Craigs List...

I was going through the free items this evening, looking for free firewood. Most free ads were about garden shrubs, old TVs, unloved chairs or sofas. One in partidular caught my eye::

FREE: Ten boxes of Hamburger Helper
I have 10 boxes of Hamburger Helper to give away. There are 5 boxes of sloppy Joe and 5 boxes of Salisbury. Please let me know when you would be able to pick these up. the Trash man goes on Tuesday.


Somehow the randomness of this particular free item cracks me up.

Mega Heart Monday

Meet the company: Hair Clips Galore, and a lot of heart.

After three exciting years of trucks, trains, planes, dirt and anything blue, Lil Sugarplum owner, Monique, had a daughter. "I began to see shades of pink; I fixated on pretty and dainty girly things and began enjoying all things feminine." May of 2006 was the beginning of all things hair. Clips, holders, headbands; you name it, Lil' Sugarplum makes it.

Why does Monique have Mega Heart? Both of her babies were born prematurely, so Monique choose the March of Dimes to benefit from her sales. 2% of each and every Lil Sugarplum sale goes right back to the March of Dimes. In her own words, "I want to do as much as I can to support research on ways to help this wonderful charity."

Thanks for having Mega Heart, Monique. Be sure to check out the Lil' Sugarplum line here.

Thanks for the overwhelming response to Wet Bag Wednesday! I appreciate all the links!

Please check back next Wednesday if you missed out this time.

Thanks again!

Wet Bag Wednesday

I am full of alliterations this week, aren't I?

This one is fun, though, I promise.

It goes like this: Add a banner to your blog/website, receive a free Wet Happened? wet bag. The code for the banner is located here, along with instructions. If you are adding the banner manually, please make sure to hyperlink the banner back to minimebabygear.com.

Once you have this accomplished, simply send me an e-mail to minimebabygear@gmail.com. Please be sure to include the URL, your shipping address, and which style you would like.

Once I verify the link, I will send a free Wet Happened? bag to the first ten people. USA shipping addresses only.

What styles are there?

Blue Dots

Green Swirl

Pink Butterfly

Question: what if I do not have a blog/website?
Please check back! I intend to conduct Wet Bag Wednesday again in the near future, and each time there will be a variation on the way to win.

Can I put up a review of one of your products instead?
Yes, that would be great! Please make sure you link back directly to MiniMe BabyGear in at least one part of the post to be valid for the free Wet Happened? bag.

If you have any more questions, please let me know!

I'm not a blogger

I am a business woman, but not a blogger.

About a month ago, I ran an ad on MckMama's blog. She is a blogger, and a very well known one at that. When her son was in the hospital, she was getting over 200,000 hits per day.

Because of this ad, I started getting e-mails regularly to follow the journey of Little April Rose. The story goes that she was going to be born with Trisomy 13, and literally thousands of people tuned in June 7th as the story unfolded of April's birth.

And then she put up a picture of a well-known doll, claiming it was April Rose.

It seems that the whole thing was a fake. A scam. The blog was taken down and the internet community is reeling.

For money or for attention, no one really knows why "B" did it.

What I would love to remind you is there are real people that this happens to. I would hate for one person to ruin it for everyone. I think of Angie Smith, who I am always impressed by, Kayleigh Ann Freeman's parents, Matt Logelin, or my favorite- Elliot Mooney.

There is a lot to be learned about God from these people sharing their journey. Please don't miss it because of one person.

Toot Toot Tuesdays, Luna B tees

Middle Child Syndrome: The middle or second born child often have the sense of not belonging. They fight to receive attention from parents and others because they feel many times they are being ignored.

Fear not, middle child!

Luna B has included you. Their fabulous line of sibling tees include one for the big brother/sister, the middle child, and the little brother/sister. Tons of color choices to choose from.

Great for sharing news of a new arrival, or birthdays (below). Most of them retail for around $25.

Mega Heart Monday, Francie Pants

Meet the company: "I see London, I see...Francie Pants."

Well, I personally might never see them on my children as I have two boys and that might be a little weird.

