interiors - Babiekins Magazine

Team Effort

By Abby Kail, Contributor Leave a Comment

Mother of 7 means a lot of extra HELPING hands. So many times I get asked, “how do you have time for each of them?” We are a team you see, everyone is a moving part of this body and our time together strengthens us. These little ones find joy in teaching their siblings and I’m truly amazed at how much their minds can consume. Truly, when you’re hangry and your eyes meet the food that’s about to nourish you – CONSUME. It isn’t easy being a Mother but we find ourselves leading by example and the littles follow – the good, the bad and all the in between. We can and do shape our little ones and even they shape those younger. A beautiful design and for that I am thankful.

“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”—Oliver Wendell Holmes

Clothing:

Little Creative Factory

Accessories:

Toys for the Road

By Gaylin Howbert, Contributor Leave a Comment

Whenever we publish a sponsored post, we’ll let you know with the hashtag #ad — like this. This simply means we were either compensated for our time in exchange for the post, or we were given complimentary or discounted products, but we were not required to write a positive review. As always, all opinions are the author’s own.

These past few months have been a different experience to us all but if there is a positive that has seemed shared among most it is that simplicity is appreciated. Moments of calm with loved ones and unplugging from technology to take in the beauty of the world around us has been a comfort.

The sudden halt of what felt like the world slowly spinning and days no longer flying by has allowed our family to take a breath and enjoy playing games indoors together. It was during this time of us using our imaginations when we grew a love for Candylab Toys uniquely beautiful products.

Our son has always been fond of planes, trains, and automobiles. The fascination of how they work, where they can take you, and their different models + sizes seems to add a certain sparkle to his eyes as he contemplates these thoughts. Candylab takes a different approach than other brands when creating their products to add whimsical details and bright colors that only fuel a child’s imagination in the most beautiful way. Practically any car model that one could hope for they have created using natural materials with a midcentury aesthetic. The sizes vary but are easy to play with and as a parent who does enjoy a well styled space they go along with any home style perfectly. As if the race cars , drifters ( toy trucks ) , food trucks, really the selections seem endless of vehicles to choose from was not in itself wonderful they also have created stackable buildings. A day at the beach can be dreamt up with their Malibu Beach Tower and their Woodie Redux which has a magnetic top for a Waimea Surfboard to sit on top. From the coastline to the desert with Motels, a Toll Booth , and Drive In for stops along the way Candylab has created a little wooden world for littles to enjoy.

Wooden Toys // Candylab Toys

More Than a Play Mat. A Q+A with TOKI MATS

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

We chatted with Toki Mats Creator + Founder , Eli Yonas.

She’s the San Francisco based boss lady of @tokimats -a non-toxic padded play mats in gorgeous modern designs that make playtime easy! Eli gives the inside scoop on Toki Mats, motherhood, and more.

{Q} On your website it says ” Our mission was to find the safest materials without compromising on comfort. The foam we use is revolutionary – made from the sap tree, it is completely breathable, has just the right firmness, and is soft enough to make you want to cuddle up with your kids.” How and what was the process like for you to find the safest materials for Toki Mats? – for example material made from a sap tree?

{Eli}This was definitely the toughest – but most important – part of launching Toki. I spent a full YEAR researching manufacturers to find the absolute best materials available. I wouldn’t sell the play mat unless it met all the top needs for a mom: safe, easy to use, comfortable (and of course, stylish!) Ultimately, I found a unique foam that was made from natural latex (tree sap), that is just heaven!

{Q} Apart from Toki Mats, you work full time? (What is your Day-Job?)

Do you want to ever take Toki Mats full time? Also, what is one thing you wish someone would have told you about starting a business?

