Showered...

I popped over to Grace Happens and saw my friend Alexis {of Fern + Feather} getting showered with love by friends hosting a pre-baby #2 luncheon. I loved every detail of this home and beautiful event. So many creative details. Go see! 

Walking Around Holiday Gift Guide: For Baby...

Many of my friends are having winter babies! Here are a few things on the list for baby gifts this holiday season. 
Organic hooded baby towel
Fern + Feather Elephant 
Striped wool jersey pants
Sophie the Giraffe
Paris Tee
Harmony Baby Rattle
Wee People Mittens + Hat
Penguin One-piece
Jack + Lily Boots

Splendid + Kimmel Kids in So Cal...

Kimmel Kids is hosting a fantastic new event with Splendid this weekend! I will have to live vicariously through those who get to enjoy on the west coast.

The event will be held on June 5th from 11AM to 2PM at Splendid Boutique in Los Angeles. All families and friends are invited to celebrate summertime with cool crafts workshops where you can create original art and unique accessories, while cooling off with tasty Ciao Bella Gelato.

RSVP: splendid@tractenberg.com

Ace Hotel Art Retreat...

The Art of Exchange: Crafting Community Ace Hotel & Swim Club: April 23 & 24, 2010

If you are on the left coast, this is completely worth checking out and sounds like an amazing family retreat! The Art of Exchange is a two day, two night artist retreat for kids and families with interactive art workshops, activities, projects, Saturday movie night with popcorn, poolside bbq, fireside s’mores and Sunday morning brunch. Artist Karen Kimmel will guide art projects like potato prints, miniature gardens, macramé, dioramas, and knitting, with a focus on the reuse and repurposing of natural materials. You can also just do your own thing, hang out by the pool, and explore. Make your resi now!! {images via green wedding shoes and karen kimmel}

Kids Gift Guide...

Here are the best kids' gift guides on the block:

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~30 Gifts for Kids - Under $30 dollars at Black Eiffel

~Fern and Feather's gifts for baby, and little boys and girls

~My addition is this adorable I ♥ jumper found via Cup of Jo.

Fern & Feather...

You might just be ooohing and ahhhing out loud at this very moment, because - how can you not think these are the cutest kids, in the cutest T's. Fern & Feather creates a line of adorable Birthday T’s that are the perfect for your little birthday girl or boy… Each design is one-of-a-kind and made with fabrics that have been found everywhere from flea markets to a collection of vintage Hawaiian shirts. They are made by Alexis in her cool funky art barn in San Diego, her style has always been one that I admired from her clothes to her home. You can buy the T's on Etsy;)

JHill's Animal Alphabet...

Jennifer at JHill Design has created her newest line of prints :: Animal Alphabet - tres adorable! These 9x9 full-color prints are just $25/each (and $50, framed) - check out the entire alphabet right now! via Scoop.

Annenberg Beach House...

Not a member of the elite beach clubs on the coast of LA? Don't fret! The Annenberg Community Beach House just opened it's 5 acre facility to the public in Santa Monica. A splash pad stocked with amenities include a pool, volleyball/beach tennis courts, spaces for events and meetings, beach café, a children’s play area, public art and more. Pool passes are $4 for children, $5 for seniors, $10 for adults – or $24 for a family pass (2 kids, 2 adults).

Easy Bake Oven...

Am I too old for one of these? I think, hands down my favorite thing when I was a little girl was the Easy Bake Oven;)

Mommy Gear...

I saw this handy thing on Emilia Jane - trioBike, it's fantastic for my mommy friends -and carries the whole fam! With 3 independent functions: a bike, 2-seat buggy and carrier bike. You guessed it though...it's not cheap. But hey, you're saving in gas money and burning calories. Win-win!

101 Indoor Activities for the Family...

Cookie magazine brings fun times inside this winter! From baking to science experiments, improv, papier-mâché and more creative ideas.

Little Rock Star...

I love these cute monogrammed guitars at Pottery Barn Kids.

Retro Cool...

I have a teenage niece who has a fantastic retro-style. Here is a little montage for Kaela;)

Little Tee's...

Check out the creative line of new tee's for tots and babes. Lilbugz clothing is an imaginative collection of 'Bugz' characters inspired to boost the courage of children. Each 'Bugz' is special in its own way with its own special abilities. Some are fast and some are funny and some are just plain wacky. A friend of a friend started this company in Seattle. Loving the concept!

Skate away...

The Polar Rink is open in NYC. It's the new ice skating park at the American Museum of Natural History that fits 200 skaters and a seventeen-foot-tall stainless steel bear dressed in pine branches and sparkly lights. $6-10 rentals

Sun.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Best Illustrated Children's Books - 2008

The New York Times honors the best illustrated children's books this year.

Winter Coats for Kids...

Cookie Magazine has all the outdoor gear for your little one's to survive the winter and play!

Wilderness Reserve South Africa...

Bushmans Kloof in South Africa looks like the most beautiful oasis. The Koro Lodge off the main lodge is the private luxury villa, that sleeps 4 adults and 4 children. Equipped kitchen and bar, flat screen TV's, private terraces, uninterrupted views of the reserve and pool, this comfortable getaway includes the services of its own Chef and Guide for the duration of your family getaway. Mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, swimming, fly fishing, archery, wine tasting, nature drives and spa activities will keep you occupied. Rates include all meals and range from $1,600-$3,200 a night.

Little Chef...

Cookie Magazine has a list of cooking classes and culinary camps for kids all over the US.

Children's Books...

"Growing up is such a barbarous business, full of inconvenience..." Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Stocking the shelves with imagination is ageless, blogger Gramercy Gaslight Girl lists her favorite livres d'efants.