Nothing about Kids' Kapers is subtle or for the faint of heart (including the Baby Diva collection shown above), and in addition to shocking pink, rhinestones, and glitz, this season, Sandy Ostach is particuarly fond of feathers: especially curly ostrich feathers which, in addition to ribbons, rhinestones, and tulle, adorn her beautifully over-the-top Little Miss Hottie Collection, $13.50 wholesale. MK

have something to cheer about. The new plush Wimple hat, available in four shades, is both a truly cold weather item with ear flaps and faux fur lining, and it sports what lovers of Jamie Rae's piece prize most: a lush rose front and center (NB to 6 years, $16.50 wholesale). With a January 2013 delivery, the new hat and vest sets, below, are ideal for spring. Available in three patterns, the whimsical pieces make sure-to-be-appreciated gifts (NB to 2 years, $16). TB

 Magnificent Baby's 100 percent Sherpa fleece lined hooded jacket, pram, hats, mittens, and boots available in mocha, cream, and raspberry (best of all, the mittens feature the company's copyrighted magnetic closure system which means they will not fall off the jacket); sized for newborns through 24 months, wholesale prices range from $4.50-19 wholesale. MK

showroom. MK

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Skepticism turned to delight when Mathieu Simard's mother offered him and his wife a necklace for their newborn made of hazel wood beads that supposedly helped to soothe teething babies. The necklace quieted their infant's distress, and an idea for a product was born: Healing Hazel, a collection of hazel wood necklaces and bracelets for infants through adult sizes. The delicate beads (worn by Miranda Kerr's baby Flynn on the cover of Who magazine), which work by neutralizing saliva acidity that causes toothaches and helps to soothe rashes and flushed cheeks, come in two sizes for infant and toddler (approximately $9.45-$13 wholesale), and have met all standards for safety. Visit healinghazel.com. TB

Jamie Rae Hats, known for charming headwear festooned with oversized blooms, introduces the Budding Beauty Flower Hat and Headband Bouquet. The "bouquets" resemble a fresh flower arrangement, but are one-to-seven flower-embellished hats, bands and clips. The Lovely Little Leopard Bouquet (NB to 18 months, approximately $98.50 wholesale), includes two cotton hats, one crochet hat, two soft headbands, and two flowerette bursts in leopard, red, black and gold; seven perfect pieces for the fashionista. TB

Melissa Karetsky loves graphic stripes and always uses them for MJK Knits. This season is no exception and I was immediately drawn to the motif hats ($18 wholesale), adorned with anchors, flowers, cherries, teddy bears, and hearts, as well as her festive birthday sweaters with stars, $42 wholesale (sizes infant-10). MK

Shelley Foster describes her

offerings as "always funny, goofy, and cute", and this season, the Tax Credit, Mom, and Future President one-pieces, and the adorable matching beanie hats and bibs, all in washable 100% cotton, certainly fit that bill. MK

sunhats appliqued with an alligator, whale, sailboat ($8.50 wholesale). MK

Newcomer Zopheez is the brainchild of Kerry Newman, a California-based pediatrician who combined her medical knowledge with her keen eye, to create the colorful, happy, unapologetically retro/modish, and smart collection for little boys and girls (0-24 months, $24-$32 wholesale). Outfits, given names like Dorothy, Donna Disco, Zoe, Jeff, and Jesse, are actually one-piece jumpsuits that unzip once for easy getting into and out of. MK

Little Miss Julia's sweet and pretty Double Daisy Flower Alligator Hair Clips, handmade on a 1-3/4 inch hair clip, $2.75 wholesale, and their adorable Ladybug Barrettes (each barrette is handmade on a 2-inch French style barrette, wholesale $4), are perfect accessories to instantly dress up any outfit (custom color combinations are available upon request). MK

, thanks to offerings like the 34-inch white cotton gown with delicate pearl yoke embroidery; and the boys' pintucked cotton coveralls, all sized 3, 6, 12. MK

Pea Soup's peace, love, and happy face stone embellished neon stretch pony bands, (a pack of 6, $3.50 wholesale); their Sports themed satin snap clips, $3.75 wholesale. MK

At Vinca, Amanda Dimova's whimsical line of jewelry designed with girls 12-16 in mind, the clip earrings are new ($6.75 wholesale), available as studs or hoops (squirrels, hedgehogs, butterflies, stars, unicorn, cupcakes); as are the lovely pink ballerina rings, $2.75 wholesale, sized 5-9, which also make for great cupcake toppers (and we all know how popular cupcakes are: yum!). MK

Pink Pewter's 'Alexa' bracelet, adorned with shiny sequins and available in 11 different color combinations, happens to be their most popular tween item (at the very 'popular' price of $4 wholesale no less!). MK

Amanda Dimova is going back to basics, changing up the colors and new details to her all-time, best-selling, favorite styles; and so that means revamping her one-piece baby shoe ($12 wholesale) in "crazy" colors, in addition to gold and silver metallic, and putting rubber (for durability) on the bottom of her chic ballerina flats, some of which are elasticized on the side (they are are available in black, white, red, pink, gold, silver), sized for baby (1-4), and big kids (5-16), $19-$28 wholesale. MK

for spring/summer. Standouts include the 3-piece Airplane Fashion set comprised of 100% cotton striped pants, a lap shoulder tee with airplane embroidered applique, and coordinating socks, all neatly stacked in a clear cylinder package with handle (available  6 and 12 months, $15 wholesale); the hooded towels made from soft and absorbent 100% cotton terry cloth with embroidery details (airplane or flower petal hood  with coordinating trim, $18 wholesale); and airplane picture frames: the wooden striped frame with Fritz the Monster riding in the airplane holds a 4 x 6 photo, is $9 wholesale, and the resin airplane frame adorned with clouds and an airplane which holds a 3.5 x 3.5 photo, is $8 wholesale. MK

