News: Cool Brands

Mother's Day is coming up fast and that means wishlist time! Personally, I think that I am the easiest person to shop for as I truly love everything from a chic candle to a serious, keepsake piece of designer jewelry, but not everyone falls under that category. Below, I listed some products that are a little more off-the-beaten-path than your average bouquet of flowers and chocolates (although, those are certainly always welcome!), yet are surefire ways to make mom smile.

 1. Mignonne Gavigan Earrings, $125 -the most fun, edgy-yet-wearable accessories that instantly elevate any jeans/tee shirt combo 

2. Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $185- I have yet to hear anything less than an evangelical review of this wonder serum. Even though it's a bit of an investment, I'm ready to see what all the hype is about!

3. Chanel Boy Bag from The Real Real, $4000- As long as we're wishing, I'm going for it hard. I have been lusting after a red boy since I had an unexpected encounter with Zanna Rassi carrying hers while we were both shopping in Buy Buy Baby. It was love at first sight! 

4. Color Me Floral, $24- my love of florals has no color limits, but there is something especially chic and sophisticated about a monochromatic arrangement.

5. Loeffler Randall Heel, $495- These bedazzled heels are just the ticket to dress up an LBD.

6. Luna Skye Ring from Ring Concierge, $1100- Traditionally, Mother's Day is a huge jewelry-gifting holiday, and I for one am not about to go against tradition. Lately, I've really been coveting the idea of a signet ring- traditional or modern both work for me, but I must admit I love the cool twist on this one with stars and moon motif.

7. LoveShackFancy Dress, $395- this clothing line is my spirit animal. I'll take one of everything! 

8. Family Cameo Print, $75-$175- For a slightly quirkier take on a traditional keepsake family photo.

9. Produce Tees Pineapple Shirt, $35- this is actually a line of maternity tops bearing the fruit that correspond to the appropriate number of weeks pregnant (perfect idea for the mom-to-be). Despite my non-pregnant status, this pineapple was just too cute and smile-inducing to pass up! There is also an adorable matching watermelon tee/onesie set for mama and bebe. 

10. Paris Picnic Club, $19- Imagine that your friend is a crazy talented chef that  co-authored a gorgeous collection of recipes based on her time in Paris, where a weekly picnic turned into a pop-up restaurant. Oh, and manages to create all the dreamy illustrations...while pregnant! You #humblebrag all about it and put it on your Mother's Day list asap.

Leave a comment below with the ways you're planning on celebrating Mother's Day this year!

 

 

Don't get me wrong- Target/Old Navy/Carter's can be life savers when dressing your kids. But sometimes, it's nice to switch it up and get a few more special pieces- especially when the holidays/family photo time rolls around, or you want to gift a new mom with something a bit more luxe. These independent boutiques are all great alternatives to shopping the mass retailers (although I love me some Nordstrom's here and there), and the best part is that you can find really different pieces that you definitely won't be seeing on every other child at school pickup.

1. Zimmerman Kids- Sheer Floral Ruffle heaven. Almost a reason to try again for a girl. ALMOST. gold paisley dress
Best For:If you spend your summers in the South of France and winters in St. Barths. Or, if you just love a bohemian, romantic vibe.
Sizes range from 1y-10y

2. Wee Mondine - When I found out that my sister was pregnant with a little girl, I immediately made a beeline to this site. 
Best For: If you go for a minimalist/Scandinavian vibe with lots of neutrals. You won't find any baby blue or pink here!
Sizes range from baby-6y 

3. Pink Chicken/Blue Rooster New York- Pink Chicken is the label for girls while Blue Rooster offers a boy's assortment. Admittedly, their boys selection is MUCH more limited than the girl's (sigh, #boymom)  
Best For: The most adorable preppy-yet-bohemian prints
Sizes range from 3m-12y

4. Harlow Jade- A bell-bottom plaid overall. Need I say more?
Best For: Vintage shopping addicts.
Sizes range from 6m-8y depending on the item

5. June and January- This boutique offers super fun/colorful basics with a twist for basically the same prices you would pay at Baby Gap. If I had known about this brand when I had my babies, I would have ordered their knotted hats in every color!
Best For: Kids that just want to have fun with their styling choices 
Sizes range from 0m-5y

