They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. If that’s the case, local designer and crafty lady Ann H. must be feelin’ some serious love. She’s the face and fingers behind adorable Lou and Lee headbands for kiddos—the same headbands that have generated a handful of spin-offs on crafty sites like Etsy. But just like a Louis V handbag or classic Frye boot (or Magnolia cupcake, while we’re at it), there’s nothing quite like the real thing.

Especially when the real thing is handmade and hand-stitched by a fashion-loving stylista. Ann’s signature designs are uniquely intricate and fashion-forward, always incorporating fabric rosettes, textured blossoms or vintage-inspired tattoos—and loads of sequins, on occasion. Attention to detail and creative genius come together to make a perfect look that can’t be replicated.

And that’s the kind of thing you can wrap your head around. Or wrap around your baby’s head.

{Band Together}

Lou and Lee headbands
www.etsy.com/shop/louandlee

There’s doing it yourself, and then there’s designing it yourself. Save your child from turning into a walking (or crawling) advertisement for a major chain and instead, turn to local company Apericots for some hand-holding in the design department.

This eco-friendly shop spins out organic tees and onesies in hip hues like “Not Baby Blue,” “Shimmery Lake,” and “Mustard Bisque.” Then, with the help of fun, pre-selected fonts that will bring out your varsity blues or inner grandma/geek (any needlepoint or zipsonic sketch fans out there?), you can apply a witty slogan of your own. You can upload your own images, too.

If you’re not up for the DIY thing, then look to Apericots for some of the freshest, funniest, or coolest onesies out there.

{Monkey Business}

Apericots
www.apericots.com
www.etsy.com/shop/apericots

Spotted: A baby boom! A tiny tiger, giraffe, meerkat, leopard and more have taken up residencies in Utah. And debuting tomorrow: a brand-new baby elephant. You can even take your turn at naming the big little critter.

Good For: Watching cute get cuter.

Where: Hogle Zoo (www.hoglezoo.org)

How Much: Adults, $9; children, $7; children 2 and under, free

Photography by Cody Buell

Most days, we’re happy with our little spot on the map. But today, we wouldn’t mind changing addresses for one a tad north of here. Why the wanderlust? Think See Kai Run baby shoes, Petunia Picklebottom bags and handfuls of Melissa & Doug toys all under one charming roof on a historic, walkable street. The kind of little shop that will have you coming back again and again. Even commuting for.

Nestled among award-winning Ume clothing boutique and the ever-popular Needle Point Joint on Ogden’s more-charming-than-ever Historic 25th Street, Little Cherry Blossoms is giving moms (and many baby shower attendees) something to shout about. A haven for baby shopping, this boutique is known for scouting out the lastest and greatest in the kiddo community.

Let your registry get more sophisticated than the Babies ‘R Us route, and give this shop a try. Your shower guests will get all the hand-holding they need, plus they have the really cute ‘n necessary stuff you really want like lightweight Aiden & Anais blankets, Trumpette socks and the softest pima cotton convertible gowns from Kissy Kissy.

What’s that you say? You don’t live in Weber or even Davis County and you’re not much for driving? Then hop over to Little Cherry Blossoms online, where you’ll find the same cute stuff,  and be taken care of just as nicely.

As for those of you calling Ogden home, we’re sorry if we’re not our regular selves next time we see you. Just like those girls in middle school, we’re just jealous.

{Now Blossoming}

Little Cherry Blossoms
184 Historic 25th Street
Ogden, Utah
(801) 334-0184
www.littlecherryblossoms.com

By Ali Anderson Smith
Photography by Lacey Jane Pappas

We don’t know who this Babinski character is, but we do know that he/she has a super good eye for scoping out baby stuff. This end-all, be-all boutique for baby shower shopping in Foothill Village isn’t new to the ‘hood, but its always-consistent inventory of cutting-edge cute items keeps it continually under your radar, whether you have a kiddo or not.

