Proper Sun Protection & Kids

We all know the importance of sunscreen for both kids and adults — But, did you know that a recent study found that many Americans aren’t properly putting sunscreen on — either on themselves or their children?
 
“It only takes one severe sunburn to potentially double your child’s chances of getting melanoma later in life,” according to Andrea Cambio, MD, FAAD, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist in Cape Coral, Fla. 

The sun can be intimidating, but don’t keep your kids away and/or out of it – just follow these safe and fun tips!   

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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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JM’s Just for Children: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

Not “just for children,” but JUST TOO cute! Check out this week’s “Store Spotlight” with JM’s Just For Children in Bakersfield, California.  Molly Clifton, owner of JM’s Just for Children, tells us about the new meaning of “Home” for her customer’s kids and pre-choosing a child’s outfit the night before as a style strategy!

Visit Le Top’s Facebook and become a Fan to receive 
weekly “Store Spotlight” updates — Click HERE
(at the bottom right of the home page)

1.     What is one fact about your store that a typical customer wouldn’t know?
Molly: That I taught school for 15 years.  Teaching influenced me in the belief that the customer needs to be educated on why they are buying a product of this kind, and giving them friendly and knowledgeable service.  We are celebrating 31 years in September.

2.     What sets you apart as a successful children’s store?
Molly: Enthusiasm for the business.  Customer service has earned us 16 years of the “Best of Kern County” award.

3.     You probably have seen hundreds of mommies and daddies come through your store and hear them speaking with their children – what is the funniest or sweetest thing you have heard come out of a child’s mouth recently?
Molly: Everyday children cry when mommy takes them out of the play area to go “Home.”  Wanting to come to JM’s is the music to our ears.

4.     Are you a Bakersfield, California native? Describe the neighborhood your store is in for us.
Molly: I was born here, but did not live here until 1979.  My family started the first drug store in Shafter, California in 1919 which is a small town just North of here.  JM’s is in a strip center close to our only enclosed Mall.

5.     What type of clothing did you wear growing up as a kid? What tip would you give to a parent dressing a child?
Molly:  My girls were raised in this store, and now my granddaughters.  My tip to parents is ‘choose the outfit they are going to wear the night before, and then stick to it.’  It stops many arguments.

6.     If you could meet one celebrity mommy or daddy, who would they be and why, as well as what you like most about his or her style?
Molly: Well, I hope all of our customers are treated like celebrities.  I have found that most customers vary their taste.  In one purchase, you can have a twirly frilly dress and a Hurley T-shirt.

7.     As summer heats up – what is 1 tip you would give a parent on how to dress your child for the heat and what would a key closet staple be to dress him or her for the warm weather, i.e. a sun hat, tank top, linen shorts, etc.?
Molly: Le Top of course.  They have great hats and cool cotton.

8.     If you had one piece of advice for someone entering children’s retail today, what would it be?
Molly: Do your homework.  You need a good population base and don’t pre-judge your customer.  Make sure you have a variety and learn from your sales. What they say and what they buy, may be very different.

9.     What is your best or most memorable moment in your store?
Molly: Best moment for me is the JM’s Family.  Both Managers have been with us over 27 years.  Most memorable was when a car ran though the window when the elderly driver stepped on the gas instead of the brake.  He went through the entire store!

10.     What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line do you love from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection?
Molly: ‘Daisy Duck’ Collection! I sold out every piece!

JM’s Just for Children
930 Wible Road
Bakersfield, CA 93304
661.834.7277
www.jmsjustforchildren.com

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BABY, IT’S YOU: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

Oh BABY! Check out this week’s “Store Spotlight” with Baby, It’s You in Riverdale, NY.  Rose Ann Milo, owner of Baby, It’s You, tells us about her fun feng shui tactics in her store, embroidering heirloom items for kids and making it in the business for 34 successful years.

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

1.    What is your best or most memorable moment in your store?
Rose Ann: My grand opening party 34 years ago! All of my friends and family were there to support me.  It was happiness, and loving and caring people who supported me.

2.    What sets you apart as a successful children’s store?
Rose Ann: The uniqueness of a store and being able to walk a customer through an entire store and really know your product. After a customer shops, it’s good to individually wrap each item and personally deliver items throughout your neighborhood if necessary. We also hand paint anything that is wood and embroider anything with cloth. For example, for a “baby’s first birth” we embroider on a cute blankie or towel. A unique type of embroidery we offer at our store is when customers buy a christening slip or gown, we embroider the date to make it an heirloom that can be passed down through the generations.

3.    You probably have seen hundreds of mommies and daddies come through your store and hear them speaking with their children – what is the funniest or sweetest thing you have heard come out of a child’s mouth recently?
Rose Ann: What comes to my mind is that a lot of the children don’t speak, they just CRY. Ha!  There are so many babies coming into my store on a daily basis.

