While trying to get Miss 3mths old to sleep in the stroller, I found this great selection of stationery and more in the bookstore at Sylvia Park Mall.  The Australian Cristina Re range includes DIY, gifts, books and software – over 300 products that sell to over 1000 stores around Australia and New Zealand.  Take a look here at all the goodies available (paper, notepads, invitations, wrapping etc), and to find a stockist, click here.  Yet another writing pad made it home for the grocery list!

I have always been a fan of the Bullet Planters, but these are even better.  Pad in Los Angeles are behind these Pods Planters which were only unveiled at the Dwell On Design show in Los Angeles last month.   You can buy them here for NZ$238 each(ouch) and they ship internationally – just email for prices.  They come in six colours, with stands in two heights and can be used indoors or out as they are aluminium with an exterior grade powder-coated finish.  I would love a colourful set of five for herbs but the cost would blow my mind….will have to stick to the packaged supermarket herbs for now.

via [Apartment Therapy]

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

I love receiving circulars in the mail.  When we moved into our rental the first thing I did was remove the ‘No circulars’ sign on the mailbox.  While browsing through one I spied the company Cedarlands.  Based in Auckland, NZ, they make and distribute a great range of sheds, cabins, carports and even greenhouses. What caught my eye was the modern carport, as many NZ homes have little or no garaging. Wouldn’t these look great with a modern reno and keep all the Auckland rain off you!  The company does not have a website (what the…!!) but here is a link to contact them and browse through a few images of what they have available. 

Do you need to add an extra room without renovating, or a little temporary home for the bach site?  Based in Auckland, NZ, Mobile Habitats have a full range of portable accommodation solutions, with some offering kitchen and bathroom facilities.  Because they are portable, you do not need a permit, with prices starting at about $10k to purchase. Or if you only need a temporary space solution, they even rent them starting at NZ$58 per week. Go take a look at their website for more info…they come in cool colours and are super mod looking.

If you think birds need a front ‘porch’ light, then this is the birdhouse for you.  The solar-powered birdhouse is made by OOOMS, Dutch designers of products like the weird Twig USB drive.  A solar panel on the roof charges the small interior battery during the day and then at night the perch lights up….cool!  This is also clever as bugs are drawn to light, so they can catch dinner while sitting at their ‘front door’….even cooler! They are sold at Charles & Marie (sold out when I checked), but you can find them for sale at the OOOMS website as well – NZ$165 plus shipping and they ship internationally.  Totally think it’s a must have!

via [NotCot]

Something I had always meant to get for our son’s room was a mobile, and it just didn’t happen.  However I found the 8 Planets which would suit him more now…and even better, each planet glows in the dark.  Julie Firth is the lady who designed it and you can buy it through her website or her Etsy shop with paypal for US$120 (NZ$185).  She ships anywhere in the world – just email for a price.  Click here for more of her Calder inspired mobiles.  

These are like a hip modern version of Matryoshka Dolls – except they don’t stack.  You can paint them yourself with their starter kit, or buy them already done.  They start at about NZ$15 and ship anywhere so go check out the great selection at Michelle and Kelly’s etsy store Goose Grease.  I would love a family of four all painted up….perhaps for Mothers Day!

via [Bloesem Kids]

Running, or Balance bikes have become quite popular and I spy them in quite a few parks these days. Master Four and 3/4 is quite disappointed he never got one – as now he’s riding a two-wheeler, it’s not a requirement.  Miss 2mths Old will be getting a Wishbone when it’s her turn though, as they teach kids to balance before the peddles arrive!  I watched a friends child on one and he had never ridden a two wheel bike with peddles….climbed onto Master Fours, and just rode away!

The Wishbone Bike is clever in that the wooden bike starts as a tricycle, converts to a 2-wheel running or balance bike and then the frame is flipped to make a running bike large enough for kids up to about 5 years. So it lasts a good while.  They are NZ made and are available in many countries.  See here for stockists. 

Over at Desire To Inspire, I came across these pics, plus more of some of the most inspiring and colourful interiors.  The man behind the lens is Mark Lund, who’s website sends you into major time wasting territory just looking at all the great photos.  He also has a blog with updates of his current work and cool snaps of his beautiful family.  

Here is a great skirt for little girls that I found over at The Long Thread.  It is reversible, and you could make it with different fabric on the inside.  If they spill anything on one side – whip in inside out and voila! – they have a clean skirt for the rest of the day!  You can buy the pattern over at their Etsy store; it downloads as a PDF pattern with all the instructions.  Sizes range from 4 through 6 yrs and it costs only NZ$12.  

Now if only they had a reversible pants pattern for boys, I would sure find them handy for those hot chocolates at the cafe.

I totally dig this workstation.  All compact and smooth, modern and tidy.  It would be perfect for Master 4 and 3/4 for his bedroom and one for myself; because I don’t really need an office. Designed by MisoSoup Design, a New York design company, the K Workstation incorporates a near continuous wall mounted surface that provides desk space and overhead shelving. 

via [Crib Candy]

This has been in my ‘Must Blog About’ folder since Taga won the Eurobike award in 2008.  It would have to be my ultimate bike for my two kids and me.  Good for the Zoo, good for shopping, good for exercising with them, good for our trips to the bakery and beach.  It converts from stroller, to bike for up to two kids, to caravan for the shopping and/or kids.  I so want one, but they don’t sell them here, only Europe and the UK. Go take a look at their gallery for more cool pics, and here for the many different options (some not avaliable yet)…..it’s my dream bike!