Crafty Mama Craft Fair
Friday, December 4, 5 to 9pm

The 3rd annual Crafty Mama Craft Fair is coming up next weekend at HB (Friday night 5 to 9 pm).  The Fair is a chance for some of our favorite local vendors to showcase a full selection of their lovely hand-made wares (beyond what we already carry at the store).  This year’s artists include: Ilia Klosnos (jewelry & glassware) at Mt Iliamna Originals, Maureen O’Grady of Bernie’s Girl, Stacy Stone & Saddle Soaps (my fave is the dreamsicle orange cream soap), Maleah Moskoff of Cha Cha Tea (think sample before you buy – mmm!), and Purple Moon Fibers (felted wool creations) by Michelle Martin.

Not only can you shop these fantastic mom-owned/run booths, but Happy Bambino will be open late until 9 and serving our famous hot apple cider and some sugar cookies we discovered at the Dane Buy Local Holiday Shopping Kick-off (delicious)!  This is a family-friendly event, or you can step out alone for some “you”-time.

The Craft Fair is Happy Bambino’s special event for the 4th annual Atwood Winter Fest.  The Crafty Mamas are but one of the many special attractions up and down Atwood Avenue that evening.  We’ll be giving away door prizes and participating in the neighborhood scavenger hunt as well.  See you there!

I saw this preview when I took my kiddo to see Where the Wild Things Are last month, but couldn’t find a preview anywhere despite spending much too much time looking.

But now, here it is -

The documentary for release April 2010.   Am I alone in being just a tad bit excited to see this?

Last week was crrrrazy folks.   Well, actually the birthday week was crazy, and last week was supposed to be a catch-up week but instead I ended up at a long birth and have barely caught my breath.  So this week’s Monday came and after a weekend of very purposefully laying low, I took a deep breath and got ready to dive back in.  And what did I discover?  Well, besides the 50 “must respond” emails in my in-box, I realized we never picked the $500 gift certicate winner!

So, I uncovered the raffle box from under the piles of new inventory the UPS guy just keeps bringing (darn holidays! ) and got all the online orders entered as well (we included sales through Monday, because of our coupon snafu) - and got Elissa to pick a winner.

Congrats to Raechel P - who has been around almost since the beginning!  She came in over our birthday weekend and bought some goodies for her kiddos, and some breastfeeding paraphenalia.  I hope that winning a $500 gift cert brightens your Monday Raechel (who is pictured here at a bf clinic with her first kiddo almost 4 years ago!)!

Thanks for all the birthday fun everyone!! 

XOXOX

We’ve been busy bees around HB lately- apologies for our tardiness in getting this out…

Today I need the winners to email me (elissa@happybambino.com) and give me their preferences in order – because I don’t know what folks want/need!  Congrats to Kathleen HL, Lana D, Nina L, Clifford KJ, and Amy P!

Phew – what a week!  We’ve had so much fun sharing our birthday with you all!  So, today is about our members.  The only way to be entered is if you are a current Happy Bambino member. If you’ve been thinking about getting a membership lately, this might be the day to do it!! Members have lots of perks – and for most folks who do groups and classes, it’ll totally pay for itself.  And today’s theme would have to be fun. A collection of the items we love because they are just plain fun!

Today’s giveaways….

Fun Giveaway #1 – First Footies for the New Baby ($90)
I was obsessed with Robeez when my girl was a baby.  I bought most everything secondhand, but boy did I splurge on Robeez!  They are still on one of my recommendations for presents for a new baby.   And when Alison had Ariana, she fell in love with the Robeez Booties – so that is what we’re giving away today!

Also included in this giveaway are a pair of Nowalis.  We just picked these up this year and we’re kind of in love with them.  Half socks, half slippers, and absolutely adorable.  With winter coming, these seemed just right for keeping little tootsies cozy.

And if we’re gonna do shoes, we gotta do socks, right?!  Well – Trumpette kinda take the cake when it comes to cute socks – six pairs in fun and funky/cute designs in their own little box.  Babies need socks, this we know, but to indulge is such cute socks is such great fun!

