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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Kikli Design


071613_KikliDesign_Montage_02This new dress line captures a feeling of wanderlust with a carefree, exotic style.

Redondo Beach, CA-based Kikli Design draws inspiration from the feeling of escape and discovery that arriving at your vacation destination can bring. The début collection of easy-wearing boho dresses is influenced by different spots on the globe, blending themes, prints and colors to create a unique, happy silhouette. The custom prints and free-flowing fabric combine an effortless California vibe with the vibrancy of India.

071613_KikliDesign_JasmineKikli Design is designed to provide every Mom and little girl with a tangible expression of wanderlust and the search for beauty everywhere.

Fun, Carefree Spirit of Childhood. Founder Harjot Gill says she chose the name to reflect the lighthearted feeling she experienced as a girl, twirling with her friends in the traditional Kikli circle dance. “Kikli Design brings together my passion for travel, which allows me to discover new worlds and ideas -and design, which informs everything I see and touch,” says the Mom of one well-dressed and well-traveled little girl.

071613_KikliDesign_NatashaFor its début, the line features six summery dresses, each with its own print, color combinations –and personality. Ella is a sleeveless dress with a different fabric on each of the three tiers of its skirt. Cece sundress features a smocked bodice with contrasting print panels. Natasha has raglan flutter sleeves, a cinched waist and a solid color pop at the neckline. Sasha takes the high/low hemline for a spin and features a contrasting yoke and colorful piping details. Penelope is a flowy empire-waist dress with a square neckline and contrasting patch pockets. And Jasmine delights with short sleeves, an A-line skirt, vibrant floral embroidery on the yoke and colorful piping on the bodice and hem.

Delicate to Statement-Making. The cheerful, upbeat and vibrant color palette and unique prints welcome warm weather with tones of Neon, Honeysuckle and Blossom pink; ornately decorated elephants roam through a garden of exotic florals; regal paisleys spring from leafy vines fill a lush garden of Lagoon and Neon pink. Single, repeated stems of Champa flowers feature Lipstick petals, Lagoon leaves and Herb stems. A cloud of multicolored butterflies alight on a Blossom background for a pretty in pink look.

Children’s Buyers – See the Spring ’14 line at ENK Children’s Club, booth #3313 in New York August 4-6.

Shoppers – Ask for it by name! Sizes range from size 12 months to 8. Visit Kikli Design at its future digital home at http://www.kiklidesign.com/.

baby Jack blankets


A child’s first blanket, handmade with love – creating comfort for little ones.

“Our products are all about the senses,” says Kelley Legler, owner and resident Mom of Wisconsin-based baby Jack blankets. “Vibrant colors, textured ribbons and two fabrics – a Silky Satin top coupled with a Minky dimple-dot fleece back.”

071113_babyJackblankets_Yellow Circles Bulk OrderMade in the USA. Kelley and her mother-in-law Nancy hand make these custom blankets with ribbon accents, sewn shut into tabs to prevent a child’s tiny fingers from getting entwined. The design leaves one ribbon open as a “link loop,” to attach a pacifier clip or toy. They specialize in baby- and child-size blankets, and are happy to accommodate larger sizes on request.

“We welcome all custom orders, as I love to create a blanket to fit any person’s personality or match a nursery,” Kelley says. “I find these blankets to be perfect baby shower gifts, all at a low cost, too!”

071113_babyJackblankets_TwinsiesCelebrities Love ‘Em. Kelley also tells me the ribbon tabs provide a safe means of tactile play and sensory stimulation for little ones. Make sure to monitor your child closely during use, please!

baby Jack blankets can be found in boutiques throughout the U.S., as well as many zoos, hospitals, Harley Davidson dealerships, botanical garden gift shops, and on Yoyo.com. Allow two to three weeks for delivery.

071113_babyJackblankets_FlagLoveyIf you are interested in carrying baby Jack blankets in your store, please contact Kelley for wholesale pricing at babyjackblankets@hotmail.com.

Talking Tips for Kids


071013_TalkingTipsForKids_FionaBarry_02Where babbling babies become talented talkers.

