blogs for parents

Babyhome Dream Bassinet


Introducing the exclusive Dream Premium. 

070214_CRTPost_Babyhome_DreamBassinet_02Barcelona, Spain-based Babyhome is an award-winning manufacturer of high-quality children’s products. This summer, the company is introducing the Dream Premium, a stunning exclusive edition of the Dream bassinet made of natural leather and polished black aluminum.

Sophisticated and glamorous, Dream Premium is designed for parents who appreciate the value of the unique and the authentic. Made of high quality natural, micro-perforated leather to enhance breathability, the bassinet’s characteristic style combines elegance and durability in its materials and finishes.

Babyhome’s Dream line of bassinets is the first and only authentic aluminum mini-cradle with three interchangeable, easy-to-use positions: rocking, wheels and stationary.

Included with the Dream Premium are a Naturalmat-handcrafted Coco Mat organic mattress, organic mattress protector and sheet. Made of organic lambs’ wool, the mattress is naturally flame retardant and thanks to the coco husk fibers, it facilitates natural ventilation, helping the baby keep a consistently pleasant and uniform body temperature.

070214_CRTPost_Babyhome_logoIn addition to the Dream bassinet line, Babyhome offers a dynamic range of award-winning high quality stylish, functional and affordable child care products including includes a stroller, highchair, bed rails and a wood collection that includes a mini cradle and a bounce chair.  Babyhome’s U.S. offices are located in Budd Lake, New Jersey.

Ah Goo Baby


Thoughtfully designed, well crafted and attractively presented.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_PlushPadBusy parents, grandparents and caregivers need baby essentials like portable baby changing pads, stroller blankets, pacifier totes, wipes cases and more. Ah Goo Baby® has it all –a smart, stylish, sophisticated line of baby gifts and gear, all perfect for baby showers, new moms, baby travel and the nursery.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_KneekersCaring for Our Children with Love. The privately held New Jersey-based company makes unique, upscale yet affordable products that resolve the daily challenges of child rearing, offering luxury, “must-have” essentials to help change, feed, dress  and rest our children.

The Plush Pad® has been selling to the families since June 2007. Additions to the line include Kneekers®, The Grab & Go Bag, The Diaper Pouch, The Wipes, Case, The Pacifier Clip, The Pacifier Tote, The Bottle Strap and The Bib.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_GrabnGoBagKarin and George Telegadis founded Ah Goo Baby in 2005 to develop branded products, with plans to expand their business by helping nurture and develop creations brought to them by others with innovative product ideas relating to Ah Goo Baby’s market. Wholesale available.

Video

Lil’ Waves


This new company makes Lil’ Waves Beachpool, an innovation that provides a fun & safe interactive aquatic play area!

A Pool Just for the Beach! Jersey City, NJ-based Lil’ Waves is a family owned and operated children’s beach toy company specializing in unique, high quality products. This start-up just introduced their premiere product that makes for fun, safe and relaxing days at the beach for both parents and children. This video says it all!

Introducing the Lil’ Waves Beachpool™, a children’s pool designed specifically to turn the wavy, cold ocean water into a warm, mini oasis for children to enjoy – right at your feet. The rim of the pool stays practically level with the sand, allowing a child to interact with the water and sand in a safe way, all while you keep close watch.

  • Provides a fun introduction for young children to the ocean
  • Patented design creates a shallow wading pool that warms up cold ocean water quickly
  • Encourages family time and fun interactive beach days, from set-up to clean-up
  • Recommended for ages 3 and up

061814_CRTPost_LilWaves_KitInventor Dennis Devino was born and raised in Monmouth County, NJ and loves the Jersey shore. As an licensed architect with his own firm, Dennis has extensive experience in constantly finding creative ways to meet his clients’ needs. This entrepreneurial approach to problem solving is what ultimately led him to create the Lil’ Waves Beachpool.

With the Lil’ Waves Beachpool, we hope you and your children of all ages are able to spend safe, quality time at the beach, just as we have. So sit back, unwind and enjoy the beach with peace of mind!

061814_CRTPost_LilWaves_beachpoolSold separately or in a kit that includes:
• Lil’ Waves Beachpool*
• Mesh carrying bag
• Circular template
• Repair patch
• Foot pump
• Instruction booklet

*Some assembly required (beach bucket recommended for set up, not included). Foot pump or electric pump also sold separately.

