Naturally Loved

Predict and win!

2012-01-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

Every person who correctly predicts the date of our Naturally Loved addition's arrival, wins $25 in Naturally Loved "bucks"!!! That's $25 off your entire purchase!!

Aly's bundle of joy is due to arrive on February 21st. Now go! Comment below to enter your prediction. One entry per person, please.

*Hint* If you come into the store and chat with Aly, she may tell you how she is feeling... her experience with her daughter's birth... etc.

Good luck!!!

Parenting Safe Children

2012-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

Do you know how to educate your children about keeping their bodies safe without frightening them?

Yeah, me either. That's why I'm taking Feather Berkower's workshop, "Parenting Safe Children" here at the store on January 25th at 5:30pm - 9:00pm. The workshop will cover:

Creating a communication-rich environment for children
Empowering children to set and maintain boundaries
Body-safety rules
Characteristics of safe homes & Schools
Secrets
Age-appropriate sexual behavior
"Teachable moments"
Tips for interviewing childcare providers
Teaching manners while also teaching kids to say," NO" if they are unsafe

There are only a few spots left, so sign up quickly if you'd like to attend. Also, while the spots last, when you sign up you also get 20% off your purchase at the store!

See you there!

SALE SALE SALE

2011-12-27T13:10:00.000-08:00

All Christmas and Hanukkah items are 50% off this week!!!

Also, Melissa & Doug is on sale: 35% off puzzles, 25% off everything else!

And to wrap up the sale, all Quadrilla Marble Runs are 25% off!

2011-12-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

A White Halloween...?

2011-10-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

It is snowing in Denver!!! But does that mean we'll have a white Halloween? Probably not. In fact, my money says this is all melted tomorrow, Friday for sure. In fact, it looks like Halloween will be clear and cool, 54/32, just right for Trick-or-Treating, if you bundle up a bit :)

If you haven't completed your little one's costume yet, come in to the store!! All Halloween merchandise is 50% off!!! That's right, all of it! Half off! We still have a few flashlights, treat bags, witch hats, onesies, babylegs and tights, decor, and more!

If you do plan on Trick-or-Treating, please remember these safety tips from www.cpsc.gov :

Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

2011-10-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi! Cocheiska, the Assistant Manager/Photographer here :) I'll be helping Aly out, writing a few posts, keeping you guys current with our deals, whats new and cool in the store, and lots of other fun stuff.

For now, I want to be sure you all know about our Facebook Friends Check-In deal this month. Until Sunday October 30th, when you are in the store, just check-in via Facebook to receive 15% off any non-sale item (excluding Ergo). Cool, right!?!? So if you haven't "liked" us yet, like us, like us!

See you soon!

Petunia Picklebottom Promo!

2011-10-01T18:43:00.001-07:00

Come in this week (october 2nd- october 8th) and buy a Petunia Picklebottom bag from their fall collection and receive a free shoppers tote! Hurry while supplies last!

Good Reason!

2011-09-30T15:35:00.001-07:00

I am going to get better about this I promise, how you ask? Well I just spoke with my amazing Assistant Manager and she is going to start helping to post blogs, and sales, and interesting happenings!! That way you can all be informed and see what is really going on at naturally loved!

So the main reason for my lack of postings this past summer is... we are pregnant and expecting our other naturally loved bundle on February 21st! Right now we are all good but it was a rough summer. I have never been this nauseous EVER! I finally have morning sickness just in the morning! Needless to say we are thrilled and cannot wait to meet our

surprise. That is right, a surprise so for those of you who come into the store asking what I am having... so sorry :) We love the surprise and especially for me it is a test of will! As for those of you who know me well, you can absolutely chime in...I can't keep a surprise to save my life!

I hope that those who do read this are happy and well and are ready for fall weather! Here in Denver the leaves are quickly changing, such a short windo

w, and fall is definitely in the air. The pumpkin spiced lattes, fresh baked goodies, crunching of falling leaves, and cute kiddos dressed up!

Summer is here!

