Papillon: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We at Le Top always get excited about another premier retailer joining our family of fabulous stores that carry our clothing. We had the privilege of interviewing store owner, Lisa Newberry, about her cool style and being a young mom with one of the hippest boutiques in Southern California. Read more about her store, her inspiration, and parenting advice.

1.    What was the inspiration behind the name Papillon?
Lisa: Papillon, means butterfly in French. This is very significant to me because when my Grandmother Lois passed away, whenever we’d see a white butterfly, we’d know that Grandmomie was there with us. When I first decided to open Papillon, I remember seeing a white butterfly floating around me for several days leading up to my signing on the dotted line. Since then, 4 years later, I still see the white butterfly and still feel her support, just as she supported me throughout my childhood.

Papillon is a wondrous insect that symbolizes new life.  They’re vibrant, brilliantly colored, carefree and very unique. This is how I would describe a child. This is how I would describe Papillon…a unique children’s boutique!

2.    Describe the neighborhood where your store is located. Did you grow up in the local area? Is it the same as it was growing up?
Lisa: Papillon is located in Marina del Rey, CA. Marina del Rey is an upscale beach city that borders on the areas of Venice, Santa Monica, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. I grew up in Santa Clarita, California but since graduating from UCLA (a few years ago), I’ve moved around a bit, but always managed to make my way back to the Marina. It’s a beautiful community to raise a family, go for a walk, ride a bike, eat out and of course, shop.

3.    Spring break is coming up in the next few months – with Southern California always being on the warmer/sunnier side, what are 3 vacation essentials a parent should buy for their child’s wardrobe? For a boy or girl…
Lisa: Three vacation essentials a parent should buy for their child are:

• a floppy hat
• white linen or organic cotton pants or dress (with a light sweater for layering)
• and flip flops or a neutral color tennis shoe.

Oh, and of course 2 -3 swimsuits. I’ve found that when we vacation, the most important thing on Sasha’s agenda is to be in the water; whether it’s a pool or the ocean. She could careless about what she wears any other time. As much as we want our kids to look fashionable at all times, it matters more that they are comfortable, fuss free, and can spill an ice cream sundae on whatever they’re wearing without us moms stressing out about it. Did I mention I’m a stress case/Virgo sometimes when it comes to being a mom? 🙂

4.     Let’s talk Southern California…where are your favorite family hangouts?
Lisa: My family and I live in Marina del Rey, so we have the luxury of biking down to Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier on a whim.  What we love most though, is to do family dinners and BBQ’s at the house with all of our cousins, parents, everybody! If we do go out, we love 26 Beach (huge burgers that Sasha LOVES), Cheesecake Factory (great outdoor seating on the Marina where kids can play in the sand & on the jungle gym), or the local bowling alley, where we all, as a family, can enjoy hours of silly fun. Of course that doesn’t mean I win, but we still have a blast!

Owner of Papillon, Lisa Newberry

5.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Lisa: Before I became mommy to Sasha, almost 9 years ago, I swore I’d never make her wear something she didn’t want to wear.  When I was growing up, I hated wearing dresses. But I didn’t have a choice. Of course now, I love dressing up in fancy, hip, unique clothes, including a tutu that Sasha & I both love to rock sometimes when we go out. Sasha doesn’t particularly like to wear dresses, or pink, but if she can add her own little style & flair, then all is good.

6.    Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Cupids and all, would you dress your little girl or boy in for Valentine’s Day?
Lisa: I love all holidays…Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, birthdays, and the tooth fairy. Valentines Day is just another excuse to do something fun with my daughter (and of course my significant other). I’d dress Sasha in a red or pink tutu (well, since she hates pink, let’s go with red), leggings, converse and a rocker tee shirt. She’s a tomboy, I’m a musician, so this would be a nice compromise for both of us.

7.    With all of the celebrity pregnancies going on from Natalie Portman to Kate Hudson to Nicole Kidman’s surprise baby….which celebrity mommy would you want to meet and why?
Lisa: What’s funny is, just last weekend, I met a mommy-to-be that I’d been wanting to meet for a while – Denise Boutte. She plays Dr. Sasha Brown on “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.” I always enjoy Denise’s acting and she has a style that is fierce that I’m sure she’ll carry on to her daughter, who is due to arrive in April. My daughter’s name is Sasha Brown. Denise said to us, “The real Sasha Brown.” What fun it was for Sasha and I to meet her. She was so pleasant and appreciates things that are unique and fabulous. I’m sure she’ll be a regular at Papillon and she’s going to love Le Top!

