We have carried Tea Collection for the past 5 years.  It has become one of our strongest lines and have now become a Destination Tea store.  What does that mean to you?  Well, that means that in our Capitol Hill location, we will have everything tea offers for the season.  The entire selection! 

The dirty little secret is this…store owners may not buy everything a manufacturer offers for that season.  It may be because it didn’t feel right, it didn’t appeal to the owner, it may not go with the other selections, etc.  Whatever the reason, some items you may not be able to see in person even though the store carries that line. 

So, come down to the Capitol Hill location to see it for yourself.  Two important things to remember:  first, if we don’t have the size you are looking for we can always order it for you.  Second, even though we aren’t a Destination Tea store in the Georgetown, we still carry over 75% of the line, so chances are still good you can see it there if you can’t come to the Capitol Hill location.

If you come down before March 31, 2010, mention this post and receive 15% off full-priced Tea Merchandise, not good with other offers, limit one per customer. 

See you soon!

New G2 Stroller

Orbit Baby launched its new updated Orbit Infant System, called G2, at the ABC Show in September of 2009.  We currently have the demos on the floor and expect our first shipment of G2s any day!  Presales are available. 

The sleek, innovative changes makes the G2 one of the hottest, most innovative and functional strollers on the market.  An important note to all existing Orbit Baby Infant System owners, all G2 products are compatible with the older version.  A quick overview of some of our favorite changes include:

 G2 Stroller Travel System (which includes the stroller, infant car seat and base):

• No air tires and 4 shock absorbers per tire.
• New cup holder that holds one drink or bottled water versus two.  May not be an upgrade to some, but it now provides for a dish for your keys or snacks or anything else you can put in the space available.
• Vented back panel that you can zip open for hot days.
• A new hard foot rest that is extendable as your baby grows
• New buttons on the stroller handle that make it much easier to extend the stroller handles
• New color – Ruby Red!

 Bassinet

•  The G2 has slightly higher walls, and includes a microfiber-lined foot cover (instead of a carry tote)
•  New color – Ruby Red!

Toddler Stroller Seat

• Can now tilt backward and forward.  Although not revolutionary, it was a feature missing from the original version.
• A new hard foot rest that is extendable as your baby grows
• New color – Ruby Red!

Toddler Car Seat

• I felt it was important to note that the Toddler Car Seat remains unchanged.  There is a lot of confusion out there on this one since no one has been able to get it for awhile.  Orbit Baby was out of stock on this item and retailers are just not getting them back in stock.  Also, as of my last conversation with Orbit, there will NOT be a Ruby color in the Toddler Car Seat immediately available.

See our very own Nekea from the Georgetown store give a demo of the new G2 and highlight the features we like most!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqytRr-K5I

 Enjoy the G2!

To capture your baby, child or family for the seasonal picture, for an event, or for memory making always brings up the same questions:  What should we wear? where should we go? should we pose? 

Well, one of our favorite local photographers, Elizabeth Dranitzke from PHOTOPIA, agreed to answer some of these basic questions.  Her answers are listed below…enjoy!

What should kids wear?

Bright colors are the best. I always say to just be yourselves and to dress your kids in clothes you and they love.

Do wardrobe changes work or do they throw off a session that is going well?

It depends on the type of session and the child. In general, if a baby doesn’t mind being changed it’s easier with younger ones to change outfits without interrupting the flow of the session. I don’t recommend it much with older kids.

My goal is to keep everything as natural and fun as possible, not have the session look like a fashion shoot.

Do you recommend posed or not posed photos?

Not posed! But with groups and families sometimes more posed portraits can be a starting point – then when the giggles set in the fun starts.

With a range of ages (1 – 6), how do I get the whole group to cooperate?

Did someone say giggles?

What should I do ahead of time to prepare?

Discuss the details with your photographer and trust their expertise. Know your kids and their best time of day and plan your portrait session accordingly. Then plan outfits ahead of time and bring back up outfits that day. Get haircuts a week or so in advance and for mamas, take some time for yourself to look your best too.

Should I plan on using bribes? What is the best way to get them to cooperate?

This was one I never would have suggested when my first child was a baby but now I know better. “Positive Incentives” are your friend and the smallest suggestion of a wee mint, trip to the ice cream or toy shop afterwards etc. can do wonders for some kids, though not for others. The best way to get kids to cooperate is to make it fun, listen to their suggestions and keep it low-key.

Should I get involved or leave it to the photographer?

Speaking of keeping it mellow….while you know your kids best, trust your photographer to know how to work with your kids. When I need a parent’s familiar face right next to me to elicit a smile I ask…and I do really rely on parents for this. Sometimes I will ask parents to walk away, maybe go enjoy a quiet moment alone and have a smooch so I can connect more effectively with their child.

Best age to photograph?

It’s always the best time to have professional portraits of your child! I love photographing newborns and teens and best of all, documenting the many different phases of one child, siblings or family over time. Don’t feel guilty if you’ve “missed” hiring a photographer for newborn portraits, one year portraits or other milestones. Start now and you’ll be glad you did.

As parents, we all know how quickly time passes and you just can’t get that back.