If your company is interested in joining our Spring Savings Guide simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need to make a splash with your Spring Sales.

Interested in joining in? We’d love to showcase your stores and shops! We have a few remaining spots available. Email info@boutiquecafe.com for further details.

Doesn’t that just make you jolly?!
Take me to the Gift Guide now>>

If you’re interested in promoting your shop, auctions and products on Boutique Cafe be sure to snag yourself an ad spot during our current Back to School promotion. Simply purchase an ad in any of our BC sections for any length of time, and automatically recieve and additional week absolutely FREE!! Submit your ad and payment right here>> (promotion runs until Sept.15th!)

Help her celebrate her 200th Blog Post by joining in! Leave a comment on her blog here>> to enter the drawing. She’s drawing a random winner on Aug. 31st!

If you’re interested in purchasing a sling, she makes them in various delicious fabrics $25 Adult size or $18 kids size.

If it weren’t for gym magazines I may never know what’s going on in the world. From the latest detox diets to Fall’s must-have accessories, the gym is a plethora of useful information. But seriously, I do get the chance to read some really interesting articles when I’m lucky enough to grab a Time or Newsweek from the stand, and today is the perfect example.

Evan Williams and Biz Stone of Twitter

New to Twitter? Seasoned pro? No matter where you stand when it comes to tweets, DMs, @ replies and followers, you’ll want to read “How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live” in its entirety. It may just change the way you think. And yes, it’s a wonderful, wonderful web.

P.S. If you want to follow me on twitter you can find me here: @emihill. Tweet on!—Emily
...

The Diva goes all out for her annual BBQ, catering to all the cute little kids as well as the adults! There’s always a well stocked candy cart, babysitting, entertainment, and of course the opportunity to meet with your children’s designer buddies from Ebay and beyond. Contact the Diva for full details, and wing your way out to NY this August

If you haven’t read Nie’s blog before, we can promise you’ll walk away feeling more love for your family, for life’s gifts, and for your faith than you ever thought possible. Now scoot over to the Sweet Tooth Fairy Bake Shop in Utah this Saturday, from 11am to 7pm. All proceeds from the sales of the VaNIElla Squared cupcakes will benefit the Nie Recovery.

Simply click at the bottom of our widget, copy and paste into your sidebar. You look SO Chic! XO!

There is big news on the CPSIA front (for background information on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act read this earlier Boutique Café article). A rally and congressional briefing, OVERKILL: HOW THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT IS DAMAGING AMERICAN BUSINESSES, will take place on April 1st. I look forward to seeing/hearing/meeting others and hope our legislators will be listening as well. See you at the rally!

Here is the press release for the event:

Implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is following a worst-case scenario for manufacturers, retailers and charities. Thanks to the flaws in this law, millions of perfectly safe products are in the process of being destroyed, costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in U.S. history. Charitable organizations and thrift stores are being forced to pull inventory from their shelves at a time when American families need them more than ever. The supply of science supplies to schools is being curtailed. Youth model ATV and dirt bikes are no longer available creating a safety issue because more than 90% of injuries to kids on ATVs occur on large adult size models. Even libraries are at risk of legal liability for lending children’s books. All of these violations of common sense are being done in the name of “safety”.

From unrealistic compliance deadlines that made it impossible for industry or the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adequately prepare before the law went into effect, to the unprecedented decision to retroactively apply the new lead standards and phthalates ban to inventory already sitting in stores and warehouses, CPSIA is causing massive disruptions to industries across the board, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

So far, Congress has ignored the calls of thousands of small businesses, charities, parents and teachers to fix the flaws in this legislation, refusing even to hold public hearings on the problem. That’s why business and charitable groups are organizing a fly in, rally and Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress, provide information and bring attention to the CPSIA crisis. Wide participation is anticipated in this unique event to call upon Congress to urgently fix the CPSIA.

