Maternity Leave Over!

Greetings and happy new year!

I’m happy to say that sophie says go! is back from maternity leave and excited about 2008 and the spring season that is just around the corner.

I’ve been very busy taking care of my two little bundles of joy, but in spare moments I’m doing what I can to get things working again.

I’ve got plenty of inventory in most styles, so head on over to my Etsy shop and check out the bags to see if something interests you.

In the upcoming weeks, I’m planning on posting frequently, so please check back on the blog to see what is going on.

*New* Butterfly Pouch Now for Sale

Happy Tuesday!

I just wanted to let you know that I have posted a new product to my Etsy shop, the Butterfly Pouch in Coffee. This pouch, which can be used as a make-up bag or just as a tool for organization in your larger bag.

These pouches feature a silk-screened butterfly in blue on brown fabric. Each pouch measures 7" x 5" x 1.5" and holds quite a lot. The pouches are made of the same 100% cotton fabric as all of the sophie says go! bags, and are completely lined, with a zipper closure.

Pouches are $15.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

I've been attempting to refocus my attentions over the past week on my goals for my fall designs. Honestly, I've been having mixed results... I am finding it pretty challenging just getting through some days. My little babies must each weigh over a pound now. It seems like my belly is growning daily! Only a few more weeks to go, and I'll be out of the second trimester and into the home stretch. It seems like 1) a lot of time to go, 2) no time at all, and 3) there is A LOT to do prior to having these babies!

At any rate, today I thought I'd share with you the 10 things that make me happy, at least right now. Here's my list, in no particular order:

Isabella Oliver maternity clothes: these clothes are pricy but very worth it for polished pieces that look great, and are great quality. I'm looking forward to wearing mine not only now, but after I have the babies as well. They are some of the few things that don't make me feel like a giant sack of potatoes. As a small business model, the company is pretty inspiring as well. Founded by two women, they have seen their sales grow exponentially since they opened.

Cubis 2 on my iPod: there are days (or parts of days) where I can't really do anything beyond sitting on the sofa, hoping that I'll be able to sleep and feel better. Cubis has been terrifically fun for my "sick" days; it keeps my my mind occupied and engaged but at the same time, doesn't require any higher functioning. It's the perfect zone-out for me since we've turned off our Direct TV (that's right, no TV).

Harry Potter: I'm a big fan, what can I say? I saw the latest movie (of course), and have just begun to re-read 6 prior to starting 7, which I picked up yesterday. Once I've finished book 7, where to go from there? I'll probably re-read The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman, in anticipation of the movie release in December. How realistic is it to think that I can go see a movie in December, having just had the babies in November?

Twitter: This cool website allows you to post brief messages about where you are/what you are doing, and read posts of other people that you choose to follow. Right now it's a great way to feel connected with my friend Stacy, who just moved to England, and who I miss.

Mephisto Hadassa sandles: Yes, they are crunchy granola. Yes, they are the sandle favored by my mother. But they are also the only sandles right now that really feel good on my feet as I'm lumbering around with two little babies inside of me, so I LOVE THEM.

Tums: You got it, another pregnancy friend. Heartburn has been my constant companion these past five and a half months, and these help me to deal with it. My favorite flavor is Tums Smoothies in Assorted Fruit flavor. Yum? Not exactly, but does the trick and provides heaps of calcium to boot.

Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss in Swizzle: Not a new color or product, but a favorite, and for a something that you can pick up at the drug store, it's pretty great. Glossy without being sticky.

Bliss Beauty Products: I have large pores and typically somewhat oily skin, and these products have my skin completely breakout free. I'm particularly fond of the Steep Clean line.

So, that's my list. Yes, I realize that it's actually eight things that make me happy, not ten things that make me happy, but why quibble over details?

What things make you happy?

Sites that link to me...

A few weeks ago, my husband sent me an e-mail with sites that linked to my blog. I was pretty excited to see that some people were actually out there reading it, as well as checking out my site on Etsy.

He sent me the following links:

esdesignsjewelry.com

www.ibabuzz.com

iloveindie.blogspot.com

ES Designs creates beautiful and delicate jewelry that draws inspiration from nature, using various metals and semi-precious stones.

Ibabuzz is a blog for the San Francisco Gate (website for the San Francisco Chronicle). Dino Ray Ramos, the fashion blogger, mentioned sophie says go! in his write-up of the spring Appel and Frank Show.

And finally, iloveindie.blogspot.com is a blog dedicated to indie designers. It's a great showcase of the many fun and beautiful things that are out there.

Check these websites out!

News of My Demise is Greatly Exaggerated

After almost four months of silence, I'm back! What has been going on, you may ask? Many things, the most all-consuming of which is that my husband and I are expecting, due in November. We're very excited, but I must say that being pregnant has been pretty much my sole focus until recently.

I have been doing a few things business related, however. In early June, I had a trunk show at the Charles Schwab offices, which was a great opportunity to meet new folks and sell some bags. I've been connecting with other business owners at the Rennaisance Business Center in San Francisco. And finally, I'm working on a fall collection right now, which will be carried at Relish At Home, as well as online. As I develop the collection, I'll be sure to include pictures.

Until next time!

Spring Into Style (Appel and Frank Show)

On Saturday, I participated in my first shopping event, Appel and Frank's "Spring Into Style." I had attended these shows in the past as a shopper, and it was a great learning experience to be at the show as a vendor. Getting ready for the show started weeks before, but nevertheless, I found myself working furiously on Friday to get ready. My list of things to do included getting all product together, filling out and attaching hangtags, making signage, and putting together my list of supplies. Fortunately, Tim came home early to help me. Without his help, I never would have gotten ready in time (and gotten any sleep). As it was, we got to bed late, but I felt ready to go on Saturday morning! It reminded me of every show prep that I've ever done in the past.

(One of my jobs in the past was selling and training people to use computer software. Part of my responsibilities included going to several trade shows a year, and all involved a mad dash to get ready hours before we had to go, regardless of how well prepared we were.)

I was very lucky in that I had a friend who had agreed to help me. Jen arrived on schedule at 9am, and once we had the call loaded, it was into the city to get set up. Everything went smoothly, and we spent the next couple of hours getting the booth set up and getting ourselves familiarized with procedures for taking credit cards and checks (I am set up to take Visa and MC now). The nice people at Appel and Frank had provided bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, which was great.

After that, it was just manning the booth, answering questions, and making sales! It was very exciting to see people respond to the bags and to get feedback about what they liked. I recieved many positive comments about the designs. It was very fun and rewarding to actually sell my bags to people. Several friends turned out to support me at the show, which was really great as well.This was the first time that I'd attended a show during the day (the previous Appel and Frank shows that I'd been to had been in the evening), and the traffic for the show was lighter than I'd experienced at previous shows. Still, there were still quite a few people there, and I was really excited to see my friend Saralynn at the show. She was a sponsor, and was there selling her beautiful and delicious cupcakes. The name of her company is That Takes the Cake. I think I was her first customer that day... yum!

I also met some really nice people towards the end of the day that I'm looking forward to getting to know better. Joy, of Joy O jewelry designs was not selling at this event, but will be at the next Appel and Frank Show. Kelly introduced herself, and I'm looking forward to checking out her store, Relish at Home.

All in all, I would say that it was a success, and I'm looking forward to the next one (whatever that may be)!

New Bags Have Arrived

I've been very busy getting ready for the Appel and Frank show on Saturday, but I wanted to get some pictures up of the new bags that I've got ready to go. It will be a few days still until I get these latest bags added to my Etsy shop, but if anyone is interested in purchasing any of these bags, please contact me via e-mail.

New Market Totes





Details:

Cost: $85
• Hand silk-screened
• Made of heavy-weight cotton
• Lined with our 100% cotton signature stripe
• Roomy enough to accommodate everything that you need to get through your day (18Wx11Hx5D)
• 10 inch strap length
• Five external pockets and interior zip pocket
• Made in the United States
• Dry clean only

New Pocket Totes


Details:

Cost: $125

• Hand silk-screened
• Made of heavy-weight cotton
• Lined with our 100% cotton signature stripe
• Magnetic snap closure
• Roomy enough to accommodate everything that you need to get through your day (12Wx8Hx4.5D)
• 9.5 inch strap length
• Five external pockets and interior zip pocket
• Made in the United States
* Dry clean only

New Cosmetic Pouches



Details:

Cost: $20

• Hand silk-screened
• Made of heavy-weight cotton
• Lined with our 100% cotton signature stripe
• Zipper closure
• Perfect for lip gloss, pens, or other small items (7Wx5Hx1D)
• Made in the United States