totmama

While skimming some fashion sites, I came across something that made me think “Is it really that easy?”. It’s RIT Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant. You buy the packets, add one to your regular laundry cycle, dry as usual, and your lovely duds go from a UPF 5 to a whopping UPF 30! Apparently it IS that easy! The dermatologist recommended shield is safe for the whole family, and it lasts for more than 20 additional washings! It’s perfect for people who live in very sunny areas; especially with kids. I know my little ones are out on the playground at times without that major spray down of sunblock. Use this, and you’ll have “No Worries.” Easy peas-y and true genius!

Ever since my stint living in Spain, I have admired the work of Jordi Labanda. His very modern, yet retro illustrations were on everything from teen pencil bags and backpacks to a wonderful line of scents and other products produced by the big spanish style starters Zara and Mango. His drawing style was knocked off by many a designer, but no one can capture the true feel of his work. He has an eye and attention to detail that speaks of his traditional Spanish surroundings and upbringing. If you ever get a chance to check out the book of his illustrations, Hey Day, you will see what I mean. He gives you a peek into a time and place that is typical modern Spain, yet feels like mid-century bachelor. You feel like you were in your frisky great aunt’s sitting room in 1957. To this day I am kicking myself for two things; not buying one of his gorgeous and girly suede “sweet” or “bla” handbags while I was in Spain, and passing up an opportunity to interview him for a final project in my intensive Spanish classes at Esade. 

Labanda has reached overseas, having some success in the US. A huge line of summery and fun notebooks, backpacks and plastic accessories, produced by Miquelrius, were sprouting up everywhere. Each illustration had a mood, and there was someone that every person could identify with.  They are hip for teen and “young at heart” women alike. Now I have found some lovely and sophisticated items he’s added to his collection, rugs and floor coverings. They are lush and flirty, just like his other works, but with a artful feel that you just can’t duplicate unless you clone him. They are lovely. Now I’ll have to add another thing to my regrets! They don’t sell these rugs here, yet. 

 Whenever there is a child that I want to get a gift for, I know I can’t go wrong looking to HABA Toys. The quirky brightly colored toys are adorable for display and play. I was lucky enough to snare a Big Voyage Playset just as my son was starting to walk. He loved running around the house pulling the animals for a ride. The Trio Clutching Toy was also a favorite of his, and was passed on to his little sis. She loves the bell and tricky squeeker too. (edit.: There is a safety recall on some Haba toys, for mirrors or small parts that could shatter or dislodge. See Haba Recall for more info.) I have to say that I love the imagination that goes into the world they create. While researching things for my dream playroom, I came across some of their really gorgeous swings. The Chilly Swing Seat would be a cool addition to any kid filled home, while the Ship’s See-Saw just knocks it out of the park. You just have to love a company that named one swing the Ikarus, adding wings to the sides of the swing seat. Did they have such fun stuff available when we were kids? 

  Rarely does something so very unassuming on the outside catch your eye and shock you when you crack it open. That was the feeling I felt when I saw this book, in it’s sleeve, siting on a table display at a trendy baby store in SF. They say you can’t read a book by it’s cover. In this case, they are very right. I have fallen in love with the BINTH Baby Book. The outside is rather understated. Modern “less is more” illustration doesn’t come close to alluding to the beauty inside. The memory book, with it’s lovely, well designed pages and thoughtful heirloom quality screen printed images make any other baby books seem like scribbles on a starbucks napkin in comparison. (Not that scribbles don’t have their place!) Gorgeous typography, well thought out milestones and places for trinkets… you’ll have something you may not want to give up to the kids when they’re older. With a kinda hefty $110 price tag, I don’t think I can swing it… yet. (I would need two for my little family, and I am trying to keep a war from happening in the future over the book!)  I am hoping that I’ll snare one at a discount from sparkability or wishingfish some day. BINTH has made some great stuff, including adorable children’s posters, games, art prints and paper goods. I have had my eye on the very cool Numbers Poster for our playroom for quite a while. Now I see they are embarking on the textile seas with a line of pillow designs that give a stage to their fun illustrations. I can see them going much father, and hope others are seeing the value of this kind of quality design.

The new collaborations at International Playthings have created some really fun looking interactive toys for babies and toddlers. I stumbled across this really cool set of products branded Yookidoo, and I can’t take my eyes off of them. Gorgeous bright colors and smart features that seem to have been well thought out. (They must have asked a few parents for once!) There are “block” type toys called Stack Flap N’ Tumble, that look like they could give me a few free minutes from being “mommy jungle gym”. Then I saw the Discovery Playhouse and I was in awe! I can’t afford to splurge on the $100 price tag, but this playhouse would surely be a hoot to watch with my one year old. I could totally see big brother getting into the action too. Maybe I can convince someone it’s a combined gift? Hmmm…

Being a graphic designer in my past life, I have a love for typography that most people would say borders insanity. There is just something about typesetting… the sound of a printer’s press, the smell of the inks, and the hours that get eaten up as you painstakingly sort the 9 pt. Helvetica from the 10 pt. Helvetica. There was a well worn, earthy feel to the wonderful wooden block type we used at RISD. Once while traveling (long after college), I remember coming across a huge box of old assorted wood and lead type. I begged on knees and pleaded, trying to convince my husband to agree and let me haul the 35 lbs. of type to our house. It worked, and I took my prize of a dying era home. Sadly, I am not sure where it is now… somewhere in the mountainous piles of boxes in our storage unit or in the garage, but I actually miss it. Weird, I know. A huge heap of (most likely poisonous) soft lead and wooden type that is covered with ink residue that leaves your hands black for days, and I actually miss it. Why am I talking about this, you ask? Well, I was yet again going thru my piles of mail order catalogues, and found the Alpha Coffee Table at Crate and Barrel. When I saw it, I immediately thought “I sooooo get it!”. It’s warm, worn in, old world, yet modern too. Just beautiful. Now I can have the look, and fulfill my wood type jones, without the risk of “Painter’s Colic”.

With the sea of animals and toys you acquired once you announced that you were leaving the world of the singles, you wished your friends and family had the panache to pick up one (or two) of these modernly adorable bears. When I saw this photo of the Fauna Kuma Bears in my inbox, it made me smile. I figure that is what your kids toys should do! Check them out at Design Public. I just love the Fauna products, and my son’s fav tee for months was the Fauna Owl Tee. I haven’t splurged on one of the bears for the playroom yet, but I have a feeling I will soon. Problem is they’re like blueberries, you can’t eat just one! 

Was checking out a few of the new kid’s room items on Growing Up with Garnet Hill (I love their kid’s slippers!) and I found a company that makes very clean modern playsets for kids. Guidecraft creates great sturdy wooden play sets, toys and furniture, like this adorable Dress Up Carousel. My son likes to play fireman, and i never know where all the pieces are. This would be great for organizing in the playroom, and I can see this becoming popular with our new little girl of the house. (Wish they made this in adult sizes! I could totally use it in my own bedroom!) Guidecraft’s Complete Kitchen Center is selling at Garnet Hill, great to know about when you want something sturdy, good looking and just plain fun.