bella child magazine: spring 2012

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TOP TRENDS FOR SPRING MeetTANIA KWONG beauty editor, mom, and kid’s fashion enthusiast Storybook Exclusive: The Girl with Magical Shoes Photographer NATALIE SPENCER takes us to Scarborough Fair. A CHILDREN’S FASHION MAGAZINE From brights to stripes: Spring 2012

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We bring the best of spring children's fashion from around the world.

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Page 1: BELLA CHILD Magazine: Spring 2012

TOP TRENDS FOR SPRING

MeetTANIA KWONG

beauty editor, mom, and kid’s fashion

enthusiastStorybook Exclusive: The Girl with Magical Shoes

Photographer NATALIE SPENCER takes us to Scarborough Fair.

A CHILDREN’S FASHION MAGAZINE

From brights to stripes:

Spring 2012

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A tender way to grow from1 month to 14 years

2596 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2J4 Tel: 416-322-6888

www.chateaudesable.com

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contentsSpring 2012

5 Editor’s Letter

7 Contributors

FASHION9 Spring TrendsFrom brights to stripes, our round-up of the top trends for Spring 2012

19 AccessorizeHow to add the perfect finishing touches.

21 Style Me UpTips and tricks on how to dress for the Spring season.

PHOTO-EDITORIAL31 The Girl With Magical Shoes 51 Scarborough Fair

IN STORE60 MatookaDanielle Kulh knows why your girl should be wearing Matooka this season.

ON THE COVER64 EMMA

AT HOME69 Beauty And The BabyWe chat with Tania Kwong about fashion, beauty and life with a newborn daughter.

75 Nursery RyhmesJennifer Flores gives us a tour of her renovated nursery.

51

69

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Watching the snow fall over a chilled city, I remember the warm sun of last summer when all I had was an idea. A vision for Canada’s first magazine dedicated to children’s fashion and design. Now, many months , a lot of work and a few grey hairs later, I’m writing the editor’s letter for our debut issue. Bella Child means beautiful child, and although that is the epitome of what I’d like the magazine to represent, the title has a much deeper meaning. Bella was the name of my childhood ballet instructor. She was a visionary: wildly creative and passionate for her craft. And although she passed away long before her time, her influence expanded my imagination and ability to think big. We have been working to bring you the best in children’s fashion from around the world. In this issue, we expose what’s what in Toronto, from the Bayview boutique Marmalade Skies to the dress designs of Matooka. I’m also very excited to have home decor enthusiast Jennifer Flores give us a tour of her daughter’s nursery (Nursery Rhymes, pg 74). So whether you’re relating to another parent during your end of day me-time (Beauty and the Baby, pg 67), or sharing a magical story with your son or daughter at bedtime (The Girl With Magical Shoes, pg 27), I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.

Until next time,

editor's letter

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEFStephanie Andrews

ASSOCIATE EDITORAshley C. van Eysina

INTERNCarly Brown

MARKETING DIRECTORShannon Moir

CONTRIBUTORS:Rob Batelli, Andrew Batelli, Brooklyn Waugh-Sunico, Allison Waugh-Sunico, Anna Boylan, Emma Boylan,

Natalie Spencer, Grace Lim, Stephanie Lim, Jeremy Lucyk, Robyn Moir, Jesse Boyce, Svea West, Marmalade Skies,

Beau & Bauble, Devlish Angelz.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. What you loved, what you didn’t, and what you’d like to

see in the next issue. Find us at [email protected], on

Twitter @bellachildmag and Fabebook under Bella Child Magazine.

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(right) She is 7 years old and is loving grade 2. She looks forward to being a teacher in the future, but for now enjoys her ballroom dancing classes, modelling, and spending time with her three siblings, Christian, Alize and Drea Dior. She enjoys drawing and loves to make pictures for her parents.

contributorsWhat excites you most about Spring?

Currently attending primary school where he is majoring in lunch and recess. When he grows up, he wants to be a ‘hockey-player-race-car-driving rock star’. His parents are hoping he can parlay this career into millions so they can retire to Hawaii.

“I am most excited about being able to play outside for Spring.”

