I still go ga-ga over cute little girl clothes despite the fact my children are sprouting like kudzu. In fact, my almost 12-year-old is five-foot-five and wears a woman's size 10 shoe. (Must have been my amazon-strength breast milk!)

I pick up sweet kids' fashions when I'm staging a room for a client or for a book. A favorite source is Tea Collection. The clothing company has always traveled to find interesting textiles, and now is showcasing a spring collection inspired by West African traditions, such as Ghana batiks, Mali indigo dyes and Bogolan geometric prints. These exotic influences are charming when loaned to the mini set we love to dress.

The good news is that Tea supports the Global Fund for Children, giving millions of dollars every year to "little citizens" of the world. The San Francisco-based business also uses soft jersey cottons and linens in its line which makes for comfortable and sustainable summer garb.