take a peek into our store, amelia jane, located in summerland, ca
and online www.littleameliajane.com
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| we love different musical instruments from around the world |
photos by Nancy Neil
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
'r' is for. . .
Pairing The Kissing Hand and Chester the Brave with a couple JellyCat pals makes a gift that we absolutely love! The Kissing Hand is one of our favorite children's classic that helps your little ones during times of separation. In Chester the Brave, we learn how Chester overcomes his fear of speaking in front of his class using an important strategy - a strategy we can all use!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
a lovely gift for you!
happy happy valentines day!
to share the love, shop littleameliajane.com
and use the code: feb14aj for 20% off
your purchase on this lovely day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
nancy neil
it is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. if that is so, then celebrated photographer nancy neil has eyes that possess the ability to behold beauty in anything and everything.
nancy spends a lot of time viewing life through a lens. it is through her lens that the most ordinary or simple of objects become art. nancy captures intimate moments with a quiet, tender reverence, conveys an organic tone and paints with light like the dutch masters. she is an artist in every sense, styling her shoots like a seasoned editor. nancy is relaxed and efficient, often holding her camera at her waist to catch fleetingly precious moments with babies and toddlers when they don't think she is "looking."
one afternoon, two years ago nancy followed my husband, our little girl (then 2) and me around a beautiful carpinteria ranch. here are just a few of the pictures:
nancy spends a lot of time viewing life through a lens. it is through her lens that the most ordinary or simple of objects become art. nancy captures intimate moments with a quiet, tender reverence, conveys an organic tone and paints with light like the dutch masters. she is an artist in every sense, styling her shoots like a seasoned editor. nancy is relaxed and efficient, often holding her camera at her waist to catch fleetingly precious moments with babies and toddlers when they don't think she is "looking."
one afternoon, two years ago nancy followed my husband, our little girl (then 2) and me around a beautiful carpinteria ranch. here are just a few of the pictures:
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| m on a vintage tricycle |
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"enough of the mushy stuff!"
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"i'm outta here!"
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www.lovenancyneil.com
Monday, February 11, 2013
bonjour, sophie!
every baby will drool for sophie.
not only is she the most adorable thing you've ever seen,
but she's also made of
100% natural rubber and food grade paints,
contains no phthalates, BPA or PVC.
she's non-toxic and safe for babies of all ages.
she's a must-have... and a classic!
check out her story:
avec l'amour,
amelia jane
Friday, February 8, 2013
An excerpt from Breezy Mama Blog:
"Juggling Careers and Mommyhood – 3 Women Break it Down
Erin Taylor is the owner of two unique and successful businesses. Her first, a successful garden and design shop in Summerland, California called botanik, grew out of her passion for horticulture. Inspiration for her second, the adorable baby and toddler boutique Amelia Jane located adjacently, came from her passion as a mom. She’s found rewards from both and still manages to keep her family her top priority.
How did you become a business owner?
Unintentionally. I began taking a floral design class for extra credit in high school. I had a knack for it, inspired by a lifelong passion for flowers and all things “garden,” I progressed quickly and began volunteering in my teacher’s flower shop. I was then asked by family and friends (and then friend’s of friends) to do flowers for parties and weddings.
Unintentionally. I began taking a floral design class for extra credit in high school. I had a knack for it, inspired by a lifelong passion for flowers and all things “garden,” I progressed quickly and began volunteering in my teacher’s flower shop. I was then asked by family and friends (and then friend’s of friends) to do flowers for parties and weddings.
I went on to get a degree in Environmental Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo all the while doing flowers for weddings and parties on the weekends. After graduation I moved to Santa Barbara to stay with my dad for a few months. One thing led to another and I began working here. I opened botanik with the idea that it would serve as a “showroom” for the event floral design business…after 14 years of event floral design, I began to grow weary of the pace and ephemeral aspect to the work. It was then that I noticed that the shop had really become established and I could phase out of floral design and focus on retail and garden design.
