Announcements

Annual Gala Raises $1.4 Million


The event celebrated the fashion industry’s efforts to provide families and children in need with supplies and goods, in partnership with K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers.

Eight hundred fashion leaders joined Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers for the annual fundraising gala, raising $1.4 million and several hundred thousand dollars in product donations.

This year’s gala celebrates the growing collaboration between K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers as we reach new levels of impact, helping families affected by these challenging times. This is especially important following recent natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, the Oklahoma tornadoes, and the Colorado floods.

– Kevin Burke, K.I.D.S. Chairman of the Board

Recently held at Chelsea Piers in New York and hosted by celebrated film and television actress/producer Vivica A. Fox, this year’s honorees included Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.; Peter Comisar, Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Guggenheim Partners; Robert Campbell, Chairman and CEO, BBC International LLC; and Daisy Fuentes, fashion entrepreneur and television personality.

112613_KIDS_01“I’ve often said that we don’t work within just an industry,” says Allan Ellinger, Chairman of the Board of Fashion Delivers. “Ours is a community that gives back to help people in need, people who are sick, students seeking professional support and many other worthy causes.”

K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers help fight the consequences of poverty by delivering hope and a brighter future through the gift of new product. The two charities solicit excess merchandise from companies that make and market home furnishings for children and adults. To date, over $1 billion of donated goods have been distributed through a network of more than 1,000 community charities serving the poor and disadvantaged worldwide.

Photo, left to right: Denise Durham Williams, K.I.D.S. President; Allan Ellinger, Fashion Delivers Board Chairman; honoree Robert Campbell, Chairman and CEO, BBC International LLC; Kevin Burke, K.I.D.S. Board Chairman; Honorees Daisy Fuentes; Brendan Hoffman, President & CEO, the Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.; Peter H. Comisar, Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Guggenheim Partners; Vivica A. Fox, gala host

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!

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!

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.

Clever Relish


Solving life’s parenting problems with panache.

101513_CleverRelish_jillThrough partnership with the undiscovered genius of parents across America, we will deliver smart products that dress up your life while empowering the growth of strong families.

The CleverRelish™ company is the brainchild of Jill Carreiro, an engineer, salesperson, lifelong tinkerer and clever Mom of four children –which means Jill has endured nearly six straight years of diaper changes looking at that same ugly plastic baby wipes tub with every change.

Total inspiration for improvement, don’t you think?

101513_CleverRelish_WipesWrapsPatent Pending, Made in the USA. One day Jill realized, why can’t baby wipes tubs simply become part of the décor?! And with this “aha” moment, she started development on her first CleverRelish product, a simple, elegant solution to add style to your life.

101513_CleverRelish_01As the world’s first interchangeable decorative cover available, WipesWraps™ by CleverRelish™ transform unsightly baby wipe tubs into pretty room accessories, an inventive, quick-fix that stretches on to dress up any environment.

Massachusetts-based CleverRelish recently shipped 2,500 units of WipesWraps exceeding its initial goal –and for a small, privately-owned and entrepreneurial business, this is a fantastic accomplishment!

“The commitment to our mission of building this business and innovating new products is unwavering,” Jill says. “As a mother and business woman, I understand our customers, which shows in the design of our flagship product line that has people desiring the unexpected and purchasing products that have the ability to turn something boring into something fun.”

101513_CleverRelish_02Celebrity Fave. Hollywood Moms from Jennifer Garner to Kate Hudson rave about their new fave accessory, and with more than 4,000 social media followers, the company is receiving accolades from customers -and media- around the world.

Have a Clever Idea of your own? “CleverRelish prides itself on being an advocate for entrepreneurs thinking outside the box and strong women everywhere taking risks to make a difference for themselves, their families and the world around them,” Jill says. “We vow to support other small and local businesses, advocate for their success and recognize their brilliance and ingenious efforts, which provide inspiration and motivation to the growth and perseverance of CleverRelish every day.”

If you’re a clever inventor with a cool idea for kids or the home, tell Jill about it by emailing idea@cleverrelish.com.

HitStory Kids App


100913_HitstoryKids_03The only history app for toddlers!

HitStory Kids is a new educational app created especially for toddlers, guiding them in a fun and interactive way through iconic episodes of American history.

Like Magic! The free app, now available for iPhone and iPad, is narrated by Peekaboo Peet, a friendly and curious hedgehog who takes children on a journey, introducing them to characters, objects and symbols linked to historical facts.

100913_HitstoryKids_04A True Explorer. Toddlers love finding Peet in vessels, carts, beneath the sand, playing with monkeys and other unexpected situations that ultimately teach them about American history.

The fun in HitStory Kids comes in many ways: the cute, the funny, the scary and the amazing characters; tons of interactivity waiting to be discovered; the music and the ‘mission accomplished’ buzz the child feels when he or she reaches the final destination on the last screen.

100913_HitstoryKids_01Celebrate Columbus Day. The first HitStory Kids episode, Columbus Sails, was just released in time to celebrate Columbus Day, on the second Monday in October (the 14th).

The only history app for toddlers, HitStory Kids is created by a group of passionate historians to teach toddlers about American history, culture, the values and beliefs that are important in the making of American society. Visit http://www.hitstorykids.com to download the app and learn more.

  • Thank you, Adrienne Dorsey of Magnolia PR for introducing me! 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!

Pendleton Woolen Mills


100813_Pendleton_150YearsLogoHappy Birthday to the iconic brand of classic American style.

