Baby in a Pot

Now this is a fresh idea for those of us tired of "babies in a flower pot" type of photography.

Sale and our new Gift Vouchers!

It has been a busy week for us at Pupsik Studio, managing the mega sale we are having on the gorgeous discontinued pettiskirts by Princess Ratbag among many other wonderful things we have lined up in the coming months!

It has been some adrenaline-pumping sale and I have to thank you lovely customers out there for contributing to all the excitement! I have to admit that I had a hard time parting with many of the skirts knowing that they are discontinued and I will not be able to get hold of some of the unique designs easily again. If you haven't checked in on the sale, do so now as many of the skirts are last pieces of that design and size that you can select from the drop down menu! This is a great time to get hold of a quality brand pettiskirt at a fraction of the usual price and save it for a special upcoming occasion!

As a little distraction for myself this week, I got down to doing some gift vouchers for the store. This is specially made for customers who would like to get a gift for a friend/ child but have absolutely no clue what the person needs. Each gift voucher is individually hand-made and binded together in a folded envelope which is sealed with a ribbon sticker. Cute and lovely as can be for a friend who has just popped to spurge in our store.

Vouchers available here!

Summerfruits Bedding Set

I simply love sets! Just finished wrapping up a mini "Summerfruit Bedding Set" consisting of Baby pillow, blanket, bolster and beansprout pillow ordered by a customer today!

Mommies-in-Business Series - Little Gems Inc

One of the best things about working from home for me is definitely the opportunity to spend more time at home with the kids while pursuing my own interests. However, ask any honest mom running a business from home and they can tell you that it is certainly no bed of roses , especially if you are managing both the business, kids and various household responsibilities with very little help. In many ways, my days are much more hectic than before but in many ways, more fulfilling and interesting.

Before I started Pupsik Studio, I had very little idea where it would lead to. I still do not know and this is what excites me each day. This business has brought along many surprises and new experiences. One thing I never quite expected to be blessed is so many new friends who share similar interests, tastes and passion in bringing up their babies. While many of our loyal customers turn into friends whose support I deeply appreciate, I have also gotten to know other like-minded moms in business who are running it with the same deep passion and belief they have for their kids.

I have been wanting to share more about such fellow Mommy-in-Business here on Pupsik Studio for the longest time to introduce you to many lovely home businesses run by mommies out there. Hopefully, you will be able to find something you like from these home businesses and extend your support to these mommies too!

The first Mommy-in-Business Mommy I would like to share here is Gloria. Gloria runs Little Gems Inc, an online boutique that carries many brandnames like Carters, Gap, Old Navy and Oshkosh B'Gosh all priced at less than SGD$30! How is this possible, you may ask? Well, most of the authentic stuff that the ever resourceful Gloria gets hold of are actually factory overruns, cancelled orders, shelf pull outs or delayed shipments. Yes, the kind of stuff that you would actually travel all the way to factory outlets in the US to get your hands on before but no longer have to do so because of Gloria! I got this lovely Laura Ashley Summer Dress from Gloria recently and absolutely adore the print and price tag!

I posed Gloria a few questions about her business some time back and she was really lovely to agree to share more about her life and business through this blog.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a work at home mum. Mum to Nicole who is turning 8 this year. I have a webstore called Little Gems Inc. I am your typical ordinary mommy next door, except that I am also living with cancer. I was diagnosed at a pretty young age of 30, when Nicole was barely 2. It was a pretty trying and humbling episode in my life, dealing with the diagnosis and treatments that follow. But it did help put my life and priorities in perspective. I had a relapse in 2007, but with God's grace, i am still trugging along

2. How did you start with Little Gems Inc?

Little Gems Inc came about sometime in 2004. It was borne out of my passion for shopping, and dressing nicole up. However, at the back of my mind, the practical side of me kept reminding myself that kids do grow out of the clothes quite quickly. I started sourcing around, and realised that there are many like-minded mums like myself, always out to look for a bargain. Little Gems Inc. made its first couple of sales on Ebay and Yahoo.sg. I decided to create a webstore in order to have a web presence, and since then, there is no turning back.

3. What were you doing before you started this home business?

I spent a good part of my career in the cruise industry, followed by some years handling events and medical courses in a public hospital. The hours were long and demanding, and weekends were often spent away from the family.

