green’s Your Colour. I have owned a Green’s Your Colour bottle for a few years (and even featured it in this holiday gift guide). I use it daily for cold beverages in the summer and hot infused teas in the winter. This food grade bottle has the capacity to store many food and beverage items. Buying your child one for their upcoming school year will ensure they have a superior water bottle that can easily store a hot lunch or snack without leaving any flavour residue after it has been washed. I can attest to its durability and quality as mine is now three years old, and it still looks and functions like it’s new.
Dino Stomper, $35 CAD, Green’s Your Colour
Next up is an item from another Canadian company – So Young. The company’s owner, Catherine, is not only passionate about what she does, but she has overcome so much in her life. Read her inspirational story. So Young’s line of products is not only well-made and well-priced, but it has the cutest selection of bags for you, your toddler, or your child. Here’s the child-sized backpack, but note that many backpacks come in a toddler version as well.
backpack, $55 CAD, So Young
And don’t forget to add a So Young lunch bag and ice pack while you are at it!
unicorn lunch box, $35 CAD, So Young
ice pack, $13 CAD, So Young
Next up is this great lunchbox that ensures you can pack your child a variety of food items while keeping everything separate in an all-in-one container. The company – PlanetBox – has three options, but the Shuttle or Rover are recommended for children.
Shuttle lunch box, $39.95 USD, PlanetBox
Rover lunch box, $55.95 USD, PlanetBox
Tiny Trendsetter is a Toronto-based store that offers shipping across Canada and the United States. The store has you covered with the trendiest styles for your little ones. Tiny Trendsetter carries many mainstream labels we all love, but what I love most is their focus on smaller independent labels.
A must-have for fall and winter are these super comfy feels-like-joggers-but-looks-like-jeans. The Beau Hudson “jegs” are not only super stylish, but they are also super easy for your child to put on and off themselves, making for easier mornings (and easier washroom breaks at school, too!).
Beau Hudson Jegs, $59.99 CAD, Tiny Trendsetter
This packable, 100% waterproof jacket should be a staple in your child’s backpack. It is good for wind and rain ensuring your child is always ready for weather changes.
Packable jacket, $54.99 CAD, Tiny Trendsetter
A staple for my own child’s wardrobe is this zip-up hoodie from Toronto’s Mini Mioche. I have replaced my daughter’s hoodie every time she outgrows it as it’s light enough for her to wear all seasons, and she is always cozy. Those early fall mornings will call for an extra layer, and this hoodie, which comes in many colours, is the perfect wardrobe staple for back to school. What’s even better is that it is designed and made right in Toronto.
hoodie, $48 CAD, Mini Mioche
Hope you enjoyed my back to school gift guide! Until next time, happy shopping!
***
Thanks for this gift guide, Daniela! Of course I, too, enjoy a nice water bottle, since I’m never without one, and the little packable rain jacket reminds me of my old K-Way jacket!
I love stylish toys like these Blockitecture block that are great for kids…or adults!
Blockitecture Tower, $45 USD, Areaware
I’m thrilled to welcome back Daniela to the blog. She’s at White Cabana with a 4-part gift guide series. Her first guide was all about babies and toddlers. Now, she’s back with plenty of great gift ideas for tweens and teens.
***
I always find tweens/teens a difficult age to buy for as these kids come into their own and develop their own taste/style and hobbies. However, this year, I am seeing some great go-to gifts to make that child/tween on your list smile.
Here is a selection of my favorite finds.
New shoes! The tried and true converse from even my childhood still remain a fan favorite and are great for all ages & come at a great price point.
Converse, $39.99 CAD, Sporting Life
Have you been seeing a lot of Unicorn items lately? Well you are not alone. Almost all retailers are incorporating some type of “unicorn” item into their shops. On that note, who doesn’t love a new pair of slippers? Check out this great cozy pair from Justice — a favorite store for children aged 8-12.
unicorn slippers, $19.90 CAD, Justice
If budget isn’t a concern, this hot “tech” items for the tweens in your life is all the rage. This year, it comes in an awesome white with orange accent.
