Zoop a Loop: PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT Q&A

We wanted to “loop” you into our favorite boutique in Lodi, California this week – Zoop a Loop! Not only is it the cutest for its fabulous fashion finds, cute jeggings, upscale Melissa & Doug toys and the best baby shower gifts in town…it is the “go-to” children’s boutique for many local Californians in the Lodi area! We interviewed boutique owner Tricia Monahan on the history of her store, the hottest toddler trends, what she swore she would never do as a parent, and her favorite Le Top spring collection! 

Zoop a Loop

Children’s Boutique & Party Place
21 Downtown Mall
Lodi, CA 95240
209.367.1444

 www.zoopaloop.com

 CHECK-IN and JOIN Zoop a Loop Facebook page and click HERE

1.    Tell us the inspiration behind the name Zoop a Loop? How long has your store been around?
We’ve been a children’s store in Lodi, California for 20 years now. Unfortunately, I don’t know the story behind Zoop a Loop because it was founded many owners ago, but I absolutely love the name. It evokes animals, fun, a little craziness and whimsy and is the perfect name for a children’s boutique!

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?
Melissa & Doug have the most fabulous outdoor toys…butterfly nets, bug catchers, indoor/outdoor hopscotch games, and now they’ve added some great pool toys. Roxy and Quiksilver have the best hats every spring for boys and girls, and we love Le Top…the outfits are so fun, colorful and whimsical-perfect for spring!

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!
We often partner with nearby merchants for “tent sales” in the alley, we’ll have the Easter Bunny next month for several visits, and we always have great deals for the annual Lodi Street Faire in May!

4.    What is your “go-to” baby shower gift in your store for boys and girls?
My favorites are the handmade “Memory Books” that document all the milestones in the first five years. These beautiful albums are handmade by a local woman and the most unique that I have come across.

5.    What are your top 3 favorite baby or children books and why?
The very Hungry Caterpillar for the beautiful, colorful illustrations, Good Night Moon, because it was one of my daughter’s favorites and The Little House on the Prairie series because my mother read them to me as a child, and then I read them to my daughter…such good memories!

6.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?”  Say?  “Because I said so”!
I thought it would be so much better to just explain things to my daughter, but I quickly found out you can’t reason with a toddler and they can outlast you!

7.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Lodi, California? Did you grow up in the local area?
The store is located in the Historic Downtown area of Lodi, with several blocks of boutiques, restaurants and antique shops. It’s a great place to stroll in the afternoon. I didn’t grow up here, but my sister moved here 20 years ago, and I followed her 7 years ago. I love the small town feel, and it really does fell like everyone knows everyone else.

8.    What are the hottest trends for kid’s clothes right now?
Skinny jeans and jeggings, but I am seeing a big turn back to skirts with leggings, especially for the older girls. Bright, fun colors and patterns with and anything with embellishments-lace, glitter, jewels, etc.

9.    Where are the best/essential family hangouts and places to go around your store location?
We have a movie theater down the street in one direction, a pottery arts painting place on the other side, and a Children’s Science Museum 2 blocks away, so families can spend a whole day downtown!

10.   What Le Top or Rabbitmoon Spring 2012 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
We love the Sun & Sea Collection with the bright colors, fish cut-out on the the back of the Capri set and tulle embellishments on the dress and bikini…so cute!

Zoop a Loop

Children’s Boutique & Party Place
21 Downtown Mall
Lodi, CA 95240
209.367.1444

 www.zoopaloop.com

CHECK-IN and JOIN
Zoop a Loop
Facebook page and click HERE

Read Full Post »

Favorite Children’s Books

After writing the post on “Raising a Reader,” I started to think about all the books my mom read to us when I was a kid. I, like any kid, definitely had my favorites. Instead of listing them all, I thought I would share some of my very favorites. It has been over 25 years since I read a lot of my childhood favorite books, and I now find myself browsing the local book store for them (once again) to share with my son. Some have been easier than others to find, as the children’s literature department has grown leaps and bounds. While seeking out for the ‘classics,’ I get excited to learn what the new children’s best-seller books are. Please let us know what your favorite books were as a child and what great new books you have found for your kids and grandkids!

Kristin’s Top 5 Children’s Books:

1. “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Very Hungry Bear” by Audrey and Don Wood
2. “The Pokey Little Puppy” by Janette Sebring Lowery
3. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
4. “Thingumajig Book of Manners” by Irene Keller
5. I love to help Mommy (really I don’t remember what name of the book is but that is what it was about. 😉

Read Full Post »

Snug as a Bug!

