Earth Day Adorables – Knickerbocker Glory

A new category of premium children’s undergarments that encourages “the pursuit of proper fun.”

Sasha Muir, also known as She-Brit, is a British entrepreneur with a passion for dreaming up unique new businesses that scream with personality.

Case in point: butter LONDON, makers of exceptional nail lacquer, which she founded in 2005. Following that success, Sasha built a second company, Knickerbocker Glory, makers of high-end children’s undergarments that lives up to its inspiration: the independent and spirited girls of 19th century England who wore fashionable “knickerbockers” so they could defy society and do just what they wanted.

Keep Calm and Put ’em On. Made from the company’s special blend of 31% organic cotton, 65% modal and 4% Lycra, Knickerboker Glory’s unique Underouts collection is soft, comfy and fresh with newborn style – this underwear is designed to be seen.

Underouts are fun and allow girls today (and boys, too!) to explore and grow whilst encouraging their unique sense of fashion. Our motto, ‘Because I Want To…’, serves as a reminder that pursuing proper fun is essential and that being dressed appropriately is key to enjoying that freedom.

Not only are Knickerbocker Glory styles made from organic cotton, each pair of Underouts is packaged in bright, fun, sustainable packaging.

Sasha Muir, who lives in the Seattle WA USA area, enjoys assisting female entrepreneurs grow their businesses and serves on a number of consumer product advisory boards. Follow her on Twitter.

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!

Earth Day Adorables – NurturMe

Snack healthy – from four months to four years, NurturMe helps parents feed their children better from the ground-up, with new organic dry meal pouches and toddler treats.

Austin, TX-based NurturMe, the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals, is expanding the award-winning line of organic dried baby food with 1) a 100% quinoa rice cereal alternative; 2) a new line of blended NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches and 3) a new line of bite-sized organic Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks for toddlers.

Eat Healthy. The first “stage-free” food for infants to toddlers, NurturMe’s convenient organic dry meal pouches and fruit and veggie snacks make it easy for busy parents to ensure their children are getting maximum nutrition with every bite.

“With our new expanded family of certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher products, we’re bringing convenience, versatility and peace of mind to a whole new level,” says CEO and co-founder Caroline Freedman, who’s also a mother of two. “Just one NurturMe pouch equals countless healthy and delicious opportunities for mealtime.”

NurturMeals is the only baby food on the market designed specifically for the option to mix with breast milk, providing even more nutrients with each feeding.

NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches are rich in nutrients and super versatile. Simply mix them with breast milk, formula or water to create the desired consistency, or mix them in to toddler favorites like pastas, baked goods or yogurts for a boost in protein and nutrients.

NurturMeals Singles now come in Protein-Packed Quinoa, which is the first and only certified-organic pure 100% quinoa meal created especially for children that supports growth.

Brand new to the NurturMe family, NurturMeals Blends bring together nutrient-packed superfoods such as green kale, quinoa, squash and banana to delight developing taste buds with creative and delicious combos.

Big nutrition designed for little hands, NurturMe’s new Yum-a-Roo’s organic dry toddler snacks are made from bite-sized pieces of fruits and veggies that easily dissolve in the mouth, using a NurturMe drying process that preserves the nutrients, freshness and flavor –in a resealable pouch.

All NurturMe products are Made in the USA. NurturMe’s organic dry meals are packed in recyclable materials made with wind energy, leaving a smaller carbon footprint on our planet than the other options found in the baby aisle.

From the soil to their spoon, each earth-loving, lightweight NurturMe pouch provides added convenience and peace of mind.

Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood.

Another Hilary Abbott Communications 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!

Adorables for Earth Day – Burt’s Bees Baby

All the natural goodness that Burt’s Bees is loved for, made especially for little ones.

Last year, Burt’s Bees® -a name that stands for natural skin care- introduced Burt’s Bees Baby, an earth-friendly lifestyle brand for babies and their moms.

Launched as a “natural” evolution of the Burt’s Bees brand, Burt’s Bees Baby has introduced an entirely new genre into the natural and organic markets, catering to the family that shops locally, buys organic and visits famers’ markets.

And you can buy it at Target.

