Lucky Wang is a fantastic kids label based out of New York City, with stores in both Union Square and Chelsea.  In addition to pants, kimono inspired onsies and gorgeous dresses, they have a fabulous range of kids t-shirts for around $30.

Check out these fun designs:

The Orange Koi:

The Red Dragon:

Look wise with the Purple Owl:

The Red Cat (does this come in my size??):

Or the Brown Cow:

You can see the full range at www.luckywang.com

Like Michelle Obama, I’m quite fond of J.Crew for both casual and business attire, and I also love their crewcuts collection for the mini members of my family. So when the April catalogue arrived last week, I noticed they are currently partnering with the brand Lemlem for a girl’s line. While some members of our household may deem this a little pricey for our rapidly growing mini hipsters, Lemlem supports a good cause, and there are pieces that will last many, many seasons (see the beautiful scarves as an example).

The brand is the brainchild of Liya Kebede, a native of Ethiopia, who is both a model and an international Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Lemlem, meaning “to bloom” in Amharic, was started by Liya as a way to provide Ethiopian women economic independence, and to preserve the art of weaving in her home country. The result? An amazing collection of delicately handcrafted pieces!
Here are a few of our favorites.

This gorgeous sun dress comes in two colors and has a separate scarf that you can borrow when your minihipster isn’t looking
The dress can also last many seasons when paired with leggings as your little one becomes not-so-little!

This dress can also double as a top, and can be matched with denim jeans, leggings, or worn alone on a hot day by the beach over a swim-suit:

And maybe I was thinking of myself with this final choice of the Lemlem scarf (although in my defense, it was found in the crewcuts section!).

Check out the range of Lemlem at the crewcuts site: www.jcrew.com

or visit www.lemlem.com to learn more.

United Colors of Benetton has been a fashion staple for as long as I can remember, and the brand is synonymous with bright, fun colors, and easy to wear wardrobe basics from newborn to 12 years.  After walking past a store window earlier this week, I thought it was good timing to write a short profile on their spring / summer collection.

And to help pull together outfits for your mini hipster, they give you the option of shopping by ‘look’ or product. Here are a few of my favorite looks pulled from the toddler line:

Check out the collection at: www.benetton.com

I just came across this fantastic ‘design your own’ option on the Converse website. The cost is $45 for the kids shoes.  But don’t worry, there are also big kids sizes, so you and your minihipster can both design a pair of your own funky Converse and hit the streets together!

The design process involves 10 steps (which you can do in any order).  It took me about 10 minutes to complete, but only because I kept changing my mind and taking my time in selecting the design for each part!  You can see my artistic handywork in action through each of the steps below:

Step One – to get started, select the ‘blank’ shoe.  I chose canvas chucks:

Step Two – the outside body. You can chose from a selection of patterns or solid color. I chose one of the funky patterns:

Step Three – the tongue. Again, can chose from a selection of patterns or colors. I chose a color:

Step Four – the racing stripe. You can select from four colors of red, white, black or dark blue. I chose dark blue:

Step Five – the laces. There are five colors to chose from, and I opted for pink:

Step Six – the lining. An artists work is never done! Now for the lining, where you have the choice of colors or patterns. I thought I’d keep it simple and go for a color:

Step Seven – the heel stripe:

Step Eight – the stitching!

Step nine – your ID. In case your converse design isn’t individual enough already, here you can add your ‘ID’ to either the back or the side of the shoe:

Step Ten – the inside. Chose either pattern or color. I opted to spice things up with a second pattern:

And for a view of the finished product, here is the top:

And the front:

Pretty darn cool, if I don’t say so myself!!  Click here to get started on your own custom Converse for you and your minihipster, and have fun!

While my budget doesn’t quite stretch to buying Burberry, a girl can dream can’t she ; -)

The Burberry Childrenswear collection includes adorable lines for both boys and girls in “Newborn”, “Infant” and “Junior” – full of mini-me designer pieces referenced directly from the adult lines.

All your favourite grown-up Burberry items, also available for your minihipster!

I just love some of this season’s pieces, and included a few of my favorites:

For the girls, the Check Bubble Dress:

And the Hooded Poncho in merino wool and cashmere:

For the boys, the Argyle Vest:

And just because they are ‘oh so cute, I’ve included some Burberry images from the Nieman Marcus website:

The Fancy Check Dress, and yes, it’s pretty fancy!

The Bib Front shirt and Bubble Check Skirt:

Rubber-Print Tee Shirt, and my favorite Exploded Check Bermuda Shorts:

Burberry Childrenswear in the US is available online at: http://www.burberryusaonline.com

The Mini Social – Designer Bargains for your minihipster!

