Poo~Pourri Heaven Scent for Potty Training

The makers of Spritz The Bowl Before You Go now bring you Super Dooper Pooper Spray!

From diapers to potty training to successful –and still stinky- bathroom adventures, parents can rejoice in the new children’s line of Poo~Pourri® two-ounce wonder bottles of pink or blue spray that masks the unpleasant tasks of bathroom duty for every super dooper pooper!

Poo~pourri is a natural bathroom refresher and spray deodorizer that’s applied to the toilet water before you go. It eliminates bathroom odors and changes the bathroom experience, to the delight of the next person entering the room.

While our concept has humor, Poo~Pourri is serious business (no pun intended). Our product acts as a powerful odor neutralizer and has been tested by many people for years with an overwhelmingly positive response.

The company’s product line boasts over 60 items, including the original Poo~Pourri in several sizes, along with Deja-Poo and Trap-A-Crap. Now the company turns to the beginner bathroom user – the potty trainee. This year, three new products for Junior are being introduced.

Super Dooper Pooper Before-You-Go Spray – Spray into potty, wait for child to “go,” then flush and enjoy the scent of grapefruit, orange and ylang-ylang.

Super Dooper Pooper Book – This sweet tale of a pre-potty trained bear is ideal to read before and while on the potty.

“I’m A Super Dooper Pooper” T-shirt –Toddlers should be proud of their accomplishments and these cute shirts do the bragging for them.

For founder and aroma-therapy specialist Suzy Batiz, the mission started small -helping resolve a stinky situation in the workplace. Working in close quarters can lead to frequent odors, contributing to the embarrassment of others and reduction of overall morale. Suzy, who had a knack for blending essential oils, has become quite adept at making natural facial spritzers and aromatherapy concoctions for friends and family. In January 2007, the Poo~Pourri® product launched. By September of that year, Suzy had caught the sweet smell of success and has transformed the $25,000 start-up into a booming $4 million enterprise boasting over 60 different products sold in five countries.

Good on you, Suzy!

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!

We Have a Winner in the OMAs!

Premiere Organized Mom Awards sponsor Stuck On You donates $1000 to Regina Food Bank for Local Mom

When Kathryn Lavallee was growing up, her family didn’t have much money. Often, she and her siblings were convinced that they would run out of food. “No child should ever have to feel that fear,” she says.

Kathryn is the newly crowned winner of the Organized Mom Awards 2012 (OMAs) –an exciting new way for moms to share tips, favorite things and fun stuff that makes life easier for families everywhere. And as part of this honor, Kathryn is presenting a check of $1000 to her favorite charity –the Regina Food Bank in Regina, Saskatchewan, her hometown. “Thanks to the Food Bank, children are able to sleep knowing there will be a meal waiting for them the next day,” Kathryn says. “It’s not just about providing food to families, it’s about giving children the feeling of security that so many of us take for granted.”

With a total cash prize of $2000, OMA sponsor Stuck on You also presented Kathryn with $1000, donating a second $1000 to the charity of her choice on her behalf. “To be able to give such a wonderful gift to a cause I support so strongly is going to be an incredible experience and I am honored that the Organized Mom Awards has given me the chance to do that.”

Entries came in from families of all descriptions and all sizes, all with an organized mom at the center.

100 Words or Less. Throughout the summer, moms from all over Canada and the United States entered the OMAs by explaining in 100 words or less what makes them feel like an organized mom, sharing their top three tips for organization. Friends and family were able to vote for their favorites on the OMA Facebook page. “The common thread was that moms are doing the very best they can and have developed the most inventive and creative ways of managing their families and keeping organized,” says Carrie Felton, Stuck on You owner and mom of three boys. The Award judges enjoyed reading all of the wonderful entries and were overwhelmed by the hard work, dedication and care that so many moms are providing to their families. “We loved Kathryn’s entry because it was genuine, had the perfect balance of humor and humility … and we all agreed that we will be using her tips.”

Kathryn is a mom of two boys and the editor of Mommy Kat and Kids, a blog offering solutions that make life a little easier for busy moms and their families. Here’s a little of what Kathryn shared in her OMA entry:

I am nominating myself not because I am the most organized person in the world; I am not. But if improvement is considered, I’ve got this one in the bag! I went from total slob to Manager Mom after the birth of my boys and while I’m still learning as I go, I can’t help but be proud of how far I’ve come!

Read Kathryn’s Top Three Tips here.

