Bellybar Products by NutraBella :: They're good. Promise!

Do you proceed with hesitation when you are about to eat something that is good for you? I do. And, I like healthy, good-for-you food. But, I don't know what it is...when something is touted as healthy or all natural, I am always skeptical of how good it will taste. It shouldn't be. But still, I bite with trepidation...as I did when I recently tried the Bellybar products by NutraBella.

Bellybars are chock full of the vitamins and nutrients you need {& crave} before, during and after pregnancy. And, if you need a reason to eat chocolate without feeling guilty or worrying about your waistline, you're in luck. With bar flavors like Baby Needs Chocolate, Due for Chocolate and Burstin' Chocolate - you can satisfy your sweet cravings while nourishing your body for baby. I happened to crave citrus during my pregnancy, so the Citrus on Board chews would have been perfect!

They are, really and truly, delicious! Don't just take my word for it. Many stores carry the NutraBella line of products - check your local Babies R Us, Target or you can buy online! You {& your baby} won't regret it.

When I Grow Up I Will...

Everything about When I Grow Up is worth talking about! Their collection of adorable tees are designed to teach the core values you want to instill in your children - and will quite possibly make others stop and think, too. They are vivid and simple - but even more importantly, the graphics are printed using water-based ink onto 100% organic cotton. I love the idea! {Especially in comparison to the "I drool" tshirts at the local mega-store.} :) Tshirts that really mean something! And a portion of all proceeds from the Charity Tee will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

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GIVEAWAY :: Enter to win a Value Statement Tee from When I Grow Up. To enter, post a comment - your favorite inspirational quote - ON THIS POST. Enter by Tuesday, July 22nd at 10:00 pm (pst). If your contact information is not linked to your google account, don't forget to leave your information in your comment. We have had to disqualify winners, because we don't have contact information to let you know if you won! (If winner does not come forward within one week, a new winner will be randomly selected.) Or you can check back on Wednesday, July 23rd to see if you won! Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed. One entry per person, please. Good luck!!

Moms on Monday :: Cathy Bennett of How Fast They Grow

If you are a mom, I know you can identify with Cathy Bennett. Cathy is the genius behind How Fast They Grow and the digi-scrapbook - a fail proof way to preserve your memories in beautiful, distinctive albums. The idea was born out of the frustration we all face - with a computer full of photos that are never printed or in albums. You know what I'm talking about!

iknowamom :: How and when did the idea strike for How Fast They Grow?

cathy :: I naively decided to 'take up' traditional scrapbooking when my son was a few weeks old. After purchasing hundreds of dollars in 12x12 pages, embellishments and supplies, I realized I wasn't cut out for the craft. It was time-consuming, messy and frustrating to me because I felt like my pages looked like a 5th grader made them. I am sure I would have become better and more efficient over time, but really didn't have the patience. I now jokingly call myself a scrapbooking dropout. I thought there must be a better digital solution on the internet, somewhere. But the digital solutions I found either required an advanced degree in digital design or had page designs that looked like the side of a Kleenex box. Like many people with careers in marketing, I had put together hundreds of presentations in Powerpoint and loved the way I could create something digitally and professionally in minutes with a great template designed by someone else. Once the idea for digi-scrapbook(R) came to me, there was really no stopping me from bringing it to market. I felt like the idea propelled me vs. the other way around.

iknowamom :: What has been the best part of owning your own business? And your biggest challenge?

cathy :: I love the autonomy and the fact that my time is really my own vs. the corporate job I had before. The biggest challenge is that the workload has steadily increased since my business has grown, and continues to increase. While running the business, you also have to find ways to make it run better and more efficiently.

iknowamom :: What works for you, in terms of balancing work and family?

cathy :: I constantly reprioritize, based on the phrase 'what's important now?' I attended a speech many years ago by Lou Holtz (former football coach of Notre Dame) when I attended school there and he used it as a mantra, which spells the acronym 'WIN.' It really helps me day to day. Somedays the most important thing is an activity at my kids' preschool, some days it's working on PR or launching new designs. I am sure Mr. Holtz never expected his football acronym to help a mom entrepreneur, but it does!

iknowamom :: What is your source for inspiration?

