GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS UNDER 7

A little gift guide for kids with items that kids will love and look great in your home too! Last month, I shared my favourites from Etsy and then last week shared our favourite holiday books. These picks are toys we love or are on our list. As we all know, what our children truly want is our time, energy and love. That and more food than I ever imagined, HA! If you are like me and feel your kids have all that they need, please use this guide simply as suggestions of fun ideas you can give to friends or family who insist on buying something for your kiddos. There are prices ranging from $15 - $275 so hopefully everyone can find something that suits what they are looking for. Please note all items below can reach you before Christmas if you order today (some even later)!

01. // Soft Doll; 02. // Cloud Rug; 03. // Pull Bunny; 04. // Translucent Magnatiles; 05. // Wood Tetris; 06. // Lamb Pillow; 07. // Castle Blocks; 08. // Hazel Bunny; 09. // Robot Clock; 10. // Cool Speedster; 11. // Art Subscription; 12. // Mini Guitar; 13. // Puppet Theatre.

OH MONDAY!

1. The magical month of December is in full swing and since having kids, I've loved what this month brings...excitement, extra catch ups with friends, magical holiday lights and the comfort of home and family. 

2. I am wrapping up design clients for the holidays soon and can't wait to show you all the new rooms next year, including our very own creative art space, a baby nursery, a playroom and the first retail space I've ever designed! It's been a busy year!

3. We are heading to Melbourne, Australia (where my husband grew up) after Christmas and I am really looking forward to some sunshine, family time and relaxation, but not so much the 16 hour flight with 3 kids to get there!!! If you have any tips on traveling with young kids or any must have products that have saved you on a long flight, please leave any advice in the comments.

Melbourne, Australia

4. One thing I find our kids need renewed every so often is placemats. I'm going to be tucking one of these cute ones in their stockings this year. I love the educational aspect of the world map but the forest placemat rolls up and you can draw on it!!

5. If you are still thinking of getting a canopy like the one in little client Ella's room, now is the time to order!!! They create such a cozy space for reading, imaginary play and best of all, snuggle time. I've linked a few of my favourite options for canopies below.

Have an amazing week!!!

HOLIDAY BOOKS FOR KIDS

If you've been following along for a while, you will know that I LOVE children's books as much as book walls and try to encourage reading in every way I can in our household and in client spaces. 

Book walls provide an easy way to display different toys and of course, books! At this time of year, I switch up the every day books for books about winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, whatever else that feels like December and holidays for your family!

A few years ago, we wrapped up books for an all-book advent calendar and it was the perfect way to start a family collection of stories for this time of the year. The following years we have given the kids a new book on December 1st to launch the holiday fun. If introduced right from the start, books are loved by all. They will make the perfect gift for your own little ones but also make lovely gifts for cousins, nieces, nephews and any little friends.

Here are some of our tried and true favourite Christmas / holiday / December books!

01. // The Christmas Quiet Book; 02. // The Polar Express; 03. // Snowmen at Christmas; 04. // A Christmas for Bear; 05. // Christmas Wombat; 06. // Bear Stays Up For Christmas; 07. // Belle & Boo A Very Merry Christmas; 08. // Little Blue Truck's Christmas; 09. // Twas The Night Before Christmas; 10. // Hannukah Hop; 11. // The Jolly Christmas Postman; 12. // The Little Reindeer.

We also LOVE 'Little Robin's Christmas' but I couldn't find it in stock anywhere online. It is a lovely story so check your local bookstore to see if it is there.

Happy reading...

OH MONDAY!

1. #ohmonday seems to come so quickly each week and instead of dreading Mondays, I wake up feeling invigorated and excited to be working in a field that I love so much. Thank you for being here and following my journey!

2. If you caught my Instastories over on Instagram about a week ago, you will have seen that I'm working on a HUGE retail project that I haven't told you much about. This is my first time working outside of children's spaces and I am designing a men's retail store in Yaletown, Vancouver that will be launching in Spring 2018. I'll be sharing more about this exciting project in the months to come but for now, here is a progress shot of the retail shelving and space as well as the amazing pendants and a fun mirror that were just installed!!! A completely different look than my kids rooms!

3. Back to kids...did you know there's only 29 days until Christmas?!! I am thinking of buying dolls for our girls this year. Here are some of the ones I've been looking at; do you know of any others that are lovely and soft and cuddly? Please tell me in the comments if you do!

4. Speaking of Christmas, our favourite personalized books are on sale (last day today) for 15% off! We are buying these this year for some of the little ones in our life as Kaia, Noelle & Xavier LOVE them. The Intergalactic Journey Home is our absolute fave.

5. Hope all of my friends in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family time. I'm feeling very grateful for our health, everyday opportunities and my sweet little crew below!

Adorable outfits from our friends at Petits Vilains.

Happy Monday...

GET THE LOOK {CHRISTMAS PLAYHOUSE}

Thank you for all the love on our holiday playhouse this week!!! I am so happy you love it as much as I do.

If you are thinking of getting a playhouse for your little ones for Christmas, I still love these wooden playhouses for this project.

If you are curious about how we achieved this look from the original playhouse, please find the details here.

01. // Playhouse; 02. // Birch lit tree; 03. // Boxwood wreath; 04. // Mini mugs; 05. // Welcome mat; 06. // Holiday garlands; 07. // Playhouse stools; 08. // Diamond rug.