The Tuesday Ten: Madcapz's Carrie Bell

After a marathon blogging day, I realized it was time for another Tuesday Ten! Today's interview is with Carrie Bell, President and Owner of the berrie sweet Madcapz company. Read on to learn more about the woman behind the baseball capz with a lot of ladylike flair!

Q.: So tell me a little about your company and the inspiration behind it.
A.: Madcapz is really a labor of love.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease (an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid, which in turn affects every other part of you). The only exercise I could handle was going for walks and I always reached for one of my husband's baseball caps because I was losing my hair (another symptom of Grave's Disease). But wearing a man's baseball cap with a sports team logo or company logo just didn't do it for me. So, I began my search for a feminine stylish baseball cap that I could enjoy wearing, would make me look great, and feel fabulous!
My search for this colorful fun women's baseball cap became an obsession with me: I scoured the malls, catalogs, and the Internet - all in vain. Finally, I decide to make one myself.
My friends loved the prototype cap. When my daughter said she wanted one I knew I was on to something. Madcapz was born!

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your business a reality?
A.: I just kept thinking that if I would wear a fun colorful baseball cap, others would too. And so I made a prototype and showed it around to friends and family who were all enthusiastic about it. That gave me the encouragement I needed to try and make this into a business. What followed was lots of research and work in finding the right resources - fabric houses, US factory to make the caps, and a website for selling them. I started out with just women's caps and now Madcapz are available in women's visors and kids' caps too!

Q.: What's the nitty-gritty on you? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: Do I have to start with age? Well, I'm turning the big 50 in a few weeks (gasp, sigh, yea! ha!). I live in Larchmont, NY and have two great kids, (my son is 15 and my daughter is 12), a very supportive husband, and very dear friends. When I'm not working on Madcapz (when is that?) I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking (and eating), and doing anything/everything with my family. Oh, yeah, and I have no previous experience running a business. I was a management consultant a long, long time ago.

Q.: Who's the brains behind the operation?
A.: I don't think it's brains as much as perseverance. Also, my husband is my biggest fan and strongest supporter - and that helps immensely!

Q.: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date?
A.: My kids are 12 and 15 so I have volumes of funny memories, no one memory stands out. But let me just say here (because I can't find any other place in this interview to put this) that I think one of the most important ingredients in life, be it dealing with family stuff or work stuff, is to have a sense of humor. And, believe me, there are days when it's been hard for me to find the humor, but being able to laugh at life helps get you through it!

Q.: Glass half empty or half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: At heart, I'm an optimist - so glass is half full. Although I do have days when I have to remind myself of that.

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: Keep plugging away. When life seems overwhelming I try to accomplish just one thing and often that gives me the boost I need to keep going. And stay positive about the business, even though it may not always be easy. Believing in what you are doing and believing that you can accomplish your goals is so important to success!

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: When my kids were little I used to put veggies and fruit on their plates, whether they ate them or not. Eventually they tried them, sometimes it was a hit and sometimes not so much. But their tastes change over time (still are changing) so it's important to continually offer them different foods. Now my kids eat pretty much everything.

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Grilled rib eyes, double stuffed potatoes (kids love them) and salad (with my husband's homemade dressing!)

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: http://www.madcapz.net/. come check out my fun unique Madcapz. Visitors from Berrie Sweet Picks get a 20% off discount if you use "berrie" in the coupon code. Good until Dec. 14!

The Tuesday Ten: Pregnancy Piercings' Denee Forbes

It's time for another round of Tuesday Ten here at Berrie Sweet Picks! Today's featured mom-praneur is Denee Forbes, forward-thinking momma who took matters into her own hands when she designed pregnancy-friendly body jewelry.

Pretty Sweet, huh? And check out her awesome pic, taken at 34 weeks, sportin' her own goods!

And read on to learn more.

Q.: So tell me a little about your company and the inspiration behind it.
A.: Pregnancy Piercings is all about helping women who have navel rings keep there piercing through pregnancy. I sell flexible Maternity Navel Jewelry that allows pregnant women to do just that. When I was pregnant for my daughter in 2001 I came up with a product and design that worked for me and my first thought was "there has to be other women like me who want to keep there piercing too" so there began my search to find those women. It started with my personal experience and now in 2008 PregnancyPiercings.com has grown to be a resource for pregnant women with navel rings. I love adding real testimonials and pictures of my happy customers to my website.

Q.: Five words. Describe yourself. Go!
A.: Determined, Strong, Unique, Organized, Multi-Tasker

Q.: Why do you think your products hit home with moms?
A.: So many moms these days don't want to loose part of there identity just because they become a mom. The modern mom wants it all (and why not have it all? We're worth it.)

