Nested

On this Day: Disneyland!

Fifty-three years ago, today, Disneyland opened its doors to the world and began its reign as The Happiest Place on Earth. We couldn't think of a better way commemorate this date than by celebrating the work of frequent Disney artist Mary Blair. You may not know her name, but you have no doubt seen her work -- especially if you're a Disneyland old-timer. Although Blair's most visible works were the mural art for the Tomorrow Promenade (which was sadly removed in 1998) and the It's A Small World attraction, her illustrations and color design stand as a major influence to designers.

We're convinced that every kid's room needs to have some Blair flair in it so here are some books to get you started:

The Art and Flair of Mary Blair

I Can Fly illustrated by Mary Blair

Walt Disney's Cinderella illustrated by Mary Blair

Browse the Mary Blair tag on Flickr.

On this Day: Secret Agents & Spies!

Today (well, yesterday) marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming, literary father to 007 a.k.a Bond, James, Bond. It may be a while before your kids are wondering why people snicker at the various Bond girl names, but they'll be oh-so-cute playing secret agent and spies with the following merchandise:

1. The Boring Store: Not something to buy, but somewhere to visit. The boring store is the "front" to the front of Chicago's after school writing program (one of the 826 Valencia chains started by Dave Eggers) and it sells stuff for secret agents. The perfect combination.

2. James Bond Tee or Onesie Sandbox Threads, $18

Start with Sean Connery as 007 and customize style and colors.

3. Mustache Wallet Etsy, $22.00

"Disguise your wallet. Turquoise vinyl wallet features an awesome black moustache - it's even fuzzy to the touch. Coordinating fabric completes the interior. Features a large pocket for cash and 4 slots for cards. Heavy duty nickel snap closure keeps your belongings safe & secure." Available in additional colors.

4. Secret Agent Logger Plush Toy Etsy, $30.00

"Secret Agent Logger is handmade with lots of TLC from the nice folk at Chocolate Log Industries. Also he is made from super soft felt and top grade polyester filling so they are nice and cuddly."

5. James Bond Bib Etsy $28.00

"Put this bib on your baby and bring him from a onesie to formalwear in mere seconds!"

6. The Princess Emerges from Hiding Etsy, $8.00

Hand-colored print from an illustration created for CD cover. 

Custom Oil Paintings of your Wee Ones

If you have ever considered commissioning a custom oil painting of your child, you may have been discouraged by either the price or by the process. And because there are hundreds of custom oil painting services online -- with many questionable in quality and work standards -- choosing a service is often more difficult than choosing the photograph to have painted.

In our case, we were quite pleased by the experience we had with Master Arts on Canvas. In October, shortly after the birth of Penelope, we were contacted by Nested reader, Jane, who is the owner of Master Arts on Canvas. She asked if we'd be interested in commissioning a painting of Penelope and then reviewing the work.

The process was quite simple: We selected a photograph to have painted (a close-up works best) and the painting begins. Along the way, we were contacted about decisions that were to be made (for example, did we approve of how the photograph was to be cropped). Finally, when the painting was ready to be proofed, a photograph of the work was sent via email. If we wanted changes, then they would make them. If it was okay, the painting would be stretched and dried. We were happy with the painting and so no changes were requested.

We received the art a couple weeks later and were delighted by the results. Everything about the painting was polished, from the stretching to the work itself. The painting captured the photograph, but was clearly a painting.  

The oil portraits of single subjects start at $142.95, inclusive of shipping. Our art was stretched, which is an additional fee. The standard delivery method is canvas, rolled in a tube and ready for framing.

The only downside -- looking at the art now -- is that we commissioned a painting based on a photo of a four-day old baby. And, as much as we love our little one, newborns are kind of weird looking. Of course, this isn't any fault of Master Arts. It's just a pro tip from us: pick your photo wisely!

If you're looking for a great father's day gift or just some art for yourself, then we highly recommend the folks at Master Arts on Canvas. 

Jane has provided Nested readers with a 10% off discount from now until June 30, 2008. Just use the voucher code "nested."

On this Day: Modern Marvels!

