Boutique Cafe has new Fashion Shows on the way very soon – be sure to check back later this week to see our first of the New Year.

It’s such a treat to see so many gorgeous Spring designs for children popping up right now. ODOD group has an amazing Cover Kids launch running on eBay (search ODOD CK), and that’s where I discovered this adorable set from Little*Bits*By*Lisa.

This 3 pc. is a custom capri set in sizes 18 months – 8! I’m in love with the bright and brilliant fabrics in pink and green. Your little girl will shine in this. Bid to win this sweet set here>>

For a fun take on our “let’s get in shape” week I present you with a totally fat-free, calorie-free, sugar-free, and therefore guilt-free product, the Dessert Stomach tee from Grumpy Girl. I fell in love with Grumpy Girl clothing after doing a review of their Instant Ramen t-shirt (sadly discontinued) back in June, 2006 so I was really excited when I heard about the new Dessert Stomach tee.

We can all admit to having a dessert stomach. Just what is a dessert stomach? Let Grumpy Girl explain: “You’ve gone out to dinner and felt completely stuffed after your entree, yet when the waiter comes around and asks if you want to see the dessert menu, your face lights up and you exclaim, ‘Sure!’ It doesn’t matter how full your stomach is. The dessert stomach is distinctly separate.” It’s about time someone acknowledged the phenomenon known as “dessert stomach,” and Grumpy Girl does it stylishly well.

This super soft 100% cotton t-shirt with gray contrast stitching has a bit of stretch so it’s not only comfortable but also flattering. But what really made me smile was the mini dessert spoon that accompanies every Dessert Stomach tee. Of course the spoon is not nearly big enough for Chili’s molten chocolate cake, but I guess if you’re serious about getting in shape it’s the perfect size! Accept the existence of the dessert stomach and proudly wear your own Dessert Stomach tee or tank. It may not taste as good as Chili’s molten chocolate cake, but it will flatter those hips rather than fatten them!—Emily

2008 marks a new chapter in the life of Boutique Cafe. Our goal is to involve our listenership even further in producing great content and building a strong BC community. We have quite an interesting demographic of listeners including momprenuers, designers, SAHMs, working women, dads with great taste in podcasts and much much more!



If you have show suggestions, comments or would be interested in guest writing articles for Boutique Cafe in 2008 we welcome your input.



Announcement!! ** We will soon be hosting Boutique Cafe videocasts, and invite you to tape a quick segment for inclusion in our shows and email it to me at daria@boutiquecafe.com (inclusion in our shows isn’t guaranteed and will be based on the discretion of BC staff). Perhaps you’re a great seamstress and would like to share a quick tip, or maybe you’re a mom with a great idea to get your kids to sleep at night. We’re thrilled to include YOU this year in Boutique Cafe’s videopodcasts, and feel that this will bond our community further as we get to know each other even better! More on this will be coming soon so keep listening (AND WATCHING).

Every January the number of gymgoers seems to double at our local rec center. I’m positive it’s because every January we all set the same goal, to start (and stick to) a solid exercise regimen. Though the thought of getting off the couch and onto a treadmill may not be appealing, I’ve got two products that will help you exercise in style.

The first is definitely a must-have for you outdoor, who-cares-about-fair-weather, die-hard exercisers. I’m talking about the women I see outside my front window carefully avoiding patches of ice while running down the street in 20-degree weather. So not my thing, but if it’s yours then the new ToughGirl winter running skirt from SkirtSports is for you. I was able to test out the ToughGirl skirt in pink, and it’s easy to see this buttery soft, sexy-yet-super-warm running skirt/tights combo (the tights have a great boot-cut look) is the fashionable and flattering way to get you out of doors during the winter. The built-in skirt “covers all the right spot” and you’ve even got pockets in contrasting colors located high on the hips, hidden under the skirt. Such a cool way to stay warm!

