The Passenger Seat is yours...

What a ride.


The last few months have probably been the most exciting, most intensive few months I have yet to experience in my life. I have been meeting some of the most amazing people, sharing ideas and collaborating with some pretty fantastic Canadian businesses.

When I lived in Asia my Mom would often say I should be keeping a journal of my experiences so I will remember them forever. I loved the idea but never really committed to it.

So as I get ready for what I think will be the craziest 4 weeks of 2010 as the owner of BOBA I have decided to document the ride. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy job but it is so exciting. The passion I have for what I do radiates and grows stronger every day. I love looking at my product, hearing feedback about it and getting elbows deep in papers to prepare what’s in store.

The next few weeks are going to be exciting. My new website launches within days and it is pretty fabulous. I had my photo shoot yesterday with Joseph Saraceno and what a great day – check out the pictures below for a sneak peek behind the scenes!

Come Friday I am hitting the road. It will be me, my dad’s Ford pick-up truck, a rolling rack, my collection and a mannequin. I will spend a few days in Regina and then make my way to Alberta. While in AB I will be in Calgary, Edmonton and various cities in the surrounding area.

If you know of any stores that would be a great fit for BOBA please send me a note and I will get in touch.

Once I return at the end of March I will be launching BOBA Private Shopping Parties. Get your girlfriends together and host a party in the privacy of your own home. I will have a full range of sizes in the entire product line and provide ideas on how BOBA Fashionable Basics can be coordinated with existing pieces in your wardrobe to flatter your blossoming belly.

Jump in the passenger seat and stay tuned for the exciting journey to the prairies.

For the Love of Fashion,

xoxo

aLi m.

An idea is turning into reality - PROJECT FORMULA

Have you ever briefly met someone whether it is on an airplane, through a friend or at an event that you haven’t forgotten?


I meet amazing and influential people almost every day, but in 2006 I met a little girl and her mother that changed how I see the world. In January of that year I had finished my 2 year teaching contract in Taipei City, Taiwan and had embarked on a 2 month journey through South East Asia. When I was in Siem Reap, Cambodia I met a young boy and his very unhappy sister. He was selling pirated books on the street to tourists and taking care of his baby sister. His English was pretty good so I asked him what was wrong with the little girl; he told me she was hungry. Having a soft spot for children I picked up the little girl and fell in love with her. She was so sweet and so beautiful. Over my week stay I met their mother and learned that she was my age at the time, so 26 and had 7 children the youngest being about 1 month old. She also told me her husband lost his leg and eye sight due to a landmine.

She didn’t feel sorry for herself or her situation instead she embraced life and was happy to be alive. Every night she would sit with her children on the road and watch her husband’s band of landmine victims play to tourist and collect money. By the end of my stay I had visited the mother and the little girl almost every day. When I was saying good bye I asked what I could do to help. She didn’t ask for money all she asked for was baby formula so the little girl I fell in love with could grow healthy. I purchased 3 tins of formula and didn’t think much of the impact the formula would actually have until later in my life. Today I know baby formula could be the difference between life and death.

The first Christmas after I moved back to Canada my sister made a donation in my name to UNICEF for Baby Formula to go to someone in need. Once again baby formula was crossing paths with my life and I needed to figure out why because I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

I did some research on baby formula and 3rd World Countries and some of the things I read were pretty scary, such as the risk of life threatening diarrhoea due to mixing the formula with contaminated water. Large organizations such as UNICEF have taken amazing strides in educating women for safer practices. I know we often think that 3rd world countries are so desperate for help from amazing countries like Canada that we forget to look at the problems we have in our backyard.

In 2009 when I first launched BOBA an interesting event happened that began to bridge the gap between my idea and reality. One spring day I was exhausted and in need of some serious “me” time, so I took the day off from work. While I was eating lunch and watching the news at noon, Austin Delaney from CTV was doing a segment on Black Market baby formula. He reported that baby formula was a hot commodity on the black market scene because it is expensive and as quoted in a Star.com article - Dr. Deborah O'Connor, director of clinical dietetics at the Hospital for Sick Children, says feeding a baby is very expensive. "For families with low income, it can make a hole in the wallet."

So from that very moment of eating lunch while watching Austin Delaney, the bridge was built and PROJECT FORMULA came to life. I made the decision that a portion of the proceeds from sales at BOBA would go towards purchasing baby formula for women in need. If you follow my blogs you will know that BOBA has been a work in progress over the past year. 2010 has already been a very exciting year and fall of this year will mark the official launch of PROJECT FORMULA.

I share this story with you as my commitment to help Canadian women feed the future stars of Canada. A mother should never have to panic about how she is going to pay to feed her baby and most importantly proper nutrition is essential for the growth and development of babies.

Stay tuned for the launch of the new babyonboardapparel.com website and be sure to visit us at the following shows.

Family-a-Fair – Calgary, Alberta March 26 & 27 Booth 120

Spring Moma & Chicks Show – Oshawa, Ontario April 16

Shop for Baby – Toronto, Ontario April 25


For the Love of Fashion and our future stars,
xoxo aLi. M.

ps. here are some pictures from Cambodia including that beautiful little girl.

One Flaw in Women

Yesterday, I received this in my inbox! I think I have read it about 10 times and I honesty couldn’t agree more. Share this with the women in your life. I think it is pretty strong and powerful.


Xoxo

aLi m.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men . . . . .
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy .
They smile when they want to scream .
They sing when they want to cry .
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous .
They fight for what they believe in . .
They stand up to injustice .
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution .
They go without so their family can have .
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend .
They love unconditionally .
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards .
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding .
Their hearts break when a friend dies .
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left .
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart .
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors .
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you .
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning .
They bring joy, hope and love .
They have compassion and ideas .
They give moral support to their
family and friends .
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give .
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH .