We love taking you behind the scenes! It’s always fun to remember that this…
turned out to look like this!
We’re so proud of our swim collection and shooting it on the beach was a blast. Lots of hard work goes into each image before you see it in the catalog and on teacollection.com, but we made sure to have some fun while we were there!
Have you checked out our swim collection? The trunks are bright and the bikinis are bold – your little citizen will be sure to stand out this summer!
And now we ask you… What advice would you give a new mother?
Each month Studio T features one of our retailers. This month we sat down with Dawn from Dawn Price Baby. From Taekwondo to running her own business, Dawn really is a mom who juggles it all. Continue reading to see how she keeps everything moving!
Tea: What is your favorite part of your day at the store?
Dawn: Before we open, I get to look around and evaluate the store — how it looks, what it needs, how beautiful it is!
Tea: We know how special and unique all of our stores are, what makes your store unique?
Dawn: We host two major events a year – Mom’s Night Out. It has turned into a fun night of shopping and socializing with friends. We really try to focus on customer service and expertise as we have a lot of bigger stores in the area. We also have a great rewards program that we offer our customers.
Tea: We love sets!
Tea: What do you do in your “spare” time (if you have any)?
Dawn: I actually do a lot, but I sacrifice sleep and “me” time. I help with the kids running club at their school and my child’s lacrosse practice. I don’t miss their practices or games. I make a big deal out of birthday parties and friends over and, we are in taekwondo (as a family). Trade off is lack of sleep, migraines and circles under the eyes. I am currently in the kid stage of life, even though I am running a business. I try to enjoy every second I have either with the kids or a work. I joke around a lot in both areas and try to have a lot of fun.
Tea: Since you do it all, would you mind sharing your secret to success with us?
Dawn: Stay organized, stay focused and make the decision — whatever decision it is. I am not right all the time, but I do try to keep moving forward. I empower the people that work with me to look at the big picture and contribute versus just clocking in and out. I expect a lot and give credit where credit is due.
Each month Studio T features one of our retailers. This month we chatted with Marlow from Lolly Garden. Dive into the whimsical world of Lolly Garden and discover their philosophy behind their success. They are the only children’s boutique in Midtown Tulsa with stroller- friendly aisles. (Moms love this!)
To help everyone at Tea “go there,” we make a yearly contribution to each employee for international travel and exploration. Upon their return, our Tea travelers write blog posts to share their adventures with all of us (and the world).
Emilynne, our excel whiz , traveled to her home away from home to the sunny and humid group of islands in the Pacific.
Last October/November I took a short hike halfway across the world to visit my sister for her semester break in the Philippines. A lot of the school holidays in the Philippines do fall,slightly suspiciously, during major Catholic Feast Days. This means that the Triduum of All Hallows, Christmas, and Holy Week are all holidays that the children may observe with family.
Look at the handwritten plane ticket.
Once I heard about this break, I jumped at the opportunity to visit my mom and my sister, travel a bit of my parents’ home-country, and (most importantly) soak in some sun and warmth!
We did a small amount of traveling, but kept it relatively simple for this go-around as two of my friends (pretty much my sisters by everything but blood) were flying in and out of Manila via slightly different itineraries. My friend Radhika and I got in one evening and our first stop was Taal Vista Resort in Tagaytay, about an hour south of Manila. The resort has a stunning view of the Taal Volcano.
Look closely and Taal Volcano is the island in the middle of the lake.
Yes, that is an active volcano. In fact, people are not allowed to settle on the island, and even the resort we were staying in is technically within the danger zone. It’s hard to believe that this is an active volcano, which had quite a bit of activity as recently as July 2011, when you look at all the lush foliage surrounding it.
Take key pieces from winter into spring. Make them work extra time by mixing and matching. Double up on layers for the colder months and when it starts to get warmer, leave the long layer at home.