4.    Are you a Riverdale, New York native? Describe the neighborhood your store is in for us.
Rose Ann: Yes, I am a Riverdale native!  Hm, how would I describe our neighborhood? Riverdale is one of the most sophisticated places to live. We have the best schools and it is an amazing place for education. There is a great park that overlooks the palisades too. Overall, it is a city with a strong country feeling. You could go 2 blocks off the main road and you will feel like you are in the country.  I really love how it is a melting pot with all different walks of life.

Red Envelope and an Evil Eye

5.    What is one fact about your store that a typical customer wouldn’t know?
Rose Ann:  I had feng shui performed on my store for good luck and good sales!  I have a Chinese red envelope in the back of my store filled with rice for good luck too! I also have a crystal ball in the front of the store, along with an evil eye.

6.    What type of clothing did you wear growing up as kid? What tip would you give to a parent dressing a child? Do you have a picture of you as a kid you can share with us?
Rose Ann: When I was a kid, we wore uniforms at school and after school we switched into casual clothing. I remember on the weekend, we went to Manhattan to buy our coats and fancy clothes. My tip for any parent would be to NOT buy clothing that is too big. So many parents these days buy clothing that is swimming on their children. The parents buy too big to try and get a longer wear out of the clothing, but it just doesn’t look right!

7.    What is 1 tip you would give a parent on how to update your child’s wardrobe this summer?
Rose Ann: Buy 3 or 4 different outfits where you can mix and match them with basic colors.  Accessories can also change an outfit very easily – I always love adding a headband or belt to make the outfit look updated. 

8.    If you had one piece of advice for someone entering children’s retail today, what would it be?
Rose Ann: Walk away!  Just joking. In all fairness, in this economy it is very difficult to have a great childrenswear boutique. If you are established you are okay [for business], but even customers who have money in this economy want a discount!  But on a more positive note if you do want to start a store, make it as unique as possible and make it a full service store – walk the customer through the whole store, allow them to try any outfit on, and personalize the item. Make your store have things you can’t find on mass distribution type level like a Target. Wrapping is key!

9.    What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line do you love from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection?
Rose Ann: The ducky group [Daisy Duck Collection] is the BEST! Absolutely the best!

BABY, IT’S YOU
3727 Riverdale Avenue
Riverdale, New York 10463
718.548.1134
http://babyitsyou.net

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Chocolate Pattie Boutique: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

Paddycake…Paddycake…Baker’s man…HOLD the nursery rhyme song and check out this week’s “Store Spotlight” with Chocolate Pattie Boutique in Rockford, Illinois.  Pattie Crichton-Hill, owner of Chocolate Pattie Boutique, gives us an insider peek of pictures of her as a child and hand-me-downs, the importance of “making it your own” in the children’s industry, and her special baby due date calendar.

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

Not a fan of Chocolate Pattie Boutique yet on Facebook? Click here to visit their page and join!

1.      Have you always been interested in entering the children’s business?
Pattie: I studied mechanical engineering and have always loved math and art…life has taught me to keep an open mind to new opportunities that may not be part of the original plan.

2.      Are you a Rockford, Illinois native? Describe the neighborhood your store is in for us.
Pattie: I grew up in Rockford and went to southern California for college. After 11 years in So Cal, I moved home to be near my parents again. Chocolate Pattie is in a quaint neighborhood with a wonderful reputation and no big box stores. Many customers are thrilled when they don’t have to go to the mall.

3.      What type of clothing did you wear growing up as kid? What tip would you give to a parent dressing a child? Do you have a picture of you as a kid you can share with us?
Pattie: I am the 4th girl in my family. My dad had 5 sisters, 4 daughters, 4 granddaughters…and then I broke the streak when I had my son. My mom told me at one point I would not wear anything new (the hand-me-downs must have been very comfortable). If she could see me now surrounded by beautiful new children’s clothing! As a parent, I believe children crave structure…a choice between 2 outfits should be enough responsibility at any age.

Pattie as a child

4.      What is 1 tip you would give a parent on how to update your child’s wardrobe this summer?
Pattie: Hats are always fun and protect their young skin. Bracelets seem to be popular this year also.

5.      What is one fact about your store that a typical customer wouldn’t know?
Pattie: Shortly after opening the store, I was stunned at how many customers took me into their lives with their joys and sorrows. I write on my calendar when babies are due and quietly worry with them.

6.       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.
Pattie: I am impressed with the new generation who researches issues such as cloth diapers and then decide what will fit with their family’s lifestyle.

7.      What sets you apart as a successful children’s store?
Pattie: I listen carefully to my customers and do my homework on how brands vary. Customers realize I am in the store 95% of the time. When I shop, l tend to run from pushy sales people so I am constantly aware of my words so I do not push. For me, it is not all about making a sale.