So, my passion lead to a career, but more than that, it was a willingness to work really hard and to hold fast to the motto, “UNDER promise and OVER deliver!” Consistency and integrity have served as the foundation for all of my business decisions.
And you’re a mom. How old are your kids?
Yes, I am a mom!! I have a daughter (Makena Amelia 2 1/2) and 2 stepchildren (Manon 13 and Logan 11). My step kids are with us Wednesday through Saturday. By far the hardest job EVER!!! But, the greatest part of my life! Nothing in my professional life compares to the joys or challenges of being a mom!
Yes, I am a mom!! I have a daughter (Makena Amelia 2 1/2) and 2 stepchildren (Manon 13 and Logan 11). My step kids are with us Wednesday through Saturday. By far the hardest job EVER!!! But, the greatest part of my life! Nothing in my professional life compares to the joys or challenges of being a mom!
You opened botanik in 1998? Was this your first retail store? How did you get started?
Yes, botanik was my first retail store and like I said earlier, the retail aspect was not really meant to be the focus of the business. It was just a natural and fortunate evolution!
Yes, botanik was my first retail store and like I said earlier, the retail aspect was not really meant to be the focus of the business. It was just a natural and fortunate evolution!
And Amelia Jane came next. Did owning one business help you open another?
Owning botanik for 11 years prior to opening Amelia Jane was a massive reason why Amelia Jane came to be. I would not have taken on such a task at the time (young kids) if I did not have an extensive background in retail as well as an established location (Amelia Jane is next door to botanik).
Owning botanik for 11 years prior to opening Amelia Jane was a massive reason why Amelia Jane came to be. I would not have taken on such a task at the time (young kids) if I did not have an extensive background in retail as well as an established location (Amelia Jane is next door to botanik).
The economy is not yet back in full swing and there would have been far too many variables that would have compromised my family had I not had the experience. Even with that, I still sometimes wonder how I pulled it off!
How do you juggle your work life and your family life? What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned balancing work and family?
Juggle work and family…Ha! Does any woman really do that with the grace and ease she may seem to posses! I would love to meet a fellow working mom who doesn’t end the day exhausted and wishing she had done at least one thing a little better or differently…and we won’t even talk about the HUGE list of things that didn’t get done at all!!! The trick for me has been to put my family first and try to not sweat the small stuff. I have found that if I set my husband and children as my most important priority, I never have any huge regrets. The choices and commitments I make professionally are never as important as the ones I make personally. That helps to keep things in perspective. As well as adopting a new professional perspective of “good enough for now!” I was always such a perfectionist when it came to my job. Now, I am just pretty good and that, is just fine with me! One day, when the kids are older I can shift my attention back a bit more to work…not today though, it’s time for a cuddle and some books!
Juggle work and family…Ha! Does any woman really do that with the grace and ease she may seem to posses! I would love to meet a fellow working mom who doesn’t end the day exhausted and wishing she had done at least one thing a little better or differently…and we won’t even talk about the HUGE list of things that didn’t get done at all!!! The trick for me has been to put my family first and try to not sweat the small stuff. I have found that if I set my husband and children as my most important priority, I never have any huge regrets. The choices and commitments I make professionally are never as important as the ones I make personally. That helps to keep things in perspective. As well as adopting a new professional perspective of “good enough for now!” I was always such a perfectionist when it came to my job. Now, I am just pretty good and that, is just fine with me! One day, when the kids are older I can shift my attention back a bit more to work…not today though, it’s time for a cuddle and some books!
What advice do you have for other parents who are considering starting their own business?
Parents starting their own business…well, it’s like building a house. Nothing ever goes exactly like you planned! Have a very strong staff! Surround yourself with trustworthy, hard working people and learn to delegate. Be realistic in your expectation of yourself and those around you."
Parents starting their own business…well, it’s like building a house. Nothing ever goes exactly like you planned! Have a very strong staff! Surround yourself with trustworthy, hard working people and learn to delegate. Be realistic in your expectation of yourself and those around you."
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