Editor's Note: Reporter's Notebook is a regular feature to keep retailers and buyers up to date with our sponsors' news.

APPAREL

The boys' sportswear collection RECCO S was selected as one of 12 emerging lines to participate in "Chicago is Red Hot Fashion Show" in October during Chicago's Fashion Week. During the event, a reporter from WCIU-TV interviewed several of the designers; Mary Landaverde of Recco S was one of the them. "As a boys' line uniquely inspired by World Cup Soccer, we blend sport and fashion together to offer something different in boys' apparel," says Landaverde.

Jen Bright-Fathi, who designs the BUNNY & BEE and LITTLE THIEVES collections with her husband Faez, is thrilled with the reaction to their latest spring/summer 2008 lines. "We've revamped our girls' collection so it's fresh, funky, more edgy and character-based this time around," she says, "and Little Thieves features new funky-vibe characters. The feedback has been amazing." The Fahti's have added Manhattan, Brooklyn, Aspen, Miami, Seattle, Bel Air and Venice, CA, to the roundup of cities with retailers carrying their garments. (The new lines of onesies, tees and hoodie sweatshirts, all custom printed and made in the U.S.A. fit sizes 3 months to 4T and wholesales for $14-$25.) Contact Fahti at 415 312-2542.

The funky girls' collection MY VINTAGE BABY has spawned a brother "J", a boys' line with the same vintage appeal. The collection is "targeted to pierce an untouched sector within the industry by delivering truly unique apparel for young boys," says Lauren Calhoun, a spokesperson for the company. "J" is sized to fit 12 months to 8 years. Wholesale prices are $12 to $40.

The market for funky T-shirts continues to grow. To sate retailer demand, a new company RUSTY BUMPER has sprouted with a line of offbeat tees. "The collection of personalized onesies and lap-tees are different from the typical monograms with the addition of metallic thread and hip colors such as brown and black," says Anne Norton who founded the line. The hip designs wholesale at approximately $12 and fit NB to 18 months.

Beth Miles of SES PETITES MAINS, a relative newcomer to the kids' market, is a do-gooder as well. Order the Grace dress from her charming collection during the months of November and December and 20 percent of the sale will be donated to the educational programs at Slide Ranch, a nonprofit teaching farm located near Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The programs help children understand the connection to the earth through healthy food and living and environmental awareness. Order the dress through shoporangebutton.com. More news, Miles has increased the size range for the Fall 2008 collection up to size eight.

Buyers were in a bit of a panty panic when SKIVVYDOODLES/MY BOY SAM discontinued their popular girls' underpants and boys' briefs. After a two-year hiatus from manufacturing the undergarments and many calls from stores and moms across the country, the panties are back! The 100 percent Pima cotton panties and briefs will be sold three to a gift box at $9 wholesale. Retailers can choose all white or two pink floral prints and a white for girls; boys are offered all white or a pack with a sport print, a stripe and a white brief. Orders are being taken now for a January ship date. For more information, Contact Clare Posnack in the New York showroom at 212-967-2918.

They're slick all right. SLICKSUGAR, the collection of tees and hoodies with a rock 'n roll vibe, was included in a celebrity gift bash held in Hollywood this September. Michelle Hanson, the company's president, has expanded the Spring 2008 collection with new tees and pants (wholesale $22) for girls and boys and racerback dresses and leggings (wholesale $21). "Washed out, worn and cool enough to be a little torn are some of the new fabrics you will see a few of our rocker/vintage designs printed on!" says Hanson. The company continues to donate $1 from every sale to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, an organization that provides musical instruments to underprivileged children.

The sweater company SWEETERS has launched their e-commerce website. Sue Katz the company's owner and designer, has seen her products in several publications recently. Pregnancy Magazine is featuring two of her blankets in a photo entitled "Close Knits." "The Orlando Sentinel" included the new knit "Sweeter Pal" dolls in an October issue and, says Katz, the line was included in "a huge article back in February." The Sweeter Pals, knit in the U.S. of cotton with poly filling, have had an enthusiastic response. "People are concerned about ordering kids' toys in China, so I have received many orders for something unique, not imported that can be personalized," she says.

Big sisters and brothers of little TEA wearers can join the fun in December when the company expands their size range up to 8. Tea was featured in the September issue of Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in America for 2007. The magazine ranked TEA at number 241 out of 500.

