Lots to come in 2009

Happy New Year!

Little Pink Pansy is pleased with such a booming holiday season. We were very fortunate in this tough economy to do pretty well during the holidays.

There's lots to come in 2009. We are going to be totally revamping the site and adding lots of new products. Unfortunately, we will also be saying goodbye to lots of items too, especially in our children's line due to new federal regulations that will put many of our vendors out of business. So look for some great clearance sales on kids stuff coming in January.

As always, we love to hear from you. Any feedback or comments are appreciated.

Best to you and yours in 2009!

And the winner is....

Ginny! You can visit her blog at http://scrappyd.blogspot.com/

Thank you to everyone who entered. Be sure to check back soon or subscribe to this site for future updates.

Just an FYI: We are adding LOTS of new items to our main site - little pink pansy - for the holidays so keep checking back there and watch this blog for some of the highlights.

FREEBIE!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!!

We're doing another giveaway!!!

Just in time for the holidays, the perfect hostess gift or little something special for a teacher, neighbor, or other special someone.

These linen napkins measure 8x8 and come in a set of 6 assorted bird styles. They are beautiful and elegant and are hand-crafted by girls in India by the Pardada Pardadi school. These girls learn how to do amazing handiwork to help them prepare for their futures. They are limited edition so get yours now!

To enter the drawing, leave your name, your blog or website address if you have one, and a way to contact you. Please also tell me what you'll do with these beautiful napkins - keep them for yourself or who you'll give them to (it's always great to share some holiday gift-giving ideas!)

Drawing will be held Monday, November 17th so get your entries in today!

Featured Event: Dominion Guild, Inc. Holiday House

Tonight (October 21st) and tomorrow (October 22nd) we will be at the Dominion Guild, Inc. Holiday House selling products. This year's event takes place in Arlington, VA and the proceeds of this fundraiser benefit Arlington Food Assistance, George Mason University College of Health and Human Services, and the Women's Center of Vienna. Hope to get an early start on the holiday season!

Featured Product: Knit Hats

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our children's hat apparel. Our wonderful fleece hats have been such a big hit that we decided to expand and include some of these cute hand-knit hats. They are available in lots of styles and colors, both for boys and girls and unisex - you are certain to find one that's perfect for your child. To see more styles, click here.

I've been featured at Celebrate Mama!

I've been selected as a Mamapreneur featured at Celebrate Mama! Check out the full article here.

If you don't know about Celebrate Mama, check out their website to find out more about them and their many shows. Little Pink Pansy attended the show in Bethesda, MD last May and it was phenomenal! (In fact, on their homepage, our tent is pictured on the left-hand side where a woman and girl are shopping!) Celebrate Mama is "An event, A resource, A way to do business ...for mamas of all ages & stages" and features mama-run businesses, much as we do.

Thanks to Corina DuBois, the founder of Celebrate Mama for all her hard work and thanks for the feature!

You may know this by now but October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Most of us know at least one woman who has battled breast cancer. In my case, it is my aunt and my mother-in-law. Something like this is never easy but the more that we are aware and take proactive steps for our health, we can drastically improve our chances of finding and treating the cancer early.

In most stores you will find lots of extra pink stuff this month. Spend a few extra dollars on some of it and know that your money is going to help find a cure. We also have some soap at little pink pansy that helps benefit breast cancer research, along with notecards, notepads, contact cards, square labels, and round labels. (Please note that the links to the stationery items take you to page 4 of the respective collections - more pink ribbon items can be found on pages 5 too).

Another simple cost-free method of helping this cause is to visit http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2. All you have to do here is click on the button to give away free mammograms to women who cannot afford them. It couldn't be easier. This month, their sponsor is giving away extra mammograms if they get enough clicks, so now is the time to do it. It's the easiest way to help.

Other ideas would be getting involved for some of the various walks. There is the Avon Walk in several cities (spread throughout the year). Some of the locations include New York, Charlotte, Houston, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Rocky Mountains, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This is a 2-day, 39 mile walk. What a fantastic way to reflect on things while also getting exercise and supporting a great cause.