However, little girls far and wide have fallen in love with Francie Pants and "the Francies". Jayden, Lexie, Annika, Marly, and my personal favorite...Piper. Each cyber girl has her own personality and every box of Francie pants comes with a very special paper doll. You can even go to the website for a virtual dressing room before you buy.

Aside from the actual product, what I think is really great is that each doll has their own charity for the year 2009.Why does Francie Pants have Mega Heart? Meet the owner, Ciaran Blumenfeld.

Desperate. So desperate was I for some guidance, that I reached out to a very helpful Ciaran back in Spring of 2006. She was a children's clothing manufacturer with beautiful, professional linesheets. I was a one woman sweat shop with my homemade website. I told Ciaran what I was creating and how frustrated I was at countless hours of sewing for {essentially} free.

She did not have to help me. She could have easily ignored the long e-mail pleading for advice. However, she sent me three pages of things to focus on and advice I could use to go forward.

As if that is not enough for the mega heart award, I can recount charity after charity she has supported in the few years I have known her- getting the Gosselins a baby stroller , supporting Maddie Spohr's family. Without a doubt, I know if there is a need, she is the first one championing the cause.

I am glad to call her a friend, and even more proud to bestow the "Mega Heart award" this Monday. I can't think of anyone more deserving.

Know anyone?

I have two new features that will be a permanent fixture on my blog (Lord willing, LOL).

Mega Heart Mondays:

A while back there was a video going around on Facebook. It was called "Everything is amazing, no one is happy". The comedian points out how great we have it in America. Here it is in case you have not seen it.

I agree with him, I am not sure we realize just how great we have it. I love hearing of other's giving back, so this post will be dedicated to someone with a mega heart doing mega things.

Toot Toot Tuesdays

I started MiniMe BabyGear with eight items.

Eight. Isn't that crazy?

On average, I now try to add at least four items per week to the site. I will pick one per week that is worthy of a good shout out.

Here is where you fit in. Do you know anyone that fits into this category? Someone that is giving back or doing something extraordinary? Are you? Let me know about it!

Frustrating

Today I was sitting with a fellow mom at a swimming party, and she asked me how business was. I always feel hesitant to respond to that question.

Most of me wanted to reply, "Frustrating as crap". I took the easy way out and said it was going good.

Her reply was, "You have such a wonderful job. Staying home with your kids is great."

I thought about the last week and how I searched 18 hours to find mesh by the yard. And I still have not found a supplier.

"Yup, it's thrilling," I replied.

I am not sure she heard the sarcasm.

If you participated in the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt, you probably came across the newest product I am working on. We are calling them The Cuter Cloth, and have been working on them since late last year.

I use WE, because I am thrilled to have a business partner this time around. Her name is Katie, and she truly balances me. Cool headed, loves to crunch numbers, her photos and graphics are stunning.

My point is that this job, like any other, has parts that are very frustrating. If you have ever come up with a new invention, I am sure you know just what I am talking about. Pushing from the "great idea" to real-life implementation is difficult. Each step has brought a whole bunch of nevers.

I never thought we would get a working sample, and we have a beautiful one.

I never thought we would find organic velour by the yard, and last night a supplier fell into place.

I never thought we would have an actual production schedule for the first manufacturing run.

I never thought I would find mesh.

Okay, that last one is still a tad sketchy.

Have you started a new project? Did it seem like it would never get off the ground? Did it eventually? Did you have someone there to encourage you to push through?

I would love to hear your stories, if you are willing to share.

Anyone?

Anyone else over John and Kate plus eight?

No less than five talking heads are discussing it on CNN.

Really?

This is the most pressing news?

Unbelievable.

Shoe Fetish: Which do you like better?

I have been mulling over which one of these shoe brands to carry.

Stop. Let me rephrase that.

I have been drooling and deliberating since I cannot stock both. I feel there are pros and cons of each one.

In this corner:

Jemos footwear

Sizing:
XS 0-6 mos

S 6-9 mos

M 9-12 mos

L 12-18 mos

XL 18-24 mos

Price:$28.00 each

The opponent:

Livie and Luca

Sizing 4-12, about 20 styles $44.00.

Would you pay that for this shoe?

Thank you, as always. I love that you are so willing to share your opinions with me!