Remember “it’s a small world”?

“it’s a small world, after all … it’s a small, small world!”

Disney Consumer Products teams with Nordstrom to mark the 45th anniversary of Disneyland’s it’s a small world theme park attraction with a new line of kid’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Based on Disney artist Mary Blair’s original artwork, four seasonal collections for newborns, infants and toddlers début at Nordstrom stores throughout the year.

Each collection represents a different country: Japanese Spring (February); Indian Summer (June); Scottish Fall (September); and Russian Holiday (November). Each collection features items from collaborators such as Petunia Pickle Bottom, Trumpette, Baby Nay and Mighty Fine.

Disney and Nordstrom are also teaming with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects to give back to communities around the world, with TOMS Shoes’ One for One commitment of giving a pair of new shoes to a child in need, while FEED Projects Small World items benefit UNICEF, which was the ‘it’s a small world’ ride’s original 1964 beneficiary.

-Janet Muniz

Empowered Clothing

Action sports clothing line celebrates first year!

“My eight-year-old son wanted me to buy him a t-Shirt at an action sports event a year ago, but every shirt had an image of a gun or a marijuana leaf,” Javier Gamboa says. “That’s not the example I’d like to set for my children, and I know there are many other parents out there that feel the same way. So we set out to do it better, and bring a positive message to the action sports community and the youth of America. Javier is president, CEO and co-owner of Phoenix, AZ-based Empowered Clothing Company, who, along with Chuck Crouthamel, created a line of clothing designed to be cool enough to rival the biggest established brands in the lifestyle and action sports category, but also “inspire everyone to find their purpose in life, and feel empowered to live that purpose.”

Messages like LIVE ON PURPOSE, BREATHE IN VICTORY, EXHALE DEFEAT and IT’S GOOD TO BE ALIVE adorn nearly every t-shirt, beanie and cap. “We’ve even invited our customers to design their own messages,” Chuck says, “and we take tag lines suggested by fans and incorporate them into our newest products.”

Since launching last year, Empowered products are being shipped to kids of all ages in every corner of the country. The commitment to giving back to the youth in each community is unrivalled. As inspirational speakers, Javier, Chuck and Empowered Clothing Company’s strategic partners -often action sports athletes- visit schools, recreation centers, skateboard parks and other places where kids can learn to become empowered members of their community and speak about goal setting, dreaming big and dedicating their lives to following their dreams and becoming positive, contributing members of society. The company also works with charitable and community organizations by creating fundraising partnerships designed to assist non-profits in continuing to create inspiring programming and outreach for kids. Led by “Social Media Dude and Community Architect” Tommy Pierucki (yes, this is his real title), Empowered Clothing Company connects daily with their customer base via their rapidly growing online presence. Celebrities from throughout the action sports world provide online messages and endorsements, and kids are encouraged to share their own videos of themselves participating in action sports while wearing Empowered gear.

-Janet Muniz

little society

“Teach your kids to be fashion-conscious and eco-conscious.”

-Taira Soo

Taira Soo is founder and designer of little society, a clothing brand committed to encouraging young children to care for the world where they live. Designed for kids ages two thru eight, the clothes are comfy and imaginative with environmental messages that do just that, featuring the world’s most endangered species.

“Wearing these clothes may not seem like a big deal,” Taira says, “but in the world of our littlest humans, it’s a small step toward big change.” Not only are the message graphics fun and inspiring, but the materials and techniques used in producing the garments are earth friendly.

little society is responsibly Made in the USA, too. The company is donating a portion of proceeds to help protect species, habitat and humanity.

-Janet Muniz

lollacup

Easy to use & clean, safe and Made in the USA!

Mom Hanna Lim was surprised to see her daughter drinking from a straw at nine months old. Her pediatrician suggested weaning her to a straw instead of a sippy, so she immediately purchased several toddler straw cups, but realized that her daughter could not get a sip out of any of them. “After talking with other mothers, I learned that some of their children find it so difficult to sip from toddler straw cups that they are turned off from using straws altogether,” Hanna says. “That’s when lollacup was born.”

The entire experience inspires Hanna to develop the lollacup, a stylish and functional, BPA- and phthalate-free drinking cup with an innovative patent-pending design. A flexible, valve-free straw with a weighted end allows children to drink effortlessly from it, even when reclined at an angle.

And all parts are manufactured, assembled and packaged in the USA, in an ISO 9001 certified facility that carries an FDA Device Manufacturing License from the California Department of Health Services. CPSIA compliant, too!

-Janet Muniz