February 2012
2 posts
6 tags
6 tags
Earth Blocks - Eco friendly Lego
For those who’s aversion to plastic goes above and beyond the standard recycled and BPA free purchases Colors Tokyo bring you Earth Blocks. Lego type blocks made from cedar bark, coffee beans, saw dust or green tea leaves. Not only an uber eco toy but also fresh smelling for your home. Purchase them here. (via Design Boom)
January 2012
15 posts
5 tags
The Numberlys - Alphabet story app from Moonbot...
Some time ago we purchased the highly rated app called The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by Moonbot studios, and sadly we never reviewed it here as it felt more like an animated movie being forced into an app format, and at the higher end of the app price range we really couldn’t recommend the purchase (although clearly the short film works better, Oscar nomination...
4 tags
Mary Blair - Prints and illustration
You know when a type of illustration seems so familiar but you don’t really know why, seeing the beautiful found Mary Blair print on Meet Me At Mike’s earlier brought a whole flood of images to my mind prompting me to find out more. Working on Disney animations from 1943 to 53 and creating art, children’s book images, theatrical sets and advertisements in the 50s and 60s...
3 tags
30 x 30 - Limited edition building blocks from...
30 x 30 is a series of limited edition products from illustrator Laura Barnard. The first run is a set of 9 cityscape building blocks with road print post cards, and with only 30 produced if you want them, buy them here now. (via Pinterest)
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The Great Explorer - Chris Judge
Irish writer / illustrator Chris Judge is back with The Great Explorer, his follow-up to the award-winning The Lonely Beast, and it’s another winning tale of a journey into the unknown.
Our protagonist Tom takes a trip to the North Pole, in search of his father who is a famous explorer. On the way, he enjoys a slew of hair-raising adventures and beastly encounters.
The story affords...
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Tootsa MacGinty - Spring / Summer 2012 collection
Perfect for families where hand me downs are a must, regardless of boy or girl, or mamas who just want their kids dressed like kids and not mini mr or misses, Tootsa MacGinty’s Spring / Summer 2012 collection is out now and is as lovely as always. Plenty of bold stripes, bright colours, rabbit details and the odd irresistible denim dress check out the full collection here.
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Augustina Woodgate - Stuffed animal skins
When the kids have moved onto Xbox, rugby or chasing girls, Augustina Woodgate’s process of converting once loved soft toys into stuffed animal skin rugs may be the way to save those memories while still having something useful and even beautiful in your home. See more of her work here. (via CMYBacon)
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BabyLit Books - Classic literature for toddlers
For tiger mums or mums who just want a change from Gruffalos and penguins, Gibbs Smith brings you their range of Baby Lit board books. The BabyLit range include toddler suitable adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Romeo and Juliet, with Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland soon to be released. Loving the idea and look of the illustration style I impatiently downloaded a copy of Little Miss Austen...
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Toideloi - Dollhouses for boys and girls
Dutch design, made in the USA, Toideloi modular stackhouse is made entirely of birch plywood and the self assembly walls simply slot together. It can be separated into two houses for separate play or combined to make one larger house for playing together and create many unique combinations from castle to sky scraper. Suitable for boys and girls, this is a blank slate dolls house with plenty of...
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Molly Moo - Mum to Mum
Molly Moo blogger, Michelle McInerney, must be one of the busiest online mums around. In addition to her own blog, the National Children’s Gallery and the International Children’s Gallery she has also made time to go to Northern Kenya as part of the Become a Friend team. This initiative twins Masai schools with junior schools in Ireland and the UK. Michelle is also reaching out to the...
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Paper Town - carboard fold up toy
Recycled and recyclable, Paper Town is a sturdy cardboard town inspired by Polish suburban life. Delivered flat pack and ready to fold, perfect for use with existing toy cars and action figures. (Via Handmade Charlotte)
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Kodo 30th Anniversary One Earth Tour
If you have children who like loud noise, the Kodo Family Experience in the National Concert Hall, February 12th, might be the event for you. Featuring Japanese Drum ensemble, Kodo, this is an informal performance where the members talk about their life in Kodo Village while demonstrating their techniques and music. Aimed at children aged 3 and up, you might want to check out their performance...