2011-06-20T07:34:00.001-07:00

Well summer is finally here and so much seems to be going on! Father's day weekend always feels like the kick off to summer especially here in Denver. There were countless street festivals, opening days of summer markets, and several music performances....if you couldn't find something to do this past weekend you probably weren't trying! Ha. We had a sick child so missed the planned baseball game but made it to our good friends birthday party on Sunday afternoon. It is so crazy to me how fast this season flies by. We pack everything into summer...gotta get your camping trips in, summer concerts, pool time etc... I grew up in Florida where summer is all year around so this scrambling to do it all never existed until I moved away and experienced what four seasons was really like. It does not have to be a scramble, take your time, enjoy poolside, build an awesome fire with your kids, go firefly hunting. If you miss something no worries, there's always next summer!
So with summer officially here take some time for yourself. Personally I welcome summer with an amazing meditation practice. If weather permits, I will set my alarm for 4:30am on the morning of the summer solstice and sit on my front porch meditating and waiting. Waiting for summer to arrive, you can hear the birds wake up, feel the sun rise, and listen to everything around you including yourself awaken to summer. It truly is an amazing experience.
Have a happy and safe summer! Here are some pics of my little naturally loved one enjoying her summer!

A Pledge

2011-03-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

I saw this pledge in Parents magazine this past month and it made me think how often we drive with our little ones on the road. Many of us careless without realizing the harm we place our children and ourselves in. I ask you to read this, take it in, ask yourself if you do any of these things, and take this pledge. Your children's lives and yours are too important...

Distracted driving is thought to be the cause of 80% of all crashes. For my family and the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around me, I promise to cut back on distractions while I'm behind the wheel.

From now on, when I'm driving I will not:

Use my cell phone or any handheld device
Fiddle with my GPS
Change CD's or DVD's
Retrieve objects from the floor on the glove box
Put on makeup or fix my hair
Do anything that takes my focus off the road

If I'm a passenger in a car with a driver who breaks these rules, I'll speak up.

When it comes to the children in my car, I will not:

Pass toys or snacks to kids sitting in the backseat
Allow them to throw anything inside our vehicle (and I'll impose a strict punishment if they do)

The next time I shop for a car, I'll look for one with anti- distraction features...

on a personal note

2011-02-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I had made a personal post so I thought I might do so now. I am approaching six months of being in business for myself this Friday! I can't even tell you what a ride it's been. So first and foremost I want to thank all my loyal patrons for helping support my little store...you guys are the best!

This past Tuesday we had below 0 temperatures here in Denver and I realized that I can make an executive decision, being the boss and all, and not go into work if the rest of Denver was closing down! It felt good to be the boss that day! So Eva and I stayed home, played in the snow, made hot cocoa, baked pumpkin raisin cookies, and just enjoyed being mommy and child. It was a great day! Now, getting back into the store after being shut down for two days was another thing. It just reminded me how much work I have ahead of me. There are times when I feel like there should be at least 36 hours in a day, there are times when all I can do is visualize this little store in 5 years and me sitting on a beach somewhere tropical... reaping all the benefits, and then there are times that I think "If I have to unpack another Melissa and Doug box I am going to scream!"

Classes Scheduled for this month!

2011-01-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

~ January 2011 ~ Naturally Loved Workshop Calendar
					1 New Year's Day Closed	2 Closed
3 Closed	4	5 10am Toddler Art Class $$ Ages: 16m-4yr Cost: $10 Drop-in, $35 4-Classes	6	7 10:30am Healthy Moms & Babe: Healthy Recipe Swap & Juice Plus Talk - FREE	8 10:30am Coffee & Cream: Mother’s Gathering - FREE	9
10 Closed	11 11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE	12 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	13 5pm Baby Food 1: Yummy Purees and Mash $$ Cost: $30	14	15 10:30am Cloth Diaper/Baby Wearing Class $	16
17 Martin Luther King Closed	18 10am Sanity Saver with Kerry Stutzman; Prequel to Love & Logic Classes $	19 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	20	21 10am Major Mom: Organize & Energize - FREE	22 10:30am Baby Sign Language Ages: Birth -18m Cost: $150/8-Week Session	23 10am Thriving Mama Spa $$
24 Closed	25 11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE	26 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	27	28 10:30am Transforming Your Toddlers Challenging Behavior – FREE Ages: 2yr-6yr	29 10:30am Baby Sign Language Ages: Birth -18m Cost: $150/8-Week Session 3pm Photography Workshop with Lynn Townsend $	30
31 Closed	Notes: $ = $5 Reservation Fee; $$ = Additional Material/Class Fee For up-to-date & full class descriptions: www.naturallylovedbaby.com
Created using the unLicensed version of WinCalendar.