8.    Any special events or fun New Year traditions that you have planned at your store for the next few months?
Lisa: Every month at Papillon, we offer special events, such as book readings & signings, jewelry making parties, trunk shows, holiday bazaars, mom’s night out events, Monday Madness days and more.  Shopping at Papillon is always a fun and unique experience!

9.    Tell us your best parenting tip you know or would want to give to a new parent.
Lisa: As a parent of an 8 year old, I still feel like I’m learning…from my parents, my friends and my twin brother and sister-in -law who are parents of 5 children – 4 under the age of 12. BUT, I will say I have learned that parents should be patient with their children and realize that no matter how young they are, they are still individuals and have their own little mind about certain things like what they want to eat, decorating their room, how to fix their hair and of course, what to wear. As a storeowner, and a fashionista since I was a young girl, it can be a challenge at times, but realizing that Sasha has her own style and flair has made me appreciate fashion even more. It just makes things more fun having Papillon, and makes it more challenging for me to find unique lines (like Le Top) that she actually enjoys wearing.

10.    What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line or Rabbitmoon do you love from the Spring 2011 or Fall 2010 collection?
Lisa: Le Top Baby is a new line for Papillon.  When I first saw it in the showroom and online I just had to have it. It’s fabulous! We’re looking forward to launching it this Spring!

Papillon
4712 ½ Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310.301.1711
papillonkids@verizon.net
http://www.papillonbaby.com/

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Get Sassy!

Rylee & Reece Store Front

Krista Hunt is a savvy and sassy mom!  After welcoming her first child, a daughter Rylee – and while expecting a second just 1 year later, her son Reece – she had a fabulous idea…to open a chic little boutique that would specialize in unique and trendy childrens’ fashion, au courant nursery décor and the coolest in baby gear!  Quite a year we would say!  Her mother Phyllis, obviously a grandmother with plenty of joi de vivé jumped right in with her fashion loving daughter and their store rylee & reece was born.

Pedicures all around!

Krista and Phyllis have a unique store – because it has something that no one else in Wichita, Kansas can boast – a Party Room!  Within rylee & reece is a special area that can host parties for up to 30 people – a really unique venue for birthday parties, baby showers and recently something even more special – their “Pamper Me Back to School” event!  Over one week’s time they had over 125 little girls between the ages of 3 to 12 years old arriving to be ‘pampered!’  The little ‘mini-spa’ treatment included a soak for their feet in a bin of bubbling water, light massage and having their toes painted. Next they received a facial with cucumbers for their eyes. In addition, they soaked their hands before their nails were polished – between Krista and her mom Phyllis, assisted by two teenage helpers Karly and Ashley they painted over a thousand fingers and toes!  The ‘pampered’ girls were served cheese, crackers and grapes along with pink lemonade.  Krista reports that smiles abounded and that everyone had tons of fun!  The moms and grandmothers enjoyed shopping the unique and extensive selection of fashions – all carefully chosen by Krista.

Getting pampered!

The comments about rylee & reese on the Grandparents.com website state:

“Sometimes you just want to indulge your grandchildren, particularly the young ones… Take your time, take your checkbook, and take your grandchildren for the coolest couture in town!”

Krista and Phyllis have some great events planned for the future, including a mother daughter tea, a fashion show and a holiday pampering event – complete with hot chocolate with peppermint sticks and a dress code of comfy P.J.’s!  Krista’s sister-in-law Heather does the marketing for the store – making this 2 year old business a real family affair. What a fun place to visit!  You can also visit them online at their cool website www.ryleeandreece.com.

rylee & reese
2939 North Rock Road
Suite 140
Wichita, Kansas 67226
316-260-1988
krista@ryleeandreece.com
phyllis@ryleeandreece.com

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Teeny Tiny Baby Pockets…Fashion or Function??

We love questions that make us stop and think…why do we do that?  One of our wonderful retailers, Jacquie at In Fashion Kids, posed a question that new moms ask – “Why do baby clothes have pockets?”  It’s a great question!  TC (Human Resources Manager, blogger and mom) organized a little ‘round table discussion’ with our fabulous designers here at le•top – we thought you would love to hear some excerpts explaining their creative reasoning.