{Eli} Yes! I have two jobs- I work as a program manager at Facebook full time, and run Toki Mats during off hours (i.e., when I’m supposed to be sleeping). I do want to take Toki full time eventually, but we have a lot of growth to achieve for me to be in that position. I don’t have one thing I wish I would’ve known before starting Toki Mats, but I do wish fellow entrepreneurs, especially women, were more transparent with how they run their businesses behind the scenes. I eventually figured everything out, but it would’ve saved me some late nights 🙂

I’ve learned a ton in my “day jobs” that have set me up for success with Toki- hands down! From marketing, to finance, to sales- every step in my career has enabled me to build this business from scratch. I have BIG goals for both Toki, and my professional career, very excited!

{Q} What is your ultimate dream for your business and is there anything else in the works for Toki Mats (new products?)

{Eli} My ultimate dream is for Toki Mats to be both profitable and growing, to enable me to focus on the fun parts of the business: community, creativity, and strategy. I do have ideas for more products (not sharing just yet!), but they won’t be launched until later this year.

{Q} Between work, kids, business and life – how do you stay true to who you are. What do you do for “me” time…. and how do you juggle it all?

{Eli} Making sure that all of these aspects are a reflection of who I am from the start, means that when I focus on each one, they are a part of me, and not a distraction. I squeeze in “me” time whenever I am in between jobs/kids: carpool, commuting, even bathroom breaks lol. My husband and I split the family / house responsibilities which is a huge help as well. I do sacrifice sleep though, and I need to better at considering sleep “me” time too!

{Q} Why do you think it’s so important to support the small business community? {Q} What is one of your biggest frustrations as a business owner?

{Eli} I absolutely LOVE the small business community. There are some fantastic entrepreneurs, moms especially, that band together and lift each other up. I’m so grateful for the connections I’ve made, and inspired by the talented women business owners! Most of the products created by small businesses are unique, special, and fit a market need. The frustrating part is being heard over the noise of big businesses. Marketing is definitely tough- I want every parent that needs a Toki play mat to be able to discover us, but we have work to do!

{Q} Biggest reward?

{Eli} The customer reviews *insert crying emoji*! Nothing fills my cup as much as a parent who’s life we made easier and more playful.

{Q} What does a typical working day look like for you?

{Eli} Wake up to the morning rush of getting our kids to school, carpooling with my husband (shoutout to my equal partner!), commuting, focused on my day job until evening, commuting again, evening rush of getting our kids fed/bathed/sleep (jk they don’t sleep), then back to the computer!

{Q} What is one thing you couldn’t live with out?

{Eli} Is it nerdy to say my night guard? Just trying to keep it real 🙂

For more information on Toki Mats , you can visit tokimats.com ! Or on Instagram here: @tokimats .

Photography by : Rachel Fox @0utsidetheboxfox

Location : The FolkandFlora Farm

Babiekins Storage Ideas to Organize Kids

By Debbie Jovel, Contributor Leave a Comment

I often wonder if it is possible to have a clean house and kids? My babiekins toys are usually scattered on our living room floor – actually on the floors of every room in our home. My new years goal was to organize my babiekins stuff into storage bins so that he can keep tidy after play. I love these storage ideas to keep kids organized because they are fun designs that look more like decor and add a cool design pop to any room in your home.

Back to Black : Modern Farmhouse

By Priscila Barros, Editor-in-Chief Leave a Comment

Black cabinets and black appliances aren’t what the typical person would pick for their kitchen (especially with the all white movement) but I wanted to do something really bold in the room we spend the most time in. I envision dinner parties and events, so I wanted to make the kitchen big enough that we could easily fit a handful of adults in it. We even put in two farmhouse sinks (that way no one can make an excuse with helping me with the dishes 😆).

I went with two modern black matte faucet by Vigo. I love how sleek and modern they look and how functional they are. They are lovely to work with and were so helpful with all my questions!I have picked out a few of my favorite faucets above from Vigo so you can find one that fits your needs!

