Fun Fuzzy Spider Halloween Craft

October 2, 2013

Post by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com
A while back Bettijo and I were preparing some Halloween crafts to share. Our idea for this last-minute spider turned out to be among our favorites. His fuzzy little body and crazy wiggly eyes just made us fall in love with him. (My boys love him, too!)

He takes just a couple minutes to put together, and you may just have everything on hand to create him today. Supplies :: Black yarn :: 2 black pipe cleaners :: 2 wiggly eyes :: Scissors :: Glue

To Make the Body: Begin by wrapping the yarn around three fingers. (We wrapped ours around about 60 times.) Carefully nudge the yarn off your fingers, then tie a short piece of yarn around the circled yarn and tie tightly. Cut the loops of the yarn to create a fuzzy pompom. Trim the pompom to your desired size.

To Make the Legs: Cut your two pipe cleaners in half. Twist the four pieces of pipe cleaner together in the middle and space them apart. Bend the ends of each piece to create the spider’s feet. Glue the pompom onto the middle of the pipe cleaners. Finish your fuzzy spider by gluing eyes onto the pompom. Now go make your spider’s web. If you’re looking for more spider crafts, be sure to check out our Paper Spiders.

Reposted with permission by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com

Pretty Preppy

October 1, 2013

The room is inspired by those super sweet pillows, which I have always adored.

(1) Yellow Pendant Lamp (2) Vintage Brass Bow (3) Yellow Poppy Print

(4) Mahvelous Scallop Mirror (5) Love Wall Art (6) C'est Tort Print

(7) Bee (8) Navy Verona Crib (9) Gold Lamp

(10) Beaucoup Bow Pillows (11) Marine Queen Sheet (12) Monarch Dresser (and love these knobs!)

(13) Shattered Print (14) Yellow Stripe Curtain (15) Retro Rocker

(16) Locking Blocks Rug (17) Herringbone Poufs (18) Yellow Stripe Bin

Post by Joni: Lay Baby Lay

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

September 30, 2013

Post by Haeley of Design Improvised
Once pumpkins start appearing at the grocery store, I can’t help but take home a few to put on the mantel. I particularly love finding fun ways to decorate mini pumpkins. Is it any surprise that this year I would cover mine in pom-poms?!

First it was the pom-pom wall art, then the pom-pom balloons, and now the pom-pom pumpkins. I think I will officially declare 2013 as the year of the pom-pom for Design Improvised! My mom actually gave me this idea (thanks mom!) and I immediately went for my glue gun.

I also recently received a box of crafting goodies from Martha Stewart Living (more on that to come!) and these little card stock masquerade stickers were included. I thought it would be fun to disguise a couple of my mini pumpkins with them:

Both of these ideas only take minutes and a few dollars for the pom-poms and stickers. All you need is a glue gun to stick them on! Even though the little masks had adhesive on the back, I added a dab of glue to make sure they would be extra secure. I then just drew little black strings for the mask with a Sharpie.

I rounded out my Halloween mantel with a few pages from a Martha Stewart Halloween paper pad that I had framed a couple Halloweens ago and continue to reuse! The black vases are normally in our master bedroom, but I thought they would add some nice height to the display.

So grab a few mini pumpkins and a glue gun and make your own festive mantel in minutes!

Post by Haeley of Design Improvised

Suminagashi Marbleized Paper

September 27, 2013

This summer, my mother-in-law bought a suminagashi marbling kit (similar to this one, which only costs $13.50) and all the grandkids couldn't stop using it.

This activity is so simple that even T didn't need much help (though be careful, the dyes stain). All you have to do is add a few drops of the suminagashi (what a word) paint to a pan of water, then swirl the paint with a chopstick or barbeque skewer. Dip a sheet of watercolor paper into the water and the results are absolutely gorgeous. When you want to make a new design you don't even need to change the water in the pan, instead just use a strip of newspaper to soak up the old colors. Easy peasy.

Of course, now I need to figure out what to do with over 50 sheets of marbled paper. Make greeting cards? Wrap very small presents?

I think this would be a great activity with a large group of kids, as you're pretty much guaranteed beautiful results and the set-up isn't very complicated.

If you don't want to invest in the suminagashi dye, we've also marbled with:

* Shaving cream and water colors AND
* Oil and water colors

(both of which are messy, but also very fun).

