A Vintage Smock For Baby Girl - March 2010

I’m sure some of you remember wearing smocks when you were little. I know my mom handmade them for my sister & I. If you want to capture this nostalgic look for your little girl without sewing it yourself, take a look at this lovely smock. The Scarlet Smock, handmade by Nancy Cook, is made from Vintage inspired fabric. The best part about it is that the smock grows with your baby, it can be worn a dress or as a top paired with bloomers. Reversible and ties at the shoulders. Find it at Sonny Boutique for $25.

 Sonny featured in Parents Magazine
 March 2010!

Smock by Nancy Cook available at Sonnyboutique.com

Magnificently more than a mobile - February 2010

Add a poetic touch of whimsy to your baby’s nursery with this beautiful mobile. No batteries, no assembly, no gawdy animals. This isn’t a decor, it’s art! This is the gorgeous Candy Mobile from Frazier & Wing. Each handmade mobile is carefully constructed using colorful card stock paper which is die cut into a variety of shapes. The cut shapes are strung on clear monofilament and hang from a thin, clear acrylic disc. The mobile is shipped in a lovely envelope. Just open, hang and love. Find it at Sonny Boutique for $80..

Sonny Boutique - January 2010

If you love to shop for unique and amazing gifts, shop Sonny Boutique! With this special boutique for Moms and Babies, you are sure to never arrive with the same gift to a Baby Shower! They carrying everything from clothes and decor to toys and vintage treasures. One of the most unique online stores I have ever come across….check it out!

Sonny Boutique sent me one of their favorite items to review. My son and I had SO much fun making it…what is it? T-me Design-Your-Own by Poloppo is a do-it-yourself kit that includes everything your child needs to design his or her own wearable artwork. The T-me kit contains 10 mini-markers, square paper, a catalog of American Apparel t-shirts and a pre-paid return envelope so kids can send in their artwork and get it printed on a t-shirt of their choice – for themselves, friends, siblings, and even mom and dad. In 10 days, they’ll receive their very own wearable art. The kit’s unique t-shirt-shaped packaging converts into an easel-style picture frame so kids can easily display their favorite artwork! For $32.50. First, Malachi got to color a picture. We did his hand prints and then I let him get creative and make his own art. (The kit comes with markers and 3 pieces of paper) Then, one we were happy with our special art, we picked a shirt for his Daddy and we filled out the papers and sent his art in. Then Poloppo sent us back his artwork printed on the shirt! It was such a great gift and surprise for my husband, we both loved it and it was so much fun to create! I do wish there was a way to get JUST the artwork onto the shirt, without a white box, but it was still super cute. Thanks Sonny Boutique for such a fun and personal gift!

Everything Old is New Again - January 2010

There’s a vintage flavour to my daughter’s bedroom that always leaves visitors oohing and aahing when they’re dragged in for an impromptu tea party on the floor. Some of the objects that grab their attention – like the sweet tin tea set and the pretty rag dolls that laze about on her cast iron bed – are actually new toys that have an old-fashioned charm.

But the wooden doll cradle at the foot of her bed, the fairytale books on her shelf, the nursery chairs by the fireplace and the threadbare teddies all over the floor are among the true vintage treasures saved from my own childhood. They add a character to her room that no modern-day plastic toys or decor can match.

Of course, it was easy for me to follow a retro theme because my parents are manic hoarders who don’t throw anything away. Not so lucky yourself? Then try stores like US-based Sonny Boutique to source fabulous vintage finds to decorate your own kids’ spaces.

Sonny has an ever-changing collection of vintage treasures sourced from flea markets in the States that will add character, charm and all that jazz to your nursery. At the moment their inventory includes quirky puzzles, books, a Disneyland tin lunchbox from the 50s and a kitsch-but-cool plastic bunny rattle.

Retrolicious: Peanuts Thermos from 1959 - January 2010

I don’t think this item is as much for your tyke as it is a treat for you. Raise your hand if you had this thermos or one very much like it. That’s what I thought. Me too! This is the Peanuts Thermos by MackeyBlue and it’s from 1959. The whole gang is featured. This would make the perfect sentimental gift for that person you’re thinking about right now. You! Find it at Sonny Boutique for $25.

