Saplings Winter 2015 by Saplings Magazine

SAPLINGS MAGAZINE

Winter 2015

Saplings

WINTER

2015 80

50 21

44 Face of 2

CONTENTS 5 Editors Letter 8 The Pacific North West 21 Cooking Class by Elizabeth Messina 26 Apple Pear Oatmeal Crisp 27 A Healthy Winter 28 Au Rythme De Mom Coeur 44 LittleMissMatched 50 Changing the Face of Beauty 58 Moodie

by Lila Purdy by Elke Van De Velde | Seattle, Washington by Elizabeth Messina by Joanna Siaw by Josephine Appiah, MPH by Marjolaine Photography | Camas, Washington by Iris Tan Photography by Katie Driscoll | 5 boys 1 girl = 6 photography by Sarah Cichy

60 Mini Souls Interview

by Lila Purdy | Charlotte, North Carolina

64 Adventures in the Indee

by Lila Purdy | Charlotte, North Carolina

79 Incy Interiors

by Kristy Withers

80 Holiday Blues

by Anna Ksenzenka

86 Toucan Interview

by Sarah Cichy

90 Giddy Up and Grow Interview

by Arielle Bailey | Charlotte, North Carolina

94 Chic Child

by Arielle Bailey | Charlotte, North Carolina

WINTER 2015

ON THE COVER 3

Models: Jasmine, Harper, & Luca Photography by Elizabeth Messina Stylist: Kiki Tillman

Editor’s letter Bhrrrr. It’s cold and just like that winter is here. I’ve always found the season of winter to be a time for us to slow down and think about our futures. Right around this time we begin to set our New Year’s resolutions. We start to plan what is going to change in our household, businesses, our personal life, and overall how the New Year be a better year than the last. Saplings Magazine will see many changes in 2016. For starters, we will be changing our name to Halcyon Kids. The word Halcyon means happy, blissful carefree and successful. Saplings is at a new stage and now I’m thinking more about branding and having a meaning behind the brand. I’m super excited for this change. Also, Halcyon Kids will release bi-annual issues – Spring / Summer and Autumn / Winter. There will be plenty more changes but you will have to stay tuned to find out what they will be! Stick around as we grow into another chapter of our journey, and as always, thank you for being awesome readers and supporters. Many virtual hugs to you all.

Lila

Our Contributors Saplings Magazine Winter 2016 Editor in Chief | Lila Purdy Art Director | Arielle Bailey Authors Lila Purdy Arielle Bailey Iris Tan Katie Driscoll Sarah Cichy Joanna Siaw Josephine Apphia, MPH

Photographers Elke Van De Velde Elizabeth Messina Lila Purdy Marjolaine Richards Iris Tan Anna Ksenzenko Katie Driscoll

THE PACIFIC NORTH WEST P H O T O G R A P H E R E L K E VA N D E V E L D E A RT D I R E C T O R J A M I E A R E N D T STYLIST MEG SCHMITT H A I R /M A K E - U P H E I D I N Y M A R K MODELS LUCA, AMARA: OMM, ESTELLA: SMG

LUCA IS WEARING T OPSH OP H AT, B U FF N E C K W R A P, M A R MOT FL E E C E , MI N I RO D I NI RAINCO AT, C R EW C U TS C OR D U R OYS, H I TEC H I K I N G BOOTS O P P O S IT E PA G E : E STE L L A I S W E A R I N G H & M TOP

AM ARA I S W EARI N G M I N I RO D I N I S WE AT S H I RT, CREW CU T S S KI RT, G U NNE R & L U X N ECK L A C E O P P O S I T E PA G E : E S T E L L A I S WE A R I N G M I NI R OD I N I L E G G I N G S , H U N T ER BO O T S

