SHOPS WE LOVE: SMALLABLE (FRANCE)

Smallable is the ultimate concept store for kids, as well as parents! When I first discovered this beautiful online shop from France, I couldn't stop scrolling! With a range of adorable kids room decor, including the Numero 74 canopy that you see in some of the rooms I design as well as the sweetest selection of clothing for babies, toddlers, kids, teens and also women, this is a one-stop shop for all things kids (and Mom too)! Smallable carries some of my favourite brands, like Emile et Ida, Pom d'Api, Buho and Hundred Pieces as well as dozens and dozens more. I'm especially in love with the sweet romper you'll see Kaia wearing from our beach day last week and the white top on Noelle has to be felt to really know how soft it is! I wish the chambray pants came in my size!

Smallable is helping to make your shopping adventure a little sweeter with a $10 discount for orders over $100 on fashion items at Smallable. This offer is valid now until Mother's Day (Sunday May 14th) using the code WINTERMOM at checkout. 

* This post was created in collaboration with Smallable. All words and photos are my own.

SHOPS WE LOVE: FRESHLY PICKED SHOES FOR SPRING!

You may know Freshly Picked for their adorable baby moccasins and for gracing the feet of many celebrity kids, but did you know that they now have hard sole toddler shoes too?

Now that Kaia and Noelle are in school, Xavier and I head out for nature walks regularly. For this walk, I thought I'd let him take his new big boy moccasins for a try. Perfect for Spring (and summer and autumn too!), I love that the design of the hard sole shoes are made for a toddler who loves to slip on their own shoes! The lace-up look is super cute but the practicality of slip ons is ideal for my independent four year old.

When I asked Xavier what he thought of his new shoes, he said "really comfy", which is probably the best review you can get. Comfortable, practical and cute is a definite win for my mom life these days.

I love these new grown up moccs for my big boy, and you can choose from a wide selections of patterns and colours at Freshly Picked. Xavier is wearing the Next Step shoes in Weathered Brown.

*This post was created in collaboration with Freshly Picked. Photos and opinions are all my own.

SHOPS WE LOVE: SIMPLY MERINO KIDS PAJAMAS

My love of merino wool started years ago, when I had my first top for winter that was not only cozy, but also so very warm. I could run in it, snowboard in it, sleep in it, you name it. Cozy and warm is literally winter perfection!

Simply Merino is that exact combination in kid's pajamas! Cozy, warm, breathable, adorable and they come in the sweetest colours that will keep any mama happy. These children's clothes are not only designed right here in Vancouver, but are manufactured locally too. 

Don't know anything about merino? Well, it is literally a sort of miracle material that keeps you warm when you're cold and cool when you're warm. Amazing, right? Let me explain how this will help you mamas out there. When wearing merino wool, babies and children's body temperatures are more regulated, which in turn keeps kids happier, settles babies more quickly and can even enhance sleep. Did you hear that??!! Anything to get us a little more sleep I say! It is especially important to dress babies appropriately as they can not regulate their own body temperatures.

It is also naturally fire resistant (therefore avoiding the chemical fire retardant sprays that are used on traditional wool), hypoallergenic and sustainable, healthier for our little ones all around. 

If the overwhelming advantages of merino wool don't sway you, have a look at the lovely fit on my children. They rave about how cozy the pajamas are and I love that the cuffs on both the arms and legs are a good fit so that they will stay tucked in on the ski hill. I can't wait to use these as a base layer for the kids this winter. I also love that they have sizes all the way up to 12! Overall, these merino wool outfits from Simply Merino are a huge hit with our family and I can't recommend them enough. 

Simply Merino is offering readers 10% off their shop with promo code winterdaisy10.

*This post was created in collaboration with Simply Merino. All words, photos and opinions are my own.

SHOPS WE LOVE: BLAKE & RILEY

If you're living in Vancouver, you may have been lucky enough to wander through Kerrisdale Village and spot a new store on the block, Blake & Riley. The shop is a treasure trove of delicious goodies: kids clothing (mainly from Korea), European home decor, bits of party accessories and a wide variety of goods for kids spaces.

Blake & Riley recently opened on 41st Avenue in Kerrisdale and I stumbled upon it shortly after Hey-Sun launched the business. It was love at first sight and Hey-Sun's warm, friendly personality is the perfect complement to the bright and lovely shop itself. I later stopped by and had the chance to talk with Hey-Sun and I've asked her to share a little about bit about her history, growing her empire and where's she hoping this journey leads some day...

When and why did you start Blake & Riley?

It's always been a dream of mine to launch my own brand and Rich (my husband) and I have always wanted to work for ourselves. Before coming to Vancouver, we lived in Seoul for almost 10 years (I was working in kids' fashion and Rich in media), and we loved it. It's a fast-changing, up-all-night metropolis that's become a real international centre of design, fashion and pop culture, and it's a fantastic place for a young couple to live. When the kids came along, we wanted more space for them to run around, so we started looking toward Vancouver. I built the brand over the course of two years with top design firm Art and Design International, run by a close friend. A little over a year ago, we both quit our jobs and made the move back here to launch the project.

How did you know Kerrisdale was the perfect location?

Kerrisdale is the birthplace of some of Vancouver's greatest brands: Aritzia, Blue Ruby and Faubourg. Where else would we go? :) Right now, it's a neighbourhood in flux, with new families coming in from all over the world and living among the people who've been here forever. We like to think we can serve both groups. Also, as a bicultural family-run business ourselves, we represent the way things are going not only in Kerrisdale, but across Vancouver in general. Different cultures are coming together to create something new and it's exciting to be a part of it.

What brands do you carry and why are they special?

For interior design, we carry Scandinavian brands like Muuto, Ferm Living and String. I feel Scandinavia really sets the tone internationally when it comes to the best in interior design these days. Our kids' clothes all come from Seoul and are made in Korea. Fashion moves at breakneck speed there, with new styles coming out every week, and I'm happy to be able to bring that dynamism to Vancouver. I also bring in interesting stuff that catches my eye from other countries (like England and Australia) that you wouldn't be able to find here.

Do you take weekends off?

No time for days off right now. We're bringing some people on to help out soon, but right now it's just the two of us. I think that working 24/7 when you launch a new business is par for the course if you want to succeed. Work like crazy now, and take days off later. In Spain, maybe.

How do you manage to find the 'balance' with two young sons at home?

Our hours are such that we can have breakfast and dinner as a family every day, which is a huge blessing and not something that I could necessarily expect from another job. Apart from that, much of the work for the brand is done from home, so there's always time for hug breaks.

Worst part about the job?

Working every day!

Best part about the job?

Building our own brand and watching it grow. 

What is your hope for the store in 5 years time?

We look at Kerrisdale as our flagship location. Expect to see more of us around, hopefully sooner than later.

It was an absolute pleasure stumbling across Blake and Riley. Thanks so much Hey-Sun for sharing your beautiful store with us!

P.S. Blake & Riley are kindly offering WINTER DAISY readers 10% off clothing in store for the month of June. Simply mention WINTER DAISY at checkout.