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Archive: Trends

August 18, 2010

Back-to-School Cool

Crayons, number-two pencils and spiral-bound notebooks are everywhere right now, which can only mean one thing: it’s back-to-school time. Even if your kids aren’t quite ready for the big “K,” heading off to preschool can be both scary and exciting at the same time (for them and for you!).

Best way to ease first-day jitters? Send a friend along with them! These fun Zoo Backpacks feature a cute owl or dog and make an extra-special school supply for your little student. Kids can pack up some familiar items and favorite toys for reassurance, plus, who wouldn’t love to have these friendly faces on their side?

Another fun school accessory is the Robot Lunchbox in pink or blue. They’re a big hit in the lunchroom for their playful style, and, like the Zoo Backpacks, they’re also healthy, with no phthalates, PVC or lead. In my book, there’s no better way to start school off right!

Products | Trends

August 12, 2010

An A-List Interview: Serena & Lily

Sentimental photo of Serena's grandparents.

Meet the founders of Serena & Lily: Serena Dugan, a textile designer and artist, and Lily Kanter, a former baby boutique owner and savvy businesswoman. The two joined forces with a shared vision of reinventing the children’s market, and now they’ve brought their talents to the “grown-up” market, as well. This design duo is known for their sophisticated textiles that incorporate dynamic color and pattern combinations, as well as for their room décor and gifts.

Ali Wing: What is your motto?
Serena Dugan: Do what you love.
Lily Kanter: It’s good to have goals!

Inspirational art.

AW: What inspires you?
SD: True originality.
LK: Good friends and kind people.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
SD: A lipstick-ey shade of magenta.
LK: Sunshine yellow.

AW: What are you currently reading?
SD: Love & Limits by Elizabeth Crary (required reading for my 2-year-old!)
LK: Half the Sky

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
SD: It’s a tie right now between Jodphur, India and Marrakech Morocco
LK: Zanzibar, Africa.

India, one of their fave locales.

AW: Who is your favorite composer, or what is your favorite music genre?
SD: Van Morrison would be my go-to favorite.
LK: 60’s/70s – Elvis Costello, James Taylor, and Carole King.

AW: What is your favorite baby gift you received?
SD: My gifts that were handmade or hand-embellished. So special and thoroughly one of a kind!
LK: A hand knit sweater.

AW: What is the baby product you can’t/couldn’t live without?
SD: Honest answer: the Papasan swing. giggle-friendly answer: Sophie the Giraffe — beloved by both children.
LK: My glider.

And please complete the following:

Serena Mitnick Miller art

…make(s) me laugh.
SD: My son Fisher (age 2)…a nonstop riot.
LK: Some of the things my kids will say!

My proudest moment in parenting was…
SD: When Remy (our 4-month-old girl) finally came home and things were dicey with our 2-year-old. Then, after a couple days Remy cried and Fisher brought Remy a pacifier and his lovey. Very proud moment!
LK: My 2-year-old would not stop kicking the seat on the airplane and I was holding his legs as best as I could and finally the man jumped up and scolded him. “You are not going to kick my seat all the way back to Oakland!” My 2-year-old’s response was “Stupid man!” I think it was the first thing that ever came out of his mouth other than Mommy or Daddy….Oh dear, I’m a fabulous parent.

Designing | Partners | Trends

July 30, 2010

An A-List Interview: Liz Lange

Liz Lange with her son and daughter.

A household name in maternity, Liz Lange needs little introduction. She saved us from maternity smocks and muumuus, and was one of the first designers who showed us that pregnancy could be fashionable.

In addition to being a great designer, Liz is an activist, a role model and a philanthropist. She goes above and beyond in her communities, doing great things for women, children and families. She’s down to earth and a really nice person – Liz is the real deal.

Ali Wing: What is your motto?
Liz Lange: I have many mottos: “Life is a party — are you dressed for it?” “Until someone does something new, no one thinks its a good idea.” “Life’s what you make it, so let’s make it rock!”

