Misplaced in Mommydom

Boutique Banter
Bump 45 River St., Beacon Hill


Philosophy: Patricia Marks-Martinovich, owner and mom of 2-year-old twins, shops the children’s markets in Paris, Milan, New York and L.A. to find pieces she’d wear herself. As for maternity pieces, tailor them to wear post-pregnancy.
Most popular items: For kids, it’s cashmere hoodies. And larger sizes; due to demand she now carries up to child’s size 10. For maternity, she re-ordered Diane von Furstenberg pieces six times in six months. Women drive from Maine, New Hampshire and New York City for them.
Fall trends: Patricia asserts it’s important for tots to wear a cool T-shirt on the playground. She’s got the snappy one-liners you see celeb babies wearing in US Weekly, plus rock tees from Trunk, and James Perse’s clever tidbits. “We are cool T-shirt headquarters,” promises Patricia. She adds, “Pirates are big for fall.”
Celeb sightings: We hear Jennifer Garner and baby Violet stopped by, though Patricia will neither confirm nor deny.
Season event: On Pickle & Ice Cream Wednesdays, 25% of sales are donated to charity, and shoppers receive coupons from Vlasic Pickles and Ben & Jerry’s.

Excerpted from the Fall 2006 issue of Boston Common Magazine.