A Word From Jo...

I had a very productive and exciting telephone call with Jo Cameron today.

Jo first burst onto our screens in The Apprentice in 2006. Since then, she has gone on to become a hugely successful businesswoman and runs the wonderful Women on their Way (www.womenontheirway.co.uk) which supports and encourages women to fulfil their potential. Jo is a patron of SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society UK). Sadly, she lost her first daughter Emmeline after she was born prematurely at 24 weeks. Since then, Jo has made it her mission to raise as much money and awareness for babyloss and the charities associated.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to Jo on the telephone today. As I explained the journey that led me to Petit Poppet (www.petitpoppet.co.uk) she was thrilled to hear how the tiny idea of loaning one sling out for SANDS donations had turned into a full scale business/fundraising project in such a short amount of time. It was great telling her the story and hearing her ideas about how she can support me with it in the future.

So thank you Jo, you were a pleasure to talk to and it was lovely to share the excitement I have for what I'm doing with someone who understands what it means to me.

You can read what Jo had to say about Petit Poppet and her thoughts on babywearing at www.petitpoppet.co.uk/awordfromjo

I love reading your comments, so please tell me what your thoughts are too!

Cheeky Chops in Polka Dots

Cheeky Chops in Polka Dots
Originally uploaded by Pina Colada PAD

Not my proudest pic but all the same I adore the expression on my girls face here as she was enjoying foraging in the grass for ladybirds!

I wanted a shot of her in her gorgeous little clip from Poppy Sparkles. I ordered these a few weeks ago and they arrived so fast in gorgeous packaing and I was so pleased with them.

Best of all? They stay in her hair! I need them in every colour and style!

You can see the range of goodies and pretties for yourself at www.poppysparkles.co.uk I bet you can't leave empty handed.

Chain of Daisies

Have been cruising the Folksy shop for my lovely contact Caroline at Chain of Daisies for quite some time and just been entirely unable to choose one thing to start my collection. Finally last week I decided on a bracelet but spotted some groegously coloured purple iris bead on a different item. I emailed Caroline who promptly offered to make one for me and post pictures to which I agreed. Lo and behold, less than 3 hous later, here was my bracelet!


I love it so much and when the package arrived I was so excited to see it in real life. If anything it was even prettier than it looked in the pics! I have been wearing it all week and had so many lovely compliments on it.

You can get yourself into my predicament of not knowing how to choose by visting her Folksy shop here - Chain of Daisies

Be warned though, it'll take you hours to choose!

£1002.40

That's the amount raised for SANDS at this moment in time and I'm flippidy doo dah excited about it!

A big thank you needs to go to all Petit Poppet customers who have loaned or bought slings, people who have donated to the site and suppliers who have supported in all manner of ways to make this possible. THANK YOU.

So, you're all here because you want to know who won the prize draw so I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The winner of the fantastic array of prizes is:

Nicky McCue!

Congratulations Nicky! You have won all these generously donated prizes:

*A fabulous Snoozeshade - The UK's first (and only!) buggy blackout blind!

*A babysigning book from www.babysigningmummy.com

*A set of handmade hairclips from Poppy Sparkles - http://folksy.com/shops/PoppySparkles

*A studio photoshoot and a 20"x16" box framed photograph from Jo Belfield Photography in Cheshire - www.jobelfield.blogspot.com

*A personalised Nursing bracelet & necklace set from Booby & the Bead

*A Sleepytot baby comforter from www.babyduckshop.co.uk

What a fantastic haul!

So... watch this space for the next prize draw when we'll be celebrating another big landmark moment at www.petitpoppet.co.uk

Hitting the Big Time

I can barely sit still I'm so excited and at the same time feeling all emotional. Petit Poppet has raised very nearly £1000 for SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society UK) in just the 7 months it has been up and running which I never dreamt would be the case so quickly. Not only is the amount of money staggering (to me) but the fact that so many people now know about SANDS who never did before.

To celebrate this amazing milestone, lots of fantastic business mum's are donating prizes which will be given away to one lucky customer once the SANDS total hits the 4 digit big time!

Between now and the limit being passed, every customer who either tries or buys a sling will be entered into the draw. The draw will take place by random selection once the barrier has been broken and the winner announced here.