Date:April 1, 2009, 10:00am
Location: Capitol Visitors Center, Room HVC201 A&B, The U.S. Capitol

Speakers will include Members of Congress and representatives from:
· Charitable Organizations
· National Association of Manufacturers
· Small Business owners from various industries affected by CPSIA
· Motorcycle and ATV dealerships
· Publishers and Library Associations
· Product safety and lead experts (to discuss science-based risk assessment)

Confirmed Participating Organizations (as of March 16, 2009)
· Alliance for Children’s Product Safety
· American Apparel and Footwear Association
· American Motorcycle Association
· American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
· Fashion Jewelry Trade Association;
· Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
· Handmade Toy Alliance
· International Sleep Products Association
· Motorcycle Industry Council
· National Association of Manufacturers
· National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops
· National School Supply & Equipment Association
· National Bulk Vendors Association
· Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
· Toy Industry Association

For additional information, please contact the Alliance for Children’s Product Safety at 202-828-7637 and visit the web-site at http://www.AmendTheCPSIA.com. To participate, PLEASE EMAIL - AprilRally@AmendTheCPSIA.com – THAT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, ALONG WITH YOUR ZIP CODE (NINE DIGITS IS BEST).

If your company is interested in joining our Spring Savings Guide and offering a discount code for our audience, simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need.

Take 25% off any order, now through March 17th!
(with this coupon code: STPATS)

Offer good on all website sales: http://www.goosiegirlboutique.com
and also in the etsy shop:
http://www.lestissusbows.com

Therefore with that I bring you an amazing giveaway on this LUCKY DAY from fabric designer Melissa Averinos. Melissa is celebrating her Two Year Blogaversary by giving you the present! She’s put together a sweet bundle of her popular Sugar Snap line (fat quarters, random sizes, charm squares, and other Free Spirit/Westminster fabrics that play with her collection).

All you need to do to enter is stop by her blog post and leave a comment. She is wanting to know how long you have been reading her blog, and be sure to leave your proper email address so she can reach you if you’re the winner. Good Luck everyone – how could you possibly lose on this lucky lucky day of the year!?

We love you Nie, welcome back! XOXO

Go give Nie Nie some blog lovin’ >>

For all our current specials visit our Gift Guide for promos and discounts, to spoil the kiddos and save too!
Take me to the Promo Codes »

Boutique Cafe Last Minute Holiday Gifts

It’s Time to Shop and Save It’s not too late to get some fantastic deals. *A little BLING!! Cinnamon Sticks Jewels These sterling, handstamped bangles are a great gift idea for the lady on your list. Stamped with “Faith, Hope and Love” they make a sweet statement and are so hot right now!! (**TIP: use our promo code “fship” for free shipping this holiday season). *Apron-rrrific! Pamper the Chef! Aprons have made a gigantic comeback the past few years, and with designs like these from D-Lux 57 it’s easy to see why! (**use our promo code “BCDD101130” for an additional 10% off + free shipping). Bake up some holiday memories, and enjoy your apron all year long! *Artwork is IN! Watch her light up with beautiful canvas creations from Two Little Witches. Charming, dreamy and ideal to update a bedroom for your little miss. Don’t miss our promo code for Free Shipping by using “BCXMAS” at checkout.

Make Shopping with Kids a Breeze! *Snacks in a Snap! On Tray is changing the way smart mommy’s shop. Tote along some snacks while you have your kids in the cart, decrease the tantrums and increase the fun! ($7 and comes in cool colors, it’s a great stocking stuffer) *Dress your Pretty Baby! For your growing Fashionista, find bliss with the Baby Bella Maya ruffled onesie gift sets This irresistable set includes baby booties, a matching headband and a onesie with a print ruffle on the tush in an adorable keepsake heart box! **grab our promo code for 10% off your order using “CAFE01”. *Boy Clothing that is TRULY Cute! We often hear that it’s hard to find cute boys clothing, look no further than Hippos Toes Boutique for fashions that will please. Whimsical clothing for boys and girls With our handy promo code you can also score 15% off your order “BC15”!!

If your company is interested in joining our popular Gift Guide, simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need.

