Hello Kitty and Vans have released a new collection of sneakers for infants, toddlers and kids. The sneakers feature Hello Kitty printed all over – you can never have too much Hello Kitty, right? There are four styles available for toddlers, five for kids and one for infants. There’s even tote bags for mama that could double as diaper bags and no one would even know it. You can find the new Hello Kitty x Vans collection on the Sanrio online shop.

Sanrio, Inc. and Penguin Young Readers Group have released forty of the most beloved Mr. Men Little Miss titles in the Nook and iBookstore for the first time ever. Narrated by Audie and Grammy award-winner Jim Dale, these bright, charming books, with their easily recognizable characters, are easy enough for young readers and witty enough for adults. A selection of forty titles – all priced at $3.99 – are available in the iBookstore and Nookstore.

With children using their parents’ (or their own) technology so much these days it’s nice to see that child-appropriate content is becoming more and more available. I love this series, and now it will be easier than ever to share Mr. Men and Little Miss with your little ones.

You may remember last year I posted about a European campaign aimed at girls to attract them to the field of science called “Science: It’s a Girl Thing.”  Though I couldn’t agree more that we need more girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields the way the message was conveyed was pretty horrible.  When I learned about L’Oreal’s  “For Girls In Science” Initiative I was interested to see how L’Oreal conveyed a similar message.  I visited the site and breathed a sigh of relief.

I think it’s ok to let girls know that behind every lipgloss is a team of scientists developing formulas.  My problem with the European “Sciene: It’s a Girl Thing” campaign was how the conveyed the message.  The L’Oreal “For Girls In Science” is less Charlie’s Angels and more Dr. Sally Ride.

ForGirlsInScience.org is a great resource for young women who are interested in STEM fields.  The site is entertaining featuring videos and quizzes but also includes features on Women In STEM, information on Opportunities and Careers and lists camps where girls can participate and build communities.

I’m currently reading The End of Men: And the Rise of Women by Hanna Rosin and she discusses how women are outnumbering men in graduate schools including law, business and medicine.  It’s only a matter of time before more women enter STEM fields and I think the messaging is an important way to get young women interested in these fields.  I think L’Oreal’s “For Girls In Science” is a great resource and we need to start providing more good examples for our young women.  If you have a daughter or know a young girl interested in science or math, please share ForGirlsInScience.org with her.

Last spring Diane von Furstenberg teamed up with GAP to produce a collection of childrenswear for GapKids. Lucky for us Dian von Furstenberg has designed another collection for GapKids for Spring 2013. The limited edition Explorers Collection launches on April 25th and features the vibrant prints have made DVF so famous. On April 27th, select GapKids locations will have a fun in-store event to celebrate the launch featuring refreshments and activities. To see if there is an event near you visit Gap.com/DVF.

We just finished planning our summer vacation so I’ve clearly got the beach on my brain. Swimwear for kids is so cute it’s hard to just pick one suit for your tiny dancers. As you can see below, I found quite a few trends for summer so I’m sure you’ll find one (or two, or three) bathing suits for girls that you love. And, because I love accessories, I included some coverups and jelly sandals for good measure. Which are your favorite?

Itsy Bitsy Bikinis! clockwise from left: Kate Mack, Old Navy, babyGap, babyGap, Janie and Jack

Ruffles! Clockwise from left: Cherokee, Kenzo, Mini Rodini, Juicy Couture, Carter’s

Stripes! Clockwise from left: crewcuts by J.Crew, Circo, Circo, Juicy Couture, crewcuts by J.Crew

Bows! Clockwise from left: Janie and Jack, Janie and Jack, Gymboree, Seafolly, crewcuts by J.Crew

Polka Dots! Clockwise from left: Circo, Carter’s, Circo, Janie and Jack, babyGap

Characters! Clockwise from left: Disney Princess, Harajuku Mini, Dora the Explorer, Disney Princess, Old Navy

Nautical! Clockwise from left: Janie and Jack, crewcuts by J.Crew, Hello Kitty, Mini Rodini

Designer Suits! Clockwise from left: Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney Kids, Gucci, Little Marc Jacobs, Roberto Cavalli

