The Biz: The Grapevine

Fohawx Decorate Bike Helmets to the Max

By Carolyn Kavarnos

The inspiration for Fohawx was a seven-year-old boy named Alex who refused to wear his bike helmet because it wasn’t “cool.” In an attempt to make the helmet hip, his crafty sister Maya took the helmet to embellish it a bit. When she returned the helmet it had tissue paper glued to it, creating a faux Mohawk and dredlocks. Alex thought it was definitely rad and had no problem wearing it. The experience inspired mom Jocelyn Fine to begin experimenting with prototypes that eventually became Fohawx, a unique line of decorative appliqués for bike helmets.

The Grapevine

No Piercing, No Pain, Just Ear-Candy Fun

By Mari Gold

Do your shoppers lust after the look of pierced ears for the little divas they love but aren’t ready to do the deed? For those who fall into this category, but have found stick-on earrings annoying as they don’t stay on, check out Poppy Drops. These long-lasting tattoo earrings are no fuss, completely pain-free and can be easily changed or removed. Besides making little girls feel grown-up and ready to take on the town, these earrings make great stocking stuffers and party favors for young ladies who want to emulate the ear-candy worn by big sister or mom.

The Grapevine

The Microcosmic Universe: A New World of Learning and Fun

By Kelly Lee

The best way to really get kids to learn something is to make it fun and creative! Just a quick search on the Internet shows that most great educational products for children are geared for maximum fun and ingenuity. Developing stories or thinking out plans help children’s brains in ways that rote memorization cannot. Companies which provide fun and energizing educational solutions garner adult support and kid adoration. The innovative creators at The MU – Microcosmic Universe are part of the vanguard in developing tempting toys that stimulate the brain.

The Grapevine

Kissy Kissy Delivers Signature Softness & Sweetness

By The Giggle Guide

Kissy Kissy by Tatiana & Company enters Spring ‘13 with a generous dollop of sweetness and a healthy dose of whimsy. The broad collection serves up baby essentials: Classic looks in the Kissy Kissy line; bolder statements from Kissy Kissy’s Qt-Qt; christening apparel in Besos by Kissy Kissy; and hand-embroidered and smocked garments from Kissy Kissy Premier. The line runs from preemie through size 4T. Parents, grands and friends continue to request by name the brand’s crave-worthy Pima cotton softness and beloved age-appropriate aesthetic.

The Grapevine

Mixed Up Clothing Blends Cultures and Diversity

By Carolyn Kavarnos

Founded in 2007 and based in Los Angeles, Mixed Up Clothing is a multiethnic children’s clothing line inspired by the textiles, cultures and people of the world, to develop friendships through fabrics. Sonia Kang, founder and creative executive, infuses ethnically diverse styles with cultural twists, blending materials and designs from all corners of the world. The collection of peasant tops, capris, jumpsuits, rompers, sundresses, tank tops, flouncy skirts, shorts, camp shirts and more for infants to size 7 have an appeal that blends cultures and showcases diversity.

The Grapevine

U.K. Store Olive Loves Alfie Adores Nostalgic Fashion

By Stephanie Hanlon

Nostalgic parents who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s may fondly (or not-so-fondly, depending on the source) remember getting hand-me-downs or homemade clothes for holidays, birthdays and changes of season. It was a time when there weren’t trends for those below the age of 21 and kids’ clothes were made simply to be both cute and practical. Olive Loves Alfie, a children’s store in London, was established in 2006 to bring that feeling alive by featuring hand-picked selections of inspiring and imaginative children’s clothing, housewares, toys and games.

The Grapevine

Party On with Table Settings by Jane Jenni

By Mari Gold

Wham! Zam! Get a load of the A-MAZING monkeys and their pals on fresh and fun eating items from the workshop of Jane Jenni. The ten-inch cake stand shows a maze with adorable monkeys curling their tails while they figure out how to get into the action. The 16-ounce ceramic mugs are a perfect complement to the set for holding a cup of warm cocoa now that fall is in the air. A funky monkey adorns both a cup and an eight-inch birthday bowl that begs to welcome a dollop of ice cream.

The Grapevine

Cool Looks for Fall’s Expectant Moms

By Mari Gold

This fall, stylish mothers-to-be can seize the season dressed in ultra-chic duds from the Pour Deux, Maternity for Two collection. Aware that expectant moms want to look fab throughout pregnancy, this company offers numerous options for work through weekend. Fall’s neutral and noteworthy color palette in black, many shades of grey and antique white is accented with pale pop colors such as purple haze and opal. Other items in warm camel are accented in softly becoming tones of henna and pale copper.

The Grapevine

The Lunch Punch Knocks Out Switch-Up Sandwiches

By Carolyn Kavarnos

Parents know all too well the familiar struggle of getting kids to sit and eat a healthy lunch. That struggle is intensified when one adds picky eaters to the mix. It’s hard enough at home, but when their little one starts packing a lunch for school mom and dad are not there to monitor, and are left to wonder if their child is just dumping that sandwich. One innovative mom took matters into her own hands and invented The Lunch Punch to encourage her three, energetic young boys to sit down and eat a healthy meal.