What happens when you get a French woman selling Peruvian knits to Canadians? Stylish, well-made clothing meant for real winters.

That’s why we got ridiculously excited about Miou Kids. This B.C-based company sells baby alpaca wool clothing for infants and toddlers, which is handmade by artisans in rural Peru. Come winter, this editor will be dressing her newborn in the bunting bag ($99), and her toddler will be wearing the pants ($59) under his snowsuit.

Bring on the cold. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

www.mioukids.com

Tucked between Anna Dello Russo and Maison Martin Margiela comes an H&M collab that is too cute for words.

Consisting of everyday threads and a few very adorable Halloween costumes for kids (we have a soft spot for the frilly dress, $69.95, and flamingo chapeau, $19.95), the All for Children collection is style and substance: 25 per cent of proceeds will be donated to UNICEF.

It’s been a while since we trick or treated to collect pennies for the organization so we’re happy to do our part while outfitting little ones in possibly the cutest clothes we’ve ever laid eyes on. —Christine Laroche

www.hm.com

The bastion of all things cool, who knew lower Manhattan was now run by hipsters under four feet tall? Herewith, our family guide to New York City’s Triangle Below Canal Street.

sleep

Our toddler didn’t say boo about the ostrich-embossed leather walls or floor to ceiling windows at the Smyth hotel, but she loved the lobby’s retro robot collection and plush leather swivel chairs. Actually, we did too. Rooms from $299, 85 West Broadway, New York, www.thompsonhotels.com

drink

While Dad is on duty upstairs, curl yourself into a tufted banquette at the Smyth’s stylish lobby bar. The Toro Sliders ($14) are to-die-for delish and the Martini Sud perfectly potent. Do throw on your darkest pair of Jackie Os and pretend you’re hiding from the Post. www.thompsonhotels.com

eat

Brunch is the meal of the day for parents of babes with bedtimes. Crayons are aplenty and kids are king at Bubby’s Pie Shop (there’s even stroller parking). Farm-fresh eggs, house-cured bacon and homemade soda pop will fill you all up until bottle-time. Is 10 a.m. too early for a Bubby’s Bellini? Nah. 120 Hudson St., New York, www.bubbys.com

do

Rumour has it a New York baby’s first word is MoMA - your own budding Basquiat will adore the Children’s Museum of the Arts. With a hands-on craft space and drop-in classes for kids from 10 months, it’s a perfect spot on a rainy afternoon. $10, 103 Charlton St., New York, www.cmany.org

shop

If your wee ones want to hang with the heppist TriBeCa kittens, they must look the part. Egg by Susan Lazar stocks minimalist cotton pieces like seersucker blazers and voile smocked rompers ($39). Aleph Portman-Millepied is a fan of the stripy hats so they’ll blend with the best. 124 Hudson St., New York, www.egg-baby.com

play

Buzzing with chic nannies and their chicer charges, Washington Market Park boasts a Saturday farmer’s market, padded play yard and giant red jungle gym. If you spot Moses and Apple on the twisty slide, act casual and wait your turn. 
www.washingtonmarketpark.org

Mini burgers, Mini Coopers, Miniature Schnauzers.  

Everything is cuter when it’s wee and Mackage’s new line for kids is no exception. The Montreal designer’s pint-size collection (2-12) is also undeniably stylish: Shiny, down-filled parkas with fur trimmed hoods, leather-detailed peacoats, and high-collared wool jackets sporting the brand’s signature military-style buttons. Prices start at $395 so we’ll be sewing our kid’s name (and a tracking device) into the lining.  

RESP, be damned. —Marianne Wisenthal

Mackage Mini available at www.mackage.ca

Your little one doing lion’s breath?

Now that’s cute as a button. Newly opened YogaButtons,

Vancouver’s first yoga studio devoted to kids, offers classes for babies four months and up in a sleek (think Eames elephant stools), bright and cheerful space in Kits.