Marykate – le•top baby Head Designer and mom
“I love little pockets on baby clothes, because it gives me another place to put embroideries and appliqués…and where else would they keep their pacifiers?”

 Pat – le•top Head Designer, mom and grandmother
“That’s a funny question, isn’t it? I think designers put pockets on baby clothes as a design element, because most people like to dress their babies in clothes that mimic older fashions. If you left the pockets off of little boy’s pants for instance, the pants might look like they were missing something because we are used to seeing them there!

Rolando – rabbitmoon Head Designer 
“There are several reasons to put pockets on baby clothes. One of the main reasons is to show gender difference. You design rounded pockets, and sure enough the outfit looks girly.  Then you make a square pointy pocket and the outfit looks a little more boyish.  Another reason for pockets is to make a statement that says “I care,” even if the pockets are useless. You care for the babies and want to make them look like we do – “little persons.” I have no children but I am sure that if I did I would want to make them feel like they are part of me and they are no different.”

Elena – le•top baby Assistant Designer
“I think the whole “mini-me” concept is right on. The clothes we design at le•top are not only functional, but also fashionable. In fashion clothes don’t always have to “make sense” – they are meant to inspire, influence, delight, or humor. Baby clothes are meant to be adorable. Pockets, embroideries, ears, and soft fabrics are all a part of that warm, “Awwww, that’s so cute” feeling you get from looking at baby clothes.”

Anna – Technical Designer and Design Room Manager
“Pockets are essential for baby clothing so they have that extra cushion to fall on. ☺ Pockets on baby clothing are great for a game of hide and go seek. You can hide a toy in the pocket for your baby to find. Pockets are also known as ‘Baby’s First Bank’ – whenever your family and friends give your baby money, they are great for safekeeping!”

Sarah – le•top Assistant Designer
“I think babies need clothes with pockets because it’s adorable when they’re dressed up as little adults. When I have a baby, I plan on dressing him up like a grandpa: argyle vests, brown velcro shoes, newsboy hats, and cords with pockets!!! Everything is so much cuter when it’s smaller!”

Marice – Assistant Designer and mom
“Little pockets are just right to add interest to a garment.  Yes, if you think about it, it is silly to put pockets on a newborn garment because they are not really used by the baby, but I think they are so commonplace that they are accepted.  Here’s a thought…Does anyone question the tiny patch pocket they sometimes put on the sleeves of women’s t-shirts?  They don’t even have a flap, so they’re not really functional either!”

TC – HR Manager and mom
“Why pockets? Kids love them! My daughter can’t get enough of them. She sticks her hands in them whether they’re on the shirt, pant leg, or on the hip then, she makes sure that everyone else knows about her pockets. I regularly find chap stick, hair clips, rocks, keys, and change in her pockets. She likes to stand with both hands in her pockets and look like a grown up. Hooray for pockets!!!!”

Now that you’ve heard from our designers and staff, we’d love to hear from you! Do you prefer clothes for your children with pockets? Why? What treasures have you found in your children’s pockets?

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Reverie Baby

Where would we be without friends? We are so fortunate to work with retailers who are wonderful partners in business – and even more privileged when we can call some of these wonderful people our friends!

Reverie Baby welcomes you!

We wanted to share pictures and information about one of our “best friend’s” beautiful store – Reverie Baby, located in Santa Rosa. This part of California is home to beautiful countryside, fabulous wineries and one very distinctive children’s boutique! The owners – Eva and Arnie Levine – are very special people. They operated stores that specialized in fine linens for over 35 years – and just when they began to consider retirement, they happened upon the idea of opening a children’s specialty boutique. The store has been open for 5½ years, and is located adjacent to their linens store, Reverie Linens, in Montgomery Village Shopping Center. I don’t want you to get any mistaken ideas about Eva and Arnie being ‘ready for the rocking chair’ – when we go out to dinner they can “out-party” me!  Everyone needs friends who work hard…and know how to have fun!

