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Layer it on this Spring!

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As we transition from winter into spring, where the weather seems to change from day to day or even hour to hour, often times we are caught asking ourselves what to send our kids to school in so they are comfortable and active all day long.  During shoulder seasons where warm sunny days can quickly turning into sudden rain showers, or gust of winds that can chill them to the core our solution is to layer.  So gear up for this spring with some of our layering must-have tips and tricks!

When layering your kids we always recommend starting from the basics and building on top.  Pick out a great pair of bottoms and a top to start from.  Keep in mind when layering, you want to choose a variety of sizes and shapes; some fitted, some tighter, and some loose; proportions are key.  Also, fabrics and textures should differ; think cottons, denims, corduroy and fleece.  Don’t be afraid to combine solids and patterns that don’t necessarily match but work well together in their style.  Once you have your basics start thinking about flannels, hoodies, or button-down shirts that compliment the top you have chosen.  From there you can layer with a fleece or a great casual jacket.  Remember layering should be fun and functional so get your kids involved and start mixing and matching with the items they already have in their closets.

Tips for Girls:

From Left to Right ( Look 1: Munster Spirit Romper, Little Fox Never Grow Up T Shirt, Appaman Emma Hat, Roxy Mosaic Purse, Native The Miller Shoe, Neff Flava Watch  Look 2: Pink Chicken Olivia Dress, Appaman Legging Pants, Roxy Finish Line Hoodie, Beatrix Little Kid Backpack, Beatrix Lunchbox, Native The Miller Shoe, Neff Digi Watch  Look 3: Billabong Buried In The Sand Dress, Billabong Bear In My Dream Shirt, Native The Miller Shoe, Roxy Cool Air Hat, Billabong Recess Backpack, Neff Daily Watch)

When it comes to layering for girls think outside the box .  Their favorite summer dresses and rompers are easily transformed into spring styles when paired with a knotted t-shirt or a great crew sweatshirt.  Classic jeans combined with a simple tank top and a flannel shirt is effortlessly cool.  While pairing bold colors and printed leggings with skirts or tunics is a huge trend this spring and works great for that active girl. Also, don’t be afraid to accessorize with a bold watch, headband, or funky purse.

Tips for the Boys:

From Left to Right (Look 1:  Quiksilver Operator Long Sleeve Shirt, Volcom Stickler Crew Short Sleeve Shirt, Element Grind Jean, Volcom Nova Jeans, Stance Mexicali Low Youth Socks, DC Dweeter Boys Hat, Dakine Burnside Backpack  Look 2:  Volcom Surf Octopuss T Shirt, Quiksilver Goldrush Short Sleeve Shirt, Volcom Frickin Modern Chino Pant, Neff Suckapatch Adjustable Cap, Native The Fitzsimmons Shoe, Appaman Drammen Coat, Appaman Backpack, Neff Digi Watch  Look 3:  Volcom Strizipe T Shirt, DC Star ZH Full Zip Hoodie, Volcom Calafia Jacket, Volcom 2×4 Jeans, Neff Daily Watch, Quiksilver Stavi Hat, Native The Miller Shoe)

A t-shirt with a great pop of color or loud print is a great place to start.  It can easily play off the colors in his favorite flannel or plaid button-down.  If flannels and button-downs aren’t his thing select a loud zip-up hoodie instead.  Casual jackets with hoodies or flannels under them help pull a layered look together and can easily take a look from sloppy to polished.  When it comes to bottoms don’t be afraid to take a risk on bright jeans or pant colors and new denim washes.  Often times a bold or interesting pant can transform an outfit. Lastly, don’t shy away from throwing on a watch, hat, and fresh new backpack on to complete the look.

Munster: Representing the devious side of every kid!

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Who: Munster

What: Munster is a collection of kids’ apparel that is driven by music, art and street culture.  Inspired by urban legend Mikey Munster, the devious side of every kid, Munster garments balance a mix of kid themes and adult styling with durability and comfort, leaving them satisfied and you feeling a little jealous.  We love Munster at Axl’s Closet….and we’re just a little jealous too!