Nintendo, $199.99 CAD, Best Buy
The all-natural ingredients of the Rocky Mountain Soap products make them great for all ages, but with this seasonal candy cane scent, it’s an extra win. Plus, who doesn’t love a bath bomb? This is sure to be a hit with the children in your life.
vanilla candy cane gift set, $40.95, Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Here’s a fun gift for the person you have no idea what to buy/ This is the mini version, and it’s great for a desk/work station at home or to put outside a bedroom door.
mini cinema lightbox, $29.50 CAD, Indigo
Roots! Who doesn’t love a roots hoodie? This makes the perfect cozy gift for someone on your list.
hoodie, $39.99 CAD (on sale), Roots
hoodie, $48 CAD, Roots
Lego is a gift that never gets old. This special collection of Lego friends lets you build a village one box at a time. Here is a great addition this year with a winter feel.
Lego snow resort ice rink, $39.99 CAD, Indigo
For the Star Wars enthusiast in your life…this may become the hot seller this season.
Star Wars playset, $179.99 CAD, Amazon
And pjs! These should be on all your lists for every age. They’re always a welcome gift. Masala Baby is a NYC-based company, and these organic pjs will please whoever is on the receiving end.
organic pajamas, $44, Masala Baby
Happy shopping!
– Daniela
***
Thanks for sharing another awesome list of ideas, Daniela. I know my nephews and niece can’t get enough of Lego, so it’s one of my go-to gifts, too!
I’m excited to welcome my cousin Daniela to the blog today. She has a 4-part gift guide series to share over the next couple of weeks, and I hope you’re eager to see what she has in store for us. Today’s gift guide is all about the babies and toddlers! Take it away, Daniela!
***
Hey everyone. As an avid shopper and someone who prides herself in finding just the right item for the many children on my shopping list, I am here today sharing with White Cabana readers some of the best items in my opinion for the baby and toddlers on your list this Christmas and yes…they are white or almost all white!
A hot item given the focus we are seeing today on mindfulness, self-care and starting this at a young age is the tee pee. This awesome gift not only looks great in any room but gives the child a place to have some quiet time, read a book or just enjoy some imaginative play.
teepee, Pottery Barn Kids
Make the base of the teepee extra cozy by adding this:
rug, Ikea
This special doll is perfect for children 18 months and up. In fact, my 2 1/2 year old daughter still prefers this to all her other dolls. It is the perfect fit for small arms and mimics a real baby which is wonderful for play and imagination.
doll, Mastermind Toys
Not only made from superior organic cotton but also Canadian made, these pjs are sure to become your toddler’s favorite. Do you have a future doctor or ballerina in the family? Then surprise them with a pair of these this Christmas.
pajamas, Playjamas
pajamas, Playjamas
Want an extra special outfit for that special baby girl in your life? Let her sparkle in one of many options from Canadian company Little Lush Boutique. Although most of the store’s items cater to the little girls in your life, it carries awesome diaper/tie duos great for your next photo shoot that can be worn by both genders.
dress, Little Lush Boutique
Now for my favorite children’s Canadian clothing company. Their staples may be priced a bit higher than the norm however the wash and wear ability of this high quality clothing is far superior than many brands on the market. The organic cotton feels like butter, and you will find that whoever you buy these clothes for will want to wear them the second they are out of the wash. Again and again! Here is a selection of some of my go-to staples from Mini Mioche!
long sleeve tee, Mini Mioche
the ball tee, Mini Mioche
the biker romper, Mini Mioche
long sleeve ballet dress, Mini Mioche
Now for that extra special gift, check out this classic car:
vintage car, Indigo
Happy Shopping!
– Daniela
***
Thanks, Daniela, for sharing all of these goodies with us, today! You’re definitely a thoughtful shopper and gift-giver, so we’re lucky to have your input for the little ones in our lives!
Today is the final pink Monday for my #WhiteCabanaWears pink series. The month of October is breast cancer awareness month, and I’m happy to raise funds online and offline for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Thanks to all of you for making White Cabana part of your day. I’m grateful for your support.
