The Winner of the Taylor Tank Dress is Mischelle Cole

THE WINNER OF THE EVERY DRESS IS CHRIS MC DONALD

Rules for Mother's Day Giveaway

**** GIVEAWAY **** To celebrate Mother's Day CRADLE WILL ROCK would like to giveaway a custom Avery dress in your size. To enter, you simply need to LIKE my FaceBook page, share this photo and leave a comment. At 2:00 p.m. PST next Wednesday, April 10th, I will randomly select a winner from those who comment. Good Luck Everyone!!!! ~One comment per person please~ ~This Giveaway has no association with FaceBook~ Link to my FB: https://www.facebook.com/CradleWillRockBoutique?fref=ts

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hey everyone sorry I haven't been blogging to you lately I have just been so busy with the move and all my sewing. I am pleased to tell you that I am fully settled into my lovely home in California and back on the road to success with all my funky creations. Since being back I have been enjoying the beautiful weather and the beach almost everyday and sewing as much as I possibly can. I have have been going to the all the local boutiques and working with store owners and managers to get my clothing sold in their stores. Recently I have been selling my main products at farmers markets and the energy has been amazing. Being welcomed back by all my friends and family and finding so much support has been so inspiring. Moving back and being reunited with so many of my old friends has inspired me to even expand my line!! This spring I will be releasing my new line of adult womens clothing, so now not only will your children and neices look adorable but their mommies and aunts can look just as fabulous. A new expansion has also opened my mind into searching for the new perfect location to sell and design my new and imporved look. Not only will buyers be able to come to the store to browse and chat, but they will also be able to put in a custom order to be ready in only two hours time! I am excited to be starting this new journey in California and I will deffinatley keep all of you upated. Have a wonderful Friday!

Cradle Will Rock Designs

Hello everyone, I can finally sit down and write on my blog, I have been very busy with CRADLE WILL ROCK DESIGNS I have a new website that is up and running,I have been adding new things daily So be sure to come and take a peek at the new site. I am EXCITEDto share with you some of my favorite BOUTIQUES Who I believe set the trends for boutiques to follow Of course one being CRADLE WILL ROCK DESIGNS!!! I am OBSESSED with vintage inspired childrens clothing and here are some of my favorite Childrens Boutique's Cutie Couture has just the most addorable clothes I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it! They offer vintage inspired childrens clothing,Monkey tee's is another one of my favorite Designers also including Bridgette and Company, Cotton Laundry, Shake Up Snow Designs offers FABULOUS Hair candy for your little Darlings. I would also like to include AIM PHOTOGRAPHY she is the absolute best in what she does, Anyone looking for a photographer she's the one for you! BRADLEY MARLOW DESIGNS whom happens to be my best friend is the most FABULOUS designer in kiddie and adult couture jewlery. Fun fresh and fabulous that is these designers please take a peek at my FAVORITE CHILDRENS DESIGNERS!!! Thanks for supporting CRADLE WILL ROCK HANDMADE ORIGINALS!!

Shameless Plug

I am posting this because I am proud to have it printed. Also it may share a little more about me in more journalistic terms! Let me know what you think!

Source: Smiley Pete Publishing

Kiddie Couture
Cradle Will Rock keeps kids hip with unique threads

by Tess Simon

June 28, 2011

Lexington, KY - Across the country in Orange County, Calif., Rhonda Smith had established herself as a well-respected children’s clothing designer at her boutique, Cradle Will Rock. The first outfit she ever made was featured on the cover of US Weekly, and the store was frequented by celebrities. MTV even brought in cameras one day to take a tour of the boutique. Yet despite Smith’s incredible success, when she took a two-week vacation to the Bluegrass, she felt like she was home. “I fell in love with Kentucky,” she said. “When I got on the plane to go back, I felt like crying because I loved it here.”

Upon her return home, Smith made the decision to pack up the profitable business and move it with her youngest son, Christian, to Lexington. “I thought it was a good idea to raise Christian here because it’s all-American and it’s different,” she said. “It’s quaint, and everyone knows everyone. It’s a community.”

Swapping her boutique’s bustling California location in favor of a healthy community environment in Lexington was not the first major life decision made with her son in mind. In fact, Christian was the inspiration for Cradle Will Rock nearly 11 years ago. “When Christian was a week old, I was strolling down a main street [in California] and there was a place for rent,” she said. “I was like, ‘I’m going to open a baby store. I’m going to take my baby to work with me,’ and that is how it all began.”

In June 2009, Smith opened her Kentucky location in Victorian Square, but after 15 months, she decided to relocate into Chevy Chase, where sales have picked up and Smith can walk to work.

While the boutique has relocated across the country from its original storefront, its fundamental concept is the same: to provide hip, handmade and often one-of-a-kind clothes for kids.

