Power Mama Madonna and Gucci joined forces for an evening to rasise much needed funds and awareness for UN Programs on the ground in Malawi. According to the New York Post: “A Night To Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF,” co-chaired by Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini, is raising money for HIV/AIDS orphans and children in Africa.

And then there was also the opening of Gucci’s new home on 5th.

Yes, I know - lots of controversy around this one. I say everybody wins, and rather than going there — you know, the Julia argument about marketing + phianthropy = increased awareness, funds and understanding = good – I will stay on the light side (long week with Super Tuesday and all) for a moment…

The room was filled with some of the most glamourous, philanthropic and commited Moms imaginable - Among the guests - Madaona, Selma, Heidi, Tea, Nelly, Demi, Katie, Gwyneth, Jennifer Lopez (in rich chocolate brown was a major stunner - that glow, that bump — perfection) and my personal favorite look - Gwen Stefani in an African inspired key hole halter gown - who was simply georgous from head to toe. Dying to work with Gwen on a maternity range…

  Source: New York Post

Friend of Forty Weeks and all around superstar, Nicole Feliciano has added to her resume yet again. Nicole welcomed her new daughter in January and in true form has already been back editing on her blog as well as getting some fantastic pieces to bed to Babble.com and others. We were especially happy to see her post this week on breastfeeding. And her major shout-out to Bravado. Nicole is not alone. We have been hearing some fantstic feedback on the new Bravado products (have you seen the lace?!?!) from Melrose Ave as well as Main Street. How lucky and rare to have a client hit so many production home-runs. So, thank you Momtrends for noticing and of course - thank you Bravado for making our jobs such a pleasure!!!!

In honor of her birthday month Gina gave the gift of some great hits for our clients! American Baby’s February issue looks fantastic and full of Forty Weeks. Look for some of our favorite clients inside! Bumble Collection’s Hannah Snack Pac in featured in Jess’ Crib Notes column and Bravado’s Bamboo Nursing Tank is featured in Janeen’s Green with Envy Style page.

CNN ’s featureon the recent rise in US birth rates (our fertility rate is now at 2.1) offered up some interesting analysis on the rise of the rate. Citing everying from the rise in ethnic minority births (we have known, of course for sometime that the Latin birth rate was on the rise) and regional birth rate differences (the south far out births New England) and then the question of course, of the teenage pregnancy rate. Which suddenly appears to be up (really confounding to me as the rate has been steadily declining -  so I am going to wonder and reserve judgement on  this one).  Above and beyond he usual - cool to be pregnant discussion which then leads to the celebrity pregnancy discussion which then leads to the year of the unwed pregnancy (really how do we get to these conclusions?) - I am partial Nan Marie Astone’s explanation which is very much in sync with the Forty Weeks world view — this is not political rather it is experiential.

“Americans like children. We are the only people who respond to prosperity by saying, `Let’s have another kid,”‘ said Nan Marie Astone, associate professor of population, family and reproductive health at Johns Hopkins University.

 And so if you are feeling curious this morning, the next thing to wonder is what will happen to our birth rate as we begin to move away from feelings of national prosperity? I will tell you that being in London last month did lots for me (and and for biz, but that latter) - but it did not make me feel prosperous. Stay tuned….

I met the women of Plain Mary at ENK a few years ago and fell in love with the line. I think their play-mat (monogrammed, of course) is one of the greatest baby gifts…a little luxe in a highly practical item! Use the code valentine10 for a sweet 10% off!

Check out People for a Year Book of the Celebrity Bump Brigade class of 2008!

Just think — this is only the first half of the year…more to come, I am sure!

So, for those of you who can honestly say “you knew me when” you might remember my very early days as Forty Weeks and my alliance with Baby Spa. Missy Chase, fresh from her days in publishing (as in magazine) had launched one of the first all naturual (way ahead of the curve and green when there was no such thing)lines of baby skin-care. She and I spent our early years in the industry as allies and friends - opening doors, getting coverage and starting the MOBB (Mom owned Baby Businesses). These were the pioneer days and really, we had a blast.  Her Emily and my Lila were babies  and our muses. We worked hard and kept laughing and yes, it feels like a lifetime ago. So let’s flash forward to today — Missy Chase is now Missy Lapine (she took Rick’s name) and Missy is now up to her eyeballs in a catfight with Jessica Seinfeld over their cookbooks. Saw her on Page Six Today….I wonder if she wouldn’t prefer a little Baby Spa right about  now!

Lindsay Lebresco  one of the good ones out there and, without doubt, my other “little sister” is, as always up to big things. The Graco super-force is now a blogger — check her out (and tell her I said “hi”)!

 http://blog.gracobaby.com

There is only one natural place to begin the year in blogging and that is on Page Six! The Golden Globes are cancelled but the Swag Lounges live on….oh yeah — this is exactly where I’d like to begin. In this crazy flooded category of pregnancy and juve - why in the world would anyone waste a nickel (and it is so much more than that) of their limited budgets on Silver Spoon’s famed Baby Buffet (oh sorry, they do dogs too) or any other mass C  list(see, I can be nice — page six called it “z list”) sampling events? Why, when targeted outreach is available (thanks to Amanda and her amazing team in LA) would someone just lump out the goods when FW offers direct access to the best of the bump and belly set? And with quite spectacular results (Julia Roberts nursing wearing Bravado shot and run everywhere for example). Again, this is a business. Sure, if you are just looking for some celeb encouters Swag Lounges might be just what you need. Or if your project analysis is sans a bottom line. But hey, don’t take my word on it - do the math:  product+travel+staffing+media outreach+booth or display set-up = $$$. Let’s call it $5000 (and that is conservative). So then what? What if you could directly sample to targeted influencers and what if you could be in partnership with their stylists and managers to make sure they got what they wanted, when they wanted it in the right color and size. Hmmm, perhaps this would mean that they use it. And if they use it, they will likely get shot (maybe not on day one but eventually) using it…Ahhhh — happy influencers, using your product, being shot doing so with the blessing of their management. As my partner in crime Amanda would say “GENIUS”- and it is. And that is what we do.

So, you missed me…I am terrible, I know. I don’t call, I don’t write - I am really a bad blogger. BUT OH — what tales I have to share now…so stay tuned.  And here’s to a happy and healthy (super successful as well) 2008!