Organic Storybook Toys

When I see my little Addie carting around her three favorite stuffed animals, jabbering away, serving them tea and insisting on 'feeding' them from her tea set - it brings back the magic of a lovely plush toy. Especially one with personality.

Miyim has done just that - and they're organic and safe to boot! These storybook characters have everything that makes the perfect gift - organic, safe, adorable, long lasting - and boxed and ready to wrap up! At $34.95 they're a perfect welcome for a new baby or companion for a growing imagination.

I have to say this squeaky blue elephant stroller toy has stollen my heart ($16.95). There's also his good friend yellow giraffe and little pink bunny!

Kim

xoxo

Four Things that Represent Chick ...

A question for all of our loyal readers...what four items best represent Chick Pea? We have decided to run our first ad ever in the New West News Leader to introduce and welcome new families to Chick Pea - and I need to pick three more items that represent the essence of our little store!

I went with the Natursutten all natural soother this week because it's such a necessity for new parents, and a wonderful and unique product. What would you put in next Saturday's ad? Email your ideas or add a comment!

Kim

xoxo

Santa's in Demand!

Santa is so busy getting ready for the holidays that we only have a limited time with him on Sunday for photos! We'll see as many good little children as we possibly can and are now taking a wait list in case we have cancellations (and you really want your holiday mini session with Revival Arts Studio!), and we'll also give you first choice on spring mini sessions coming up in early 2009.

Join the wait list now!

Thanks to all of the parent-elves who are working so hard to make Christmas a season of miracles and happiness for the little ones! We will see you on Sunday!

Kim
xoxo

PS Thanks to the awesome people at BabyVibe who covered the event!

Tiny Sweater Sample is here!

We held our first "Tiny Sweater" class recently and we showed everyone the sweater sample in the state of lovely chaos before it's all put together. Well - here's the reveal! A little motivation to keep working at it! It really does turn out like this...

This is the tiniest size (3-6m0) from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 2 and goes up to 24mo. It really is a pretty simple job to knit it, once you learn a few tricks. Pick up the classic natural shell buttons (shown here) anytime, we have lots in stock and they look fabulous with every shade (75 cents each).

Next classes are the Stripe Hat (Dec 11) and Baby Duvet (Jan 20). If you'd like to sign up for the next Tiny Sweater class email or call 604 525 2266 and we'll put you on the list for January/February! Dates to be announced!

Kim

xoxo

Photos with Santa...Chick Pea style!

This holiday season we're celebrating the simple heartfelt moments. And for me - that starts with the tradition of Photos with Santa - Chick Pea style! Revival Arts Studio will be in house to do mini-sessions for your kids, about 10 minutes long. Just enough time to keep the kids focused while we snap away to capture a traditional shot with Santa, and add some extra frames of just your kids you can preview in an online gallery later.

Reserve now: Sunday November 30th, Reserve your time 11am-1pm, Drop in 1pm-3pm at Chick Pea

What you get: 1 5x7 semi-saturated print of your best shot and a link to a photo gallery where you can order additional shots directly from Revival Arts Studio

What it costs: A $20 donation, all proceeds will go to Free The Children, supporting primary education for children around the world

How to book: Call 604 525 2266 or email and will schedule in your spot between 11am and 1pm, or let us know you'll drop in during the afternoon so we know how many people to expect. We'll stay on schedule as much as possible, but as always with little ones, please be patient if we're a little behind!

Imagine a textured brick wall, a jolly Santa from ages past, and a professional photographer - all in Chick Pea style!

See you there!

Kim

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN..............

THE STORY OF CHICK PEA..................KOBY WAS 4 MONTHS OLD AND HIS SMILES AND GIGGLES WERE OFTEN. HE WOULD LAY IN HIS CRIB STARING AT THE BABY CHICKS ON THE BUMPER PADS OF HIS CRIB. THIS IS AROUND THE TIME THAT I STARTED TO THINK ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD DREAM OF HAVING A SPECIAL SHOP OF MY OWN. THIS IS WHERE THE IDEA OF THE BABY CHICK CAME FROM. AS I WAS BRAINSTORMING CONSTANTLY KOBYS DAD WAS EATING A SALAD THAT HAD CHICK PEAS IN IT AND THE REST IS HISTORY...............I MARCHED DOWN THE NEXT DAY AND REGISTERED THE NAME "CHICK PEA CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE".