Image

Bombas Kids Indiegogo Campaign


Bombas are engineered and designed to look better and feel better, with a mission to help those in need.

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_LogoBombas men’s/women’s sock collection launched on crowdfunding site Indiegogo in August 2013 and remains the #1 most funded apparel brand in Indigogo history. After listening to feedback from supporters, Bombas once again turns to Indiegogo to bring these amazing socks to the feet of kids everywhere, helping to further their mission –and with just 10 days left, Bomba Socks’ new kid’s collection campaign* is definitely making a run at outperforming the original campaign!

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_01The Bombas line of bold athletic-leisure socks are great for kids, with bright color, a comfortable design and promise of a Bombas Growth Guarantee – if kids wear through the socks or they outgrow them within a year, Bombas will send another pair for free!

With the knowledge that socks are the #1 most requested item in homeless shelters, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need … that’s 70,000+ pairs to date!

Watch the kid’s campaign video and see how the company set out to rethink an everyday product in a totally advanced way, building them with purpose for athletic performance and designed for extreme leisure.

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_BeeBee Better. The word bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. “Bee Better” is the company’s mantra, stitched inside every pair as a reminder to push harder and be better at your athletic pursuits; that you helped someone in need with your purchase; that we’re all connected and little improvements can add up to make a big difference.

*campaign closes May 30, 2014

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc.


Kids In Distressed Situations and Fashion Delivers merge to better serve people in need.

043014_CRTPost_KIDSFashionDelivers_LogoKids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc., both U.S.-based nonprofits with a global reach, were founded to secure donations of excess new product from manufacturers and retailers to provide relief for people in need. Now, these two organizations have joined forces to create K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc., with a new website named as a call to action that emphasizes the mission, www.DonateProduct.com.

We are very pleased that the merger is completed, maximizing the benefits of our consolidation with strengthened resources and, most importantly, our ability to serve families, kids and adults in need.

-Co-Chairmen Allan Ellinger and Gary Simmons

K.I.D.S. was founded in 1985 by children’s industry executives, and in 2005 Fashion Delivers was created by adult apparel and home fashions professionals to serve similar purposes.

Moving donations of new apparel, home fashions, toys, books and other items is a huge effort. Cash donations and other financial support help pay for programs, logistics, coordination and transportation costs so that new product reaches the people who need it most. While the organizations’ work in natural disasters has attracted the most attention, fighting poverty is a daily mission. Together, they have delivered over $1 billion of new product and efficiently operate with less than 3% overhead.

Confronting poverty that robs an individual of their dignity. “Roughly 50 million people in the U.S. live in poverty, including seven million families,” Mr. Simmons says. “K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers brings together a diverse network of more than 1,000 community partners and 390 donors throughout the 50 states and the world to distribute donated product. Connecting these local, on-the-ground agencies with donated product given by some of the most recognizable brands in fashion, footwear, toys, home and juvenile product allows us to provide hope and dignity to families and individuals facing these challenges.”

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers also introduce Joel Newman, former COO of Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger, as president for an interim period. “Joel has extensive senior management experience in the retail and wholesale industry as well as experience with non-profit organizations,” Mr. Ellinger says. “He will initially concentrate on fine tuning strategy and organizational development and will also participate in the search for a permanent president.”

With the merger of K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers complete, Denise Durham Williams, former Executive Director of K.I.D.S., has resigned to pursue other opportunities in direct-service nonprofit work. “We want to thank Denise for her efforts, particularly her work on the merger. We wish her every success in her future endeavors,” says Mr. Ellinger.

New Plush from Aurora World


The award-winning company introduces three engaging new lines the blend trendy with traditional cuddliness.

042314_CRTPost_Aurora_01Leading plush toy, gift and doll manufacturer Aurora World Inc. recently added three new original lines -from the eye-catching to the irresistible, Wuff & Friends is based on a proven Aurora best-selling character, while Taddle Toes and Wobbly Bobblees use oversized features to grab the attention and hearts of shoppers everywhere.

These stunning, new product lines provide our customers with a true impact at retail via excellent value, branded merchandising support and engaging consumer experiences.