We are building on that tradition by offering families a high quality, organic line of products that starts with babies and expands to the entire family.

Through a licensing venture with brand building and product design firm Ayablu, Inc., the line includes newborn essentials such as apparel, accessories, bath linens and gift sets, as well as skincare. And the relatively new brand seems to exude both the character and spirit of the Burt’s Bees brand, described as “whimsical, carefree and intent upon doing things in a ‘better way’ -in a way that is accessible to all.

“The Burt’s Bees Baby brand was thoughtfully crafted in the glow of the Burt’s Bees brand mission,” says Michelle Visser, Ayablu’s CEO. “We wanted to bring you a product line that would nurture children – soft, natural pieces and 100% organic. Building on a culture of caring and well being, our mission is to create a collection that frees families to relax, enjoy and revel in every moment with their little ones.”

An expert in the children’s market, Michelle has launched children’s brands for Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co and Lucky Kids, and help senior executive jobs with Pottery Barn Kids, Nike for Kids and others.

Burt’s Bees Baby is a high-quality, organic collection trusted almost immediately by the shopping public. In addition to e-commerce, www.burtsbeesbaby.com serves as an educational platform with original editorial content and as a forum for moms and moms-to-be. The brand is poised for growth, with plans to add apparel and accessories sizes for toddlers and children, new categories including diaper bags and gear, health and safety, playtime, seasonal offerings, furniture and other products the family.

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!

Introducing Loubilou

In this new global marketplace, independent designers and small merchants rule –and shoppers can find very unique “childrensware.”

First introduced in the UK and now launching in Australia, Loubilou (Loubilou.com.au in Australia) is an online selling platform for independent retailers offering children’s clothing, gifts, toys and accessories.

We search far and wide to find the most unique and delightful childrensware, and then bring it together in one hub. In this way, we humbly aim to make the world just a little bit smaller.

Loubilou offers only merchandise that is well-made and not mass-produced, giving both buyers and sellers a personalized shopping experience far more authentic than department stores, or even other e-commerce sites.

How? “Most parents have limited time and rely on retailers from large shopping centres to shop for their children,” says founder Heath Kane, father of two, award-winning designer and also the former creative director of global marketing firm Sapient. “I noticed my kids -and all their friends- were looking like little department store clones.”

Heath recognized that a child’s individuality is important, but he was very frustrated trying to find one single website offering the kind of clothing, toys and accessories that took that personal style to heart, much less all in one place. So he created it.

This Stuff is Cute. Both Loulibou sites cater to parents with youngsters up to the age of 10, a one-stop shop for high-quality, boutique children’s goods from independent sellers, designers and craftspeople around the world (I particularly like Clareoncloud9’s adorable cloud with smiley faced rain drops). Heath plans to integrate both sites within the next six months to provide a global marketplace for children’s indies –and their fans.

The Loubilou’s are open to any independent merchants or designers that fit the criteria of “high quality, unique and independent.” It’s free to join and there’s no lock in.

“Our mission is to build a platform to give small businesses a voice in a world dominated by big corporate players and to bring small wonders and delight to children through a world of cool stuff,” says Bree Jessup, manager of Loubilou Australia.

Connect with Loubilou on Facebook.

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-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle from Pacific Baby

The first thermal baby bottle in the world that lets parents see what’s inside!

Complete Liquid Visibility. American baby product brand Pacific Baby introduces the All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle, a unique design that not only keeps baby’s drink warm or cold for up to seven hours, it also lets moms and dads see all of the feeding liquid. The new design is a thermal system that uses a plastic bottle inserted neatly into a stainless steel thermal outer bottle.

Our All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle has set an entirely new benchmark and quality standard for parents. These thermal bottle applications make feeding on-the-go quite a lot easier for today’s parents.

-managing director Cameron Honarvar

Eco-friendly Functionality. The outer bottle can easily be used as a sippy cup, then a drink bottle, simply by using Pacific Baby’s handle and spout accessories, giving the product an ultimate life of more than five years.

In keeping with modern trends the bottle’s few plastic parts are free of BPA, PVC and Phthalates, and the product has been tested against a wide range of European and North American safety regulations.