How Much:  For boys and little boys, t shirts run about $35.00-$40.00 with hoodies and shirts in the $60-$80 range, while jackets are in the ballpark of $75.00.  Super cute dresses for girls and little girls are priced from $45.00-$65.00 and shirts at $40.00.   The sweaters and jackets are in the $60.00-$70.00 range.  Hurry and check the site, because we are running screamin’ deals on Munster clothes right now!

When to Use: When your kid is searching the closet for something to wear that will make them stand out, tell them to snag one of their Munster pieces.  With their bold color palettes and vibrant prints, Munster clothes will let your kid feel like one of a kind.

Shopping Tips:  Munster runs true to size, so order the size your kid usually wears.  When you want your kid to stand out in the crowd, think Munster!

Some of our favorites from the Munster collection!


Munster Dracula Onesie, Munster Hoodlem T Shirt, Munster Schreach Pants


Munster Tunes Shirt, Munster Ride One Piece Swimsuit, Munster Ink Puddles Pants


Munster Crusader T Shirt, Munster Big Chief Shorts, Munster Blob Monster Shirt


Munster Mr Wolf Dress, Munster Dream Ride Boardshorts, Munster Spirit Romper


Munster Smudge Shorts, Munster Bigfoot Hoodie, Munster Boom T Shirt

Axl’s Fans!  As the moms and dads to such rad little kids, you have insider access to the latest and greatest products around, which is why we want to hear about your Fave Finds! Please email us at info@axlscloset.com with a picture of your favorite item of the moment and answer the following (who, what, how much, when to use it, and shopping tips).

Take A Break!

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AxlsCloset has been doing the snow dance all winter, but now that the sun is shining and the temperatures are getting warmer we’ve got Spring Break on our minds!  As we’re finalizing our plans for vacations at the beach and warm weather skiing at the mountains we want to know what you and your family have planned. Are you heading to the beach, the mountains, taking a road trip or just staying home?  Regardless of your plans this spring break we know it will be an adventure so here are a few reminders and tips to make those days off translate into happy memories.

The Mountains. If you are in search of snow, we have to stress the mega importance of sun protection!   Yep, it’s cold out there, and so it’s easy to forget that the UV rays are at an all time high in the Spring.  Not only that, but the reflection from the snow, if unprotected, can attack the face and fry it to a crisp in no time, leaving your kids inside the hotel room and off the slopes!  So, don’t space out the sunscreen, goggles, and beanies as its super easy to do, and have a blast in the snow!

The Beach.   Ahhh….the thought of lying on the warm beach, sun on the skin, toes in the sand!   That image is dreamy but the reality of the beach is that the weather can be unpredictable and leave us scrambling to be prepared.  As you begin to pack be sure to include rashguards, boardshorts, and swimsuit with UV protection.  Most kids swimsuits these days come with the added benefits of UV protection and quick drying fabrics keeping your kids protected and on the go all day long.

For those rainy coast days be sure to pack a rain jacket, better safe than sorry.  We recommend the boys and girls North Face Resolve, the Patagonia Torrentshell for boys and girls, or the boys and girls Marmot Precip as the best protection for keeping kids dry on those wet soggy days!

Don’t forget to drink tons of water; we suggest freezing water bottles in advance so they stay cold on those hot days.

Lastly, don’t forget to pack sunglasses as protecting children’s eye from harmful UV rays is more important than ever. We strongly recommend Julbo when it comes to kids sunglasses as they are a leader in eye protection for children of all ages.
On The Road.  Are we there yet? I’m hungry! I have to go to the bathroom! The inevitable question, and demands that we are all too familiar with!  The key to a successful road trip is to keep kids well fed, busy, and entertained. So, pack some munchies, pack some games, and always have water on hand!  Yes, there will be stops, but why not try to avoid some of them.  You’ll keep them occupied and there will be no need for whining or complaining.

Stayin’ Home. Sometimes this is the best break ever!  Hangin’ at the house and just relaxing!  That works for a day or two, before the little ones start to get antsy. Go exploring!  Get outside!  If you haven’t heard of geocashing we highly recommend you check it out as there are likely treasures hidden in your town or even your neighborhood. If geocashing and hiking aren’t your thing take time do things in your own town you wouldn’t normally have the time to do.  You’re kids will have just as much fun on their own turf as their friends taking trips out of town!