specializes in organic pajamas with softly colored, small-scale prints; no busy patterns here. The look is serene and, with the flat-seam construction, comfortable and longwearing. Here, two sets that kids won't want to take off in the morning. (Sizes: Girls and boys 12 months to 8 years; wholesale prices: $17 for a two-piece set.) TB

whimsical winter weight polo fleece, and Eco Fleece ponchos, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, are simply irrisistible, whether in solid colors, with bright ric rac and pom pom trim, or printed with butterflies and florals (sized from XS to XL; 6 mos. through 10 years, $20-$35 wholesale). FYI: the decorative pom poms are truly adorable, but are not used on XS sizes for infant safety. MK

Ragg is synonymous with a 'more is more' aesthetic, and this certainly holds true for their appropriately called 'Cher' boot (a glittery metallic lace-up, side zipped studded boot with TPR sole, $27 wholesale); as well as their faux fur slippers trimmed with feathers, $10 wholesale, (both sized for ages 5-7). MK

I always love stopping by Zutano's booth, and not just because they make the best espresso (though I must say that doesn't hurt); their colorful clothes, offbeat patterns, and spot on silhouettes always look fresh. One acccessory must-have: the adorable striped gnome hat that covers the head (sized for baby to toddler, $12 wholesale). MK

(sizes 0-18 months, $19.50). MK

Summer 2012 Favorites: Princess Liechtenstein is a fan, and Kourtney Kardashian shops Pia Lofdahl's Stella Cove line for son Mason, but every kid's a celebrity in the star-strewn bikini, floral one-piece, and hip guitar print swimtrunks; Tel: 212 801-2387. TB

Danzo's Cordura nylon hobo available in grass green or pumpkin is so chic it's hard to believe it's meant to be a diaper bag. MK

brand new super durable, canvas boys' and girls' sneaker collection with rubber toes (sizes 3-9), in the great color combinations the brand is known for. MK

Zutano's new patterned bow ties (available in gingham, paisley, peacock), $8 wholesale.

Livie & Luca certainly lives up to its reputation as the go-to-name for artisinal, whimsical, joyful footwear. Standouts this season include 'Mili' and 'Metric', the zip up boot with measuring tape trim, and the corresponding Mary Jane adorned with a measuring tape flower (sized for infants and toddlers, $18-$24.50 wholesale). MK



Livie & Luca's 'Blossom', the patent leather t-straps decorated with rubber flowers which have gold sequined centers (sized for infants and toddlers, $18-$24.50 wholesale). MK

fabulous versions for both little boys and girls (sized 2-8, $20 wholesale). They were shown with corresponding see through umbrellas $9 wholesale), and cute rain boots in black or pink ($16 wholesale). MK

Top Trenz's new light up watches, ($10 wholesale, and customers can choose their color), are great for camp! MK

Smaller, See Kai, and Kai's patent leather Mary Janes make quite a statement in shiny patent, and in vibrant shades of hot pink and purple (sized for 0-24 months, 6m-3 years, 2-6 plus half sizes), as well as in holiday perfect red and black (from their special Holiday Edition). MK

Top Trenz always stays on 'top' of the trends, especially where tie dye is concerned. Among their new ideas are the tie dye squishy pillows (a bolster and a square, $10 wholesale), and the ponytail holder, which is available in tie dye, as well as animal print, solids, glitter, and assorted themes. By the way, it not only looks great but has the added benefit of not creasing your hair after you wear it ($2.50 wholesale for a card of three). MK

, continues on her whimsical 'head' trip with two new colorful headbands: the Jardin Headband, a 3/8-inch wide organdy headband adorned with three crocheted daisies and one crocheted butterfly, $6 wholesale; and the Elsie Headband, a 1/4-inch satin headband trimmed with cut out patent daisies, each with a rhinestone center, $7 wholesale.

 

At Baby Deer, things are always exceptionally on trend, and this season is no exception with offerings like the authentic looking western boots (pink pearlized with leopard shaft, light tan, and red) sized for toddlers 2-10, $17 wholesale. MK

Magnificent Baby's soft fleece Smart Mittens and Smart Booties (Mittens: NB to 24 months, $4.50 wholesale; booties: NB to 12 months, $6.75). TB

Magnificent Baby's elephant print layette gown with coordinating hat (Gown: NB to 9 months, $13.50 wholesale; hat: one size, $4). TB

With

MK

Mixing patterns with bold color brought big sales for Adore La Vie's coordinating Spring/Summer 2012 Safari line for girls and boys. Buyers' favorites: the Ruffle Front Dress with tribal skirt ($28 wholesale) and the boy's Striped Polo ($19). Call 630 240-1757, or visit adorelaviedesigns.com. TB

. TB

Still shopping for Spring/Summer 2012 or need a few gorgeous pieces to round out your warm weather stock? Check out Mixed Up Clothing's print-driven collection. The pieces are cut for comfort and colored in a palette of rich berry tones that look elegant on and off the playground. Touches such as the smocked detail on the sleeves and hips of the Peasant Blouse ($13 wholesale) and the ruffles at the hem of the plum capris ($14) add flirty notes. (2T to 7 years.) For more information, call 818-272-9151, or visit mixedupclothing.net. TB

Wry Baby's ever-popular Snapsuits (NB to 12 months, $12.50 wholesale). TB

For the mother who prefers partying to parenting, or at least likes to mix the two,

Originally published June 5, 2012

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