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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Sew Lati


043013_SewLati_01Sew Lati Couture débuts with the Royal Collection for Fall Holiday 2013.

Smart, chic and glamorously functional, Sew Lati Couture is a new luxury brand for kids that features a bold, rich palette, exquisite fabrics, lux detail and modern style.

The color palette this season inspired the Royal Collection. When I think of royalty, I envision rich color and timeless, regal pieces. The deep hues of plum and navy combined have such a regal feel.

043013_SewLati_03Drawing inspiration from her three young children, designer TJ Hamilton, wife of NBA Chicago Bulls star Richard Hamilton, has created a collection infused with quality and bursting with practicality. From luminous velvet suits and jacquard coats to playful graphic tees and cargo leggings, pieces are designed to be mixed and matched into countless combinations of effortless elegance.

043013_SewLati_02Designed and fabricated in the USA, Sew Lati has a distinctly high fashion feel while keeping comfort in mind.

Numero 74


Handmade and vintage adorables for kids, made in Thailand.

042513_Numero74_logoEstablished in 2009, Numero 74 is designed by cousins Poupy and Nancy, who bring their French and Italian-inspired dreams to reality in a eclectic collection of furniture and vintage items, as well as blankets, pillows, paper products and more.

Heartmade … for kids.

Poupy and Nancy just introduced BE HAPPY, a line of accessories for happy birthday parties.

042513_Numero74_Montage_02The designing cousins select all the materials and oversee the manufacture of the handcrafting by skilled artisans and women’s cooperatives in Thailand.

Zooligans


Children’s Retail Today Adorables – the founders of Zooligans create a new company, taking the brand to another level.

042413_Zooligans_01Cheryl Andonian, co-founder of Zooligans footwear, tells me it’s been a crazy year since she and  her husband, shoe designer Joel Rusnak, launched the brand. The duo just reformed a new company, ShoeString Shoes LLC to make Zooligans shoes even better.

042413_Zooligans_03Stampeding Toward Fall. The Massachusetts-based company is offering exciting additions to the clever collection of animal-themed shoes for Fall ’13, multiplying for the back to school season with a new menagerie of styles, colors and characters in their Pawflex line.

New critters-shoes include a Penguin, Pony and Kitty boot; a Puppy and Gator Ox; a Dinosaur and Monkey mid-cut boot and an Owl and Panda slip on clog – all featuring Zooligans’ signature Paw Flex bottom with its bold paw print design that’s super flexible. Zooligans shoes are designed for little kids’ growing feet with a roomy toe box for toes to stretch and grip plus the flexibility that little feet need.

042413_Zooligans_02Zooligans is also expanding the brand with Baby Zooligans, a collection of soft-soled shoes for infants. Baby Zooligans’ tiniest menagerie includes a Lamb, Lion, Kitty, Piglet, Puppy and Monkey,  made from soft leather and suede to provide protection, warmth (and cuteness) for baby’s delicate feet. The bottoms are made of soft suede and have a fun printed pawprint on the bottom.

Loved by blogging moms everywhere, recognized as “must have’s” and “most awesome,” the new company will be ready to ship the new Zooligans to retailers in August.

Talking Threads Kids


042313_TalkingHeadsKids_comboNicci O’Rourke is quite the doodler. And she’s turned her doodling into a children’s wear line.

Talking Threads Kids is Nicci’s first-ever children’s wear brand, which just launched a Spring/Summer collection of clothing, shoes –even funky wallpaper- full of Nicci’s doodles.

042313_TalkingHeadsKids_tshirt_girlThe Edinburgh-based artist is mom to three children and started the business in January. For Nicci, Talking Treads fulfills a life-long ambition to create a children’s wear line that combines her love for fashion and illustrative design. With an affinity for the fun side of dress-up, Nicci used her previous experience running her own women’s wear label to develop Talking Threads.

Talking Threads Kids – Creative, playful clothing, illustrations without limitations.

042313_TalkingHeadsKids_sneakersNicci believes strongly believe in supporting British manufacturing, which is where Talking Thread is made. And the clothing is label-free.

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!

Earth Day Adorables – Knickerbocker Glory


A new category of premium children’s undergarments that encourages “the pursuit of proper fun.”

041813_KnickerbokerGlory_FBSasha Muir, also known as She-Brit, is a British entrepreneur with a passion for dreaming up unique new businesses that scream with personality.

Case in point: butter LONDON, makers of exceptional nail lacquer, which she founded in 2005. Following that success, Sasha built a second company, Knickerbocker Glory, makers of high-end children’s undergarments that lives up to its inspiration: the independent and spirited girls of 19th century England who wore fashionable “knickerbockers” so they could defy society and do just what they wanted.

Keep Calm and Put ’em On. Made from the company’s special blend of 31% organic cotton, 65% modal and 4% Lycra, Knickerboker Glory’s unique Underouts collection is soft, comfy and fresh with newborn style – this underwear is designed to be seen.

Underouts are fun and allow girls today (and boys, too!) to explore and grow whilst encouraging their unique sense of fashion. Our motto, ‘Because I Want To…’, serves as a reminder that pursuing proper fun is essential and that being dressed appropriately is key to enjoying that freedom.

