Le Top Darlings of the Day: Grace, Lila and Addison

When Leah from N’Tended for Kids in Lynchburg, VA sent us photos of her delightful daughters, we jumped at the chance to use them as our Le Top Darlings of the Day. It just doesn’t get better than this. Not one but three beautiful little girls in our adorable summer fashions. Grace (3-years-old) and her twin sisters, Lila and Addison (8-months-old) are making the most of their summer by frequenting the beach in their Le Top “Love Bug” pinafore (top) and “Catch a Wave” (middle) bathing suits, and Le Top “Sun and Sea” cross-back jumpsuits (bottom).

We’re told that Grace loves clothes and shoes! She dresses herself in the morning and then wants her sisters’ outfits to be coordinated with hers. Aawwe!! The twins think that Grace is an amazing and absolutely hilarious big sister. They laugh at any and everything she says. Grace’s personal fave-collecting shells on the beach. Though the twins are not so thrilled with the sand they do love strolling on the beach.

Congratulations Grace, Lila and Addi on your Le Top Darling of the Day title!!!!

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Unique Popsicle Recipe Ideas for Kids (and FUN!)

Looking for popsicle recipes for kids? Want something that’s a little different? Just needing a treat to cool off in the hot weather? Here are a few fantastic popsicle recipes for kids and adults.

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CHECK OUT LE TOP PLAYWEAR
AND SWIMWEAR AT
www.letop-usa.com

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Le Top Darling of the Day: Elizabeth

Today’s Darling, 10-month-old Elizabeth, is a bathing beauty in her Le Top “Ship Ahoy” collection bathingsuit. Her favorite words are “da da” and “uh oh”. She loves to click her tongue, clap her hands, and shake her head ‘no’. Also she can’t resist “singing” along in church. Ah the joy!

Elizabeth has 7 teeth so far and dogs make her giggle with delight. We’re told she already has her sights set on becoming a sailor like mommy and daddy. Yay! She is often seen practicing her downward dog and plank poses between crawling around the house.

Elizabeth is clearly a perfect choice to be the Le Top Darling of the Day!

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Le Top Darling of the Day: Hope

Today’s Darling, Hope (2 1/2-years-old), comes to us from New York City. She is a true New Yorker that loves taking art classes at the Met and going to see children’s theater. Mom says that Hope is an outgoing and mature little gal that looks forward to her sports classes each week (soccer and basketball are her favorites). Wow, what a Renaissance girl!

We’re told that she lives in Le Top clothing and gets lots of compliments on them from her fellow classmates. In the photos above she’s wearing Le Top  clothing from our Botanical Garden, Silly Swimmies, and Tulip Garden collections. Simply gorgeous! 

Congratulations to Hope for being today’s Le Top Darling of the Day!

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Le Top Darlings of the Day: Henning and Whitman

Today’s Darlings are Henning (3-years-old) and Whitman (6-months-old) who come to us from South Carolina where their mom owns and runs Hannah B’s in Murrells Inlet. It’s plain to see how much they enjoy spending time together relaxing at the beach. I hear tell that these siblings have wonderful smiles and great dispositions…always happy!

In the photo on the left both boys are wearing swimwear and matching bucket hats from our Le Top “Big Splash” collection. Henning is in the lined swim trunks and Whitman is wearing the one-piece tank swimsuit. On the right, these loving brothers are showing off their matching “Under the Sea” collection pull-over hoodie shirts and lined swim trunks.

Congratulations to these handsome kids on their title of Le Top Darlings of the Day!

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Beach Weather Already?

Paulo (wearing the Le Top "Under the Sea" pull over hoodie shirt with a red crab appliqué) and Miranda playing on the beach.

It’s only March here in the Bay Area but the weather has been so warm and sunny (with a few rainy days in between) that we’ve actually been hitting the beach since January! Last week we went to Pacific Grove. My husband was at a 3-day seminar and since he was staying at a swanky hotel, we decided to “join” him and enjoy the amenities that fancy lodging offers, such as a salt water pool and hot tub, breakfast buffets, and free freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmm!

While Daddy was sitting in an uncomfortable chair in a dimly-lit conference room, we were outdoors absorbing sun rays along the coast at the Asilomar State Beach. It was sunny but a little chilly and I wasn’t sure how long we would last at the beach. But as soon as we laid our blanket on the sand and the kids dumped out all their sand toys, the chill in the air seemed to dissipate. My kids were ready to go jump in the ocean! (But we didn’t. That water is FREEZING!)

