Month: August 2013

That Madonna Girl


080713_ThatMadonnaGirl_TMGFlowerHeadbandMade in the USA and over-the-moon popular from New York to London.

From Paris Hilton to Kate Middleton –yes, new mom Kate- the floral crown hair style is the hottest trend hitting runways and must-be-seen events this summer.

And celebrity designer Michelle Madonna has created this phenomenon with her line of accessories, That Madonna Girl –TMG for short.

080713_ThatMadonnaGirl_TMGFloppyHatThe charming flower headbands (called “halos” in flower child speak), sunglasses and floppy hats adorned with daisies or roses are all the rage at music festivals and celebrity events. The look is very romantic, free-spirited and appropriate for “flower children” of all ages.

080713_ThatMadonnaGirl_TMGRadBandsMade in the USA. Currently Michelle makes over 20 different styles of halos by hand, in her upper East Side studio in New York. Available in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns and sporting a TMG-beaded trademark, each halo style is inspired by and named for one of her friends.

Michelle plans a more earth-toned halo color story for the fall, and will also introduce a line of bracelets, too.

  • 080713_ThatMadonnaGirl_logoChildren’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

XOLO


Who says shoes have to match?

080613_Xolo_01XOLO Shoes is changing footwear fashion one mismatched shoe at a time. The company celebrates a child’s unique personality with unusual shoe designs where the left and right shoes in a pair are not exactly the same.

The mismatched fabrics feature fun, colorful patterns –and the shoes look adorable because each shoe complements the other perfectly with coordinating designs and colors.

080613_Xolo_02Pam Val is the creative mind behind Humble, TX-based XOLO. Owner of Pam Grace Creations, she is already successful in the baby and children’s bedding industry, and has a passion for children’s design. Her motto: Why not let kids express themselves not just in their room decor, but also in their clothing and accessories?

Kids are often told ‘no’ when they attempt to express themselves creatively. I want to give parents a chance to tell their children ‘yes!’

Back to School Deal. XOLO Shoes makes going back to school fun and stylish. Both girls and boys can really express themselves creatively with two different shoe styles -lace-up and slip on- backpacks and rain boots. The company also has NCAA college-licensed shoes for Mom and older kids, including team colors from LSU, Georgia, Florida and Auburn, with more to come.

Check out XOLO’s back to school deal good until October 31, 2013.

080613_Xolo_ad

Hello Beach


Enjoy beachcombing for the rest of the summer -and beyond- with these versatile, Made in the USA bags.

080113_HelloBeach_04Self-proclaimed “gift engineer” Francene Dudziec is owner of Monogram Muse, a personalized gift boutique and “celebration studio” (who wouldn’t love that?). Voted Gifted Retailer 2010 by Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine, Francene also created Locate The Lights, an online guide to find Christmas lights, holiday light shows, decorated homes and inflatable displays that are free to the public all over America. And she’s a contributing writer/craft editor for The Valley’s Child, published by the Scranton-Times Tribune, and a guest contributor at WNEP-TV Scranton.

She’s also a pretty busy creative business owner.

080113_HelloBeach_01Francene recently launched Hello Beach, trendy shell-collecting bags for anyone who loves beachcombing.

“Our product fosters creativity and exploration for kids!” Francene says. “Our darling beachcomber bags are perfect for exploring coastal shores, collecting treasures or rocks along seaside or lake. It’s unique mesh bottom allows for the sand to sift out and shells and treasures can be rinsed directly in the ocean.”

These new patent-pending beachcomber bags for both kids and adults are available in two sizes and four colors. Personalize with destinations, such as Treasures from the Lake, My First Shells from the Myrtle Beach, Future Beachcomber and more. The bags also come blank for monogramming.

080113_HelloBeach_03Handmade in the USA … by Mom. Mom to two daughters, Francene is also a Pennsylvania-based CPSC-Small Batch Manufacturer who makes Hello Beach bags in a 100% cotton top and a durable woven mesh bottom. “They work great as a market tote, too. You can rinse your produce directly within the bag,” she says.