Sarah Jane Studios

April Showers $45.00

Just before Christmas we were so excited to receive our first set of prints from Sarah Jane. They are one of the topics I've been wanting to blog about for awhile as I think they are so special and remind me of illustrations I recall from my own childhood. They're simple and sweet yet beautifully detailed and coloured. They are printed with archival pigment ink on heavy weight Hahnemuhle Museum etching paper that is 350gsm, natural white, 100% rag and acid free. I especially love the tea party prints, in fact my current mailing cards are also printed with one of the tea party themes. I sent one to a friend not so long ago and she's framing it to hang on the wall in her daughter's bedroom.

Tea Party $45

As it is always so much easier finding lovely things for girls rooms, and I dare I admit it - more fun eek - we're really striving to expand our range for the little fellas this year. In light of that, have to say I'm really liking SJ's new dinosaur print. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not crazy about pterodactyls strung from the ceiling or snarling jurassic-parkesque creatures scattered all over the floor but I do think I'd be very happy to put this print up on the wall and feel very much like I was participating in the theme...

Dinosaur $45

This one is just right

My old wooden office chair literally gave way beneath me today...oh dear, what is it trying to tell me? Of course it is very, VERY old and so I'd like to think that the extra kgs I'm trying to drop didn't have too much to do with it (please no!)...so I'm on the hunt for another. Of course I'd love something like one of these wonderful presidents chairs...

...a replica of JFK's Oval Office chair from the History Company

...or Jimmy Carter's, also from the History Company

I love this McConnel Office Chair from www.housecharm.co.uk

Or if I could get my hands on this secondhand one from Hoppers Used Chairs it would be perfect. Sadly, I'd have to be a Los Angeles local or be willing to handover some serious shipping dosh. Because I'm neither, I think it will be a trip to Ikea to grab one of the following:

The Snille may be a bit too flamboyant for my particular office?

The shape of the Skruvsta looks cosy but while I like the print of the fabric, I'm not crazy about it. But then, do you have to be crazy about an office chair that won't be around forever?

So chances are, I'll settle for something boring but comfortable like the Moses...

As time flies by...

As I sit at my desk looking at an unfinished note to someone that says "Even though it's already August I feel like I'm just starting to catch my breath...", I am completely overwhelmed by the notion that was August LAST YEAR when I wrote that and here we are in February 2010, and, may I say, in the latter half of Feb! Am horrified at how long it's been since I blogged (November 1, 2009) and it's taking a bit to get my mojo back!

In a nutshell, had a lovely and very relaxing Christmas, celebrated twice for good measure. Once, this side of the border with my family, and once south of the border with his family. Slowly got myself back into the swing of the shop this January and now right back in the thick of it...P&P has had the great fortune to be featured in some fabulous magazines over the last little while so I thought a breezy way to get back into blogging would be to show them off...

First of all, our red tiger moth is the February 2010 issue of House & Garden...

Red Tiger Moth $85.00

And then just last week a couple of other products were featured in the Autumn/Winter 2010 issue of Shop 4 Kids:

Pencil Rolls $40

Our fabulous pencil rolls (red riding hood style pictured) which are a great present and also available in prints that boys will love.

Vintage Door Stop $95.00

Coco Mirror $28.50

...and our vintage door stops (#5 above) and coco mirror (#8 above).

Ode to Pottery Barn

For some reason today I'm particularly bitter that we don't have Pottery Barn Kids here in Australia! If we did, (or let's face it, even if they shipped to Oz I'd happily pay the price) here are a few of the things I would get...sigh

All images from Pottery Barn

Golden Petal Mirror

Bailey Button Shade & Ceramic Animal Lamp Bases

Cuckoo Clock

Catalina Magazine Rack

Desk Mail Boxes

Collector's Shelves

Woodlands Rug

Wicker Storage Baskets

House Night Light

Tweet Curtain Rod Hardware

Airplane & Truck Curtain Rod Hardware

Come fly with me

Now funky is not usually a word I like to describe our bits & bobs but have decided that there is just no other way to describe these, well, funky new backpacks we've just got in from Zid Zid kids. I love them! Made with silver vinyl and trimmed with colourful embroidery, I think it's just the thing for your little aviator's toys, snacks and books.

