Children’s Retail Today

Ruby’s Closet aka Sweet Julep’s


Popular girl’s hair accessories company gets a makeover and a name change.

California native Alice Hardin worked as a Hollywood nanny before becoming a mom herself. Her love for children inspires her to design and create pretty hair accessories for girls and more.

Alice’s couture style and eye for quality make her hair bows very desirable among her family and friends … as well as the retailers and customers who shop Ruby’s Closet. Named after her own daughter Ruby, she recently gave the popular brand a makeover, changing the name to Sweet Julep’s this fall.

Whether you purchase a Sweet Julep’s or Ruby’s Closet item, you can be sure you are getting a high quality and fashionable item.

Alice is known for sweet, beautiful and fashionable accessories, such as Kickie Feet, a “barefoot sandal sensation.” Worn on bare feet or over socks, they decorate little piggies with cute blossoms.

New Bling for the Holidays. Sold online, Sweet Julep’s offers free shipping on all orders over $50. The lovely accessories can also be found in children’s boutiques around the world. Great socking stuffers!

  • 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!

They say it’s your birthday …


Today is Thanksgiving Day –and it’s also my birthday!

In the spirit of great gratitude, I offer this stunning message, given to us by Moving Art‘s Louie Schwartzberg. Click the picture to view.

I wish for you “that everyone on this day will be blessed by you … by your presence. Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you.” Enjoy the turkey!

  • 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!

milkmakers Introduces Moms-On-The-Go


Individually wrapped for on-the-go convenience, moms everywhere will love these cookies! Launching with a fun promotion, too.

milkmakers, a Seattle WA-based company that makes unique snacks to help nursing moms make more breast milk, introduces individually wrapped cookies for grab-and-go ease. Moms-On-The-Go are a simple innovation that can make a world of difference to a busy mom.

Busy moms need quick and easy ways to support their breastfeeding goals. Keep these cookies in the diaper bag, or even with the pump for a pick-me-up while pumping. They are easy to carry, good to eat, and increase milk supply.

Moms-On-The-Go are available in the same oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin varieties as the original 10-cookie packages, for which milkmakers is known –full of the key ingredients to boost breast milk supply and provide nutritional power.

What a great idea! I had taken an entire milkmakers pouch and put it our break room freezer at work. But then they disappeared! These would be perfect for work, and to grab quickly on my way out the door since I’m never on time.

– Lori M., via milkmakers on Facebook

Moms-On-The-Go is the idea of Emily Kane, founding owner of milkmakers and mother of three young children. She created the original milkmakers cookies when she was looking for a way to increase her own breast milk supply. She began experimenting with different lactation cookie recipes, then came up with her own combination of oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed made into a tasty cookie that helped with her milk production, making it easier to pump at work during the day and breastfeed when she got home.

The two varieties of milkmakers -oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin- are made with all-natural organic ingredients. The company suggests that moms eat one to two cookies per day to reap the full milk-making benefits. All varieties of milkmakers cookies are available at www.milkmakers.com.

This would be a perfect midnight snack. I’m having a hard time feeding myself and this would make a super snack while my little one is also ‘snacking’.

– Amy P., via milkmakers on Facebook

Cookie On Us Promotion. milkmakers is launching the new Moms-On-The-Go with a fun promotion. Visit shop.milkmakers.com/cookie-on-us to request two free Moms-On-The-Go milkmakers cookies -and discover just how delicious, nutritious, and effective milkmakers cookies really are, with no obligation. Also available on the company’s website are links to additional resources for breastfeeding moms, as well as suggestions for finding a lactation consultant and dietitian.

  • 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!

Cute Butts


Find out more about the home of the original RuffleButt bloomer.

Amber Schaub is founding owner of North Carolina-based Ruffle Butts, what she describes as the “fastest growing children’s apparel line.” Amber started out to create a cute and modern version of the diaper cover that was such a staple of her own childhood wardrobe. “Our line is fun, hip and feminine, made of 100% cotton with quality construction,” she says. What started as a bloomer company has grown to include legwear, dancewear, dresses, shirts and pants.

Because of its Ruffle Butts’ popularity … and ever-increasing requests for a boys version, Amber also launched Rugged Butts, a stylish, comfortable line for the little guys.

We designed our brands to include multiple colors and patterns which can be mixed-and-matched to make the lives of busy moms a little easier.

This family-owned business follows The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you. “Values and ethics are imperative to our business,” Amber says, “and we will do everything in our power to do the ‘right thing.'”

Shop online – the company currently shops world-wide. Wholesale also available.

  • 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!

Getting Jeggings with it – Tractor Jeans


Jean company Tractor keeps it trendy with tried and true fashion sense.

