Holiday Wishes

From, Opulent Favors & Gifts

Important Information Please Read & Sign

I received this heartfelt letter from one of my distributors and just had to pass this along.  Please select the link at the bottom of the email to sign the petition.

What are your thoughts?

Effective February 10^th, all products designed for children – from toys and clothing to blankets, highchairs, carseats, bowls and cups, bedding, cribs and on and on – must be tested, in an EXTREMELY expensive and redundant manner, before being considered safe for sale. And because the law requires that every "batch" of products made be retested, even if each batch uses the exact same raw materials as in previously tested batches, this will be impossible for small businesses like Twinkling Tees. Our products are individually handmade to order and are not created in "batches" - and even if they were, we simply would not be able to afford to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to have every design in every size and every color tested, over and over and over again.

In addition, there is the issue of Swarovski crystals themselves. Because these are lead crystal (just like your favorite Waterford wine glasses, etc.) they will clearly not be within the allowed lead limits. BUT! What is important to note is that these crystals contain lead oxide, NOT the metallic lead that this law aims to remove, and that this lead oxide is wholly contained within crystal - and the molecular structure of crystal is such that the body is simply unable to break it down, and because of this, it is impossible for any lead to leach out of these crystals and into a child's body.

In other words - a child could swallow 1,000 Swarovski crystals whole (disclaimer - this is, of course, not recommended! Don't try this at home!) and 1,000 Swarovski crystals would pass through the system and emerge whole. Sparkly diapers, certainly - but no lead in the body. Some large apparel manufacturing lobby groups are requesting that crystals be considered exempt from the lead limit requirements for this reason, but if this request is not approved, crystal-embellished tees in children's sizes will simply not be legal for sale in the United States.

A cotton tee shirt embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals is simply NOT an item that should be banned as a "hazardous substance", something so dangerous to our children's safety that it is illegal to sell. Just the thought of it sounds absurd, does it not? And yet... as of February 10, that's exactly what they will be.

Obviously, from a personal standpoint, this is simply devastating. My heart and soul has gone into this business. I'm just a mom, like so many of you, who loves to create beautiful tees for little girls to sparkle and shine in. I work until 3 AM many nights, only to wake up four hours later to get my kindergartener and preschooler ready for school, and I truly love every minute of it (well, okay... maybe not the minute that the alarm clock rings...) because Twinkling Tees is my dream - the business that I've created from the ground up, on my own, and devoted the past year and a half of my life to building and building and building. And while, yes - I will still be able to carry adult size tees, the backbone of this business by far is baby, toddler, and girls' size tees.

 To quote the Fashion Incubator blog:

"Since most of the products intended for February delivery are either already made and on the way here or are in the process of being made and few to none of the inputs were tested beforeheand, all of these items will end up in bonded warehouses or landfills because it is illegal to sell them even as seconds. Products made domestically are not immune, they're in the same boat. A factor is not going to break the law and make an illegal contract so a retailer can buy illegal goods. The end result is there will be a whole lot less product on store shelves. Since there won't be much to pick from and costs are higher, consumers can expect to pay much higher prices. Prices will be rock bottom on February 9th, but overnight, prices will dramatically increase. The anticipated losses go into the hundreds of millions of dollars. This is not an exaggeration. According to 2002 U.S. Census Data (the last year for which data is available) just considering small U.S. clothing manufacturers, their contribution to the economy is over 900 million dollars annually. Small manufacturers with fewer than 20 employees comprise 68% of total apparel manufacturing in the U.S.. This of course does not include the untold numbers of stores that will go out of business too."

So... what now?

First, we can let our voices be heard. And heard and heard and heard! Take a moment to visit this link - simply enter your name and address, and a prewritten letter will be emailed to your members of Congress letting them know that changes need to be made so that we can keep America's children safe without destroying American businesses. You don't even need to know who your Congresspeople are - it will automatically be sent to the appropriate senators and representatives based on your address. Share this link with anyone you know who has children or shops for children's products! Let them know that this effects THEM - experts have estimated that the cost of goods from whatever companies are able to survive the cost of this repetitive testing will increase by 50%. Is that in their family's budget?

 

Second, I am deeply saddened to announce that I will be unable to accept any orders in children's sizes after January 30th, to allow time for all orders to ship by the 9th of February. I will not be replenishing my stock of kids' size tees at this time; if I do not have the shirt(s) in stock to complete your order, I will contact you with alternative color choices if available, or cancel your order and refund your payment.