Smith’s innovation and natural talent for design can be seen in all of her clothing. She began her career with only a couple of sewing classes under her belt, yet she made her first piece without even the help of a pattern, merely envisioning a vintage pillowcase as a dress and pulling out her scissors. Now her craft begins by visiting Lexington’s several antique stores, where she said she “always scores” with items like Chenille bedspreads, vintage hankies, tablecloths and blankets, all of which inspire and inform her designs. Back in the shop, she cuts and sews on a table pulled into the middle of her store, welcoming customers when they enter. She sells everything from clothes for babies and young girls and boys to baby essentials, like washcloths, breastfeeding covers, blankets and silk-screen-printed onesies.

Perhaps even more impressive than Smith’s innate vision for fashion and goal to provide handmade, hip clothing is her strong commitment to support local artists. Smith makes space in her store to feature customizable jockey silk paintings by Jamie Givens, a local painter and designer who also created the boutique’s eye-catching wall murals. The back wall of the store is covered in artwork for sale by William Brown, an artist with One World Art Collective, which assists in the professional artistic development of adults who have been diagnosed with a cognitive disability.

With the reception the business has received in Chevy Chase, Smith has dreams of expanding the boutique to other locations and eventually franchising. A large part of this expansion plan is centered on her desire to preserve the lost art of sewing. She hopes to employ college students, stay-at-home moms and grandmothers who want part-time work making clothes. “I don’t need to take it to a manufacturer in L.A. and get pennies on the dollar,” she said. “I’m not doing that. I’m trying to say, ‘Hey, who wants to sew and help me make kids’ clothes?’”

Though the store operates with the same goals and values as when it was first opened, Smith has noticed a difference in her Kentucky and California clientele that extends beyond celebrity. In Lexington, Smith said, “little girls are little girls. They dress and act like little ladies.” Smith said she likes that compared to Los Angeles, mothers here prefer traditional clothes for their children. This has lead Smith to design more pieces with embroidered initials, polka dots and ruffles. “I love traditional, but I’m trying to put a funkier twist on traditional,” she said.

Smith’s transition to Kentucky has been made easier by her new family of Lexington supporters. Smith showed off a card that a little girl had recently drawn for her of a Cradle Will Rock original dress that her mom had purchased. “I don’t even know these people; these are customers that come in that I’ve just met,” Smith said. “This is a little girl that just loved my tank dresses, and thought they were cool. This,” she said, holding up the card, “this is cool.”

Cradle Will Rock is located at 814 Euclid Ave. For more information, visit www.cradlewillrockonline.com.

Men's Health Dads : Parents : The 100 Best (and Worst) Places to Raise a Family

Men's Health Dads : Parents : The 100 Best (and Worst) Places to Raise a Family

Family time...

I apologize for not blogging faithfully but my husband has been here and we have been busy doing home projects. Family time is also top of the list so I hope with my absence, you all have been spending more time with your families too!


See you soon!

CWR Originals - Summer Stripes

Summertime just makes you want to wear stripes! Everyone has their own take on how they will wear them. Some make it fun and dress like "Where's Waldo"



Some people want to look casual and fashionable, like LC from The Hills


Some just don't have a choice in the matter and wear what their trusty owner puts on them. They don't complain about the stripes at all!



This is how we do Stripes at Cradle Will Rock. No Stripes you see out there will be just like mine! Dress your little one in a CWR Original!

To Know Me Is To Love Me...

If you love me or want to know me, these are the things that make me go MMMMMM.....

The simplest of my pleasures and most guilty is this:
Coke with crushed ice





and a long, hot, uninterupted bath!
However, I do love so many other things...some which are simple:

Green Tea on cold days next door at Mon Tea



Getting unexpected presents from my love or friends



Waking up and feeling good to be alive and healthy



Some good barbeque with my son



Having a great hair day - that makes everyday great

and some expensive...

the new Porsche Panamera - oooh la la


a convertible Bentley - I will use this one in California



big horse property in KY - yes it would be grand!



and the most precious of all, the ones which are priceless!
(I wish I had photos for these)


Sitting with my husband and son watching a fun movie

Talking with all my Mommy customers at my store

The "R" in Cradle & Rock Doesn't Mean "Retail"

I have always been a person who rocks my own personal style. I created this store because I didn't like retail choices for my young son's attire. That is what created the idea of having a baby store! So with an idea and a dream I opened Cradle Will Rock.

I believe it is a dream when I wear something that I know no one else will have. I do not mass produce but I do create some similar looks. These are a few of the ideas that have been translated into clothing for your little loves.
I am very sure you will not find these outfits in any other store than mine!
Come try on an outfit and have your little one show their (your, ahem!) personal style!

New Arrivals for Tea Collection - Spanish Noveau

This collection is just one of the lovelies carried by Cradle Will Rock. It is by Tea® and your little one will look very stylish but be comfortable as well! This is what I call "effortless style". Your little one's will looked "dressed" yet they won't fight you putting on "their good clothes".


