Ooo, La La, let's have fun - tops from Catimini

Another great choice for colorful, fun, completely indulgent European childrenswear, is the french company Catimini. Without question, Catimini has some beautiful dresses and outfits, but this season I think the standout elements in their collections are the shirts and sweaters. If your kid slikes jeans or cords and a tshirt, and you don't like the more sophisticated, mini-me trend in childrenswear, Catimini has tops that will make a wardrobe feel truly special.

Personally I love some of the more sophisticated lines for kids, but I do think that one of the fun things about dressing children is that you can have fun with kids' clothes in a way that is sometimes hard to do with adult clothes. Catimini plays with bright, vibrant, gorgeous colors and patterns.

Many of my favorite pieces, shown here, are hard to find in the U.S., but if you hunt for Catimini, you're sure to find other great options. I think the charcoal peasant blouse (shown below), paired with just some regular jeans, is absolutely darling.

Another good thing about some of these European lines that are less focussed on trend and sophistication, and more on color, pattern and exuberance, is that the pieces are more timeless. I have saved all of my daughter's Catimini outfits imagining that she might hand them down to her own daughter. It seems to me that it's okay to buy trendy things for kids since, chances are, they will outgrow them after a season anyway. But the big benefit of these lines, is that you can generally buy last season's collection just as happily as you would purchase this seasons collection. If $78 for a blouse for your daughter makes you balk, the prices for past season clothes may be more palatable.

If you like buying online, selections from this season's collections are available at Izzy and Ash, Addy's Closet, Forest and Zoe, Everything but the Princess, Mon Petit Child, Zandino and Little Luna Blue. Forest and Zoe has a fairly solid selection of Catimini boys' clothes. Addy's Closet also has a terrific selection of spring/summer items on sale, as do Zandino and A Child's Closet. In fact, when I checked A Child's Closet, they were selling a beautiful white summer dress that originally retailed for $109, for $39.99. In addition to having summer merchandise, Little Luna Blue still has a few pieces left from last winter's collections. And Comfy Kid is even offering a slight discount on some current season pieces.

Coming up: where to go for basic bottoms

Something Special For Fall - It's a Cakewalk

For those of you who haven't really done your fall/winter shopping in earnest yet, I suggest starting out with a special purchase or two. It's always easy to fill in a wardrobe later with basics. If you start off with a few treasures, it will be easier to decide which basics you need to round out your child's wardrobe.

One of my all time favorite lines is back with a beautiful collection for fall. Cakewalk is a little expensive, but certainly not as pricey as it gets, and you're

sure to get good quality clothing that you can pass down so that you feel like you're getting your money's worth.

If your daughter is a pants person, they do offer

cute trousers to match their tops and sweaters, and they have some sweet dresses. Personally, I find the skirts and tights the most precious pieces in the collection. This season Cakewalk is offering tops in gorgeous and flattering shades of turquoise and purple, but if you're looking to save a few dollars, you can get the skirt, tights and perhaps the sweater (left) - Cakewalk makes wonderful sweaters - and pair it them with any shirt you want. A simple pink or white tee and you're pretty much good to go.

Cakewalk can be found online at www.littlelunablue.com, www.zandino.com, and www.everythingbuttheprincess.com, among others . Tights run about $30 a pair, skirts $76-$90 and tops $36-$52. The sweater shown above is $100. So, not cheap. But perhaps if someone is buying a special outfit as a gift .... Most of these sites have last season's collection on sale, so if you're willing to buy ahead, you might be able to score a good deal.

Back to School - Layers, Layers, Layers

I apologize too all of my readers for the unexpected summer hiatus in blog posts.  However, even though in New England we have only had summer weather for about a month, it is time to gear up for back to school, and that means time to shop for fall clothes.

There are some great skirts out there for fall.  They are such a perfect fall garment, since they can be adapted to any weather with the right layering.  And they work for girls of almost any age.  But I know I have a frustrating time with both skirts and dresses for my daughter once winter sets in.  Those poor little legs just get so darn cold, and she's sure she needs pants.  But this year tights and leggings have moved into a whole new dimension that makes it possible to wear skirts through the very coldest of winter days.  Long gone are the days of the simple straightforward tights.  My favorites are thick knitted footless tights.  They work with any shoe, and they're terrific for layering.  H&M has double packs in a variety of versatile colors and for the right price.  As temperatures head downward, you can layer the tights with knee socks and over the knee socks or with leg warmers -- or both -- and she's good to go.