Learn more about Vigo | Website | Instagram

Styling Sisal Rugs and Why You Need Them

By Priscila Barros, Editor-in-Chief Leave a Comment

A few months ago we were on the hunt for the perfect rug. We were looking for something that could be used in a couple different settings and relatively affordable. We came across Sisal Rugs Direct and knew they were just right! We had them customize a few of our favorite rugs and got to work styling a few homes. Each home was different and we worked with what the owners already had (fun challenge). Over and over again we were impressed with the quality and durability with what the Sisal Rugs Direct company had made! Here is a look at the different rooms we styled and a few reasons why your next rug needs to be a Sisal rug!

Rugs from Sisal Rugs Direct are made from 100% natural fiber and are sustainable and safe!
They last forever! A really great choice to put under a dinning room table or high traffic areas.
Sisal rugs and the fibers they are made out of are anti-static, which control humidity.
Sisal rugs are a great design element to include in your home. They add warmth, texture and depth into any room.
If you have a rental house (with ugly carpet) a huge Sisal rug may be a perfect solution. Sisal Rugs Direct can customize a rug, a bind and a size just for you. That means you can get one to cover any of the embarrassing carpet you wish you could get rid of!

Learn more about Sisal Rugs Direct | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Cute Halloween Decoration Ideas for Home

By Debbie Jovel, Contributor Leave a Comment

I really love Halloween because I love costumes, tricks-&-treats, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, goblins and everything Fall. Does anyone else, besides me, like to decorate their home for Halloween? Every year I put up a “Trick or Treat” banner and sparkly ghost & pumpkin lights and we carve a spooky jack-o-lantern. This year I was on the search for new Halloween decoration ideas and I found cute ghosts, skeletons, bats & cats that I know both me and my babiekin will love. Here are some wicked cute Halloween Decor Ideas from my search – they are all so cute I can’t decide which one I like best. Do you have a favorite?

Sleepykins // Birthday Bunk Beds

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

“Happy Happy B I R T H D A Y Eva Dear. Happy days will come to you all year. If I had a wish , that wish would be …. A very Happy Birthday to you from me!”

#ExtracuteEva just turned S I X ! What is this girl all about? Bunk beds, dolls , books , her very special chalkboard wallpaper, traveling and Hello Kitty. This cutie has more than an extra chromosome, she has spunk + MOXIE ! We decided to create a room for Eva that plays to her strengths, her talents, fosters creativity and is filled with all of her favorite things. Last winter, Eva was hospitalized for a few weeks with Pneumonia. At the time, Eva was sharing a room with her little sister Elsie. It wasn’t until the two were separated (during this time) that we noticed a huge personality difference in the girls. Eva, being alone with one of us at the hospital became a little more confident, overly funny and goofy! A side to her we had never seen before. Elsie became more independent around the house, and didn’t go out of her way to get attention. Now don’t get me wrong, these two are very close as sisters, at times inseparable. It became clear that Eva ( being the older sister) needed her own space and her own room. That’s when we started planning moving Ethan out of his nursery and moving him in with Elsie, giving Eva her own room.

It took a little over a year to get Eva’s room just right. She had been in a larger toddler bed and with her growing legs, it became necessary that we look into bigger beds for Eva. This past Christmas, we visited Grandma + Grandpa in South Carolina. They had set up some old Bunk Beds in the spare room for the kids to sleep on. We were certain that Elsie would be the first one to the top, but she wanted nothing to do with the bunk beds. To our surprise, Eva climbed right on up and slept on the top bunk the whole vacation and then took it over again for Easter break. She loved being up there, and her confidence shined as she knew her usually adventurous little sister didn’t want to climb up. We decided, Birthday Bunk Beds for Eva! We not only found a new-in-the-box pink bunk bed set on Facebook Marketplace ( for under $100 ! ), but a similar mini bunk bed set for her dolls ( also found on Facebook Marketplace). These bunk beds would be the perfect birthday gift for Eva’s 6th birthday, and the final touches on her new big girl room. A special room for a very unique little girl.