If you're not quite up for such a long walk, another fantastic option is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. These events take place all over the country and the National event is located in Washington, D.C. You can find a race near you throughout the year.

If nothing else, take this month to do a self-exam and get in the routine of doing it. The best time to do it is in the week following your menstrual cycle when the breast tissue tends to be less tender and lumpy. It's not something that anyone really wants to talk about, but we need to keep ourselves healthy and this is a minor inconvenience that can really make a difference. Do it for yourself, your family, your friends, and for the women who no longer have that option.

Featured Product: Lip Balms

I am so pleased with our new additions in the spa collection. We've found some really great stuff! I have recently began using these wonderful lip balms and can't say enough great things about them. They are yummy and moisturizing without being greasy. They come in a variety of different flavors and at $2 per tube, they are the same price as anything you'd get at the drugstore but so much better, not to mention that they are made by a woman who understands body care. These will make excellent stocking stuffers and be a great thing to drop in your purse or pocket for the cool fall air. Click on the images above or visit http://www.littlepinkpansy.com/facial.htm to find the flavor you like best!

Best Seller

Thank you to everyone who attended the home show last night. It appears that many people were forward thinking with their purchases and the children's fleece hats were a big hit once again. Start thinking about winter before it arrives and keep those kiddos' heads warm! These hats are always a best seller and people come back each year for a new style and size. You can't go wrong with them!!

More NEW Spa Collection Items

I'm thrilled to announce that we have just expanded our Spa Collection! There are so many great new products just waiting to pamper you. Here's a sneak peek...

PUMPKIN PIE & LAVENDER PERFUME

Sounds unusual, doesn't it?? A study by The Smell & Taste Treatment & Research Foundation determined that the combination of pumpkin pie and lavender had more of an arousing effect on men. The fragrance is wonderful-- spicy sweet pumpkin mixed with the warm, distinctive floral of lavender.

WHIPPED SHEA BODY BUTTER

Real shea butter is whipped up with apricot kernel oil, coconut oil and meadowfoam oil, vegetable glycerin, fragrance oils, and vitamin e. And, I do mean WHIPPED until it has the consistency of frosting. Melts on contact with skin and is a skin-soothing luxury.

ALL-NATURAL VEGAN LIP BALM

This hemp oil-based vegan lip balm is soothing and moisturizing, not too slick and not too hard and waxy! These are flavored with natural essential oils - no artificial flavoring.

REFRESHING BODY SPRAY

These body sprays are made with certified organic aloe vera juice to soothe the skin and are completely alcohol-free.

SUGAR SOUFFLE SCRUB

If you prefer a good, exfoliating sugar scrub that doesn't leave an oil slick deathtrap in your tub after use, you will like these creamy, foaming, sugar souffle scrubs that are moisturizing without leaving oiliness behind. Made with scrubby natural turbinado sugar whipped into a creamy soap and glycerin base with natural essential oils and/or vegan synthetic fragrances.



MEN'S SHOWER SCRUB GEL

A thick, mildly foaming shower gel with lots of finely ground walnut shell to really scrub off the gunk! Tested on actual men! No parabens, acrylates, or propylene glycol.

For more information on any of these products, simply click on the pictures. To find out more about all of our great spa items, click here. For more on all of our unique products, visit our main site by clicking here.

Little Pink Pansy Show August 28th

We will be hosting a private home show party on Thursday, August 28th at 7:00pm. This will be our End of Summer Sale with great summer goodies and a preview of fall stuff. If you are in or around the DC area and would like more details, please post a comment here with a way to reach you and we'll fill you in!

And the winner is....

marybeth i.

Congrats, Mary Beth!

Thanks to those who entered! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the near future.

little pink pansy hits the world of eBay

We have recently decided to give a shot at selling some of our products through eBay. We've uploaded the first few items - a couple of bath and body products and some tutus. They are sold at discounted prices from the regular site (little pink pansy). In any case, if you want to check them out, here are the links to them. Also, if there is something you see on the little pink pansy site that you'd like to see on eBay, leave a comment and we'll see what we can do.