4 tags
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The Ark - A Cultural Centre for Children
Spring is just around the corner and The Ark has an excellent season of Spring Sing events on the way. Including digital songwriting workshops, beatbox workshops and joyful singing workshops, for the really little ones, there is plenty to suit all age groups and creative kids who don’t necessarily want to be a Billlie Barry. See full details of their Spring Sing programme here.
Ark...
8 tags
Big Blue Cuddle - buy clothes, help kids
For those of you who aren’t already aware of them, Big Blue Cuddle are an online clothes store that sell bright and colourful kids clothes (0-10 years), while also donating 15% to 50% of the value of each sale to charities such as Ambitious About Autism and The Sick Children’s Trust. Stocking brands like Small Paul, Hektik CC and name it, and helping fund charities, now there’s a...
8 tags
Si and Lu Children's clothing
I really must keep an eye on our excellent twitter followers more often as in there are wonderful discoveries like local children’s clothing company Si and Lu. Currently making a limited but quality range of children’s knits for up to 4s Si and Lu are definitely one to watch (especially if like me you are far from mastering the art of creating wearable home grown children’s...
December 2011
17 posts
5 tags
So this is Christmas...
From the Christmas eve feast at my sisters house we continued the celebrating and feasting through two more days of dinners with grandparents on both sides. Enjoying two different styles of family Christmas we still made time for our own new little family Christmas morning with a quiet breakfast and some not too frenzied present opening with Cal, who at just two and a week really doesn’t...
8 tags
International Children's Gallery
From the excellent National Children’s Gallery of Ireland comes the even more wonderful International Children’s Gallery. Created by Michelle McInerney, Limerick based graphic designer and creator of blog Molly Moo, the International Children’s Gallery is a space to allow children from 0 - 13 to display their artwork with no judging or conditions. A great start for any aspiring...
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Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night
Christmas has caught up with us very quickly. The last wrapping, cooking and cleaning was completed just in time for us to be treated to a wonderful Christmas eve feast in my sister’s house, all we need to do now is fall asleep and wait for Santa Claus. Wishing you all a peaceful and happy Christmas night!
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Cal's Second Birthday & Some Christmas Baking
Last weekend Cal turned the very grown up toddler age of two. Instead of an afternoon birthday party the week before Christmas, we opted for a playdate / coffee morning with all his little pals and their parents. The plan: a feast of baked goods for adults and little ones alike. In doing this, I discovered that I cannot make fudge. It also appears that I am much more skilled at rice krispie...
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The Gruffalo's Child - Christmas Day TV Picks
Fans of Julia Donaldson and the original animated Gruffalo movie should set their recorders so they don’t miss the snow filled production of The Gruffalo’s Child on BBC1 at 18.30 on Christmas day. Featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, Shirley Henderson, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson, if the Gruffalo Christmas ident currently showing is...
7 tags
Little Fashion Gallery - Online Deliveries in time...
For those of you who are plagued by the joint deadlines of Christmas gifts and finishing off work before the holidays there is still a last chance to do some online shopping and still get them delivered within Europe in time for Christmas. Little Fashion Gallery’s last day for online delivery within Europe is today, 20th Dec and stocks a unique selection of toys which will make it look like...
8 tags
Alphabeast - Alphabet App from Illustrator Chris...
Delighted to be finally trying out the much anticipated Alphabeast iPad alphabet app for kids, which is not only from the very popular illustrator Chris Judge but is also the first fully Irish made iPad app we have had the honour to review here.
Along with the beautiful illustration work from Chris Judge and his, already much loved by toddler Cal, Beast character from The Lonely Beast there is...
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Crazy Forts
At this stage Santa probably has received all his lists and has checked them twice but if you are looking for something to keep them busy well into the new year I really like the look of this product, Crazy Forts. The main set comes with sticks and connector pieces and an additional set of Crazy Fort lights can be purchased to integrate with your fort construction. Once you have chosen your design...
