Inspirational thought

Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows. - Robert Ingersoll

Sale Representative Nancy Fullerton's thoughts on HPP and a little about her two Pumpkins

I asked our wonderful Chicago Sales Representative Nancy Fullerton to share some thoughts on Hand Picked Pumpkin and tell us a bit about her kiddos.

What makes HPP trunk shows so unique?
You have options! Custom? Ready Made? A bit of both?
Not to mention that it is just about bringing a group
together to have a really good time.

For those who are interested in playing fashion
designer and want to design their own unique pieces,
the Custom option is lot of fun to do with the help of
your friends. It is also a great way for close
friends to unwind, re group, or strengthen a bond
while designing one of a kind outfits. This custom
option also provides the opportunity for friends to
create a one of a kind baby or baby shower gifts .

There is the Limited-Edition Ready Made option too. This is perfect
for those who just may not feel like creating their
own or would prefer to spend less time designing and
more time catching up with someone they have not seen
in a while. Either way these shows have flexibility
for everyone, can be customized to meet the needs of
your party, and are just really a lot of fun.

What do I like most about Hand Picked Pumpkin?
There are so many things, but the first thing that
attracted me to HPP was how darling these clothes are.
Ever since I started dressing my oldest daughter, I
would really make an effort to buy her unique clothes
so she did not have the same outfit on as everyone
else her age. HPP is just really unique, there is not
anything else like it. It also has all of the mom
features that I love, elastic waists, roll up cuffs,
comfy fabrics, and even if the patterns do not match
exactly it all coordinates really well.

What can I tell you about my Pumpkins?
Well to start they are both so different.
Brynn(oldest) is one of the most social children I
have ever encountered and has been since she was a
baby. She will tell her life story (all four years of
it) to anyone who will listen. She loves
airplanes(tells us she wants to be a pilot),
butterflies, the color green, and can spend hours
doing crafts.

Audrey is the shy one and is extremely cautious. She
likes to do things in her own time frame and only when
she is good and ready. Once she gets to know you, she
shares a silly personality, and has a contagious
laugh. Audrey loves music, "doggies", and Elmo.

As sisters they really balance each other out.

Thanks Nancy for sharing!!
Below are a few photos of Nancy's younger daughter Audrey and her friend Maggie hanging out (in Hand Picked Pumpkin clothing of course!) at My Corner Playroom last week. Lisa Gillis' community learning place, My Corner Playroom, hosts Hand Picked Pumpkin trunk shows the third Friday of every month during their Drop-In Open Play from 9am to 12pm.




If you are interested in attending one of Nancy's regularly scheduled trunk shows or having her facilitate a party for you, you can contact Nancy directly at fullerton.nancy@yahoo.com or send us an email and we'll put you in touch.

Taking name suggestions for new limited edition line

This weekend we just about ran out of our very popular fabrics Hot Dot Brown and Super Stripe. We'll be replacing them shortly with new updated designs which you're sure to love!
The shortage on these fabrics means that our limited edition fall/winter line including the Zoe Hoodie, Sophia Lap Tee, Sophia Flare Pant, Oliva Playsuit and Jessica shirt dress will no longer be manufactured.
If you are interested in having a new garment style named after your daughter, niece, grand-daughter or someone special in your life please post or email us your favorites!

Inspirational thought

"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do." -Kathleen Winsor

Addicted to Wholefoods pizza dough

Have you tried Wholefoods pizza dough? If not, you must. Delicious. We've been featuring make-your-own pizza at least once a week and this dough is our go-to.
Inspired by the Barfoot Contessa's Pizza Party, we line up a selection of cheeses, olive oil, pizza sauce, vegetables and meats and the kids have a ball creating their own dinner.

Pumpkins grow up

Look at this adorable picture of Lucy our March 2007 Pumpkin of the Month, 14 months later in her Grace Overall shorts. Precious!

Vote on a new fabric

Because we are just about out of Spring Pals, we'll be featuring a new sorta gender neutral print very shortly. I'm choosing between these two fabrics. Which do you prefer?

Roller Coaster

Water Play

Almost out of Spring Pals

We are almost out of one of my favorite little prints, Spring Pals. Just enough woven remains to make one or two more garments. If you've had your eye on this print, now is the time to create a very limited edition design all your own!

Inspirational thought

It is a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. - Somerset Maugham

Breakfast Casserole

Before becoming a mom of two I used to cook fancy meals, mostly out of Bon Appetit. Not so much anymore. But this cheddar, vegetable and sausage strata recipe from the December 2000 issue of Bon Appetit is one that has stood the test of time. The fact that it can be prepared the night before makes the morning very easy.

Ladies Who Launch

This Saturday I attended a fabulous LIVE event here in Chicago hosted by Ladies Who Launch. Founded by Beth Schoenfeldt and Victoria Colligan, Ladies Who Launch is a network for woman business extrupenuers. Ladies Who Launch connects women online and in-person through the Incubator program worldwide, Ladies Who Launch LIVE events in 12 cities, and through their website. Ladies Who Launch offers women ideas, inspiration, resources, and community to promote their products and services.

HPP recommended on Fair Indigo

While reviewing end of week website traffic reports on Friday, I noticed a fair amount of traffic coming from FairIndigo.com. Upon further review I found Hand Picked Pumpkin listed on their support fair trade page.
This link is wonderful for so many reasons. At first glance it is a great source of traffic but even more importantly this link represents a recognition of our direction and efforts surrounding local and fair wage production.

Inspirational thought

If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got.-Lee Iacocca

Celebrating May Day 1 week later

We are celebrating May Day today at play group. One week late but celebrating nonetheless! Our little ones will be dressed in white and my friend Gina who is hosting this fete is constructing a tot-sized Maypole. I've saved this Maypole Cupcakes recipe by Martha Stewart for years waiting for the right time to make it. Wondering what my cake actually looks like, we'll leave that to your imagination!

Baby Names

Are you trying to settle on the perfect name for your little one-to-be? If so check-out My Baby-Name.com. This site allows you to search by letter, nationality, most popular and celebrity baby names.

HPP now available on Amazon

A few selected items from Hand Picked Pumpkin are now available on-line at Amazon. You'll find ready-made burp cloths, blankets, hoodies and bodysuits here.

Our May Pumpkin of the Month

Here's Elke, our newest pumpkin of the month! Her mom Liz added this note: "very soft, and easy garments for babies 3 to 24 months; customizable, or ready to buy in original fabrics with exquisite sewing detail."

Congratulations Elke and Liz on receiving a $50 hpp gift certificate!

Want to tell us how cute your pumpkin is, then email us a photo of your little one dressed in hpp and tell us about it!

Inspirational thought

Live the life you've imagined
-Henry David Thoreau

Super easy for dinner

I'm always looking for super quick recipes for dinner. Come Spring this is even more important as I find myself with even less prep time. This recipe from Epicurious for Asian Flank Steak has recently become a go-to.