December 31, 2010

New Years Resolution

One of my goals for the new year is to post on this blog more regularly. To help with that in January I will be doing 30 days to get to know me. I will start tomorrow and post something about me everyday. Here's the list if you'd like to join!

Day 1 – your favorite song
Day 2 – your favorite movie
Day 3 – your favorite television program
Day 4 – your favorite book
Day 5 – your favorite quote
Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 – a photo you took
Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 – a photo of you recently
Day 12 – something you are OCD about
Day 13 – a fictional book
Day 14 – a non-fictional book
Day 15 – your dream house
Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 – a talent of yours
Day 20 – a hobby of yours
Day 21 – a recipe
Day 22 – a website
Day 23 – a youtube video
Day 24 – where I live
Day 25 – your day, in great detail
Day 26 – your week, in great detail
Day 27 – my worst habit
Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse
Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year

December 30, 2010

Oliver's Labels - Review


Their Story

Hello! I'm Debbie, owner of Oliver's Labels. Oliver, my sister Marla's son, is my inspiration for my business.

When Ollie was young, Marla lived in New York City with her husband. When I would come to visit, Marla and I would go exploring the city by foot, with Ollie in his stroller. Like any young child, Ollie just loved to wiggle out of his shoes and toss them out the side of the stroller. Fortunately, we would usually notice soon enough, retrace our steps, and find his tiny shoe somewhere on the sidewalk. I knew there would be a time when we would not be so lucky.

That's when I got the idea to make some simple, homemade labels with Ollie's name and phone number on them. I stuck them on his bottle, inside his shoes, and on anything else Ollie decided he was bringing with him that day.

One day when I was back in my hometown (Toronto, Canada), I got a very excited phone call from Marla. “You will never believe what happened!” she exclaimed. It turned out that as usual, on one of their excursions, Oliver had managed to maneuver out of one of his brand new Nike runners. Marla was so disappointed, having only discovered it missing once they got home. Later that day a woman from the Bronx called saying that she had found the shoe! The shoe was returned and I was so delighted that my labels worked! Marla was so delighted at having saved a $60 pair of shoes!

By the time that Oliver started daycare, attending class with 15 other children, I started thinking about my labels again. This time, I used my 6 years of experience in the printing industry to design a label that would be both waterproof and beautiful. I then came up with the Found-it Tracking System™ to avoid sharing personal information (like a phone number) with strangers. Marla put them on his water bottle, books, and of course his shoes. His stuff always comes home with him. His teachers appreciate the time they save, always knowing what belongings are his. And Ollie’s classmates' parents started to ask Marla where they could get these same labels, both for their own children, and as birthday gifts for their children’s friends.

And so, my business was born.

With Ollie as my inspiration, I bring you Oliver’s Labels! How kids’ stuff finds its way home!



Our Thoughts

I must say I'm a skeptic. I've always known that stickers and water don't mix. I was however pleasantly surprised that Oliver's Labels proved me wrong! We received these labels just in time for a Christmas trial. I was most excited to use them on B & C's cups. B loves to make sure that both cups get put in the fridge after every meal so as not to waste any, my pregnant brain however has a really hard time remembering which cup belongs to which child even if I specifically grab 2 different colors. I was wondering how I was ever going to know when the babysitter is here and we're at school over the next few months. Thankfully Oliver's Labels has solved our problem. 

Oliver's Labels are absolutely adorable. We received a trial package for each boy in the transportation theme. I used one of the Mini Labels on each of the boys cups. They fit great and B loved having a sticker on his cup. He was even more excited when he realized that sticker had a car on it. (It will probably be a while before we quit hearing about this fact at the dinner table :) ). 
After that first use E kept asking me, "are you sure you want these in the dishwasher?" We talked him into it and this is what they came out looking like. I really couldn't tell a difference. B's even has a small wrinkle in it from when I put it on and it didn't do a thing. I am so excited to get this on the rest of their cups and not worry about if I'm giving them back the right one anymore. 

I love Oliver's Labels. They were very helpful and friendly, shipping time was great, and everything is so cute! 

One of my other favorite things about Oliver's Labels is the Found-it system. Here's what they have to say about it.


Found-it™ Tracking System

Get your stuff back!

Found Something? Please click here.


What is it?

Found-it™ is Oliver's Labels exclusive, FREE online Lost-and-Found system.