Recognized all over the world as a symbol of authentic American heritage and craftsmanship, Pendleton is celebrating 150 years of weaving fabric in the Pacific Northwest this year.

100813_Pendleton_BigDipperCribBlanketMade in the USA. With six generations of family ownership since 1863, the company owns and operates two of America’s remaining woolen mills, attending to them with the love and respect they deserve with state-of-the-art looms and eco‐friendly technology.

Inspired by its heritage, Pendleton designs and produces apparel for men, women and children, blankets, home décor and gifts.

100813_Pendleton_HoodedTowelFor Little Ones. Pendleton’s colorful, beautifully designed and naturally inspired line of children’s blankets, towels, layette, plush toys, dinner sets and room décor can brighten your child’s environment with pieces that can become family heirlooms.

100813_Pendleton_FranklinHorseEach of the “Tell-Me-A-Story” blankets are inspired by the true history of the native peoples of America, giving real-life shared experiences to parents and their kids. Full stories for each blanket can be found on the company website.

100813_Pendleton_Ah-DayMuchachoGirlsAh-Day. “Ah-Day” means “special” in Kiowa, and the Ah-Day blankets are produced exclusively by Pendleton for the American Indian College Fund, a Native American-operated organization dedicated to education. Designed by acclaimed contemporary Native American artist Virginia Stroud, the blanket is inspired by a Plains Indian tradition of new parents placing their child’s remaining navel cord inside an amulet shaped like a turtle. The amulets represent the turtle’s hard shell that will guard the spirit of the child and ensure a long, protected life. Also, a portion of the proceeds from the Ah-Day blankets benefit the Fund.

100813_Pendleton_GirlScoutsGirl Scouts’ Centennial Celebration. Last May, Pendleton wove a custom blanket design for the Girl Scouts’ 100 year celebration, each one issued with a commemorative label signed by Girl Scout alumna and former Governor of Oregon Barbara Roberts.

100813_Pendleton_LayetteAdorned with a few of the original Girl Scout proficiency badges and the Girl Scouts official 100th anniversary logo, the blanket design represents the history as well as the diversity of skills that girls have learned in the last century. Stripes along the top and bottom represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise and the Courage, Confidence and Character element of the Girl Scout mission.

100813_Pendleton_PillowPendleton is available through select retailers in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia, at Pendleton stores, through company catalogs the Pendleton website.

Tortle


With more than a million babies each year being diagnosed with Flathead Syndrome in the USA alone, Tortle is an essential item that we hope will be on every expectant parent’s buy buy BABY registry list.

-Dr. Jane Scott, inventor and Mom

Almost 1 in Every 2 Babies. Since 1992, the incidence of Flathead Syndrome has increased to epidemic proportions. It can occur due to a baby’s lack of movement, or the amount of time infants spend on their back –the best position for a baby to rest.

If left untreated, Flathead Syndrome can cause long-standing physical issues for a child, and the expensive treatment can be somewhat uncomfortable.

100313_Tortle_02Almost 100% Preventable. Denver, CO-based Tortle Products makes a lightweight knit beanie that provides parents with a cost effective and simple solution to prevent Flathead Syndrome.

Developed by board certified Pediatrician and Neonatologist Dr. Jane Scott, the Tortle beanie is an FDA-cleared patented Class 1 medical device that promotes proper head and neck movement essential for appropriate development.

The stylish Tortle beanie helps prevent and treat early stages of Plagiocephaly (the flattening of the baby’s skull) and Torticollis (unbalanced neck muscles) –known as Flathead Syndrome- by gently repositioning a baby’s head, gently moving it from side to side.

100313_Tortle_01An expert specialist in this field, Dr. Scott has counseled and educated hundreds of  parents to help prevent and treat the many problems associated with Flathead Syndrome during her 30-year practice. Her mission is to prevent Flathead Syndrome all over the world.

The Tortle is now available in more than 16 buybuy BABY locations across the country.

  • Thanks Hilary Abbott Communications, for introducing me! 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 ABCmouse.com Online Learning Program


100213_abcmouse_05ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is an online educational program focused on making learning fun for children ages two to six, establishing a foundation for lifelong learning.

With a full online preschool, pre-k and kindergarten curriculum, ABCmouse.com offers quality content to engage children with stimulating games, puzzles, songs, paint-by-numbers and more.

We named our site ABCmouse.com because here, children can learn important educational basics (often referred to as ‘the ABC’s’) through the use of a computer mouse. At ABCmouse.com, the computer mouse comes to life as ABC Mouse, who serves as our site ambassador and guide to early learners everywhere.

100213_abcmouse_03Drawing from curriculum carefully designed in collaboration with nationally recognized childhood education experts, ABCmouse.com’s highly imaginative programs engage children at every learning level to make learning seem like a fun game.

A few ABCmouse.com features:

  • More than 3,000 learning activities in reading, math, beginning science, social studies, art, and music
  • A Step-by-Step Learning Path that guides your child through the curriculum at his or her own pace
  • A powerful Lesson Builder tool that allows you to create your own lessons for your child

100213_abcmouse_01Subscription-based ABCmouse.com has no advertising, pop-up ads or links to other sites. Children can learn and explore on their own or with their parents in a safe and secure online educational environment.

In addition to supplementing and supporting a child’s traditional schooling, ABCmouse.com also offers a special curriculum for home schoolers.