4. What is a typical day like for you?

The day usually starts early at 5.30 am, getting Nicole ready for school. Afterwhich, its some housework and paperwork. Work "officially" starts at 9 am, and I will be answering emails, and packing orders. I am usually off to the post office by 1200. Afterwhich, I wll do a little grocery shopping, and make my way home by 2.00 pm to wait for the school bus to drop Nicole off from school. While she takes her afternoon nap after lunch, i will prepare dinner. Once thats done, its back to the desk again. Evenings are quiet time we spent together watching TV, and catching up on Nicole's schoolwork. Depending on my stamina and whats on TV, I will be back at my desk after 10pm when Nicole goes to bed. It does get a little more hectic when new inventory arrives, and the day gets busier uploading pics and product info onto the webstore.

5. Do you face any challenges running this business from home?

Time managment. Wish I have more than 24 hours in a day

Here is a picture of Gloria and her lovely daughter Nicole. Gloria also has a lovely blog (Little Gems Unravelled) which she uses to share more intimate details about her life, including living with Stage 4 cancer and taking the time to smell the roses. Knowing that there are many young moms reading this blog, Gloria was concerned enough to ask me to help stress the importance of doing regular breast checks for lumps as she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age of 30.

"If you have a lump, get it checked. Never let the docs tell you that you are too young to get breast cancer. Having said that, not all breast lumps are cancerous. Its better to err on the side of caution, than to live with the regret of not catching it early."

Thank you Gloria for this insightful sneak peek into your busy life and for the concerned reminder to all young women to do regular breast examinations.

In the coming weeks, I hope to interview another mommy-in-business on the subject of Home Schooling! This busy mama not only takes care of her kids full time (no domestic helper, mind you!), she also runs her own business from home and home schools her own boys! Curious how and why she does this? Well I am so stay tuned!

Bloombaby Cot

I love how this cot collapses for easy storage.

Wrapagaza!

It has been a fun and busy day wrapping loads of stuff ordered as gifts for a special baby shower. Thankfully, my little "helper" was kind enough to doze off on her high seat while watching me tagging and packing dozens of beansprout pillows and covers. And off it goes in the mail....! I can't wait till the babies grow up so they can really help me with this.

In case you don't know, we offer gift wrap and free shipping for all orders above $120 so do visit our store if you are mulling over what to get for that pregnant friend of yours! For orders less than $120, you get to have your item beautifully wrapped for just $5 here!

All my favourite things from Pupsik (from Lily Low)

A very sweet customer of Pupsik Studio did a beautiful collage of the things she bought from our store that she loves and posted on our facebook group. I am so touched by this and feel so blessed that the items that we have specially handpicked for our tiny webstore is sharing in the beautiful journey of mother and babyhood! Thank you for putting this together and making my day, Lily! xooxoxo!

From top left and clockwise
1. Beansprout Pillow (Top Left)
2. Teething Bling (Top Right)
3. Dimpled Pillow (Bottom Right)
4. Ahgoo Baby Plush Pad (Bottom Left)
5. Baby Pouch Carrier (Center)

The Shower Hug Sale in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Breast feeding may make happy, healthy babies, but sometimes it can leave mom feeling drained---and more than a little sore. Breast tenderness can take away from enjoying one of the few peaceful moments moms have to themselves everyday: the shower.

That's why the founding Moms of Belmama & Cherub created The Shower Hug after experiencing first hand the breast tenderness and discomfort associated with pregnancy, early stage breastfeeding, bouts of mastitis, clogged milk ducts and other various ailments that inevitably come up as you nurse your newborns through infancy into toddler hood.

The Shower Hug is made of the softest, most luxurious stretch knit terry velour to provide expectant and new moms with gentle bust line support and soothe sensitive nipples as it shields the breasts from harsh shower sprays. Moms simply wrap the Shower Hug snugly around their chest and secure with the Velcro® closure. And this is not just great for the shower! As a nursing mom, I simply love wrapping a soft showerhug around myself in a warm bath and put on some music and aromatherapy to relax after a very busy day. The Shower Hug simply soaks up the warm water in the bath and acts as the best compress you can ever imagine. It is also a great alternative to a traditional nursing bra and can provide overnight comfort. Say goodbye to milk leaks on your PJs!

In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we are offering a 30% discount on our luxurious shower hugs. Usual S$54.90, now $38!! Click here to experience the comforts of The Shower Hug for yourself today!

Princess Ratbag Pettitops

Sarah and Kaif's 2 little princesses wearing matching Princess Ratbag Pettitops from our store. Thanks for sharing the lovely pics, Sarah! x

Classic Sesame Street film - Old paper, new paper

Can Recycling (made for Sesame Street)

I use to love watching these.

Why should the kids have all the fun?