AM AR A I S W E AR I N G C R EW C U T S BACK PACK A N D S K I RT, D IES EL CO AT, A N N E K U R IS S W E AT S H I RT, A D ID A S B O OT S O P P O S I T E PAG E : K ILN W IT C H N E CK L ACE , MIN I R O D I N I D R E S S , T H E N O RT H FA C E J ACK E T, H U N T ER BO O T S L UCA I S W E A R I N G G A P15 K ID S BUT T O N UP, M IN I R O D IN S W E AT S H I RT, B A RT S M I T T E N S T H E N O RT H FA C E J ACK E T, H & M D E N I M , A D ID A S B OOT S

ESTELLA IS WEARING BENETTON VEST O PPOS ITE PAGE: BARTS MITTENS, PATAGON IA FLEECE JACKET, STELLA MCCARTNEY KIDS SWEATSHIRT, GAP KIDS JEANS, 16 SUNSHINE JUBILEE SOCKS, TEVA SANDALS

PHOTOGRAPHER: Iris Tan MUA: Susan Donoghue ASSISTANT/on set stylist: Raquel Nese CLOTHING: LittleMissMatched 44

little miss matched

There are many things in life that can be boring but kids fashion shouldn’t be one of them! At LittleMissMatched we believe in boldly expressing who you are through your socks and your clothes; and that means missmatching to your heart’s desire! We’re all individuals and it’s time to celebrate it. Our brand inspires creativity through the use of bright colors and mixing funky patterns. Are you ready to join in on the fun?

LittleMissMatched’s holiday collection brings lots of exciting new arrivals designed to keep girls warm without sacrificing the very pillar that our brand was built on—brilliant and vibrant pieces encouraging girls to be themselves! Check out what our Creative Director has to say about our latest collection:

Got sparkle? Our Holiday 2015 collection shines with plenty of ideas to gift bright! This season is about our classics with a luxury twist. Our classic peacoat has been updated as a shiny nylon puffer with a zip! Whether on the slopes or just sitting pretty in the lodge, be sure to bundle up with our fuzzy sweaters, cozy winter wear, adorable slipper socks, and luxe fleece weekend pants you’ll want to relax in all season long! And don’t miss our holiday smelly socks… who doesn’t love the smell of holiday cookies and chocolate milk? The only thing missing is you!

Changing the face of beauty

PHOTOGRAPHER: Katie Driscoll, 5 boys 1 girl = 6 Photography CLOTHING: The Good Ones and See Kai Run (shoes) 51

Changing the Face of Beauty is not only an approved nonprofit 501c3; it is a way of thinking. Did you know that individuals with disabilities make up the LARGEST minority in the world? Yet, they are the least represented in media and advertising. In 2014, there were only four television commercials using a model with a disability. Did you know that is the most ever? It is true. These individuals are almost invisible in our media world. For the past three years, we have been growing a conversation that will change the landscape of advertising. We continually try and think of creative ways to encourage the industry to use people with disabilities when casting their advertising imagery. We started this campaign around my kitchen table almost four years ago. A friend and I discussed the lack of representation in the media. We were specifically looking for examples of our children. There were few retailers we could pinpoint that regularly represented and valued our families. There are close to 154 million companies globally, how could there be just a few that regularly include people who have visible differences? This was not acceptable. Our children are born with limitations that come from having a disability but they should not have to face limitations from the world they live in. Parents and familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream of opportunity, acceptance, and independence for their children, regardless of their disability, just like any other parent. Because our children remain virtually nonexistent in our advertising world, there remains a stigma that harbors fear. When my daughter was born with Down syndrome I made a decision that I would raise her like all my other children. Her future is just as valuable as my five sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s futures. I knew I would have to work harder and smarter for her. Her struggle to sit up, walk, and talk inspired me to dig deep into myself and find my own purpose in my own future.

