Moms Cafe

New Dragonflies and Ladybugs Store

2006-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hi! Well it is Finally HERE!!! Our new store has been launched! We still sell on Ebay, but we are slowly moving our products over to our prostore account.
We have our newest inventory listed and our NEW fall items are in! We have both NWT and Used Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Hanna Anderson, Baby LULU and much much more.
Great Prices!

Check us out when you get a chance: Dragonflies and Ladybugs

How Do You Define Success

2006-06-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

How do you define success for yourself, for your life and your home business.

Well, I would say that I feel most successful whenever I can survive a full day with my girls without any major "breakdowns". I felt successful when my 3 1/2 year old decided to start going potty after 6 months of me tirelessly trying to get her to wear regular "big girl" underpants. In fact, the day the light bulb went off, and she finally started going into the bathroom on her own and decided to retire the pullups and use her big girl pants.... I felt more successful as a mother than I ever did in all my years in business and in graduate school... funny how those things turn out.
I feel successful in my business when I make my customers and website visitors happy. Honestly, I do not make a huge or even significant income from my home based business, but I feel successful when I get an email from a customer that is happy with my site or our products.

take care and have a great week

Time To Yourself

2006-05-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

QOTW Time to yourself
Work at home moms rarely have time to themselves without the kids. What do you do if you have an hour, day, or eek an entire weekend to yourself?

Time to myself???? Very rare, BUT there are occassion where I will have a 1/2 day or so to myself, and usually, (this may sound sad) I try to run my errands: grocery shop, post office, etc. If it is only an hour or so, I work on my estore and business without interruptions. At night if I have an hour or so, my husband and I will read... other than that, I rarely have that wonderful luxury at this point.

Life Balance: Summer and Work Life

2006-05-17T04:35:00.000-07:00

QOTW How will you handle summer and work?
Now that summer is almost here, what are some of the activities that will keep kids busy and happy while you are working? Or will your business/blogging take some time off?

I always try hard to balance both my work and home life. I am a bit "insane" when it comes to getting up early. I wake up at 4:30 to read emails, answer customer questions, and write my newsletter. Then, I work out and start my day. During the day, I try to spend as much time with my kids as I can, I only do my work during their naps, then again at night. Until my girls are in school, then that is the only way I can balance both.
I think it is important to remember that we stay home for our kids, so if I spend too much time on my business then I might as well go back to the workplace and put my girls in daycare. With that in mind, I try not to let it interfere with our time during the day.
I have found other great articles and posted them on the site:
The Mom's Cafe'

Work At Home Mom Bloggers Question For The Week

2006-05-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Question of The Week:
How do you stay fit? Not just on the physical side but the mental and emotional side? Do you make time for exercise? Do you always want to learn new things to keep you challenged?
Question from Work At Home Mom Bloggers.
My Answer:
First, I make sure that I get plenty of sleep. Both my husband and I go to bed fairly early (9:00-9:30 AM), even if we are up reading, we are relaxing in bed with no TV. Then, I get up an hour or so earlier than my family, and I work out for twenty minutes. I take time to stretch and relax with a cup of java. This keeps me even with my emotional and mental state of being. Finally, I try not to get too worked up any more about the little things in life. I try to maintain balance in my life, and I don't over do anything... from cleaning my house to playing with my girls. I try to have a good balance of activities and relaxation time.

www.BodyShape2.com

End of Summer Sale

2006-05-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

END of SUMMER SALE: FREE shipping on purchases totalling $25.00 OR more.

We are liquidating our items and not purchasing any more summer inventory this season. Bathing suits, layette items, and more. Please visit our store

DRAGONFLIES and LADYBUGS for more information

Great New Checklists For MOMS

2006-04-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

Childproofing Your Home

To make sure that your home is a safe haven for your children - and you - learn to spot and eliminate hazards throughout the house. This checklist will show you how. Register with ClubMom to customize this checklist by assigning due dates, adding new tasks, scheduling email reminders, and more.

Safety measures for every room:

Install child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets.

Keep dangerous chemicals out of children's reach.

For strings and ribbons, follow the six-inch rule.

Always use a safety belt on your baby when she is sitting in a bouncy seat or a swing.

Shorten curtain and blind cords.

Place furniture well away from windows.

