The Beauty of Simply Lana

As a special Mother’s Day promotion, enjoy free shipping with any purchase of Simply Lana towels between now and May 13.

Amanda Sayler recently introduced me to Simply Lana, a line of beautiful, large round towels made with a unique buttoned loop, for easy hanging on almost anything. As sales manager, she’s been keeping me up-to-date on all their celebrity likes, too – such as chef Paula Dean, actor Patricia Arquette and super-mom Giada De Laurentiis, who uses the Little Chick towel in her daughter Jade’s playroom.

“Our towels make a perfect baby shower gift for the mom to be,” Amanda says. “The soft cotton terry is gentle on a baby’s skin, and our unique button loop will make sure the towels never fall down staying clean for your baby.” Made from durable, high-quality100% cotton terry with cotton trim, Simply Lana towels feature contrasting color combos and embroidered embellishments that appeal to everyone. “Because the towel drapes in soft folds, you can dry your hands on one bit, then turn it to get to the next dry section, so it’s always ready for you.”

The towels are super-versatile, stay in place (so stay cleaner) and will be loved and used by adults and children, cooks and golfers, moms and tennis players – everyone you can think of!

Growing up in the former Soviet Union, Lana Hall enjoyed the practical, analytic side of life. Earning several degrees in the medical field, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 –and that’s when she received a unique gift from a friend back in Russia: a circular kitchen towel, suspended from a center loop, so it could be hung on a cabinet knob or on a hook. Her scientist mind kept thinking of new ways to make it better –bigger, more absorbent, colorful, even more practical- so, she set about customizing the design, until Simply Lana was born. Her doctor husband –and all of her friends- simply love it!

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 New Must-Have Bike Gizmo

The longer, warmer days of spring herald in bike season, and every hot-rodder is going to want this.

For kids who love to pedal, the hottest way to personalize their wheels is the Kool Rider, a clip-on accessory that mimics the sound of a speeding motorbike. The card and clothespin trick of old has morphed into a very sophisticated blend of performance polymers from DuPont. The results are irresistible -the flappers hit the bicycle spokes, producing a sound similar to those made by motorbikes. According to the company, the clamp force and spring action remain intact no matter the weather or season.

It’s so easy to put on and sounds great.

-Randy, San Diego CA

Kool Rider co-founders Howard McClurd and Troy Spencer have been friends since they were five-year-old boys. “We offer kids everywhere this clip-on accessory that’s a cinch to put on and truly durable. We tested the Kool Rider on one bike for 250 miles and it barely had a scratch!”

All my friends have it and we have our own bike club.

-Daniel, Dallas TX

For a bigger sound, clip on two. Ideal for girls as well as boys ages six and older, this clever add-on makes a two-wheeler go from ho-hum to at vroom with the authentic sounds of a motorbike. Each Kool Rider box includes one quick clip-on unit, plus kids receive the extra-customization option of long-lasting, colorful stickers, which are included. Simple to use -just clip the single unit on each wheel. To maximize that “Big Motor Sound,” simply clip on two!

Made in the USA. The New Jersey-based company utilizes developmentally disabled adults to assemble the units and packaging before shipping to retailers. Howard and Troy say that by working with DuPont, the unique and special select blend of high performance polymers produces a pleasing, accurate sound and tone. A smaller Little Kool Rider for beginner-type bikes is in the works for later this year.

Bought my son a Kool Rider and I can’t get him off his bike!

-Emily, Jacksonville FL

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Chicken Rhythm, Crazy Fun

Meet Malvina Buonocore and Aliki Visser. These two ladies run a company in Belgium called Chicken Rhythm.

We’re spunky.
We like to laugh.
We’ve been friends for years.
Our kids go to the same school.
We see each other practically every day.
If we don’t, we’re on the phone.
We go on vacation together.
If we could, we’d be living together.

Now, these two are just the kind of ladies I’d like to meet. For years, the “Chicas” at Chicken Rhythm have been keeping me up to date with news of all the fabulous iron-on patches, fun children’s t-shirts and backpacks that these girls produce. They’re all pretty special, sporting unique, custom designs by artists – because Chicken Rhythm has a thing for art, in all its forms –especially bringing art to the people, both big and small.

Malvina and Aliki started the company in 2008 and work with a slew of talented illustrators, graphic designers, comic book artists or others such as Geertjan Tillmans, Sam De Buysscher, Marijn Dionys, Jan Werkt, Sabien Clement, Jan Truyens, Philip Paquet and Reinardus. The Chicas find ways to apply their designs to things they never thought possible.

What’s more, Malvina and Aliki are moms, too –so they produce products that can survive the wear and tear of both children … “and washing machines.” Available online for shoppers in the USA.

Crazy fun. Can’t you tell just by looking at them?

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!

Make Traveling with Kids Fun

This summer, there’s a TrayKit® for every kid!

Launching this year in the U.S., the award-winning TrayKit® and TrayKit® Traveller collection are fun for kids and practical for parents.

Already a smash in the UK, the TrayKit® is created by a British mom and offers parents a brilliant all-in-one solution that can make traveling a lot more enjoyable -not only for you and your kids, but for everyone else in any train, plane or automobile!

TrayKit® is a carry-on backpack that kids can pack themselves and easily carry along on any trip using the handle or shoulder straps. Once on-board, TrayKit® can be hung from the back of a seat or strapped onto train and plane tray tables. When kids open it up, they have an extendable play surface with raised sides, preventing any toys from going overboard, so no one has to crawl around looking for lost crayons and puzzle pieces. When ready to go, simply pack up the bag, so everyone -and everything- will be on time.

“Like so many parents, I have spent endless journeys packing and carrying all sorts of on-board ‘keep-them-entertained’ toys which all end up on the floor having rolled off their tray table or lap. TrayKit® is the perfect trip companion that will make your child the perfect travel companion!”

-Solvej, inventor of the TrayKit and mum of two

Available May 2012. Distributed in the U.S. through Kids Preferred and specialty retailers nationwide, the TrayKit® Traveller collection is a terrific line of coordinating travel essentials, including passport covers and holders, luggage tags, travel journal kits complete with pencils and erasers, and the very cute TravelBug™ plush toy. Cool colors and patterns to choose from, something for boys and girls ages three and older –with a durable surface that can be wiped down easily.

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!