Bubble-icious

It's Tuesday night and I'm sitting at JFK airport jostling for airwaves at JetBlue's free wireless hotspot, while I wait for the 8pm flight back to San Francisco. Robert and I have just had a whirlwind few days in New York City at the hip kids' trade show, Bubble. (Okay, I confess this post is a week overdue).

But Bubble-icious it was! Entirely sheltered from any mediocre swag, this was a tasty sample of the world's creme-de-la-creme of children's apparel, toys and household products. We were rapt to have been selected for participation and the show was a great success for us in terms of strong interest from both press and buyers (and yes, even orders). We were especially stoked by interest shown from the president of FAO Schwartz.

So who was there, and who rocked the show? In line with our objective at Poloppo to develop the website into a creative resource for parents and kids alike, here are some of our most favorite companies from the show. With toys, decor and clothes like these, your wee ones will be well on their way towards learning that creative fun happens well outside the box ...

Hip From Holland. These Dutch lasses located in Boston are cleverly importing into the US some of the hippest kids' products from The Netherlands including eco-friendly and quick-to-assemble cardboard playhouses and interlocking toys. www.hipfromholland.com

Our Children's Gorilla. "Children's imagination is our inspiration" say the Swedish team from this quirky and fun company creating children's paraphenalia. Never thought your kid needed monkey-shaped coat hangers or a ceramic alien piggy bank? Think again. The New York fire station and brownstone doll's houses made from recycled cardboard are especially cool. www.ourchildrensgorilla.com

Lea's Alphabet. This charming chap from France seems to have spent much of his early fatherhood roaming the cities of Paris and New York photographing colorful signage letters (I'm sure he had his first-born daughter napping in the stroller or back-pack at the time). He then takes the letter images and places them next to pics of objects with the same first letter (you know, L for lollipop, A for Apple). www.gregoireganter.com

Romp. You can be sure to bring your kids' rooms to life with these vintage wallpaper shapes hand-cut into silhouettes of safari animals, birds and trees. Originally out of Brooklyn, you can find them at www.rompstore.com

i golfini della nonna. LA-based mom-and-daughter team draw on their Italian design roots with these darling soft toys which they have knitted up in Bolivia. www.golfini.com

Deglingos.These crazy little French critters deserve their own country! So soft and tactile too. www.deglingos.com

Wall Candy Arts.What a fun way to decorate your kids' rooms! www.wallcandyarts.com

Scout. Comfy, colorful and organic with cute artwork (some inspired by different world cultures) ... these ladies are Bay Area neighbors, based in Oakland! www.scoutbaby.com

Like A Bike. This bike looks like so much fun, you'll wish you were four years old all over again. www.likeabikeusa.com

PS Big kudos to Florence and Vanessa for putting together such a beautiful show. Nous aimons Bubble!

PPS Robert is our all-round star industrial and graphic designer, housefrau (no printer is beyond his fixing), and sales magician (resist him if you can!).