Author: Janet Gray Muniz

Janet Gray MunizCREATIVE WRITING BY REQUEST - I'm an award-winning professional writer known for informative articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. Visit SagelandCreative.com to learn more.
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My Lanyard Maker


Helps kids create the easiest lanyards ever – weave it to believe it!

Recently, the Choose Friendship Company débuted the new My Lanyard Maker on popular shopping site HSN –with great applause!

112113_ChooseFriendship_04Whether you grew up calling them lanyards, scoubidou, boondoggle or plastic gimp, this all-American arts and crafts favorite makes making them easier than ever. My Lanyard Maker’s innovative loom is designed to create an endless variety of patterns, without tangling laces and confusing knots. Convenient storage keeps colorful supplies neat and clean, too.

112113_ChooseFriendship_01Fun Gift Idea. Popular with the boys as well as the girls, kids can design colorful plastic bracelets, tradable key rings and backpack charms with My Lanyard Maker –great holiday fun!

112113_ChooseFriendship_03The Choose Friendship Company is the brainchild of David Crorey, who’s philosophy is, “Give me an everyday problem and I’ll invent a solution.” He invented the My Friendship Bracelet Maker® for this granddaughters, so they could make friendship bracelets with ease – a patented innovation.

112113_ChooseFriendship_02Now, David has turned a family business into a global sensation, bringing even more innovation to simple crafting techniques with an expanding product line to engage kids in creative self expression, while promoting the message of friendship.

Oh la la… y Olé!


Introducing a brand new online boutique, straight from the heart of España.

112013_OhlalayOle_adIt’s been about a month since new e-commerce site Oh la la…y Olé! (www.ohlalayole.com) opened for business, and to celebrate –the shop owners are offering a 10% discount on all orders placed by November 30! Just in time to beat the holiday shopping crowds.

112013_OhlalayOle_04Based in Valencia, Spain, Oh la la… y Olé! carries European designer baby and childrenswear for kids aged eight and younger -from some of the most popular, trendy and stylish Spanish brands.

Our commitment is to introduce to our clients unique, beautiful, practical, trendy clothes. We work only with brands that we know and buy for our own children. We believe that the kind of clothing we sell in our online boutique helps our kids look unique and express their own personality.

112013_OhlalayOle_05International Shipping. Low Rates. The folks at Oh la la… y Olé! are committed to making your shopping experience as easy and as delightful as possible, especially for all the Moms and Dads who are normally time challenged! “We believe that all our efforts will definitely help them to find and purchase for their children great quality products at a good price, enjoying online shopping from the comfort of their home.”

  • 112013_OhlalayOle_01Children’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!

Nosilla Organics


Soft, organic cotton fashion for kids up to four years.

111913_NostillaOrganics_03The first thing you notice about Nosilla Organics‘ line of sportswear and pajamas is how happy the kids who are wearing it look!

Our motto is, gentler on the planet, kinder to the people.

111913_NostillaOrganics_04Six years ago, designer Allison Grace created this high-quality and affordable organic collection, which is made using 100% SKAL certified organic cotton carrying Global Organic Textile Standard, Organic Exchange and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. She searched the world over to find fabric that is not only certified organic, but manufactured in factories that are also certified fair trade by the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International.

111913_NostillaOrganics_02It took a little doing, and now this British Columbia-based company is recognized as one of the cool, hip and kind organic cotton collections available today.

Holiday Tip: Allison creates adorable fantasy dress-up outfits for little girls under her My Fair Fairy label.

Available in shops and boutiques in the US and Canada.

The Honest Company


111413_HonestCompany_logoWhat you may notice first about The Honest Company is that celebrity mom and actress Jessica Alba is the founder.

When I became a mom, I finally became the person I am, that I always should have been. It’s the most satisfying job in the world. But, it can also be overwhelming and confusing. I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start.

Compassionate Collaboration. What you may not realize is Jessica’s co-founder and chief product officer is Christopher Gavigan, father of three and former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World (a national nonprofit empowering parents to protect their children from toxic risks), author of a best-selling book and instrumental in educating people through a collaboration with WebMD.

The two make diapers, wipes and baby products, bath and body essentials, cleaning products and vitamins for babies and homes that are effective, safe, eco-friendly, beautiful, convenient and affordable. Not to mention good for babies and families alike. HONEST!

111413_HonestCompany_productsBundled for Brilliance. The growing product line is also available in groupings or bundles, where the merchandise can be customized, personalized and shipped anywhere. The company also makes things such as free trials, shopping incentives –oh yes and bundle savings- available to its growing list of customers, too.

Healthy, Happy Homes. The Honest Company strives to offer its customers the safest products, the best service and the most useful tools that help create healthier, happier homes. It’s a one-stop-shop for parents to give a better future, not only to their own children, but to kids all over the globe. How? The Honest Company gives back by donating product, money and time to finding solutions for health and social issues affecting children and families.