I love the caption on this gorgeous skirt from who else but the ever classy Princess Ratbag, Australia! These adult worthy glamorous skirts are guaranteed to rock any party. Now available at Pupsik Studio here for $79.90 (usual $89.90). Limited time only!

Share your parenting journey with us on facebook and stand the chance to win a goody bag

Happy customers always make my day and I am really grateful whenever moms out that take the time to send me a picture of their little one in a pouch or post about their babywearing experience on their own blog.

We would like to invite more moms to share your parenting journey with us by uploading a picture of your baby in our brand spanking new Facebook page here! You could load any picture of your baby using anything you have purchased from our store, be it a pouch, beanspout pillow, changing pad, pettiskirt.....ANYTHING! Anyone who loads a pic on our page stands the chance to win a baby hamper full of goodies from our store!!

Thank you moms below who have kindly allowed me to share your pics and blog links on Pupsik Studio.

x

Su Ling
(above) My Little Rei

(above) The Hendons
(above)Weedeebabeepowder
(above) Secret Love Affair

(Above) Serene's princess wearing a Princess Ratbag Pettiskirt

Unconventional Beauty Tips - Got to try it!

Really enjoyed this episode of the ellen degenerous show where Kym Douglas shares her unconventional beauty tips that is geared towards pregnant woman (but really can be used by any women). Ellen is seen wearing The Belly Bandit in this show.

Dabib is now available on Pupsik Studio!

Dabib is now available on Pupsik Studio here!

Read out review below:

I was recently asked to review a new bib on the market called Dabib. A winner of an iParenting Media Award, this stylish baby bib is made from a super absorbent yet unbelievably soft and luxurious mico-fiber terry cloth. The bib also has a reversible waterproof backing that prevents food from soaking through.

Vera usually hates putting on bibs but she actually didn't object to putting on Dabib and letting it stay on while we fed her. She does look happy wearing Dabib, don't you think?

What I most love about this bib is its innovative "patent-pending" scrunch collar that is adjustable to minimise spills and dribbles that often goes under the bib onto her clothing. There is even a pocket to catch food that is rejected. Neat!

That's it! No more uncomfortable plastic and rubber bibs for Vera! This stylish, comfortable and practical bib is definitely here to stay. A big thank you to the entrepreneural mom who invented this excellent product!

Fund Raising for SNGS new school building

Hi everyone,

At long last, we finally found the fabric for the now extinct pre-primary school uniform after months of hunting down literally every fabric shop on the planet! Thank you all for your patience!

I am starting a new fund raising initiative for the school rebuilding. We will be making the exact same design as the original. Bloomers, criss crossed top panel and pockets, blue trimmings and skirt. Before we start, we are currently seeking permission from the school to make these uniforms for children age 1-6yrs old. The pre-primary uniform will be priced at $50. All proceeds for this effort will go to the school rebuilding effort. If you are interested to purchase and support the school fundraising, please leave a comment and email contact on this post and I will keep you updated.

The exact details where to purchase and when this item will be available etc will be confirmed once we have a good gauge on the number of people interested in supporting this effort. The actual number of pre-primary uniforms we can offer for this effort may also be limited depending on the final availability of the criss-crossed fabric.

Please help spread the word to make this a success!

x

Su Ling

The pic above was taken back in 1982, outside the classrooms in Chijmes (near where Esmirada is now). I am seated second from the left in the front row, the one that is most coloured on. I still remember the names of the chinese teacher with the long hair--->Huang Lao Shi. At that age, it didn't matter how female adults looked to me. If they had long hair, they were pretty. The other one I forgot cos she didn't have long hair. Too bad...

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Earlier post below dated 3 July 2008

I was caught up with a feeling of nolstaga when I visited my old school, St Nicholas Girls, a few months ago. The school building will be undergoing a major renovation and it is likely that most of the familiar places in the school will be torn down. St Nicholas used to have a pre-primary session for girls age 6 to attend before Primary 1. I spent my pre-primary school days in the building more commonly known as Chijmes today. Though it was such a long time ago, the memories of the old Chijmes buildings still remains in my head. I remember the oh-so-tempting fields which we were forbidden to trod on due to the dying grass... I remember dashing for fried chicken wings during recess, being taught the chinese school song in Chui Lao Shi's class and the spiral staircases leading up to the haunted classrooms where flying nuns sat on the ceiling fans....