Cover Ups! Clockwise from left: Hello Kitty, Carter’s, Janie and Jack, Milly Minis, Janie and Jack

Jelly Sandals! Clockwise from left: babyGap, babyGap, Old Navy, babyGap, Old Navy, Hello Kitty

Earlier this week was picture day at my daughter’s school – it was her first picture day every so we were both excited for the occasion. At first I was going to put a fancy dress on her but then I thought about it and since it’s a school picture I went with an outfit that was adorable but not overly dressy. Here’s what she wore from head to toe:

Headband: babyGap
Top: babyGap
Leggings: Old Navy
Shoes: Zara Kids

Trends come and go but some patterns and materials are classic and never go out of style. When I think about spring fashion, I can’t help but think of seersucker. And I’m not alone! Most of the kid’s clothing stores I shop at had some type of seersucker offering for the little ones. Here are some of my favorites…

Clockwise from left to right: Janie and Jack, Janie and Jack, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Janie and Jack

Clockwise from left to right: Janie and Jack, Janie and Jack, Crazy 8, Polo Ralph Lauren, Crazy 8

Clockwise from left to right: Gymboree, Gymboree, crewcuts by J.Crew, crewcuts by J.Crew

Clockwise from left to right: All items Gymboree

Clockwise from left to right: Ralph Lauren, Florence Eiseman, Ralph Lauren, Hartstrngs all available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Clockwise from left to right: Ralph Lauren, Florence Eiseman, Hartstrings, crewcuts by J.Crew

Hello Kitty has announced a partnership with aden + anais, the baby and lifestyle brand renowned for its signature 100% cotton muslin products and paw-paw infused skin care line. The collaboration will pair a curated selection of aden + anais’ most coveted sleeping, feeding and bathing products with the distinctive style of Hello Kitty.

“We are now seeing the Hello Kitty brand experience become generational,” said Jill Koch, Sr. Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing. “Moms that grew up with Hello Kitty will love our collaboration with aden + anais for their daughters. The collection blends the sweetness of Hello Kitty with aden + anais’ premier line of baby products.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Sanrio on our co-branded line,” says Raegan Moya-Jones, CEO and co-founder of aden + anais. “By combining the practical luxury of aden + anais’ 100% cotton muslin products with the universal charm of Hello Kitty, we are able to deliver a whole new experience to families, everywhere.”

The new aden + anais Hello Kitty limited-edition collection includes a swaddle 3-pack ($45.00), dream blanket™ ($55.00), snap bib 3-pack ($25.00) and hooded towel & washcloth set ($35.00). All of the products feature graphics of the global icon in signature aden + anais style. The packaging also features adorable Hello Kitty graphics.

I wish this collection came out when my Tiny Dancer was little! You can buy it now in select retailers who carry aden + anais, online at adenandanais.com, adenandanais.co.uk, adenandanais.co.jp, www.sanrio.com and select flagship Sanrio stores in the U.S. and Japan.

Cartoon characters and pink galore – that’s usually what you’ll find when it comes to girls’ bedding. Dutch company Snurk has taken trompe l’oeil to a new level with its realistic photographs printed on bedsheets. Snurk has bedding for with a Princess gown printed on a duvet cover along with a matching tiara on a pillowcase, so that when you’re little princess (or prince) decides to dose off to sleep they will be properly outfitted. Interested in going to the moon and being the next Dr. Sally Ride? Well, then there’s the Astronaut bedding with a space suit printed on it. Finally, for your little monkeys that are always jumping on the bed there’s the trampoline print. No matter what your kids are into, there will be something they like. You can purchase the bedding on Snurk.com.

Source: Child Mode

Andy Warhol, the father of Pop Art, revolutionized how we see and experience art. His influence is still felt today and through the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts his artwork and legacy live on. The latest project to bring Andy Warhol’s work to life is with Bugaboo in a multi-year creative collaboration. In May 2013, we’ll see the release of two sets of accessories collections: “Flowers” and “Cars”.

Bugaboo always has great collaborations with designers but this is definitely one of my favorites. I only wish they weren’t so pricey so I could get one for my Tiny Dancer. If you could afford one of these babies, enjoy it!