swissmiss

House Industries Alexander Girard Memory Game

Alexander Girard originally created the images used in this memory game for his environmental enrichment panels that he designed to spice up Herman Miller’s Action Office plan. Each game comes with 72 pieces and a limited-edition wooden box. Made in the USA out of replenishable basswood and printed with child-safe non-toxic inks. Wonderful. Make sure to also check out the building blocks. Our little Ella is coo-coo about them! And then the dolls, they make me smile!

(thank you andy)

Our Childrens' Gorilla: A Frame

A sturdy A Frame doll house by Andrew Geller.

I am all for dots.

Big, multicolor dots make a bold statement in any room. Multi-Dot Rug: Yes, please!

Soft Tree Trunk Stool

No trees were harmed in the making of this Soft Tree Trunk Stool. It’s made of soft foam, not wood, and makes an eye-catching ottoman, extra seat, or side table. Group several together and transform a room from ordinary to enchanting. Designed by Ilona Huvernaars and Alissia Melka-Teichroew. I am in love. Available at Kikkerland.com shortly.

The SkipHop way to organize Bath Toys

Tubby is a new Bath Toys organizer made of mesh and neoprene by SkipHop. I like it!

Helbotica Tee

Helbotica Tee now in Kid's size over at the ChopShop. (Nice T holding up there, Matthew, who says you can only do that with posters, right?)

(via oneplusinfinity)

Hello there, Patchwork Digger...

Patchwork Digger by Elsie Marley. Lovely.

For the bathtub:

Balloon Powered Boat. Me want.

You Can't Go To School Naked!

You Can't Go To School Naked! is Ella's favorite book these days. It's a lovely story and I don't mind reading it over and over. If you have a little one around the age of 3, you should check it out. Story by Dianne Billstrom and Illustrated by Don Kilpatrick.

What's for dinner? Potato Flip Flops!

Purchase the Yummyfun Kooking DVD series here .

(a fantastic find by minordetails)

OXO Guardian Nightlight

The OXO Candela Guardian is officially my new favorite gift for (new) parents. My lovely friend BB gave me one for my birthday last week, knowing that our little Ella still wakes up at least once a night. I love it. It's one of these products that I've looked at before but for some reason didn't end up buying. Little did I know that this little light gives off *just* the right amount of light for a little night-walking (or a potential diaper change) and lasts all night. Thank you BB!

Marlène polka dot suitcases

I agree with Jennifer, these Marlène polka dot suitcases could make for great toy storage.

I *love* PlayFoam!

So, here's a product, I would have never bought, did I not have the chance to try it at a friend's house the other day. PlayFoam
always looked messy to me. But you know what, it's way less messy than Play-Dogh. In fact, it's not messy at all and quite addictive to play with. I just picked up a box for our plane ride to the swiss alps tomorrow. Little Ella will be thrilled. And if not, I'll have fun playing with it. Whee! (I admit thought, I do question if it can be harmful, it sure does smell toxic!)

Antique Carpenter Wood Letters

Handcrafted Antique Carpenter Wood Letters (set of 17)

Perfect Gift for a traveling 2-4 year old: Trunki

Christmas came early for our little EllaBella: Her fabulous aunt sent her a Trunki . Designed for family holidays, children can pack, sit-on and ride their own luggage, whilst parents can keep them in tow. It's been a huge hit already. We had to pull Ella up and down the hallway. Trunki will definitely keep us and E entertained next wednesday at the airport, waiting to board a plane to the swiss alps. (YAY!)

My 3 favorite books to give this holiday season:

Wisdom by much admired photographer Andrew Zuckerman.

ABC3D. (I just got my copy two days ago and I am at awe. I seriously do not understand how they were able to keep the price this low. I would have been willing to pay double. This is a must-have!)

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

Melissa & Doug Alphabet Stamp Set

Things like this Melissa & Doug Alphabet Stamp Set just make me rejoice as an artsy/typography loving parent. I can not wait to give this to Ella so that we can both play. (And yes, I know, I should become a Melissa & Doug spokesperson. Love the brand!)

Stacking Tree

Lovely gift idea for a little one: Plan Toys Stacking Tree. Seen over at Cookie's Ideas for the Holidays.

Custom Digital Portrait Silhouette

Custom Digital Portrait Silhouette.

Eco Dollhouse | Eco-Centric Play Gift Idea

How fantastic is this Eco House? Dolls and kids can add the rewards of saving energy to pretend-play fun when they set up housekeeping in this ecologically friendly home that includes a windmill, rain barrel, solar panels, recycling bins, shower, and motor bike.

all week long barrettes

love these! adorable handmade felt barrettes embroidered in different colors with the days of the week.

Superhero in a box

Superhero in a box. Made me smile and want to be a 5 year old kid.

(via trendsnow)

two blue cars

Two Blue Cars makes fantastic T-Shirts/Onesies for little ones.

Wooden Airport Play Set

This Wooden Airport Play Set made me laugh. A sign of our times? My generation played with Parking Garages, Ella will most probably go straight to Airports.

Wooden Panda

Wooden Animalz Panda.

Magnetic Dress-Up

The holidays are coming closer in big steps. And I have gift ideas for our little Ella are on my mind. I know she'd love these: Melissa and Doug Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up. The boy version,Joey, available as well.

A Brooklyn Kid Coin Bank

This Water Tank Bank has Brooklyn written all over it. Made me smile.

Charley Harper toys at OldNavy

I am echoing Jennifer's words: Perhaps I'm late to the party but did you know that Old Navy is carrying a Charley Harper Line for the holidays?

Toast Adhesive Bandages

These Toast Adhesive Bandages made me laugh. Not sure if our little Ella would approve though.

Muji Cardboard House

Muji Cardboard Dollhouse.

(via minordetails)

Hank Finds Inspiration

Hank Finds Inspiration, written and illustrated by Craig Frazier! LOVE!

Charlie and Lola Figures

Gasp! Charlie and Lola figures! These must end up under our christmas tree. Ella's head will explode!

(via orangeyoulucky)

super minimal coin bank

I believe this is the first coin bank ever that had me look. It was designed by swiss Bruno Limberger (1934-1994) who was a devoted architect, artist, and host. (I can't stand those cheesy coin banks that seem to accumulate in every kid's room. I know, I know, I am such a design snob.)

Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle

Best gift ever for a 2-5/3 year old: Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle. (Make sure to buy a helmet as well!)

The Great Paper Caper

The The Great Paper Caper, is the latest masterpiece by Oliver Jeffers. You can pre-order it over at Amazon right now. When Oliver was visiting in my studio a few weeks ago, he let me have flip through the book. I can't wait to get my own copy and read it to our little Ella.

ALBINO, colourinable T-shirts

ALBINO are colourinable T-shirts for kids. Practice sheets help the little artists decide how to do their shirt before they begin colouring-in directly on the shirt. Yup, a great gift for the holidays!

ABC poster gone minimal

Thank you Robin Rosenthal for this minimal and beautiful ABC poster.

Melissa & Doug Kitchen Set

Now that our little Ella cooks us entire 'pretend meals', I think we need to upgrade her kitchen tools. This Melissa & Doug Pot Set looks too cute.

Who's that bunny on my pillowcase?

Childs head plus Bunny or Teddy heads with embroidered 'Instructions - place haeds inside dotted lines for best reults'. Sleepyhead Pillowcases.

Today's NY Times cover as a puzzle

Isabel pointed me to this fantastic gift idea: You can have almost any NY Times cover made into a high quality 400-piece jigsaw puzzle at Hammacher Schlemmer for $49.95. Woohoo!