I fear that so many of you, as retailers, will be affected by this - if the small businesses providing your inventory go under, or if the cost of purchasing your inventory from whatever businesses manage to survive becomes too high to allow you to remain profitable. We are truly in this together... let's not allow ourselves to disappear without a fight.

 

Holding out hope for change, 

Fabulous Freebie!

In honor of our 25 days of {Fabulous Freebies Series} on Twitter! I am happy to announce that Opulent Favors will be giving away 2 great items that can be great gift ideas or for yourself!! There will be 2 opportunities to win!

Enter to win these great freebies by simply placing a comment to tell us which freebie you would love & what you would do with the great freebie!! The winner will drawn at random & announced on Monday December 15, 2008 & will be contacted via email.

Business card case set: Case is engravable up to 20 characters(including spaces per line)

6 oz. Genuine Pink Leather Flask Gift Set {Engravable 12 characters per line}

Good Luck!!!

A Day of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving from OpulentFAVORS.com!!

Work in progress

Over the next few weeks, we will be adding new & exciting product to OpulentFAVORS.com!!! The store will still be open during this process so please continue to shop but check back often as updates are being done daily!

I will give you a hint...
*Think amazing holiday/Christmas, Sweet Sixteen & Vegas or poker related favors!!!**

So excited!

Make it personal ---- Out of town welcome kits

Out of town gift baskets or boxes for your wedding guest make a personal touch to your special wedding weekend. OpulentFAVORS.com offers a few varieties of out of town gift boxes for your guest.

Personalized Welcome Kit

What a way to welcome your Out of Town Guests!Let's face it, most of us, if not all of us, have out of town guests join us to celebrate our special day.

Many of them travel long distances to be with us at our wedding. Why not thank them for their travel and make them feel welcome with a gift box full of goodies. After a long day of airline food and long wait lines, nothing makes them feel better than knowing how much you appreciate them by having a box of treats waiting for them.

Our Out of Town Welcome Kits are the perfect way to show them how much you care. They are completely personalized with your names, wedding date, choice of style color and your choice of ribbon color. Each kit includes: 1 Large gift box 1 Treat or favor box 1 Ribbon for large gift box 1 Ribbon for treat box 1 Personalized label for large gift box and treat box 1 Personalized water bottle label 1 List of suggestions on what to include in each KitIf that's not enough, we include 1 personalized notecard with each welcome kit, making it easier to write your own thank you message for each guest.

Forget the traditional fruit basket; with just a little time, a few goodies and our fabulous Welcome Kit you can put together a gift your out of town guests will remember for a long time to come.

Other options to place inside your Welcome kits are:

• Assorted local maps & guides for the area {Can be picked up at your local chamber of commerce or Visitors Bureau}
• Starbucks giftcards for their morning latte fix
• Travel size toiletries
• Personalized items (coffee mugs, pens with your special date included)
• If they are traveling with children-include a travel size/pocket game for the child!

Make it personal & unique!

Thanks for reading

In "FAVOR" of a Cure Spotlight Week 3

Think Pink Awareness Cookies

This cookie set sends a sweet and inspirational message to help support the fight against breast cancer. The set includes two cookies, one in the shape of the awareness ribbon and the other in the shape of a bra. Cookies read encouraging words of support and strength, such as "strive" "hope" and "faith" in various fonts and pinks.

In "FAVOR" of a Cure Week 2

This weeks Breast Cancer Awareness Month Favor Spotlight:

"In Favor of a Cure" Pink Ribbon Favor Box (Set of 24)

Kate Aspen has created the In Favor of a Cure™ Pink Ribbon Collection—meaningful favors perfect for almost every occasion. And 10% of the net proceeds from the sale of our Pink Ribbon favors will benefit two national breast cancer charities.

31 Days of Chictober

OpulentFavors.com is proud to be a partner of 31 Days of Chictober!

Our friends over at Oh So Chic Boutique will be celebrating their founders birthday {which is October 14th by the way}, with a Celebration of Women in Business! Great idea, huh? Well here's how it works, check out Oh so Chic's Blog each day for your chance to win free stuff & we all love FREE & opportunities to receive additional discounts from other online businesses owned by women!!!

OpulentFAVORS.com will be offering 10% off all month with the discount code of SoChic & also a chance to win a Package that includes Cosmopolitan Monogram Jewelry Pouch with cosmetic bag and 5 piece manicure set. Giveaway will be announced on the Oh so Chic Boutique Blog on October 9th.