**please feel welcome to grab this logo and link to our gift guide on your site. We love you for sharing!

Our Buy it Now price is $100 per “Day of Christmas” and will feature you, your group, or your boutique related website during a podcast interview. You will have your clickable link and a few photos embedded in our enhanced feed, as well as your url in our shownotes for that show. Boutique Cafe also will be doing a press release during the holiday shopping frenzy to give attention to our 12 Days of Christmas guests. (**please only inquire as to a “Day of Christmas” feature if you are able and willing to follow through with an interview. You will be given a specific day and time to record and we ask that you arrange to be available. Purchase is non-refundable. If you are unable to record your interview we reserve the right to chose a substitute interviewee of our choice to fill in.)

We’ll be producing 3 shows for this event, each show will showcase 4 different sellers for a total of 12 spectacular interviews! You can help to make it our BEST holiday season yet, purchase your feature on Boutique Cafe’s 12 Days of Christmas and let us showcase your Boutique Children’s fashion and accessories this holiday season! (Last year our Holiday Shows had over 50,000 downloads each!!)

Step 1 – decide you want to be involved in our Big Holiday Shows
Step 2 – email us inquiring as to availability, and include your name, paypal addy, website or auction link,
Step 3 – If there is an available spot we will send you an invoice and further information on tape dates, if we are sold out we’ll let you know asap
Step 4 – Prepare for your interview and provide us with the necessary information to make your feature spectacular!

**Once days are purchased I’ll be posting a comment to let you know which day is taken until they are all gone.

Endulge in:

10% off with Sweet Girl Boutique + Free Gift Wrap
10% off at You Can Make This
15% off with Studio Jewel
$2 off shipping with Pammy J
Free Shipping at Two Little Witches
Free Shipping with Cinnamon Sticks
10% off at Baby Bella Maya
10% off at BonBon Cupcakes
10% off and Free Priority Shipping with D-Lux 57 aprons
AND MANY MANY MANY MORE!
Don’t forget to snag our Holiday Guide Button to add to your sidebar. Let’s support these incredible small businesses and share the joy this season!

To join our guide as a retailer, please send an email to daria@boutiquecafe.com for more details.

At this point we’re only a mere 8 weeks (judging from the dates we have), that would put us with a June 23rd Due Date. I’ll definitely update that should any stats push us back or forward a week or so.

So now comes the harder part, I haven’t had a great track record when it comes to pregnancy. With my four boys I was pretty much sick 24/7 the entire 9 months. I’m hoping for some reprieve this time around, but just in case I get weak and weepy I am lucky enough to have a tremendous support system in our extended family. I feel confident that I’ll be able to get through these months and have a healthy little bundle to love. The comment keeps coming up about whether I’m hoping for a girl, and the answer is….I’m considering myself expecting a boy until I hear otherwise! LOL! Our track record shows that testosterone is prevalent in our little gene pool so I’m thinking blue, and if pink creeps in there then I’ll be OVER THE MOON!

A cool thing about this whole expecting experience is that my sister-in-law Liz is also having a baby around the same time. Our little darlings with be born likely in the same month and I can’t tell you how thrilling it will be to have a little buddy cousin that is their exact age! I’m kind of scared to be pregnant next to her though, she always has the cutest little preggo belly and looks fantastic. I’m worried that I may just reach whale status this time around!! ROTFL. However many pounds I gain, I’m very grateful and know that we’re very blessed. Thank you for your support and excitement for us, it means so much! – Daria

The event was definitely bigger than the previous 2.0 in Portland, with a gorgeous rooftop view of the Houston Skyline at Sunset. I was happy to meet with many friends from last Spring, and many new connections as well. A fun surprise was that in attendance was Jay McCarroll from Project Runway! I was humbled to hear how news of our quilt market coverage had travelled, truly Boutique Cafe is getting out there into the mainstream and people are talking and sharing – what a sweet thing to realize.