Green Tea Aloe Vera Body Wash - 8.5 oz

Enjoy ultimate gourmet skin pampering with our Aloe Vera Body Wash. This extra thick pH-balanced foaming body wash is SLS-free containing aloe vera extract, vitamin E, and a select blend of natural botanicals. The mild formula is designed to moisturize and lather beautifully in the shower or tub. Enjoy fresh, gentle cleansing with a burst of fragrance. Packaged in a shower-safe plastic squeeze bottle.

**Also available in "Vanilla Vanity" scent

Paraben-Free Foaming Baby & Toddler Wash - 6.6 oz

A gentle, soothing body wash and shampoo mild enough to cleanse delicate baby skin and leave it feeling touchably soft. Includes organic aloe, vegetable glycerin, and botanical extracts for rich lathering that will not dry sensitive skin. Our unique bottle makes it easy to dispense an instant luxurious lather with one hand while you hold onto your little one with the other. Does not contain SLS, parabens, artificial dyes, or icky anesthetizing ingredients.

Hand & Body Lotion for Kids - 8 oz.

Kids get dry hands too. Non-greasy and fast-absorbing so it won't slow them down! NO mineral oil and NO lanolin - so there is no worry with allergies. Comes in a kid-friendly plastic bottle with pump.

Handmade Tutu - fits up to 3T - beautiful embellishment

Enjoy watching your little princess or ballerina dance around in this one-of-a-kind handmade tutu. This one features red and pink tulle with a hot pink daisy embellishment and white streamers. This style is super sassy and fun and makes a wonderful gift or treat for your favorite little girl. Designed with an elastic waistband and will fit from baby to 3T and up.

Handmade Tutu - fits up to 3T - pink & pretty

Enjoy watching your little princess or ballerina dance around in this one-of-a-kind handmade tutu. This one features various shades of pink tulle with pink floral embellishments. This style is sweet and innocent and makes a wonderful gift or treat for your favorite little girl. Designed with an elastic waistband and will fit from baby to 3T and up.

FREEBIE!!! GIVEAWAY!!!

We are giving away a free bag tag!!!

These tags are great to help label just about everything - your luggage at the airport, your diaper bag, sports bag, purse, kid's backpack, dog bag, or around a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. They also make fantastic bookmarks.

The tags can be personalized however you wish - with a single letter, phrase, name, phone number, address, email - you name it, we can do it!

Each tag features a corresponding grosgrain ribbon for beautiful and simple attachment.

The drawing will be held next Wednesday, August 13th so enter to win before then. Simply post a comment here with a way for me to contact you if you win.

During the month of August, all orders at little pink pansy will also include a complimentary bag tag. After completing your order, please email us with specifics on your tag.

Get your entries in soon!

Featured Product: Kitchen Tools

Check out our fabulous hand-painted kitchen tools!

Available in spreader, server, ice cream scoop, pizza cutter, opener, and wine opener - you can add a little whimsy to your food preparation. Available in many styles and color schemes to match just about any kitchen. As a bonus, these tools were created with the help of children through an art program teaching kids about the value of art and business and what steps go in to the production of a product - valuable lessons that allow them to be part of the process.

Currently in stock (and available for quick shipping) are spreaders, servers, and ice cream scoops in the styles of geranium, blue floral, pear, polka dot, palm tree. All others available for order.

These also make a fantastic gift - also great for those college kids going back to school. To see more, click here.

FREEBIE!!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!

My dear friends over at Pixie Bows are doing a giveaway for this cute little clip! All you have to do is enter to be eligible to win.

The girls at Pixie Bows are two of my closest friends, who happen to make outstanding hair accessories (just about the only thing my daughter wears in her hair!) Their products are superior in quality but they are also unique, cute, and different. Go register to win and read about their journey as they reconnect cross-country to rebuild their business.

Their official website will launch in October but in the meantime, you can order some of their earlier designs at our site, little pink pansy.

Wishing you and your kids happy hair days!