Children’s Retail Today is a very proud media sponsor of the OMAs, where I shared a few of my favorite children’s companies that also support charitable causes with panache. In addition to Kathryn’s prize, the top 30 entries who received the most votes will also receive a voucher from Stuck on You.

Stay tuned for some exciting news from Stuck on You later this fall!

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!

Elegant Baby: high-style, high-quality design

The folks at Elegant Baby® like to say that babies deserve style just as fresh and unique as they are.

And if you’re a trendy, hip and stylish parent, chances are your kids are trendy, hip and stylish, too. And … you’re exactly the kinds of customers who love Elegant Baby.

From baby blankets and baby clothing sets to piggy banks, picture frames and rubber ducks, this family-owned American business gives style-conscious families the choice of affordable baby gifts featuring the very best in quality, design, craftsmanship and tradition.

Our beautiful keepsakes, stylish fashion apparel, baby blankets, nursery items and more all feature the hottest patterns and colors inspired by runway fashion and interior design.

Celebrity Favorite. Famous faces like Angelina Jolie, Tiger Woods, Gwen Stefani and Tom Cruise give Elegant Baby gifts to their children, but so do everyday moms all across the country.

Founded in Burlington, NC by Fred V. Hooper, Elegant Baby was designed to serve the higher end of the baby product industry. Its parent company, Baby Needs, Inc., has been around since 1967, and is known for the Grow Time brand of children’s products. Since 2002, Fred’s son Yates Hooper had led his family’s company, bringing years of experience in the international fashion industry and his own unconventional vision to Elegant Baby. Now, the company is known for affordable, sophisticated baby necessities that are stylish and fun.

The collection has taken off in a really exciting direction, but we’re still honoring tradition. We’re going to make sure Elegant Baby® offers the best of both worlds – the old and the new.

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!

Denise Richards loves the Ba

Actress and author Denise Richards signs on to endorse The Original Baby.

Denise Richards may be a popular actress and author, but first, she’s a mother of three. And she discovered the Ba –made by The Original Baby– about a year ago, when she adopted baby Eloise.

I couldn’t help but be drawn to the design. It was this color-popping, cool and easy-to-grip addition to Eloise’s standard bottle that made it fun for her, and easy for me because she is in control -as a baby.

Denise and Eloise appear with the Ba in a recent video and pictures shot by renowned photographer Yu Tsai for The Original Baby. “Working with Yu Tsai was a very real experience. He captured us -Eloise and me and the way we interact, our relationship,” Denise says. “It was an experience with my baby, and it was captured, beautifully.”

Compatible with most baby bottle brands, the Ba’s design encourages the simple steps of grasping and feeding as early as three months old. It is also designed affordably, retailing at just $14.99.

Founded in 2011, Portland, OR-based The Original Baby makes the Ba, which was initially invented by rock-n-roll dad Travis Hendricks, who wanted something to help his daughter better hold her own bottle. Travis sought the help of three other dads –a designer, a lawyer and a single father- in producing The Original Ba, recipient of multiple awards including the 2012 RedDot Design Award -one of the world’s largest and most distinguished design competitions- as well as the Bronze IDEA 2012 Award.

Committed to designing unique, functional products, this innovative company is now working to improve other important baby accessories including utensils, pacifiers, bottles and others.

These self-proclaimed dad-preneurs are creating products to make life a little easier, and a lot more fun, for both parent and child.

Thanks Lisa Orman, for introducing me to The Original Baby!

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!

Stuck on You – Primary Sponsor of the Organized Mom Awards 2012

It all started when I innocently created some labels for my son. With word spreading rapidly through the school community, orders started coming in and Stuck on You was born.

-Carrie Felton, owner of Stuck on You

Carrie’s innocent label-creating began in Australia circa 1995, and since then, Stuck On You has grown to be the most recognized name labels company in Australia, offering products in hundreds of countries worldwide, with offices in many regions, including the USA.

Our labels are tough, they have been tested by kids all over the world. Our success has come from word of mouth. Apart from great quality, our products are great fun; they are loved by mums, dads, kids and schools alike.

Looking for labels and more? All of the products from Stuck on You are created out of necessity to make life easier for moms –and their kids. The clever design team is constantly coming up with new designs that your kids will love. And the Stuck on You product line continues to expand with drink bottles, learning books, canvases, height charts, backpacks, lunch boxes, library bags, personalized clothing and more. Carrie and her company have a passion and love for all things organized -she just loves to create time to do the fun things in life, like spending time with family and friends, cooking and entertaining. That’s why Stuck on You is the primary sponsor of the Organized Mom Awards 2012.

