The Boom Boom Room was rocking again this year as kid brands showcase their wares for Celeb parents and friends on the eve of the Emmy Awards. Though I didn’t run into any famous faces this year at this year’s venue, the Roosevelt Hotel’s Academy room, I did rub elbows with a stellar group of vendors and passionate entrepreneurs who were eager to share their stories and their products, all made with great pride and care for all children – starlets or not.
Two Hippos made quite an impression with their memory foam Monster Buddy ($65.99) head and body pillow with a matching blanket that is not just adorable for days but also promotes sounder sleep by giving little ones a cuddly pal to comfort them – perfect for kids transitioning into their own bed. Two Hippos al
so makes soft flannel Cot Buddy mini sleeping sets that roll up into a carry bag, ideal for preschool nap time; and Wall Bumpi soft bed barriers, the antidote to unattractive plastic rails used to keep kids from falling out of bed. See more at www.twohipposstore.com
Namaste Kid yoga offered yoga instruction DVDs ($15.47 on Amazon) for ages 2.5 to 7. Their well-researched presentation features a personal instructor who makes eye contact with the audience, so kids feel like they learning fun and easy-to-follow yoga by Skype. Namaste Kid also makes smaller-sized yoga mats for kids and just launched a new line of fashionable soft and stretchy yoga wear for children. See all their products at www.namastekid.com.
It’s always nice to see husbands and wives working happily together, and the ma
rried duo of Ryan and Kristen are a particular inspiration. Their T-shirt company features cute and stylish designs on onesies to adult sizes ($18 and up) that promote family, strength and unity, which they needed in 2009 when Ryan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 33. Ryan is doing great today, thanks to his family’s support, and in order to share the love, their company donates 5% percent of proceeds to thier local MS chapter. Read more and shop at www.evaandestela.com
Self-esteem comes naturally, but then there’s the world out there to chip away at it. Illustrator and graphic designer Nicole Updegraff realized this when her three-year-old daughter came home from preschool crying, wishing her beautiful fuzzy black hair was yellow and straight like her classmate’s . Updegraff went to the drawing board and wrote and illustrated the delightfully inspired I Love My Cotton Candy Hair ($14.99, Amazon), a story book that celebrates all types of hair and the different looks that all people have. Get the book at www.cottoncandyhair.com
Everyone loves an exquisite cupcake, so Little Miss Babycakes is on top of the trend with their baby shower must-haves — cloth diaper cupcakes ($20 for a four-pack). The company also bakes up some divine baby gifts, from unique burp cloth candies (six for $8) to terry “boo boo bunnies†($8 for sets of three) to sooth little ouchies. See the collection at www.littlemissbabycakes.com.
Use Me hair products does the Earth-friendly mantra for the ages one better with their, “Refill, Reuse, Repeat†approach to consumerism. Use Me BPA-free containers can be refilled at a salon with luxurious vegan, sufate-free, paraben-free hair care products, including cleanser, moisturizer and styling crèmes, gelees and mysts ($24.99 – $29.99). Shop for products and find a refill salon at www.usemeproducts.com.
The 25-year-old family owned company Child to Cherish is famous for their handprint ornament kits, but they also make a full assortment of charming keepsake items and gifts, such as snowflake kits and holiday ornaments ($8.99), tooth fairy pillows ($14.00), kid-size suitcases ($28.99), and unique coin banks, ($25.99) that can be personalized with a child’s name by you or their artists. Visit www.childtocherish.com to see all their adorable offerings.
New parents often grapple with knowing what products, such as diapers and wipes, are safe and ecofriendly. After all, you are going to use a lot of these products for at least the next couple of years. Luxbaby makes the choice easy with their lines of baby essentials, from couture disposable biodegradable burp clothes, bibs, nursing pads and diapers to training pants. Check them out at www.luxebabyllc.com.
With the idea that dads need some love and credit too in the delivery room, DaddyScrubs has expanded their wardrobe of hospital-style scrubs ($54.95) emblazed with “I’m the Daddy†to T-shirts, hoodies, hats and a full assortment of accessories. Get Dad outfitted for the big day at www.daddyscrubs.com.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but how do you get a kid to eat, and love, their daily dose? The folks at GoGo Squeez make it easy, by putting apple sauce in a squeezable pack with just the right amount of natural sweetness. Freeze it and put it in a lunch box so that it’s still cold and refreshing at lunchtime. A great treat for kids of all ages. $2.83/four-pack). Available at Whole Foods and other stores listed at www.gogosqueeze.com.
Made from tangerines picked from the same orchards as the easy-to-peel seedless Cuties snack fruit we all know and love, Cuties Juice comes in flavors like Clementine Mandarin Blend or Tangerine Mango, packaged in perfectly sized single portions or 48-oz. bottles ($3.99), offering a handy, healthy and delicious drink for kids of all ages. For store locations, go to www.cutiesjuice.com