Q.: What press have you received since you started? What's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: Early on there was a story written in Business week and MSNBC.com recently. Pregnancy Magazine wrote an article finally showing women there is help out there....me!

Q.: The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: The best part is the laugh's and seeing them play, love and grow. If your a mom you know your heart can't feel any fuller then seeing your little ones safe and happy. The hardest part for me is changing diapers (I won't miss that!)

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: I wish I would snap my fingers and a nice healthy homemade dinner would appear.

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: My kids are funny they love broccoli and green beans (no need to force feed)

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Probably Chicken or if all else fails.... Pizza.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online? www.PregnancyPiercings.com.

Q.: Berrie Blast (read: final thoughts.
A.: If you know someone who has a navel ring tell them about Pregnancypiercings.com. Help me spread the word... You CAN keep your piercing through pregnancy!

The Tuesday Ten: Children's singer Frances England

Wow, it was way back in June that I had the chance to fall in love with the musical stylings of indie-kids music fave Frances England. Now, the woman with the magical voice that can soothe the "terribles" right out of my toddler has made me go all giddy with a girl-crush because she agreed to be interviewed by me! Right here!

I know!

So why am I crushin' on this woman? Because she, and her voice, are magic. Buttercup has deemed it so. Read on for my Tuesday Ten interview with Frances England!


Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.:I make indie-folk family music and have two cds out – Fascinating Creatures and Family Tree. While life with little ones is at the heart of all my songs, my sound has been compared to Norah Jones, Liz Phair, and Sarah McLachlan, to name a few. The songs I write are inspired by my two boys, by the families I work with at a cooperative preschool here in San Francisco, and by music ranging from Woodie Guthrie and the Carter Family to Cat Power and Yo La Tengo.

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your dream a reality?
A.: I recorded my first cd, Fascinating Creatures, as a fundraiser for my son’s preschool and really never imagined anyone outside our own circle of family and friends listening to it. At first I was actually burning the cds myself on an Epson printer and using a rickety paper cutter to make the jewel-case inserts by hand. But pretty soon, word of mouth and the Internet took my little homespun cd to a place I honestly never imagined it would go. Later that year, it was named the sole winner of the 2007 Oppenheim Award, which was a total shock. The whole thing happened in a really organic way -- I saw that people were responding to the music and ever since I’ve been trying to get it out there as much as I can.


Q.: What's your "It" factor?
A.: A lot of music critics have said that my “It” factor is my cross-over appeal. If you’re not paying attention to the lyrics, you might not know that you’re listening to a children’s album. Yet at the same time, I want to make sure that the lyrics are really engaging and relevant to children’s lives. The songs are often about finding the beauty and wonder in the ordinary everyday things our kids experience – riding tricycles, reading books, digging in the dirt, painting pictures. As parents we know how precious this time is and how it feels like it’s gone in a flash. I also think that because I’m a mother of young kids, the music reflects how close I am to this world. There is definitely an intimacy in some of the songs that people have responded to.


Q.: What's your favorite part of owning recording CD's for children/etc?
A.: Writing songs is one of my favorite things in the world to do. I’m thrilled (and still sometimes a little shocked) that people enjoy listening to my music. It’s always just been something I’ve done for myself and I really never expected to be making albums and playing concerts. This summer, my band and I were booked to do the Tricycle Music Fest in North Carolina, along with They Might Be Giants and the Jellydots. The organizers of the event made these great posters and I still can’t believe my name is right there beside TMBG – in the same font size, I might add. That’s pretty great….

Q.: What's the nitty-gritty on you!?? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: I’m a Bravo reality TV junkie. Project Runway and Top Chef feel like little slices of heaven after a long day.


Q.: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: I’m Irish so I come from a “half empty” clan. Most people probably don’t see that in me because I’m a fairly upbeat and positive person. But when you are raised on Yeats and Irish ballads, there will always be a place in your heart where sorrow and sadness and disappointment can rest easy. Does that sound too dark? It’s not really….


Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: Since I’ve had kids I’ve gotten a lot better at knowing and respecting my own personal boundaries. I spend much more time on the front-end weighing how much I can feasibly do and the affect it will have not only on me, but on our entire family. My husband calls it my “crazy barometer.” Mama can only take so much craziness so I try and be aware of that and plan accordingly.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: I’ve been lucky to have my cds reviewed in publications like Cookie, Real Simple, Parenting magazine, 7x7 (a SF magazine), and Daily Candy, to name a few. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes: “Each song is a little treasure of creativity, artistry and heart” (Los Angeles Times) and “Calling to mind such performers as Sarah McLachlan, Ani DeFranco, and Neko Case, England is the indie/alt rocker for the preschool set.” (School Library Journal).

