Childrens

High Fashion Jellies

27th May 2013

When your toes touch the warm sand, or you strut a glossy new pedicure, make sure your feet are clad in some choice jellies. This season it’s easier then ever with styles spanning all tastes and all budgets. (These are not the ones you begged your parents to buy you in the ’80s! Rest assured! Even as you’ve grown-up, so have they!)

Juicy Couture Thong Sandals, bloomingdales.com, $68.00

Valentino Rose Jelly Thong, saksfifthavenue.com, $295.00

Salvatore Ferragamo Barbados, zappos.com, $165.00

Melissa Artemis & Jason Wu Lace-Up Jelly Sandals, neimanmarcus.com, $138.00

Stuart Weitzman “Nifty” Sandal, nordstrom.com, $165.00

Love Moschino Jelly Flat Shoes, asos.com, $161.22

Chinese Laundry Magic Garden, chineselaundry.com, $30.00

Ted Baker Polee, zappos.com, $55.00

Spiked Jelly T-Strap Sandal, charlotterusse.com, $13.00

Harmonic Floral Thong Sandal, neimanmarcus.com, $50.00

Chanel Jelly Sandals, chanel retailers, $295.00

Jelly Bow T-Strap Sandal, mulberry.com, $230.00

Kate Spade Farren Thong Sandal Pink Jelly, jildorshoes.com, $78.00

Kate Spade New York ‘Fiala’ Sandal, shop.nordstrom.com, $78.00

Pour les filles:

Tommy Hilfiger Kids Gretal Jelly, zappos.com, $25.00

All the Buzz!

21st May 2013

Bees may be in decline globally (which is truly no laughing matter) but, they seem abundantly celebrated everywhere else. Having never been stung (yet!) and passionately enamored with everything floral, a love of bees naturally follows.

Cara Delevingne wears the Lanvin bee brooch. Photo Courtesy of: Vogue Italia

To bee or not to be piercing ring, delfinadelettrez.it, € 1.100,00

Thus we are more than happy to (bee) part of this incredible buzz!

Solange Azagury Partridge Bee Ring, astleyclarke.com, $1760.00

Schield Bee Ring, luisaviaroma.com, $197.00

From well over $1,000 to under $10.00, there are accessories to suit all…

Bee Cuff Bracelet, target.com, $9.99

Bee Earrings, target.com, $7.99

Bee earrings and pin, metstore.org, $95.00

Embroidered Bee Clutch Alexander McQueen, matchesfashion.com, $4,495.00

Jeffrey Campbell Who Could that Be? Sandals

Jeffrey Campbell Who Could that Bee? Sandals, modcloth.com, $114.99

Etro Bee Detail T-Bar Sandal, farfetch.com, $531.78

Evocateur Bumble Bee Vintage Cuff, ahalife.com, $458.00

Delfina Delettrez cuff. Photo Courtesy of: Elle Italia

Marni Jewel Bee Embellished Metallic Leather and Suede Sandals, theoutnet.com, $469.99

Bee Blazer Sonia Rykiel, farfetch.com, $564.26

Eve Bee Necklace with Diamonds and Citrine in Gold, kiki.co.uk, £1,600.00

Betsey Johnson Antique Gold Plated Rosette Bee Earrings, lordandtaylor.com, $30.00

Bee Studs, Forever21.com, $5.80

Embroidered Napoleonic Bee Pillow, Ballarddesigns.com, $55.00

Natural World Dessert Plate, Bee, anthropologie.com, $18.00

Fornash Bumble Bee Earrings, simplysoles.com, $32.00

Little Bee Crochet Hat, shopruche.com, $23.00

Last Look

These are gorgeous!!! Perfect for the chocolate lover, the gardener, the insect lover….the list goes on and on….

Not chewy like a store bought caramel, our bee chocolates have a liquid caramel center and a clear, caramelized honey taste. This unique flavor comes naturally from the fragrant basswood honey we use, supplied by the Draper Family Apiaries in Millerton, PA. Once filled, each of the nine bees is carefully painted by hand with a paper-thin layer of yellow and black cocoa butter. Guaranteed to please the palate just as much as the eye.

