Remember
Little Warrior, that awesome clothing line based in Los Angeles we introduced you to a little while ago?
We were shamelessly giddy to tear open the package they sent us with one of their impossibly-soft t-shirts. Since we shamelessly indugle in shark movies, having been raised on Jaws and the like, we chose to review the Great White t-shirt, and our little Emma approves.
The shirt is described as being overdyed for softness and they don’t lie. The shirt was sooo soft, but didn’t feel flimsy or slight. It held its own through a day of jumping, crawling, stair-climbing, and kittens, and definitely feels like it can hold up to the wear and tear of the extreme ‘toddler lifestyle’. As you know we adore clothing that is simple, with clean lines and attractive designs, and that shows off that kids’ clothes can be fun, fashionable and functional at the same time. And as you can see it looks great whether your little warrior is in jeans, a tutu, or whatever bottoms they happen to have on for a particular adventure! Emma seemed to particularly enjoy putting her sometimes-destructive nature on display with a set of great white jaws ready to consume any nearby rice-puffs or crackers.
Get your hands on the hottest new line of kids’ activewear!
As promised, we’ve got your hookup for Zio Sport, the awesome new kids’ activewear line we featured last week. Their new swimwear line is debuting this summer, so get your entries in and take a shot at winning some fresh new duds for your little beach bum :)
The rules are simple, the pay off- a $50 gift certificate to their online shop! And for a limited time for all of our readers we have a code to get 20% off your order!
Use code PV0411 for 20% off at www.ziosport.com!
Giveaway Rules:
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment on this post with your email and tell us what you would buy if you won!
Extra Entries:
“Like” our facebook page and leave an extra comment here with your first initial/last name. Existing fans you can do this too!
Follow us on twitter and leave an extra comment with your twitter name. Existing followers can do this too!
“Like” Zio Sport on Facebook for yet another extra entry, just leave a comment here with your initial/last name!
Entries must be received by Mother’s Day, May 8th, 2011 when the contest will close and the winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email, if winner does not respond after 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
*Update: The winner was commenter #20, Becky Horn! Congratulations Becky, we’ll be contacting you soon!
Kids who are comfortable keep playing longer.
That is the motto of Zio Sport, a family founded kids’ sportswear company that is out to change the way you think about the clothing your kids play in. Like so many new clothing lines we love, Zio got its start from a simple feeling of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in children’s activewear. In your typical chain store you’re going to find a plethora of options, all of them just shrunk down versions of the adult fit, without taking into account a kid’s unique physique and style.
To change that, Mindy Kratsas, Jane Kratsas and Ragan Melton, the founders of Zio Sport, went straight to the source: kids. From selecting fabric, to making sure each piece fit their growing frame, kids have a say in how it all comes together. Try finding that level of care in any other kid’s activewear line, we dare you!
Each piece is made from their exclusive cool-edge fabric technology, and each shirt features a small utility pocket for holding a cell phone, mp3 player, or other essentials. The cool-edge fabric wicks moisture away from the skin AND blocks UV rays, keeping your little tumbler comfy and dry all day long. Special mesh underarm patches add an additional level of air flow for maximum cooling. Not only will your kids LOVE looking cool, AND feeling great, but because their clothes aren’t absorbing all of that sweat they’re going to look better longer, which will make your wallet happy too :)
As always, we are not content to simply tell you about another awesome new line, we’ve got to give you the chance to score some for yourself! Stay tuned, coming up soon: your shot at a Zio Sport gift certificate, plus a 20% discount for each and every one of our exceptionally stylish readers :)
Introducing Little Warrior Kids!
Designed and made right in LA and featuring a whole bunch of over-dyed french terry, Little Warrior is a fresh new line we’re keeping an eye on. Their line has an interesting mix of styles, ranging from leggings, to poncho’s, with a few instantly classic t-shirts in between. The styles are fairly unisex, which can be a nice change of pace from many lines where the boys’ and girls’ clothing are polar opposites. The overall feel is distinctly indie, with a dash of hippy flair, perfect for a summer of picnics and outdoor adventures!
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! As an added bonus, get 50% off of your order from Little Warriors with discount code WARRIOR at checkout. Enjoy!
This giveaway is now CLOSED! The winner drawn via random.org was comment number 22, Jennifer W! You will be contacted shortly and will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks for entering, everyone!
