Since the addition of our onesies, and more recently our toddler tees, we have been receiving rave reviews from a number of pint-sized critics! Whether kids love exploring the maps and seeking out specific locations that they remember, recognize, or call home – or if they just appreciate having another t-shirt to get dirty and mess around in – our kids line has proven to be a big hit! Below are some photos we’ve received of our toddler tees and onesies in action! They were too adorable not to share!
The London Summer Olympics are right around the corner and here at Maptote we couldn’t be more excited! Although we are always fans of the more classic Olympic events; this year we’ve decided to expand our horizons and explore some of the lesser known events – and we are so glad we did! Below are the top five sports that we will be following throughout the 2012 London Olympics:
1) Modern Pentathlon: The Modern Pentathlon is my personal favorite. It combines five of the possibly most random disciplines into one ultimate event. It takes place over the course of a single day where the competitors begin with fencing, continue onto swimming, then compete in show jumping while on an *unfamiliar* horse, and end the day with a 3km run throughout which they must shoot at – and successfully hit – 5 targets. READY…SET….GO! First to cross the finish line wins (literally)!!
2) Equestrian Dressage (thank you Stephen Colbert): Horses compete as both individuals – and as teams – in Dressage. Direct translation: Horse Ballet. Need we say more?
3) Rhythmic Gymnastics: One of only two women-only events (the other being Synchronized Swimming), Rhythmic Gymnastics combines gymnastics with hoola hoops, ribbons, and other props – along with routine specific music – what more could you ask for!?
4) Trampoline: We can’t wait to watch the Trampoline event – a true ode to childhood! It’s one of those events that you’ll watch while mumbling the entire time ‘I could totally do that if I had a trampoline’ (all the while knowing deep down that there is in fact no way you could ever even come close to pulling any of those stunts).
5) Synchronized Swimming: There is nothing more relaxing and refreshing than watching this all-women event – especially given the summer heat and humidity that is bound to ensue!
With the London Olympics just a day away, which events are you looking forward to the most??
Having spent a summer in Oklahoma a few years back, whenever I think of this southern state images of sweet tea and slushy stands start dancing in my head. Now that I’ve learned about On A Whim those sweet teas and slushies will forever be in opulent, brightly colored cocktail glasses and joined by the plethora of unique, cheerful, and delicious items that On A Whim has to offer! I have honestly never seen a store with such a wide range of items that, quite fittingly, I would buy on a whim! They even have an amazing kid’s section which is sure to make any child’s (and lets face it, adult’s) mouth water!
Q: How would you best describe your store aesthetic?
A: Whimsical, fun, and inviting.
Q: Can you tell us any fun or interesting facts about ‘On A Whim’?
A: We are the 7th largest women-owned business in Oklahoma.
Q: Tell us about Oklahoma City and why you love it!
A: Our city and neighborhood are very community oriented and welcoming. The city is large in area, but small-town in caring about one another. There’s an ‘everybody knows everybody’ attitude. We love that people are very friendly and genuinely concerned about others.
Q: When not in your store, where is the next most likely place you’d be?
A: With family.
Q: Do you have any favorite restaurants in Oklahoma City?
A: Sushi Neko or Tokyo Sushi.
Q: If there is 1 thing that someone ‘must do’ when they visit your area, what would you recommend?
A: Come to ‘On A Whim’!! Visit Bricktown. This entertainment district is in the tradition of the San Antonio Riverwalk. The Bricktown canal runs through this area and is surrounded by restaurants, shops, a baseball park and other activity venues.
Q: What was your inspiration/motivation to open your store?
A: To bring ‘The Best of Everything for You and Your Home’ to Oklahoma City!
Q: How did you come up with the name ‘On A Whim’?
A: Because we did it, opened the store, on a whim.
Q: What’s next for On A Whim?
A: We will be participating in Concerts on the Curve this summer. Classen Curve, where we are located in Oklahoma City, sponsors a monthly community activity for families – Dine at the Classen Curve restaurants while enjoying live music, kid activities, shopping and more from 6 to 9 pm. Each restaurant will feature a quick grab and go selection available by the main stage area. Kids can enjoy face painting, caricature artists, snow cones, and some bounce fun. Many of the CC stores offer discounts for the evening.
Q: What blogs/magazines do you follow?
A: InStyle, Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Elle Decor, and Verandah.
Q: Where do you find all of your products?
A: New York and Los Angeles!
Even if you’re not planning a trip to Oklahoma anytime soon, you can still connect with On A Whim: follow them on Twitter, and friend them on Facebook!
We are excited to introduce our new location: Santa Barbara, California! Get one (or two or three) to rep your city or show a little long-distance love.
Our Sonoma Wine Tote was featured in the July issue of Elle Magazine. Yay!
If there is one thing that our Maptotes do exceptionally well, it is travel - and we LOVE when we receive photos of our totes in exotic, far away, and beautiful places!
We are especially jealous of our Seattle black hobo tote as it traveled to India with Navin Moul. Check out some photos below – the colors are stunning and the artwork is unbelievably intricate! Photos taken by Billie Goodman.
If you have any photos of your Maptote on the road then we would love to see them and possibly feature them on our blog — send them to us at office@maptote.com!
For this installment of ‘What’s in your Maptote?’ we decided to feature our friend Andrea Chu! Andrea is a (formerly) skateboarding, chocolate-fudge-making, San Francisco native that we have the fortune of sharing our Brooklyn studio with!
She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Gregg, and their son, Nico. Read on to learn more about Andrea and what she has been carrying in her Maptotes (yes, she has more than one)!
Q: Where do you live and what do you love most about where you live?
A: I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn. What I love most about my neighborhood are the trees (see below)!
Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting or exciting about what you do?
A: I’m a photographer. I love to be in new places and each shoot is like an adventure which I love!
Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I carry a few Maptotes: the Paris denim tote and the little zip pouches are perfect for my small, random photo gear. My son, Nico, loves the Brooklyn tee and looks for Coney Island and the airplane on the shirt.
Take some time to explore Andrea’s website, www.chucandy.com. Her portraits are amazing and her photos of children are so sweet!
You can also check out Andrea’s blog where you will learn more about some of her recent shoots-including one for Paper magazine featuring Kimbra right after she appeared on Saturday Night Live!
Below is a picture of Andrea’s husband, Gregg, with their son, Nico, in the Adirondacks – one of their favorite places to go to escape the city!
We recently collaborated with Crewcuts (J.Crew’s kids line) on a custom and exclusive NYC baby one-piece. It has been a hot Summer here in NYC and our baby Naomi has been getting lots of use out of her one-piece. As a Brooklyn baby, she loves showing her pride for the city.