Mr. Toastee - January 2010

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Have you met Mr. Toastee yet? He is a cute crocheted pancake! Mr. Toastee is a pancake? Well,I e-mailed to ask and clarify-I mean he looks like a Toast and his name is Mr. Toastee.I was reading somewhere? and article mentioned he was a pancake, which brings about my 'concern' Anyways, I'll update. Mr. Toastee here has quite a following.He even has his own page on Facebook! You can get Mr. Toastee by YummyPancake at SonnyBoutique.com for about $12 bucks. He's about 5'' tall and 5'' wide. (Mr.Toastee has safety eyes and comes with crochet pat o' butter) Follow the adventures of Mr.Toastee at MrToastee.blogspot.com You’ve gotta check out this blog!

Discover the World of Mr. Toastee - January 2010

Have you met Mr. Toastee yet? Well, this lovable crocheted pancake has quite a following. Who knew yarn was so mysterious and intriguing. Mr. Toastee is a pancake. he’s nice and fluffy. He has safety eyes and even comes with his own pat o’ butter. How convenient. He makes a great gift add-on for a birthday surprise or baby shower gift. Find him at Sonny for $12.

Rain Cloud Nursery Mobile - January 2010

It’s sweet and simple. A nice change of pace from most battery-operated nursery mobiles. Not only is the Rain Cloud Mobile eco-friendly and safe. It’s made from felt! It also comes in a variety of colors, so you can easily match your nursery color scheme. Check it out at Sonny Boutique for $20. Makes a great baby shower gift!

Sonny Boutique - December 2009

Look no further than Sonny Boutique for beautiful, unique holiday gifts that are perfect for the special little ones in your life.

Sonny Boutique, Gifts for babies - November 2009

One of our newest designers in the collective is doing these adorable bibs and the hair metal onesies! Her stuff speaks for itself and the only Store in Hoboken to get these things is at HHC!Never too early to start your Holiday Shopping!

Keys That Please- November 2009

Babies love car keys. However, I don't love love what they can do to baby's gums or the way my keys tend to go into hiding when my little one gets them. It once took me 2 days to discover they were hiding in the bottom of our shoe bin. The Maple Wood Teether Key Set is a much better option when it comes to chewing on keys and maintaining mommy's sanity. This 3 key set is made by hand and also features a maple key FOB. It's not only high on the adorable meter, it's also built to last. This is destined to be a teether even your grand kids will enjoy

Sonny Boutique- November 2009

Sonny Boutique is "inspired by old world charm and modern practicality." It is a quaint online shop opened by Rene Sbrocco as she offers a variety of simple, but unique items for babies, children, and even moms. What caught my eye and immediately peeked my interest was the little section of vintage treasures. I love vintage finds for children and this little shop has a nice little collection, but the whole shop is just lovely. I suggest you take a stroll through the shop as I am sure you will find something there you absolutely love and must have! Cakies readers will also receive 20% off your order, just use coupon code sonny20. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner, so don't want until last minute to snatch up some gifts and Sonny Boutique has many good choices! Thank you so much Sonny Boutique!!!

Sonny - October 2009

Owner and genius behind Sonny Boutique, Rene Sbrocco wanted an online shop that showcased old world charm and yet featured modern day practicality. Sonny Boutique offers a beautiful selection of unique gifts for babies, children and moms. It's not only a really chic shop but dedicated to giving back to other communities around the world! A portion of each order placed on Sonny Boutique is donated to different organizations who are dedicated in ending hunger worldwide!

Holiday Gift Guide- The Earth Friends Jayden - October 2009

Jayden loves the Earth, which is why she is called an Earth Friend. Made entirely of natural, recycled, or organic materials, Jayden is safe for all ages to play with. Her hair is made from organic cotton, and clothes from organic or recycled eco-fibers. Her fabric is made from hemp fiber and the soft stuffing is made from recycled plastic containers. She also comes with a backpack with a Hope Tree Planting Kit, Douglas Fir tree seeds and planting instructions inside, along with a magic expanding plant and grow coco pellet. This is a great way to teach your child about preserving the earth while allowing her to have fun at the same time. Jayden would make the perfect holiday gift for your little girl. Adopt her for $69 at SonnyBoutique.com.