cathy :: My source of inspiration is my children. Obviously, the idea of my business wouldn't have come about without first having a child, and I love the fact that my children are already engaged and aware of what I do, understand what mommy does and they love seeing the pages other mommies have created of their babies and children. It's really fun to go through the Gallery on my website with my kids and have them comment on the photos of other children. I also feel like I am building a legacy for my children, which you don't have with a corporate job.

iknowamom :: What is the best advice you received when you were just beginning?

cathy :: The first leap of faith in deciding to launch a business is extremely daunting, so I picked up two books about launching a business. One of the books was Martha Stewart's The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Grow, or Manage a Business. The book has 10 rules, 9 of which are probably in other books on business. But the 10th "Rule" was unique and the one that stuck with me the most : "Make it Beautiful." I don't think a 'guy's' business book would have recommended something like that. But when you think about it, it's incredibly sound business advice. We live in a visual world, dominated by website marketing. If you don't differentiate yourself visually as a brand, you probably won't succeed. Although I don't have a design background, I made design a priority in everything I did, from the homepage of the website to the templates themselves. Martha's advice has definitely paid off for me!

iknowamom :: What are your favorite indulgences or the best way to spend a free day?

cathy :: Since there are very few free days, we really try to enjoy them. We can't travel right now, but we live in the Bay Area, so take day trips tourist-style with the kids. Last week, my husband and I took our 3 and 4 year old into The City (San Francisco) for their first Cable Car ride. Then we walked through China Town and it was amazing to see the kids be so enthralled by the new sites, sounds and smells of a totally different area. I look forward to exploring more with them as they get older and seeing the world again through their eyes. My favorite 'quick' personal indulgence is a really good manicure/pedicure. For about $40 and one hour, I feel like a new person!

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DISCOUNT :: Use coupon code "iknowamom" for a 20% discount through August 11th! (Not valid on prior orders, gift certificates and cannot be combined with other offers.) Happy Digi-Scrapbooking!

Moms on Monday :: Insert Your Name Here

Am I the only one who thinks it would be delightful to see a product in a store - and know that it is a product of...my idea, my imagination, my work, carried out to fruition?

Are you sitting on a great idea or invention and are waiting for the perfect timing? Have your dreams and passions fallen by the wayside while you are in the midst of raising children? I have come across a couple of opportunities that offer grants, prizes and awards to help you on your way. Now is the time! What are you waiting for?

This one is easy...everyone has a someday dream! One of mine is..."someday I'll have a dishwasher". I know - I dream big! Wells Fargo is hosting Someday Stories. All you need to do is submit a 250-word true story about your someday dream. Every week, a $1,000 winner is selected. If you are one of the five 1st prize winners, you win $10,000 and the grand prize is $100k!



Ideablob.com is an online community I recently discovered where you can share your ideas and enter to win $10,000 to get started. It is a great forum to gain advice from experts and overall input about whether or not consumers are into your idea as much as you are! And even if you aren't having any lightbulb moments, you can support and encourage other moms and entrepreneurs by voting for ideas that you feel are worthy. A $10,000 winner is selected monthly. It's addicting. You've been warned!




And, lastly, if you are already on your way...don't forget to enter the Mom's Choice Awards - an annual awards competition that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services. New categories have been added this year. Parents, educators, retailers and the media trust the Mom's Choice Awards® for product reviews and evaluations.

Good luck!

Custom Made for Kids : Personalized Keepsake for Kids

I recently received this wonderfully creative book from Custom Made for Kids. The book is entitled The First Adventures of Incredible You. The process of ordering is simple and only takes a few minutes. Answering the questionnaire about your little one was surprisingly fun and after I was done, I was so eager to receive the book.

What a great find and a great gift...I can't say enough good things about it. My son is still young and doesn't realize the book we are reading is all about him quite yet. I am anticipating the day that he gets it! How special it will feel to have his own book written about him. The book is a snapshot of this time in his life and includes the park we go to play, our dog's name, the street where he is growing up. If my son could type, he would tell you how much he loves the pictures. He has flipped through this book possibly more than any other - the colors are vivid and the illustrations are artistic yet childlike.

I highly recommend getting one for your child or for a gift - it will be lasting keepsake for many years to come. Thanks Custom Made for Kids!