FOOTWEAR

After receiving countless requests from customers for larger sizes of its popular podiatrist-recommended footwear, pediped announces it has developed a line of rubber-soled shoes for children ages two to five years. The new collection that includes 12 girls' styles and eight boys' designs will make its online debut in February 2008 and at retail in Spring 2008. For more information, call 800 880-1245.

GIFT ITEMS

No matter what bib style you choose, a baby's neck and collar always gets soiled. Young mother Shea Kelly was tired of the dilemma and did what all mothers of invention do: Kelly designed a better bib. Her DABIB comes with a unique "scrunch neck" so baby is covered from chin down. DaBib, which was given to Hollywood moms during the Pre-Emmy Gifting Suite in California, is shrink resistant, machine washable and features a hidden "crumb catcher" pocket that folds from back to front during use. DaBib won the iParenting Media Award in August.

What would a princess wear? That's the question HIGH INTENCITY asked. The Princess Collection of hair clips, jewelry and a tiara made from Austrian crystal is their answer. High IntenCity designed the pieces with hearts and flower icons as the main design element. The tiara and jewelry set come in gorgeous princess packing with velvet inserts that can double as keepsake boxes. (Wholesale prices are $16 for the hair clips, $14 for the jewelry set and $16 for the tiara).

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Musical Super Plum Fairy dress, which won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, ACTING OUT has added the Musical Sugar Plum Fairy Skirt to their line. Beneath the skirt's layers of sparkle covered tulle is a device that plays the classic Tchaikovsky music from the Nutcracker Ballet (fits sizes 3 to 6 years, suggested retail $32). Acting Out was also featured on QVC and HSN in October. For more information, call 732-643-1203

Bryony Boxer, mom and president of THE BABY BUNCH appeared on the Martha Stewart show on October 22nd. Something Martha's fans will appreciate is the new Organic Baby Bunch bouquet. The item contains one bib, one hat, one T-shirt, a onesie and a pair of socks made of super soft 100 percent organic undyed, unbleached cotton. The "buds" are surrounded by rosebuds and leaves crafted of wood and recycled paper that can be further recycled to create a lovely keepsake nosegay. The organic bouquet (sizes NB-12 months, $35 wholesale) is available in "Buff" and comes in gender specific boxes in Cornflower, Blush or Apricot/Yellow. To order, call 877 456-2229.

BABY SHERPA bags a Tiger! That would be Tiger and Elin Woods who received a Baby Sherpa backpack from Heather Campbell-Dewar. The owner and her seven-year-old daughter, "life long golfer" Camryn, received a handwritten thank you note from the celebrity and his wife. "Now we've both got something special as keepsakes," says Campbell-Dewar.

Samantha Harris, the host of "Dancing with the Stars," told readers of "Life & Style" magazine (October 29th issue) that she's a fan of CLAIREBELLA'S baby basket (retail $190). Add Harris to the list of celebrities and moms who have waited impatiently for the return of the company's beloved diaper clutch. Fans will be happy to know that the item will be back in stock and ready to ship by November 1st. Designer Kathy Denness' clutch (retail prices approximately $44), which holds two to three diapers and a small pack of wipes, is available in seven chic prints.

JU-JU-BE shines the spotlight on today's moms with their "Weekly Real Mom Giveaway." Featured on the website's "Pink Room" page, the innovative program invites moms (and caretakers) to share their thoughts on the company's unique diaper bags. At the end of the week, one person is awarded a diaper bag. Participants can nominate themselves, a dad, a friend or even a favorite charity as a bag recipient. Moms post everything from testimonials to long odes to the product.

You've just run out of cute bracelets and there's a bunch of tweens at your counter clamoring for more. Who you gonna' call? FUNKY JUNQUE. This trendy line of accessories now offers 48-hour service. "Call your Funky Junque customer service (CS) rep," says the company's owner Linda Wolff, "and let her know you want to place an order. Your CS rep can let you know what items we can and will ship out in 48-hours. It's as simple as that! For customers too busy to call during the day, sales reps are available until 7 p.m. Call 877-494-5678.

The infamous Danielynn Birkhead (offspring of the late Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead, as if anyone needs clarification on the baby's parentage) was featured in "US Weekly" and "The Insider" wearing the pink and turquoise Ribbon Swing Top and Tie Pants from the KUMQUAT collection's Spring 2007 Balloon Flowers group.

Orders are pouring in for MAX DANIEL BABY'S brand new, stylish and silky-soft "Cheetah & Chocolate" plush baby throws and security blankets. The new items ($34 for the throw, $12 for the security blanket) are printed with a sophisticated cheetah design and edged in rich chocolate satin. In addition, the company's popular solid plush Rosebuds & Satin throws, are now available in four new colors (Throw $26, security blanket $10, burp cloth $7).