8.      If you had one piece of advice for someone entering children’s retail today, what would it be?
Pattie: Make it your own because it won’t last long mimicking another business.

9.      You probably have seen hundreds of mommies and daddies come through your store and hear them speaking with their children – what is the funniest or sweetest thing you have heard come out of a child’s mouth recently?
Pattie: Many children think my name is Chocolate Pattie, not Pattie. I love to hear family members tell me the child asked to go to Chocolate Pattie to play. The play area makes everyone more comfortable and occasionally I get to play!

10.  What is your best or most memorable moment in your store?
Pattie: I am honored each time someone tells me their child or grandchild wore a Chocolate Pattie outfit for their milestone picture. I take pride knowing I choose every clothing and accessory line for my store. It makes me smile knowing those pictures will be around for a very long time.

11.  What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line do you love from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection?
Pattie: Daisy Duck Group – just when I think Le Top can not design another cute duck line, you do…

Chocolate Pattie Boutique
1676 North Alpine Road
Rockford, IL 61107-1415
815.316.2468

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Make Your Child’s Swimsuit Last with TLC

Emma learns to walk in her Le Top Daisy Duck swimsuit at the side of the pool!

Every kid’s swimsuit takes an awful beating during the summer from pool or beach play.  The fabric gets stretched out, water-logged, shocked by hot temperatures of a hot tub then pool, ground against sand and more! Give your child’s bathing suit some TLC and it will prolong the life and effectiveness of his or her swimwear. A little care will go a long way. Here are some quick tips:

Quick Rinse
When your child is done swimming, soak or rinse the swimsuit in tap water. This rids of sand, salt or chlorine.  Most beaches have showers or faucets for this purpose. Did you know that swimsuits with spandex turn yellow when exposed to chlorine?

Washing Machine?
Try not to put your bathing suit in the washing machine because it can be abrasive on the fabric and even causes pilling. It should only take less than 5 minutes out of your day to put it in the sink and hand wash it.  Make it a fun kids activity and teach them about how to wash their own bathing suit in the bathroom sink.  When washing, turn the bathing suit inside out to avoid damaging the outside.  Use a mild detergent and bleach is a NO-NO!

See the cute yellow bows and duck on the back of Emma’s Le Top suit while she catches up on summertime reading with daddy, Eric!.

Drying?
Wring the water out and its time to dry!  You can clip to an indoor clothesline or hang to dry outside. Try to avoid letting it dry outside all day because the UV exposure can fade colors.

Last Tip?
Tell your kids to be careful where they sit! Not only can the cement around a pool be hot on a child’s backside, but also pool edges and decks are rough on the fabric (even if it feels smooth). Try to place a towel underneath them before they sit down.

Check the links for more Le Top boy’s (ribbit, lots o’fish, and gone fishin’) and girl’s (tulip garden, lots o’fish, sweatheart butterfly) bathingsuits and monokinis. They are durable, bright and fashionable for any child at play in the pool or beach!

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Eat Wasabi!!!!

Sunday night our now FAMOUS photographer, Marcy Maloy, made her debut on The Amazing Race on CBS! I had such a great time watching and rooting for someone I personally know, it added a completely new and exhilarating dimension to a show that already puts me on the edge of my seat – I loved it!

Their first challenge was participating as contestants on a fictional “Japanese Game Show” in the center of Tokyo, Japan.  Marcy chose Ron, her partner, to scarf down a “Wasabi Bomb”, a seaweed wrapped cone filled with rice and about a 1/3 cup of straight wasabi!  To proceed in the challenge he had only 2 minutes to finish the “Wasabi Bomb”, but unlike some of the other contestants, he finished the first time around!!!  WAY TO GO RON!  Once they accomplished this task Ron and Marcy had to lead their assigned crowd of fans through Tokyo. Watching Marcy lead 20 Japanese Tourists reminded me of watching her work a photo shoot – full of energy, playing her harmonica and firing out directions.  I couldn’t help but yell at her through the screen- “Run Marcy RUN!!!!!” They finished the first leg of the race in 4th place!  WAY TO GO!!!!

le•top Daisy Duck monokini from the Spring 2010 Collection

Sunday night was the season premiere, a special two hour episode, so the program continued with the second leg of The Amazing Race, which took Marcy and Ron to Vietnam!  Marcy did a remarkable job of rounding up a gaggle of lively duckies and guiding them into a pen, but we all know that this is second nature to Marcy as she is always rounding up our “little duckies” to photograph!  In light of this great accomplishment, we couldn’t help but to reveal a sneak peak of our Spring 2010 Daisy Ducks Collection!

Stay tuned for more sneak peaks of the le•top spring 2010 line and Marcy and Ron’s adventures on The Amazing Race every Sunday night at 8:00 p.m.!

In case you did see the link above check out the video here.

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