Halloween Make and Do

If you need some last minute inspiration, here are a few ideas to make your Halloween spookerific! Happy Haunting...

Halloween Tape Garland from Paper Klip design

Halloween printable witches by Sally Boyle

Glow in the Dark Bat print by the Mr rwarnick

Spell it out with vintage letter blocks

Ghost Stories

Action..tick...
Mystery...tick...
Adventure...tick
Are you aged 9 or 10? Need something for the camp-fire this Halloween? Well get your hands on a Hardy Boy mystery and become big fans of Frank and Joe, another supercool set of brothers!

Picture Perfect

Just quite simply - heavenly... Who wouldn't love this Ark wall hanging by Paul Smith in their boys bedroom. Actually I'd quite fancy it in mine!

Spotted in the lovely lonny oct/nov issue

One of my very favourite buildings is Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, the house built for the Kaufman family in the late 1930's by America's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Set over a dramatic waterfall this magnificent legacy has now been recreated by Lego. Set your kids a great winter project (if they're 10 and up that is), or if you live down in this neck of the woods, bring this beauty out when its time to cool down this summer and they'll be occupied for days!

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Eat Me!

If you've spotted the new IKEA cookbook you'll be familiar with the wonderful hand of photographer Carl Kleiner. Try recreating these little guys at mealtimes and you'll be sure your boys will be scoffing their greens!

Aerial View

Looking for a rug with a difference? Well the rather talented Austrian designer Florian Purcher has created a range inspired by rural views from above, angles inspired by nature and the farming landscape. Using varying heights, these rugs are a visual and tactile delight, but at $1200 for a 1800 x 1200mm they really are fit for the wall rather than the floor!

Despicable Me!

A hearty hello again to Julie, who after recently tying the knot, is back to find the latest and greatest animation and more from her plush velvet movie seat in London. 


A last minute offer of two tickets to a film premiere on a Monday night is quite a treat right? So armed with said tickets my pal Katie and I shuffled our way to a chilly Leicester Square as soon as we could escape from work, only to find throngs of people and bright lights, all pointing in one direction,  towards the outdoor stage where Russell Brand was being interviewed in his synonomous skinny jeans and pointy boots.
We made our way down the bright yellow carpet as swiftly as possible, picked up our super fancy 3D glasses and finally found our seats. After a little bit of star spotting and scoffing our complimentary chocs and drink, our movie began....
Despicable Me is the latest feature animation on release here in the UK. All the right ingredients bind together to make this film a thoroughly entertaining 95 minutes... it's got the super-villain 'Gru', 3 super cute orphans that teach him lessons in love and loyalty and win over his heart (obviously), and the army of teeny yellow 'minions' who for me stole the show and had me laughing out loud every single time they came on screen.
Apart from this family fun, the film's star studded cast (Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Steve Carell) offer a veritable powerhouse of comedic talent and come together to bring one of the smartest and funniest animated comedies of the year to the big screen.
Brought to us by Universal Studios, this animation was co-directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, with whom my pal Katie had dinner with last week (shameless name drop) and was animated in 'Mac Guff' studios in Paris. No, this is not a Pixar nor Disney film!! It's a refreshing, really funny, light and entertaining animation that I highly recommend you bring your kids to.
Dont worry if you can't get to a 3D screening as for me this element was secondary. Good ole 2D will do just fine. Enjoy!

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Spaceships and Laserbeams

Hold onto your seats people, we have some great news for all your party planners. The wonderful world of Etsy has launched a new store dedicated to party treats for boys. Yes boys..ONLY! Spaceships and Laserbeams is made up of a bunch of boy-centric designers who have created party printables that will make every birthday extra special! And what's more 5% of every sale goes to YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

Arrow Decor

I spotted a link on Ellie Bellie Kids FB page that just made me salivate. Oh there are so many wonderrrrrfully creative mama's out there! What a cute idea for your boys room. The colour palette is just so refreshing and stays far away from the ridiculously sedate commonplace standard schemes around. Meet Danielle Thompson and prepare to be creatively enthralled!

Danielle Thompsons DIY decorative arrows

what a colour palette!

Go collect some feathers...

DIY Discovery

If you guys are in any way into Science, then you'll be keen to know that our friends at Classic Play will be launching their Science issue any day now...(watch out for yours truly who takes a look at the social angle of the big S question).
Speaking of all things spatial, how about this voyage of discovery making waves online this week. A group of friends, in New York City decided to collaborate on a project using a video camera and a take out box. Add some tape, foam and a splash of sciencey know-how and hey presto, you got yourself a home made spacecraft that can fly 19 miles (that's just over 30kms) into the stratosphere, photographing the blackness of space from its teeny tiny capsule! (big breath) Lets hear it for the Brooklyn Space Program people, especially Luke Geissbuhler and his 7 year old son Max!!


Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

Swallowed a Fly lately?

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly... Do YOU know why she swallowed a fly?  WAIT! Don't ruin the ending just yet. Check out Jeremy Holmes's unique take on this rather macabre children's tale and then tell us what happens to her ok!

Remember these?

Yep I'm all nostalgic this week. Finding these Fisher Price Retro Classics sent me back thirty years at least! How great that you can still find the classic teaching clock and ahem..two tone TV music box (to be exact) and share early memories with your little guys.
Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is a Fisher Price turntable....

It's O-Kaye Day

Ever since the boys were little I have sung them a very bad rendition of the Ugly Duckling by Danny Kaye. Regardless of my lack of singing talent, they both love it and are now managing to sing along with me. At the weekend I managed to find an old CD of his original recordings for children, one of which was our beloved Ugly Duckling. So here it is to share. Take it away Danny Boy....Oh and did you know, apart from being one of Hollywood's biggest comedic superstars in the 1940's, Danny Kaye was also UNICEF's original celebrity ambassador?! 

Eye Candy

I have been looking for slate labels for our veggie patch since forever. Some that would be suitable for the boys and fun way to engage them in the world of planting and growing. Until now! And with this discovery I have a unearthed the cutest little online store Candy Stripe Cloud.  Here you'll find the BEST Kewpie dolls I've seen in ages, Ok so not terribly boyish, but you just have to take a look! With them, lots of little knick knacks that are just a whole lot of fun! Definite eye candy for the weekend, if you know what I mean...

Garden Stakes

Girl and Boy Vegetable Planter

A lot of Babble

A lot of my new blogger pals are being nominated for the Babble.com Best Design Blogs voted by YOU. You will find Classic Play, Joyababy, Little Scandinavium, Anorak magazine, Mrs Agatha and... and... and... and US!
Go on, give us a nudge, push us up that list, we're worth it right?!

Do you Doodle?

Follow the lines and twirl your pencil, it's doodle time! If you're keen to draw a tree house, need to count to ten, fancy drawing a dinosaur or create some creepy friends, these are for you!

Thanks Mrs Booth

If you haven't already met Mrs Booth, may I please introduce you. She loves a bit of banter and is rather handy with her hands. If you love counting, drawing, sticking, measuring or indeed tracing then she'll have a number of goodies just for you. We love her bright and cheery blog and particularly loved the super stationery pack she picked up recently at the rather terrific Shelf, in London.

Vintage Stationery Pack from Shelf

Kellner Toy Kits from Shelf

Make and Do a Felt Globe

Here's a challenge for you. Imagine having the time and skill to create a felt interactive globe, such as this one. Carefully crafted symbols, animals and landmarks can be moved and removed, kept safely in a special storage suitcase underneath. Utter brilliance!

Crown Street Cooks

It all began as a school fundraising project, but this soon to be released cookbook is set to become a bestseller thanks to the hard work and creative collaboration of a united community.
Crown Street Cooks: Food from the heart of Surry Hills, is a beautifully photographed, 200 page cookbook showcasing the recipes of home cooks and big-name chefs from the restaurants of Surry Hills – currently the hottest food destination in Sydney, and my old neighbourhood!
Crown Street Cooks is first and foremost a school cookbook, a fundraiser designed to draw together support for the historic Crown Street Public School (established in 1849). The proceeds will raise much-needed equipment for the school and $1 from the sale of every book will be donated to the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network, situated only a stone's throw from the school itself.

Cover photo: Michael Wee

Photos clockwise: Tim Robinson; Tony Burrows; Michael Wee; Tony Burrows.

World-famous chefs from the area, Kylie Kwong, Bill Granger, Mark Best, Alex Herbert and Luke Nguyen have thrown their support behind the cause, all contributing recipes. More than 25 other local restauranteurs and small businesses have chipped in too – and the cookbook includes delicious recipes from Crown Street School mums and dads, friends, relatives, and teachers.

Written, designed, photographed and produced by a team of dedicated Crown Street School parents, this book is a must-have for people who love food, love children, live locally or simply enjoy the vibrant inner-city community of the fabulous Surry Hills.

Show your support and purchase a copy by visiting the Crown Street Cooks website.

via LMNOP