Arnie with his friendly smile, ready to help

Their beautifully merchandised store specializes in clothing for children in sizes newborn to toddler – and is known by some as “Grandma Heaven!” Arnie tries to buy merchandise that is ‘special’ – and would appeal to moms and grandmothers who are looking for the classic baby outfit or gift. The moms especially love playwear that is unique – but never ‘over the top!’ Reverie Baby offers beautiful gift wrapping, and for years had one ‘signature paper’ – only the ribbon colors would differ. They have now added choices in gift wrap, because at baby showers in the area all the gifts would be wrapped in identical wrap! A gift from Reverie Baby is cherished and valued as something truly special and exceptional.

We asked Arnie, “What is the key to your success?” I loved his answer, because it is fundamentally simple – yet so difficult to achieve: “Everyone comes in my store happy, and they always leave happy.” The staff at Reverie Baby always greet you with a genuine smile and have excellent product knowledge – so nice, when compared to many retailers these days. We love Arnie’s philosophy, maybe THAT’S why he is our good friend!

Reverie Baby at Montgomery Village, 2406 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. Click on photos to shop Reverie Baby online.

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The Gift of Grandchildren…Grandsons of Our Heart

Nicholas and Dylan planting tulip bulbs

What magic of heart, soul and just serendipitous or fateful good fortune gives us the gifts that make life so abundant and fulfilling? Way back at Christmas time, Paul and I received a wonderful gift…Nicholas and Dylan (the grandsons of our heart) surprised us by planting beautiful red cyclamen in the bed by our pool. When we returned from Hong Kong, the color in the drab winter months was fabulous! Of course there was a great story that went along with their gift; Dylan (the younger, less ‘careful’ of our wonderful boys) somehow managed to fall in the pool! Needless to say the water was VERY cold back in December!

Nicholas and Dylan (in towel) after the planting and a little swim

This month we had our second ‘surprise’ gift – under the winter cyclamen the boys had planted tulips! This month they all popped up – a true riot of color!  I LOVE tulips – they are such ‘happy’ flowers! Last Sunday Nicholas and Dylan were visiting, along with my grandsons Otto and Wade.  Everyone was admiring the beautiful tulips when…SPLASH! Dylan, “never” vigilant, stepped backwards into the pool…again! Otto came in the house to tell us what had happened, but he was laughing so hard he couldn’t even talk!

When I look out my window I see bright beautiful tulips, and relive the laughter  — but, mostly, I feel enormous gratitude to the winds that blew such cherished people into our lives.

Spring tulips, beautiful and riotously colorful, just like their gardeners!

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le•top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did NOT say that!

Otto thinks about jail

My grandson, Otto, recently had an outing with his other grandmother – Nana. As they drove down the street, the ever-observant Otto noticed a parked police car, facing traffic, with a radar gun pointed at oncoming cars.

Otto: That policeman was pointing a gun at us.
Nana: That was a radar gun, so he could find out if someone is speeding.
Otto: What would he do?
Nana: He might give the person speeding a ticket.

Long silence…

Otto: Then what would happen?
Nana: They might have to go to jail.

Another long silence…

Otto: What is jail?
Nana: It is a place you go until the judge sees you in court.

Very long silence…

Otto: Is it the same as a hotel room with a fruit basket?

Obviously Otto has stayed in nice hotels…

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A Favorite Dress for a Day with Grandma

Lilah playing at her great aunt's backyard in a most favorite dress from rabbitmoon

This weekend, my daughter wore the cap-sleeved short dress with tiered skirt from the soleil collection (rabbitmoon spring 09). It was a special occasion that day, as she was going to her great-aunt’s house with her grandma. I tend to save my favorite clothes for those types of occasions, so the dress was just the ticket. The soft yellow brings out the highlights in her hair. The design and patterns are absolutely adorable, and the fabric is incredibly soft. When my husband and I got home that evening around 10pm, Lilah was still going strong. She was prepped for bed in her jammie pants, but I noticed she still had on her soleil dress. My mother-in-law explained that when she went to change her, Lilah threw a fit. She did not want to take it off, so she just let her wear it. Actually we let her wear it all the next day too. I can’t believe that it stayed clean enough that we could leave it on her.

Remembering back to the last time she wore it, she had a very similar reaction. I could barely keep clothes on her that day, so I asked her just to try it on to see if it fit. Once I put it on her she didn’t take it off all day. That is practically a miracle in our house. I’m very proud to show my daughter off in any of our le•top and rabbitmoon clothes. People always tell me how beautiful they are, and all I can do is agree. We do make beautiful clothes!