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

September 26, 2013

We lived in San Francisco a number of years ago when my hubby was in dental school. Our big splurge came in the form of a Friday night out to eat. I’d strap Hudson into his carseat in the back of my white Pontiac Sunfire coupe, pick Dr. B up at school and we’d head downtown to Chipotle. We’d go all-out, ordering chips AND guacamole with our meal. We spent our date night chatting about our respective days, people-watching the art student crowd so plentiful in the neighborhood, and passing Baby Hudson back and forth so we could each get a bite every once in a while. This became our tradition for many Fridays.

And to top off our evening, we’d either walk to Beard Papa’s for a cream puff (which is a delicacy deserving a post all of its own), or we’d head over to the Tom’s Cookies station at the mall. I almost always got the oatmeal butterscotch cookie; but the one with the giant Reese’s peanut butter cup baked into the middle was a close second. After dental school, Tom passed away, and the shop closed. No trip to San Francisco has been the same for me since. When I get homesick for the City that stole my heart, I whip up a batch of my own Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies. They’ll never be the same as Tom’s, but they do bring back a lot of great memories.

If you’d like my recipe, I created a little printable recipe card just for you.

Download my printable recipe card here.

Post by Christina Williams

Need more tasty recipes and delicious bites? Check out our Let’s Eat Pinterest Board.

Worksheet Wednesday: Boo Vowels

September 25, 2013

Post by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com
Boo! Things are starting to look spooky around here, and today’s worksheet is no different. Your youngest ones can practice letter recognition and sounds (let’s here those scary “ooooooooos”). This worksheet is also for your young school-age children — have them recognize and color the vowels. Download our Boo Vowels Worksheet here. If you’re looking for more ghostly worksheets, check out our Ghost and Pumpkin Tracing Worksheet.

Reposted with permission by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com

A Star-Gazer Nursery for Baby Boy

September 24, 2013

So I swear it seems like I just finished Modette’s nursery, and now it’s time for her to move into a big girl room and convert the nursery into something fitting of a baby boy. So I’m facing that dilemma that many Supermoms before me have had: how to transform a nursery from girl to boy (or vice versa) without starting completely over!

Gratefully I chose good neutrals when I was creating Modette’s nursery, and by switching out just a few accessories I’m well on my way to a nursery for our baby boy. The foundation of Modette’s room were gray walls (remember that cool faux trim paint job) and white furniture, both of which will be right at home in a boy’s room. The gray was complimented by a pretty chartreuse green and aqua color combo. For the boy’s room, the aqua gets to stay put (since I’m lazy and really don’t want to repaint the rocking horse or bins on the bookshelf), and I’m swapping the chartreuse for a truer yellow. The accent color in Modette’s room was magenta, which will be replaced by red in the boy’s palette.

Modette’s nursery had a literary theme and as much as I love the book-page mobile that Aimee made, it will be replaced by a a large format chalkboard print of the constellations for the star-gazing theme in the boy’s nursery. Several of the little accessories — like the vintage globe that is the perfect shade of aqua blue — will carry over nicely into the boy’s room.

1. Crib. When converting your nursery it is important to find out if your old crib still meets current safety guidelines. The CPSC has recently beefed up crib safety standards and the drop-side crib we’ve used for our previous kids no longer measures up. So priority one for the nursery redo is a new crib. The sleek look of the Low-Rise Crib from Land of Nod will fit in nicely with my existing nursery furniture (See No. 9 above: Malm Dresser) and since drop-sides are no longer allowed I like the idea that this crib is a tad shorter so I’ll have easier access to baby.

2. Bedding. More recent updates to crib safety regulations discourage the use of crib bumpers. I think bumpers look darling, and I’m sad to see them go, but where I’ve always had plain crib sheets to accommodate a patterned bumper, this time the sheets will be having all the fun! How cute are those over-sized polka dots?? Though it was that grey stripe sheet that had me at, “Hello!” I’ve got the coordinating stripe crib skirt too, all part of Land of Nod’s Not a Peep Crib Collection.

3. Star Nightlight. I’ve had a bit of a fetish lately with marquee signs and so I can’t resist the idea of a star marquee sign hanging as a nightlight over baby’s dresser. I found this perfect one from Saddle Shoe Signs on Etsy, with 25 color options — I’m thinking charcoal gray or red. What do you think?

4. Rocket Blocks. These colorful rocket ship stacking blocks will look so fun on the bookshelf or dresser, waiting for baby boy to get old enough to play with them.