Use corner bumpers on furniture and fireplace-hearth edges.

Place houseplants out of children's reach.

Know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them.

Keep cigarettes, matches, and lighters out of children's reach.

Safeguard heating and gas systems against accidents.

Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and gas appliances are vented properly.

Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.

Install carbon-monoxide (CO) alarms outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning.

Install smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on every level of your home.

Remove the plastic end caps on doorstops or replace the stops with a one-piece design to prevent choking.

Consider placing plastic guards along the hinge side of frequently used interior doors to prevent the doors from pinching fingers.

Safety-proof windows and fire exits.

Make a fire evacuation plan and practice fire escape routes at least twice a year.

Keep firearms and ammunition safely locked away.

Secure unsteady furnishings.

Avoid household water hazards.

Test homes built before 1978 for lead paint.

Learn first aid and CPR.

Register now to customize this list.

Hallways and staircases:

Avoid dark hallways and rugs that slip.

Safety-proof stairs.

If possible, install carpeting on stairways to protect from falls.

Register now to customize this list.

Kids' rooms:

Position your child's crib away from all drapery, electrical cords, and windows.

Make sure the crib meets national safety standards.

Make sure the mattress fits snugly.

Be sure the crib sheet fits snugly.

If you use a crib bumper, make sure it's firm (not fluffy) and secured tightly with at least six ties.

Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.

Place infants under one year on their backs to sleep.

Never use an electric blanket in the bed or crib of a small child or infant.

Place night-lights at least three feet away from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent fires.

Always use a safety belt on your infant when you have her on a changing table, and never leave her unattended.

Provide padding for falls.

Check age labels for appropriate toys.

Be vigilant about choking hazards.

Use side railings for children just getting used to "big kid" beds.

If bedrooms are on second or third stories, be sure to have a fire-escape ladder in each room.

Register now to customize this list.

Bathroom:

Put a lock on the medicine cabinet.

To prevent poisoning, lock away all vitamins and medicines.

Install toilet-lid locks to prevent drowning.

Lower the household water temperature.

Always test the water first before bathing a child.

Make sure bathtubs and showers aren't slippery.

Use electrical appliances carefully.

Install ground-fault circuit interrupters on outlets near sinks and bathtubs.

Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom.

Register now to customize this list.

Kitchen:

Keep knives, cleaning supplies, and plastic bags out of children's reach.

To avoid fires and burns, never leave cooking food unattended.

If stove knobs are easily accessible to children, use protective covers to prevent kids from turning them.

Teach your kids how to respond to fire.

When they're not in use, unplug electrical appliances.

Replace any frayed cords and wires.

Keep chairs and step stools away from counters and the stove.

Keep activated charcoal (helps absorb some poisons) and syrup of ipecac (used to induce vomiting) on hand.

Beware of foods that children can choke on.

Register now to customize this list.

Yard:

Store tools, garden, and lawn-care equipment and supplies in a locked closet or shed.

Don't use a power mower to cut the lawn when young children are around.

Don't allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least 48 hours following an application of a fertilizer or a pesticide.

Know the types of trees on the property in the event children ingest berries, leaves, or other plant life.

If you have a swimming pool, install a fence (with an automatic childproof gate) that separates the house from the pool.

When you barbecue outdoors, never leave kids unattended around the grill.

Store propane grills where children cannot reach the knobs.

Register now to customize this list.

Other resources for childproofing your home:

To find outlet covers, cord shorteners, cabinet latches, and toilet-lid locks, check with your local hardware store.

For consumer-product and home-safety information, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

For details about child and home safety, contact the National Safe Kids Campaign.

For information about child lead poisoning, read the "Lead Hazard Information" pamphlet from the department of Housing and Urban Development.

For information about safe drinking water, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.

Register now to customize this list.

Frugal Tips From Frugal Momz

2006-04-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Looking for a great money saving site? Frugal Momz has coupons, articles, freebies and more!!!
Here is this weeks Frugal Tip:

Save Money on Utilities

* Install the new type of fluorescent bulbs in lights you leave on for long periods. They provide four times as much light and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

* Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to between 110 and 120 degrees. It's not necessary to have it any hotter and wastes energy.