~ January 2011 ~ Naturally Loved Workshop Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

1 New Year's Day

Closed

10am Toddler Art Class $$

Ages: 16m-4yr

Cost: $10 Drop-in, $35 4-Classes

10:30am Healthy Moms & Babe: Healthy Recipe Swap & Juice Plus Talk - FREE

10:30am Coffee & Cream: Mother’s Gathering - FREE

Closed

11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE

10am Infant Massage $$

Cost: $65, 3-week Series

5pm Baby Food 1: Yummy Purees and Mash $$

Cost: $30

10:30am Cloth Diaper/Baby Wearing Class $

17 Martin Luther King

Closed

10am Sanity Saver with Kerry Stutzman; Prequel to Love & Logic Classes $

10am Infant Massage $$

Cost: $65, 3-week Series

10am Major Mom: Organize & Energize - FREE

10:30am Baby Sign Language

Ages: Birth -18m

Cost: $150/8-Week Session

10am Thriving Mama Spa $$

Closed

11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE

10am Infant Massage $$

Cost: $65, 3-week Series

10:30am Transforming Your Toddlers Challenging Behavior – FREE

Ages: 2yr-6yr

10:30am Baby Sign Language

Ages: Birth -18m

Cost: $150/8-Week Session

3pm Photography Workshop with Lynn Townsend $

Closed

Notes: $ = $5 Reservation Fee; $$ = Additional Material/Class Fee

For up-to-date & full class descriptions: www.naturallylovedbaby.com

Created using the unLicensed version of WinCalendar.

Doulas, Santas, and classes, Oh My!

2010-12-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well my fellow blog followers, I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to post a new blog. The holidays are difinetly among us and I can certainly feel it here in the store! Now if only it would snow in Denver to feel like Christmas! Better be careful what I ask for....

So just wanted to post on some things that are happening in my little store...

Dec. 9th is Meet the Doula Night! Come and meet some of Denver's best Doulas. Not sure what a doula is check out these links...www.doula.com/ www.coloradodoulas.com

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides non-medical support during labour and birth.

What is a doula?

Doulas are often trained and experienced in childbirth. They provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before labor, during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. A doula's goal is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying experience, as the woman defines it. The concept of a Doula is not new. A woman supporting another woman through labor is a tradition that goes back many years in all cultures. Some women do not live in close knit communities where their sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends are there to support them through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood; these events can be scary and can make a woman feel lost if she has to experience them alone. A doula helps fill this gap by providing support to the woman and her partner or support system throughout the childbearing year. A doula does not replace the support system; instead she helps support them so that they can focus on loving and encouraging the laboring woman. Doulas also serve as a source of information during pregnancy, labor and birth. A doula assists families in gathering information about their pregnancy, labor and the options available for delivery. Another important role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance, physical comfort such as massages, and a TENs machine and trusting in the woman's ability to birth her baby. The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers, partners and infants.^[2]

On Dec. 10 we have a FaceBook promotion, so fan us! The Twelve Days of Christmas begins and we will have incredible deals each day a different sale!

On Dec 11 an Elimination Communication Seminar, find out how to start potty training as early as birth! 10:30 am

On Dec 12 Spa Sampler Day Come in from 10-11 and receive some pampering, mimosas, and great shopping deals! Naturally Loved will be opened from 10-3

Dec 15 is our Holiday Handmade event, Local artisans will showcase their beautiful work and you can shop! 5:30-7:30pm light refreshments served.

On Dec 17 Intro to Signing

DENVER FAMILY CONSULTING AND NATURALLY LOVED PRESENT:

Signing Smart Sign Language Play Classes ~ A Sneak Preview!

In a play class series you and your child will:

~ Play and have fun while learning to sign quickly and easily!

~ Learn to communicate faster and easier using signs!

~ Better understand each other, enhance your relationship and reduce frustration!

Join Julie Buck, owner of Denver Family Consulting, for a 30 minute Play Class Preview held at Naturally Loved Baby on Friday December 17^th at 10:30 am. Come and see how sign language can benefit you and your child! $5 charge. RSVP to 303/955-6207. Walk-ins are always welcome! All children are welcome.

2010-10-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! Bring in your little GOBLINS for an organic treat and 10% of your entire purchase all day Friday October 29th!

The UL Halloween Safety Guide and ‘Trick or Treat’ Family Safety Quiz

It’s the scariest night of the year! But with a little attention to safety, you can keep it fun and not frightful. Here are a few tips for you to follow and a quiz to review safety with your kids. Boo!

