minor details

lets get this party started

Why hello, thanks for stopping by! It's time to step it up a notch and turn the tables. I would like to ask something of you, if you don't mind. Minor Details is applying for a small business grant that would allow an expansion in every way that was imagined, way back in 2007. All I ask is that you take 30 seconds of your time and cast your vote. If Minor Details can muster 250 votes, then we are in the running for The Mission Small Business grant from Chase and Living Social! If we were to get this $250k grant, Minor Details could expand into developing a modern furniture line for kids and teens, open up a brick and mortar and build a proper website! So let's get this party started shall we?? It's been WAY too long. Help me build this brand and continue creating space for children!

Voting is easy :

1. go to www.missionsmallbusiness.com

2. sign in with your Facebook account

3. search for 'Minor Details Design' in Brooklyn, NY

4. vote!

Thank you so much for your support.

Cheers -jenn

 

holiday shopping

Check out the Minor Details Design Stop over on Amazon. You can click HERE or over on the right hand side of the blog....just up there ... under "Wanna see more?"

things that go

World Of Motion from Colin Hesterly on Vimeo.

ill get the ice cream

A charming and endearing look at what happens when mom leaves to get ice cream and dad is on watch duty (via) ....

smart girls at the party

Amy Poehler has a great new website called Smart Girls at the Party. She interviews young girls who do really cool stuff. My daughter's favorite episode is on the Care Bears on Fire. The latest one on Rachel : The Engineer, is pretty great as well!

Find more videos like this on Smart Girls at the Party

Find more videos like this on Smart Girls at the Party

iPhoneBook

Mobile Art Lab in Japan created a picture book using the iPhone. Genius. Genius. Genius. (thank you massi *)

alphabutt

Over dinner last night, my dear friend J played this song while the girls ate dinner. It was so funny and awesome, we listened to it about 4 times..... so I thought I would share it with you now ... without further ado, I give you Aphabutt by Kimya Dawson (let the silly potty humor begin)

zeros and electric cars

a morning dance

On our walk to school this morning, my daughter and I were basically skipping and dancing as if we were in the 1950's the whole way. We had this song from The Morning Benders blasting in our headphones. Such a great song to start the day! 

two dots

just sayin

"Children have the right to beautifully designed and well-considered objects and space. If we deny them of those things, we are only doing our children a disservice."

The opening lines from my post over at le blog ephémère du Little Fashion Book (part of VOL 4). Check out the entire post HERE.

Also, for my UK readers, grab a copy of the next issue of Junior Magazine and read more from Minor Details!

sketch a move

Ok, I have no idea if this is real or if someone is just using a remote control or perhaps you draw and then use a control to activate it? How ever it works .... it's awesome. Louise W Klinker and Anab Jain came up with the concept for Mattel Hotwheels called Sketch-a-Move. Basically you draw a direction on the top of the car and then it moves on by your hand drawn command. The video is a low-tech prototype made to communicate the idea. (via)

oliver jeffers

As you guys know, I am a huge fan of his work. I'm so thrilled that his latest book, The Heart and the Bottle, just become available yesterday. Lovely work Oliver .... simply lovely. And if you ever wanted to have a peak into his world, here is a great 3 min short.....

ok go

This video for This Too Shall Pass by OK Go is an amazing visual of perpetual motion meets the domino effect.

press!

So I'm excited to share a few pieces of current press. One is in the March Issue of Fit Pregnancy. I'm featured in an article, by Amanda Moore of re:place , on designing a nursery. (page 100)

The second piece is from the Current issue of Time Out NY Kids Spring Issue. If you flip to page 28-29 for the article or click HERE to read online. As with all press, I am humbled. When I was approached by the editors for some kid spaces, I was happy to send along this super fun project!  HERE and HERE are pics of the space before and at almost complete. and below are some images from the completed room. Note - the white table was custom made by Minor Details! (photos : Dan Hallman)

  

 

  
  
 
 

pogo stick painting

i have to say, there is something so fun, yet so dangerous, about the idea of painting with a pogo stick. I bet this would be an awesome art project for a group of 12 year olds. 

paper war

Being a Paper Airplane Pilot myself, I really like THIS short german film. It is a conversation and motion visual between a girl and a boy and their paper imaginations. The film is in german but the visual language speaks for itself. Bravo!

minor details + new york times

This past sunday, Minor Details was featured in the New York Times! The piece is by City Critic, Ariel Kaminer, who also happens to have a 13 month old. It was a great exploration in the art of babyproofing - is it necessary? is it something that we should pay an expert for? if you go over the top in babyproofing, are we preventing our children from curious explorations? In my opinion, it's super helpful to get a second set of eyes on your home if you have the gut feeling that you need it. Sometimes it's best to have awareness of concerns and hazards that might exist within your home. And then understand that it's up to you as to how much and how far you want to execute that advice. You can read the full article HERE.  

