Wow...

I am so overwhelmed by the response to Harmony! It has been a fabulous start to the season, and I am so touched by all the wonderful comments. You all totally ROCK! I wanted to mention a few things that really make me happy. One, we have an amazing new manufacturer with tons of experience, so I am happy to say our sizing is worlds better than last season, and is very true to size. (Thank you, my love. ;))  This will make ordering so much easier. Two, we have a third party shipper shipping our items out, so our shipping time is down to one-two weeks. I know that has to make you happy, because it thrills me! And three, we have a brand new computer system which will make ordering so much smoother, and prevent lots of glitches. We really spent a lot of time during the break working out ways to improve your shopping experience with us. We want you to be beyond thrilled with not only your GenMarie goodies, but your overall experience. I have had questions about if Harmony is available online, and it is not, only through an FC. But the sale items will remain on the website. I have to say, I couldn't be more excited about everything this season. And I must thank my amazing FC's for always doing such an incredible job! You are such a huge part of not only GenMarie, but my life.

I wanted to share some sweet photos with you, since we can only put so many on our website.

Oh, and remember the amazing Felicia? She sent me over this adorable photo of this sweetie, taken through her organization, The Littlest Heroes Project. I just completely admire Felicia for all she does, and am so honored to be a part of her work.

One last thing to talk about , before I go back to work. I know many of you are eagerly awaiting Annie's dress. Here's the deal. We had to move it back to the summer collection, due out April 1st. I know, I know, please don't kill me. We tried really hard to get it just right but with the knits we had, it just wasn't working, and it has to be perfect. I just found what I wanted, and we will have Annie's gorgeous design in Soleil. I hope you aren't too disappointed, you know how much I hate that. I just couldn't put something out there that wouldn't be all you or Annie expected, but you only have to wait a few more weeks. I promise it will be worth it.

I am off to finish up Soleil, and I have to say, if you are loving Harmony, wait until you see Soleil!

Nighty night ladies!

Are You Ready?!

Or should I say, am I ready, lol.  I have been burning the midnight oil, and promise to answer all emails in the morning.  I've got a super sick kid too in the mix, poor Em has been running a really high fever.  She has the flu.

Ok, I know, enough already, get to it.  The website will be updated late tonight, so in the meantime, here are some more pictures for you to gander at.  At this point you will have seen almost everything.  I will be up late again, so if you have a question, shoot me an email.  I am so excited for you to see all of Harmony, and thank you all so much for being just as excited as me!  Nothing gives me greater joy.  Thank you to all the amazing photographers who worked so hard, and to all the lovely models.  Oh, and when you are done taking a gander, mosey on over to the website and check out the slide show on the first page.  It so makes me teary to watch it.  This has been an emotional process.  Huge thanks to the amazing and wonderful Timi for always going above and beyond for us!  We are so lucky we have you!  Ok, done talking, here you go.

Fab tank design by our amazing Timi Carl...

I am off to watch Gray's for a bit, but I will be up late, and will check my email when it is over.

Lucky #40....

Karen, come on down!  The random number generator chose the number 40, which is Karen, who said, I love-love-love the green dress! You have a great eye for color matching!  Yeah!  Thanks Karen, and congratulations!  You can email me at genmarie@verizon.net to claim your prize.  Thank you all for playing yesterday, and for your awesome comments.  You got me even more pumped up for Friday.

I loved reading all the comments, and noticed a few of you saying how you need your little one to grow to get into her GenMarie, which totally made me smile.  Well, you talked, I listened.  We will have smaller sizes in our Soleil collection, debuting in April.  We will start our sizing at 12 months.  Not all pieces will be available in the smaller sizes, but we will have a few exclusive pieces just for our little fans, plus some of the bigger sized pieces.  I can hear the applause from here, lol.  Seriously, how cute it is going to be see little babies in GenMarie.  I can't wait!

Gina, did put peeks on her blog, and quite a few late yesterday.  But in case you missed it, here are my favs from her.  And you still haven't seen everything. ;)

On a side note, say a prayer for my mother-in-law.  She is in emergency surgery this morning.  She has an infection in her intestine, like diverticulitis, and they are removing part of her intestine.  We visited her yesterday, and she looked terrible, and was in so much pain.  I could see her color wasn't right.  They were going to make her wait until Friday to do the surgery to see if the antibiotics could take care of it, but after putting a tube down her nose, and her continuing to get worse, they went ahead and made the decision at one in the morning to do the surgery.  We are awaiting word from my father-in-law.  I will let you know how it went.

