Janet Gray Muniz

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!

Big Ideas at Small Concept


Launched in 2011, Atlanta, GA-based Small Concept caters to new moms as well as fashionista kids.

Small Concept is an online children’s boutique offering a wonderful array of brand name kids clothing, including Daily Tea, Wonderboy, Appaman and more. Small Concept also caters to new moms, offering maternity clothing for expecting mothers, baby clothing, diapers, baby gear and other accessories.

If you’re a parent who can appreciate fashion and enjoy the quality and luxury of designer clothing, then you’re going to want the same for your little ones.

Designer kids clothes is Small Concept’s specialty. Be sure to check out the New Arrivals section, and the Sale section features the latest in children’s clothing at a discounted price.

“Small Concept was created out of not only the absolute love of babies and children, but the fascination for their style as well,” they say. “All of our designer kids clothes, baby clothing and other items are made with the highest in standards for you and your tiny tot.”

Organized Mom Awards Supporter. Small Concept recently gave away a $200 voucher, in support of the Organized Mom Awards.  Cecilia Charm told them how shopping online at Small Concept helped her to be an organized mom –and she won the prize! She gets to chose from top quality clothing labels to create new wardrobes for her kids! Have you entered the Organized Mom Awards yet? Enter here. Contest ends August 19.

  • 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 All-New Bitty Birdie Boutique


A smart way to shop for brands you love, this new e-commerce site works with both children’s specialty stores and “Fashionista Moms” all over the world to bring you favorite designers for a fraction of retail.

Tiffany Cornelius is founder of the all-new Bitty Birdie Boutique, a place where you can shop for top-of-the-line American and European boutique children’s clothing brands. Tiffany has curated a wonderful assortment of both brand new and gently used designer favorites, some offered at up of 60% off.

Retail therapy without the guilt. In the past, Tiffany has spent hard earned dollars on a boutique wardrobe for her two children, and after they outgrew their clothes, she struggled to find a way to earn back money for boutique items. “I’ll never forget collecting a $19 check for a basket of high-end children’s items,” she says. “That’s when I realized there was definitely a need to create a marketplace to buy/sell high-end children’s clothing.”

With over eight years of experience running franchised stores, Tiffany also had friends in the boutique retail market that were struggling financially. Sometimes forced to sell high-end merchandise at significantly marked down prices, they were not earning the highest profit on these new items.

Ninety-five percent of boutiques across America do not have an e-commerce store. Fashionista Mommies earn 50% of the sale on pre-loved items and boutiques and vendors earn 60% on new with tags items at Bitty Birdie Boutique.

Bitty Birdie Boutique accepts new and gently used clothing from all seasons everyday, because they ship around the world. And we’re talking brands like Brands Catimini, Lilly Pulitzer, Burberry, Mini Boden, Matilda Jane, Deux Par Deux, Lili Gaufrette, Livie & Luca, Papo d’ Anjo and so much more. Tiffany says, “Buy the brands you love, but on the flip side, sell the boutique brands you no longer need.”

Very great idea!

  • 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 New Bib for the Modern Tot


Just four months old, Wee Drool has already won several industry awards, including the Creative Child Magazine Top Choice Product Award for 2012.

The word “drool” has got to be the newest “It” word for people dreaming up new products for kids. I think it’s got that certain appeal –part adorable, part icky … and all in good fun.

This -and more- is what appeals to Kelly Yaep -a California-based mom of three very drooly boys- and her new company. She makes Wee Drool T-Bibs, waterproof bibs designed to look like hip t-shirts. Made from a blend of bamboo viscose and organic cotton, Kelly’s T-Bibs are not only adorable and fun, they’re quite soft and comfortable, soak-proof and stylish, of course. “Our hip modern prints make for a stylish cover up solution that is inspiring a new generation to drool in style,” Kelly tells me.

T-bib = comfort + less rash = happy baby and less laundry = even happier moms!

Kelly designed the Wee Drool T-Bib to look and feel like it was part of a child’s outfit, instead of sticking out like a drooly mess. Especially appealing to the fashion conscious kid.