 

 

Little Fashion Book vol 4

When my dear friend Marie, of Little Fashion Gallery, asked me to contribute for volume 4 of the Little Fashion Book, I felt so honored! The book is now live and you can click HERE to view the stunning spreads and content. Bravo Marie!!

  

 

 

 
 
 
  
 
  

 
 

things to learn

things to learn from Matt Edgar on Vimeo. (via)

toy story - the reality

Let's not kid ourselves, THIS is what really happens once we leave for work and school ....

abc ... in 3d

The most innovative pop-up book I've seen in a long time! Why hello ABC 3D.

beautiful

There is something very peaceful, curious and beautiful about Efterklang's Mirador video animated by Jens Christian Høgni Larsen & Nan Na Hvass.

 

sleeping betty

Take the next 9:18 mins and check out this amazing short film by Claude Cloutier. It's got a bit of Monty Python meets classic fairy tale meets Charlie Chaplin meets absurd and silly old school style with subtle modernized pokes. Parents - I'd watch it first to determine if your child will enjoy it. 

 

getting ready

I love Halloween .... we are getting ready for the big night. Here is a lil something to get you in the spirit:

mom trends nyc

The lovely Nicole Feliciano, of Momtrends, just recently launched Momtrendsnyc. It's got everything for the urban NYC parent! 

She asked me some very in-depth questions not too long ago and just posted our interview! Check it out HERE.

willpower

I am impressed with the amount that some of these kids have.....

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo. (via swissmiss)

up up and away

I am huge fan of the band Grizzly Bear. I am also a huge fan of the Red Balloon. So it's no surprise that I would fall in love with the new Grizzly Bear video for the song Two Weeks, featuring the Red Balloon. Ahhhhhh, exactly what I needed today! Thanks Joanna.

i heart lmnop

Jenny over at LMNOP has really stepped up the game. She hand picked amazing moms from all over the world and is doing a daily piece on all of them. She is extending Mother's Day throughout the week. I am honored to be in such amazing company! Thank you so much Jenny! Check out all the kick ass mom interviews HERE.

 

sesame shorts

A childhood friend of mine, David Ahuja, is doing some pretty fun and amazing work. Like these little numbers for Season 39 of Sesame Street!

musical experiments

Dead Man's Bones is one part Ryan Gosling and one part Zach Shields. A two piece band with a dark, haunting Elvis Presley meets Johnny Cash kinda vibe. There is something very erie, vintage and really freakin catchy about their songs. The duo recruited the children's choir from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music,  suited in their halloween best, to aid in the song below. Pitchfork had a great interview wherein they discuss the importance of involving children into their music. I love the little guy at the end with his sword.....wait for it.....

 

little girl giant

On the morning of Sunday 7th May the little girl giant woke up at Horseguards Parade in London, took a shower from the time-traveling elephant and wandered off to play in the park........

configure how you will

Oh man, I am so into the new Binjte crates from IKEA. I could see these making a great place to store children toys and books while making their room super fun. If only I lived in France......

Les rangements IKEA PS 2009 BINTJE
by Hopscotch_NM

icons

The Chop Shop have taken some kid friendly icons and placed them on toddler and kid sized shirts.  They also have been working with Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich, the author of Bembo's Zoo. (which happens to be one of my daughter's favorites!) Their Peacock print will be available in mid-April.

  

 

meeting with the teach

The extremely helpful folks over at The K5 have a video on how to prepare for your parent teacher conferences. The timing could not be better as I'm meeting with my daughter's teacher tomorrow for ours! Read more about The K5 here.

The Most Important Ten Minutes of the Year: Tips on How to Prepare for a Parent/Teacher Conference from The K5 on Vimeo.

clean fun

I wish that I would have thought of this....

Baby Mop from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

lmnop 6

The latest issue of LMNOP has come out and again, I continue to be impressed with Jenny Lacey's curation and eye for design. In this issue, there is section of well-considered toys, coloring books, meal time goods, reading books, chalky tees, Hanne Larsen's amazing NYC loft with her four children, homegrown threads and a show and tell section by Janet and Stu from Three Potato Four. 

If you find your way over to page 20, you'll find my contribution. I wanted to challenge myself and take a highly designed and playfully sophisticated child's room and cheat my way to achieving this designer look for a lot less. I hope you enjoy it.

Also check out LMNOP blog.... for when you just can't wait for the next issue to come out! They dish a hearty dose of great design for children and babies.

You can download the current issue here. 

   

 

pistols and popcorn

A fellow parent and blogger has been nominated for a 2009 Bloggie under the The Best-Kept Secret Weblog category. Voting ends on Monday so go cast your vote!

