Maternity Design update

Often with a new year comes new changes and one of the first things I wanted to change was the website for my shop. While I loved my first website and had it for 3 years it was time to move on to something more crisp, clean and user friendly! I'm excited about all the new features I'll have to my advantage now. Some more change is the start of my maternity accessory line that is launching soon. Finally! I've mentioned it here and there on the blog over the past year and it's finally done. The idea has been in the making for years and I finally took the plunge and got the first product into manufacturing earlier this year when I was pregnant with my 4th. Stay tuned as pre-orders for the first items open up soon. If you're expecting or know someone that's expecting let em know. ;) There are currently no ruffled maternity bands like mine on the market so I'm hoping they'll do well.

Shop talk

Besides baby girls, most of you all know I also design baby accessories here and ever so often I like to update on the latest happenings. Earlier in the year I thought about taking a short maternity break when the baby came but as the months went by and new opportunities came along, that ship has now sailed away. September is going to be a big month for my business and I'm really excited about it!

I was thrilled to see that one of my products was featured in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine again (2015 Fall Buyer's Guide this time)

I've also been a part of more fabulous blog reviews and have gotten the attention of some really big companies. I wish I could name drop, and while I can't just yet, I'll be sure to talk about it when the time is right. Perhaps some of the most exciting news for me is that the first maternity accessory design is finally finished! It was a long process and a lot of going back and forth with the manufacturer but I think we finally got it just right. I'm currently looking for a first or second trimester pregnant blogger to model them. Hopefully I find someone quick so we can get the ball rolling. Here are a few pictures of some new and upcoming releases.

Have a great Wednesday!

Happy Friday!

What a week! The girls were much better than they were last week, but most of this week's stress was due to the business. On Tuesday a certain well known flash sale site reached out to me on Tuesday. I was so excited to open that email and I was beaming from ear to ear that afternoon. It was definitely a goal I could cross of my list. The only problem is it's taken several emails and a lot of thinking to make sure the numbers are going to be right for my bottom line. As much as I want to work with them, I still have a business to run. I can't give any details out yet as I haven't said yes yet, but when I do, I'll post about it. I am however working with a flash sale site currently and the deal ends Sunday so check it out and snag a gorgeous spring time bib. (Sorry shameless promotion)

{Eleventhavenue.com}

In other news, we found out what baby #4 is! You'll have to check back Tuesday for the big announcement. I'm so excited that I know what I'm having. What do you think it is? Here are a few facts that may sway your decision. My other children are all girls and this baby has had a high heart rate of 160 and up. However, my symptoms are different with this baby, as in new ones and a lot more intense.

Have a great weekend!

Mommy & Me

I swear I must be certifiable to speed up instead of slow down during pregnancy. I always do this to myself but I guess I thrive on chaos. It's been a busy few days thus far and I'm happy to announce that the first few items of my upcoming maternity accessory line are in pre-production! I'm so excited about it and a little scared. Manufacturing a product is not cheap and there will be some financial hurdles I'll be coming across in the next 2 months, but if there's a will there is a way. 

I also want to announce that a limited amount of mommy and me tulle skirts will be hitting the shop next week! I first made myself one back in December and a friend suggested I make more but then so much happened. We moved, found out I was pregnant and then had horrible nausea for 2 and a half months...all while juggling my family and the business. So much going on, but very excited about growing the FHJ brand.

Here are a few sneak peaks. Layla is modeling the toddler version of the tulle skirt.

Have a great Wednesday and be sure to follow my shop on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with the latest!

A little business

I haven't talked about the shop in awhile, so I thought now would be a good time. There's lot's of exciting things in store for FHJ baby and I can't wait to share them. The beginning of 2015 has been great thus far. Having relocated to Florida has not impacted the business in a negative way at all so I was thankful for that. The only issue I'm having currently is finding a new seamstress as the help I had in the beginning of the year is no longer available. I'm hoping I find someone fast so I can move forward with what I have in store. 

The first piece of exciting news is FHJ Baby is expanding into maternity accessories. This is actually something I had in mind since pregnant with Mariam in 2012, but I just couldn't get to it. Now is the best time since I'm currently pregnant again. Designing maternity accessories while pregnant will help in getting the measurements just right and figuring out what other expectant mothers find helpful. The fabric for my first item should be coming in this week and I'm anxious to get started. I'd also like to introduce mommy and me tutu's. There was quite a bit of interest on my personal Facebook for it in December and from our fans. All in good time though. As much as I'm itching to start making new products available for our customers, I'm also a mother of 3 soon to be 4 and family has always come first. Sometimes I look at some other shops who already have their own office and production area out of their house after 2 years and sigh, but then I remember that their path is not my path and we all have our different successes. They may not have accomplished certain things that I have and vice versa. As I like to say, "it's a marathon not a sprint" and I wish all entrepreneur moms success. It's not easy. 

