FIT is a brand known especially in Brazil for its bold and original personality since its very first collection. It started in 1996, bringing the concept of simple, chic fashion to women, utilizing exclusively fine knits and jerseys.

In 2008, Nina FIT was born, expanding the line for girls from 4 to 14 years old. Comfort and practicality are very important in modern urban life, and the girl’s line follows the same concept as the women’s collections.

The Winter 2013 collection is all about exploring geometric shapes, its lines and what happens when these forms overlap each other. A mix of different raw materials – leather and vinyl are applied gently to the fabric as well as embroidery sewn on patterned fabrics, resulting in a 3D effect.

The color chart features sober colors like camel, burgundy, navy and black, with accents in orange and off-white with touches of pink and nude. For more adorable girls’ style, go the Fit’s website.

These Tone Kid’s Chairs by Japanese design office, Leif.designpark are wonderful. I just love the simplicity and rich beauty of the different stripes of wood tone together with the sophisticated form. Leif.designpark designs products ranging from interior design to art and industrial products and they are all pretty amazing.

This is the cutest toy and so nifty the way it can be closed and carried everywhere. I so want to make this for the girls. If you are also smitten, you can buy the pattern on Etsy right here!

Look at what I just found in my inbox. Lovely and cute creations by French sister team, Mimi Cocotte et les petits loups! Just the name is enough to convince me. It’s so refreshing to see comfortable, colorful and playful clothes with some nice Japanese influence (see the baggy shorts) all in high quality cotton. And the prices are all very “petits” also.

Take a look at more whimsy on their sweet website.

We were at Chelsea Markets today and caught this Funny Food Art Exhibit which features some of the creations by Bill Wurtzel. The girls were so amused by these. The story is that Bill is an artist and jazz musician and has been creating fun and healthy breakfasts for his wife Claire for years. And they decided to compile them into a book.

Bill has played worldwide with many jazz legends including the Count Basie Countsmen, Bill Doggett,Jimmy McGriff, and the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band. So, he can do far more than make hilarious breakfasts!

I am going to get this book so I can try to reproduce these for the girls. Breakfast at our place just got way more interesting. If you are interested, you too can buy the Funny Food book here.

What a charming and nostalgic range for Tom and Drew Boys, Spring-Summer 2013. If I had boys, I would love to dress them like this. I am such a fan of this “Gatsby For Boys” look with the suspenders, bow ties and the pedal pushers. And come to think of it, so timely with the release of the new Great Gatsby film this summer!

The choice of plaids and seersucker and lovely woven fabrics teamed with crisp white shirts and jeans is just spot on. I am just smitten by those sweet blazers too. For more great boy style, go to the Tom and Drew website.

What a creative and charming project by amazing Korean artist, Yeondoo Jung entitled, “Wonderland”. He has taken drawings from various kids and very carefully recreated them as photos with painstaking detail. I am having fun comparing the original to the narrative! To see them all, visit his website.

Diane von Furstenberg’s second collection for GapKids, DVF Explorers, hit stores a couple of weeks ago. The mini wrap dresses, safari-themed tees and colorfully printed denim and leggings make for an even more exciting collection this time around.

“I wanted to really tap into that sense of adventure and discovery that is such a part of youth and really create something fun and exciting,” Furstenberg said as she celebrated the launch at Gap’s Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan.

Furstenberg dug deep into the DVF archives to find playful prints inspired by nature and her travels with her grandchildren.

“My granddaughters have such a love of life and adventure and I am inspired by their joie de vivre . . . their playful approach to life,” she said. ”You can never have too many prints and colors . . . and with children . . . the more practical the better . . . so we really went even farther with the leggings and the tees and the easy pieces that can be part of an everyday wardrobe.”

The collection, which is for girls up to age 14, also includes swimwear, espadrilles, a sun hat and a diaper bag. Clothing ranges from $25 to $70 and accessories $15 to $150. GapKids + DVF Explorers is now available at gap.com and at Gap stores worldwide.

We had Dim Sum with some friends here yesterday at the very first Dim Sum parlor in NYC! I love the tea cabinet and the nostalgic, semi-rundown look!

