Chicky Chat

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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Chicky Bella has been entered into the 2009 Leading Moms in Business Competition!  We would so treasure your support - please use the link to vote for us! You can vote 1x per day, every day until March 31st.  And thank you!!!

I sit here feeling ashamed and embarrassed that it has been sooooo long since my last post!  I could say that we have been so incredibly busy with the season and tons of activity at the store…but alas, only a part of that would be true! Yes, the season has been busy….our family has been so incredibly blessed this year, especially the past few months.  We have had the opportunity to spend more time together, growing closer and sharing time.  Yep, just sharing time. 

It has occurred to me in the not-so-distant past that time is truly the most valuable of all things.  Oh yes, I know it’s a cliché (and please forgive me for that) but by stepping back and slowing down, I seem to have allowed myself so much more.  Now, before I go waxing all kinds of mush on you, let me just say I hope this finds you all incredibly well, happy and staring head-on at your own particular silver lining!  The world is in a crazy place right now and I literally don’t know anyone it hasn’t touched.  Like millions of others I wish I had the answers….forget the trivia inducing question of “how did we get here?”, but the bigger questions of “how long does it last & how do we get out of it?”

Gosh, if only I knew.  The retail world is in a big hurt right now, and of course Chicky Bella is not the exception.  By stepping out of the way for a while (those of you who grace our storefront may have noticed that I have not been here as much lately ) I am hoping I have been able to shake loose some clearer thoughts and gain a perspective on what is important, necessary and right for the business - and my family.  It has been absolutely painful watching so many other boutiques and big box stores close their doors.  Economically, Arizona has been one of the hardest hit areas in the country.  We have seen so many business shut their doors in the past few months that we actually play a little game…we drive around on the 1st of each month to see who and what has packed up and left (absolutely way to many).  Recently, there has been a rash of random closings during the month as well.

All that said, I want to take this time to state my commitment to the business.  Our website is such a joy and is an absolute treasure to have.  But let me just tell you how much I love coming to this store!  I love seeing our customers - many of whom truly have become our friends.  I love meeting other moms and playing with the kids and helping someone to find that perfect gift.  I love that customers appreciate our store and am incredibly thrilled when someone says that they are here because their friend/mom/sister told them to check us out.  I love the feeling of our little boutique….it feels alive.  Crazy statement, I know.  But Chicky Bella really does have its own personality - one that is influenced by each and every visitor that graces our doorway.

So, we welcome 2009 - fully anticipating it will be one tough, long year….but a year where you will be able to find Chicky Bella Boutique and www.ChickyBella.com open for business!  And when things are rough and tumble, heck, we will break out our chocolate cake, thank the tough times for coming, hope we have learned what we needed to, and happily face forward!

 May God bless each and every one of you - may 2009 be YOUR year!

Warmly,
Lisa

WOW!!! I cannot begin to tell you how excited and honored I am that Chicky Bella is Petunia Pickle Bottom’s Featured Retailer for the month of August!! What a fabulous honor and opportunity!  I want to thank all the awesome staff at Petunia Pickle Bottom for the consideration and support.  The beautiful bags are a true reflection of this great company and the behind-the-scenes staff that make it all happen. Check out our story at www.petuniapicklebottom.com/storefinder.

And guess what??  We are going to celebrate all month long! For every Petunia Pickle Bottom that is purchased in the month of August we will be giving away Susan Brown’s Baby Hand Sanitizer AND Travel-Pack Moisturizing Cleansing Cloths. These are perfect companions for your oh-so-hip and ever-functional Petunia!

The timing is perfect as the new Fall 08 Petunia’s are now available. We have loaded the website with all the newest fabrics choices - and trust me, they rock.  Here is my new fav….

She is called Afternoon in Katmandu….Isn’t she fabulous?  Petunia just keeps coming out with the coolest fabrics and the best names!  Also, they have updated the bags with a few additional features - check out www.chickybella.com for all the great details.

Come celebrate with us & Happy Shopping!

