LOCAL LIFE: art splash at the philadelphia museum of art

Art Splash is a summer program hosted in the beautiful Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is designed for families to explore the arts together. Some exhibitions focus on fashion, toy design and photography and include a weekly art project for children. I love this use of the space and being able to expose Maya + Senna to the incredible architecture and designs there. 

This week we were lucky enough to preview two exhibitions on the subject of fashion... perfect for Maya + Senna. The first was called All Dressed Up which compares children + adult fashions from the late eighteenth through mid-twentieth centuries.  Inside the gallery are intricately designed garments and accessories that had my girls in awe.  There are supplies for little artists to take inspiration from and draw out their own designs. Really neat. 

We also visited CandyCoated Wonderland, a step into a storybook world where child size mannequins are dressed in fancy costumes like little nurses who are caring for stuffed animals. There are others such as Peter Pan and Little Bo Peep all dressed up in actual costumes worn by children a long time ago. Multimedia artist, Candy Coated is responsible for the art direction and has put her signature stamp on the gallery by mixing geometric decals and silk-screened fabrics throughout. With so much to look at and so many intricate details, it's total eye candy.

We can't wait to return and participate in the weekly programs inside that beautiful main hall. Hope to see you there!

DID YOU KNOW... 

Kids 12 and under are free.  

Both little girls and boys wore corsets to encourage good posture? Ouch...

Many European toys are making their US debut in the Design For The Modern Child exhibit (can't wait to see that one!)


A big THANK YOU to Philadelphia Family for inviting us to the preview!

Photo taken in CandyCoated Studios by Amber Kirylak. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

COOKING WITH KIDS 21: homemade almond joy

 Up until a few months ago I hated coconut. Never wanted to eat the stuff, didn't like the texture or taste. But recently I gave coconut a try and to my surprise I loved it! I want to put it in everything, cook with coconut oil for every dish and travel to the islands to drink cold coconut juice while sitting on the beach and bathing in the sun....Anyway...  with my new love for coconut, I was in search of a fun recipe to try with Maya and Senna and stumbled upon these on Pastry Affair (she's amazing!). It reminded me of my mother-in-law's love of Almond Joys, so we decided to surprise her with them.I've changed up the recipe a bit by using ice cube trays as a candy bar mold, doubling up the ingredients and sprinkling sea salt on top (my FAVORITE part!). The girls absolutely loved making them. What's not to love about warm melted chocolate and salty roasted almonds cushioned by sweet honey and coconut?Scott devoured our first batch before we could gift them, but they're so easy to make and so good that I definitely didn't mind making more. Hope you enjoy them too!

 

MY LIFE + KIDS: senna turns 4

Our little Senna turned four this weekend and she couldn't have been happier. She always spoke about becoming a four year old with such excitement. As if it was something bigger than any of us could see. Despite her getting older, she still seems so little to me. She looks small and round and still pronounces things like 'gayle" for girl and "squayail" for squirrel. I not so secretly never want that to change...

We celebrated with a party at school, a morning at the May Fair, a last minute friend party and a family party all within 3 days... and she loved every minute of it. She was appreciative and giddy and awesome. I  found  myself watching her from a distance feeling so grateful for such a wonderful and unique kid.

Happy 4th Birthday Bay! 

*Bay was a nickname given to Senna by Maya when she was a toddler and couldn't say 'baby' properly...and it stuck!

senna's dress: french connection

INTERIOR DESIGN: MT masking tape

Japanese studio, Iyama Design has taken every day masking tape and turned it into a pretty and useful decorating supply. Two of their exhibitions really caught my eye because of their use of the material as an interior decorating medium like paint or wallpaper.

COOKING WITH KIDS 20: jam sandwiches

What are your Mother's Day plans? 

Do you like to have breakfast in bed or head out for brunch with the family?

Last weekend we spent a morning in the kitchen coming up with different ways we'd want to enjoy a Mother's Day brunch together.  We created several delicious sandwiches using Bonne Maman French preserves that had us questioning our plans to eat out.  

My favorite... the Grilled Fruit & Cheese. It was buttery and cheesy with a touch of apricot + raspberry sweetness. Scott loved the Blueberry Pancakes... and the girls... it was Bacon PB & J all the way! 

Print out a copy of the recipe card and get ready for an amazing Mother's Day brunch!

*DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS may receive compensation OR samples  for this post, however has not been influenced on the content and writings above.

DIY DESIGN: memory jars

Bonne Maman jars have a very recognizable look - a gingham plaid lid, wide mouth angled jar and a simple handwritten script label. With a jar so beautiful, you could never just throw it away! Since Mother's Day is right around the corner, the girls and I cleaned up a few jars and made a personal gift for the grandmothers - Memory Jars.

What's great about a memory jar is that you can fill it up with just about anything. Pictures, flowers and any small token that evokes a special thought or feeling of that person.

BRIGHT IDEA ::::::::::::>

-I was able to find most of these pieces at a local craft store. I picked up some white moss that I later dipped in a food coloring bath for 10 minutes to get that pink coral look!

-Create a simple Mother's Day flag design on the computer, then glued them to toothpicks.

1: Purple Flower for Mom Mom

Senna suggested a purple flower for my mother, Susan, which is both of their favorite colors. It's bold, vibrant and beautiful. The colors reminds me of my parents new home which is set back in the woods and lined with pretty garden flowers. The pink jewels look like something straight out of her jewelry box. I remember sneaking into them to see what little treasures she had hidden away as a kid.

2: 1976 Beach Tag for Grammy

This one was for my mother-in-law and includes a beach tag from the year that Scott was born. Ocean City, NJ is where they had a beach home for many years and it's where I met Tammy for the first time. There are fond memories for Scott, who summered there as a kid and for Maya + Senna it is where their little baby toes touched sand for the first time. 

*DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS may receive compensation OR samples  for this post, however has not been influenced on the content and writings above.

BONNE MAMAN SWEEPSTAKES

The French jellies and preserves from Bonne Maman "good grandmother" are quite possibly my favorite. Their flavors are clean and full and made from all natural ingredients just like the ones you'd find in your grandmother's pantry.  Treat yourself and enter to win this Sweet Jam Package from Bonne Maman + Le Creuset!

GIFT IDEAS: mother's day 2013

::::::1 marble + wood cheeseboard :::: 2 green woven gem necklace ::::: 3 big sur hammock :::::4 navy bulaggi bag :::::5  blue peacock scarf ::::: 6 paris tray ::::: 7 uptown rose bouquet ::::: 8 mother's day ice cream collection

What's on your Mother's Day wish list? 

Here's a collection of gift ideas inspired by my mother and my own interests.  While I would be just as happy with big kisses and hugs from my girls, I wouldn't mind reading a book on a hammock or having breakfast in bed served on that paris tray (already own the cheeseboard!) 

DIY DESIGN: tiered platters

My friend Erin is getting married in June and I am so happy to join her on her big day as one of her bridesmaids! As with tradition, all of the bridesmaids hosted a shower and combined two of her favorite things... tea parties + unicorns. My part in the planning was to provide tiered platters for the tea sandwiches. 

SIGNATURE NECKLACES by brevity

If Carrie Bradshaw and Big had a baby, she'd probably wear one of these. Brevity updated the signature necklace and turned it into a sleek and unique piece of jewelry. Whether your gifting one to yourself or one for a dear friend, this necklace is sure to be a personal favorite.  Necklaces are available in stainless steel, silver or gold dipped. What would your signature look like shimmering in gold?