Prizes so far include:

*A fabulous Snoozeshade - The UK's first (and only!) buggy blackout blind!

*A babysigning book from www.babysigningmummy.com

*A set of handmade hairclips from Poppy Sparkles - http://folksy.com/shops/PoppySparkles

*A studio photoshoot and a 20"x16" box framed photograph from Jo Belfield Photography in Cheshire - www.jobelfield.blogspot.com

*A personalised Nursing bracelet & necklace set from Booby & the Bead

*A Sleepytot baby comforter from www.babyduckshop.co.uk

Thank you to all the lovely ladies for being so generous with their donations!

There are more donations to be made following todays transactions so this prize draw isn't going to hang around for long! For your chance to be entered, head to www.petitpoppet.co.uk and arrange to try the sling of your choice or buy today!

I'll leave you with a photo to brighten up my post. Went to the garden centre today and found this furry flower. feels like we have a new pet :)

Cypress Crush

It's not often that I lust after my own products but the new Yamo Cypress has me drooling.



The print is beautiful, my husband approves and the Yamo is a fantastically comfortable carrier - what's not to like? My biggest debate that I'm having with myself is when exactly I would need to use a Yamo given my current obsession with the Beco. I'm sure there's a slot and if not, I'll find one.

Moving on to the next product crush and it's the spring/summer Shoo Shoo range in it's entirety ( can be viewed at - http://www.petitpoppet.co.uk/#/shoo-shoos/4536917479) but am only allowed one pair at the moment and it's a toss up between...



or:



Thoughts?

As a thank you for appreciating my predicament, blog visitors can buy their Shoo Shoos with free P&P when quoting 'SS10B' (discount by PayPal refund. Alternatively, orders can be placed via email info@petitpoppet.co.uk )

Coins for SANDS

Coins for SANDS
Originally uploaded by Pina Colada PAD

Today, I explained how my website works to my pupils www.petitpoppet.co.uk and talked to them about SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society UK).

Naturally and perhaps fortunately, they had not heard of the charity and were extremely sensitive when I described the kinds of circumstances when SANDS support is called upon. They were touched and agreed it was a great charity for Petit Poppet to support and we had a long debate about the fact that many worthy charities just don't have the awareness campaigns following them that they deserve.

Following their morning break, one of my girls approached me and handed me these coins. They are the change from her snack money and she asked me to donate it on her behalf.

There are good people growing up in the world and I'm glad to be working with them.

if you would like to donate to SANDS too please visit www.justgiving.com/slingsforsands or to simply learn more about this invaluable charity and how it supports those it benefits visit: www.uk-sands.org/

Decisions, decisions

Life is just ram packed full of decisions right now it would appear. I honestly have no room left in my head for any further choices. I've spent nearly two weeks trying to put stock orders together for Ju Ju Be Changing Bags and Huggalugs baby leg warmers. There are just too many lovely styles/designs to choose from. In taking such a long time to decide, I am doing myself out of business so have set today as my deadline for making those choices. I'm sure that I'll be placing additional orders before too long so no idea why this all feels so important.

Thankfully, Easter is nearly upon us and two weeks of release from my 'real' job looms. The freedom these weeks are promising me is almost unbearable. I am going to have up to 6 full days to myself which will be the first time since Ellen was born. Don't get me wrong, I adore every second I spend with her but my house is a mess, my to do list is longer than a long thing and I am going to really enjoy sitting and having a coffee in the morning and drinking the entire cup while it's hot.

Yesterday we spent the day with our lovely friends who for one reason or another we haven't seen since before Christmas. You'd never believe we live less than a mile away from each other... Still, we went for a delightful pub lunch by the river. We spent ages deciding what to have to eat from the extensive menu (more decisions) and then when we ordered and asked for them to bring a highchair, were politely informed they don't 'do' highchairs. I was agog. No highchairs? Surely this must be a mistake right? Wrong. We asked at the bar and were again told nope, no highchairs. I never knew such a scenario was possible. I was full of plans to take along my own gigantic highchair next time to teach them a lesson but since the food was rather uninspiring at least we won't have to worry about the logistics of doing so.

We went elsewhere for dessert and finished off the afternoon with a trip to the swings. Ellen had her first go on the seesaw which she'd never done before and adored it. Especially the bit where daddy bumped mummy really hard and made her fly into the air with her prized camera in her hands. Tut tut.