 

 

June Cleaver….no! Just Plain Fun…yes!

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We at Axl’s Closet have a special place in our hearts for cooking with our kids.  There’s something about teaching your kids your favorite recipes, watching them carefully measure out each ingredient, and seeing the smile on their face when they proudly sample the end result.  And though the prep time and clean up time may take a bit longer, it’s worth the flour all over their noses, the butter on the counter, the sprinkles all over the floor and the spoons of frosting disappearing into tiny mouths.

Valentine’s is in the air around our houses with kids overflowing with excitement as they decorate their valentine’s box in anticipation of the multitude of valentine cards and pre-packaged sweets they will be bringing home!  Amongst this holiday excitement it’s become a bit of a tradition to take a little time to gather our friends and family for a good old fashion Valentine’s Day cookie baking and decorating session.  And that’s just what we did.

Our pick:  Sugar cookies, with the main ingredient, you guessed it, love (and tons of silliness), with lots of frosting and the-ever-so popular toppings.  We’re talking cinnamon hearts, sprinkles, dots, flowers…you name it, we had it.  Enjoy the pics and the recipe (share it with your kids).  We’ve also shared some of our favorite answers to some V-Day questions from our kids.

Frannie’s Buttermilk Sugar Cookie Recipe:

1 cup melted Oleo                                                         1 tsp baking soda

2 cups sugar                                                                    1 tsp baking powder

3 eggs                                                                              1 tsp vanilla

1 cup liquid buttermilk                                                  1 tsp salt

5 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together Oleo and sugar.  Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, salt, and flour.  Mix well and refrigerate overnight.  Take out as you are ready to bake and replace remaining dough back in the fridge until you are ready to use it.  Use plenty of flour while rolling out and cutting dough.  Bake 8-10 minutes.

AC:   What do you like most about Valentine’s Day?

All Kids (yelling):  The candy!!!!  The presents!!!

AC:  What Valentines cards are you handing out to your classmates?

Reese:  Cars Transformers

Cole:  Pixie Stick cards

Porter:  I am making my own

Ellie:  Snoopy

Judd:  Cars 2

AC:  Who is cupid, anyway?

Reese:  He’s the guy who shoots people with arrows and gives them love.

Cole:  A guy who is the Love King.  He shoots love arrows.

AC:  Do you think Valentine’s Day should be considered a holiday and therefore no school?  Why?

All Kids:  Yes!

Cole:  It should be a holiday cuz its celebrating Cupid’s birthday.

AC:  Do you have a special Valentine..teeheehee?

Porter:  My mother because she’s the one who gave birth to me.

Judd:  Meghan, my babysitter.

All other older boys deny it, but rat each other out.  Haha…

AC:  Why was Valentine’s Day invented?

Ellie:  Because people love each other.

Cole:  It was when Cupid was born.

Porter:  A long time ago a boy loved a girl named Valentine and he invented it.

AC:  What is your favorite Valentine treat?

Ellie:  Gummy worms

Judd:  Chocolate

 

 

Run, Don’t Walk!

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Axls Closet is calling all moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, or whoever loves an amazing sale! If you have a love and passion for shopping then visiting our site right now will make you one happy camper, or should we say, shopper!  Our Semi-Annual sale is in full swing and we are waiting for your fingers to do the walking…on your keyboard that is!  Now is the perfect time for you to do some early spring shopping for everything from rain jackets, t shirts, shorts, cute dresses or onesies .  With Spring Break on the horizon, finding the perfect swimsuit or boardshort at 60% off might be the score you’re looking for.  For those of you heading to the snow, grab a jacket, pants, glove or goggle at a screaming deal!  We didn’t forget about you planners, and we know you’re out there, peruse our outerwear and buy a size up for next year’s winter without breaking the bank!  And don’t forget about gifts for those special occasions throughout the year!  Or simply find an item your kiddo “had to have” that your pocket book denied as chances are it will approve the price now. Below we have featured a “You Can’t Pass This Deal Up” from each of our departments to get you started.