3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE RUNNING STORES FOR KOOKOO DESIGNS AND A SHORT BUSINESS COURSE LATER...............AND THE PERFECT SPOT WAS FOUND. A QUAINT SPACE OF 600 SQ. FT.........KOBY BEING JUST 15 MONTHS WE HAD A PICKET FENCED PLAY AREA WHERE HE COULD OFTEN BE FOUND. MY FAVORITE MEMORIES ARE OF PLACING HIM IN THE CRIB IN THE WINDOW WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING. HE TRULY DID GROW UP IN THAT STORE. THE MOST LOYAL OF CUSTOMERS MADE THAT LITTLE SHOP BLOSSOM INTO SOMETHING FAR BEYOND MY ORIGINAL DREAM..........A SHORT 2 AND A HALF YEARS LATER WE WERE FORCED TO LOOK FOR A NEW LOCATION. THE MAJOR DOWNFALL TO A SHORT TERM LEASE AND A NEW BUILDING OWNER.........NO SPACES AVAILABLE AT THE TIME ON THE DRIVE..........SO A QUICK LOOK ON CRAIGSLIST, A RAINY DAY DRIVING TO NEW WEST, AND A 12O YEAR OLD BUILDING FOR RENT ON A STREET THAT INCLUDES A TRAIN, A TON OF TRUCKS, A MILITARY STORE, A HANDFUL OF ANTIQUE SHOPS AND SOMEHOW I FELT THIS WAS THE PERFECT NEW HOME FOR CHICK PEA. THE SPACE WAS FILLED TO THE BRIM, LITERALLY FLOOR TO CEILING WITH THINGS. HOUSED AS STORAGE FOR THE PREVIOUS 4 YEARS WE COULDN'T EVEN WALK INSIDE. BUT I COULD SEE HIGH CELINGS, BIG BEAMS AND WAS TOLD THEIR WAS BRICK HIDING UNDER THE CEMENT AND PLASTER ON THE WALLS. KNOWING THESE SMALL DETAILS WAS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE ME, EVEN THOUGH MY BEST FRIEND ANGIE WAS HOLDING MY HAND TELLING ME I WAS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!

6 WEEKS OF WORK, IT TOOK ME AND MY DAD 3 WEEKS TO CHIP AWAY AT THE BRICK. ADD 3 MORE WORKMEN TO THE MIX TO BUILD THE MOULDINGS AND DO REPAIRS AND THROUGH THIS PROCESS A BEAUTIFUL NEW CHICK PEA WAS BORN.

IT HAS BEEN THE MOST INTERESTING TIME OF MY LIFE. THE PAST ALMOST 5 YEARS HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH LAUGHTER, A FEW TEARS, MANY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIPS AND MY SON HAS GROWN FROM A TODDLING BABY TO AN ALMOST 6 YEAR OLD BOY. I HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE LIFE IS PULLING ME IN NEW DIRECTIONS..........IN THIS CHICK PEA HAS FOUND A WONDERFUL NEW OWNER. SOMEONE TO LOVE AND NURTURE AND GROW THE BUSINESS.

WISHING KIM THE VERY BEST.

XO

LOVE SARAH, RUSTYN AND KOBY.

NEWBORN HERRINGBONE

SWADDLE, SWADDLE, SWADDLE.......................GORGEOUS HERRINGBONE SWADDLE BLANKETS BY BEBA BEAN.

AS MY CUSTOMERS KNOW I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE................. BABIES. LATELY WE HAVE MANY NEW BABIES IN THE STORE AND I HAVE BEEN SO VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SNUGGLE AND HOLD THEM WHILE THEIR MAMAS SHOP. WE HAD A 5 DAY OLD BABY BOY IN YESTERDAY AND HIS MOM HAD HIM WRAPPED IN THIS VERY COZY BLANKET WITH MATCHING HAT. SIMPLY STUNNING AND PERFECTLY WARM FOR THIS COLD WINTER WEATHER THAT HAS ARRIVED.

SARAH.

XO

LEARN TO KNIT A CASHMERE SWEATER......2 SPOTS LEFT!

LEARN TO KNIT A STRIPED CASHMERE CARDIGAN.............THURSDAY NOVEMBER.13TH AT CHICK PEA FROM 7 TO 9PM.
WE HAVE 2 SPOTS LEFT AS 2 THAT HAD SIGNED UP ARE SICK WITH THE FLU. IF YOU WANT A PROJECT TO WORK ON DURING THESE COLD AND RAINY NIGHTS GIVE ME A CALL AT THE STORE TODAY AND I WILL SIGN YOU UP! BEST IF YOU HAVE TAKEN OUR HAT CLASS FOR BEGINNERS ALREADY OR HAVE KNIT BEFORE..........YOU ARE IN FOR A GREAT NIGHT WITH A GREAT GROUP OF GIRLS........COFFEE, TEA, AND TREATS PROVIDED.
CALL SARAH AT 604-525-2266

