Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Toxin Free Maternity Clothing --- what is Oeko-Tex?

Here at Bella Materna we are committed to the health of our customers and the environment in the creation of Maternity Clothing.
  
Our high quality materials cost a little more because of the steps taken to ensure this 
level of saftety on all of our fabrics.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 was introduced in 1992 to offer consumers the greatest possible assurance in 
terms of health.  For each certification process, tests are carried out on the following key issues
at one of the 14 authorized Oeko-Tex facilities.

- Substances which are prohibited by law, such as carcinogenic dye.
- Substances which are regulated by law, such as formaldehyde, softeners, heavy metals or pentachlorophenol.
- Harmful substances such as pesticides, allergy-inducing dye or tin compounds.
- Precautionary parameters such as colourfastness and skin-friendly PH value.

For additional information please go to their website: www.oeko-tex.com, thank you for treating yourself and your planet well.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Bras 2 Moms

So glad we found this fantastic resource

Bras 2 Moms:  http://bras2moms.wordpress.com/

Bras2Moms exists so that no mom becomes discouraged with or stops breastfeeding because she cannot afford a nursing bra.


As you know anyone who manufactures products, inevitably has some number of items that are not suited for sale, something happened to the poor little item along the way and the company does not want to sell it.  

Well, we make our bras espcially good, so they last extra long (one of our early start-up commitments was to make quality products -- not something that would be short life span / landfill bound). 

Therefore, if an item cannot be sold -- snag here --- stain there --- bra strap issue here - or unforseen thing there....we obviously don't sell it.  It just kills me to think of it going in the landfill unused or short of its life potential even though it is not perfect!  (One quick story; cousin Mindy - who, of course had a bra from our early years said just the other day- "you make these bras too good -- they last so long I can still wear this one and it is great!")

ANYHOW - back to Bras 2 Moms.  So inevitably we have some items that cannot be sold.  We box them up and send them off to Bras 2 Moms.  There they clean them, repair them and give them to moms in need! 

Today I recieved an email from Emily of Bras to Moms - here is a snippit:
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Dear Anne!
Thank you so much, I picked up the bras that you mailed. They are wonderful! You really do make some of the most beautiful bras out there, and I would know, I see a lot of bras! A lot of these bras have padded cups which is the only request I ever get, moms like padded cups, so they will be extra appreciated.

One of the moms who came to tonight's fitting left saying "I can't wait to go home and breastfeed!". She was so excited to have nursing bras, she had been having to undress each time she nursed her baby and was so grateful for her new nursing bras!

Thank you for all of your support!

Emily
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With all this in mind; we have been discussing the possibilty of  starting a donation program at Bella Materna.  The idea is: our customers who have loved their bras, but they are done nursing, done having kiddos....can donate their loved Bella Materna bras and in exchange get $ off toward a new regular Bella Materna bra (without the nursing clips).   We will need to find larger partner organizations and the best place to fill the need (Breastfeeding is still a foreign idea to millions of people!!!).  If you know of any organizations please let me know -- or if you think this is a good idea please give us your input! 


Thanks - Anne of Bella Materna

Friday, June 1, 2012

All Weather Blanket

All Weather Blanket
Style: WP06G

WOOBEE PLUSH BLANKET$58.00

The only thing softer than your baby’s skin is the velvety microfiber of the Woobee Plush made here in Seattle. Signature ribbon ties make it easy to attach the weatherproof Woobee to all of your baby gear, but this blanket is meant for so much more – like having a picnic, laying in the park and bundling up on a cold day. 
A perfect Baby Shower Gift - practical yet cozy!


This blanket is velvety tangerine plush on one side and water resistant grey backing on the other.   Coordinating striped grosgrain ribbon ties.




  • Hand sewn in Seattle
  • Size : 30 in x 36 in
  • 100% polyester front
  • 100% nylon backing

machine wash cold, line dry (machine dry was fine for mine - durable as a Filson!)

All Weather Blanket

All Weather Blanket
Style: WP06G

WOOBEE PLUSH BLANKET$58.00

The only thing softer than your baby’s skin is the velvety microfiber of the Woobee Plush made here in Seattle. Signature ribbon ties make it easy to attach the weatherproof Woobee to all of your baby gear, but this blanket is meant for so much more – like having a picnic, laying in the park and bundling up on a cold day. 
A perfect Baby Shower Gift - practical yet cozy!


This blanket is velvety tangerine plush on one side and water resistant grey backing on the other.   Coordinating striped grosgrain ribbon ties.




  • Hand sewn in Seattle
  • Size : 30 in x 36 in
  • 100% polyester front
  • 100% nylon backing

machine wash cold, line dry (machine dry was fine for mine - durable as a Filson!)