FOUR EASY PIECES

At TFG, we say "Think Global, GET IT local." It's our mission to deliver the groove right to your doorstep—or computer
screen, as it were. In TFG's global village, local stores share the stage with national and international ones. Each month
TFG will introduce you to four regional retailers who have got it going on.

This month's tip for the budget-conscious shopper (that would be all of us): stop the impulse purchases. When you see
something you love (whether it's for you or your brood), do a little cost-benefit-obsession analysis first. Perhaps even
walk away and take a day to live without it. If you find yourself obsessing over the item à la a high school crush, then
it probably is a must-have.

1. The Bootysuit
Sandy Nelson, owner of the hip kiddie store, Mulberry Road, in Boston, MA, loves Urban Smalls' line of of way cool onsies.

“I first saw this line at a trade show in NYC in January of this year and knew that the urban moms, dads, relatives, and friends that shop in our store had to have them. You can choose from a variety of  what they call “bootysuit”  phrases that really hit home to the boomer generation parent.

‘Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner,’ ‘Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right,’ and ‘My Mom’s a Fox’ have been particularly popular with Mulberry Road customers. A surprise hit was the phrase ‘My Dad’s a Geek’—that one flies off the shelf. Each bodysuit is individually packaged in a clear square box which makes it an easy grab-n-go gift. This line is what new parents are looking for: something a little different, a little edgy, and with a little sense of humor.”

Mulberry Road, 46 Gloucester St. Boston, MA
www.mulberryroad.com
617.859.5861


                                                                                         2. The Shirt Dress
                                                                                         Heather Chaudruc, owner of the mommy-chic
                                                                                         La Rue Chaude in Morristown, NJ, loves this
                                                                                         Nanette Lepore postmodern frock.

                                 “I love this outfit from Nanette Lepore. It has a great
                                 vintage vibe with a modern twist. The two-piece—a
                                 polka-dot silk shirt dress and a floral embroidered
                                 cardigan—ensemble looks good on everyone. I am
                                 not very tall and I thought the dress was just so
                                 flattering—even on me. Oh, and I can't get enough of
                                 the Richard Tyler black sling-back lucite bubble heel
                                 to go with it. So cute!”

                                                                                          La Rue Chaude, 142-144 South St. Morristown, NJ 
                                                                                          LaRueChaude@aol.com
                                                                                          973.538.6700





3. The Hooter Hider
Dana Schramm, owner of the ultra cool maternity and baby store, Bellies n' Babies, in Danville, CA, loves this stylish breastfeeding helper.

“A product our customers can't live without is  the Hooter Hider. It's a great way to stay fashionably discrete while breastfeeding. This apron-like cover-up made from cool vintage fabric allows self-conscious moms to feed their babies in public and eliminates the need for several nursing tops.”

Bellies n Babies, 166 E. Prospect Ave. Danville CA
www.belliesnbabies.com
925.837.7100.










                4. The Monogrammed Baby Baseball Glove, Bat and Ball
                Dahlia Neiss, owner of the  trendy, upscale children's clothing
                and gifts store Piccolo Piggies, in Georgetown, Washington,
                DC, loves this super cute baby gear.

                “At Piccolo Piggies of Georgetown, we always try to find new and
                innovative items for our clients. One of our favorites—we do gifts and
                gear as well as fabulous clothing—is the monogrammed baby baseball
                glove. Available in baby blue or pale pink with the baby's name and
                birth date embroidered on it, the gift is a home run— especially when
                you get a monogrammed baseball and bat to match.”

                Piccolo Piggies Of Georgetown, 1533 Wisconsin Avenue, NW  Washington, DC
                www.piccolo-piggies.com
                202.333.0123