Here is one of our favorite layered girls outfits:
Flower Petal Sunset Outfit
Polokwane Hoodie
Flower Petal Top
Sunset Stripe Twirl Skort
Saltwater Sandals in Yellow
For the little guy in your life, shop our Rhinos and Stripes boys outfit:
Rhino and Stripes Outfit
Sharp Sharp Chinos
Grazing Rhino Polo
Ubuntu Stripe Hoodie in Cayenne
Vans Authentic Checkboard
Each month Studio T features one of our retailers. This month we chatted with Stephanie from Rocky Mountain Kids. We invite you to learn about the mother-daughter duo that are here for their customers day in and day out in their 3500 square foot store. Come learn about Rocky Mountain kids!
Tea: How did you decide to take the leap and open your own store? How long has your store been in business?
Stephanie: How does anyone get into their own business? Big ideas, a leap of faith, and a wing and a prayer. The chance to be your own boss? Yes, please! We’ve been in business for 15 years- all in one location. We have been carrying Tea since the days when the entire line consisted of maybe a dozen pieces. Lily (our daughter/granddaughter who has been raised with our family at Rocky Mountain Kids) is now 9 and has been a wearing Tea since she was a newborn (pink footie with red trim — anyone remember that?) and every season since.
Tea: She’s an original little citizen.
Tea: What is something that your customers would be surprised to learn about you?
Stephanie: We (mother and daughter) get to work together every day and we still like to hang out together outside of work. A lot! (Although I don’t know if that would really surprise any of our customers).
Tea: What is your favorite part of your day at the store?
Stephanie: Receiving new shipments. It’s like Christmas every day. Putting new, exciting product out on the floor is like having chosen the perfect gift for a friend. You can’t wait for them to open it.
Tea: What is the biggest trend you see right now in either shopping or kid’s fashion? What are people coming in for?
Stephanie: Well, Tea is now its own trend. Imitation is the highest form of flattery right? We see other brands trying to imitate the Tea look and style as their own. The trend is quality, fashion, color, and affordability all with a story.
Tea: What do you do in your “spare” time?
Stephanie: Family, friends, and a couple of cocktails on Friday nights. When we’re lucky and Cristy is in town, a visit to Zolo Grill and an ice cream cone.
Tea: How do you balance it all? What tricks can you offer us?
Stephanie: Balance? Even if things are balanced, would they ever really feel that way? You’re at the store, you feel like you should be at home. You’re at home, your thinking about the store. Home is work, work is home. But that is why we love it. Right? My best advice- Love what you do, love who you are, love who you’re with (family, friends, staff).
Thanks so much for stopping by! Visit Rocky Mountain Kids at 2525 Araphoe, H12a in Boulder, CO 80302.
To help everyone at Tea “go there,” we make a yearly contribution to each employee for international travel and exploration. Upon their return, our Tea travelers write blog posts to share their adventures with all of us (and the world).
Sandra, our data guru, shares her travel highlights in the unexplored parts of London and Wales.
L- R. Stonehenge, the White Hare in Llandudno, Titern Abbey, and Bath.
My brother and I traveled to the UK at the end of December to sight-see and visit our grandma and
uncle in the south of Wales. Since we’ve both been to London before, we skipped the standard tourist
stuff and took a lot of day trips before heading to Wales. Here are a few highlights from our trip:
London. Royal Ballet, one of the top ballet companies in the world, is a must see if you’re a ballet fan
or appreciate grace mixed with athleticism. Try to catch a performance with principal dancer Alina
Cojocaru.
Sightseeing tip: If you’ve been to London before and London Pass isn’t economical, Days Out Guide
offers 2 for 1 promotions with a valid travelcard from a rail station (must have the National Rail logo;
travelcards from London Underground won’t work) and it includes some attractions, such as the London
Eye, that aren’t covered by London Pass: http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london
Stonehenge. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and on my bucket list of things to see. The henge is roped
off so you can’t touch or wander among the stones unless you sign up for a special dawn/dusk viewing.
It was very cold and windy there so make sure to wear lots of layers if you visit in the winter!
Bath. Who doesn’t want to see the city where Jane Austen’s characters go to recuperate? Ok maybe
just me. The city of Bath is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has the only hot springs in the UK.
We took a tour of the Bath Abbey Towers (hilarious yet informative tour of the history of the abbey),
explored the Roman Baths, sampled the spring water at the Pump Room (tastes like warm iron, gross),
and ended the day soaking in the thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa.