5. Constellation Wall Art. My friend Melanie over at Caravan Shoppe designed these cool chalkboard prints that are just right for the wall over baby’s bookshelf. She has one of the constellations and solar system, and I keep going back and forth between them. I think I’ve decided on the constellation print, and I can’t wait to study it while I’m rocking baby in his nursery.

6. Metal Letter. L-O-V-E these Magnificent Metal Letters from Land of Nod! They have such cool dimension so they can double as a shelf for a few small trinkets. I think they’re sort of perfect with the marquee star sign too.

7. Storage Baskets. I like the idea of corralling diaper-changing supplies, laundry and toys in these cool vintage-inspired metal baskets and milk crates, both from Land of Nod.

8. Throw Pillow. I want one of these simple and bold initial throw pillows to soften my wood rocking chair. We’re still deciding on a name, so I’m not sure which letter it will be…

Obviously I’m loving a lot of things from Land of Nod. Aimée and I are long-time Nod fans. We are so grateful to Land of Nod for sponsoring the baby boy’s nursery makeover.

Reposted with permission by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com

DIY Neon Animals

September 20, 2013

Need a few bright pops of color? Try taking any ordinary item like a used toy, old statue or everyday object and give it makeover. A little bright spray paint will quickly and easily transform anything into an eye-catching, unique accent for a playroom, kid’s room or bedroom. Choose the color of your liking and coordinate them with your existing décor.

Things to Make – Scissor Salsa and Basil Walnut Bean Spread

September 19, 2013

Last week the girls attended farm camp through Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (located in Alexandria, VA), where they: picked soybeans, weeded the garden, fed chickens, ran around fields, made playgrounds out of old wood planks, spent the whole day outside (seriously, the WHOLE DAY), and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, learned how to cook. Yes, every week of farm camp has a different theme and, luckily, my kids showed up for the Small Chefs session. Each weekday afternoon they brought home fabulous recipes utilizing garden fresh ingredients. One of their absolute favorite recipes is for scissor salsa, which strikes me as incredible because before last week the girls would never even touch salsa and now they make and eat it THEMSELVES. Farm camp = magic.

ARCADIA FARM'S SCISSOR SALSA

Ingredients:

* Handful of cherry/grape tomatoes
* 2-3 small sweet peppers
* 8 sprigs of cilantro
* 1 ear of corn
* 1/2 onion [optional]
* 1 clove garlic
* juice of one lime
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

* Remove the stem and seeds from the peppers, cut them into long slices.
* Use scissors to cut the tomatoes, cilantro, and onion.
* Remove the corn from the cob with a knife.
* Add the garlic by crushing it in a garlic press or with a mortar and pestle.
* Add the olive oil, salt, and lime juice.
* Mix by crushing the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
* Eat with tortilla chips. (Adopted from a recipe by the D.C. non-profit, City Blossoms Inc.) The girls also came home with this recipe for basil walnut bean spread, which wasn't their favorite food (P – "it's just okay"), but Dan and I find the spread addictive. And super easy to make.

ARCADIA FARM'S BASIL WALNUT BEAN SPREAD

Ingredients:

* 1 can garbanzo beans
* 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
* 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
* 1/4 cup olive oil * 4 teaspoons lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

* Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add more olive oil and lemon juice if needed. Garnish with basil or radishes. Eat with crackers or bread. (Adopted from a recipe by the D.C. non-profit, City Blossoms Inc.)

And if you're interested in Arcadia, they also host workshops and field trips throughout the year in the Washington DC region. Click here for more info.

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Start Where You Are

September 18, 2013

I need a little inspiration at the beginning of a new month. I easily get overwhelmed by my to-do list, and I need to remember to do my very best and be happy with it.

Just the other day, I was scrambling to get ready for a little lunch party I was hosting. My day was really not going well. As I was mentally kicking myself for forgetting the almonds for the salad, I looked up and saw my little quote sitting there. I took a deep breath and told myself, "This IS my best today." And you know what? I felt better. Despite my sticky floors, the clutter I'd scooped into the nearest drawer, and the missing almonds, I realized this was truly my best effort for the day, and I was OK with it. It was quite liberating. This whole taking-it-easy-on-myself thing is really fantastic. I'll have to try it more often.

I created a little printable of this month's quote in case you could use a little inspiration, too.

Download the free printable here.