6 tags
Christmas visit to Donadea Forest Park
There are few places you can go for a morning outing which combine woodland walks, wildlife, hot drinks, Santa, outdoor chandeliers and pianos but if this is your list of requirements Donadea Forest Park can currently fulfil them completely.
Our visit this morning was on a dreary wet day so I can only imagine the additional magic provided by a crisp frosty morning or a twilight evening as the sky...
6 tags
Dada Company - I Learn with Transportation
With toddler Cal’s interest in everything vehicular at an all time high, an introduction to the I Learn With Transportation iPad app from Dada Company couldn’t have come at a better time.
I Learn With Transportation is a book format app with interactive scenes which introduce the user to six different concepts as they move through the pages; sounds, words, colours, shapes, numbers...
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Our Favourite Christmas Picture Books for Kids
Part of the excitement of the Christmas season is definitely the preparation and build up to the big day. As part of that we are changing our bedtime story selection to a more Christmassy and snowy selection to get everyone in the mood.
In no particular order here are some of the books we will be reading in the next couple of weeks with Cal and Edie (and a couple that may appear in their...
9 tags
Christmas day out in Powerscourt
With Christmas less than three weeks away and a chill in the air we decided it was time to take a trip to Powerscourt accompanied by the lovely Misses Lesley-Ann and Mina. Our first visit was to the animals in the stables - two hyperactive bunnies, sleepy sow and piglet, cute pygmy goats and very Christmassy donkeys and deer. The mothers were all very excited by the latter but it seemed the...
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Guest Post - "You Ruined My Yawn": A Strategy for...
Having made it past the difficult nausea filled days of first trimester of this, my second, pregnancy, and heading speedily towards the end of second trimester, my lovely husband kindly offered to help share our good news with the world via a kind and loving blog post. Here are his thoughts….
Expecting a baby can be a wonderful time for both parents. For the man however, there is one...
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WatchSniff - An Interactive Dog
Sniff is a soft toy with a difference, wireless technology allow him to sniff and interract with objects that come close to his noise. Designed particularly with needs of sight impaired children in mind but with plenty of fun to be had by any child. Watch the video to see the full interractive experience and just how cute a companion Sniff is and find out more about the...
6 tags
Slugs and Snails - Tights for Boys
Having happily put Cal in tights last winter to keep him warm and happy I was interested to hear on Tubridy this morning that local company Slugs and Snails are having the least success selling their boys tights in Ireland. With snow forecast for this weekend (yes indeedy) I definitely will be looking at kiddy tights for Cal again this year to deal with that nasty gap between the socks and...
6 tags
Little Angel Stool - Furf Design Studio
The perfect childhood chair for your little one, Furf Design Studio Brazil’s Little Angel Stool. Instantly turns any little devil into an innocent angel. More details here. (Via KidsRoomZoom)
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The Small Print - The Illustrated Alphabet
We love a print and we do love our alphabets so The Illustrated Alphabet project from The Small Print is definitely going to be on our like list. Twenty six illustrators were invited to submit one letter and one illustration based on that letter producing fifty two alphabet prints. Not all will be kids room suitable but plenty will and if you’re stuck for Christmas presents, everyone gets a...
November 2011
24 posts
3 tags
Niamh's Christmas Wish
At this time of year there are many charities and people out there looking for your generosity and kindness. But we would like to bring your attention to one close to our hearts; a Christmas wish, which with everyone’s help, can come true.
Born at 28 weeks with cerebal palsy and now five years old, Niamh dreams of being an Irish dancer like her older sisters. Unlike many others, there is a...
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Du Pareil au Meme - Christmas Knight
Browsing in Du Pareil au Meme today and it took all my will power not to buy some of their super sweet (but totally not needed as we have already purchased) Christmas pyjamas. I was also torn by the cuteness of their plush shield and sword, being technically a “no weapons as toys” type mum…I have no doubt some day I will give in. Plenty of lovely pjs for those who have yet to...