Fun Giveaway #2 – Picture Perfect ($325)
We’ve brought in two new lines in the last year that we’re so excited about – Parade and Daily Tea.

Parade is an organic made-in-the-us line with the best colors.  We were initially attracted to the line because the pants are cut wide enough in the rear to accommodate cloth diaper butts!  And their outfits with the sayings were so eye-catching and fresh.  For this giveaway, we’re doing one of the Parade outfits, with a stripey hat to match.

Daily Tea is a line that definitely gets the most attention when folks come in to look at clothes.  They’re made from soft beautiful fabrics, in the funkiest patterns.  The idea with Tea is that each piece in each season matches interchangeably – so if you buy several pieces, you can mix and match and a whole bunch of different outfits.  And each season eases into the next in terms of what matches- so you you can keep adding and keep expanding your options.  We’ll be giving away five pieces today – three tops, and two bottoms – you pick!

And once your kiddo is dressed to the nines – I’m throwing in a gift certificate for a photo session from my photography biz, and you can have some photos taken of your babe looking picture perfect!

Fun Giveaway #3 – Shake Your Moneymaker! ($205)
Many of you know Carolynn is a musician, and we have to say, she had a dang fun time order music toys – so of course we had to do a music-centered giveaway!

We’ve loved Lollipop drums since we opened – the best first birthday present ever!  They aren’t obnoxious sounding (score for parents!), they’re dang cute, and they’re a toy that lasts years (trust the grown-folk around HB who still play).

If you have a toddler, you probably know Sandra Boynton’s books – and Philadelphia Chickens is a fab collection of songs, music, and a CD to go with.  Super silly & super fun – what better addition to a music focused giveaway?

And the LP Maracas and Egg Shakers have been popular, also since we opened.  Mainly because of Eliza and her wonderful Music Together classes – if you’re a Madisonian parent, you likely know someone who takes a class from Eliza – she’s got a bit of an ever-growing cult-following to be honest!  So we’re also including a pair of shakers AND a Music Together class spot (new schedule coming out this coming week!).

Fun Giveaway #4 – Who’s the cook? ($395)
Oh how toddlers love to imitate everyone around – and with three meals (or more!) a day for parents to prepare, it’s no wonder they love to play kitchen!

We have had Little Colorado’s kitchen in our store since the day we opened.  It’s lost it’s metal bowl sink, but other than that?  Boy this thing has been loved and loved and it’s STILL in great shape. Wooden play furniture is an investment, but when it looks good years down the road and you know you can save it for your grandkids, you’ll know it was a darn good investment!

And to go with the play kitchen we’re giving away a set of wooden tableware from Plan Toys, a tea set from Green Toys (we LOVE Green Toys – made in the USA of non-toxic recycled BPA-free plastic), as well as some food of course! –  a HABA basket of veggies and a set of play food and beverages from Plan Toys.

Sweet eh?

Fun Giveaway #5 – And finally…last but not least ($105)
Yup – it’s the wrong season, but we couldn’t resist.  Maybe it’ll be a fun thought that’ll help the winner get through the next few months – imagining cruising the streets of Madison with your kiddo in their own seat in front of you.  We picked up iBert this summer on the very HIGH recommendation of one of the regular dads around HB.  And they flew on out.  People report feeling like their monkey-kid is much more secure and happy when they’re in close proximity to mom or dad – rather than in a seat behind or in a trailer.  And we just think they’re darn cute.  And we’re superficial like that.  ;)

********************

What do you need to do to enter TODAY?

Well – be a member or become a member (and don’t forget you can pay $10/mo rather than an upfront chunk!) and you’ll be entered.  You don’t even have to do anything besides take a look in your inbox tomorrow to see if you won.  Thank you HB members, for helping to make Happy Bambino what it is!

Sorry this is being posted so darn late!  We had some good birthday cake and celebrations today at the store and then I had a Lantern Walk with my kiddo for her school.  So it was a full day!!

But I’m happy to say congratulations to Phamos, Capitolmommy, havenlilianna, bluemchen, and nugglemama for winning!

It’s our party and we’ll cry if we want to, cry if we want to…..  Wait.  Wrong sentiment!  Why does that song always get stuck in my head right around my birthday?  (I turned 31 yesterday – so HB and I almost share a bday….)  No, no crying at HB, only celebrating.  Cake and balloons at our Madison store today!!

When Happy Bambino opened our doors five years ago, we never expected what it would be come.  We hoped.  We dreamed. We shot for the moon.  And we just about got there – we were a tad bit short on space and lacking a full webstore.  But now?  Five years later?  Well – we hit the moon (more space? come January – CHECK!  a full webstore? – CHECK!), and YOU HAVE ALL have helped to make this business so much more than what it is on paper.

We want to thank you from the very bottom of our hearts.  Becoming a parent is one of (if not the most) emotionally powerful life-changing times.  Everything you can say about becoming a parent sounds cliche.  But I know you all know what I’m talking about.  And to be a part of that for so many families has been such a beautiful thing.  I’ve been spending the week talking alot about how lovely/beautiful/amazing/wonderful things are.  And I think it’s because that is how Happy Bambino makes me feel.  Not the long hours, mind you – but the community at Happy Bambino?  All the families coming together to support one another?  Yep – it is a lovely and beautiful and amazing and wonderful thing.

This week has been a whirlwind of Happy Birthday Happy Bambino giveaways – we’ve got the $500 gift certificate raffle (all purchases in the store and online getcha entered) and we’ve been doing the daily HB555 promotion (fan us on FB today and tell us why you love babywearing to win).  We wanted to celebrate our birthday with everyone, and this seemed the most fun way to do it!

And to kick off the actual birthday today, and the weekend we’re doing a HOLY MOLY WE’RE FIVE! 20% OFF SALE today through Sunday*!  If you’re shopping online, use the code 5Years.

And this sale goes through SUNDAY – both online AND in the store since we begin our holiday hours this weekend and are open Sundays 12-4 through December 20th.

Thank you all again.  It’s hard when people tell us what a great business it is.  We want to say “Hell YES it is!” – but it’s not because WE think that WE are that great – it’s because of what the Madison parenting community has helped this business become.  Which is much too hard to express in a flippant way.  So instead of saying HELL YES – we simply smile and say thank you and say we couldn’t have done it without everyone.  So, thank you Madison.  But now you know – in our hearts we are saying HELL YES IT IS!  We love you and THANK YOU!

 

(*The fine print – excludes dropship, HB diaper packages, strollers, furniture, classes/membership, and sale items.)

Welcome to Day 4 of our Happy 5th Birthday Happy Bambino 555 Promo!  Friday is all about Facebook, and babywearing.  Facebook is my favorite form of online social media.  Babywearing is what I’m most passionate about when it comes to products (for Alison it’s the breastfeeding products, and for Carolynn it’s the toys but since I’m handling this end of things – I get the final say so ).  AND Fridays are just the best day out there, in my humble opinion (it’s all that anticipation methinks!).  So it all comes together to make the ultimate giveaway day for me – and how perfect since November 13th marks 5 years to the day since we opened Happy Bambino!

Let’s get down to business – what’s on the docket for today?

Babywearing Birthday Prize #1 – Ergo! ($145)
We love Ergos.  In our opinion (and the opinions of most of our customers too!) they are the best mainstream/readily available two shoulder carrier.  They center the weight down through you hips (think of the difference between a regular backpack and a hiker pack) and across two shoulders.  They are mom AND dad friendly (kudos and a shout-out to you papas out there who will wear your babe in anything!).  And they are really durable – which is excellent because they’re gonna last you years – way longer than you’ll probably want to be carrying your kiddo!

Oh!  And you’ll get the new Heart2Heart infant insert (which we don’t even have on the website yet!) AND the sucking pads.  Ergo’s got a number of cool accessories, but these two are our favs.