After a couple hours, we packed it up and drove back to the hotel where we spent the afternoon swimming in the pool, then in the hot tub, then in the pool, then the hot tub (you get the picture), until Daddy came to retrieve us for dinner. What a fun day! Daddy should go to more conferences at ritzy hotels.

Paulo is wearing the Le Top "Under the Sea" lined swim trunks.

CHECK OUT MORE OF THE LE TOP SPRING COLLECTION AT
www.letop-usa.com

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Doll House: PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT Q&A

This week we interviewed owner Jean Johnston from Doll House boutique in Palos Verdes Estates, California for our “Premier Store Spotlight” this week. Not only is she young and hip, she knows how to keep your child on top of the trend curve and parents in-the-know on the best new baby, children, and tween’s products on the market. Read more to find out about the latest spring trends, Doll House’s upcoming Easter event that is not to be missed, as well as sign up for Facebook to get updates on their cool mommy and me yoga classes!

2325 Palos Verdes Drive West
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
949.439.8333

www.dollhousepv.com

 CHECK-IN and JOIN Doll House Facebook page and click HERE

1.   Tell us the inspiration behind the name Doll House? How long has your store been around?
I opened Doll House almost two years ago. While bouncing ideas around, my father suggested the name Doll House, and I thought it was perfect! Children are our little dolls, they are so much fun to dress up.

Le Top Baby "By the Sea" Romper

2.   Spring 2012 styles are coming into stores and brightening up any family’s winter wardrobe. What are your top 3 items (clothes, toys, giftables, etc.) for any parent shopping for warm weather items for a nice holiday vacation this winter?
Nautical stripes will transition a wardrobe from fall to spring, which has made Le Top’s ‘By The Sea’ collection very popular in the store.  Quicksilver rash guards have a built in SPF 50 that can be worn poolside or at the beach. Three Martha’s fold up chalkboard mat (comes with colorful chalk and a fun elephant shaped sponge) is a helpful way to keep kids occupied on long car or plane rides.

3.  Any special events that you have planned at your store for spring? Tell us the inside scoop about any special events and especially the fun deals we can expect!
You Don’t Want To Miss Spring Time At Doll House!

Doll House will be hosting a spring event on Thursday, March 29th. We will have a bunny petting zoo, a fun art project taught by a local artisan, face painting and a very special visit from the Easter Bunny!

Doll House has teamed up with Billabong and Zico Water for a great trunk show event for tweens! Doll House tweens will be the first to view and order Billabong’s 2012 fall collection while enjoying Zico Water.

Doll House is excited to start mommy and me yoga classes this spring! Check out our face book and website for updates!

Store owner, Jean, showing her display of the Le Top Tiny Bubbles collection

4.   What is your “go-to” baby shower gift in your store for boys and girls?
I have a huge demand for clothing and gifts made in the USA. Lisa Denver’s growth charts (made in Palos Verdes Estates), Scrumptious Blankets (made in Los Angeles) and Giggle Moon (made in San Diego) are popular gift items. 

Le Top Sun and Sea collection

5.   What are your top 3 children’s movies or books and why?
Doll House’s most popular books are ‘Guess How Much I Love You’, ‘Pinkalicious’ and ‘Casey At Bat’. The hardback books come as a set with matching Pajamas! These make bedtime a little more fun. ($44 set).

6.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Palos Verdes Estates? Did you grow up in the local area?
Doll House is located in Lunada Bay, a surf and beach community within Palos Verdes Estates, California. It is a lot like Newport Beach, where I grew up. The locals are outgoing and take pride in their local boutiques.

Store owner Jean Johnston

7.    What are the hottest trends for kids clothes right now?
Purple, pink, red and bright blue skinny jeans and shorts are going to be a hot trend this spring and summer.

8.    What Le Top or Rabbitmoon Spring 2012 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
Le Top’s ‘Tiny Bubbles’ for girls and “Whales & Sails” for boys have been very popular collections. The prints are a great way to match brothers and sisters, and perfect to wear at the beach club and the 4th of July!