Butterfly Kisses and ladybug hugs…sleep tight little one like a bug in a rug” – author unknown

Judy Novininger has a passion for all things beautiful.  She shared her vision by opening an upscale gift boutique in the Camp Hill area of Pennsylvania named for Pennsylvania’s state bug – Lightning Bug.  In September of 2003, inspired by new grandchildren and the continuing quest to fill the need for wonderful gifts with a personal touch, a new entity ‘flickered’ to life – Baby Bug and Me. Six years later Baby Bug and Me is thriving in its new location on Market street just below the West Shore Farmers Market in downtown Lemoyne, Pennsylvania.

Baby Bug and Me has achieved Judy’s desired goal of excellence, recognized for four consecutive years as the winner of Harrisburg Magazine Reader’s Choice Award in the children’s clothing category.  First honored in 2005, Judy tells us that these awards have brought her wonderful and memorable moments.  The superb and extensive merchandise selection has propelled Baby Bug to the top of the accolades list.  Featuring shoes (Judy’s new favorite,) clothing (le•top is a best-seller in both girls and boys!) books, toys and more.  Judy enjoys selecting the Christening and Dedication outfits she offers for both boy’s and girl’s special day.  Phone orders are gladly accepted at this first-class boutique, as well as offering the ability to easily order basics for a child’s wardrobe at www.babybugandme.com.

All photos compliments of Annekatherinephotography.com

Judy is an involved member of the community as well, choosing a special charity to partner with each year, ranging from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation to the YWCA. This fall the leading collections at the store will be featured in the YWCA Power of Style Fashion Show, benefiting the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Center in Harrisburg.

Judy and her staff are accommodating and attentive to all their customers “little” needs. Take a short jaunt to the Lemoyne area, or just peruse their website, to be greeted by a friendly face, a caring staff and the best selection of baby and children’s items in the area.

Cute as a bug in a rug!

Baby Bug and Me
900 Market Street
(Inside the West Shore Farmers Market building – lower level)
Lemoyne, PA 17043
717.763.1780
www.babybugandme.com

Read Full Post »

Are You Sneaky Around Your Picky Eaters?

The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals (Paperback) by Missy Chase Lapine

I was always the picky eater in my family. Looking back, I honestly don’t know how my mom dealt! I never liked anything my parents put in front of me, especially vegetables (well, OK, I would eat Mac ‘n Cheese – but that was about it!). If I had it my way, it would have been cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
As I begin to think about having kids of my own, as well as watching friends and family raise their own picky eaters, I’m beginning to wonder how on earth I’m going to deal with a child who won’t eat what I put in front of them: Will I use the “3 bite” rule? Will I make them sit at the table until they finish (or at least try) what I’ve given them? I can’t imagine I’d just fix them something else? What will I do?!?
My friends don’t seem to be having much luck themselves, except, Sarah, who’s doing the hide-the-nutritional-stuff-in-their-food trick. There is actually a cook book out by Jerry Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, on doing just this. How fantastic! The book is called “Deceptively Delicious” and has an array of kid-friendly recipes that hide the “good for you” in regular food, like Mac ‘n Cheese and Brownies! There is another book I’ve seen called “The Sneaky Chef” with the same idea. For some reason, though, Cauliflower Eggs doesn’t sound that appetizing…
What have been your tricks to get your picky eaters to gobble down your Chef-tastic meals? Have you tried any of these books, and do their recipes really help?! Let us know, and by all means, PLEASE share your Picky Eater Recipes!

Read Full Post »

A San Francisco Event (Tonight): Kid Lit Drink Night!

Sorry I keep finding out about this stuff on the late-ish side! I hope there’s still time to make plans for attending this tonight, for those of you who are interested!

What: You’re invited to the third quasiperiodic Bay Area Kid Lit Drink Night!

Who’s invited: Everyone interested in children’s literature.
Publishers, agents, booksellers, librarians, authors, illustrators, etc.
All our favorite people.

Do: Tell all your friends. The more, the merrier.

Don’t: Come to pitch projects to agents or editors or show sample art to designers, etc.
This is a chance to *socialize* with others in the children’s book field.

When: Tuesday, February 17th / 6:00pm

Where: John Colins 90 Natoma St, SF. Cocktails are available at the bar, and people
are welcome to bring snacks, books, and gossip for sharing.

L’chaim, sante, cheers, etc.,
Melissa Manlove
Chronicle Children’s Group

Editor’s Note: If you have baby/kid related events in your community that you’d like to share with us on le•top blog, please let us know!

Read Full Post »