Anyway, for some reason, I had a very strong compulsion to relive the memories of my pre-primary school days. I had forgotten how the uniform looked like. I vaguely remember the criss-crossed fabric and those huge bloomers...but couldn't quite remember the details. I started asking around the school to find out where I could locate the old school uniform maker.

Finally, after various phone calls, I managed to locate the old school uniform maker. To my pleasant surprise, she still kept the original fabric for the pre-primary school uniform. I jumped in joy when she agreed to make me a uniform sized for a 1 year old. I could have kissed her with excitement there and then!

So here it is, my unsuspecting (again) daughter wearing the uniform I wore when I was 6. With the bloomers, school crest, pockets and all! Guess I was just too impatient to wait till she really goes to school. The uniform is great and a wonderful design for play. I am so tempted to make more as her play clothes with this same dress pattern out of different fabrics!

Afternote: An old schoolmate alerted me that the pre-pri school uniform doesn't look like what it used to look so I did a check with my old school albums. Dug out my old primary school class photos which I "accidentally" drew with my crayons years ago....and gasps gasps!!!!! The bottom part of the skirt was blue! Just like what I first suspected!! The poor old tailor must have forgotton....Anyway, what she sewed for Vera was just as cute.

Nadya, Me and our Nursing Pillow

Here is a recent pic of Nadya and I taken on our own range of nursing pillows which we have discontinued production.

We have had lots of enquiries on why we are no longer carrying this product on Pupsik Studio. As much as we would love to, we are unable to do so at this point in time due to the bulkiness of storing and shipping this product by post. We are currently looking at the potential of supplying these much coverted pillows to brick and motor stores if there is sufficient interest for us to push this item back into production again.

Will keep everyone updated! x

Little Milestones

Record precious memories of your child with Little Milestones!

Designed and produced by Pupsik Studio in limited quantities of 200, this handy little stationary kit comes with 40 notecards in an attractive wooden box. Use to record the dates and details of memorable events of your newborn or toddler such as the date of his first word, the first step, the first funny thing your child said that made you laugh. Each box comes with enough room to store other precious memories such as that first lock of hair, first passport photo or that first tooth. A unique alternative to a diary or book and makes a perfect gift.

It's never too late to start. A wonderful keepsake to give to your child when he/she grows up.

Available at the special introductory price of $12.90 (usual $14.90) on Pupsik Studio.

We are giving away 10 extra cards to the first 10 customers to purchase here. That is 50 cards in total to record your precious memories!

Princess Ratbag Pettitops - Restocked!

We have just restocked Princess Ratbag's gorgeous beyond gorgeous pettitops in our online store. Co-ordinate your pettiskirt with this matching petti tops or match these perfectly with a casual bottom such as Oobi's veronica bloomer or ruffle baby bloomer. The options are endless! These pettitops are made from the softest nylon chiffon that makes it comfortable to wear. Sizes available for babies and toddlers/teenagers.

Pettiskirts by Princess Ratbag -Restocked!

You can say it was love at first sight when I first set my eyes on these pettiskirts. In a way, I think it fulfills the inner desires of every girl who dreams about being a princess or prima ballerina. In my case, it was both. As a vain-pot who spent her days dressing up in my own world of make-believe, you can say that I would have done everything my mom told me to do if she would just get me a skirt like this.

Pettiskirts first burst onto the fashion scene when Dakota Fanning wore one to the Teen Choice award in 2003. Since that time they have been an LA children fashion staple with the children of Anna Nicole Smith, Faith Hill, Molly Sims, Jennifer Garner and Adam Sandler who have all spotted a pettiskirt on the red carpet. Aside from this they have also been featured on Oprah and Martha Stewart's website.

These skirts are very tedious to make with each taking up to 7m of soft chiffon fabric. Vera loves her Princess Ratbag pettiskirt which she affectionately nicknames the "Cinderella skirt" and loves to twirl around the house in them when she is playing with her dolls.

(above) Vera at Elaine's wedding and her 2nd birthday.

There are currently a lot of brands of pettiskirts out there with varying quality and price. Princess Ratbag is the first and only Australian pettiskirt label and they own Australian rights with the very same manufacturer with which the top American labels are made. A quality pettiskirt from Princess Ratbag is definitely worth every single cent you pay for as your child will be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

Pupsik Studio is proud to be appointed the exclusive retailer of Princess Ratbag pettiskirts in Singapore. We have restocked our range of pettiskirts and they are fast running out again! Click here to purchase!

New Designs for Ah Goo Baby Plush Pads

The new designs for Ah Goo Baby Plus Pads have arrived!