Boys Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket - This classic, built to last, jacket is the perfect “hand-me-down” and will be the go-to jacket for your boy. This breeze-stopping, highly compressible Down Sweater, insulated with 600-fill-power premium European goods down, lets young action seeking boys maintain their core warmth throughout the blustery season.  The polyester mini-ripstop shell, treated with a Deluge DWR (durable water repellent) finish, is tough and durable.  With two zippered pockets, a full-zip front that extends up to the collar for warmth, and a drawcord hem to adjust the fit.  This rarely goes on sale, so grab one now!

 

Girls Columbia Red Hottie Jacket – Every girl needs a staple jacket in their closet, and this is the one!  The incredibly warm Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining turns up the heat 20% more than ordinary liners.   Offering the warmth of a quilted puffer without the weight, it features a cute diamond quilted pattern filled with 100 grams of insulation. A stand-up collar with zipper garage prevents chafing at the chin; rain and spills roll right off thanks to Omni-Shield® advanced repellency. Finished with zip hand pockets and interior security pocket, they keep keys, sunscreen, and her favorite gloss safe and handy.

 

Little Boys Volcom Full Zip Hoodie – These hoodies are hot right now, and a definite must-have! What little boy wouldn’t love to instantly transform into a deep sea diver or Cyclops? Different from the big boy version, these hoodies have a mesh flap that comes just below the nose rather than a full zip to keep the little guys safe.

He will be ready with style that goes deep in the Deep Sea Diver Full Zip Hoodie.  This cozy hoodie displays an overall diving bell design and features mesh eyeholes.  Look out mermaids, here he comes!

Let your little monster zip up and hide out in the comfy Maguro Print Full Zip Hoodie.  This print is just as crazy as they are.  Bonus, they can spy on their friends through the mesh eyeholes.

A scary Cyclops in a tuxedo styles the One Eyed Monster Full Zip Hoodie.  He can walk around scaring his friends and they’ll never know who it is.

Little Girls The North Face Denali Jacket – This jacket is awesome, it can be worn as an outer layer or as a midlayer under another jacket.  The high-loft fleece fabric keeps will keep her warm in cold weather.  For more durability in the high-abrasion areas, this jacket sports nylon Taslan overlay at the shoulders, chest and elbows.  So, zip her up in the Denali Jacket and send her off in plush, cozy comfort, with tons of style!

Baby Columbia Snowtop II Bunting –   This little piggy went to…cozy town!  Wrap your bundle of joy up in this super soft full body fleece for all day warmth.  The diagonal zipper across the front of the body makes diaper changing easy.  With lots of fun colors and prints, your baby will not want to take this one off!

Native Shoe  – Super cool and a smaller model of the adult version, the Native shoe is made from a light and comfortable material.  Extremely versatile, your adventurous ones can slip them on and play at the park, throw them in backpack for day at the beach or wear them while rafting down the river.  About the Native, we like to say “anybody, anywhere, anytime.”

We know you can’t wait, so we’ll stop our gushing and let you get to it!

Happy Shopping!

Love,

The Axl’s Crew

Interview with an Insider: Kim Genzler – Oakley

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Oakley blends science and art to redefine product categories by rejecting the constraints of conventional ideas. The company is recognized as one of the most coveted brands in performance technology and fashion. Its icon is embraced by the global culture of sport competitors who define their own lifestyle — the world-class athletes who exceed the limits of possibility.

AC:  How long have you been with Oakley and what do you like best about it?

KG:  I have been with Oakley for 14 years.  I like my Oakley family and the people I work with because I work with rad fun people who make my job interesting and exciting.  Love when we all get together for Oakley events!

AC:  How long has Oakley been making snow goggles?

KG:  This year is actually our 30 year anniversary of making goggles.  We began with the iconic grips, then sunglasses and eventually into snow goggles.  We were the first company to make non-distortion, or corrective, lenses.

AC:  What makes Oakley different?

KG:  Oakley has a constant focus on new technology and forward progress.  We always try to make products work better for athletes and thus everyone else who wears our goggles.

AC:  Where does the design inspiration come from?

