Alium Boutique  opened in Garzon (Uruguay) in 2008 by Carolyn Prevett (textile designer) and Mariano Piñeyrúa (industrial designer), founders of  Alium Design Studio. Both students of the Centro de Diseño Industrial (CDI) Montevideo, Carolyn and Mariano play with the aesthetics of the peaceful village. Respecting the materials and techniques of craftsmen, Alium develops unique and original products

Deborah Beau started her blog Kickan & Conkers in 2009. Since then, she’s been posting everyday (at least) about wonderful finds of all sorts : wooden toys, vintage dolls, paper design, books, illustrations and much more. Besides her prodigious blogging, Deborah Beau has also been an incredibly active networker, bringing together the best bloggers, creating links and building a nice community around her.

The largest city in the Southern hemisphere, Sao Paolo counts 20 millions habitants, 10 millions cars and the largest Italian, Jewish, Japanese communities in the world. A tower of Babel full of energy and vitality. And stunning architecture. Could you live here?

Jeanette Petersen recently launched Little Fashion Factory, a PR Firm specialised in children’s products, in Copenhagen.

Rio modern, Rio vintage, Rio decadent, Rio is so much beauty and fun. We LOVED staying at charming and very friendly Hotel Mama Ruiza. Thanks to Jean-Michel and his team. We also liked the private visit of Casa Amarelo, the hotel owned by the founder of French brand Robert le Heros for its inspiring design.

Lamps “Favourite things” by Chen Karlsson for Studio Eno

Eulalie is a cute as her name, and as blod as the summer sun - Marine her mother is the founder of e-store Little Factory.

It was fun to visit the store-atelier of Petit Retro in Sao Paolo. It was like being transposed to Paris for a moment.

Petit Retro , a Franco-Brazilian brand of accessories and decor, was created in 2004 when two friends, Luca Schiller (Brazilan with a French soul) and Tinou Le Joly Senoville (French illustrator) decided to join forces. Luca and Tinou  put together a poetic and playful concept based on childhood memories, extensive use of colours

Photos by Rio de Janeiro born photographer Marc Ferrez (1843-1923)

We found a lovely place in the hills of Santa Teresa : Lola Cafe Atelier. Lola is an artist who produces lots of colourful and playful thinks, for kids and their rooms : garlands, little frames, hair clips, jewellery, felt crowns, etc. The best of her creations is a mini stove/oven made out of recycled steel container, bottle and jar taps. My daughters had an incredible amount of fun playing at Lola’s. Like being back to the good old times when toys were invented and created, not manufactured.