Monday, March 30, 2015

Staying True to Your Style as a Mom





1. Make it fun! Countless sleepless nights, not enough coffee and a baby that requires all of your attention, all of the time, can make for too many days of sweatpants and old tee shirts. But if you make it fun, then you’re more likely to channel that style of yours that you may have lost a bit in the mix of a new baby. One of my favorite ways to make it fun is to match with my baby! He’s not the only one that gets to look cute! If I have him in a little striped onesie, I’ll throw on a cute striped dress. It’s fun to match (sometimes) and hey, there’s only a short window of time where this is acceptable, so I’m taking full advantage!

2. Take care of yourself. Yes, your baby is your new number one priority, but just because you have new priorities doesn’t mean that you should completely disregard yourself. It’s not the least bit selfish to make yourself a priority, as well. Remember, your baby’s happiness relies a lot on your own happiness, since babies can pick up on their parent’s demeanor. If you’re happy and healthy and taking good care of yourself, this will reflect positively on your baby.

3. Look cute, feel cute. This is something I’ve found to prove true time and time again. The days that I do nothing for myself- when I put no makeup on, don’t think about my outfit, those are the days that I just feel frumpy and down on myself. But when I make a bit of an effort, I feel confident and more like myself. And when you look cute, you feel cute, too.

4. Don’t lose yourself in being a mom. Remember that yes, you have changed, but you’re still you. You still have your own personality and your own interests and style that you don’t need to lose when you become a mom. If anything, I’ve noticed that it’s easy to lose myself in taking care of my little one, and that just leaves me feeling confused and like less of a person. I have to make a conscious effort some days to do things I love to do, like style cute outfits and do my makeup and hair, in order to feel like myself.

5. Cute and comfortable. You might want to alter your style a bit when you have a baby, in order to be comfortable running after a little one. But this doesn’t mean you can’t be cute, too! Maybe switch out the stilettos for some stylish sneakers, and retire the pencil skirts for a while in favor of a relaxed swing dress. You will be surprised at how stylish you can be while being casual and kid-friendly at the same time! Then come date night, pull out your heels and hot little dress. It’s all about dressing for the occasion and being comfortable in whatever situation you’re in!

Remember, even the littlest things can make a big difference, and being a new mom means it’s easy to let yourself be the last person you think about. But you are important, too. And you need to take care of yourself and do what you love and what makes you happy in order to be better for your darling baby. Happy wife (and mom!), happy life!

Sunday, March 29, 2015

March Parent Profile - Katie Reyes


1. Your Name:  Katie Reyes

2. Are you a stay at home mom or a working mom? How easy was that decision? I’m fortunate enough to be a work at home mom. I run my lifestyle blog and also am a freelance writer for a few websites, which allows me to stay at home with my baby. My husband works part time and thus gets to be home a lot as well. It is the easiest decision we’ve made!

3. Your child's name and age: Samuel is our baby boy and he is 11 months  

4. Tell us about going from no kids to a newborn - what were the biggest changes? The whole concept of having this tiny person completely reliant on me was probably the biggest change! It was pretty crazy, but something that I absolutely wouldn’t change for the world! The lack of sleep was another adjustment. I remember being totally blown away by just how little sleep one actually needs to function somewhat normally. I was also blow away by how deeply I could love.


5. Where does your family live?  Any other cities you’ve lived?  We live in Sacramento, CA. I spent a semester abroad in Paris while in college, and it was the most magical experience that changed me so much. I also lived a few months in Seattle with a girlfriend and dream of moving to the ocean soon. Travel is something we absolutely love and look forward to doing a lot with our family!

6. How did you first learn about Itzy Ritzy?  I heard about Itzy Ritzy when I was sent a product for review for a website I work for, and I fell in love with the company!

7. Favorite Itzy Ritzy product and fabric?  I love the Itzy Sitzy and the Social Circle Blue is one of my favorite fabrics! It is so plush and keeps my baby comfortable and away from germs while we’re out and about, in a shopping cart or a high chair.

8. The hardest part of my day is:  Prioritizing my schedule can be really tricky. When my baby is awake, I struggle between getting my work done and giving him all of my attention. Needless to say, nap times are my most productive times of day!