Plane Backpack $80.00 in store now

Gums that aren't glum

Well it seems my darling niece (I do realise I'm wearing rose coloured glasses, but really, isn't she just the SWEETEST thing!) is already teething. Poor gal. The good news is we've been able to try out first-hand our cute Sophie le girafe on her gums and let me say she loves it! Sophie, is hand-made in France in exactly the same way as when she was first produced in 1961. Not only is she lovely to look at and squeak she provides genuine relief for infants during teething. She is unbreakable and the only teething toy in the world made from 100% rubber and decorated with food paints. I just love her retro colours and lines, a real child of the Sixties...

Sophie the giraffe $34 here at P&P

And it seems my niece is in good company...

...Isla Fisher's daughter loves Sophie,

Naomi Watts' son loves Sophie,

and Nicole Ritchie's daughter loves Sophie...

Wondertime is wonderful

Last week I bought my first issue of Wondertime and I have to confess it was for narcissistic reasons - products from P&P featured on a number of pages. HOWEVER, as I hungrily flicked through the magazine looking for our products (yes, we're still new enough for editorial coverage to be a major deal, and to be honest, can't see the thrill wearing off!) I was hit with what a great magazine I was leafing through. Not only are the articles insightful in their handling of a diverse range of subjects including the change in friendships when you have kids, nurturing kindness in children and the community of mums who blog, the magazine itself has a nice physical feel to it...but I digress, here is a look at all the fabulous P&P items in the mag...

Maja Dress

The little girl on the far right is wearing our cute camellia pants and daisy hair clips.

Mary-Jane gumboots and headband with rosette

#2 is one of our fabulous Rosie Flo colouring books

#11 are our gorgeous Beatrix Potter masks

Think the masks look so cute in this scenario, great for a themed garden party...

Spring Clean

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a spring clean! Here at The Princess & The Pea we have been madly sorting through our collection and have decided to say a fond farewell to more than 60 different products as we streamline our cyber-shelves and make space for some fabulous new goodies. We have reduced their prices considerably, making it an absolutely fantastic time to grab them as they disappear for good. Pop over to our spring sale page and have a look. Here are just a few of the lovelies we are saying au revoir to:

Hanging Alphabet Letters

now $12.00

Cocoon Couture Early Bird Cushion

now $30.00

Silicone Spatula Set

now $8.00

Velvet & Tweed shirt & pants

now $23.00 each

Shop 4 Kids

Have been meaning to tell you all that the spring/summer edition of Shop 4 Kids came out a couple of weeks ago and we were rather chuffed to have a couple of our items included in it. The gorgeous Maya skirt from Australian label mamapapa was featured along with the fabulous Astro Boy, who incidentally has already sold out!

Project Runway

Image from arenatv.com

I'm almost religious about Project Runway. After stumbling across it on a lazy night in several weeks ago, I have become steadfast. While the awkward and wooden delivery of host Kristy Hinze leaves me grimacing every time (why they didn't get someone like Sarah O'Hare who is fabulous on Australia's Next Top Model??), I am completely overwhelmed by the talent and resourcefulness of the designers, and can hardly wait for the finale. It's down to Anthony, Lauren and William. I think Anthony is a stand out for his originality but there's something very refined and sophisticated about the work of both Lauren and William. The game really does belong to anyone. Not quite the same thing I know, but every time the paper doll images cut across the Project Runway screen I'm reminded of our own lovely paper dollsmade by the B. Shackman Company who have been making fine paper goods since 1898. They are made from firm card and each come with several cute outfits to change into. They are perfect for road trips or just as a little extra something in a gift. Failing that, use them to stage your very own project runway. Now how's that for a segue?!

Janey

Jimmy

Ann

Ted