Charity and Goodwill

Dainty Lions – Hot, Young Accessory Line with Celebrity Following


In a snap, mix and match trendy accoutrements to any single headband, hair clip, button or pendant.

About two years ago, Heather Ells invented Dainty Lions™ interchangeable snap accessories after she decides to be a stay at home mom for her little ones. With a degree in elementary education and the inspiration of her daughters, whom she knew she’d be accessorizing for years to come, Heather put her creativity to good use, dreaming up a way to use a snap system in a line of super-trendy interchangeable accessories. After experimenting with multiple prototypes, she launched Dainty Lions, so girls of all ages can “Change it out. Snap it in.” With just one single base accessory and different button or flower snaps, girls can create multiple looks.

What girl doesn’t like a little bling?

Each Dainty Lions product has a snap securely attached, and can be mixed and matched with Dainty Lions headbands, hair ties/wristbands, ties, pendants and bobby pins. What’s more, girls can trade ’em to create even more unique looks.

The product name is inspired by the wishful thinking behind the memory of watching dandelion seeds floating in the air. It not only conjures the magic of childhood, but appeals to moms and grandmothers who treasure its whimsy.

“We sell our line in many small retail shops across the country,” Heather tells me, “and many teens/young adult stars have been wearing them to red carpet and other events.”

Dainty Lions has quite a following on Facebook, where fans can find out about new styles, contests and more –and Heather also keeps them up-to-date on the various charities and foundations she likes to donate to.

Journaling Ideas. I read recently that Heather writes all her new ideas in a journal (love this!) until they’re ready to introduce. Be on the lookout for Double the Dainty,  two button snaps or two mini flower snaps on one elastic headband.

  • 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!

The Gracious Style of Isabel Garreton


Adorn your daughters, nieces and granddaughters in the gracious style of beautiful clothes that reflect both the innocence and beauty of little girls.

The Isabel Garreton® collection is designed with comfort in mind, featuring elegant special occasion dresses, coats and Christening outfits designed for movement, growth and -of course- twirling. With sparkles sewn into fabrics that allow precious skin to breathe, cheeks to glow and small treasures to stay safe in hidden pockets, little girls feel as special as they look.

A line of handmade dolls are lovably soft and quite unique- kids create a customized version online, where they may select skin color, hairstyle, smile, clothing and name.

Isabel Garreton also offers lovely accessories for big girls, too –and recently launched Itsatwist, a collection of flexible hand-woven fabric pieces that can be worn as a scarf, wrap, top or anything else you can imagine. Quite fetching, I’d say!

My company brings timeless style, unique craftsmanship and extraordinary materials from Chile to your closet.

-Isabel Garreton

For over twenty years, Isabel’s company has provided a dignified work opportunity for disadvantaged women from her native country of Chile. All of the proceeds from the collection of women’s accessories, children’s clothing and handmade dolls go back to the women who created them. By teaching women time-honored skills like weaving and embroidery and employing them at her company, Isabel has provided them with a chance for happier and healthier lives.

  • 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!

Celebrating 10 Years of Tea


Inspired by the beauty of all the world surrounding us, is a company that believes their people are its soul, the heart of the brand.

We’re Tea. We go there. Across the globe. And across the street. Turning our experiences into original children’s clothing of unique beauty, modern style and easy comfort. Come along with us. And definitely bring your kids.

It’s hard to believe it’s been just 10 years since two world travelers started Tea in San Francisco, CA USA with three pima cotton baby sweaters and a global aesthetic for designing distinctive fashion for children, ages 0-12. The women’s collection of “easy-going, culturally-connected styles designed to fit your life” was launched in the fall of 2010.

The brand name is inspired by the tradition of drinking tea, shared throughout the world in nearly every culture. Taking it even further, Tea employees receive an annual allowance to use toward international travel; thus, each season’s destination inspiration. “We immerse ourselves in the culture to learn about local textiles, colors, architecture, aesthetics and design practices,” they say on their website. “We explore, we discover, we sketch, we take tons of pictures (video too). We come home – enlivened by the experience, ideas flowing, and ready to jump into the journey of creation.”

The Spring/Summer 2012 destination inspiration is Bali –a world full of happiness.

Co-founders, Emily Meyer, chief creative officer, and CEO Leigh Rawdon bring together Emily’s extensive background in fashion and Leigh’s entrepreneurial spirit in a company ranked on the Inc Magazine list of fastest growing private companies five years in a row. Tea not only gives us remarkably beautiful fashion, but gives back to the world through its work with The Global Fund for Children.

Very Tea, indeed.

  • 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!

Special Offer for Children’s Retail Today Readers


As a thank you for following Children’s Retail Today, find out the details of a very special offer.

Now, Children’s Retail Today readers enjoy special savings when shopping AnnieWear, a unique online store offering the best selection of animal-themed baby and toddler clothing and gifts.