Happy babywearing :)

Beautiful day

I feel magnificent today. There's nothing that can beat the sunshine and spring blooms for soothing the soul.

We set off for a walk from home with Ellen in the Beco on Rob's back and Poppy (dog) in tow.



It was a glorious walk where me met lots of pony friends, crocuses (would the plural of crocuses be croci?), daffodils and general gorgeousness. Stopped halfway for a bitter shandy and returned home for doughtnuts, tea and wine in the conservatory. Life is good :)



Taken lots of photos today as my girl is changing before my eyes.

We experiemented with putting Ellen into the Beco before putting it on today and I can't believe how much easier it made things. Ellen liked it as it acted as a swing for a moment inbetween being sat on sofa and put on her dad's back. We're both now more convinced than ever that the Beco is the way forward and all other slings are taking a back seat in our house for the forseeable future!



You can try a Beco out or buy one from the site at www.petitpoppet.co.uk/beco

Pics to follow once I've mastered Photoshop Elements!

And breathe....

I'm feeling really rather ranty at The Daily Mail this afternoon. Where better to vent my frustration than here?

The headline to the article I'm referring to reads 'Yummy Mummy Slings 'may kill' babies". I probably need say nothing more...

But I will...

As usual, this article is hugely imbalanced and jumping on the scare tactic bandwagon. The deaths of infants they refer to all resulted from suffocation due to ill-fitting or badly designed slings. Within the article there is a picture of Nicole Kidman wearing a horrendously poorly fitting bag/pouch sling. Now, had Nicole been advised in how to fit a sling or indeed how to choose one that is suited to her and her baby, the picture would be a great deal more pleasing.

As with all parenting choices, safety has to be considered. We all spend vast amounts of time searching for safety reports on car seats and exploring the latest research around SIDS (AKA cot death). However, we still use car seats and cots for our babies. The same applies when choosing a sling.

A great place for more info on sling safety is:


http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

Make full use of our Petit Poppet agents and ask for a demo or consultation so that you can try out before you buy and ensure you have the ideal, SAFE fit for you and your baby.

That's all from me on my soapbox for now... but I will leave you with the following press release on behalf of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers & Retailers:

UK Sling Companies Put Baby Safety First
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has raised concerns about “bag-style” baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, all linked to the “bag-style” sling. UK Sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to use safe designs of baby carriers and position their babies in the safest way possible.

One design of sling now seems to have potential risks. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved position. Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, potentially smothering the baby. It also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.

The majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.

Advice for Parents
If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward, of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, www.slingmeet.co.uk, for advice on alternative slings. She says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission”. If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises, “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:

Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.


Tight

In view at all times

Close enough to kiss

Keep chin off the chest

Supported back



To find out more about baby wearing and get advice on safe ways to carry your baby there are several trusted websites to help you:

· Slingmeet

· TheBabywearer.com

· Facebook page for Babywearing Safety

· Mothering.com

· LaLecheLeague

Benefits of Baby Wearing
In well-designed products, studies have shown that baby wearing is not only safe, but is actually beneficial. Such studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. [i] Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase. In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. [ii]

Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers Members


As an aside I'm all about twiiter this week. I never knew the magnitude of it! I have the grand total of 79 followers right now and am enjoying living my life in real time 'sleb' update status. I have found I am able to imagine myself of similar status and that one day I will be inundated with 3000 replies for every tweet I put out there into the ether. If you want to be among my throng come follow me @petweetpoppet (see what I did there?!).

Exciting news!

Well, it's all go now the agents are coming in thick and fast! One of our fab new girls has provided us with an exciting opportunity to hold a stall at the ABM conference on 19th June in London. This is a brilliant opportunity for Petit Poppet to spread far and wide as the event will be attended by health professionals and prospective customers alike! Lots of planning....

Lots to add and update on the site, not enough hours in the day!

I'm getting my head around Twitter this week. I have 29 followers so far which is a little paltry. If you'd like to follow me the username is petweetpoppet (see what I did there?!).

Mega Week

What a mammoth week for Petit Poppet (www.petitpoppet.co.uk)! Has certainly been keeping me on my toes. We've raised just shy of £700 for SANDS and this week has seen us sign up our first PP Agents!

