Mid-July, and we know you're up to your elbows in brightly-hued beach towels, melting popsicles, and criss-crossed summer camp schedules. But here's a little secret: back-to-school shipments are already coming in weekly with Mike the UPS man, and the bulk of our deliveries will be on the racks in the next four weeks.

So what's on the menu for Autumn / Winter 2014? Every season we watch in delight as themes emerge from the broad range of lines we carry, and this season the trends are extra clear, and extra special. We're heading into a season full of cozy knits, new just-for-the-kids denim, prints and graphic inspired by whimsical woodland creatures, and more than a few bright pops of metallic shine.



Our young customers fill their imaginary worlds with an astonishing cast of fanciful creatures, and this season many designers chose to celebrate these joyful beasts in their prints and graphics. Egg Baby, a seasonal favorite for their snugly knits, have woven all sorts of magical animals into their designs (and wait 'til you see Winter Water Factory's polar bear print!). 



Look out, world: the kids have discovered denim, and they're not giving it back. From Tea Collection's grand-slam puffy denim vest and first-ever jean jacket to Pink Chicken's soft chambray Kennedy Dress, children's designer have made denim fresh and kid-friendly.
 



And as for those tiny feet? Elizabeth got starry-eyed at the Easy Peasy booth (can you blame her?) and we'll have stacks of their buttery-soft leather baby shoes coming in from France, all sprinkled with shine and doused with whimsy. (Baby's first steps ARE a work of magic, after all.)


Livie and Luca, a local shoe line and perennial Fiddlesticks favorite, has also fallen for woodland critters this season: we've picked up their new Hedgie to keep our best-selling Fox company (along with a few other surprises). 


Shine, shine, SHINE! They do it every day, and this season we're celebrating that with a shop packed full of our best buy yet (including quite a few glints and gleams of metallic glam, like those knock-out Pink Chicken Leggings above). Autumn / Winter 2014, here we come! 

P.S.
Join us here on our Autumn Trends Pinterest board for more dreaming...

Labels: Boys Clothing, Fall / Winter, Girls Clothing, Trends

Labels: Boys Clothing, Girls Clothing

Happy New Year, everyone!

We hope you've all had a chance to take a few deep breaths after that busy, bustling holiday season - we certainly needed to. With a brand new year comes brand new pretty things for your favorite little ones, and one of the first to hit the racks is Tea Collection: this season, we're going to...South Africa!


Every season Tea brings us to a different destination; last season their clothing was inspired by Nordic design, and the season before that we visited Bali. This time, we'll be spending the summer in sun-soaked, majestic South Africa. Expect vibrant new shades, exquisite details (think embroidery and new textures), and exuberant patterns - plus the same classic Tea silhouettes we've all come to love.


For the first chapter of Tea's multi-part Spring/Summer collection, they've drawn inspiration from the indigo arts they saw in Johannesburg marketplaces. The colors are warming up (in anticipation of warmer days, of course!), but are still deep and rich, with lots of beautiful floral patterns, like in the Rosebank Smocked Top, above.

We're especially excited about the fun new graphics this season will bring: this Black Mamba is pretty fierce, and the first best-seller of the season is a layered, embroidered lion shirt, inspired by a mask the designers found in a market in South Africa. We wish something that cool had inspired our boring grown-up clothes!

Be sure to swing by to see the new Tea Collection in our shop (or online): we think you're going to love it!

Labels: Boys Clothing, Girls Clothing, Spring / Summer, Tea Collection

Halloween is past and we're all zipping straight into the busiest time of the year. Our advice? Take a little time now, before the chaos begins, to pick out your little one's holiday outfit. One thing crossed off the list!

The Fiddlesticks Crew had lots of fun picking out our favorite holiday looks. We love outfits that are festive AND functional: full of pieces that will be worn again and again on their own, but come together to create a darling holiday look. Stop by the shop and we'll help you put together your very own holiday ensemble!

Caitlin's Picks ~

Is there anything so lovely as the Liberty of London print on this Elephantito Floral Tunic Dress? Slip Wheat's toasty Cable Knit Cardigan on top, add Elephantito's red Patent Mary Janes, and she'll be ready for any holiday gala. Don't forget a cheerful red hairclip from Giddy Giddy, and some Silver Sparkle Tights from Ewers (or maybe some Polka Dot Tights from Morgan & Milo? It's hard to decide!).



