Want to foster your child's love for learning letters while supporting a local, eco-conscious mamapreneur? Today, Jen reviews Lit'l Desi9s, a custom design line that uses your little one’s name for graphic inspiration. Read on for Jen’s review, as well as to learn how to win a Lit'l Desi9s custom name tee or onesie.

“Take one talented mama, add in a curious five-year-old and a spark of inspiration, and what do you get? Lit'l Desi9s, the fabulous clothing and accessories line by Debby Yennaco Peretz. It all started one day when Debby was doing what mamas before her have been doing since the beginning of time - trying to teach their curious little ones about the world around them. In Debby's case, she was teaching her five-year-old son how to spell when she started to see that the letters he was struggling to master could actually form shapes and even animals. The letter "L" could be a fin on a fish or even the neck of an elephant. The letter "N" could be the middle hump of a caterpillar or the hands of a seal. The possibilities were endless, and so was the potential.

Countless shapes and animals later, Litl'l Desi9s is sold online, in children's boutiques across the country, and locally at her cart store in Boston’s Prudential Center (across from the food court). Debby can take the letters of any name and form them into an adorable animal that can be printed on clothing, bags, note cards, hats, bibs, blankets, and even rubber stamps. Her clothing collection is organic, made in the U.S.A., and printed using water-based inks and no artificial chemicals. She even packages her products in reusable multi-colored bug catchers - just in time for firefly season!

What makes Debby's products so special is that she has captured part of what makes motherhood inspiring - the knowledge that your children are endlessly unique and creative. She took something that adults look at every day - their own name - and approached it with the eyes of a child. The result is both adorable and educational.”

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Jessica S.!
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Now, want to win a custom Lit'l Desi9s name tee or onesie*? Here’s how:

Visit Lit'l Desi9s’s web store, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Lit'l Desi9s’ in the subject), and name a Lit'l Desi9s product you would love to have for your little one.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Monday, June 9, 2008.

*The winner will receive a Lit'l Desi9s custom name design printed on a tee or onesie in 100% organic natural or white.

And, for those who wish to shop now, mention Boston Mamas for 15% off your order!

Sometimes (particularly after a stretch of indulgent eating) serving as a fashion consultant to a friend is more fun than shopping for yourself. Yesterday I had great fun hitting the maternity pavement with a girlfriend desperately in need of bumpworthy business attire.

After checking out Target and Kohl’s, both of which have a few business separates options but are better suited for casual wear, we hit the jackpot at Destination Maternity in Natick. Surprisingly not overwhelming in square footage, this one-stop shopping location includes retail areas each for Motherhood, Mimi Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Destination Maternity, and Edamame Spa, which ensures satisfying a range of budgets and clothing styles, whether you are in the market for a $10 basic vs. $300 designer dress.
Destination Maternity offers a small number of physical locations around the country; the Natick store gets a thumbs up for including a play area for kids and a spacious lounge area for weary shoppers and shopping partners. They also offer free fitness and pre/postpartum classes in their learning studio (check the site's store location section for class schedules).

Destination Maternity, 104 Worcester Road (Rte 9, eastbound side), Natick; Tel: 508-653-1605

I’m a sucker for cute kids’ boutiques and since opening in the fall, I’ve been keeping my eye on Bird by Bird in Inman Square. Originally debuting with a modest selection of products conjuring a bit of a spare, upscale boutique feel that intimidated some readers who wrote in, Bird by Bird has since impressively expanded its offerings to feature an array of stylish products from both national and independent (including local) designers; the shop now feels decidedly warm and welcoming. Some particularly cool finds include an impressive, hip collection of screen printed and appliquéd tees and onesies (various designers), beautiful mixed fabric creations from Lorna Lowe Custom Couture and Beary Basics, and the snuggly soft hoodie cardigans by Angel Dear. Apparently, they also have started carrying the stylish, locally crafted baby slings by gOzOzO, in designs exclusive to Bird By Bird.

Bird By Bird also periodically offers programming such as fitness and baby signing; click here for their latest announcements. They also have future plans for an online store.

Bird By Bird, 1361 Cambridge Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-497-1361

Looking for the latest in European and American baby and children's designs in a setting so soothing that you might drift off amidst the fine linens? Then check out Lester Harry’s, an upscale boutique offering shoes, clothing, accessories, bedding, and gear for babes and a few spa items for mamas. My babe loves her bunny blanket buddy from Lester Harry’s.

