It’s time for our first exciting assignment with Boutique Cafe TV, and we hope you’ll each run to your video camera (or computer iSight camera) and answer this question: “What’s your Greatest Dream…for Yourself?”

*GIVEAWAY!! If we get enough video entries back we’ll air them in a special show for Mother’s Day! We need you to get involved and make this assignment happen, so to inspire participation Boutique Cafe is offering a PRIZE!! Each entry will go into a hat and entered to win a 1 month banner ad in our popular Market that you can use to promote your blog or business!! In your video reply be sure to mention your name, if you have children & how many, and your business name if you have one - and then share your dream with us. Submissions become the property of Boutique Cafe.com for use within our show exclusively. For further information on submission guidelines contact: daria@boutiquecafe.com subject: Video Submission

**Boutique Cafe is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Visit the Aveeno website for their NEW Aveeno Baby webpage, it’s full of information on Caring for Your Baby, Bonding, Skin Care, Tips and Product Information.

Handbags are like jeans and shoes–you can never have too many. So when you come across a limited edition, retro- and vintage-inspired bag that exudes quality, it takes only a moment before it becomes a “need” and not a “want.” That’s how I feel about the handbags and wristlets from 144 Collection.

Lesia Griffin launched 144 Collection in February, 2006 as a hobby after taking sewing lessons, which she took to help express her creative side. (Sewing helps me express my all-thumbs side…) Lesia soon discovered she loved designing her own patterns and especially creating one-of-a-kind handbags and wristlets. I’m sure when friends and family saw her fun and funky designs they requested their own bags–I know I would have! Because 144 Collection’s bags are handmade each one is not only unique but also made with attention to quality and detail.

When not hauling around the diaper bag, my bag of choice is 144 Collection’s Jessica handbag. I love its simple style and its ability to hold a lot of stuff without anything getting lost in the shuffle. It has two interior pockets so my cell phone, lip gloss and gum don’t disappear, and the straps are the perfect size to work either on the shoulder or off. Plus there’s something quite satisfying about carrying a limited-edition handbag. And how can you not love the retro, unique fabrics!

144 Collection offers five styles of bags plus a cute wristlet. I love my Jessica bag so much I may pick up a wristlet. At 8″ by 6″ it might even be big enough for diapers and wipes. (Hmmm…I may have to get two.) Along with the retro fabrics you’ll find 144 Collection bags have a retro price. For something this high quality, this detailed, and this unique you could easily pay over $100 but you’ll find these bags won’t bust your budget–leaving room for another pair of shoes, of course. To purchase your own 144 Collection tote or wristlet visit the designer’s store on Etsy. –Emily

This darling hand embroidered tank is adorned with Hello Kitty! Also included is the sweet twirl skirt, all by olivia*kate on eBay. Size 2t-3t for your little Hello Kitty fan!

Click to bid and make this yours on eBay.

Hang on to your sewing machines, we have exciting news for boutique design groups right now! Boutique Cafe would like to feature your groups designs for an upcoming launch you might have in the works. We realize this may take some coordination to get images together and sent in so we’re booking features for group Fashion Shows now through the end of summer. Bookings will be done on a first come, first served basis and the fashion showcase will last one week on our front page (then of course in our archives).

If your design group would like to be featured please send me an email to daria@boutiquecafe.com
Please include information about your group:
- Date of your launch (this is critical)
- Number of participants
- Theme/Name of your launch
- How long your group has been running
- The leader’s name and contact info if applicable
- If you’re group would like to offer a prize or giveaway to coincide with the feature on Boutique Cafe (we highly recommend offering a giveaway of some kind to correspond with your launch.)

*Once your date is approved and we confirm with you, we’ll require some additional information, 1 image per participating member for the Fashion Show, your group logo and a quote about your group and what makes it special. (images will need to be supplied at least 1 week in advance of your feature date in order to create the movie)

We’re so excited to offer this great opportunity to so many talented designer groups! Cheers - Daria

***UPDATE - Check out our NEW GROUP Fashion Show Bookings Calendar for availability. We’ll work hard to keep it updated regularly.

A boutique launch not to be missed. Please bid generously to benefit our dear colleague Michele and her children. For more information on this very special launch visit We Love Mud Blog.

“Michele our hearts, love and prayers are with you and your family” - from all of us at Boutique Cafe

Click to Support Michele and her children>>.

**Boutique Cafe wanted to get involved: 100% of All Banner Ad purchases on BC’s Market and Sidebar from May 7-9th will go directly to benefit Michele and her family.

Teens Today with Vanessa Van Petton has held a recent contest for the Best Parenting Podcast and we were informed that Boutique Cafe is one of their choices! What a thrill to receive a nomination from one of you, and to hear such high praise from Ms. Van Petton herself about Boutique Cafe.

Teens Today is a website that showcases a teen’s perspective on parenting today, from her “net” generation view of the wondrous world of young people.

Please check out the fantastic list of “Best Parenting Podcasts” mentioned on Teens Today website (we’re in the Parenting with a Twist category). And be sure to leave a comment for Vanessa about why you love Boutique Cafe - we really would love you for it!

Teens Today with Vanessa Van Petton >>

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