Chocolate Bees 9 Piece, johnandkiras.com, $29.00

Super cute for the kids room:

Bee Stand, ballarddesigns.com, $35.00

Easter in Bangkok—Colonial Traditions with a Thai Twist

30th March 2013

More than just the Easter bunny visits the Peninsula in Bangkok, on this special day there are festive and elegant teas, magicians, spring-time balloons, egg-hunts on the lawn and story book confections to amaze children and adults alike!

Pastries served at the Easter Tea include:

Mini chocolate-lavendar cupcakes, Golden Opera Finger, Chocolate Easter eggs, Vanilla Panna Cotta & Blackberry, Pistachio-walnut macaroons, Lemon & meringue tartlet

Honey Chocolate lollipops

Hot cross buns

Homemade raisin scones with clotted cream and jam

Sandwiches include:

Roasted honey-ham & Gruyere cheese with cornichons on pretzel roll

Avocado & tomato on white bread wrapped with grilled zucchini

Atlantic smoked salmon with egg-lemon zest & brown bread

Foie gras “burger” style with roasted apple & frisée lettuce

While parents dined on green asparagus custard & mushroom truffle duxelle served in a delicate eggshell alongside Alaskan crab & leek quiche…

Children dined on house-made cotton candy served with a smile…..

In their own private tea-room children found fruit & marshmallow kebab bars and sundae bars

Children enjoyed Peninsula Hot Chocolate with Ovaltine (for adults Peninsula Hot Chocolate includes Felchlin Arriba, a specialty chocolate with black-currant notes, licorice fragrance and coffee—absolutely divine) while excitedly watching the magician, as parents slowly sipped specialty drinks like, Jasmine Lychée tea, Jasmine Dragon Ball tea and traditional Thai Iced Tea. While the service, ambiance and presentation was very traditional/colonial, there were Thai-twists throughout and never-ending fascinations for the children.

Children's hot chocolate Peninsula, Bangkok

Renowned Children’s hot chocolate

Abundant florals classically merged East and West with overflowing orchids alongside paper mache egg ornaments.

Chocolate eggs were everywhere coupled with a gorgeous nest and abundant confections for children too!

Children's Confections Peninsula Bangkok

Beloved story themes were enjoyed by all:

Tea and balloon-making was capped off with a trip to the lawn for a competitive egg-hunt

Spring themed balloons

Egg Hunt Peninsula Bangkok

Prizes and a stop at the Peninsula confectionery ensued…

Thai inspired Easter Bunnies

Marbled Eggs

The Peninsula Bangkok is located at:

333 Charoennakorn Road Klongsan

Peninsula.com/Bangkok

High tea is served at the Peninsula Bangkok between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Reservations are necessary.

Artist’s Board…pour les petites!

26th March 2013

Everyday it’s a struggle to help your children realize it’s the process that matters most and not the outcome. For this reason (and many more) we love the design of this art-board for kids. It’s a simple way to highlight a masterpiece as well as all of the lovely effort that went into it.

The bonus is—it’s super simple to swap out items and it brightens up any room!!

On the board above we placed:

2 framed canvases

2 raw canvases

One lovingly used palette and strips of dried acrylic paint pulled off

Used acrylic paint tubes

2 paint brushes

Thematic push pins

(all of the above were used by the child to create the featured artwork)

It absolutely works!

Set of 12 Style Tacks, ballarddesigns.com

Madison Corkboard, ballarddesigns.com, $249.00

Pour les Enfants (Deux)

20th March 2013

The post for les petites…from around the world

Cake Walk Toby Minirok, zalando.nl, € 24,95

Sanuk Girls Ibiza Monaco Flip Flop Sandals, dillards.com, $15.00-$18.00

Moschino Toddler, zappos.com, $86.99

Spirit City Sandal, catiminica.com, $88.00

Spirit Ethnic Beaded Sandal, catiminica.com, $72.00

Etna, desigual.com, $59.00

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, zappos.com, $45.99

Sam Edelman Embellished Sandal, shop.nordstrom.com, $129.95

Scooby Skirt Yellow, oililyshopusa.com, $89.00

Spirit Ethnic Floral Raincoat, catiminica.com, $133.00

Spirit Ethnic Green Floral Dress, catiminica.com, $107.00

Cake Walk Slim Fit Jeans Multi Color, zalando.nl, € 59,95

Primigi Jakelin-E Sandal, baby.pronto.com, $72.95

Trust Dress Cities Print, oililyshopusa.com, $140.00

Spirit Ethnic Flower Sundress, catiminica.com, $138.00

Mogino, desigual.com, $59.00

Dollop of Color

10th March 2013

From elegant brushstrokes in hair, to wildly brilliant nails….

