Loads of Hope

This is such an easy way to help. If we all just did a little bit we could make a HUGE difference in the world. Loads of Hope doesn't cost you anything. Just buy the Tide with the yellow cap. Tide will do the rest. Make a difference and teach your children to do the same!

Innobaby Packin Smart

No more baggies and messy crumbs all in the bottom of my Diaper Bag. Now we have a solution that is perfect. Here is my sweet Henry with his Packin Smart by Innobaby. We just love this thing. It stays in my diaper bag all the time. There are 5 compartments to store snacks in and each one can be handed to the child individually. There is also a separate lid for each individual section that allows it to become a serving bowl that is spill "resistant"

So you can hand your baby one at a time and they can get the snacks out themselves. Henry is still a little to young to do this but Emma loves to use these for her snacks also. We call this our baby buffet. Each cup holds 1/3 cup of dry snacks.

Dish Washer SAFE....YIPEE!!!

There are also several colors to choose from: Pink, Blue, Red, Orange, White, Yellow, and Lime. You can buy a 5, 3, or 1 stack.

There is also a new product called a Stack and Seal. You can use this one for Veggies or Fruits. It will hold dry or liquid foods and can be heated up in the microwave.

One more great thing. When the kids are done you can store candy, spices, paperclips, office supplies, etc. I love a multipurpose product.

One for One

Yesterday Emma's school went Bare Foot all day

Here is the story from KFDX
Christ Academy Students Go Barefoot for a Good Cause Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 @05:13pm CST We've all heard of walking barefoot on the beach... But what about going barefoot at school? Students at Christ Academy spent the day without shoes. It's part of a national movement called "One Day Without Shoes." The idea is to raise awareness for people in third world countries who cannot afford to buy shoes. “It will make us not take shoes for granted,” said Christi Robertson (eighth-grader), “because we have so many, and we can learn to be more grateful for the little things." "We're so privileged here that we have so many pairs of shoes, that sometimes we do take it for granted,” said Maci Baker (seventh-grader). The school also wanted to promote an online shoe store called TOMS -- which donates one pair of shoes to a third world country for every pair purchased from them. For more information, click here .

So if you or your kiddo's is needing a new pair of shoes. check this out and help a good cause. Not to mention they are cute too!

Million Dollar Idea...or is it?

As I stated in the previous post, I literally get 3-5 emails/calls each week about new products that someone would like to show us. This is an effective way to market but there are a couple of other options for you out there. Go into your local boutiques, you might even travel to the nearest metroplex to get a wider opinion. You are always more likely to get a response in person. Ask to see the buyer and then talk to them about your product. See if they have any suggestions, do they think it is viable, is there something already out there that fills this need. Hopefully you will find someone who has just a couple of minutes to give you. Get your product to several mommy blogers. They are incredibly influential! They are after all your market.

Next go to a trade show as a observer. It maybe tricky getting in but talk to the registration personnel and see where that will get you. Walk around and look at the products and booths so that when you have a booth of your own you know what you want and what you don't want. The ABC Show is the BEST and Biggest market to attend. But you have to realize there is 1,000,000 square feet for the buyers to cover. Do something to get there attention without being super pushy. Offer a SHOW SPECIAL! I cannot stress how important that is. I don't write orders at show that don't have a special. Come prepared with order forms. Seems like a no brainer but honestly there are a ton of people that set up a booth and I guess don't expect to write order or give copies. Collect potential buyers cards and send them information (including the mommy blogs that have reviewed your product) after the show is over.

One more tip. There are several buying groups for independent specialty stores. NINFRA is the one that we are a part of. Find out who the executive director is and get in contact with them. See if they will do a new product release to their membership. Make sure there is a special specific to that group. For example: All NINFRA members get free shipping.

I hope these tips help you. There are lost of mom's/dad/grandma's etc that have great idea's that fill a nintch no one else has. GOOD LUCK!!!

PS. Could someone invent the next Beanie Baby and come by my store first!

Play and Learn Baby Spoon

I was so excited to get this sample in yesterday. This is a new spoon by Baby Human. I saw this booth at our trade show in September and I honestly just walked right past it. However I received a phone call from the inventor and she asked how she could get this product in my store. I gave her my email address (as I do everyone who wants to show me new product) I must say her email was the best product introduction email I have ever received. I get no less than 4 a week of these and I don't really read them very often. This one was so different. The email very briefly described the product and then listed several mommy blogs that had reviewed it. Well that hit the money for me. Each blog was better than the next! Mommy's love this spoon. So I requested a sample to take home to Henry

Well last night Henry really got a kick out of playing with this spoon. He can grasp it very easily and loved chewing on it and the mouth guard kept him from choking himself. That is a real problem with giving a baby or a toddler an adult spoon. If your baby already likes the RazBerry this is another great teething option.

Although Henry is predominately right handed (already he in only 9 months) because of it's unique design he could pick it up with either hand. Later that evening Shad and I let him try to feed himself some pudding. Boy was that a mess. Now remember he is still an BABY. He was able to get the food and spoon into his mouth but it wasn't pretty. He just isn't ready yet. But here is a link to a mommy blog that has a video of an older baby using it. This totally sold me. http://www.newbaby.com/Baby_Baby+Products_Play+and+Learn+Baby+Spoon+Review

This product is BPA, Phthalate, and lead free.

Make A Wish and Look Good Doing It

My mother and I are advisors for our local chapter of Chi Omega. The national philanthropy for Chi Omega is the Make A Wish Foundation. Make A Wish is a foundation that grants wishes for terminally ill children. Our chapter has spent several years raising money to grant wishes. Our most recent events were a Fun Run/Walk and an Alumni Brunch and Silent Auction. Our Chapter was also asked to give a send off party for a little girl whose wish to take her family to Disney world was being granted. Of course we were so excited and honored to be a part of this. My mom helped organize a great event. There was face painting, crafts, temporary tattoos, nail art, a jump house, and yummy snacks.
Before the girls arrived at the party we had a hummer limo pick them up and take them to get their hair done and then drive them to StorkLand where they were able to pick out their special outfit and have glitter eye shadow applied. Don't they look GREAT!

In the middle of the party Cinderella made a surprise appearance to invite the girls to come to Disney. What a magical party!

Good Friends Always Bring a Smile!

It is always nice to see friends. Amy and her mother Donna have been friends of my family for years. Way before Amy and I were even born. Amy drives in from Waco to visit and come shopping. I feel so privileged that we are on her list of to-do's when she comes to town. Her beautiful daughter is riding in a Chicco KeyFit carseat/Trevi Stroller. Truly one of my favorites. The Trevi is a "glorified umbrella" stroller. If is very light weight and folds up really small! As a mommy of three I know the value of compact and light weight as well as versatile. If you are in the market for a travel system go "kick the tires" on this one before you purchase. Amy absolutely loves it. She called me before this little beauty was born and we discussed several different products-bottles, strollers, etc...

Amy's sweet baby is also wearing a Baby bobo bib. These company makes bib's, burps, and blankets that are unbelievable. Not to mention the owner is my best friend. -BoBo you know I love your stuff-There are a ton of paters to choose from and mix and match. A portion of the proceeds from every purchase goes directly to international adoption. I carry these in all 3 stores and they are a customer favorite. The prices are GREAT! and you can't beat the quality. Everything is handmade.