no, thank YOU!

I think its very important to let customers know how grateful I am that they want to shop here and I hope you all know that I am so very honored and humbled by this!

And all customers! No gift or purchase is too small. I think its important to have a range of products everyone can purchase. From a small, cozy little rattle, to a nice swaddle set, to your first outfit, to a carrier and I can go on and on. There will be days when you just want to browse, and thats great too! Come in for some AC (thats when its working.....)

Occasionally you will have those "I have a giant list of things I need to buy" days. Bonus! If you spend just $200 with sugar snap pea, you will get a free 30 minute baby session with the amazing Carmen, from Carmen Ash Photography. Some of you may have seen the great photography hanging on my walls. Well, your baby can look that great too! I will leave you starring at these pictures, but just remember, next time you are at Sugar Snap Pea, we are very, very thankful!

for full terms and conditions please contact Carmen: Carmen@CarmenAsh.com 843-718-2432

Why Charleston is great!

I have said it before, I'll say it again. I love Charleston. The community is wonderful, the weather is great and the beauty of this city is just breath taking.

That is until your AC goes out in your store 4 times in one month and everything blurs together. Yesterday was crazy, I lost 5 lbs just standing in this heat and doing nothing, but I think were back in the game. Lets not count on Lucky #5 anytime soon :)

So to sound off on that community...

I have met wonderful retailers along Charleston and we have all become a little small family. (ok, thats what I think, they may say Im the unwanted step child...but in my mind, its puppies and flowers and everyone loves each other, Im sticking to my story)

Today I found out that one of our dear retailers-The Sally Bettes shop, is having a huge MOVE sale on 74 N Market Street. Now days when we hear the word MOVE, we assume that its a bad thing. Not in this case! They are just changing locations, but all those in Charleston become winners by feasting on their sale.

The sale is from today through Saturday. Im on my way there after I close, to make sure I get something before anyone else :)

Feeling shopperific? Mention this blog and you'll get a little something extra.

1 Month Birthday Present-TO YOU!!

So I know its not Monday and not my regular day to blog...but you'll be glad you read this and read THE WHOLE THING, you'll be glad you did!!! (especially if you live in Charleston)

Before I opened my store, I heard about a great new organization, called 3rd cup charleston. The organization started by Greg Mortenson, and below is a little bit about his story:

In 1993 Greg Mortenson was returning from a failed attempt to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, in northern Pakistan. During the ascent Greg and three climbers rescued a fifth climber. The rescue took over 75 hours. After the rescue Greg became separated from the group. Both weak and exhausted he wondered into a small improvised village. The people in the village welcomed Greg and nursed him back to health.

To repay the village for saving his life, Greg promised to return and build a school. From this simple promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time—Greg Mortenson's one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, throughout an area dominated by the Taliban.

In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. But the change he has made on the world speaks for itself. As of 2009, Mortenson has established or significantly supports 131 schools in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. These schools provide an education to over 58,000 children, including 44,000 girls, where few education opportunities existed.

Mortenson’s success in the region has brought great praise from the Pentagon and he is considered a valued unofficial consultant to the United States Military. Three Cups of Tea is now required reading for Special Forces troops deploying to Afghanistan

“Three Cups of Tea” is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.” - Tom Brokaw

So why am I telling you this? Well, Sugar Snap Pea gave itself a 1 month birthday gift. We are sponsoring this organization, and as a thank you, we are getting 25 tickets to the September 1st RiverDogs Game in Charleston!

Want to come out and support Sugar Snap Pea, 3rd cup charleston and the RiverDogs? ITS ON US!!

First 25 people to email get FREE tickets! Email: zhenya@sspbaby.com for your tickets!

Happy Birthday Sugar Snap Pea!!!

keeping promises

I hate making promises I cant keep. Even if that promise is to write a new blog post every Monday. Its Monday...you deserve that promised post..even if its going to be about nothing.

(how about that for an attention getter opening sentence that will make you want to read on)

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a bridesmaid in one of my best friends wedding. For the first time in 2+ years all of our close girlfriends ( there are 8 of us) got to see each other. So much has changed. 1 ( and the first to be married almost 3 years ago) has a baby boy who is going on 2. Our second bride, has been a world traveler and made it to Michigan from London. Our third bride is expecting a baby girl in October, and our 4th bride will be taking a luxurious vacay in Australia after a beautiful wedding. Needless to say, Im friends with cool people. We also joke that the remaining 4 are going to be creating a nice gap in time, so unlike the past 4 reunions for weddings, we will be going on an all girls cruise sometime next year :)

With great reunions come some separations. That is the separation between me and the store. I have no idea how mothers leave their children after spending months with them on maternity leave...yes, I realize Im comparing something perfectly un-human, like a store, to a very different human with feelings, emotions and needs, like a child, but Im pretty sure Sugar Snap Pea has become my baby.

I was very grateful to find someone who was willing to babysit but most importantly, put up with my hovering like a bad helicopter over them, and texting them in 20 minute intervals.

In fact, everyone joked that I would be taking work calls while the bride walked down the isle....that did not happen, I promise :)

Everything went smoothly, some things still remain a question ( like why your store alarm goes of) but most importantly I learned that sales will still go on, even if Im not there.

So while it was good to get away, it was so great to be back. I feel ready to continue on with Sugar Snap Pea and bring you all different services and items. Stay tuned, great things are coming ahead!

new routine

I cant believe my first 2 weeks just flew by. So much love has been put into this space. Some spots more than others. Some painting mishaps still bother me, but since Im the only one to blame for that, I'll let that one slide :)

Since I thrive on organization, I've decided that Monday will be my official blog day. So this way, you can always be in the know and through out the week you can check twitter or facebook for even speedier information. (www.sspbaby.com)

As promised, I have a sneak peak of the amazing photos by Jenna Daniels. For a crazy day as the grand opening was, Jenna managed to create a sense of peace on that day. I'll let you be the judge yourself, but think she's pretty amazing!

Enjoy!

no they are not concerned shoppers...they are just adding everything in their head that they want

we took a great mobile and made it into an amazing thingymagigy over the counter

just a few people stopped by...

entertainment for kids and adults

pointing is good...pointing means-adorable

she might kill me for this picture...but i love it...i think she was telling a story

the never ending tears

D'lish and Yoj..enough said

my little sticker elfs

Monday-Saturday home

so this picture is there because of hilarity of the situation...note the cardboard..

and now its gone...

lets do it again!

Back to FRIENDS (or school)

It's sugar snap pea's first school year. I remember my first day at school. It was magical. New backpacks, new EVERYTHING. 2 weeks later, I wondered why my notebook and backpack didnt look fresh and shiny..( i thought this as i tossed my backpack on a dirty floor 30 times a day...I got smarter)

A new fun email just went out regarding our Back To School program. Its the perfect timing, because SC has a tax free weekend on certain items, and luckily, SSP qualifies for majority of those items! So if you don't get our email by this evening, and would like to, please let me know!