Post by Christina Williams

Things to Make – Homemade Charades

September 17, 2013

Lately, we've attempted to incorporate more family game nights into our evenings, with mixed results. All three kids play at such different levels and I can only participate in so much Candyland or Chutes and Ladders before I feel like banging my head against a wall. During Cranium the other night, Dan and I noticed that the kids really enjoy acting things out, charades style. Unfortunately, there are few games that contain common references the whole family knows. So we decided to create our own version.

I cut cards out of an old Trader Joe's bag (paper would (obviously) also work, but I was trying to use up some of our recyclables). Then I wrote categories on the cards and asked the kids to fill them in. Nobody seemed very interested at first, so I filled in several. Then we started playing (without teams, just sort of randomly). And the results were awesome. After noting the category was "a person", P walked around the house with her nose in a book until everyone started yelling "MOM! You're acting like mom!" Then after explaining he was a "thing", T plopped himself on the floor until we all figured out he was a boat; actually I gave a lot of hints for that one (I usually know the answer as I have to read T the cards and sometimes P, so I can't exactly "play"). Anyways, we couldn't stop laughing. And F silently singing Firework while mimicking explosions is simply priceless.

Now I try to always have a few blank cards on the table, so when the kids think of something funny, they can add to the bag. Not the world's most original game, but an easy (and cheap) way to have some end of summer fun (especially since the rain and mild temps make pool-going difficult). Anyone have any good boardgame suggestions for players ranging in ages from 4 -7.5? I've heard Quirkle is fun. Also, for more homemade game ideas, check out these past posts:

* The Penny Game
* Alphabet Bingo
* Memory Cards (through Pinhole Press) Well, at least T attempted to write "cowboy" himself.

I can't remember what the girls were miming, but they sure had a great time with it.

It took T a few seconds to get the hang of things, but then he really let his inner star shine through.

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Behind the Scenes with HGTV Magazine

September 16, 2013

HGTV Magazine does these super cool house tours in every issue. They are always inspiring, as is everything that HGTV does. So I was over the moon when they asked to feature my house and family in their October issue. I couldn’t believe it. I live in a modest old bungalow, which I love like a part of the family – it is an old Sears Catalog house built in 1927 that we have lived in for 13 years. In that time, 3 of my 4 children were born, we have put on an addition, replaced every single mundane appliance, and painted the place a million times. Our family has grown up in this house, and it holds all of our memories.

So, I thought it would be fun to give a little behind the scenes of what happens at a photo shoot like this. It is initially nerve-wracking. I was afraid they’d show up and say, “Really, this house is not worthy.” (That didn’t happen, thank God) So there is a lot of cleaning and prepping and putting things away to get the house in this nice organized state – because life is happening here. Then, enter the crew and equipment and utter chaos. Stuff everywhere – cameras and computers and props and just, wow! So now the house is a disaster. Brilliant!

But, this group of people is so fun and talented, so that’s a huge bonus. A few days with some really interesting, creative people. So, inevitably it’s time for the shots. When it’s just the house, it’s a breeze – except for the minor emergencies – flowers or no, antlers -yes? The real pain comes when it’s time for the talent (that’s me and the family). I am awkward at best in front of the camera. That’s fine, I can deal. My kids on the other hand are going to have me jailed for child labor. They have been through this photo shoot thing, and they do not find it fun or exciting. They are difficult and whiny and noodley – real pains – but it only takes one good shot of the thousands that are taken (which I thankfully think we got). All in all, it was a blast and such fun to see my family in the magazine. I hope you enjoy my colorful, crazy kid-centric house.

Xo – Michelle

Aside from being the Managing Director of The Land of Nod, mother to four kids (yes I said FOUR!) and a gourmet cook, Michelle is a retail junky. From Zara to Marc Jacobs, Target to Nordstroms, she doesn’t discriminate, there’s room in her heart and closet for them all. And the addiction doesn’t stop at fashion, she’s painted her dining room at least 5 times, and changes rugs like most women change their sheets. Retail isn’t therapy for Michelle, it’s more like oxygen.

Summer Party

September 13, 2013

We decided to throw a party to celebrate the hot summer days with a menu consisting of all cold bites and chilly treats. The cold food concept was based on a friend's idea a few years back. Guests brought different cold appetizers, salads, fruit and vegetable dishes. We made homemade roasted peach caramel popsicles (using Fat Toad Farm's incredible caramel) and ice cream Biscoff truffles–well, sort of homemade. The recipes will be posted shortly. Our last chilly treats of the afternoon were a trio of pints of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams–Brambleberry Crisp, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries and The Milkiest Chocolate in the World. All of them were pretty amazing.

