Le Top Darling of the Day: Jesse

Jesse (9 months) loves the camera and the camera clearly loves him back!  Whether or not he grows into a modeling career, this photogenic October darling certainly harvests happiness. In these photos Jesse models rabbitmoon‘s navy pieced shirt, linen shortall and hat from Radius collection and the fashionable  Passage collection tracksuit.  Congratulations to our Darling of the Day, Jesse!

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3-Days until rabbitmoon online shop is open!

Get ready rabbitmoon kids clothes online boutique opening next Monday, September 20^th. Here is a sneak-peak of two of our designers’ favorite boy and girl outfits that will premiere this coming Monday.

Raglan Sleeve Shirred Top & Ruched Pocket Cord Pant from our Lotus Collection
TOP: Shirred shoulders and contrast lotus print band detail across this French pink soft cotton shirt offers chic style for the season. Contrast French rose raglan sleeves with tiered ruffle cuffs finish look. Layer under sweaters or can mix and match with pants or leggings. Back snaps for easy dressing.

BOTTOM: This soft cotton thin wale corduroy pant features 4 pocket styling accented with oversized pink buttons and ruched side pockets with grosgrain ribbon bows. Finished with contrast French rose crochet cuff detail. Elasticized waist for easy dressing.

Pieced Long Sleeve Shirt & French Terry Cargo Pant from our Guitar Collection
TOP: An essential soft cotton layering piece, this blue and striped pieced long sleeve pull over shirt features alternate navy and striped sleeves and orange twill tape detailing. Contrast navy ribbed neckline and embroidered electric guitar add fashionable accents. Navy shoulder sport snaps for easy dressing.

BOTTOM: Pull on these exceptionally soft French terry navy cargo pants with contrast twill tabs to create a versatile and comfy look. Features sporty orange twill tape stripe on pant legs, and faux contrast embroidered grommets on front pockets add stylish detail. Elasticized waist for easy dressing.

Rabbitmoon separates are easy to mix and affordable to match—we make it simple to dress kids with style. With our meticulous attention to detail, modern colors, durable fabrics and creative graphics, our shirts, pants, jumpers and tracksuits can be combined to suit any growing personality.

So what inspires rabbitmoon and its styles? The curious appearance of the rabbit in the moon has for centuries inspired folklore throughout the world. The magic and wonder that has stirred these tales is the inspiration behind our own rabbitmoon: a collection of clothing for children that is creative, stylish and unique.

In nearly every culture, it seems, there is a tale to tell of why the shadow of the rabbit appears in the full moon. From China to India to right here in the U.S.A., native people have for centuries passed down stories from generation to generation. At rabbitmoon, we’ve captured legends from around the world to describe the celebrated adventures of the rabbit and how he landed in the moon.

Here is one of our rabbitmoon tales – read it to your little one at bedtime and enjoy!

China: The Legend of the Jade Rabbit

The Legend of the Jade Rabbit, one of the most charming of international tales, belongs to the traditional Mid-Autumn Chinese Moon Festival. When the full moon rises, families gather to eat “moon cakes” and read stories and poems about the legends of the moon. An engaging and enlightening morality tale for children, The Legend of the Jade Rabbit tells the story of the rabbit in the moon:

Three magical wise men decide to test the character of a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The men turn themselves into desperate old beggars and ask the fox, the monkey and the rabbit for food. While the fox and the monkey have food to spare, they refuse to share. But the helpful and generous rabbit, who has nothing to give, volunteers his own tasty self by leaping into a burning campfire to roast himself for their dinner. The men, who are not actually hungry, are overwhelmed by rabbit’s self-sacrifice and generosity and grant him immortal life, sending him to live on the moon in the palace as Jade Rabbit.

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Kids Kloset: PREMIER RETAILER Q & A

Boogie monster? Nope! Check out this week’s “Store Spotlight” with Kids Kloset in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Shirley McGinn gets down to earth with Le Top and gives tips on how to update your child’s wardrobe this summer and what her “must-haves” are for a family road trip!

Visit Le Top’s Facebook and become a Fan to receive weekly “Store Spotlight” updates — Click HERE

1.     Are you a Nebraska native? If so, what did you do growing up as a kid in the local area? Describe the neighborhood your store is in for us. 
Shirley: I am a Nebraska native.  I graduated from Broken Bow High School.  Music was always my love and I taught elementary music for several years.  I raised my family and then entered the retail business and have owned my own store for 10 years!  My store is located on a beautiful square, which is the center of the retail area in Broken Bow.  We have a “prime” spot [on the Square].

2.     So how did you get your start in the children’s business?
Shirley: Well, I worked in a missy store for several years and opened a small department in the store that I worked in, and eventually out grew that space and opened my current store location.

3.     If you had to take a family road trip this summer – what 5 items could you not live without?
Shirley: Comfortable clothes that always look fresh, plenty of cold water, games for the kids, snacks, and plenty of patience!!

4.     What is 1 tip you would give a parent on how to update your child’s wardrobe for summer?
Shirley: Find clothes that are cool, easy to care for and feel good for a child.  Comfort is everything!

The Le Top wall features our Lot's o' Fish, Hip Hop Grasshopper, Sweatheart Butterfly, Daisy Duck, Wildflower, and Wild About Monokinis collections.

