Any fashion item for children featuring bear ears are a huge weakness
of mine. Why not dress them up while you still can? US label
Speesies
has just arrived in Australia through Mini Eco. Named for the way
a baby or toddler might spell 'species', environmentally responsible
trade is at the heart of Speesees, which aims to support and
protect all living things on earth. The garments are made from 100%
organic cotton using low-impact dyes, pvc-free prints, nickel-free
snaps and no formaldehyde or dioxin.
The clothing is made by people working in ethical employment
conditions. It's interesting to read the stories behind the label and
how the owners visited their cotton growers in India and got to know
them. Every step of the processes involved in creating Speesees
clothing has been carefully considered regarding environmental impact
and the welfare of workers. Not only does Speesees boast two levels
of organic certification, and use well-paid labour, they also donate a
part of their profits to the local communities of their workers.
It's important to support brands that are willing to go that extra step in ethical and organic trade.
I've started making small changes to the way I live and what I buy so that I can be a model for my children. I'm never without
my reuseable bags these days and setting up a compost bin is next. I'm off to see what sizes they have in that lamb jacket
at Mini Eco. I'd team it with the fresh aqua seal pup body suit for a beautifully fresh winter look.
Get your Speesees at Mini Eco. The pup bodysuit is
$29.95 and the lamb jacket is $34.35 plus post with limited stock left. Be sure to check out the rest of the range!
Memories are precious. I can see my three kids squawking and chasing seagulls on the beach and gobbling fish and chips straight from the paper it's wrapped in as we watch the sun set at the Gold Coast. Now I have discovered a range of practical children's clothing that reminds me of such golden times.
Red Chalk's winter theme of scavenging animals that wait for crumbs to fall from the mouths of munching children is illustrated best by the charcoal seagull dress found at Jive Baby.
I think they're great teamed with newspaper print leggings that scream humorous headlines like 'Mice tell their tale in court' which is accompanied by a scribbling of three blind mice. Red Chalk mother and daughter duo Di and Kate Perry have produced durable and quality clothes inspired by childhood memories and original stories. Each garment has a swing tag story that parents can share with their child. All Red Chalk Australian printed and made designs are born from cut paper, poptato stamps, sticky tape, paint and silk screens. Red Chalk's blackboard designs on its website are funky but easy to follow.
I'm also loving the designer's eco label Green Chalk that uses fabrics mixed with hemp which is stronger than cotton.
Just between you and me ... I love red shoes. When I wear my Mary-Janes in all their 'red-ness' I'm sure people don't take me seriously .. after all, I'm wearing red shoes. So with this in mind, I'm prepared to gear up my children's feet with the most colourful shoes for the duration of their childhood. Because let's face it - you can get away with wearing any colour shoe when you're a kid!
Enter the Eleven collection of children's shoes. Honest to goodness I couldn't believe my eyes at the variety in style and rainbow of colour... what a feast for the eyes! Eleven are the sister company to the ever popular See Kai Run line of shoes for early walkers and tots, so there is no doubt of the superb quality and finishing!
Eleven shoes are designed for the older toddler and young child - each shoe is uber-cool in style yet remains sensible and practical. The weight of a shoe is important on little legs and feet so it's wise to mention that these shoes are reportedly light as a feather - so no more excuses for children dragging their feet! All shoes in the range are made from quality leather and have Velcro type fastenings, so are quick and easy for any parent and child to get on and off. I suspect though with these cool shoes, there won't be many arguments with kids to get their shoes on!
Sizing for Eleven shoes starts at a size 9 and goes all the way up to a size one. Prices start at US$48 and are available online from Tiny Soles, where shipping to Australia is welcomed! I wish you luck in choosing just one pair - this shop is gorgeous. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Bargain hunters beware - you could make a serious dent in your wallet this month if you happen upon US designer Clothpony's summer sale on Etsy.com.
Clothpony (the junior version of "clotheshorse") designer Brooke Davies says strong women who influenced her formative years were the inspiration behind her modern-yet-nostalgic debut range for girls ages two to 10, which features gorgeous mix-and-match organic cotton separates with a twist of the Oliver Twist about them.
I love the Annie vest that reflects the iconic style of Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. Another fave is the funky floral and polka dot Loretta dress named after country singer Loretta Lynn. Single-tone pieces in oatmeal and chocolate can be paired with ginghams, polka dots, and custom-designed prints by graphic company Blinth to make beautifully bold outfits with a feminine twist. I'm a sucker for details and really love the big bright buttons.
"I spend a lot of time trying to find the balance between wearability, novelty and sustainability - translating beautiful children's clothing into a common language without compromising the garment's magic," explains California-based designer Davies, who started her own business after years on the New York fashion scene.
So if you want to grab a bargain, you better get in quick - the Etsy sale is on during July.
Designer friends Teresa Ok and Meg Hoberman have struck gold with their
Kit + Lili range
of children's wear. Cool cottons in hand silkscreened prints with cute
owls, gorgeous spots, flying birds and retro waves are sure to be as
comfy as they are beautiful. The designs are Scandinavian-inspired with
bright colours and contrasting trim. I was hoping I'd find a romper to
fit my 8 month old, but he's already wearing size 1 and the Kit
+ Lili rompers and onesies are avaliable in sizes 3-6 months and 6-12
months only.
Next port of call when the onesies aren't an option is the t-shirt
range - Kit + Lili offer some of the loveliest tees ever! These are
available in a variety of
toddler and child sizes - from 1/2 right up to a 9/10 in some designs.
The cityscape and tree prints have caught my eye in a big way,
but hey, I'd have the entire range if I could!
Parents of girls, you must check out the divine skirts - they're
begging to be teamed with the luscious range
of Kit + Lili leggings for maximum twirlability! Some are actually
reversible - oh how I wish more children's clothes were made this
way so if a spill occurs, you can get them looking great again in a
flash.
If you easily fall prey to beautiful bags and soft furnishings like
I do, then stay well away from the positively charming
reversible totes and floor cushions. You might lose a child or two
under a stack of those if they're dressed in the co-ordinating gear.
Kit + Lili welcome international orders. Email for a shipping quote.