We had salt water taffy by Salty Road for guests to enjoy and take home as favors because salt water taffy is such the quintessential summer treat. Salty Road's flavors were beautiful with a crunchy salt finish–salty caramel apple, peppermint, bergamot, sea salt caramel and vanilla.

These garlands from The Land of Nod added a colorful and festive note and Minted's cake stand and Little Explorer party decor were lovely finishing touches to the party. Everything was easy to put together and assemble. The wooden spoons were from Fort and Field.

Thanks to The Land of Nod for providing garlands, to Minted for providing party decor and to Salty Road for sending us taffy to make our summer celebration complete. It wouldn't have been a summer-y party without all of you! Thanks everyone, for bringing delicious cold bites to share and for making it a wonderful party!

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine

You can see her work and read about her two young children and their first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.

Making Crafts & Friends at The Land of Nod

September 12, 2013

So as it happens to be, really good, awesome things can be stressful too. Labor Day weekend, I led a workshop at the Land Of Nod South Coast Plaza store, and taught kids and their parents how to make friendship bracelets. An amazingly awesome opportunity, but one which had me stressed out quite a bit. I tend to worry a bit too much, and when I should have been enjoying the build up of this great event, I was thinking of how it could go wrong.

No one was going to show up. Beads would be dumped everywhere and kids would cut themselves on scissors (for this I made sure to keep all scissors close by my side). Parents would complain that the class was too simple, or too hard and demand their money back. Wait, it was free. Basically, I am Chicken Little and imagined the worse case scenario in this situation.

It turns out though, that everything turned out just perfect.

People showed up, both boys and girls, moms and dads. No beads were flung, no one choked or cut themselves or complained. In fact, people were a downright pleasure to be around, and lovely and gracious and accepted help but at the same time did much of the crafting on their own.

Art brought Taylor and one of her best friends Skylar, to make bracelets together, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I realized just how grown up they’ve become. Working all by themselves, making the most amazingly beautiful designs. Our other good friends Anne and her husband came, along with their cute little boys, and Jules’ whole family came too. It was fun meeting new faces, some who knew me and some who had no idea who I was. But once some familiar faces came in, I felt great. Thanks Anne and Jules for making the effort. I hope you all had fun.

Not only did no beads get turned upside down from rambunctious toddlers, but the creations these kids made, both on their own and with the help of their parents, were seriously impressive. One little 7 year old girl arrived at 10:55 am, eager to craft, and stayed for almost 2 hours, stringing all those tiny sequins one by one by herself. She refused to let her mom help. Her bracelet design was gorgeous. It may sound ridiculous, but seeing young kids have so much patience and focus to complete something so creative and artistic, it seriously gives me goose bumps, and I’ll even admit, when it occurs with my own kids, it brings tears to my eyes.

It may seem so simplistic and ordinary, but these little moments of encouraging kids to be creative, teaches them so much in terms of confidence, independence, design, creativity, not to mention the sheer amount of fine motor skill dexterity practice they get when stringing bead after bead after bead. Real life teaching moments in action, for sure.

I have a hard time sitting down and playing battle droids with my kids. But give me some craft supplies and we’ll sit there for hours. Or at least I will. I love this stuff. It almost made me think I could possible be a teacher of sorts. It was a really, really good day and afterwards, I took Taylor and her friend for lunch in the mall, and I may have celebrated such a good day with a small glass of chardonnay. I saw a reader who attended the workshop, in the cafe where we ate and I forewarned her not to judge me, cause I was celebrating.

I’ve been asked lots of times over the years, how I put up with the messes kids make when they craft, how I keep my patience, how I hold their attention. My only advice is to try and start from a young age, and only do one thing at a time. Kids will want to bring out the contents of the entire craft cabinet in the course of a day. But we’ve always had a rule that we put one project away before we start another.

Other than that, kids are kids and messes are inevitable. You can either direct them to produce a controlled mess, like a craft project, or let them make messes on their own by giving them free play. Either way, a mess will be made. Personally, I would rather have a mess from a creative project than a mess they’ve cooked up because they were left undirected in their room for an hour. And p.s., I’m not mother of the year here. My kids make plenty of both messes because our life is not one constant, ongoing arts and crafts project. I just much more prefer craft project messes over say, Lego messes.

