ARTICLES

Fashion

Interview with Celebrity
Designer: Lisa Wu Hartwell


Lelli Kelly: Pretty in Pink

Top Ten Trends


Children's Fashion that Never Fades

Fashion Rules that Protect Little Girls

Children's Fashion Mimicking Adult Trends

Our Favorite Designer  
Kicks for Kids


Choosing a Color Palette for your child’s wardrobe

Fashionspired

Fashion Inspired Toys for Little Girls

Let's Take a Stroll

Skin & Hair

Earth Baby Organics:
Ensuring your Baby's
Healthy Skin


How to Keep Your Child's Skin Healthy and Baby Soft


When Hair Needs Some TLC, Go Shopping

Mixed Girl Hair

Generation Green

Fashionably Green

Ka-Kee Clothing

Itzy Ritzy Clothing

Shopping

20 under $20

Best Boutiques of San Francisco


Accessory Guide

It's in the Bag

Accessorize! Outfit any Style

Other Articles

Celebrities and Fashion Houses Enter Children's Clothing Market

Up and Comers of San Francisco: Appel & Frank's Stockings and Stilettos Event


         
Shopping

20 Items Under $20
Meredith Craig de Pietro
 
     
In these recessive times, it's important to note that great products do not always mean an expensive price tag. Here are 20 superb items that will make your child jump for joy…no Disneyworld trip necessary!

For any tiny dancer, a ruched ballet tee is appropriate. This one by Garnet Hill ($20) is made of eco-friendly cotton. This Candy Pink Daisy headband ($15) available online at Baby Skye Boutique is a darling replacement for hair on any bald girly tot.

             

Young fashion followers want the latest denim. Pair these 77 Kids Sunflower Skinny jeans ($19.50) with tees or a sweater for winter, and they'll be well loved and worn in by spring.

           

Fringe is in! These Minnetonka Velcro Moccasins are perfect for your stylish baby boy or girl and come in a variety of colors including brown, pink and red. Available on Shoes.com ($18.99).

These classic Chuck Taylor Converse are a staple among all ages. You can pick them up in a variety of colors for your infant or toddler ($19.99) on Shoes.com. Crazy 8's Metallic Dot Skirt ($18.50) is just like Mommy's! Your little stylista will be the center of attention at your holiday party.

             

Get in on the fun with this affordable TG Plaid Shimmer Jumper ($12.99) available at Target. The dark plum plaid is a top trend, and the feminine bow is a pretty detail.

The adorable long-sleeved dot dress and matching button down two-tone sweater by Circo are gems. A steal for both pieces (about $20) now at Target. With a touch of bo-ho chic, these are great paired with a turtleneck and leggings. A soft cotton long sleeve bodysuit by Tea Collection ($20) is gentle on a baby's skin.

           


Bring out your inner Snoop Dog with these velvet slippers, the ultimate in luxury. They are hand sewn in Italy, yet an incredible steal (on sale for $14.40) and can be worn indoors and out. Ralph Lauren's polo shirts (on sale for $20 at Bloomingdales) are classic wardrobe pieces that last.

             

Any way you slice it boys love dinosaurs. The Insulated Stegosaurus Lunchbox by Crocodile Creek ($14.95) is stylish and easy to clean.

                              
Skull motifs are old news, but this Flying Pea Skull Bib http://www.flyingpeas.com/bibsnburpcloths.html ($18) has an international spin, which is perfect for the well-travelled tot.

                               
 
Join the funny farm with this edgy Gallo Polo Shirt (on sale for $19) with a rooster graphic. http://www.milkshop.com/Store/Detail/tea-collection-gallo-polo-deep-gold_4922_617.asp

                               

These American Apparel California Fleece Pants ($18) will go from a wild play date to an intense karate class and still look good at naptime. http://store.americanapparel.net/5100.html

                                

Trapper caps are definite must haves this season. This Buffalo Plaid Trapper by 77Kids American Eagle ($19.50) is fleece lined with fake fur earflaps that will keep little heads warm and still look cool.
http://www.ae.com/77kids/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat2110014&productId=prod3540007


                                

Vans Classic Slip Ons ($18) are a timeless skateboard trend. Pick up a pair on sale at Zappos for a pretty penny for your rad infant.
http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722061222/ order_by/price_asc/price/1/page/1/bar/1.html

                              
Adults can rock out to their favourite classic songs, while the children are being rocked to sleep with Rockabye Baby collection http://www.blueribbongeneralstore.net/1864-p-Baby_Kids.html ($18).

