Summer Sale has started at Born

We've got some lovely bargains in our summer sale, like these gorgeous dresses from Noa Noa, and beautiful pieces for boys and girls from Frugi.

Born is 13 Today

13 Years ago Georgina and I opened the doors to our Gloucester Road store.  We took over the premises on Christmas Eve 1999, and spent the next 3 months decorating, shop fitting and buying stock.  It's interesting to see just how few of those suppliers are still around.  This industry is tougher than most think. The subject matter, babies, is of course wonderful, but the 'industry' that surrounds it is not so cute.

We set out to be different. Not selling things we felt people really didn't need and choosing products that were 'best in class' and things that we ourselves would want to use.  13 years ago we struggled to find suppliers to fulfill our buying remit. Now we are spoilt for choice, which is a good thing, because it means that suppliers are more conscious of how products are made and the people who make them. It means our stores and web site are now heaving,  and Bristol looks very different from the picture above.



One thing we've always been really selective about is our choice of pushchairs.  The factories they are made in are of paramount importance. Why would we sell a pushchair made by a child or someone in forced labour? The reality is that there are still companies for whom the morality of this is not an issue, but for us it definitely is. As is the materials they are made of. Unfortunately due OTT British safety standards our strollers and cots are laden with unnecessary chemical fire retardants. That's why when Orbit Baby Strollers came along we were very excited to know about their commitment to avoid using these chemical in their strollers. They are the 'Worlds Greenest Stroller'. So we were very excited when they said to us that they wanted to celebrate their UK launch by giving away a pushchair to one of our lucky customers, to highlight just how eco friendly their brand is.

Last year Orbit Baby were bought by Ergobaby, the manufacturers of brilliant baby carriers.  They are also the brand that is most similar to us in its ethos. They don't just sell carriers and pushchairs, they are promoting an ethical and heart centered parenting  lifestyle, and one that leaves behind a legacy which our children and future generations will be proud of.  For us it's fitting that we get to celebrate our birthday by launching a competition with them.

In the next few days we'll be sending out information on how you can be in with a chance to win an Orbit G2 Stroller. To make sure you get that email you need to be on our mailing list. Go to our home page and fill in your email address in the box at the bottom of the page.

~ Eva

Free Relaxation for Birth Downloads from Tracy Holloway

Hypnosis for labour and birth works.  I've spoken to many women who have attended classes or listened to hypnosis recordings and have benefited from doing so.

I met Tracy Holloway when she used to hold Hypnosis for childbirth classes here in Bristol.  Since then her work has taken her in a different direction. Not wanting her fantastic Hypnosis recordings to go un-appreciated I asked Tracy if she would be happy to allow our customers to have access to them. She agreed, and so we have put together a page of information, a PDF Guide and free access to the 4 recordings that are designed to promote a mother to baby (heart to womb) connection, keep you relaxed during pregnancy, labour, birth and motherhood.

You'll never really know how beneficial these recordings were to you, because if you do them you won't know what your birth would have been like if you hadn't.  On the page you can read Lou's story of her births in the Testimonial section, the first without having done any relaxation preparation and the second with. Make your mind up after reading them as to which birth you'd prefer and then decide if going to sleep listening to the recordings is worth giving a go.

We'd love to hear your birth stories, as the more positve ones we hear the more we can transform conciousness around birth.

Given with love

~Eva & Tracy

How great are your Padraig slippers? Tell us and win!

Here at Born we love Padraig slippers.   We love pretty much everything about them - from the care with which they're made to the wonderful colours available.  In fact we'd go as far as to say that they alone make Autumn our favourite season!

So in our mission to spread the good word about Padraigs, we want owners of Padraigs to help us tell others about how great they are.  And if you think they're not so great we'd love to hear from you as well.

So if you'd like to share your thoughts and review your pair simply click on the link below and click the 'add a review button' on the Padraig page.

Visit the Padraig slippers page

And as a way of saying thanks one reviewer will be randomly picked (usually by Jake, aged 9, whose our official competition picker) to win a Born voucher worth £30.  Just in time for Christmas!

The closing date for this competition is midnight of November 30th - but remember all reviewers go into a monthly draw as well so even if you miss the deadline you can still win next month.