My shop: FHJ Baby

The happenings

Cue happy dance, my mom is flying in today from South Africa. I'm super excited about having her here for the next 3 weeks. Also excited about having her here because she can watch the girls for a little so I can breathe! It's no secret that Mariam is super clingy and I'm terrible about getting out. H and I haven't had a date night in awhile. 

As the week winds down, work wise things should be getting calmer again. I have a new seamstress again that I'm working with, I've got the huge orders out (well most of them) and now I just have to focus on finishing up updating the website with the new products. Here's a couple pictures from the photo shoot and a few sneak peeks!

Family wise, the girls are anxiously awaiting Halloween. Layla wants to be a dragon. She lets us know every day. No correct that, she lets us know just about every hour. Time to buy that costume already. Serena already has her costume since she went to a little Halloween bash last weekend. I haven't figured out what Mariam is going to be yet.

Have a great Thursday!
 

Shop talk

This week has flown by! Here we are almost to the weekend again. Yay! Even though I stay home during the week, I look forward to when H is home all day on the weekends and we get to spend all day together. He also starts his vacation next week--which means we really have to pick our destination already if we plan on taking a little trip for our anniversary. We have seriously procrastinated. We sort of had it planned out already since we were going to stay at a gorgeous  mansion in San Miguel, Mexico owned by a friend of his, but plans have changed and now we are looking at Belize, or Cabo--or maybe just somewhere in the US. 

In other news, it's going to be pretty busy over here for the next 3 weeks as the biz is working with groopdealz.com for the next 5 days. On top of that, I've been trying to finish my latest collection that will be making it's debut next month. I'm really excited about it and we are having a photoshoot the first weekend of October. Between all this going on and a small vacation next week, I feel like I'm going to be under the gun. Hopefully it all works out. 

Have a great Wednesday!

CHIC

 

I was thrilled to see FHJ Baby made it in print again! The gold wooden "hello" sign from my nursery/home décor line is featured in this month's issue of CHIC Magazine!

 

A special thank you to Pro-photographer and founder of GO4Pro photography and The Thriving photographer Leah Remillet for including it in her office makeover. Seriously her office is amazing!



 

CHIC

 

Go4Pro Photos

 

Leah Remillet Photography

 

2 years in business!

I can't believe it's been 2 years since I started FHJ Baby while 8 months pregnant with baby number 3. It's been an amazing journey complete with joy, doubt, tears, laughter and sleepless nights. I couldn't have gotten here without the support of some awesome people, my wonderful customers and the grace of God.

I posted a video on my Facebook this past weekend with a few milestones and pictures if you want to check it out. A special thank you to all my readers here as well who have cheered me on or bought from my shop. I have a lot of great things in store for the business so stay tuned!

Also, we are having a labor day sale in the shop today and tomorrow. Get 25% off sitewide by using code: Lab25 at checkout.

Have a great Monday!

#Girlboss

 Now with the summer coming to an end, a new season will be upon us soon and with that brings change. Back in July I mentioned that I couldn't wait to take our family vacation to relax and clear my head. I knew when I got back that I was going to start doing things differently in regards to the business so I could stop putting so much stress on myself and work smarter not harder. Slowly I've been implementing some change and last Saturday I took a big step and went to go visit a professional sewing shop in Texas to see about getting my products manufactured. I talked with the owner for about 2 hours and left excited and overwhelmed with information. We talked a great deal about my upcoming children's clothing line and he gave me some very helpful information. 

I know now that it won't be making it's debut this year like I had planned, but instead I will shoot for spring 2015. When I started this business in the fall of 2012 with just my 5 signature bib designs, my motto was "go big or go home." That's just what's worked for me. With the clothing line I'm not going to go the seamstress and myself route like I've been doing with my other products. I want to go straight with a manufacturer. While the investment might be scary I know I'll be saving myself a lot of headache going that route and it'll put me in route faster to also be able to offer that to retail stores. While the business has been a lot of hard work and sometimes tears I feel very blessed. I've learned so much and have gotten to get to know a lot of awesome companies and people.

I've taken charge of my future and the girl boss within me has really emerged. Recently Tinyprints sent over some cute stationery and wall decor, and I'm loving this custom notepad for my notes that I need to jot down for the business. I took it with me to my recent meeting with the manufacturer and it fit perfectly in my purse..

{Glamorous stripes notepad} c/o

If you ever wondered where I got the name FHJ Baby from...well now you know. Have a great Wednesday.

