First Annual Award Highlights Independently Owned Stores Who Shine Among Peers

KooKoo Bear Baby & Kids an online e-tailer, mail order catalog, and retail store marketer of designer kids’ rooms and exceptional baby gifts, announces the company has won the Retail Star Award given by Kids Today magazine. The store was recognized for their stellar efforts to provide unique products and high quality services for their customers.

“We are honored to be named a Retail Star by Kids Today magazine, because of our focus on customer service, superior product selection, and distinctive gifts,” said Joe Mediate, Chief Marketing Officer, KooKoo Bear Kids.

Kids Today magazine solicited nominations from all types and sizes of stores and came up with a list of 10 who are a model of success for everyone. The Retail Stars were selected by the editorial staff and winners appear in the May issue of the magazine and online at Kids Today Online. The 10 Retail Stars represent a broad geographical range and a wide variety of products sold. Single- and multi-store operations are recognized, but all are independently owned.

Decorating baby nurseries is a much-desired activity for parents who want their child to rest and play in a fun décor. Children’s furniture, wall drapes, rugs, wall art and many other accessories make the baby’s room look unique and amazing. Parents also look for vibrant and eye catching colors that will complement the youthful tone of a kid’s room. KooKooBearKids.com is the one stop online store that supplies a complete range of furniture, furnishings, accessories and specialty items for making a child’s room beautiful and well decorated.

Like most independent specialty operators, KooKoo Bear Kids is all about product quality with that unique style and look and a big dose of great customer service. The store offers classes for expectant or new moms, design assistance, delivery and monogramming services. Each gift is wrapped in a signature yellow box with matching ribbon. The KooKoo Bear Kids Web Site has a gift registry and live chat capabilities for answering questions. By ordering online, customers can access 24 hour shopping, with products shipping all over the world. KooKoo Bear Kids offers promotional specials through social media efforts, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace.

I don’t think it’s ever too early to start encouraging good study habits. The earlier you start, the better they stick. One of the best methods to help your kids develop good study habits is to set up a routine that they follow daily. Decide on a study time and have it at the same time every day. It’s also important for kids to have a place set aside to do their homework. In front of the TV or in the kitchen while you cook dinner isn’t ideal. Kids need a quiet place, preferably at a desk, so they won’t be distracted. Help them get organized. Desk sets and a day planner notebook are key to organization and good organization equals good study time. KooKoo Bear Kids has a couple desk sets on their website that I think are really great. They have a bunch of different fabrics and patterns and they all come with a blotter, a pencil holder, and a letter holder. They also have a matching wastebasket and tissue box cover you can buy separately. KooKoo Bear Kids has a great vintage baseball print set that boys will love. The polka dot set is really cute for a girl. Whatever pattern you choose, these desk sets will get the kids excited about studying and that is the goal. Don’t forget to check their work and get excited when they bring home A’s. A little encouragement from mom or dad can go a long way in making studying a habit.  

School will be starting again in a few weeks and I’m pretty sure my kids haven’t given it a thought. They are way to busy living up the freedom of summer time. I, on the other hand, am eagerly anticipating their return to school so I can get a little peace and quiet at home. The past few weeks, I’ve been poking around the net looking for some cool new back to school stuff. There is so much out there! KooKoo Bear Kids has a great line of back to school gear. They have lap desks, lunch totes, pencil cases, 3 ring binders and backpacks. They even have a line of mini backpacks for younger kids. Each of their back to school items is offered in 12 different fabrics. You can buy them all in the same fabric or you can mix and match. The kids will love these bright colors and fun patterns. KooKoo Bear Kids will monogram the backpacks with your kid’s initials or name for an additional $10.00. I’m also thinking about investing in Clocky, the alarm clock that rolls away after you hit the snooze button. It was invented by an MIT student who had trouble getting up in the morning and it’s supposed to be one of the most annoying alarm clocks out right now. With this alarm clock, I don’t think they’ll have any problems getting out of bed in the morning and getting to the bus on time.

