Childhood Comfort Items: Send Me Your Photos!

So about an hour ago, my 3-month-old started getting cranky and showing signs of needing a nap.  I took him down to his bassinet, only to find it occupied by my 2-year-old's favorite comfort item: "Puppy."  How on earth could I possibly disturb Puppy, who had been so very lovingly tucked into bed with a throw pillow under his head and humidifier turned on?  I just couldn't do it...baby napped upstairs in his crib instead.

I can't tell you how many cute photos I have of Sammy and his Puppy, a blankie-slash-stuffed animal hybrid.  This recent moment reminded me that for quite some time now I've been wanting to compile a photo book of friends and family's own security items.  Wouldn't that make the cutest coffee table book?  I'm picturing photos of little kids sucking their thumb while cuddling their favorite stuffed animal, chewing on the corner of a ratty blanket, or in Sammy's case, dipping Puppy's nose into his cereal bowl to feed him some breakfast. 

I would absolutely love it if you would be a part of this little project!  My plan is really just to make a little book because I haven't seen any out there like this and think it would be fun to have.  I would likely self publish it like I have with my face painting books, and anyone who has submitted a photo for the book would have the opportunity to order however many you want at just the cost to print it.

Are you willing to send me a photo?  Your photo would have to be of a decent size, resolution, and clarity to print well, but I can do some Photoshop editing if needed as well.  If you are willing to send me a photo of yourself, your child, and anyone you know with their "lovey," or even just a photo of the security item by itself, that would be awesome!!  It doesn't have to be clean and washed and sparkling.  The more "loved" it looks, the better.  Photos can be emailed to gretchen(at)gretchenfleener(dot)com.  Please include the object's name if it has one (ie, "blankie"), the child's name (first name only, if you're willing to share) and feel free to share any fond memories or other adventures you've had with the item.  (Keep in mind that by sending me your photo, you are giving me permission to print it in this little project and publish it!)  Don't have a photo but you want to share a memory or story?  That's great too...just shoot me an email!

I can't say how long it will take to complete, as that will depend on how many people participate and how quickly you all get me your pictures, but if I can get enough photos/stories to make this a decent size book, I think it would be a really fun way to immortalize your "loveys" and share them with the world! I will keep you all posted on this project's process through my blog, and maybe even share some photos along the way!  Thanks in advance for your participation in this mission to "immortalize the blankie" and help their stories live on beyond the thumb sucking years! :-)

Product Review: Boon Grass Drying Rack

Happy Earth Day! I thought I'd review a "earthy" product today, the Grass Countertop Drying Rack by Boon.

After posting this drying rack as one of my "Fun Friday Finds," I saw it at my local Target for just $15.  With a $15 gift card in my purse, I couldn't resist. I absolutely LOVE this drying rack.  Up until now, I've considered every drying rack I've tried to be a bulky, hard-to-clean eyesore.  However, replacing my other drying rack(s) with this one has turned a necessary evil into a piece of modern countertop decor.

What I love about this is that, unlike many "cute" baby products, it is as functional as it is cool-looking.  When it's empty, it looks cool on my counter.  When it's full, it still looks cool and works great.  It can't get much easier to use...simply stick your wet items into the blades of grass.  There are no little pegs to balance your bottle parts on...anything can go anywhere and fit just as well.  The overall design is shallow in it's profile, so it takes up little space when in storage, and doesn't need to go through a major tear-down process to fit it in your dishwasher.  The grass is one piece that simply sits in the white tray, and both can be tossed in the dishwasher.  Quite frankly, I think it is brilliant in it's simplicity, functionality, and aesthetics.  I would categorize it as one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas.

I'm in the process of selling my home right now, and while I need to keep it spotless for showings, I actually like to leave this on the counter because it just looks so dang cool.  If I had no kids and saw this on someone's counter, I'd think it was a decoration.  So if you're looking for a great drying rack, this one is worth every penny!

Just Between Friends Sale

Hey there fellow Minnesota Mommies, this post is for you!  Just wanted to let you all know that there is a "Just Between Friends" sale going on today through Saturday at Southdale Center in Edina!  Just Between Friends is a company that holds consignment sales throughout the US, where you can get some great deals on used baby and kid stuff, and can also sell your old stuff. 

While I've found that I don't get as good of deals as I normally do garage saleing, I have come across a few good finds at these sales.  You just have to be willing to hunt, which for me, is half the fun. They sometimes have you print a coupon online to get in, telling you they'll charge you $2 otherwise to get in.  However, every time I've gone with my coupon, they've either not asked for them at all, or I've seen them let everyone in for "free" with or without one.  But, what I do like about their sales is that they are very organized by age, gender, and type of product.  So, if there is a specific item you're looking for, like I was when I went to the last one looking for a diaper bag, it's pretty easy to get in and out and find what you need!

Click here for all the details on the Edina sale, or go here to find one in your city/state!  And if you attend, feel free to come back here to comment on what you thought, and if you found anything good!

Baby Pictures: Documenting Your Child's Growth

Wow, I can't believe my littlest one is 3 months old this week!

I've always taken photos of both boys each week with a sign showing their age.  This is a great way to document your little one's growth, and not have to wonder when that photo was taken, if your pictures end up mixed up in a box and you forgot to write on the backs.  (or in this day and age, digitally dumped into an unorganized folder in your computer!)

Of course, I got this from my mom, who did the same thing for all three of us kids growing up!  It's fun to go back and see where the growth spurts were, and to compare my two boys at the same age to see their similarities and differences! 