I am a fine art wedding and portrait photographer, living in Ottawa with my wonderful husband and pup Lexi. I’ve had a camera around my neck since the pink Polaroid I received for my 6th birthday. I am a lover of all things pretty and vintage, natural light and sunny days. I see beauty and love in everyone and everything through my lens.

“I am most excited about lots of warmth and sunlight, and being able to shoot outside again at golden hour.”

NatalieSpencer

“My Birthday and a trip to Canada’s Wonderland!”

EmmaBoylan

“I am most excited for my birthday that comes in the spring!”

Brooklyn Waugh-Sunico

Andrew Batelli

I am 6 3/4 years old. I love being in grade 1 because I get to take my lunch to school and hang out with my friends. I do lots of gymnastics and ballet, and hope to be a chef when I grow up.

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Springtrends

Blooms & ROSES

A staple for spring, these prints are modernized with oversized, dymanic graphics and bright pops of colour.

Photo from the Morley Spring/Summer 2012 collection

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:Silk floral printed dress, by Little Marc Jacobs; Shruti jacket, by Ode Kids

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trends

MONO-Tone

Editor’s Pick

Try a minimalist look complete with clean lines, classic cuts and muted neutrals. Photos from Pitti Bimbo 73 by Giovanni Giannoni.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:Grey blouse, by Mié(ito); ETTIE dress, by Stella McCartney; Pleated trousers in cement, by Nico Nico.

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trends

NEON LightsBright bottoms is our favourite trend for the season. Try a range of neon brights, or combine them in a pattern to take the look a step cooler.

Editor’s Pick

Photo from Holt and Lulu Spring 2012.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:Striped leggings, from H&M; Coloured jeans, from Joe Fresh; Elasticated twill trousers, from Zara.

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Make aSTATEMENT

Photo from Tom & Drew Spring/Summer 2012; Photo from Pitti Bimbo 73 by Giovanni Giannoni.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Town and country rain coat, by Kico Kids; WILL jacket by Stella McCartney; Pastel Mandras Blazer by Tom & Drew, at Shopbelle.com.

From bold colour and pattern to romantic lace, the statement jacket is a great way to transition from winter to spring.

trends

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Editor’s Pick

Photos from Pitti Bimbo 73 by Giovanni Giannoni.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Packaway waterpoof jacket, by Burberry; Lace jacket, from H&M; Suit jacket by BOBO Choses.

trends

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ShipSHAPE

Photo from Chateau de Sable Spring/Summer 2012.

Thick or thin, stripes are the season’s ‘it’ pattern.

trends

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Photos from Pitti Bimbo 73 by Giovanni Giannoni.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Little girl’s zig-zag striped top by Milly Minis, available at Saks; Happy morning stripe dress, by Tea Collection; Striped dress, by Chateau de Sable; Stripe dungarees, by Shampoodle; Cristal striped shirt in pink, by Mini Treasure Kids.

trends

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styletrends

Whether it’s fit-and-flare, layers of ruffles or full of air, we’re loving these big looks for little kids.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Puffy jacket, by Kico Kids; Ruffled skirt from GAP; Baggy Pants, by Bobo Choses.

PUMPIt UP

Photo from Stella McCartney kids Spring/Summer 2012 Collection.

Editor’s Pick

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style

M ARMALADE SKIES is a new store in Toronto that specializes in stylish clothes for your little one. Inspired by her stepdaughter, Svea West opened the store in September 2011 to help fill a void in the market, “I found that it was really hard to find really nice clothes in her age group.” West focuses on grown-up clothes for little kids, carrying lines like Blu Pony Vintage, La Miniatura Kids, and Ryder and James. “Finding the different lines and buying for the store is definitely the best part of owing your own store.” For spring, West loves little trench coats and peacoats, saying that they are stylish but “at the same time you can see them jumping in and out of puddles wearing them!”

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

If you are in Toronto make sure to stop by Marmalade Skies at 1685 Bayview Ave and follow them on Twitter at @MarmaladeSkie.

in toronto

by Ashley van Eysinga

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ACCESSORIZE

style

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Selection of baby bracelets by Trumpette.

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LittleGENTLEMEN

style

Your little boy may not be the perfect gentleman, but he

can dress like one. Bowties are a trendy way to turn a simple

buttoned down shirt into a fully dapper look.

