Golly Gee-pers Game Teaches Manners

Award-winning games teach children table manners in a fun, delicious way.

A while back, Staci Ericson discovered –through an honest parent and good friend- that her daughter’s table manners left a little to be desired. “I went home and quickly drew some silly sketches with captions and corresponding thumbs-up or thumbs-down illustrations, put them inside zip lock sandwich bags,” she says.

We’ve got kids’ manners in a bag.

Since then, Staci has taken her card game idea to market. Golly Gee-pers mealtime games encourage good table manners, incorporating honest feedback and accountability. Staci and her team research, develop and test fun ways to teach manners to children, with the help of local pediatric groups. “I was able to survey parents, grandparents and caregivers and later put the game through a series of focus groups,” she says. “My goal was not to simply get the game on the market but to provide a useful tool that would address table manners in the moment they occur.”

Honored as Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Socially Responsible Products for 2011 and one of Dr. Toy’s 100 Best New Products for Children 2011, Golly Gee-pers Table Manners Cards not only teach kids proper etiquette, the entire process really enhances the mealtime experience –for everyone. Here’s a video:

New Products in 2012. Staci plans to introduce a few more products under the Golly Gee-pers brand sometime this year. Don’t Pick Your Nose and Other Jazzy Manners Songs helps parents teach their kids social skills in addition to introducing them to light jazz music. Toddlers at the Table is a flap book designed specifically for new diners. We’re looking forward to these releases.

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! Thank you Rachel Florio PR for introducing me to Golly Gee-pers!

Sammi & David Débuts New Collection

With all the zeal you’d expect, an up-and-coming company débuts a collection just as vibrant and eclectic as the wonderful life that inspired it.

Rebecca Gold and Shana Cutler became instant BF’s over cowboy boots. The two knew from the first grade that they were destined to make a lasting impression on the world of fashion.

Their signature Love Jay Girls apparel line has won over many-a-fashionista, and now, they’re poised to set trends again with Sammi & David, their “fearlessly-expressive” brand that celebrates a child’s spontaneity. “In truth, we care about these girls because we once were these girls,” they say.

Designed specifically for a girl’s tween years, the new line embraces individuality with fashion forward panache, bridging the ‘girly-girl’-one-day, ‘rocker-chick’-the-next vibe. The collection features sweet and sassy designs, made from ultra-comfortable materials like bamboo fleece and knit jersey to edgier fabrics such as pleather and distressed leopard.

‘Sammi’ is for your daintiest moods. ‘David’ represents that edgy alter ego that wants to come out and play. Sammi & David strives to offer the freedom to choose not who she wants to be, but rather express the beautiful young lady she already is.

Los Angeles, CA-based Felicia’s LLC is dedicated to producing its growing product line with high-quality materials and detailed construction. In early August, Sammi & David is introducing the Spring/Summer 2013 collection of tops, bottoms, dresses and outerwear to the children’s retail industry at the Playtime New York trade show. See it soon in stores!

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!

A Little Bit of Italy for Your Nursery

Italy’s fastest growing nursery brand, with its wide variety of babycare products, is now available in the United States.

Well-known distributor Kastel International has been named U.S. distributor for Parma, Italy-based Mebby/Medel Group, a company with a longstanding reputation as a trusted medical device manufacturer, spanning over 40 years. Their innovative Mebby babycare products are known to be safe and respectful to the environment, catering to the needs of today’s parents –and include products for breast and bottle feeding, teething and bath time.

Kastel is launching Mebby in the U.S. with two products. Mebby Jelly Baby, a memory foam changing mat, is the first-ever changing mat made from soft memory foam and ergonomically shaped to fit baby. The PVC-free changing mat is 100% waterproof, anti-bacterial, Latex-Free and hypoallergenic. The mat grips to a changing table or dresser without having to attach it, stays at room temperature for warm comfort for baby and can be easily wiped clean. Jelly Baby can be used on its own or with its separately available terry backed machine washable liners.

The Mebby Bath Toy Store, a cleverly designed bath toy storage solution to help keep baby’s bath toys tidy and clean. Compact and attractive, its two-piece system for drying bath toys uses nested buckets in gentle pastel colors. The inner bucket has drain-holes in the bottom, and the outer bucket catches the water running through. A wide opening at the top keeps air circulating through, avoiding the breeding of nasty mold.

Jelly Baby and Bath Toy Store are both ingenious products -not to mention affordable and stylish- that moms will love for everyday use. We are thrilled to add Mebby to the growing Kastel portfolio of distinctive juvenile goods brands.

