Where Does the Time Go?

I don't just mean where do the hours in the day go. As mothers, grandmothers, aunts, wives, friends, employees, caretakers, we all know that there just are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that we have to do. Though I must say, I do know some women that can squeeze much more out of 24 hours than I manage to (my sister - the "third momma", and my mother, for instance). One of my resolutions this year is to become a list-maker, and so far I am getting a little better about that, though I still have a long way to go.

And what was my point, again?

Oh, that's right....time. Time in general just slips by so quickly that, at times, something comes along and....SMACK! I realize just how much time truly does fly.

Today, I went to my neice's 5th birthday. Now, I know that 5 is still young. But, cliched though it may sound, it really does seem like just yesterday that Ashley, Kelly and I were all three giddy with the anticipation of three little babies. And now, those babies are turning 5. It just blows my mind, and I know that I am going to turn around one day soon and they'll be 10, then 15, then 20...

You know, everyone always told me this would happen, but it is shocking nonetheless. I try to reflect on these sorts of moments and turn them into something productive...I want to channel this crazy feeling into making more of the time with my little guys. I want to keep them babies as long as I can, though at almost 5, my oldest is really more of a "kid" than baby at this point. Maybe this is why I catch a hard time from some of my husband's friends about dressing him the way I do...? Oh, well. As they say, they are only little once!

At any rate, I am dazed, tired, and off to bed. However, I will leave you with a few more pictures from the end of last week...(you knew there had to be SOME reason you were reading this!!):

Patch Dress with Pink Anchor Patch

Boys Peter Pan Shirt with Blue Anchors/Bloomers

Swim Top with Blue Palm Trees, Swim Skirt bottoms

A-Line Top with Carriage Applique, Bloomers

The entire collection will be at www.threemommas.com in the next couple of days, and some other neat things are coming up there as well, so check it out soon. We have also added lots of shows, and will update the dates/locations early this week.

Goodnight!

Note to Self...

Every season, in preparing for it to begin and for trunks to ship, we inevitably learn a few things. Keep in mind that, on the whole, we are a fairly new line of clothing. I only mention this to emphasize the fact that we are still very much learning. I've been compiling a few notes for myself this season, and they include (but are certainly not limited to) the following...humor me here, folks...

1. Keep an extra key handy at all times. By handy, I mean one with your car keys, one in the main building, one in the warehouse, one in the bushes, one in your pocket, one under a rock, two with your production manager and one in your purse. Not a bad idea to attach at least one to a piece of 2x4, like those keys to gas station bathrooms on the way to the beach. Not that I have ever used one of those, but...

2. When the nice lady at the gas company assures you they only have the gas off for maintenance for a few hours, a day at the most (and therefore, you have no heat), do not believe her. Remember, she is sitting in a toasty 65 degree office...she has no idea what it feels like to try to squeeze the trigger on a tag gun in a 30 degree warehouse, nor does she believe you when you explain that hundreds of mothers will hunt you down with pitchforks if you "just go home until the heat comes back on. These shipments can't wait a few more days?? I mean, who buys Spring clothes now?!"

3. DO NOT plan to ship trunks on any sort of holiday. First of all, working on a holiday stinks. Secondly, there is no camaraderie amongst those working on a holiday. The guy at the office supply store and the woman at the shipping company aren't going to relate to you and/or share a moment as a fellow non-holidayer. As a matter of fact, you are why they are at work, the reason they are not enjoying the day off, so not only are you not a friend...you are the enemy. No, he does not know where the packing tape can be found, and she has no idea when the trucks run today. Which, in turn, reminds you that it stinks to work on a holiday...and so on and so forth.

4. Hello??!! Little thing called the Inauguration happens on January 20. Remember to review your calendar, and more importantly, your American History, before you schedule your shows. Maybe ask your kindergartner to assist you if you need help....Dummy.

5. That pesky little troll that loves to steal a few pieces each season (the pieces that were cut, put into production, tagged during inventory and placed in the warehouse) will decide to come earlier each time you are preparing for shows. It will inevitably steal more and more pieces each season, just to keep you on your toes. He likes to eat hang tags, scissors, receipts, socks, and keys too...beware.