Spotted, NYC: Rene October 2009

Spotted: NYC: Rene Born: The Garden State Calls home: Hoboken Day job: Owner, sonnyboutique.com, an online store for baby and mom Dream job: Pro Surfer Fave place, so far: Sitges, a small beach outside of Barcelona Fave place soon-ish: Morocco Can’t put down: My latest issue of National Geographic & Lessons of a Lipstick Queen by Poppy KIng On me: Levi’s, cashmere wrap from Talbots, shoes from a vintage shop in Austin I confess… to rarely brushing my hair

Sonny Boutique - October 2009

I just came back upstairs again after finishing giving diner to my two boys ... one (the baby) is just starting to learn to eat from a spoon, the other (3.5) year old is well-trained but still it isn't always easy to let him eat what we prepared for him .. I truly believe that nice cutlery, plates and a placemat can do miracles and ever since the super friendly Rene Sbrocco send this amazing plate and this placemat to us diner has become more fun, I try to tell a small story about the animals :) ... Rene sells these plates among other great items in her very nice looking online shop called Sonny. (don't miss the vintage treasures)

Mommy and Me - September 2009

Whether you're looking for the perfect purchase for you or your baby, you're sure to find it at Sonny Boutique. And you can feel good about your purchases because a portion of each order placed online is donated to various organizations dedicated to ending hunger in families worldwide! Visit Sonnyboutique.com

Sonny Boutique - July 2009

Unique gifts, togs, and toys for kids, moms, and babes with a nod to the nostalgic. Finds include mobiles from Frazier & Wing, onesies from Areaware, and wooden toys from Little Alouette. Bonus: Enter sonny30 at checkout to get 30 percent off the entire site July 17-19.

Soy Crayon Rocks at Sonny Boutique - July 2009

Sonny Boutique has the loveliest of gifts for mom and baby. One of my favorites is their soy crayon rocks. As a lover of the arts, I feel it necessary to encourage my ten-month old to begin expressing himself through coloring! These crayon rocks are made of soy wax, grown in the US, which are non-toxic and healthier alternative to petroleum wax (used in another big crayon company). There are sixteen shades to help your child to create his first masterpieces for hanging on the fridge! According to Sonny, the shape of these rocks are designed to strengthen tripod grip and helpful for children with special needs. In addition to all the wonderful benefits these crayon rocks provide they also make a very sweet décor in child’s room!

 Sonny featured in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine
 July 2009!

Crayon Rocks- June 2009

Non-toxic soy Crayon Rocks designed to strengthen tripod grip & great for children who have special needs. These vibrant easy to hold crayons (for small hands) were invented by Barbara Lee DaBoll who's been teaching children with special needs for 22 years. $8 @ SonnyBoutique.Com

The Wild Bunch- June 2009

In those first precious moments of life, sights and sounds are of critical importance to a child’s development. Think of the twinkle in an infant’s eye when you wave a stuffed animal before them, or the way their petite hands sweetly reach upward to grab your finger for the first time. Mobiles have always been a nursery room staple, but with their sometimes garish designs and commonly plastic build, they’re not exactly the most attractive, safe, or sustainable type of decor. Nonetheless, children need sensory stimulation, and the laser-cut bamboo mobiles by Petit Collage give them just that, delivered in child and earth-friendly packaging. Four adorable jungle friends hang from the modern-day mobile, bring a benign touch of the wild to your little one’s bedroom. Being fashioned from bamboo, each piece has variations in grain that are naturally kaleidoscopic. That’s something for eco-friendly moms to “rawr” about.