The agents are going to be demoing slings face to face and earning commission for their hard work. Not to mention raising funds and awareness for SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society).

If you would like to know more drop an email to info@petitpoppet.co.uk :)

Dear blog...

I feel bad.

Sorry blog, it's not that I don't like you, I really do... it's just that I've been so busy. no excuse I know and I want you to know that I'm sorry.

I have to admit though, I'm finding this a bit of a one way relationship? I write to you, you don't write back. I'm going to assume this isn't a reflection on how you feel about me.

So, to fill you in, 2010 has been a busy year so far. Petit Poppet has been getting busier and busier whcih is just superb. We've raised nearly £700 for SANDS so far and have not paid for any advertising so it's all through word of mouth which is just brill.

Ellen is crawling and trying to walk, she's doing great at nursery but picking up bug after bug.

I'm back at work 3 days a week which is taking some adjusting to. I keep forgetting I won't be in on Monday. Of course, as everyone said, I'm not hating it as much as I thought I would. Between you and me, some days I even like it.

Photography is taking over all my 'spare' time. I'll admit I'm obsessed. I'm doing a 365 project (picture every day for a year) on flickr and have expanded on that to attempt a 365 of the robot Wall-E! I am mad I know.



That's about all for now, I promise to keep you more in the loop though.

Happy New....Sling?

Where on earth has 2009 gone? It seems to have literally passed me by. Apparently this is what happens once you have children my mother-in-law informs me.

On reflection... 2009 has certainly been MY year. I have been lucky enough to get to know the most beautiful and pure human being I've ever known - my daughter, Ellen. Her birth was a life-changing incident and I only hold fond memories of the entire experience (despite agonising SPD and 14 days overdue-dom).

Starting my own successful WAHM business has just been the cherry on the cake and to end the year in style, Petit Poppet has taken delivery of the beautifully handcrafted Melkaj Mei Tai slings from Poland.

What will 2010 hold? Who knows but I'm looking forward to the ride.

Happy new year one and all.

Reality Bites

I have accepted my fate. As of 4th January I will be back to my old self - almost. It will be my first day back in my role of Primary School Teacher. It won't be quite the same as before, afterall, I'm a mother now and will also be part-time which is going to require a large amount of adjustment in itself.

This realisation comes after Ellen enjoyed her first settling session at nursery today and I enjoyed my school Christmas 'do' last night. Ellen, being the social butterfly I had suspected, didn't even look back at me once she got her hands and knees onto the soft surfaces of the beautiful nursery she will be attending. I left her for just over an hour and when I collected her I was given a 'report' explaining what she had been doing in my absence. Rather amazingly, it described how she had been making christmas biscuits and exploring the treasure chest. That's my girl.

So, I'm making the most of the festive period and finally feeling more relaxed about my inevitable fall from the luxury of Maternity Leave. All I can say is that I'm doing everything via www.petitpoppet.co.uk I can via www.petitpoppet.co.uk to make sure it's a temporary solution and that I can one day, hopefully, achieve my dream of being a full-time WAHM. :)

It's in the bag...

Literally..all in my new fan dabby dozy changing bag from Ju Ju Be.



Let me start by saying that I am NOT a bag fan. Never have been into handbags etc so could not understand what all the fuss was about.



I figured that as Petit Poppet (http://www.petitpoppet.co.uk/) is now a retailer for Ju Ju Be I better order one and see for myself just how wondrous these bags were.



I remained sceptical. I spent nearly two weeks weighing up all the different designs before I opted for a BeAll in Lotus Lullaby.


When it arrived, I unpackaged it and thought the print was fairly nice. The surface of the bag felt much better quality than I had envisaged and so I emptied my old Boots freebie and went about the boring job of packing it. This was where I fell in love...


All of a sudden the usually mundane of packing the change bag was transformed into a pure delight. The BeAll had a pocket for everything inside it's voluminous main compartment. I had a big empty hole in the middle after I had stashed my nappies, wipes, toys, bibs and spare change of clothes! The luxury of deciding what to fill that gap with was a joy I'd never known the likes of before. Then I discovered the quick change pocket at the front (under the main flap)...