AW: What inspires you?
LL: My children inspire me. They are so kind, funny and smart and my daughter already has her own sense of style.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
LL: I am loving all shades of blue.

AW: What are you currently reading?
LL: The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and I can’t put it down!

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
LL: NYC – where I grew up and am now raising my children is my favorite city in the world and it’s my home. But I love Rome, Capri and Paris to visit.

Beautiful Capri, one of Liz Lange's fave vacation spots.

AW: Who is your favorite composer, or what is your favorite music genre?
LL: I love all types of music from opera, classical to top 40. I am a huge Verdi and Tchaikovsky fan, but then again I adore Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas!

AW: What was your most favorite baby gift you received?
LL: Personalized Burp cloths with my children’s names on them (my daughter is 9 and she still likes to sleep with hers!).

AW: What was the baby product you couldn’t live without?
LL: Wipes! I used them on my children when they were babies, and we still use them.

And please complete the following:

…make(s) me laugh.
My children make me laugh (they are so funny), but so do Alec Baldwin, Martin Short, Steve Carell and Tina Fey.

My proudest moment in parenting was…
When other parents tell me how polite my children are when they are over (it’s also my most shocked moment!).

Celebrities | Designing | Trends

July 7, 2010

Trend Watch – One Word: “Soft”

Having just come out of the spring furniture shows and wrapped up our buys for fall 2010 and winter 2011, it’s clear that a new design trend has emerged. In a word, it’s a universal “softening” — from design lines and edges to colors and fabrics.

Furniture lines are rounded instead of squared off. What used to be black is grey or navy. And what was painted is now natural. There are a ton of woods. A reflection of the times? With the chaos of the world the past couple of years, who can blame us for craving increased simplicity? As I walked the shows, I felt a clear desire for more breathing room, increased quiet time, and almost a yearning to go back to basics.

Among my favorite examples of this trend was this Private Cloud for grownups that says, “I never want to grow up or get out of bed.” Nostalgically reaching back, this bed’s rounded lines, rocking frame, and soft, wooden style epitomizes the trend.

There was also this lovely bassinet with round edges and simple lines that comes in warm colors of orange and yellow. Not only is it softer, it was also pretty innovative: it converts to a rocking chair for middle-of-the-night feedings. Brilliant!

Designing | Partners | Trends

June 30, 2010

An A-List Interview: Lucy Sykes Rellie

This week we’re talking to Lucy Sykes Rellie. Lucy is well known both for her fashion pedigree and for being a fixture on the New York social scene. (You also might know her as the TJ Maxx “Maxxinista.”) But it’s not just her astute fashion sense that got our attention. Lucy is also the mother of two young boys and has been a designer of high-end children’s clothes that embrace “sensibility with an American twist.” We’re excited to pick Lucy’s brain about what inspires her the most!

Lucy, her husband and two boys.

Ali Wing: What is your motto?
Lucy Sykes Rellie:

Fake it until you make it. That means have fun, don’t be held back, never assume that you can’t do anything or achieve anything, and when you’re out of your depth, act the part and you’ll normally be fine.

AW: What inspires you?
LSR: The view from my bedroom window in our beach cottage in Water Mill, NY. The trees are just starting to turn green again.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
LSR: Magenta, which is lovely when it’s paired with black & white. I love the cheekiness of the Liberty of London for Target collection. It’s old meets new meets now. Those florals have got me thinking again.

AW: What are you currently reading?
LSR: Vicky Ward’s Jackie-Collins-meets-investigative-journalist book, The Devil’s Casino, and Derek Blasberg’s popcorn confection, Classy.

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
LSR: I just came back from our latest trip to County Carlow in Ireland with my husband Euan Rellie and our boys Heathcliff and Titus. Everyone should go to stay in the Lisnavagh Cottages in Rathvilly. They’re something out of the 1940s, surrounded by evocative rolling fields. (info@lisnavagh.com)

AW: Who is your favorite composer, or what is your favorite music genre?
LSR: Tchaikovsky’s ballets, especially Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

AW: What is your most favorite baby gift you received?
LSR: The simple white, striped towelling in which the nurses wrapped both my boys after they were born at St Vincent’s Hospital in the West Village, NYC. Tragically, the hospital is closing this month despite our efforts to keep it open.

