About Sara

My first child is due Feb. 8th 2012. As I wait with anticipation for my breastfeeding adventure to begin, I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of the breastfeeding blog world. For more about me read the About Us section of the blog! This blog is intended to be a place of inspiration and information. It is a place to share stories and ideas. I love hearing from you!

Momzelle Nursing News

Archive for November, 2011

Finding the right crowd…

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

As I prepare for the birth of my first child, I am realizing how important it is to be surrounded by like-minded, supportive people (which seems obvious, but it really just occurred to me on a profound level!). I have read lots of books, scoured the internet for information, and joined pregnancy newsletters. I have developed ideas and beliefs about birth that I didn’t have pre-pregnancy.

I want to be so involved and pro-active in the delivery and birth process, so I am seeking out as much information as I can. This weekend, my husband and I went to childbirth preparation class at a yoga studio that I found online. Here is where the obvious statement of my first sentence hit me profoundly. This class was perfect for me! I practice yoga (not quite as regularly as I’d like…) and am a big believer in the mind-body connection it encourages. The instructor spoke about relaxation, breathing, movement and touch. Connecting these ideas to giving birth makes so much sense to me. I loved every minute it of it. To top off the experience, at the end of the workshop our instructor promptly tandem breastfed her 15 month old twins. Amazing!

I have just arrived in a new city. I am lucky to know quite a few people already, but I don’t know any pregnant or new moms. I don’t know anyone who desires the same kind of birth I do and I don’t know anyone currently breastfeeding.  To achieve my birth and breastfeeding goals, I see many a mom’s groups and la leche league meetings in my future! I need some mom friends…

Where did you find a group of supportive, like-minded women?  Did they help shape your perspective of parenting?

Tis the season to be thankful…

Friday, November 25th, 2011

I live in Canada, but the online world has no borders (and our Thanksgiving came and went before I had the chance to write this!).

Every year around this time, I try to take note of what I am thankful for.  This year could go down as the greatest year of my life, so far.  I got married, hiked the Inka Trail in Peru, got a great job, moved to Montreal, and am having a baby!  Our child arrives early next year, so I am sure next year is going to be pretty darn good too:)

I feel so lucky.  I want to make sure I appreciate all the little (and big) things in my life that bring me such happiness.  Before I get too syrupy, here are a few things I am thankful for:

Video chat.  The ability to sit and talk with my sister and nieces as if we are all in the same room, amazing!

Feeling this baby inside me kicking, rolling, and stretching more and more each day.

Facebook and all the wonderful breastfeeding and parenting pages I learn from everyday.

Being able to research my birthing choices, learn about breastfeeding and share my stories and thoughts, as my job!

Friends episodes on DVD

Montréal!  I love living here and learning French and anticipating my lucky little bilingual child.

Working for a company that makes breastfeeding normal (and stylish!).

Oh, there are so many things, I couldn’t possibly list them all.  I hope you get the idea.  I am very grateful!  I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.  What are you thankful for?

Cheers,
~ Sara

Black Friday Sale at Momzelle!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

 

Momzelle is kicking off the holiday season!  We are celebrating Black Friday on both sides of the border! This weekend only, all Momzelle nursing wear is on sale.

Happy shopping!

Job Offer – Offre D’Emploi

Monday, November 21st, 2011

- JOB OFFER -

Head of Customer Service – Fashion industry

Momzelle (www.momzelle.com), a business established four years ago, is a nursing wear brand with a mission: helping mothers feel good about breastfeeding in public. Momzelle has won numerous awards, including «Best socially-minded business» in 2010 and «Best Young Entrepreneurs» by Desjardins in 2011. We are now looking at hiring someone to help us grow the business.

Job Description

Responsible for all customer service inquiries (in store, over the phone and by email), various administrative tasks as well as act as the liaison between Momzelle and its suppliers, wholesale customers and distribution centres. Respond to customers who have questions or concerns about our sizing, returns/exchanges, order status, availability, product styles, pricing or promotions in a timely manner.

• Possibility of attending trade shows

Skills and Qualifications

• Bilingual French-English

• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic

• To learn quickly and be flexible

• To be self sufficient, highly organized with an ability to prioritize work load

• Awesome interpersonal skills to quickly develop a rapport with customers

• Speak knowledgeably about breastfeeding, books and other helpful tools for nursing mothers

• Ability to work in a team

• To be friendly, in a good mood and polite

•    To be web-friendly (computer literate).

Diplomas and Required Experience

•    College degree in administration or Fashion management.

•    Experience in clothing-related customer service will get special attention.

To apply for this position, please email your resume to christine@momzelle.com, using “Head of Customer Service” as the job title.  Please include your cover letter in the body of your email.

This is a full time job at the Momzelle office, located at 1255 Bélanger Street, Montreal.

