Grand Avenue Baby

Join Us for Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. Pacific

Buy a Micralite TORO, Get a líllébaby FREE

Scandinavian Child is kicking off summer with a great offer for parents: purchase a Micralite Toro ($525) in July and receive a coupon for a FREE líllébaby EveryWear or líllébaby EuroTote (a $125 value!)

Rated the #1 Luxury Stroller (#2 Overall) by Consumer Reports, the TORO offers parents high-end design with unparalled usability. Extremely lightweight with an upright fold, the Toro is available with an optional bassinet and ATK accessory kit to convert it to a rugged all terrain stroller. Combine all of the TORO's features with an innovative carrier from líllébaby and you have the perfect on-the-go combo for summer!  

Click here to learn more!

A few pictures, a little text and viola!

"Cannonball" at thisMoment

We just started working with thisMoment and are quickly getting addicted to the ease of creating timelines and sharing moments with family & friends. As busy moms, we were immediately drawn to thisMoment's ability to incorporate everything we're already doing online (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc.) in one place, but beyond that, we connected immediately with the concept of "a moment" and the desire to capture it for ourselves and to share it with loved ones.

Creating "Cannonball," helped me share (and stop for a few minutes to remember) Paige's pure joy that day. Best of all with thisMoment, I made the decision on who sees this moment. I can share it on Facebook or choose family only and for those of us who have "social networked" beyond our comfort zone, this is incredibly appealing.

Take a moment to check it out and please let us know what you think!

Market's Coming to Town

June Market officially kicks off tomorrow, Friday, June 12, and we can't wait to show retailers the latest and greatest at Grand Avenue Baby! Although Market officially runs thru Tuesday, June 16, our showroom is open year-round so retailers can come by (or call 213-627-1253 or email sales@grandavenuebaby.com) any day to order the fabulous products we represent.

Like the super cool tees from Tiny Revolutionary. So much more than a t-shirt line, Tiny Revolutionary has a pretty simple philosophy – "teaching kids to celebrate their individuality and approach the world with a compassionate spirit and sense of social responsibility is one of the very best opportunities to make the world a better place." Every time I see this Tiny Revolutionary's "I'll Change the World Someday" tee, I think to myself, "wow, my daughters have tremendous potential to make a positive impact" and it's inspires me to help them do just that!

Retailers who are looking to bring new brands into their store will love Scandinavian Child's super-affordable starter packages that get product with proven sell-through, like the lillebaby EveryWear Carrier, the Anka High Chair and Beaba Babycook, into the store.

       

And with summer and sundresses upon us, it's the perfect time to stock up on Francie Pants! Give girls the freedom to twirl, do a handstand or high kick and give their moms the relief of knowing Francie Pants has them covered. With 24 patterns to choose from, in sizes 2 – 16, girls everywhere will want to “Show em London, Show em…Francie Pants!” 

Here's to a great Market and a happy summer!

New Editions @ The Brentwood Country Mart

SMARTY LA introduced us to New Editions at its recent "Mother of Invention" evening inside New Editions' Pop Up store at the Brentwood Country Mart. As soon as we walked in we were drawn to the art on the walls. The prints captured our attention in a way that typical children's art doesn't, which is precisely New Editions’ mission.

New Editions’ founders believe art serves as our playmate and our teacher. Art is joyous and challenging, reminding us of the wonders and complexities of the world (just like our children) and therefore the two should hang out together from an early age. So they help create "art from the start" by commissioning contemporary artists to create prints that contain the things young children are drawn to - strong contrast, bright color, and simple forms - yet are sophisticated enough for their parents.

                  New Editions then editions each print (in house) in Los Angeles in runs of 100, 60 or 30. The result is a collection that is both engaging and accessible (prints range from $90-$375). For a complete look, check out the New Editions’ online gallery.

5 Minutes For Mom Mother's Day Giveaways - It's Not to Late to Enter!

5MinutesForMom is giving away thousands of dollars in prizes this Mother's Day. Prizes include a Crock-Pot® Smart-Pot® Slow Cooker; a Mother’s Day Bouquet from Teleflora; a $300.00 gift card to The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; the HP Mini 1000 XP Edition; a $50 Macy’s Gift Card and the ultralightweight Toshiba Portege A600 Laptop!

Click on the button to enter - now through Saturday, May 9. Winners will be announced on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10.)

Good luck!

"Be Good to Yourself, Be Good to the People You Love"

One of the commitments I've made this year is to myself. With the support of my husband (and free daycare at our YMCA) I've made working out a priority. At the end of each nausea-inducing workout,  my favorite instructor, Michele (a mom in her mid-forties with a rockin' body and an amazing attitude,) ends her class by telling us "Be good to yourself, be good to the people you love." I love this saying because one of the things I've learned as a parent is: it's easy to be good to your loved ones when you're taking care of yourself too.