042314_CRTPost_Aurora_02Wuff & Friends. “Shake the animal upside down for a fun feature that makes Wuff and his friends outrageously fluffy,” says Michael Kessler, Aurora’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. Shaggy, waggy and just plain cute, Wuff is Aurora’s best-selling sheepdog highlighting a line of eight dogs including Schnauzer, Chow, Pekinese, Poodle, Malamute, Pomeranian and Scottie. A high-pile, low-pile mix gives this plush line a whimsical, fun look that is soft to the touch.

Retailers:  Merchandise signage and product tags reinforce this messaging.

042314_CRTPost_Aurora_03Taddle Toes. “These characters encompass chunky soft bodies, endearing faces and detailed, oversized feet,” Michael says. At recent industry trade shows, Taddle Toes proved to be one of the hottest sellers as the oversized features delighted buyers who wanted a stand out plush product for their stores. The Taddle Toes line features a large variety of popular domestic, jungle and wildlife animals. “We anticipate Taddle Toes to be a long-term plush line with introductions for our ‘everyday’ and seasonal styles, as well as for baby, including adorable pink and baby blue bears and elephants.”

Retailers:Aurora’s branded display rack holds approximately 32 pieces.

042314_CRTPost_Aurora_04Wobbly Bobblees. “An innovative, impulse plush line with strong shelf appeal, Wobbly Bobblees feature darling, oversized heads that subtly wobble for an endearing head tilt at retail,” Michael says. “Plus they are extremely cute, and that equals strong sales.” Seventeen styles include a monkey, lion, elephant, white tiger, pig, cow, giraffe, cat and dogs; a spring-themed assortment with lamb, chick, bunny and frog complete the line.

Retailers: Aurora’s collateral merchandising support including a branded corrugated display and product hangtag, highlight the Wobbly Bobblees characters and product features.

Aurora showcases its products at over 50 industry trade shows each year including Atlanta International Gift Show July 8-15, 2014; showroom #784. Aurora products are available in more than 25,000 specialty stores and gift shops worldwide as well as online at http://shop.auroragift.com. For more information or to make an appointment at an upcoming trade show, visit http://auroragift.com, email info@auroragift.com or call 888-287-6722.

Robeez® Buy One Give One Sock Event


The Original Soft Sole brand partners with K.I.D.S. this month on a fabulous giving campaign.

Throughout April, Robeez, beloved maker of the industry-leading Original Soft-Sole pre-walker, is partnering with the equally beloved charitable organization K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations) on a spring giving campaign. Right now, for every pair of Robeez socks purchased* at MyRobeez.com, a new pair of socks will be donated to Head Start –the federal government program that promotes school readiness in children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development.

Robeez and K.I.D.S. are committed to underserved children with a variety of needs, especially lack of shoes and clothing, and we are dedicated to helping the children of Head Start in any way possible, and hope to do so by starting with a simple pair of new socks.

–David McCubbin, President of McCubbin Hosiery, a Robeez licensee

041714_CRTPost_Robeez_webpage*The Buy One, Give One Sock Campaign runs until April 30 on MyRobeez.com and is expected to donate at least 1,000 new Robeez socks to Head Start through K.I.D.S.

Robeez was founded in 1994 and offers fun, whimsical footwear and hosiery with functional support for tiny feet. New York, NY-based K.I.D.S. provides new clothes, shoes, toys and books to families in underserved communities, an ideal partner for Robeez on this event.

We are so grateful for this wonderful donation program of Robeez socks from McCubbin Hosiery. Socks are one of the most requested items for donation among the many community charities with which we work. The support for low-income children in Head Start programs is especially important given the challenges faced by the families of these kids.

–Donna Charles, K.I.D.S. CEO

KidStyleSource.com


Two websites in one, for savvy kids fashion shoppers of all kinds!

Kindred Spirit. Whether you’re a style-minded shopping parent or a fashion-forward retail buyer, KidStyleSource.com is a fabulous online find – one after my own heart. The entire site features the latest news in apparel, accessories and furnishings for infants through tweens, organized for the shopping public as well as for professionals in the children’s product industry.

041614_CRTPost_KidStyleSource_webpageThe brainchild of editorial director Tracy Mitchell, who has covered the children’s market in various editorial roles at Fairchild Publication’s Children’s Business magazine for almost 20 years, KidStyleSource.com features breaking collections, undiscovered designers, emerging labels and familiar brands –for both parents and professionals- presented in a grown-up, insider-type way.