KidSwitch Light Switch Extender


111313_KidSwitch_LogoGreg O’Sullivan is president of Just Kids Inc., makers of the KidSwitch Light Switch Extender, a nifty gadget that helps toddlers reach up and turn the lights on or off.

Greg and his wife Wendy started manufacturing and selling what they call a “helping hand tool” 18 years ago as a side business … which has grown into a full-time, family-owned, North Carolina-based small company selling more than 400,000 switches and counting.

KidSwitch attaches easily to a light switch and extends down vertically 12 inches to a toddler’s reach, which gives a child independence and parents a chance to teach their young children a necessary task. It can also instill the concept of “green living” very early on, encouraging kids to save energy.

111313_KidSwitch_productBut I’m getting ahead of myself here – the biggest advantage of KidSwitch is the safe solution it provides to help young children reach up and operate room lights on their own, so parents can rest easy.

Helping Children Reach for the Moon! Winner of Creative Child Magazine’s Seal of Excellence in 2010, KidSwitch is also honored with the Buzzillions Reviewer’s Choice™ Award for the nation’s best child safety product. “It is amazing to see how far our product has come,” Greg says. “I created KidSwitch after my own daughter fell off a makeshift ‘ladder’ that she had built out of toys in an attempt to reach her light switch. Years later, it is so rewarding to read the many positive reviews from parents who share their own stories about how KidSwitch is helping make their and their children’s lives a little easier.”

Wendy explains that the company name represents members of the family:

J stands for daughter Jordan
U stands for “Us” (we are all in this business together)
S stands for younger daughter Samantha
T stands for Taylor, the O’Sullivan’s inspiration

Just Kids it is – very nice!

Little Passports


111213_LittlePassports_packageRaising global citizens right in their own backyards.

Amy Norman says she practically grew up on a 747, traveling back and forth from America to England every three years for her father’s work. So it makes a lot of sense that she would create an educational experience for kids that inspires wanderlust.

Amy is co-founder of Little Passports, a fun way for kids to learn about and enjoy other places and cultures. She and her co-founder Stella Ma dreamed up two engaging characters, Sam and Sofia, who take young aspiring travelers along on their adventures through the United States and to other countries by sharing their experiences with them.

Our products combine the surprise of postal mail with the online games kids love today.

111213_LittlePassports_SamandSophiaWith the subscription-based service, Sam and Sofia send your kids a personalized package in the mail each month that includes an adventure letter, fun souvenirs, stickers, wall-size maps and more. They even get their own passport and a boarding pass to travel the world, with a secret code to access online games and activities at Little Passports’ online Boarding Zone. Everything is designed to encourage kids to take an active interest in their world and other cultures as early as possible – ages five to 12.

111213_LittlePassports_USThis San Francisco-based company is passionate about “helping to raise a generation of citizens who are compassionate about the cultures and people around the world,” donating one percent of sales to non-profits focused on children and issues that affect them.

Amy and Stella are also committed to giving other moms and budding entrepreneurs opportunities to grow businesses with Little Passports. Check them out on the Affiliates and Become an Agent pages.

Ginger Snap Bambino Boutique


110713_GingerSnapBambinoBoutique_logoHandmade accessories for little ladies, just in time for the holidays!

Ginger Snap Bambino Boutique is inspired by a beautiful baby girl named Georgina (Ginger for short).

“She is definitely a little fashionista like her mama,” say mom Angelina Alexander, who decides to make accessories for ALL of her daughter’s outfits herself. (Something every new mom faces, I’m afraid). And after all the compliments on her homemade treasures and inquires for special orders, the new Ginger Snap Bambino Boutique is established. “I never thought I would start a shop, but here it goes,” Angelina says. “These are for the affordable mamas.”

110713_GingerSnapBambinoBoutique_01New Designs Added All the Time. Angelina is a new fan of Children’s Retail Today, and she tells me she’s added new designs for the holidays to her online store, just in time. “Completely handmade shabby flower headbands with coordinating barefoot sandals are also available,” she adds, as well as custom orders. “Send photos of the outfit to us.”

110713_GingerSnapBambinoBoutique_04Ginger Snap specializes in headbands and barefoot sandals for babies, and also makes tutus, costumes, crochet items, rented 3D numbers and backgrounds for birthdays and photos, and “All About Me” birthday boards. International orders, too!

110713_GingerSnapBambinoBoutique_03Coming Soon – Infant Clothing! Plans for a clothing collection are in the works, as well as an Etsy site, which is under construction. Keep up with Ginger Snap news and order for the holidays by liking the Ginger Snap Facebook page and comment.

  • 110713_GingerSnapBambinoBoutique_shophandmadeChildren’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!

Babyhome


110613_Babyhome_02Spanish child care company wins 2013 SheKnows Parenting Award.

