Little Citizens hoodie

We are thrilled to announce our annual online event contributing proceeds from sales made on www.teacollection.com to benefit our partner, The Global Fund for Children (www.globalfundforchildren.org) – an organization that works to advance the dignity of vulnerable children and youth by supporting and strengthening grass root groups and harnessing the power of books, films, and photography.

The three day event with be November 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Tea Collection will donate 15% of all sales of children’s clothing from its website to GFC.

Tea Collection also offers exclusively designed tee’s, bodysuits, and a new shoulder bag in which 50% of the proceeds from these items are donated to the GFC.

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Festive outfits that can be worn beyond the holiday season – Parents are seeking special occasion outfits for their children this holiday season; however they are looking for styles that are not the traditional red and green.  Especially in the current economic climate, it is important the pieces could also work for a birthday party, a nice dinner, or any other special occasion that requires a dressier outfit.  Tea’s holiday dresses are perfect – they offer extraordinary elegance and style that can be worn for special occasions any time of the year.

East Meets West

East Meets West – East meets West fusion styling has been essential to this fall’s fashions and is also showing up on runways in Spring/Summer 2010 collections.  Inspired by the ancient Japanese practice, Shinto Traditions are fashions for children up to size 8 that incorporates kimono inspired styling and symbolic prints.  The Shippo Woven Shirt is a modern printed shirt with contrast cuff with a pattern that represents the “seven treasure” in Buddhism.

Relaxed, yet refined holiday fashions - Children love to be comfortable, so it is important to find holiday outfits that are special yet practical for day parties or running around at grandma’s house.  The Meiji Floral printed french terry dress will be well suited until spring with its sporty attitude and floral femininty, perfect for signature Tea

layering with Purity tees and leggings (layering is another trend).  For boys, the Satori Stripe Sweater offer luxe comfort in pimo cotton with sporty styling, paired with the Wabi Cargo pant; he will be ready for any occasion.

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Our tagline at Tea is “for little citizens of the world”, which has been our inspiration from the start. We want to bring the beauty found in cultures around the world into the lives and homes of families in our own backyard. It helps us remember that we are all more alike than we are different.

With that in mind, we would like to invite our customers, fans and the TwitterMoms community to participate in our ‘Little Citizens of the World’ contest!

The Rules

Please read carefully as all are required in order to enter!

1)    Write a post about what you and/or your children think it means to be a “Little Citizen of the World”. Feel free to post pictures or tell a story that illustrates the “Little Citizens of the World” concept.

2)    Link back to http://www.teacollection.com within the post, using either “children’s clothes” or “children’s clothing” as the link text.

3)    Return to this page and in the comments field below let us know you entered with a comment and link to your post.

The Prizes

Winners will receive TeaCollection.com gift certificates in the following amounts:

• 1^st Place: $500
• 2^nd Place: $200
• 3^rd Place: $100

All three winners will also receive the “Be My Neighbor Book”, a Little Citizens Hoodie in the size/color of their choosing, and a mention and link back to their post on the Tea blog!

We will make our selection on November 20^th and announce the winners on November 24^th.

To show our own support for the Little Citizens of the World, we will also be donating 15% of ALL sales to the Global Fund for Children from November 4 through November 6. The Global Fund for Children reaches the most vulnerable children and youth worldwide by investing in grassroots initiatives in 72 countries. With a focus on education, health, safety, and enterprise, their support addresses the most critical areas needed for children to reach their full potential.

Please feel free to share this contest with any friends that you think might be interested.

You must have a personal blog and be over 18 to enter.

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Tea Collection has introduced a new collection of sleepwear for little citizens.

The baby pajamas and kids pajama sets are currently available online and in boutiques across the country. The collection of boy’s pajamas and girl’s pajamas is made of close-fitting, luxurious Pima cotton that is brushed inside for extra softness. The cozy knit rib on these pjs will make bedtime your child’s favorite hour. Available in five inspired prints in sizes 6 months to 6 years.

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girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Thank you to everyone who entered our Preschool Essentials Sweepstakes. We loved reading all of your favorite preschool memories.  Music, reading, and arts and crafts, especially finger painting, were beloved activities.  Nap time and snack time were also highlights in a preschooler’s day.  Meeting new friends, some lifelong, was a cherished memory for many.  Preschool clothes – selecting that perfect outfit was a weekly / nightly activity.  Tears, from both parent and child (not always at the same time), were also a re-occurring theme among the memories.

After reading hundreds of preschool memories, here are some of our favorites and a true testament that children do say the darnedest things!

