Filed under: Behind The Scenes | Tags: lookbook, new brahmin, Sonya Shermer
This has been a really amazing week. Yesterday I celebrated my birthday and earlier in the week our new and improved site went up. Excited does not even begin to describe how I feel about the launch of our new eCommerce site. A lot of work has been put into the new changes and I am beyond pleased with how it all turned out. When I started Monkey & The Bug I wasn’t sure how the public would respond. The children’s market can be tough, not everyone is looking for our anti cutsey aesthetic and with this in mind I was somewhat hesitant to dive into the biz. However, the response has been amazing! I have met so many like minded Moms and Dads who were looking for something like M&TB. I am confident in the direction we are headed and very proud of all that we have accomplished.
Just a short while ago the internet was a foreign thing to me but it has been a very warm and welcoming place for M&TB. I never realized how you could really KNOW people yet have never met them. With that said, I want to thank everyone for their lovely birthday wishes. You guys are the best!
Also, I want to say THANKS to everyone that helped make the site happen, especially our web girl Jessica Sutton. Without the love and support of all those involved it never would have happened. I couldn’t have done it alone and my gratitude is never ending.
Below are a couple more behind the scenes pics from our lookbook. We kept the shoot really simple. Sonya Shermer was our photographer and we had styling help from Liana of New Brahmin. Basically, we just let the kids loose! They ran around in a local park which we chose because it’s a serene setting in the middle of the city. I love the juxtaposition of that and it is a really great metaphor for our shop.
Be on the lookout for a few giveaways and discount codes coming up over the next week or so! I have some really fun stuff in store ; )
Riley, Gemma, and Hendrix.
Gemma.
Riley. Tutu skirt and camo chucks..best combo!
A very happy little Hendrix.
Sierra is always on the go!
Our amazing photographer, Sonya Shermer!
The adorable Huck…more about him HERE.
Christian looking so handsome!
Filed under: Inspiration, one through five | Tags: baby gap, bobo choses, crewcuts, gap kids, petit bateau
I am currently obsessing over anything with a star print. My favorite is the Bobo Choses Dress, thanks to the beautiful, golden galaxy design. It’s out of this world!
ONE. Bobo Choses Constellation Dress TWO. Gap Kids Ruffled Star Dress THREE. Petit Bateau Star Print Rabbit
FOUR. Crewcuts Star Backpack FIVE. Baby Gap Star Light Star Bright Bundler
Filed under: Featured Designer, New Arrivals | Tags: Atsuyo Et Akiko, Disney, Winnie The Pooh
Finally! Atusyo et Akiko’s collab with Disney has hit our shop. We have had it instore for a while but it is now available online. The first installment is Winnie the Pooh. Be on the lookout for Mickey and Minnie tees coming in the Spring but for now you can go HERE to check out all the beautiful pieces from this partnership.
Our brand new site has LAUNCHED! I am so excited to share all of our new product with you. You can also check out our adorable lookbook! Head HERE to peep the new site!
After my last buying trip I found myself really inspired by what I saw. I began thinking about maternity wear because a lot of the pieces that were presented could accommodate a baby bump. Multi use garments were in almost every collection. Skirts that could be turned into dresses and straps that could be removed were a common theme. There are so many beautiful dresses and tops out there that are not actually made for pregnancy but could translate to maternity. Personally, when I was growing my girls I really tried to think outside the box and come up with looks that were still chic but comfortable. I never went out and bought “maternity” clothing. What did you do?
I have been giving a lot of thought to the idea of doing a maternity pop up shop in the store. What do you think?
Below are some of my favorite looks from pregnant mama’s.
Miroslava Duma, ex editor of Russian Harpers Bazaar. Her pregnancy was by far, one of the most beauutiful and elegant pregnancies EVER. Isn’t she adorable??
Vera Farmiga
Jennifer Connelly
Jessica Alba
Kerri Russel.
Who did you look to for maternity inspiration?
Filed under: Behind The Scenes | Tags: Fashionhaus, New York City, Showroom, Stel's
Working hard at the Fashionhaus Showroom
Sorry for the lack of posts over the last week but work has been really crazy. I just got back from a buying trip in New York for my women’s wear shop, Stel’s. For those of you who don’t know, I co-own a womens and mens store on Newbury Street in Boston. Stel’s has a blog and an online shop, as well. Being the womens clothing buyer means that I have to do a lot of traveling. It’s hard being away from my girls and I try to plan my trips so that they are as efficient and quick as possible. After years of doing them I have gotten pretty good at being organized and maximizing my time. Of course, this never makes it easy to leave my little ladies.
