Modern Boutique, Timeless Properties

Lisa Haskins, mother of two, online boutique owner, and full-time nice person, knows a thing or two about carving out an identity. In a dog-eat-dog retailing world increasingly inundated with competitors for the “mom market,” finding a way to run ahead of the pack is always a challenge. But there are no gimmicks behind the success of Queen Baby Bean, and the only performance-enhancing substance she would ever be accused of imbibing would probably be Fair Trade coffee served in a darling poppy-red mug. Instead, she relies on a more conventional set of sales boosters: an unfairly cute product line featuring neo-nostalgic finds like the Chalet Dollhouse; modern environmentally-friendly ideals; and of course, flawless service. There is no “big box” homogeny to her site, either—the only predictable aspect of this store is its unfailing uniqueness. These are just a few of the reasons Wishing Willow is pleased to feature Lisa’s generous giveaway of the Musical Band Drum Set.

What is it with our parental aversion to percussion toys?It couldn’t be the noise, since we happily put up with Blue's Clues jingles and the exultant victory shrieks of Dora the Explorer, at penetrating volumes, all day long. It can only be our fear of the unknown. Well, here’s something you might not have known: Drum and cymbal sets aren’t just ideal outlets for the Robin Williams instinct (everybody look at me!) common among children. These kits also hone hand-eye coordination, allow for rhythmic experimentation that works the left and right sides of the brain simultaneously, and set the foundation for a love of music, whether your kid is a future Keith Moon or not. And as a plus, these earth-friendly toys are also pretty darn cute!

Becoming eligible to win the Musical Band Drum Set is simple: Visit Queen Baby Bean, browse the site and let us know what your favorite item is in Lisa's shop. Leave your comments here on Wishing Willow. To get an extra entry, subscribe to our newsletter (Leave a second comment, and confirm your subscription. The winner will be chosen randomly.) You don't have to have a Google account to participate. Click "anonymous" to enter. Contest ends 10/2/08. Best of luck!

Super cool bonus: Wishing Willow readers will save 15% off their purchases at Queen Baby Bean. Use the promo code: willow when checking out. Promo code expires 10/9/08.

**We have a winner - Brook who said "Ramalama Ava Diaper Bag in Chocolate! Holy Moly!! It's absolutely beautiful!" Congratulations!** This contest has ended. Check out our other giveaways here.