Featured Woman: Nina Sutton

The Chic Mom's Guide to Feeling Fabulous
by Nina Sutton

I just finished reading this handy little guide about how to be both a mom and chic. Both? you may ask. Is it possible to be both chic and a good mom? The answer is yes.

Nina Sutton is a beauty and fashion expert and mother of two who tells us how we can keep up our chic side - we do not have to sacrifice it to be a mommy!

This is a quick read guide with some tips and inspiration to help you feel your best, which also makes you a better mother (bonus!). There are chapters on skincare, makeup, hair care, fitness, nutrition, style, friends, professional lives, romance, kids, cooking, finance, and attitude. She gives you recommendations for keeping yourself looking and feeling your best, even when you are exhausted from the day-to-day grind of life with kids. She shows you at-home tips in case you don't have time or money to go to the spa or gym. It also includes a few simple recipes for quick mid-week dinners for the whole family. She includes tips from experts in all these fields but since beauty and fashion are her background, these chapters are a bit more in-depth. I think this is a guide that helped me remember that I deserve to look and feel my best too and this will be one that I will look at many times in the future to remember her skincare tips or quick and easy exercises.

Nina has also created a fantastic website called Deals for Divas. There are lots of things here that will help you look and feel your best for a fraction of the price (deals, coupons, etc.). This is definitely a page worth bookmarking.

To learn more or order the book, click here. You can be a chic mom too!

Great job, Nina!!

In search of new products

We have been doing some work on our website and updating some of our product lines. Unfortunately, this means that some have been discontinued and we are looking for new things to take their place. We were working on some great stuff for the pet boutique but it looks like that might not work out. If you or someone you know has a woman-run business with some wonderful products, we'd love to hear about it! Things in particular we are in search of are: pet items, diaper bags, bath and body goodies, and boutique items. We want to hear from you!!

I won a contest at Blogging Women

The Blogging Women blog I mentioned before just started a blogging contest and I was a winner! Each month, she will have a series of questions that require looking at some of the other great blogs and the first few people to respond and answer correctly will be featured on the page. I won for this first month so this blog is listed there! Hope you will check it out - always great to support other women. This gets people involved in reading new blogs and helps increase traffic to yours. There's certainly something for everyone here!

Little Pink Pansy featured on Pixie Bows blog

Little Pink Pansy has been featured on the Pixie Bows blog! A great little write-up about our business and our blog, thanks to the wonderful ladies at Pixie Bows. It's so great to be able to support other women in business. It's important for us to all help each other when we can. Check out the post here.

Introducing our new Spa Collection

We have been very busy updating our site and our product lines. While the process is not fully complete, we are thrilled to introduce our new Spa Collection.

Here you will find a little bit of everything to pamper yourself with, including handmade soaps, luxurious body lotions, bath scrubs, body washes, bath teas, eye gel, facial toner, foot creme, and a baby and kids spa with goodies such as baby wash, lotion, travel kits, bath bombs, and confetti bubble bath. You will be certain to find something great for yourself or a friend. Remember, bath and body products make great gifts!!

This is just the beginning of the Spa Collection - more items will be added soon. Check it out today!

Pixie Bows Blog

Two of my favorite people in the world are also some of my best suppliers. They make the most adorable hair bows and accessories. They have been in business for several years, working side-by-side making bows and attending craft shows. However, a little over a year ago, Sharon relocated from Georgia to California and they decided to dissolve the business. Sharon continued making bows and other great items such as tutus while Holly became a mommy again to a darling little boy. But it seemed that the universe was pulling them back into business together so they have rejoined forces and made it a bi-coastal venture. Since they will no longer be able to easily attend events together, they are creating a wonderful new website with some standard designs for hair bows, flower clips, and other great hair accessories. I can't wait for this site to be launched ~ target date is October. In the meantime, they have set up a great new blog to discuss their business progress. I still have lots of bows left over from their previous collections and they can be found here. Just as soon as their new collection is complete, I assure you that they will be up on the Little Pink Pansy site. Their bows are probably our biggest seller - they're a huge hit and almost all customers are repeat customers. So browse at what we have now and be on the lookout for what's to come in the future. And check out their cute blog. Yay for moms and friends making their business dreams come true!!