–Stellario D’Urso, president, Kastel International

Founded in 1996 by Stellario, the Kastel team of seasoned marketing industry veterans uses their global experience to launch domestic and European-based brands. The company’s portfolio also includes Netherlands-based Mutsy, makers of strollers, Spain-based Babyhome, an award-winning collection of baby gear, Jahgoo, a collection of baby/toddler bathroom essentials such as potties and step stools and BabyZoo, fun and smart designed sleep aids for young children.

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! Thank you, Hilary Abbott, for introducing me to Mebby!

Hadley Stilwell – Made for Moms by Moms

The maker of well-tailored clothes for nursing moms and beyond was awarded the prestigious 2011 Eileen Fisher Business Grant for Entrepreneurs.

Seattle, WA-based HadleyStilwell has a vision. In February 2009, founder and designer Holli Harris set out to give breastfeeding mothers pulled-together, fashionable wardrobe pieces that allow for ease of breastfeeding or pumping. She’s also captured the imagination of women entrepreneurs, too.

I want to minimize the challenge of committing to breastfeeding, especially for mothers returning to work.

The company, named after Holli’s daughter, participated in Eileen Fisher’s 3rd annual Inspiring Women Event, which took place in May at the Eileen Fisher retail store in downtown Seattle. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with three Seattle area entrepreneurs as well as executives from Eileen Fisher, finding out how these local women have been able to turn their passions into successful, socially responsible businesses. In addition to HadleyStilwell, Mama K’s Play Clay, a maker of all-natural play dough with hints of aromatherapy to calm while encouraging creativity, and Ricicli, maker of handmade, one-of-a-kind upcycled clothing for babies and children, were also honored.

“Eileen Fisher is a business leader and role model for all women,” Holli says. “My business is all about merging functionality with style to support the most natural, and empowering, thing ever – breastfeeding. Working with Eileen Fisher inspires me to keep the focus on business values and giving back as we grow, just as Eileen Fisher has done.”

Holli is always poised to launch new pieces, such as a maxi dress and tunic-length top, to her versatile and popular Jet Set Collection. Yet even as she expands the HadleyStilwell collection, she always looks for ways to give back. She is a director on the board of Chindex International, the only private healthcare network of clinics and hospitals in China. She is also the chair of Washington CASH, a non-profit microfinance organization that provides business training, a supportive community and microloans that enable low-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency through their own small business ideas. In addition, Holli donates 5% of every HadleyStilwell purchase to Best for Babes, an award-winning organization dedicated to helping moms beat the “Booby Traps” to breastfeeding – the cultural and institutional barriers that prevent moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals.

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!

Stuck on You – Primary Sponsor of the Organized Mom Awards 2012

It all started when I innocently created some labels for my son. With word spreading rapidly through the school community, orders started coming in and Stuck on You was born.

-Carrie Felton, owner of Stuck on You

Carrie’s innocent label-creating began in Australia circa 1995, and since then, Stuck On You has grown to be the most recognized name labels company in Australia, offering products in hundreds of countries worldwide, with offices in many regions, including the USA.

Our labels are tough, they have been tested by kids all over the world. Our success has come from word of mouth. Apart from great quality, our products are great fun; they are loved by mums, dads, kids and schools alike.

Looking for labels and more? All of the products from Stuck on You are created out of necessity to make life easier for moms –and their kids. The clever design team is constantly coming up with new designs that your kids will love. And the Stuck on You product line continues to expand with drink bottles, learning books, canvases, height charts, backpacks, lunch boxes, library bags, personalized clothing and more. Carrie and her company have a passion and love for all things organized -she just loves to create time to do the fun things in life, like spending time with family and friends, cooking and entertaining. That’s why Stuck on You is the primary sponsor of the Organized Mom Awards 2012.

Stuck on You USA. Name labels, school labels and personalized gifts can all be created by you on the Stuck on You USA product previewer before you buy. Stuck on You labels are designed to stick and stay stuck.

Stuck for a gift idea? The company ships anywhere in the United States. Choose from the enormous collection of name labels, kids labels, school labels, clothing labels, iron on labels, bag tags, luggage tags, lunchboxes, drink bottles, kids clothing, stationery, wall art and more, then start personalizing with color, design, nearly anything your heart desires- to create your very own personalized Stuck On You USA product. “We love a bargain and we know our customers do too,” Carrie says. “Keep an eye out on our latest offers online for bargains, specials and brand new products.”

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 Rayil – Inventive, Beautiful, Versatile

A sneak peek at a unique line of childrenswear that blends traditional Indian silhouettes with Western styling.

Aruna Hatti calls herself the Maharani of Possibilities – a magical moniker for the talented, creative mind behind Gnaana, her successful project that offers engaging toys and more to educate young children about South Asian cultures, languages and history. “Whether they are listening to a gush of water or evaluating the squishability of peas, children are learning from what is around them,” she says –so true to the nature of a child’s life.

