Bright Future: Real Kids Shades Named Finalist for 2012 Cribsie Awards!

Bright Future: Real Kids Shades Named Finalist for 2012 Cribsie Awards!

Real Kids Shades, the premier protective sunglasses for children, have been selected as a finalist for the 2012 Cribsie Awards! One of six brands nominated by voters and handpicked by the Cribsie selection committee in the category of “Grooviest Statement Shades,” Real Kids Shades will join other top children’s brands vying for the prestigious awards in their respective categories this spring.

The Cribsie Awards are the definitive award for the children’s industry, hosted by major parenting sites StrollerTraffic and A-List Mom. This year’s judges include industry insiders Sabrina James, style editor of Parenting Magazine, and TheBabyGuyNYC Jamie Grayson, baby gear guru. The annual Cribsie Awards are a forum for opinionated moms to elect their favorite brands and services from a curated list of best-of-the-best finalists- including Real Kids Shades.

Real Kids Shades is a leading maker and provider of sunglasses for children. By advocating sun safety through their Safe Eyes Everyday program, RKS helps parents provide serious sun protection for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 12. All Real Kids Shades provide comfort, durability, and safety. Their rigorous product testing program assures all Real Kids Shades are CPSIA Compliant, CE Certified, and FDA Approved to provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. To learn more, visit www.realkidshades.com.

Voting for the Cribsie Awards finalists begins February 21 and ends March 16, 2012. To learn more and cast your vote for Real Kids Shades, visit www.cribsieawards.com.

Looking To The Sky: Livie & Luca Unveils Celestial-Inspired Spring/Summer ‘12

Looking To The Sky: Livie & Luca Unveils Celestial-Inspired Spring/Summer ‘12

Drawing inspiration from the celestial, Livie & Luca’s spring/summer shoe collection is truly out of this world. The collection is a robust selection of fresh new designs, including the cloud-accented Dawn, starry Nova, and rocket ship Juno styles, as well as vibrant new colors for Livie & Luca mainstays- bright blue Blossom, red Elephants, and pink Peacocks styles. At the suggestion of customers and after numerous fittings, Livie & Luca’s shoes have a new custom tailored fit, including the expanded baby shoe collection.  Shoes retail from $36 for baby (sizes 0-6 months to 18-24 months); $46-$48 for children (sizes 4 to 13); and $98 for the Nola ballet flats for women (sizes 5 to 10) at www.livieandluca.com.

Designer Mitzi Rivas, who co-founded Livie & Luca in 2005, was inspired by the open sky, planets, and the feeling of floating for their latest collection. Additional new styles include the Flutter butterfly sandals, Boa sandals with a subtle snake detail, and the scallop-edged Ivy sandals. Classic styles are given a new twist with bold colors, including the light blue Pio Pios with red bird accents, the shimmery red Celestinas, and the teal Barcelonas.

This season, the Nola ballet flats for women are available in an earthy, sustainable jute- a great neutral that goes with everything- and a rich red for added intrigue. Designed to complement the Fun Dots in jute and the Ruche in red styles for children, the Nolas are a hip alternative to traditional mommy-and-me styles.

For customers seeking an animal product-free alternative, the striped Ferris shoes are 100% vegan and come in nature-inspired colors and playful prints- bark, bamboo, and navy for boys, and flora and kiku for girls. Made of breathable fabric and featuring a flexible sole, these comfortable, lightweight shoes are perfect for playtime.

With a mission to “tread lightly” on the environment and to give back whenever possible, Livie & Luca responsibly sources and ensures their factories offer ideal working conditions and fair wages. Each month, they donate 10% of their online profits to a worthy charity and regularly donate shoes to local children’s hospitals and overseas for relief efforts. To learn more about Livie & Luca and their charitable practices, visit www.livieandluca.com.

The spring/summer collection is now available at stores nationwide and at www.livieandluca.com.