(left) Le Top Whales & Sales boy's collection (right) Le Top Tiny Bubbles girl's collection

Doll House

2325 Palos Verdes Drive West
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
949.439.8333

www.dollhousepv.com 

CHECK-IN and JOIN
Doll House Facebook page
and click HERE

 

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The Tabby Cat Boutique: PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT Q&A

Definition of a tabby cat? Not just a striped or dotted cat, but also one of the cutest darn boutiques in Oakton, Virginia – The Tabby Cat! We had the chance to interview storeowner, Alexandra Craige, about her boutique that she opened almost 2 years ago and how it’s still going strong after 3 natural disasters in the local area. She definitely knows kids style and what’s on the radar for spring 2012 for boys and girls and gives us the scoop on what she loves for next season! Alex also gives us her ideas on fun snow day activities, things she swore she would never do now being a mom, and the best family hangouts in the area. Read more to find out the inside scoop about Tabby Cat and stop by for great shopping if you are in the local area!

Hunter Mill Plaza
2946-F Chain Bridge Road
Oakton, VA
703.255.0812

www.tabbycatkids.com

Mon – Fri: 9am-6pm
Fri – Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: closed

CHECK-IN and JOIN The Tabby Cat’s Facebook page and click HERE

1.    Tell us the inspiration the name The Tabby Cat? How long has your store been around?
I did some online research on store names and realized that I really wanted something that was gender neutral and still cute and remember able! We have four Tabby Cats at home and although we’d love to bring them to work with us – we don’t. We opened last fall (2010) and it’s been a crazy and exciting time with 3 natural disasters during our first year while trying to build a customer base!

2.    It’s (almost) 2012 and resort and spring 2012 styles are coming into stores. What are your top 3 items (clothes, toys, giftables, etc.) for any parent shopping for warm weather items for a nice holiday vacation this winter?
For resort and spring 2012 NOTHING is cuter than the Le Top swimsuits for babies and infants! The bright colors and fun graphics makes the swimsuits pop out when you’re at the pool or beach. Then you can accessorize them with matching hats and cover-ups! So CUTE!

3.    Any special events that you have planned at your store for the New Year or even Valentine’s Day next month? Tell us the inside scoop about any special events and especially the fun deals we can expect!
Writing this 10 days before Christmas, I haven’t a clue what I’m doing after December 25th – hopefully my brain will reboot that day and I can focus on Valentine’s Day!

4.    Surviving yet another winter day this winter can be brutal for kids, what would be your snow day recommended activity – inside or out?
I love board games. The time that I get with my daughter when we play a board game makes for interesting conversation and competiveness between us. Outside in Northern Virginia can mean 60-25 degrees during the ‘winter’. Any time I can spend wandering in a park and checking out nature and teaching my daughter about our local fauna.

5. Although spring 2012 styles are coming soon, what would you suggest as the top 3 essentials in the winter that any parent should buy to brighten up their child’s wardrobe this winter?
I had a winter baby and I’m a huge fan of baby bundlers and anything fleece for babies (mits, hats, pullovers…).

6.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?”
Be like my mom…Just kidding. Maybe a better question for me would be what I swore I ‘would do’. And the big one for that was spend lots of time with her, make sure she had a good support system around her, instill in her the value of working for something, and not to take things or friends for granted.

7.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Oakton, VA? Did you grow up in the local area?
I grew up in the South East part of Washington, D.C. so nothing like Oakton, Virginia! Oakton is a small pocket inside Fairfax County (most populated county in VA) that’s not a town or a City. Oakton has a great community of residents and a really strong public and private schools in walking distance to the store. We have a great mix of residents who have raised their kids here and continue to stay after retirement, to young families moving in for good schools, access to lots of kid activities, and local shopping!

8.    What is the hottest trend for kids clothes and toys right now?
I think shoppers want quality products at a good price range, and that’s one of the reasons that Le Top sells so well for us. People love the feel, look and price!

9.    Where are the best/essential family hangouts and places to go around your store location?
We are lucky that we are in a shopping center that offers a good selection of kid-friendly restaurants that you can pick from. So coming to visit us you can make it more than a one-stop trip. There are so many places to go and things to do in Northern Virginia that there are several websites that help track all that information for you. We’ve have had a relationship with www.dullesmoms.com for almost a year now and really like this free website that lists kids’ activities in our area.

10.What Le Top or rabbitmoon Winter 2011 or Spring 2012 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
I really liked 2 dresses that were for Winter 2011 – Le Top’s “Starry Night” and“Candy Cane Cutie”.  Both were huge sellers and they looked so cute on the little girls!

