Mom stays in the loop with

Simple shapes, saturated colors and touch of whimsy inform

offerings for Fall 2012. For the budding punk rocker, the Mohawk Hooded Towel (2 to 10 years; $28, wholesale) sports a fringe of "hair." The Beach Dress (1 to 6 years, $22) looks cute and cozy as is or over a bikini, and the Velour Hooded Towel (2 to 10 years; $24) with its dip-dyed "wave" of sea blue is the chicest towel on the beach. TB

Shelley Hunt at

Fingerprints' Susan Skeels literally 'shrugs' off winter with her adorable abbreviated white cotton shrug: the perfect layering piece, or warm weather topper; sized for little girls, 2t/3t, 4t/4, 5/6, 7/8 10/12, 14/16, wholesale $16 - $18.

Employing eco-friendly eco-sponge, Carol Mack at Dabbawalla Bags, fashions eccentric yet practical totes for kids. The flowered Lunch Purse ($14, wholesale) with its vivid coloration and unique strap-through-strap design, is sure to be coveted by mom. The Lunch Bag ($15) lets a kid wave the stars and stripes and still look funky. TB

Pea Soup Accessories' best seller has long been their peace, love, and happiness headband so they tweaked it a bit (putting it on a satin snap clip) just in time for the new markets and their customers loved it ($3.75 wholesale)!

hot camp items are the colorful and graphic 100% cotton keepsake souvenir pillows, ($10 wholesale, signing pens included); they literally give new meaning to the phrase, 'Pillow Talk'.

7 A.M. Enfant's great looking, lighter than ever, more practical and versatile than ever Polochon diaper bag (so cool even the company's designer Rebecca Campora uses it!), $39 wholesale; the newly colored and newly packaged fleece lined Papoose with contrast zippers (it converts to a soft stroller and car seat liner, among other things), $34- $44 wholesale; the Doudoune, making its show appearance in a crowd pleasing shade called, orange peel, $45.

adorable union suits: new are the Happy (not angry) Birds and Apple prints; sized for preemies - 9 months, $4 - $15 wholesale.

Arcobalena is a very well priced (almost everything retails below $25) Belgian-based designer jewelry and accessories line: perfect for young fashionistas. Among the hits from the new collection, are the braided leather or thin corded leather bracelets adorned with semi precious stones, Mother of Pearl beads, ladybugs, reconstituted peace signs, and Czech crystal eyes (All the better to ward off the evil eye and bring good luck. Let's face it, we can all use a bit of good luck, right?)

 
Andrea's Beau goes to the 'head' of the class with her new group of adorned headbands: the Mod Flower, ($12  wholesale), Thin Sequined Petal in bright hues, ($6), and the Rococo Garland, in pastel shades, ($7.75), are standouts.

Jannuzzi's brand new Shore Collection sets (tanks and tees paired with seersucker shorts and bloomers) proved to be a 'shore' thing at the recent Children's Club. Standouts were the alligator in green, the flip flops and anchor in pink. Wholesale prices are as follows: tees and tanks, $13 infant, $14 toddler; shorts, $13 infant, $14 toddler; bloomer/diaper covers, $13 infant sized only.

Elonka Nichole's 30X36 in. double sided ultra soft chenille "Mimi" receiving/stroller blanket, $18 wholesale; the 100% printed cotton Diaper bag messenger bag which is so versatile it can also be used as a messenger bag, a school bag, a sleepover bag or anything else for that matter (and can be used by grown ups as well), $35 wholesale; The Mimi's nursing pillow cover, with zipper for easy removal, made of ultra soft chenille and the must-have baby accessory. ($20 wholesale and machine washable as are all the products).

Dot Dot Couture's durable straight leg crawl pants benefit from the placement of their non skid hearts, cupcakes, and frogs designs on the knees, sized for 6-24 months, ($24.50 wholesale for the pants, $38-$41 for the sets).

The selection at Brookie Jos is always unapologetically colorful, exuberant, and completely girlie girl,  which is exemplified by these new selections: the funky grosgrain ribbon and rubber flip flops ($13 wholesale); the nylon tulle tutu and cotton one-piece sets punctuated with no-lead rhinestones, $22; and the wall bow letters made with wood, grosgrain ribbons and no-lead acrylic paint, $14. (All the clothing is sized for 0-3 mos through 6X).

Amber Schaub is always introducing new products to her popular RuffleButts and RuggedButts lines. This season, some of her new ideas are: the Pink Skirted Bikini, sized 3-6 through 4T, $12.25 wholesale; the Denim Ruffle Butts, 0-3 months through 2T, $9.50; the Fuchsia Playground Shorts, sized 2T- 6, $9.50; the 3 Stripes Your Out striped legwarmers, one size, $4.50.

is intent on making their bags so darn good looking, (not to mention lightweight and durable), only the user would have any inkling that they actually do double duty as a diaper bag. New noteworthy selections (with all the bells and whistles one could hope for) are the Sweet Pea, (shown above, $134.95 wholesale), Iris, and Lotus bags (both $99.95 wholesale) which look especially chic and desirable in black twill with vibrant red lining.

Collection, the emphasis this season is on cute sweater vests and cardigans with shawl or oversized collars for boys, jumpers and boleros with little pom poms for girls ($25-$45 wholesale); and most importantly, on soft, comfortable, clothes done in natural year round fabrics: perfect for active little ones (newborn - 3T). Standouts include the Little Mermaid Ruffles Cardigan in white and pink, My Favorite Jacket in beige and chocolate brown; the Handsome Boy Shawl Collar Cardigan in beige with toggle buttons.

Rovio's Angry Birds are now "finding happiness with

" thanks to a new and inspired collaboration. Standouts include the gift ready beautifully packaged Gift Bundles, sized for newborns, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months, with selections available in red, blue, or yellow (and each comes with a free plush toy!), $49 retail.

Funkie Baby's lightweight, compact, and ultra versatile organic three-layer cotton bibs, (at $9.50 wholesale, they feature soakpoof linings), and matching go mats, ($10 wholesale, complete with practical and attractive grosgrain ribbon ties). Sized for ages 3 mos. to 3 years, they are available in irresistibly charming prints and patterns, ranging from the classic (such as the Seersucker stripes), to the whimsical and well, funky (exemplified by the funky Peace Sign and Urban Elephant).

Kidorable's brand new and eye-catching Dragon Knight Collection, which is perfect for "strong & brave boys" from 1-6 years old, and guarantees they will wish for rain. The coordinating components consist of a raincoat, which is made of practical and durable PU, features a helmet for a hood and comes on its own hanger ($18 wholesale); a backpack shaped like a shield with its own little stuffed toy ($11.50); rainboots ($14.50); and an umbrella ($6.75).

Originally published January 5, 2012

MORE 2012 FAVORITE THINGS - PART 1

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