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Discount :: Custom Made for Kids is offering a 15% discount for I Know A Mom readers - enter iknowamom15 at checkout. Offer valid through August 15th.

Moms on Monday :: Erin Johnson

It is very easy for me to lose hours viewing photography online. Case in point, I just lost one while perusing the online gallery of erin johnson photography. Truly amazing. One of my favorite galleries on her site is of birth photography - the photos bring tears to your eyes if you have been present for a delivery, either yours or a friends. It's so neat to be there for the very beginning of a life outside the womb. It's ironic, I was taking a walk just this afternoon with my mom and mentioned the regret of not having professional photos from the birth of my son. Hopefully, next time!

I was very excited to interview Erin - her work is inspiring and I so admire the art of photographs. I was eager to know more about her life as a mom + a photographer!

iknowamom :: How did you get into photography?

erin :: I have always been an artist. I went to Bethel College for one year were I took photography and was majoring in studio art. After that one year, I had too much debt so I worked 3 different waitressing jobs. It was at one of those jobs that someone told me about a children’s photography studio. I was dying to get back into art and this job was perfect for me. The studio specialized in hand painted photographs; so I oil painted photographs all day. Being around photography got me interested and I started take my own photographs of children and then I started assisting for wedding photography. I loved it all and found my new form of art. From the beginning, I never persued photography. God just made it happen and I followed.

iknowamom :: Do you have any formal training?

erin :: Other than one class that I took at Bethel College, I am self taught.

iknowamom :: What is your favorite backdrop or setting when taking photos?

erin :: Most photographers are looking for the water falls and the flowers. Not me. I {enjoy} anything rustic. I do most of my photographing on location so I run to the city. I also love bright doors or arches. I figure the grungier the place looks, the prettier my subject looks. Everywhere I drive I am constantly checking out what is around me and am thinking about whether it would be a good spot to take photos. I get bored fast so I like to go to a different place every time. The other thing I really {enjoy} is when the sun creates that spectacular glow on people. I love all the different effects I can get with the sun.

iknowamom :: What are your favorite subjects to photo?

erin :: I love photographing people! Kids are fun because they are so unpredictable. All I have to do is follow them around and they direct the shoot. On the other hand I also {enjoy} photographing a bride and groom because they always look gorgeous and romantic and I have so much control. Most of the time I get an hour with my couples on their wedding day and it is like a mini model/fashion shot. High school seniors are great in that way to; plus they are pretty much willing to do anything. One other thing that I photograph that I really enjoy is bellies, births and newborns. Being able to document a birth is one of the most magical things I have ever done. It always reminds me how I felt when I had my girls. On the flip side of that, the hardest thing I have ever photographed is a baby that had passed away. I volunteer for an organization called NILMDTS. One family lost their baby days before their due date and it was right around my daughter’s birthday. During the session the mom cried and cried and cried as she held her baby. I cried the whole way home and when I got home, I laid with my sleeping girls and cried. It took me days to get over it. And even now I cry thinking about those parents. It just makes me so grateful for what I have. It also amazes me what a priceless gift photography really is.

iknowamom :: What inspires you?

erin :: Places, light and people inspire me. Sometimes when I am just having a conversation with someone, I have a “zoom-in” moment. Or at least that is what I call it. In my mind I am thinking of all the different photographs I could be taking of that person. Like I said before, I love rustic background and dramatic lighting.

iknowamom :: How do you balance work/family?

erin :: This one brings tears to my eyes. If you asked me this one about a year ago I would have run to the bedroom and cried for 2 days. I started my business 5 years ago and I had my daughter about 1 month after that. We could not afford daycare nor did I want to use daycare so I had to work and take care of her. On top of that, I wasn’t ready to be a mom and she was a very difficult baby. I also let the business control me rather then me controlling it. I became a workaholic and we ended up in marriage counseling. After a few years and another baby, I made some major improvements. I set hours {I have a home office} and I started to hire people to work for me. I also put the kids in daycare 2 days a week. So the two days a week that my kids are in daycare I am working with my assistant in the office completely devoted to my work. {I also shoot on 2-3 days a week.} I take one day a week and leave the house with the kids to make sure I don’t work. So the best thing for me was to set hours and stick with it.

iknowamom :: Any tips that keep you organized and focused at each {a mom & photographer}?

