Jobs are like relationships– both start with a honeymoon period, the rush of the new. The honeymoon ends at about three months at which point the job becomes real with overnight responsibility and the relationship is real. After that, the next six months are OK, the lust or love develops and you grow into the job. But months nine to 12 are rough because it’s at that point you realize are in deep and all you know is how much you don’t know.

When it comes to jobs and relationships, I may be still be very much a work-in-progress. But shopping for kids clothing– oh that territory I know. I have to buy a new baby present at least twice a year, or at least it feels like that often, and most often I’m tardy to the point where all the appliances — tummy time mat, crib accessories, BPA-free bottles– have been purchased. That leaves me with no choice but to buy said parents fabulous clothes for the kid.

You will not find any Carter’s, The Children’s Place, or Gymboree in my gift bag. No sir. This hip aunt will be bringing bags of clothes from The Gap, Zara, H&M, and local boutiques, like Twinkle Star of North Cambridge. But now, well now I’m planning the hipster outfits I’ll be getting the babies in my network thanks to Gwen Stefani. The rocker-mom-cum-designer has inked a deal with Target and her Harajuku Mini for Target line is coming to Target stores just in time to get your kids fab plaid and punk-inspired fashions for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.

Stefani’s Harajuku Mini for Target, an exclusive, features apparel and accessories for girl and boy infants and toddlers as well as tween girls. The first set of what will be an ongoing collection is due out Nov. 13. The collection is comprised of 80 clothing and accessory items, including overalls, hoodies, and pants, as well as faux-leather jackets and accessories such as bags, with prices ranging from $3.99 to $29.99.

Look out for the second installment of the collection starting at Christmas.

The Dirt:
Would you drool over Bohemian-inspired clothes at the price of Forever21 or H&M prices? A trip to the Beverly Center mall in Los Angeles led us to Heritage 1981, a unit of Forever 21 Inc. Upon entering the store, we found clothes that resemble Free People at the H&M prices. Imagine sun dresses, thin-cotton tees and layering items, nearly all for about $20 each. The sales staff informed us that the Heritage 1981 brand is part of Forever 21 Inc., which also launched a plus-size brand called Faith21.

While many mass-produced items are made in China, many of the soft cotton and cotton blends items were produced in India, with beautiful color blends. We applaud the Heritage 1981 collection, but more so, we love the creation of a brand for big women because everyone deserves affordable trendy style options. Still, the Heritage 1981 dresses are still designed primarily for young, narrow bodies. But, if you’re in need for more recession-friendly fashion options, give the Forever 21 group a chance.

Where: For more information , visit the Forever 21 website.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy New Global Fund Ambassador

On December 1, World AIDS Day, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy accepted a position as global ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bruni-Sarkozy will draw attention to the needs of women and children infected with or affected by AIDS/HIV, emphasizing the need to give pregnant women and their children the means to prevent HIV infection and fight the disease.

H&M Enters Israeli Market

European clothing retailer H&M has entered into a franchise agreement with Match Retail and plans to open the first H&M store in Israel in 2010. Match Retail is owned by the Horesh family, which operates many businesses in Israel including Union Motors and Lex Motors, the exclusive local distributors for Toyota and Lexus.

Courtney Cox, Avon Link For New Fragrance

Avon announced that actress Courtney Cox will be the spokesperson for its newest fragrance, Spotlight, which will launch in the U.S. in April 2009. “[T]his fragrance captures that essence — that all women are in the spotlight in their own unique ways and this fragrance highlights the excitement and the exhilaration of that feeling,” said Cox. Cox will be featured in Avon brochures distributed to sales representatives worldwide, and will appear in television and print ads in select markets.

Whole Foods Top Sustainable Seafood Retailer

For the second straight year, Greenpeace recognized Whole Foods Market as the number one retailer in seafood sustainability, citing the company’s new quality standards for aquaculture (farmed seafood) as one of the reasons for the selection. Whole Foods announced plans to continue a program of environmentally responsible practices, seeking also to improve standards for wild-caught species. Whole Foods, the U.S.’s first national certified organic grocer, was also named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine in 2008.

Walmart Foundation Grants $12.5M Line To MLK Memorial

The Walmart Foundation announced a $12.5 million letter of credit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, building on a $1 million donation made in 2005.  Walmart’s support will help the Memorial Foundation obtain a construction permit from the National Park Service and begin construction.  The memorial will be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and will be completed in 2010. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation’s fundraising goal is $120 million, $100 million of which has been raised to date.

Burger King Opens First In Czech Republic

Burger King announced the opening of its first restaurant in the Czech Republic, one step in the company’s European expansion strategy. There are 826 Burger King restaurants in Central and Eastern Europe, including locations in Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland.

Overstock.com’s Family Bailout Package

On November 24, online retailer Overstock.com kicked off its Family Bailout Package contest, the winner of which will have up to $50,000 of debt paid off by the company directly to one or more qualified creditors.  The contest runs through December 22, and the winner will be announced on December 30.  While no purchase is required for eligibility, entrants are automatically submitted when purchasing items through Overstock.com.

Eco-Friendly Sock-a-thon

Organic sock manufacturer Devmir Inc. recently introduced a new line under the Sierra Club brand.  Made from natural organic and eco-friendly yarns, the socks are available in men’s and women’s sizes for performance, dress and casual wear styles. To celebrate the product launch, Devmir is hosting a Sock-a-thon during the holiday season, donating a pair of socks to the National Coalition for the Homeless for every pair purchased via www.sierraclubsocks.com.

Walmart Worker Trampled On Black Friday

Jdimytai Damour, a worker at the Valley Stream, NY Walmart store, died on November 28 after being trampled by an out-of-control mob of shoppers seeking Black Friday deals. Four shoppers, including a woman eight months pregnant, were also injured when the crowd of roughly 2,000 surged into the store as it opened at 5 a.m.

H&M To Launch Home Accessories Line

In recent days, Swedish retailer H&M announced a future collaboration with fashion designer Matthew Williamson and a new home accessories line. Once released in Europe, the home products will be available online and via mail order catalogue. Starting in February 2009, the products will be available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Items will be categorized by room and will include bed linens, towels and kitchen items.

Ottavia et Emma debuted its spring/summer 2009 collection at New York Fashion Week, showing sleek dresses and separates that prove timeless pieces don’t have to be conservative or boring. A collection of loose yet tailored pieces primarily in off-white, khaki and black employ thin knits and silk to create elegant looks that achieve modern effortless style.

Some of our favorites include thin pleated skirts; knit tank dresses and a detailed long-sleeved scoop neck shirt with gathered sleeves. While most will likely suit thin and tall frames, the tops will work on most figures thanks to flattering necklines.

Ottavia et Emma has a big following in France and is gaining popularity in the U.S., with placement at about seven stores, including Bella Reine in Los Angeles, Custom Shirts in La Jolla and Florodora in Chicago. The company is in talks for distribution at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus and will add about 15 stores to its distribution by Thanksgiving 2008.

Singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield performed her hit singles Unwritten and Pocketful of Sunshine at PS 180 in New York on September 9, as part of an effort with VH1’s Save the Music Foundation and LG Mobile Phones to highlight music education in public schools. She is also donating a live version ringtone of her new single Angel from her sophomore album Pocketful of Sunshine, which can be purchased at save.vh1.com or by texting SAVE to 66555. Proceeds from the ringtone, available through September 28, will benefit music education programs in public schools across the United States.

The Japanese company Fasting Retailing Co. is looking to increase sales by 70% by 2010, and plans to open stores in Russia, Singapore and India. The company’s Uniqlo brand, which sells basics such as jeans and t-shirts at reasonable prices, already has stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and China. According to the India Times, Fast Retailing hopes to capitalize on the current decline in global stock markets by making acquisitions in Japan and abroad, but has been unsuccessful thus far closing big deals for a number of reasons including competition from foreign companies including H&M, which will launch its first store in Japan soon.

The newest piece of (RED) apparel to benefit the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be a t-shirt designed by Julia Roberts and available through Armani, both online and in Emporio Armani stores. The shirt, available in men’s and women’s sizes, features the words “revolution.evolution.devotion”, Roberts’ graphic design of the tree of life, and the actress’ signature. The Fund, created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, has received over $110 million since its inception in 2006 from (RED) events and merchandise, which includes clothing, accessories and fragrances.

Radio City Music Hall was the place to be Friday night as the worlds of fashion and music came together to raise money for “Stand Up To Cancer,” the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s program to benefit cancer research, at the taping of Fashion Rocks 2008. The fifth annual event first aired September 9 on CBS, featuring performances by Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, and Timbaland. A live telethon for Stand Up To Cancer aired during the taping on ABC, NBC and CBS, including a performance from the show of the charity’s single “Just Stand Up” by many of its participating artists, including Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus. The show’s organizer, Conde Nast Media Group, is teaming with Citi and eBay Giving Works, to host a charity auction from September 5 – 15 at www.ebay.com/fashionrocks, with items including merchandise autographed by Fashion Rocks performers and tickets to fashion industry events.

On Thursday, September 4, the Be EcoChic Campaign, which aims to increase awareness of their environmental impact, hosted its first fashion show at the American Museum of Natural History. The event fea
tured environmentally-friendly, sustainable and recycled fabrics used to create designs by labels including DKNY, Carmen Marc Valvo, Vena Cava and FORM. Celebrities and environmentalists including Susie Castillo, Tamara Tunie and Janyi Chase modeled the outfits. As part of the show’s effort to be eco-friendly, donations were made to CarbonFund.org.