Simon Says: Where cool rules

You know that game your children play? The one where one child commands everyone else to copy a series of actions? Well, if they were playing it with you right now it would probably start something like this: Simon says… please start shopping for me at Simon Says! And then it would continue like this: Simon says… while you’re shopping, please make sure you get all the coolest clothing brands and, hey, maybe some cool accessories and toys, too. And normally, you’d be rather annoyed to hear your children speaking to you like this. But when they’re right and shopping online at Simon Says turns out to be as much fun for you as it is for them… well, you’ll probably forgive them.

Simon Says, a Toronto-based retail store, has launched a new website selling beautiful clothing, shoes, accessories, and toys for children ranging from newborns up to 10-years-old. They recently sent me a selection of their oh-so-fabulous merchandise and my kids have been hitting the town in it — like little celebrity babies in their own right — ever since.

My 3-year-old son has been walking around like he owns the place anytime he’s wearing his new Simon Says outfit.  He received a pair of so-hip-it-hurts Squids sunglasses, which are flexible, lightweight, heat resistant and they float! Whoever designed these certainly knows kids.  He’s also been sporting a Robot Attack t-shirt ($31.95) by Inky Dink (a line that’s often seen on Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 6 ½), and Soft Twill Shorts by City Threads (Heidi Klum’s son, Henry, 2 ½, wears this line). And, though it’s not exactly something a mom ought to confess, each time my son wears the Robot Attack t-shirt, he insists on sleeping in it and then wears it the next day, too! The folks at Simon Says certainly know how to please a preschooler.

My infant daughter received the most dainty and beautiful Kimono One Piece ($45.95) by Lucky Wang, as well as some teeny tiny barrettes to match and a super-cool Ballerina Bib ($22.95) by Jen Jen (there are actual ballerina toys sewn right into the bib!). She’s still growing into all of them (it figures I’d have a boy with tons of hair and then a girl with hardly any!), but that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried them all on her. And I’d just like to confirm — it doesn’t get much cuter than a baby in a kimono.

And though my daughter is too young now, in a couple of years I know I’ll be shopping at Simon Says for their new exclusive line of dresses designed by store-owner, Tina Gray, and named after her daughter, Charlotte. The Pink Charlotte line of dresses is absolutely adorable — I’m particularly charmed by the ones with adorable pompom fringe along the hem.

But Simon Says doesn’t just sell clothes. They also carry an extensive line of some of the hippest and edgiest kid décor around. From the amazing Fatboy junior ($225) — a contemporary twist on the beanbag chair — to the Our Children’s Gorilla Skull Cave ($185.95) — a lightweight indoor or outdoor hideout that rolls up when not in use — Simon Says is the perfect place to turn when you want to up the style quotient in your kids’ rooms. They’ve even got limited edition artwork, like the Space Monkeys poster ($46.95, pictured at right) which, to up the cool-factor even further, is signed and numbered by the artist.

And every Simon Says order comes with a little bonus — sheets of stickers for the kids. So while you’re busy ogling all your new purchases, your kids can be kept busy sticking dinosaurs and ladybugs all over the wall and floor. Not that anything like that would ever happen under my watchful eye, of course.

Now go. Check out this amazing site. Wait, I didn’t say Simon Says! But I will… again and again and again whenever someone asks me to recommend an amazing source for children’s clothing, gear, and accessories.

To purchase any of the Simon Says items I’ve mentioned, click here. Simon Says ships worldwide.

Exclusive for CBB readers — Save 15% when you use coupon code ’1210174069′ at www.simonsayskids.ca now through August 31, 2008.  And, for a limited time, there’s also free shipping on any order over $50!