Now, Aruna is collaborating with New Delhi fashion designer Moutushi Sarkar on Rayil, a new division of her U.S.-based Gnaana Company, LLC. In the spirit of knowledge and learning –the meaning of the Sanskrit word, gnaana- Rayil’s designs use traditional Indian textiles complemented by subtle details and clean lines.

The pureness of the natural fabrics and the tradition of the techniques make this a timeless collection. Along with the beauty and high quality of the textiles, we are careful to provide practicality through silks and cottons that can withstand multiple washings and wear.

Great Value. Versatility is a key aspect of this collection, which includes many pieces offered in both silk or cotton, and can be mixed and matched for dressy and everyday looks. Moutushi Sarkar, a graduate of India’s prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, specializes in experimenting with innovative silhouettes. She has designed for such global brands as Urban Outfitters, Rene Derhy and Derhy-Kids, Miss Selfridge and Esprit.

Bridging East and West. More than 300 types of fabrics are available in India alone, and each season, the designs for Rayil -which means train in the Tamil language- travel throughout the continent, drawing inspiration from local fabrics and techniques found there. For instance, the Spring ’13 collection features Benarasi silk from the Benaras region in Uttar Pradesh, Chanderi silk from the Chanderi region in Madhya Pradesh, Karishma cotton from Tamil Nadu as well as cotton Khadi, a fabric popularized by Gandhi.

Coming Soon. Rayil’s silhouettes lend a contemporary Western spin on traditional Indian styles, bridging East and West. For girls, you’ll find scalloped-edge circle skirts; sweeping, layered maxi skirts; paper bag-waist woven leggings; delicately trimmed wrap tops; pin-tucked tank tops; and draped A-line and pleated tunic-style dresses. Decorative accessories like ombré scarves and pompom stoles and reversible capes are ladylike toppers. For boys, these exquisite fabrics are used on easy-to-wear tunics and pants.

Available in sizes 2-8, each piece is carefully constructed to provide visual interest through texture, color and print mixing.

Thank you, Caletha Crawford, for introducing me to Rayil – and to Gnaana!

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!

Keep Kids’ Knees Protected with Crawlings

Two-year-old company Crawlings makes infant and toddler accessories, including kid-friendly kneepads.

It’s a Wobbly World Out There! Sisters and new moms Tina Dowden and Hailey Kim started their New York-based company out of a need to have what they call “fun and sweet utilitarian designs.” Available at Crawlings.com and retailers in the U.S., the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the UAE, the company’s collection of kneepads give your child that extra protection while they learn to navigate the big and sometimes wobbly world in style.

As our babies were learning to crawl, their knees were always red, bruised, and scratched from the carpet, tile or hardwood floors. We tried to find a product in the marketplace that would protect their little knees without hindering their mobility. After months of searching, we decided to design and make exactly what was needed to help our babies as they became more mobile.

Made of premium cotton, EVA foam and spandex, Crawlings kneepads are soft, stretchable and breathable, designed to move and grow with the child. Perfect for indoor use and the rough ‘n tumble great outdoors.

Designed to protect in a super stylish way, the fun embroidered designs keeps kids standing tall, exploring what’s under their knees, and come in an adorable star-covered box, perfect for baby showers and birthday parties.

Crawlings also supports MiracleFeet, a nonprofit international organization to help children with clubfeet get the simple, affordable, and effective treatment they need to walk, run and play like every child deserves.

Thank you, Katie Hammond of 9SPR for introducing me to Crawlings!

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!

Enter the Organized Mom Awards 2012

Starts Today – enter The Organized Mom Awards and you could win $1,000!

Attention all moms in the U.S. and Canada! Care to share how you stay so organized? Here’s your chance to be recognized –and win for your efforts!

Nominate a friend in The Organized Mom Awards 2012. She could win $1,000 –and so could you! Nominate yourself, and you could win $1,000 plus $1,000 will be donated to your favorite registered charity!

It’s not about being the perfect mom, it’s all about moms sharing the tips and ideas that make them feel the most organized.

Here’s all you need to do. 1) Visit the Organized Mom Awards Facebook Page 2) Tell us what makes you or a friend an organized mom, and 3) Share the Top 3 Tips that help keep you or a friend so organized.

Once you or someone you know is nominated, invite friends and family to join in on the fun by casting a vote on the OMA’s Facebook Page. The 10 nominations with the most votes become the Top Ten Finalists, and a Winner is chosen by the OMA’s judges. But don’t go away … 30 runners-up with the most votes win prizes, too!

Want to be in the running to win daily spot prizes? Share your top organizational tips, recipes and parenting advice on the OMA’s Facebook Page for your chance to win.

