Toronto
August 27th, 2010
Walk a Mile in these Shoes
The "put your shoes on" tango just got a whole lot easier.
Modeled after its hip adult line, the kids Fall 2010 line of Native Shoes are super comfortable, casual and colourful (Hollywood Pink, Pencil Orange, and Gossip Purple are just a few of the punchy hues). Laceless and ultra light, we love that these too-cute sneakers are easy to slip on and off. Well, as easy as it can be to get a 4-year-old to put his shoes on.
Kids shoes $35, Junior shoes $39; available at Young and Fabulous, 200-1700 Sprucewood Ave., Lasalle, Ontario, 519-962-8530, www.youngfabulous.com and Antisocial, 2337 Main St., Vancouver, 604-708-5678, www.antisocialshop.com
August 13th, 2010
Prints Charming
Nursery decals getting you down?
Art school graduate and mother of two Sarah Edmonds hand draws a delightful Canadian menagerie, like water birds, northern animals or ocean creatures, and has them screen printed as limited edition posters.The graphic shapes and fun scientific facts will delight your toddler, and the news that they fit a $20 IKEA frame will delight you.
Now that's some smart art.
From US$50 at www.banquetworkshop.com
August 6th, 2010
Dream Catcher
Ever wonder where your baby drifts off to when she falls asleep?
Mommy blogger Adele Enersen creates whimsical scenes around her napping daughter Mila, and photographs them for her imaginative blog Mila's Daydreams.Sweet dreams indeed.
July 30th, 2010
What Generation Gap?
You don't wear "mom jeans," so why should your brood?
The new kids and babies version of Gap's 1969 Premium Denim jeans are just like yours with dark washes, distressed grey denim, skinny styles and zipper ankles, all with adjustable waistbands so you don't have to worry about them flashing too much bum. Good jeans run in the family, obviously.
From $29.50 at GapKids and BabyGap across Canada, www.gapcanada.ca
July 16th, 2010
Back to the Future
An online store becomes a bricks-and-mortar shop? Now that's as backwards as a Dr. Seuss book.
But it's true: Ashley York the website is now Ashley York the store, new to The Pier on Bowen Island B.C. The best selling clothes and accessories are made by moms, such as the rough-edged denim "guy ties" ($19). We loved the albino sock monkeys, baby balls made from vintage fabrics and the polka dot Australian splat mats for under the highchair.
Not goin' to Bowen? There's even more available online.Ashley York, The Pier at Bowen Island, 604-947-2200, www.shopashleyyork.com
July 2nd, 2010
Paint the town Pink
If your Little Miss Pretty goes straight for your cosmetics bag the minute you turn around, you’re not alone.
Save your Chanel bronzer (and your carpets) from future make-up shake-ups by appeasing her with painted nails.Hopscotch Kids' non-toxic nail polish comes in kid-friendly shades like Ice Cream, Bubblegum and Teddy Bear pink, and if she chews it off, no problem.
Now replacing that smashed Nars lipstick, that’s a problem.
Available online ($12.99) at www.raspberrykids.com
June 24th, 2010
Mother Superior
We're definitely not a smother mother, but neither are we a slummy mummy.
Perhaps that's why we're drawn again and again to the gorgeous wares at Nonchalant Mom. We can attest personally to the loveliness of the pillows and delicate angel wings of Atsuko et Akiko and are lusting for their new sparkly masks and dressups.
We also love the Fleamarket section for its vintage toddler spoons and forks.
Which we will so nonchalantly integrate into our carefully curated collection of original Beatrix Potter bowls and Birks silver cups… not that we care, or anything.
June 18th, 2010
Kick it Up
Girls just wanna have fun, but when their gym kit makes them look like Little Miss Sunshine, you can bet they won't be turning cartwheels.
There's no sitting on the sidelines with Lilikiks, a Vancouver-based girls activewear line that has just launched its online store.With on-trend colours, super-soft fabrics, and high-end technical detailing, styles like these will take them from tennis to track and back again.
She shoots, she scores!
Shop by sport or by style at their new e-store.
June 11th, 2010
Quote, Unquote
With all the one-liners your kid spouts, sometimes you feel like you have a little Letterman on your hands.
Immortalize their best observations with My Quotable Kid, a journal to help you keep track of who said what, and when. So next time little Tommy decides to tell everyone at the dinner table, "Mommy said Daddy came home late last night and has a headache from drinking too much apple juice," you can take note.
Er, maybe leave that one out of the book.
My Quotable Kid: A Parents' Journal of Unforgettable Quotes, $15 at Amazon.ca
June 4th, 2010
Name That Tune
Remember when you could convince them that Coldplay was "kids music?"
Now that you're stuck with Bingo and Itsy Bitsy Spider, might as well jazz it up.Toronto-based Songs Just for Me inserts your children's names into traditional kids songs to surprising effect.
You may need earplugs after the tenth playing, but we can guarantee your 4-year-old will be an instant groupie.
Order your custom CD ($19.99) at www.justforme.com