Speech and Language Therapist Fiona Barry develops effective strategies for you to use every day to boost your child’s speech, language and communication skills. Fiona writes and presents her findings in a series of videos available at www.talkingtipsforkids.com, a nifty website where parents can help their children thrive in the nursery, in school, on the playground -and later in the workplace- by becoming happy, confident, chatty children.

Good talking and listening skills are the key to your child succeeding in life … Parents are the key to unlocking their child’s talking talents, and it’s never too early or late to start!

TalkingTipsForKids videos are packed full of useful tips to boost a child’s communication skills. Designed to fit seamlessly into a parent’s everyday routines at home, the advice is based on research and evidence from current clinical practice.

071013_TalkingTipsForKids_LogoA Speech and Language Therapist since 2004, Fiona received a BA Honours in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Kent, Canterbury and a Master of Science degree in Speech and Language Sciences from University College London. “I also have two boys of my own,” she says, “who have given me the best insight into how children learn to perform what I think is the greatest magic trick of all time – how to turn ideas and feelings into words and sentences!”

Fiona says children who have a good foundation in talking and listening skills are more likely to grow up to make friends easily, do well at school, stay out of trouble with the law and thrive in the workplace.

TinyTinkers


070913_TinyTinkers®_Little Baker smClever photography and a realistic look come together in this sportswear line that lets kids aspire to grown-up dreams.

Orly Catz has always been a visual person, so when she receives her first camera at the age of 12, she finds the perfect way to express her creativity. Orly not only specializes in commercial and fine arts photography, but through her new apparel line, she’s helping kids envision their own futures.

I raised my children to be open-minded and to try as many things as possible from sports to math to Brussels sprouts! And that’s what TinyTinkers represents, a world wide open to our children to become whoever they’re meant to be and embrace what they love.

070913_TinyTinkers®_Tiny Gardener smEndless Possibilities of Childhood. With the Spring ’14 collection of TinyTinkers, Orly uses her illustrative style to create clothing that allows children to literally try on any persona they choose. The 100% cotton sportswear line uses digital textile printing with non toxic, water base inks, which creates realistic trompe l’oeil images depicting a range of grown-up occupations, hobbies and sports that both kids and their parents can relate to.

As a result, cooks looking for a sous chef, golfers in need of a caddie or handymen wanting an extra hand can find them, with the help of TinyTinkers®.

By offering real-life images unlike traditional screen prints, TinyTinkers fulfills the need we all have to see ourselves in our children. “I also love that TinyTinkers brings such joy,” Orly says. “Kids, parents and even passersby get a kick out of the realistic look of our images.”

With TinyTinkers, kids can walk in their parents’ footsteps, and adults can start them off on their own path. For instance, for shoppers who have a budding cameraman in their lives, the Tiny Photographer is the perfect way to bring their aspirations into sharp focus.

070913_TinyTinkers® Tiny_musician_smTinyTinkers’ spring collection features Polo rompers, one-pieces, T-shirt dresses and short-sleeve and raglan tees in sizes 12 months to 4T. Orly’s photography is brought to life with complementary imagery on the front and the back, with themes that include a gardener’s belt cinched at the waist; a guitar over the shoulder; a baker’s apron tied in place and a purse filled to overflowing hanging across the body. Sports images include a baseball mitt, bat and ball enhanced by baseball stitching; golf clubs slung over the shoulder; and tennis balls caught in the net. And for a bit of seasonal fun, the line includes Popsicles and a beach scene.

Children’s Buyers – TinyTinkers launches at KidShow/Las Vegas August 19-21.

Wholesale prices range from $12-$20. The line is represented by Bill and Sandie Ellsworth in New England, Dave Lefelstein in New York, Chelsea & Co. in the Southeast, Kathy Fedoryshyn in the Midwest, The Coffs in the Southwest and Jo Ann Farese on the West Coast.

Shoppers – ask for TinyTinkers at your favorite children’s boutique!

Ice Cream Dreams


070413_FourthofJuly_01

Infantissima Retirement Sale


Attention children’s boutique owners! Infantissima is retiring.

070313_Infantissima_01Trudy Hutchings, owner of Infantissima, the company that has brought specialty baby gifts and accessories to babies and parents everywhere- is ready to be a full-time grandmother, and world traveler.

Customers like you make doing business a real pleasure.