Years ago, crib bedding was nothing to talk about. Pink for girls, blue for boys, or just plain white. Now, there are so many options in color, pattern, fabric, theme and design. I know how overwhelming a lot of choices can be but don’t start getting nervous about all the decisions you are going to have to make. It may have been simpler back then, but it’s a lot more fun now. Shopping online is a great way to avoid getting overwhelmed. Visit www.kookoobearkids.com and check out their crib bedding department. You can click on a bedding set to get more information about it. The KooKoo Bear Kids Website makes it easy to compare prices and styles. I really love their Princess Crib Set by Doodlefish. The pastel pinks and greens are perfect for a little princess. The set comes with bumpers, a lined skirt, a fitted sheet, and a crib blanket. Everything you need! They also offer a matching diaper stacker and an adorable decorative embroidered pillow that will help coordinate the room. For a boy, I love the Zeke Crib Bedding set. The indigo safari theme on the bumpers is just too cute! It is a three piece set by Serena and Lily including bumpers, a crib sheet, and a skirt. A matching crib blanket, sold separately, is also available. There is so much to choose from. Try not to get weighed down by all the decision making, just visit http://www.kookoobearkids.com and have fun with it!

Nothing makes a room look quite as elegant and beautiful as a chandelier. KooKoo Bear Kids has a great selection in their lighting department. My favorite that I’ve found so far has to be the Rebecca Chandelier in white. It is so simple and beautiful. I love the shades with the little lavender bows they picked out. I also love that the shades are sold seperately, so you can pick from any of their shade selection to find one that matches your nursery’s existing color scheme. And, that way, as your kids grow and change, and their bedrooms change, you can just switch out the shades and have a fresh new style.

One thing that worried me a bit when I was looking into buying chandeliers was that I wouldn’t be able to get eco-friendly bulbs that would fit. But, I did a little research and found out that CFLs are being made now for nearly every type of lighting fixture, including chandeliers. They even make ones that will work with a dimmer switch. CFLs really are the best way to go for the environment and your budget. They use about 80% less energy than regular light bulbs. When I made the switch, I started saving money every month on my electricity bill. So, after you pick out a chandelier and shades at www.kookoobearkids.com, don’t forget to pick up some CFLs. You can find them at your local hardware store, grocery store, or even online.

Remember that really great kids wall art I blogged about on Wednesday? Well, I was flipping through the latest issue of People Magazine and saw that Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie Tanner on the hit TV series, Full House) has the Chic Royal Banner and this really cool Girls Pirate Skull Name Plaque in her baby Zoies nursery. Apparently, canvas art for kids is really popular with celebrity parents. Marcia Cross, Tori Spelling, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennie Garth and Jodie Foster have all gone this route in their babys nurseries. If your baby isn’t quite the rockstar that Zoie is, don’t worry. KooKoo Bear Kids has something for everyone. Take a look at this Charcoal Teddy Bear Canvas. It comes in five different colors. Wouldnt it look great in a nursery?

Summer is almost here and if you’re like me, you’ll be looking for some fun play furniture or a fun gift for your kids. The joy of a nice summer day having lunch under an umbrella at a kid’s picnic table that is just my size can be such a great memory. Well, to help I have just found a just my size picnic table set from KooKoo Bear Kids that is very cool and at a very good price. For $234.00 you get a picnic table and chair set that comes with the umbrella. The picnic table is wood and the umbrella is all cotton. The set is great quality with a matching umbrella and the great thing is, it ships all in one box and is easy to set up.  So, if your looking for a fun kids gift this summer I think we have found one you can enjoy this summer and many more to come.

You have to see the Early Summer 2008 catalog from KooKoo Bear Kids. The new catalog containing hundreds of new items ranging from bedding and exquisite room accessories that will brighten any kid’s room. Packed with KooKoo Bear’s Exclusive line of furniture, bedding, and gifts, along with designs from the top luxury children’s designers make this catalog a must see this summer.

As always, the catalog pages and web site offer themed rooms, such as the Ivy League Bedroom Suite. Capture the spirit of the classic, All-American room with plaid & striped themed bedding, paneled furniture, plaques, lighting and wall art with a sports theme mixed in. For more Sports and Classic Themes, visit the Championship Sports Room and the Touchdown Room on the KooKoo Bear Kids Web Site.  The Princess Paisley girls’ bedroom offers everything your “Princess” needs for a unique and beautiful room. The Ma Marie Collection from Young America by Stanley Furniture is shown in Black and is also available in Antique White and is appropriate for every age. Top off the bed with the Fairies Sheet Set and the classic Paisley bedding with the complementing Floral Bed skirt all by Traditions by Pamela Kline, accent the walls with Glitter Dragonfly Wall Art in pink and green, Princess Plaques and a Springtime Fantasy Canvas. A new Princess Ballerina Lamp & Shade provides the light and complements any of our chandeliers.

Outdoor Dining becomes fun for the little ones with their very own octagonal shaped picnic table. Complete with their own umbrella so they don’t get too much sun while dining. Made of weather resistant wood makes a great accent for any porch or backyard.