6. Sleep is not possible this time of the year. Quit fighting it and just accept it. Use this time to catch up on your reading, your soap operas, your re-runs of ER, Law & Order, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Unsolved Mysteries, Cheaters, etc. Of course, lack of sleep is totally unrelated to forgotten keys and Inaugurations.

7. No one cares that you forgot your key. No one cares that you aren't sleeping. No one cares that the warehouse heat was conveniently turned off during freezing temperatures. Nor should they. They want to see pictures of bathing suits, Easter dresses and Jon Jons. GET THE PICTURES UP!

8. When it all seems like some sort of cosmic joke, and you just know that at any minute, the guy from Candid Camera or Ashton Kutcher himself is going to come around the corner and tell you that you were Punk'd, one of the Reps/Customers/Hostesses (we have the best ones EVER!!) will call, email or comment on the blog that she loves everything and cannot wait to see the rest.

And then, you'll know it was all worth it!

Don't Shoot Me!!

I know I said that I would have pictures up this weekend. And when I said it, I fully intended for that to be the case. By golly, all of the pictures would be taken this weekend, come rain, sleet, snow or hail (and we have had 3 of 4 in the last 24 hours, btw). And we are up here, at the warehouse, ready to take pictures.

Except that I left my key at home, and cannot get in my building.

I'm not kidding. I left it. Oh, I can get in the main building, just not the warehouse where most of the samples sit, ready as can be for their big debut.

So here we are, me and the camera folks, ready to go...with no key. I could drive home and get it, but being as I live over an hour away, this doesn't make much sense. There is plenty of other stuff to do to prepare for tomorrow. My production manager is not working today, enjoying a much-needed Sunday, so calling him seems like a bad idea.

We did manage to get some pictures shot today, rain and no key be darned, so here we go with those. Remember, this is only a few of the garments, but at least it's something!

Brown Seersucker Suit with Bloomer Bottoms (Pink Anchors Smocking)

Peasant Blouse in Picnic Check with White Pique Tie Shorts

Strap Dress in Turquoise Seersucker with Celebration Smocking

Boys Patch Bubble in White Pima with Blue Anchor Patch

Boys Cargo Swim Trunks in Preppy Plaid with Cobalt Pique Pockets

Girls Swimsuit with Bloomer Bottoms in Hot Pink Seersucker (Fun Fish Smocking)

To see all of the pictures we have taken so far, visit
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zp5hoxm.bq7etc52&x=0&y=-ebt6ju&localeid=en_US. These, along with pictures of all of the samples, will be on the Web site at www.threemommas.com/collection.html ASAP!

I've been trying on swimsuits...

Well, technically, this is a bit misleading. I have not been trying on bathing suits. Trust me, if I had, this post would have a very different tone. My trying on bathing suits happens only when I have no other choice, and is typically followed by a couple of glasses of wine, an ounce of self-loathing and a carton of Ben and Jerry's...

But i digress...

I have been making my nieces try on swimsuits. Just for fun. Just because I think they are so darn cute. Not just the suits...the nieces are pretty cute too. And I cannot wait for you all to see them, which brings me to another topic that causes hyper-ventilating and sleepless nights...

It is time to ship the trunks. Monday is the day.

You must understand, a lot of work goes into these samples. I mean, it is loads of fun, really exciting (did I mention a lot of work), but it is more than that. We pour ourselves into these things, spend months designing styles, embellishments, choosing fabrics. When the FedEx man picks up those trunks on Monday, it will feel like we are sending our children off for their first day of school. How will they do? Will they be liked? Will they get to where they are supposed to go? What if people don't realize how wonderful we think they are?

All we can do is hope. Hope they arrive safely, hope they are well-received, hope you like them.

Guess we'll find out soon! Pictures coming this weekend, and trunks will arrive next week!

Under Pressure....