Le Top "Starry Night" collection

The Tabby Cat

Hunter Mill Plaza
2946-F Chain Bridge Road
Oakton, VA
703.255.0812

www.tabbycatkids.com

 Mon – Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: closed

CHECK-IN and JOIN The Tabby Cat’s Facebook page and click HERE

 

 

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Nanny’s Children’s Shoppe: PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT Q&A

We caught up with cute kid’s boutique owner, Jan Gabrielson, of Nanny’s Children’s Shoppe in Sanibel, Florida. Aside from being envious of the great weather in Sanibel, we are even more envious of her amazing children’s store that is a must-go-to for cute kids clothing, accessories and much more – plus we hear she is having a 30% sale soon! She gives us the scoop on family hangouts around her store, her upcoming store events and her favorite Le Top Collection! Read more below!

 NANNY’S CHILDREN’S SHOPPE

2250 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957
239.395.1730
 

1.    Tell us the inspiration the name Nanny’s Children’s Shoppe? How long has your store been around?
Nanny’s has been on Sanibel since 1982. I purchased the store in 1999. I have moved the location over the years to it’s present home – an original cottage located on the main road and bicycle route.

2.    Any special events or fun holiday traditions that you have planned at your store for Christmas Eve or the New Year? Tell us the inside scoop about any special events and especially the fun deals we can expect!
Nanny’s participates every year in the annual Sanibel Island Luminary Night held the first Friday of December. This year we featured a local cartoonist and children’s author. The kids enjoyed cookies while drawing with him.  During the holidays, Nanny’s will have a 30% off sale in progress on fall merchandise.

Jan showing off the Le Top "Jolly Jurassic" collection t-shirt

3.    What’s your favorite holiday tradition and or nostalgic moment and why? Whether it be decorating the Christmas tree to eating peppermint bark to lighting the menorah candles to baking in the kitchen, etc…
At this time of the year, I enjoy wonderful friends and customers talking and sharing their stories and pictures of their children and grandchildren. Over the years in the children’s business I have seen them grow-up!

4.    What would you suggest as the top 3 essentials in the winter that any parent should buy to brighten up their child’s wardrobe this winter – especially for the warm-weather kiddos in Florida!
We find sun protection hats, shirts, and swim cover-ups to be a must-have in Florida.

5.    What is your favorite holiday film past or present for kids/family?
I absolutely love It’s A Wonderful Life.

Inside Nanny's featuring Le Top "Pizzazz" collection dresses and leggings (top), "Seeing Spots" collection (right wall)

6.    Will you be carrying any cute swimwear or Spring 2012 this January for parents looking to buy warm-weather clothing for holiday vacations? What are some hot items to look out for?
Nanny’s will be receiving lots of spring clothing items in January for all of our annual guests. The fashions for spring are so colorful and comfortable. We carry many knits that the children love. Being in Florida, you’ll find many ocean themed items….crabs, fish, lobsters. How about shark t-shirts for boys!

7.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Sanibel, Florida?
Nanny’s is located in the Sanibel Square near the very popular Sanibel Bean Coffee Shop.

8.    Where are the best/essential family hangouts and places to go around your store location?
Located right across the street from Nanny’s is the town park, a wonderful place for children to enjoy. Also, the Island Cow restaurant is a very popular spot to dine with children. The number one attraction on Sanibel for the whole family is the miles of beaches.

Le Top "Purrrfectly Pink" collection circle skirt dress and stripe footless tights

9.    What Le Top or rabbitmoon Winter 2011 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
The favorite in Nanny’s from the winter collection was Le Top’s “Purrfectly Pink” group. The soft colors and the twirl factor made this a must-have!

NANNY’S
CHILDREN’S SHOPPE

2250 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957
239.395.1730

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Le Top Darling of the Day: Bella

What a fabulous photo! Bella (22-months-old) and her pups, Bahia and Bubba, are also known in the town of Marathon, Florida as ‘Triple Trouble’ – of the cutest kind no doubt! This little beach girl and lover of all water is wearing the Le Top Heart’s Delight” skirted one-piece swimsuit from Spring 2011. Even at this young age Bella has a job. She’s the official greeter at her grandmother Joan’s store, Bayshore Clothing. This little girl knows what she likes and that is to play dress up and be silly. What a doll! It’s easy to see why Bella is the Le Top Darling of the Day!

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