Think Oeuf’s sweet grey Sparrow Crib or modern Dwell bedding. Or snatch up a classic Storytime rocking chair or forward-thinking Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair. Blabla soft toys are in full effect as are Boon’s dining doodads. But aside from the come-to-see-it-in-person stuff, you’ll also see essentials like shelves of children’s books and urban BundleMe blankets, which makes us like this place even more.

One part clothing store, one part furniture shop and another part stroller gallery, it’s fair to say that Babinski’s has something of everything. There are diaper bags to try on for size, every shape and style of baby sock-shoe and several different Bugaboo strollers to try your hand at folding up. But some of our favorite items are those typically placed around the register. That’s where you’ll find truly special items from small-time (and local!) designers like Lou and Lee headbands and one-of-a-kind onesies from V. Lou Textiles. We love to see locals supporting locals. That’s what we’re here for too.

{B-b-baby)

Babinski’s Baby
1324 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City
(801) 583-2229
www.babinskis.com

They’re the little people in our lives but they acquire a lot of stuff, and fast. Shops like these four local favorites that stock their shelves with necessities for kiddos like myriad sock monkeys, colorful tutus and embroidered cardigans aren’t helping the situation. Whether you’re shopping for your niece’s birthday or your bestie’s first baby, here are the stops we recommend looking in to. It’s likely you’ll find a little treasure for you, too. (Never have we used the word “cute” so much as we did in these four stories. Sometimes, there just isn’t a better word for the job.)

Kinder Winkel: Despite the wide array of cute products, Kinder Winkel is easy to shop and fun to browse. You’ll enjoy children’s artwork, banners swinging overhead, bookshelves stocked with parenting guides and children’s reads … and the blessed sale rack. We see good stuff marked down every time we go. We daresay Sandy has never looked quite so cute. Read the entire post here.

The Children’s Hour: Three parts boutique (women’s, children’s and gift) and another part children’s bookstore, the Children’s Hour is the kind of place that, if threatened, we’d gladly put on our fight faces for. It’s one of Salt Lake’s gems, offering locals some hand-holding in terms of style forecasting, but warm enough to make you feel at home. Read the entire post here.

All Tucked In: You can browse a handful of European shoes for ladies, scan jewelry from local designers, spy gorgeous satin ruffled dresses for little gals, shop for popular children’s games, find a cute frock for you, and thumb through lots and lots of books for the kiddos in your life—you’ll even get recommendations from resident experts. Read the entire post here.

Four and Twenty Sailors: It’s fun when the place where your Grandma used to take you to pick out a special “Easter dress” as a kid turns out to be the same place where you wouldn’t mind treating yourself to an “Easter” dress, top, pant or shoe in your adult life. There’s nothing quite like a personal attachment to a local boutique. Read the entire post here.

Spotted: Build-your-own alphabet train

Good For: Self-expression, and learning your ABC’s.

Where: Soel Boutique (4801 N. University Avenue, Provo)

How Much: $2 per letter

When babies get cold outside, you bundle ‘em up in turtlenecks, sweaters and puffy coats. You’re a westerner and you know how to handle the lack of heat. But a pair of Utahns outsmarted the rest of us with a cute undershirt-ish invention that does the job of two layers in one.

All it took was a few East Coast winters, where kids get shuffled into icy streets and moved into toasty cafes, and then back into the frigid air again. You know the drill: on go the layers, off go the layers (and then repeat as necessary) so as to avoid sweaty little bodies that can turn into Jack Frosties faster than you can say “let it snow.” Not to mention how you’re feeling after the de- and re-bundling marathon.

So what is it? The Warmsie, crafted by Melissa DeMourdant and Krista Lewis. In a nutshell, it’s a onesie-and-pant combo that, like thermals, keeps little ones toasty without overheating. The fabric used in Warmsies wicks away moisture to help control temps so the suit can be worn under anything from a Halloween costume to a sports jersey to a cute jumper.

Locally, Warmsies have been spotted at Mary Janes and Kindersport in Park City. You can also pick up a set at their website, www.snugabugbaby.com.