AW: What is the baby product you can’t/couldn’t live without?
LSR: Pyjamas from the Poppy Store, Brentwood Country Mart. I’m so inspired by Heather Whitney, the co-owner and designer.

And please complete the following:

…make(s) me laugh.
LSR: “Jersey Shore”. Have you seen the Vitamin Water ad starring Mike “The Situation” and David Wright of the Mets? Watch it on YouTube.

My proudest moment in parenting was…
LSR: Titus Rellie singing the alphabet to me in the park yesterday. He was even prouder than me though.

Celebrities | Designing | Partners | Trends

June 15, 2010

An A-List Interview: Jennifer DeLonge

Jennifer DeLonge is a designer who is right up my alley. Not just in regards to giggle, but in regards to my personal style, as well. I think of her as a Bohemian modernist who manages to keep her designs both fun and beautiful at the same time, combining classic style with her own brand of rocker cool. So I was excited to hear a little more about what inspires Jennifer the most…

Ali Wing: What inspires you?
Jennifer DeLonge: My influences are always changing and I am often inspired at moments when I don’t think there is a spark left to ignite a concept! Traveling is always a big factor whether it’s a new boutique hotel in NYC or a remote beach in the Caribbean that inspires a color palette. As a designer, I have to get out of the office! I am constantly inspired by the greats of mid-century design and love to discover unknown designers as well. Vintage has a huge influence on my design aesthetic when it comes to translating products into modern pieces that families will love. Textiles are so important – handmade items from Thailand and Peru as well as tactile, recycled items that give a room a textured feeling currently inspire me. I am focused on ways to infuse beautiful, original handmade items into the line.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
JD: Turquoise with canary yellow, Moroccan blue with tangerine and classic black and white with a pop of green. We just purchased a beach house for weekends and the summer and I am excited to get to work on new color palettes for the home! A new project always teaches you to push the limit on color…to change up the mix.

AW: Who is your favorite composer, or what is your favorite music genre?
JD: I have to be a little biased here and say my husband’s music, especially when he is at home and playing acoustic guitar in our living room. It’s very impromptu and quite beautiful.

AW: What is the most favorite baby gift you received?
JD: At my shower for Jonas my friends created the most amazing handmade collage as a piece of art on a framed canvas . With champagne flowing (none for me of course!) the girls created an ode to Jonas that had a picture of each of the girls as a baby. They then wrote the funniest quotes next to each baby face like…”be sure to ask your sister before trying to kiss her friends”.

AW: What is the baby product you can’t/couldn’t live without?
JD: Hands down the Luxe glider in my line and the Skip Hop Pronto Changer.

AW: What’s your proudest moment in parenting?
JD: One of my proudest moments in parenting was when my daughter Ava started preschool at 3 years old. She had such confidence walking into the classroom ready to start a new adventure that I felt like I did my job of nurturing a secure, confident little being. She said “See you later, mom” and took off for the playground. I roughly remember being in tears all day, but she was fine!

Celebrities | Designing | Trends

May 13, 2010

An A-List Interview: Ellen Diamant

This week I’d like to introduce someone who’s both a smart businesswoman and a good friend, Ellen Diamant of Skip Hop. She and her husband, Michael, possess the unique ability to identify missed opportunities in the juvenile market and create products with spot-on function. She and I are kindred spirits, both living in New York, both the mom of one son, and both dedicating our lives to designing better solutions for parents!

Bali, one of Ellen's favorite destinations.

Ali Wing: What is your motto?
Ellen Diamant: Striving for excellence no matter what, following your dreams.

