Small Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

I’m constantly looking for small gifts that work for an Advent Countdown or Tooth Fairy. I like little toys that can be collected or stored together, especially toys that have a classic or vintage feel. I also don’t want things my kids will play for five minutes and quickly end up in the garbage. I keep a stash of these types of toys and prizes in my closet and am surprised how often they save me in a pinch. (On top of a birthday present, as a reward to honor a special day, and I’ve even wrapped several of them up as a big present–when I forgot to buy a birthday gift for their friend’s birthday party.) They are usually inexpensive and come in multiples so the key is to buy a stash then keep them hidden and locked up so they feel like a new surprise. Since we’re heading into the holiday season I thought I would do a round up. (Candy is easy to add so I kept this round up to strictly non-food items.) Click on each item below for the post or see these ideas and more in our OHD Stocking Stuffer section.

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Back to School Outfits: Part Two

I always make these guides off things I’ve researched and bought for my kids. This is the first year I’ve added a post for my daughter since it’s her first year going to school. It’s been fun to help her explore her style.

OUTFIT 1

A: Love this little flag, just a reminder for all of us.
B: Tiny berets can be hard to find (I know I’ve looked!)
C: I’ve been wearing bandanas a lot more lately, they can double as a mask if needed.
D: All the school supply stores in France carry these little student chalkboards.
E: I love the texture and color of this dress.
F: Chalk in all the colors!
G: We’ve stocked up on these reusable snack bags.
H: Sweet shoes with a little bow.

OUTFIT 2

A: I love a good kite.
B: A sweet straw sunhat.
C: I bought this dress last week and she’s already worn it twice.
D: If there was a fire and we could only grab one thing, my daughter would save this coin purse.
E: Love this line of backpacks. They make cute fannypacks too.
F: Jacks for the playground.
G: These socks come in a 5 pack in nice colors.
H: My four year old is into velcro shoes she can do “all by myself.”

OUTFIT 3

A: This denim jacket has really nice details. So unique for a kids piece.
B: Tie dye bandana!
C: Jumpsuits and dresses are great because you’re one and done.
D: This book is one of my favorite kids books of all time. It teaches kids how to be emotionally intelligent in a really great, smart way.
E: Love this little classic wooden yoyo.
F: Crayons from Germany with the really amazing vintage packaging.
G: Velcro! Their teachers will thank you.
H: Tote to hold all those library books.

OUTFIT 4

A: Obsessed with these customized kids hats.
B: Overall dress, just add tights when the weather gets cool.
C: This is a really great textured sweater.
D: It’s all fun and games until these get tangled up.
E: Brightly colored and bouncy just like my four year old.
F: Hula hoop, you know…for kids.
G: Love Vejas, classic white tennis shoes look great with everything.

OUTFIT 5

A: Shiny goes with everything.
B: We just invested in a million headbands. It’s easier than doing her hair.
C: I loved this sweet tiny print-dress.
D: Bob Ross in training!
E: Such a beautiful basketball!
F: These roller skates are my prized possession.

OUTFIT 6

A: A red beanie makes a kids outfit.
B: I loved this sweet polka dot windbreaker.
C: Shirts that say things! Or make your own phrase.
D: A balloon toy–because she’s my daughter.
E: Cutest lunch bag ever.
F: Stripe paperbag pants. I wish they made these in grown up sizes.
G: Personalized Pencils. Our family tradition.
H: Slip on Vans–classic.

OUTFIT 7

A: I discovered these giant dice and bought them! They’re so cute!
B: Love this shirt with the sweet detailing.
C: Cozy confetti sweater.
D: I visited this kids shop in Barcelona last year and love check their site for fun kids pieces. Love this watch.
E: Bought these in two colors.
F: State makes great backpacks.
G: Really like these sporty shoes that come in a nice dark green!

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Gingham Tablecloth DIY

You’re dying for a picnic but spring is still too far away? Don’t let it get you down, because you can easily get spring in your house! A nice fresh gingham on the table will create a good mood instantly. And you don’t even need much for that! We will show you how it works.

Materials needed: white tablecloth, paintbrush, paint, long ruler, pencil

Step 1: Spread the tablecloth on a smooth surface. Use a pencil to lightly draw the grid pattern on the tablecloth.
Step 2: Paint the lines in different colors. Make sure to overlap the lines in various spots to create the gingham design. Use painters tape for more precision (we prefer the handcrafted look).

SHOP THIS POST: Classic Party Cups, Paper Fans in White, Yellow and Pink, Pompoms made of Tissue Paper

Crafting, styling and photography by Julia Tramm.

