Kelly Hughes Designs Kids Tabletop Collection

From one-of-a-kind baby gifts to ways for jazzing up mealtime, this kids tabletop collection features sweet designs and whimsical must-haves like these personalized melamine plates.

120512_KellyHugesDesigns_04 The Kelly Hughes Designs kids tabletop collection is available in over 40 unique designs and includes coordinating placemats, melamine plates, bowls and mugs. Each piece may be personalized with a name.

All original artwork is hand-painted by designer Kelly Hughes. If you love the tabletop collection, you can also find many of the same designs in the Kelly Hughes kids stationery collection, including note cards, calling cards, vinyl stickers and bag tags. The New Art Prints are a hit – they’re the perfect baby gift to brighten up the nursery. Shop the entire collection at www.shop.kellyhughes.com.

A recent finalist in the Startup Nation Top 200 Leading Moms in Business competition, Kelly is dedicated to creating the highest quality products for both kids and parents. The competition highlights marketers and business minds who play an extraordinary role in their communities, chosen from thousands of entries.

Another ChicExecs PR 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!

Sad Sam & Honey®

Two popular doggies born on Long Island have one more family who’ll love ’em.

120412_Aurora_01 After launching in 1980, Sad Sam & Honey® rose to fame all over the world. Known in five continents, these two endearing basset hounds with sweet, innocent looks and sad eyes are from George Valentino, president and CEO of Long Island, NY-based Creative Endeavors, Ltd., the sole worldwide licensor for Sad Sam & Honey and the Sad Eyed Family of characters.

Recently, Aurora World Inc. nabbed the license for Sad Sam & Honey, and plans to produce a variety of styles for release this January.

We are so excited to welcome Sad Sam & Honey to the Aurora family. We’re planning a variety of huggable designs, stylish fabrics, classic body poses and seasonal styles. We look forward to bringing Sad Sam & Honey to a new generation of children and parents everywhere.

–Michael Kessler, Aurora’s SVP of sales and marketing

Aurora World, Inc., makers of high-end plus plush toys and gifts, is a Korean company with headquarters also in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, founded in 1981. Aurora created the international plush toy phenomenon – YooHoo & Friends™ – and its corresponding free, interactive web site (www.yoohoofriends.com), appealing to young children and tweens. The company sells its products via a wide variety of retailers including major zoos, high-end toy stores such as Learning Express, top gift chains such as Hallmark and Claire’s as well as hospital gift shops, fine florists, candy stores and gift/stationery stores worldwide.

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!

A New Way to Send Holiday Greeting Cards with Storkie

Popular greeting card company introduces the future of stationary this holiday season.

Storkie Express harnesses the power of modern technology while still embracing the appeal of a traditional printed greeting. What looks like a normal holiday card houses a special message that can only be unlocked through the lens of a smart phone, tablet or webcam-enabled computer.

Free Add-on. The company’s patent-pending technology adds personalized 3D images projected right from the back of the card; no glasses required. Storkie Hidden Dimension (SHD) is a free add-on to beautifully custom-printed cards and invitations. Each card features a printed icon to scan, which allows the recipient to view a special slideshow created just for them. Gives a whole new reason for sending cards this holiday season, doesn’t it?

We LOVE stationery with style.

For over 20 years, Storkie Express has been dedicated to a new type of stationery experience, offering high quality, affordable custom printed invitations, announcements and cards. The business has grown from specializing in baby announcements to a complete life events stationery company known for excellent customer service.

Another ChicExecs 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!

It’s My Party!

Handmade party hats and keepsake gifts for party-goers of all ages.

It’s My Party specializes in unique, handmade party hats designed for celebrating special occasions. From first to 50^th birthdays and anything in-between, these keepsake party hats and coordinating accessories get any party started.

We offer products to celebrate in a unique way from a truly individualized as well as personalized items.

This Ohio-based business started in 1996 in their basement –until their popularity grew … not only with parents of one-year-olds, but anyone celebrating a special day, or unique event. “Over the years the line has grown out of requests for more accessories such as matching bibs and diaper covers,” they say on their website. The company also offers one-of-a-kind gifts like silver crosses and birthday spoons.

For the First Time. Currently available at many children’s boutiques and gift stores across the country, It’s My Party now offers the entire line for purchase online.

As they say, You’re never too old to wear a party hat!

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!

Ruby’s Closet aka Sweet Julep’s

Popular girl’s hair accessories company gets a makeover and a name change.

California native Alice Hardin worked as a Hollywood nanny before becoming a mom herself. Her love for children inspires her to design and create pretty hair accessories for girls and more.

Alice’s couture style and eye for quality make her hair bows very desirable among her family and friends … as well as the retailers and customers who shop Ruby’s Closet. Named after her own daughter Ruby, she recently gave the popular brand a makeover, changing the name to Sweet Julep’s this fall.

Whether you purchase a Sweet Julep’s or Ruby’s Closet item, you can be sure you are getting a high quality and fashionable item.

Alice is known for sweet, beautiful and fashionable accessories, such as Kickie Feet, a “barefoot sandal sensation.” Worn on bare feet or over socks, they decorate little piggies with cute blossoms.

New Bling for the Holidays. Sold online, Sweet Julep’s offers free shipping on all orders over $50. The lovely accessories can also be found in children’s boutiques around the world. Great socking stuffers!

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!

They say it’s your birthday …

Today is Thanksgiving Day –and it’s also my birthday!

In the spirit of great gratitude, I offer this stunning message, given to us by Moving Art‘s Louie Schwartzberg. Click the picture to view.

I wish for you “that everyone on this day will be blessed by you … by your presence. Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you.” Enjoy the turkey!

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!

