monkeyandthebug


Style Show Off!
April 30, 2011, 10:29 pm
Filed under: Style Show Off! | Tags: ,

The lovely Miss James of Bleubird Vintage posted a few pics via Twitter of her gorgeous daughters Gemma Bird and Milla Plum in some adorable little Bobo Choses pieces from our shop. They are so sweet!

Pics by James of Bleubird Vintage


You can also follow James on Twitter HERE and Monkey & The Bug HERE.

Also, if you have made a purchase from our shop, we would LOVE to see your little ones in their pieces. Send us some pictures and be featured on our blog!  Info@Monkeyandthebug.com



New Arrivals: Wovenplay
April 30, 2011, 1:59 pm
Filed under: New Arrivals | Tags: , , , ,

Monkey & The Bug  has a whole slew of cute new pieces in the shop. Be sure to stop by and check it out. We are obsessing over these lovely things from Wovenplay. The detailing is just exquisite!

Havana Tutu.     Moth Suit.

Feather Headband.  Rococo Tutu. Feather Headband.

Ribbon Leggings.  Tree Leggings.  Gem Leggings.

Lola Suit.  Starfish Swim Trunk.

Which piece is your favorite??



Sanibel Island
April 27, 2011, 2:53 pm
Filed under: Family | Tags: , ,

My family took a lovely family vacation to Sanibel Island last week. Sanibel Island is located in southwest Florida, off of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico because of the island’s location, the ocean water is calm, warm, and  ideal for  swimming. The beaches are made of soft sand and brimming with sea shells. The term “Sanibel Stoop” was invented to describe seekers hunched over, looking for the perfect shell.

Our family owns a condo at the Sundial Beach Resort. It is extremely family friendly with four swimming pools, child dining options, organized children’s activities, and an eco-center which houses a small selection of marine life. The best part is the resort is located on the beach, so there is easy access to the sand and sea.

We met my parents, Lou and Rudy, at the Fort Myers airport, and made the quick 25 minute drive to the island. My parents started taking me and my younger brother to Sanibel when I was 5 years old, so it was surreal to now bring my own children at age 2 and 1/2 years.  My parents are known as Lolo (grandfather) and Lola (grandmother). These are Filipino terms. It was particularly important for the girls to spend time with Lolo as he suffered several strokes over a year ago; the presence of the girls is very theraputic for him. The girls are very compassionate toward my Dad, helping to push his wheelchair or assisting with handing him his medication.

Both girls enjoyed the beach and the pool, although I think there was slightly more draw to the pool with its water slide and abundance of other kids.

Finally, the girls got a lot of experience eating at restaurants. My feeling is that the more they practice, the more comfortable they will become with the process. This was also an opportunity for them to try new things, like grouper fish sandwiches, grilled shrimp, lemonade, and key lime pie.

The vacation was great fun; although my husband and I were pretty beat when we made it back to Boston. Most importantly we got to spend time together as a family. Running not one, but two businesses can be hectic. It was nice to slow down for a bit.
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Think Big!
April 23, 2011, 12:45 am
Filed under: New Arrivals, Think Big | Tags: , , , , ,

This week for our “Think Big” we decided to show off the Opus “Harem Pant”. Harem Pants are great because they are roomy and comfy, making them a good choice for the always on the go kiddo. They are a fantastic alternative to a legging or sweat pant if you are looking to shake things up a bit!

We are absolutely loving the brand, Opus. Their modern, sharp lines contrast with pretty florals and supple fabrics to create an amazing juxtaposition of hard and soft. It is equal parts sugar and spice. We love a line that retains a childlike sweetness with a more hip, urban feel. This is exactly what Opus accomplishes.

Here is the stunning, Aussie, pop singer, Kylie Minogue. She is wearing bright harem pants, gladiators, and a simple white tee. We recreated the look and added a sweet Atsuyo et Akiko necklace and lovely, little leopard print sandals.

TopNecklace.  Harem Pant.  Sandals.

Sienna Miller is incredibly chic and effortless. We love the simplicity of what Sienna has done with her harem pants and how she added the pop of color on her feet. This is so easy to achieve yet it looks like a million bucks!

Tank.  Scarf.  Harem Pant.  Flats.