As an industry insider, KidStyleSource surveys the market and tracks down the trends as they develop. And more importantly, we’re known for presenting those trends in a meaningful way that we believe enhances the retailers’ shopping experience. Translating this curated approach from online to the show floor is designed to take the retail buying experience to the next level.”

-Tracy Mitchell

Comprehensive Coverage. The site also features merchandise by trends and by categories in easy-to-navigate sections. The style showcase ranges in price “from mass to class,” which makes visiting a great shopping experience.

Fashion director Lynda M. Johnson is a fashion journalist and stylist with 28 years of experience working for both trade and consumer publications and leads the fashion resourcing efforts for the KidStyleSource, among other things.

A division of Style Source media LLC, the six-year-old KidStyleSource.com is a unique destination for both parents and industry executives to find great fashion stories.

GirlzNDollz


040214_CRTPost_GirlznDollz_LogoThe New Jersey-based company launches two new doll collections.

As a first generation teen emigrating from the Caribbean, Jessie Saint-Hubert has worked for over 15 years in the U.S. developing plush for well-known companies. Now, her lifelong passion for dolls inspired the launch her own business, GirlzNDollz™ –with her daughter, who shares Jessie’s passion for dolls and playing dress up. Each of the dolls emulates the best characteristics of their friends and family; they are soft, cuddly, diverse and loveable! And together, the mother-and-daughter duo helped create all the outfits and accessories.

040214_CRTPost_GirlznDollz_03GirlzNDollz launches with the introduction of  Lil’Totz™ and Just2Girlz™, dolls with sweet bios that allow girls to discover who they are and unleash the potential of who they can become. These unique and adorable collections allow for each girl’s own imagination and compassion to open up their world and teach them to accept one another as they are.

040214_CRTPost_GirlznDollz_04The GirlzNDollz Collection

The soft and cuddly rag dolls are based on real-life characters that all girls can identify with. Lil’Totz is a collection for ages 3+ while Just2Girlz is perfect for children 5+.  The collection’s size grows with the girls as they mature from toddlers to tweens –they’ll want to collect them, play with them and love them! Each doll collection also has a beautiful dollhouse just their size. The entire line meets all current CPSIA regulations and ASTM-F963 toy safety standards.

040214_CRTPost_GirlznDollz_06You’ll Love What We Stand For!

GirlzNDollz celebrates everything there is about being a girl! Empowerment starts at an early age, and the GirlzNDollz brand grows with your child as they learn through play about life’s unlimited possibilities. The company’s mantra is, “I am me!” emphasizing quality, value and uniqueness.

Available at online doll store GirlzNDollz.com.

Silikids®


An all-new product line of safe, modern silicone accessories for kids

032614_Silikids_08Founded in 2006 by Stacey Feeley and Giuliana Schwab, Traverse City, MI-based Silikids the first mom-founded brand of products that are toxin- free, hypoallergenic and made entirely out of silicone. A pioneer in the children’s market, the company has just introduced an expanded line of innovative feeding products.

Our new offerings are a direct result of our talking with parents over the past year to create a cohesive line of stylish, functional and eco-friendly Silikids products they want and need.

New Silikids products now available in stores include Siliskin® Sippy 8oz., a  Siliskin® Top, Silimap, Silibib® and Siliskin® glasses.  A Siliskin® Bowl, Silispoons and Silibags (snack bags) will be available sometime in April/May.

New Silikids products include:

Silibib, with a new ergonomic design that allows for it to lie flat. The bib includes a hidden pocket that easily flips forward for use. Soft, comfortable for baby, hypoallergenic, easy to wipe off and dishwasher safe.

Siliskin® Bowl, ideal for young children starting solid foods. The sectioned bowl suggests proper portions of the four food groups.

Silispoon, designed to encourage independent eating habits, it features a textured handle and wide spatula style head to make it easy to scoop up food.

Silibags, translucent silicone reusable sandwich/snack bags that make it easy to see what is inside. Embedded closure keeps bag sealed shut.

The Silikids collection is available at specialty juvenile products stores nationwide including Giggle and online at 2modern.com, diapers.com, amazon.com and at the newly redesigned www.silikids.com.