KG:  Depends on the product.  Sometimes the cool lines or color of a car will inspire us, or the technology on a plane will get our attention, or it could be an idea one of the athletes gives us.  We use our neighborhoods as our canvas.

AC:  What’s your favorite thing about selling snow goggles?

KG:  A high quality goggle can greatly improve someone’s on-snow experience.  When someone uses a premium goggle for the first time, you can see the light bulb turn on.

AC:  Is there any youth specific line expansions planned for the future?

KG:  At this point, many kids wear “small face size” adult goggles.  We add to and improve our line every single year, which means more options for kids.   

AC:  What are the three pieces in this seasons (snow 12/what we currently have) collection that represent the line the best?

KG:  The Airbrake is a composite of all our best features in one goggle.  With the Signature Series goggles, we work closely with our athletes to develop styles and color palettes that really represent them.  The Shaun White series comes to mind.  Don’t forget about our rad caps!

AC:  You guys have a stacked team roster, how involved are athletes in the design process?

KG:  Extremely involved.  Our athletes are a huge part of our Research and Development process.  Constantly testing, evaluating, and providing feedback as new designs roll out.

AC:  Anything we missed?

KG:  No, Oakley’s relentless focus on technology, progression and athletes permeates all aspects of our business.

AC:  What would an Oakley kid eat for lunch?

KG:  Wheaties with Gretchen Bleiler on the box, of course!

AC:  What cartoon character should be on the Oakley team?

KG:  Superman and Wonder Woman; seems like they could use a good pair of goggles.

 

 

2012: The Axl’s Team Dishes on Their Top New Year’s Resolutions!

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To many of us, the beginning of a New Year brings a chance at a fresh start.  It provides the opportunity to reflect on the year that has past – our accomplishments, where we fell short, and goals that we are still striving towards.  As we ring in the New Year at AxlsCloset, our team is done reflecting and is firmly looking forward to 2012 and the exciting possibilities that the new year holds.

While 2011 introduced product videos, visual size charts, and brands like Carhartt, Canada Goose, Seven Jeans, and Munster to our fans, 2012 will be packed full of fresh new features, even richer content, and rad new brands (big and small).

The coming year is looking to be one of our most exciting as we dedicate ourselves to offering the best selection of brands, a huge cache of relevant info surrounding the products, a superior on-site experience, and providing the best service possible when shopping online for kids big and small. From our team to yours, here are a few of each departments New Year’s Resolutions:

Weekly Fave Find: Endorsed by Groms Backed by Moms – Orage Outerwear

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Who: Orage Outerwear

What:   An outerwear company that puts skiing above all else and is built on a foundation of innovation and constant improvement.  Driven by the desire to progress the sport of skiing, Orage creates outerwear pieces  that blur the lines between technical performance and fashion.  Their open arms embrace of the free-skiing movement has quickly moved Orage to the leading edge of “must-have” outerwear brands for young skiers of all ages.

Pros Who Back the Brand: The Orage team roster is  stacked with some of the most talented skiers around.  These athletes are their  inspiration and their R&D field testers in as they try to create the highest performing, best looking outerwear on the planet.  The combination of different visions and passions that their athletes bring to the design process, pushes Orage to continue to create pieces that speak to skiers of all styles and abilities.

The Orage Global Team:

JP Auclair, Phil Casabon, Kaya Turski, Xavier Bertoni, Banks Gilberti, Matt Margetts, Charley Ager, Tatum Monod, Will Wesson, Andy Parry, Anais Caradeuex, Mcrae Williams, Chris Logan, Dale Talkington, Jermey Prevost

How Much: Orage youth jackets range in price from $120 to $175, while the pants range from $80 to $135. Whether you’re buying the Xavier Junior Jacket packed full of technical features and embellishments or the trimmed down El Nino Jacket, you’ll be getting a superior outerwear piece that will transition your kid from fall to spring and keep them dry and stylish all season long.

Shopping Tips: Orage runs true to size with a looser free-ride cut.  When ordering the outerwear pieces leave plenty of room to layer under for those colder ski days.  This year marks the first year that Orage has offered a “little youth” line  with all the same technical features and stylish cuts as their junior line, so if you’re shopping for ages 2-6x be sure to shop the littles.