Contest: Facebook Photo Contest - Win a $50 Gift Certificate!

Do you have a picture of your little boy or girl in one of our outfits? We want to see it! Click here to post a picture of your little one wearing a Princess Linens outfit for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate and be featured on our homepage and our Facebook page.

Click Here to Post Your Photo on Our Facebook Page

Contest ends 6/6/11 at 12 midnight EST when one lucky winner will be chosen randomly and awarded a $50 gift certificate redeemable at www.princesslinens.com. The winning picture will be featured on our homepage and will be used as our Facebook profile picture for some serious bragging rights!

A. HOW TO ENTER:
Visit our Facebook page and upload an image of your child wearing a Princess Linens outfit

B. EXTRA ENTRIES - One Entry Each

1. Tweet this contest - You can do this one time per day through 6/6/11 at 12 midnight EST. Example: I want to #win the Facebook photo #contest from @princesslinens
2. Follow us on Twitter - @princesslinens
3. Like us on Facebook
   
4. Post as your Facebook status and post a comment letting us know that it is your status - Example: I want to win the Facebook photo contest from Princess Linens! http://bit.ly/a2CaBH - You can do this one time per day through 6/6/11 at 12 midnight EST.
5. Follow our Blog and post a comment letting us know that you followed the blog
6. Join our newsletter and post a comment letting us know that you joined
7. Blog about this contest and leave a comment with a link to your blog

Official Rules:
1. One entry per household
2. US and Canada residents only
3. Contest ends 6/6/11 at 12 midnight EST
4. Winner will be chosen randomly

School Lunches (and Snacks too!)

What to put in your adorable Princess Linens Chalkboard Lunch Tote? Try these kid-friendly recipes sure to make all the kids jealous of your little one in the cafeteria!

Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwiches:

1/2c Salsa Verde (see recipe below)

8 slices (1/2” thick ea) Tuscan bread

2 medium ripe tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices

8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices

Spread about 1 tbsp of Salsa Verde on 1 side of each slice of bread. Place 2 tomato slices and 2 mozzarella slices on 4 slices of bread. Place remaining slices of bread, sauce side down, on top. Cut each sandwich in half, place in resealable container and pack into the lunch tote.

Recipe adapted from: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/fresh-mozzarella-tomato-sandwiches-2071

Salsa Verde Recipe:

1 clove garlic, cut in half

¼ tsp salt

2c (packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves

1/3c olive oil

3 tbsp capers, drained

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients, blending until finely chopped in a food processor with a knife blade attachment or in a blender. Store covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Recipe adapted from: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/salsa-verde-463

Pizza Roll-up (one of our favorite “special treats” for our little ones)

Using a whole wheat or whole grain tortilla, spread tomato/pizza sauce on one side of the tortilla. This part is up to you, but then add chicken, mushrooms, spinach, ham, pineapple, or turkey or regular pepperoni. Spread an even amount of shredded cheese, preferably a pizza mix (mozzarella, parmesan, etc.). Pop it in the microwave for about 1 minute. Allow to cool and roll up. Cut the Pizza Roll-up into pieces for your little one to enjoy at lunch and pack in a resealable container to go directly into their lunch tote!

Fun (and healthier too!) Chips

Using fun cookie cutters, cut a flour tortilla or wrap. Arrange on cookie sheet and toast in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes. Pack in your child’s lunch tote with hummus, bean dip, etc for on the go snacking.

Want another cute idea? Brush a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray onto the chips after baking and add Parmesan cheese or cinnamon and sugar.

Adapted from: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/baglunches.htm

What to expect at a gift show

Is this your first trip to the America’s Mart for the Atlanta Gift Show, or more formally called, The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market? If so, here is a snapshot of what you may expect and how to prepare. If not, it’s always good to refresh your memory and maybe even your approach to market!

1. Know what you want to buy, what season you are buying for, and anticipate your needs. Typically, in July, you will place Holiday orders. Seems a little early, but this is industry standard. Plan accordingly. Know where you want to go. The America’s Mart publishes The Market! Guide in printed form and has information available online at http://www.americasmart.com/exhibitor-dir/. Research companies and their products ahead of time and make a must-visit list.
2. Budget and stick with your plan. It is overwhelming to go to the many floors of the mart and walk through the temporaries. There are some great items and fun, flashy designs – many of which will draw your eye! Add in some extra space in your budget to bring in new lines – after all, your customers are always interested in unique items they haven’t seen everywhere.
3. Keep records and make sure to remember what you buy and your ship dates. After each purchase, take a moment to file an order copy in a folder so that you can refer to it while at another showroom or at the end of the day to reflect on what you have already purchased. It would be disheartening to purchase two of the same items without realizing!
4. The Temporaries vs. Permanent Showrooms. The temporaries are vendors that have a temporary space at the mart – they do not have permanent showrooms and will only be available during market times. This is often the best place to find unique items manufactured by smaller companies. Minimums are usually lower and in many cases, they will get to know you and your store should you choose to do business with them. The permanent showrooms are just that – they have a permanent space in the mart. They are available year round, not just at market times and tend to be larger companies and companies that rep multiple lines. These showrooms can be great for staple items and can be a quick way to fill your store (and your budget) fast!

Remember, the Mart will be crowded. Make sure to establish a meeting place for your group in the event that you should get separated or you choose to “divide and conquer.” Perhaps, the best piece of advice: Wear COMFORTABLE Shoes!

Good Luck!

Stop by and come see us! Located in the temporaries, we are in Building 3, Floor 5, Booth #208.

Make Sets with Current Products

Have current plush inventory? No problem! Make a cute gift set that someone can pick up and give out the same day.

Simply attach a Crayon Keeper to the stuffed animal - you can use a color-coordinating ribbon, plastic fasteners or even wrap the animal's arms/legs around the product. You have just created a quick $25 gift, great for the register or for a sibling gifts section!

How Do I Sell the Crayon Apron/Toolbelt?

Are your customers not quite sure what the Crayon Apron or Crayon Toolbelt actually is? Get creative with your displays! Dress a child-size mannequin in a cute, comfortable lazy-day outfit, fill the apron with crayons and attach it.

Doodlebugz Fun with Gift Baskets!

What better way to merchandise product? Put it in a gift basket and make it a set! Your customers (and the person receiving the gift) will value the ready-made gift that looks like it took more than a quick trip to the store to produce.

Try a basket, try a little red wagon. Mix stuffed animals currently in your store, additional art products or even a little candy! The possibilities are endless.

Have you ever thought...

... of taking the Crayon Keeper out of the tube and wrapping the ribbon around the crayons? It's a colorful and bright way to stress the creative side of the Crayon Keeper.

Plus, it fits great in a gift basket this way!