Category Archives: Things We Like

Beautiful Kid's Photography: Tea + Jam

Things We Like

Taking photos of children is one of the best things in the world. It also happens to be one of the trickiest! If you’ve ever tried to get that perfect snap of your child then you probably know what I’m talking about. They squirm. They giggle. They turn away from the camera. They groan and shield their face from you like you’re a crazed papparazzi, saying, “No more pictures mommy, PLEASE!” (well that’s if they’re named Wolfie and live in my house!) That’s why when I first saw these gorgeous photos by Tea and Jam Photography, the husband and wife team of Kate and Nathan Vale, I was completely smitten. This Melbourne-based couple live with their two adorable daughters, Maya and Pepper and recent addition Alfie (a golden retriever pup!). Kate is impossibly nice and a bit of a bad ass, if you don’t mind me saying so. As if running a highly successful photography business and raising two kids weren’t enough, she is in the middle of launching an exciting new women’s mag called MAEVE. She’s my new hero!

“We are a creative husband and wife team with a passion to look through the eyes of the child. We love to capture small moments that can be treasured for a life time. Though raising children of our own we are able to empathize with the smiles and tears of childhood. With this understanding, our photography often conveys emotion and tells a great story.” — Kate Vale

Is it the vibrant candy colors or the sheer joy of childhood captured on their images that I find so appealing? I’m not sure but I swear you can feel the sun on your face when you look at these photos.

Be on the lookout for a spunky little redhead…that’s their daughter, the lovely Maya!

Thank you Kate for your generosity with sharing these gorgeous photos!

Put Your Party Hats On!

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Parties, Things We Like, , , ,

The Peach is turning one in less than a month! That means a first birthday party! Whoo hoo! There are so many choices and so many darling birthday ideas out there that I’m kinda overwhelmed.

But the one thing I do know is that I must must MUST have a fun set of party hats.

When I was a little girl, a party wasn’t a party until you had a party hat.  Wearing a party hat says, “I’m take partying so seriously that I have a special hat for it.”

Even though I ‘m not sure what the theme of the party will be,  I’m totally crushing on these custom paper party hats from Mary Had a Little Party.  Mermaids! Cupcakes! Giraffes! Oh my!

Warning: Mary is too clever for her own good–these party hats are just the tip of the awesome iceberg that is Mary and her party favors.

I’m head over heels for these stinky cute felt ones from Etsy seller CosaBello. Such wonderful detailing with embroidery.  And I adore  a good blanket stitch! And I know someone who would particularly like the rocket one…

Martha Stewart has a simple tutorial on how to make your own party hats–ooohhh–just imagine these made out of some yummy paper from Paper Source! Afterall, you know Martha knows how to throw a parTAY!

Or you can get this great pattern from Etsy seller Stylish Celebrations. I particularly love the ric-rac edging on it.  I think of ric-rac as the butter of the notions world! It just makes everything better!

So many cute hats–I don’t know which to choose! And I still need to come up with a  party idea for the Peach’s birthday! Any ideas? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Raindrops are fallin' on my head…and toes!

Big Kiddo, Things We Like

Out here in California our winters would make you northern and mid-western folks laugh. We don’t get snow and “freezing” to us is when things dip down into the 40s. While we don’t have the need for parkas and mittens, we do get lots of rain. And that means one thing: rain boots. There are so many cute ones out there now, it’s amazing. I have to say I love the classic Froggy or Lady Bug boots, but there are so many more options in a variety of price ranges. And really, is there anything cuter than a lil kid splashing through rain puddles with a big grin on his or her face??


I love the mix of pink and brown—keeps it girlie but with a little twist. Find them HERE.


In the world of children’s fashion, boys tend to get the short end of the stick…but these insanely cute cowboy rain boots from Western Chief nearly make up for it. Your little buckeroo will look amazing. Yee haw! Find them HERE.



Once Dottie’s lil peach is old enough I think I will be gifting these sweet babies to her. Find them HERE.


Oh Totinette, how you make me yearn for a little girl!! How crazy cute are these Mary Jane boots?? Find them HERE.

I love Paul Frank and the new (and WAY cheaper!) Paul Frank for Target line has some choice goodies—these babies are among my top picks! Perfect for a boy OR a girl. Find them HERE.


I suspect these are meant to be for little boys but I have the feeling these would look even more adorable on a wee little tom boy. Find them HERE.


Looooove these sassy Penguin galoshes! Find them HERE.


These little guys are cute and I like how the rubber is more of a matte than the usual shiny boot. Find them HERE.


Awww, these little fairy boots are totally over the top cute. Apparently Suri Cruise agrees! Find them HERE.