Paul & Paula private Archives

Paul & Paula private is the place where we share a little bit about our international life.

Four kids, many languages, regular moves and travels. A little peak behind the scenes…

23.02.17

lecanotrouge

I was so excited to share this post for you. Wanted to prepare it yesterday morning. Just that I spent all my yesterday with doctors.

I broke my ankle on Tuesday afternoon and got a cast yesterday. For the next six weeks.So instead of introducing you to the poetic universe of lecanotrouge, I was looking at neon lights.

But lets just talk about Laura and her friends. The moment I looked at lecanotrouge for the first time I thought: wow, such precious characters. So alive, full of stories and details.

And that’s what it is. Every character comes with a story. A beautiful story written by Laura herself. {you can read the stories in the shop with each product as well}

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On the pictures you can see how we incorporated some of the characters in our home. The kids could choose who they wanted in their rooms. One of my favourites is the Fancy Balloon. So simple yet so stunning. You have the feeling a real balloon is floating around. And who does not like a perfectly beautiful bright balloon?

Romy absolutely wanted the “Cupcake Bear” – the giant polar bear with the sweet little cupcake. So adorable.

Getting a few cards is a good way for a quick change of decoration. Tape them to your wall, or even frame them – I love this for an easy and quick update.

Lecanotrouge offers postcards, greeting cards, prints and dangler cards. All I can say is – everything looks even more adorable when you see it in front of you. The details, the colours, the high quality paper…

10% of gross sales are donated to animal welfare – you can see a few friends who benefited here.

‘lecanotrouge creates original hand-drawn images featuring charming creatures from around the world and from our imagination.And, while our products specifically focus on our hinterland friends, it is with a larger intention: we hope the lecanotrouge collection, in a quirky, disarming sort of way, encourages awareness; compassion; and action toward the care and protection of animals and their habitat. Our art. Your message. It’s that simple.‘

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Two more days and 2016 is over. Already!

During our flight to Athens (where we arrived this Wednesday) I was thinking that it could be really fun to do a little round up here on the blog.

Feature the best/ most read posts for example. I mean, I was really curious to investigate as well. Which topics do you guys love? What are you interested in etc…

And it is a lovely way to finish the year and take a little break from the blog and social media. Refreshing actually.
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Let’s start:

The TOP FIVE posts on Paul & Paula in 2016, in order:

1. Willieandmillie. These fun kids room accessories from Sweden!

2. The Animals Observatory. In January I introduced you to this new brand and their very first collection.

3. Briar. The cutest baby&toddler bonnets around.

4. The 2016 round up of Advent Calendars. You probably do not need one right now, but maybe want to bookmark this post for future references.

5. Bloomingville Mini – the kids collection from one of our favourite interior brands.

The TOP FIVE Instagram pictures in 2016:

1. Camping! In our bedroom. I nearly did not post this. I nearly did not even take this picture. It was fun to see all the like and comments.

2. The world’s smallest restaurant.

3. Not the kids room. Not the playroom. But our kitchen received many likes.

4. Antoine portrayed by Romy.

5. Our Christmas tree on the way home.

Our weekly series of family breakfasts is very popular as well. Every Saturday.

And we started something new. Every Monday I will take a picture of all four (YES a challenge) kids. For fun and to see them grow and change… I am sure it will be cool to compare the first picture with the last of the year 2017. Please join – they grow up so quickly!

And our road trip of course. Oh man… the best thing ever and we still feel the energy and sunshine!

And personal in 2016?

*I quit sugar! (big step and good step, Christmas time saw some exceptions… but good ones)

*I started to run! (still not the biggest fan buuuuuut I feel that I need it. This is good and does good.)

*Both things make me proud. Proud that I am able to stay strong. And I feel great. Best base for a mum and business owner.

*I decided to go for it. To grow Paul & Paula. Something I wanted to do for a long time and always hesitated. During our big trip I decided to just go for it. (you see what such a break can do to you)

And what is in it for 2017?

I will share a few little things that will make you want more:

*Our newsletter will get an exciting and exclusive feature. As of 2017 every newsletter will come with an inspiring interview. Small business owners will share their best tips, tricks and some -new – private stuff.

*Make sure you are on the list because you do not want to miss out!

*To celebrate the New Year we will host a fantastic give away in partnership with STOKKE! Oh yes… you must, again, make sure to follow us on this one.

*I also mentioned that Paul & Paula will see some changes. And that is still true. I am working on it. For some time and things take different directions sometimes. Need a little more time. But: The consulting part that I already offer will grow. Will be more professional and will take more of my time. I love it. I love to work with brands, shops and other people from the kids industry and help them grow.

What was your most memorable moment in 2016?

Today is a day where I can hardly wait to publish my post. To show you something really fabulous.

Marie-Louise and her husband Thomas are RAM’N. An innovative frame that lets you hang your kids’ art in just 2 seconds and can keep up to 50 drawings! Yes… I know… this is THE solution to all the ‘what to do with all the paintings’ questions.

Let me share the story about RAM’N, it is one of those that remind me why I started this blog and why I love this industry. The small, independent designers, brands… the ones that put so much love and passion in their work:

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Thomas, who is a designer and carpenter, wanted to acknowledge the creativity of his first born. Framing her lovely drawings. But you want to put up the drawings quickly {you know how it is otherwise, they end up in the corner of your kitchen waiting for their turn forever} and the product also had to contain them somehow. {one drawing is nice but after 2 days you usually have 20 piling up}

Thomas thought, ‘I make it myself’ and he started up in the small cellar of their small apartment. He found wood, acrylic and said he would make 20 pieces in the cellar and Marie-Louise gave him a deadline {01.04.2013}.

On 01.10.2013 he sold the first 10 pieces to Louisiana Museum and that was the first blue print.

‘In the cellar he also found bike tires which he used instead of the rubber we use today and instead of the felt we had some old carpet from my mothers cottage. My mother who is 83 years old striped the acrylic whilst she was watching TV and in the beginning Thomas parents treated all the frames with oil. He wanted to get in the recycling trend, which made good sense to both of us. So the first year it became a good Christmas present and we made about 300. Today we have made 5500 and Thomas has touched each of them one way or another.‘

Today the two found another solution for the rubber and the felt and both of them are working on RAM’N full time.

It is a wonderful and personal story isn’t? Makes these frames even more special. They do come in some serious great packaging and you can get them in various colours and wood types.

They are very easy to install and love that you can choose portrait or landscape style easily. The little touch of colour gives it a little extra magic and ‘chic’.

Check this video to see a full demonstration on how RAM’N works and how easy and well thought out it is.

. : : RAM’N : : .

PS: Isn’t the best Christmas present?

PSS: Shipping is world wide and if you order three frames {connect with your friends} it is free!

First three images: Paul & Paula