Little Pink Pansy featured on Blogging Women

Look! Little Pink Pansy been featured on the Blogging Women site!! This is a great blog - it features all blogs written by women (and they're all pretty great). It's also a really pretty site too. So check it out and while you're there, take a minute to browse at all the other unique blogs written by women. You won't be disappointed!

And the winner is...

My trusty assistant helped draw names for the winner of the color-it-in birthday cards.

And the winner is...

Congrats, Wendy!!

We will get your information and send out these cards to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to check back soon for more giveaways.

These items will be up on the site soon so check back!

Few more days to enter...

Just a reminder...

We will be drawing for the FREE cards on Monday. Please leave a comment if you want to enter and we'll let you know who the winner is and get your cards right out to you. They are really cute and FREE!!!

Have a great weekend.

FREEBIE!!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!

We're doing another giveaway!!!

This time it is a set of these adorable color-it-in birthday cards. They are small foldover cards with the pattern on both sides. It's a set of 24 assorted styles and also comes with mini envelopes and colored pencils. These are great fun for kids or adults and add a perfect personal touch to the birthday gift. This image is just one of the many cute styles included.

We'll be doing the raffle next Monday, June 30th to determine the winner so enter now!

Featured Product: Tutus

Dress your princess in one of these stunning tutus!

We have tutus of every color and style and if you don't see the perfect one for your princess, you can design your own!

These tutus are so much fun and very fluffy and sassy. Your little one will love to twirl with these skirts.

They also make a great match with our ribbon wands, a must-have for all aspiring princesses. Imagine the pictures you can take! The sweet innocence of childhood is calling...

A great gift idea!

For more styles and colors, click here.

New products coming soon!

Just a heads up... we will soon be adding several new products to our site in the pet boutique, women's boutique, and bath & body. Be on the lookout for these new items. More updates to come as they are added to the site!

Event: Celebrate Mama in Washington, DC

This Saturday, June 7th from 11am - 4pm at Lafayette Elementary School Grounds in Chevy Chase, DC will be another Celebrate Mama! event. As many of you know, I participated as a vendor in the Bethesda, MD event and it was WONDERFUL!! I cannot say enough great things about it and the DC event looks to be just as great. I will not be participating for I will be out of town but it looks like there are many great vendors and performances by Miss Belle. For more information, click here.

Featured Product: Coveralls

Are your kids messy eaters, painters, etc.?

My daughter is the queen of un-clean.

Spaghetti is spread all over the face, hands, shirt, shorts, and anywhere else it can go. That's why I started using these fantastic coveralls. They snap on easily over clothes and can be fastened to wear either with individual legs or as a smock. She wears it every time she eats something messy. But we also use it for arts and crafts. This was a god-send when we were dyeing Easter eggs and when we painted mugs for the grandmas for Mother's Day. If only the floor in my house had fared as well as her clothes... They are also easy to clean - just wipe with a wet cloth for a small mess - toss it in the washing machine for a big mess. I honestly cannot say enough great things about this and my daughter loves it too! To see all styles and colors, click here.

I've been featured as a Swanky Mom

Check out the full article here.

Congratulations to Lindsey (that's me!), founder of little pink pansy, for being featured as a Swanky Mom. I may not look as hip and swanky as this little icon, but I sure do work hard to bring you the best products from women-run businesses. I am always looking for new products and ways to support other "mompreneurs". If you have something you'd like to see featured here or on our shopping site, please email me. We will soon be adding spa products, among other things. Thanks for visiting!

Featured Product: Pet Treat Boxes

Do you just adore your dog or cat? Are they as much a member of the family as anyone else?

Our new and growing pet boutique will help you pamper your pet in style! We have finicky feline and captivating canine treat boxes and bowls. These treat boxes are great and not as easy for a sneaky kitty or puppy to get into. The bowls are made of melamine and are sturdy. All items featured hand-created designs that will leave you and your pet craving more. With cute sayings and even cuter drawings, you will be the envy of the pet neighborhood. Click here to learn more and be sure to check back soon as we're in the process of adding more items to the pet boutique.

