Frog Prince, by Marbushka

Hungarian toy manufactory Marbushka just released their new game to the market. It is supposed to be their most beautiful game ever, but I think it is just as beautiful as all their other games. Sequel to The Lost Necklace, The Frog Prince will surely be the perfect addition to your family's gaming table.

Our story begins with a rash promise made by the well in the castle courtyard. The princess was playing with her golden ball on the edge of the well when the ball fell into the water. The princess was sobbing… in her despair, she even promised the frog who hurried to help her that in exchange for the ball, he may go with her to the palace. The frog helped gladly, hoping that this girl would finally break the curse and turn him back into a handsome prince once again with her kiss, but when the princess held her favorite toy in her hands again, she didn’t want to keep any of her promises anymore, and she left him. The frog went after her to remind her of her forgotten promise…

Piktopest - Kids souvenir collection from Budapest

Souvenirs are a dear subject to me. Many years ago we started buying magnets on our travels. That seemed like a sensible thing to do, it is small, easy to carry and it hangs on your fridge all the time, and whenever you see  it you remember the good times. But, truth be told, even though there are some beautiful magnets out there, most souvenir fridge magnets are crap. Crap dear to your heart nevertheless. So it happens, that because I had a certain number of magnets on my fridge, my friends got the idea that I was collecting them, and they started bringing me magnets from places I've never been. The whole crap-collection started losing it's appeal, I couldn't connect to it any longer, except at moments when I was picking them off the floor and swearing. Needless to say, when we moved I packed them all in a box, where they are still resting in peace. I have this great series over at Eastok Europe, where I tell you all about the souvenirs you will never want to hide in the box.


Budapest based graphic designer Zita Majoros, who also happens to be my friend (our sons are actually friends, we just sort of tag along:) and the owner of a cool design concept store Printa Budapest, where the best coffee in town is served, has created a kids souvenir collection called Piktopest.
I am normally not too crazy about souvenir T's, but Printa T-shirts are really cool even outside the souvenir category. We're still in love with the one P got for his birthday last year. And could you resist a T-shirt with pooing dog on it? If you've been to Budapest don't think so:)
Printa has a great grownup souvenir selection too AND they have a contest going on at the moment called Love in Print Phrase Contest, if you have some original thoughts on Love submit them here, you might land some Printa stuff if you win.

What kind of souvenirs do your kids get when you travel?

Starry Light Lamps

I want to show you some more fantastic products I had a chance to see up close last week on madeinhungary exhibition. Along with Kattuska's  (whose wooden sword you can win here now) new product premier I have a few favorites I will be sharing with you in the next several days.

I'll start with Starry Light Lamps by graphic designer Anna Farkas and interior designer Miklós Batisz!

Starry Light Lamp is a beautifully simple and sophisticate lamp with a unique feature which will project a real view of the night sky to your walls, while thin, subtle lines drawn on the inner surface will help you identify different constellations. I can't imagine a better combination of design and educational object for my kids room. Stargazing at bedtime. Perfect!

Source of light for Starry Light lamps was also developed specifically for this collection,
while the LED fixture can project a strong direct light downwards it is providing ideal circumstances
for the stars to shine at the same time.

Since each lamp is hand made for you upon order, besides the standard celestial constellations of the Northern Hemisphere’s two equinoxes and solstices, it can be ordered and customized to any given date, time and geographical location. Super romantic wedding present, perfect for you new baby's nursery, or your starstruck school kid.

Love it!

In addition to the lamp being perfect, Anna Farkas, a gentle half of the designer duo was just rewarded a special prize in the category of visual communication at the Hungarian Design Award 2013. for the Starry Light brand identity.

Kattuska's new 3 in 1 wooden wander + GIVEAWAY

You probably came across Kattuska wooden products on pinterest - beautiful, contemporary, eco friendly. Last week on Made in Hungary 2013 Kattuska presented their brand new toy/furniture piece, a 3 in 1 rocking horse/feeding chair/drawing table. Kattuska seems to traditionally be presenting new products during the Made in Hungary exhibition. Their debut as a brand happened during Made in Hungary last year. Hopefully we can see at least one new every year.

Read my interview with Kata Toth to learn more about the brand!

Designed to be easily converted to it's next function without reassembling it this rocking horse can be a perfect addition to smaller space homes without having to give up on something you'd normally not have the space for.

Kata Toth, the creative brain behind Kattuska is in love with horses since she was a kid. Multipurpose toys are not a novelty, this new product is a re-design of those more in one pieces that were already around in their childhood.

To celebrate Made in Hungary Bag of Pretty teamed up with Kattuska and Eastok Europe in order for you to be able to win this cool wooden sword.

Zinka & Simafül

A few months ago I wrote about Viki in connection with beautiful Soulglobes, so when a month or so ago Zinka & Simafül exhibition opened in the nearby Műhely Coffeehouse & Gallery (cute little place with homemade cakes and really good coffee) I knew I had to be there with P.

Zinka & Simafül started as a bunch of illustrations Viktoria Hitka made for her daughter Milla. Some time later it evolved into a real children's book, with text written by László Gál.

 

Zinka is a good hearted little girl with messy hair and a magic coat.

Her best friend is Simafül - the doggy. He has the nicest little soft ears in the whole world. The two friends were born on the same day and they never ever part. They discover the world and go on adventures together...

Shadowboxes made for this exhibition were incredible. If I could take one home, I would be able to choose.

I so hope for all of you non-Hungarian speakers that Zinka books get published in English too. Meanwhile I am happy I don't have to worry about that for my kiddos:)

Calendars you will want

It is very hard for me to comprehend, but it really is that time of year already. Time to talk about holiday gifts, calendars and planners.

This year, for the first time, Két Egér (Two Mice) bookstore (Budapest) decided to have 2013. planners printed. But not just your regular planners. They gathered 7 designers, to create a limited edition of 70 planners (10 each) - hard covered, hand bound 112 pages printed on recycled paper.

Diána Barcsi - Bimba

Anna Holló

Fruzsina Kun

Zsuzsi Kupcsik

Dóri Lévai

Mariann Márai - Pikku Dot

Diána Nagy - Picidia

They can be bought at the bookstore, or on Wamp on Dec 9, 16, 23.
See the rest of the photos here.