Tom & Drew Spring & Summer Bow ties. Assorted colors, all available at:

Whether worn as a headband or bracelet, around your waist or woven into your shoes, these laces give a pop of colour to any outfit.

Fun &FUNCTIONAL

Belt, by BOBO Choses

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STYLE ME UP Styling and photography by STEPHANIE ANDREWS and ASHLEY VAN EYSINGA

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ON BROOKLYN:Top and shoes from Zara, skirt from GAP, necklace from Aldo Accessories.

ON ANDREW: Shirt and sweater from American Apparel, jeans by Ryder and James, shoes from Zara.

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style

TIP: Don’t be afraid to mix up different patterns. Try a checked button down topped with a horizontal stripe.

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TIP: Pair a similar coloured petticoat under a skirt or dress for added drama. For a funkier look, try a contrasting colour.

ON BROOKLYN:Dress by Sierra Julian, petticoat from American Apparel, bracelet from Devlish Angelz, shoes model’s own.

ON ANDREW: Jacket by La Miniatura Kids, shorts by Ryder and James, vest by Blu Pony Vintage.

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style

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TIP: Cinch a brightly coloured frock with a neutral belt for a modern take on a flirty dress.

ON BROOKLYN:Dress by Shampoodle, belt vintage Chloe, shoes from Zara.

ON ANDREW: Shirt by Ralph Lauren, blazer and shoes from Zara, shorts by La Miniatura Kids, bowtie from American Apparel.

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style

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style

TIP: Try a pop of colour to jazz up a preppy look.

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styleSpecial thanks to Rob and Andrew Batteli, Alison Boase, Brooklyn and Allison Waugh-Sunico, and Svest West fromMarmalade Skies.

TIP: Layer chunky beads with classic sparkle for eclectic style.

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styleTHE GIRL WITH MAGICAL SHOESStyling and photography by STEPHANIE ANDREWS and ASHLEY VAN EYSINGA

Story by JESSE BOYCEIllustrations by ROBYN MOIR

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style

Stephanie loved to watch her Mom get ready. She loved her shiny earrings, her silky blouses

and her big beautiful purses. But the thing that Stephanie

loved the most were her Mother’s special cobalt blue

shoes.Skirt by American Apparel, Skirt by Ryder

and James, Wooden Toy from Beau & Bauble, necklace stylist’s own.

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Whenever her Mom left the room, Stephanie would step into her shoes...

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...and promptly fall over!Dress by Ode Kids.

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style

And no matter how big she got, the shoes never fit Stephanie. Maybe when I’m five, I’ll get my own pair, she thought.

Dress by Ode Kids, sweater by American Apparel, headband by GAP,

accessories stylist’s own.

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Days and weeks passed and Stephanie’s big day arrived. She could barely contain her

excitement when her Mom put the beautifully wrapped box on the table in front of her.

style

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When she finally opened it, there they were: her very own pair of special shoes!

“Try them on!” her Mom urged.

style

Dress by Matooka, jacket by Blu Pony Vintage, shoes by Zara, headpiece stylist’s own.

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As Stephanie slipped them on to her tiny feet...

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...she was transported to a magical place.

Shirt by Ralph Lauren, sweater by American Apparel, pants and scarf by Zara.

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The sun shone brighter, smiling at

Stephanie from up in the sky. The

birds chirped “Happy Birthday!” from the trees. The

flowers waved, while chipmunks

rushed to greet her in her new shoes.

Dress from Devilish Angelz.

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She was having so much fun, that she didn’t realize time

had gone by so fast! “I have to go,

friends!” Stephanie said. The animals waved goodbye, the flowers said

farewell and the sun said:

“Come back soon!”

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style

“I can’t wait to come back,” Stephanie replied. “See you soon!” And she slipped out of her shoes and... POOF! She was back at

home.Jacket by Olivia & Ollie, shirt by

Ralph Lauren, pants by Zara.

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“You took your shoes off. Don’t you like them?” Her Mom asked. Stephanie giggled because she loved them

so much. Dress by Matooka, jacket by Blu Pony Vintage.