If you’ve called SLC home long enough, chances are you have some degree of an attachment to the Children’s Hour. We’re pulled to it like a couple of shop-hungry moths to the flame. It’s probably their European-inspired shoes. Or owner Diane’s book recommendations. Or the collection of doodads made by locals like ourselves. Its proximity to Maza doesn’t hurt, and neither do the frequency of sidewalk sales.

Three parts boutique (women’s, children’s and gift) and another part children’s bookstore, the Children’s Hour is the kind of place that, if threatened, we’d gladly put on our fight faces for. It’s one of Salt Lake’s gems, offering locals some hand-holding in terms of style forecasting, but warm enough to make you feel at home. Plus, it’s pretty much as cute as it gets.

In case you don’t already know what it’s like, step into the new location at the northwest corner of 900 East and 900 South. The new spot showcases the inventory better than ever—now you’ll notice all the Cath Kidston linens, ceramic tea cups and designer women’s lines from Converse. Even if you’re not up to dish out $125 on a Free People blouse or $60 on a Room Seven frock for your little one, it’s likely that you’ll walk out with a piece of jewelry, a case for your glasses or a good-looking wallet. Maybe even a lunch pail.

It may be called the Children’s Hour, but there’s plenty of time for you, too. Come here next time you’re in need of a stylish sundress for your cousin’s wedding or some killer satin heels. They’re just the kind of thing you’ll want to step out in.

{Time for Local Shopping}

The Children’s Hour
898 S. 900 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 359-4150
www.childrenshourbookstore.com

Remember that adorable shop Meg Ryan’s character owns and operates in “You’ve Got Mail?” (Also, remember the popularity of her haircut?) The Shop Around the Corner, as we think it was called, reeked with charm: the wooden floors, the bookshelves, the selection of cute reads … and then-cute haircuts.

We think we found Utah’s Shop Around the Corner. It’s not exactly around the corner as we ventured north to Bountiful in order to check it out, but you definitely feel at home when you’re there. It’s a warm and neighborly place full of fashionable and functional doodads and knicknacks.

All Tucked In carries a little bit of everything, which makes it ideal for gift shopping. Somewhat simultaneously, you can browse a handful of European shoes for ladies, scan jewelry from local designers, spy gorgeous satin ruffled dresses for little gals, shop for popular children’s games, find a cute frock for you, and thumb through lots and lots of books for the kiddos in your life—you’ll even get recommendations from resident experts.

Cute clothes for the likes of us came from lines like Free People and Hazel. We also spied the cutest pair of brown leather boots by Jeffrey Campbell on sale … but you had better hurry, there were only two pairs left!

{Cozy Up}

All Tucked In
115 S. Main Street
Bountiful, Utah
(801) 298-7262
www.alltuckedin.net

Like balloons? Haven’t had your face painted in a while? Then giddy up and get you and yours to Frosty Darling’s Children’s Fair this Saturday. This cuter-than-cute event will feature story time, crafts, photo portraiture—even toy pony rides! What more could you ask for? A magic show? Then you’re in luck. There’s one of those, too.

After the fun, scoot next door to Saans Gallery to see the latest paintings by artist and Frosty Darling-owner Gentry Blackburn.

{Fair to Remember}

Children’s Fair
May 31, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Frosty Darling
177 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City

If you don’t already know about ONEiTY, then you gotsta read this post. Not only does this local company craft super-cute and classy apparel for kiddos, it’s centered on creating jobs for women in third-world countries and replanting revenue in communities where its clothings is manufactured.

In a nutshell: when you shop with them, you feel all warm and fuzzy. And you get cute stuff.

Recently, a small workshop in Madagascar that produces ONEiTY’s merch was robbed. These people lost their computer, their sewing equipment, their cash … everything. Recovering from a loss like this around here would be rough, but you can probably imagine the obstacle it creates in a place like Madagascar.

In an effort to get their friends back on their feet, ONEiTY is hosting a generous three-day fundraiser this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. When you shop with ONEiTY on these three days, every single dollar you spend will be sent directly to Madagascar. Every. Single. Dollar.

