Baby Wears Prada

So, I have another website that I just have to share...BabyWearsPrada.com is a new review website for children's apparel and since it's late August debut, has been a total hit with moms everywhere!

The website was created by Shanna Marsh, and she has done a fabulous job of getting it up and running, working with some of the best brands in the business. We were honored that she included RuffleButts in that list! Shanna explains the idea behind her brand on her 'About Us' page, including the inspiration from her adorable family (below), but this pretty much sums it up...

"I created Baby Wears Prada so mommies everywhere can come here and get their daily dose of info. Want your darling angel to have the same outfit as your favorite celeb baby? You've come to the right place! Looking for the perfect unique gift for a birthday? We've got that too! Has back to school shopping got your head spinning with so many options? Have no fear, I'll break it all down for you and even tell you where you can get that much needed outfit on sale!"

For moms, this is a great place to keep up to date with the latest trends in baby apparel, for other business owners, it is good opportunity for advertising and product reviews. Shanna's newsletter which goes out to more than 3500 subscribers, is very well done and showcases a handful of brands each issue. To top it off, Shanna is a total sweetheart, and I just love working with great people!

Baby Cha-Cha

Okay, I promise not too turn this business blog into an Aubrey picture photo gallery, but I just had to share this one...

Janie Dale, the Owner/Designer over at Baby Cha-Cha Boutique, was so unbelievably sweet and sent this adorable tutu and headband set over for Aubrey. It is so incredibly precious, I just couldn't resist and had it on her within minutes. What an absolutely perfect baby gift!

She's here!!!

I am so excited to share the good news...Aubrey Raeann Schaub made her grand entrance a little early and arrived on Wednesday morning, November 12th! She is happy and healthy and we are in our glory. I have always had an appreciation for moms and their little angels, but I must admit, I am honored and thrilled to join the club. I started this business because I couldn't think of a customer I would rather work with, as moms have the most amazing role in this world, but you never TRULY understand until you see that precious miracle placed on your chest, staring back at you.

I am counting down the days until she can start wearing her little RuffleButts, as I already have her personalized holiday bloomer made and waiting for her. It will be a little "fluffy", but you better believe she will be wearing them very soon! It was always so fun to design for the little angels everywhere, but it will be extra special to design now that I have my own little angel, as my inspiration has just doubled!

I truly appreciate all of the support and prayers I have received from customers, vendors, business owners, associates, friends & family. I have always known I was extremely blessed, but this definitely tops the charts!

Her proud Daddy has created an entire page of Aubrey pics - you can check them out by clicking here - Aubrey Pictures

Last prego pic

Okay, this is the last prego pic update...as we are due next week, and I am pretty ready at this point =) I'm sure this is what everyone says at this stage, and really, I feel so blessed to have had such an easy pregnancy overall, but I must admit there will be some relief to look in the mirror and have lost at least some of this water-weight! You definitely will not be seeing any pictures of my feet on this blog, but I must tell you...they honestly look like they are about to explode!!

So, if any of you moms out there have out-of-town parents/in-laws, I'm sure you will know exactly what I am talking about, but our parents are so very cute...out of the three sets of parents, all but one are 1st time grandparents, so I would say that they are even more ready than we are. And every time we call to check in, the 1st question is "are you at the hospital??"! We are so blessed to have such supportive family and they are all ready to hop in the car, the minute they get "the call"!

We are officially due next Friday, and I am crossing my fingers that we don't go pass that date, but it is in God's hands, and I think he knows what he's doing! I am trying to use every bit of time that I have to make sure business is in order around here, and our team is doing such a great job of staying on top of everything to make sure I don't fall too far behind. It's a little crazy with the holidays so quickly approaching, but I couldn't ask for a better time to be so thankful!!

Holiday RuffleButt Bloomer

RuffleButts, Inc. (www.RuffleButts.com), a hip and trendy line of infant apparel and home of the RuffleButt Baby Bloomer, announced this week the availability of their new limited edition Holiday diaper cover. Priced at $25, this unique and personalized bloomer is a special edition of their well known RuffleButt Baby Bloomer, featuring an adorable holiday design, along with your monogrammed name of choice.

These high-quality bloomers, which are made of 100% cotton, are the perfect choice for holiday pictures or personalized holiday gift. As with all RuffleButts apparel, the bloomers are available from size 3 months to 2T and are machine washable. Of course, the company will continue to offer their everyday Personalized RuffleButt Bloomer available in the standard white, pink or fuchsia, but the special edition Holiday Bloomer features the extra holiday embroidery design at no additional cost.

Press Release: RuffleButts Announces Special Edition Personalized Ruffled Diaper Cover For The Holidays

Never really stops

It is amazing how this business just never stops! On a recent Oprah episode, as she was interviewing the Olson twins, Oprah made a comment that was oh so true...she was saying how the magazine business and the fashion business are similar in the way that your work never really stops. With the tv show, Oprah was saying that she gets to take a break, step away between seasons, but with the magazine, as one issue is closing, they are already working on the next. I never realized this about the fashion industry until I immersed myself in this business. Just as I come to peace with one collection and get it launched on the website, we are off to work on the next!

As Emily mentioned last week, we have recently been working on our upcoming Fall 2009 Collection, and I am super excited to see it come together. Emily is a talented addition to the team, and it is very fun to see our creative ideas bloom into frilly little creations for your little angels!

I know with any business, it is sometimes easy to get caught up in the daily tasks, but I am really trying to focus on the longer journey. Sometimes it is very good for your business to take a step back, draw out a plan going months down the road, and figure out where you are headed. Where do you want to be in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year? Are you working with the people that can get you there? My father, who is a much more experienced entrepreneur, gave me a very good piece of advice when I started this business...he told me that every ship needs a captain that is looking in the distance to steer the ship and as the CEO this must be your role. If you are just paddling along with no ultimate destination, the storms will be much more difficult to navigate.

If you haven't done this lately, sit down and write out your goals for the upcoming year...business, personal, sales, marketing, your team, your family, etc. Make sure you are headed in the right direction and draw out your plan to get there. This doesn't have to be exact, but make sure you are the captain of your own ship...it is your ultimate destiny and set your sights high!

Design Process

Written by Emily...

Another week wraps up here at RuffleButts! I am always amazed at how fast the time goes. This week was very exciting as Amber and I have been working on new design ideas for Fall ‘09. I can come to work to use my creative side, which is new to me, but something I look forward to each and every day.

I never realized how much time and work goes into coming up with new designs. The design process includes so many aspects I never even knew existed. We brainstorm to figure out what will look the best. What styles do we like, which ones will fit the RuffleButts line? What colors? What materials? How many? Prints vs. Solids? These questions are a small glimpse into our world and what has to be done before we can move forward.

It is essential to make sure everything is perfect before production, but it is easy to get caught up in what needs to be done. At the end of the day it is important to sit back and appreciate how lucky I am and how much fun this is!!