Designing | Ali's "A" List

Archive: Designing

March 11, 2010

An “A” List Interview: Alex Marshall

I love the balance of unique asymmetry and clean lines in every Alex Marshall piece – something refreshingly uncommon in the world of baby products. Maybe it’s her “New York City meets California” that translates to such beautiful practicality. I, for one, am an Alex Marshall fan, and am thrilled to share my “A” list interview with you for a behind-the-scenes with the artist herself.

Ali Wing: What inspires you?
Alex Marshall: I’m inspired by everything. From living and working on an olive orchard in northern California to interacting with my 2-year-old daughter. From watching my 2-year-old play with others, to talking and working with my husband/business partner and talking with store owners, buyers, friends and family. If you listen, people will tell you what they need and my inspiration comes from trying to fill those needs with a functional item that literally fulfills a function, preferably multiple functions while adding an artistic element to people’s lives.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
AM: Orange. I’ve been trying to develop an orange glaze for our baby & kids’ line for awhile now and it’s proving more difficult than I had hoped so I notice orange in everything. Every orange I see I say, maybe I can create an orange glaze similar to that or maybe similar to that or I really like that orange, maybe that one! It’s become a preoccupation but I’m starting to feel I’m heading in the right direction.

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
AM: New York City. I grew up 30 minutes outside NYC in New Jersey and lived in NYC for many years but have lived in California for 15 years so I’m considered a Californian by pretty much everyone. Every time I step into Manhattan though it feels like coming home. It’s a city that changes constantly but yet still manages to stay the same.

Marshall's daughter's nursery.

AW: Of the baby gifts you received, what was your favorite?
AM: Our crib, the Oeuf classic crib. My sister bought us our nursery furniture and we still absolutely love our crib. It was so easy to put together and adjust the height as our daughter grew. It is also really easy to put our daughter in because it is so low and easy to lean over the side. And not to mention it is really simple and beautiful.

AW: What makes you laugh?
AM: When my daughter makes her “mean face”. It takes her some time to put it together, she starts with getting her eyebrows furrowed just right then makes a funny smirk, and then says “mean face”.

AW: What’s your proudest moment in parenting?
AM: We enrolled our daughter in daycare/preschool when she was 17 months old and on her second day she walked into her classroom turned and said, “bye, bye, mommy” and sat on her teacher’s lap.

Designing | Parenting | Partners | giggle Grab Bag

March 8, 2010

Toobydoo Does it Again

Cool and classic styling at a great price defines one of my “under 5″ apparel lines of choice, Toobydoo. And these latest wave dresses with creative colors, simple lines and asymmetrical cuts have me asking “do they come in ladies sizes too?” Toobydoo … how do you do it?!

Wave-Dress Soho-Stripe-Dress

Designing | Products | Trends | giggle Grab Bag

February 8, 2010

A Smart Plug

A couple of weeks ago, my husband attended a Martha Stewart show for Dads featuring Super Bowl food and entertaining ideas. Consistent with what appears to be today’s talk show standard, each audience member walked away with some amazing freebies. Aside from continuing to be perplexed about how companies can afford to underwrite these large giveaways (they are expensive!) and despite the fact that in my house my husband rules the kitchen, as any good consumer products businesswoman would do, I still checked out the design details of each of the giveaways.

One in particular earned my design-awe — a Breville sandwich/panini maker called “The Smart Grill“. Or more specifically, its amazingly cool outlet plug! How many of you have suffered broken nails, squeezed fingers or just gotten darn frustrated trying to remove appliance plugs? Check out what an absolutely cool idea Breville employed in its already above-the-top fabulous sandwich/panini-maker — a finger hole right below the outlet plug, for easy removal. Brilliant.

I’ve always been a huge fan of great design that is as much about practicality and function as it is about beauty. Breville’s Smart Grill delivers on every level of my “A-list”. Hats off Breville! And yes, we enjoyed awesome panini’s courtesy of my Martha Stewart-trained husband yesterday watching the Saints beat the Colts among well-fed friends.

Celebrities | Designing | Events & Event Planning | Products | giggle Grab Bag

December 15, 2009

Better Basics’ Better Storage

Okay, I’ll admit it: adding anything from giggle Better Basics to my A-List might seem a little biased, since it is part of our store’s collection of baby essentials. But I really do think this line of storage products is just dreamy.