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Shades of White

That silly old fashion rule of wearing white after Labor Day seems to have been broken many times over. Shades of white all year round, I say! Hope you will have an enjoyable and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

 

Ideas for the weekend…

LISTEN: to this album

READ: this poem

WATCH: this inspiring series

MAKE: this ice cream (we made it this week and it was a big hit!)

(Items from top left)

Tea Kettle | Brightland Olive Oil | Shoes | Ship Kite | Circular Tote | Earrings | White Shirt | Vases | Magnifique Card | Sunnies | Smile Socks | Diamond Ice Cubes | Picnic | Light | Boy Brow and Lipstick | Bobble Sweater | Ouai Spray

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Floating Rainbows

I cannot stop thinking about this art installation of colorful spheres by Elsa Tomkowiak currently floating on Lake Annecy in France.

The city’s 32 installation artist exhibition is sure a brilliant way to uplift and inspire the already beautiful natural surroundings. Learn more here.

 

(First spotted here | bottom two photos by Marc Domage)

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Walk This Way For Sneakers Under $100

Sneakers are on my brain, and here are a few in all different colors I have my eye on lately, all under $100.

(From top left)

1. Last winter, while visiting Paris, I saw a lot of people on the sidewalks sporting white high tops similar to these, and they looked super chic paired with jeans.

2. This Nike style is popping up all over the place, and this color combination is a winner in my book.

3. I first saw these on Abby Clawson Low’s feed and bookmarked them thinking of what a playful switch up from a classic! (These are also really fun.)

4. Often yellow is hard to get right on shoes without going all yellow bird, but these Pumas have me smiling big.

5. These Gola sneakers with green stripes are right on point.

6. These sweet ‘American’ trainers can ironically be tricky to find in the states. (Why are a lot of sneakers often a bit more stylish outside of the U.S.?)

7. I am not usually a super fan of the retro grandpa style but sporting these Finnish blue ones caught my eye and would be a way to mix it up.

8. These gray staples go with so many things!

9. This ultimate classic is still going strong. I also dig these black hightops.

A few more colors to check out include these orange ones, these pink, and this purple pair.

Another brand popping up everywhere are these. I love their sustainability philosophy claims and enjoy their minimal aesthetic, yet they are more pricey than just one Benjamin, and the comfort reviews are quite mixed. Are you a fan?

Weigh in on your favorites, what sneakers are you into lately?

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Mother’s Day Brunch Inspiration

MOMS! This year for Mother’s Day, grab a few of your #coolmom friends and host a Mom’s-Only-Brunch together. (No kids or dads allowed!) Keep the planning simple by splitting the responsibilities. Potlucks (or, better yet, catering!) are the ways to go. Get creative with the location: parks, rooftops, backyards, or pop up tables in expected locations make things feel special. Use a pile of citrus fruits and foraged vines as a centerpiece; it’s easy to pull together, but still feels beautiful. Today we partnered with Cricut to create stress-free party decorations and favors! (PS – We’re giving away TWO Cricut machines: one for you, one for mom!!! Read on below for details!)

Cricut helped us with all the little details that made this party special. We used ours to design handwritten place cards (which matched the citrusy party palette). You can upload your design to Cricut’s Design Space and then cut them out. Without a Cricut, these would’ve been impossible to create by hand.

For favors, we love the idea of setting up a DIY sugar scrub station, so guests can build their own. Use a simple font template to cut out letters from sticker paper. Then, it’s easy to attach the letters to the side of simple glass jars. To make the experience even more customizable, set the Cricut out at the party so guests can cut out their own sticker design! This rose gold Cricut is so pretty, it’ll match perfectly with the party decor!

For this project, we used Cricut’s new Maker machine. It cuts everything: paper, fabric, leather, and balsa wood (what!). This model makes throwing a DIY party a million times easier. Want to try this machine for yourself? Today, we’re giving not one, but TWO away!!!! Click here to visit our Instagram page, read about the contest, and enter to win! Good luck!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Styling and photography by Kendra Smoot for Oh Happy Day.

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Decorated Chocolate Bunny DIY

Looking for a craft activity over the Easter break? You might have made something similar in your pre-school class when you were little, as this activity has been around for a while. I love the way the white tissue paper looks like shredded coconut!