Gifts from Memory Lane- June 2009

If thoughts of your childhood bring back memories of Shrinky Dinks, LightBrights and Cabbage Patch Kids, you'll love Sonny Boutique--a new online shop with special, handpicked gifts for babies, children and moms alike. Founded by fashion veteran Rene Sbrocco, the boutique offers a collection of toys to appease the most nostalgic among us. From Maplewood teethers, to delicate artisan mobiles, to multifunctional baby wraps made from organic fabrics, each item is handpicked for its old world charm and modern practicality. Pick up a bag of crayon rocks ($8--Crayons not made by Crayola? C'mon!), a heavy metal onesie ($20--you won't find this at Baby Gap!), a Peanuts Thermos ($25--you'll have to explain to your kids who the characters are before you use it!) or some vintage books ($8 each--definitely collectors' items). Sbrocco grew up collecting old photographs from her family’s past as a way to piece together the stories she followed as a child. “I’ve always adored the way people were so put together during the 1940’s and I’ve always been drawn to old-fashioned clothing and styles,” says Sbrocco. She decided that her love of vintage fabrics and cuts would best be put to use in a career in fashion. Sbrocco soon found herself working as a wardrobe stylist for some of the biggest names in the industry including Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger. After 10 years in the fashion industry, Sbrocco began designing baby bibs as gifts for her friends and family, put together a collection of fashionable onesies, vintage toys, and other eclectic products and Sonny Boutique was born. In addition to making a great gift, each item on the site is socially responsible, whether it is made from sustainable materials or benefits a charitable cause. Go to www.sonnyboutique.com and shop now.

Macaroni Goodies- June 2009

When I first received the Maple Wood Teether set from Sonny Boutique for my neice, I was skeptical. It doesn’t look like your average, everyday teether and I wasn’t sure how Sabrina would react to it. She immediately placed it in her mouth and kept it there for some time. The smooth texture of the wood seemed to be very appealing to her and when she was not using it as a teether, the shapes and sounds of the keys kept her entertained. Sabrina's parents are relieved that she is teething on something natural, in light of all the lead and phthalate chemical issues that are prevalent today. Who knows what will pop up next in toy products. You can't put a price on keeping our children safe. I would highly recommend this product to all parents out there with teething babiesPlease click here to view product description and details on how to order.

Sonny Boutique- June 2009

Sonny Boutique is an online shop that offers a refined selection of beautiful and unique gifts for babies, children and moms. Sonny Boutique feels that it is their responsibility to give back. Whether it is promoting fair trade, donating to a charity, caring for the environment, using organic products or just being socially conscious.

Sonny Boutique Contest- June 2009

Sonny Boutique has all kinds of unique gifts for baby and mom. Here are just a few...

Sonny Bibs- May 2009

A bib is a thing a baby gets stuck wearing 90% of the time. You put your little one in a cute little outfit then cover it all up with a bib. It takes away all the time and effort you put in making your babies fashion statement for the day. Well why can’t the bib be the fashion statement. At Sonny they are one step ahead. Sonny makes bibs just as stunning as the close you put on your child. There is no way to tell you how gorgeous they are so check them out yourself. Then if the style alone is not going to be enough for you then keep reading. They are unique handmade reversible bibs. They are made with cotton and organic terry cloth and have a handy magnetic closure. To top it all off a portion of the proceeds from each bib sold is donated to Heifer International.

Keyed In - April 2009

I was just introduced to Sonny Boutique, a new online shop that offers a small but superbly curated selection of children's gifts. Many items were created by independent artisans. If you are the type of person who'd rather buy a child a hand-carved wooden toy than something from Toys R Us, this is your place. I'm admiring this maple wood teething toy set . Handmade by Little Alouette, the set of three maple 5" keys is safe for baby and toddlers, and finished with organic seed oil. Much prettier than grown-ups' real keys, and much less troublesome if baby hides them! $22 at Sonny Boutique.

Lovely New Kids' Boutique- April, 2009

I'm loving Sonny, a new boutique full of cool and quirky kid stuff. They have a nicely-curated mix of everything from clothes and gear to toys and vintage finds from hip brands and handmade sellers. I especially like the confetti mobile, maple teether set, and giraffe onesie, above. You can also feel good about shopping at Sonny: Many of the products they sell give back in some way, and they're also donating a portion of their overall sales to help end world hunger. Definitely bookmark-worthy, especially if you're hunting for unique gifts!