Shoutouts to: Christina from Etsy, Melissa Averinos, Patty Young and her husband Jon, Becky Brumley from Upsiedoodle, Jessica Jones, Mary (my twitter peep @flourishes), Sherees Alchemy, Myrinda from Fabric Hound, Deborah Hearn from Craft Magazine and many many MANY more I can’t possibly type them all! It was wonderful to see you, I can’t wait to wander market tomorrow and see all the beautiful booths, we’re hoping to provide great coverage to those who aren’t able to attend. On our way out, I bumped into Heather Bailey in the hallway. She looked gorgeous as always, beautiful in a yellow sweater and her hair had tiny flowers. We had a fun exchange in the hallway of the Hilton, talking about how tomorrow would go, and laughing that if we couldn’t get the LIVE FEED to work tomorrow that we’d record a choppy video piece stating that there was an earthquake! She’s so funny!

Before heading back to the hotel to soak our feet, we stopped in at Sample Spree. This was a new experience for me, and the line up was HUGE! Thankfully as media we were able to rush right in and take a few crowd pictures. It was intense, with loads of activity/selling/chatting going on in all corners. They had some lovely samples for sale, and the bonus was seeing my dear friend Gina from The Threaded Pear and Quilter’s Buzz. We’ll definitely see her tomorrow.

That’s just Day 1 Prep, tomorrow is the opening of Market and the floods of people will be flowing in. I’m off to bed to rest up, but I couldn’t go to bed without sharing an update with all of you. Love from Texas – Daria

As you may know, this year’s virtual walk hopes to raise $250,000 by asking each and every one of us to take 5 minutes and $5 and go to www.galtogalwalk.org and create your virtual walker. It is our hope to grant hundreds of wishes for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families this holiday season. With your help we can!

Dorit’s wish was not for herself. It was that we make this goal and that no woman living with Stage IV should feel alone in this journey. Please join Dorit’s virtual self and all of us today in her honor!

Here is a tribute to Dorit where you can listen to her own words spoken 1 week ago (!) as we kicked off this event. Unfortunately after this speech she took a turn for the worst. She will be missed by her family and friends very much! Dorit just turned 38 years old with 2 daughters (ages 4 and 8). Please help us grant Dorit’s wish.
Watch now!
With hope in my heart!

Jeanne Fitzmaurice
Founder
Gal to Gal Foundation
Design-her Gals ”

**Join the Gal to Gal walk and Team up with Boutique Cafe! When you submit your virtual self as a walker, add Boutique Cafe as your team name!! Let’s all walk together and make Dorit’s dream come true! – Daria

Listen to my past interview with Jeanne Fitzmaurice from last year (episode #76) regarding the Gal to Gal virtual walk Here.

Fly our “Featured On” banner on your website, blog or store. Shout it from the rooftops, because you’re Awesome!





Copy the following code and paste it into your html page:

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Simply click at the bottom of our widget, copy and paste into your sidebar. You look SO Chic! XO!

I’ll be at the park next Tues, Wed, Thursday. If you’re going to be there with your kids, dress them in Boutique, we’ll be watching for you – I’d love to get them into the segment! If you’re a designer this would be a great way to showcase your designs in the happiest place on earth!

We hope to meet several of our Boutique Moms there, and your Disney-kids too!! If you’re going to be in the area, please leave me a comment below and I’ll email you my cell number so we can hook up at the Disneyland park.

See you there! – Daria

***Shhh Don’t tell my kids, they don’t know we’re going there yet!! hee hee

Geoff has released a fantastic new service for iPhone users called Ringtone Feeder and it’s brilliant. Subscribe for a monthly or annual membership and have unique ring tones uploaded directly to your iPhone via a podcast feed. It’s easy, it’s inexpensive, it’s FANTASTIC!

Click on the banner to find out more. Thanks for supporting our great friend Geoff Smith in this ground breaking new venture! >>

In any case I hope you enjoy, I’ll be adding tons so check back tomorrow and there will likely be more. Don’t forget to subscribe to my flickr feed, or add me as a friend on your own Flickr account. – XO!! Daria

Click on the Badge to see them all:

www.flickr.com Boutique Cafe’s Quilt Market Portland – Spring ‘08 photoset

Raven has a new DVD coming out called Raven-Symone Presents. This is a fabulous DVD for Teens and Tweens featuring everything from cooking to crafts, quick tips, fun trips, helping others, etc. coming to a Walmart and Target near you next Tuesday!