* Find out if your utility company offers free energy audits. Some
companies will inspect your home for energy effectiveness and recommend inexpensive ways to cut energy costs, such as insulating hot water heaters, weather-stripping, etc. Some untility companies will even perform these energy-saving steps free-of-charge. Just insulating your hot water heater could save you $20 a year.
To Continue Reading These Tips and MORE, click here

Newest Gymboree Auctions

2006-04-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here Are some of Dragonflies and Ladybugs Latest Auctions:
Sorry have been out of loop posting blogs lately. Hope to be better this next week.

# New item #4868299394 - Gymboree SWEET CHERRIES Two Piece Set 3-6 HCTS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4868299394

# New item #4868299401 - Gymboree SWEET CHERRIES Two Piece Dress 6-9-12 HCTS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4868299401

# New item #4868299404 - GymboreeLEAPING LILY PAD Summer Dress 12-18 HCTS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4868299404

Great Forum For MOMS

2006-03-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

Mom's Cafe' Forum

2006-03-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

We have a super great new forum at The Mom's Cafe'
It is a slow start up, but please join, it is FREE!!!!

The Mom's Cafe' Forum

Free
business listings
auction listings
actuals for sale/trade
and MORE

Adsense? Really worth it?

2006-03-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

I have been working on my websites for a year now, and I have not made the incomes that others claim to make online. I am still trying, but I have to say before anyone gets involved in website design and website affiliate marketing that it is a lot more difficult than one may imagine. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I thought that once you create a website, put a few links on there, that it would be running by itself. This is not the case at all. You need to market, promote, write and publish newsletters, study your traffic, etc. Whew....it can be quite overwhelming. I will keep you all posted on my progress.

How to write up a good auction listing

2006-03-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

How To Write Up a Good Auction Listing

Writing up your auction listing is equally as important as taking your photo's and pricing your auction. As I said previously, honesty is your best policy. If something has a small stain, list it in your auction listing. If there is minimal wash wear on your clothing items, then list it. Don't try to fool your buyer, they have a "keener" eye than you might think. Consider this, they are purchasing something from someone that they cannot see, they cannot interact with, and they may not be able to return if they find that something is wrong with the item. In addition to this, they are paying for something before they have it, so they are placing a lot of "trust" in you the seller to give them the entire "scoop" on the item that you are selling.

Here is a list of items that should be included in your auction listing:

Name of item: be exact in your name and title. Give brand name and article name. Example: Gymboree Whale Watching Sailor Pants
Make of item: cotton, linen, silk, etc
Size: read the label, also if you are selling jeans or pants make sure to include your inseam, waist size, etc.
Condition of the item: make sure to include the following: wash wear, fading, pilling, stains, tearing, or pulling. I also add a rating system: fair, good, excellent, and like new. Keep in mind that what you may consider "like new" someone else may not, so try to remain objective in your listing.
Housing Conditions: where do you house your inventory? I always let people know that my items are in a "smoke free" and "pet free" home, and they are clean and washed prior to sending out.
Clear payment instructions: make sure you include clear and concise payment instructions. Don't leave any room for misunderstanding. Be firm, but polite.
Clear shipping and return policies: again make sure that you include a clear and concise shipping and return policy. Also, be consistent in all of your listings.
Open yourself up to questions: I always let people know in all of my listings that they should feel free to email me if they have any further questions or concerns about the item.

Baby LULU Clothing For Sales

2006-03-08T04:39:00.000-08:00

This is one of the items that we have on the Ebay store for sale this week. Again, we are offering FREE shipping on all Clothing purchases totalling over $25.00. We just added 7 NEW Baby LULU boutique dresses. GREAT Spring and Easter Dresses. What a FIND. We also have added three preemie sleepers/gymmies from Gymboree.
Thanks For LOOKING

Dragonflies and Ladybugs

Ezine Newsletters

2006-03-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hi guys. What is one of the best ways to promote your website? Subscribe and write articles for an ezine. I started two, but I need subscribers for My Frugal Momz Newsletter. It is free to sign up AND you can learn from me how to start your own... that is how I did it. Sign up below if you are interested.
Thanks!!!