AW: What inspires you?
ED: I am a blog-oholic so I am always scanning design and baby blogs from all over the world – I don’t care if they are in Japanese! I love checking out new experimental artists too. I just went to a bunch of Spring art fairs in New York City – PULSE NYC, The Armory Show, etc. So inspiring!

AW: What color are you loving right now?
ED: Loving the color soft plum as an alternative to pink. Organic, fun, colorful prints are huge now.

AW: What are you currently reading?
ED: I am watching…! Right now, I am obsessed with Mad Men on DVD. They do an amazing job capturing that time period.

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
ED: My hometown, New York City, of course! I also love Bali and Hong Kong.

AW: Who is your favorite composer, or what is your favorite music genre?
ED: Love Radiohead. Just saw Vampire Weekend in concert – amazing show!

AW: What is the most favorite baby gift you received?
ED: An activity gym – our inspiration to make a great designer one!

AW: What’s the baby product you can’t/couldn’t live without?
ED: You can never have enough soft, cozy swaddling blankets. And of course, the Skip Hop Pronto is a must-have!

AW: What makes you laugh?
ED: My son’s 3rd grade humor – the delivery is priceless!

AW: What’s your proudest moment in parenting?
ED: Every day is a proud moment for me.

Colorful art by Sarah Morris - one of Ellen's inspirations.

Celebrities | Designing | Parenting | Trends

May 11, 2010

Balboa Brings Style to Nursing

We’ve all admired the practicality of nursing covers that hang around your neck and protect your privacy. And who can argue with the inherent wisdom of a nursing pillow specially designed to hold your baby in the proper position?

Many such accessories, however, are designed to appeal to children instead of moms, with cutesy patterns that ignore mom’s style and that the baby’s too young too appreciate anyway. (And can someone explain that to me, please?)

At long last — finally! — we’re starting to see things change. One of my favorite companies leading the way is Balboa. They make truly beautiful nursing accessory products. I love some of their materials and prints so much that they may end up inspiring room décor!

Products | Trends

March 8, 2010

Toobydoo Does it Again

Cool and classic styling at a great price defines one of my “under 5″ apparel lines of choice, Toobydoo. And these latest wave dresses with creative colors, simple lines and asymmetrical cuts have me asking “do they come in ladies sizes too?” Toobydoo … how do you do it?!

Wave-Dress Soho-Stripe-Dress

Designing | Products | Trends

February 16, 2010

What’s New in Strollers: the Orbit G2

Sometimes a product comes along that we just can’t do justice to in our product copy, and the Orbit G2 is one of them. There’s a lot to love about this upgraded, next generation stroller and/or travel system (which is a car seat and stroller that work together). So I just wanted to take a minute to talk about its innovative design.

Like all travel systems, the big advantage is that there’s an infant seat that goes from car seat to stroller and back again without you ever having to wake your sleeping baby. But the big plus with the Orbit is that the seat swivels at 360 degrees. First of all, that means you can dock it into the car seat base from almost any angle. Which means it’s a lot easier to wrangle it into place without having to have it perfectly perpendicular to your body. (That’s bound to save a lot of headaches, not to mention backaches!)

Secondly, once it’s docked, you can also swivel the seat with your child in it, which opens up all sorts of possibilities for interacting with your child. Anyone who’s ever been in a crowded Starbucks has seen those moms with their strollers wedged in to whatever sliver of floor space they can find. And that often means the mom or dad can’t actually see their child, since there’s never enough room to position the stroller facing them. But with the Orbit G2, you can swivel the seat so that the baby is facing you, no matter how the stroller base is positioned.

The swiveling seat is why we loved the original Orbit to start with, but the newly upgraded G2 edition is packed with features, making it even better. In addition to swiveling, the seat also reclines when it’s on its stroller base, all in one easy motion. Plus, the fabrics and foams are safe, hypoallergenic, and certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100. (A healthy car seat? Who knew?) Plus it’s got things like four-wheel suspension that make this stroller a great choice for anyone who wants a fully loaded ride.

Products | Trends