SALE

Have you checked out our sale page? We currently have a few items on sale, including two fantastic diaper bags that are sturdy, have great pockets, and also come with a changing pad. The two remaining styles we have are a beautiful pink dragonfly and a scarlet palm tree. They can also be used as regular bags or purses and they are so pretty! They have been marked down 35% so now is the time to take advantage!! Check back often as sale items will change!

Every little bit helps

Advertising is expensive. As a small business, it can sometimes be tough to make a huge splash on a small budget. That's why we rely on lots of smaller venues to get the word out about our company. Every time we are mentioned in a feature or on a blog or online or in a newsletter or wherever, it helps boost awareness of our company and our mission. While we may never have huge banners at Yankee Stadium, we are happy to be mentioned by everyday people doing everyday things. Word of mouth is one of the greatest tools in advertising. So if you like this blog and/or you like the little pink pansy store, do us a favor and tell a friend. We do the same - we are happy to share with our friends the things we love. And if you don't know, our mission is to help women-run businesses succeed by providing a place for them to sell their products and help in their business planning and implementation. As always, if you are a business-owner who thinks your products would be a good fit for our store, please contact us. We love hearing from you!

Want to host a home show?

Little Pink Pansy does home shows!

If you want an excuse to get together with your friends, shop for great items, support a wonderful network of women, and even earn rewards, a Little Pink Pansy home show is for you! You provide the location, the guest list, and maybe a snack or two, and we'll take care of the rest. We bring everything to you! Hostesses receive a discount on purchases. Please contact us if you would like to host a show in your home.

Featured Product: Keychains

Ever misplace your keys?

Not anymore! These cute little keychains wrap around your wrist so you never have to wonder what happened to them! They also make it easy to distinguish your keys from someone else's and add a little bit of fun to your life. Best part is...they are only $6. Check out all the styles and colors here.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the great moms out there!

As you know, all of our vendors are women-run businesses, most of them are mom-run, and here's an extra salute to you, who juggle so many things and try to keep it all together.

Hope all you moms have a great day and don't forget to call your moms!!

Baby & Kids Expo reminder

Don't forget to come out to the Baby & Kids Expo tomorrow in York, PA. Come rain or shine - it is INDOORS! This is a very well-run event and so much fun for the whole family. If you have a crawling kid, enter him/her in the diaper derby or stop by to watch the other munchkins crawl to the finish line. Be sure to also check out items at our booth from Kadoodlez and My Ribbon Fix (who will also be at the event). For more information, click here. If you can't come, shop from the comfort of your home by clicking here.

Featured Product: Summer Hats

I have a new product that is selling like wildfire! From the makers of the cute fleece winter ribbon hats comes a new summer hat.

These super cute bucket hats are simple yet sophisticated with a single jacquard ribbon. There are styles for both boys and girls with everything ranging from pirates, whales, lobsters, gators, palm trees, crabs, bees, milkshakes, flip flops, tennis racquets, and more! They come in 3 sizes: 0-9 months (which includes an elastic chin strap), 9-18 months, and 2-5 years. Err on the side of larger if you're not sure, maybe they'll get more than one year of use.

My daughter will not wear any of her other summer hats but she never leaves the house without this one. You will love it! And don't worry, the hats can be washed (after all, they were created by a mom). Click here to see all styles.

Baby & Kids Expo This Saturday

If you are in or around the York, PA area, please come visit us at the Baby & Kids Expo at the York Expo Center (Memorial Hall East). This event (sponsored by Memorial Hospital) is fantastic and features a petting zoo, performers, crafts, a reading corner, a diaper derby, and tons of vendors. There are also door prizes, including a great one from Little Pink Pansy. I went last year and had so much fun! There is something for everyone here - it is geared towards families with babies and children but truly you could find something fun no matter who you are! The event is being held this Saturday, May 10th from 9am - 4pm and admission is FREE. Be sure to stop by and say hi! We will be having all sorts of specials as well as a raffle giveaway. Click here to find out more.