In a nutshell, they’re classically simple and well constructed, and they come in exactly the right shapes and sizes. They’re also unbelievably well priced.

I’ve put every one of these products to use (okay, well, except the diaper caddy, since we’re all done with diaper duty) both in my office and at home.

I recently bought the Small Storage Boxes for my office, and I adore both their function and fashion. My office is a robin’s egg blue and decorated with an ensemble of vintage and antique furniture (the centerpiece of which is my most prized personal possession – my father’s antique desk). My office is an eclectic mixture of colors and styles, but these cubbies are smart and simple enough to blend right in, not to mention provide organization in my busy office.

For my 6-year-old Lego-maniac, the Large Storage Bins allowed me to lose some of the blue plastic containers and swap them for something that looks great. The best part? They’re simple, basic, and functional enough that they didn’t even get any objections from my son, who often challenges my “fashion vs. function” suggestions in his room.

As for the hamper? I added that to my guest house bathroom – and love that it looks like I spent a lot more than I did for this great utility solution.

These storage solutions were created due to customer demand from parents who wanted a way to keep their kids’ rooms in control. But I’ve found one more thing they’re great for: their low price and great quality make them an easy and responsible replacement for gift-wrapping! They make a great container for building a gift basket or bundling baby gifts, and that’s a multi-tasking value I adore.

Designing | Products

December 10, 2009

Mariano Gil Extraordinaire

I attended the 22nd Annual Mount Sinai Ob/Gyn Fashion Show & Luncheon to benefit the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Services of The Mount Sinai Medical Center earlier this week. In addition to enjoying a great lunch with people dedicated to their so-called mission of “making grandparents” (what a great mission!), I also had the fortune to become introduced to a great artist named Mariano Gil.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he graduated as a medical doctor, Mariano moved to Boston on a scholarship to study music. Now a well-known children’s illustrator & artist & musician, Mariano lives in Brooklyn. Doctor, artist, musician - & a fabulous “A-list” addition! Not to mention another example of my favorite loves of living in New York City…being surrounded by talent that never ceases to inspire.

To enjoy more of Mariano’s work, check out http://www.marianogil.net/index.html

December 6, 2009

Fiery End of the Color Spectrum

“From rose to burgundy, accessories head toward the fiery end of the color spectrum…” Styling by Andrew Lutjens, Wall Street Journal Magazine.

I love this quote! And this trend call out is so right. And speaking of color trends, as we continue to see the market “warm up” with reds of all hues this holiday season, didn’t purple come and go quickly? Of course, I’ll never say that I told you so. But my vote sure lays with the lovely warmth of Fall/Winter 2009/2010 reds. And what a great way to kick off the new decade!

My big question? What new “reds” will be in baby products by Spring???

Designing | Products | Trends | giggle Grab Bag

October 29, 2009

Sometimes, Simple is Just Best.

I love our latest addition of holiday toys, these traditional craftsman wooden animal toys. What makes them especially lovely is that they pull off traditional baby design without losing any modern day sense of fun or responsibility! Fabulous yet exceedingly simple animal shapes, great bright colors, functional hand carve-outs – not to mention eco-friendly and healthy!

Made of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residual (plus sustainable solid wood wheels), this toy collection is handcrafted in the United States and painted with non-toxic, no-VOC paints. And for any of you that aren’t parents out there, the simple handle carve-outs are “grasps” incorporated into each animal’s design to make these easy for little hands during playtime. We used to see this wood design in early century toys all of the time. I’m seriously tickled to see traditional done so contemporary. My vote is that these toys are heirloom quality and will be passed down for generations to come. Hats off to this great collection; perfect for holiday gift giving this year – and beyond!

Designing | Green Living | Products

October 24, 2009

Tagalicious

Taga_Stroller Great bicycles are my kind of design – art that functions. In recent years, many have argued that great strollers have been inspired by great bicycles. An amazing company out of the Netherlands is arguing – “why not be both?”