Stuck on You USA. Name labels, school labels and personalized gifts can all be created by you on the Stuck on You USA product previewer before you buy. Stuck on You labels are designed to stick and stay stuck.

Stuck for a gift idea? The company ships anywhere in the United States. Choose from the enormous collection of name labels, kids labels, school labels, clothing labels, iron on labels, bag tags, luggage tags, lunchboxes, drink bottles, kids clothing, stationery, wall art and more, then start personalizing with color, design, nearly anything your heart desires- to create your very own personalized Stuck On You USA product. “We love a bargain and we know our customers do too,” Carrie says. “Keep an eye out on our latest offers online for bargains, specials and brand new products.”

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!

Enter the Organized Mom Awards 2012

Starts Today – enter The Organized Mom Awards and you could win $1,000!

Attention all moms in the U.S. and Canada! Care to share how you stay so organized? Here’s your chance to be recognized –and win for your efforts!

Nominate a friend in The Organized Mom Awards 2012. She could win $1,000 –and so could you! Nominate yourself, and you could win $1,000 plus $1,000 will be donated to your favorite registered charity!

It’s not about being the perfect mom, it’s all about moms sharing the tips and ideas that make them feel the most organized.

Here’s all you need to do. 1) Visit the Organized Mom Awards Facebook Page 2) Tell us what makes you or a friend an organized mom, and 3) Share the Top 3 Tips that help keep you or a friend so organized.

Once you or someone you know is nominated, invite friends and family to join in on the fun by casting a vote on the OMA’s Facebook Page. The 10 nominations with the most votes become the Top Ten Finalists, and a Winner is chosen by the OMA’s judges. But don’t go away … 30 runners-up with the most votes win prizes, too!

Want to be in the running to win daily spot prizes? Share your top organizational tips, recipes and parenting advice on the OMA’s Facebook Page for your chance to win.

Runs July 11-August 23. The Organized Mom Awards 2012 are brought to you by Stuck on You, makers of very cool personalized labels for moms –and kids. Here’s a list of important event dates:

Award Nominations Start – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:00 pm PT

Award Nominations End – Sunday, August, 19, 2012 @ 11:59 pm PT

Finalists Announced – Monday, August 20, 2012

Winner and 30 Runners Up Announced – Thursday, August 23, 2012

Be a frequent visitor to OrganizedMomAwards.com and check out regular posts from mompreneurs, bloggers and moms from all over the U. S. and Canada, sharing their Top Tips, Favorite Things and Fun Stuff.

And stay tuned to Children’s Retail Today -here and on Facebook– I’ll be featuring the folks behind all this fun, plus nominating a few of my own favorite organized moms, too!

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!

All Things Infantissima

The story of Infantissima is a warm one.

While ‘Infantissima’ won’t be found in any dictionary, if it were a real word, it would be Italian and probably translate as the most special, precious, little baby in the whole wide world.

-co-owner Trudy Hutchings

The specialty baby gifts and accessories company promises to make a lasting impression on you, your little ones –your friends and their little ones, too- with every purchase you make. From bibs to burp cloths, blankies to hooded towels, artist smocks and more … the folks at Infantissima use the highest quality materials to ensure longevity and all products are CPSIA-compliant, meaning no lead or phthalates were detected in any of the fabrics or component parts. Not to mention the great prices.

Made in Texas. What’s more, all of the products made available on the company website are manufactured and processed in the United States. “Infantissima was born as all good ideas are,” Trudy begins, “out of necessity and a mother’s ingenuity.” In this case, it is grandmother’s ingenuity that kicks in, when Trudy gets inspired to make her own shower gifts for her daughter and first grandchild. That was in 2003, when she and other daughter Jennifer sewed up 16 burp cloths, each with their own theme and full fabric lining with ribbon trim.

What began as an expression of love for daughter Allison, son-in-law Ray and grandson Jack turned into a first order from a local specialty baby store – and the family continues to grow the business, Texas-style.

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!

Mutsy’s Newest Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper

Big News! Check out Mutsy’s all new website!

Netherlands-based stroller company introduces its latest innovation for “baby transport.”

The lightweight and stylish EVO is a combi-buggy with an ingenious baby mobility choice. From Mutsy, recognized for its modernistic stroller designs and distinctive modular construction, EVO offers parents and caregivers outstanding ease of operation at an affordable price.