To listen in on MommyCasts interview with Raven CLICK HERE

Preparing for your family holiday can tend to be a bit daunting, but with The Savvy Organizer’s hints and suggestions you can truly become a pro at packing, and return home to a house that doesn’t overwhelm you, it’s all in the planning. If you’re tired of taking vacations that cause stressful recovery time, this show is for you!Kick back with our show this week, take notes, and plan for some serious family fun this summer!

*If you are planning a roadtrip this summer please leave a comment and let us know where you’re going, and how many hours you’re traveling to get there. We’d love to hear about great family discoveries!

Click To listen to the show

In addition to seeing me goof around on Technogeekery, you can also learn valuable information about how to upload and send GINORMOUS files over the internet to those you love, it just might save your life someday. Chassy Cat recommends: You Send It.com as well as, MegaUpload.com.

So come on over, learn something new, and laugh at me (I mean with me!). Remember Boutique Cafe is always looking for video clips from our listeners too, so why not try out Chassy Cat’s suggestions today and send us a little video clippy lovin’? You might just wind up on Boutique Cafe TV!

Watch Daria on Technogeekery>

For all our current specials visit our Gift Guide for promos and discounts, to spoil Mom and save too!
Take me to the Promo Codes »

Boutique Cafe HOT MAMA Spring Picks

For the Chic Mama in your life! Who says Moms can’t be Glamourous?! Not Us!! *It’s Better Than Chocolate!! Azalea Baby Bags These sugar sweet baby bag/backpack combos come in the hottest colors! Try rockin’ the Hot Pink, select colors are ON SALE now for $65 (reg. $135) (**TIP: use our promo code for an additional 15% off). The Mom in your life will look like a million bucks, and hot as a tamale! *Apron-rrrific! Pamper the Chef! A gorgeous handmade apron from Marvellous Mouse Designs is sure to delight mom this year! (**use our promo code for an additional 10% off). “Mama you Look Marvelous!!” *Give her some BLING! Watch her light up with a swarovski crystal bracelet from Our 2 Peas In A Pod. The Multi Pastel Swarovski Bracelet is one of our faves! ($30) – Don’t forget to grab our promo code for an additional 10% off + Free First Class Shipping. For the Mama that shines!

For Your Hard Working & Needs Pampering Mommy *Help her Endulge Glowology Sugar Mama Honey Scrub by Noodle & Boo is the perfect pampering concoction to turn her Mother’s Day into a spa day. With ingredients like “whipped honey and shea butter” the result is pure heaven! Glowing skin and a smell that’s addictive. ($26 from Mother Earth & Baby) *Dress that Bump! For the expecting Mommy to be check out the gorgeous maternity fashions available at Mother Earth & Baby. We adore the ” Big Tummy Mummy Stylish Bamboo Ruched Maternity Tank Top – Berry ” tee ($38). **grab our promo code for 10% off their NEW Bamboo Baby & Maternity line. *Help Her Create! There nothing better than flexing your imagination, and creating something spectacular. Refresh her desire to sew up a storm with a selection of gorgeous fabrics and notions from SewZanne’s Fabrics. With our handy promo code you can also score 5% off your entire purchase!

If your company is interested in joining our Spring Gift Guide, simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need.

**please feel welcome to grab this logo and link to our gift guide on your site. We love you for sharing!

None of this would have even been possible without the members of this community. I mean it! I want to thank each of you who have inspired me, supported my efforts, listened to the shows, commented, chatted in our old forum, advertised on the site, attended our Girls Getaway, been featured in interviews and fashion shows, provided giveaways and discounts, sent in feedback , and most of all been a friend to me!! (Sniff sniff)

This is just the beginning, I’m excited for what this could mean for all of the talented momprenuers we support on our site. We have plans to make BC better and better!

