Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Shop, Baby
Boston's Best Boutiques for Toys, Clothes, Gifts & Gear
While mass-market toy stores are closing and department stores have scaled down their children's departments, Boston has witnessed a Renaissance of the privately-owned neighborhood shops for high-end products like designer strollers, trendy outfits, contemporary bedding and wooden toys. Here are my absolute favorites.
9 Months
This brick-walled boutique is swamped with new mothers craving maternity fashions akin to those won by Hollywood darlings. They carry fifteen maternity lines, including Ripe, Japanese Weekend, Liz Lange and Cadeau, which was worn by Jennifer Garner both onscreen and off. There's a jeans wall stocked with Citizens of Humanity and Childish, and a nursing bra corner. They also offer contemporary baby furniture by Netto Collection.
Mulberry Road
A charming spot to purchase baby gifts, Mulberry Road stocks everything from clothing by Tea Collection and Wonderboy to witty oilcloth bibs and splat mats by Icky Baby and Bella Tunno. Rather spoil mom? Go for a Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag. Toy offerings include cuddlies from Jelly Cat and colorful keep-me-busies by Manhattan Baby.
Lester Harry's
This mainstay for tasteful wee ones offers distressed pastel furniture, baby albums, bedding by Shabby Chic and Bella Note, cozy blankets by Barefoot Dreams, Bla Bla creatures and must-have hair trinkets. For clothing there's Lucy Sykes' creations among others, plus shelves of European shoes.
Bump
Bump is a hip baby frock and maternity wear boutique on a side street in Beacon Hill. Maternity lines include the ever-cool Diane von Furstenberg, Chaiken, Cadeau and Fragile. Children's lines include Nicol Caramel and Milk on the Rocks. Our faves are Kitson-worthy onesies with sparkly decals proclaiming stuff like "wild child" and "rock star".
Red Wagon
Red Wagon is where Beacon Hill kids get their loot. There are plush puppets, Thomas trains, Haba toys and games. Upstairs is a book loft, with costumes and raingear. There are lots of accessories - blankets, barrettes, hats, tights abd backpacks. The front showcases clothing for toddlers to size 7T, with brands like Lily Pulitzer, Juicy and Paul Frank. They also sell shoes. Spring fave? Lelli Kelly sequin-covered canvas sneaks.
Curious George Goes to Wordsworth
This privately-owned children's bookstore/toyshop is a Harvard Square treasure. The yellow shelves are filled with books for toddlers through chapter books, with a concentration on the best picture books published. Toys, games, educational projects and art supplies are scattered throughout the shop.
Magic Beans
Boston-area parents flock to Magic Beans for the latest and greatest colorful equipment and a staff that is knowledgeable enough to demystify the purchasing process. Beyond that, Magic Beans is a fabulous neighborhood toy store, with all the best brands and a spacious gated playspace in back.
Stella Bella
This Inman Squarecreatures, and must-have hair trinkets. For clothing there's toyshop is a gathering place for nannies, moms and tots. The colorful, airy space offers the best toys and games in every category, and includes a play area whose backdrop is a magical mural. The owner graciously hosts new-parent coffee hours, toddler playgroups and lively sing-alongs.
This piece appeared on 4.06.06 in getsugar ink.
Boston's Best Boutiques for Toys, Clothes, Gifts & Gear
While mass-market toy stores are closing and department stores have scaled down their children's departments, Boston has witnessed a Renaissance of the privately-owned neighborhood shops for high-end products like designer strollers, trendy outfits, contemporary bedding and wooden toys. Here are my absolute favorites.
9 MonthsThis brick-walled boutique is swamped with new mothers craving maternity fashions akin to those won by Hollywood darlings. They carry fifteen maternity lines, including Ripe, Japanese Weekend, Liz Lange and Cadeau, which was worn by Jennifer Garner both onscreen and off. There's a jeans wall stocked with Citizens of Humanity and Childish, and a nursing bra corner. They also offer contemporary baby furniture by Netto Collection.
Mulberry RoadA charming spot to purchase baby gifts, Mulberry Road stocks everything from clothing by Tea Collection and Wonderboy to witty oilcloth bibs and splat mats by Icky Baby and Bella Tunno. Rather spoil mom? Go for a Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag. Toy offerings include cuddlies from Jelly Cat and colorful keep-me-busies by Manhattan Baby.
Lester Harry'sThis mainstay for tasteful wee ones offers distressed pastel furniture, baby albums, bedding by Shabby Chic and Bella Note, cozy blankets by Barefoot Dreams, Bla Bla creatures and must-have hair trinkets. For clothing there's Lucy Sykes' creations among others, plus shelves of European shoes.
BumpBump is a hip baby frock and maternity wear boutique on a side street in Beacon Hill. Maternity lines include the ever-cool Diane von Furstenberg, Chaiken, Cadeau and Fragile. Children's lines include Nicol Caramel and Milk on the Rocks. Our faves are Kitson-worthy onesies with sparkly decals proclaiming stuff like "wild child" and "rock star".
Red WagonRed Wagon is where Beacon Hill kids get their loot. There are plush puppets, Thomas trains, Haba toys and games. Upstairs is a book loft, with costumes and raingear. There are lots of accessories - blankets, barrettes, hats, tights abd backpacks. The front showcases clothing for toddlers to size 7T, with brands like Lily Pulitzer, Juicy and Paul Frank. They also sell shoes. Spring fave? Lelli Kelly sequin-covered canvas sneaks.
Curious George Goes to WordsworthThis privately-owned children's bookstore/toyshop is a Harvard Square treasure. The yellow shelves are filled with books for toddlers through chapter books, with a concentration on the best picture books published. Toys, games, educational projects and art supplies are scattered throughout the shop.
Magic BeansBoston-area parents flock to Magic Beans for the latest and greatest colorful equipment and a staff that is knowledgeable enough to demystify the purchasing process. Beyond that, Magic Beans is a fabulous neighborhood toy store, with all the best brands and a spacious gated playspace in back.
Stella Bella
This Inman Squarecreatures, and must-have hair trinkets. For clothing there's toyshop is a gathering place for nannies, moms and tots. The colorful, airy space offers the best toys and games in every category, and includes a play area whose backdrop is a magical mural. The owner graciously hosts new-parent coffee hours, toddler playgroups and lively sing-alongs.
This piece appeared on 4.06.06 in getsugar ink.
# posted by Style Carrot @ 12:19 PM 