This is always the worst, craziest, most wonderful time of year...seeing the completed garments, but worrying about getting everything tagged, packed, photographed and boxed for shipping to the Representatives! I know you are all dying to see pictures, and I am dying to get them taken. We did take one quick snapshot of a new style this evening, and I wanted to post it for you guys to see.

This is our new Sundress style (we have a Suntop as well), and is available in sizes 1-12...


The straps criss-cross (is that even a word??) in the back, and connect to a piece of elastic at the top of the back. This is a size 6, and technically Sarah wears a 5, but you get the idea. This style can be smocked, appliqued, monogrammed or plain, and is really a fun little dress!

More coming soon, we promise...

Spring/Summer 2009 Show Dates and Locations

I am off to the office, but wanted to quickly post the dates/locations for shows this season. We are still booking shows, so we will be adding to this list. If you do not see your location listed below, send me an email at repinfo@threemommas.com. There are several specific areas we are interested in (states without shows scheduled, Charlotte, Wilmington, Savannah, Huntsville, Little Rock, New York, etc.), and we have some great new incentives and bonuses this season!

Georgia:
Columbus: January 21-February 2
Albany: January 28-February 2
Covington: TBA
Atlanta: TBA
Monroe: TBA
Dublin: January 21-26
Macon: January 28-February 2
Newnan: January 28-February 2
Douglas: February 4-9

Alabama:
Birmingham: February 18-23
Tuscaloosa: February 18-23
Dothan: February 4-9
Auburn: January 18-26
Alexander City: January 18-26
Selma/Prattville: January 21-26
Troy: January 28-February 2
Mobile: January 28-February 2
Montgomery: February 11-16

South Carolina
Columbia: January 21-26
Greenville: January 21-26
Camden: January 21-26
Mount Pleasant: February 18-23
Myrtle Beach: January 28-February 2

Lousiana
Baton Rouge: February 11-16
Shreveport: January 28-February 2

Tennessee
Knoxville: January 21-February 2
Nashville: January 21-February 2
Memphis: January 21-January 26

Texas
Fort Worth: February 18-23
Dallas : TBA

Virginia
Arlington/D.C.: January 28-February 9
Alexandria: January 28-February 9

North Carolina
Winston-Salem: TBA
Greenville: February 4-February 9
Raleigh: February 4-February 9

Mississippi
Jackson: January 21-26

A few pictures...

These are just a few pictures of the first items made for the trunks...we will have more just as soon as the weather clears, or I breakdown and take them on hangers in the front of the office, whichever comes first!


Charlie pictured in our new girls bathing suit with bloomer bottoms (a skirted bottom is also available). She has the top pulled up a little high, but you get the idea. Isn't she a doll?


Mac and Charlie in suits...in this picture, she wants to pull the bottoms up too! The boys suits are available in the longer, pocket shorts and the regular-length shorts. All suits are completely lined (boys and girls).


Avery is such a priss, holding her little dress up as she climbs the steps! This fabric is great...wonderful colors and really versatile.


Okay, I am partial to watermelons, and love this classic red/white combination...


A boys yoke bubble with the seahorses...a great color combination for the coming seasons!


Last but not least...this season we are introducing a few non-custom items that will ship during February and March - in plenty of time for Easter! The dress pictured here is one of them. We are referring to this as our Easter collection, though it is really all perfect for Spring in general...

Again, we have lots more to show you...lots of new styles, inserts, fabrics, etc. coming soon! We are still adding representatives and hostesses, and have some great incentives this season! Trust me...the best is yet to come!

Strange Days...

First of all, I am going to begin this post with a disclaimer: #1. I am extremely new to this entire blogging-thing. And, as this is a blog regarding children's clothing, which is certainly what most (if not all) of you are interested in, I will do my best not to bore you with too many details of the so-called life of Tara.

#2. I tend to be long-winded, particularly when telling stories. You can ask anyone who knows me...friends, relatives, even not-so-friends, and they will all confirm that this is the case.

You have been warned...