5.     Between all of the social media outlets – Facebook, Twitter, and more – what do you think about social networking and how it allows moms and dads to join cyber parenting communities where they can meet, gain knowledge, as well as get recommendations and support.
Shirley: I think the concept is very interesting and I think the parents today are more in-tune with this type of resource.  My own children, as parents, rely on others for advise in this area and probably would use social networking to reach out to their friends.

6.     What do you feel are the three biggest keys to your success?  
Shirley: Variety, a knowledgeable staff, and our location.

7.     If you had one piece of advice for someone entering children’s retail today, what would it be?
Shirley: Watch the price point and the quality. Also be sure the clothing has color and style.

8.     What is your best or most memorable moment in your store?
Shirley: We have annual style shows and getting the children ready is always fun and the kids themselves have so much fun.

 9. What collection or piece from Le Top line do you love from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection?
Shirley: The Le Top swimsuits!

Le Top Spring/Summer 2010 Daisy Duck and Zebra Monokinis

 Kids Kloset
833 D Street
Broken Bow, NE 68822
308.872.3802
http://www.fashionisourpassion.com/

 

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First Night at the Movies – “Toy Story 3”

Over a week ago when we were on a play date with our friends Sacha and  Cooper (her son), they asked if we wanted to go see Pixar’s new “Toy Story 3” with them. We jumped at the chance since we had just watched “Toy Story 2” at their house. This was going to be Lilah’s first movie at the theater. So exciting!

Lilah showing off her cool 3-D glasses (and her rabbit moon fleur-de-lys track suit jacket)

Thursday rolled around and I picked Lilah up from daycare and we headed over to Sacha and Cooper’s house to meet up. Lilah was excited to ride in Sacha’s car and was amazed that she had a second car seat ‘just for her.’ It was off to the movies. We chose to go “Toy Story 3” in all of the hyped up glory – Imax and 3-D (just down the street from where it was made in Emeryville)! I have personally never seen a 3-D movie, so it was both Lilah’s and my first experience. We paid for the tickets and I quickly handed her a ticket of her very own. When I passed mine to the theater attendant she handed me the adult glasses and they were HUGE (think bigger than Elton John’s in the 70s) – big enough to fit over my glasses with room to spare and they didn’t fold. Lilah received a smaller folded pair in a plastic baggy (keepers)…Now onward to the snack counter.

Though normally I try to bypass the snacks, since this was Lilah’s first time to the theater, we had to ‘do it properly.’ We bought a small popcorn (which was actually enormous), some chicken tenders, and a water. Our friends filled in with candy and nachos and we were off to pick our seats. We were set.

The theater was already dark, but we saw the perfect seats on the opposite side. As we crossed the theater Lilah was behind me. My arms were full of snacks. When I checked to see if she was still there, she had stopped and said very loudly, “Mommy, it’s so dark!” The rows near us started laughing. It was adorable. We took our seats and hunkered down. Lilah sat with the popcorn and munched for most of the movie. It was incredible. The 3-D effects truly felt as if they were happening just inches from us. She never got scared or bored, and even sat through the entire movie. I couldn’t be more proud of her. The movie was perfect in every way. What amazes me is how kids nowadays will expect to see everything in 3-D. The number of 3-D movie previews we saw was truly unbelievable. After this experience with her I can guarantee we will be attending more movies at the theater soon.

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Tot Trends for Grown-Ups!

Adidas Sportswear by Jeremy Scott

Trends in adult fashion have always influenced children’s fashions.  A common sight might be a toddler boy in khaki pants and plaid shirt or a mini ‘fashionista’ in a chic little dress.  But the tables seem to be turned…

Jeremy Scott is bringing whimsy back to fashion. An American designer known for his playful and eccentric prints and pop-culture influenced designs is collaborating with Adidas sportswear line for men and women. His mini-collections include fashion-forward active wear, metallic gold sneakers accessorized

Elle Magazine Article

by a pair of soaring wings, leopard prints and sweatshirts that look like actual leopards (complete with tails!)   This “dress-like-your-toddler” trend is being shown by other designers as well. Marc Jacobs, Peter Jensen, Lu Flux, Jean-Charles Castelbajac, and many more are surfacing with the most whimsical collections imaginable this Fall.

In today’s world kids are dressed to look like little versions of their parents. But, in the world of Jeremy Scott parents can dress like a big version of their kids!  Be fashionable – dress like a kid!

Adidas Sportswear by Jeremy Scott

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Exciting News! Heartfelt Changes…

Sarah Showing us her Sparkly Ring

Last Thursday I heard shrieking from the front office…noises that herald the arrival of either: a new baby, a new puppy, or…an engagement ring!  Sarah, Assistant Designer of le•top, walked into the office this past week and flashed her beautiful new accessory announcing her engagement!  We are thrilled for Sarah, especially since we just love her fiancé Steve!  Sarah, a Montana native, managed to meet the man of her dreams – a fireman that shoes horses as his ‘second job.’  The transplanted Cowgirl finds a California Cowboy!

Gianna

Steve’s family loves Sarah!  When news of the engagement spread to Steve’s family, and her soon-to-be brother-in-law started teaching their 4 year old daughter Gianna that Sarah would now be “Auntie” Sarah (rather than “Big” Sarah – to differentiate her from a preschool friend with the same name.)  When Sarah arrived for a 1^st birthday party for Gianna’s younger sister she greeted her with “Auntie Sarah, Auntie Sarah!”  This was an exciting and heart warming surprise for Sarah!  She is really happy to be part of her fiancé’s family and becoming “Auntie” Sarah made it official!!

Congratulations Sarah!

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