PLAY | Toca Paper Creatures

We have been long time fans of Swedish company Toca Boca who makes great apps for kids on multiple platforms. Lately they have added some creative toys to their shop and I'd like to show you their new collaboration with Argentinian artist CHU. I absolutely love toys that promotes imagination and creativity and this little set does both!

Toca Paper Creatures - a puzzle of colorful pieces that can be combined in thousands of different ways to make a completely unique little creature - is the result of the collaboration together with Argentinian street artist, CHU. Currently living in Buenos Aires, CHU is known for his work in art, illustration, graphic design and animation, among others. As the co-founder of the DOMA Collective, a multidisciplinary art and design collective, CHU played a key role in bringing street art to Buenos Aires 

To get an idea of how the collaboration worked check out this great little artist visit with CHU and his inspiring work in the city landscape.



:: TOCA BOCA / PAPER CREATURES ::

INTERIOR | Poster Love

I am a big fan of artist Evan Rossell, and quite a few times he has worked with US label Mini & Maximus to create prints for both clothes and posters. Right now Springstof has a few of my favourites posters from Mini & Maximus back in stock.

Don't Grow Up / Bandit Girl / See Ya / Falling Ice Owl.

Brand Watch | Munsterkids AW14

If there is one good thing about loosing summer to autumn and winter then it has to be Munsterkids new AW14 collection, now out in stores. I am loving their latest campaign "Where The Wild Kids Play" and there are must have pieces in all of their 4 collections, Munster for the boys, Missie for the girls and Mini and Lil Missie for the youngest hipsters.

Welcome to Munster Kids Autumn/Winter 2014; a pride of hearty cut n’ sew pieces designed for untamed ruckus or whilst being shipwrecked in scuffed and dirty shoes. This collection is inspired by the boldness of the wilderness; where bright yellow lions, burly bears & toothy sharks, run amok with vivid toucans and wise old wintery owls - all against a palette of grass greens, crayon blues, scribbled textures and dark earthy hues.
 
As lyrical prints pounce off skinny overalls and slouchy lounge pants slither down to embrace tiny ankles, cosy reversible hoodies and military’esque varsity jackets snugly cloth furry, little limbs…

This season, the animal kingdom’s warm camaraderie is echoed through the Munster kids's wild, kindred spirit on those shorter, cooler days and nights. We got a few favourites already - how good is that Bite jacket with jagged tooth details!? And my shark loving boy will of course go wild when he sees the Off the Plank long sleeve with a shark graphic on. My girl will go wild for the animal prints this season, there are so much to choose between and it will definitely put a wild but gorgeous spin on an otherwise dark and grey winter.



You can find Munsterkids at numerous retailers across Australia, right now the collection is available online at Minibots and in Europe check out Orange Mayonnaise, La-di-da.

For more info on this collection and where to buy it, visit

:: MUNSTERKIDS ::

Brand Watch | TOYKYO KIDS x NEW ERA

Belgian TOYKYO KIDS has collaborated with New Era and created some really cool headwear for the kids out there. 3D embroidery graphics on the front and a strap to adjust the size on the back.

All caps are available now at Orange Mayonnaise (who fortunately for all cap lovers has worldwide shipping).

Close Up | Tiny Whales

This is one of those parcels that just makes you happy! I came across Tiny Whales a while ago and was instantly drawn to their cool, graphic prints for kids. This Californian label packs a big punch of cool, and the best bit is that the prints are not only rad but most of them are unisex.

Created in 2008 by husband & wife team - graphic designer Shaun and stylist Brittany Wagoner, Tiny Whales started out as a hobby creating one of a kind clothes for their baby nephew, but it didn't take long until they realized, there was a huge demand for kid-approved cool clothes (that didn't involve superhero capes and masks).

Today you can find Brittany and Shaun’s exclusive designs for toddlers, youth, and babies at their online store www.tinywhalesstore.com and in boutiques all over the U.S.