On top of that, every shopper to make a purchase online and in-store will be entered to win a drawing for sweet prizes like prints from Sarah Jane Studios and Fall Down Tree; customized alphabet blocks from Hiccup Inc., cupcakes from So Cupcake, and, get this:

A YEAR of free clothing from ONEiTY! Woowza.

Obviously, you don’t want to miss out. Head to the store tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday to help them help their friends. You’ll feel good, and your kids will look good because of it.

{Shop and Save}

ONEiTY Madagascar Fundraiser
May 27, 28 and 29
4010 S. 2700 East
Holladay, Utah
(801) 231-0867
www.oneitygoods.com
www.oneity.blogspot.com

p.s. ONEiTY is also hosting a 3-For-2 sale this week at the store and is now booking “hosted sales” at area homes like yours. Get the scoop over here.

When it comes to cute stuff for babies, we can’t get enough around here. Whether or not you’re a Mom, certainly you have a sister, brother, cousin, BFF, coworker, neighbor, book clubber with a wee one on the way, if not already wrapped in their arms that you can spoil, err, shower with love.

Our next stop: Baby Bintz. This hub for baby accessories (and YHO sponsor!) keeps plenty of cute tokens on-hand. We’re huge fans of their soft-as-a-baby’s-behind toddler blankets (we like the monkey kind), as well as Baby Bintz’ still-soft and stylish burp cloths (like this). Also check out the crayon and coloring kits for kiddos.

Also click on the nicely packaged and put-together Bintz Baskets that make gift-giving a snap. You’ll even get to customize what goes inside.

YHO Dealio: Your Heart Out readers will get 15% off their next purchase when they enter coupon code “Heart” at checkout. This offer is good through May only so hurry up up up.

{Mini Doorprize} As if that wasn’t enough, Baby Bintz wants to hand out one burp cloth and one ribbon binkie clip to one oh-so-lucky YHO baby. Want these to dazzle the little one in your life? You’ll even get to pick which designs you want. Just leave one comment on this post before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. We’ll announce the winner on Thursday.

Nobody likes to have their hands full. Rather, we like to throw them up in the air … and wave them around like we just don’t care. Even though we do care. For our wee babies, in particular.

Enter ModMum baby slings. These sturdy helper-outers are at-once stylish and useful—our favorite combination, next to peanut butter and chocolate. You can have little little Ella or Otto nuzzled up to you while you fill your plate at the shower, or while you fold your laundry, or while you shop for that perfect post-pregnancy top. And you’ll look good while you’re doing it.

ModMum reversible slings come in an assortment of fun patterns and bright colors, which will also make getting dressed a cinch. What will look good with the super-cute Olivia? We know! Your favorite fitted T-shirt. What about the whimsical Carmen? How’s about your favorite plain-colored T-shirt? Of course, they’ll look good with your crisp blouses and pintucked smocks, too. And attention, city gals, ModMum knows that black is the new black. Check out the all-sleek Viv.

{Phat Ladies Sling}

ModMum Baby Slings
$54-$64 apiece
www.modmum.com

{Did someone say Doorprize?} ModMum wants to treat two different YHO readers to a sling of their choice. Merci, ModMum! Have a bundle on the way? Got a wife/cousin/friend/sister’s friend with a bun in the oven? We daresay she’ll want one of these pretties. Leave just one comment on this post by 10 p.m. on Friday, April 18. We’ll announce the winners on Saturday.

Sandy’s newest children’s boutique Kinder Winkel is hosting its very first Tea party, and you’re on the guest list. The super-cute Tea Collection is just one of the favored lines Kinder Winkel carries. In case you aren’t already in-the-know, we think you’ll find that Tea designs present a fresh, no-fuss version of sweetness. Trust us on this one. And they’re even better on sale.

Through Saturday only, Kinder Winkel is offering 20% off your Tea Collection purchase. All you have to do is print out the coupon below.

Tell one, tell all. But you had better hurry before it’s gone….