Thank you for sharing in the joy with me. I hope you’ll pop by the site tomorrow and leave a comment in our new show when it goes up. Don’t forget to click on my sponsors banner so they know just how active our community really is.

XO!
Daria

While we were busy with Joshua’s tonsil surgery last Friday, Nathan’s sister Nicole took it upon herself to add another member to our family!

Sweet little Finn is our newest little nephew and we’re all over the moon in love with this precious boy. The girls were so full of excitement when we arrived, it was fun to see Freyja and Cora as Big Sisters to their new brother. We adore all those kiddos and they even allowed us to hold their precious little bundle of brother. Here’s a picture of me with our family’s newest reason to smile. Congratulations Nicole, Bjorn, Freyja and Cora – your Finn is Fantastic! – XOXO Daria

www.pammyjkids.com

I contacted Lark today to get the scoop on our fave girls:

“Hi Daria! I actually stopped selling on ebay back in October, but I think most are just now realizing it

Sophie is in competitive dance this year, and I worked on about 100 team/solo costumes. It has taken up all our time not to mention Sophie is dancing about 20 hours a week right now. We just started competition season and won’t be finished until April. I might come back this summer but honestly I just haven’t missed it at all.

You are so sweet to think of us…. Sophie is still modeling when she has time…. this past summer she was super busy with it, so I bet she will be busy again this summer. I am sure this summer I will come back and list a few things. In April, I will list all of Sophie’s dance costumes for sure!” – Lark

So that’s the word on the street everyone. If you’d like to leave a comment for Lark and Sophie here please feel welcome. Maybe we can encourage them to come back a bit sooner.

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)

Enter to win one of 4 spectacular Philips Digital Photo Frames in their gorgeous seasonal design! Get snapping those shots and send them in for our online BC gallery. Thanks for your participation – we’re excited to have your show us your families.

If you are in and around the Ontario, California area Sept. 28-30th and are a BC listener I’d love to meet you. The conference is free, so drop in and say hello. Be sure to email me if you’re coming so I can watch for you moms and designers!
Cheers! Daria

Click to Register for the PME »

Thanks everyone for assisting us in the transition to make BC even more than your cup of couture and 100% crave worthy!

While we have watched emerging media such as blogs and social networking rapidly gain popularity online as well as attract large chunks of advertising dollars, there is another medium just waiting to break through – podcasting.

eMarketer reports that advertising on podcasts will escalate over the next five years, from $80 million in 2006 to $400 million by 2011. Similar studies by PQ Media suggest that podcast advertising will surpass blog advertising by 2010 and reach $327 million compared to the $300.4 million blog ad market…Some of the podcast advertisers include Warner Bros, Paramount, Dell, T-Mobile, HBO and Honda.

The cost-effective and niche nature of podcasting is proving to be a new powerful marketing channel. With podcasts increasingly being consumed on mobile gadgets and iPods, one-on-one dialogues with your consumers are here. Can other media platform deliver such a personal experience?

We couldn’t agree more. Combining podcasting and blogging, Boutique Cafe has become a very personal experience for our listeners and viewers. Our internal research reveals an audience composed of market-savvy women with significant purchasing power. In addition to their own salaries, these women make the majority of purchasing decisions in their households. Making decisions based on our recommendations, they are more likely to buy online and try new products that simplify their lives. Because of the relationship of trust we have with our listeners and viewers, these same women are more likely to shop online and try products and services we recommend.

If this describes your target audience please contact us regarding sponsorship opportunities and a detailed media kit. Boutique Cafe’s advertising is structured to meet the needs of both Larger Businesses and Small Startups.

Read the full article.

Sources Include:
RarePlay, eMarketer, BusinessWeek, MediaWeek

“Only the sweetest shopping experience on the planet.” Yeah you’re hip, dig it.

To flaunt your wears in our Market please Drop us an email with any advertising inquiries.

“Only the sweetest podcast on the planet.” Yeah you’re hip, dig it.

(thanks to Makelle from pretty_as_a_princess for the gift of our new little shopping girl graphic in her Boutique Café© gear.)