bits + pieces

This post has been sitting in my queue for the longest time...for one, these pictures mark the beginning of Spring! We definitely do not need as many layers to venture outside now. Time is just flying on by, and as the end of the school year draws closer - we are so excited to do some traveling again. It's been a while.

Can you believe that it's almost a year since we've been back already?!?

Koninginnedag 2013

This past Sunday we celebrated Koninginnedag or Queen's day at Battery Park with Kai's language school, and they even had a Vrijmarkt! The actual Queen's day happened on Tuesday, and it will be the last for a while since Holland just welcomed a new King. So starting next year The Netherlands will start to celebrate Koningsdag instead.

For a moment it felt like we were back in Holland as we pigged out on our favorite dutch treats (sadly there was no Poffertjes this year) and decipher as much of the language as we could remember. Well, we remembered enough to know that we won the bike saddle bag pictured above in the raffle :P

I scored some summer footwear for the kids, a dress for Cerys, a wooden xylophone, and Kai picked out a book too. Cerys has been wearing the Pom d'Api sandals almost everyday since I got them, $3 well spent.

Playtime New York- part two

Oeuf (1,2,3)- Hands down one of my favorite booths at the show. I loved their presentation and there were so many cute pieces to choose from. Fair Trade.

Grass & Clovers (4)- A collection of accessories and clothing made from a mixture of new, vintage, and recycled fabrics. Made in New York.

Nico Nico (6,7)- Great colors and cozy knits for endless layering. Made in Los Angeles.

Indikidual (8,9)- Fun line of unisex clothing using organic cotton, and based in London. As you can see, one of my favorite pieces from them is the yellow banana print parka!

ESP NO.1 (10)- I was already a fan of this brand even before the trade show- Cerys has a few garments from them that are staples in her wardrobe. A rep for the brand told me that they are no longer using Organic cotton for the line, but they are still manufactured in Los Angeles.

And my FINAL post on Playtime to follow this one :)

Playtime New York - part one

This past Saturday I attended Playtime with Kristin. It was my very first time there and I must say I left feeling very inspired by the whole experience. I'm not going to lie, it was a bit intimidating at times, but that aside- I got to chat with some amazing people behind some of the coolest brands. The night before attending I stayed up late making what was supposed to be a short list of all the exhibitors I wanted to see. Almost the whole list consisted of brands that are fair trade, organic, and eco-conscious. What can I say, I am a bit biased when it comes to socially responsible companies. Hopefully, we can see many more of them at the forefront in the years to come!

Little Lief- Is sustainably made using 100% natural fabrics right here in NYC.

Aymara- A Belgian brand offering soft, colorful knits made Fair in Peru.

Stay tuned for part two....

I think I have a problem...

1. So apparently I'm a candle holder collector now? (left: 69 cents, right: $2)

2. New (to me) bag from Crossroads

3. Wool fabric for some pieces for the fall/winter collection

+ thrifted jeans/dotted dress/silk playsuit (housing works, crossroads)

4. Note cards (Angel Street Thrift), Wrapping paper (Lee's art shop)