Mmmmm....Weelicious Fans

We are greatful to Weelicious for their wonderful review of our Overall Aprons. We know that the boys are tough customers when it comes to aprons so we are happy to hear ours passed the test. Read on to see what the folks at Weelicious had to say:

In my experience, one of the major challenges as a parent is getting kids dressed every day. From the time kids first start to assert their independence around the age of two, having choice in what they wear is super important for them. Control is a very big deal for children and next to food, clothing is paramount.

Kenya has gotten to the point where he not only insists on picking out what he wants to wear, but he also negotiates how he wants and when he’s ready to be changed. I feel like I have to strategize every morning before I go in his room just so I have a plan of attack.

Keeping this in mind, when I got this adorable Beansoup apron, I wasn’t even sure if Kenya would let me put it on him. Fortunately, both sets of his loving grandparents recently got him a mini play kitchen so he could cook just like mommy. All I had to say was “do you want to put on a apron and do some cooking” and his arms flew in the air for me to place it on him. He loved that he could put utensils in the pockets and get to work making a feast. I love it because now he wants to wear his apron every time he eats, and so he doesn’t mess up his outfit before we head out for the day.

Beansoup makes 3 different styles: chef, cobbler and overall aprons, all in different fabrics for each cook’s unique style. I can’t even tell you how comfortable and sweet they look on future chefs. One step closer to culinary school!

Lights, Camera, Beansoup Aprons!

This past Saturday, we had the pleasure of being guests at the Jr. Chef's of America cooking contest in the Sur La Table kitchen at the Grove in Los Angeles. Not only were there some very cool kids who were auditioning on camera to be the next Jr. Chef...they were all wearing some very cool aprons.

We just happened to capture this great shot of one of the contestants. Go to www.jrchefsofamerica.com for more information and browse around...they sell our aprons too!

Eco-Me DIY Kits Give Beansoup a Greener Purpose

We'd like to thank the fabulous folks at Eco-Me for including us in their 52 weekly tips email blast.

Beansoup Survives Bankruptcy Tuesday!

I'll admit, when I first heard about the new CPSIA law that went into effect last year, I panicked. How was a small company like mine going to possibly afford to get lead testing on it's products? What exactly did all of this mean? It was confusing and scary.

I am a mother of 2 wonderful kids and I have made it my life's work to make sure that they are safe and healthy. I buy organic foods, I use as many chemical free cleaners as I can and I watch like a hawk what they put in their mouths. But who am I kidding? As parents, we know that when we turn our backs, they ingest every ounce of junk food available, chew on batteries and light bulbs and maybe even lick the paint in their paint sets. The point is, we can't monitor them constantly so we have to know that what we are buying for them won't harm them. So I sat down and asked myself a few questions.

Would I want to buy my children a product that has dangerous levels of lead in it?

No.

Do I want manufacturers to be responsible for insuring that their products don't have excessive lead counts.

Yes.

To me it wasn't a question of could I afford to test my products, it was how quickly could I get them tested? How soon would it be before I could go to bed at night knowing that the product that I provide for children is safe? For me, it was a done deal and even though the CPSC generously granted a stay on certificates, I felt that it was absolutely my job to be prepared for the February 10 deadline.

The moral is, Beansoup will survive Bankruptcy Tuesday. We have been tested and according to our CPSC approved testing facility, our products are safe. Our certificates are ready, should anyone ask and we are prepared, confident and more than a little relieved.

So the next time my son chews on his favorite apron, I'll let it go and know that he will be just fine. I'm making it my life's work to protect my children as their parent and as a business owner it is my duty and my pleasure to protect yours...

No matter what the cost.

The Zest Loves Beansoup

The following was generously posted by our friends at The Zest.

Those strings

I wonder if I’ve created a monster. Not only does Quinn (six years old, and counting) feel free to comment on my couscous plan (”Mom, we need to add lemon zest”), just because she’s wielding a wooden spoon, she’s become rather attached to a certain breakfast preparatory ritual.

Every morning, she must carefully and thoughtfully select a color for her yogurt. Some moms let their salmon-resistant tots slather their filets with ketchup; I allow my girls to custom color their plain yogurt. It’s a benign concession, I think, this way of bargaining with them to give up on coercion in the dairy aisle, to just say no to added sugar with their active, live cultures.

But the color selection has become quite the process, one that involves Quinn climbing up to stand on the counter, opening the upper cabinet where the food coloring is kept, and removing all four boxes of food coloring — even though each box contains the same four colors. (Let’s not even try to determine why I have four boxes of food coloring. Just another one of life’s little mysteries.)

“Just pick a box!” I want to scream. But I don’t scream. Never, ever, ever.

Better yet, just name your color, I want to tell her (not in an exasperated voice. No, never). But she has to do it herself. Has to pick. Has to drop, drip-drip-drops of food coloring into her creamy daily dairy.

So, enthusiastic as she is to have her way with food things, I’ve decided to just enable her. Like every good mommy does. By praising her good intentions with buying her stuff.

Because both of my girls are so gung-ho right now in the kitchen, I couldn’t resist picking up a couple of Beansoup’s Chefs Aprons. They’re reasonably priced and come in sizes — a concept I can appreciate. I’m a sucker for a darling print, anyway — put one on an apron and I’m a goner. Beansoup’s durable fabrics are both charmingly mod and irresistibly retro.

Which is kind of how I feel when I cook. Apron strings tied on my terms. And it’s never too early to let my girls in on that, is it?

Clothing? Sure We'll Give It A Whirl!

I am an apron designer...or so I thought. All of the sudden people kept asking me when I was going to get into kids' clothing. And when I sat down to think about it, I wasn't sure I had an answer. What I did know was that my clothes had to be something special.

How to make the leap from aprons to clothing was where I was stumped. To me an apron is about imagination and creation. I wanted to come up with patterns that included those ideals but that were still modern and fresh.

And there it was, staring me in the face. Play Clothes for Real Life. Why wear a costume when you can wake up and actually be whatever it is that your imagination can dream up? Step into a role and create your world accordingly.

Our first foray is into the world of 50's Sock Hop. With the new addition of our modern take on the poodle skirt, we are on our way. Please look for us to add a couple of things to this new line in the coming months including a Circle Dress and a Mechanics Jacket for boys!

Clothing? Sure we'll give it a whirl...Beansoup Style!

Fill 'Er Up...Beansoup Style

What is it about getting older that makes us long to reminisce about the "good old days" and how is it that when I wasn't looking...I got older?

As I sat filling my car up at the gas station the other day, I was struck by a nostalgia that went way beyond the price of a tank.

I , in fact, found myself missing the friendly, grease-stained shirt of the gas station attendant. You know, the one who would brave the elements to greet you with a "fill 'er up, Ma'am?" and a half cocked smile?

I'll admit that the sheer masculinity of the man in the attendants shirt, moved me as a kid. These strong, sweat smelling men took care of our family car. They allowed us to get from one place to another, safely,with clean windshields and I miss that.

When I sat down and thought about what item I wanted to use to launch our foray into the world of kids' clothing, the gas station attendant once again got my attention. Why not make a cool kids version of the gas station attendant shirt...I mean what could be more cool, more masculine or more Beansoup?

Look for the new Beansoup Gas Attendant's Shirts on our website and in stores Summer 2009.