VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS FOR KIDS

Still looking for a little something sweet for next week? Most of these items are quick shipping from Amazon, including one of our favourite books ever, In My Heart (A Book of Feelings). If these all fail, there's always chocolate ;)

valentine's day ideas for kids

01. // Kitty doll; 02.// Feelings book; 03.// Wood teether; 04. // XO game; 05. // Bead set; 06. // Gold stickers; 07. // Pink pillow; 08. // $10 art; 09. // Leather moccasins; 10. // Heart Art Print.

OH MONDAY!

1. Happy Monday! A week after we arrived back from Australia and I've been reflecting on what I saw while I was there (apart from the sun!). I love spotting different trends that are happening in other places and couldn't help but notice how popular graphic shaped objects are. Such a fun and easy thing to include in kid's spaces! Here are a few pieces I love.

2. Juggling motherhood and working is a constant battle!!! I run a small business, want to be at as many things as possible for my kids, am hands on in daily happenings (meals, driving, etc.), try to include creative activities in our art space, love my kids, my work, my life but often feel pulled in a million different directions! Anyone else? HOW DO YOU FIND BALANCE??! (please leave me ideas or what works for you in comments below).

Melissa working

3. We have been reading the sweetest series of chapter books for kids by Kallie George, a local Vancouver author. So far books 1 & 2 have won over our 6-year-old twins (and me!) and I have ordered the 3rd book which is being released this week! The 4th book looks like it's coming out this summer and it will definitely make our summer reading list. Highly recommend this sweet series!

4. One day somehow I need to have an indoor swing for kids. How amazing is this gorgeous swing?!!!

indoor swing for kids

Photo by Connection Photography

5. Yesterday felt like Spring and the sun seemed to give everyone a burst of joy. Let's hope it stays that way all week. Here's a thought for the week.

quote about gratefulness

GET THE LOOK {KIDS ART STUDIO}

giant pegboard wall decor

I am beyond thrilled that our kid's creative art space inspired some of you to think about creating nooks for creativity in your own homes! I find so much joy in knowing the work I do helps your little ones. I have been getting questions about where various things are from so thought I would share where to find the basics of this room!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared all of our favourite art books for kids as I felt it deserved a post of its own! I've also been asked to share how we made the pegboards; these were a project themselves but turned out so well. Holes were individually drilled into two sheets of plywood (with a piece of wood wedged in between) so that the dowels would be able to support a good amount of weight.

Many of the big pieces are IKEA as this room is a basement rough space, and we decided we wanted pieces that truly didn't matter if paint was splattered on!!! As this is a space for the kids to be free, the point is that it IS messy...and that's ok.

get the look of Melissa Barling's creative art space for kids

01. // Clear acrylic shelves; 02. // Multi-sized paintbrushes; 03. // White wipeable chair; 04. // Ceramic wall vase; 05. // Graphic laundry basket; 06. // White drawer storage; 07. // Cactus art print; 08. // Clay rolling pin; 09. // Wipeable art table.

If you have questions about any other item, please leave them in the comments and I can answer for everyone to read. More than happy to share.

May your weekend be full of creativity and a little messy playfulness :) Happy Friday everyone!

INSPIRATION: SHARED KIDS' ROOMS WITH BUNK BEDS

Pinterest is the best place to find inspiration for literally everything and these shared kids' rooms with bunk beds are some of my favourites! Keep in mind the suggested age for bunks is 6+ years so little ones don't have trouble getting up and down in the night.

The light pouring in and the simplicity of the ladder are dreamy. That rug is to die for too!

shared girls room with bunk beds

Design by Amber Interiors

The garland and layered linens on the beds add such a bright and playful spin to these functional white bunk beds.

bright and pretty bunk beds

Design by Sophie Burke Design

The gorgeous heart wallpaper is a dream for any sweet kiddo; I love how this space is beautiful and functional too (just look at that under the bed storage)!

white bunk bed in girls room

Design by Sissy + Marley

A space of dreams for sleepovers, this room full of bunks is perfect for the everyday Mom of four boys (imagine!) and ideal for weekends at the cabin too.

grey bunk beds in shared boys room

Design by Simone Haag

The simple and clean lines of the Oeuf bunk bed in this shared kids room are perfection!

oeuf bunk bed in kids room with chalkboard wall

OH MONDAY!

1. After a month in Australia, we’re home (and back to reality)! It’s hard to believe just a couple of days ago we were swimming in the ocean and building sandcastles on the beach.

Inver loch beach Australia

2. Australian design is as good as ever! These gorgeous swimsuits from Love by Willow have lovely frill detail and a gorgeous check pattern. 

Love by Willow children's swimsuits
bathing suit ruffle detail

3. I had the best time popping into one of the sweetest kids stores, Lilly & Lolly, when I was in Melbourne and couldn’t help picking up these super fun ‘icy pole moulds' for making popsicles in the summer. It’s never too early to start dreaming of summer, right?

sunnylife icy pole moulds
playroom

4. Moroccan rugs in kids spaces are here to stay! This play space from Tigmi Trading makes me want one for our living room! This trellis rug is affordable AND super cute!

rug

5. I am excited to check in to the final stages of three projects over the next week – a toddler room, playroom and the retail store.

Happy Monday friends!