There really isn’t a girl cooler than Gwen Stefani. We love her unapologetic individuality and edgy style. Gwen can take any trend and make it her own. Our favorite part of this ensemble is that you could dissect it and wear each of these pieces with so many other things!

Tank.  Belt.  Harem Pant.  Sandals.

Have ideas or suggestions for our next Think Big?

Feel free to email us at Info@monkeyandthebug.com We love hearing from our readers!



Contributor spotlight: Meet Adriana from Just By Living
April 20, 2011, 1:18 pm
Filed under: Guest Blogger | Tags:

Hey everyone! I am super excited to be guest posting here on Monkey & The Bug. My name is Adriana and I am a freelance writer/mommy blogger with an insanely adorable little boy named Hendrix. I am married to Michael, a DJ and daddy blogger, and I have a sweet as pie, step-son named Christian. Before I wrote about my mothering adventures I was a fashion writer and contributed to numerous online mags and print publications. I’m a huge fan of Stel’s and M&TB so it is an honor to be here. I’ll be helping out with some “Think Big” posts and a new feature we call “When worlds Collide”…but more on that later.

I recently moved from Boston, MA to Providence, RI into our dream home, an expansive loft with tin ceilings, exposed brick, and lots of light. When I am not busy wrangling my son/writing about wrangling my son you can find me with a stack of design magazines or spending hours on pinterest looking for inspiration for my new home.

I love fashion and it’s always been a huge part of my life. For me it is not about a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes but about a lifestyle and my personal aesthetic is something I use to express who I am. I don’t believe in segregating design and fashion from my life as a mother. They bleed into each other constantly. I’ve found that continuing to invest in my interests has made me a better parent.

Check out my adorable family below!

You will be hearing more from me here on Monkey & The Bug, and if you would like to be a contributor or are interested in guest posting, you can send us an email at info@Monkeyandthebug.com

My Husband and I

Hendrix.17 months.

Hendrix.10 months.



Easter Picks
April 18, 2011, 7:36 pm
Filed under: Inspiration | Tags: , , , ,

Easter is right around the corner. Here are our picks for the cutest toys and clothing to fill up your baskets with. We love the idea of buying beautiful things and mixing them with fun candy and classic toys like bubbles and side walk chalk.

1. Merry Pillow    2.Feather Boa   3.Deer and Bunny Onesie

1.Rabbit Shirt   2.Lace Dress Rag Doll   3.Totem Figurines

1.Bunny Pull Toy   2.Rabbit Lamp  3.Where’s Alice Print



playtime roundup; Atsuyo et Akiko
April 14, 2011, 2:24 pm
Filed under: Featured Designer | Tags: ,

We have been big Atsuyo et Akiko fans here at Monkey & the Bug since our shop first opened. While at Playtime NYC we were really excited to catch up with designers Atsuyo Yang and Akiko Mukae, and get a glimpse at what is to come for the super sweet brand.

Check out this limited edition tutu from Atsuyo et Akiko.Positively stunning!

Atsuyo et Akiko create whimsical, beautiful things for both the home and body. No doubt, one of their standout products are the delicate, playful jewelry in teeny tiny sizes just right for your little one. I love their tee shirts which are light, airy and as soft as a cloud. They also make whimsical tutus for the budding ballerina, great for dressing up or for when having professional pictures taken. Monkey & The Bug currently carries a pink tutu in our shop that is to die for!

In the past Atsuyo et Akiko have collaborated with Jess Brown to make some exceptionally adorable dolls.  The wildly popular collabo is back for another run. As always, the duo designed some fantastic pillows.  It was hard to pick a favorite!

How sweet is this little pile of pillows?

 

 

We were blown away by all the darling little pieces Atsuyo et Akiko have created. They never seem to falter. Everything is just perfect!



Listen Up!
April 11, 2011, 3:01 pm
Filed under: Listen Up

My Little Rock ‘n Rollers : )

 

I believe music should play an important role in any child’s life. I consciously make the effort to expose them to different sounds, styles, and voices. Every once in a while I will be sharing my family’s musical favorites in our “listen Up” category.