SARABEAR BASKETS has added a new wholesale component to their sales. Their new line of diaper caddies launched at ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas in September. Each caddie, available in three pastel assortments holds a container for wipes and a variety of pockets and cubbies provide additional streamlined storage for diapers, burp cloths, ointments and other necessities. "The new styles continue the tradition of uncomplicated design and sleek fit, making for a timeless storage piece even after the baby has left the diaper years," says Melissa Bramlage, founder and president. Contact Bramlage at 888-217-4638.

Sherri Blum of SHERRI BLUM DESIGNS felt like the winner of "America's Next Top Giftware Company" when she received a call from the "Tyra Banks" Show. Celebrity designer, Shalena Smith of Ga Ga Designs who is affiliated with the model's program, called Blum and asked the designer to created an all-star celebrity nursery to be featured on the hit daytime talk show. Three of Blum's items: The Princess Name Plaque, Princess Scroll Wall Hanging and the Storybook Rug were included on the program which aired October 9th.

Amy Selling of SHOOTS AND LADDERS has added large diaper wipe cases ($23 wholesale) to her collection of diaper totes and burp cloths. The cases, that flip open, "are great for the room next to the changing table," says Selling.

Happy birthday Robin Arocha and Liz Werner whose company TWINKLE KIDS just turned one. "So far our products have been profiled in two national magazines, one Canadian radio station and over 40 blogs," says Arocha. "Recently, the Twinkle Kids 'Twinkle Cake' was featured in the Real Simple Magazine family issue. From there the 'Twinkle Cake' made an appearance on the CBS Early Show," adds Arocha. Coming up: Three national magazines will be featuring the "Gingerbread House" in their holiday guides.

The giftware company TWO ELIZABETHS has introduced a new mini gift bucket set. The tiny, three-inch pails are decorated with the company's trademark vintage-style decals of airplanes, cowboys, nursery rhymes and polka dots. Inside, buyers will find either a burp cloth adorned with rickrack trim or a lap T-shirt in a variety of fabrications. The buckets come in four pastel tones and wholesale for $12 to $14.

AWARDS

Congratulations to the following sponsors for winning 2007 Earnie Awards presented by Earnshaw's Magazine: KISSY KISSY for Boys' Newborn/Infant Apparel; WEE ONES for Accessories - Hair/Jewelry; BEETLEJUICE LONDON for Best European Brand; and JU-JU-BE for the DuPont Teflon Innovation Award.

NEW ARRIVALS

Congratulations Danielle Holmes of KINDER-CASHMERE. Holmes welcomed daughter Elsa James into the world on October 4th. Other news: "Giggle has picked up my line and more stores across the globe (Dubia and Jeddah, South Africa) feature our pieces," says Holmes.

ON THE MOVE

Everyone's favorite cup of TEA is expanding to New York City. As of November 19th, 2007, the San Francisco-based Tea Collection will be opening a new showroom at 34 West 33rd Street, Suite 324. To contact the showroom's sales representative Amy McKinstry, call 917-697-3473. The company has also opened a showroom in the New England Merchandise Mart, suite 102, in Newton, Mass. Brooke Fine will head up the showroom's sales. Fine can be reached at 617-733-9183.

FAIRY LINE NATURALS is officially a chain with the opening of our third retail location," says Linda Joy, the company's president. Their new outpost opened on October 22nd in front of Charlotte Russe at the Sarasota Square Mall in Tampa, Florida.

YOU'RE HIRED!

West coast retailers take note, the lovely JUNEY BLOOM collection of girls' dresses and sportswear is now repped by Wendy Samuels of the Wendy's Closet showroom in Los Angeles, California. Samuels can be reached at 213-627-9586, or sales@wendyscloset.com.

Keith Milyo of MILYO & CO in Dallas is the new sales representative for KUMQUAT clothing. To reach Keith, call 214-212-1634 or send an e-mail to kmilyo@verizon.net.

The public relations firm Push The Envelope PR is doing just that for SWEETERS, Sue Katz's popular sweater company.

Summer Place II at the Dallas Market Center #8880 now represents SLICKSUGAR, the collection of funky tees and hoodies. Contact Gail Latimer who handles the Dallas, AR, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK and TX. Hey Baby Designs handles IA, IL, MI, MN and WI states.

News to share? E-mail tina@jamesgirone.com.

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