Storyboard

I was asked to put together a storyboard of my vision of Whippersnappers.  This was a fun and educational exercise.  I wanted to share it with you- culmination of trendy, yummy, and fun!  I ordered more Spring today- Petit Lem, Blue Juniper, and Mimi & Maggie!

I am so excited!  I hope you enjoy-let me know what you think!  I am going back for more Spring tomorrow :)

Sick Baby

Nothing hurts worse than when your baby is in pain.  I used to roll my eyes when I heard people say that.  Give me a break- I am not much of a softy, and sentiments make me want to gag sometimes.  Something seriously happened to me when I had a baby.  I am such a softy now- especially when it comes to him.  All those lame things I used to roll my eyes at are so true.

Tripp has been sick since Thursday.  I got a call that he was running a real high fever.  I had a minor panic attack- this is the first time he has been sick!  What do I do?  They always say wait 24 hours before taking them in, but I was too impatient for that.  Turns out he had Hand Foot and Mouth-a nasty virus that is super contagious that causes little sores in their mouths, hands, and feet.  He only had them in his mouth, but bless his heart they were making my poor pitiful baby feel bad.  I would have done anything or paid anything to make him feel better.  Luckily, he started acting like his happy talkative self a couple days ago, but we were quarantined until yesterday.  He also got a HORRIBLE diaper rash, and ironically I think that bothered him more than anything.  Joey and I almost cried on many occasions because he was in pain.  This is my life now- being a loving kissy smooshy softy mommy.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But thank the Lord I am free from the quarantine.  I can only do so much cleaning and watching TV.  Glad things are back to normal, and my baby is smiling and talking again.

Market Rookie

I went to market for the first time yesterday.  I have always just made contacts with people, and ordered everything from catalogs.  But this was a completely different experience.  I met a lot of people, and found some great products already!  Did you know retailers order all their Spring inventory in September and October??  Crazy, huh?  Here is a sneak peak of some of the lovelies I picked up for Spring...

Cool, right?  I felt like these two lines embodied what we are about-trendy, whimsical, colorful, lovely, etc.  I am in the process of finding several other great lines to bring to Little Rock.  I spent 7 hours on ONE FLOOR of the World Trade Center in Dallas!  I somehow did not manage to see everything either.  Now I know why people spend several days at market.  I wish you could have seen me yesterday.  I am sure all these showrooms could tell I was new to the game.  I was walking around with my shoulder bag with SEVERAL VERY HEAVY catalogs looking like my arms were about to fall off.  I recall making fun of all these ladies walking around with their rolly suitcase/briefcase things.  After a couple hours, I envied these ladies.  Mid-afternoon, a lovely line representative told me I could buy one just one floor below where I was- I am forever in debted to that woman.  I did realize, though, I am getting into the right business.  I had so much fun, and I am just getting started.  See y'all later.

Pilot

Apparently everyone who is everyone in the world blogs so here it is...  My name is Lauren Sanders Piwetz, and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I am married to the most patient, loving, beautiful man in the world.  He supports me in everything I do, and always goes out of his way to make me happy.

 I have lived in Little Rock most of my life- I took a sabbatical to Dallas, TX to graduate college from SMU- some of the best days in my life were spend in Dallas.  Living in Dallas helped me realized I lived in the best city in the world.  Little Rock is just the right size, and the people are just enough nice.  I love this city, and decided I wanted to make my entrepreneurial career to make it even better, which brings me to my first big girl venture on my own.  For the past three years, I have been the General Manager of Wild River Country (yes, I got three really expensive degrees in Finance, Mathematics, and Economics so I could run a water park).  I have worked there since I was 15 years old, and have loved it the majority of the time.  It has been very taxing at times, but I have made some of the best friends of my life.  In my ten years at the water park, I have learned many things about running a business efficiently and effectively-I have also learned what not to do.  I have had successes and failures.  One of my major successes has been the bricks of my current business venture- Whippersnappers.  In three years, with the help of very wonderful people, I have more than tripled the Retail Sales department of Wild River Country with simple changes.  I am not classically trained in anything retail, but I am classically trained in business administration and have excellent taste which I can attribute to my wonderful grandmother. 

Whippersnappers is more than just a Children's boutique.  It is a visionary confectionery, toy store, and clothing store.  We are in the business of children's happiness.  I could spend days talking about my childhood, and my lack thereof but for time's sake just know I barely had a childhood.  So this is my chance- I want to be a big kid again, and make a business out of it.  We believe in empowering children to do amazing things, and love life.  I am still in the planning and building stages, but will be blogging about my experiences and what you have to look forward to.  I feel very fortune and super excited about this venture, and can't wait to serve you.

Here goes nothing...

I have never been much of a creative writer-I really just tell it how it is.  I guess that is what makes me witty, which is my friends' way of saying I'm flat and dry but sort of funny.  So basically- just pretend I'm super witty.

Before I go, there are a couple other main characters in my life you need to know.  My first babies are the most adorable furry rug rats you will ever meet- they are full of spirit and love.  Porkchop (black), Zack (gray), and T-Bone (white) are often the topic of my conversations.

Last, but not least, the number one love of my life is Tripp Weaver Piwetz- King Whippersnapper.  He was born March 18, 2012 which was the best day of my life.  He is full of smiles, love, and fun.  Isn't he so handsome?

Thanks for humoring me.  I look forward to keeping you updated on my new and exciting venture.  Let's see how this goes...