On this day in the 1930s two manmade landmarks officially opened to the public. May 27th, 1930 saw the completion and opening of the 1,046 foot Chrysler Building in New York City. And on this same day in 1937, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge opens for pedestrian traffic. Another milestone in modern marvel building came three days ago (May 24th) when the Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic in 1883. 

So let's celebrate the spanning of both vertical and horizontal distances with these daily picks:

1. Golden Gate Bridge Print, GG National Parks Conservancy $9.95-$90

"The Parks Conservancy's classic Golden Gate Bridge image is captured in this handsome graphic available in an outstanding silk-screened edition on premium stark white paper or as an intimate matted print. Both are available framed in classic black wood. Artist, Michael Schwab."

2. New York City in a Bag, Muji (Available at MOMA), $15.00

"MUJI's New York in a Bag comes with eight wooden city structures and six wooden cars. Included are New York City icons such as MoMA's original 1939 building, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Guggenheim Museum. The wood is from sustainable forests. Recommended for ages 6 and up."

3. Skyscrapers!: Super Structures to Design and Build Amazon, $10.36

"A brief history of the skyscraper precedes a series of hands-on learning activities, including determining the best foundation and then constructing a frame. The author intersperses information about the Sears Tower, the Woolworth Building and San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid."

4. Golden Gate Bridge Felt Baby Booties Etsy, $25.00

Fits 0-6 months. Light bluish-gray felt with deep red bridge and cloudy-fog spanning across both toes. Comes packaged in a tiny cake box with a "to and from" hang tag--ready to give!

5. Egg + Avocado Brooklyn Bridge Tee Amazon, $32.00

"Strollers in singles and multiples on a bridge to Brooklyn. Plasticized screen print. Lap shoulder with wide trim. Double stitching detail."

6. Wooden Golden Gate Bridge with Track Amazon, $16.99

Lead-free and non-toxic, this mini bridge can add San Francisco sophistication to your model train set.

Capsule Design Festival

If you're in the Bay Area and looking to do some serious craft/design shopping today, be sure to check out the Capsule Design Festival in Hayes Valley Park. Over 150 booths of merchandise will be there -- including twenty designers specializing in children and baby-related items.

We'll definitely be there and will report back on any goods you need to check out.

On this Day: Turtles!

It's May 23rd and you all must know what that means: It's World Turtle Day! Time certainly does fly -- it seems like it was just World Turtle Day yesterday. World Turtle day was first initiated in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue in an attempt to raise awareness about these wonderful creatures and highlight ways to protect them.

From the Humane Society of the United States comes Twelve things you can do for Tortoises and Turtles. It's never too soon to get your little one involved in preservation of wildlife. And just doing little things like being aware of the trash you throw away (plastic bags) is an easy way to start.

On this Day: Oregon Trail!

On May 22, 1843 thousands of folks began heading west by wagon trail from Independence, Missouri on the route now known as the Oregon Trail.

If you've ever been part of a class that studies the western migration and pioneer life, you'll know that there's a certain magic to that particular lesson. Perhaps it's a child's desire to explore a new world that wins them over; or maybe it seems like the best camping trip ever. Here's a couple of finds related to the Oregon Trail and prairie life. (And, yes, we know that the Little House books weren't about the Oregon Trail).

1. Laura Ingalls Doll Etsy, $13.00

"Laura character doll with long brown braid, hand painted face, pioneer dress and even a broom to sweep up the prairie dust! She stands about 4 and 3/4 inches tall and has a base so you can put her just about anywhere!"

2. Pioneer Prairie Dress Etsy, $55.00

"Made in true Laura Ingalls styling, this outfit includes elbow length sleeves with large Peter Pan collar and ruffle at the shoulder.This dress has a full skirt and attaches to a fully lined yoke with buttons in the front."

3. Pioneer/prairie bonnet Etsy, $6.99

This bonnet is 100% cotton and is child-size.

4. Roughing It on the Oregon Trail Amazon, $6.99 (Ages 4-8)

"Diane Stanley's spirited, humorous, and historically accurate depiction of day-to-day life on the Oregon Trail is brought to life with Holly Berry's energetic illustrations." 