Photo Courtesy of: Town & Country

Photo Courtesy of: Elle UK

Photo Courtesy of: Elle Collections, Spring/Summer 2013

Top to Bottom, the runway looks for 2013 Spring/Summer are all about bold color

Eyes at Dior, Photo Courtesy of: Elle Collections, Spring/Summer 2013

Here are few fabulous ways to work bright hues into your lifestyle and a few more runway looks to get your inner-palette energized!

skirt, stellajean.it, $544

Serpent Skirt by Preen, modaoperandi.com, $1,210

i-wares, Seletti.it and seletti.us

Stella McCartney Runway

1.) Irene Neuwirth Mixed Boulder Opal Bracelet, barneys.com, $43,380.00

2.) Wave Vases, dbglassworks.com

Cambridge Satchel Company, cusp.com, $170.00

3.) andreamarques.com

4.) Arnold 100 patent-leather and mirrored-python sandals, net-a-porter.com, $895.00

5.) Burberry London Metallic Leather Trenchcoat, bergdorfgoodman.com, $2995.00

Candy Chairs, indiamahdavi.com

6.) Festive Wonderland Ornaments Cake, modernbite.com, $100.00

7.) Perro Leather Bookmark Coral, Loewe Madrid, loewe.com, 95 €

8.) Diorite Adizero sneakers, net-a-porter.com, $150.00

Eye Color at Spring Runway Shows. Photo Courtesy of: Elle Collections Spring/Summer 2013

Mod Artist’s Palette Painting, horchow.com, $1125.00

Wild Chevron Giclee, horchow.com, $500.00

9.) Flip Flops Asia, Agatharuizdelaprada.com

10.) Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick, Rebelle, chanel.com, $34.00

11.) Alexa, charlotteolympia.com, £325

Waterford Araglin Prestige Cobalt 9″ Vase, na.wwrd.com, $425.00

Napoleon Flatware, horchow.com, $84.90

M. Patmos Flora Silk Front Top, shopbop.com, $395.00

Veronica Beard the Skort, shopbop.com, $495.00

Seventies Wedges, bodenusa.com, $98.00

For the little ones:

12.) Alex Toys Duct Tape Bangle Kit, store.metmuseum.org, $16.25

13.) Bo-Kaap Trapeze Mini Dress, teacollection.com, $27.00

14.) Durban Two Tie Romper, teacollection.com, $35.00

Pour les Jeunes Filles

7th March 2013

The trickle up theory is easy to put in place when you have a book like, “The Care & Keeping of YOU,” (The Body Book for Younger Girls) published by AmericanGirl.

Photo Courtesy of: The Care & Keeping of YOU, American Girl

This new edition was written by Dr. Cara Natterson who firmly believes in empowering children to make wise choices, which they teach to you (in lieu of parent “helicoptering” and trickle-down parenting). Give your daughter the book to read, and then watch the magic of the “trickle up” theory when SHE reminds YOU not to slump while you are walking.

Does this actually happen? Yes!! Girls LOVE this book and read and re-read it. It explains pretty much everything to them about their body in an interesting, accessible, fun way. It’s smartly written and does not talk down to them.

Let your daughter explain to you the importance of sleep. It’s not going to thwart every bed-time battle, but it will help abate quite a few.

Photo Courtesy of: Care & Keeping of You, American Girl

This is a book for you to read first and then let her read it on her own. Help bring out points with her, but let her do the teaching to you and feel like the confident leader.

It’s loaded with tidbits and advice that she can (and WILL) remind you about. Some of my favorites, explained by girls who have read (and re-read) the book:

—Getting gum out of your hair with peanut butter

—Post pool ear treatments

—Don’t forget to brush your tongue!

Photo Courtesy of: The Care & Keeping of You, American Girl

Of course, it deals with the subject of pimples and puberty too in the most friendly, unthreatening and understanding way.