041813_KnickerbockerGlory_Boxerbockers-homeNot only are Knickerbocker Glory styles made from organic cotton, each pair of Underouts is packaged in bright, fun, sustainable packaging.

Sasha Muir, who lives in the Seattle WA USA area, enjoys assisting female entrepreneurs grow their businesses and serves on a number of consumer product advisory boards. Follow her on Twitter.

Earth Day Adorables – NurturMe


Snack healthy – from four months to four years, NurturMe helps parents feed their children better from the ground-up, with new organic dry meal pouches and toddler treats.

041713_NurturMe_quinoa_02Austin, TX-based NurturMe, the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals, is expanding the award-winning line of organic dried baby food with  1) a 100% quinoa rice cereal alternative; 2) a new line of blended NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches and 3) a new line of bite-sized organic Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks for toddlers.

Eat Healthy. The first “stage-free” food for infants to toddlers, NurturMe’s convenient organic dry meal pouches and fruit and veggie snacks make it easy for busy parents to ensure their children are getting maximum nutrition with every bite.

“With our new expanded family of certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher products, we’re bringing convenience, versatility and peace of mind to a whole new level,” says CEO and co-founder Caroline Freedman, who’s also a mother of two. “Just one NurturMe pouch equals countless healthy and delicious opportunities for mealtime.”

NurturMeals is the only baby food on the market designed specifically for the option to mix with breast milk, providing even more nutrients with each feeding.

NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches are rich in nutrients and super versatile. Simply mix them with breast milk, formula or water to create the desired consistency, or mix them in to toddler favorites like pastas, baked goods or yogurts for a boost in protein and nutrients.

041713_NurturMe_boxlineupNurturMeals Singles now come in Protein-Packed Quinoa, which is the first and only certified-organic pure 100% quinoa meal created especially for children that supports growth.

Brand new to the NurturMe family, NurturMeals Blends bring together nutrient-packed superfoods such as green kale, quinoa, squash and banana to delight developing taste buds with creative and delicious combos.

Big nutrition designed for little hands, NurturMe’s new Yum-a-Roo’s organic dry toddler snacks are made from bite-sized pieces of fruits and veggies that easily dissolve in the mouth, using a NurturMe drying process that preserves the nutrients, freshness and flavor –in a resealable pouch.

All NurturMe products are Made in the USA. NurturMe’s organic dry meals are packed in recyclable materials made with wind energy, leaving a smaller carbon footprint on our planet than the other options found in the baby aisle.

From the soil to their spoon, each earth-loving, lightweight NurturMe pouch provides added convenience and peace of mind.

Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood.

  • Another Hilary Abbott Communications 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!

Adorables for Earth Day – Burt’s Bees Baby


041613_BurtsBeesBaby_earthdayAll the natural goodness that Burt’s Bees is loved for, made especially for little ones.

Last year, Burt’s Bees® -a name that stands for natural skin care- introduced Burt’s Bees Baby, an earth-friendly lifestyle brand for babies and their moms.

Launched as a “natural” evolution of the Burt’s Bees brand, Burt’s Bees Baby has introduced an entirely new genre into the natural and organic markets, catering to the family that shops locally, buys organic and visits famers’ markets.

And you can buy it at Target.

We are building on that tradition by offering families a high quality, organic line of products that starts with babies and expands to the entire family.

041613_BurtsBeesBaby_lifestyleThrough a licensing venture with brand building and product design firm Ayablu, Inc., the line includes newborn essentials such as apparel, accessories, bath linens and gift sets, as well as skincare. And the relatively new brand seems to exude both the character and spirit of the Burt’s Bees brand, described as “whimsical, carefree and intent upon doing things in a ‘better way’ -in a way that is accessible to all.

“The Burt’s Bees Baby brand was thoughtfully crafted in the glow of the Burt’s Bees brand mission,” says Michelle Visser, Ayablu’s CEO. “We wanted to bring you a product line that would nurture children – soft, natural pieces and 100% organic. Building on a culture of caring and well being, our mission is to create a collection that frees families to relax, enjoy and revel in every moment with their little ones.”

041613_BurtsBeesBaby_giftbasketAn expert in the children’s market, Michelle has launched children’s brands for Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co and Lucky Kids, and help senior executive jobs with Pottery Barn Kids, Nike for Kids and others.

Burt’s Bees Baby is a high-quality, organic collection trusted almost immediately by the shopping public. In addition to e-commerce, www.burtsbeesbaby.com serves as an educational platform with original editorial content and as a forum for moms and moms-to-be. The brand is poised for growth, with plans to add apparel and accessories sizes for toddlers and children, new categories including diaper bags and gear, health and safety, playtime, seasonal offerings, furniture and other products the family.

  • 041613_BurtsBeesBaby_sweaterChildren’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!

Introducing Loubilou


041113_Loubilou_lifestyle_03In this new global marketplace, independent designers and small merchants rule –and shoppers can find very unique “childrensware.”