Competitive salary.

 

 

 

- OFFRE D’EMPLOI -

Responsable du service à la clientèle – Secteur de la mode

Momzelle (www.momzelle.com), entreprise établie depuis quatre ans, est une marque de vêtements d’allaitement qui a pour mission d’aider les mères à se sentir bien avec l’allaitement en public. Momzelle a été récipiendaire de nombreux prix, dont la «Meilleure entreprise à l’esprit social» au Canada en 2010 et meilleurs «Jeunes entrepreneurs» Desjardins 2011. Nous cherchons à nous adjoindre une personne pour participer à l’expansion de l’entreprise.

Description du poste

Assurer le service à la clientèle dans son ensemble (en boutique, au téléphone et par courriel) et accomplir des tâches administratives variées (contacts avec le centre de distribution et les fournisseurs). Répondre  rapidement aux clientes qui ont des questions à propos des tailles, des échanges/retours, état de leur commande, disponibilités de produits, modèles, prix ou offres spéciales disponibles.

• Possibilité de participer à des foires commerciales

Compétences requises :

• Bilingue anglais-français à l’oral et à l’écrit

• Débrouillardise

•    Grande motivation et forte éthique du travail

•    Sens de l’initiative

• Apprendre vite et être flexible.

• Autonome, très organisé avec une excellente gestion du temps

• Capacité à travailler en équipe.

• Être amical, de bonne humeur et courtois

• Atout: Être en mesure de parler de l’allaitement , des ressources et des outils qui peuvent être utiles aux mères qui allaitent.

•    Être branché sur le web.

Formation et expérience:

•    DEC en administration ou en gestion de la mode

•    Expérience en service à la clientèle dans le domaine de la mode un atout.

Pour postuler à ce poste, svp envoyer votre cv à christine@momzelle.com, en utilisant  « Responsable du service à la clientèle » dans le titre. Svp inclure votre lettre de présentation dans le corps de votre courriel.

Emploi à temps plein, au bureau de Momzelle au 1255 rue Bélanger, Montréal.

Rémunération concurrentielle.

Monday’s Breastfeeding Inspiration

Monday, November 21st, 2011

“A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside… when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.”
- Unknown

I’m almost 29 weeks pregnant and the whole thing has been a bit surreal until a few weeks ago.  That is when this entity growing inside me decided to choose their profession and become a tap dancer!  Even though it happens a hundred times a day, I never cease to be amazed when I feel this baby kick.

This quote really spoke to me this morning.  It called me a mother.  I am a mother.

Momzelle Awarded Best Socially-Minded Business

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Pardon us, we have to brag a little!  Tonight Vincent and Christine (the sibling founders of Momzelle) are attending a gala dinner in Toronto because the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) has recognized Momzelle with the Best Socially-Minded Business Award 2011!

 

NP Award Winners Ad Final (This is the full page ad in the National Post today announcing the winners!)

Here at Momzelle, we are grateful to be honoured with such a meaningful award.  We are proud of our product and are so happy it’s intention, advocating and normalizing breastfeeding, has been recognized.

Congratulations Vincent and Christine!

 

Momzelle at the Baby Time Show

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

It’s that time of year again… The Baby Time Show in downtown Toronto is this weekend!

I am so excited to be tending the booth again this year.  I love meeting our customers, seeing our shirts in action and, now that I am writing the blog (and almost seven months pregnant:)), I look forward to getting some fabulous post ideas with all the different things to see and do (and buy!).

So if you are in the Toronto area, we would love to see you!   Drop by booth #627.  We will be having some exclusive Baby Time deals and, as always, a draw for a free Momzelle top.

Vincent, Christine and I will all be at the show this year.  That means that we will have to close the store in Montreal this Thursday and Friday (the 10th and 11th of November).  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  You can still find Momzelle online or at any of our fine retailers!

We hope to see you there!

~ Sara

New mom must haves! What is on your list?

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Here at Momzelle we are preparing for the upcoming Baby Time Show in Toronto.  It is one of three trade shows we do every year.    I have worked the booth a few times in the past, but this year is going to be different for me.  This year I will be seven months pregnant at the show.  This year I will be looking for more than the snack bar when I weave in and out of the aisles!

Trade shows are quite exciting!  Everything from big box stores to innovative entrepreneurs, all in the same place.  There are so many products out there for the new mom.

As I near the third trimester, the planning stage is kicking in.  What do I really need? And what do I want?  Aside from my collection of Momzelle tops, what items are new mom necessities?  The list is long and confusing.  We live in a small apartment!  Here is a funny blog from Baby Center about new mom products, comparing them to what our parents had!

What are your essential new mom items or products?  And what ended up collecting dust?

This mom-to-be needs your advice!