blabla Kids of Virginia Highlands

The very best in knit dolls, clothing and décor – made by hand, created with love.

Florence Wetterwald designs with simple poetry and vibrant style, and her popular children’s line of soft, bright, knitted playthings and clothing for kids is called blabla. The soft blabla things are handmade by artisans in Peru; with childlike wonder, the mobiles and “dream rings” –as well as rattles, paper goods such as sweet birthday cards and backpacks- support Florence’s belief that children are driven by their senses and imagination. blabla has been bringing happiness to children all over the world since 2001.

Our soft little creations are crafted with skill and thoughtful details, which make each one precious and unique …with the ancestral knowledge of our knitters, we have given life to a collection of well-loved characters who look contemporary, yet feel like old friends.

Located in Atlanta’s trendy Virginia Highlands neighborhood, blabla’s flagship store also houses a design studio where Florence and friends are committed to fair trade and sustainability. “Our mission,” they say, “is to continue to inspire joy and laughter.”

Wholesale and online shopping also available.

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!

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!

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!

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!

Baby’s Dreamworld on Etsy

When you’re looking for the ultra-handmade-super-special-totally-personalized shopping experience, head to “the world’s handmade marketplace.”

Sometimes a gift giver is just stumped. Or they’ve shopped in circles, with no special item to show for it. Or they’re looking for a little something they can’t yet describe.

They may want to give Etsy a try.

We are bringing heart to commerce and making the world more fair, more sustainable, and more fun.

Where local meets global. Etsy is a global online marketplace where very specialized small businesses can make their mark on the economy. The company says its mission is “to empower people to change the way the global economy works.” Totally tapped into the value of shopping local, the artisan virtual storefronts –and the customers who shop them- appreciate pride of authorship and a sense of place as much as price and convenience.

Ultimate shower gift. Linda’s lovely Baby’s Dreamworld is a fine example. Opened in September, she makes beautiful rhinestone baby shoes and baby accessories using sparkly Swarovski crystals, ribbon and other materials. Perfect for baptisms, christenings, weddings and other special occasions, “Most of my items can be customized for your liking and needs,” Linda says. “If you need a certain item in a different size or color, just send me an email and I would be happy to provide it for you.” Aunties would love to spoil little nieces with these stylish finds.

Florida-based Baby’s Dreamworld is just one of the delicious delights waiting to be discovered on Etsy. With very personalized customer service and special one-of-a-kind offerings, you may find just what you’re looking for … right at your fingertips!

After all … every little girl is someone’s princess!!

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!

Need a Gift? Shop Sila Boutique

This online retailer sells eye candy finds for girls, boys, moms, homes and more.

Nicole Griffin is the trend maker behind Sila Boutique, the newest go-to gifting site catering to “the posh tot and their hip mom.”

Nicole draws from her own fashion sense – and her experience working in the fashion industry in New York and London, to create a selection that’s both tasteful and distinctive.

I dedicate this shopping experience to all those women seeking that chic and original gift idea.

The inspiration for Sila Boutique -both in name and in style- comes from Nicole’s daughters Sienna and Lila (pictured here).

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!

Mom2Mommy.com is Live

Free to join, Mom2Mommy is the first -and only- online parenting resource that directly connects moms with doctors at no expense to the moms. Plus they can indulge in boutique shopping.

Elaine Iwicki and Kelly Harper are the founders of Mom2Mommy.com, which went live in August. They are passionate about creating a community of physicians, boutiques and baby product manufacturers who want to join a trusted network of resources available to moms across the nation. Both busy moms and entrepreneurs, Elaine and Kelly noticed a gap in the resources available to moms who needed convenient and accessible information about health.

We’ve created the site as a connection tool for parents to share similar stories, struggles and triumphs while caring for their children. Whether you can’t get your kids to eat their vegetables, or you have a child with special needs, it provides a place for questions to be asked and answered.