As one of the most well-known juniors and girls fashion jeans brand today, can you believe Tractor is celebrating its 15th anniversary?

It’s true – with Diane Kuczer’s design background, and Howard Mensch’s expertise in sales, marketing and retail, the two have built a popular brand with both shoppers and retailers by understanding what they want and providing it with the best service possible.

Kids and parents rely on Tractor’s fashion sense: always on-trend, always giving tweens a perfect fit.

Tween Dream. Girls ages four to 14 totally screamed for Tractor Jeans in specialty stores and boutiques throughout the country, loving the unique well-fitted styles, and before long -Tractor became sought after in department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Von Maur and Neiman Marcus.

Modern style,  Classic design. Poised to please the ever-so-fickle tween market, Tractor created Jeggings –fashionable jean styles that feature the easy, comfortable fit of leggings. Made from cotton and spandex in 25 colors, Jeggings keep the same fit wear after wear and are machine washable.

This past spring, Tractor introduced a Young Contemporary womens line under the new brand called  Tractr.

Happy Anniversary, Tractor!

  • 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!

Llum Means Light


Named after the Catalan word for light, this Philadelphia-based company designs effortless clothing for girls.

Llum is a collection that captures the pure, creative energy in every child. Pronounced “loom,” it is the love of founder/designer Amanda Reichert, who is inspired by the glow of personality and individual style.

We believe in the creative and sustaining light within every child, and in clothes that allow children simply to be, beautifully.

Llum clothing is reversible, adjustable, and interchangeable to extend wear. Comfortable in its simplicity, yet versatile in its style, “Our palette is inspired by the interplay of earth and sun, in colors, subdued or flamboyant,” Amanda says. “We aim to make clothes that look beautiful on every child, feel comfortable for every child, and are adaptable to every situation.”

  • 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!

Hudson Threads


Tweens love the bold graphics and trendy sophistication.

New York-based Hudson Threads specializes in girls clothing available in sizes 4-16, perfect for those hard-to-please tweens.

Dayna Cohen and Michele Polo pride themselves on offering styles that are both fun and easy to wear.

Look for color blocking, graphic prints, neon and more in soft, flattering fabrics. aka mix two hot trends: color blocking and neon, with great success. For instance, the Kim Dress pictures on the left,  made from a Poly/Rayon/Lycra blend, is machine washable and Pucci-inspired, featuring a fun dolman sleeve design and oversized black cuffs. Where to shop and wholesale information available on the website.

  • 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!

Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund


Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) creates the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the Superstorm.

K.I.D.S. –the non-profit organization that brings new products to children and teens impacted by natural disaster and more- has mobilized its resources to establish a Hurricane Relief Fund in response to the need for new products for children and families affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Since 1985, K.I.D.S has provided almost one billion dollars to help nearly 70 million children impacted by poverty and tragedy as an outcome of homelessness, military deployment of a parent, domestic abuse, major illness or natural disaster. And for those who are passionate about children’s fashion, it’s the organization of choice to facilitate truly awesome assistance to those in need.

To make a new product donation to the K.I.D.S. Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund, please visit KidsDonations.org. Agencies in affected communities are in dire need of new apparel, blankets, shoes, toys, baby products and books.

K.I.D.S. is committed to working with local partners to support these families over the next few months. Because of the organization’s 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated, your $10 donation will provide $100 worth of brand new merchandise to those in need.

In New York City, the Boroughs and Long Island, K.I.D.S. is partnering with multiple agencies to set up two major distribution sites in Queens. The bridges in New York are now open to truck donated merchandise to these locations. These sites will serve families who have lost their houses to fire, floods and storm surge.

In New Jersey, K.I.D.S. is working with partners all along the Jersey coast to collect and distribute relief supplies to families who have suddenly lost everything.

West Virginia has already seen feet of snow, and K.I.D.S. is dispensing goods and supplies that collected from the organization’s corporate donors.

In addition to making new product donations, cash donations can also be made by visiting KidsDonations.org. Cash donations are needed to assist with the transportation and distribution efforts to move the product to local partner agencies serving those affected by the Superstorm. Your gift of $50, $100 -or any amount- will help us provide essentials to families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Once their most urgent needs have been met, there will be a long road ahead as families clean up the damage from the storm and begin rebuilding their lives.

You can easily make a donation by texting GIVE 8000 to 80088 to donate $10 to K.I.D.S. on your mobile phone bill. To make a larger donation, please contact Cristina Morais at 212-279-5493 ext. 204.

K.I.D.S. wants to thank American Girl, Carter’s Oshkosh, Delta Children’s Products, Graco, Kahn Lucas, Million Dollar Baby, Operation Compassion and UGG Australia for being so generous with their product donations to support the K.I.D.S. Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund.

  • 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!