To end the series, I’m focused on making this Halloween very pink! Have a look at these inspirational photos!
via A Subtle Revelry
via Sugar and Charm
via House Beautiful
And beyond Halloween decor, here are some costumes and accessories for you and the kids!
via Pottery Barn
via Pottery Barn
Thanks again, everyone! Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Today’s #WhiteCabanaWearsPink theme is all about the superhero!
flying superhero costume, Etsy
Wonder Woman postcard, Etsy
superhero printable download, Etsy
Princess Power Super Sparkle Barbie
***
Every Monday in the month of October, pink will be taking over White Cabana. This month, #WhiteCabanaWearsPink to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Read more about #WhiteCabanaWearsPink.
Online retailer UncommonGoods recently contacted me to see if I would be interested in shopping for some unique items. I’ve known about UncommonGoods for a while now, but I hadn’t ever ordered anything, so I thought I’d give it a try to learn more about what this company is all about.
It won’t take you long to recognize that the collection of items at UncommonGoods is just that – uncommon. Out of the ordinary. Unique. Different. Interesting. Soon after this initial thought, you might notice that the product selection and variety is large. Luckily, the search filters are effective and specific, so if you’re searching for something specific (e.g., gift for a kid), then you’ll get to that area of the site in no time. The site has a ton of cool gadgets for hard-to buy loved ones, birthday gifts for her, for him, and for kids, and the all-so-popular personalized gifts (isn’t this personalized family art adorable?).
As I often do in sites that have a large product line, I search by colour (white, obviously). This narrows things down easily and really helps me to focus my search. From there, I might expand to other colours (black, stainless). Alternatively, I search by need (e.g., kids, food, art). UncommonGoods search bar and filters really did work well for me, and I found items that suit my style (personal and for gifting!).
All the Palm Trees in Florida, $251.61CAD (I also like All the Taxis in New York)
olive oil, $34CAD, (US shipping only)
shave box set, $78.88CAD (US shipping only)
men’s organizing travel pack, $62.56CAD
women’s organizing travel pack, $65.28CAD
mealtime stacking set, $59.84CAD
empanada fork, $27.20CAD
UncommonGoods was founded in 1999 by Dave Bolotsky, and since then, he and his team has been devoted to connecting makers of unique items to consumers in an easy way.
I placed my order, and I was pleased to see that the taxes and duties were calculated before check-out. This means that there will be no extra payment surprises once my items arrive at my door. I’m sure other Canadian shoppers will appreciate this checkout option as well. Finally, when I had a question about shipping, I contacted customer service, and I received a reply within just a few minutes. I was very pleased about this, too!
Thanks to UncommonGoods for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
Between my own nephews and nieces and all of my friends’ babies, I have bought so many baby gifts over the last decade or so. Like many areas of my life, I approach baby gift buying quite simply. When the babies started coming, I thought carefully about what my favourite items were, and then I basically resorted to buying them in bulk. Honestly. Today I’m sharing with you some of my signature baby gift items; they seem to be well-received by babies and parents alike.
Jellycat stuffed animals are the softest, and the faces are super sweet. I tend to buy a lamb or a bunny, but lately I’ve picked up the giraffe, and I just love it. There are so many good chewing options for babies…ribbons, tails, arms…awesome! I’ve got my eye on the unicorn and owl, too. I do tend to stay away from the bear…it’s just a bit too classic for my taste.
I always buy books for babies and kids. Reading is one of the single most important things that people can do for and with kids, in my opinion, and I do my part to encourage it! My all-time favourite book for babies/toddlers/kids is Each Peach Pear Plum. This was my favourite book as a young kid, and it gives the reader so much to look at and learn!
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg
I also buy just about any Dr. Seuss book, but Green Eggs and Ham remains my all-time favourite.
For one-year olds, I often buy One by Kathryn Otoshi. It’s a beautiful book with sweet, simple watercolour artwork.
Now that my friends’ babies are turning two, I’ve started buying Two by Kathryn Otoshi in bulk. Why ruin a good thing, right? 
