Featuring >> Kallio

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"AT KALLIO, PRE-LOVED VINTAGE CLOTHING IS RECLAIMED, SORTED AND RE-SEWN IN ETHICAL FACTORIES AND GIVEN NEW LIFE. NOTHING IS WASTED. RE-IMAGINING THE BASIC CLOTHING FROM PREVIOUS GENERATIONS INTO ONE-OF-A-KIND STYLES FOR THE NEXT. 

THE CYCLE CONTINUES."

I was so excited for this day to roll around, because this brand has such a dear place in my heart and I couldn't wait to share it with you all!  I love the concept and the aesthetic behind Kallio and the lovely creator, Karina is "here" with us today to share her heart with us and give us a small glimpse into what all goes into Kallio on a day-to-day basis!

Welcome Karina...

 Karina, tell us how Kallio all started?

The fashion industry a wonderful and dynamic industry, however, there are many practices within the industry that worry me about the future health of our planet and our children. It is a little known fact that the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world. I believe that it doesn't have to be this way. With a more conscious approach to making clothing we can reduce the effect that we have on the environment. That is why I started Kallio to address the issues and create solutions. 

From a designers stand point what are some challenges you face day-to-day? 

Design to us is a problem solving endeavor. There are always new challenges that need new solutions. Our main challenge is how to constantly improve what we do to make healthier decisions for not only the people we work with but also for our customers and our environment.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren't creating beautiful clothes?

Participating and leading skill sharing workshops where people can learn to sew and up-cycle their own wardrobes. Yoga and meditating brings me back to center. It's like hitting the reset button. As much as I love living in Brooklyn I love to immerse myself in Nature by Hiking in the National and State Forests or swimming in the ocean.

What are a few of your favorite things about Kallio?

We are upcycling and diverting high quality perfectly good clothing from entering the waste stream and from polluting our environment. We are locally made and sources, Kallio is helping support and create jobs in our local area. We make clothing for everyday use, that is easy and comfortable so kids can be themselves. All Kallio garments are made a little on the larger side so that they can be worn for a couple of seasons or years and then get passed down to the next in line.

Share with us some visions your have for Kallio in the future?

Kallio was and is my entry point to a more sustainable future and conscious design. There are so many designers and artists that are working to create a healthier world. For this reason we are working on opening a Kallio work/SHOP. It would be a home for the Kallio brand as well as a place for workshops around sustainable design and a Pop-Up shop for other conscious designers and artists to introduce our local community to their stories and beautiful work.

Everly is wearing the Kimono Flannel Tunic Dress, paired with black hi-top converses.

Thank you so much Karina!  You are such a gem and it was a pleasure not only getting to know you, but getting the privilege to hear more about your amazing brand!  We welcome you back to share more anytime you wish to join us!  :)

Swimwear

I am always late to the game at buying swimwear.  I have been seeing all these amazing swimsuits for months now and I'm just now realizing as the Summer heat is kicking in that I really need to purchase suits for my children!  We booked our first vacation to the beach and I've been on the hunt for cute swimwear all week.  I finally narrowed down my top suits for Everly and Silas for this Summer, and these were at the top of my list!

I am so ready for vacation!  The last REAL vacation I went on was my honeymoon...  (Sad, I know.)  And guys, Everly is 2 1/2 and she has yet to see the beach!  That's just nuts!  I am so excited, because this will be a first that Everly and Silas will get to share and experience together - their first time to the beach!  I will be taking lots of pictures and hope to share them with you here!  :)

I like to keep things a bit more modest at the beach, because it's just something I want to teach my children, but it's also smart with the sun and my extremely fair babies.  I went with either tankini's or one-pieces for Everly, although, this bikini is pretty stinking cute from Gap.

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 With Silas, I have been in love with the brief style shorties.  They are perfect for him, since it's a meshy material so nothing is digging into his chubby belly and sides.  It seems to work best for his body type and to keep him most comfortable.  I also paired his bottoms with rashguards because, again, he is so incredibly fair, he needs to be protected from the sun at any cost.  I can't wait to see his chunky thighs hanging out of these!  ha!

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I would love to see what bathing suits you chose for your little ones this year!  If you would like to share, tag us at @urbancub on Instagram or use hashtag #UCstyle!  Can't wait to see!

Featuring >> G. Nancy

Georgia Nancy Nicholson is the creator of these comfortable, stylish and AMAZING kids pajamas. Most of you might know her as gdotnancy on Instagram, her feed is always adorable and she keeps us up to date on her latest pieces. She also creates bedding, and these "dressing gowns" that will make you want to be a kid again. Everything is made to fit your sweet babe just right and they have the perfect stretch to them. You can read more of her story here of how she became one of the best (personal opinion) designers for children's sleepwear.

I am a sucker for some good pajamas. I DO NOT pass them up when I see some that I love or ones that are made perfectly for Scarlett. When we saw G.Nancy for the first time that was our reaction. We just had to have a pair. I actually got pretty lucky in scoring a pair that she had posted on IG (flash sale, maybe?) and they have quickly become some of our favorites.

When we were looking around looking for people to re-brand the blog Bri came across Oli, creative mind behind Electric Puppet. We LOVE the work he did for us and we have a little spot for him in our heart. So when we connected the pieces and realized that him and Georgia are a precious couple, we fell even more in love with her.

She 'leaked' on Instagram that she was releasing new stuff with Oli's work on it! I am infatuated with the cockatoo, and the bear.....(naturally). Georgia sent Scarlett the Cockatoo Longs PJ Set, and I am thrilled. Oli's hand illustrated designs are perfectly placed on her ever so soft pajamas. They fit Scarlett perfectly, even during and after growth spurts. She has mastered the art of pajama making.