 

Babywearing Birthday Prize #2 – Mobywrap Plus! ($175)
Wraps are the best newborn carriers out there – they swaddle the babe to your body.  Newborns are born too early – if, for the first few months – you treat them as much as you can as though they were still inside (lots of sleep, rocking/carrying, keeping them near your skin and your heartbeat) they’ll cry less, sleep more and grow better.  And a Moby’s gonna help you do that!

And with this package comes a Mini Moby, so your bigger kiddos (or your babe in a couple years ) can wear their babies too!

AND we’ll throw in a $100 gift certificate so you can buy a cute outfit to go with the Moby-matching Babylegs we’re throwing in!

Be sure to check out all of Moby’s products – they do such a fantastic job!

Babywearing Birthday Prize #3 – Slinging that Babe ($105)
So, if babywearing is what I’m most passionate about, I have to also ‘fess up that ring slings are the closest to my heart.  They are usually made of a year-round fabric.  They are fully adjustable for lotsa sized parents (they do come sized, but you buy so that it isn’t too small for the bigger person and the smaller person just has a bit more tail).  And the clincher for me?  They are the only carrier that is relatively easy to nurse in.  All carriers say you can nurse in them, and in a pinch anyone can make anything work when you got a desperate kiddo.  But it all depends on the babies size, the mama’s size, and the confidence of the nursing relationship.  Rings slings have a bit more of a learning curve, but there are a few simple tips that can make all the difference in that “Aha!” moment when using a ring sling becomes really simple.  (We really need to do a simple video so that our in-store assistance can make it’s way to the online store!)

Today we’re giving away one of the organic Maya Wraps – their original carriers are made out of beautiful woven fabric in jewel tones and bright patterns – but the organics are made out of a sateen that is just lovely and the organic piece of things is of course appreciated.  We have worked with Maya Wrap since we opened (I had one with Ma’iingan almost 7 years ago!) and their commitment to being a great company that we feel good about is something we’re grateful for!

Babywearing Birthday Prize #4 – Wrapping Oh So Beautifully! ($115)
There are lots of wraps out there – Moby is definitely the name most folks know.  But wrapping can get to be an art form – both in the ways to wrap (there are dozens!) AND in the fabric used (there are definitely $200+ wraps out there). Wrapsody is a company that gives folks so many beautiful options for wrapping.  Their Bali Breeze is made of a lovely woven gauze that is hand-dyed – so it’s super light weight and beautiful.  And their Bali Stretch is made from a slighly stretchy cotton fabric – which makes them a bit easier to learn to tie because their is a little more forgiveness on the tension (and they’re also beautiful!).

Just trust us that you want to go take a look at all the patterns and options!  We like the Wrapsody for a number of reasons: 1) they’re amazingly beautiful and when you’re gonna wear it every day, don’t you want to be in love with it? 2) they don’t stretch quite as much as the Moby, which makes them great as a carrier to use for years rather than months AND 3) also because they don’t stretch as much, they really are useful as back carriers.

And to make wearing your babe uber cute in the Wrapsody (at least while it’s chilly out) you’ll also get an accessory set that includes a Zutano fleece hat, mittens, and booties!

Babywearing Birthday Prize #5 – We Love Local! ($150)
Okay.  So, folks might argue that an item made in Minnesota (when we’re in Wisconsin) isn’t really local.  And we might have to agree.  BUT, when you’re in the midwest, not a whole lot of the bigger companies are anywhere close.  So we’ve always kinda considered Kangaroo Korner to be local – even if they are up near Minneapolis.

Alison has been in love with Kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece pouches (KKAFP) since we began carrying them years ago.  They really are the easiest one shoulder option out there.  The fleece pouches have a sort of flexibility that cotton just can’t have and still keep it’s shape – they just form fit right around your kiddo, whether they are a newborn or a toddler.  When folks are a bit hesitant about babywearing sans buckles, we put them in a KKAFP – and the look of amazement is priceless when their babe just slides on it and that’s that.  The only hesitation people have about KKAFPs are the fact that they are fleece – which means they aren’t a good year-round option.  They’re still breathable but…  They do have a cotton option, but it’s just not as stretchy and thus not quite as comfortable.  But it’s November, and the perfect time for a fleece pouch!

