Welcome to this week’s edition of Berries and Cream Blog Design’s Cream of the Crop series. We hope that you will enjoy today’s featured blog, Did You See That?.

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Did You See That? is a review blog.  I asked Angela (aka CPA Mom), the owner, to tell us a bit more about her blog and herself.

I’d like our readers to get to know you a bit better. Please share some background about yourself, your site/blog, and anything else you’d like others to know about you.

My name is Angela and on my website I review books, movies, toys, websites, and fun products for kids of all ages. I was widowed when I was 28 years old but am now married again with two beautiful children, ages 4 and 6. Between my “real” job as an auditor/CPA and my family and my blog, I’m on the go all the time.

When did you start blogging?

My very first blog post was on 6/1/2006 (on a personal blog that is no longer in existence). I started blogging after seeing myself eviscerated on someone else’s blog and it made me start thinking “why do people blog in the first place??” A friend told me it was for “validation” and I thought “Hey, I could use some validation!” and so it began. I started the review blog in April 2007 so I could post my opinions on a site that wasn’t passcode protected like my personal blog. The ab-fab Nicole at The Opinionated Parent got me started on product reviews and it’s all snowballed from there. I’ve been blessed with great friends who recommend my blog to their own product review sources and with PR firms who have taken a chance on me.

Why do you blog?

I blog on the review site because I’m not one to turn down the opportunity to tell you what I think about something! And I won’t lie – it allows me the chance to give my kids some absolutely fabulous toys and movies (and books for me as well) that I would never in a million years be able to afford on my own. I’ve never gotten any trips to Disney or kitchen appliances like some bloggers have but I’m pretty happy in my little corner of the blogosphere!

What do you normally blog about?

Current movies, books, and products – anything I think my readers would be interested in.

What is your favorite post?

Strawberry Jam 101 because my daughter is just so stinkin’ cute.

What are some of your readers’ favorite posts?

I think the favorite giveaway was the one from Pepsi recently. That got 513 comments which is huge for my little blog.

If you have any upcoming events or posts that you think our readers would like to know about, please tell us about them.

I’ve not been a terribly consistent blogger this month because of summer vacation and work obligations but I’d say be sure to subscribe via email to the blog and you won’t miss any of the giveaways coming up!

As a blogger, what is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Disclose, disclose, disclose. Always be upfront on where you received the product from and if you paid for it or not. The FTC is watching now!

Is there anything else you’d like to highlight or share with our readers?

Through blogging I have meet some of the very best (and the very worst!) people in my life. Be open to all that blogging has to offer you (validation!, friendship, opinions, advice, etc.) but guard yourself too. You can get hurt quite easily.

Thank you, Angela, for sharing more about yourself and your blog.  If you haven’t stopped by Did You See That?, why not check it out today?  There are lots of interesting reviews to read there.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Berries and Cream Blog Design’s Cream of the Crop series. We hope that you will enjoy today’s featured site, Doodlebug & Peanut Creations.

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Doodlebug & Peanut Creations is a fascinating boutique that offers a wide variety of products relating to children of all ages.  Alexis, the owner, kindly consented to be interviewed by me and even gave more information than I had requested.

When did you start your business?

June 2004

How did your store come to be?

Our store grew out of my father’s designs for parents to hand-build toys for their children – even with the child’s help. Although we no longer sell his designs, the business grew into a complete store with everything from infant to tweens and all the years in between. We have two daughters as different as night and day and learned that selection is key to being able to meet everyone’s needs – not just one personality type or another!

Who are Doodlebug and Peanut?

Doodlebug is my pet name for my oldest daughter, Ainsley, and Peanut is my pet name for my second child, Adley. And they are the sole inspiration behind this site.

What will visitors find there?

We carry dozens of lines of tried and true products that are not only guarantee to be some of the finest available but are also the most functional so that you know you are getting a quality product that will actually do what you want or need it to do. And if you are not completely satisfied – we take it back – no questions asked!

Why do you sell what you sell?

All the products on our site are items that my girls or my close friends’ children love. For example, I cannot tell you how excited children are when they walk in my house and see their very own, kid-sized table and chairs. Although my best friend (and mother of my oldest child’s best friend) and I have also spent hours sitting in those pint sized chairs, I would not trade my kiddie table for anything! They eat at it, play at it, and – in fact – we like them so much we actually have two!

What is your favorite item in your store right now and why?

The Belli Skincare Baby Gift Box. Belli Skincare has set the highest standard for prenatal safety as the only skin care line in the world that is teratology screened, which means they can guarantee the safety of you, your baby, and your unborn children!

What are the top sellers in your store?

Boon Frog Pod, Boon Bug Pod, and the various shoe lines.

Can you share some products that you are planning to put in your store soon?

We’re excited to announce we will be adding Haba toys, Oopsy Doopsy Tutus, Papila and Lucy Locket (plus a few more…)

Why do the products change?

Simply put, the products change because availability changes and so do the wants and likes of the children in my life. Although I’m the mother of two girls, we have a very close knit group of friends with children of all ages and sexes…and no two are alike. I want to have products that meet lots of needs!

Why is shipping included in your prices?

By including the shipping costs in price of each item, I am able to offer you the lowest price available. Some things are expensive to ship – desks, tables, bulky stuffed animals – but other things like wallet-sized cameras are much less expensive. I want you to pay for what you get…not share the cost of someone’s desk purchase shipped to Alaska!

Do you offer coupons?

All the time! We’re consumers, too and there is nothing we like more than a good deal, so we like to offer those to our customers, too. As any true shopper can attest, clothes purchased at a great sale price even feel better to wear! Please be sure to register with the site so that you can be notified of all our sales and clearance events.

Do you offer Military Discounts?

YES! 365 days a year! My husband has proudly served in the U.S. Army for 12 plus years, and we acutely understand the sacrifices those in the service have made for our country. In order to get the military discount code, simply fax your ID to (877) 273-8707 or email it as a .jpg or .pdf to alexis@doodlebugandpeanut.com, and I will immediately send you the discount code. Whether you’re a dependent, active, retired or reservist we will gladly extend a discount to you!

Do you want feedback?

Yes! Please! Love us, hate us, think we’re just right or just crazy, please drop us a line. We want to hear from you so we can learn what products you want to see more… or less of!

Do you link to other sites?

Of course! If we find a product we love that we cannot offer to sell, we’ll gladly offer our customers a link to where they can purchase those products.

As a business owner, what is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Treat every customer the way you would want to be treated as a customer. Never forget to shop your own store.

Thank you so much, Alexis, for the informative interview. I know I learned a lot about you and Doodlebug & Peanut Creations.

You definitely want to visit this boutique.  You will be absolutely amazed at the sheer number and variety of products they offer.