Cameron Honarvar, father of five, founded Pacific Baby in 2010. “My vision for the company was to create a dynamic new brand that would focus on developing innovative, fun, stylish and practical new baby products, designed without fear of departing from traditional norms,” he says. “Targeting parents with an active lifestyle, we continually seeks to ‘raise the bar’ for a parent’s product expectations in each new category that the company enters.”

Find the All-in-One Thermal Baby Bottle at Canada’s guzzieandGuss.com and at select retailers all over the globe.

Another Pink Pearl PR find! 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!

Introducing Gallo en Fuego

Made in the USA collection of boys belts, t-shirts, pet accessories and more from the designer of mom and baby accessories line, 2 Red Hens.

Rooster on Fire! Introducing Gallo en Fuego, a new collection of boy’s and men’s accessories, custom designed logo t-shirts and pet products from Red Holliday Studios founder and designer Lori Holliday. Pronounced “guy-o en fway-go,” which is Spanish for “rooster on fire,” the line is made from decommissioned fire hoses. How unique!

Being married to a fireman has more than safety perks. It sparked my design inspiration, too. When fire hose is past its action-packed prime, it is decommissioned with little chance for a second life. Gallo en Fuego takes those spent pieces and transforms them into stylish wearable accessories for men, boys and pets.

New York City Hot. “After years on the battle lines, even the toughest fire hoses have to retire from the field,” they say. Gallo en Fuego sources most of the hoses from New York. At the company’s Colorado-based custom workshop, the hoses are cleaned, keeping all their with distinctive marks from the fire ground intact. Both the inner rubber lining and the tough woven exterior become the raw materials used to hand-craft Gallo en Fuego’s distinctive collection of wallets, belts and other products.

Inspired by her husband Mark, a firefighter for 15 years, Lori wanted to honor him and his fellow heroes, who put their own lives on the line each day. So the company has partnered with The National Fallen Firefighters Association in their mission to remember America’s fallen fire heroes and assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives. A portion of the proceeds from each sale of Gallo en Fuego products is given to help the families of those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Available online, UncommonGoods.com (a favorite of mine!) and select boutique retailers nationwide.

Thank you, Hilary Abbott, for introducing me to Gallo en Fuego! 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!

Eco-Friendly Nohi Kids

It’s a Zoo! Nohi Kids shows off animal-themed adorables for Spring/Summer.

One Cute Package. Nohi Kids designs high-quality, eco-friendly children’s apparel –the kind of clothes kids never want to take off and durable enough to pass down to the next.

Janel Andersen’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection features brand new animal prints typical of Nohi’s trademark style and color story, made in sizes newborn to 7/8. Mix and match pieces, including bodysuits, tees, leggings, dresses and cardigans, are reasonably priced, too.

What’s a Nohi Kid, anyway? In the Maori language, nohi nohi means, “to be small.” In Japan, Kodomo Nohi -one of the most popular national holidays- is a day to celebrate children. And, in Hawaiian, Nohi means brightly colored and vivid. So, I suppose a Nohi Kid is a bright, vivacious little thing just oozing with personality!

Nohi uses a combination of certified organic cotton and bamboo fiber, with “a touch of spandex,” and low-impact, water based inks to create comfortable clothes kids love and parents can keep looking great wash after wash.

Nohi Kids’ new zoo print is a whimsical menagerie of elephants, birds, bunnies and giraffes. The zoo print is featured on new reversible jackets and top-selling footless rompers for babies sizes 0-3 months to 12-18 months as well as a short-sleeve tee for boys in kids sizes 2 to 7/8.

The new collection uses rich purple, persimmon and sky blue hues to complement the artful graphic designs- including a wraparound octopus tee, new horse print dress (available in sash and flutter sleeve styles), and a new “Love” print flutter sleeve dress.

Spring Bounty. A portion of sales is donated to the Caine’s Arcade Imagination Foundation, dedicated to finding and fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in kids.

Another Magnolia 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!

Think Asia, Think Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is reaching out to companies, industry leaders and select schools in the United States, focusing on opportunities to work together.