If you’d like to read more reviews, you can check them out on my website at www.francesengland.com

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: I would add more hours to the day (much of which would probably be reserved for sleep).

The Tuesday Ten: Honest Baby's Jill Besnoy

I love me an honest woman. And I definitely love me a snappy comeback for the plethora of unsolicited advice that the world seems to think we all want to listen to as moms.

So when I learned about Honest Baby, I fell in love. Here's a little refresher with my review. Jill Besnoy and her witty little baby/toddler/kid T-shirts are now a favorite of mine (and I really must find that "Not Sleeping Through the Night" T-shirt Buttercup must have shoved in her toy box!)

But before I get to the interview, Jill asked me to announce a discount code for my readers as a way of saying "thank you" for the great response we had to her product line. Just plug in code "berrie" for 20 percent off at checkout!

Read on to learn more about a berrie sweet mom-pranuer!

Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.: honestbaby.com celebrates imperfect parenting with informative articles, a panel of bloggers and no judgments. Our companion children’s t-shirt line has sassy slogans that poke fun at parenting stress.
When I was a new mother looking for support I found a lot of sites where parents criticized each other’s choices. When moms would share their stories they were made to fell like they were doing things “wrong”. I was looking for moms like me. Moms who made mistakes and found humor in the daily disasters. Not super moms spawning super children. I wanted to fill that gap, so I launched honestbaby.com. My goal was a website that would provide humor, community and most importantly, embrace imperfect parenting.

Q.: What sets your product apart from the rest? What's your "It" factor?
A.: I think we are in the midst of an anti-perfect parent moment. Most mothers are tired of the myth of the super mom and tired of being judged. honestbaby lets you leave those pressures behind and have a more realistic, fun approach to parenting.

Q.: What's the nitty-gritty on you!?? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: I’m just your basic mom living in the suburbs with her patient husband and two energetic boys (4 and 6) trying to run her own business. 37 years old. Live 10 minutes from where I grew up (I know, very daring). I was formerly in the glamorous industry of film and television. Gave it up for the world of parenting. I love travel, tennis, sailing, going to the movies and mostly just hanging with the family doing nothing.

Q.: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date?
A.: When I was dropping off my kindergartner at school, the bell rang and all the kids ran in. I looked around and my 3 year old who was just playing on the playground was gone. A group of parents and some teachers began to assist me in my search after hearing me yell his name for 5 minutes (seemed like an hour). The principal of the school happened to be outside and began looking too. As we ran towards the front of the school, she suggested maybe we should call the police. It was then that we found my son going number two on the base of the school’s flagpole. Needless to say, the principal was already aware of our family from my older son, this did not help matters.

Q.: Five words. Describe yourself. Go!
A.: Brilliant, gorgeous, daring, elegant, fascinating… Is this the imaginary portion of the interview?

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: Persistence. Just keep going. Even if you doubt yourself (which I did) work through it. Don’t give up. And surround yourself with a good support system, which should include positive people and reliable babysitting.

Q.: Why do you think your products hit home with moms amd families??
A.: Parents are tired of being told how to parent. There is no “right” way to raise a child. And the sooner we let go of that parenting stress the better. Everyone is just doing the best they can. It’s time to bring parenting back to where it belongs, humorous, enjoyable and most importantly realistic. Imperfect parenting is a concept that was long overdue.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: Well of course it was the great review on berrie sweet picks that really put us over the edge! Recently honestbaby was written up in Ad Age as leading the “anti-perfect mom brigade” and shortly after I was on FOX NEWS as a guest talking about the myth of perfect parenting. That was cool.

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: Easy question, the ability to stop time! I dream about it. First I would catch up on all my television shows, then organize all the closets, finally put my kids’ pictures into photo albums, then catch up on all my honestbaby work! Did I mention sleep for a week straight?

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: Definitely sneaky chef…I find it so much easier to trick my children then to win an argument. Actually my older one eats pretty well. It’s still a battle with my 4 year-old. Yesterday he refused to eat anything until about 1:00 in the afternoon! As they say, he’ll eat when he’s hungry.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: www.honestbaby.com Come join our community!

The Tuesday Ten: ERGObaby carrier's Karin Frost

I love babywearing.

If there is one thing that you've picked up about me, it should be that very fact. And since discovering the ERGObaby Carrier, I love it even more. You can see me wax poetic about the many wonderous qualities the Ergo posesses here, but read on for a great Tuesday Ten interview with Karin Frost, president and designer of the ERGObaby Carrier.

Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.: ERGObaby is a family-owned and operated company located in Maui, Hawaii. Our mission is to offer parents the most thoughtful, highest quality and most innovative baby carriers on the market

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your business/dream a reality?
A.: When I was pregnant in 2001, I was impressed by the Continuum Concept by Jean Liedoff and became convinced that carrying my baby was the best way to usher him into our world. I tried many different carrying devices, front packs, slings and backpacks. Each had its problems so I created a carrier that incorporated the elements necessary to carry my son for prolonged periods as his weight increased.

Q.: What sets your product or business apart from the rest? What's your "It" factor?
A.: I think that the ability to have a "hands free system" is our “It” factor. The baby can be carried in the front, back or hip position. We have an infant insert for newborns and the carriers can be used from infant through all the babywearing years. Our line of accessories complements the carrier’s versatility.

Q.: How did you come to decide to pursue your own business?
A.: As I began to develop the design, local parents would see me carrying my son and to ask me to make them a carrier. They in turn gave me feedback as I continued to perfect the design. I sewed the first 50 carriers myself before deciding to have them manufactured.

Q.: What's your favorite part of owning your business?
A.: Providing a carrier that allows parents to keep their babies close to their bodies and still have the flexibility of motion and use that so many of my peers were seeking. Educating parents about Babywearing, Attachment Parenting and related topics to improve the way our next generation of babies is introduced into the world.

Q.: Who's the brains behind the operation?
A.: My design background and creative ability is behind the company’s innovation and I am supported by committed customer service personnel and a dedicated staff that handles operations.

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: This is a daily challenge due to the fast paced growth of the company worldwide. Each day I have to carefully make choices that fill my personal needs, those of my son and my business. The business often takes priority and that is possible because my mother and father are principals in the business and live on the same property. I try to maintain a regular yoga practice and there is always a trip to the beach to reflect and reduce stress. I always take a family vacation once a year.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? What's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: Being selected in 2007 as one of Parenting Magazine’s Top 20 products of the last 20 years was a major highlight. We were also featured on the Today Show and the View.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: www.ergobaby.com Our website includes more than just our products. Take a look at the photo gallery, product reviews, many testimonials and educational articles.

Q.: Berrie Blast (read: final thoughts)
A.: I see the practice of babywearing continuing to grow as an integral part of parent’s childrearing years. I foresee that research will document the long term benefits for children’s bodies, minds and spirits as well as those of their parents. I believe that the children who are now being carried will grow up and have the incentive to carry their children and babywearing will become indigenous in our culture as it was in past history. As president and designer, I have focused on our commitment to serve this rapidly expanding movement.

Next up is the genius mom behind Fuzzi Bunz, so be sure to come back next Tuesday!

The Tuesday Ten: Go Baby's Robin Shane

I was introduced to Go Baby products when I was reviewing mom and kid products for a local magazine, and I've been in love ever since. And Go Baby showed me some lovin' in return when they came on board as my official sponsors for Buttercup's First Birthday Blog Bash back in June!

I get to return the favor now with my next Tuesday Ten edition.

Go Baby co-owner Robin Shane is a 36-year-old wife and mother of two, with an interesting background in costume designing for theatre, film and television. Read on to find out more.

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your business a reality?
A.: Not to butter her up, but I really need to thank my partner Gina for the encouragement to do this. I had great dreams for the business, but I had no know-how on what to do to start. Gina came along at the perfect time, and we moved forward from there! I also had great support from my father who had contacts for factories to make our first lines, the InMat and OutMat, so we were able to cut through the manufacturing obstacle very quickly. :)

Q.: How did you come to decide to pursue this type of business?
A.:I was a costume designer for 12 years before my first daughter was born. When she was born I had to give up that schedule because it didn't allow me to be home with her during my favorite times (dinner time, story and bedtime) so I needed a creative outlet somewhere. As an artist I am always brimming with a need to create, whether it's a quilt for home or a new product for the mass-market. Go Baby allows me to channel this creativity and also be home with my children.

Q.: What's your favorite part of owning your business?
A.: The ability to take my crazy creative ideas and make them a reality. Also, the ability to take a task, go through the steps, and then complete the job. So many aspects of mommyhood are so "go-with-the-flow," which is counterintitutative to my way of thinking - I love making lists and checking things off. With Go Baby I can design products that help me in my role as a mom, play with fabrics and color from my costume designer days and still be home for my girls - not to mention being a role model for them.

Q: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date?
A.: Oh, there are just too many...I guess the funniest I can think of right now is when I had gated my second daughter Miranda in her room while I took a shower...she was about a year old and was whining that I had fenced her in, but I had to get ready. Suddenly things got really quiet, and I went around the corner to check on her, and she was trying to eat a piece of poop (where it came from, who knows!?)...I immediately pulled it out, of course, but I just had to laugh. At least I know it was hers! I guess that's the difference between first and second kids- if it had been my first child doing it I think I would have run to the emergency room!