Introducing Taga. The winner of the 2009 Red Dot Award, their “be moved” tagline delivers on the promise. Part bicycle, part uber-modern stroller (not to mention for an infant, a toddler, perhaps two – or even in a wagon vs. a bicycle seat?!), Taga is the definition of great design.

Check out this so-called “multifunctional urban vehicle uniquely designed to suit the needs of today’s parents and children” ( www.taga.nl ). The only part hard to love is the price – at least for now will keep this smart solution the lucky privilege of fewer urbanites than I hope we’ll see in months and years to come.

Designing | Out & About | Products | giggle Grab Bag

September 27, 2009

Just My Size: My Perfect Tote

Finding the perfect bag always reminds me of the Three Little Bears: “This bag’s too big. This bag’s too small.” And occasionally, if you’re lucky, you’ll find one that’s “just right.”

So many totes are close but just don’t quite work for one reason or another. But my Orla Kiely vintage fabric tote is definitely just right for me.

Unlike movie stars, most of us don’t change our bags to match our outfits every day. So my tote sees lots of use as the perfect solution for juggling work and motherhood in NYC. It’s a stylish workhorse with a little bit of a sense of humor that’s just my style.

These bags come in gorgeous colors (mine is kelly green), and I love their eclectic sensibilities. Orla Kiely uses daring combinations of patterns and colors that few other designers can pull off so stylishly.

Her brown & orange leaf pattern has become close to mainstream among stylish NY women. And while I’ve always admired the look and feel of her designs, my vintage fabric tote was my first. I had no idea that I would love her practical sensibilities just as much as her design aesthetic!

The cargo space is roomy without being too big, and it has an open top with an optional snap for easy access. It also has an internal zip pocket and two small open pockets (one inside and one out) for smaller items.
It’s got super strong handles. I seriously could not break this bag…and anyone who knows my work schedule knows that’s a testament to its construction.
I love the wallet tether because I don’t have to worry about losing my wallet. (Ever lay an open tote under your airplane seat then have to rummage around on the floor to retrieve your belongings?)
The laminate-like glossy finish makes it easy to wipe clean and keeps it looking fresh and fabulous even after you’ve been through some adventures together.

My Orla Kiely is my “just right”…I just wish I could buy another one exactly like it!!

Designing | Products | Trends | giggle Grab Bag

September 10, 2009

We All Live in a Green Submarine

I’m busy getting ready to head to Vegas next week for the ABC Kids Show, and then on to Germany for Kind + Jugend — two of the biggest juvenile products trade shows anywhere. Part of my ritual preparations involves sorting through the growing stacks of product fliers, photos and samples that crowd my office. I have to make sure that I’ve made my list and checked it twice about the brands, collections, and new product concepts I want see firsthand while I’m out in the market.

I’m sure I’ll reemerge in October with so many “A List” additions that we’ll be busy talking well into the holidays. But the process of preparation always reminds me of a few favorites that, for whatever reason, just can’t work in our giggle world but continue to be crushes of mine. Greenplay furniture is a great example.

Greenplay furniture is a self-described “creative, adaptable children’s furniture component system crafted from environmentally sustainable materials.” Their products are durable, attractive — and responsible. Made from only recycled, renewable and low-impact resources, finished with only low- or no-VOC paints, easily disassembled and recycled for reuse, Greenplay furniture is playroom equipment to love – whether it’s because of their smart, fun design or the comfort of knowing that they represent the safest, healthiest environment for our youngest generation…and for generations to come. What’s not to love, right?

Well, as a green enthusiast (not to mention parent) myself, I certainly applaud Greenplay’s responsibility. And one look at their Yellow Submarine (below) should tell you why I love the look of their line. Sadly, the catch is price. Simply put, smart engineering with green responsibility is still expensive today. At least too expensive for us, and, in most cases, too large for our giggle store floors. I keep thinking I can and will figure out a way to make them part of our beloved “giggle picks.” Their absence is certainly not for lack of love!

So, for those of you who happen to have a playroom construction project – or are a school or playroom with a budget surplus (!) – and are looking for more than just “kids furniture,” I cannot recommend Greenplay Furniture more. Check them out today.

Meanwhile, back to my piles in hopes of finding the next best giggle pick in the market next week…

GreenPlay Sub