by Allison

good mothers.

Let France have good mothers,
and she will have good sons.
-Napoleon Bonaparte-

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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

il cocco di mamma

Donna, the creator of il cocco di mamma, appreciates diversity in cultures as she grew up in an English and Italian bilingual/bi continental environment. Upon failing to find gifts lovely enough to match her nephew, she created a company with products suitable and smart enough for any prince. The Alphabet Blocks are a perfect example: they come in a variety of languages including Russian, {as shown below}, French, Italian and more. And who’s to say your child can’t look stylish in a pair of Italian Loafers while studying to become fluent in French?

Russian Wooden Alphabet Blocks
$35.

Baby Moccasins
$25.

And I’m loving This adorable CD of traditional Italian songs is currently buzzing in my ear. I don’t mean to say I can’t tolerate The Wiggles with the best of them, but at some point a musical change is welcome for the sake of sanity and this CD fits the bill completely. And as someone who resides in a bilingual home {Polish/English} I can appreciate the need for lingual diversity. Who among us doesn’t want their children to speak another language, let alone one as beautiful as Italian? The lyrics of the

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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

crayon hearts.


This is a project I have done with my daughter P every year for Valentine’s since she was about 3. It’s so much fun to watch the wax melt {her absolute favorite part} and it makes me feel better about using up all those odds-and-ends crayons. We save them up all year just for this project. The hearts look so beautiful when they’re done.

And don’t feel restricted to putting them up on windows, I hang mine from the ceiling with string and they look amazing that way. Follow the instructions here, and craft away.



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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

ThreeLovelies.

This delightful store {Three Lovelies} is a must-see for every woman, mother or not. They have so many gorgeous finds it might be hard to choose a favorite. These dinner plates are a perfect example; how could you not get excited about dinner when it’s being served on one of these?

$38 for four.
{Working Class Studio Plates}.

And honestly, how adorable are these Bubba Knit Overalls? Where were these when C was crawling around my house reddening his knees?

Oobi Baby.
{on sale now for $41.50}
via ThreeLovelies.

Now through Valentine’s Day get an extra 15% off using the code: PETIT.
Happy shopping.

… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

i heart jonathan adler.

$60.
Jonathan Adler
5″x5″x2.5″


I love this ceramic Heart Holder box from the Jonathan Adler Utopia collection. This perfect valentine’s day gift will stylishly hold all your trinkets {keys or jewelry perhaps?} while keeping your home clean and simple.


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

giveaway!

Thanks to everyone for your great comments.
This contest is now closed, but keep your eye out
for a new giveaway shortly.

I think it’s about time for another giveaway, wouldn’t you all agree? Since it’s January {the month of all things organization} the giveaway is an organizer. Specifically, a greeting card organizer from the fantastic company Knock Knock. All the details of this perfect organizer have been outlined in the previous post about Knock Knock. Check it out.

Greeting Card Organizer
{via Knock Knock}
$21 value.

To enter the contest, I need you to tell me about the best card you have ever given or received. {Remember: short and sweet}.


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

knock knock.

I love the company Knock Knock. Their stationery and gifts are right up my alley. Take this Wheels O’ Wisdom for example; a tool that offers all the features any hypochondriac is aching to hear. It allows you to choose from 40 symptoms giving you one of 5 sympathetic statements such as, “Yes, You’re Probably Dying“. Now who doesn’t need something like that to brighten up their day?

$7.50.

But for those of us not in the business of dying to be sick, Knock Knock has great things for any mommy with a personality. And, they offer some seriously great organization finds such as the greeting card organizer. For a long time I’ve had a stack of cards sitting in a drawer waiting for an organizer like this one.

$21.

Knock Knock.

It’s so practical, I love it. It includes a card worksheet notebook with a spot to write your rough draft, {eliminating the awkward wording that sometimes happens when writing with pen} the back cover comes printed with a year-at-a-glance calendar through 2011, and in between there are sections including: birthday, thanks, love, support, holiday, and friendship. There are pockets for cards {of course} and … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

Comments are off for this post
by Allison

mother in training.

So, I’m back from my “vacation” and I’m so pleased you were all introduced to my dear friend Cicada. She’s very clever with words as you have seen, and this guest posting was a perfect warm up for her as she is a mother-in-training. She assures me she’s not getting into the baby business for a while, but we’ll see about that…I may yet convince her it’s a lovely occupation.
Thank you for blogging in my absence Cicada.

And by the way, that’s her illustration on the banner. Not only is she clever with words, she’s also very artistic. Kudos.


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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

Comments are off for this post
by Allison

shabby apple giveaway.

Two things have been made abundantly clear to me as a result of this giveaway:

1. You all have immaculate taste in clothing.

2. We are all in dire need of more disposable spending cash. Lots of it.

And in light of that, I’d like to announce the winner of the fantastic Shabby Apple Nantucket Dress.

The winner is Carissa, who said:

“I would wear this for a night out with my sweet husband who just finished his first round of chemo and radiation treatments.”

Congratulations on both finishing the chemo and radiation alongside your husband, as well as your new dress.


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.