Some Great MOM Forums to Add to Your Favorites

2006-03-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Some of My favorite Forums for trading and actuals for sale AND work from home advice are:

Moms Club
The Baby Center
WAHMS United
Coupon Chix

Work From Home Tip:

Jobs At Home: The Complete Guide To Finding And Creating A

Work-at-Home Job

Have you ever wondered how you go about getting
a telecommuting job? Are there really companies out there who are
looking to hire home-workers? In this resource, “Jobs At Home: The
Complete Guide To Finding And Creating A Work-at-Home Job”, Leslie
Truex show’s that it can happen! To order this ebook visit: Bizymoms.com

Surveys for Cash

2006-02-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

Another Way to save money or earn points online is to take surveys. They can be time consuming, but fun too. Here is one you may like.

Prizes for Surveys. CLICK HERE

Other FREE Ways To Advertise Your Auctions/Business

2006-02-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Ola! Well I have pretty much tried the "gamet" of advertising techniques for my Ebay store and website. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have spent on this endeavor, and yet none have really yielded me a high number of results. I have tried the following (in case you are interested):
1. Google Adwords -very expensive and unless you have a huge budget, not worth it.
2. SEO Marketing: Engine Seeker, Exact Seek, and more. You pay a monthly fee and they submit your sites for you.
3. Advertising my banner on other WAHM websites: there are some good ones: WAHMS United, Bizy Moms, Advertising Moms, etc.

I have tried more, but I highly recommend the following FREE resources:
1. submit your own url FREE: Alta Vista, Addme.com, Google Submit URL, Yahoo, Websquash, and there are many others. It is just manual and time consuming.
2. Join forums that allow you to post your business listings for free: We have one now Called the MOMS CAFE Forum. It is FREE and great resource to advertise.
3. Join and write articles for EZINES: Zinester is a great one!
4. Word of mouth: when you join forums or trading boards that don't allow you to post auctions and listings, just make sure you sign your name with your business url attached. Same with you emails!!!! This gets it out there and FREE.

Take care and have a GREAT weekend.

Free Advertising Information

2006-02-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

Use classifieds to buy, sell or advertise anything!

This has been a very useful tool for me to promote my online Ebay sales and business.
Check it out.

How To Choose The Best Home Based Business

2006-02-24T05:06:00.000-08:00

This is A Great Article You can read it here
We have more articles like this on The Mom's Cafe'

How To Choose The Best Home Based Business
by: Brian Pratt

If ever there was a time to start your best home based business - now is the time! There has never been such a large amount of information so readily available on the subject as there is now. Help abounds for you.

In this article, I will give you just a preview of what is out there, and how you might go about getting started.

Types of Home Based Businesses Available

Every business, whether in your home, storefront, or high-rise, consists of basically two types. You can provide a product, or a service.

Provide A Product

This traditional type of business requires being able to manufacture the product, distribute it, and store enough of it to meet demand. Here are a few ideas for this:

· Restaurant or catering
· Selling on e-bay
· Selling an invention
· Custom-designed sweatshirts, etc.
· Selling books (bound, or electronic)
· Product assembly, etc.

Another option to making the product yourself that is very popular, is to sell other people's products - become an affiliate. This way the manufacturing, shipping and storing aspect, of delivery is handled for you - your main task is to advertise, take the orders, and follow through. For many online companies, however, about all you have to do is build websites, learn how to promote them adequately - and the company does the rest. This is so easy, that it could become your best home based business rather easily.

Provide A Service

The other type of home based business is that of providing a service. This could include:

· Typing resumes
· Data entry
· Cleaning offices
· Administrative assistant
· Writing and editing
· Travel agent
· Car repair

Both these types of businesses will allow you operate as an independent, or if you have some money to invest, there are companies that will allow you to franchise (ex. - Servicemaster, Snap-On Tools, WSI Internet, etc.). This means that you can pay a fee, get some marketing process and management support along with the use of their name.

One of the most highly recommended home based businesses and one that makes top dollar today, is the making and selling of your own e-books. If you have the ability to write, and know a little about software programs, then e-books may be for you. Find a "niche-market" (a market to people looking for specific information that is inadequately covered by the major companies); publish an informative e-book on the subject and market to the world with e-bay or with your own affiliate program.

About The Author

Brian Pratt is a 48 year old New Zealander with over 10 years internet experience. If you are looking for a home based business opportunity be sure to view his website at http://www.bestrealincome.com.