Do you remember the Kool Kid legs we posted about in ? We loved them so much that we contacted Mama Runs With Scissors’ etsy shop to see if she’d like to participate in Boy’s Fashion Month, and luckily for us (and you!) she did! We were sent a long-sleeved tie onesie in black with coordinating argyle gray and black Kool Kid legs and a hat, and from the moment we laid our eyes on it, we were in love. The dark argyle pattern gives it a subtle sophistication that is delightful in contrast to a chubby, giggly little boy.
The onesie fits Henry snugly, with a little room to grow. His diapers peeked out at the edges where the crotch snaps together, but that’s nothing new when you use cloth diapers. The hat is adorable, perfect for a trip to the pumpkin patch or a fall festival, but perhaps too thin for winter winds. My very favorite thing about it was the way it stood straight up, making Henry look like a punky little gnome.
The Kool Kid legs are thick and soft, with an important difference from the other baby leggings we own. Our other baby legs have bands at the top and bottom of the leggings that are the same size. They can be worn in either direction, and they usually require a few tugs to pull them back up. Henry considers any interruption during playtime The End of All Things, so sometimes this task results in devastating consequences. The Kool Kid legs have a thicker band at the top, so they stay perched at the top of pudgy thighs. I watched Henry crawl, wrestle with the dog, roll around, and still the legs were comfortably secure. I checked after a few hours to see if they were squeezing too much (another issue have with our other baby leggings-red marks from where they squished fat thighs) and while there were slight indentations, they weren’t the usual red or uncomfortable-looking marks I’m used to seeing.
Are you interested in winning your very own onesie/hat/Kool Kids set? We’re excited to announce that Jennifer will give away any onesie/hat/Kool Kids set in her shop! Here are the rules:
Mandatory entry: Go to Jennifer’s shop and comment back here with your favorite item (Leave your email!)
Extra entries:
“Heart” Mama Runs With Scissors on Etsy-comment back here letting us know you did and your etsy username.
“Like” Mama Runs With Scissors on Facebook-comment back here with your Facebook username.
Follow Mama Runs With Scissors’ blog via GFC-comment back here letting us know you did!
Entries must be received by November 12, 2010 when the contest will close and the winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email, if winner does not respond after 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
We’re very (very very) pleased to announce that Jen from Eden’s Bouquet has very generously offered to sponsor a giveaway here on petit vogue- a $100 gift certificate to Eden’s Bouquet!
Perhaps you know a little girl who needs a sweet bonnet? How could you go wrong with organic bloomers? And happily, Jen doesn’t forget the boys: the Old Town Trousers or the Charcoal Blazer would both make fine choices as well!
Please complete the mandatory entry and then feel free to enter again with each of the extra entries available. (Leave a separate comment for each entry.)
Mandatory Entry: Go to Eden’s Bouquet and tell us what you would choose if you won!
Extra entries: Follow Eden’s Bouquet on Twitter-leave a comment with your Twitter username.
“Like” Eden’s Bouquet on FB-Leave a comment with your first name and last initial.
Follow petit vogue on Twitter-Leave a comment with your Twitter username.
“Like” petit vogue on FB-Leave a comment with your first name and last initial.
Giveaway is open worldwide and will end October 25th, 2010 when we draw a winner using random.org. Good luck!
*This giveaway is now closed! Random.org chose number 57, Tamara! Congratulations! An email will be sent out shortly!
As promised, our exclusive interview with Jen of Eden’s Bouquet! Love the insights into her inspirations and process, every designer has a different story to tell- hers is one of wedding gowns, European style, and a healthy dose of country living.
Your work is all highly detailed and imaginative, talking specifically about your fabric choices- where does that inspiration come from?
I am inspired by fine fabric. I could spend days in the fabric store or trade shows, especially bridal textiles and notions. It is so easy to dream up collections when you have piles of fabric in front of you. The trick is keeping all my dreams in order. I am also inspired by European designers. They take children’s fashion seriously and the attention to detail is amazing.
What was your background prior to starting Eden’s Bouquet?
I have no formal training in fashion design. I have some funny stories to tell involving country girl(me), major tradeshows and big time magazine editors.
Like a lot of mothers, I started out sewing for our children and never got tired of it. I then started selling one of a kind creations made from vintage wedding gowns on eBay. In 2003 I started designing exclusively for PoshTots.com before launching my first collection in 2004.
What got you started working in children’s clothing design?
Imagination and my sewing machine. Designing is a wonderful creative outlet for my overflowing mind.
What sources of inspiration do you continually find yourself going back to, what are some new ones that have influenced your most recent collection?