I also find Press Here by Herve Tullet to be an exceptionally fun book and any kid that I have given it to seems to have really enjoyed it (two others in the collection are Mix it Up! and Let’s Play). For Christmas, I sent my nephews and niece a bunch of Laura Ljungkivst’s Follow the Line books, and they seem to have liked them quite a bit. I’m also always on the lookout for Barbapapa books (in French, English, or Italian) for my nephews and niece; I love the creativity of these stories.
Do you have signature gifts for babies, toddlers, kids, or others? Do tell!
Update:
Two of a kind…at slightly different price points.
girls’ tulle bow sweater, $32.50, J. Crew Factory
girls bow sweatshirt, $68, Kate Spade
I recently came across online market DLK, and I would love just about every item in my own home (even though the shop is definitely more targeted to items for kids and families). The product collection is so carefully curated, and the high-on-design items have the whole family in mind. While I featured a few of their organizational items earlier this month, I’d like to share more of what I’m liking from this shop.
Escape utility bag, $100, Forest Bound
C’est magnifique tee, $40, Young One Apparel
fluffy face bag, $65, The White Pepper
hi sweatshirt, $39 (kids), Organic Zoo
rabbit hat, $60 (kids), Oeuf
mountains blanket, $75, White Fox & Co.
binchotan charcoal toothbrush, $9, Morihata
keratin krew pillowcase, $35, Sack Me!
Hello Kitty lamp, $220, BaselNL
Pepe marble mirror, $600, Studio Pepe
shine bright acrylic tray, $59, Michael Revil Madjus for imm Living Studio
snowball music ball, $100, Siebensachen
POV table candleholder, $80, Note for Menu
pretty poster, $40, MiniWilla
modern peeler, $16, Normann Copenhagen
alphabet pebbles, $22, Rock & Pebble
puzzlehead, $20, Richard McGuire for Areaware
Over the years, I’ve bought several Ikea toys for my nephews and niece. They make the kids happy because they’re fun, and they make me happy because of their design details. Their train sets, play kitchen sets, and soft toys are easy-to-give gifts because they’re also affordable (well, it is Ikea after all!).
Ikea’s newest soft toy collection is rather interesting because the toys were produced from kids’ drawings.
First, have a look at the black and white skunk drawing:
Now, see how it was transformed into a soft toy:
Sagoskatt soft toy skunk, $2.99, Ikea
Cute, right?
This pink bird also put a smile on my face.
Until December 26th, the Ikea Foundation will donate $1 from every soft toy to children’s education. Learn more here.
I’m not particularly keen on Halloween. It’s really just a bit too spooky for me, and while I do like the idea of dressing up, costume planning mildly stresses me out. (What’s the Halloween version of bah-humbug?)
That said, I do think that these costumes for children are definitely awesome.
unicorn headband (just add a white dress!)
 I also like this bandleader costume, this weightlifter costume, and this detective costume.
Have kids? Want to make their meals slightly more spooky? Here you go:
spider utensil set, $3.99 (on sale), Pottery Barn
Dear Sister:
I’m pretty sure my niece (and nephews) needs this (or something very similar).
bodysuit, $10.99, via Gap
It’s the truth, right?
My sister recently sent over some photos of the progress she has made in her kids’ room. The Land of Nod helped us personalize this bedroom for my 3 nephews and niece who currently share it down in North Carolina.
First…a couple photos of the cuties… 
Now, the room:
The youngest kiddo is in a crib, the second youngest is in a toddler bed, and the older two share a bunk bed. On the window wall, you’ll see the crib and the toddler bed. 
The Bon Voyage luggage storage cases are filled with the kids’ goodies (but I’ll admit that they rarely stay neatly piled on the chair as in the photos). My sister hung the half dot rainbow garland across this wall to add some fun colour. It also ties in very well with the two pieces of art that my sister painted. 
(so much colour for White Cabana!)
Each bed has a letter pillow to personalize them for the kids. In the above photos, you’ll also notice the flea market bench (the kids are also sitting on it in the photos above). We love this kid-sized bench, and the munchkins actually use it to play, read, put on socks, etc. Here I was thinking that it was going to be a just-for-show-bench! Nope – they actually use it!
My sister created (most of) the artwork in the bedroom, including the scattered colourful squares and the kids’ silhouettes. The art hung on the clipboards? Those are the kids’ masterpieces! It is their room after all!