Shop Small with Me Giant

With Small Business Saturday® just four days away, here’s a business that’s perfect for the cause.

small things, big style. Me Giant is a team of illustrators, cartoonists, and graphic artists, order takers, shippers, floor sweepers and joke makers who specialize in making funny t-shirts and accessories for kids, designed for their playful personalities and bubbling imaginations.

I love small business, funny jokes, good people, being a mommy and living giant.

Shelia Butler is the company’s “chief keeper upper.” After spending seven years co-owning Aidan Gray Home, Inc., a successful wholesale décor and furniture business, she switched to children’s design after adopting two children within an 11-month period. “Talk about a change of lifestyle,” she says.

Sheila and her team at Me Giant are committed to exceptional customer service, safe products and pursuit of happy little giants, and they do this by offering products that are fun, simple, quirky, different and sometime old (she loves vintage finds) -high-quality design that’s also safe. Recently featured on zulily, parents can find stylish bibs and one-pieces; blankets and picture frames are now launching. And although the business doesn’t appear to be part of Small Business Saturday this year –it’s something to plan for in 2013. Wholesale available.

We believe that even the smallest of things can encompass giant style and that children are no exception when it comes to great design, sophisticated decor and chic apparel.

Sheila writes a blog to share her experiences with building a small business, offering the tips and tools she uses to do it, as well as interviews with other successful entrepreneurs filled with how-to ideas.

Small Business Saturday®, sponsored by American Express, is a day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday that’s dedicated to supporting small businesses nationwide. Learn more at ShopSmall.com.

Another Rachel Florio PR 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!

milkmakers Introduces Moms-On-The-Go

Individually wrapped for on-the-go convenience, moms everywhere will love these cookies! Launching with a fun promotion, too.

milkmakers, a Seattle WA-based company that makes unique snacks to help nursing moms make more breast milk, introduces individually wrapped cookies for grab-and-go ease. Moms-On-The-Go are a simple innovation that can make a world of difference to a busy mom.

Busy moms need quick and easy ways to support their breastfeeding goals. Keep these cookies in the diaper bag, or even with the pump for a pick-me-up while pumping. They are easy to carry, good to eat, and increase milk supply.

Moms-On-The-Go are available in the same oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin varieties as the original 10-cookie packages, for which milkmakers is known –full of the key ingredients to boost breast milk supply and provide nutritional power.

What a great idea! I had taken an entire milkmakers pouch and put it our break room freezer at work. But then they disappeared! These would be perfect for work, and to grab quickly on my way out the door since I’m never on time.

– Lori M., via milkmakers on Facebook

Moms-On-The-Go is the idea of Emily Kane, founding owner of milkmakers and mother of three young children. She created the original milkmakers cookies when she was looking for a way to increase her own breast milk supply. She began experimenting with different lactation cookie recipes, then came up with her own combination of oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed made into a tasty cookie that helped with her milk production, making it easier to pump at work during the day and breastfeed when she got home.

The two varieties of milkmakers -oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin- are made with all-natural organic ingredients. The company suggests that moms eat one to two cookies per day to reap the full milk-making benefits. All varieties of milkmakers cookies are available at www.milkmakers.com.

This would be a perfect midnight snack. I’m having a hard time feeding myself and this would make a super snack while my little one is also ‘snacking’.

– Amy P., via milkmakers on Facebook

Cookie On Us Promotion. milkmakers is launching the new Moms-On-The-Go with a fun promotion. Visit shop.milkmakers.com/cookie-on-us to request two free Moms-On-The-Go milkmakers cookies -and discover just how delicious, nutritious, and effective milkmakers cookies really are, with no obligation. Also available on the company’s website are links to additional resources for breastfeeding moms, as well as suggestions for finding a lactation consultant and dietitian.

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!

Wild Dill

This California-based retailer features organic, natural, fair trade clothing, toys and bedding for little ones.

Find a large selection of cool, unique toys and organic, colorful clothing for children at Wild Dill. Toys, wooden cars, puzzles, trains, doll houses, recycled plastic trucks, knit toys, organic dolls and stuffed animals -Wild Dill carries over 50 brands including Sprig Toys, Green Toys, Earth Friends, Kate Quinn, Speesees, Cotton Monkey and Under the Nile.

Wild Dill started with my son Dylan, an amazing little guy who loves water, books, bugs, outside and strawberries, who has inspired me to start a store that reflects his sense of curiosity and wonder for everything that is natural and wild.

-Jennifer, wife and mother of wild men

Wild Dill carries only natural, organic, fair trade, Made in the USA and Europe, or recycled clothing, toys, bedding and furniture for babies and toddlers.

The company also has a wish lists and baby registry, seasonal gift wrapping, and free shipping for orders over $65. Jennifer also offers an affiliate program for retailers.

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!

Cute Butts

Find out more about the home of the original RuffleButt bloomer.

Amber Schaub is founding owner of North Carolina-based Ruffle Butts, what she describes as the “fastest growing children’s apparel line.” Amber started out to create a cute and modern version of the diaper cover that was such a staple of her own childhood wardrobe. “Our line is fun, hip and feminine, made of 100% cotton with quality construction,” she says. What started as a bloomer company has grown to include legwear, dancewear, dresses, shirts and pants.

Because of its Ruffle Butts’ popularity … and ever-increasing requests for a boys version, Amber also launched Rugged Butts, a stylish, comfortable line for the little guys.

We designed our brands to include multiple colors and patterns which can be mixed-and-matched to make the lives of busy moms a little easier.

This family-owned business follows The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you. “Values and ethics are imperative to our business,” Amber says, “and we will do everything in our power to do the ‘right thing.'”

Shop online – the company currently shops world-wide. Wholesale also available.

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!