Q.: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: Wow, interesting question. I suppose it depends on the circumstance. With my kids and family, definitely half-full. With Go Baby, half-full. With myself, half-empty. I'm a pessimist by nature, but I'm lucky to be married to an optimist, so we even each other out.

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?
A.: A great husband, a great therapist, a great sense of humor, great friends, and when all else fails, a great anti-depressant.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.:Our products have been well received by both print and web blogs. Hybrid Mom, Baby Couture, TONYKids, offered some great reviews but what really matters to us are the mom bloggers who use the product in their everyday lives and praise the items in their blogs. To us it is a real testament to the work and love we have put into our products. Thanks to Berrie Sweet Picks for being the first to feature us!

Q.: The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: The best part of being a mom is watching these two little people experience the world and looking at it through their eyes. The wonder, the new experiences, the excitement about the simplest things. It's a great lesson in being present and living life in the moment. The hardest is when they have worries or hurts that I can't fix- my older daughter has minor physical disabilities and, as she gets older, kisses and songs won't be able to fix the difficulties she faces every day.

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: The ability to bend and stretch time- to bend it to shorten those long rainy afternoons with two stir-crazy kids, and the ability to stretch time so I could get more sleep and more work done!

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Turkey burgers, whole wheat rolls, french fries and salad. We eat at 6:00....c'mon over!

The Tuesday Ten: singer Danielle Sansone

Normally, I don't consider myself the startstruck-type, but that's because I don't usually interview the people I listen to on my iPod. So when I opened up my email to find Danielle Sansone's Tuesday Ten interview responses in my inbox, I about squealed like an idiot---and have not stopped smiling since!

In case you are new, or (gasp!) forgot, Danielle is the magic behind the "Two Flowers" CD (Azalea Records, $14.00) I reviewed here. Go ahead and take a peek for a quick refresher, but don't forget to head back here for a great interview with the singer I'm totally all Mommy-fan-gushing over right now.

Q.: So tell me a little about your CD and the inspiration behind it.
A.: I suddenly discovered that I was ready to write again, but initially I did not have any plans for which direction I wanted to go. But because being a parent has been such a huge part of my life for the past 8 years or so, I was not surprised that when I sat down at the piano it was these songs that, in a way, just tumbled out.

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your dream a reality?
A.: I was so fortunate to meet the producer Will Robertson when I did. I was carrying some of these songs around for a while, trying to decide what to do with them. When my path crossed with Will's, I trusted his talent and his approach right away. Trust was a great place to begin.

Q.: I hear the DNA for musical talent runs in your family. Would you mind sharing?
A.: I was definitely fortunate to grow up in a home that celebrated music. My mom is an amazing vocalist, mostly jazz and a little blues. My paternal grandmother was a vocalist as well, and had a celebrated radio show in New Orleans in the early 50's--singing mainly standards. My brother, Pat Sansone, who also lends his talents to 'Two Flowers', knew from an early age that he wanted to spend his life in music. He now spends most of musical time as a member of the alt country icon Wilco.

Q.: What's your favorite of composing lyrics and singing for children?
A.: I love it when a parent comes up to me and tells me how their child loves to sing along to a certain song, or that they find them humming a certain tune all day, or that a parent loves to listen even without the kids around.
I am also facinated by the variety of favorites. I think it's wonderful and amazing how music can speak differently to each one of us--how it can help support existing connections, or even spark new ways to connect to one another.

Q.: Are those your daughters singing with your on the "Two Flowers" CD?
A.: Yes, Aria and Ava Rose. I took them into the studio one afternoon so they could see where I had been spending so much time. I asked them if they wanted to bring their instruments along as well. We ended up with The Sleepy Mile. Aria was excited to experiment, and Will persuaded Ava to sing into the microphone by promising her some playtime with his cat. It was a fun afternoon.

Q.: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: What's in the glass? Water, milk, wine?

Q.: Why do you think your CD hits home with moms and kids
A.: Well, when we got started with this record, we made sure that we weren't going to think too much about who the record was for. Was it for kids, was it for adults, was it for adults with kids? We just wanted to let the songs take us where we needed to go with them--without a specific listener in mind. I like to think that both kids and parents are just responding to its honesty.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: I absolutely adore what you said in your review, "If the love a mother has for her child could be described as a sound, it would be Danielle Sansone's CD." That put a really big smile on my face, so thank you!

Q.: Five more words: Describe my blog. (shameless, I know. But that is why you love me.)
A.: fun, smart, informative, cutting-edge, pink (I thought if was so bold of you to change the 'Two Flowers' cover art to match your blog!)

Q.: The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: Best part--the hugs. Hardest--seeing your child in pain.

