Boy or Girl? How Would You Find Out?

Some people just have to know if they are having a boy or girl. It settles their heart. It fills them with excitement. It's a little taste of what's ahead.

My husband and I loooove the anticipation. We didn't find out the gender of our baby with either of our previous kids, and we aren't going to with this pregnancy either. But a little part of me questioned that approach for a bit with a recent customer.

She emailed and said that she was having an ultrasound two days before Christmas and they planned to find out the gender, but they wanted to wait until Christmas to find out. She asked that I make a "boy" blankie and a "girl" blankie, and she came to me with an envelope right after her ultrasound. Inside... was the gender. :)

I felt so honored to be the first one {okay, second, behind the ultrasound technician} to know what she was having. It tickled me even more when I heard her say that she thought she had seen the gender on the screen when she took a peak, and she was wrong. {Double :)}

I wrapped the appropriate blankie in a gift box she provided, and sealed the box. She took it home, wrapped it, and they opened it in front of both families on Christmas day. It's a...

BOY

Did you find out? Did you do it in a fun way? Do share! I'll live vicariously through you.

.molly

EcoBambino and vintage etc.

I'm so excited to be able to announce TWO new stores that are carrying Cookie+Curly products as of this week:

Located in the old Ah Louis Store on Chorro and Palm Street in the historic Chinatown {yes, that's right - SLO has a Chinatown}, this adorable store is filled with so many must-haves for gifts, home, and YOU that I can't really do it justice. You have to go in to "vintage etc." and see all that they have - jewelry, home decor & accessories, trinkets... Just all great stuff. Including Cookie+Curly bird mobiles and rings! They have a really neat blog too.

If you have a child or know a child, you have to go into EcoBambino. The owner started her dream of this store by having a booth at Farmer's Market, researching the area, the clientele's needs/wants, and natural, wholesome products for baby and home. Years later, she now has a brick and mortar store in a prime downtown location - just a hop and skip from the Mission. Great toys, beautiful clothes, kitchen/eating accessories... and now Cookie+Curly's organic tag blankies!

I haven't had time to put all of the new organic blankies up on my website but if you're in the market for one, please stop by EcoBambino and let them know Cookie+Curly sent you.

Thank you vintage etc. and EcoBambino... We're looking forward to lots of fun together!

"To Sew With Love" Feature Is Up

Okay, this is a bit of a re-post, but it's up so I wanted to let you know. Head on over to To Sew With Love and enter and get 20% off all Cookie+Curly products and possibly win $25 store credit!

While you're there, be sure to check out all the tutorials she does, as well as all her Blog with lots of goodies, and all the amazing sponsors she has. Lots of stuff to check out.

{Nutrition Niblets}

I heard your nutrition interests...

* post-workout eats

* gluten-free - what's up with that

* are cleanses okay to do?

* I need something new for dinner

Great topics! I'll get back to you on that. Anyone else have things you want to hear about?

Enjoy your day!

Blankie Love - New Prints Online

'Tis the season for blankie love! Lots of blankies going out these days. 

And a few new prints added to the site for the little girly-girls out there into pink and purple!

Modern Elephants in Pink

White Flowers on Pink Flannel

Butterflies & Flowers in Yellow & Purple

One recent customer is in the know. She knows that a little one can't be without his/her favorite lovey blankie, so she ordered two of the same print (also a new print to the website).

Ladybug Blankies with "Paci Leash"

Remember, $1 shipping on all blankies and all new blankie orders come with a free "paci leash".

Congratulations to all the new mamas out there! {Darci, still praying your little boy will join us SOOOOON!}

More on food stuff next blog, I promise!

Simple Sweetness + Winner, Winner

{Simple Sweetness}

Blankies and blankets continue to go out to all of those adorable little ones celebrating births, and birthdays. Remember: Dollar shipping and free pacifier "leash" when ordered through Cookie+Curly's website.

{Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner}

I have gotten so drained trying to figure out dinner for my kids lately. For this reason, I'm on a mission to revamp the kid's usual dinner routine {results will be shared upon completion} but in the meantime, I'm sticking to serving what I know will go down well. I'll do anything to avoid another night of tears because they don't want to eat what I made. {Doesn't happen ALL the time, but enough so that something has to change.}

SO, these are my sure-to-be-eaten chicken fingers that relieve my do-I-HAVE-to-figure-out-another-dinner woes.

1. Preheat oven to 415F

2. Mix 1 egg, 1 Tbsp honey, & 1/3 c milk, 1 tsp of mustard (optional) in a shallow dish

3. In another dish, crush about 2 c bran flakes (or any other whole grain cereal)

Mmmmm... Looking yummy, right?!

4. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into strips good for little hands to hold

5. Dip chicken strips into wet mixture, then into the dry mixture. Place the fingers on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray, or lined with parchment paper.