Who's the handsomest boy you know? Layer a cozy Appaman Stripe Henley in Marine under Appaman's oh-so-dapper Tailored Vest, and add a pop of color with Neige's Freddie Pant. Add in the Egg Baby Paper Boy Hat and Livie & Luca's wool Sherlock Shoe, and he'll be handsome from head to toe!



Kassie's Picks ~


His holiday smile is bright as a flash of lightening - give him the Oeuf baby alpaca Lightening Sweater to match, with the Brave Button Shirt layered underneath for a pop of color. With Mademoiselle à Soho's signature Pinstripe Velvet Pants and Elephanito's leather Ethan Boot on the bottom, he'll be ready for a full month of festivities!


As functional as it is festive, this easy-peasy outfit won't get in the way of gingerbread cookie eating OR present opening. Match Olive Juice's White Autumn Blouse and Corduroy Bartley Skirt with Elephantito's camel brown Saddle Riding Boot. Add a sprinkle of sparkle with Ewer's Silver Tights and she's ready for a busy social calendar!

Elizabeth's Tea Collection Picks ~



 Dress your little gent in Tea Collection's Star Shirt, Scandi Stripe Sweater Vest, and jet black Total Twill Pants. Add Livie & Luca's Bernal Shoe, and a pair of dapper socks by See Kai Run. He'll be the star of the show!



Matching big sister / little sister holiday outfits? Oh yes! Baby looks extra-adorable in the Tea Collection Twirl Party Dress and Sparkle Chic Sweater (pop See Kai Run's patent leather Havanna Mary Janes on those chubby little feet), while big sister sparkles in the Seeing Stars Party Dress layered over the Sparkle Stripe Tee in vermillion, with Elephantito's silver Sabrina Shoes on her feet.

We're so excited for a twirly, twinkly, bright holiday season with you!

Labels: Boys Clothing, Fall / Winter, Girls Clothing, Girls Dresses, Tea Collection

We've just received the season's third big shipment from Tea Collection - this time, we're in Sweden!

Our Top Five Most Favorite Things about this delivery:








This delivery has us excited for the arrival of chillier days (even if, here in San Francisco, they're still a ways off!); here's to flushed cheeks at recess and curling up in something cozy to (dare we say it?) start those holiday wishlists...

Labels: back to school, Boys Clothing, Fall / Winter, Girls Clothing, Girls Dresses, Tea Collection

 
Ever feel like boys’ clothing gets lost in the crowd? This season, join the Brights for Boys Revolution! A pop here and a splash there is all you need: For a true Fiddlesticks look, pair electric blue Bakker Made with Love corduroy skinny pants with a bright orange puffy vest by Morgan and Milo – worn open over the Slow Loris graphic tee from Nano Baby, of course. Find neon detailing on sneakers for little feet, and cozy hoodies in bright hues: it's going to be a good season!


Accessories, Accessories, Accessories
 
 


FOR THE BABIES:

 We can't wait to unpack all the boxes headed our way! 


Be sure to check out (fledgling!) Pinterest to see more of what's inspiring us this fall!

Labels: Boys Clothing, Fall / Winter, Girls Clothing, Girls Dresses, Trends

We’ll be riding this second wave of Tea’s Fall / Winter Collection right into the back-to-school season, and let us just say: we’re pretty envious of all the little academics who will be suiting up in Fresh Finland looks for their first day of school! (And don’t worry, Tea even snuck a few uniform-friendly pieces into the collection.) The designers found inspiration in Helsinki for this collection, and the city’s young energy shows up in the bright, bold colors and geometric, mod shapes that tie Fresh Finland together, and make it (in our opinion) the most fantastic collection to date.

Labels: Boys Clothing, Girls Clothing, Tea Collection

Labels: Boys Clothing, Girls Clothing, Tea Collection

The designer Beth from Ses Petite Mains just dropped off her new collection, and it's reminding me of why I love fall so much!!! Her colors are so bold & refreshing- I forgot purple could be so deep. Sadly, I have a boy & he would look like a boy in a dress if I dare play dress up for the day, but now that her size run goes up to twelve I can stock up on goodies for my lovely niece. That said we have a Bruder truck delivery coming in any day and my son has a tractor on his list of needs...so until all of our awesome fall boy stuff arrives its Bruder trucks & Ses Petite Mains on my list of essentials (& maybe a few last minute spring things that are now on sale).