Have a good day ladies!

  

4 More Days...

until the spring season starts! I am so excited! We are all ready to go, which is why I have been so quiet lately. I know you have all been patiently awaiting peeks. Here are a few from the amazing Christy. I love her photography style. This poor girl has been busting her butt for days, and we so appreciate it. You can see more peeks on her blog.

I am pretty sure the uber talented Gina will be posting some peeks too today. ;) Harmony will be on our website by Thursday, and we officially open Friday. Contact me to find an FC.

And this was too good not to share. Ava has come up with her own stimulus plan...

I am glad I got on the $100 bill, lol.

And because I am just so darn excited about this line, leave a comment, and one lucky gal will receive a free piece from the line.  Your choice.  I will use a random number generator, and will post the results tomorrow morning.

Have a good day ladies!

Great News...

Many of you have heard of the new law called the CPSIA.  If you haven't, the new Consumer Safety Law would require manufacturers of any product intended for children under the age of 12 to be tested for lead.  While I am all for protecting our children, this law as it was written would put many companies, both large and small out of business.  The testing is very expensive and the testing facilities are few.  I do want to let you know, that all of the fabric we use for our garments has been certified lead free from the fabric manufacturers.  I consulted with our attorney about the law and was pleased to learn, that the law is under review and toy makers and manufacturers, have been given an additional year, while lawmakers review the specifics of the law.  Here is an article from our local NY paper, Newsday.

********************************************************************************

Makers of children's products get additional year to comply with lead, chemical testing rules
By ANN SANNER | Associated Press Writer
8:53 PM EST, January 30, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. makers of toys and other children's products will get an extra year to comply with certain lead and chemical testing rules, but retailers won't be able to sell the items if they fail to meet government regulations set to go into effect Feb. 10.

The deadline was set when Congress last summer imposed the toughest lead standards in the world in passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The measure bans lead beyond minute levels in products for children 12 or younger.

On Friday, members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously to push back by one year the Feb. 10 deadline for manufacturers to begin certain testing for lead and other harmful substances before their products hit the market.

The decision gives the commission extra time to set guidelines for testing the products and gives businesses temporary relief from paying for some testing. But it raises questions as to how retailers from Wal-Mart to the local thrift shop will know whether the children's products they sell will meet the federal lead standards.

"The action by CPSC provides no relief to manufacturers and retailers," said Ed Krenik, a member of the National Association of Manufacturers CPSC Coalition.

Businesses and industry groups are concerned about the impact the new testing rules would have on books, clothes and other items already on shelves and in warehouses. They fear that inventory that does not meet the new standards won't be sold.

The new law was driven by a national outcry over a series of recalls of toys and children's products contaminated by lead and other dangerous material.

Under the law, all children's products must be tested for lead and other harmful substances to ensure that chemicals posing possible health problems will not end up on toys and articles that kids chew on and play with.

"The action we are taking today puts in place a limited 'time-out' so that the commission and the Congress can address the issues with the law that have become so painfully apparent," said Nancy Nord, the commission's acting chairman, in a written statement.

The commission's decision doesn't affect the testing requirements for lead paint, children's jewelry and certain standards for cribs and small parts that also fall under the new law.

The Toy Industry Association on Friday said it had joined more than 60 other groups in calling for the commission to postpone enforcing the law for at least six months.

"Many small and medium sized-companies could be pushed to the point of possible bankruptcy because they will be left holding billions of dollars in inventory that is now worthless, although it poses no safety threat to children," said Carter Keithley, president of the association.

********************************************************************************

Moving on...I had to share two little beauties with you, Chloe and Sadie.  Aren't they just the sweetest?!  Thank you Cyndi and April for sharing these with me!

One last thing, mark your calendars, Harmony launches February 20th!  Soleil will follow soon after.  These collections will not be available in our online shoppe.  You will need to contact an FC to place your order.  Contact me, and I will put you in touch with one of our wonderful ladies.

Have a Happy Monday!!!