And to keep your gear organized, whether you’re heading to and from the gym or running trails, Mountainsmith’s Zip-Top Tote XS is the perfect accessory. This tote has a heavy-duty rubber bottom so it can withstand mud, snow, or sweaty gym floors. Zippered top secures your valuables. Other great features include a bright yellow lining to promote visibility, key clip, internal pockets, two mesh side pockets, zippered top, and reinforced padded haul handles. And since it may be 2009 before I make it back to the gym (baby no. 4 has totally thrown me for a loop!) I’ll use my new Mountainsmith Zip-Top Tote in Green Mist for trips to the park, visits to the local McDonald’s Playland, and exploring Kauai in September (don’t think I’m not counting down the days…).

You’ve gotta get that butt off the couch so you might as well do it fashionably. Who says new workout gear isn’t a great incentive? When it comes to exercise some of us need all the incentives we can get!—Emily

In Boutique News this week the Designing Minds blog closed it’s virtual doors. Shelly the owner is moving on with other projects in her life, and felt it was time. You can stop by Designing Minds to post a farewell message to Shelly. We wish her the best in her new interests!

Welcome to 2008 on Boutique Cafe! It’s the perfect time to kick off the new year with a fun filled show, chalk full of giveaways. We’re announcing the winners from our 12 Days of Christmas drawings in this episode, so if you commented in the shownotes for any of our three 12 Days Shows you are eligible.

Hang on to your socks, we have tons of loot to award and you might just be one of our many winners!

**I will post a comment in the shownotes shortly naming winners and prizes, as well as instructions for claiming your prizes.

Update: As of 10pm MST January 7th – each winner and prize provider has been emailed directly by me regarding the prize announcements. Please check your email to ensure your email has gotten to you (check your spam folders just in case).

Last week’s Daily Dish reviews were all about getting organized, a popular New Year’s resolution. We’re continuing with our New Year’s resolution theme with “let’s get in shape” week, and to kick it off I’ve got a product I just had to share with Daily Dish readers. The Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan is my new favorite brownie pan—you’re wondering how it fits into our theme but I’ve got it covered. It’s called portion control.

What’s so awesome about the Baker’s Edge? This pan is designed so every bite, yes, every bite, has two tasty edges. Now I don’t know about you, but I am an edge lover. You can tell if I’ve been dipping into the brownies because the edges go first. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to eat the entire pan but I love the combo of crunchy edge and chewy center and the corner is my absolute favorite! So when I saw the Baker’s Edge I knew I had to review this for all you edge lovers.

The pan came with a booklet of recipes but I decided to try my own. It was one of the rare times I baked a batch from scratch, and the pan lived up to its claim of better performance due to the patented sidewalls that help circulate heat evenly. I had no undercooked centers or burnt edges—these brownies were the most perfect batch I had made yet (and I make a lot of brownies). But this isn’t just a brownie pan. You can use the Baker’s Edge to make a variety of recipes you’d normally bake in an old school 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch pan. The Baker’s Edge site has some totally yummy recipes. Question is, which one to bake first? Read the rest of this entry »

I love momAgenda, I truly do. Ever since I did a review on their signature planner I’ve become one of momAgenda’s biggest fans. Their momAgenda Desktop Planner kept my entire family organized in 2007. (You can read how it managed to do so here.) I was totally excited when I heard about the company’s new Kitchen Folio because I knew it would not only be another fabulous product from momAgenda but also a great way to wrap up “let’s get organized” week here on the Daily Dish.

I received momAgenda’s new Kitchen Folio a couple weeks ago but because of the craziness that was my home during the holidays I have yet to actually test its full potential. I have browsed its pages more than once and I can tell you the Kitchen Folio is going to save my fridge and my counter from clutter. (I think I actually heard them sigh in relief!) The pink faux-lizard cover (stain resistant…yes!) hides 48 pages (heavy-duty, clear plastic page protectors) and 24 interchangeable tabs for organizing class lists, school schedules, sports schedules, menus and whatever else you currently stack in that ever-growing pile on your counter or hang from those super powerful magnets on your fridge. Besides the page protectors and tabs the Kitchen Folio includes forms for birthdays/anniversaries, babysitter info, medical info, and important phone numbers.