6 tags
Sisters Guild Winter Sale
Although the days before Christmas are rushing by there is still plenty of time to snap up some beautiful Christmas day outfits for your little ones. Sisters Guild winter sale has started with some wonderfully pretty outfits, including the very festive Belle and Boo Crimson Coat. Watch out for the last shipping dates and enjoy!
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Anorak Magazine - Christmas Bundles
In addition to their very excellent kids magazine subscriptions, the Anorak magazine shop is full of super Christmas gifts for kids. The Christmas bundle packages are very reasonably priced and are full of activity and colouring books which should keep parents happy too as little ones while away the more boring parts of Christmas dinner colouring and playing spot the difference. (Note to big...
7 tags
Ikea Christmas Stocking Fillers - Klappar Cirkus
Always plenty of value at Ikea and for Christmas stocking fillers they don’t disappoint. The current range of Klappar Cirkus soft toys and hats are perfectly priced for a couple of additional Christmas gifts when the big requests begin to break the budget. My favourites, which Santa may assist in delivering to this house, are the soft feather headdress for €3.99 (which I think will look far...
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Odeon - Family Sunday Brunch Club
How excellent is this for parents who find it hard to catch up with friends, especially those without kids. The Odeon bar and grill in Dublin are hosting a family friendly Brunch Club on Sundays from 12 till 6. Featuring matinee movies like Madagascar and Happy Feet (not to mention the excellent December movies, Muppet Christmas Carol, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street), a full brunch menu and kids...
8 tags
Children on the Edge & Isak
You may not know there is a fruit or vegetable for every letter of the alphabet (and certainly I had never heard of a Xylocarp) and you may not have heard of Children on the Edge but the good people at Isak design have teamed up with them to donate £20 from every £30 spent on their Five a Day fruit and veg ABC print. An impressive chunk of the cost which will be used to help vulnerable children...
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Bodie and Fou - Pigeon Light
Currently keeping an eye out for an interesting, safe and warming light for Cal’s room. So far my favourite one is this Ed Carpenter Pigeon Wall Light from Bodie and Fou. Available in yellow, white, grey and orange the warm colours would definitely provide the sort of cosy light I am looking for. See the pigeon light and more from Bodie and Fou here.
5 tags
Fine Little Day & Little Red Stuga - Bu!
Love the result of this collaboration between Fine Little Day founder Elizabeth Dunker and design studio Little Red Stuga. Bu! is a blanket, a mat, a costume, a blankie…whatever your kid wants it to be. I could definitely see Bu! getting dragged everywhere in our house by toddler Cal. Available to purchase here.
3 tags
One large carboard box and three big imaginations
Take one large cardboard box, lots of markers, crayons, pencils, stickers and one dad and you end up with a busy afternoon and one very happy toddler with a new cave to play in. Most impressive was the fact that Cal’s cousins while being particularly careful to draw within the lines were happy to forgive their him for ploughing in with a marker and scrawling over all their good work. Even...
5 tags
Pook Press - Classic Children's Illustrated Books
There are many things you can learn from a big sister, and it seems finding a special item that makes for a classic Christmas gift is one of them. We all remember those particular toys and books that seemed a little more magical and more worthy of care, and thanks to big sister I have discovered Pook Press and their selection of classical children’s books from “the golden age of...
6 tags
Le Funky Mamas - Yay, we're blog of the month!
They’re funky, they’re mamas, they’re stylish and fun, and on top of all that, they made us their blog of the month for November, thank you Le Funky Mamas! I only wish I didn’t have to rely so much on Google translate to understand their website. Check out their site here and follow them on twitter here.
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The Highway Rat - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
On one of our now twice weekly visits to Hughes & Hughes Dundrum (the most child friendly bookshop I’ve encountered) we picked up Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s latest picture book The Highway Rat.
As far as I’m concerned you can do no wrong if you make a highwayman your subject. I love them all, from teen favourite The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes to Adam Ant’s...