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style

“Yes, of course, I do!” she replied, “And now I know why you

wear yours so much now too!”T-shirt by American Apparel, vest and pants

by Blu Pony Vintage.

Special thanks to Grace Lim, Stephanie Lim, Robyn Moir, Carly Brown and Jesse Boyce. Clothing from

Marmalade Skies, Devlisih Angelz and Beau and Bauble.

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SCARBOROUGH FAIRPhotography and styling by Natalie Spencer.

style

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style

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style

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:Jacket and dress from H&M, dress from Zara, shoes by Converse.

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style

Rain boots from Winners.

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style

Leggings fromChildren’s Place.

Special thanks toIsabella Papalia, Emily Bueti, Jessica Bueti,Jasmyne Rivers, Giuseppe Papalia, Joey Bueti, Vanessa Bueti, Rebekah Bueti. Props and accessories photographer’s own. Clothing from GAP, Garage and Children’s Place.

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style

MATO OKA Daniella Kuhl and Yona Blishis seemed like an unlikely duo to start a children’s clothing line. Both had backgrounds in law before they decided to make vastly differentcareer moves. They loved their jobs, but wanted something catered more towards their lifestyle, because they had small children. Their similarities are uncanny: they met as neighbours and soon discovered that they both grew up in families of six sisters, and they would eventually have six daughters between them. Together they founded Matooka, a clothing line just for little girls, named after the Hebrew word ‘matok’ meaning sweet and adorable. Their start was slow, but now Matooka is in their sixth season and boasts having

Daniella Kuhl knows why your little girl should be wearing Matooka this season. By Carly Brown

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MATO OKAtheir designs in over 50 boutiques across North America. Kuhl was the first to have children. She dabbled in designing a few outfits for them, but decided to put it on the back burner. But once Blishis had twin girls, they ran with the idea of starting Matooka. “We said, let’s just give it a go and see what happens and put together some samples,” Daniella explained. They started out manufacturing in Canada, because they wanted to keep it domestic. Eventually, due to budget contraints, they decided instead to manufacture in the United States. However, the brand is still loyal to Canada as all their samples are made and designed in Toronto and their suppliers and sample makers are Canadian.

Daniella Kuhl knows why your little girl should be wearing Matooka this season. By Carly Brown

style

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“When I saw a random adorable girl in a Matooka dress, I was like wow, we’ve arrived!”

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E very business endeavour is not without challenges, as Daniella and Yona would soon find out. They had to find their niche in children’s fashion, what was missing in the market, and deal with size and fit. “We wanted something that will fit every girl that age.” They also wanted to have good quality manufacturing, and tested out a few different manufacturers before settling on the right one. They knew they had made it in their third season when their dresses sold out. “We’re made to order, we don’t mass pro-duce. So next season they ordered more!” On a visit to Miami, Daniella spotted her brand. “When I saw a kid who wasn’t my daughter or a family niece, just a random adorable girl in a Matooka dress, I was like wow, we’ve arrived!”

Matooka is easy going, feminine, bold, fun and always comfortable. “Our main goal is nothing itchy, nothing fussy: everything is comfortable.” Their designs are made of simple knit fabrics, like jersey, but they’re not without fun embellishments like sequins and lurex. They wanted something that they knew their own children would wear. “We know what it’s like with kids, they’re going to end up wearing what they love and feel beautiful in” Kuhl explains. “We think it’s really important for kids to look like kids, not to be mimicking grown up clothes in mini sizes.” Their dresses are fun and trendy but are also easy for kids to wear, which is why they avoid using zippers in their designs

where possible. Matooka started out making full collections, but soon progressed towards just making dresses. It was an economical choice to make the switch, saying “people don’t have to pay for two pieces, which is automatically more expensive.” But they know it’s not just parents who they have to impress. “It has to be appealing to moms, but it also has to be appealing to their kids. I’ve bought tons of things that were appealing to me, but my kids don’t like it. It sits in their closet and they never wear it, and I won’t purchase that brand again.”

Daniella and Yona’s collaborative process has definitely paid off, as their brand continues to expand. Their love of colour and attention to detail makes for kid-friendly outfits that are every bit as stylish as they are comfortable.