Scarlett loves a couple things with her whole heart. Being outside is one of them, and being at her Grandmas is another one. So what else could I do but take photos of her doing two of her favorite things?? I love seeing Scarlett at her happiest, doing the most simple of things. She has a laugh that is contagious, and no matter the mood you are in she will make you smile.

I haven't been able to spend as much time with Scarlett as I am used to, because of some family matters, so when I am with her I am in absolute awe of the little girl she has become. Even just a week of growth has changed her so much. She turned 21 months last week, and before I know it her second birthday will be here. They grow so fast, and honestly I feel so blessed to be able to witness such an amazing miracle. This little girl has my heart and soul.

-Scarlett's outfit details-
||  G.Nancy/Oli Holmes pj shirt  ||
||  G.Nancy star shorties similar here (ash stars)  ||

xox

PS. Oli made these signatures for us too!!!

21/52

"A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Scarlett // Her spirit keeps me alive. 

Everly // Everly loves animals, but she can be very timid around them as well.  This past weekend on Memorial Day, we took a trip to the Zoo and she had a blast!  She was even SO brave and feed the goats!  This is huge for Everly.  :)

Silas // My baby is 10 months old already and I am planning his 1st birthday!  I seriously can't believe how fast this year went!

Ulla Johnson >> Summer '14 Collection

Born and raised in Manhattan, Ulla Johnson honed her signature style in the streets of New York City. Inspired by the raw energy of the metropolis, Ulla draws fresh insights into how clothes can empower and inspire women. Her eponymous line, founded in 2000, immediately caught the attention of the fashion press. Growing from a handful of local, independent boutiques, Ulla Johnson’s collection has garnered the support of retailers across the US, Europe, and Asia. She has never wavered in her steadfast attention to the details of construction that have become her hallmark, basing each of her exquisite collections on a timeless foundation of natural fibers, beautiful finishing, and proper fit.

The Ulla Johnson label has become synonymous with custom prints, intricate details and fine tailoring, all of which have earned her a loyal and global customer base. Her regard for process has led to enviable growth, in both press and retail presence, and the clean, cultivated femininity of her designs have charmed some of fashion's sharpest critics.

 It can be hard to find a label that repeatedly, season after season, is giving you the look you are searching for.  Ulla Johnson seems to never fail in this expertise, as she always hits the bulls-eye.  I am in love with this Summer '14 collection!  I truly wish I could afford to purchase every single piece, because this collection is by far one of my favorites from any label on the market.  

What I love most about this brand, is you can tell Ulla is a mom herself.  She not only hits it in the mark for attaining the every day woman style, but she masters the perfect look for a busy mom on-the-go, that is handling children.

You can view more of Ulla Johnson's Spring and Summer '14 collections here and can purchase at MILLE, Shopbop, Revolve and Barney's.

Featuring >> Lisa Chow

 Brittany and I met via Instagram, and our main draw to one another was our sweet little loves, Scarlett and Everly (Silas wasn't born yet.).  We both admired one another in so many ways and of course loved the way each other dressed and styled our girls.  When we decided to start a blog together, we had the little girls exchange little mail packages, that included little gifts from one another.  Everly and Scarlett quickly became best buds and even Facetime when they get the chance.  It is such a cute little bond and it has been a joy to watch them interact.  Everly talks about Scarlett regularly and their friendship could not be any cuter!

Brittany and I watched their long distance friendship blossom and we knew there had to be a lot of other little ones in the same situation as Everly and Scarlett - where mama's meet online/Instagram and friendships are created between themselves and their little ones.

Brittany and I had a little vision and we really wanted to do something for all these little friends around the world, to make their connection all the more sweeter.  We scoped out some artists and really felt we found our perfect match with Lisa Chow!  We knew after we saw her work that she would be able to create exactly what we were looking for and bring our vision to light.

And thus came...  Lisa Chow + Urban Cub BEST FRIEND TATTOOS!

We are so BEYOND excited with how these sweet tattoos turned out!  (Lisa, you are AMAZING!!)  We really wanted to create a universal tattoo that any little one could sport.  With each pack you get a "BEST" side and a "FRIEND" side, so your little one can keep the one side and send the other side off to their bestie; near or far.

Here is Everly drawing some pictures on some beautiful Lisa Chow Art stationary and rocking her tattoos from Scarlett!

Okay, so what do you think?  We really hope you love them as much as we do!  If you decide to buy a set, be sure to use code "URBANCUB" at checkout to purchase them for only $5!  When you receive them, be sure to use hashtag #lisachowplusUC, to be featured on our Instagram!  Also, I'm not gonna lie, I was even getting my Lisa Chow + Urban Cub tattoos on and they are pretty awesome!  :)

Thank you again Lisa for creating everything we hoped for and more!  This collaboration with you has been a blast!  I hope this is just the first of many more.  You have been a dream to partner with and I always get a chuckle when I read your emails.  You are so real and I love that about you!  I hope you are enjoying life with your new GORGEOUS baby girl!  (Enjoy it, it goes so fast!)

To follow Lisa on Instagram to see this adorable little girl I'm speaking of and to see all her latest art go here.  Or you can also follow her on Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook.  I would if I were you!  ;)

Everly's Outfit Details:

Dress: Soft Gallery (currently 15% off!)

Sandals: Saltwaters (use code "roadtrip" for 20% off!)

Hairclip: The Littles