July 2006

Earlier I posted about Frank’s Marinara. On the same day I emailed Frank and told him how much I liked his Marinara sauce and let him know I had blogged about him. He wrote back the very next day — impressive customer service. Here’s what he wrote:

Hi Gabrielle:

I thank you for your trying and liking my sauce. May I ask how you decided to try it in the first place?

And I appreciate the publicity and effort that went into placing that on your blog.

I appreciate the offers as well. The label redesign (sorry you don’t like the one I have now) is something I would not consider at this time. It has been that way for over 7 years and to change it would be a VERY difficult thing to do both for my customers and the stores. I thank you for the offer.

Let me think about the website.

Once again – thank you for your comments and kindness.

Yours truly,

Frank D. Parseliti
Frank’s Marinara Sauces
Bibelicious Sauces
26 Hawk’s Landing
Amston, CT 06231
860-228-0745
860-833-8312

Here is my response:

Hi Frank,

Thanks for your quick reply. I first tried your sauce when my husband picked it out. He knows I love products with few and easily identifiable ingredients. He read your label and guessed I would probably like it. He was right, I rarely make a trip to the grocery store without picking up a bottle or two. The kids love it as well.

About your label. I totally understand your not wanting to change it. Certainly, you’ve invested a significant amount in the one you have, both in product recognition and printing costs. And please understand I don’t think it’s a horrible label, I just think it could be better. (Frankly, I think about 75% of ALL product packaging is due for a redesign.) In your case, Frank’s is the most expensive sauce on the shelf and I think I would enjoy buying it even more if it looked somehow gourmet or extra-special.

[ "Gourmet" is probably the wrong word. It sounds too fancy. The name Frank's is a pretty friendly, folksy name. So maybe a really cool design that felt authentic and down-home or had some kind of detailing that made it feel individually bottled, anyway. . . ]

Someday, if you’re ready to redesign, let me know. In the meantime, thanks for the great product.

Gabrielle

{ 2 comments }

When Ralph was born I made a trip to the bookstore to buy a Mother Goose Book. There were many choices so I opened them up and did a little impromptu research. Although different versions offer different benefits, I chose Sylvia Long’s and have been so happy with it. I love the illustrations and the inclusion of some uncommon nursery rhymes, but the really convincing factor for me was Ms. Long’s treatment of Rock a Bye Baby. Her baby is a baby bird with Mother and Father Bird encouraging the baby out of the nest to try it’s wings. When I saw this, suddenly a baby in the treetops was no longer so bizarre or disturbing.

I’m aware there is probably a history to Rock a Bye Baby that explains it’s bizarreness — something like Ring Around the Rosies being about some awful disease. But, if that depressing story is at all typical, I think I’m content not knowing the history of each rhyme.

One other note: after Oscar was born, my friend Rebecca brought me a stack of nesting blocks featuring these same illustrations. The blocks are beautiful and big hit with all my kids. You can buy them here.

{ 1 comment }

Inspiring recipes sprinkled with insights into the author’s lives. Some food themed blogs I am loving.

Lee Lou Ann

What I Made For Dinner

HogieWogie (note: the author just made a major move and is only posting intermittently right now)

Enjoy.

{ 1 comment }

A friend introduced me to Sappo Hill soap the other day. She brought 3 scents: almond, cucumber and oatmeal. They are so yummy and so soft. I can’t decide which is my favorite. She bought them at Mrs. Green’s Natural Foods, but you can also order them straight from the source. Good for baby skin and good for mommy skin.

{ 0 comments }

Linda Jones Gibbs, a good friend and hyper-talented person, has started a line of botanical themed stationary. Her company is yet unnamed — she’s considering “NatureNotes”. She gave me the card above, titled “Dogwood Display” when Betty was born and I love, love it. The color and composition are fantastic. I can’t wait to see this stuff go big.

{ 1 comment }

I resisted becoming a mini-van family for as long as possible. We needed the space but from a design point of view, I just wanted something more funky than the best sellers: Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. I found my happy place with the VW Eurovan. The Eurovan is super-cool. There is so much headroom that I usually just climb in the back with the kids, walk around buckling everyone in and then walk my way to the front seat. No other mini-van touches it for space. Also, it’s unusual for me to see one when I’m out and about which makes me feel like they’re special.

Sadly, VW stopped selling them in North America and I am selling mine because it’s getting older (it’s a 2001) and I don’t have the time or inclination to take care of an aging vehicle. So now I’m stuck in the same dilemma: what interesting vehicle has passenger space for 7 or more and room for groceries/stroller?

If a local VW dealer would import a brand new Eurovan from Europe or Mexico and lease it to us, I would like that.

{ 5 comments }

While grocery shopping at Stop & Shop with Megan S we discovered that we both preferred Frank’s Original Marinara far and away to any other bottled pasta sauces out there. It’s not cheap, but it is so worth it.

And Frank, I will trade you a new label design for a year’s worth of sauce (I’m thinking 50 bottles). Also, I noticed you don’t have a website, but I can probably get my brother to make you one for another 50 bottles. Let me know.

If you want to tell Frank how much you like his sauce, here’s the only contact info I could find:
Bibelicious Sauces, Inc.
Frank Parseliti
26 Hawk’s Landing – Amston, CT 06231
Phone: 860-228-0745 – Fax: 860-228-0745
E-Mail: bibelicios@aol.com

{ 3 comments }

I’m in the market for a new swimsuit. I saw LisaPow wearing the red one above and she looked great. Granted, the swimsuit isn’t what makes Lisa look great — she looks fabulous period, but I asked her the source anyway and she directed me to LayersClothing. I was hoping they would have lots of choices, which they don’t, but I did like their offering. Two pieces makes easy access for baby feeding and they’re long enough to keep the lovely post-baby belly covered.

How many of these companies are there anyway? Shades, Layers, DownEast, Modbe. . .

{ 10 comments }

This is a bee I drew for a client. She is opening a boutique and I’m helping her with hang tags, packaging, and business cards. I’m happy with the bee — I was going for a friendly bee and not too insecty. We’ll see how the rest of the work develops.

{ 6 comments }