Better Blocks- March, 2009

Some of the “charming” old-fashioned toys out there cost an arm and a leg — $250 for a pull-toy is not so sweet. But the price is right with these “shaky” wooden blocks by Little Alouette. At $20, the four handcrafted maple square blocks are filled with dried beans to add a little sound to a wee one’s building process. Plus they are finished with organic seed oils, just in case one ends up in a certain tyke’s mouth. How charming. Available at sonnyboutique.com.

Sonny Boutique featured in Ultimate Baby Shower Gift Guide

There are so many books and websites out there telling you which are the safest infant car seats, the activity center least likely to fall apart after three uses, or the brand of diaper wipes containing the least parabens. Instead, we've asked our editors for the coolest stuff out there and ended up with these 100 incredible picks of must-haves and totally-wants. Some are new, some are classics, but we hope all are the things that new moms really, really hope they'll be getting this year.

Sonny Boutique- March, 2009

One of the things that drives me crazy while shopping on-line is having to scan through pages and pages of options. When I came across Sonny Boutique I loved how simple the product offerings were....each category fits on one page! They offer a variety of unique items for baby, from organic printed onesies to some great wall art for your child's room. We got the giraffe onesie and one of their great bibs. The bib was almost too pretty to use! (We got the "ruffle me feathers" design). It's a super soft cotton reversible design with a magnetic closure which I'd never thought of but LOVE! No more velcro stuck to my unmentionables after a wash! It's great that it's reversible and soft on both sides, one side catches the food and one side I use to wipe her face with after feeding. These are $20 and a portion of the proceeds goes an organization that helps impoverished families across the globe acquire and raise animals and then pass their knowledge and offspring on to others in need...very cool.

Sonny Boutique March, 2009

I was just recently introduced to this website called Sonny Boutique. The mastermind behind the curtain is someone who I have recently become friends with through my finance's friends wife (did i loose you?) Anyways, I am in shock and amazed as to how wonderful these baby products are! Visit her website and view them for yourself. When I'm ready to have a 'lil one, this will be my first stop to get some very fashionable, earth-friendly accessories for my babe! To top it all off, a percentage of each sale benefits an organization committed to ending hunger in children and families worldwide. Knowing that makes me want to purchase a cute gorilla onesie now (too bad it's not an adult size)!

Welcome To The Jungle- February, 2009

Thankfully, I have undergone a baby mobile intervention since having our first child, and am happy to report that we are free of all fuzzy, robotic sounding mobiles in our home, mostly due to the amazing choices out there today. Like this beautiful Petit Collage baby mobile found at Sonny Boutique. Laser cut from eco-friendly bamboo, this adorable mobile features four retro inspired animals that will entertain your baby sans the drive-you-batty music. Plus it adds a nice artistic touch to your nursery without the use of any more colors than you're probably already trying to wrangle. -Kristen

Visit Sonny Boutique for a lovely selection of baby gifts.

{the must-have you must have} December 2008

My 17 month old still wears a bib. The trouble with this is that it is hard to find one that isn't too small around her neck, that is soft and stylish (because this is important), and I prefer one that doesn't have Velcro closure. It's too distracting. All the exciting ripping noises etc. Our new favorites are from Sonny Boutique. Designed and handcrafted (always a must) with love and attention to detail, and with super soft organic fabrics. They are absorbent, and have a nice magnetic closure that just seems more refined to me. Also the baby likes to put it on herself but still finds the magnetic closure a "no no" to mess with so she isn't as eager to remove the bib. Sonny Boutique is unique (ha that rhymes), in that they offer three different bib sizes depending on their stock. At 17 months the "tot" size fits perfectly. She and I feel better wearing Sonny bibs knowing that a percentage of each sale benefits the Heifer International, an organization committed to ending hunger in children and families worldwide.