erin :: What I saw was that when I was trying to be a mom and a boss at the same time {literally as the kids played/fought at my feet in the office} both were suffering. Plus my stress level was very high. Again setting those hours and designating time to each is what helped me.

iknowamom :: Do you have any funny stories when shooting a wedding or another occasion?

erin :: People ask me this all the time and I just can't think of any. Well, one time I was taking a photo of an entire wedding party and I told them to all make a serious face. One groomsman asked, “Serious like my grandma died or serious like I’m going to sleep with you?” hmm…

iknowamom :: That's funny. I can only imagine the comments you get when you're photographing. What do you love best about your work?

erin :: I love how happy I make people. I am giving something that is going to last years and generations. I could not ask for a better job!

If you live in the Minneapolis area, you're in luck. Erin is offering a $50 discount off your sitting fee & a free 8 x 10 if you mention I KNOW A MOM. If you are not in the area, I'm quite sure she would be willing to travel if you fall in love with her work like I have.

Thanks Erin!

Moms on Monday :: Vicki Mote Bodwell of Warm Biscuit Bedding Co.

Don't be mislead by the company name, Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. offers so much more than bedding. From baby shower gifts, furniture, toys, books, jewelry, gifts, vintage fabric - even scooters and large-ticket items. And, you've likely heard of them before. After all, it's not a new company...Vicki launched Warm Biscuit in 1999! I am sending you to JPD Mom's blog for an interview with Vicki. {JPD Mom is the blog of Jamie's Painting & Design - be sure to check out Jamie's work while you're there - she's another fabulous mom entrepreneur!}

Read more...

Since we're on the subject of food...

...check this out! pomme bébé has a tasting bar for babies where your little one can try out the food before you buy. Genius! Who wants to spend money on fresh, homemade organic baby food only to have their baby spit it right out? Their location is in Newport Beach, so it might not be a convenient stop for you...but maybe you will be inspired to open one your own in your neighborhood!

pomme bébé was founded by Svetla Lazarova Kibota, a native of the beautiful Bulgarian countryside. Since she was raised on freshly prepared meals made of homegrown ingredients, it was only natural she would want the same for her daughter. Today, Svetla is proud to bring flavorful, nutritious, and convenient meal-options to busy families who want only the best for their children. Her recipes are woven with the exotic flavors and healthy ingredients that she has learned from her travels.

And, their menu is available online here! pomme bébé will flash freeze your organic meals to lock-in the freshness and will ship them directly to your front door in environmentally-friendly insulated containers over dry ice. Your baby will thank you!

Moms on Monday :: Shazi + Jessica of Happy Baby Food

It's a wonderful thing to feed your baby yummy + fresh organic baby food. You know what's even more wonderful? Not having to make it yourself! Thankfully, we have Happy Baby Food, available at stores nationwide. Happy Baby Food, founded by Shazi Visram + Jessica Rolph, is a line of fresh, frozen organic baby meals and cereal that your baby is sure to love! Besides having really fun names (Peas on Earth), the meals feature spices that not only add flavor, but also serve to expand your baby's food palette (mint is an addition to Peas on Earth).

iknowamom :: How, when and where did the idea strike for Happy Baby Food?

shazi :: I was getting my MBA at Columbia University with the dream of starting a socially responsible business. One day a close friend of mine and I were catching up after a long radio silence after she had given birth to twins. She was really upset about what she was feeding her twins. Her pediatrician had counseled her to make all of her children's food from scratch in order to insure a healthy taste profile for fresh whole foods, so she had tried to make all of their foods homemade, but she just couldn't keep it up. He had told her that the jars are over processed in order to ensure a long 3 year shelf life but mostly were made of drum dried powders, so she was really disgusted that she had no other option but to feed them the jars. I heard the guilt and "failure of being a perfect mom" in her voice and I began thinking of ways to create a brand that would represent a better alternative to the jarred foods so moms could feel good about what they feed their babies and so babies could get the best start in life.

iknowamom :: What was the best piece of advice you received when you were starting your business?