If you’re based in Los Angeles, Dr. Cara Natterson will be at The American Girl Store (at the Grove), Saturday, March 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm to sign books, answer questions, share her wisdom, etc. Don’t miss it!!

The Care & Keeping of You, store.americangirl.com, $12.99

Pour les Enfants

5th March 2013

Spotlight: Rachel Riley

Metallic Button Strap Slippers, rachelriley.com, $149.00

Rachel Riley Girls Sailboat Print Sun Hat

Polka Dot Beach Onesie, rachelriley.com, $89.00

Girls Sailboat Print Sun Hat, rachelriley.com, $35.00

Sailor Shorts, rachelriley.com, $89.00

Ribbon Trim Frill Top, rachelriley.com, $95.00

Anchor Print Cardigan, rachelriley.com, $189.00

Strawberry Print Dress, rachelriley.com, $159.00

Polka Dot Dress, rachelriley.com, $159.00

Patent Button Strap Slippers, rachelriley.com, $149.00

Calling the Fowl

3rd March 2013

First it was feathers…now it is full-on birds as an adornment of choice and a trend that has taken flight with one and all this spring. From the sage owl to the fluttering hummingbird and flashy parrot, many a chirping friend is represented here. Playfully perfect for spring!

1.) Pull Pampana, paulandjoe.com, 380.00 €

2.) Audubon Birds Vase, store.metmuseum.org, $55.00

3.) Sydney Evan Small Bird Cage Pendant, ylang23.com, $1080.00

4.) Hand Beaded Flamingo Clutch, anthropologie.com, $68.00

5.) Silk Minaudiere in Hummingbird Floral, jcrew.com, $248.00

6.) Bird Bistro Furniture, grandinroad.com, $129.00-$399.00

7.) Betsy Johnson Love Bird Heart Earring, betseyjohnson.com, $55.00

8.) Pier One Jute Bird Napkin Ring, pier1.com, $3.95

9.) Needlepoint Guilded Blue Songbird Pillow, thesouthernhome.com, $79.00

10.) Vintage Bird on a Wire, oliverbonas.com, $18.00

11.) Chloé Bird Print Tee, harrods.com, £57.95

12.) Bird Tureen with Stand, mottahedeh.com, $300.00

13.) Asos Kissing Birds Across Body, asos.com, $30.00

14.) The Birding Life Book, rshcatalog.com, $49.00

15.) Painted Owl, wisteria.com, $49.00

16.) Girls Birdsong Print Dress, jcrew.com, $68.00

17.) Macaw Danglers, anthropologie.com, $348.00

18.) Accessorize Eden Flower Garden Bird Zip Top, accessorize.com, $18.00

19.) Set of 4 Blue bird Candles, oliveandcocoa.com, $78.00

20.) Marni Bird Pendant Ribbon Necklace, neimanmarcus.com, $447.00

Peacock Hooked Wool Rug Garnet Hill

21.) Peacock Hooked Wool Rug, garnethill.com, $328.00

Matchy—Matchy

22nd February 2013

It’s the perfect gift….For you and your daughter! For your sister (sister-in-law) and your niece! For your mom and her granddaughter! The possibilities are endless and endlessly adorably fun! We love the bright pink and gold combo for the little ones. They’re not outrageously expensive and if the girl’s chain breaks or gets lost it’s definitely not tragic.

They match! They’re stylish! They’re worth thinking about…..

Letter Necklace, lulufrost.com, $385.00

Girls Letter Necklace, jcrew.com, $12.50

All letters are available!

Très Mignon

16th February 2013

Everyone’s chattering about…

Stella McCartney Jasmine Parrot One-Piece Swimsuit, neimanmarcus.com, $102.00

Stella McCartney Kids Twin Parrot Tee Dress, $68.00, alexandalexa.com

Stella McCartney Kids Bird Buckle Sandal, $105.00, alexandalexa.com

If You’re Heading to…Hong Kong

15th February 2013

Spotlight: Shanghai Tang

Founded in Hong Kong with the intention of reviving Chinese fashion of the 1920’s, Shanghai Tang has never been more fresh. From home décor to children’s clothing it perfectly combines a classical Chinese flair with a modern touch. If you are visiting Hong Kong, the flagship mansion is worth the trip, if not, you can access their online boutique.

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