-co-founder Kelly Harper

One of a kind. Becoming a Mom2Mommy member is free. Visitors can search for medical specialists, read expert posts and join forums. The site allows visitors to post questions and get answers from expert physicians, dentists, chiropractors and health specialists. In return, care providers can post articles related to their areas of expertise, or tips on child care and healthy living. “It’s a great tool for moms on the go,” they say, “and ensures that trusted expert medical advice and tips are just one click away.”

Shop ’til you sign off. Mom2Mommy also features unique boutique items for children ages newborn to 15, and adults. “From baby products to adult apparel, Mom2Mommy serves as an online shopping resource, with home delivery available for busy moms.” Boutique owners can be featured at no cost, and advertise their specialty goods to parents as well as medical professionals. “We also provide boutique items at a discount for parents.”

Natural progression to the on-line lifestyle trend. Mom2Mommy was recently featured on KGUN 9’s The Morning Blend in Tucson, AZ! Kelly and Elaine are very interested in doing business with credible business partners. If interested, contact them directly:

Kelly@mom2mommy.com – 520-405-5708
Elaine@mom2mommy.com – 847-352-0460

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!

Disney Baby – Labor of Love

The new Disney Baby line includes all the essentials parents need to bond with their children, adding that special Disney touch.

Just recently, the Walt Disney Co. opened its first Disney Baby retail store at The American at Brand in Glendale, CA, which coincides with the launch of a Disney Baby online boutique. The company hopes to grow the line of products into the-go-to brand for young mothers –and their tiny charges- as soon as possible!

Magic for Your Little Munchkin. Disney Baby includes essentials for the nursery, bathtime, feeding, travel, wardrobes, as well as what the company calls “discovery” and “celebration,” bringing in that Disney magic to woo parents while they’re shopping –something this 100+-year-old “parent” company knows a thing or two about! They’re doing this by partnering with the premiere names in the children’s industry, offering not only quality products, but magical ideas.

At Disney Baby, we just love to see the way families connect and grow. But it’s those special moments like planning the nursery or spending quality time with your baby that we want to help make even more magical.

On DisneyBaby.com, parents can learn about the latest Disney Baby products, and also get mom-tested tips for turning “everyday moments into treasured memories.” Subscribe to the Disney Baby Magical Moments Newsletter for all this, too -including special deals. It could grow into an online destination for parents and their kids.

The Walt Disney Co. plans to include Disney Baby departments in more than 200 Disney stores nationwide.

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!

Fun Swappers Use Snazzy Swap

An eco-friendly group of parents in North Carolina have created a snazzy way for families to exchange their growing kids’ stuff.

Snazzy Swap is a pretty nifty service created for parents who are looking for easy ways to save money –and save the planet from too much waste. Moms Melissa and Meredith Weiss, along with others have tapped into the multibillion-dollar market for children’s gently-used clothing and toys with a winner.

Save Money, Save the Planet, Have Fun! The site is created for families to swap items their kids have outgrown -clothes, toys, books, DVDs and more- without ever leaving home. And since statistics show that children grow out of clothes every three to six months, there could be a whole lotta swappin’ goin’ on -right in front of your computer screen!

Described as “a cross between Netflix and eBay for kids’ stuff,” swappers can log onto Snazzy Swap, pick a box stuffed with things they think their kids will love, pay only $5 plus shipping and the box arrives at their door.

Parents love the quality, savings and ease. Kids love the presents. Everyone thinks it is fun and it is addicting :-)!

FREE! Snazzy Swap has no membership fees, plus they’ll send you boxes for your posted swap stuff for free. “Every time you post a box your kids have outgrown, you can pick another box on the site that your kids will love,” they say. “If you do not find a box that you want right away, you can save your credit for later, when you find a box that you really like.” Swappers can sign up for “box notifications,” too –and swap clothes for toys or toys for books or books for clothes- the swap factor is endless!

Give presents all year long! Did you know the average American discards 68 pounds of clothing a year? Buying gently-used items for your children is one of the greenest things you can do as a consumer. Plus Snazzy Swap donates 50 cents from each swap to help kids with special needs. Sweet!

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!