Made in the USA. They’re also designed for the eco-minded parent. The company is committed to producing superior quality products using low impact dyes, water-based inks and recycled paper hang tags –right here in America. You go, girl!

“The T-Bib makes for a stylish cover-up solution that is inspiring a new generation to drool in style,” Kelly says. “Wee are a nation of Drool … Become a part of the revolution!”

  • 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!

Nohi Kids for a Vibrant Fall/Winter Season


Popular eco-friendly brand delights once more with bright colors and playful, bold graphics.

Drawing inspiration from children’s artwork and experimenting with graphic design, founder Janel Jones has created a vibrant Fall/Winter 2012 collection for babies and children using a mix of certified organic cotton, bamboo fiber and a touch of spandex.

The newest Nohi Kids collection features fresh prints and color combinations, including whales, disco dots, pears and geckos- all with a touch of whimsy.

We create comfortable, high quality, and eco-friendly clothes that appeal to both kids and their parents. We are the favorite dress or tee shirt that your child won’t take off. And, we want to be sure that our clothes are durable enough so that you can pass them down to the next lucky kid.

The expanded Nohi Baby collection débuts rompers and newbie gowns in addition to classic bodysuits, yoga pants and reversible blankets. Bestsellers, including their signature Hoots owl print, are back as well as new favorites- multi-colored whales, Mack trucks and flocks of birds- perfect for tiny newcomers.

For bigger kids, Nohi débuts a playful wrap-around gecko graphic long-sleeved tee, skateboard and motorcycle tees for little daredevils, and a drum tee. Pear print and disco dot print sash dresses are also new for fall, available in sizes 12-18 months to 7/8. Solid and print leggings are designed to complement these dresses as well as mix and match with the entire collection.

Janel explains that in the Maori language, nohi nohi means, “to be small.” In Japan, the popular national holiday Kodomo Nohi is a day to celebrate children. And in Hawaiian, nohi means “brightly colored and vivid.” She says, “So, I suppose a Nohi Kid is a bright, vivacious little thing just oozing with personality!” Indeed.

The environmentally friendly line uses low-impact, water based inks for printing and is CPSIA compliant. “We have a very personal relationship with our manufacturer,” Janel says. “We chose to work with them because of their integrity and meticulous attention to detail. And, most importantly, they maintain a social accountability standard that ensures workplace safety, fair working hours and decent wages, no discrimination and no child labor.”

The company is committed to doing its part to improve the lives of children. A portion of sales from the Fall/Winter 2012 collection will be donated to the Caine’s Arcade Imagination Foundation, dedicated to finding and fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in kids. The Nohi Kids fall collection is available in stores now and at www.nohikids.com.

Thank you, Adrienne Dorsey of Magnolia PR for introducing me to Nohi Kids!

  • 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!

Lily & Momo – Stylish Accessories


What little girl wouldn’t want to accessorize her cute outfit with a stylish owl handbag? Thanks to new company Lily & Momo, she can!

Atlanta, GA-based Lily & Momo specializes in high-quality, handmade accessories for children. The extensive collection of fanciful barrettes, headbands, bows and hair clips –from animals to flowers to stars, rainbows and crowns- are packaged to please using recycled paper and other environmentally friendly materials. There’s even a variety of “clip keepers” to choose from. The embellishments are handcrafted from soft felt in vibrant colors and the working part of the clip is made to stay securely in the hair.

And the kid-sized purses and handbags are a stand-out … in owl, turtle, fish and flower designs that are sure to delight.

I was looking for fun hair accessories for my daughter and found that the market was missing whimsical hair clips for girls. So I developed one -a hip, fashionable line of hair accessories.

Named after her daughter Lily and her son Miles (Momo is his nickname), Sharon Miller and her husband Evan launched the company about one year ago, and Sharon tells me that it’s captured the imagination of the children’s marketplace, growing extremely fast.  An adorable addition, I agree! The product design and materials used are safety tested to ensure the highest quality, made with love and care. Available at Nordstrom and children’s shops from Alaska to Connecticut, Canada to South Korea, 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!

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!