9. The best part of my day is:  Walking into the nursery in the morning, after listening to Sam chatting away, and being greeted with the biggest grin you ever did see. Melts my heart every day and it really is the best way to wake up, I’m sure of it!

10. What are your must-have winter products?  For winter, I need a good chunky knit scarf, a warm wool coat, Burt’s Bees chapstick, L’Occitane hand cream and hot coffee. Give me these things and I’m set. Especially the coffee!

11. Favorite date night with your husband?  My husband is my best friend, and we try to have a date night as often as we can! Honestly, doing anything with him is fun, no matter what it is! Since having a baby, our favorite date nights are just snuggling on the couch watching a movie with loads of popcorn and sweets. If we can get out of the house, we love going on bike rides and trying new restaurants.

12. Guilty pleasures?  My biggest guilty pleasure, if you can call it that, is probably The Bachelor and all other reality TV. I know it’s so bad and yet, I can’t stop watching!

13. Anything else you’d like to share with the Itzy Ritzy community?  Motherhood is the greatest adventure I’ve been on, and I love every second. I guess my biggest advice is to never lose yourself completely to being a mother, and to remember that you are so many other things, too. I’ve made a point of staying active and doing everything I love, with my new little sidekick in tow!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Back In Stock

Did you know our Boho Feather Infinity Scarf is back in stock? They're going fast!
https://www.itzyritzy.com/nursing-happens-infinity-breast-feeding-scarf-ibfs8101

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Itzy Ritzy Is Hiring!



Itzy Ritzy: At Itzy Ritzy, we believe parenting in style is possible. Our modern collection of baby, toddler and lifestyle accessories provides smart, attractive solutions to everyday challenges, from carrying heavy car seats to keeping school snacks under eco-friendly wraps.  With a global presence, Itzy Ritzy provides practical luxury for modern families around the world.  Learn more about Itzy Ritzy at www.itzyritzy.com

Overall Job Summary: This position is for a full time Sales Director responsible for developing and executing short term and long term national and international sales strategies for independent, specialty, mass merchant accounts and international distribution.  The Sales Director manages the internal sales team, external sales representatives, showrooms, and international distributors with a strong focus on growing the independent channel. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS/EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Marketing required or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
  • 4-10 years of consumer products sales experiece required, preferable within the Juvenile Industry. Candidates without consumer products backgrounds will not be considered. 
  • Full-Time Position based in Chicago suburb of Naperville, IL and requires approximately 25-30% travel.

SKILLS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Demonstrated ability with consistent record of managing and growing business year-over-year
  • Goal orientated with the ability to inspire a team, drive business, do the work, and hold team accountable for results.
  •  Ability to develop a coordinated and integrated sales and marketing strategy including bringing new products to market
  • Trade show planning, strategy, execution and leadership at trade shows
  • Strong market analysis, sales forecasting, vendor negotiation, account acquisition, influencing, analytical and decision making skills
  • Strong understanding of financial analysis and metrics driving mass market and specialty buying decisions per category

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

  • Entrepreneurial spirit
  •  Excellent work ethic with a high energy level, motivation, enthusiasm, and ambition.
  • Proactive, outgoing, positive can-do attitude, honest, high integrity, and self-motivated
  •  Competitive drive and goal oriented mindset
  •  Strong networker, self-starting and dependable
  •  Understanding of merchandising, product promotion, lifestyle and design


ITZY RITZY OFFERS:
  • Competitive salary​
  • Benefits package
  •  Paid vacation
  • Opportunity to be a part of our smart, fun, driven, collaborative and “make it happen” team 
  • Please respond with resume and cover letter to info@itzyritzy.com with “Sales Director” in the subject line

Look What's Back!








Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Itzy Ritzy Cozy Happens

Heading to a baby shower? Itzy Ritzy's Cozy Happens is a perfect gift for new moms! It doubles as a tummy time mat and car seat canopy!
https://www.itzyritzy.com/cozy-happens-infant-car-seat-canopy-and-tummy-time-mat


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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Win An Itzy Ritzy Snack Essentials Kit!


HOW TO ENTER:

Share a picture of your go-to healthy snack for your kids (or yourself) on Instagram or Facebook



Tag @ItzyRitzy and include #itzyritzysnack




Giveaway ends 3/27/15 and the winner will be announced the next week via Instagram and Facebook