5. Quilt Block History of Pioneer Days Amazon $8.95 (Ages 4-8)

"Cobb's well-written text will hold youngsters' interest, and the information about pioneer life is neatly tied to particular quilts, illustrated with simple, colorful watercolor sketches. Best of all, the projects use a pattern, cut paper, and paste, and range from a bookmark to a greeting card to a recipe folder." 

Bonus Pioneer Activity: How to Make Butter

It's incredibly easy to make your own homemade butter. And kids will love helping out and watching the dairy magic happen!

Non-Alcoholic Drinks During Pregnancy

From the where-was-this-book-while-we-were-pregnant category comes Margarita Mama, a book featuring almost a hundred "mocktails for the mom-to-be."  Alyssa Gusenoff's introduction to the book says it all: this is the book for pregnant (and breastfeeding) moms when the ice water in your hand just isn't cutting it. 

During our pregnancy experience, we were looking for a book just like this: easy recipes calling for fresh and interesting ingredients and, more importantly, not an ounce of pregnancy fear mongering. That book about non-alcoholic beverages for pregnancy with a chapter on "needing alcohol versus wanting alcohol?" Yeah, we're looking at you.

Here's a sample concoction:

Basil Pomegranate Lemonade

6 to 8 basil leaves

2 ounces pomegranate juice

4 ounces lemonade

2 ounces lemon-lime soda

Muddle basil and pomegranate juice in the bottom of a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice, add the lemonade and lemon-lime soda and stir.

Enjoy!

On this Day: Airplanes!

On May 21, two milestones in aviation took place: (1) In 1927 Charles Lindbergh completes the world's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean and (2) in 1932 Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic

Let's celebrate aviation by some adorable plane-theme finds: 

Hello Lil Pilot Baby Announcements, Etsy, $9.00

"Ten baby announcement cards that feature a sweet little airplane greeting on the front and leave room for all of your new baby's stats on the inside."

Lazy Bird Onesie, Etsy, $15.00

3-6 month tie-dyed onesie featuring an applique bird flying a plane.

Look! Up in the Sky! Personalized Artwork!, Land of Nod, $99.00

Allison Jay designed artwork that you can personalize with your child's name. Stretched canvas over a wooden frame.

A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart Amazon, $17.95

Readers glean a sense of Earhart's courage and determination. Realistic, double-page watercolor illustrations complement the text.

Flight Pop-Up Book Amazon, $12.23

From an acclaimed 3-D master comes a jam-packed, interactive book on flying machines that will send readers soaring.

Flight Delay Diaper Changing Pad, Etsy, $25.00

"This over-engineered travel diaper pad "Mash-Up" of Micheal Miller's "Wild Blue Yonder" and "Color Band" prints with Monda's "Serendipity" has your sticky situation covered"

Airforce Onesie with Pants Set, Etsy, $22.00

"Yet another "Mash-Up" of Micheal Miller's "Wild Blue Yonder" and "Color Band" prints from the creative genius of the global/international design syndicate SHAMS & Coverups."

Flying Paper Planes Wall Stickers, Blik, $35.00

"Nostalgic images with a modern twist by designer Mel Lim." Package contains 20 decals.

On this Day: Denim!

We're starting a new daily feature here on Nested. We'd like think of it as a history lesson made a little sweeter with a wee bit of shopping thrown in. First, we'll pick an event that occurred on this day in history and then pick out a few neat things we've found on the web related to said event. So let's begin!

On May 20th 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a U.S. patent for blue jeans with copper rivets.

Nested recognizes this achievement with a couple cute denim finds:

Kimono Booties: Black and White Denim. Etsy, $18.00

"These adorable kimono style booties are sized for babies from 3-9 months old. They are crafted of textured black and white denim and lined in soft white flannel."

Red White Blue Patriotic 4th of July Stars and Stripes Tutu Overall Dress, Etsy, $26.50

"Girly girl tulle tutu is sewn to the front of the embellished denim recycled Baby G*P dress.

Mrs. Fish Craft Smock/Apron. Etsy, $28.00

"The smock is made of a durable denim material and is trimmed in red. It has an embroidered fun fish design on one of the front pockets."