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 hilarious things with a sling shot – like pom poms, seed bombs, or paper footballs. I’d hold off on the water balloons and the rocks. And of course, the unbreakable rule: don’t point it at anything that lives, breathes and could love you back.

I know some little boys who might not listen to those rules, but perhaps that’s a good lesson in discipline (we’ll take it away if you break the rules!). Plus, I secretly want to learn how to handle a slingshot myself, what about you? I’m no good at darts, and archery seems too big a leap. Maybe we start with a slingshot and go from there!

Seedbombs with Slinger, Poketo
Slingshot with Pom Poms, Tweet Toys | Neon Pink Slingshot, Hella Slingshots
Slingshot and Seedbombs, Greenaid (many varieties!) | 3 Slingshot Set, Gift Go Green

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 European shop full of open-ended playthings. It’s well-edited, and contains bits of wonder across many genres: cohesive, yet expansive. Yep, I’m waxing poetic, with good reason.

This is one of those shops I’ve stumbled across many times over the years, but for some reason never got around to sharing with you? Thank goodness we’re fixing that tout suite! Whether you’re searching for unique bedding, pillows, artwork, toys, or accessories, Collette Bream’s sweet shop will give you a moment of well-designed wonder. I’m partial to the stutffed raindrop and cloud combos, but perhaps that’s because Birdie tells me her new big girl room should be in the clouds with a rainbow on the wall. I think I can arrange that!

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 enough to be on your desk too. Let me quote Watermelon Cat: “Unique pieces of art to play with. For adults and children because the spirit of playfulness does not end in childhood!” Yep!

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 in love with all of them. But the boy dolls have me truly smitten – look at those ‘staches! So, maybe Mother’s Day this year involves a unique gift for you – a doll, or a pair of them, to sit on your bed? Come on, why not?

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, my Nook, and a bag of chips. That’s all I need.

It was the kind of day that left me feeling like the worst kind of mom: yelling instead of patient, tired instead of excited, curt instead of loving. But ooh boy, Birdie was also having her own kind of whirling dervish, crazy, rotten no-good day. Maybe we both need one of these dolls to cheer us up and calm us down. The Cat in the Shoe makes the calmest, most serene little friends – more than just girls in pajamas. They have a hint of the surreal, like they came out of a really juicy good dream. I have to say, that’s got to be one of the better places to find your toy inspiration, don’t you think?

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 is how clearly she follows what interests her. The shop selection is always changing. Instead of focusing on one style, one medium, or even one category, Jess Quinn manages to dive in to pom pom animals, shrinky dink corsages, classic ragdolls, and crazy completely cuckoo stuffed animals with equal aplomb. She follows the beat of her own loco little drummer, and for that, I think I have a major girl crush on her.

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, I recommend it, it’s very soothing.

Maybe we can do something productive and plan for the day when Spring finally says hello. We can get all our gardens ready for a fort like this one. I remember a shaded nook of bushes under our favorite Cottonwood tree as a kid that was sacred to us every summer. I’d hide down there and just listen to the leaves. I want to do the same thing for Birdie, and Hearthsong’s Garden Fort looks like a way to guarantee the opportunity presents itself – in case your yard’s existing bushes aren’t feeling particularly compliant. I also think I may have to buy  Moss Milkshake, for the name of it, if nothing else!

Or, you can also create a more portable version with these giant sunflower seeds and a plethora of pots. I may try this approach, because we’re hoping to move this year and I hate to put all that work into something and leave it behind. What about you, which version do you prefer?

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 is my favorite part of the entire film. Not just for her look, which is classic and adorable, but for her personality too. I swear, some of her posturing and inflections are straight out of my little Birdie’s playbook.

In fact, I think I’m going to head out today and buy a China Girl Doll for myself. I’m a toy designer, it gives me leeway in these things! It looks like the Target Doll is selling out fast. And, since I won’t be splurging on the limited edition doll, which is selling for $629, I think $19.99 feels very affordable. Do you think I’ll be able to keep Birdie’s hands off of her? Yeah, I don’t think so either.

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 rabbits. I hear they like to multiply?

Still, you have to admit, these five bunnies are definitely worthy of a little love. As the saying goes, every bunny needs some bunny. Which one do you need?

Esthex Rabbit – Lola
Petit Collage Funny Bunny
Flat Bonnie Bunny
Lucas Rabbit Organic Soft Cotton Doll
Kata Golda Stuffed Rabbit Pal 

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 that you and your kids can print and assemble your own neighborhoods for playtime. Each house is unique and different – it’s time to collect them all. There will be more additional printables coming too, so keep checking over at the Neighborhood.Vivint.com for the newbies! Scroll down to see them all:

House #1

House #2

House #3 and House #4 are both in the Christmas Spirit, as well as the #5 Snowman and Christmas Tree printable.

House #6

House #7

House #8 is coming soon! Stay tuned, and watch for it over at the Neighborhood!