6. Cook 10-15min (depends on heat of your oven)

Since the oven was at the right temperature, I also made Sweet P. Fries. 

I rarely serve food with ketchup as we usually use tomato/marinara sauce instead, but on this occasion I did provide Trader Joe's ketchup. 

I never thought I was a connoisseur {I had to look that one up} of ketchup, but once I tasted this one I got hooked. It's sweeter, organic, and has less sodium per serving than traditional ketchup. Try it!

Next up on the blog... A step-by-step how-to on making a super awesome cape for a super awesome little kid.

Thanks for reading, and for telling your friends about Cookie+Curly!

Favorites + A la carte

{Favorites}

It seems no little girl wants to be without this print! As my most frequent selling print, I thought I'd spread the word and make sure you all knew about this sweet fabric that turns into a wonderful "best friend" blankie, lounging bud and stroller blanket. 

Starling in Pink Blanket & Blankie Set

The pictures really don't do it justice - It's even cuter! And the quality of the cotton is incredible too so not only is the white minky on the back super cuddly, but the cotton on the front is smooth and soft... just like the little one it's made for.

{The sweet doll in the picture is from Crafty Mama Creations, a seller at the most recent Stitch Market boutique.}

{a la carte}

You probably assumed I was going to mention something about nutrition here. Well, sorry to disappoint. I just wanted to show you some pics of an order that went out to New Mexico today, as a reminder that anything you see on Cookie+Curly's website can be ordered "a la carte" or just how you like it.

A. Small placed this order as she has a large, fun bird cage, but she had yet to find the perfect focal points for the cage. Soon, these Cookie+Curly birds and butterfly in Purple Pazzazz will find a new special home there. Looking forward to seeing pictures!

So, see something you like and want it just a little bit different? Just let me know and I'll set up a custom order for you.

And, so you're not feeling like I'm neglecting my foodie side, I'll get some posts up this weekend answering some of your questions. In the cue: cleanses, helping kids make better food choices, spinach and chocolate (a different approach), and {What's for Dinner, Kid's Style}. 

Keep emailing me questions - I so enjoy hearing what's on your mind!

The Nugget + Going Soft

{The Nugget}

I'm just going with it. Let me know if you have suggestions for another way to describe this quick, weekly {if you hold me to this, I may drop the ball so be nice} part of my blog that gives you a little morsel to consider as you go about your culinary way.

This week's Nugget: Protein. 

Eat it every time you eat. Just a snack? Yes, protein. Breakfast? YES, protein. Protein helps slow down the metabolism of your food and provides a feeling of satiety longer than a meal of straight carbs would. Happy tummy. Eating less.

Err on the lean side: low-fat dairy (string cheese; yogurt; cottage cheese; kefir; goat's milk products), lean/extra-lean meats (leftovers from dinner; deli meats; tuna in a can; the usuals: chicken, pork, beef, fish), soy products (marinated tofu; baked tofu; edamame; soy yogurt); nuts (almonds, peanuts, soy, pecans, walnuts). No need for protein powders - There's plenty of great food out there packed with protein.

We just got back from Trader Joe's and got two favorites. For us, this Greek-style yogurt is nonfat, serves up 14g protein (12g carbs) per serving, and is colored with pomegranate juice and red cabbage extract. It comes in Pomegranate, Blueberry and Honey.

For the kids, these Grilled Chicken Burger Patties are made from skinless thigh meat. 

I say they are for the kids but they're fine for adults too. The thigh meat provides more cholesterol so kids can get away with that as their developing brains need a good supply of cholesterol. Each patty provides 25g protein {I split between my two kids} but does have 330mg sodium. Try to serve with high potassium foods to off-set the sodium.

{Going Soft}

Every new baby needs a gift - Why not let Cookie+Curly be your no-brainer, one stop shop. Constantly in need of something warm to lay on, crawl on, drool on, or spit up on, blankets meet that need and then some - bright prints entertain the brain while ribbons provide interaction and sensory stimulation.

While you're there, get some little clips for the little girl {her hair's going to grow so soon!}...

And a congratulatory ring or necklace for Mommy. The vintage-style cabochon necklaces can be personalized to add a baby's picture or name.

Okay, enough about Cookie+Curly. Enjoy your protein!

Come See the Softer Side of C+C

Some of you may not know, but Cookie+Curly started by making super snuggly ribbon-lined blankies. Well, just so you don't forget, here's a peak at an order going out. A blanket/blankie set for... they're not sure who's going to pop out yet! (We didn't find out for either of our kids - I love that surprise!)

Chocolate Swirl Minky

This fabric caught my eye and I was immediately sold. In fact, I bought extra and now have a blanket/blankie set available on my website as I know you'll love it too. (They can be sold separately - Just email me.)

Also part of the order is three more ribbon-lined blankies to bring along some Christmas cheer to a little babe. 

 

And to top it off, four handmade gift cards for the customers to add their own personal message to their friends.