Labels: Girls Clothing

We are REALLY excited to announce that Fiddlesticks has just partnered with the Tea Collection to become a 'Tea Destination Store.' Each season we will showcase their entire collection, offering you the chance to experience the full expression of the Tea brand. For years we have been carrying Tea, and the demand for more is always present. Between their beautifully designed clothing and their hometown location, we thought it a perfect marriage!

Come visit us, we have a large section of the store dedicated to just Tea. And keep checking back online as we continue to add more and more styles to our website.



For Tea’s spring collection, their design team set off to explore South Korea where they found a uniquely vibrant, energetic culture and a land of exuberant color, ornate architecture and beautiful artisanal crafts. This inspirational trip created a beautiful collection of spring styles that feature amazing prints, traditional Korean silhouettes, a festive color palette, infusing traditional crafts and arts, such as patchwork design.

Labels: Boys Clothing, Girls Clothing

We just got our Spring delivery in from Ses Petite Mains, and it's FANTASTIC!!!! Whew, have we been missing her collection or what! Unfortunately Beth did not produce a Fall collection and Fiddlesticks was feeling it's gap for sure. But, they're back. And it's beautiful!! And colorful, and whimsical...just as always! Take a peek.





In welcoming Ses Petite Mains back into Fiddlesticks, we thought we would celebrate with a little Q&A from Beth.

1. Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Spring 2010
collection.

ses petites mains spring10 is rich in 30’s/40’s sentiment--a loving nod to my mother Eileen, who grew up in the 30’s and taught me so much of what I know about design today. The muted colors, the fabrics (linens, seersuckers, denim) and the shapes all take me back to our wonderful family archive of photos from that time, of which I am constantly digging through and finding rich inspiration. One of my favorite styles is the Bailey Trouser, the ease of the leg, the deep pockets and the cuff detail. And the shirtwaist dresses, always a favorite of mine and so sweet on little girls.

2. We meet many mothers at Fiddlesticks, and many have great aspirations
to start their own business. As a successful business owner, and mother,
what would be your advice to women interested in becoming an entrepreneur?

Be really prepared to work! I have never worked so hard. Although I have more flexibility with my hours, which means a great deal to me, as I can stay close to my family, there are many nights when I don’t get my eight hours of sleep! And my most important bit of advice, get ready--never give up on your vision! If you believe that you can create something meaningful, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I think that stubborn belief in myself has allowed me to get through the sticky parts of running a small business. And there are always sticky parts—late fabric deliveries, pattern mishaps, etc. My ‘real’ job is to manage the problems and come up with feasible solutions. And I do think that being a mother gives me an advantage. In my past life, I would have mulled over things much longer, and now I have to make decisions because my time is not always my own. Motherhood has made me much more efficient and sharper, so I have my lovely daughter to thank for that!

3. What is one of your favorite kid activities/places to visit in San
Francisco?

Our farmer’s market in Noe Valley on a Saturday morning—listening to the music, getting honey sticks and hanging out; flying kites at Rodeo Beach in Sausalito, hiking along the headlands, the tide pools at Muir Beach, eating cheese toasties at the Pelican Inn.

4. What have you found to be your biggest challenge as a designer?

Continuing to manufacture my line here in San Francisco--the economy has made everything harder but I really believe in keeping our production local and supporting the community in which I live. It just makes me work harder to keep my costs in line with the brands that produce off shore and don’t have the same labor costs as ses petites mains.

5. If you could take a snap shoot of your daughters shoe collection right
now, what would we find?

She is her mother’s daughter for sure! I love shoes and she is following suit—bloch metallic ballet slippers; red polka dot flamenco shoes; her tap shoes (she’s obsessed), way too many pairs of outgrown-ballet slippers; a pair of hotel slippers from a recent holiday; snow boots with fur tops, sequined flip flops and red converse low tops, sparkly fuscia maryjanes, and her white and pink cowgirl boots.

6. If you could dress a famous actor/actress - who would it be & why?

Someone like Rachel McAdams…I think she has such a wonderful retro appeal about her, she's very stylish and doesn’t always appear so ‘slick’ which I appreciate. There are so many young actors who look sophisticated in a way that takes away from their own sense of style. They end up looking a bit too manufactured, slightly boring in doing so. I love that she will streak her hair with pink and wear youthful,spirited clothing. We could have fun putting together a look, I’m sure.

THANKS Beth!!! Welcome back!

Labels: Girls Clothing, Girls Dresses, Interview