(A note about Kangaroo Korner – they are an awesome company very committed to keeping their production in the States – Tanya hires moms in Minnesota to do the sewing – how great is that?  But one of their quirks is that they don’t allow retail sales online – so if you want one and you can’t come into the store, you gotta call us!)

And since we’re giving away local goods with this prize, we’re also gonna give you a Bernie’s Girl onesie – hand-dyed and stamped in beautiful colors and witty sayings my local mama Mo.

And Lusa Organics is getting yet another shout-out (what can we say? her stuff is amazing!) and giving away a Calendula Baby Soap (for babe), Booty Balm (also for babe – we hope), and a Sugar Scrub (have you tried this stuff? leaves you with the softest best smelling skin ever!) combination.

And to round things off?  A sweet soft organic hemp fleece receiving blanket from local mama and long-time customer Catherine at Willow Sprouts/Pads.

**********************

So what do you need to do to enter for TODAY?

Fridays are for Facebook!  We’ll be giving away babywearing goodies today and to enter, simply fan us (if you’re not already a fan), and leave a post on our FB fan page telling us why babywearing rocks.  It’s almost too easy!  And per the usual on this awesome promotion, forward this on to interested friends/family, cc us (hello@happybambino) and we’ll enter you again!

Today I need the winners to email me and give me their preferences in order – because I don’t know what folks want/need!  Congrats to Angie O., David & Wendy, Liberty, Michelle J., & Jolene!

#1 Majamas - Majamas

#2 Celebrate the Belly – Belly Mama Massage, Belly Cast Kit, Our Bodies Ourselves Pregnancy & Childbirth, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Lusa Belly Balm

#3 Getting Ready - Confident Birth, Happy Bambino memberships

#4 Pampering for the Babymoon - Kalencom Diaper Bag, Sophie Giraffe, Aiden & Anais Swaddling Blankets, The First 1000 Days – A Baby Journal

#5 Soothing Baby - Miracle Blanket, Putumayo, Cranky Pants Essential Oil Blend, California Baby I Love You Bubblebath, Happiest Baby on the Block

Today is Day 3 of our Happy 5th Birthday Happy Bambino 555 Promo – where we give all ya’all a whole buncha presents for our birthday!  Today is all about what goes IN (first foods) must come OUT (diapers and booty care)!   (Hehe.)

In & Out Birthday Prize #1 – First Foods ($70)
We have had so much fun over the years collecting all the best products out there for starting first foods based on recommendations from all of our customers.  The favorites? Baby Bjorn’s Plate & Spoon was highly recommended to us years ago by the mama of our very own Happy Bambino (Naeva was the daughter of one of our first employees, and we eventually discovered that she was conceived the day Alison and Lea met and was born the day we opened – Happy Bday tomorrow Naeva!).  Her mama loved the fact that it was designed so that it was darn difficult for little hands to pick up – thus less spilled food from dumped plates.  Pretty ingenious, yes?

And then there’s the Super Baby Food book.  Over and over we hear it’s the best book out there – for years we had a hard time getting our hands on enough copies, but that problem finally got solved.  So, if you’re thinking about first foods, this is def the book for you!

And then there’s the rather new-to-us product – The Wean Machine.  Yes, we object to the name – first foods does NOT have to mean it is time to wean.  Name aside, this product is a good little gadget.   A food grinder and dish in one.  Just fill, squeeze, and feed.  Perfect to bring everywhere – you can make any soft food into baby food!

In & Out Birthday Prize #2 – Purty ($299)

High chairs.  Why oh why are so many of them huge and clunky and ugly?  Svan has come up with a beautiful chair, and this prize package gets you the chair, tray AND cushion of your choice.  SWEET, eh? These guys have won awards for design – they’re pretty, functional, safe, and secure.  And they last forever – converting to a youth chair that will hold even a teen.  They’re a fantastic investment, that’s for sure!