This week I wanted to share with you the Smithsonian Folkways website which is a non-profit record label from the Smithsonian Institute, it’s wonderful to explore. You can read more about the history of Folkways Records HERE (very interesting).  The size of their music collections is jaw dropping. One could spend hours going through their site. A good place to start is their  Children’s section or try searching their huge database by genre, artist, or album.

My girls’ are really digging cELLAbration: A Tribute To Ella Jenkins. Ella Jenkins was known as “The First Lady of Children’s Music” and with a career spanning over 50 years and countless prestigious awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy it is an appropriate title.  This album is a compilation of  modern renditions of some of  Ella’s best work done by today’s leading folk musicians pay. We recommend “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” by Cathy Fink and “Go Miss Mary Mack” performed by Sweet Honey in The Rock.

“Sunny Day” by Elizabeth Mitchell is another favorite in our house. This album is what kid’s music should sound like. Elizabeth’s voice is smooth, soft, and sweet and she sings happy little tunes. She appropriately uses children singing along with her in a way that sounds innocent and lovely. Her cover of  “Lovely Day” is heaven and the album’s title song “Sunny Day” evokes sunshine and rainbows and all kinds of goodness. My favorite part of this album? It’s NOT annoying. Let’s face it, most music geared towards children is of the sort that makes you want to tear your hair out. “Sunny Day” is nothing like that. I highly recommend it.

I would love to hear what your little one’s are listening to!!



Show and Tell
April 8, 2011, 3:00 pm
Filed under: Inspiration, Show and Tell | Tags:

Show and Tell is where we here at Monkey & The Bug can show off all the things we love that are circulating the internet this week. We hope you enjoy all of our findings and feel free to submit to us your inspirations and stories so we may feature them! We love hearing from our readers.

Let’s start things off with Timbuktu, a magazine for children designed especially for the iPad. It is based on the philosophy that children learn while they play. The people at Timbuktu feel that kids are absolutely interested in what goes on in the world around them and not just in imaginative play.

Here is a short video by the creative masterminds behind Timbuktu

Next up is Honest Fair, a truly progressive food blog. It is written by Gabrielle, who creates food from fresh ingredients that look as beautiful as they taste. Her recipes are easy to follow and the pictures are stunning.

LEFT: Homemade anise Ice Cream RIGHT: Pomegranate Poached Pears

 

Mango and Coconut Cream with Chilli Flakes

 

Candy Apple Cupcakes

 

She was featured on Pacing The Panic Room, a while back with a wonderful story on cooking for your little one. A must read if you are considering or already make your own baby food. Check it out HERE.

All pictures are credited to the amazingly talented Gabrielle at Honest Fare.

 

 

How great is the  Nida Tie dress in yellow cotton by Alice Ritter ? We think it is perfect for hot summer afternoons. You can get it from Stel’s.

Last but certainly not least, we are loving Clementine Art supplies. They make crayons, paint, glue, and modeling dough that is all natural and environmentally friendly.

We hope you liked this weeks show and tell!



Think Big!

Welcome to Think Big! Where we here at Monkey & The Bug show you how to translate some of our favorite fashionista’s looks into  wearable outfits for your little one. Today we are showing off THIS adorable stripped boat neck top by Nico Nico.

How cute is Taylor Swift in her boat neck top? She embodies the all American girl and this look is comfy but not frumpy. Perfect for a play date at the park!

Top. Necklace. Skirt. Sandals.

 

 

 

It’s no wonder that Rachel Bilson is featured on just about every style blog out there! Her style is effortless and very cool.

We love what she did with her stripped tee, pairing it with a classic trench and skinny jean.

 

Trench. Bag. Denim. Top.

 

 

Olivia Palermo has a knack for taking casual pieces and glamming them up. Here, she rocks her short sleeve stripped tee with shiny shoes and a girlie girl skirt.

This look carries over perfectly for a little girl. It’s casual enough for Sunday brunch with the fam and fancy enough for a tea party with her friends.

Sunglasses. Top. Oxfords. Skirt.

 

“It” girl Alexa Chung always puts her stamp on an outfit. This look is super simple but she still manages to make it her own by layering bold statement necklaces.

Necklace left. Necklace right. Top. Denim.

 

 

we hope you enjoyed our first Think Big feature! Have ideas or suggestions for our next Think Big?

Feel free to email us at Info@monkeyandthebug.com We love hearing from our readers!