shazi :: Surround yourself with good people. And I did and now we continue to do so. The best thing that ever happened to me was to meet my business partner, Jessica Rolph. Jessica has a dedication to socially responsible bsuiness practices and is exceptionally gifted at execution. She and I have complementary skill sets and and she could share the vision that I had to change the way babies and children were fed in our country. We have the same values and the same dedication to doing the right thing, going the extra mile in order to provide the best products, and a consistent dedication to never giving up.

iknowamom :: What has been the biggest reward from Happy Baby Food?

shazi :: We work with an amazing non profit organization, Project Peanut Butter, that feeds starving children in Malawi with a revlutionary peanut butter treatment. For every unit of HAPPYBABY we sell, we reserve enough to feed a child on their program for an entire day. We also get so many thankful emails from moms who are so excited to have our foods for their babies, and that is so very affirming for all of us at HAPPYBABY.

iknowamom :: Can you suggest any valuable resources (books, magazines) that helped you along the way?

shazi :: We have a list of things on our office wall that we practice as a company to keep us motivated and focused based on our goals.It really helps to read over it from time to time, get grounded, and put one step in front of the other.

iknowamom :: What is your favorite way to take a break from the business?

shazi :: Yoga, spending time with our amazingly supportive husbands, and taking a nap to catch up on all of the lost sleep :)

iknowamom :: Do you have any favorite indulgences?

shazi: red wine, NY pizza

jessica: red wine, premium ice cream

Thanks, Shazi + Jessica, for making it so much easier to serve healthy food to our little ones!

Kobold Toys :: A One Stop Shop!

There's a new toy store in town...Kobold Toys {Have Fun Learning}. They offer a great selection of fun + educational toys - from baby to big kids, room decor, crafts, art + books. One of the features that I love about their site is the ability to search by many different categories...by price, age and even what country the toy was designed in - very interesting and a fun fact to tell the kiddos when their goodie arrives!

Happy Shopping {and Learning}! :)

Re-Launch :: Homespun Goods

Okay, so this isn't technically a brand spankin' new website. But, a re-launch counts, right? Homespun Goods has been around since fall of 2005, but Megan deBoer {founder, sewer + mama extraordinaire} just unveiled a re-design of the website. It is beautifully simple, easy to navigate and as you can see below, the photography is clean and represents her work well. Just what you want from a site!

But, enough about the website. It is, after all, a boutique of adorable children's clothing, featuring soft textures, simple designs and beautiful colors - homespun by Megan. Do not leave her site until you look at the kimono jackets - oh my goodness, they are so sweet!

And bibs and burp cloths for baby...

Hmmm...gotta find out whether or not Megan has plans to design a collection for women! Can't you just imagine how beautiful and comfortable the line would be?

Just Launched :: OneGoodie.com

The popular daily deals site OneGoodie.com re-launched last week. Two moms who left the corporate world to spend more time with their family are running this fabulous site. Sound familiar?

OneGoodie.com is designed to bring you two deals a day fitting into two catagories - OneFooodieGoodie + OneMommieGoodie. Every product on the site is discounted - and you have one day to take advantage of the deal {or until the product sells out - whichever comes first}. What a great idea! I've been watching the site over the past week and the products they have chosen are innovative, stylish and best of all...ON SALE! I am pretty sure you're gonna want to add visiting OneGoodie.com to your daily to-do list.

Moms on Monday :: Elisa Fairman of Wonderfully Made for You

This week, we will be featuring brand spankin' new websites and I'm excited to start with Wonderfully Made for You! Elisa Fairman is the mama behind this adorable clothing line. Elisa opened an Etsy shop last July and it went so well, she just launched her own online boutique a week ago!

Here's the story...

iknowamom :: How did you get started creating the clothing & subsequently opening your store?

elisa :: It all began when I had an idea to make gift giving more affordable. We were always going to birthday parties and events that required time for shopping for gifts for all of them and always felt that I could never find "the perfect" gift. So, I started by handpainting tee shirts for gifts for children and babies with designs that I felt reflected their personalities or party themes. After about 1 year, friends and family began asking me to make gifts for them to give. Quickly word began to get out that I made these handmade one of kind little goodies. Everyone told me that I should start selling them, so I thought about it for months......and figured that I would give it a shot since I enjoyed it so much! I started selling locally by word of mouth and would take orders over the phone or through email. It began to grow to a point where my web prorammer husband said that we really needed a website, which we just launched on June 1st 2008.

