Many of you already know that we have been participating with Operation Christmas Child for many years now. 

If you’re not familiar with them - PLEASE do check them out!  http://samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

We have been volunteering with them for years.  Many of you on our Newsletter list may remember that we staffed a collection center a couple of years ago.  It was so exciting!

What is it all about? 

Packing simple shoe boxes with gifts for children who have absolutely NOTHING in this world.

Why?  It tells them somebody loves them and cares for them.  It gives them hope.  Oh the stories we could tell that we have heard as a result of this program!

This is a decidedly Christian organization with no apologizes.  It is a beautiful, well-run organization filled with wonderful people - most of whom are volunteers.  Everybody we’ve been in contact with through this organization (sorry - bad grammar) has been a joy and a blessing.

We will again be having our annual shoe box packing tea here.  Last year our little group packed and shipped 158 shoe boxes.  Many others around us have ‘caught the bug’ and have joined in - including our local bank branches’ employees, Scout troops, elementary schools, Red Hat Societies, the Society of Women Engineers at a local university, and more!

We’re hoping that you check them out too.  Packing a shoe box - or several - is SO easy, so FUN, and has the potential to make such a HUGE difference in today’s world.  Yes, a simple shoe box filled with trinkets carefully selected and packed with love can change the world for a child - for a family, in fact.

We hope that you read about it.  If that link doesn’t work, go to the ‘parent organziation’s’ site at www.SamaritansPurse.org.  There’s a lot there to see.

Collection centers are open the 2nd week in November all across the USA, Canada, England, Australia and more (date may be different over seas - you can check on line).  What’s that?  You can drop off your shoe box and they’ll get it to its destination.

It’s that easy to make a difference.

It’s true that most clothing today is not made in the USA.

But we’re proud to say that we do carry a line that IS made in the USA - in Brooklyn, in fact!  You can find their baby dresses, baby suits and Christening gowns with the “LPC-” prefix.

We have worked with them extensively this summer and can say that these are WONDERFUL people!  And, their baby apparel is made absolutely BEAUTIFULLY.  We can unabashedly recommend these styles to you.

We hope tha tyou do check them out!

I hope I’m not talking too soon - but we’ve been reviewing FABULOUS new dress styles that will be arriving soon!  Too soon to talk about it?  It will probably be November/December when we are ready to start taking orders on these styles.

Stay tuned . . . because this is REALLY exciting!

What size will my child be wearing when s/he stands up in a wedding next Spring?

What size will my baby be wearing for his/her baptism in two months?

We receive variations of these questions almost every day and oh, how we wish we could answer them with any degree of certainty!

But the truth of the matter is that it would take supernatural power or insight to make these predictions - and we simply do not claim to have supernatural powers.

Children all grow at different rates in different ways at different times.  No two children are the same.  We cannot genuinely predict a size for them in the future based on their size today.  That would be dishonest, just to get your order. 

The person(s) in the best position to make this estimated guess are those closest to the child, most likely the person asking us the question.

It is an educated guess at best.  Those who see and watch the child grow are the ones who know the most about that child.

Is there a ‘rule of thumb’?  Yes, absolutely.  It’s always best to err on the large side.  Any garment can be shortened or taken in, but most cannot be let out and none can be lengthened.

So if the child is to wear it in the future, it is always best to “order up” in size.

Even with baby dresses, baby suits and Christening gowns.  It really is VERY easy to move a button or two in the back to make it smaller.  In fact, we’ve had customers who have moved the buttons at the neck to make it bigger too — adding one of those tab collar extenders that men some times use under ties.

And suits and dresses can always be altered locally to be made smaller or shorter.

Fall is on its way.  Cooler weather is setting into much of our country.  While our buildings and vehicles are well heated these days, many parents still prefer to have this event before really cold weather sets in, and understandably so.  For one thing, it’s easier for family members to travel and it’s also before the big multiple-holiday season before us sets in. 

There’s always a big rush this time of year for Christening gowns and little baby suits - and we’re here for you with plenty of selection! 

While long sleeves become more popular this time of year (and we certainly have them!) short sleeves are traditionally used throughout the year.  Simply - we have the broad selection you’re looking for to choose your baby’s Christening Gown or Baptism Suit.

Our staff works diligently to keep availability as up to date as humanly possible for you.  Keep in mind that you do have to allow time to have your order processed, shipped and delivered.  That means that you should place your order no later than Noon on Monday with expedited shipping for the weekend. That’s for delivery in the continental USA, of course. But really, isn’t that cutting it way too close for comfort? 

Things can happen.  Like what?  Well, a couple of years ago a train derailed and took a Christening order with it.  A freak incident?  Of course, but it surely caused a problem for the parents of that child. It’s best to allow at least a couple of weeks.  At least order 8-10 days before the date to insure delivery in plenty of time.  You’ll be able to breath deeply and have far less stress.