This quick change compartment allowed me to store two nappies, a small pack of wipes and contains a wet shuttle ready for used wipes etc to be neatly tucked away. I felt ready to take on the world once I had this bad boy packed - and we weren't done yet.


The outer flap has a large zip pocket on which has a mobile phone sock and a bungee for car keys. Plus, the shoulder strap has a large wide memory foam pad and is oh so comfy.


The two insulated bottle pockets on the outside were today, the perfect storage spot for the Calpol and Olbas oil since my baby girl is suffering with an awesome cold :( and the changing mat that is tucked in the back pocket is magnificent... It is made of memory foam and feels great to touch. Ellen literally laid on it on her front pressing for squidginess factor again and again. It kept her entertained for ages. This back pocket is also where the genius 'crumb drains' are to be found. Simple but mucho clever - two little holes so you can keep your snacks in the pocket and if the crumbs leak out (which they inevitably do) you just tilt the bag and out they come. Tah da!


I can't quite believe I've managed to harp on about this for quite so long but I am stunned by it's allure. Like I said, I ain't into bags. Although I have a funny feeling I am now!


Ju Ju Be will be added to the site ASAP but if you can't wait til then please feel free to email info@petitpoppet.co.uk to arrange an order. You definitely will not regret it!

Beds, Bags & Birthing Balls

We admitted defeat today and ordered a new bed. A new big bed. A new REALLY big bed! As a co-sleeping family of three with an ever growing baby, Ellen is the only one getting any sleep in the current bed so its monster replacement arrives tomorrow morning. Our bedroom is literally going to be a room of bed - heaven.



Tonight I've been to show some slings to pregnant ladies at the excellent pregnancy yoga class I went to (http://www.babyfit.me.uk/). I really loved going to yoga right through my pregnancy so was delighted to go back to showcase everything I've learnt about slings with Petit Poppet (http://www.petitpoppet.co.uk/). Met some lovely ladies and handed out lots of business cards so feeI have spread the word tonight.

My Ju Ju Be BeAll arrived yesterday. Of course, I had to order just to carry out quality control you see? Well, reports are in and the BeAll is A-Maze-Ing. Literally cannot believe how much I am loving this bag. It has a pocket for everything and most importantly, plenty of room for cloth nappies. I'm absolutely delighted with it. The quality is superb and I can now confidently add them to the site knowing they are going to answer your changing bag needs in style and then some!

Norwegian Adventure

Well, this last weekend we made the long overdue adventure to Oslo to visit friends. I have to admit that I was anxious about the trip (packing for even a day out always seems to prove a time consuming task) however, we managed to downscale to the one bag we had planned to take and at 2:45a.m. Thursday morning... off we set for the airport.



We spent a great deal of time weighing up pro's and con's of various slings from our stash to take with us and eventually settled on the Gothic Rose Connecta (http://www.petitpoppet.co.uk/#/gothic-rose-connecta/4535521116). It was a big deal as we'd agreed to go sans buggy . Given that I've only used my poor buggy twice in the last two months it seemed sensible but did feel almost rebellious in some way.



Ellen was a star traveller. We transferred her from bed to car seat (poor poppet!) and she remained asleep all the way to the airport. I put her in the Connecta to transfer to airport from car park and she chilled out and took everything in until we boarded the plane and she fell asleep.



The whole weekend followed a similar pattern. Rob and I shared the babywearing and we converted another believer as our friend wore Ellen whilst we enjoyed the ice rink in Oslo.



Rob did his first back carry which proved a big hit for both him Ellen as we cruised the Christmas market.


All in all, travelling without the buggy was a big success and entirely hassle free. Feel like we are fully fledged babywearers now!

1st time ponderings...

OK... so here we are... blogging.

Figured that this is something I should be exploring but am finding myself wondering what on earth I want to 'blog'!

Every ounce of spare thought and energy is being channeled into Petit Poppet right now which is exhilarating but exhausting. The site has had such overwhelming support and I'm just delighted it has been so well received. The JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/slingsforsands) has already hit the 50% mark of the initial target and I spend the majority of my day handling enquiries which I never dreamt could be the case just 3 weeks in.

Ellen is teething. She is being a star and it barely seems to have registered with her but all the same - changes are afoot!

We're away from home this week which brings its own set of complications although it's wonderful to be near family so all worth it.