Thanks to The Land of Nod for sponsoring this post.
It’s my oldest nephew’s 6th birthday today! He’s super sweet and smart, and he is very much into books, batman, and lego. Happy birthday, Duke!
I’m working with my sister on the design of her kids’ bedroom. Besides the kids’ beds (from Ikea) and the artwork (made by my sister and her kids), the room is fairly empty. We turned to the Land of Nod (a top pick for many people designing kids’ bedrooms and playrooms) to fill up the bedroom with items that are useful, colourful, and versatile. One of our top picks was this bench as we thought it would be a good place for the kids to perch and read a book, or put on socks and shoes:
In addition, we are using this rainbow dot garland to add colour to the room, these letter pillows to personalize the space, and these luggage sets to store toys. Here are some of the additional white pieces that I love for a kids’ bedroom or playroom…or an adult room!
Thanks to Land of Nod for sponsoring this post.
Could you imagine a kids playroom with only white toys? It would probably never be possible, would it? But just look how beautifully designed these toys are…
moonlight doll, $73.50 (on sale)
Villa Cartabianca dollhouse, $17.34
sailing ship kite, $60, Serena & Lily
elephant bookend, $40 (on sale), Serena & Lily
winter white outfits for dolls, $45, Chapters Indigo
plui rain cloud water toy, Moluk
Schoenhut white toy piano, $149.99 (on sale), Toys R Us
hoberman sphere, $50, Shapeways
A functional and stylish and fun toy for kids – I do love a good combo.
early rider push along, $148, Serena & Lily
After seeing the Oogi by Moluk on Swiss Miss, I ordered 4Â for my nephews and niece. They are loving them.
Oogi, $11.99, Amazon
Last year, my nephews each received a Moluk Bilibo from Santa last year and they continue to make good use of them. Moluk has been getting things right for these kids!
In honour of my niece’s first birthday, I thought I’d put together a little children’s fashion post. I love the white collection that is currently on sale at Baby Gap. Have a look at this fashion sweetness…
Have a great weekend, everyone!
My second nephew is 4 years old today! He loves pasta carbonara (without the peas or bacon, which basically means pasta noodles), making everyone laugh, milk, and climbing just about everything. One day I know my sister and brother-in-law might just have to install a climbing wall in their house.
Easter is just around the corner. While my Easter revolves around chocolate eggs, I know others out there enjoy decorating their homes with any and all types of rabbits. Here’s my round-up of rabbits that are easy to grab a hold of.
Hunter’s Alley: white handmade finger puppet, $19; recycled metal rabbit, $68; modern ceramic rabbit sculpture, $39
Crate & Barrel: Eleni’s bunny cookie, $11.01; papier mache bunny, $34.55; bunny plate, $8.81; bunny place card holder, $5.47
Etsy: stuffed bunny toy, $25; bunny iPhone case, $42.60; Easter bunny baby hat, $25;Â Herend rabbit, $95; Â white rabbit earrings, $8.62;Â white bunny party picks, $4.99
Williams-Sonoma: sculptural bunny spreaders, $26.48; sculptural bunny tiny taper holders, $26.48; white ceramic bunny 12-egg platter, $59.65
Little Mayhem‘s popularity is rising. Â The dresses she creates with her mom are pretty darn cute, but this one is my favourite look.
Apparently, the day Mayhem and her mom created this ensemble, she requested “All white today. And a fabulous headpiece too.” Â She just rocks that headpiece, doesn’t she?
This is an all-white book about an egg. I couldn’t resist it when I saw it so I bought it. It’s okay to have a kid’s book as a coffee-table book, right?
Oliver by Christopher Franceschelli, $9.98
by Corie
I’m popping in to share a couple of photos from our European vacation last month.
racks of white clothes in Provence
Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, and my husband in Monaco
And just for fun – here’s my little monkey. He is so sweet but why why why does he have to climb absolutely everything? Jordana says we should put him into rockclimbing. How young is too young?
I love so many things about the new Lego Architecture Studio – it’s white, it reminds me of my childhood, and it encourages imaginative play for children and adults.