What makes AnnieWear so special is that portions of all AnnieWear sales are donated to animal rescue programs around the country. It’s our way of giving back to animals that so desperately need help. And the more we sell, the more we can give.

A portion of the proceeds from every Children’s Retail Today sale will be donated to The Gentle Barn! Located in Santa Clarita, CA, The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to severely abused animals. It’s a place where kids interact with the animals to learn kindness, compassion and confidence.

In addition, you receive a 10% discount at the AnnieWear checkout on your purchase (excludes shipping). Click here for this special promo code – it’s the thank you that gives back!

Shop for unique Easter gifts!

With Easter Sunday fast approaching on April 8 – shop AnnieWear’s Easter gifts section for a fun, animal-themed selection of products perfect enough to make any Easter basket special!

Thanks again. For the 10% discount code PLUS a way to give back to animals in need, click here. And my heartfelt thanks to Pamela Pinta and Laurene Parletore of AnnieWear for making it all happen!

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (this is a special post!). If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

AnnieWear Inspires Animal Lovers to Give Back


Pamela Pinta and Laurene Parletore have taken their passion and turned it into a reality.

“AnnieWear is an online gift store that gives back,” Pam tells me. “We donate part of the proceeds from every item sold to animal rescues nationwide.” AnnieWear offers animal-themed products for newborns, infants, toddlers and kids up to size 7, as well as things that appeal to moms.

Named after Laurene’s adopted dog Annie and inspired by nephew Roland, who was born around the time Annie was adopted, AnnieWear has already donated to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue (where Annie is from), Liberty Humane Society (where Pam volunteers), Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Purrs and Pooches, and The East Coast Maine Coon Rescue (where Pam was just elected to the Board of Directors).

Pam and Laurene are cousins who are both passionate animal lovers and avid shoppers with completely different styles and tastes. Pam loves all animals and adopts cats. Laurene loves all animals and adopts dogs. Neither are moms to humans, but they dearly love their nephews and try to influence their lives in a positive way.

Laurene says, “We cater to people looking for a unique gift for a special occasion, something that will make their gift stand out and their gift recipient appreciative.”

The pair began by creating their own product lines: the Life Line and the Annie Line. Both offer 100% ring-spun combed cotton one-pieces and t-shirts in traditional and contemporary colors for boys or girls. The Annie Line products features Annie’s picture, along with her trademark “So Stinkin’ Cute” graphic.

AnnieWear also includes popular brands such as Aden + Anais, Bibi & Mimi, Hatley, Kalencom, Kicky Pants, San Diego Hat Company, Vincent and many more.

AnnieWear products perform double duty for you: Unique gifts sure to be a hit that also help animals in need.

  • 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!

Get $65 in FREE Products! Join Klippie Klub!


Popular children’s accessories brand Itzy Bitzy Designs launches a new club that makes accessorizing affordable.

Do you have a little diva darling who loves wearing the perfect hair accessory with every outfit? She can never have too many hair bows, right? Wouldn’t it be great if all that shopping didn’t break the bank?

Look no further. Michelle Ruesch, founder of Itzy Bitzy Designs, introduces the Klippie Klub, a kit-of-the-month hair accessories club, where members receive a themed kit containing exclusive, newly released hair clips each month. It’s the perfect way to build an up-to-the-minute-cute hair accessories collection that’s incredibly affordable as well.
“Monthly subscription programs are very popular and allow the customer to enjoy products at a significant savings,” Michelle tells me. “We wanted our customers to be able to enjoy a wider range of our products by being able to offer them a substantial savings – and you will not find another club that offers such an incredible value.”

Get $65 in FREE Products. You enjoy fantastic savings from the start, with a choice of two memberships. The Krazy is only $15.99 a month – a 70% savings off retail. The Kasual is only $18.99 a month – a 50% savings off retail – and requires no long term commitment. FREE Shipping is included with each membership – another bargain!

For Children’s Retail Today Followers. Join now and receive the first kit FREE plus a FREE Klippie Klub Hair Accessories & Travel Organizer (total retail value $65.00). Help get the word out about this terrific deal!

  1. use this link to like the Klippie Klub Facebook Page;
  2. or sign up for the Klippie Klub Newsletter (Join My List) and be the first to receive special promotions and coupon codes;
  3. or start following the Itzy Bitzy blog;
  4. and share my posting (this one!) about the Klippie Klub on your own Facebook page!

And sign up for the Klub, of course!

Designed in the USA. Each month, members –and their diva daughters- can look forward to a beautifully themed set of hair clips exclusively designed only for club members, made from high-quality, trendy fabrics and colors. The sturdy clips are easy to open yet stay in place, and the soft inside is gentle on a child’s lovely locks.