Nom Wah Tea Parlor first opened at 13-15 Doyers Street back in 1920 as a bakery and a tea parlor. For most of the 20th century, Nom Wah Tea Parlor has been a neighborhood staple offering fresh chinese pasteries, steamed buns, dim sum and tea. It has occupied 11-13 Doyers Street ever since 1968. Nom Wah is most famous for its homemade lotus paste and red bean filling for moon cake during the Chinese autumn festival. It is also famous for its almond cookies.

And you might recognize the interior as numerous movies and TV shows have been shot at Nom Wah. A few include Reversal of Fortune, Premium Rush, All Good Things, Quid Pro Quo, Third Rock and Law and Order!

If you follow us on Pinterest, you already know that we continually pin ultra-cool pins. Here are some of our top ones for this week!

Poppy London have done it again for Spring/Summer 2013 with their sweet signature style! Their clothing and accessories feature the adventures of Poppy and her dog Fred – their escapades are illustrated around the hem of each dress. A little storybook comes with every outfit, allowing the kids to follow their favorite characters. And if you really like one of the styles, you can have a Mommy/Daughter look. Take a look at the whole collection on their website.

Here’s another in our series of Beautiful Spaces. I am truly touched and moved by this heartfelt family home of J’Antiques vintage store owner, Hitoshi Ushida and his wife Fumika and kids, Hanto and Cocone. Their gorgeous home in Kamakura, Japan is filled with a treasure trove of colors, textures, forms and light. I just can’t stop looking at these photos and wanting to transport myself there.

For even more breathtaking photos, go the fab website, The Selby.

The girls were so excited, and okay…so was I, that their artwork was chosen for the NYC Young Artist Show this year! It was so great to see such young kids already in there doing it. All sorts of cool art materials were set out so the kids could work on this amazing cubby house and MAKE art during the show. Such a great idea. There is Solène on the very right and Oona third from the right. Take a look at the slideshow below to see some great works of kiddie art! And see you there next year!

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I have found the perfect storage system for the girls with such gorgeous and unusual colors.This Boxer Bookcase by Italian design studio, Dear Kids is fully customizable – you can add as many drawers or leave as many shelves empty as you like. LOVE.
 
 

I have a real thing for this trend, which is still going strong of very graphic and illustrated tees with animals on them. Mini Boden has gotten into the act with these fabulous and very artistic Illustrated Artist Tees. The famous Johnnie, the man behind the Boden brand has handpicked five of his fave illustrations to play a starring role in this limited edition collection. Check out the story of the rest of the tees here.

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Well, it’s here! If you live in the States, then you might know what all the fuss is about, although many confuse this holiday with Mexico’s Independence Day. Here’s some interesting info:

1. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Battle of Puebla. The holiday commemorates the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).

2. The win at Puebla was a huge deal for Mexico because the Mexican Army went into the battle as underdogs. They had no training, no equipment and were vastly outnumbered against the well-armed, well-disciplined and well-funded French, who up until that point had defeated them at every turn. Yet, they prevailed.

3. Cinco de Mayo isn’t really a big deal in Mexico. With all of the fuss around May 5th here in the U.S., you would think it was the biggest holiday in Mexico – nope. That honor goes to Mexican Independence Day. Still, Mexicans do celebrate the day with family get-togethers, fireworks, dancing and lots of food.

4. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday for everyone to celebrate (except if you happen to be French)! Many towns around the U.S. have festivals, fiestas, dances, food and music in honor of the holiday.

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After this initial defeat at the Battle of Puebla, the French proceeded to win a string of victories, with General Elie Frédéric Forey’s troops finally capturing the city on May 17, 1863. On May 31., Mexican president, Juárez and the government fled to El Paso del Norte. The French marched unopposed into Mexico City seven days later.

Over the next year and a half, French troops continued to overtake the Mexicans, while a new imperial government was established under Maximilian of Habsburg. In 1865, with the American Civil War ended and the US able to enforce the Monroe Doctrine, the tide began to turn. The US  supplied Juárez’s men with weapons and supplies, placed an army along the Rio Grande, and put up a naval blockade to prevent French reinforcements from arriving. Unwilling to fight the US,  Napoleon III began to withdraw French troops in 1866. Abandoned by the French, Maximilian and his forces were driven back by Juárez’s troops. Maximilian was captured on May 15, 1867 and the following month, he was executed, restoring Juárez and his government to full power.