Lego Architecture Studio, $149.95, Barnes & Noble
photo by Janet Paik
What I don’t like about it? It’s not available in Canada. Darn.
Thanks to Boba for sending this my way.
I don’t know what made me think of carousels today but I did. I think it all started when I was browsing Anthropologie and landed on this sweet carousel clock:
carousel clock, $168, Anthropologie
Here are four more carousels to round up today’s Friday Five:
white carousel at Louis Vuitton, via Hello Magazine
GE’s solar powered carousel, The Carousolar (It’s solar powered!)
carousel necklace, $79.53, Laura des Villes Laura des Champs
carousel model puzzle, $11.54
Phew – that was a quick week wasn’t it? Hope the weather is beautiful where you live so you can enjoy a couple of free days outside! Happy weekend!
It’s going to be another summer of baby births! Five of my friends and family members are due between June and August. Woah. Time to start shopping!
Petit Bateau star rattle, £25.00, Elias and Grace
Bonton Loulou slippers, £29.00, Elias and Grace
Tane seed-stitched baby booties, $56, J.Crew
Cashmere sweater, $125, J.Crew (cashmere for a baby – yay or nay?)
Zara baby girl coat with bow (back view)
Â
sailboat fabric mobile, $59, Moran Alhalel
While there are so many lovely gifts available, let’s face it, my favourite gifts to give are this book, this bunny, and a little newborn hat/tee from whatever university I happen to be at when a baby is born. So yeah – no real surprises when people see my gift box.
An all-white puzzle? Obviously this caught my eye!
25 piece puzzle, $6.50, Muji
Santa’s on his way…and he’s bringing his reindeer too!
baby reindeer (28″ high), $375, ABC Carpet & Home
I wonder if you’re tired of me singing the praises of Ikea? The Swedish retailer has such wonderful items for less than $20 that it’s hard to resist featuring them in our 20 Below series. Today I’m a fan of this spotted dog – otherwise known as a dalmatian – which is part of Ikea’s soft toy collection.
Gosig Vovven soft toy dog, $7.99, Ikea
Adele Enerson spent much of her time as a new mother photographing her sleeping baby Mila in dreamy, imaginative scenes. She’s since published the photos in a book called When My Baby Dreams. Now she’s on to styling and photographing her baby Vincent but since he’s not the most sound sleeper, she’s had to alter her approach. Adele uses her iPhone camera and then sketches with her Stylus pen.
DJ Vincent
Vincent playing cello
Zoolander Vincent
Vincent in the garden
Vincent’s raindance
So incredibly cute, right?
Images courtesy of Adele Enersen.
stacking toilet paper rolls with a 3.5 year old, photo by Corie
Okay. So who knows how to play the kazoo? Do you think this very inexpensive one from Pier 1 Imports would actually work?
metal kazoo, $4, Pier 1 Imports
I’m not entirely sure if and how Nanoblock is related to Lego (can anyone with kids explain this to me?) but when I saw this white terrier at Chapters-Indigo, it made me laugh. And then it reminded me of all the things I used to create with my Lego blocks when I was little (a house was my favourite – go figure!).
Nanoblock white terrier, $11.95
I know kids still play with Lego but do they create their own sculptures or is everything already pre-built for them?
Oh man…these sneakers are the sweetest! Never mind my nephews…I kind of want them for myself!
via A Merry Mishap‘s Instagram
Today is all about play time!
via Varpunen
via Remodelista
DIY play space via Country Living
via Dekris Design
While the five play spaces featured here are designed for kids, I do think that it wouldn’t hurt to have a slide or super cool reading nook in an adult space – just for those days when you want to feel like a carefree kid!
Have a wonderful (and playful) weekend!
p.s. Don’t forget to submit your photos of whiteness to me at whitecabana [at] gmail [dot] com for our new series White Out. I’m curious to know what gorgeous whiteness surrounds you!
I love, love, love this photo so much. The light, the white, the lines, the title, and imagining the excitement that Olivia must have felt when she spotted the seagull up high on the rooftop – these things are what put a smile on my face when I look at this photo. Love.
Photo by JennyJ.
 