                              

It’s a cashmiracle! Cashmere one pieces usually cost a bundle, but these onesies are deeply discounted at Pottery Barn Kids (on sale for $19.99).
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/fc128/index.cfm?pkey=cgirls%2Ddresses%2Dpants%7Cb

                              
                               

This French Rib Half-Zip Pullover from Old Navy (19.50) definitely has a European flair. The stripes are a touch soccer hooligan, but the subdued colors say rowing team.
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=36788&pid=611712&scid=611712022

                              
       

Best Boutiques of San Francisco  
Meredith Craig de Pietro  
 
Acara Mia Magazine scoured the city of San Francisco to find the best baby boutiques, carrying the latest and greatest in fashionable childrenswear. Quickly becoming an internationally-known fashion mecca, San Francisco was the first stop in a nationwide search. Below are our picks of top children’s boutiques that will have everyone asking if your dear one has his/her own personal stylist.
     
Jean et Marie- La Boutique pour Bebes
 1775 Union St. (between Octavia & Gough)
San Francisco, CA   94123
(415) 563-9200
www.jeanetmariesf.com
 
Jean et Marie, a high-end boutique on Union Street in San Francisco, is a staple among San Francisco's savvy moms and grandparents. Jean et Marie has been in the city for eight years and specializes in unique apparel and gifts for children, infant to 8-years-old. The store carries exclusive European brands including Catimini, Jean Bourget, Marese, La Petite Ourse, Miniman, Clayeux, Petit Lem, Kaloo, and Lelli Kelly. New owners, Catherine and Matt Taylor, have continued the tradition of elegant shopping in a chic environment. It's a one-stop shop for baby shower gifting, moms looking to dress to impress, and grandparents that want to give only the best.
     
 
Bubble
3108 Fillmore St. (at Pixley St.)
San Francisco, CA  94105
(415) 771-0570
www.gotbubble.com
 
Sisters-in-law, Anna Arzhintar and Marina Levy, opened this 1,200 square foot contemporary children's lifestyle boutique in Cow Hollow in 2006. Since then, Bubble (a celebrity hotspot) has been providing parents with hip fashion finds, gifts, and toys for infants, toddlers, boys and girls up to size 14. Look for brands like Splendid, Ed Hardy, True Religion and Harajuku Lovers. They've got a great selection of trendy tees and onesies: vintage tees by Made You Look, retro styles by Baby Rock, and concert tour t-shirts by Trunk. Bubble also hosts birthday parties in their spacious backyard, where budding designers can embellish a hat, string jewelry, or create masks.
     
 
Honeys & Heroes
3366 Sacramento St. (between Walnut & Presidio)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 567-6780
www.honeysandheroes.com
 
Alanna Klein's philosophy behind her boutique, Honeys & Heroes, is finding unique, hip and fashionable children's clothes at an affordable price. Her background at Gap, Old Navy and Macy’s Kids is apparent in the store's stock of hip trends and unique looks for kids who want to create their own personal style. Known for top-notch customer service, sales associates will call when new merchandise arrives specific to your child’s taste! They carry popular brands like Miss Sixty, Quiksilver, and Ella Moss, as well as emerging designers like Munster, Wait, Idat, Bees and Dragons, LA Made and Lemon to encourage individualized mixing and matching for babies, girls and boys.
     
 
Fiddlesticks  
508 Hayes St. (between Octavia & Laguna)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 565-0508
www.shopfiddlesticks.com
 
Fun and fresh, Fiddlesticks offers up delightful finds that will make your children smile. Whimsical prints and unique accessories are also beautifully well crafted at this store. Whether funky, spunky, or classic there's something for any young personality. Choices include top brands like Neige, Kit + Lili, Oeuf, and Livie and Luca. This is where to find original gifts and apparel, which you will never see anywhere else. 
     
 
Small Frys
4066 24th St.  (between Castro & Noe)
San Francisco, CA  94114
(415) 648-3954
www.smallfrys.com

Small Frys has been outfitting San Francisco newborns, toddlers, and children since 1984. Carol Yenne, the owner, carries a wide selection of California-made brands, including Cach-Cach, Sweet Potatoes, and their own tie-dye line of tees for tots.  Plus, they feature a large selection of other lines like Osh-Kosh B'Gosh, Cakewalk, and 3 Pommes for preemies to seven years old. Also, great gifts like Bob Marley rompers, baby bjorns or musical mobiles can be found. 

     
 
Mabuhay 
1195a Church St. (at 24th St.)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 970-0369
www.mabuhaykids.com
 
Mabuhay (pronounced Ma-Boo-Hi) is a Filipino greeting that means "long life."  This lovely boutique provides organic clothing, toys and accessories for children. Camille Guerrero Seiberling is passionate about finding unique gifts and handmade treasures to stock the store. These eco-conscious brands include Kate Quinn Organics, Jasper Hearts Wren, and Smallville. Toys include tiny pianos, plush bowling ball sets, and hand painted French pails. These items will turn into childhood keepsakes for all your favorite youngsters.