Based in Barcelona, Spain with offices in New Jersey, Babyhome offers a dynamic range of award-winning, high-quality, stylish, functional and affordable child care products, including highchairs, a wooden cradle collection, strollers and more.

Congratulations! This year, Babyhome’s Emotion stroller is selected as Best Everyday Stroller in the 2013 SheKnows Parenting Awards.

We are honored to be the recipient of this coveted award from one of the leading lifestyle sites for women. Our Emotion stroller being selected among the hundreds of submissions they received is an incredible achievement.  Thank you to the SheKnows editors and of course to our Babyhome fans worldwide for their votes.

-Stellario D’Urso, vice president, sales and marketing Babyhome USA

The lightweight Emotion stroller is designed with the latest trends for functionality in mind, perfect for parents looking for affordable luxury. Emotion comes complete with an adjustable seat that will hold up to 55lbs – plus a mosquito net, rain shield, footrest, waterproof canopy, large shopping basket and removable wheels (wow!) – all folding easily into a compact, practical package, too!

110613_Babyhome_SheKnowsAwardLogoBigger and Better. SheKnows is an award-winning women’s media platform and a top lifestyle site. SheKnows’ fourth annual Parenting Awards recognizes products and services for children and parents that stand out in the areas of functionality, durability, innovation, convenience, price and overall excellence. The SheKnows editorial team reviewed nearly 200 products, and the SheKnows user community cast more than 18,000 votes to help choose this year’s winners. Categories ranged from baby gear and pregnancy essentials to baby and toddler toys and tablets for kids.

The SheKnows Parenting Awards are a great resource for parents who want recommendations on products and services that are vetted by their peers, especially as the holiday season approaches. Each year, the Parenting Awards gets bigger and better. We are proud to work with so many great companies and would like to extend our congratulations to Babyhome.

-Kristin Bustamante, SheKnows editorial director

For more information about the SheKnows Parenting Awards and to view winners, finalists and the Editor’s Choice picks in each category, click on the logo above, or visit http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/awards/parenting-awards-2013.

  • Another Hilary Abbott Communications, Inc. client! Children’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!

News from GoldieBlox


Girls, start your engines. GoldieBlox introduces new toy collections! Pre-order now.

GoldieBlox is an inspired collection of games and toys that introduce girls to the fun of building. The company “employs” the smart, curious Goldie as master storyteller, and she’s become a role model to girls, building their self-confidence is all things engineering. The result? Goldie is mentoring the next generation of girls to be the builders of our future.

With a successful début -from Kickstarter to Toys”R”Us in less than one year- founder Debbie Sterling is ready to reveal Goldie’s next adventures.

110513_GoldieBlox_01“GoldieBlox and the Parade Float” is available now for pre-order on GoldieBlox.com for delivery by December 1 and rolling into Toys”R”Us stores nationwide this holiday season. Goldie introduces her new friend, Ruby Rails, and together they help Katinka the pink dolphin build a float for a special parade –all on their own!

110513_GoldieBlox_02In addition, GoldieBlox fans can dream up even larger projects with the Blox + Bits Expansion Pack, also available for pre-order. These rods and blocks fit both the original “GoldieBlox and The Spinning Machine” and “GoldieBlox and The Parade Float” sets.

110513_GoldieBlox_03Online Play Gallery now on! GoldieBlox has recently launched an online “play gallery,” to share stop-motion “how-to” videos starring little girl inventors. GoldieBlox fans can submit their own masterpieces to be featured on GoldieBlox.com and the GoldieBlox YouTube channel. 

WeeStay No-Slip Clip by Wee Ones


Wee Ones® Spring/Summer 2014 Collection débuts with new technology for hair bows that stay put, no matter what.

101713_WeeOnes_02Popular hair accessories company Wee Ones is introducing the WeeStay No-Slip Clip, in what it is calling “a product improvement and patent-pending innovation that will forever change the game in the hair accessories.”

Breakthrough Solution. How long have you been trying keep hair bows in place? Feels like forever, right? The WeeStay No-Slip Clip is made from a safe, silicone-like material, the next big solution for keeping girls hair bows in place.

101713_WeeOnes_03“With the launch of our WeeStay no-slip technology, a product of more than two years of research and development, our goal was to make the best hair bows in the business even better,” says Miles Faust, CEO of Wee Ones.

The patent-pending no-slip strip is affixed to the inside of the Wee Ones clip, on the back of the hair bow -the biggest product improvement in the company’s history.

101713_WeeOnes_01“For the first time our brand is on the bow,” says Gina Faust, VP Design and Marketing. “Because the no-slip strip features the Wee Ones logo, we can now be recognized for the great quality and design that our customers know and love.”

Ask for it by Name. Just introduced to the children’s retail industry, shoppers could ask for it by the Wee Ones name very soon in a children’s shop near you.