Her blog Pistols and Popcorn is a funny and honest journal about life in brooklyn with a 5 year old. She tackles all the life questions, funny situations and observations that surround her family and those around her. Her posts are full of wit and charm which makes her nomination even more deserved. Good luck Jodi. 

elementary education for parents

With little time and mounting pressures, parents will find a short visit to The K-5 invaluable. Through the short videos, ask the specialist (Ask the K5) columns and on-going blogs (The K5 News) with tips from real-life teachers, specialists and parents, they will find sound advice and helpful tips on subjects as varied as reading, writing, math, discipline, homework, home-life, nutrition and more: information and  resources to make their children’s education a strong foundation for life.  

The amazingly spirited and passionate Otis Kriegel is the founder of The K5. He also happens to be be one of the best elementary teachers in Manhattan with 15 years experience in community education and the arts. I have been very hard pressed to find a resource like this that actually addresses important issues. Issues like homework, discipline, reading comprehension, tips on getting out of the house on time, food allergies....etc. Issues that every parent with an elementary aged child goes through, thinks, seeks or needs at little guidance with. The site is only but a pup but I expect great things ahead. It's off to a pretty impressive start!

Visit The K5

 

What Film Should I Watch With My Kid: An Interview With Film Producer Anne Carey from The K5 on Vimeo.

pnau baby

I am uncertain who PNAU is. Perhaps a bit more research is in order. This video and song is pretty catchy though. And yes, it contains God talk. Do any of my readers have any more info? (via phlods ur boat)

harmony

Söderberg sisters Johanna and Klara make up the band First Aid Kit. They hail from Enskede, a suburb south of Stockholm. They claim that Klara was given her first guitar at age 13 although it would seem as though they were born to sing and play...together.

viva la 2008

What a wonderful year it's been....and I am so thankful for all my readers. Without you this little blog would be pointless. It started with the simple idea of creating my own little visual reference library.  Made up of thousands upon thousands of my forgotten bookmarks. At the close of the year, it's turned into something far greater than I could have ever hoped. So thanks again for stopping by and please, make yourself at home. 

One last thing, because of you, I was nominated for a Homie : Best Kid's Design Blog of 2008 over at Ohdeedoh. Go over and cast your vote. I am honored to be in the same seat as some of my favorite blogs as well!  (It's also kinda great that one of my rooms is front and center in the Best of October posts over at Ohdeedoh as well)

Enjoy the rest of your 2008 and best of wishes for your 2009.

Cheers - Jenn

 

lucky's last swim

This little girl has a very good handle on the life and death of a fish. (via bling on my sewing machine) 

the best 3 min 31 seconds ever

Meet Tavi...she's got things to say. She even has her own dope little blog.

(thanks stef)

 

happy thanksgiving

I am thankful for such a healthy and beautiful family. I'm also thankful for all of you! I'll be back soon .....

(photographer unknown)

In the mean time, check out some of my favorite sites:

The K5   

Swiss Miss

Kids love design

Bloesem Kids

A Cup of Jo

Pan Dan

Dfork

Nova Clutch

The Selby

Mon Cabanon

Design Boom

Fine Little Day

Mornings with NPR

Urban Preschool

LMNOP five gift guide

Issue five of LMNOP has just come out and it's just in time for the holidays. (I put together a little gift guide over on page 29.) This issue is also packed with an amazing gift guide and as well as great photography. Jenny and Ian have such a wonderful eye. It seems as though they have found their calling..... they even started a blog!

 

my past contributions to LMNOP can be found here and here

happy birthday lil D

To my amazing little nephew. Happy happy day my sweets. Click HERE to get a message from P. It's from her favorite band, the Ting Tings ...... from her favorite show Yo Gabba Gabba.

say click ..... take a pic

So this morning my daughter had her first ever school pictures done. Up until the last minute this morning, she wanted to be dressed in a princess gown with a crown. A request that I felt was just fine. I mean why not? Then I started thinking about the other kids and would they be upset that they did not get to play dress up for their pics? So we came to a compromise where for her individual picture, a princess she could be...but for the group shot (shown here) , she would have to dress in her normal clothes. Like I said, at the last minute, she changed her mind. However, I think she had a great idea! Why not dress up in a costume for your class pictures? It sure would make them more fun to look at in 20 years!

Thanks Tina for posting about this cool way to make your photos into an instant polaroid and for listening to my funny dilemma last night on the phone and encouraging class picture dress up as well!

discovering a bear

In the US today, we are celebrating a national holiday for the man who discovered America known as Christopher Columbus. However, another important person to celebrate today is Paddington Bear.... who turns 50 !

a huge thank you

I am so flattered that both Cookie Magazine and the lovely Joanna Goddard (aka A CUP OF JO) thought my daughter's room was nice enough to blog about. Awe shucks guys, I'm blushing!