And can we take a moment for this caftan? I have coveted Emerson Fry for quite some time. I pin from their site all the time, but have never actually coughed up the money to buy a piece. Last week, their entire Spring collection went on sale and I added this caftan in my cart 7 times over the course of a week. Every day I’d go in and say, if it’s still available, it’s meant to be and days went by without me actually buying it. Finally, after one night where I went berserk over crazy rude comments 500+ people had left on one of my Babble pieces, I bit the bullet and bought it. Not one single regret. I wore it 5 days straight and not that it matters, but it most certainly helps, I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it. I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it! Name that movie! FYI, it’s one size fits all and it has an internal cinch tie to bring in the waist a bit so it doesn’t look so mumu’ish.

*Caftan – Emerson Fry; Necklace – Ann Taylor Loft; Wedges - ShoeMint Jordane now on sale

Andrea Howe is the writer of For The Love Of, a blog dedicated to modern approachable style. She is wife to one, mother to three, and one lover of style. She spends her days chasing her kids around, taking pictures of them on her phone, cooking, making messes during DIY sessions, reading, blogging, and devising a way to get her dream craft room some day. She is also a regular contributor atDisney Baby where she shares inspiring stories of life with baby.

Paper Popsicles

September 11, 2013

My three-year-old has a newly-discovered love of crafting. And I'm tickled pink that she's happy for hours cutting and gluing and creating. I don't even mind that she's used up all of our paper plates and straws and rolls and rolls of tape making her inventions. I love seeing the workings of her imagination become reality.

Over the weekend, we raided my paper stash and my craft supplies to see what we could come up with. We settled on making paper popsicles. Their simple shape makes for a quick, easy project. And I just happen to have piles and piles of popsicle sticks around that I'm happy to put to good use.

Charlotte picked all the papers and taped the sticks on the back. Glitter paper is a huge hit with the 3-year-old crowd. She assigned me the task of cutting out the popsicle shapes. Later that evening, I caught her gluing wiggle-eyes to the popsicles, and then the Popsicle Family put on a little play for us. That Sister Popsicle is quite a sassy little thing, I tell you. If you're not into Popsicle drama, I think they would make cute decorations or invitations to an end of summer BBQ.

P.S. I created a little printable Popsicle Template, so you can just print, cut and get to work. Download the template for free here.

Happy Crafting!

Post by Christina Williams

Q&A With Lately Lily

September 10, 2013

We have been so excited about our recent collaboration of gift sets with the Southern California brand Lately Lily that we wanted to share a little more about them with you all. And just who is Lately Lilly? Lately Lily is collaboration between author/illustrator Micah Player and Apparel Designer Erin Nichols. Each season follows our character Lily, the curious daughter of a photographer and writer, as she travels the world with them in the company of her best friend, Zeborah.

We recently sat down with Micah and Erin from Lately Lily for a little Q & A.

Nod: Where did the name Lately Lily and Elliot Shoal come from?

Micah: When we first started talking about making a tee line, we would have these long brainstorming sessions. Who is this girl? Why is she always on the go? How would she keep in touch with family and friends? Right away we decided to name the brand after some kind of newsletter that she would write and put her in a "reporter" kind of role. That led to a really bad early name called "Hayley Daily" which was a placeholder for a few days. Our meetings were usually at Erin's office in Huntington Beach. I live in Costa Mesa, and would think about stuff on the short drive home. In this part of Orange County the cities are all tangled together… You can get almost anywhere on backstreets. One street, in particular, is something of a magic bridge between her office and my house, so I would go up and down this street almost every time we got together. Anyway, there is a sign on the "magic bridge" that reads "Lily's" and one day it caught my eye while I was thinking of names. We loved the idea of referring to Lily's adventures as what she was doing, "Lately". It had a great, newsroom-y vibe… "Lately, Lily is in the Andes!" So, her newsletter was renamed Lately Lily and so were we.

Elliot is more sentimental. The character has been dancing around my sketchbook for years. Elliot is my wife's maiden name and at the time I originally conceived the idea of this kid on a red boat roaming this giant sea, my son had a very close friend named Elliot. Using his friends name was a way to get him to listen to the stories I would tell him at night. Shoal means "Sandbar" and in Elliot's world nautical terms are common surnames.

