Babesta blog

Heidi Kenney did it AGAIN!

With the yummy breakfast craze in full swing, we decided to check in with our favorite crafter Heidi Kenney. She just came to Babesta in January for an Xtreme Playdate event making irresistable Valentine heart keychains, with eyeballs of course. When she returned home, it seems that she got cracking on some homemade Angry Birds and Black-Eyed Pigs (as my daughters call them), a treat for her son. Hers are my favorite iteration of these plush toys. I think that we will see more and more Angry Birds stuff for pint size iPad lovers--unlike Thomas the Tank Engine and Elmo, these got mom and dad's stamp of approval first. This comes by means of Technabob.com/pics from Flickr.

French Artist OakOak and Pranksters Bart Simpson & Pinocchio

So digging French artist OakOak, who makes his art by playing with urban elements. Saw these on the colette.fr blog, but go direct to oakoak.canalblog.com.

 

Where's Waldo? Artist Liu Bolin is a Master of Camouflage

Waldo isn't too easy to find here because he's not wearing his red and white signature ensemble. It also isn't Waldo (I bet you guessed that!). His name is Liu Bolin, who's in the picture, but is camouflaged by the bulldozer. This remarkable artist was born in China, received his B.A. from Shandong Art College and M.F.A. from Central Academy of Fine Arts. He's currently based in Beijing. Do you see him?

He has more of his work at EK Fine Art. It's the arty-kid's hide and go seek. -RW

 

If your child digs bulldozers in his toybin more than on the wall, here are some groovy workhorses by Plan Toys. http://www.babesta.com/Mini-Bulldozer.html.

Know the Deal Before Getting Behind the Wheel

Suggestions were released on Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Board. 

If you child is getting older and no longer fits in a car seat, then they should be in a booster seat until measuring 4'9" or until the belt fits properly. (Generally, until age 8-12 years) In addition, children who are under 13 should not ride in front.

Rear facing is the way to go, until the age of 2 years old, or until they outgrow the seat (in Sweden they stay rear facing until 4 years, and have the world's lowest child fatality rate for children under 6), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This has to do with momentum generated in the crash, and the proportional size of a child's head relative to the body - the rear facing chair cradles and catches the entire body.

No matter your size or ride, we have some great, safe choices in car seats and boosters. Check them out at babesta.com

 

Read more recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics here. 

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

You have to see it on to believe it. We shot the Liverpool denim bubble skirt by Shampoodle "flat" and knew that that wasn't enough. It looked, well, deflated. But then our pals at the Swedish fashion house supplied us with this adorable pic of a stylin' gal in the skirt, and BAM, the magic of the piece was clear as day. This is just a reminder, it's always best to try something on! -RW

Happy St. Patty's Day! It's EASY to be green!

Are you going to the Parade? At 11am get set on 5^th avenue on 44^th street and marvel at the fantastic entertainment until 5pm when it hits 86^th street. But green just isn’t for St. Patrick’s Day. Case in point, these green things at Babesta! -RW

 

Double Take Tuesday: Obsessions/Inspirations (Vol. 2) Chandra

In our second installment of Double Take Tuesday, we got to the bottom of what's inspiring Chandra, Babesta's fabulous Online Manager! Check these out - I'm going to! -JC  

Bill Cunningham New York – Can’t wait for this movie about the original street style photographer. Opens in New York tomorrow, March 16th.
http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork/index.html

Knit pigeon by Various Projects - This little guy reminds me of Big Bird, my mom’s one winged pigeon.
http://www.projectno8.com/products/pigeon?category=107

Adele 21 – I can’t stop listening to this album!
 
Hello Sandwich – A magazine dedicated to wrapping gifts.  It’s like  dream come true!
http://hellosandwich.bigcartel.com/product/hello-sandwich-gift-wrapping-zine

Peru – It’s been a year since I was there and everyday I miss it more and more.
 
Trapeze School – I have been dying to take trapeze classes.  But I know once I start I’ll want to join the circus.
http://newyork.trapezeschool.com/index.php

Sweetapolita is my new favorite blog.  I wish I could bake or actually just eat all the sweet goodness she makes!
http://sweetapolita.com/blog/

Mad about Anais and I Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

It's so pretty, I am willing the warm weather to come, so that stylish little girls can step out in Anais and I's Spring collection. There are gorgeous liberty prints, great sweatshirt dresses and funky boys' pants. My fave: the white denim and blue gingham ensemble.

Come by the store at 66 West Broadway, or shop online at Babesta.

 

French street artist JR Wins TED Changing the World One Portrait at a Time

So taken by TED 2011 winner JR, a French street artist, and his global initiative humanizing conflict, poverty and the way people see the world. Check it out. www.insideoutproject.net.

TED Prize Winner JR & INSIDE OUT from TED Prize on Vimeo.

Double Take Tuesdays: Obsessions/Inspirations (Obsinsperasions) Vol. 1

Things I'm crushing on right now:

Invader: A French street artist whose mosaic style is undeniable. 

The Face magazine: Remembering how much I loved their irreverence and amazing pop culture coverage.

Girl Talk: Put on the headphones and crank it up. Kids out of earshot.

What Happens When: Soho pop-up restaurant with changing menu and great vibe (and truffles!)

Scarabs (a.k.a. The Beetles): Cool good luck charms &  best luck when they're by Bottega Veneta.

Josef Frank fabrics: Classic Scandinavian cool in electric nature prints. 

Rosewood hotels: No one holds a candle to their service. Luxury brands take notes.

                            (Hotels Pictured San Ysidro Ranch & Las Ventanas)