Located in the Back Bay (Newbury Street) and Marblehead.

Isis Maternity has become a one-stop mama tour de force in the Boston area. With locations in Brookline, Needham, and Arlington, Isis offers a host of programs such as childbirth education, parenting preparation, fitness, mom & baby groups, developmental groups, music and movement classes, workshops, massage & private consultations, and events.

I give Isis high marks for offering drop in playgroups for babes up to 3 years (separate sessions for immobile and mobile babes) given that committing to a weekly group can be tough. Drop in playgroups are free for members and $5 for non-members. See Isis’ website for details on the drop in playgroups and membership details. Membership fees are reasonable ($39 for first six months, $19 for every six month block following; members of Isis-affiliated organizations can receive a discounted membership) and include discounts on programs, products, and affiliated vendors.

Update 12/12/06: Membership fees are $7.50 per month (pay for the first four months upon joining; members of Isis-affiliated organizations can receive a discounted membership) and include discounts on programs, products, and affiliated vendors.

I almost had a retail-induced heart attack when the mysterious block-length Wild Women in Arlington – an enormous space specializing in adventure retail for women – closed and evolved into Wild Women/Wild Child Outfitters. If that wasn’t enough to send the pocketbook aflutter, shortly thereafter Isis Maternity moved into the Broadway side of the Wild Women/Wild Child building (separate post on Isis to follow).

Wild Women/Wild Child is packed with tons of cute clothes, shoes, and accessories for babe and mom, gear, bedding, diaper bags, and toys. It’s a great spot to check out high-end strollers and luxurious baby bedding (from the delicious Dwell) before taking the financial plunge. There also is a little play area for kids; although it seems that the babes have the most fun running up and down the ramp between Wild Child and Isis.

Isis requires a posting of its own, but briefly, the Arlington Isis location is peacefully designed with spaces for classes and groups; their compact retail area has a terrific selection of nursing and maternity wear, breastfeeding and solid food products, books, and toys. And of course they have plenty of diaper changing space and areas to nurse.

I almost had a retail-induced heart attack when the mysterious block-length Wild Women in Arlington – an enormous space specializing in adventure retail for women – closed and evolved into Wild Women/Wild Child Outfitters. If that wasn’t enough to send the pocketbook aflutter, shortly thereafter Isis Maternity moved into the Broadway side of the Wild Women/Wild Child building (separate post on Isis to follow).

Wild Women/Wild Child is packed with tons of cute clothes, shoes, and accessories for babe and mom, gear, bedding, diaper bags, and toys. It’s a great spot to check out high-end strollers and luxurious baby bedding (from the delicious Dwell) before taking the financial plunge. There also is a little play area for kids; although it seems that the babes have the most fun running up and down the ramp between Wild Child and Isis.

Isis requires a posting of its own, but briefly, the Arlington Isis location is peacefully designed with spaces for classes and groups; their compact retail area has a terrific selection of nursing and maternity wear, breastfeeding and solid food products, books, and toys. And of course they have plenty of diaper changing space and areas to nurse.

As a mama, it’s all about multi-tasking. So when you next hit a crisis inspired by a closet full of pre-mama clothing that no longer fits, head to Second Time Around. This boutique offers new and resale clothing – a place where you can sell your pre-mama clothes and boost up your wardrobe all in one stop. A mama friend can’t say enough good things about this shop’s chic collection and tech savvy approach (you can track the status of consignment pieces through your online account).

Check out Second Time Around’s website or contact one of their many area locations (3 Boston stores, Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Portsmouth, NH) for consignment details; however my mama pal did pass along the general rules that consignment pieces should be: 1) in season; 2) from within the last two years; and 3) from a fairly popular store/designer (although they rarely take anything from the Gap).

As a mama, it’s all about multi-tasking. So when you next hit a crisis inspired by a closet full of pre-mama clothing that no longer fits, head to Second Time Around. This boutique offers new and resale clothing – a place where you can sell your pre-mama clothes and boost up your wardrobe all in one stop. A mama friend can’t say enough good things about this shop’s chic collection and tech savvy approach (you can track the status of consignment pieces through your online account).

Check out Second Time Around’s website or contact one of their many area locations (3 Boston stores, Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Portsmouth, NH) for consignment details; however my mama pal did pass along the general rules that consignment pieces should be: 1) in season; 2) from within the last two years; and 3) from a fairly popular store/designer (although they rarely take anything from the Gap).