So, come see the softer side of C+C and visit my website to see what else is available along these lines. Get your orders in now to ensure a Merry Christmas!

Getting Giddy With It

Okay, I got giddy making these blankies... Is that bad? They're just so precious!

Monday, I was fortunate enough to have two kids who patiently played in Birch Fabrics in Paso Robles, CA while I drooled over their amazing selection of fabrics and picked out the most adorable prints for blankies, birds, and butterflies. Here are a few - some oldies but goodies, some newly printed fabrics, and some new organic fabrics.

I wish the blankies were going up on my website but they're actually heading out to Silver Seahorse in Morro Bay, CA. [Revision... I take that back: I couldn't help it so I made some more and they're on the website. Order up!] If you like what you see though, shoot me a line and let me know. I'm happy to make a custom order for you (no extra charge). 

Some day, hopefully soon, I'll have time to catch up on orders and get more inventory up on my website. That might not be until after the next Stitch Market on December 2nd though. Oh yeah, there's another one coming up! (Yes, the website says Dec 1st but it's been moved to the 2nd.)

Happy Hump Day,

Give me an O-R-G-A-N-I-C!

First, many, many thanks to all who came out and enjoyed the Holiday Hoopla. A fantastic number of people came out - We were blown away. 

Thursday night was full of tasty appetizers, sips of vino, shopping, laughing, and relaxing. Friday morning brought on some serious shoppers and inventory disappeared right before our eyes. We ate, laughed, shopped, chatted, sipped, browsed, and met new friends. You've just got to come next time.

I was incredibly flattered by all of the support and interest in Cookie+Curly products - Thank you! The birds were a hit and many additional orders were placed, the butterflies sold out, and the blanket/blankie sets found loving arms in which to go home.

That brings me to what debuted at the Holiday Hoopla...

Cookie+Curly's ORGANIC blankets and blankies! Yes, they're here! 100% certified organic cotton printed with AZO free dyes, organic cotton sherpa (the luxuriously soft, cuddly fabric on the back), AND organic cotton ribbon on the blankies.

Organic Circa 50 Rockets Blanket/Blankie Set

Organic Monaco Birds Blanket/Blankie Set

I snuck them onto the website on Friday and have already heard back from a few of you. I'm so glad you like them! I started with two prints to feel everyone out and there's definitely an interest so more prints are on their way.

Please drop me a line with thoughts, suggestions, feedback, etc. I love hearing from you.

Many well wishes to all. I've got to get back to work!

Holiday Hoopla 2010!

It's that time of year again... You start thinking about all the people you love, and all the things you'd love to give them. Your list grows. You feel thankful for all the people in your life. You make new friends. You add them to the list. And next thing you know, it's December and you're making a mad dash to get random gifts that sort of match your friends but mostly you're in a rush and you just need to get things done.

Been there. Done that. Don't want to do it again.

And, I know you say it every year ("I'm going to start early this year") but this year should be THE year. The year when you start shopping in November for gifts. (If you're one of those people that shops throughout the year - good for you! You're weird. No, you're not. I do that. But not for everybody and I do tend to scramble right before Christmas.)

Soooo, come to Holiday Hoopla 2010 and bring your friends.

WHO: You and all the people you can rally

WHAT: Boutique of local ladies and their hard work (plus tasty apps and sparkly drinks) 

WHERE: 4590 Wavertree Street, SLO 93401

WHEN: Thursday (11/4) 6-9pm AND Friday (11/5) 9-11am

WHY: Your gift and wish lists are getting longer and longer

Christmas really is upon us, so think local and get shopping. There will be a lot of talent and some "non-handmade" companies there too:

COMPANIES THERE:

Home decor designs by Cookie+Curly (tbd whether C+C blankets will be there)

Jewelry by Stella & Dot (Summer Kabaker) 

Skincare by Aloette (Kristen Jones)

Kitchenware by Pampered Chef

Girls Head Bands by Head Trip (Gloria Vanhorn)

Cupcakes by Art of Cupcakes (Carrie Haub & Sonya Laputz)

Darling Snack Bags by Kase Sews (Kasey Rosecrans)

Prize giveaways every half hour!

Please come. Bring friends. Bring neighbors. Bring your mom. (I am.) 

And if you can make it, comment below or send me an email. I'd love to keep an eye out for you!

Molly

Welcome Baby Sydney Lillian!

Ribbon Blankie, Stroller Blanket and Personalized Card

Many congratulations go out to Julia and Wiley on the birth of their first child, Sydney Lillian! This colorful print by Erin McMorris matches the parent's style and grace, and is a reminder that every day is a bright celebration with their new daughter. The Beckers, and Cookie+Curly, wish you many blessings and lots of laughter.

AND, this print coordinates with the birds already hanging in the nursery...

Welcome to a wonderful family, Sydney Lillian.

Molly