Don’t Frankenstein Your Lights
Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Also, be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage. Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked-up with metal nails or staples.

Inspect Decorations with Fiendish Care
Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Look for a red UL mark to indicate that lights are certified for both indoor and outdoor use. A green UL mark indicates certification for indoor use only.

Beware of Candles!
Candles, especially in a Jack O’Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children’s reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.

Don’t Trip Up Your Goblins
Halloween costumes should allow full movement for your kids. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

For more tips check out....

http://safetyathome.com/seasonal-safety/fall-safety-articles/the-ul-halloween-safety-guide-and-trick-or-treat-family-safety-quiz/

2010-09-24T20:24:00.001-07:00

Grand Opening! We had a great grand opening this past weekend and wanted to show some pictures of what fun we had!

Greenest Family Contest!

2010-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

Announcing the "Greenest Family in Denver" Contest! Please submit a paragraph and a picture of your green family and turn it into naturallylovedbaby@gmail.com We will be announcing the winner at our grand opening party on September 19th between 12-4! No worries you do not have to be there to claim the grand prize...which speaking of is a $100 gift certificate to the store and a free photo session with our featured photographer Lynn Townsend! What are you waiting for? Check out Lynn's blog at www.davidlynnblog.com

Seven Smooches XXXXXXX

2010-08-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Naturally Loved lovers.... So this weekend I am selling all Seven Smooches products at 20% off. So what are you waiting for? Come in and shop this adorable line of handmade goods by two moms in Chicago. No two pieces are alike each one is it's own work of art. Have a fabulous weekend! and come on in and see me...

Up and Running!

2010-08-15T15:20:00.001-07:00

Well we are up and running! I have had an amazing response from the Stapleton Mom's and am encouraged to keep on selling! Just wanted to post some pics up of the store for those of you keeping up with the store from afar... much love to everyone who helped make all this happen! xo-Aly

Plumbing.....

2010-08-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

So today I had my first real experience of owning my own store, a clogged toilet! I know pretty gross. After a quick run to the neighborhood Home Depot and three dollars and ninety-eight cents later, a plunger saved the day! Oh and my hubby, Jim. All I can say is thank god he was there!

We wired the stereo and speakers to the store and the acoustics are great in there. We also assessed the situation and brainstormed where everything will go. I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, but my husband is also opening his own business... at the same time! Yup you heard me right. He is starting a sheep dairy and creamery where they will be making their own sheep cheese. So it is safe to say that he is equally as busy as I am. The sheer fact that he came to the store to help today meant a lot to me. He was spouting off all kinds of great ideas while at the store and then when we got home he looked at me and said, "I think I am going to skip going to the farm tomorrow and help you at the store some more." Of course I smiled a huge teethy grin and thanked him with a million kisses. I think he sensed the chaos and knows how much I need him...

It is August 1st and the store opens in ten days. There is a lot that has to be done, but I have an awesome support group, so many good friends, and an incredible husband to help get the job done. I am confidant that it will all get done and will truly be a site to see...

CHAOS!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

So here are a couple of pictures for those of you who are interested in watching the transformation from chaos to complete...

I absolutely love the color that the walls put off in the middle of the day with the natural light coming through!

2010-07-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Our onsite construction manager!

Construction! Thanks Larry from Larry's Renovation llc. These are the walls of the studio space for classes coming this late fall!

2010-07-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

So it's begun... I am posting Before and After pictures of the store.

This is the view from the front door.

The windows are gorgeous! So excited!

the beginning....

2010-06-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Motivation! So my husband and I just finished watching Julie & Julia and I became inspired... I am not sure how, but watching Amy Adams transform in the movie because she was blogging I guess motivated me to begin typing!

Well for an update on all of you who are not my mom... Naturally Loved almost has the keys in her hands! The lease will hopefully be signed and sealed by next week. Contractors will be on-site to build up walls for the studio and painters will paint! Then comes the fun part stocking the store! I believe I will be throwing some sort of "get together" to help stock the store! For those of you who are in town this month let me know if you want to help!

This whole collaboration would never have happened if it had not been for my friends here in Denver. I have surrounded myself around caring, beautiful people and in turn created something out of it. I am so excited about all of this and just want to share it with you all... Thanks

Oh! So these are just some pics of the fun art projects Eva and I do... mod podge + mannequin = mess! It was fun!

2010-06-03T11:15:00.001-07:00

First post! Yay!