This spring, Weight Watchers is encouraging women to be good to themselves with the Momentum Walk-It Challenge. Walking is a great way to lose weight, enjoy the spring air and is easy to do with little ones in tow!

Walking is also a great way to support a cause that's close to your heart. Our friend Nancy Horn (Mommies With Style) is taking the Walk-It Challenge and walking to raise money for Austism Speaks' 5K Walk in NYC on June 14. Nancy's goal is to recruit 8 members to walk the race and raise $300. We have no doubt she'll be able to do it!

Toys R Us Stops Ordering Drop-Side Cribs

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Toys R Us has stopped ordering drop-side cribs because of safety concerns. Concerns which stem from the 21 recalls of 4.2 million cribs over the past two years because of hazardous defects. "Products involved in the recalls have been linked to at least five infant deaths and 16 cases in which babies were trapped by parts of a crib, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Drop-side cribs, popular because sliding down one side of the crib makes it easier for a parent to pick up a baby, have proved to be particularly problematic." the Journal reported.

We're not surprised by this move at all. Brenda Berg of Scandinavian Child has been telling us how dangerous drop-side cribs are for more than a year. This is why both of the cribs Scandinavian Child introduced at the ABC Kids Show last year have fixed sides!

Scandinavian Child's Cariboo Kiwi Cot arrived in retailers a few months ago and the Anka Sova Crib (pictured) landed in stores this month. Both cribs offer fixed sides and convert to toddler beds. The gorgeous new cribs are beautiful, safe and eco-friendly. Brenda and her team at Scandinavian Child wouldn't have it any other way. They call that philosophy "Designs Without Compromise."

Happy Earth Day: Ideas to Inspire a Deeper Shade of Green

In honor of Earth Day, we’ve put together a few ideas that are easy to incorporate into busy lives and really can make a difference for our planet.

 

Replace bottled water with reusable bottles. Each year more than 10 billion plastic water bottles end up as garbage in landfills and many plastic bottles leach chemicals. Head over to SIGG to find a great  selection of lightweight, durable, eco-friendly, leak-proof water bottles and enter SIGGEARTH at checkout to score $5 off your bottle! BONUS: SIGG always contributes 1% of global sales to environmental causes, but if you use this code, they’ll donate an extra $1 for each bottle sold.

 

Stop eating meat on Monday. Meatless Monday is an international movement that offers people a powerful weekly cue to meaningful action. The environmental impact of meat production is too long to list. If forgoing meat just one day a week can make a difference, why not give it a try!

 

Use reusable bags when shopping. Whether you are grocery shopping or clothes shopping, take your own bags. Keep bags in the trunk of your car for trips to the grocery store and consider buying a compact bag you can carry in your handbag. We love ENVIROSAX chic, inexpensive and compact bags. This Earth Day, if you buy a pouch (set of five) you’ll be entered into a drawing for 20 new Planet Green™ bags.

 

Unplug! Appliances continue to draw energy even when on standby or not in use, so unplugging them can really be an energy savings.

 

Watch the premier of “Big Green Lies” on the Fine Living Network tonight - Earth Day, April 22 – 9pm ET/PT. The myth-busting video and television show, produced by Seventh Generation, gives a taste of the widespread confusion on green issues.

The Children’s Place Teams Up with Celebs to Benefit Books for Kids

The Children’s Place’s “Books for Kids” campaign is featured in today’s Celebrity Baby Blog Reviews newsletter and we had to share it. Not only to promote the auction and a great cause, but also because we love when marketing makes sense: The Children’s Place raising money for a children’s charity with child-friendly celebrities incorporating a product children use!

More than 40 celebrities, including Miranda Cosgrove (bag pictured,) Miley Cyrus, David Archuletta, Paula Abdul, Dwyane Johnson and Tina Fey, took a break backstage at the Kids Choice Awards to decorate their own The Children’s Place messenger bags to help raise money for the Books for Kids Foundation. The messenger bags (a.k.a. book bags) feature designs and autographs from the stars and are available on eBay through April 24th. The bags with the highest bids today: David Archuleta ($895,) Miley Cyrus ($490,) Taylor Lautner ($480,) Hilarie Burton ($455) and Tina Fey ($410.)

Founded to promote literacy among all children with a special emphasis on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged children, Books for Kids creates libraries, donates books and partners with literacy programs to develop the critical early foundation and skills which young children need to be successful in life.