Motivation For Women

2006-02-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

Network Marketing For Woman

Are you looking for some Motivation?
Need a boost in your business attitude? Get the inspiration you’re
looking for from Cynthia Stewart-Copier in “Dream Big!”
This eBook, available at BizyMoms.com illustrates the importance of
defining your dreams, offers techniques to improve your ‘people
skills’ and effect more successful meetings as well as giving
you the inside scoop from 100 women who are successful in their Network
Marketing businesses. Get the edge you need in your business with
“Dream Big!” by Cynthia Stewart-Copier at: Bizymoms.com

Lauren Cassidy 2005

2006-02-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Lauren Cassidy 2005

2006-02-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to vent a little today rather than submit an article or post for business solutions or online business ideas. I am venting about people who shop on EBAY. Okay... I am a GREAT store owner, and I am very good to my customers. Although every now and again, I have that one person who CLAIMS to have not received one of their items, and I do a double check with my husband when I package my items. It is their word against mine, and I end up refunding them, or sending them another item. My husband says that I am getting "taken" and that people are stealing from me!!!! That may be so!!! But what irritates me most, is that we have received horrible things... a mirror that came with no hinges or brackets to hang it with ($122.00), clothing for our kids that smell like smoke, and BDU Army uniforms that are dirty with actual sweat stains that have not even been washed prior to selling them!!! Neither one of us has complained or made a fuss, yet I have had people purchase something for $2.00 and complain!!!! Do we not have anything better to do with our lives!!!! GEEZ.
Okay... I said my peace. I just feel like I am so nice to people and I get taken for granted. I pisses me off sometimes, when I know there are those out there who don't even care and wouldn't even return your emails.... !!!! UGH.
Okay enought griping.
I am done, have a super day

Robyn
The Mom's Cafe

2006-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

My Ebay Selling Tips

I learned a lot over the past year about how to sell and run a store on ebay. The most helpful tool for me was other users and sellers. Most of the community that sells on ebay are very nice and very helpful. Above is a link to my ebay selling tips, maybe I can help some of you too. These tips are a compillation of my own that have worked for me, along with those from others that I have learned along the way.

Enjoy!!! Hope they help you too.
Also, feel free to add more under comments.

www.themomscafe.net

Work From Home Legitimately?

2006-02-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

It can be frustrating and overwhelming to sort through the multitude of work from home websites, trying to differentiate between which ones are legitimate and which ones are just scams trying to invite you to pay money for their "great" get rich from home scam. Over the past four years, it has been my hard lesson to learn that in order to really work from home, you must take matters into your own hands and create your career from "scratch". Some great websites that support this are, of course.. found on The Mom's Cafe'.

But you can also try researching the following sites:

WAHMS United

Bizy Moms

These are some of my favorites, but there are more on our site.

Selling on Ebay

2005-11-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder how people obtain inventory to sell on Ebay. For example, where does someone get Dyson vaccuum cleaners NEW to sell and make a profit. Dropshippers? Wholesalers? Are they stealing this stuff? It is bizarre to me. I have been selling for almost a year, and I am still perplexed by this. I have searched HIGH and LOW for new products to sell, and all I find is junk in the wholesale market... it is a quandry that I would like to have solved.
The Mom's Cafe'

New To The Blog

2005-11-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I am new to this blogger thing. I heard of it once before, but had never tried to start one until now. Thought I would start by introducing myself... I am Robyn. I am a stay at home mom of two cute, but "highly active" little girls, Haylie and Lauren. A year or so ago, I decided that I was tired of looking for something to do from home to earn income, so I decided to start up my own personal web site called The Mom's Cafe'. After a lot of trial and error, and a lot of mistakes, I finally created a website that I could be proud of. I am still working on driving the traffic to my site, and I am playing around with Google adwords, advertising, and more. Hopefully by 2006, I will have gotten things "right"... but for now all is good. I am excited to start this blogging, and I hope it helps with my site visitors. I want people to enjoy the site, and I want them to provide feedback and more information, so it will only improve in the future.
Thanks and I look forward to meeting you out there in cyberworld.
Take care and Happy Holidays
Feel free to visit the site:
The Mom's Cafe'

Name:
Email: