Tickled Pink Magazine's Latest Edition

I have been fortunate enough to write for a great local magazine here in Columbus called "Tickled Pink". It is nice to have a piece of reading material to go to for references in your own city geared towards women!

Moms Tips & Tots Trends are the articles I contribute to. The fall issue features "Nursery Know-How, Part 1 Cribs", Trick or Treat 2008, and "Top 2008 Children's Costumes". Please view the new issue at http://digital.watkinsprinting.com/subscriptionfee.php?magazineid=1508_4

First Review For Peekaboo Picks

I just did my first review for the online magazine Peekaboo Picks. I am so excited to be a part of this, you have no idea. Considering the fact that I love baby gear, this is right up my alley!! Check it out at http://www.peekaboopicks.com/category/product-blog/ and don't forget to sign up for their newsletter :)

"Your Pregnancy & Yours Baby's First Year " Blue Ribbon of Approval

Ladies, as you search the local book stores for the perfect reading material to walk you through your pregnancy and the first year of baby's life, I am here to tell you, your search is over.

Your Pregnancy week by week & Your Baby's First Year week by week, written by Glade B. Curtis, M.D. and Judith Schuler, M.S. is a comprehensive and reliable week by week guide to answer all questions you may have about the mysteries of pregnancy and babies.

Their site is very infomative with nutrition and exercise tips, ovulation calendars, and due date predictors.

Visit their site at http://www.yourpregnancybook.com/

"My Plate Mate" Blue Ribbon of Approval

On September 3rd, My Plate-Mate made an appearance on the Today Show with Donny Deutch, WOW! Michele Wong and Paige Akabane designed an amazing product for toddlers to eat with success, not mess.

"The mission of My Plate-Mate is to offer clients a unique self-feeding product. As a learning tool, My Plate-Mate assists in promoting independence and self confidence in all users no matter their age or limitation. Michele and Paige understand the importance and joy that comes from being able to share a meal with family and friends. My Plate-Mate will bring back this positive dining experience and eliminate the frustration and mess."

As a mom of a 4 year old, I know where the majority of the food ends up, on the floor and not in the mouth.

They also promote this product for the elderly that have difficulty with decreased or loss of vision, poor motor control, poor coordination, tremors, poor postural control, decreased range of motion. They are definately thinking out of the box!!

Michele and Paige, good luck with this product, it is GREAT!!! Check out their site at http://www.myplate-mate.com/

Peekaboo Picks Picks Blue Skye Baby

"Peekaboo Picks is a free online magazine featuring fabulous finds for hip moms. Started in early 2007 by a mother and writer, Megan Thomas, the magazine is becoming a quick favorite amongst hip mamas everywhere. "

Megan has asked me to be one of their product researchers for their magazine. I am so honored to be a part of their staff and trying out new products for parents and baby is right up my alley!

Check out the site for great information, http://www.peekaboopicks.com/

Blue Skye Baby In The News!!

Blue Skye Baby along with other fellow baby planners was featured in the Chicago Tribune, August 3rd, titled, "Having A Baby? You May Need a Plan." Jody Cohen did an amazing job explaining what a baby planner is and how we can help expecting and veteran parents. Also, one of my clients, Mandy Carter, was featured in the article. Thanks Mandy!!

This is great for the baby planning industry. The more we can spread the news, the more parents can get the help they need and deserve!

"The Queen Bee Paper Company" Blue Ribbon of Approval

July had been busy for picnics, swimming, and smores, I am sure you all know what that is like :) Here is the August pick from BSB.

Queen Bee offers an array of personalized stationery, notepads, invitations, and announcements for those special moments in life.

"We strive to design personalized stationery and notepads that are fun, hip and stylish for your everyday correspondence. We also have gift tags, calling cards, address labels and greeting cards. Our designs are made for babies, children of all ages, adults and especially families."

Jackie & Stephanie have it going on for designing hip and stylish stationery for the modern mom. My favorite are the mommy calling cards, especially for play dates. I use their notepads for my gift bundle.

Please view their website at http://www.thequeenbeepapercompany.com/

Blue Skye Baby is a "Mama's Pick"

I received an email today from Posh Cravings, and Blue Skye Baby was picked for one of the Red Ribbon Mama Pick's of the week. What an honor!

Posh Cravings is a content-focused website presented to stylish moms and mamas-to-be by the creators of http://www.poshtots.com/

Sydney, Isabelle, Allie, & Eliza pride themselves on presenting only the finest selections (the “Picks”) to their subscribers every week, with topics including luxury fashion, furnishings, travel, relationships, parenting and fitness.


Thanks again ladies for keeping it real. Please view their site at http://www.poshcravings.com/

"Baby & Child Restoration Hardware" Blue Ribbon of Approval

Move over Pottery Barn Kids, Restoration Hardware has opened up Baby & Child, their new addition. No pun intended :)

I received their catalog the other day and I love, love, love their monochromatic designs. Don't get me wrong, Pottery Barn Kids put nursery & juvenile interior design on the map 9 years ago, but it is always nice to have new options.

Their website if very easy to navigate and RH plans to launch their Baby & Child Collection in a select number of stores beginning in November 2008.

What I thought convenient was that you can easily transform the nursery to toddler/juvenile with not much thought. Everything matches which makes it nice for easy transition.

View their website at http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/ Contact BSB for more helpful design hints!!

"Good Pails To Have" Blue Ribbon of Approval

Sorry for being late. Summer vacation, summer camps, and baseball, oh my. Mom's, you know the drill. You are excited for a break in the routine, but where is the break? Now we are just busy and sweaty :) Enough of the martyrdom, let's talk about products!

"Creator Elexis Bringman started making fabric-wrapped pails for her children's toys when she realized the toy box was never being opened. The kids liked having their toys out where they were easy to grab. These versatile and fun pails were the perfect solution for keeping stuff with lots of parts all together. Elexis knew how practical the idea was and thought many others would love this simple storage solution. With the loving support of her husband Eric, Good Pails to Have was established."

I use her pails for my BSB gift bundles and to hold my brochures for advertising purposes. They are "perfectly" designed and adorable.

Check out all the amazing fabrics at http://www.gooodpailstohave.com/

HiTechMommy "Blue Ribbon of Approval"

What can I say, Cat Schwartz is the "bomb". For Baby Planners, she is a wealth of information in regards to hi-tech gadgets for parents. She is on the fore front of all that is new in the baby industry and she is hilarious!

"She has appeared on The Today Show, Howard Stern, CNBC, MSNBC, Tyra, Live with Regis and Kelly, InStyle, and in Stuff."

I have had the great pleasure to speak with her and she is very cool. What can I say, I am a big fan:)

"Catherine Schwartz is one of the foremost tech experts in the country. She is widely known for her electric commentary on the hottest gadgets and how to use them. As The HiTechMommy and eBay Gadget Director, Schwartz educates consumers on the wide breadth and depth of consumer electronics in an approachable way."

Check out her site at http://www.hitechmommy.com/ Thanks Cat for your great insight!

Ontray "Blue Ribbon of Approval"

Parents of all ages, here is the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion, "Ontray", designed by Laura Hamrick, a mompreneur & good friend. Actually, I bought this great invention before I introduced myself to Laura and the rest is history.

"The great thing about this product, other than it makes shopping with your young children a little more enjoyable, is that it is multifunctional. It can be used as a container for your coupons, a shopping list and a small calculator. OnTrayTM stores easily in a diaper bag or purse. There's no reason to carry more than one container of food for your children. It's the perfect tray for a shopping cart! "

Go to http://www.ontray2go.com/ to definately purchase this great new product for your trip to the market!

Check back on May 15th where I will feature a new store, site, or service!!

"The Dripsicle"

I have to be the proud mom for a moment. My son, Austin, won the "Invention Convention" for the 3rd grade in his school. He will now go to the next level and compete against children in the city.

The Dripsicle was invented when he would watch his parents cringe when Brock, his younger brother, would eat a popsicle on the carpet. My husband asked if they made clear popsicles, yea, they're called ice cubes :) So he designed a product that allows his brother to eat a popsicle with no dripping. Yea for mom and dad!!

I will keep you posted on the success of "The Dripsicle". Happy dripping!!

Yes, Real Moms do Rock !!!

Cena & Natalie in our home town of Columbus, Ohio and of our college "The Ohio State University", Go Bucks!!, have started a chat room for local and traveling moms called, Real Moms Rock.

"Once we became moms, we decided to retire from our careers in education and stay home with our babies. We got together for our weekly playdates so the kids could interact, have some fun and wear each other out. Meanwhile we would chat (and sometimes vent) about the daily happenings of motherhood - everything from the newest baby fashion and baby gear to what to cook for dinner tonight. We wished we could get together more often as there is always so much to discuss. Because of that, the idea of what is now RealMomsRock was born. We believe that a mom's greatest resource is other moms!"

Laura Hamrick from http://www.ontray2go.com/ and I met with Cena the other day for an amazing brunch and I will speak for both of us, this concept is amazing and we promote Real Moms Rock!!

Cena & Natalie have cornered the market on what hip moms want to talk about in the buckeye state. They have been generous enough to ask Blue Skye Baby to be their "Resident Baby Planner", an honor for me! Check us out at the beginning of every week for "Ask the Baby Planner". We will be answering questions about what "Real Moms" want to know.

Thanks again and check them out at http://www.realmomsrock.com/

New Born Mom "Blue Ribbon of Approval"

Wonderful "new" friends, no pun intended, the company name of NewBornMom, Fernanda and Aliette, founded an amazing concept.

"Two newborn moms ourselves wanting modern and environmentally safe essentials for our babies, but feeling too overwhelmed between late-night feedings and fast-paced careers to spend hours looking for these products….we decided to take matters into our own hands. In the summer of 2007 NewBornMom was born. Our online boutique specializes in 100% eco-friendly and trendy products for Baby, Mom and Dad. All products have been carefully selected for their environmentally safe makeup, responsible manufacturing (none of the products are made with child labor or in sweatshops), and mod designs. "

They are an amazing "momma team" and "mompreneurs". Love your concept and your friendship!! Please look them up at http://www.newbornmom.com/ . Blue Skye Baby clients will get (1 FREE gift of their choice, not to exceed $25, when they sign-up for their Baby Registry). Mention code: NBM/BSB!

Mom's Morning Show

On April 8th, I was invited to be on the Mom's Morning Show with Kelly McCausey. Their topic for the week was Evaluating Business Ideas: Good, Bad or Just Plain Ugly? She and her cohosts were delightful and the segment was very informative.

I felt I was met with a bit of resistance at the beginning of the show, but the audience had very informative questions and I hope I was able to answer to the best of my knowledge and expertise. Towards the end, they were in agreement that Baby Planners are a nice compliment to planning for baby.

Baby Planning is such a new concept, it can sometimes be met with some resistance, but you will notice, those of us who are committed to promoting this great industry are very passionate about helping expectant and veteran parents. Being able to make their lives less stressful during an exciting time means we have done our job as Baby Planners.

Kelly, thank you for having me on your show, I truly appreciated the opportunity. Ladies, please listen to Mom's Talk Radio, Monday thru Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST at http://www.momsmorningshow.com/

Pinxav "Blue Ribbon of Approval"

Testing out new products to educate ourselves and parents is a big part of baby planning. I would have to say that is one of the most exciting things for me , finding out what is new in the baby industry.

With that being said, I am going to feature a new product on the first of every month. Educating the parents is a way we can give back all of the knowledge we have compiled in our lengthy searches to make life easier for the expectant or seasoned parent.

OK, here it goes, "PINXAV". It is actually pronounced pink salve and is the most amazing diaper rash cream. I know I said I would talk about a new product, but this ointment was introduced in 1927 and used on my bottom back in 19 whatever and all cousins in between. The oldest cousin is 43, so you do the math.

Along with treating diaper rash in a short amount of time, it also aids in treating sunburn, poison ivy, chaffed skin, heat rash, bug bites, etc.

You can order it from most pharmacies or at http://www.pinxav.com/. It comes in a 16 oz. tub and a 4 oz. tube for diaper bag. As stated by the name, it is bright bubble gum pink.

To apply, I put a wipe over my fingers (not to get it under my nicely manicured nails) and apply to the affected area, and presto, no more rash!!

If you have a product, site, store or service you would like Blue Skye Baby to consider for the "Blue Ribbon of Approval", please contact us at mailto:winfo@blueskyebaby.com.

Check back on April 15th where I will feature a new store, site, or service!!

"Push Presents"

Did anyone see the "According To Jim" episode on Wednesday night? They were talking about the new pregnancy must have , "Push Presents."

Whoever invented "Push Presents" obviously invented "Sweetest Day," quoted by my very "funny" husband.

I am a big proponent of the push present, having two children, neither of the deliveries easy (not their fault of course, and they were the best push presents of all, but...) I could have looked forward to Tiffany, David Yurman, or just a "small" upgrade to name a few... Although, I can not throw my husband under the bus, I have been very spoiled through the years thanks to our private jeweler, a goldsmith and my husband.

Ladies, it is time we have been heard, "Push Presents, Push Presents!"

What is fun about my business is that I love to help the significant other with all the amazing resources I have come in contact with all over the country to get that amazing piece of jewelry keeping in mind all budgets.

As your professional Baby Planner, I can find some of the most amazing "bling". Please do not hesitate to contact me!

Ladies, happy pushing!!!

Thank You!!

Now that I am a bit seasoned, I must thank the people big and small that have helped me get to this point in my business.

First and fore most, my husband, Jeff, and our boys, Austin and Brock. They have been very supportive and understanding when Mommy is away and Daddy can play!!! Thank you Jeff.

I have been surrounded by amazing support for the launch of my new venture, katdesignweb.com, ontray2go.com, kidsflysafe.com, and an amazing resource for all parents, hitechmommy.com.

The people that have always been there for me from the beginning, Mom, Dad, Jer, and Drew. Thank you for all your support! I love you all!!

Look forward, never back!

Welcome to "mompreneurship"...

The other evening I saw into my future of what it will be like to be a stay-at-home mom/entrepreneur.

Around 11 o'clock the other night I started working on my business and was up until about 1:30 a.m. Tried to go to sleep only to realize that my brain had not stopped working and wound up getting back up at 2 o'clock. I walked out of the room to hear my husband roll over and say,"you are crazy!" I know, type A personality, it can't be helped. I then proceeded to work until 3 a.m. and finally "tried" to go back to bed.

My older son, Austin, gets up at 4 o'clock and needs me to reposition his sheets. Then the youngest, Brock, thinks that he is ready to get up for the day at 4:30 a.m. Whatever!! With much coaxing, he finally goes back to sleep.

Then something really funny happened, my alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m. because I think the night before I will get up to work off those holiday pounds. Yea right!! Needless to say, my morning started at 7 a.m.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow I will get on the treadmill, maybe.
Welcome to "mompreneurship"...

Keeping the sky blue for baby and you...

Hello expectant and veteran parents! I would like to introduce myself, I am what you would call a "Baby Planner". What is a baby planner?!?

This is a great new concept for parents who need help planning for baby before, during, and after delivery or adoption. Many expectant parents are overwhelmed when planning and organizing the registry, nursery, baby announcements, etc. I offer the resources to make this time in your lives less stressful and more enjoyable.

I have always searched for ways to make my life easier when taking care of my two children, so I became the "baby gear guru" to my family and friends, sometimes even complete strangers. I can't help it, I love being organized!!

Hence, the start of my business, Blue Skye Baby Consulting & Design, keeping the sky blue for baby and you... Wish me luck!!