Above is a few of their down right awesome tees from their upcoming SS14 collection, due in stores and in their webshop late Febuary.

:: TINY WHALES ::

Brand Watch | Boys&Girls x Malarky

More kidswear labels have turned their eyes to the street and the street art scene for some interesting collaborations. Latest is London based kidswear label Boys&Girls who will collaborate with street artist Malarky to design an exclusive range of limited edition of tees and sweatshirts.

The range will be available in February.

Moments | Urban Love

M wears: Top by Bobo Choses / Skirt by Molo / Leggings by FREE / Sandals by Pom D'Api. D wears: Tee by Heart & Guts / Pants by Molo / Shoes by Natives.

Some urban moments from the weekend.  A trip to the comic shop (M has developed a big love for comic books ) Comics 'R' Us was on the agenda. She bought 3 new comics, 2 Adventure Time comics and 1 My Little Pony comic, that she of course had to start reading as soon as we sat down. After our feet got tired after window watching and simply taking in the urban views, we stopped at Hooked for some much needed lunch. We all munched on seafood and I got to try a beer with a confusing name.

D had been in his money box to buy some lollies on the way home, so it was very important to count just exactly how much money he had. I think his appetite was a bit bigger than his wallet because he of course thought he could pretty much buy the whole lolly shop, but came out with a single chocolate bar and was still happy (thankfully). There is something magical with just window watching, the kids looked at everything, taking in the different people and the sights and sounds. We saw a hairdresser shop with skateboards hung up all over the walls and the hairdressers had colourful short hair. D decided he wanted his hair cut there the next time (realising he might need one after seeing these photos).

There are always street art to look at here, next to a little cafe called Tyranny of Distance - Cafe and Lubritorium (I know!! amazing coffee to boot!) we found a little alley called Artist Lane which had artworks all over the walls. Kids had fun checking it out and it was sort of behind the hustle and bustle so we were pretty much alone checking it out. Love these forms of outdoor "galleries" and it was a great ending to our little urban weekend.

APP LOVE | HEY HEY

I think my kids like many other kids out there do pick up an ipad or an iphone or a similar device every now and then and wants to play something. We try and keep a limit to how much playtime the kids get on these devices, but I have to admit there is so much great creative choices now in apps that it is hard to keep my fingers away from them myself. Hey Hey Apps is one of them.  We recently got a chance to try it out, and I have to admit I have been using it just as much as the kids. 

You can snap a photo with your phone/ipad and then it is up to you how you want it to come to life. Featuring the art of renowned street artist Bue the Warrior (who I have written about before here.), you can make any object come to life by adding eyes, mouths, glasses, characters, etc to your photo. It is a great concept that keeps the imagination happy. My kids often took shots of themselves or each other and went to town with the transformations. There is nothing that can bring out giggles like putting a little poop character on your sisters/brother head! Or your parents for that matter ;) If you want to give your kids a break from all the mindless score focused games out there, then this is a good place start. To see the app in action see a little video here.

As a little bonus it is back to school day in Europe, so today 2nd Sep & 3rd of Sep you can download the app for FREE!

:: HEY HEY APPS ::

ART WATCH | JEFF SOTO

A big part of fueling my own inspiration is street art, living in Melbourne I get to see a fair bit and it always gets me going. I thought I would share a few artists that I love and get inspired from. Today I thought I would show some work of American artist Jeff Soto. Born in 1975, his distinct colour palette, subject matter and technique have been said to bridge the gap between Pop Surrealism and Street Art.

Inspired by youthful nostalgia, nature, graffiti, hip-hop and popular culture. His bold, representational work is simultaneously accessible and stimulating.

For more info and to see more work of Jeff Soto visit his << website. >>

Street Art For the People

More street art for the people I say! The best form of street art is when they incorporate the objects in the art I think. Here are some brilliant examples to get your week started. More art here.