What’s Hot for Fun in the Sun

Even though the chill of winter is upon us, it’s not too early to start thinking about the best products for warmer weather. Spring break is just around the corner, and families will soon be shopping for the newest, hippest trends in beach fashion — high-quality products with fun-loving, bright designs. So stock up on flip flops from Fish Flops, get Short Hats to turn heads, include sunglasses from Teeny Tiny Optics, beach fashion from Gossip Girl Swim, and hand-painted beach accessories from Dpoppen. Your fair-weather sales will shine brighter!

Teeny Tiny Optics Keeps a Keen Eye on Kids’ Sunglasses

A great pair of sunglasses isn’t just an accessory, but an essential when it comes to protecting eyes from the damaging rays of the sun. Many parents are mindful to slather sunscreen on their kids when heading outdoors, but they often overlook eye protection for their children. With most UV damage occurring before the age of 18, Teeny Tiny Optics makes it easy for children to have comfortable eyewear that blocks 100% of damaging ultraviolet rays — and that also look great!

With style names like Drake, Joshua and Jaclyn, creator Alice Lando has spent the last 18 years perfecting sunglasses for children from birth to teens. Made from durable, impact-resistant acrylic lenses, Teeny Tiny Optics sunglasses feature supreme fit, fashion and function. For younger children, some glasses are made from a flexible rubber material to provide added comfort and longer wear.

Sunglasses are in stock for immediate delivery year-round. For more information on Teeny Tiny’s retail opportunities see www.teenytinyoptics.com, e-mail or call 888-teenytiny.

Gossip Girl Makes Waves with Swimwear

At Gossip Girl, style is everything. Bright, fun colors prevail in designs that are trendy for fun in the sun, yet parent approved for age-appropriate style. The line of fashion swimwear has a sales representative for every region of the United States and is giving both tweens and parents something they can all agree on. Available in sizes 2-14, the high-quality suits are durable, fade resistant, and feature styles to fit and flatter young girls. Featuring tanks, one and two-piece designs, surf wear and cover-ups, Gossip Girl Swim has everything girls need to hit the sand and surf in style.

Featured in periodicals like Vogue Bambini and Baby Couture, Gossip Girl makes swimwear fun and comfortable in styles that feature easy cuts and bright colors. Every design has something special — little ties at the hips, a small belt of color, or bows on the shoulders.

Go for a buying dip at www.gossipgirlswim.com for a representative in your state.

Dpoppen Lets the Fun Shine In!

When Ditteke Ederveen started painting, she knew she loved bright colors and fun designs. With a love for children-inspired art, she began a business creating commissioned work for children’s rooms and nurseries. While her paint brush does still touch canvas, Ditteke has branched into a love for beach accessories for the young, and the young at heart. Dpoppen was created as a result of her love for art and her desire to share her designs with the world. “D” for her first name and “Poppen”, which is Dutch for “dolls” is a brand known for its larger-than-life depictions of children rendered in Ditteke’s individual style.

Ditteke is taking her brush to a new canvas with the introduction of custom painted beach accessories like her beach towel backpacks. Available in four styles featuring everything from happy children’s faces to sailboats and sunshine, these backpacks are versatile and fun. Complete with a luxurious 70”x40” terry towel that tucks neatly into the pack, there’s plenty of room for extras: add flip flops, a book and a little sunscreen and it’s beach ready. Towels are fade resistant and non-toxic and feature a fabulous collage of paintings in the Dpoppen style.

Take a shine to the vibrant, wearable art at www.dpoppen.com

Short Hat Knows No Two Heads Are Alike

The rays of the sun and the chill in the air make a great hat an essential through all seasons. Children’s tender, fair skin needs all the protection it can get, and Short Hat Company is dedicated to giving kids headgear they will love. Many parents learn from experience that “just any ol’ hat” will not do, as kids won’t keep it on, or they’ll complain about it not being comfortable. Not so, with the great designs by Tom and Tracy Sailors.

Whether it’s a hat for warmth on cool days, or staying cool in the sun, Short Hat combines function and comfort into designs that parents and children will love. Made from high-quality yarns and designer fabrics, Short Hats are created with comfort and fit in mind. Brimmed hats feature a coolmax headband that wicks moisture away from the face and eliminates the scratchy brim that is found on other brands. Because Tom and Tracy understand that no two heads are alike, each hat features an adjustable band in the back and is free from elastic so that each little one will have a custom-like fit and feel. Hats range in size from infant to 6 years and flexibility of design means that Short Hat has a design to suit every head.

Short Hat is dedicated to business with environmental awareness as well. Brimmed hats are made from recycled plastic for the visors, and organic fibers are used whenever possible.

Hats are a necessity through every season. Get headed in the right direction at www.shorthats.com

Kids Flip for Fish Flops!

Wherever they roam, children love flip flops. They also love fun and crazy new things that all the other kids will envy! When the young creator of the new Fish Flops decided to combine her love of these summer shoes with her other favorite pastimes — swimming and drawing, the family-run Fish Flops gave a whole new meaning to fun in the sun footwear!

Adorned with unique work, each pair of shoes features what one might expect from the brand name — characters from the ocean. Bright colors and fun creatures make wearing these sandals fun… and they are sure to draw attention. Choose from dainty angel fish with pink lips, bright red crabs, starfish, dolphins and more. With so many options, everyone from the oldest to the youngest will want a pair. To complement see-worthy feet, Fish Flops also offers matching apparel, including hats and t-shirts.

For the hottest thing, click and flip through www.fishflops.com