How does it work?

We give you the option of printing a Found-it™ tracking system code on your labels (as seen in the example below). This unique code connects you to your item via your email address.


How do I get it?

You can choose to have a Found-it™ tracking code printed on your labels or tags when you are filling out the personalization information for the product you're ordering. It's as simple as checking a box. If you decide to participate inFound-it™ for one or more of the items in your cart, you will be asked for an email address for our Found-it™ tracking system when you check out.


Can I get my labels without Found-it™?

Your participation in Found-it™ is totally optional. It's a free value-added service we offer to all our customers.


What happens if I lose something?

If you ever lose an item with a Found-it™ tracking system code, have no fear! When someone finds it they will be prompted to go to a special page on our website (see "A" in diagram below) with instructions to enter the code on the label (see "B" in diagram below). We then match you to your Found-it™ tracking system code and send you a notification email right away. Oliver’s Labels acts as an intermediary between you and the finder so you never have to share any of your personal information!


What does it look like?

Found-it™ tracking system label illustration



Summery of features you can include on your labels are:
  • allergies notes
  • custom colors & fonts
  • pictures
  • Found-It code
Please visit Oliver's Labels today and don't worry about loosing your child's (or your) things again.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com and the Tomoson weekly featured sponsor Favorite Wigs - Shop Name Brand Wigs at Low Prices! Large Wig Selection of Forever Young Wigs, and other Quality Wigs. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Christmas with the Kerrs


We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Sorry I'm just getting the photos posted. My computer is down so I get to steal E's until the new power cord gets here later this week. B & C had a wonderful time. They still don't quite understand the whole Santa thing but the sure did have a great time with all their new gifts!



My favorite gift were these sweaters. They were made with love by Grandma C. B says his "tickle" so we'll have to work on that. I'm sure you'll be seeing them again as they are very cute!

Hope you all had happy holidays!
A
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December 25, 2010

Oven is Down

Of course, right in the middle of all my holiday baking our oven dies. Sunday we cooked a huge batch of banana bread to take to the neighbors and then on Tuesday E made another one for the guys at work. He put it in the oven and almost 3 hours later it wasn't done so we finally gave up and took it out. We had no idea what was wrong and figured with B helping we probably mis-measured the ingredients. Then Thursday E decided to clean the oven and found a broken heating element inside. We've asked the landlord to repair it and haven't heard anything back. So, looks like it's a good thing we're at Grandma's for the holidays. We're sure going to have fun cooking without it when we get home.
If anyone has any good microwave/stove top recipes please send them to me. I love to bake so my supply is limited. Thanks!
A

December 23, 2010

A Quick Pre-Christmas Trip

B, C and I took a quick pre-Christmas trip to Boise this week. I had a cousin getting married on Tuesday so it's a good thing the shopping was all done. :) We had a great time even tho we came home exhausted. The boys haven't wanted to do anything but sleep since we got home and I'm not doing much better. It was a beautiful wedding however with lots of friends and family to see.

Today we're home doing laundry so we can head back to Grandma's tomorrow to spend Christmas. Things just keep going. We'll be back on Tuesday and then hopefully we'll have a few days to recoup before school starts on the 5th.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

December 18, 2010

Busy Day

Today is bound to be another crazy day as we prepare for Christmas week. E is out working hard selling Christmas trees and will probably be plowing snow this evening. B, C and I are hanging around the house, doing laundry and waiting for our new GoGreen Pocket Diapers. Mail man you better hurry up! Next week will be more craziness as we spend Monday through Wednesday in Boise for a wedding and then hurry home to do laundry so we can go to Grandma & Grandpa's for Christmas. I'm so glad I had my shopping done early! Everything is wrapped and under the tree (or rather on top of the piano so the kids will stay out of it) all I have left to finish is putting the elastic in our Christmas pajamas. Oops, there's the dryer, gotta run! Have a wonderful day!

December 17, 2010

BIG NEWS

Ok, so there are two pieces of big news that have helped my blogging efforts to fail recently.
1. We have been house shopping. Last week we put an offer on a home and are not so patiently waiting to hear back.
2. D is on the way! That's right, baby #3 is due June 10th. So far everything is going OK although I have been sick and am already struggling to fend of pre-term labor.
So please, thank you for following and stick with me for the upcoming adventures.
A