With my twins Alexandra and Avery in tow, we toured the facilities, where the focal point is Mother Oak, a tree where Cabbage Patch Kids are born. The “doctors” in scrubs (salespeople in clever disguise) engage the children with a dramatic birth scene under the large faux oak.

After the birthing, the performance turns into a faux adoption ceremony for the children purchasing dolls.  I’ll admit prejudice, but it was absolutely adorable to watch Alexandra choose her doll, name her Pinky Pinky Doo, then take a formal oath that she would always care for Pinky Pinky Doo.

The trip brought back childhood memories for me.  I remember being disappointed that I never got to be a “mother” of what we called “the adoption doll”.  My parents thought the whole experience was much too expensive.

Driving home it dawned on me – that brand has been around for over 30 years!  Xavier Roberts, proud papa to the entire Cabbage Patch world, was a teenager in 1976 when he experimented with doll making.  In 1979, he and five friends opened Babyland General and, by that time, the dolls had taken the shape of babies, each one unique, each one created by a strange process called “needle molding” which, to me,  looked a lot like panty hose stretched over cotton.

3 years later, they signed a licensing agreement with Coleco to mass market the dolls under the name “Cabbage Patch Kids.”  The craze that resulted  made millions for Coleco, Mr. Roberts, and friends.  Then Coleco bankrupted,  Hasbro picked up the license for a while, and now Mattel stands at the Cabbage Patch helm.  Meanwhile, Mr. Roberts sits up in Cleveland, overseeing Babyland General, and managing his impressive antique car collection and his royalties.

Talk about brand stickness!  “Sticky” brands are those brands you’re attached to (and more likely to repurchase) because of an emotional connection.  Seriously!  Like the Babyland General concept.  Look at a couple of characteristics of sticky brands:

1. They decrease price sensitivity.  Check!  This mama was willing to pay a rather large amount of money to witness her three year old go through an adoption ceremony with a plastic doll.
2. They increase customer loyalty.  Check!  Google Cabbage Patch Kids on Ebay and see the prices people are getting for the early versions of these dolls.  Honestly!

Oh, I should know better!  Successful brands focus on a state of mind, not the state of the market.  Sticky brands are grown, not launched.  And Mr. Roberts’ Cabbage Patch babies?  They’re a lesson in brilliant, sticky brand entrepreneurship.

Which got me to thinking – what if they’d franchised   Babyland Generals all over the country, predating American Girls with a Cabbage Patch success story?  Hmm. . .

If you’re wondering about Miss Alexandra’s Pinky Pinky Doo, well, here I am, two weeks later, reminding her every day about that solemn vow she took under the faux oak tree up in Cleveland.  As Pinky’s grandmother, that’s my duty, right?

Some tag line goes here – which we will repeat on every post.

Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House (with old friends)

Just driving up to the entrance makes you want to pull on your gloves, recheck your hat, and rustle up to the door in your most lovely frock, doesn’t it?   Is there a better place to meet for a relaxing afternoon of catching up and perhaps a bit of naughty chat about the rest of the world?  You know who I’m talking about – the “commoners” outside this enchanted place (you’ll say with a touch of faux-sadness).  Tsk, tsk!

Just outside of London, on the serene River Thames, Cliveden is now a luxury hotel – but once it belonged to the Astors, a lovely home with magical grounds and gardens that are now part of the National Trust.

You are encouraged to enjoy the magnificent beauty of the gardens, then glide into the home for a luxurious tea service, quietly and efficiently served by an attentive but discreet staff.  How special do you feel?

In their own words:  In March 2009 Cliveden was awarded The Tea Guild award of excellence for the second consecutive year. The award is in recognition of Cliveden’s commitment in achieving the very highest standards in the service of tea and complimentary foods.

Our fine three tiered selection includes a variety of finger sandwiches, warm scones with home-made jams and clotted cream, a selection of miniature cakes, pastries and delicacies and even our renowned Cliveden fruit cake. There is also a wide selection of teas, including our very own Cliveden blend, or for true decadence, why not enjoy a glass of our house champagne?

The house champagne totally did me in – I’m SO there!

Read more about Cliveden House here – and check out their reviews on Trip Advisor here.  Who knows?  If you are in the area, it should make for a lovely stay.

(Hmm…they do weddings, too!  More on that later – my “Jentuitions” tell me this is THE place for a totally elegant wedding venue!)

And while you’re waiting on that – why not take a vicarious tour of Cliveden House via YouTube?

Footnote:  I did not get paid to write this.  I have not been to Cliveden personally.  My curiosity got the best of me when it was mentioned.  However, if they’d like to invite me for a personal tour – who could resist?

Here’s a unique wedding favour idea – a sushi-themed wedding celebration with Mr. Happy Buddha and his good-luck belly holding a place card, plus personalised chopsticks for each guest.  Kinda clever, right?

Getting married at the shore or perhaps on a delightful island somewhere tropical?  A bottle stopper is handy for those red wine evenings – or perhaps an adorable drink mix kit for each guest?

I could go on and on – but you’ve heard me blather on enough.  Check out Kate Aspen UK to see loads of excellent wedding favour ideas for your big day!  It’s inspirational!

Have a cheery one!

Jen