Find out more at www.matooka.com.

“We think it’s

really important for kids to look like kids”

style

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on the cover

On the cover:EMMAPhotography and styling by STEPHANIE ANDREWS and ASHLEY VAN EYSINGAShirt by Nautica at The Bay, Jacket by H&M, skirt by Kico Kids, legging and head scarf from American Apparel, boots by Hunter.

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on the cover

THIS PAGE: Dress by H&M, jacket by Kico Kids.NEXT PAGE: Shirt by American Aparel, skirt by Ralph Lauren at The Bay, jacket by Zara.

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Special thanks to Anne Boylan and Emma Boylan.

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Tin the family

BEAUTY & THE BABYBy Ashley van Eysinga

ania Kwong is a successful beauty editor at Glow Magazine and new mom to beautiful baby Olivia. And now she is part of the blogosphere with O Pretty Baby, a chronicle of her journey as a mom and her daughter’s beginnings in fashion. We had a chance to visit their home and chat about what it is like to be a fashionable mother/daughter team.

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in the family

“I look for very feminine details like peter pan collarsand bows.”

How did your career as a beauty editorprepare you for motherhood?Tania Kwong: I don’t think I was fully prepared at all. I was so caught up with the labour and delivery that I didn’t even know what was coming. I went from traveling all the time to being home 24/7. It was a difficult transition but I found Twitter really helped me a lot, just to stay in the loop. You know how people just become all wrapped up in babyland. [Twitter] helped a lot because I was still able to carry on a conversation and know what was going on in the world.

What is a typical day for you?TK: My husband usually gets up with Olivia at 7am and that allows me to sleep in. We have a lot of playdates with friends of mine that have children. We go to a music class once a week and

she loves that. It’s bad to say, but we go shopping all the time in the city. She’s great in the stores. My husband is like, ‘what are you training her to do?!’ but she is great. I also make all of her food. When we are in the kitchen she loves to play with a spoon and bang away at the tupperware. When she naps, I get to check my email or Twitter or Facebook. I try to update the blog. Mainly we just love to play.

What inspired the decision to start a blog about Olivia?TK: I am obsessed with clothes. When I was in New York, I would be buying all these little girl clothes, and this was before I knew I was having a girl! People were saying I was insane but I would find a place for it all. I just think there were so many cute clothes and I just have to take pictures of them.

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in the family

How do you pick Olivia’s outfits?TK: It’s an extension of myself. I buy what I like. When I was younger my mom would put me in these dresses all the time, so I’ve done a lot of that with Olivia. I look for very feminine details like Peter Pan collars and bows. I like muted colours, basically anything French inspired. I went to Paris before we had our daughter, and the kids clothes were great. I would be walking by schools and the kids were dressed better than I was. That was kind of my inspiration for her.

You can see the Parisian insfluence even in your house.TK: Yeah. It’s the little things – it’s not super obvious. Little touches.

What is your favourite look for spring?TK: Colour. Bright colours!

How is your personal style transferred into your daughter’s style. How do you miniaturize your look? TK: I like the androgynous look: boy-ish but not tomboy-ish. I shop for her in the boys’ section sometimes. I was in H&M and I saw this really cute onesie with a bowtie on it and I said ‘why not?’ Sometimes the girly stuff is too girly. I like to think outside the box like that. I do that with me too. I like men’s button ups: they are oversized and the fit is better than a women’s button up shirt.

What are some of your favourite stores for Olivia’s clothes?TK: H&M, Baby Gap, and Zara. Apricot Culotte is great. They bring in used children’s clothes from France. It is all really cute stuff that I love.

Be sure to check out Tania’s blog at www.oprettybaby.com and follow her on Twitter at @taniakwong.

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decorate

loggger and interior design enthusiat Jennifer Flores has a passion for renovation. Rundown and outdated homes - which strike fear in most - are what Jennifer em-braces as a project. Togeth-er, Jennifer and her architect husband, Sean Stanwick, transformed their 1950’s Toronto home from frumpy to fabulous. We chatted with Jennifer about her design for daughter Chloe’s nursery.