First a maker of traditional style prams, Mutsy moved into aesthetically beautiful and technologically advanced stroller designs featuring a distinctive modular system, from birth to early childhood products that include strollers, high chairs, booster seats, a baby rocker, baby essentials and accessories.

Mutsy’s signature style shines in the compact and simply designed EVO. The very versatile stroller seat can face front or back, and is easily reclined with a one hand to a full lay down flat position. A uniquely designed footrest with fabric can be attached to the front bumper bar to create a safe and completely cosseted enclosure for younger babies when the backrest is fully reclined.

Designed to be exceptionally easy to push as well as maneuver, EVO is easy to fold without the need to remove the seat, and extremely compact when closed. Other features include a height adjustable leatherette handle, swivel/lock system on front wheels, extendable hood with mesh panel, easily accessible and very large shopping basket, a carrying handle and flip down sun shade.

Mutsy USA offices are located in Chester, NJ. View an animated piece featuring the story of EVO here http://on.fb.me/L2Ue6j.

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!

Be a Chatfan of Chatman

Cheerful, emotive figure helps make computer time more fun, productive and safe.

Atlanta, GA-based Penny Black Digital, in partnership with Israel-based Rondyo Ltd., introduces Chatman, the first and only artificially intelligent computer friend designed to make online chat sessions, web surfing, games and homework more fun, creative -and safe. This cool, smart and funny friend sits by a child’s computer and interacts with them.

Bright Yellow and Boisterous. For kids ages six to12, Chatman talks, moves eyes, hands and ears, and has a unique animated LED mouth. Just like a friend, Chatman understands language, context and mood, and expresses emotions, recognizing over 15,000 words, with 2,000 movements and 30 moods.

No Stranger Danger. In addition to providing education and fun, Chatman also filters words and web content based on parental controls helping to keep children safe on the Internet. Chatman allows peace of mind for parents by working with and filtering a child’s online conversations on Facebook®, Skype™ and MSN® Messenger. Chatman alerts when inappropriate web searches are attempted.

The internet can be both social and isolating at the same time. That’s one of the reasons Chatman is available -to provide kids with a friendly emotive companion while they spend time online. Chatman has plenty of functionality, but integrates solid parental controls and creates a safe zone that keeps your child safe online, too.

-recent product review

Boom Boom. Chatman received an exclusive invitation to participate in the 2012 Oscars Boom Boom Room celebrity gifting suite as one of the hottest must-have parenting products. Chatman was created and developed by Rondyo co-founders Joseph Levy and Doron Frenkel. Chatman’s migration to America follows its successful debut in Israel in 2010.

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!

Hot Tot – Stylish Haircare with a Heart

Hot Tot Haircare recently celebrated its first birthday on April 15, and it is truly very different from any other children’s hair products on the market.

This is a line of fabulous, salon-quality styling products formulated especially for kids – “so they can be stylish from the start and grow into confident individuals.” The contemporary white and silver bottles house a bevy of eco-friendly, healthy hair styling products for babies and children that do not contain harsh or harmful chemicals. Biodegradable, cruelty free, never tested on animals – even the posh packaging is recyclable – Hot Tot is committed to sustainable business practices, investing in people and technology that enables the brand to make a positive impact.

Do kids really need their own specialized hair care line? Yes!

Founder Megan Gage worked with a cosmetic formulator to create her luxurious products specifically for the physical characteristics of immature hair –and a love for all things fabulous, she says. “Motherhood provided an opportunity to share such fun with my kids.” But after reading an article on the effects of chemicals in personal care products on children, she simply couldn’t ignore statistics like this:

1 in 3 American children has allergies, ADHD, autism or asthma
Biological immaturity impairs a child’s ability to detoxify chemicals, making them extremely vulnerable in the early years of life
57% of the top selling baby soaps are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, 82% of the top selling children’s products contain formaldehyde, and neither chemical is required to appear on American labels

After significant time in research and development, Megan and her husband introduced the natural, luxurious and professional Hot Tot Haircare line. Visit them online and see some of their favorite trendy looks. Hot Tot t-shirts and rompers are available, too.

True beauty is a kind and giving heart. As a former social worker, Megan has a special place in her heart for social responsibility. “I believe that inner beauty is more important than outward appearance,” she says. To that end, the company donates to several charities, including Save the Children, CASA and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

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!