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: I would love to have the ability to stay completely present and totally focused on the moment at all times--no matter who I am with.

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Veggie tacos and we'd love to have you--6:00 p.m. Please bring Buttercup!

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: You can always visit me at www.daniellesansone.com . 'Two Flowers' is also available through www.pokeypup.com , www.cdbaby.com and itunes.

Q.: Berrie Blast (read: final thoughts)
A.: Thank you Pauline for getting in touch. I am honored to be a berrie sweet pick!!

Danielle is wonderful, isn't she? Yeah, I'm totally mom-crushin'!

Oh, and "Two Flowers" officially debuts on September 23, so get your credit card out and order one. You can thank me later.

Don't forget to visit next week for my Tuesday Ten interview with Robin Shane, co-owner of Go Baby!

The Tuesday Ten: Circle of Sentiments' Jamie Dadant

It's time for my newest Tuesday Ten interview with Jamie Dadant from Circle of Sentiments. Remember the way cute Classic Mommy Necklace I reviewed here? I absolutely love this necklace, and wear it all the time!

Don't forget that Jamie is offering my readers a 10 percent discount at checkout
with code "circle 10"!

Jamie took a few moments to tell us a little bit about herself, her company, and even invited me over for dinner. Read on to find out more.

Q: So tell me a little about Circle of Sentiments and the inspiration behind it.
A.: Circle of Sentiments offers an extensive collection of personalized hand stamped jewelry. Perfect for any proud mama, our "mommy jewelry" is custom made with children’s names, initials or favorite phrases.
I always wanted to have my own business. The inspiration for taking action came after I quit my corporate job to be a stay at home mom. I started my first business, an online baby boutique. One of the many items sold on my site was a line of hand stamped jewelry that I made. Due to the demand and popularity of the hand stamped necklaces, I decided to switch my focus to just jewelry. And thus, Circle of Sentiments was developed.

Q: What's the nitty-gritty on you!?? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: As of today, I’m 30. Come tomorrow, I’m 31 (Happy Birthday to me!). I love being a mom, wife, homemaker, business owner, etc. It all suits my personality so well.

Q.: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date?
A.: Oh my gosh, I don’t know how I can choose just one! Ok, this just happened recently, so it’s still fresh in my mind.
I was out to dinner with my family, and I took my 3 year old son to use the bathroom. As we were washing our hands, another lady next to us came to the sink and quickly rinsed her hands. She went to grab a paper towel to dry her hands when my son starts yelling “you forgot to use soap!”. It was very embarrassing!

Q: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: Half full. And, usually half full of wine.

Q: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: I need more hands for all the different directions I get pulled in.

Q.: Who's the brains behind the operation?
A.: I am. As of right now, my business is still a one-woman operation.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink
wink*!)
A.: Aside from the obviously cool berrie sweet press that we’ve received, we’ve also worked with many great online sites that have done reviews of our products. Coming up, we were also invited by Mini Me Baby Gear/ Hot Moms Club to participate in a baby shower that is being hosted for Alison Sweeney (host of biggest loser/ soap star).

Q.: Five words. Describe yourself. go!
A.: Organized, Neurotic, Loving, Passionate, Silly

Q.: The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: Best part is watching my boys grow up. It amazing to see how much they change everyday. Oh, and I really like the snuggling too!
Hardest part is balance. It’s a constant challenge to try and balance my time between family and work.

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: We are barbequing…. Come on over. My boys would love to play with Buttercup!

Don't forget to stop back for next Tuesday's interview with the woman behind my fave baby carrier, the Ergo!

The Tuesday Ten: Ma! Motherhood with an Attitude's Janalee Chmel

Remember the hilarious Ma! Motherhood with an Attitude contest and review I did here? Well, hold on to your seats because I've got a great Tuesday Ten interview with Janalee Chmel, the writing half of the hot mammas duo! Read on for some mom-pranuer insights and laughs.

Q.: So tell me a little about your company and the inspiration behind it.
A.: When my daughter, Delaney, was about 6 months old, I became really frustrated by the lack of greeting cards that expressed what I was going through. All the stuff out there seemed to be way off the mark. It’s like all the card companies out there were in a conspiracy to make motherhood look easy… it’s like the June Cleaver image of wife-hood. All the items were pastel, contained cute ducks, and talked only about the deep joy. While I was experiencing profound joy, I was also experiencing a huge shift in priorities, isolation, confusion and frustration. So, I started writing the greeting cards I wanted to receive! However, I am about as artistic as a mop so, for years, I sought a partner who was artistic and shared my sense of humor. Enter (business partner)Tiffany!

