m.o.m is amazing.

It's true, that Mommies are wonderful, but this post I'm referring to one of my favorites: m.o.m. -- you may have read previous ravings.

This shipment includes more of m.o.m.'s cut-&-sew collection, including Nanny's Pinafores, darling skirts and the sweetest ever Georgia top.

I've taken some detail photos to show you all the amazing thought and care that goes into every stitch going into these pieces. They exude warmth and joy.

We also have some cute patchwork belts, which will be right up Elliette's ally -- she's becoming quite the accessorizer.

These pieces will be at our Santa Ana location - please come see them in person if you're around, it's well worth the time just to feel happy for five minutes.

Ready for Mother's Day?

Maritza and I are excited to be having a Mother's Day Party at the Kids are Alright. There are so many great gift ideas for mom -- theOutfit made some Mommy n' Me t shirt sets suitable for sons and daughters, there is beautiful jewelry, bath and body products, paper goods, a fantastic Teaposy tea set... lots of amazing ideas. I am excited to show girls who love Mom the "Mom Wow" t shirt by m.o.m -- a perfect way to tell mom what you think of her!

Moms can utilize our Mommy's Wish List, to help dads and kids buy the perfect gift this year. (No more pot-holders please.)

If you're in the area, please come! Sat May 3 12-6

I am very proud to say that we are giving 10% of the sales for the day to New Life Beginnings, and shelter for pregnant women in need here in Long Beach.

New from Oliver Lane

Oliver Lane makes the cutest baby shower gift: a set of a shirt, pants and matching onesie, all tied up in a bow with a tag already attached. 

Just in are two new styles, the ice cream set, and the guitar set, which  we now have in addition to the kitty cat and the dog.

Very cute!

2nd Location coming in May: at the Harveys store

I am so happy to tell everyone that our good friends Dana and Melanie Harvey have opened up their flagship store in Santa Ana for the Outfit to have a space to introduce our wonderful line-up of goods to the community there!

The space is very chic, with a mid-century modern vibe (ooooh, we just love that.) so we feel right at home.

We will be setting up and hoping to be ready for business May 2. Updates will follow!

Smiley Jones on modeco kids blog

One of my favorite blogs is modeco kids, which is written by creator and artist of Sweetbeets, Lisa.

Lisa often features an "etsy favorites" article, which is super fun! This article features some very fun and playful overalls by Smiley Jones. We love to see word spreading for our favorite designers!

the Outfit received a shipment from Smiley Jones a few weeks ago, and I have neglected to write about them! 

Smiley Jones is the work of Corey Grayhorse in Providence, Rhode Island. Corey and her husband have a little girl who is the muse for Smiley Jones. Her little dresses and jumpers are what we sell at the Outfit, and they are amazing. She uses vintage fabrics and with fun, bright buttons, they are sure to make a little girl the belle of a ball.

Our First Press Feature

The District, a local publication here in Long Beach, featured a story on The Kids are Alright and the Outfit! 

Read the article here.

Hooray for the mention of Mylie's Tall Ship Tee and Silly Goose Creation's bookplates! Yay!

And, I gotta mention... in the photo you can see an oatmeal tee shirt with a blue frame image, with a silhouette... I made that! Yipee!

Life of the Party - and the art of Mark Rebennack

Last night was the Grand Opening Party for the Outfit, and Open House for The Kids are Alright, and the Artist Reception for Mark Rebennack. It was great - a great turn-out, with so many great friends, and so many -- so, so many -- kiddos playing and being fun, care-free kids. Really, it was dizzying at times, but mostly, just so sweet to see them playing. 

Elliette hung around the snack table (that's my girl) and just played and played with Gigi and her friend Asher. Emmett enjoyed the view from various arms, and played with the plastic pear tree for almost an hour. 

The Outfit was well-received, and everyone loved the merchandise. I think people really connect with the theme of the store - handmande, mostly by moms. Mark's paintings and drawings were also well-received, and some will be finding new homes around town, extending Mark's subtle humor into the lives of un-suspecting so-and-so's. The Kids are Alright is always a great place for a party, because Maritza is a natural host. It's warm and friendly and fun. Of course, she has racks of beautiful party-wear and hostess gifts all over the place, so it kind of exudes Party.

Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting all of us. And of course, thanks to the designers whose talents are so appreciated by Long Beach, and now will be enjoyed by lots of little kiddos all over town.

Keepin' it in the Family - Fuzzy Baby

My cousin Hope in Plymouth Michigan makes these lovely detailed outfits, onesies and burp cloth sets. They feature classic childhood images such as a rainbow stacker (in all pink for girly girls!), dragonflies, daisies, bubbles... 

Hope has a little boy, Finn, who has inspired her to create Fuzzy Baby Designs. 

Another Local: Silly Goose Creations Vintage Bookplates

Silly Goose Creations has been making custom bookplates and notecards, and more, for Long Beach families for quite some time now. the Outfit is lucky to feature some blank bookplates for purchase, so your child's name - or yours - can be hand-written in after buying them!

You can also special order any style with a name pre-printed on them. The images here are just a sample of what wonderful, whimsical designs available. Actual designs will vary, but I assure you, they are all wonderful and a must-have for any budding scholar's library!

The Kids are Alright has some unique and artistic children's book at the store, so there's your birthday party gift!

Kait Emerson Designs from Huntington Beach, CA

Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs makes these fresh, sweet and crisp Tunics and Dresses for girls, size 12 m - 4t. The fabrics she uses are so amazing, and the fit and styling are perfect! 

She also makes a jacket with three button closure and a hood, it's slightly cropped and looks very modern, yet cozy and sweet. Feanna, her husband and her 3 year old daughter Kaitlin and 2 year old son Shawn live nearby in Huntington Beach, CA.

KLT Works

What made me have my design crush on KLT Works wasn't just the fact that Kristin is obviously in love with her son, Sayer, or the fact that Sayer sounds so much like Saylor, or the fact that cute little animals are all over the place in her line, or the fact that she is truly doing something dear to her.... it's all of those things, and the long-legged bird on the shirt. Really, that bird just got me. Those long legs look so familiar to me... (Those of you who have seen my dad or my dear Mark will know why long legs might just seem so safe.)

These shirts are printed using original artwork by Kristin Loffer Theiss. The owl and the nest shirts were printed using a thread drawing she does - clever! The onesies come pre-packaged and ready to give to that special half-pint in your life.

The limited edition prints are also a fun and whimsical way to dress up a nursery. These are in editions of 250, re-printed from the original works.

Art Smocks for Toddlers by Circle of the Sun

Circle of the Sun makes these darling smocks, which fit  2t-5t. The two styles pictured here are my favorite, truth be told, the numbers and lemons. There is also a cute sea-turtle print, a fun pirate print, and sweet little whales. All smocks come with some paints and a paint-brush. The girl's styles tie in the back, while the boys have a simple snap. The pockets on the front are roomy and easy for little hands to maneuver in and out of. 

These are hand made in Albuquerque by a mother of three children

They're so cute you almost don't want your wee little abstract expressionist to get paint all over it, but really - that is the point, right?!