What sparked your DIY bug? Jennifer Flores: I’ve always had an interest in decorating and would move furniture around even as a child. Sean is an Intern Architect so design is a passion we both shared. Sean and I started doing more DIY when we undertook some light

renovations (installing flooring, painting, tiling) at his condo. That got us excited to do more and bigger renovations when we bought our house in May 2007, three months before we married.

Why did you decide to start Rambling Renovators?JF: I initially started blogging about the house hunt and never thought more than a few relatives or friends would read it. But once I started reading more blogs myself, I discovered what a wealth of information and design inspiration it is. When we bought the house, it was covered in a sea of pink carpet (even the bathroom!) and floral wallpaper. It definitely needed heavy ren-

NURSERY RHYMES

BToronto-based blogger Jennifer Flores

gives us a tour of her daughter’s nursery.by Stephanie Andrews

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decorateovations and redecorating and I thought I’d share our journey.

How do you find working side by side with your husband?JF: Through trial and error, we’ve found an approach that works for us. Things go more smoothly when I focus on the design and coming up with the general layout and design of the space, and Sean

focuses on how we actually get things built. He loves to figure out details—what materials to use, what order we have to do things, types of trim—all the nitty gritty details that I’m not interested in. I get excited thinking about fabric and paint colours, lighting options and furniture. It’s a true collaboration and a great marriage of function and style.

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decorateWhat inspired this design?JF: The design of the room was inspired by the window seat. We wanted to create a relaxing room, perfect for dreaming, book reading, imagining. The room had no storage or architectural interest so I knew I wanted to make the window wall a focal point. We did not know the gender of our baby so stuck to a very neutral pale yellow palette. The art

gallery wall was something I wasinspired to do after having seen it on other blogs. We like to bring in touches of old with the new, so her book shelf includes some books from our childhood, a painting I made, and a crocheted Home Sweet Home hanging from an antique fair.

“Key storage pieces: two Ikea Pax wardrobes that frame the windowseat. We tried to make them look built in.”

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decorate

DO IT YOURSELF3 tips from Jennifer

1) A smart layout is key. You need to fit in a lot of furniture (cribs, changing tables, clothes storage, gliders etc.) in what is often a small space. Use pieces that do double duty. Some of ourspace-saving ideas: placing our changing pad on top of our dresser instead of having a separate change table, installing a shelf over the window seat for extra storage

2) Think about lighting.Put overhead lights on dimmers. Have dimmable lamps to help with nighttime feeds. Have curtains blackout lined to help prolong naps and sleeping through the night.

3) A baby’s room needn’t look baby-ish.Don’t be afraid to include sophisticated elements like original art, charming lighting, or a plush rug. Mom and Dad will be spending lots of time in the nursery too, so make it a space everyone can enjoy.

Be sure to check out Jennifer’s blog at www.ramblingrenovators.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter at @ramblingreno.

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“A gallery wall of art was created over the dresser with a mix of prints from etsy and some original art.”

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Directory:

Brands: Kico Kids —www.kicokids.comOde Kids—www.odekids.com

Shampoodle—www.shampoodle.comLa Miniatura Kids —www.laminiaturakids.com

Ralph Lauren—www.ralphlauren.comMatooka —www.matooka.com

Blu Pony Vintage—www.bluponyvintage.comRyder annd James—www.ryderandjames.com

Sierra Julian—www.sierrajulian.comStella McCartney —www.stellamccartneykids.net

Nico Nico—www.niconicoclothing.comMié(ito)—www.mieito.com

Trumpette—www.trumpette.comMini Treasure Kids—minitreasurekids.com.auTom & Drew—www.tomanddrewboys.com

Zara—www.zara.comJoe Fresh—www.joefresh.com

GAP—www.gap.comH&M—www.hm.com

The Bay—www.thebay.comAmerican Apparel—www.americanapparel.net

Boutiques:Marmalade Skies—marmaladeskieschildren.blogspot.com

The Beau & Bauble—www.thebeauandbauble.comDevlish Angelz—www.devlishangelz.ca

Page 81: BELLA CHILD Magazine: Spring 2012
Page 82: BELLA CHILD Magazine: Spring 2012

CHILDISHLY COMFORTABLE CLOTHES FROM STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. ENJOY! SHAMPOODLE.COM