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Here is my ultra-eclectic short list for all kinds of moms! There’s still time for loved ones take your hints about some of this list as Mother’s Day is one week away. Otherwise, you can always keep these in mind for your birthday or just because.

1. Google Glass

Okay, so you have probably heard all about these sci-fi type glasses and frankly, I want a pair even though they scare and amaze me at the same time. Must be the daredevil in me! They do everything from take a picture, google whatever you want and many other commands just by saying them. That tiny bit of glass is actually the screen. At $1500 a pair, I think most of us will want to wait until they are fully launched and more fully developed at a more realistic price. If you must have them now, here they are!

2. Custom Family Portrait

Love these sweet custom portraits by Henry James Paper Goods. He has a conversation with you about the family, you send him photos and explain customary outfits that family members wear and voila!  Check out his Etsy store here.

3. Dirty Little Secrets of Otherwise Perfect Moms

This is a great one for all you Bellissima Moms out there! This book by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile (authors of I’d Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper) is a quick-witted and easy read of real Mom confessions. One thing I read in it that I must say I have been tempted to try myself: “My kids don’t wear pj’s on school nights. They go to bed in their school clothes so I don’t have to fight with them about their outfits in the morning.”  Available here.

4.  Yellow Teapot

I have a thing for teapots, which goes hand in hand with my thing for tea I guess…”My” tabletop series from Dutch design group Jansen+Co. has provided us with this unusual and simple teapot. I could really go for this! Available here!

5. Mother’s Day Petits Fours

If you are in NYC, there is still time for the hubby to go in and nab these perfect little petits fours from Dean & Deluca or if you want some for your Mom, go for it.

6. Aspinal Brook Street Bag

Here’s a luxurious one for all you handbag lovers. I confess. I want this Aspinal of London Brook Street Bag…wouldn’t mind the vintage car either!

7.  Mother’s Day Tissue Paper Flower Card

And last but not least, here’s one for the kids to make for Mom! And the full tutorial is here.

I am just amazed at how interior designer and photographer Gunnar Larson and his wife, Sara Larson, senior associate for brand development at HONOR, have rocked their 400 square foot apartment in the East Village to welcome their baby girl, Ihlen! Instead of heading for Brooklyn and more space, they decided to redesign their apartment to work with a new member coming into the family and to share their present life and neighborhood with her. I just love the hammock crib.

Go here to see full story and even more photos!

I am in love with Elfen Couture. This highly artistic label was founded in Berlin in 2006 as an hommage to the beauty and spirit of sweet childhood memories. In their own words: “We create clothes on the edge of reason for little girls, who love dressing up and find colours and beautiful fabrics exhilarating”. On the edge of reason! I can’t get enough of that. It sounds like Almodovar for kids!

And their Spring/Summer 2013 collection is a daring foray into an Asian Art Deco Fusion fantasy aptly named, “An Indochine Phantasma” inspired by this poem, »The butterfly dream« by Chuang-Tzu.

“Once upon a time, I, Zhuangzi, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Zhuangzi. Soon I awakened, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man. Between a man and a butterfly there is necessarily a distinction. The transition is called the transformation of material things.”

They are a true fashion House in the tradition of Dior. You can visit their atelier, take tea in bone china cups and have your little one measured for special orders. They also of course, have their ranges available online, here and ship worldwide. This latest collection will be available in a few days! Below are some photos of their House on Leibnizstraße.

I am so interested in this new service by independent bookseller R.J. Julia. You can send books 12 times or 6 or 4 times a year to anyone you want and they have a kids’ service and also one for teens. They have a form you fill out so that they select books that will suit the reader. What a fantastic luxury. And from the feedback, the book selectors do a great job at sending the right books to suit the little reader’s preferences. And they also have book gift packs. A box of books for kids. The best gift. Ever.