Runs July 11-August 23. The Organized Mom Awards 2012 are brought to you by Stuck on You, makers of very cool personalized labels for moms –and kids. Here’s a list of important event dates:

Award Nominations Start – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:00 pm PT

Award Nominations End – Sunday, August, 19, 2012 @ 11:59 pm PT

Finalists Announced – Monday, August 20, 2012

Winner and 30 Runners Up Announced – Thursday, August 23, 2012

Be a frequent visitor to OrganizedMomAwards.com and check out regular posts from mompreneurs, bloggers and moms from all over the U. S. and Canada, sharing their Top Tips, Favorite Things and Fun Stuff.

And stay tuned to Children’s Retail Today -here and on Facebook– I’ll be featuring the folks behind all this fun, plus nominating a few of my own favorite organized moms, too!

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!

Lullabies a la Lady Gaga

Kids everywhere can enjoy Soothing Lullaby Arrangements of Songs Made Famous by Lady Gaga -the newest addition to the Baby Blanket Music collection.

The distinctive Baby Blanket Music collection for children features unique lullaby arrangements of favorite songs from favorite artists, like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Simon & Garfunkel, Garth Brooks and The Beatles. And now, Lady Gaga joins this list.

As our line continues to expand, we are excited to introduce the songs of Lady Gaga. Arranging these edgy, contemporary tunes in a way that holds true to the Baby Blanket Music sound has been a welcomed challenge and pleasure.

-Josh Rutt, founder and CEO

New York-based teacher, composer and performer Josh Rutt created Baby Blanket Music in 2009. Josh developed his distinctive line of music designed to appeal to babies, parents and grandparents alike with guidance of a wide range of doctors, teachers and child development specialists.

Incredibly musical, always theatrical and undeniably relevant, Lady Gaga is be one of today’s hottest stars, and her catchy songs have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. Baby Blanket Music’s album features instrumental arrangements of hits such as Just Dance, Poker Face, Bad Romance and The Edge of Glory.

Designed to soothe while enhancing the enjoyment and cognition of music, Baby Blanket Music features familiar baby sounds like vibraphones and music boxes paired with a full medley of rich, classical instruments including strings, woodwinds, pianos, harps and soft percussion.

Thanks, Hilary Abbott, for letting me know about Baby Blanket Music’s news! 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 Zen of Nested Bean’s Swaddle

This new swaddle design provides the one thing a child craves to fall asleep restfully: a mother’s touch.

After her second child was born, Manasi Gangan spent many sleepless nights trying to calm her fitful boy to sleep. Unlike her older son, nothing worked more effectively to encourage slumber than holding her new baby close throughout the night. “I discovered that a mother’s touch is an essential part of soothing new arrivals, aiding their transition from the womb into the world,” Mansai says, “so I created a swaddle of sorts that simulated my touch. Slowly my son started to drift off and stay asleep with little help from me.”

Protection of a mother’s warm embrace. Mansai’s invention has evolved into the first swaddle uniquely constructed to harnesses the proven power of a parent’s touch to soothe and comfort a child, combining it with the traditional benefits of swaddling, and providing a time-tested, truly safe and secure environment for your baby. Made from 100% cotton and containing non-toxic filling in parts, the Zen Swaddle™ system fastens with Velcro® closures and uses custom accessories to create the effect of a warm embrace: The Peaceful Touch uses gentle pressure like that of a hand resting on your baby’s chest, while The Loving Embrace surrounds your baby on either side, from torso to thigh, with the comforting, reassuring feeling of resting in your arms. Trials with babies show that using the Zen Swaddle enables them to self soothe through minor disturbances, increasing the duration of sleep.

What I learned through extensive research with medical professionals, research scientists and childcare professionals is that touch is integral to babies’ sense of wellbeing. Babies find restful sleep in the Zen Swaddle™ because it provides them with the calming benefits they receive from their parents’ touch.

Passionate about Parenthood. Last year, Manasi founded Nested Bean Inc. with a mission to manufacture the best, safest products that cater to babies’ needs -and provide parents with peace of mind. The Zen Swaddle is the company’s inaugural product. “I gathered a team of professionals with a wide range of experience -juvenile product design, engineering, marketing, retail and management- to join in this mission,” Mansai says. “Several ideas were created and discarded until we developed the Zen Swaddle, the one design that met all of our goals to perfection.” Designed for babies weighing seven to 14 pounds, the Zen Swaddle has undergone rigorous safety testing at CPSC-accredited labs. “The Zen Swaddle is close to my heart because I helped with product development and branding,” says children’s apparel expert Caletha Crawford, who introduced me to Nested Bean. “It will be available at some great stores, such as like Tottini in Seattle and Magic Beans in Boston, at the end of July.”

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!