Nod: Looks like a Lily has a new friend these days? Who is Elliot?

Mica: Elliot is a boy who is exploring an endless ocean with 10EC (Tennessee) his clockwork navigator and best friend. He is brave, resourceful, and looking for something very special.

Nod: How did you and The Land of Nod start working together?

Erin: I have always loved The Land of Nod, so one day we sent a hand painted Sunny Yellow Suitcase filled with our tees and a little note hoping to get someone’s attention. That someone turned out to be the fabulous Lauren Baker, who we now have a total crush on. 🙂

Nod: Is there a story behind the prints of both the Lately Lily and Elliot Shoal Gift Set?

Micah: Yes! Both of the stories are about friendship. Lily was born in Paris, while her parents were there on assignment. It holds a very special place for her. So, every year on Lily's birthday, no matter where they are in the world, Zeborah puts together a simple "Paris Picnic" for his friend. In this set, Lily is thinking about what a good friend Zeborah has always been to her. Sitting below the Eiffel tower, actually in Paris on her birthday, with her very best friend, it occurs to Lily that the best part of her "Paris Picnic" has always been the excellent company.

Elliot and 10EC are playing Marco Polo on a lovely afternoon a few days out to Sea. Elliot had grown up as an orphan, working in a Sardine Cannery with a terrible blowhard for a boss! He never really had anyone to count on and just worked all day choking on steam and dreaming of getting away into the wide open air. 10EC arrived one night, tapped on his window and delivered a map to a hidden cave with a marvelous red boat. There, among the bobbing Lily-Kelp pads, above a teeming forest of underwater trees, eyes shut tight, with his robot friend beeping signals as he responds "Polo!"… Elliot Shoal does his very best not to laugh. Which is tough to do when you've never been so happy in your whole life!

Nod: What got you interested in designing kids’ apparel?

Erin: I had worked as a buyer and Merchandiser for about 11 years before starting LL and kids clothing was always one of my favorite things to work with. After I had my first daughter, I really got the bug to get back into the kids space, so Micah and I got together and started brainstorming idea's on creating story based apparel, specifically little girls tee shirts. I had noticed a lack of well designed tees for little girls and I thought this would be a great category to start with.

Micah: It’s so fun! Make-believe and story, playing with color and pattern. Kids are honest, and so is good design. Writing, drawing and designing for kids is a natural place for designers that want to examine what moves them on a totally sincere level. Lily is a joy. She wants to understand everything and turn over every rock, go down every street. It’s a great head space to spend your day with. Elliot is exploring a make believe sea. Everything is new, pure imagination. It’s engaging on so many levels. When something is right, it’s like we're having a conversation with our grade school selves. It’s rejuvenating and a very particular sort of introspection.

Nod: Why is the Lately Lily gift sets the perfect gift in your opinion? (Other than the fact that they’re awesome, sold at The Land of Nod and you made them?)

Micah: Lily and Elliot are the perfect friends for a little lady or fella! I think the whole concept of Lately Lily celebrates kids. We LOVE the possibilities of open, inquisitive, brave, curious kids. For us, the opportunity to do infant clothes was a chance to high five the awesome kids of our amazing friends at birth. To wish them the absolute best of adventures. One of my favorite lines lately is a little piece from the first track of Star's newest album where they say "Don't be scared, they will do things we never dared". It always makes me think of my kids. So much to look forward to.

Nod: What is your favorite product from The Land of Nod (other than Lately Lily gift sets)?

Erin: Anything by Michelle Romo! Love her. We also have a big crush on that Modern Doll House.

Nod: Where do you get your design inspiration from?

Erin: Everywhere! Books, magazines, art, fabric, flea markets, people watching, world culture, pinterest… the list could go on forever!

Micah: Vintage picture books, daydreams and the eternal pursuit of trying to satisfy my own impossible expectations.

Stop by our South Coast Plaza store Saturday, September 21 and celebrate a day in honor of our friends at Lately Lily. Not only will there be tons of activities for you and the little ones, but you’ll also receive 10% OFF your in-store purchase just for attending. Plus, come by the store any day before the event and grab one of 50 VIP tickets. Bring it to the event and you’ll receive a special gift. This free event takes place from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. but space is limited, so RSVP now to nodevents@landofnod.com.