Can’t imagine your tiny tot meditating? That’s where stories, music and dance come in – to keep mini yogis entertained while they engage with their breath. And if the little one gets as hooked on yoga as you are, pick them up their very own mat from the selection of kids accessories sold in-studio.

Happy baby, indeed. —Kelsey Dundon

Classes $10 (kids) and $12 (adults); YogaButtons, 2525 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-739-9642, http://www.yogabuttons.com/

Secondhand children’s wear is great in theory, but trawling through crowded used clothing stores with poorly labeled goods makes a bargain seem less valuable.

At A Size Too Small, you’ll find the opposite problem. The curated children’s clothing and toys site features a mix of stylish new items and secondhand pieces that are so beautifully presented, it’s tough to believe they are used. Our favourite new pieces include Little Dace dresses ($70) and this unbelievably stylish Nico.Nico blue trench (pictured, $130.) Their “found” garments include a ridiculously cute worn denim shirt ($12), and an amazing pair of red and white retro baby shoes (pictured, $20.)

Of course you had better get in there fast, the found pieces are one of a kind, and in one size only. So prepare to be the one shedding those tears if you miss out on something fantastic. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

www.asize2small.com

The reason why most great childrenswear brands are founded by mothers is because they have the experience of knowing exactly what kids want to wear and how parents want their kids to look.

In the case of Vancouver-made Kiki Kids Wear, it is bright printed dresses, elegant little cardigans, and poofy skirts in colourful patterns, trimmed with flower shaped buttons and bow belts. We like the Sleeveless Tulip Print Dress ($72) for the next birthday party, and the Heather Floral Print Pull-on Skirt ($44) for dinner out.

Next question is of course the sizing, and sadly, it only goes up to a girl’s size 10. But that’s a 24 inch waist, and with an elastic waistband… us Moms can probably squeeze ourselves in. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Kiki Kids Wear online at www.kikikidswear.com

Poppy hates celery sticks and Johnny doesn’t eat raisins on Thursdays, but Sophie needs her fruit separated from her granola. And we thought we left math problems behind in fourth grade.

But even the pickiest eater needs a cafeteria-chic lunch kit. Stock-up on waste-free, natural lunch accessories: sweet reusable sandwich bags ($10), stainless steel food containers, which allow for multiple snacks in one place ($23) and the glorious spork, which does double duty for soups and pasta ($11.50/four).

No plastic wrap, foil or pesky Tupperware to deal with – just simple, eco-friendly, non-toxic lunch buddies.

Happy back-to-school, Mom. —Maria Tallarico        

Waste-Free Lunch at Lavish & Lime, www.lavishandlime.com

When our Editor-in-chief Sarah Bancroft was on CTV talking back-to-school kids fashion this week, she didn't mean to send out a fashionable subliminal message.

But it seems many viewers (and a few women in our office) couldn't resist the lure of a casually stylish coat: Gap's Uniform rain slicker. Here's the scoop: A boy's XXL equals a woman's medium, and you can be assured that it's soft, comfortable, waterproof and durable (as GapKids clothes are known to be).

Best part? No chance you'll grow out of it!

Gap Uniform rain slicker, $32.86 at www.gapcanada.ca

Watch Sarah Bancroft's CTV appearance here.

One plastic bib, worn under the cloth bib (which got changed six times a day). A permanent under-the-chin rash. Stains on every parents’ shoulder. That’s the reality of a baby who drools a lot.

And that’s why we think the Wee Drool is brilliant. A bib that looks like a T-shirt and features a waterproof middle layer is one of the best ideas we’ve seen in a while. Moisture can’t get through, the armholes mean it can’t be ripped off and the design ensures it won’t flip up or turn into a cape. It’s made from a soft, eco-friendly fabric that has anti-microbial features. And best of all, it looks like a cool-t-shirt.

You’ll be washing less bibs, and you’ll be changing less outfits. Less laundry and less work. Now we're drooling. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Wee Drool bibs, $28 at www.wee-drool.com