In & Out Birthday Prize #3 – We <3 Bummis! ($145)

We’ve carried Bummis since the beginning.  They were my favorite covers, way back when – though Alison had a preference for Proraps covers.  We were excited to see their pretty packaging for their Bummis Diaper Kit – so many companies sell items one by one, which can be convenient OR absolutely overwhelming.  Sometimes, it’s just easier to grab a box that’s got it all and be done with the decision making.  We sell our own diaper packages that we put together ourselves, but Bummis packaging can’t be beat for gift giving or for just being quick and easy.

With this package, you get two dozen organic prefolds, 4 Super Whisper Wraps, 2 Super Brites, Bio-soft Liners, Stay Dry Liners, and a Fabulous Wet Bag (so much prettier than their classics).  And a user guide.  Pretty cool, I must say.

In & Out Birthday Prize #4 – The Ultimate for Outs ($325)

We picked up JuJuBe bags a few years ago.  They’re beautiful.  They’re smart.  They’re functional.  They’re hip.  We could go on.  They have small diaper bags, big diaper bags, enormous diaper bags, diaper pouches, wallets, dad bags, mom bags, backpacks, shoulder bags….in other words, they have it all – you gotta just go take a peek for yourself.  And for this giveaway, you’ll get a BeAll diaper bag – the best seller for us.  A shoulder bag of the just-right size variety, with JJB’s awesome padded “sticky” strap, a diaper pad, and all the right compartments (including a Thinsulate pocket) – and you can even PICK what color you want.

(Ya gotta hush me up when it comes to JJB, I’ve got three different bags, and I don’t have a kid in diapers – they just make great camera bags and purses. )

And to fill the bag?  Well – how about 10 Bum Genius pocket diapers, one new Flip diaper, as well as one of the new Econobums too!  Sweet awesomeness is all I gotta say.  I’da ’bout died to have won this one when I was diapering.  Bum Genius are definitely the favorite around HB in terms of diapers.  Their one-size pocket design made it affordable to diaper solely in pockets.  And they’re such beautiful colors too.  And we’re so excited to start getting the feedback on the new diaper designs that just hit the market – if you win this package, you’ll have to give us your reviews!  If you haven’t read about Flip and Econobum, go check them out, Bum Genius has really done some good research and we’re so happy to see them responding to what people are asking for!

In & Out Birthday Prize #5 – Cleaning Up Those Bottoms! ($111)

And after it’s all gone in, and then it’s come back out, ya gotta deal with cleaning that bottom.  This package is here to help!  We got a perfect combo of a half dozen hemp wipes from Willow Sprouts and Lusa Organic’s Baby Wipe Juice.  Using washable wipes is WAY easier than most people think – and these wipes will smell and feel SOOOO much better too!!

Plus we got a JJ Cole Caddy for carting around all your dipes, wipes and creams.  What a convenient little bugger, isn’t it?  Keep everything in one place, and it’s easy to make anywhere and everywhere your diaper changing station.

And for when things are absolutely beyond disgusting?  We’ve got a Tummy Tub.  Yup – they are just big ole buckets.  BUT they are big ole buckets that are JUST right right size to keep babe feeling safe and secure and calm.  And if you have a babe who loves to be swaddled and warm and cozy?  Well – they’ll love this tub!  The water stays warm, you can bathe in any room you want, the position of the babe helps with colic and calming, and it just feels so much safer than other options out there.  Seriously.

*************************

What do you need to do to qualify TODAY?

To enter to win one of these prize packages, you need to be on Twitter.  If you’re not, don’t worry – it’s incredibly easy!  For the uninitiated, Twitter is like FB Status updates on speed – here’s a great intro.  All you have to do is post to Twitter with #happybambino somewhere in your post.  You can enter yourself to win up once per hour – so Tweet away!  And any time someone retweets (RT) you, you’ll get entered again.  And as always, forward this to friends and family, cc us on it (hello@happybambino.com) and we’ll enter you again!  So this is the day to be entered over, and over, and over, and over again if you wish!  And with giveaways like this, well….