Coos and Smiles. Infantissima has been very near and dear to Trudy’s heart (learn the story behind the brand here), and now she’s ready for a new chapter in her life. And she’s celebrating with the ultimate retirement sale.

“We appreciate all of our customers and have a lot of product still available,” they say. Such a deal! Take a look-

Thank you, Trudy Hutchings, for giving coos and smiles to so many over the years!

Coney Island Baby


Ever wonder what “educational clothing” is?

070213_ConeyIslandBaby_01Apparel company Coney Island Baby designs clothing that features original artwork inspired by the wisdom of the ages, brought to the world by beloved scholars of our time. The clothing line –and the wisdom- is presented through an interactive digital experience with just a click and a mouse.

We hope our services stimulate reflection on the things that matter so grown-ups can help spark a child’s imagination.

070213_ConeyIslandBaby_02Awaken Wonder. The artists, designers, writers and scholars of Coney Island Baby believe that education starts at home, and strive to create what they call a cultural experience for families through casual daywear. “Our approach is guided by the idea that a mind is a fire to be lighted, not a vessel to be filled,” they say. “Together, we can set a child’s mind alight!”

The “mental playground” found at www.Ci-Baby.com combines thought-provoking quotes, beautiful illustration, original screen-print artwork, patches and appliqués into fun creations made mostly of machine washable, stretchy cotton -wisdom that kids can wear.

Parents and children alike will want to read the Coney Island Baby story here, and get the full vision of educational clothing! There’s also a robust community happening on the company’s Facebook page, too.

Bailey Berry Shoes


Inspired by the vibrant environments of Manhattan, the Hamptons and the Adirondacks.

062713_BaileyBerry_014 Shoes in 1. The folks at Bailey Berry™ have been on a two-year mission to create the perfect kid’s shoes. And they probably have!

062713_BaileyBerry_logoNever sacrificing on function, fun and cool –this footwear is actually four shoes in one! Kids can wear them on the street, at the beach –anywhere they want -especially in style. The patented Reversa Strap™ technology lets kids change the strap to change the look!

Founded in 2010, Bailey Berrys and BB Stars™ are built to the highest quality standards.

JuJuBe Kids


The “Mini Me” fashion trend comes full circle.

062613_JuJuBe_05Sofia Ven’s smart, hip JuJuBe Kids sportswear collection is full of fun, shapely silhouettes that are bold and colorful, graphic and sweet.

Fashion made for your little sophisticate.

062613_JuJuBe_01The up-and-coming JuJuBe Design Studio was  founded in 2010, and focuses on designing fashion wear for girls ages three to eight. Sofia’s tastes catapult little fashionistas into sophisticated style, prompting parents to partake of a Mini-Me sensibility –that’s totally cute, and totally now.

Otsuki Sama


A collection of textiles, wallpaper, stationery and accessories inspired by traditional Japanese crafts.

062513_OtsukiSama_montageAfter spending 12 years living in Japan, French designer Valérie Bastit Laudier returns to her native France, with a desire to share her passion for Japanese crafts, as well as her interpretation of them.

Each item has its own story and invites you into the poetic world of Otsuki Sama, the majesty of the moon.

Majesty of the Moon. Valérie creates the lovely and satisfying Ostuki Sama collection. The name means “the majesty of the moon” -a notion of large symbolic significance in Japanese culture- and the collection includes motifs inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetic references as well as a line of textiles dyed with natural indigo.

While living in Japan, Valérie undertakes a long apprenticeship in calligraphy, which opens doors to a new and exciting world for her, giving her the opportunity to master the precise art of Japanese brush techniques. She develops skills in traditional crafts associated with calligraphy, such as assembling folding-screens -that now serve as a support for her work.

In turn, Valérie learns to ornament the screens, with the help of various techniques taught to her by her Japanese tutors -including, the application of gold and silver leaves, Japanese paper weaving techniques and the craft of roller-pressing silk and paper with nature dyes such as indigo or cherry blossom.

As a result, Otsuki Sama comes to life – in a range of products, including stationery, greeting cards, wallpaper, wall decorations, household linen and décor, and accessories such as scarves, aprons and bags.

Certain items are unique or limited editions, made entirely by hand in Valérie’s own studio; others are manufactured by skilled artisans in Lyon or Paris.