If you're in for a splurge, Kenzo has some beautiful outfits for fall (check out www.littlelunablue.com and www.trendytogs.com).  However, an outfit will set you back a minimum of $125, so this is truly a special purchase (www.trendytogs.com is having an unbelievable summer liquidation sale right now where you can get Kenzo's gorgeous summer pieces for a pittance).  Another terrific splurge with a more rock and roll vibe is Lola and James (formerly Claude).  You have to hunt for this line, but I find it's definitely worth the work.  Check out their website for a list of online stores and stores in your area (www.lolaandjames.com).  At the other extreme, H&M has some fabulous items this fall.  My favorite is the purple satin and lace party skirt (also available in charcoal and hot pink) which is an absolute steal at $17.95.  My daughter will be living in this skirt!  Their Hello Kitty collection is also fabulous.

Of course there's plenty of middle ground too.  Appaman has a great cord punker skirt in a variety of colors for fall and retailing for $36 (www.picketfenceshadyside.com, www.izzyandash.com).  The cut of their long sleeved tees for fall is extremely flattering, sweet with a little gathering at the neck without being too sweet.  The ostrich in love tee ($32) is just brilliant (www.tuttibella.com, www.blackwagon.com).  Misha Lulu has also done an outstanding job for fall.  I'm dying over their jumpers ($64-66) and tees ($27-28), the perfect way to start fall with a heavy pair of rocker girl boots (www.littlelunablue.com

www.moppetfrocks.com or www.dragonfliesandladybugs.com).

So go to H&M, stock up on fingerless gloves, scarves and tights, grab some funky skirts and jumpers, and lots of socks, and bring on the layers.  It makes me wish I were eight again.  Fall is going to be fun!

high style from across the pond

For anyone who loves European childrenswear lines half as much as I do, but is daunted by the prices, now is the time to act.  I'm all about buying ahead or buying last season's lines on sale, especially if the clothes have enough edge and style to withstand the test of time.  Right now, two of my absolute favorite lines are IKKS and Kenzo.  IKKS reliably delivers beautiful, grown up clothes that even a picky tween will be happy to wear.  The colors are generally sedate and conservative, but the clothes are all style.  Kenzo, on the other hand, delivers prints like no one else.  Takada Kenzo is truly the master of beautiful floral patterns in exquisite color combinations.  Years later, as I look back over my daughter's wardrobe, the Kenzo pieces are favorites that continue to stand out.

Many online boutiques have now put their spring/summer collections on sale.  Even if your

child doesn't need any more clothes this season, it can be nice to buy ahead for next summer and know you have a really special outfit waiting.  Izzy and Ash (www.izzyandash.com) has spring/summer IKKS items on sale for 50% off.  The abolutely stunning funky type dress is $38, and can be paired with leggings ($23), or makes a perfect flowergirl or formal dress (on Izzy and Ash this is called the girl's basikks white sleeveless dress).  Also check out www.smugbaby.com, www.achildscloset.com and www.trendytogs.com.   

I'm dying to snap up the Kenzo turquoise striped sundress - the garden party striped collared dress - at www.trendytogs.com for $45.  It is simply and comfortable, but breathtakingly beautiful.  You can find some summer Kenzo pieces for a modest discount at www.achildscloset.com or www.zandino.com.  There is a terrific selection of Kenzo at www.littleskyechildrensboutique.com, however, it is not yet on sale.  Check in with them, because they have a number of great lines. 

Or you can get a jump on fall shopping by buying last fall's collection on sale.  Peach and Plum (www.peachandplum.com) currently has IKKS' pink denim skirt and shirt with puffed sleeves on sale ($28.40 for the skirt and $26.80 for the shirt).  Zandino (www.zandino.com) hasn't put the spring collection on sale yet, but has some great fall items at a discount.  Naturino Los Gatos (www.naturinolosgatos.com) has a great fall Kenzo sweater dress and matching tights on sale.