First introduced in the UK and now launching in Australia, Loubilou (Loubilou.com.au in Australia) is an online selling platform for independent retailers offering children’s clothing, gifts, toys and accessories.

We search far and wide to find the most unique and delightful childrensware, and then bring it together in one hub. In this way, we humbly aim to make the world just a little bit smaller.

041113_Loubilou_landingpage_ukLoubilou offers only merchandise that is well-made and not mass-produced, giving both buyers and sellers a personalized shopping experience far more authentic than department stores, or even other e-commerce sites.

How? “Most parents have limited time and rely on retailers from large shopping centres to shop for their children,” says founder Heath Kane, father of two, award-winning designer and also the former creative director of global marketing firm Sapient. “I noticed my kids -and all their friends- were looking like little department store clones.”

Heath recognized that a child’s individuality is important, but he was very frustrated trying to find one single website offering the kind of clothing, toys and accessories that took that personal style to heart, much less all in one place. So he created it.

041113_Loubilou_lifestyleThis Stuff is Cute. Both Loulibou sites cater to parents with youngsters up to the age of 10, a one-stop shop for high-quality, boutique children’s goods from independent sellers, designers and craftspeople around the world (I particularly like Clareoncloud9’s adorable cloud with smiley faced rain drops). Heath plans to integrate both sites within the next six months to provide a global marketplace for children’s indies –and their fans.

The Loubilou’s are open to any independent merchants or designers that fit the criteria of “high quality, unique and independent.” It’s free to join and there’s no lock in.

“Our mission is to build a platform to give small businesses a voice in a world dominated by big corporate players and to bring small wonders and delight to children through a world of cool stuff,” says Bree Jessup, manager of Loubilou Australia.

Connect with Loubilou on Facebook.

All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle from Pacific Baby


The first thermal baby bottle in the world that lets parents see what’s inside!

041013_PacificBaby_productComplete Liquid Visibility. American baby product brand Pacific Baby introduces the All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle, a unique design that not only keeps baby’s drink warm or cold for up to seven hours, it also lets moms and dads see all of the feeding liquid. The new design is a thermal system that uses a plastic bottle inserted neatly into a stainless steel thermal outer bottle.

Our All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle has set an entirely new benchmark and quality standard for parents. These thermal bottle applications make feeding on-the-go quite a lot easier for today’s parents.

-managing director Cameron Honarvar

041013_PacificBaby_lifestyleEco-friendly Functionality. The outer bottle can easily be used as a sippy cup, then a drink bottle, simply by using Pacific Baby’s handle and spout accessories, giving the product an ultimate life of more than five years.

In keeping with modern trends the bottle’s few plastic parts are free of BPA, PVC and Phthalates, and the product has been tested against a wide range of European and North American safety regulations.

041013_PacificBaby_logoCameron Honarvar, father of five, founded Pacific Baby in 2010. “My vision for the company was to create a dynamic new brand that would focus on developing innovative, fun, stylish and practical new baby products, designed without fear of departing from traditional norms,” he says. “Targeting parents with an active lifestyle, we continually seeks to ‘raise the bar’ for a parent’s product expectations in each new category that the company enters.”

Find the All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle at Canada’s guzzieandGuss.com and at select retailers all over the globe.

  • Another Pink Pearl PR find! 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!

Introducing Gallo en Fuego


040913_GalloenFuego_firefighterMade in the USA collection of boys belts, t-shirts, pet accessories and more from the designer of mom and baby accessories line, 2 Red Hens.

Rooster on Fire! Introducing Gallo en Fuego, a new collection of boy’s and men’s accessories, custom designed logo t-shirts and pet products from Red Holliday Studios founder and designer Lori Holliday. Pronounced “guy-o en fway-go,” which is Spanish for “rooster on fire,” the line is made from decommissioned fire hoses. How unique!

Being married to a fireman has more than safety perks. It sparked my design inspiration, too. When fire hose is past its action-packed prime, it is decommissioned with little chance for a second life. Gallo en Fuego takes those spent pieces and transforms them into stylish wearable accessories for men, boys and pets.

040913_GalloenFuego_beltsNew York City Hot. “After years on the battle lines, even the toughest fire hoses have to retire from the field,” they say. Gallo en Fuego sources most of the hoses from New York. At the company’s Colorado-based custom workshop, the hoses are cleaned, keeping all their with distinctive marks from the fire ground intact. Both the inner rubber lining and the tough woven exterior become the raw materials used to hand-craft Gallo en Fuego’s distinctive collection of wallets, belts and other products.

040913_GalloenFuego_tshirtsInspired by her husband Mark, a firefighter for 15 years, Lori wanted to honor him and his fellow heroes, who put their own lives on the line each day. So the company has partnered with The National Fallen Firefighters Association in their mission to remember America’s fallen fire heroes and assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.  A portion of the proceeds from each sale of Gallo en Fuego products is given to help the families of those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Available online, UncommonGoods.com (a favorite of mine!) and select boutique retailers nationwide.

  • Thank you, Hilary Abbott, for introducing me to Gallo en Fuego! 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!