Warmly,
Lisa

Wow, just were does all the time go?  I can’t believe the entire month of June went by without a post. Actually, that is probably not such a bad thing, as June wasn’t the best month ever, for many, many reasons.  However, June did provide our little family the opportunity of creating a new tradition….when something not-so-pleasant occurs, we have decided we are going to celebrate it! Yep, that’s right. At the end of June, we bought it a cake! Not just a cake, a chocolate cake (is there really any other kind?).  And we got extra frosting and decorated it with what was suppose to be red flowers, but ended up just big red gooey yummy blobs.  And then we toasted the month of June - thanked it for coming, accepted all that it brought us, and happily sent it on its way!  Hopefully the lessons learned in June were learned well enough that they won’t need to be repeated anytime soon….  Yep, that was a GREAT cake!

Now, we are basking in the joy of an Arizona July! And with July comes Monsoon season - which, while it is nasty hot and humid - is pretty cool in its own way. The crazy winds, powerful lightening storms and rather freakish insects that blow in off the desert floor….

Actually, July can be very quiet on the retail front as everyone leaves the state (really…?).  This gives us some time to consider new products lines, analyze what is working, what’s not, etc. I have found a few new lines I am very excited about - some new to Chicky Bella and some just plain new! I am really excited that we finally have in the store (and available at www.chickybella.com very soon) Airflow Collectibles.  If you haven’t seen them yet, check them out at www.airflowcollectibles.com.  These amazing toys are fabulous and the kids LOVE them! They will make perfect under-the-tree Santa gifts! Also, if you are one of our beloved in-store shoppers, we are offering free assembly (you can thank me later… ). As always, these items will ship free for all of our customers - both online and in-store. The Corsair shown below sells for $429 - it’s a beauty!

Another new product that I am tickled to have in-store is the Tie Chair. This little cutie is a chair cover that literally ties your little bumpkins right in place! Hmmm…OK, I have to admit that may of brought up some un-intended images…Anyway, it is the perfect chair cover that folds right up and slips into your diaper bag or purse and goes merrily onto your intended destination. No more worries if the restaurant or your brother-in-law’s bachelor pad doesn’t have a proper high chair. Just throw on the Tie Chair, which slips right over the chair back, and with a few easy (and cute) bows you have your little one safely - and adorably - in place! The Tie Chairs are made with delicious fabric combos in a sturdy, washable cotton.  Did I mention they were cute?  Check ‘em out at www.tiechair.com and soon at www.chickybella.com. $52 each

I will update more soon as new product becomes available. In the meantime, enjoy your summer frolicking, the kids underfoot and the crazy lazy days of July!

Warmly,
Lisa

I am seeing a theme developing.  Apparently I have music in my heart these days…with the launching of www.chickybella.com it is time to celebrate! I thought this would be a perfect time to share some of my favorite people/things that have been a huge part of Chicky Bella from our beginning.

You might have noticed the pics of those seriously cute little boys throughout the website (yea, they’re mine…I am so very blessed!).  We were privileged to have their photos taken by the most amazing photographer ever - Ana Frias of www.anacphotography.com.  If you have ever considered professional photography for your brood (and you happen to be in, near or around Gilbert, AZ), I would highly recommend you consider her. Not only is her work unsurpassed, Ana is one of the nicest people you ever meet!  She is just beautiful people.

Of course, the photos on the site would not have been possible…or for that matter, the entire site….if it were not for the most incredible talents of www.espermedia.com. Just as their name indicates, they offer great hope for anyone entering the world of internet websites! They are amazing, and they can make your dreams come true, too.  Even more really beautiful people.  Again, I am so blessed.

We have 2 really cool jewelry companies that we work with in the store, unfortunately, they are not on the website as of yet…. www.saucycreations.com and www.justjunkjewels.com. Check them out, and if there is anything you want, remember we are fully stocked and will get them out to you, just give us a call. Gotta love creative women!

Keep checking back for more as I can guarantee this list will just keep on growin’!

To coin a phrase….! We are so excited to have www.chickybella.com up and at your service! It has been a long time in the making, but worth every second. We hope you enjoy the site, and of course the products!  If there is anything you would like but don’t see, please feel free to contact us directly and we will do our best to make it happen. Please check back often, as the plan is to be chattin’ all the time! I see the site, and the blog, as an extension of the store….and if you have honored us with a visit to our little shop you will know just how much we love to chat!

Welcome to Chicky Chat! Please feel free to add your own comments, suggestions, story, idea, notion, thoughts, visions…..

Warmly,
Lisa