Materials needed: chocolate bunny, tissue paper, scissors, craft glue, ribbon, pink bump chenille pipe cleaners, googly eyes, tin foil (if needed), pencil, ½” pom poms

Step 1: If you are using a chocolate bunny that is not wrapped in foil, gently wrap it in tin foil, pressing down to get as close a possible to the chocolate form.
Step 2: Cut up tissue paper into 1″ x 1″ squares. They do not need to be perfect, but try to keep them roughly the same size so that your finished project is fairly even. Place your pencil’s eraser into the center of a pink tissue paper square, and wrap the square around the pencil eraser. Stick the tissue paper into the glue using the eraser, then pull the pencil up and out.
Step 3: Continue until the front and sides of the bunny are all covered.
Step 4: Cut out the pink bump from the pipe cleaner, and glue to the bunny’s ear.
Step 5: Glue on a googly eye.
Step 6: Cut a piece of ribbon and tie it in a bow around the bunny’s neck, and glue on a pom pom for the bunny’s tail.

Photography by Benton Collins 

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Minimalist Bunny Cupcake Toppers DIY

Why not go simple this Easter? No need to bother with fussy details when you can tell these are bunnies just by their long floppy ears, right? They couldn’t be easier to make with just a handful of supplies. Hippity-hop to it!

Materials needed: cotton balls, 4″ cake pop sticks, white bump chenille pipe cleaners, scissors, pink card stock, hot glue gun

Step 1: Using hot glue, attach a cotton ball to a cake pop stick.
Step 2: Cut out the bumps of the white pipe cleaner to make ears, and attach two to the top of the bunny’s head.
Step 3: Cut out two very thin curved slivers out of the pink card stock, and using a tiny amount of hot glue, attach them to the center of each ear.

Photography by Benton Collins

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Easter Baskets for Kids

I’ve been putting together some Easter Baskets for my kids and thought I would share some of picks here. Easter is always one of those holidays that catches me by surprise so I’m patting myself on the back that I’m not at the drugstore the night before trying to make tictacs count as Easter Candy.

1. EASTER BASKETS We were in the need for new baskets and I bought these hand woven ones.
2. CLASSIC RUBBER DUCKY In the wise words of Ernie “Rubber Ducky, you’re the one!”
3. GERMAN CRAYONS I love the sweet vintage packaging on these crayons.
4. BUNNY BONNET Because dressing small children up as animals is the main reason you had them in the first place.
5. STRAWBERRY CONTAINER I got this last year “for my daughter” and it is as functional as it is cute.
6. CARROT STUFFIE Because it’s on brand and reminds them to eat their vegetables.
7. DANISH BARETTES I found this company on Instagram and somehow gave them all my money.
8. JELLYCAT BUNNY This company makes HANDS DOWN the softest toys.
9. WOODEN CAMERA I buy my kids wooden toys believing that they will play with them just like they believe in the Easter Bunny even though they are nine. There are some lies we tell ourselves to get through life.
10. EMPTY CARROTS If you want to mix up the plastic egg situation.
11. JUMPING CHICKS I try to avoid buying little knick knacks that will quickly break and end up in a land fill but I make a few exceptions here and there if they can do tricks like these chicks that can do impressive flips.
12. FJALLRAVEN BACKPACK Because if you can’t pronounce it, its probably cool.
13. ROLLIE BUNNY Like a car but Easter themed
14. MY FRIENDS Is probably on my top five favorite children’s books. I’ll buy anything Taro Gomi makes.
15. CLASSIC BUNNY SLIPPERS Tis the reason for the season.
16. MARSHMALLOW A book about a soft white bunny named after a marshmallow.
17. FRIED EGG ART You’ve got egg on your face.
18. CASCARONES These Mexican Confetti eggs make Easter about 300% more fun.
19. MONTESSORI BUNNY I’m obsessed with these funny wooden shapes you add leaves to that transforms them into woodland creatures.
20. FRENCH BALLOON BOAT You can buy it off Amazon but pretend you got it at a “little boutique in France.” But for reals my kids love these.
21. PONS I present to you the perfect Easter Sandal.

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Angel Hair Nest Place Cards DIY

Springtime brings with it symbols like birds, nests, eggs – new beginnings all around. These pretty birds nest place cards are literally right out of the box/bag – just buy a bag in the pasta aisle of your local grocery store! How cute would these be for a springtime baby shower or a fancy Easter dinner?!

Materials needed: angel hair pasta nests (available at most grocery stores), candy eggs, card stock, scissors, toothpicks, glue, small alphabet letter stamps, stamp pad

Step 1: Cut out a 1/4″ x 2″ strip of card stock, and stamp your guest’s name on it. Let ink dry, and cut a notch on the right side.
Step 2: Glue the name flag to a toothpick.
Step 3: Place a few candy eggs into the nest, and insert the toothpick into the pasta at an angle.

Photography by Benton Collins

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