Why we are saying 'No' to #BlackFriday

I have been aware for a few weeks of the fast approaching phenomenon that has come about in recent years, know as Black Friday.

All week I have been undecided as to whether to run any offers and as my inbox filled with emails or what offers are available today I really felt the mounting pressure.

But I have decided to say 'No' to Black Friday. 

As a small, one Mama business I work hard all year round to make sure that my prices are competitive and as low as I can possibly make them whilst still trying to make a little bit of money for myself and my family.

In the last few days I have seen offers of 30% and 40% off and have felt the pressure to match this. But realistically as a small business we cannot afford to do this. I work with very small margins in the first place and discounting to this level would see me selling my stock at a loss.

As an example, after the costs of purchasing, postage and packaging costs and the fees that PayPal deduct I make approximately £1.06 on a pair of frillies. Were I to start offering huge discounts I would be losing money on each item I sold.

I also feel a sense of loyalty to my lovely customers who have purchased products at full price and how gutted they would feel to see it discounted a week or so later. As a customer and consumer myself I am finding the whole process of Christmas Shopping with all these discounts flying about quite tricky. You never know if it is the right time to buy or if there will be another, better offer next week.

So this is why at Itsy Bits we are saying 'No' to Black Friday and 'Yes' to year round fair prices for customers and fair prices for the retailers.  I hope that our loyal customers do appreciate the effort put into sourcing quality products and keeping prices fair year round without Black Friday discounts.

Working with Alexander's Charity Ball & The Lullaby Trust

Those of you who know me as my alter-ego, What Elsa Wears, may be aware of the fundraising I have done previously for The Lullaby Trust via Alexander's Charity Ball.

The stakes have been raised this year and there is a challenge on to raise £100,000 in memory of Alexander to fund vital research into sudden death in over 1's.

So this year Alexander's Charity Ball & The Lullaby Trust are our nominated charities.

Throughout the year of the challenge, from Sept-14 to Sept-15 I will be running several events to help raise funds.

The first thing we will be doing is coming very soon and is very exciting. A massive delivery of Slugs & Snails tights is due very very soon. Once the new stock arrives and is available on the website, £1.00 from the purchase of every pair of tights will be donated to the Alexander's Ball £100k Challenge.

This £1.00 donation from the sale of each pair of tights applies to Slugs and Snails in both the new and current designs and also our Baberoo Animal Print tights.

I hope you'll join me in supporting this fabulous cause and getting excited for the new design Slugs arriving imminently.

Introducing.....Mama & Daughter Gift Sets

I can't believe it has been a whole month since we ran the birthday giveaways.

My resolve to regularly update the blog has been trampled all over with real life getting in the way. But part of the reason I have been so quiet is that I have been busy brain storming for how to take Itsy Bits Children's Boutique forward. I am shortly being made redundant from the day job so I am going to take a bit of time to spend with gorgeous Elsa and put some effort into developing the shop.

In the meantime we have launched a collaboration product on the website. Following the tremendously successful Mama & Daughter giveaway we have teamed up with Niteo Jewellery to offer them as gift sets on the website.

These are retailing at £35 including our famous free delivery. The bracelets are all handmade to order and we have twelve variations of the bracelet and tutu combination available. 

These gorgeous combinations make fabulous gifts for a special Mama and Daughter team.....hint hint partners and Dad's!

Enjoy shopping our new gift sets!

Our First Birthday!

So Itsy Bits Children's Boutique is one whole year old on 25th July.

It's hard to believe how fast a year has gone. A whole year since my hair brained scheme born from the frustration of being unable to find bright coloured, frilly pants for my baby. I have done so much but there is plenty more I want to do too.

I have to say a huge thank you to each and every person who has bought from us, written a review, shared a gorgeous picture and had encouraging words for me when I was doubting myself. Thank you all so much.

And so to the last of our birthday month giveaways. I have teamed up with the fabulous Niteo Jewellery (who just so happens to be my sister) for a very special Mama & Daughter giveaway.

Niteo Jewellery is owned by Amy who creates sleek and stylish hand made Swarovski jewellery. Check out her website to see the wide range of hand crafted pieces including an amazing bridal range (I wish I could get married again for one of the head pieces), all at amazing prices. Amy is more than happy to create custom and bespoke pieces too.

The giveaway is for a Niteo Jewellery Classicus Ivory & Turquoise bracelet with silver snowflake spacers for Mama & a gorgeous Turquoise Tutu for Daughter. The tutu is available in ages 0-2, 2-4 and 4-8.

Entries via the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 5 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.The prize is offered and provided by Itsy Bits Children's Boutique. The prize is a Niteo Jewellery bracelet and Itsy Bits tutu. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.Closing date is midnight on Tuesday 29 July 2014 and the winner will be announced the following day.

Birthday Month Giveaway #3 - Brilliant Baberoo Tights

So I am well aware that it is July and it has been pretty warm so tights are probably not high on most people's agenda at the moment.

But there is nothing like being prepared! And as it is time for Birthday Month Giveaway Number 3, what better than getting prepared for cooler days with fabulous animal print Baberoo tights?

We are giving away 4 pairs of tights in tiger, zebra, cow and giraffe to one lucky person! They are going to be some super cool little legs this winter!

Super easy to enter, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Month Giveaway #2 & A Very Sad Day

Today has been a very sad day in the Itsy Bits household. We said goodbye to our old friend Jack.

After 12 and a half years and suffering from terminal cancer we decided that he was ready to go to sleep. A very very sad day but we know we did the right thing.

In happier news, we are on week two of our birthday celebrations and on to the second of our birthday giveaways. 

Up for grabs this week are some goodies from our new range of pom pom hair accessories by Boo Miss Martha Moo. These funky and unique hair accessories are handmade in the UK and available in just about any colour under the sun. 

The giveaway is for a pom pom headband of the winners choice plus 4 pom pom hair clips. Easy to enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Month!

It's July and that means it's our Birthday Month! We are one whole year old at the end of the month and we have a few exciting things up our sleeve to celebrate.

First up we have a little giveaway of a pair of Pink Leopard Satin Frillies, available in either Age 0-2 or Age 2-4.

Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below! Good luck and keep your eyes peeled for more birthday fun!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 5 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.The prize is offered and provided by Itsy Bits Children's Boutique. The prize is a pair of Pink Leopard Satin Frillies. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.Closing date is midnight on Monday 28 July 2014 and the winner will be announced that day.