Bridal magazines. I love thumbing through these for inspiration, the details and textiles are unexpected in children’s clothing and that is what I love. More recently I have been inspired by our trips to the ocean and the quaint old beach towns. There’s something about history that sparks my imagination.
Tell us a bit about your drive and purpose, your vision for your designs.
I think it would be fun to eventually open up a little brick & mortar boutique. Then, open boutiques all over the world and on the moon with women’s clothing, a maternity line and a complete home collection. Haha. Seriously, this venture has taken me farther than I had ever imagined so if this is it, I’m happy.
What makes you tick as a designer, what direction to you find yourself returning to time and time again?
I love designing Formalwear and find myself adding a touch of fancy to styles whether I plan to or not.
What current trends are you keeping track of? Any that you just can’t stand?
I love the use of lavish fabrics and romantic style that I am seeing in the fall 2010 women’s collections. I try to incorporate trendy silhouettes into my designs and many of my styles and color pallete are inspired by women’s clothing. I love when moms say they want to wear eden’s bouquet.
How do you feel that current trend affects your design?
The fabric & style trends are right up my alley and I will definitely draw inspiration from them for upcoming collections.
What do you feel makes your work unique?
I think the colors, detail and fabric in my collections make them unique. I don’t know of many children’s clothing designers that use silk the crazy way that I do.
What’s your favorite piece from your current line? Any all time favorite(s)?
The bloomers. Comfortable, simple and adorable with everything. My all time favorite collection is the Cobblestone Collection.
Sometimes you have to toss a cheap pair of socks or pants in your cart because you’re in a rush and your kid needs them. Usually, within a month the color has faded and sometimes the item even has a hole or two, which leaves you wondering why you even bothered. If this is frequently a problem for you, then you NEED to visit Eden’s Bouquet.
Welcome to your new obsession!
The clothing from Eden’s Bouquet shows such attention to detail that every single piece is unique and stunning. These items are so precious that you’ll want to make sure they last through each child, because you won’t tire of seeing them over and over.
To our delight, we were sent the Harbor Tweed Newsboy cap, Organic cotton shirt, and the Harbor Jeans to review. Henry just turned one, but the boy outfits mostly come in 2T and up. Did that stop us from putting him in the jaw-droppingly beautiful clothes? Of course not!
As you can see, the clothes may have been a little large yet, but we could put the hat on his big head now. We swooned at the color and feel of the warm and wooly cap, and the lovely contrast it made with the delicate white shirt.
The jeans were obviously ready for whatever adventures Henry could dream up for them, providing him with plenty of deep pockets for all his treasures. I have a feeling I’ll be finding all sorts of surprises in the dryer after the pants get a wash.
Simply put, we were very impressed with the clothes. Not only are they lovely, they look like they can take all the things little boys throw at their clothes: leaf-jumping, crawling, wrestling, and more.
Stay tuned for our interview with Jen, the mastermind behind the clothing, as well as a giveaway!
More great insights and inspirations from Alexia Panza and Lissette Sieholtz of Tom and Drew Boys! Enjoy :)
Was there a specific experience that caused you to partner up with Bulldog Rescue?
Obviously, as you can tell, Tom & Drew is branded off English bulldogs. My family members are bulldog fanatics and it just seemed like the perfect fit for the aesthetic of Tom & Drew. That being said, I decided to partner with bulldog rescue because it is a wonderful organization that cohesively aligns with Tom & Drew. There are so many wonderful bulldogs for adoption out there and bulldog rescue does everything they can to find them happy, loving homes. Readers: please check out their website and available bulldogs: http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
What was the inspiration behind using Japanese denim in the latest collection?
The inspiration behind using Japanese denim was that my designer and I knew that we needed something special if we were going to enter the incredibly competitive denim market. Tom & Drew is a very unique line and attention to detail is my highest priority, especially in regards to fabric selection. Our denim is truly fantastic and something that barely anyone else has. It is perfect for children because it is so incredibly soft; it melts in your hands.
What got you started working in children’s clothing design?
I started a children’s clothing company because I have two nephews, Tommy & Andrew. While shopping for them I really felt that there was a void in the marketplace for high-end, fashion forward yet refined boys clothing. I studied the business of fashion at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in New York City. I had amazing professors who pushed me to achieve my dreams and believe that anything is possible, no matter how young you are. I did a project in a fashion forecasting class where I was to forecast boy’s apparel and a spark lit in my mind; I can and should do this!