6. Thumbeline- Part hipster, part fantasy (hello, prettiest organza fawn-printed tutu dress I have EVER laid eyes on), the assortment here is anything but ordinary.
Best For: A little of everything. Their styles range from geometric/hipster retro/whimsical prints to boho romantic cotton gauzes with embroidery- you definitely won't see these clothes on every child.
Sizes range from 2y-9y

7. Norman and Jules- Also a popular toyshop located in Brooklyn, this is a 1-stop shop for all things baby. 
Best For: Special pieces with unusual, whimsical prints and a huge selection of wooden toys in true Brooklyn hipster fashion
Sizes range from baby-4y

8. 1212-  Modern yet simple pieces that get also get a stamp of approval from Eva Chen and Brooklyn Blonde
Best For: When you want elevated basics in organic fabrics- perfect for gift-giving.
Sizes range from newborn-4T

9. Childhoods Clothing- The cutest and comfiest line of 'cozy' apparel. I'm in love with their raglan hooded striped sweatshirts! 
Best For: When you want your child to still look stylish in their playclothes
Sizes range from 0m-7y

10. Maisonette- Founded by 2 ex-Vogue alums, this is actually a boutique agregator which aims to find the best children's 'stuff' from boutiques that you may not have found otherwise. 
Best For: If you are a looking for elegant options with a slightly preppy aesthetic (think monogrammed pajamas)
Sizes range from baby- 0months all the way to 14y depending on the designer

11. Ultraviolet Kids- A girly line of basics done in super fun and playful prints, not to mention they utilize overruns of fabrics. Gotta love a brand with a green mission.
Best For:  If you love basics with a modern twist.
Sizes range from 3m-10y

12. Oeuf- Super sweet and whimsical pieces in a you'll-want-to-buy-everything kind of way. 
Best For: Those that love animal ears on all their hats and hooded sweaters (so basically, everyone)
Sizes range from 6m-6y
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

From time to time, we are going to be highlighting other brands/companies that we think deserve a shout out. Either we know them personally, they offer innovative products in the green space, or we just think they are downright rocking it. In our first installment, we are going to feature two amazing networking communities for working moms that we recently became a part of:

1) Hey Mama, www.heymama.co

This is a members-only lifestyle site/business platform designed to give working American moms a destination to seek out resources for their own business, as well as connect with other like-minded mamas. Co-founded by best friends Katya Libin and Amri Kibbler, they sought to create a system of support for working mothers and to empower women to realize their dreams with the help of the Hey Mama community. In a nutshell, we love their insightful articles, exclusive networking events, and special discounts to all the swoon-worthy brands that we covet: Varley Activewear, Mignonne Gavigan Jewelry (these earrings tho!!!!), Rebecca Minkoff, and Anine Bing among many others. As a member, you can also participate in killer giveaways as well as have the ability to contact any of the hundreds of members personally (their roster includes celebrity powerhouses such as: Anna Kaiser, Helena Glazer Hodne, Denise Vasi, Mandana Dayani, Emma Hemming Willis, and Haylie Duff, just to name a few). We were psyched to attend a panel lead by Rag & Bone to discuss Digital Marketing Trends and met so many other moms doing the same thing that we are. Mamas supporting mamas do bad ass things. We're all about it. 

Sidenote:  Membership is $350/year and most events are held in NYC, LA, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Portland, Salt Lake City, and the Hamptons with plans for expanding to other cities. 

2) Babyccino, www.babyccinokids.com

Another lifestyle parenting site but geared at the international community of working moms, Babyccino is a great one-stop-shop for all the latest parenting articles, must-have mama fashion, and the CUTEST collection of luxury online children's boutiques. We are kind of dying over Little Hipstar and Peter Jo Kids at the moment! The cool thing about Babyccino is that the benefits of joining are not strictly limited to the boutiques that pay for membership- anyone that signs up for a free account will gain access to their monthly discounts and be the first to know about their Shop Up's (basically a pop-up market version of their website) that are regularly held in London, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles. Their boutique partners include Ace & Jig, Hatch, Artifact Uprising, and Ariel Gordon Jewelry. We definitely recommend checking back monthly as the deals change and I have seen discounts go as high as 40% off. So check them out if you're into that (unless of course, you enjoy paying full price, in which case, carry on!).

Sidenote: If you are a boutique interested in being a featured member of Babyccino, annual dues start at approximately $425/year.