CHICK PEA BABY YI NUMBER 3

Our beautiful friend Julie Yi has just given birth to her 3rd child...........lovely number 3. He has yet to be named so if you have any suggestions for Julie please leave them under the comments. Her first child is Lauren, second is Russel, and this one will be.............
Congratulations Julie and Peter! We can't wait to meet him!
(The striped cashmere toque next to baby was made by Julie at our Chick Pea Beginners Knit Night)

TWINKLEBELLE KNIT HATS

MADE FROM ECO-FRIENDLY DYES THESE 100% COTTON HANDKNIT HATS ARE THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR CHILLY DAYS LIKE TODAY.............KEEPING THE WIND AND COLD AIR AWAY FROM OUR LITTLE ONES HEADS AND EARS ARE SO IMPORTANT WITH WINTER SLOWLY ARRIVING. AVAILABLE IN THREE SIZES 0-6M, 6-12 M, 12-18M.......................

AND FOR AGE 2-8 YEARS GOORIN SANDCASTLE HATS ARE IN STOCK AS WELL AS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR KANGOL HATS ARRIVING IN LATE NOVEMBER. FOR KIDS, MOMS AND DADS!!!!!!!!

WOODEN NURSERY BLOCKS

TJ Whitneys Wooden Nursery Blocks are officially back in stock! One of my very favorite Chick Pea items. Handmade and handpainted with nostalgic, whimsical images that your child will be sure to love for many years to come.

I always find that the most simple of toys are the ones that withstand the test of time. Wooden blocks at age 2 can be piled high and knocked down, at age 3 they start to build simple castles with them, at age 4 they start to learn the alphabet and start reciting what the letters and images are, at age 5 they begin to create words with them and build bigger towers only to be knocked down and a new game or pattern begun again. I have found that so many of the plastic toys that light up and make sounds and do fancy things are the ones that Koby never touches again after a few times of play. Where as the ones that have stuck around for more than 4 years now and are still as solid as they were are the ones made from wood that requires them to use their imagination..................I feel so much happier about investing in a toy that will be used time and time again, enjoyed in so many different ways that can be passed down again and again to other little ones in our life.

xo

PLAY AND LEARN

Play and learn..........the perfect title for a perfect book. This is my favorite in Chick Pea as it is ideal for a child Kobys age(5).

Koby has many of the same habits I had at age 5. I have so many memories of myself at his age. I am in my bedroom sitting in the middle of my room and around me is a perfect circle of "friends". These friends are my treasured little ponies, my doll named Nalley(I named her after my favorite salad dressing), and a few g.i. joes(given that I had an older brother this made perfect sense.) I can feel the sun shining warmly on me through my 2 big windows and I am soooooooooo very happy. I loved being on my own in my room. Coloring and Drawing for hours. Koby is the very same. I actually get teary eyed watching him as I am so happy that he can be so content on his own. He doesn't need me or anyone else to entertain him, just his imagination. This to me is such a gift. He was such a busy busy bee as a toddler that it is hard to believe at times just how fast he has grown up. We get home from school and he goes straight to his room to find his books and pens. He gets under his covers in his bed. Surrounds himself with all of his friends(transformers, cars, stuffed animals) and draws until bedtime.

The new Giant Play and Learn Book is his favorite. Filled with tons to get the imagination soaring...........sketches partly done, stickers, doodles, etc.....If you have any little person aged 4 to 7 in your family I would definitely recommend this book!

METTE HOLIDAY DRESSES

Hadley is proudly wearing her moms new METTE creation...........colour blocks. These gorgeous colour blocks dresses are made of a wool/cashmere blend. The first features bold colors of turquoise, tan and umber. The second is persimmon, lavender and black. Both with invisible back zippers and available in toddler sizes 3, 4, and 5.

Be on the lookout for the limited edition black and silver to arrive in December!

HOLIDAY SCENTS FROM CALDREA

NORWEGIAN ANGELICA AND SWEDISH CLOUDBERRY MINT....................SMELLING THESE TWO LOVELY HOLIDAY SCENTS MAKES ME VERY EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS! BOTH SCENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CANDLE(WHICH BURNS FOR 60 HOURS), ROOM DIFFUSERS, DISH SOAP, HAND SOAP AND LOTION, AND COUNTER SPRAYS. SUCH A NICE PERSONAL TREAT FOR YOUR HOME OR A WONDERFUL CHOICE WHEN GOING TO EVENTS OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO BRING AS A GIFT.

(ALSO IN STOCK IS THE ENTIRE LINE OF LAVENDER PINE CLEANING PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THE NEW DRYER SHEETS AND THE ENTIRE LINE OF SWEET PEA BABY FOR THE NURSERY)