Mila Embroidered Dress


Modernest Sweater Vest & El Born Tile Print Shirt


Mila Embroidered Skirt & Casa Nouveau Dress

Casa Nouveau Dress & Modernisme Ruffle Dress

Stop by and see what you think!

Cradle Will Rock Original

This little girl is so adorable and I am proud to have her model one of my original creations. She makes this dress work.

You can see the shape of the dress and mommy can help her accessorize. These ruby slippers and red bobbles make the dress just look FUN for a little girl!

Pillow Case Top - movin' & shakin'

Girls are always on the go... we are movin' and shakin' and sometimes you don't know what to wear!
This is a great example of how to throw together a look that Cradle Will Rock can bring together and make you a standout in any crowd!



This is how you wear an outfit and top it with something that nobody else will be wearing! Buying retail is blahhhhhh! Make her outfit come alive with a Cradle Will Rock Original!

Jammies are soooo comfy!

At Cradle Will Rock we carry Tea Collection and they have a nice line of jammies for your little one.



If you want to get them ready for bed and have a great night of sleep, then come try on a pair at my store.

Let me introduce myself to you...

This little precious angel is modeling one of my CRADLE WILL ROCK Orginal girls dresses. The reason I am posting her here today is to share with you a little more about me.


If you were to know me when I was this age, you would think you were talking to me! She looks just as I did at this age! Like a mirror image of myself! I am smitten!

Vintage is so much more than just a word!

If you know me, you know that I love vintage. Yes I love vintage things and what vintage means. Don't you wish you were a vintage phonograph and could come to life to tell everyone of the music you played and about the people who danced before you?


Some people would love to go to the future. I choose to go back in time, to a time before mine!

Simply said, I love vintage.


I love vintage furniture.



I love vintage toys.


I love vintage clothes and this is what I did!



I've created these new "one of a kind" pillow case dresses from vintage pillow cases. This is something you won't find anywhere so every little girl can be proud that no other girl will be seen in her dress! We all want to be special that way, don't we?

From Seal Beach to Chevy Chase

For those of you who don't know me or are just starting to learn about me, I thought I would share this with you. There is a little special place in my heart that makes me smile. It is where I started the Cradle Will Rock when my little boy was... just that! Little!

Check out this video and you can fall in love with my old hometown. I am happy here in Chevy Chase and love all of you. Thank you for making me feel like I am at home!


If you look close as they pan down Main Street, you will see my Green awning with red letters CRADLE WILL ROCK!

Long Time No Blog...

Couple of topics for me to cover today:

1. Apology 2. My Neighbor, my saviour 3. The Weather 4. My New Collection

So first things first: I must apologize again for being so tardy on my posts. It has just been a crazy time. With opening a new store, working on new product lines, getting used the the winter weather and the commute with snow and rainfall... I have been slacking! There it is, the truth is out and I have admitted I have slacked on my blog! So so sorry!

I have been busy in the new store and meeting so many new people! I love Chevy Chase and the new location. You know, I am right next door to Mon Tea.

I have been drinking green tea every day since I moved in the new location. Secret revealed! I haven't felt better! I have been feeling bad for some time, but since I moved to the new location and with the help of my neighbor... I have been drinking Green Tea! I really think its helped! You should come get some and stop by and say "hi"! We can drink and get healthy together! If you aren't in Lexington, you can buy it online. They have a great assortment and you should read their website. Lots of good information. Check them out at www.monteashop.com

I recently met a photographer by the name of Amy Stickler. She does great things with her photos. The company name is Aim Photography. Check out this lovely photo of her little girl in one of my Cradle Will Rock Pillow Case Dresses! Be sure to look for her on Facebook: Aim Photography

There is rain today and it is expected through the night.

Tomorrow we are told we will have some snow. The best part is that my store is right next to Mon Tea and you can grab yourself a cup to warm up. But Enough! Spring just get here soon, I am ready! Monday is the first day we will see some sunshine according to newscasts!

My new TEA COLLECTION is a cute and affordable line. Come try them on with your little one. There are even a few things for you Mommies!

Time for a Christmas Tea Party!

This is a note to all the Mommies out there reading my blog. My girlfriends mother called her the other day and said, I'm having a Christmas Tea party (for the little ones), please come! She said when her mom called she "had magic in her voice"! The magic that she remembered when she was a little girl!




This is what her Mom did for her grandkids, a Christmas Tea (which happily included Hot Chocolate for sipping)



This is how you do it girls! A dream day for little princesses and the pink of it all makes it even that more special!














Remember Mommies, you ARE the magic that makes Christmas so special whether it is a tea or a cookie making party. These memories we hold for our entire lives! Enjoy your holiday and making memories!