iknowamom :: Where do you get inspiration for your work?

elisa :: My inspiration comes mostly from my God-given miracles, my 3 girls. With such various style and personalities, there are always ideas floating around in my head. I get alot of input from them and their friends. It also helps to keep up with the latest fabrics and fashion trends and whip them up into something that will impact somebody somewhere. Tee shirts are always in style at any age, but the designs that go on them should be positive, kid friendly, kid chosen and designs that will help them to celebrate who they were created to be!

iknowamom :: How do you get the word out about your collection?

elisa :: Initially, it was all by word of mouth. Now, with our website launching, we have ads going into local/regional magazines and are always looking for great opportunities for exposure through other websites, blogs and networking websites.

iknowamom :: What is your favorite item?

elisa :: I would have to say that my favorite item (as of right now) is the Candyland Name tee (shown left). It was inspired by 2 of my nieces that were having a joint birthday party that was an amazing Candyland Rainbow theme. It is our best seller right now.

iknowamom :: Incidentally, my favorite item is the Wonderfully Made maternity tee. I love the meaning behind it and the look! What would you say is the biggest challenge you face in your business?

elisa :: Now that we have gotten this business off the ground and things are going smoothly and orders are coming in consistently, I would have to say that my biggest challenge is time to design new things. Besides being a mom to 3, a wife and a business owner.....I also homeschool, so my time is very very precious, as I always want to put God and my family before anything else. With the school year coming to a close, I have some new ideas that will launch soon, just in time for summer!

iknowamom :: What piece of advice would you give others when they are in the beginning stages of opening a business or working from home?

elisa :: I have learned in my life that anything that matters and anything that leaves an impact will require sacrifice. You will have to be diligent and set goals, have a plan and make a schedule. Your homelife may change a bit, like your house may not be as tidy as before and you may not get everything done in a day that you thought you would. It is so important to make AND keep priorities. As always, if you have been called to do this, refer to the Lord who will guide your every step. It is also a good idea to check with the state that you live in and research what types of things, forms and licensing are required to run the business that you are choosing and to know BEFORE you begin that there is a market for what what you are wanting to do.

iknowamom :: What is your favorite way to unwind & get away from the business?

elisa :: Spending time with my family and friends and travelling. I absolutely LOVE going to the ocean. It is a reminder to me that God is so much bigger than me and my circumstances. It is my favorite thing in all His creation! I could sit in amazement and watch the waves hit the sand hour after hour. On our last trip to the beach, I did this very thing.....but also had visions of sea life being appliqued on tank tops and t shirts! I just can't seem to ever be away from my Ultimate Inspiration Giver!

Thanks Elisa - best of luck to you and congratulations on the new website!

Dress Up Your Envelopes

While email has most definitely has squelched my letter-writing, I do manage to get a note out from time to time. I love {love} having fun return address labels on hand to affix to a note to a friend - even sending a bill is fun with these labels from tiny*prints...

Transform your Shower into a Spa

These days, my shower lasts about 3.5 minutes - all the while, I am peering out from behind the shower curtain to make sure my 19-month old isn't digesting any of my eyeshadow or chewing on my makeup brushes. It's hardly an indulgent experience.

But, the decadent handmade soaps from mi SPA could easily transform your shower into a spa. They are so beautiful. And the scents? I swear you can smell them through your computer - Chocolate Truffles, Kauai Ginger Lily, Coconut Lemongrass, Mango Ice Tea + more. Yummy!

Style for the New Mom Routine

If you are a new mom, you know firsthand that there is nothing more humdrum than changing 10 diapers a day. So, why not do it in style with a handmade baby wipe container from LiLicouture? They have a large selection of stylish designs, including several selections with gender neutral fabrics. A way to make diapering stylish + fun? Brilliant!

A Makeover for Your Morning Coffee

My apologies for missing our weekly Moms on Monday post yesterday - rest assured, we'll be back next week with an interview from a mom with a brand new website that you won't want to miss.

In the meantime, I decided to dedicate this weeks' posts to great finds that will most definitely add a little sparkle to the humdrum routine of your day.