What sources of inspiration do you continually find yourself going back to, what are some new ones that have influenced your most recent collection?
I find myself continually going back to a classic, vintage Americana look. Recent inspiration from our spring/summer 2011 collection came from childhood memories. Of course, my nephews, Andrew and Tommy inspire me on a daily basis. I speak with my sisters and they tell me what the two of them are currently driven by. For example, I actually asked my three-year-old nephew, Andrew, to come up with the summertime animals to use in our collection. He came up with: duck, “fishy” (which we translated in a striped bass) and most importantly sharks.
Tell us a bit about your drive and purpose, your vision for your designs.
I believe that my drive comes from inside and people telling me that I couldn’t accomplish things the things I have. I have such a wonderful support system, everyone from my designer, sales reps., interns and most importantly friends and family. I always had dreams of working in the fashion industry and moving to New York City. There were times when the road was rough, and I was an intern vacuuming the floor. Deep down, I knew, one day, I was going to prove myself. I would prove myself to the world that I could run a successful company. I think being told you’re dreams are too lofty and a fantasy is one of the worst things you can ever tell to someone with a passion and inner drive. I owe most of my passion, drive and success to my father. He has been my rock throughout the entire process. He started his own business at a very young age as well and has believed in me every step of the way.
The vision for Tom & Drew is always a mix of these components: playful, practical, comfortable, durable, trend driven and most importantly creating clothing mothers love and their boys enjoy just as much.
*I’m now going to turn the rest of the questions to my fantastic designer, Lissette Siesholtz, who deserves much more credit for the design aspect of the brand than she is given.
What makes you tick as a designer, what direction to you find yourself returning to time and time again?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a designer is realizing how in tune you are with the rest of the world. I love it when I pull a concept out of thin air, think it’s so unique, and then see that same concept used by another designer. It baffles me for a moment, sometimes even annoys me, and then I’m just like, “well, of course!” We are all experiencing the same events, the same art and the same music. We are all experiencing it at the same time, and moments like that really emphasize how alike we are as human beings!
What current trends are you keeping track of? Any that you just can’t stand?
I’m so excited that trends are moving towards a more form-fitting, classic direction. At the same time, I think “skinny” jeans are never appropriate for a young boy. There is a huge difference between form-fitting and form-hugging.
How do you feel that current trend affects your design?
I tend to use trends as the finishing touch to my designs, rather than the main focus. I like to take timeless ideas and garnish them with modern infatuations to give a final product that can be forever relevant, yet still reminiscent of their period.
What do you feel makes your work unique?
I was a menswear designer before working in boys wear, which I feel has helped me to understand who it is that young boys idolize. Whether it be their father, brother, friend, or a celebrity, I try to give boys the opportunity to be just as stylish as the grown men around them, without abandoning their youth.
Alisha Perkins of Cakes and Beans talks with us about her funky styles and her main inspiration- her two daughters! Enjoy!
On your website you tell us about the inspiration behind your tutu’s, but what about your other items in your line?
Honestly… it is just things I see and think… “I could do that- but in a funkier way” :)
What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Wow- thats a tough question… I am hoping to continue to grow the line with new items- wherever the Lord leads me I guess
What got you started working in children’s clothing design?
I have two little girls- Addie and Lyla, and there is just not a lot of “younger” kids clothes out there that we not pastel with smiling puppies. :) I just wanted to create something more my style.
What sources of inspiration do you continually find yourself going back to, what are some new ones that have influenced your most recent collection?
I am inspired by my girls first and foremost, but I feel like I am also growing into my own. I think the older you get the less you care about what others think of you and you start to do what you like instead of what is popular. I wish I would of known that in High School :)
Tell us a bit about your drive and purpose, your vision for your designs.
My drive and purpose is making younger kids clothes a little funkier- a little edgier but with a fun vintage look. Hopefully I come close to that.
What makes you tick as a designer, what direction do you find yourself returning to time and time again?
My kids make me tick… cheesy but true.
What current trends are you keeping track of? Any that you just can’t stand?
Truthfully I love unique things…. I am LOVING mismatch earrings!! I cannot stand the maternity top trend… I have been pregnant twice in two years and the last thing I wanted was to look pregnant again but all shirts are too flowy and matronly.
How do you feel that current trend affects your design?
I don’t really know that it does… I kind of do what I do and hope it flys :)
What do you feel makes your work unique?
It is all hand made by me which I think it hard to come by now a days.
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