I am a mom of six kids, but there was something missing and I found it behind my camera. I immersed myself in photography for a couple reasons. It gave me the opportunity to tap into my creativity and show the world what was happening with my daughter. I was able to capture images that let people know that even though she will walk a different path she will live a full and happy life. She will be seen by the world she lives in. I learned early that people respond to imagery much quicker than they do to words. I have also learned over the past three years that if you want change you have to SHOW the world what is possible. I work daily to create imagery that communicates what is possible when you give people of all abilities the opportunity to be seen together. We have directly influenced over 100 companies in four countries to help us change the landscape of advertising. These 100 companies are committed to including at least one model with a disability in their ads in 2015. We are so proud of each one of them for showing their consumers that everyone matters regardless of ability. We have big dreams for 2016. We hope to encourage more advertising firms, photographers and marketing directors that there is value in all their consumers. 52% of our population is touched by a disability. That is one in two people who either have a disability or know and love someone with a disability. This message is important and consumers are paying attention. They want to know their retailers see and represent the people that matter to them. If you want more information on our mission, partnerships or our current â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proud Participating Companiesâ&#x20AC;? please go to changingthefaceofbeauty.org

Time we lounged around with a little more tude dude! Moodie is the stylish lounge/sleep wear brand that has captured the principles of colour, vibrancy and design. Founded by Phebe Bartle and native New Yorker and fashion designer, Jody Templeton, the Moodie collection gives children (infancy to 9 years old) comfortable and quirky snug-fit loungewear that they can wear whilst chillin’ around the house, travelling on adventures both big and small, and most importantly to sleep in. Each garment features the Moodie brand ambassador, a recognizable little black sheep badge. So if you don't see the sheep- you're not dressed for sleep! Each of the gorgeous designs have been created to ensure kids are comfortable at all times. Moodie puts the "good mood with less tude" back into bedtime. Our little tots can now transition from the sofa to their beds without disruption. Now, that’s dreamy! ‘We wanted to create loungewear for kids that is easy, comfortable and is available in a funky combination of colours and designs that we know both mums and kids would love,’ says Phebe. Made to be awesome, each design has been inspired by little people’s unique moodiness, incorporating graphic prints, quirky design, and a lil’ bit of black. . Colourful, cool, and oh so cosy, the loungewear is made from 100% prewashed jersey cotton knit fabrics.

MINI SOULS Instagram: @minisouls

Two Canadian ladies with a mother who can sew just about anything, work together to bring you the completely handmade clothing line, Mini Souls. Focusing on pops of color, unexpected patterns, high quality and affordability, Mini Soulsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clothing is built for those seeking stylish comfort for their kids. 60

I have followed Mini Souls but for those that have not yet discovered your brand, give us a summary on the individuals behind Mini Souls? My sister and I were raised wearing our mother’s creations. When our friends were wearing Hyper Colour T-shirts or Vuarnet France, we were wearing clothing that our mom made. At the time, we didn’t realize how lucky we were. As we started having our own children, we really began to appreciate handmade clothing. Mini Souls is truly a family affair, we are a mother daughter trio based out of Toronto, Canada. Our mom, Donna is the primary seamstress. She is completely self-taught and can make anything we ask her to! Melanie does all of the screen printing and it seems like her hands are permanently stained. Emily manages the ins and outs of the Etsy shop. Together, we dream, sew, design, silk screen and dream some more. What were your inspirations when creating Mini Souls? As we became parents, we had such an appreciation for unique, handmade products for our children – which inspired us to start creating pieces that our own kids could wear. Comfort and style are both very important aspects of the clothing we make. We want babies and kids to feel comfortable and look great at the same time.

Interview by: Lila Purdy

HANDMADE PRODUCTS ARE MORE THAN JUST A PRODUCT. EVERYTHING THAT LEAVES OUR SHOP IS MADE WITH LOVE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