I fully intended to upload some pictures today. As a matter of fact, I have a new "schedule" or "routine" that I am on (I know that these are words typically associated with infants and toddlers, but...) as part of my New Year's resolutions.

I woke at 6:15, started a load of laundry, woke my son for school, dressed him, fed him, sent him to the bus stop with his dad - the usual. Afterwards, I sent several emails pertaining to Three Mommas, woke my younger son and went through the morning routine with him. As a matter of fact, by 7:45 I was quite proud of myself and all I had accomplished. You've had those mornings...I silently gave myself a "yeah, me!" and set about to upload pictures.

Then, we got the phone call.

I noticed before I even answered that the caller ID showed the call coming from a small private school about 30 minutes the opposite way of Mac's school. I was a little puzzled as I answered the phone. "Ma'am, are you Mac's mother? Well, as it turns out, it seems that his father put him on one of our buses this morning, and we have him here..."

Suffice to say, my husband (who is, by the way, a wonderful husband and an extraordinary father) was out the door in 60 seconds. It so happens that the route to this school is famous around these parts because many of the Dukes of Hazzard scenes were filmed here, but I can assure you that Bo and Luke Duke had nothing on him as he raced to pick up our son.

All is well, everyone is fine, and we have actually gotten quite the laugh from it now. However, no pics were posted today, though I did finish the rest of my Three Mommas to-do list, if that is any consolation.

Are we the only ones with crazy lives? Now, we usually don't send our children to the wrong school, but please tell me that you have had "one of those days" before. I mean, seriously...

I know you are eager for pictures...

I am not trying to tease you...let me say right off the bat that I am not posting any right now. Frankly, I need to go to bed, am dreading waking my four-year-old at 6:15 for school after such a long time off, my youngest will not stay asleep, I really should be vacuuming and I am trying, at present, to fold a load of clothes. Such is the life of the ultra-cool, hip, trendy, children's clothing fashionista. Doesn't it just sound exciting?

However, I will get some pics up early this week, and if the weather cooperates (it has been terribly dreary here lately) we will have another photo shoot. We had to cut the last one short due to the weather. The Web site will be updated this week as well, so be sure to check that out too.

By the way, we have really, really enjoyed seeing everyone's pictures of their little ones in Three Mommas clothing on Facebook. I am constantly amazed at the creativity and just-plain-adorable designs that our customers create. You'd think that, as much time as we spend with the fabrics/trims/styles we would have seen everything, but lo-and-behold, I am blown away each season. Keep up the good work this Spring/Summer! We'll be sharing our favorites with you here!

The Holiday Hangover (no, not THAT kind)...

Am I the only one having a bit of trouble "coming down" from the Holidays? I mean, 6+ weeks of go, go, go, with so much "extra" crammed into our already over-booked schedule, and you would think I would be ready for a break. And I am, don't get me wrong. I love just spending a bit of quiet time with the boys, getting back in the office, doing regular stuff...our usual hectic schedule. But there is a part of me, and I think the kids are the same way, that is a bit antsy...that constantly has this "what's next?" or "where to now?" feeling, something I am (affectionately, of course) calling my Holiday Hangover. I am sure it will pass soon! Maybe this anxious feeling has more to do with the impending circled/starred/highlighted day on my calendar...the day the trunks ship (breathe, Tara, breathe). Oh, no - that's not stressful at all :).

Speaking of trunks, I am a attaching a few pics of Spring/Summer fabrics. This is not all of the new fabrics, but will give you some ideas. I think they are pretty fun!

Well, we finally joined the bandwagon...

Hello, friends. I wish I could say that I was the hip, cool sort that is always aware of the latest and greatest...you know, that friend you have that was the first to own an iPod, the first to spend an obscene amount on a pair of jeans, the first to read Twilight, the first to post on facebook....the first to start blogging. Unfortunately, that's just not me, and as most of you are aware, Three Mommas is pretty late to the social networking/blogging party. So, please don't hold our lack of originality against us...I promise what we lack in networking creativity we make up for in other areas...in other words, wait till you see Spring/Summer!

Until next time...