Mona Anastas couldn't have picked a better location for her recently opened children's boutique. It's perfectly situated across from the lively Madrona Playfield and around the corner from cupcake king and coffee shop Cupcake Royale and Vérité Coffee [0]. Moms and kids in the Madrona neighborhood steadily trickle into the cozy little shop during play breaks, or after Mom downs a double-tall latte and Junior stokes up on a sugary chocolate cupcake.
Anastas fills her boutique with clothing, toys and books. She focuses on organic cotton clothing, including her own label, Two Owls [0]. Her playful designs with appliqués and embroidery come in sizes six months to two years and range from $10 for hats to $40 for baby blankets. You'll also find bibs, bloomers, rompers, pants and tops. Toys are mostly of the wooden variety: dollhouses, trains, mailboxes, cars, castles and even sushi sets. Soft stuff includes finger puppets, cuddly animals and dolls. She also carries mother-and-child matching aprons in colorful prints for $20-$28. DIY moms will find a small selection of yarn and knitting books.
The space also doubles as the office for Anastas' wholesale clothing business. She designs a line for women, too. Moms in the know ask to see her current collection of organic cotton knit tanks, T's, skirts and dresses. Anastas keeps a small stash in the back for locals who ask. Anyone can wear the comfy knits, but Anastas originally designed them to be "expandable." They're great if you've had a baby and nothing quite fits yet, or you're in between sizes – so go ahead, have a cupcake with that latte. The "3 n 1" piece cleverly converts from a skirt to a dress to a poncho. The color palette this season is solid brown, black and bright orange. Prices range from $25 to $65.
Stop by the grand opening event [0] on May 12 from 1-5 p.m. with free balloons, face painting, cookies and juice for the tykes. Anastas will unveil her adorable new spring line for children featuring bright colors and embroidered with airplanes, butterflies, motorcycles and roses.
Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
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