How do you stay up to date with what is trending? I’m not sure that we do. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. We definitely pay attention to what is popular but we really choose our fabrics based on colours and prints that we love. Your brand is handmade, why was this route decided versus using a manufacturer? And how important is your decision? Handmade products are more than just a product. Everything that leaves our shop is made with love and attention to detail. We offer originality, comfort and sweatshop-free fashion, while promising great quality and durability at a price that is affordable. Our clothing is made to last. Sometimes that intention can get lost when you turn it over to big manufacturers. We have become a part of a great community of creators and makers and we feel really proud of that. Your brand has a lot of neat patterns, are the patterns and graphics created in house? The graphics for the t-shirts and onesies are designed and screen printed by us. We are really proud to be Canadian, and that is definitely an influence behind the designs we create. Our fabrics are chosen with a colour and design pallet in mind. We always create using must-have basics like solid

black and grey, and then we like to bring in pops of colour and unexpected patterns as well. What are your future plans for mini souls? As we continue to grow we would love to be a brand that is widely recognized, and known for being unique and well made. Our dream is to have our own store with a retail space upfront, and a studio in the back - where we could teach sewing and screen-printing workshops. Since this is the winter issue, what present are you hoping to have under the christmas tree this year? This year we’re planning a family vacation. Instead of presents under the tree, we are opting for sunshine and sand between our toes! Our kids still managed to create a lengthy list of gifts from Santa, which include everything Star Wars and Frozen.

Adventures at the

INDEE

PHOTOGRAPHER: Lila Purdy HAIR &MUA: Amber Todd ASSISTANT STYLIST: Sarah Mckee CLOTHING: Stylist own, Nastershum, and Berits Lilla

INCY INTERIORS

Kristy Wither provides Top Bedroom Trends for 2016 1. Vintage. 2016 we are taking a trip back to enjoy a little bit of vintage with a contemporary twist and turn. To share a piece of the past with your little ones- we love the Polly Bed and the Tween Peacock Chair which is super fun and gives nursing mummies a stylised seat to sit back on! 2. Read Your space- Bok cases will be huge in the New Year. They help to define a space, add a dramatic feature to the room, and most importantly introduce our little ones to books from a very early age. It’s important you read your space first and find a book shelf that fits! Small book shelves in a large room may be lost- whilst large bookshelves in a small room will be too overpowering. 3. Scandi –Scandinavian pure, pared back look is a favourite for the season. There is a strong focus on clean lines and expert craftsmanship that rely on light tones and subtly. 4. Natural–Simplicity and lightness are at the forefront of design in 2016, with natural and whitewash tones taking the lead. A neutral colour palette is the key to a great child’s room because you can subtly or dramatically change the room by adding pops of colour and experiment with playful accessories like bed linen, cushions and throws. For a glamourous understatement, stay natural with the Mason Bed. 5. Statement Mat- To open a smaller space without adding layers of decorations and clutter, simply select a change table mat that is bright, add pops of colour and a statement piece for your sweetie. Bambella Designs have an amazing selection of Change Table Mats in a pretty palette of shades sure to dress up your darling’s room. 6. Layered Love – whether it be a mixture of colours, textures/ or both, layers adds dimension and means that you can enjoy creative flexibility without having to commit to a colour story. Start with a beautiful base such as the Hannah Bed and go OTT with throws and pillows such as the Love Letter Blanket which will be sure to add a punch of personality that won’t’ get sleepy! 7. Magic Metallic – 2016 will be so shimmery! Enjoy a little metallic magic using bronze, silver and gold applications against bright white! The classic subtly of metallic has a warm tone and will complement the balance of the home. Australia’s styling sweetheart, Megan Morton has collaborated with Incy Interiors to create a limited edition four poster bed that brilliantly blurs the boundaries between art and design. Available in single, queen and king, this piece is every child’s ‘furniture fairy-tale;’ providing a symmetrically- styled slumber that our sweeties will love. 8. Colourful Dreams – For those who love the circus, get colour- creative! Choose a ‘colour story’ and add a mirror, painting or wall art and help reiterate these shades. We love the kip girl bed which features multi-coloured panels that are vibrant and stylish, and a talking point for years to come. 9. Balancing Act – Avoid bulky furniture and introduce smaller pieces that won’t overpower the space. Bounce around the idea of a novel bean bags such as the Blue Spice Bean Bag or Deer Bean Bag. 79

toucan.