Apologies ... I got so excited about the girls' clothes, I completely left out boys.  Check back next week for European boys' designers (IKKS has an AMAZING boys' collection).

gwen stefani rocks out celebrity style

I am always surprised to find a celebrity clothing line that I really like.  I don't know why the whole concept seems so inherently wrong to me.  But of course some celebrities are in fact multi-talented, or at least have good taste and know how to work with the right collaborators.  Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson's women's line, Elizabeth and James, has some great pieces, and I really think Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. is fabulous. So it's no surprise that her Harajuku Lovers collection is as good as it is.  I just love the kids' tshirts.  The Japanese inspired graphics which feature "Gwen" and her back-up dancers (Angel, Love, Baby and Music), are cute and fun, and for those who care about these things, absolutely on trend right now.

This blog is a bit shorter than usual, since I think the clothes (primarily t-shirts) speak for themselves. The line is pretty focused and consistent.  I have liked some of the past season collections a bit better than the current one, so you may find it worth digging around on ebay.  The online selection otherwise is a bit thin, so I'm offering a fairly thorough list of websites that carry the line.  The selection is most extensive in sizes 2-6, or if your daughter fits in junior sizes.  Admittedly, at full retail the collection is on the expensive side but, as always, there are certainly bargains to be had.

Perhaps best of all, the same tshirts are available in women's sizes.  This is one instance in which I'm willing to do the mother-daughter thing ... however, I draw the line at actually wearing the same shirt at the same time.

Find online at:

www.tuttibella.com

www.theretrobaby.com

www.shopkitson.com

www.trenditikes.com

www.cutelittleclothes.com

www.izzyandash.com

www.jenklairkids.com

www.plumdenim.com

www.twirlkids.com

www.lalaling.com

www.maddiescloset.com

www.shopbabytrends.com

and a few pieces are online at Macy's and at Bloomingdales

ready for a swim? (part 2: boys)

It is certainly easier to find boys' swimwear that is suitable and provides coverage than it is to find girls'.  But by the same token, it can be harder to find boys' swimwear that is particularly cute and stands out from the crowd.  Gap and Old Navy are generally reliable and affordable, as is H&M, but you may have difficulty distinguishing your son from every other boy on the beach in his Gap swimsuit.

If you want your son to stand out, Charlie Rocket offers some fun swim trunks that are widely available in children's boutiques and online.  These can be paired with a t-shirt and your son is ready to go.  But I'm a big fan of the boys' board shorts paired with a rashguard top.  Let's face it, surfer and skate punk style is entirely on trend right now, so you can cover your son from neck to knee while he looks impossibly hip.  

Chasing Fireflies (available by catalog and online at www.chasing-fireflies.com) has some cute and unusual boys swim trunks and tops, but most of them are quite pricey.  If price is not a major impediment, I encourage you to check out the site (the eyes see swim trunks, pictured below, are $44 and are really too stinkin' cute).  Personally, I find that sometimes boys' swimwear is worth a little extra money since it's likely to last for a couple of seasons.

For a more moderate sum, Garnet Hill and Mini Boden are perfect.  Chances are you're not putting a fitted swimsuit on your older son, but for a toddler, Mini Boden's surf suit is absolutely adorable, and for $48 you get both the bottom and the top (and Boden is currently offering an additional 25% off).  While you're at it, why not get their towelling throw-on, simultaneously cute and edgy in a skull print. For an older child, Boden's rash vest ($26) and panel boarders ($28) come in three coordinated color ways.  Garnet Hill carries a very classic and handsome rashguard and swimtrunk set by Sun Busters (the top is currently on sale for $24 and the trunks are $29).  Or match the blue rashguard top with Speedo's graphic flame board shorts on sale at Garnet Hill for the low low price of $14.  But my absolute favorite of the boys' swimwear this season (available at Garnet Hill for $58 for the set) is the Cabana Life striped ship swim set.  The picture (above) does not do it justice.  With a zipper down the front of the rashguard top, sophisticated and very wearable colors, and a terrific graphic of a ship on the side of the leg, this set is truly fabulous.  In fact, although my youngest has plenty of hand-me-down swimwear for this summer, I think I have to cave in and buy it right now. 

correction on boys' swimwear

As promised, I did rush out to buy my son the Cabana Life suit as soon as I finished my post, only to find that Garnet Hill is sold out in all but a few sizes.  My apologies.  I really try not to do that.  So I wanted to let you know that Cabana Life still has plenty of sizes left on their own website at www.cabanalife.com.  While you're there, you might want to check out their other sets.  The anchor stripe swim set is equally cute, although red can be hard for a lot of kids to wear.  But the turtle swim set and the crab swim set are so great!!