5 WAYS TO...FRESHEN UP FOR SPRING!

After a long and rainy winter, I think it is finally fair to say that Spring has arrived! What better way to bring it in than filling the house with some fresh life. I've rounded up my top five ways to freshen our kids' spaces and home for Spring.

1.     Fresh flowers: There is something about bringing flowers into the home that clears the air and makes the room feel new again. These ones from Landeau are a total indulgence (they were a gift!) but a table can even be transformed with flowers that you have picked along a walk and kids LOVE helping to put them into vases, especially in their own rooms.

2.     Fresh pillows: I love changing out the throw pillows in the kids' rooms and adore these ones from Anthropologie! Swapping out simple accessories like pillows makes the room feel new again.

3.     Fresh air: Once the outdoor temperatures are well above zero, open up the windows to let in some fresh air, even for 10 minutes. This boost clears the house of stagnant air and makes the whole place feel fresher. 

4.     Fresh linens: Flannel sheets are cozy for wintertime, but once spring arrives (or even before), change to light weight cotton in a fresh print to give a new lease of life to the kids beds. This new Jamie Kay blanket is perfect; 100% cotton and so cozy! 

5.     Fresh art: Sometimes all it takes is swapping out the photo in the frame. A few new prints can go a long way in making the kids feel new inspiration for play in their rooms or playrooms. These ones from The Animal Print Shop will always be some of my favourites; they were the ones I loved most for my son Xavier's room and also because I've never met a child who doesn't love animals!

What are your favourite ways to freshen up for spring? 

6 SIMPLE WAYS TO INCLUDE LETTERS IN KIDS' SPACES

I am a guest contributor over on hello, Wonderful today where my post about letters in kids' spaces is being shared. 

Combining learning with decoration is top of many parents' wish lists. As an interior decorator for children's spaces, I often get asked to include a child's first letter or name in their room design, partly for fun and also to encourage learning. I love finding unique and fun ways to welcome this into children's spaces.

Head over to read 6 simple ways you can introduce letters into kids' spaces in a fun and fabulous way!

5 TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING READING WITH KIDS

"Reading aloud to young children is not only one of the best activities to stimulate language and cognitive skills; it also builds motivation, curiosity, and memory."

Bardige, B. Talk to Me, Baby!(2009), Paul H Brookes Pub Co.

1. Make reading fun: Reading should be fun! Sing through a book, visit the library, create a game, have your children make up the story. The words and pictures in books are the starting point - how you engage and bring the book to life is entirely up to you. We love using silly voices to portray characters or skipping the odd word and letting the kids fill them in. Use your imagination and let the little ones see you having fun too.

2. Make books relevant: Have you recently been through a change? Moving? A new baby in the house? Toilet training? School? We are so very lucky to have the range and selection of books on every topic available in multiple languages. We love introducing change through books.

3. Make books accessible: Hello book walls! Nurseries, kids rooms and play rooms all present the perfect opportunity to put books front and centre for children. Pick a central place in the home to store books and allow the little ones to have free access to read. I especially love book walls and book shelves with various heights to store everyday books on the bottom shelves and special books up high. 

4. Make reading a time for bonding: Although we love to read to our children throughout the day, the consistent daily reading time in our home occurs at bedtime. We let our kids pick 2-3 books each and we all sit together to read. I read, their Dad reads and now our 3 year olds are reading to each other and us too. Story time is such a precious time together and one of my most favourite parts of every day.

5. Make books a reward: We tell our kids that books are a treat. It's true! For good behaviour, birthdays, seasonal holidays,  try giving books! Our children love choosing books to give their friends and when our parents ask what the kids could use for birthdays and holidays, we always encourage books. It is a gift that continues to give long after the pages are closed. 

I love, love, love getting new book recommendations for our children. What are some of the most loved books in your house?