The Mini Social brings the best of both worlds – designer kids labels at up to 50-60% off.    And who doesn’t love a bargain!  The site has free membership (it takes less than a minute to sign up), and runs a new sale every few days at 11 AM EST, with each lasting just 48-72 hours.  And if the bargains weren’t enough, when you refer a friend who makes a purchase you’ll get $10 deposited into your account to use towards your next purchase.

A discount on designer duds isn’t the only thing you can feel pleased with yourself about. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to several favorite women’s and children’s charities, including the United States Fund for UNICEF and Shoe4Africa. It’s the social with a conscience.

This week’s sales include:

• egg by susan lazar kids
• Tea Collection, and
• Robeez

Check it out at http://www.theminisocial.com/

Surfs Up with Board Shorts!

It’s that time of year again when we’re getting ready to hit the beach or relax pool side with our minihipsters. I always enjoy shopping for board shorts, as there’s such a great range of fun, hip shorts that scream summer.

Here are some of my favorites:

The Gap has a few great choices, including these ‘Bright plaid swim trunks’ at $19.50 for the ultimate preppy look while hitting the waves:

Or Hawaii Five-O style with these great ‘Bold hibiscus’ swim trunks from the Gap:

or tropical fever with these ‘77 dip dye board shorts’ from 77 Kids:

Always cheap and cheerful, Old Navy have a large range of board shorts and your little guy is sure to love these ‘Shark-Teeth Swim Trunks’:

Finally, if you’re looking for an excuse to burn through some cash, there are some great trunks from Vilebrequin for $110. Here are Junior Swimtrunks in Navy Tahitian Flower:

And in Light Blue Turtle:

Surfs Up!!

The ultimate street accessory, the LIKEaBIKE is the remarkable, award-winning play vehicle that introduces children to the dynamic skills of movement and balance.

We first came across LIKEaBIKE when minihipster, Tyra, was riding hers in Central Park.

Using their own legs for balance and movement, children have instant success without the scrapes, falls and frustration common to learning to ride a conventional bicycle with training wheels.

Children quickly develop skill, balance and confidence, and experience the joy and freedom of dynamic movement and play. Within days your child will master the LIKEaBIKE and will be steering their bike through the living room, in the playground or off the beaten track.

LIKEaBIKE provides a wide range of motion, balance and exercise for children.

The Jumper – this looks just like a “big kids” bike, and could be a good choice if older siblings have a bike.

Mountain – This is the most popular, bestselling LIKEaBIKE. Made of high quality varnished birch plywood, high-grade steel, felt, textiles and rubber, the Mountain is built to withstand any amount of rough and tumble. Its all wooden design paired with pneumatic tires make it perfect for indoors and outdoors. Because the Mountain has been so popular it is available in five different seat colors.

LIKEaBIKE website: www.likeabikeusa.com

Check out this video on YouTube to see the LIKEaBIKE in action:

Check the site out at http://store.likeabikeusa.com

Get Cooking!

Sassafras is a fantastic company that offers ‘creatives playtime ideas’ and the best selection of kids baking products on the market.  If you want your kids to join in the fun in the kitchen, Sassafras offers kits for making bread, pizza and other great baking goods such as Fairy Princess Magic Cookies and the Green Dinosaur Cookie kit!  And if cooking isn’t your thing, they also have some great items for the garden.

To get you started, I’ve picked out a cooking and gardening set:

The Little Cook Apron & Silicone Set:

Or perhaps now that spring has arrived, you little green thumbs will enjoy some time in the garden.  Sassafras has a great ‘Deluxe Gardener in Training Kit’:

Check out http://www.sassafrasstore.com for other great creative ideas!

J.Crew taking pre-order for Inauguration Coats

J.Crew caused quite a stir when they dressed the Obama girls both during and after the recent Obama election campaign.  In fact, the retailer’s website, www.jcrew.com, was down for about a half hour on Inauguration Day as shoppers rushed to scoop up the girls’ colorful cold-weather attire.

The First Daughters chose bright hues for Dad’s inauguration: Malia Obama (10) in periwinkle blue with a coral dress, and Sasha Obama (7) in a guava coat with an orange scarf and gloves.

While the outfits were custom-made for the occasion, J.Crew are now releasing the coats in the Fall 2009 line!

J.Crew are taking pre-orders for the coats!

Call: 800 591 3745

Details on there website here.

As my mom always said… dress for the job you want.  So if the White House is in their future, maybe these coats are pefect for your minihipster!