Helpful Hints for Getting Around with Children

There are many little secrets that no one tells you before you have a baby, and while I don't want to be the spoiler, I am here to tell you that they do not simply become a great new accessory. Many many things change, namely your schedule is not your own, and while you may think that everyone wants to be with your baby, this just is not the case. To help make getting around with your little one easier, there are a number of great resources to help guide you from everything on what gear to get to where to eat in peace, or at least without getting glares!

"City Baby New York" is "The ultimate guide for parents, from pregnancy to pre-school." It is chock full of great advise from how to pick a great pediatrician, to where to find the cutest birth announcements, to all the must have gear to help you get around with your new baby. It is a wonderful resource when you can't reach your best friend for advise.

Another wonderful resource for helping get you out with your baby, is a new site designed to let parents know where child-friendly restaurants are in your neighborhood. Mini munchers allows you to go out with your little one, without worrying that you will be given the evil eye the minute your 2 year old starts acting like one. The other wonderful feature of mini munchers is there "goody bag" section which brings you wonderful deals and opportunities from their "buddies."

Being with your little one doesn't have to be lonely or isolating anymore with these wonderful resources. Grab a friend or two, gear up, and enjoy it all!

Stroller+Mittens = Strittens

As Mamaista said, first there was "Brad+Angelina=Brangelina, then there was Chilling +Relaxing = chillaxing, then Jeans +Leggings =Jeggings!" Now there's Stroller +Mittens =Strittens! Just in time for the colder weather, nomie baby has created the newest in the line of products designed to help solve problems for parents. Strittens are the answer to lost mittens and freezing hands while pushing the stroller. They are warm cozy stroller handle mittens that fit all hands and stroller styles from joggers to umbrella strollers. Simply strap them on with the easy Velcro fastener, and slip your hand into the warm and cozy fleece lining for comfy strolls no matter how cold it is! Enjoy the warmth!

More thoughts for being Green

In an effort to be "Green" easily, here are a few more ideas we can all do everyday. Little things do add up and make a difference!

1. unplug chargers when not using them

2. get a power cord for all chargers, and turn it off when not in use

3. Phillips Halgen light bulb don't cast a "blue" light AND they work with dimmers

4. reload gift cards instead of getting new ones

5. bring bags with you, so you don't have to take the plastic ones

Here's to going "greener" gracefull!

Fitting in Exercise

During the summer it's easier to get exercise, but with the crazy schedules that come with fall and back to school, it is often much harder, so here are some thoughts on ways to fit exercise in:
1. When you are waiting in line at the grocery store pick up a jug of milk in each hand and do 10 curls,
2. stand on one foot for 1 minute and then do the same with the other
3. Walk instead of taking elevators (this also saves electricity).
4. While you are printing out the endless school forms do 10 push ups and/or sit against the wall for 1 minute or do 12 squats
5. Cut out a few bus or cab rides a day or week, and walk instead, again, this is eco-friendly
6. Instead of meeting for coffee, grab the coffee and go for a walk
7. It is still important to schedule in some workout time for YOU!

People.com's "Fab Sale Round-up"

People.com's Celebritybabies' blog posted today about some of their favorite fall sales, and nomie baby was featured as on of their "Fab Sale Round-up" finds!

Now everyone can be treated like a celebrity with special deals. Ease back into the crazy fall schedules and back-to-school rush filled with errands and carpools with 15% OFF your purchase at nomie baby. This is the perfect time to give your car seat a fresh clean look with a new car seat cover, and get ready for the cooler temps with a 'cozy-up' stroller blanket! Here's to spreading the happy-mess and warmth!

Easy to be Green-er

There is an ad playing on the radio, saying that if we all reduce by 3% each year for the next few year, it will make a huge difference, so I started thinking of little, or not so little things that I could do that would be easy. Here are some thoughts:
1. During the day keep the lights off, especially while it's still staying light for a while
2. Make sure the air pressure in the car wheels is where it's supposed to be
3. Buy and use a reuse able container for my morning green tea latte (gtl)
4. Don't print out receipts at the ATM, and some stores will email receipts, so if you need to return something you can print it only when you need it.
5. Recycle wrapping paper. Unwrapping slowly makes it all last longer too!
6. If I don't bring "green" bags to the store, reuse the plastic bag to line the waste baskets, or deal with the kitty litter
7. If you have a baby, reuse the baby food jars for buttons, safety pins, etc... and you'll be able to easily see what's inside.
8. Get a shoebox and put bottle caps, twist ties, bows, or anything that seems to be useless, in it, and use it as a "good stuff" box for art projects
9. Use a nomie baby car seat cover to make an old car seat new again, and keep it clean, so you can pass it along. I couldn't resist throwing that idea out there!

Connecting with Customers

A couple of years ago I was at a Super Bowl party loving it as the Giants were holding their own against the Patriots. It was a wonderful mix of people, but the one thing we all had in common was that we were all cheering for the same team! Early in the second half a few new people joined the party, and made the rounds meeting everyone. I was introduced to one of them, and after a moment realized he was Mickey Drexler of J. Crew. This was enough to distract me from the game, since I am a huge J. Crew fan. Mickey seemed genuinely interested in my enthusiasm for what J.Crew was doing lately, and asked my thoughts on a couple of things, and then pulled a card out and handed it to me. Unlike the usual business card, this was a "friends and family" card allowing me a special discount. What a thrill! I felt as if I had been allowed into a special club. Needless to say, as soon as I got home, I went right online and clicked away.

I had always heard that Mickey Drexler, was the master of getting to know his customers, really caring about what they said, and making them feel important, special and listened to. I certainly found this to be true. Genius. Don't just sit behind a desk and imagine what people want, get out there and ask.

Again, the other day, saw customer care first hand. I was at a luncheon with my mother and grandmother, when Tim Zagat stopped by to say, "Hi" to them. After being introduced to him, and wondering why he would want to be at a luncheon filled with women, he produced a card from his pocket and handed it to me. Again, this was no ordinary card, it was "special gift" treating me to downloads of his guides. Brilliant. It made me feel special and cared for as a customer, which is, after all, what we all would like.

I have always enjoyed hearing from my customers, making customer care a priority, and giving them "special gifts" when ever possible. These two examples reinforce just how important it is to not only listen to my customers, but to make a extra effort to reach out to them, make them feel cared for, and listen to them so I know what is and isn't working. There is no doubt that technology is an incredible tool allowing us to reach people all over the world in seconds, and enables us to get more done, often in less time than ever before; however, there is still no substitute personal connections, and always making customers feel cared for.