DIY Sharpie Tie-Dye T-shirts

This was one of those Pinterest crafts that seemed perfect for the summer's beginning (click here for the link). But we never managed to try it until summer's end. Luckily, the kids really loved designing their t-shirts (all three kids loved it – which is sort of a big deal). And the results were pretty cute, F wears her shirt all the time. So sometimes Pinterest really does work out.

Here's the scoop:

Materials: Sharpie markers in different colors, plain white t-shirts, rubber bands, medicine droppers, a variety of cups and glasses, and rubbing alcohol.

1. Use the rubber bands to secure the t-shirts to the cups (see pics below).

2. Color designs on the shirt with permanent sharpie markers (we found that this project works best if you leave some white space in your design).

3. Use the medicine droppers to add a few squirts of rubbing alcohol to the center of each design. Watch the colors diffuse.

4. Move the cups to make as many circles as wanted/needed.

5. When finished, iron the t-shirt to keep the colors from fading.

6. Wear everywhere.

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Show Us Your Bump – Giveaway

September 9, 2013

We’re kicking off the end of summer and celebrating our fall/winter babies with a really big Instagram giveaway that we’re calling, “Welcome Home Baby”! Simply share a picture of your bump (we would also love to see adoption or proud papa images too), OR repost this image on Instagram for a chance to win. Winner will receive: 4 pairs of FreshlyPicked moccasins, 2 Solly Baby wraps, a Puj tub, a Diapers & Wipes bundle, Essentials bundle and a Health & Wellness bundle from The Honest Company and finally a brand new crib from The Land of Nod!

When you enter on Instagram, make sure to include #ShowUsYourBump and follow @freshlypicked @sollybabywrap @honest @thelandofnod and @pujbaby. For additional entries, you can enter 5 more times right here, on the Freshly Picked Blog. Contest closes Weds., Sept. 11 at 9 a.m PT. Contest is only open to US residents and due to the corporate nature of the participants, we’re unable to accept private Instagram entries. Good luck and happy posting!

*How to Enter. To enter, share an Instagram picture of your bump (or an adoption or proud papa image) OR repost the Sweepstakes image featured @FreshlyPicked, include #ShowUsYourBump, and follow @freshlypicked, @sollybabylove, @honest, @thelandofnod, and @pujbaby on Instagram for a chance to win. Although not required, you may earn five (5) additional entries by visiting the Freshly Picked blog (http://freshly-picked.com), completing the Rafflecopter form provided, and providing your e-mail address. The information participants provide will be used by Sponsor and Sponsor's Partners to notify the winner, fulfill the prize, as well as send subscribers updates and regular announcements. You may unsubscribe at any time. Any data collected will not be sold to third parties.

Quality Time with Grandparents

September 6, 2013

Grandparents Day holds a very special place in our heart!

Not only are R + M lucky enough to live nearby their grandparents, but we also get to spend a lot of family quality time together…at work. That's right, since we work in a family business environment, we have niched out a special area for R + M to come and spend quality time at the office.

I thought I would share with you a recent day at work with R + M and their grandmothers. Office time means toys, crafts and snacks {a big hit} and thanks to the Land of Nod, a ton of fun!

R + M especially love their grocery cart {totally appropriate since we are in the food business}. They are also learning lots of handy cleaning skills with their newest cart.

We are smitten with the rainy day survival kit… filled with play dough and easy crafts, it can occupy them for hours.

The beeswax crayons are not only gorgeous, but great to draw all over our play table paper!

Our metal bins are great for craft/crayon storage, but also make for awesome snack containers in a pinch.

Thanks to land of nod and thanks to our amazing grandma's for making their work space so much for R + M!

Happy Grandparents Day to all the Nana's & Pop-Pops!

xoxo,

Niki Papery & Cakery

Lilac & Mint “Big Girls” Room

September 5, 2013

For a Jana Bek’s recent client, she transitioned a little girl’s nursery to a “big girl’s” room & we just love how this space came together, especially the Land of Nod bedding – the mix of color & polka dots pop against the white Petite Marguerite bed & side table vignette. The client wanted to keep the existing lilac paint color so the deeper plum pillows punched up the palette perfectly.

Check out the storyboard, &'after' pics below – we’d love to know what you like most about the design, please share your thoughts!

Design: Jana Bek Design - Jana specialzies in "Edesign" which is virtual interior design. Edesign is ultra affordable interior design & anyone around the world can be a client.

Photo credit: Erik Melvin