Check the Oh So Chic Blog daily for exciting discounts & free offer!!

Stay chic!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and each week we are spotlighting a favor or gift from our "In Favor of a Cure" collection.

This weeks spotlight is our ever so Eco Chic "In Favor of a Cure" Pink Ribbon Plantable Wildflower Favors (Set of 12)

This symbolic plantable is a lovely start for a garden in honor of—or in memory of—a loved one touched by breast cancer.

10% of the net proceeds from the sale of our Pink Ribbon favors will benefit two national charities dedicated to supporting women—young and old—living with breast cancer, and granting the dreams and wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients.

Wordless Wednesday Baby Shower Favors

FAVOR-ite Fall Favors

The first official day of fall is September 22nd and I love the autumn weather & rich warm colors that the season brings. We have added a new line of fall favors that are sure to give you the warm & fuzzies!!

These favors can be used for small events, weddings, bridal showers and many other events, just let your creativity run wild.

Classic Maple-Leaf Place Card Holder (Set of 4) "As Seen in Brides Magazine Sept/Oct 2008"

“Autumn Branches” Bronze-Finish Metal Photo Frame/Place Card Holder (Set of 4)

“Autumn Elegance” Laser-Cut Fall Leaf Favor Box (Set of 24)

“Fall in Love” Scented Leaf-Shaped Soaps

Link Love Garrett Popcorn

I am so excited to let you know that we are now linked to Garrett Popcorn!! Garrett Popcorn is the yummy popcorn that I stand in line for every time I go to Chicago and has been a Chi-Town tradition since 1949!!!

Visit Opulent Favors in the Wedding Resource Section of their website!!!

Order some popcorn while you are online...My favorite is the Cheese Corn & Caramel Crisp!

Wordless Wednesday L-O-V-E

Babies, babies everywhere!

Over the past couple of months, several of my friends have given birth! The unique thing is that they have all been girls. What's up with that? Over the weekend, I updated the site with the 3 new bundles of joy(Kennedy Ann, Flora & Alexis) in mind!

I've expanded the Baby Aspen collection with some really great new pieces that I know you will love!

Here are a few of the new items, but log on to OpulentFAVORS.com for more great baby shower gifts and favors!

Dilly the Duck 4-piece Bath set

“Love Ewe” Plush Lamb and Lovie Gift Set in Organza-and-Satin Drawstring Bag

"Nursery Rhymes" Embroidered Keepsake Quilt in "Lullabye Luggage"

Favor-ite of the Week!

Our FAVOR-ite of the week incorporates the wedding ceremony!

Stylish Ring Pillows $21.95

These handmade ring pillows are perfect for your ring bearer, or as an accent piece for showers.

Each satin pillow comes in the following color combinations: white pillow/pink ribbon, pink pillow/chocolate brown ribbon, white pillow/black ribbon, aqua blue/white ribbon, or aqua blue/ chocolate brown ribbon.

Each ribbon tie includes an extra thin satin tie for rings. Each pillow measures 8”x8”. Custom color combinations can be requested for an extra fee. Simply stunning!

For this & more chic items for your wedding ceremony & reception, check out OpulentFAVORS.com

Wordless Wednesday...All about Bling

Spring into Fall Sale

My friends over at QT Sunglasses is having their annual Spring into Fall Sunglasses sale!

QT Sunglasses infuses Celebrity Style sunglasses and everyday affordability with our collection of designer inspired sunglasses for Ladies, Men and Kids.

I love a great pair of sunglasses {I have about 20 pair...Yikes} as do many of my friends, so check out the sale & save 25% off from now until September 20th!!!

FAVOR-ite of the Week

“To Have & To Hold™” Set of Four Magnets in Classic “Refrigerator” Tin $3.95/Set of 4

Tell us! Was it his magnetic personality that attracted you to him? When you both make the promise to have and to hold, celebrate your mutual attraction with a clever Kate Aspen original! Send your guests home with a refrigerator full of symbolism—a magnetic memento they’ll have to hold cherished photos, kids’ drawings and daily reminders in a convenient place.

The outside of the silvery tin favor is a “refrigerator” with heart magnets securing an important reminder that says “To Have & To Hold.” Just below, it reads “Refrigerator Magnets,” and inside are four petite, yet powerful silver-metal magnets with white enamel accents—a heart, two rings, wedding bells and a three-tier cake.

A wedding favor so captivating, your guests will certainly know that he was attracted to your flair for the unique and your excellent taste!

Wordless Wednesday....Baby Shower Invites