Mummy might think fancy frocks and cashmere booties are a waste, but what are aunties and godmothers good for, if not to spoil the little one rotten?

At Advice from a Caterpillar, you’ll find the most irresistible gifts, from delicate antique christening gowns ($90-$250) to the Baby Barolo organic cotton and down duvet papoose (pictured right, $320).


Owner Emily Dyer suggests the pleated coat from Le Vestiaire de Jeanne ($390) or the lovely wool joggers from L'Esprit de Luna ($75). Her favourite godchild gift is the illuminating animal globe ($135) or the ride on leather hippo ($220).

Now, if only our fairy godmother were as generous.

Advice from a Caterpillar, 8 Price St., Toronto, 416-960-2223, www.advicefromacaterpillar.ca

Nursery decals getting you down?

Art school graduate and mother of two Sarah Edmonds hand draws a delightful Canadian menagerie, like water birds, northern animals or ocean creatures, and has them screen printed as limited edition posters.

The graphic shapes and fun scientific facts will delight your toddler, and the news that they fit a $20 IKEA frame will delight you.

Now that's some smart art.

From US$50 at www.banquetworkshop.com

From Beyonce's breakfast table to pantries across suburbia, no kitchen is without Tupperware. Even the Queen keeps her cereal in Tupperware containers.

Tupperware.ca boasts one of the brightest most colourful selections about. From a lemon lime press to nifty sandwich keepers, there’s nothing you won’t find at this online store.

Complete your retro kitchen look with a gingham apron and a pitcher of fresh strawberry lemonade.

Tupperware Canada, 97 McCaul St., Toronto, 647-282-4386, for more info visit www.ruthdd.ca

We love French cookware company Le Creuset because its cast iron wares are indestructible and oh-so-pretty.

It boasts over 70 cool colours like Elysee yellow, Cherry red and its just-launched Cassis, a regal shade of purple that’s right on point with fall fashion. Collect the entire enameled set including the Round French Oven (from $255) and Iron Handle Skillet ($175), or mix and match with classic hues like Kiwi or Dijon.

Now our kitchen will be aflame with colour (as opposed to actual flames, we hope).

For retail locations, click here.

With some fab finds, one just isn’t enough.

That’s how we feel about this luxurious alternative to terry beach towels—the linen Deck Towel. Lightweight and large, each throw measures nearly 2m by 1.5m and can absorb nearly twenty times its weight in water, plus sand doesn't stick. Putting practicalities aside, the main draw is the incredible fabric. Fall in love with the bright hues of ico, the bold stipes of boudewijn, or the more subtle shades of enzo. 

If, like us, you can’t decide, order two. Keep one for the beach and picnics, and another for your bedspread or kitchen table, as an off-registry wedding gift or just wrapping up with your man on a chilly night of gazing at the stars.

From US$50 at www.decktowel.com or order by phone from Old Faithful Shop in Vancouver, 778-327-9376.

An online store becomes a bricks-and-mortar shop? Now that's as backwards as a Dr. Seuss book.

But it's true: Ashley York the website is now Ashley York the store, new to The Pier on Bowen Island B.C. The best selling clothes and accessories are made by moms, such as the rough-edged denim "guy ties" ($19). We loved the albino sock monkeys, baby balls made from vintage fabrics and the polka dot Australian splat mats for under the highchair.

Not goin' to Bowen? There's even more available online.

Ashley York, The Pier at Bowen Island, 604-947-2200, www.shopashleyyork.com

Dining al fresco doesn’t mean losing all décor(um).

La Plates’ melamine dishware has the glamour of fine china without the threat of destruction.  Each plate ($22) can be monogrammed with your initials in classic colors like navy and kelly green, set against preppy prints like houndstooth, clovers or gingham. For a more subtle approach, go for tempered glass cutting boards (from $40), stripy place mats (from $18) or a personalized acrylic tray (from $32). Not sure which initials to use? Consult the site’s Monogram Etiquette guide.

Now that’s getting the dish.

www.laplates.com

After appearing on tennis courts in 1933, the green crocodile has been sported on the courts, off the courts, and everywhere in between.

Now the company behind the classic tennis tee has brought that laidback feel of sportswear to the bedroom with the Lacoste Home Collection. Choose from a handful of different sets, each one inspired by the bright colours and modern styles of Lacoste’s ready-to-wear collections. The duvet sets start at $200 for twin ($250 for queen) and can be paired with solid twill sheets (from $70) and a croco-knit throw ($110). Finish off the bedroom with a classic crocodile print cushion (from $70).

Love all, indeed.


Lacoste Home Collection at The Bay.

We're definitely not a smother mother, but neither are we a slummy mummy.

Perhaps that's why we're drawn again and again to the gorgeous wares at Nonchalant Mom.

We can attest personally to the loveliness of the pillows and delicate angel wings of Atsuko et Akiko and are lusting for their new sparkly masks and dressups.

We also love the Fleamarket section for its vintage toddler spoons and forks.

Which we will so nonchalantly integrate into our carefully curated collection of original Beatrix Potter bowls and Birks silver cups… not that we care, or anything.

www.nonchalantmom.com

Demi Moore made it look easy in Ghost, but really, throwing a pot is a lot harder than you’d think.

Indeed, potters are a talented lot, and Toronto’s Jenny Clark is one of our very favourites. Her style is simple and fresh and rooted in nature. Whimsical designs include leaves, birds, delicate twigs and berries.

Fill some bowls ($22) with olives, dip and rosemary infused flatbreads, and you’ll feel like it’s meze time in the Med.

Bookhou, 798 Dundas St. W., Toronto, 416-203-2549, http://bookhou.com/