Whenever I get back I try to make sure I have set aside some extra time to spend with them. Every so often, Gemma in particular, will be a bit standoffish toards me at first. She usually warms up within an hour or so. Most times it is as if I never even left. I feel confident knowing they are in good hands with their father while I am gone and most times, don’t miss me to the extent of it upsetting them.
Do any of you travel for work? How do you handle it? How do your kids? How do you connect with them when your away?
Going over the Le Mont Saint Michel line at Fashionhaus with Chapman.
PHOTO CRED: Just By Living
Gemma (left) and Riley when they were just little bits.
My little ladies will be turning three in October! It is unbelievable how quickly time flies. I’m curious…how big a party have you (or will/would you) thrown for your toddler? There is so much hype nowadays with parties for children. Maybe it started because of MTV’s Sweet Sixteen and grew from there? I’m not sure of the origins but it seems a bit much to me. Shows like TLC’s Outrageous Kids Parties kind of scare me. I just don’t believe in spending thousands of dollars on parties that are more for the adults than kids. One mom even bought her 6 year old a car for her birthday. A CAR! There is only one word for that…INSANE.
I am, however, all for decorations, fun themes, and lots of friends and family! Courtney Novogratz, when asked how she handled her seven kids’ birthday parties famously said “I invite some friends over and bake a Fucking cake”. Ha! I think I am more of that school of thought. I do want them to feel special and to know that they are loved. Those are my biggest goals for the day because in the end it’s not about what toys they got or what outfit they wore but about celebrating their lives and the love they have brought into all of ours.
I am curious as well about how all you moms (and dads) of multiples handle twin birthdays? Do you celebrate them together? Give them separate cakes or parties or anything like that?
Check out these beautiful videos from Babiekins Magazine. If you don’t read Babiekins yet, YOU SHOULD. It is full of fashion inspirations, home decor ideas, and fun articles. Enjoy!
Babiekins Promo from Champion & King on Vimeo.
BABIEKINS / Autumn 2011 from Mickaël Valli on Vimeo.
Filed under: Inspiration | Tags: keds, land of nod, Little Warrior, teepee, Wovenplay
I am currently lusting over any kind of Aztec or Navajo print. Native American inspired pieces are everywhere right now and these are some of my favorites.
1. Play Teepee by Land of Nod 2. Eagle Print Tee by Zara 3.Poncho by Little Warrior
4. Feather Headband by Wovenplay 5. Custom made sneakers by Keds
Filed under: Behind The Scenes | Tags: Atsuyo Et Akiko, before i was a mom, Behind The Scenes, Coral and Tusk, esp no1, Just By Living, lookbook, new brahmin, Nico Nico, The Hipster Dad, Wovenplay
I wanted to share a few behind the scenes pictures from our look book shoot. I can’t wait to debut the beautiful photos taken by Sonya Shermer. I was really nervous about shooting with so many toddlers but it actually worked out just fine. We did two looks for each kids and the first went swimmingly. The second was okay, we provided lots of toys and did our best to wrangle them. By the end all the kids were starting to get antsy so the timing was perfect. We had to do a few last minute outfit changes since some were a bit more opinionated about their ensembles then others. But all in al it was a great day and I am so happy with the results! A big thanks to everyone involved! I couldn’t have done it without you!
The amazing Liana helping out little Sierra with her tutu.
Liana is the founder of the Boston based fashion blog, New Brahmin. She helped to style the shoot and deal with all the logistics. She is a fantastic stylist and we couldn’t have made this shoot happen without her help!
Sierra is the daughter of Lauren from Before I was a Mom and Craig,one half of the blog The Hipster Dad.
One of our models, 9 year old Christian.
Adriana of Just By Living and Christian (her step son).
Hendrix, son of Adriana and Michael, the other half of The Hipster Dad.
Wrangling the kids!
Brothers.
Sonya at work and Riley posing for the camera. She was such a little ham!
A bit distracted by all the doggies at the park.
The brothers wearing matching Esp NO 1 scarves, some Nico Nico, and Atusyo et Akiko.
Funny face!
Lookin sharp in Coral and Tusk.
Little feet on the go!
monkeyandthebug 