Q: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your business a reality?
A.:I must say that this little biz never would have gotten off the ground without the incredible synergy that Tiffany and I share. We not only complement each other, but we honor and respect our different approaches to business and art. The result has meant that we can tackle many different projects and goals simultaneously. We use every inch of our left brains and our right brains! If I had to slog through this alone, I guarantee it would be moth-balled by now. That’s not to say it’s EASY! Being mothers, freelancers AND entrepreneurs is incredibly challenging. To that end, we also allow pause in our business for when motherhood and life become overwhelming. In that way, I think, we are able to maintain forward momentum!

Q.: Your products tell it like it is for moms everywhere. It's kind of like the crap-filter is turned and the writing on your products is just so honest and funny! Where do you get your ideas?
A.: THE CRAP FILTER IS TURNED OFF! I LOVE THAT! Well, my muses are clearly my children, but I also get a lot of ideas from other moms. I also see stuff that makes me mad (perfect parenting propaganda) and I try to write about the opposite – such as the joy of imperfect mothering!

Q.: The pictures are priceless...tell me how you decide which to use on your stuff.
A.:I’d really love Tiffany to answer this one, too, because she’s so incredible at matching words, art, and photos. I must say, though, that asking moms everywhere to send us their best shots really inspires us. Of course, we get some photos that are precious but just not “ma!” and we can’t use those. However, we get some that make us bark out loud with laughter and sometimes we figure out ways to use them. Ultimately, our goal is to always let our customers (fellow moms) be PART of who we are. We will never be some big, glam, aloof card and gift company because our very business model requires that we stay in the nitty gritty with our mom customers! We need them! We ARE our market!

Q.: Okay, back to the sayings...We've all seen what made it past the cutting board stages. Share a few gems that got ditched.
A.:Oh, good question! Let me go back to my files… Here’s one that we may still use (All our work is copyrighted, folks!) We want to celebrate MOMS on their kids’ birthdays, so we may do a line of cards for moms that celebrate THEIR accomplishments on their kids’ birthdays. Here’s one: (outside) It’s your baby’s birthday! (inside) Today, we celebrate the day that destroyed your sleep forever.

This is just a quip I wrote to myself about carpooling:
“Carpooling: A world in which she who owns the biggest car has the most ‘best friends.’
She who owns the four-seater hybrid is the social equivalent of a high school theater geek.”

We plan to cover just about every phase of motherhood, from birth to empty nesting. One mom said, “You need to do a card for Motherhood after Menopause!” I loved that.


Q.: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date? A.:Seriously? I think the whole damn thing is a laugh riot if you tilt your head the right way!

Q.:The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: I think those two go hand-in-hand. The harder something is, the more I value it. Of course, it ain't hard to get snuggles and that may be my very favorite part of mothering. I just dig snuggles!

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: Hormone Eraser! I fear the teenage years with two daughters!

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: Eat those veggies now. Totally. And guess what? My girls LOVE salads!

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Penne pasta with grilled chicken, pinon nuts, and cherry tomatoes. You may come over if you bring wine!

And there you have it! And in case I forgot to post this already because my head is up my wahoo I've been so busy, let me get you all in on the sweet 10 percent off code for Berrie Sweet Picks readers over at ma! Just enter code "berriesweet."

Who's up for my next Tuesday Ten? I'll let you know as soon as I do!

The Tuesday Ten: Mom 4 Life's Heather Ledoboer

Welcome to the first Tuesday Ten at Berrie Sweet Picks!
I have come across so many wonderful mom-invented products that I thought it only fitting to learn more about the moms behind the ideas. My hope is to make this a weekly feature, and I hope you all enjoy!

My first Tuesday Ten interview is with Mom4Life owner Heather Ledoboer. She's got one of the hottest online mom shops around, and so far, has had products featured on Berriesweet Picks here and here.
Read on to learn more!

Q:So tell me a little about your company and the inspiration behind it.
A: Mom 4 Life is an online retail website that focuses on unique products for moms and their children. We offer over 900 of these products and 100% of them are mom invented. It was inspired by my desire to be able to work from home so that I could have more time with my children.

Q: What sets your product or business apart from the rest? What's your "It" factor?
A: My focus is on doing hundreds of little, but important things, very well. Things such as free shipping with no minimum order to all US locations, free gift wrapping, excellent customer service and 24-48 hour order processing are certainly great, but what I like most about Mom 4 Life is that every product on our site is mom invented! We also feature the story and photo of the mom behind the product with almost every product description!

Q: How did you come to decide to open a shop showcasing mom-invented products?
A: When I had my first child 5 years ago, I started discovering how many products were missing from the big box stores that were not only unique but useful. I wanted to offer a place for these “new to the market” products to be found by the moms that needed them.