Tell me a little about yourselves? We are two sisters (Renee and Natalie) living in Sydney and have a love of interiors, design and colour. We each have one child (NAME), a boy and a girl (NAME) and love to go on family holidays and travel together. Now to your business; what is it called and what motivated you to open it? Our business is called Toucan - We each have children and wanted to create beautiful, modern spaces where they (and their dreams) can grow. Art brings such a beautiful energy to a room. It provides a talking point, helps to frame the space and injects it with colour and creativity. The business started as just a hobby and then we knew we could create contemporary designs to generate positive energy and give kids the opportunity to visualize their true potential. We came up with the name because we believed that as sisters- we could create something magic toucan- it’s

a bit of a play on the words – twocan/ toucan. It just fits. We work from an office and have recently relocated to a larger space to be able to accommodate staff and production- things have been pretty busy to say the least! What sorts of prints do you have? We have a large suite of designs that parents and children just love. The capsule consciously draws upon motivational or inspirational quotes to help generate positive energy to give our kids the opportunity to visualize their true potential. For those who just need a sign, timeless and charming scriptured art pieces will dress your walls with hope, inspiration, motivation and positive thoughts including: ‘Dream Big Little One,’ ‘From Little Things’ and ‘Good Vibes Only.’ By creatively combining inspiring messages and quotes with beautiful typography and artworks, Toucan ensures motivation is never more than a glance away. For something a little sweeter, children will just love our ‘Ice-Cream’ or ‘Popsicle’ prints which uses a punky 87

punch of dandelion yellow and pink gin against a beautiful Bahama blue. Alternatively, be wild and free with the ‘Flamingo Heart,’ ‘Water Coloured Deer,’ or ‘Love you more than I could Bear’ print. Are these prints or paintings and who does the production work? All the prints have been designed they are all designed by us and printed here in our Sydney studio. Not only do we print our website collection of prints, we also produce custom art pieces and personalised prints. The designs are very personal to us as each design in the collection is inspired by our daily inspirations, children and what puts a smile on their face. What’s the message behind these collections? All prints are really fun and playful. Some are cheeky and light-hearted in a palette of refreshing colours. The scriptured, motivational pieces have been designed to inspire kids to reach their true potential.

What was your first collection called? Our first collection was called ‘Sparkle and Shine’ as we introduced our signature look glitter effect within the print designs. What motivates you? Our children are our main motivators. If we know they get the tick of approval from our children and their friends, then we know it will be a hit for the hundreds. We also are very proud to have started a successful business that is loved by Australian mums and kids nationwide.

Also there are been lots of artwork with inspiring work, words and things more motivational? Why is this? Good Question! I think people sometimes just need a sign! I love the fact that when my children wake up, one of the first things my children see is something that will make them smile. Motivational signs help to give our children a smile; positive step and comfort them. We try to capture as much positive energy as possible. What’s your favourite? ‘Golide Ice-cream’ and is one of our best sellers still today! It’s fun, colourful and makes us smile!

Where do you get inspiration for your collection? Everyday life. We keep abreast of local and international trends to create pieces of art that capture the principles of art and design. At the end of the day- we really are inspired by our children’s smiles, interests, giggles and even conversations they’re having with their friends. Recently there has been a real shift in the way we decorate our children’s room. Can you talk about what sort of wall art are making its mark in children’s rooms? Colour plays a big part as it sets the mood of a room - for children in particular we can use colour to create a fun and happy space for them while being on trend and modern from a decor perspective. Lots of fun designs such as ice creams, fruits and little animals are also making their mark right now as again it adds character and fun to their rooms!

STYLING TIPS Renae and Natalie provide Styling tips on ways the home decorator can use wall art to make their children’s room stand out. • Be confident with proportions and ensure you have spatial awareness when it comes to selecting artwork. Select a large print to feature on a large wall – this will ensure the print doesn’t become ‘lost.’ Alternatively, select a series of small prints and strategically place them in different sized frames. • Take the time to hang artwork correctly. Mark the centre of the painting with a little faint dot, and ensure it sits straight- there’s nothing worse than a beautiful piece that’s lopsided! • If art is the last thing to be chosen for the room, draw inspiration from colours already featured in the space. You may have navy, yellow and aqua tones in your rug and cushions, which can then translate into a colour palette for your art. • When selecting art it’s important to consider your child’s interest, reflects their interests and creates a positive vibe and energy. At the end of the day, art is very personal- if it brings a smile, you know you’ve made the right decision!

