Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers

This Grammy Award winner is making a name for herself in the fashion world. First with her L.A.M.B clothing line for adults and now her adorable Harajuku Lovers kids line, which are fun designs influenced by her music and her love of Japanese culture. Harajuku is a district of Tokyo with is a favorite place for Japanese fashionistas, hipsters and artists to hand out, a suitable name for these clothing designs. The entire Harajuku Lovers line is machine washable, which is what most parents look for when choosing their kids clothes. The entire line made with cotton/polyester blend, long and short sleeve shirts and comfortable sweat pants, all with different Harajuku girl designs. The Harajuku Lovers clothes are a must have for the little princess in your life.

Armani Hits the Playground

The name Armani brings up many images, and not often do they involve kids or kid’s fashion; but we can’t be to quick in ruling out Armani as a kid’s clothing designer. This uptown designer has a fairly extensive kid’s collection, mainly for young boys. No, they are not only the kinds of clothes one would see on the runway or at a New York City Debutant’s Ball (or wherever it is that people wear Armani). These are cool threads that any hip youngster could wear to school, to skate or just to hang out with friends. The majority of Armani Junior’s street wear is long-sleeved shirts with the eagle logo on the front and designer jeans, yet meant for kids wear and tear. A favorite of Katie Holmes, Armani Junior is cool, relaxed, and gives a kid that extra edge and confidence that comes from wearing a name like Armani.

Appaman

What was that adorable bulldog shirt that Maddox Jolie-Pitt was wearing? You got it: Appaman. This is a designer who simply knows “cool”. His constantly increasing collection has great t-shirts with simple designs like the bulldog, shark or maybe a motorcycle or the Appaman monkey face, vintage looking black cords, adorable tank dresses and much more. Designer of Appaman, Harald Husum, has certainly made a name for himself with clients like the Jolie-Pitt brood, Jennifer Connelly and Kate Hudson. Husum’s brand name, Appaman, comes from the name of his childhood corduroy ape and carries with it the whimsical spirit of childhood.

Head over to Izzy and Ash for Appaman and other hip lines with a rock and roll edge like: Red Sound, Pure Vida, Catimini, Bengh, Wonderboy, IIKS and one of our persona favorites, Ink Dink.

The Good List

Black Friday represents the start of holiday shopping madness. And today, I was ready, credit card in hand to S-H-O-P! I stumbled across a super cute Good List Holiday Tee, $15 from Wry Baby. These limited editions are for good tots and perfect for a Santa photo op! Marked with Santa's official stamp and gift checklist on a 100% cotton long sleeve tee. Hurry, these babies are definitely going to be more popular than a bag of coal this gift-giving season.

Where do Celebrities shop for their Little Ones?

Just like the rest of us, when it comes to their babies, celebrities want only the best. Fortunately for them, they can afford the very best. Where do they find those adorable onesies, t-shirts and skidpants? Some do it online, from boutiques like Angelicgenius.com. such as James Denton of Desperate Housewives. Liv Tyler shops for her son Milo at Babies Rock Products. Halle Berry shops at Bunnies by the Bay for her soon to be bundle of joy. Gwen Stafani dresses her son, Kingston, in skidpants from Dittany Baby as well as Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck for little Violet. For the comedians, Wry Baby outfits their ambiguously bald babies in “I’m not a Girl/Boy” T’s and onesies. Whatever the occasion, celebrity babies have it covered and summed up in one word…. “adorable”

Baby Booty

Jennifer Lopez is full-on diva mom shopping mode, dropping tons of green for her soon-to-arrive twins. Can we blame her? Hardly, since she and Marc Anthony have homes in both California and New York, it looks like she's going to need four of everything for her bicostal brood. The luxe green and cream color schemed nursery will feature loot from Petit Tresor (of course) and a hand-painted mural from chic husband and wife team, Cochineals et Cie from France, la vie douce.

Pint Sized Retail Therapy

Call them the new kids on the block, savvy DUMBO/S (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) retailers are setting up shop in the artsy, eco-friendy neighborhood. The fashion forward Brooklyn enclave is home to a bright and colorful bevy of kid friendly retailers, where new mothers can certainly engage in a little retail therapy.

Modern Tots, the newest to the area, opened in January 2007 as an outpost of successful online retailer, moderntots.com. Located at 52 Peral Street. between Plymouth and Water Streets, the converted warehouse features modern brands such as ducduc, SkipHop and Fluerville. Furniture is the core of the business, and the store's hip vibe. All collections and products are just what one may expect, modern, sleek and clean. The store also holds a number of classes for children. Local favorite, Kids' Yoga, which has been on hiatus, will return this year.

Pomme, opened in September 2005 at 81 Washington Street, at York Street. Owned by two former fashion journalists who are longtime friends and mothers, Pomme celebrates European style. On display are well-made, simple basic featuring classic shapes and silhouettes. Stocked with brands that a re hard to find in the US marketplace, 1,800 sf space range stocks Bonbon, ZEF, Luco, Oeuf, Petit Pan and Catherine Urban in sized from 0-6. The stores website presence, pommenyc.com, carries a handful of American lines too.

Located at 55 Washington Street at Water Street, Half Pint, opened in September 2005. The "one stop shopping" retailer carries a wide variety of clothing. furniture and toys for kids. Formerly, Babybazzaar, in April 2005, Half Pint owner Randi Song and her husband, Lars Schlichting, bought the assets of Babybazaar and its online presence. The clothing-heavy retailer plans to add more eco-friendly product in its 1,200 sf space. For now, buyers are content with kid happy picks such as Petit Bateau, Small Paul, Half Pint, Noodle & Boo and Robeez. Look for their new website, halfpintcitizens.com to launch in 2008.

Bellissimo…Buenisimo

It seems the stork has been busy in tinseltown the last few years, with more and more babies on the way. Celebrities are becoming moms and dads by the dozens, and preparing for the new little bundles of joy is nothing to take lightly for these ecstatic new parents. One thing to consider, is how to tote the little tot around. With so many designer strollers and carriers to choose from, one woman’s simple prints and creative ideas, have become celebrity moms’ favorites. Along with custom baby bedding and nursery wallpaper, Wendy Bellissimo has created her very own baby carrier/bed. The Moses Basket is a soft straw basket with handles that fasten together with Velcro and is lined with Bellissimo’s trademark prints. These charming babycarriers have been seen with stars such as Kelly Ripa, Kate Winslet, Katie Couric and Mel Gibson. The one time pillow print designer, Bellisimo started her own baby and kids print line simply because she thought, “the current market wasn’t very creative and might be looking for something new and fresh”. She was right and her designs have been a hit since day one.