Q: What's your favorite part of running your boutique?
A: I enjoy talking business with the mom owners of the products I sell and I love communicating with the moms who shop from Mom 4 Life and read the Mom 4 Life blog. Lastly, I love being able to offer support to moms in need through 10% of our proceeds.

Q: Who's the brains behind the operation?
A: Although the idea started within my brain, I was encouraged to act on my idea by my husband (thank you honey). I also am now blessed to have an amazing team of women that help keep Mom 4 Life running while also allowing me to still be a stay at home mommy! You can take a peek at this lovely bunch of ladies on our About Us page where you will also find a 3 minute YouTube video where we impersonate the TV sitcom, The Office.

Q: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A: I am definably a glass half full type of girl. In general I am laid back and can handle stressful situations without “losing it”. This usually works to my advantage however one time I hired someone that ended up showing up late on her first day, taking off early and then skipped a day of work unannounced to visit her boyfriend in the next state (all in her first week). I had to learn quickly that I maybe shouldn’t look at everyone with my rose colored glasses on!


Q: Why do you think your products hit home with moms?
A: Moms trust other moms. If a product was invented by a mom, it often is worth considering. I think moms also enjoy knowing that they are buying products that moms created and in the process are supporting moms in businesses rather than some large corporation.

Q: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A: Oh you mean besides this awesome interview!?? It was a goal of mine to get on TV and I had a feature on KUSI TV in San Diego and KGTV (also in San Diego) a few years ago. It was really fun to see that goal realized (and a little scary too)! Just recently, I was informed that Mom 4Life was voted the “Best Online Baby Store” by the readers of Pregnancy & Newborn magazine. This was a huge honor, not only because it was through the votes of moms but because Babies R Us was listed in the same category as Mom 4 Life and we got more votes!

Q: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A: Laid back yet involved with a desire to be well informed. I do my best to stay current on things such as products that are PBA and paraben free but yet I am also known to let my kids have a few minutes of fun playing in the snow barefoot (hey, you only live once right?).

Q: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A: Yes come on over! Papa Murphys pizza is in the oven. I am really blessed because my husband is very involved in the everyday parts of our home. It is very common that he will be the one getting dinner ready which gives me a little extra time to answer some emails before the end of the day.

Next up is Janalee from Ma! Motherhood with Attitude! Read her interview next Tuesday.

Berries Says Sunday: Searching for my winners...

Hello all!

It's been a crazy weekend for me, but I'm still wishing it wasn't over yet! In any case, I'm here to make a few announcements, and hopefully get a response from one of my contest winners!

First things first: I am starting a new feature on here called "Berrie's Tuesday Ten" where I'll be bloggy interviewing independent online business owners (and maybe a few cool parent-bloggers for good measure). Questions will be funny, on-point, and make you want to come back for more!(I hope...)

I hope to publish the first interview soon, and will gladly take any suggestions for who you think should go next!

Another reason for this post is my desperate search for a response from divrchk , who won the contest here for the Mircroplane Foot File! While I posted the information on PRIZEY, as I stated in the original post, I have not yet heard from this lucky lady, and got nil on an email query as well.

Now, before anyone starts grumbling about my 4-day rule, keep in mind that this contest ran BEFORE I implented that. So in all fairness, Divrchk really has the rest of time to get back to me, but we're going to be realistic here.

If you are reading this, Divrchk, or someone who knows you has stopped by, the time is now 12:46 a.m. on Sunday night, EST. I am giving you until 12:46 a.m. EST on Tueasday night to email me at pm.lupercio@gmail.com with your info so I can get your prize out. After that, all bets are off and I go back and randomly pick a new winner.

(And while I'm at it, Keep it classy, Jen! has two more days to get in touch with me for the Fine Art of Family necklace!:) :) :)

This also brings me to PRIZEY itself. I post winners names there to make things easier on myself (no hunting for winner's email addresses or beating my head against a wall!) and on the winners (one stop shopping for tons of contests and a simple way to check on all the ones you entered!) for a reason. PLEASE do me the favor of checking that site and getting back to me in the alotted amount of time. Providing your email address in your comments also will save me a huge headache an allow me the time to get to posting my next contest (and working, and playing with Buttercup, and blah, blah, blah...)

I'm also going to run a list of winners on the left hand side of the blog, but that still means you need to do your homework and check back to see if you won!

And that four day rule? As much as I don't like to be a (insert choice name here)about it, but I have implented that rule for my sanity and for the fairness of all who enter my contests. So four days means just that. I'll post winners to PRIZEY, try to email you, and then wait. And yes, I will have already contacted a new winner by the fifth day.

So there ya go! I'll be back soon with more reviews and contests, but for now, it's time to pick some new winners and get to bed before Buttercup wakes up!