Some of our styles are by special order - and those take longer yet.  And, shipping outside the continental USA will take even longer.  How much longer?  We can’t predict that.  Packages can fly through customs or sit without warning or explanation.

Simply - the more time you allow, the more wonderful choices you will have and the less stress you will experience!

Another favorite - darling - baby dress returns to us.  And yes, this one too is exclusive to The Perfect Pear Children’s Special Occasion Boutique!

It’s style #WB-16640 in white with lots of gorgeous hand work, lace inserts, embroidery - really, everything that makes it a true heirloom baby dress. 

Available in sizes 3M - 6M and 9M (while they last, of course).

Why did we bring it back?  Because you loved it so much - and so do we!

This dress is perfect for so many things - new baby gifts, coming home from the hospital, Naming Ceremony, Blessing/Dedication, after the Christening or for an actual informal Christening . . . . really, what baby doesn’t need such a wonderful, gorgeous dress?

They say that imitation is the highest form of flatter.  If that is true, then we must be blushing and gushing because our competition thinks that we’re worthy copying in nearly every single way!

We’ve been watching this develop for quite some time now.  They’re copying our wording, our policies, our procedures and practices, offer many of the same things — have even been contacting our Customer Service department trying to find out how we handle ficticious situations!

In fact, they’ve even added a scrolling news banner just like ours at www.PerfectDresses.com!

It just proves that The Perfect Pear, l.l.c., has been the leader since 1993 providing you with simply the best possible on-line shopping experience for the finest special occasion and formal wear available anywhere.

But those who copy?  Ya gotta question their ethics.

First Communion - the beautiful, holy time when a child makes this sacrament.  It is truly wonderful time for for the entire family!

When is a good time to shop for a First Communion dress for Spring 2008? 

You can certainly start now.  Many, many dress styles are available in white.  You can get a jump on it, shop without feeling rushed and get it in plenty of time to check it off your list of things to do.  There’s a LOT to be said for the peace of mind knowing it is done! 

No matter what, though, be sure to schedule a fitting with your alterations specialist about 6 weeks before her wear date.  Who should you use?  We recommend somebody who does fabulous bridal alterations.

But the majority of the NEW styles will be arriving some time in December for the January shopping rush. 

Shopping in mid-January is the PRIME time to shop for First Communion dresses.  Unless her Communion date is really early (February or early March), this should allow plenty of time for the dress of your dreams to arrive, be altered to perfection and ready to wear.

Many manufacturers design and make dresses for First Communion on a seasonal basis.  This means that they make x # of them - and that’s it.  Once a size is gone - it’s gone.  When all the sizes are gone - the entire style is gone for the rest of the year.

Others make styles all year long and do their utmost to have enough in production to handle the surge in orders for First Communion season.  But once all those dresses are “spoken for” (as in - sold), then the wait gets much longer.  It can be 3-4 months to fulfill an order if it isn’t already in production.  Even companies with normally shorter turn-around take much longer during this busiest season of the year (remember - it’s Spring Wedding season too - lots of little Flower Girl dresses!).

What does that mean to you?

To get exactly what you want and in plenty of time - SHOP EARLY. 

If you come to the internet shopping late - possibly because you’ve exhausted all local resources and just can’t find anything you like or that fits (as in Plus sizes - very difficult to find) - please be a bit flexible.  Perhaps one size different  will be available in time - it’s easy for you to have it altered locally - or you may have to go with your 2nd or 3rd choice dress.

We have SO many styles to choose from that you’re sure to get a GORGEOUS dress!  But the earlier you shop, the more likely it will be that you’ll get your #1 choice in plenty of time to avoid stress.

One of our TOP selling baby styles has returned - #WB-874163.      

It is PERFECT for:

• Coming home from the hospital
• New Baby gift
• Bris
• Informal Christening
• After the Baptism-wear
• Sunday best! 

This darling, soft little knit number was a HUGE hit in the Spring and early Summer, but the manufacturer stopped making it.

GREAT NEWS - we have convinced them to make it again - and this time just for us!

Availabe in sizes 3M - 6M - 9M - while they last, of course.  Come see Baby Suit #WB-874163.

We’ve been hearing how absolutely HOT bubble skirts are on the European runway.  As you probably know, fashion in the US is always just a little bit behind them.  And, kids’ wear is behind that.

So - should you look for a bubble skirted dress for your next big event?

According to Gregg Andres, fashion director for Nordstrom during a recent designer preview fashion show held in Chicago:

“The exaggerated shapes fo this season are on the ”out” list for adults this fall, as styles highlight the longer, leaner silhouette. . . . Fashion is going from soft and round to more angular for a ‘cleaner, less-complicated aesthetic’ he says.  Gone are bubble hemlines and lantern-shaped sleeves, replaced by pencil skirts and straighter jackets.  Think triangular.”        Quoted from Hudson’s Childrenswear Preview September 2007

As adult fashions change, children’s follow close behind.