Giddy Up and Grow Interview by Arielle Bailey

Please tell us your name, the location of your company, and the story behind “Giddy Up and Grow.” My name is Robyn Turnbull, Owner of Giddy Up and Grow, located in Alberta, Canada. Our children’s brand of accessories was created in 2010, right after I had my second child (a daughter). I used my love of design, to create our first line of accessories for babies and little girls. Because I had a newborn, I worked very slowly at growing the business in the beginning

stages, so I could accommodate the unpredictable schedule of two kids under 4. It wasn’t until my daughter was 2 years old, that I was able to start focusing on growing the business, and expand our line of accessories into hair and jewelry. Fast forward 5 years later, and we are a successful accessories brand, with presence in boutiques worldwide, and landed our second magazine cover this past September. All of your products are unique and not like anything I’ve seen

in stores. Being that they’re handcrafted, what special materials would you say you use? We spend a ton of time on attention to detail in our pieces. Our goal is to make sure every customer goes away feeling like they just purchased a special piece of art. Every piece is made from the highest quality of materials. We use a mixture of wool felt, high-end fabrics, upcycled leather, and sometime unique vintage finds. Because of the handmade nature of our pieces, every customer

truly gets a one of a kind piece, made special just for them! It’s pretty cold outside, which Starbucks drink have you had handy while working lately? I am pretty much a no fuss kind of girl. My go to drink of choice is an Americano with cream. But then I always make sure to grab a decadent pastry like a scone or my fav holiday treat, Cranberry Bliss Bar! Yum You create in your home studio, which allows you to be

at home with your two kids. I’m sure they’ve helped you develop designs in some way. Which items from your collection did they inspire? Oh my gosh, my daughter always has an opinion on my designs. Noelle is now almost 6 (her birthday is just before Christmas), so she has her own “style”. I always show her a sample collection to see what she has to say. The pieces that she immediately grabs and wants for herself are the pieces I know will be big hits. She loves

anything with sparkle! Are there any current trends in accessory design? If so, which of your items would you say really follows the trend? For the Holidays, I see a trend in Woodland designs. Lots of Woodland Animals like Reindeer, or Arctic animals like Penguins. We have these super cute gold glitter Reindeer Antler Hair Clips, which have been one of our top holiday designs.

Name two 'holiday' pieces that you would recommend to our readers for a little stocking stuffer idea. Our hair clip sets make the perfect stocking stuffer. I adore the Gingerbread Man set: http://giddyupandgrowshop.com/collections/hair-clips/products/ gingerbread-man-hair-clip-set or the Winter Mittens Hair Clip Set: http://giddyupandgrowshop.com/collections/hair-clips/products/mitten-and-snowballhair-clip-set Name two items you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t design without! Mine are my Moleskin notebook and my headphones. My design journal, where I sketch ideas and write our collection lists, and my sharpie markers, for making patterns. What about Giddy Up and Grow do you feel makes your company stand out from other accessory designers? We have the best quality and attention to detail. I have spent many hours over the past 6 years, perfecting our process, and we come up with our own original ideas. Not too many other shops offer a Narwhal Hair Clip, or Bohemian Mouse Ears! We stick true to our philosophy or creating pieces that inspire imagination! Kids have their whole lives to dress as adults. We give them the opportunity to just be kids. Accessory design is a very unique industry. At this point in your career, what advice would you give to others who may want to start designing accessories as well? The best advice I can give is to offer something unique to you. So many small shops fail within the first year, because they try to offer something they think people want instead of sticking true to their design esthetic. The whole point of accessories is for people to be able to add a personal touch to their outfit. If all accessories were the same, there would be no personal style.

Photo by: London Scout www.Unsplash.com