Every little girl deserves to feel like a princess. We hope that our unique affordable program insures little girls will always have the perfect hair accessory for any outfit.

Continue reading →

Hair Accessory Line Gives Back


The Woobie Wear couture hair accessory brand is on a mission to provide ill children with beauty, those with disabilities with rewarding jobs and worthy charities with extra support.

Founder and designer Lisa Blackman was inspired by the birth of her baby girl -affectionately nicknamed “Woobie,” and by 2006 had launched the company. The product line includes headbands, hats and vibrantly colored flower clips for babies, toddlers and tweens; there’s even a mother-daughter line. Signature Woobie Wear hats are crocheted by hand from an exclusive, one-of-a-kind pattern.

Recently, Woobie Wear added a full line of versatile Magnetic Strands that can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, anklet or headband, feather clip-in hair extensions, fedoras for boys and girls, winter head wraps and over-the-knee socks.

Woobie Wear strives to bring a little fun and beauty to kids that are struggling to overcome huge obstacles and terrible diseases. While products are becoming a staple in local hospitals, the company recently donated hats to Shizuoka Children’s Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Part of the product line is produced and packaged in partnership with St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation, which provides support and funding for special needs individuals so they can take an active part in their communities. Lisa and Woobie Wear donate proceeds to several charities that help families fighting pediatric cancer and raise money for their bi-annual charity event at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL.

-Janet Muniz

826 National T-shirt Design Challenge


Threadless challenges its community to create an inspirational t-shirt design around the mission of exploring students’ creativity and improving their writing skills.

Since its founding in San Francisco in 2002 by award-winning author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Calegari, 826 National has sparked students’ imaginations. The nonprofit, which runs centers in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC, offers a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students ages six to 18 with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills.

Each of the centers operates a street-front retail store filled with unusual products, entertaining signage and books for sale. The organization believes every future superhero, secret agent, space traveler and pirate has something in common: a good education and strong writing skills. To create awareness of its mission, 826 National is partnering with international community-driven company Threadless to challenge the public and Threadless’ community of 1.5 million artists to design a t-shirt for the organization.

For the design challenge, artists are asked to create a design inspired by 826 National’s mission of exploring students’ creativity and improving their writing skills with type-based tees encouraged. For inspiration, artists can check out the organization’s gallery featuring the best student writing from workshops, field trips and tutoring sessions from 826 centers across the country.

Continue reading →

Perry Winkles Kids


Toronto, Canada-based Perry Winkles Kids specializes in hand-smocked dresses and dressy boy outfits in traditional designs with a modern flair.

Inspired by the talented sewing skills of their own grandmothers, mother and daughter team Graciela and Maria Montero started Perry Winkles Kids in 2006. Originally from Peru, they moved to Canada in 1988. Superior quality, ease of care product made with only 100% petal-soft pima cotton and finished with thoughtful details like hand-smocking and hand-embroidery. The Spring/Summer 2012 Collection includes delicate and fresh prints for the little girls and new styles for baby boys, including new Christening wear and cotton cardigans.

Created with the specialty retailer in mind, with wholesale prices ranging from $30 to $37 for dresses and boy outfits. The company manufactures its entire line in Peru. Perry Winkles Kids is donating a portion of sales to non-profit Kiva, an organization that works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. and wanted to create a business that would also benefit their home country.

Carter’s partners with K.I.D.S.


CARTER’S LAUNCHES COMPANY-WIDE STORE DONATION PROGRAM

Carter’s, Inc. names  Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) as its charitable partner in a new company-wide store donation program, donating all excess children’s apparel from nearly 500 Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh retail stores nationwide to benefit children in need through the organization.

“As part of our mission to help children feel safe, happy and nurtured,” says chairman/CEO Michael Casey, “K.I.D.S. is the ideal partner to ensure that Carter’s can provide essential new clothing to children who need it most.”

Carter’s is launching an ongoing partnership program with K.I.D.S. to ensure that every piece of Carter’s and OshKosh apparel that is suitable for donation goes to local children in need.  K.I.D.S. is distributing the clothes through its network of nearly 1,000 social service agencies to children of military families and those challenged by poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse.

The program expands on a longstanding partnership between Carter’s and K.I.D.S.  Carter’s provided over $1.5 million worth of product to K.I.D.S. in 2010. Now, with its donation commitment extending to inventory from every one of its retail stores, Carter’s anticipates that value rising to $3 million in clothing this year alone; in the last three months, Carter’s has already donated approximately $316,000 in product to K.I.D.S through this program.

“Carter’s has been an invaluable contributor for more than a decade,” K.I.D.S. president Dr. Janice Weinman. “A store’s excess inventory finds new life when a child receives a new sweatshirt, winter coat or a pair of jeans. In a time when so many needy children require apparel, it’s wonderful to have a retailer like Carter’s committed to helping children in need.”

-Janet Muniz