The Plush Pad® by Ah Goo Baby® is the highest luxury in portable diaper changing stations and is available in a variety of styles to cater to your sense of fashion. Designed with a body-contouring memory foam insert to soothe your baby's sensitive pressure points and vibrant cotton and minkee fabrics, it is the only portable changing station that is not only comfortable for the child, but also machine washable and water-repellant. Like investing in a good mattress and pillow to sleep on, this is definitely worth getting since you need something like this to change your baby at least 8-12 times a day.

I have been using these changing pads as a permanant changing station for Nadya for the past 8 months since she was born and love how comfy it feels when I place her on it to change. Definitely beats those cold plastic-y changing mats you can get everywhere these days.

Opened: 2 feet x 2 feet (square)
Closed: 3 inches x 10 inches (cylinder shape)

Click here to purchase.

The Belly Bandit - the celebrity mom's top secret is now available on Pupsik Studio

Pupsik Studio is proud to retail The Belly Bandit - a high quality postpartum abdominal compression binder designed to help you get your body back to its former fabulousness post childbirth. It is currently one of the best selling post pregnancy tools in the US that has Hollywood celebrity moms such as Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie raving about it.

Unless you are one of the lucky few, don't be surpised if you still look 7-8 months pregnant after giving birth due to uterine swelling and water retention. The Belly Bandit is specially designed to help reduce uncomfortable uterine swelling and aid in decreasing bloating caused by water retention, and give additional support for Mommy's weary legs & back. For breastfeeding moms, the Belly Bandit will help you with your posture during feedings, and may help to reduce the all too common back & shoulder pain associated with breastfeeding.

I wish I knew about this product The Belly Bandit when I had just given birth to Vera and Nadya. Friends who knew me when I was pregnant with these 2 know how HUUUGE I was when I was expecting and how HUGE I was even after I popped. Well meaning relatives did not hesitate at expressing their thoughts when they first saw me a few days after my delivery.

"Why are you still so big??" They would stare at my poor postpartum tummy and exclaim in genuine shock and horror. "Haven't you given birth?"

On the verge of tears virtually every other minute due to the hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep and stress of taking care of a newborn, it was no surprise that I was feeling quite insecure about myself and didn't really take these innocent remarks very well in the beginning. I was asking my poor husband every day whether I was really fat even though I knew he was trained by experience to say "No" without even blinking his eye. As I had a C section delivery, I could not commence on the post-natal massages to help shrink my poor flabby and bloated postpartum tummy. So I literally gritted my teeth and grew a thick skin for the first few months after I delivered when everyone on the street continued to give way to me thinking I was at least 7 months pregnant. The hospital did give me a belly binder (which I recall paying alot for) but didn't wear because it was forever rolling up my tummy when I sat down, leaving marks on my skin and making it itch like crazy. I wish I had a Belly Bandit then.

Exclusively tailored to provide strong support, the breathable and comfy belly bandit helps relieve discomfort and give you the extra confidence you deserve post partum. The best thing about The Belly Bandit is that it can be used the first 24-48 hours after delivery, even for C-sections, to help decrease post-op recovery time and minimizing associated incision pain. Its quality and unique constuction that is both firm and comfortable to wear is miles apart from what you can get in most hospital pharmacies.The video below shows you how you can wear a Belly Bandit yourself.

Pupsik Studio currently only retails the best selling and softest Belly Bandit in Bamboo. It comes in Black or Natural Nude and is eco-friendly and naturally anti-microbial. It is also moisture wicking which makes it the perfect choice for c sections The core is the original, and the outer shell is 95% bamboo and 5% spandex .

I know the price of SGD$130 may be a little steep but the good thing about this quality binder is that you can use it on your own right after you deliver for 6-8 weeks or more. It is perfect for combining with or reducing the need for expensive post-pregnancy massages that can cost hundreds of dollars to get your body back in shape faster. Additional benefits of this product is extra back support and improved posture. The loose tummy skin will also benefit from being supported by the Belly Bandit which may decrease tension and stretch marks in the post period.

You can find out more about this amazing product by reading the Frequently Asked Questions here. For more questions about this product, please feel free to email us at hello@pupsikstudio.com.

As seen on The Ellen Degeneres Show!

Happy Dada Day

To the best dada in the world,

Thank you for carrying us in the pouch since the day we were born, changing our poo, making milk no matter what time it is, bathing us, buying us ice cream and singing us songs even though you cannot sing.

Happy Dada Day. We love you!

xoox vera, nadya, mama
Hope you like the handmade watch I made for you. kisses, vera.