I love the idea of stashing one of these printed whimsical coffee sleeves from ScissorStitch (an etsy shop) in your bag to add a little pizazz to your morning java from the local coffee shop. I love accessories + my one cup of coffee in the morning is admittedly one of my favorite times of the day...so it's only natural that I love the idea of combining the two.

ScissorStitch also designs bibs, soft blocks and more - check them out and add some fun to your little one's day, too!

Moms on Monday :: The Baby Planners

"We take the labor out of your delivery."

Now I know I have your attention. No, they're not anesthesiologists, they are Melissa Gould + Ellie Miller - The Baby Planners! Based out of Los Angeles (but are available via email/telephone and travel, too), Melissa + Ellie help you navigate the endless array of choices and decisions you are faced with when expecting a baby. It can be very overwhelming and if you have a career while you are expecting, finding the time to research and plan is nearly impossible. This is where The Baby Planners come in!

The inspiration behind The Baby Planners...

"As working moms, we were overwhelmed in our attempt to juggle work, pregnancy and the multitude of preparations necessary for our babies’ arrivals. We both wasted precious time and energy searching for the best baby products which seemed to change on a daily basis. This emotional, anxiety-ridden time was the inspiration behind The Baby Planners™. Our goal is to provide our clients with the research, recommendations and reassurance we wish we had. By relying on our experience and expertise, we know you’ll be able to focus on what’s really important, the arrival of your baby."

iknowamom :: In what aspect of planning for baby do you find the most anxiety with new moms?

the baby planners :: Everything! We find that it's which products they need, when they need them and if they need them at all. Things like plastic or glass bottles, cloth or disposable diapers, bumpers on the crib or no bumpers.... all of this can be stress inducing. Throw a few in-laws into the mix and havoc ensues! We try to be the one definite voice our clients can count on in the roar of consumerism and family/friends opinions!

iknowamom :: In your experience, what do expecting moms often fail to plan for?

the baby planners :: Okay, brace yourself. They fail to plan for their baby's future. While they know which toys they want them to play with and which car seat is safest, they don't think - and don't want to think - about creating a will and/or living trust. These decisions are difficult but essential for every family. We recommend a fabulous book to our clients by Alexis Martin Neely called "Wear Clean Underwear! A fast, fun, friendly - and essential - guide to legal planning for busy parents." To us, this is a must-have in every registry!

iknowamom :: What are your favorite stores to turn to for baby registry and/or baby gear?

the baby planners :: There are so many fabulous stores - brick and mortar and online - that it's hard to narrow it down. Whether you chose a superstore or boutique, our philosophy is you can find amazing, safe, and fun baby products with a little due diligence.

iknowamom :: What advice do you have for other moms that are interested in starting their own business?

the baby planners :: It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy, and it might not be the perfect family-friendly financial solution immediately, but stay the course and believe in what you're doing. Of course, a great business partner you spend more time with than your husband has certainly helped keep our dream alive!

iknowamom :: What is the best part of doing what you do?

the baby planners :: Okay, it sounds corny, but helping parents-to-be is incredibly rewarding. The big pay off are the birth announcements we receive in the mail! Also, we particularly LOVE working with adoptive parents - they're nothing like getting the phone call that baby is on the way.

iknowamom :: What is your favorite magazine & why?

the baby planners :: Inc. It's a fabulous resource for entrepreneurs and has steered us in the right direction more times than we can even calculate. That being said, and with summer approaching, nothing beats People or US for those infrequent but necessary beach days!

Thanks Ellie + Melissa! It sounds like a lot of fun and really neat to be involved in such a special time for families.

Be sure to check them out - The Baby Planners also offer a variety of gift plans, including certificates...what a perfect gift for a first time mom's baby shower! Now we just have to find someone to help with middle of the night feedings!

Winner :: Bird Dress from LizzyAnne Clothing Co.

Hil'Lesha, was the winner of the LizzyAnne Clothing Co. giveaway. Please send your shipping information to info{at}iknowamom{dot}com with "I'm the winner!" in the subject line.

You're so lucky!!

Glamorous Girl Accessories

One of these days, I am going to try and write a post without using the word cute...but this won't be the one. There is no chance that I could write about Glamorous Girl Accessories (another great Etsy find) without it, because they score way too high on the cuteness scale. They are, after all, dainty hair accessories perfect for little girls...the very definition of cute! See what I mean?