Tintern Abbey. Tintern Abbey is the first Cisterian monestary in Wales and inspired William
Wordsworth’s poem “Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” and Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s
poem “Tears, Idle Tears.” The surrounding Wye Valley has beautiful scenic walks along the River Wye; a
perfect diversion while waiting for the next bus back to Chepstow!
Llandudno. Llandudno is the largest seaside resort in Wales and has a Victorian promenade and the
longest pier in Wales. The town has loose ties to Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland as Alice Liddell, the
“real Alice,” spent her summers there. Most attractions are closed in the winter, so after walking along
the promenade and pier, we searched for Alice in Wonderland statues scattered around the town (there
are four: Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts).
To help everyone at Tea “go there,” we make a yearly contribution to each employee for international travel and exploration. Upon their return, our Tea travelers write blog posts to share their adventures with all of us (and the world).
Brooke, our amazing Store Marketing guru, took a getaway trip to London with her husband.
You can't miss Big Ben when visiting London.
It’s been at least 2 and ½ years since we’ve had couple time for longer than a couple of hours…alone..no kids…no diapers…no nap schedules to work around. It was time to get away and for us to be kids again. We have two girls and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law generously volunteered their weekends. We definitely owe them one or maybe two.
Honestly we could have gone anyway (even into Boston), but it was magical to be across the pond (on an island of sorts) and somewhere my husband Josh had never been – London, England.
After hopping the overnight flight, we arrived to a rainy, cold day…this picture pretty much sums it up:
Notice the grey skies in the background.
Instead of wallowing or going to take naps (which would have been a treat all in itself!), we hit the department stores because they are such a wonder overseas. I definitely recommend popping into Harrods, House of Fraser, and Topshop. They have food halls, amazing displays and the hippest fashions – things that will be popular here in a year or so!
This was also the perfect day for a bus tour around the city – both to get oriented and to take a rest, and also stay out of the rain. The guide was great and super enthusiastic. We got to see all things quintessential London, and also got to stop for some fish and chips (with mashed peas of course!) and then on the Tate Modern museum.
The Tower of London has been standing since the 11th century.
The mix of super historic (Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral) with the modern city of London really was striking, and on top of it all – the city was all dressed up for Christmas.
We loved how the House of Fraser went all out to deck the halls.
Each month Studio T features one of our retailers. This month we chatted with Kyle from Style Child. We invite you to discover Style Child, an innovative children’s boutique nestled in sunny San Diego. Maybe you know Kyle and all of her friendly staff but we bet you didn’t know she was once a Captain in the Air Force.
Meet Kyle, owner of Style Child.
Tea: How did you decide to take the leap and open your own store?
Kyle: Style Child has been open 6 years. I was formerly an engineer for 10 years, and after having a baby, I found I gravitated to all things baby: cute clothes, toys, furniture, decor. It was a combination of needing a career change, plus my changing interests, plus a lack of children’s clothing opportunities in San Diego that led me to the idea of opening up a boutique myself.
Tea: What is your favorite part of your day at the store?
Kyle: When I do the buying! I am always so excited to find new and amazing fashions, or cool toys.
Tea: What makes your store unique?
Kyle: We like to be on the cutting edge of design and fashion and we have a sophisticated flair. We are very different from traditional baby stores. We carry hardworking pieces whether it is toys, clothing, or furniture.
Style Child's abundant Tea selection.
Tea: At Tea, we “Go There”, how do you share in that mission in your life?
Kyle: I love learning new languages and have been known to play Russian language tapes while commuting in my car! I have French and Spanish and English toys in the store. We even have German products and Canadian products, by having a global influence in your selection you guarantee an interesting and thoughtful mix of your products. It helps broaden the horizons of your customers too!
Tea: We love that you really bring the world home for your customers.
Tea: How do you balance it all? What tricks can you offer us?
Kyle: I like the Kaizen Principle. It’s about making small steps forward instead of trying to do too much all at once. And it’s about streamlining.
Tea: That is a great tip for all of us who need to keep our New Year’s resolutions.
Visit Style Child on your next trip to San Diego! Find Kyle and her team at 1070 University Avenue, J-101 San Diego, CA 92103.