{Gone Sale-ing}

Kinder Winkel
10367 S. State Street, Sandy
(801) 571-9465
www.kinderwinkelusa.com

Spotted: Scalloped and smocked Easter dresses for little ladies

Good For: Egg-hunting, candy-eating, picture-posing … for years to come

Where: Oneity (4010 S. 2700 East, Holladay)

How Much: About $24-$28

Our friend Chelsea tipped us off to Kinder Winkel about a month ago. Since then, we’ve visited twice—the second time because all of our photos were accidentally deleted from our first trip—but that’s OK because we liked it just as much the second time around. Especially because much of the spring collection had arrived, doubling the fun.

Hip-to-the-hop Kinder Winkel is pretty much as cute as it comes. This Sandy baby-and-toddler’s boutique carries everything that’s cute under the sun: For starters, you have wall-to-wall apparel from favorite lines like Baby Lulu, Tea, Imps & Elfs, Angel Dear and Ollie Baby. And then you’ve got your Rockabye Baby CDs, baby slings, hair clips, shoes from See Kai Run, socks from Trumpette, hats, placemats and more. We weren’t kidding when we said “everything.”

Despite the wide array of products, Kinder Winkel is easy to shop and fun to browse. You’ll enjoy the children’s artwork, the banners swinging overhead, the bookshelves stocked with parenting guides and children’s reads … and the blessed sale rack. We see good stuff marked down every time we go (which has been twice, now, as we said. The third is probably just around the corner). We daresay Sandy has never looked quite so cute.

{See For Yourself}

Kinder Winkel
10367 S. State Street, Sandy
(801) 571-9465
www.kinderwinkelusa.com

Spotted: His-and-hers flannel patchwork PJs for kids

Good For: Cuddling and snuggling and staying warm and looking cute at all times

Where: ONEiTY (4010 S. 2700 East, Holladay)

How Much: $16 includes jammies and matching overnight bag, plus a flannel bunny for ages five-and-under

It could be for your little bro, your little niece or the little one of your very own. And you have to admit, these gifts are so fun/cute you wouldn’t mind picking up one for yourself (think Build Your Own Volcano and Lotta Jansdotter Soft Toys, as pictured below). Here are twenty or so that we think could raise you to Favorite Sister, Favorite Aunt, or Favorite Mom status.

Who wouldn’t want to get their hands of some of the amazingly cute and artful illustrations by Sarah Jane of Sarah Jane Studios? You don’t even need to have a children’s room in your house or a bun in the oven to want these beauties decorating your walls. Her pieces are just the kind of thing you want to look at before you turn in for the night. (See here.)

We love that Sarah’s subtle illustrations are colorful and sweet but filled with art and style. Her unique and simplistic look results from growing up with a pencil (or crayon) in her hand, fine art training in her youth, and, of course, reading lots of children’s literature. She now uses her own children as her muses, and rejoices in the fact that their favorite children’s book illustrators are the same as her own: Arnold Lobel (of “Frog and Toad”), Maurice Sendak (“Where the Wild Things Are”), and Antoine de Saint-Exupery (“Le Petit Prince”). In Sarah’s own words: “They say that your first impressions of art as a child serve as your main inspiration as an illustrator, and it is so true.”

Sarah recently started up her Sarah Jane Etsy shop and blog called “Illustrating Childhood.”

Here are some of our favorite things in the shop:

• J’aime Ma Maman
• Breakfast Bunny
• Storytime
• Curl in the Middle of Her Forehead
• Danse Avec Moi

Since Sarah’s shop is a shy five days old, she’s offering a free set of Halloween Cards with her first 50 orders. We might be more inclined to frame these than send them off to our fellow Halloween-lovers.

{Doorprize!} Sarah would like to gift one lucky YHO reader with a $40 gift certificate to her Etsy shop (good for two $20 pieces) as well as a complimentary set of Halloween cards. Woohoo! Want in on the action? Just leave one comment on this post by 10 p.m. on Monday, October 15.