We live -and thrive- in a global economy. I’m a huge fan of the “Made in the USA” moniker, not only as a “shop local” philosophy, but as an expression of how we can export our goods and services to benefit the world. The “follow” quality of the Made in the USA movement also inspires other nations and manufacturing powerhouses to step up their ways of doing business, too.

That’s why I’m bringing attention to what can be the largest Hong Kong promotion ever to take place here this summer: Think Asia, Think Hong Kong.

Promotion organizer Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is showcasing the advantages for American companies looking to tap new business opportunities in China and Asia with symposiums held in New York and Los Angeles on June 11 and 14 respectively. Scheduled speakers include CY Leung, chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and more than 60 prominent senior executives from global companies. “As the global economic balance continues to shift to Asia, Hong Kong is the ideal business platform from which to access the myriad regional opportunities now available in the growing ASEAN area and the Chinese mainland,” says HKTDC chairman Jack So. “Our low taxes, free economy, rule of law, English-speaking environment and world-class business services make us the preferred partner for any overseas businesses wishing to tap these growing possibilities.”

The Think Asia, Think Hong Kong sessions will focus on why US companies should use Hong Kong’s business advantages, how Chinese enterprises are expanding their international presence through Hong Kong and what mainland companies are looking for in global partners.

Established in 1966, HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers, and is getting support for the Think Asia, Thing Hong Kong promotion from 14 Hong Kong partners and close to 100 US organizations. About 1,400 US trading, banking, finance and transport firms are in Hong Kong, and roughly 869 US companies maintain regional headquarters or offices there – more than any other country.

Learn more about US Success Stories by visiting this link: http://www.thinkasiathinkhk.com/usa/en/intel_successstories.html

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!

Introducing Brian James – for Mom!

Ever wished the makers of popular children’s shoe brand pediped® made footwear for moms? Wishes do come true, because –they are!

Introducing Brian James™ New Essential Women’s Footwear Collection from Angela Edgeworth, founder of the award-winning pediped brand. The début collection launches for Spring/Summer 2013.

Angela was inspired to develop a women’s line after years of countless requests from moms, celebrities and fans looking for the same quality, comfort and style as their kids’ pediped shoes.

After two years in the making, I’m thrilled to see this line come full surface. Sketch after sketch, our focus remained the same – to create a line that was stylish and timeless while providing an extreme level of comfort.”

The Brian James collection highlights seasonal designs essential to any women’s wardrobe. Angela says, “Brian James reflects a sense of timelessness and relaxed elegance, focusing on luxurious fabrics and a perfect fit.” With soft, flexible soles, all-leather uppers and linings, “this line meets the needs of every trendsetter’s desire for style and every shopper who puts comfort first.

Also based in Nevada, the Brian James™ Spring/Summer 2013 collection features four different styles: the Katherine Sandal, Chantal Sandal, Angelle Sandal and Angie Ballet Flat available in EU sizes 36-41 (US 5.5-11).

Purchase online at www.brianjamesfootwear.com and in select retail stores.

Another Hilary Abbott 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!

Spring Summer 2013: TANE Organics

Inspired by the goodness of the Earth…

TANE organics’ Spring Summer 2013 collection is full of freshness, sweet shapes and delicious softness.

TANE organics makes wonderful baby things from the purest, most luxurious natural fibers ever. The comfortable construction and design details are inspired by the shape of the beautiful kimono. “Tane” is a Japanese word that means “seed,” and the color tones in the collection help make the clothing look good enough to eat! The clothes are soft, with simple lines and neat playful details.

Soft ripe oval shapes provide the ease and freedom of movement while the pocket detail reflects the functionality in farming attire. The playful racer back cutout reminds us of warm summer days and the relief in a timeless worker’s tank. Sweet apron-influenced ruffles and shapes echo the humble, authentic delivery of great design.

Nicely said.

This season’s pieces have simple silhouettes that create a perfect mix of detailing, color and elegance, made from 100% certified organic cotton grown without the use of pesticides, GOTS certified low impact dyes, Azo dioxide free, and finished in a nontoxic process.

TANE’s Kayla Bird tells me in addition to minimizing toxic exposure, eco-fabrics last longer. Who knew?

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!