ages 3 to 5

sling it everywhere!

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Have you noticed slingshots popping up everywhere we turn? Is it just me? They’re adorable, and very retro-cool. Yet, my first thought was: oh no, not a weapon for my kid! But, I’m actually coming around to the idea. It’s a big leap away from a toy gun. More importantly, you can shoot some pretty [...]

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what shall we play today?

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That’s what Collette Bream asks across the top of her Etsy shop, and it sums things up perfectly. I know around this house that question is asked many. many. many. times during the day. Her shop doesn’t give any kind of straightforward answer either. Instead, it feels like I’ve stepped into a perfectly curated little [...]

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have a little watermelon cat

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Wood plus whimsy plus the Netherlands plus a super silly fabulous name? That’s Watermelon Cat. There is a timeless quality to the designs that makes them feel decidely mid-century, in all of the best possible ways. I’m a big fan of any toy that doesn’t dumb it down for kids, and these toys are cool [...]

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tattooed, leggy, and beautiful

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In honor of modern retro-loving moms everywhere, today’s post features dolls made in their image, alongside the burly men they just might love. They are the kind of ladies I wish I knew, and dang, I wish I could wear a headscarf like these Betties! Elbojobo’s dolls are tattooed, leggy, beautiful, and retro suave. I’m [...]

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the cat in the shoe is a doll

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Yesterday was one of those horrible, awful, no-good, go-back-to-bed kind of days. Please, by all things holy, let today be better. Or, I’m going to have to pretned I’m one of these pajama-clad girls from The Cat in the Shoe and just go back to bed. I could hide under the duvet with my iPad, [...]

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animals and creatures and dolls oh my!

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Jess Quinn is such an inspiration. I can hardly pick out only a few of her creations, her Etsy shop currently has 199 of them, and they’re all pretty damn amazing. She has such a unique perspective – it’s both completely endearing and a wee bit odd. But one of my favorite things about Quinn [...]

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grow your own hideaway

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Where the heck is Spring?! I’m getting desperate over here, and it sounds like much of the Northern half of the US is feeling the same way: cold. It has me double-duty daydreaming of plants in an almost obsessive way. I caught myself huffing the dirt of one of my houseplants the other day. Honestly, [...]

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bring this doll to your tea party

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Even before I saw Oz the Great and Powerful last night (which we thoroughly enjoyed!), she had caught my eye. I think I go a little gaga for ball joints. Now, now, I’m talking about the elbows, the wrists, the knees, and the ankles of this adorable little doll. The China Girl from the movie [...]

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best bunnies for spring

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I suppose I’ll have to stop eventually, but I love giving Birdie a stuffed bunny as part of her Easter festivities. But I’m a toy lover! Give me any excuse and I will exploit it to find the perfect stuffed animal to fix the situation. I suppose if I don’t stop, we’ll be overrun with [...]

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be a part of the neighborhood

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It turns out I’ve been hoarding a fun project and not sharing it directly with all of my readers. It just hit me that there are 8 wonderful printables waiting for you over at the Neighborhood, and I forgot to let you know. How miserly of me! We’ve been creating these lovely little homes so [...]

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toys built for wandering

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It’s fitting that a toy brand called The Wandering Workshop has several toys that are ideally suited to wandering. These toys, made in Greece, are a beautiful example of what a small shop devoted to child-safe, imagination-friendly toys can do. I think the designs speak for themselves: the rich colors, the natural wood, the attention [...]

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making new (stuffed) friends

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Have I really not talked about Kase-Faz before? It looks like that’s the case. I even pinned Maria’s amazing dolls on Pinterest. Well. I guess it’s high time we remedied this situation, isn’t it? Kase-Faz dolls are handmade with the most adorable features. I’m partial to the hooded woolen capelets, and the pig tails that defy [...]

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simply the simplest

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Looking for a way to take some design trends and wrap them around a sweet soft doll? These beautiful creations from Marina R, aka Pinsel Blues, might do the trick. Bright shots of neon, natural colored linens, embroidered detailing, and gentle expressions make these dolls something extra special. Made in Germany, you can find them [...]

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a little name with big potential

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When I first saw these sweet little things, I wasn’t certain if they were vintage or new. That’s a very good thing if you ask me. I’m a sucker for  quality. What’s the phrase … if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? I think we can all list some examples of toys that didn’t listen [...]

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a childhood favorite I never heard of

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I walk away from Christmas every year amazed and heartened by the thoughtful gifts and time well-spent with our nearest and dearest. And of course, I’m still reeling from the “krazy” amount of loot we’ve accumulated this Christmas. But the most unusual gift Birdie received this year was actually from us – and completely accidental. Birdie [...]

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