Just in time for spring! Click photo to see the entire soleil collection from rabbitmoon

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Cement Slide Memories

Seeing my grandson on the cement slide the other day not only made my heart smile at his joy, but also brought back some great memories of my own fun times there. Hmmm, should I confess? During high school, everyone had to be out of the park by nightfall – yeah, right! One night, when I am SURE I was not even supposed to be in the vicinity, a bunch of my friends and I decided to pay a visit to the park. Of course we just HAD to go down the slide (we actually kept a roll of wax paper in the car – to make our ride faster)! The new fad at the time was wearing ‘petti pants’ under your skirt – something like a slip, only with legs (okay, giving away my age again!) – back then, girls mostly wore skirts. My mom had just given me new petti-pants that were so pretty – pale yellow fine cotton, with lace trim. So, here I am, at the slide, with my brand new petti pants – now what??? I can’t pull up the petti pants…so I just hitched up my skirt and rode the slide with those! I ripped out the whole back side, and caught some SERIOUS trouble the next day – there was ABSOLUTELY no way to explain what happened to my new, cherished piece of clothing without admitting to our very late night trip to the park! Man, oh man – was mom mad! But truth be told – it was so fun, it was worth it!

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100% Spoiled by Grandma

Miranda in Bloomin' Beauty. (Click on the image to see more from this le•top collection.)

After a day spent with Grandma, I picked up my daughter to find this bright pink and purple hair attachment clamped to the back of my daughter’s head. “What in the heck is that?!” My mom replied, “Well, we were at the mall, and she saw a girl wearing it, and we asked where she got it from, and well, Miranda really liked it, so I bought it for her.”

Other things that my mom has gotten for my daughter are:

• Hannah Montana crayons
• High School Musical pens
• Letting her get her nails done (in very light pink so I wouldn’t see it right away… sneaky!)
• DVDs (claiming that she doesn’t have DVDs at home)
• Sugary snacks such as chocolate covered pretzels, Dora yogurt and Hello Kitty cookies (claiming that mommy doesn’t get her good snacks)

I rolled my eyes and sighed, and thought about the days when I was a little girl and my mom refused to buy such sassy things. She always gave me the response, “If your friend jumped off a cliff, would you jump off, too?” Of course, now that she has a granddaughter who wants all these trendy things, my mom doesn’t even bat an eye. She gets it for her in a snap!

I wonder if I’ll be doing the same when I have grandkids. Probably. I guess it’s easy to spoil grandchildren than it is your own children.

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Same-Same: and Oh, So Different!

I think every mother of multiple children has asked the question, “Why are my children so different from each other?” Oh, you could go into a whole discussion about genetics versus environment – first child syndrome, middle child syndrome – and “baby of the family” syndrome – but, as a mother, and now a grandmother, I staunchly believe that every child is born with a unique personality – and that no matter the other influences, this personality will conquer all in the long run.

My two grandsons – Otto and Wade – are perfect examples of “personality will win out in the end!” Otto (age 4 – brown hair and beautiful brown eyes) is always a little bit careful, requiring explanations of what is happening, why it is happening and what will happen next. He is very social – gregarious to the point of distraction at times, yet cherishing his time that is uninterrupted by his younger brother Wade. On the other hand, Wade (age 21 months – white blonde hair and startling blue eyes!) goes about oblivious to any perceived danger. He marches to some unheard drummer – and really does not seem to care if he communicates this tune to anyone! A fearless climber, he has already had a hairline fracture in his leg (sliding off a bed) and a dislocated elbow (who knows what happened…) – and yet he continues to challenge the odds and strives to defy gravity whenever possible. Their mother, my daughter Betsy, tries very hard to keep a constant eye on Wade – but somehow he manages to slip through and find mischief whenever possible. The photos of Otto and Wade demonstrate their differences:

• Wade eating the ice cream he had purloined from the freezer, all on his own, with a spoon he managed to extract from the kitchen drawer. The back view of his T-shirt says it all!
• Otto – sequestered away in a special place they set up for him in the attic – working away on his Star Wars Lego models – happy that Wade is not “messing up his stuff!”

We love them equally – and maybe their differences make it easier – because we will never mix them up!

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