Do you have any photo taking rituals with your kids? I know some people like to take a photo each week with a toy or stuffed animal, which helps show baby's scale in relation to something that doesn't change.  When our dog was a puppy we took a photo each month of him sitting in my lap, until he was so big you could barely see me!  ;-)

Fun Friday Finds

TGIF!  Here are some more fun things I've found on the web throughout the week for your viewing pleasure!  :-)

It's a buyer's market, even for goldfish.  Now your fish can upgrade to a classy desktop condo! Available for $25 at Unica Home. (via my friend Emi)

I'm a sucker for wood toys, so I got excited when I saw these cool wooden extinct animals by Josh Finkle. (via Inhabitots)

I just loved this cool shower curtain tutorial from Design Sponge.  What a cool way to use up some scrap fabric or recycle some funky old vintage fabric!

Here's a good idea from Parent Hacks, to turn those department store clothes hangers into winter hat and mitten holders!

As a designer I love everything on Design Mom, a blog I just recently came across.  But, I'll try to pick just one post to mooch off of this week...this is a super cool idea to hand make toys and spread the love by leaving them out in public for people to take...I totally want to do this!  Maybe I can crochet something...

Get Your Free Starbucks Tomorrow!

If you bring in a re-useable coffee mug to your local Starbucks this Thursday the 15th, they'll fill 'er up for free!

I always get a kick out of products that look like they are made out of one material but are actually something totally different. Here are a few coffee mugs that do just that...

Like this cool porcelain travel cup that looks like a paper cup, just in case you'd like to be earth friendly but still "fit in" with the not-so-earth-friendly majority.













I like this one too, which I've seen at Bed Bath & Beyond as well.  It has the little sleeve around the outside too, and it's plastic so you don't have to worry about it breaking. (and BPA free too, of course!)

The Eco Cup is pretty cool looking too! This one is ceramic with a silicone sleeve.



If you've spent any time in New York City, you've no doubt seen the paper cup versions of this ceramic cup:



Pregnant? Whether you're trying to make a statement that a little bit of caffiene during pregnancy is okay, or that you are having hot chocolate or decaf for the next 9 months, this is a funny mug for you...



So whatever you drink out of, be sure to bring it on by your local Starbucks for a free cup-o-joe this Thursday and help kick off your tax day with a little caffeine!

MOMtrepreneur: Julissa Hanson & TuTu Sassy

I have been lining up some email interviews with several creative and ambitious moms I know who have started their own business, and hope to share many of them with you in the months ahead.  I think it will give many moms inspiration to start their own thing, and help those of us who already have our own businesses to connect with fellow "MOMtrepreneurs!"

I am super excited to post my first interview today with Julissa Hanson of Bismarck, North Dakota!  Her and her friend Nicole Elliott not only are busy mothering their 5 kids (Julissa has 3 kids: Bryanna(13) Isabel (9) and Xander (2), and Nicole has 2 kids, Aniah (3) and Tahlia (1), but they both have their own businesses, and have also teamed up to start a second side business for each of them, "TuTu Sassy," turning their tu-tu making and photography skills into a business that provides super fun, girlie birthday parties!

What did you do before becoming a Work-at-home mom?
I run an in home daycare and Nicole owns her own photography business.  Tutu sassy is a side business for both of us.

What was the final “push” that got you to take the dive into starting your business full time?
We had both been looking for something that we could make and sell at craft shows and other events.  Nicole made a tutu for her infant daughter and the light bulb came on.  We ordered material and started making.  We have spent time brainstorming how we can grow and sell even more, that is how we came up with the tutu sassy birthday parties.

What skills or education from your background do you think help you the most in your success as an entrepreneur? 
I have my bachelors in elementary education, which is not conducive to selling tutus. I am however, a mom and that goes a long way.  I have two girls so I know what they like and how they have fun. I did work retail in college so I have some experience in that area.  Nicole worked sales and customer service for a health spa before she had her kids.  She is great at sales and we have strengths and weaknesses that compliment each other.
  
What new things have you learned since becoming a business owner?
Registering our own business with the state and and getting our tax id number for sales was something we knew nothing about.  we actually know quite a bit about becoming a legal business now.

What’s the most challenging part about being a Mom + business owner for you?
When your business work has to get done, sometimes the house suffers.  It is hard to feel exhausted and have to make supper and tend to your family.  We just keep in mind that the outcome will outweigh the days of struggle.  We try to prepare our homes ahead of time when we know we will be busy, but of course as all moms know a home can go south quickly. 

How would you define “success” for yourself and/or your business?  
We are so new at this point that all sales seem like success. The day our website launched we felt like a success, our first few online sales made us feel on top of the world.  When you are running a new business, it is so important to feel achievement in everyday successes.  It takes a lot of money going out with not much coming in at first so we have to take a mental victory lap with our small sales.  When we attend large fairs this summer we will really be excited.

What advice would you give a new mom looking to start a business from home?
Take it slow, spend time researching and know what your business plan is before you dive in.  Next, prepare your family.  No mom wants to feel like she spent a day at home with her child and hardly paid attention to them.   Time management is key.  If you are a motivated person you can easily work for hours trying to achieve your goal.  We make sure that part of that goal is tending to our families.


THANK YOU Julissa for sharing about your business and life as a work-from-home mom!  If you are a MOMtrepreneur yourself or know any fellow moms who have their own business and would like to be featured on IDMommy.com, please feel free to comment or contact me!