The Kitchen Folio is a must-have for anyone wanting to organize the paper trail making its way through her kitchen. Now that the holidays are over I finally have time to get my Kitchen Folio in order. Yep, that was definitely a sigh of relief I heard from my fridge…soon to be followed by mine once my Folio is full!—Emily

* Giveaway momAgenda is giving away a new Kitchen Folio to one luck Daily Dish reader. Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

** Congratulations to Laura Williams, the winner of a new momAgenda Kitchen Folio! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

Actually, I’m thinking more along the lines of “crafters, get organized!” During our “delicious diaper bags” week in November I reviewed the Superstar bag from lexie barnes. I loved the lightweight courier-style bag because it had a very slim look and yet a surprisingly roomy interior with multiple pockets and even a padded, non-slip shoulder strap. But I held out on our Daily Dish readers…I had another lexie barnes bag in hand for review and didn’t even tell you. It was a perfect fit for our “let’s get organized” week and so I’ve waited to feature it until now. Let me tell you, it was a long wait!

The Lady B from lexie barnes is the perfect craft tote. Whether you knit, crochet, quilt, or sew (or all of the above), this little lady is the perfect way to keep your gear organized. The Lady B features 17 (yes, that’s 17) reinforced interior pockets, a durable zipper closure, side wings, protective padding, a slim exterior pocket, and those signature non-slip shoulder straps. And let’s not forget the designs, which are new for the new year: Utopia, Pacifica, and Diablo. I love all three though the Diablo is my favorite. I’ve got a weakness for red and that red/purple combo totally lights my fire.

To keep you uber organized pick up a Mini or two (perfect for the little things), a Dottie (a crocheter’s dream), or the Betty (keep those knitting needles in line). lexie barnes has taken serious organization and mixed it with some serious style. The Lady B is seriously cool!—Emily

I’m in love with this set by pixie*couture!

Using gorgeous fabrics from Joel Dewberry, the details will leave you drooling! Custom sized 12m – 6. Peasant top and bootcut pants, a MUST see!

Bid here for your chance to own it! >

Scoot on over to The Savvy Organizer website to discuss Christmas decor take down.

Maja shares her ideas and hints for putting away and storing Christmas decor. She also helps you to organize your holiday decorations so that it’s much easier to find what you need next year.

The Savvy Organizer >>

Painted Butterfly Studio has created this “Love Letters from Teddy” set for your little Valentine. Custom size 2-6 and includes peasant top with Teddy applique, and twirl skirt with ruffle trim.

Win this sweet set on eBay >>

Happy New Year to all of our Boutique Cafe readers and listeners! Now that 2008 is finally here we’re excited to kick off the New Year with a bang and offer a special Banner Ad offer to our fellow designers, shop owners and group members. Buy two weeks of advertising on Boutique Cafe before (January 3rd) and receive 1 week free. This offer is good on any of our BC ad spaces including the sidebar, market or mini market options.

Click here to use our Ad Uploading Form >>, choose two weeks and the ad size you prefer, then once you attach your banner and information pay for your two week ad slot via Paypal. Your additional week will be added at time of purchase.

We look forward to promoting your business in 2008, and are grateful each day to be supporting Momprenuers and their talents on Boutique Cafe.

(**Once our spaces are filled we will not take more banners, first come first served, sorry no rain checks)

That special Valentine’s Day dream outfit can still be ordered in time for your child’s favorite “Love-ly” holiday. You’ll find hundreds of Valentine themed custom and handmade listings on eBay by searching “Boutique Valentine”.

Not only can you indulge in a unique handmade creation, but you can feel spectacular knowing that you are supporting WAHM’s!

Click here to start shopping and bidding >>