SEE YOU THERE!!

A very inspiring way to start the week off, the PS22 choir performing a heartwarming rendition of 'Lisztomania' by Phoenix. This was sent by my lovely friend Maggie Godwin

Enjoying a stroll post farmers market on a Sunday, this family was kind enough to engage in a photo op for our Proof section. If you have not yet checked out this awesome feature you should, it's a varied collection of candid family photos some of which have been snapped by our team and others that have been sent to us, kindly, by readers. Thank you to those of you who have contributed and don't worry if you don't see your photo up yet, we're getting crafty with how we're organizing how many we've received so hold tight! Everyone else, keep the proof coming! 

Incredible new video for OK GO using a giant Rube Goldberg contraption. ONE TAKE. This gives whole new meaning to do over. Share it with the fam and get inspiration for making the most of the common objects lying around the house!

Dopesicles. Prefab play dwellings from architect Ryan Grey Smith are designed not offend the modern sensibilities you're working hard to pass on. The Modern Play Shed comes with a complete assembly kit and you can paint or stain the exterior as a family project or add on colorful wall panels. Outfit interiors with cork walls, rainbow floor tiles, whiteboards and chalkboards. Make it complete with a deck! Spring is coming quickly... so jump on it.

The Landscape

Black or White Hidden World Shield of Wings

Hidden worlds, Norwegian folklore, the allure of nature, myths and magic are the source of inspiration for the latest collection of blankets from Vík Prjónsdóttir. There is a story woven into each piece, made of 100% Icelandic wool, which makes getting cozy and wrapped up in a bed time tale that much more appealing. My favorite is the 'Shield of Wings' -

The Sea Eagle is the king of birds. With its grace and beauty and a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters it is respected and feared at the same time. The eagle does everything for its young and protects the nest with great care and strength. It is a predator and has been known to even take infants to its nest. Still today there exists one survivor from the eagle’s claws in Iceland. This blanket is a dedication to this magnificent animal. Now you are under the eagle’s protection.

Check here for a list stockists

Mia Doi Todd "Open Your Heart" dir. Michel Gondry from Viewers Like You on Vimeo.

The AMAZING video for Mia Doi Todd's track "Open Your Heart" is directed by Michel Gondry. So inspiring. You have to smile, stop, rewind, smile some more when you watch it. Someone should give the stylist a gold star.

Source:BOOOOOOOOM!

Happy almost Valentines Day! Some new tracks that kind of have to do with love that I am loving. And that you can share with those you love.

Image from Planet Awesome Kid

Image from Planet Awesome Kid

Image from Planet Awesome Kid

Planet Awesome Kid creator Julia Samersova and family I adore the blog Planet Awesome Kid , an exuberant celebration of children's style, and draw inspiration from it daily.  So do a lot of others. The blog has received a ton of well-deserved press and praise for good reason. This interview  with the HIP creator Julia Samersova feels cool and connected, a sense of community even though we've never met face to face! A big timin' casting director for the fashion industry, Julia is using her keen scouting powers to shine attention on all the awesome kids worldwide. Together Team Awesome (including Julia's husband, Andrew, responsible for a lot of the photography) is on a mission documenting children's style and character and simultaneously working to support local and global children-based charities.

Hw/Ks:  You're a busy lady - Casting Director extraordinaire and you and your husband are new parents to a lovely  Ms Violet!  When did Planet Awesome Kid come into the mix and what was the inspiration?  

Julia: Violet is the light and joy of our lives.  She is also our constant inspiration!   I was walking her through the park in Brooklyn one fall afternoon, in October, and BOOM, it just hit me.  There were so many amazingly cool kids all around us, and we had to document it!  My husband is a photographer, so we just went out on the streets of NYC and looked (and found) the most awesome kids!

Hw/Ks: Global Action for Children, an amazing organization, is the newest partner for Planet Awesome Kid. How do you 'find' partners, or how do they find you?  

Julia: A lot of the events occurring around Planet Awesome Kid have been incredibly serendipitous.   Global Action for Children actually found us and contacted us!  My partner Christiana Tran and I were looking for the right charity to link up with and just as we were doing the research GAC contacted us!   One of the young ladies who works at GAC is a street-style hound, and found us on the internet and thought we would be a great match!   They came to NYC from D.C. to meet us, and it just CLICKED.  We are very excited about the benefit we are throwing for GAC in March in NYC.  It will be awesome and 100% of the proceeds we raise will go directly to GAC!

Hw/Ks: Planet Awesome Kid has been described at the Sartorialist of children's fashion, this is très cool but I feel like you have a such unique ingredient, spirit! How do you spot your subjects, what makes them stand out?

Julia: Being an "Awesome Kid"  can literally mean anything.  A child who just shines in a crowd, a child with a unique look, or a cool hobby.  Its not only about fashion to me. It is about the SPIRIT and ENERGY of a child.  A smile, a cool skateboard, a way a child thrown together a rad outfit, a talent.  It could be anything.  It goes without saying that I feel ALL CHILDREN are awesome. 

Hw/Ks: What’s your take on top designers doing collaborations and/or in-house lines for kids wear? (Stella, Comme, Marc...)  

Julia: GIVE US MORE, but please, can it be a bit more affordable? I think it speaks to the strength of the children's market.  In the midst of a great recession, the children's market remained extremely strong.  I think this is a very smart move for a designer to incorporate a kid's line.    I know that for me, personally, even though we had a bit of a rough year financially, I still could not resist buying my daughter items that truly stole my heart.

HwKs: Can you reccomend.....

A neighborhood - Windsor Terrace is a gem.  Its on the Southwest side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and we love it!

A restaurant or cafe -  Miriam's in Park Slope for brunch!   HEAVEN!  

Music you might not listen to around kids-  Biggie Smalls, Tupac, and Lady Gaga

A favorite shop- Zakka in Dumbo  

A website -  Stroller Traffic, Mamaista, Weelicious, Cool Mom Picks, and everything that is blog rolled on Planet Awesome Kid.  

A book - Happiest Toddler on The Block......GENIUS!  

A recreational activity (w/or w/o kids) -  We live in NYC, so museums, zoos, parks, restaurants, beach, trips! We go everywhere with Violet!  I believe strongly in exposing your children to EVERYTHING.  

A publication - Vogue Paris is my style bible.  I worship Carine Roitfeld.

A toy - We love books.  For the 1st year we could not live without the Whoozit.

Something that every parent should own - Baby Bjorn Soft Plastic Bib and Beaba BabyCook

JULIA THANK YOU!

So many different types to choose from. If someone is learning letters in your house, this is the book to tote in tow wherever you go. Released late last year from Werner Design Werks, with alphabeasties: and other Amazing Types you can start em' young and share the love for the well-crafted typefaces that make the alphabet so fun to use!

Source: grain edit