A wee baby no more

I've had a baby bassinet in my room since Layla was born 3 years ago. She only slept in there for a few weeks and Mariam only slept in there for a few weeks as well, but I just can't bring myself to put it away somewhere. Not to mention I like the look of it off to the side of my bed.

I did however temporarily move it to the nursery last weekend. My mother is visiting from South Africa so we moved Layla's toddler bed into my room so there could be more space for my mom and Serena to share a room. The wood on it and the wood in the room don't match but I kind of like the way it looks in the nursery. I may end up leaving it in there and who knows maybe it will be put to use again in a couple years...or maybe not.

 

Before I sign off, just want to throw it out there that I'm having a sitewide sale in the shop all week. 30% off everything and it also marks the first time nursery décor will be on sale. You don't want to miss it. ;)

 

FHJ Baby

 

Have a great Monday!

 

Recent things.

It's been about a week since I've blogged and I've been trying to get to it, but there's been a lot going on with Serena wrapping up 5th grade last week and starting summer vacation. Eeek!! I can't believe she's starting middle school in fall. I'm not ready! Time goes by too fast.

 

Today was our first Monday of no school and all 3 girls at home with me during the day. I'll back up and mention the weekend and some recent finds. It was a nice weekend. Definitely more relaxed and a big part of it was my reduced stress level thanks to my newest seamstress and Mariam being a bit easier. Saturday I left the littles at home and Serena and I did some shopping for groceries and things we needed. I have a slight polka dot obsession as you can see if you've ever visited my shop, so I was thrilled when I found these adorable boxes in the clearance section at Target.

 

{LC Flip Flops} {Bowls}{Target boxes}

 

Speaking of polka dots. New in shop. :)

FHJ Baby

 

Have a great Monday!

 

 



New Decor Line!

 

{FHJ Baby}

I'm so excited to announce that the new décor line is now available and up on my shop's website! Take a look and let me know what you think. As I mentioned before, this is a big step and it's come with lot's of nerves and apprehension but most importantly, excitement! It's been in the works for the past 2 months and I'm just so glad everything is finally finalized and listed. I hope everyone loves the new items as much as I do.

 

 

Have a great Monday!



Shop Giveaway!

Happy Monday!

 

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday. Just wanted to pop in today and talk a little shop. The date has been set for when the nursery décor line drops. It's going to be next Monday May 19th!

 

To help spread the word I'd LOVE it if you entered the giveaway on my Facebook page by liking and sharing today's post. You can win this gorgeous wooden love script. The contest ends Thursday May 15th at midnight and the winner will be announced on Friday.

There will only be one winner selected but as a thank you for entering, there is a code for $5.00 off anything in the shop!! Offer valid for US and international contestants.

 





Nursery Reveal!

 

 At the beginning of the year, I decided that I wanted to update the nursery. My primary focus was adding in chic décor and delicate details to transform it into a sweet and elegant nursery. The nursery is my favorite room in the house with it's cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows. The girls and I spend a lot of time in there reading, playing, or just laying on our backs, staring at the light beaming through the windows and daydreaming.

 

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of pink and elegant details. I didn't turn to magazines, books, or other nurseries for inspiration. Instead I gained inspiration from gorgeous décor I came across on One Kings Lane and from various small shops. One Kings Lane is a destination where one can shop, get inspired with their home decor handbook, and find your favorite home and lifestyle brands. You can tell they put a lot of thought into handpicking only the finest items for your home and I just love the scenes they set up to display some of their wares.

 

Let's get onto the pictures!

 

 

I truly love the way the room came out and along the way I made some new friends, got to spend some time with my older brother who painted the wall (post here), and discovered that I wanted to move FHJ Baby nursery décor up ahead in production. The gorgeous sequin script pillow and wooden love sign will be a couple of the items available soon along with other decorative pillows, décor, and changing pad covers to start out with.

 

The bow window valance, faux fur rug, gold heart picture, wood love script and sequin script pillow were designed or made by me and it was also fun getting to know a few other shops that helped contribute into turning it into my dream nursery.

 

Here are the shops I worked with that provided some of the key elements that transformed the room:

 

Gold sequin hanger: c/o Oh Deer Ceative Shop

Damask stencil for wall: c/o Royal Design Studio Stencils

XOXO gold foil print: Collectivity Lane

Dream Big gold foil print: Abby & Grace

Pink satin rose ball in urn: Hobby Lobby

Clothes stand for ballet tutu: Ikea

 

There are so many other big retailers such as Target, Hancocks, Walmart, and Babies R us that I bought items for and I plan on doing another post sourcing everything and giving the breakdown on how I was able to bring this room together on a budget.

 

Have a great weekend!