Our Favorite Preschool  Memories (as shared and in no particular order):

Me crying and my son saying to me “don’t cry you can come pick me up in a couple of hours” – Alejandra

Our son was so excited about his first day at preschool. I picked him up at 12 and asked him how he liked his first day. He told me that first they told each other their names. Then they finger painted a picture, had some milk and cookies and then went outside. He looked at me and said “mommy, I didn’t know school would be so hard, I’m ready for a nap!” – Laura

On Hannah’s first day of preschool, both mommies and preschoolers went together for an hour.  On the second day of school the preschoolers went by themselves for an hour.  I told my daughter Hannah that Mommy would be going with her on the first day but on her next day of school she would be going by herself.  Hannah’s reply was, “But I can’t drive the car by myself.”  It was so funny! – Jen

Leaving on Tuesday, her teacher said, “See you Thursday!”  She looks at me, and says… “They think I’m coming back.” And giggles. – Leslie

I remember my son coming home from kindergarten class.  He told me he was the teacher’s pet.  He had been crawling on the floor and she had asked him if he thought he was a pet. – Doris

First day of school, I was so sad.  And as the tears silently rolled down by face, my then 5 year old reached over and patted me on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, it’s just school.  I will be here all day and I will be waiting for you right here at the end of the day, Ok?”  – R. Cherie

My favorite memory is actually mine. Before we had snack we had to thank God for something. I would always thank God for toys. The teachers told me I had to pick something else like my family. I then thanked God the next day for my parents for buying me toys. Then they told me I had to say something else so I thanked God for money because that let my parents buy me toys. When my mom picked me up I asked her what incorrigible means. – Danielle

I went to preschool with one of my best friends.  He was always biting the other kids.  When our moms would pick us up each day I would promptly tell them, “Scott only bit 2 kids today!”  Good times! – Jill

Although few memories of my preschool days still exist, the most vivid are of days on the playground with a friendly boy who would one day become my husband.  – Lindsey

My mom tells the story of coming to get me after my first day of preschool and finding me out in the hallway in my cot.  The teachers didn’t know what to do because I wouldn’t go to sleep and kept singing “you are my sunshine” and they didn’t want me to disturb the other kids. -  Kim

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Things are starting to get a little chaotic with the end of summer, the beginning of the school season, and that growing list of to-do’s to get everything taken care of.  If you’re looking for a way to introduce your children to community service, looking for a way to stay involved yourself, or want to contribute, then we highly recommend checking out the ways to get involved at My New Red Shoes.  They’ve made it really easy to help out, and you can even involve your kids!  Gift bags are given to all of the children, and you can get crafty and help personalize them, or support the organization through monetary donations or by participating in one of the many programs that they host.  They even have a Teen Advocacy Council where kids can work to help other kids in the community, and inspire change around them. 

We love how inspired My New Red Shoes is, and of course support anyone working to foster and cultivate our little citizens.  To borrow their own words, “My New Red Shoes has faith in the power of children to change the world; planting the seed of compassion is the first step toward creating community change. Providing the tools to advocate for and generate change is the second.”

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

Another great collection has hit the shelves!  We are so excited to have another inspired collection from our designers here at Tea.  This new collection pays homage to the ancient art of indigo dye, which has a deep seat in the Japanese culture.  Check out Emily’s blog on her trip to Japan and the wonderful history of the art of dyeing indigo.

A special thanks goes out to Josh Tetreault from Emotive Brand who made another incredible video for us, and to Laurie Frankel for capturing the fun spirit of the little citizens at the photo shoot.  We hope you have just as much fun watching the video as we did making it!

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes

In our travels, we fell in love with the subtle characteristics of Japanese culture.  We discovered exquisite vintage textiles in a quaint Kyoto gallery. We met a modest artisan who is revered for his heritage, knowledge and talent. And we became infatuated with small, independent design houses featuring clothes for a relaxed lifestyle.  This fall, we’ve created a collection of children’s clothes that expresses the grace and style of Japanese culture, especially the honored use of indigo dye.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved the raw beauty of indigo.  I’ve watched it age, growing richer in its blue hues, softening to the touch, but retaining its strength.  For me, indigo is an emotional inspiration because of its glorious, ancient origins, and how I’ve seen the Japanese render it today into a high quality, casual fashion.
In Kyoto, we visited the Aizenkobo Indigo Workshop where an artist revealed more to us about the dye than I ever knew.  In its natural form, indigo doesn’t burn.  It is rare to find such textural beauty and strength together.  In the 18th century, Japanese firefighters wore indigo-dyed garments because of its protective ability.  One of my favorite travel pictures is Laura Boes in the antique firefighter’s coat from the Edo period. 

Shibori is another traditional craft that is much like tie dye. Cotton fabrics are soaked up to 20 times, or even 40 times for silk, to achieve the deep blue-violet color.  Artists, then, painstakingly string-tie miniscule knots around pinches of the dyed fabric, creating a small-dotted circle shape. Thousands of these knots evolve into a sea of repeating geometric motifs that can cover the entire piece of cloth. 

Because of the arduous and expensive process, most of the world uses synthetic indigo.  However, a few Japanese artists and designers are keeping the craft alive in today’s culture.  We wanted to pay homage to this honored tradition in our boys and girls clothes.   

The Indigo Arts Collection includes great back-to-school and holiday essentials such as the Shibori Girl Dress and Top, Takayama Plaid Top and Dress  for girls and the Edo Firefighter Pullover for boys .  And we are bringing back our iconic Kimono Robe . When I see my son and other little citizens wearing it, I know that they have the softest, most quintessential piece of children’s outerwear for any time of year. 

I wish a wonderful fall season to everyone.  I look forward to your comments and hope that you will share the spirit of indigo with all who inspire you. 

-Emily

girls dresses - boys clothes - baby clothes