Trade in the hand-me-downs and matching PJs for stylish finds from our favorite boutique for kids. 
ANIMAL CRACKERS.
This is where the cool moms shop. The front area of the store is
stocked with ribbed tees and tanks for teens and adults. But the
clothes get smaller (and the audience younger) as you travel to the
back of the store. Animal Crackers carries a great selection of Betsey
Johnson frocks and Nicole Miller cardigans for preteens, as well as
shoes by Kenneth Cole’s secondary line, Reaction, in small-person
sizes. Wild Child Wear pants with beaded rose patches on the seams and
matching jean jackets were the sassiest threads we found for toddlers.
For babies, they carry boot-cut cotton stretch pants. Mon-Sat, 10
a.m.-6 p.m. 1900 Preston Rd., Ste. 260, Plano. 972-867-4802.
BEBE GRAND. Just stepping through the door into Bebe Grand
makes you want to procreate ASAP. Everything inside the pastel pink,
blue, green, and yellow store is super-soft cotton and yummy. Petit
Bateau onesies and shirts are stacked inside whitewashed cabinets and
dressers. Darling Pervenche hand-smocked dresses, Petunia Pickle Bottom
diaper bags, and Milk and Cookies bibs made with vintage-like fabric
are just a few more things you’ll find for your little lambs. For
gifts, pick up a Bright Moon silver spoon wrapped in silver wire, or
block letters with Swarvoski crystals. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2013
Abrams Pkwy. 214-887-9224.
JACADI. This is a prim-and-proper shop for European classics
that will last a lifetime, and the store caters to newborns through
preteens. Although we don’t know of any 12-year-old who would willingly
shop here (it’s a bit conservative), we did come across a slew of finds
for the 3-and-under set: itsy-bitsy cardigans with bunnies sewn onto
the sleeves, aqua-blue wool booties with bubblegum-pink fuzz balls, and
a green velvet shift dress that would be perfectly paired with a white
long-sleeved turtleneck. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. 53
Highland Park Village, 214-443-9006; 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano.
469-366-0011.
OILILY. The beauty of Oilily is that it fosters the concept
of mixing and matching, so kids who insist on dressing themselves come
out looking perfectly disheveled. “Match” a pair of pink, yellow, or
tangerine tights with a striped cord jumper for that Euro hippie feel.
Lemon-yellow sweaters and jeans embellished with sparkly trim and
pom-poms are more funky finds. Everything in the boys selection is
still striped and dotted, but in decidedly more masculine colors. Good
news: they also carry shoes and a women’s line. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-9
p.m.; Sun, noon-6 p.m. 216 NorthPark Center. 214-692-5173.
SHELBI’S STUFF. If you covet a themed nursery or bedroom for
your precious offspring, this place should be at the top of your list.
The resourceful staff helps parents personally select colors and
fabrics. Choose from planes, trains, kitties, or flowers in every color
scheme imaginable. And if you haven’t decided on furniture, you can do
that, too. Also shop for chic diaper bags that you’ll want to carry
long after junior doesn’t need his diaper changed. Mon-Sat, 10
a.m.-5:30 p.m. 8318 Preston Center Plaza. 214-346-0404.
Mother’s Day Out Tips and trends for moms and moms-to-be.
1. PUT BABY TO SLEEP by listening to Golden Slumbers: A Father’s Lullaby. This compilation of instrumental lullabies includes songs by jazz favorites Dave Koz and David Beniot.
2. GO TO TARGET for something other than detergent. Former fashion editor Liz Lange’s new line of no-fuss maternity wear is set to hit Target stores this month.
3. APPRECIATE MUSIC other than your Coldplay CD. Country Baby
videos are all the rage for 4- to 36-month-olds and their parents. The
30-minute video introduces young minds to bright colors and fun, kooky
versions of country classics. www.countrybabyvideo.com.
4. TAKE A NIGHT OFF. For $15, you can drop the kids at Premier Club’s Parents Night Out, the third Friday of every month, from 6:30-11 p.m. The little ones play games and eat pizza while you catch up on your life. If only that third Friday happened more often. 214-891-6600.
Photo by Abel Sanchez
