(yeah, I know. We totally need a new updated family photo. The girls don’t even look like that anymore and Mark and I have a lot more gray hairs)

What camera do you use?
I have a Canon 5D Mark II. Prior to that I took photos with a Canon T1i and a 50mm f1.4 lens. I also have the 24-105mm L zoom lens.

All photos prior to May 2009, as well as the majority of our original product shots, were taken with the Canon G7, a terrific little point and shoot with manual capabilities.

Can I post your photos on my blog?
Sure, if you credit properly and post a link back to this site, but please do not use my photos without permission. (I mean it. Really.)

Do you take photos professionally?
No, I’m not a professional photographer, but I’m interested in it some day. In my free time. Ergh.

Does Whimsy & Spice have a physical store?
No. Maybe one day. We’re currently thinking about it.

Do you bake out of your home?
No, Mark bakes at a commercial kitchen in Sunset Park, Brooklyn but we operate the business side of the company from our home.

How long have you been in business?
Since April 2008. You can read about the whole process starting from the very first post here.

I’m starting a baking business – can I ask you a few questions?
Yes, but if you’re asking about licensing and stuff, each state has different requirements, so I can’t really help you there. And no, I won’t tell you *everything*, but I will try and answer your questions as best I can.

How come you’re never at the Flea Markets?
Somebody has to watch the kids at home.

Is this a full time thing for you guys?
It’s Mark’s full time job. I work on marketing, design, photography and most customer service stuff. I’m also the one tweeting on twitter. W&S takes up maybe 35% of my work day, except twitter which take up…uh, more (it’s marketing, I tell ya!). The other time is spent on my freelance design work.

Can I hire you to design my website? What kind of design do you do and where can I see your stuff?
If I’m not on a project I may be able to on occasion, but I mostly design for agencies and companies – anything from the DailyCandy email redesign to large scale websites for museums like the Smithsonian and the NYS Historical Association. You can see stuff here.

What are the girls’ ethnicity?
1/2 Korean, 1/4 Russian, 1/8 Norwegian and 1/8 Italian.

Do you really cut your girls’ hair?
Yes, and they need a trim every 7 weeks or so or else it starts getting shaggy. This can get mighty expensive with 2 girls so it’s primarily to save money. I also cut Mark’s hair too for the same reason. I have also cut my own hair from time to time and I always do coloring at home, usually with whatever box of dye is on sale at the drug store. We are low maintenance and frugal.

Where do you shop for the girls’ clothes?
Lots of sample and clearance sales. I’ll often stock up at end of the season sales, even if some items are a size too big and just save it till the girls grow into the items. I rarely ever buy anything full-price (there’s some great sales out there). We also get a bunch of hand-me-downs and generous samples from designer friends like Ismodern and Golden New York. I also like Lucky Wang (again, great sales at their Broadway store), Crewcuts (outlet or final sales) Imoga, Tea collection, Little Ella Moss, Imps & Elfs, Splendid and Neige, all usually bought at sample sales around the city and sales online. And yes, the Gap, Old Navy and Target are all added to the mix.

I’m visiting/moving to NY. Where should we go eat?
Honestly? I’m the worst person to ask. We don’t eat out very often. I have no idea what the hot new restaurants are.

How can you blog so often? Aren’t you busy, you know, conducting business and taking care of the kids?
I usually blog late at night, often between 12-2am and it helps me reflect on the day. I take so many photos and need somewhere to put them, plus I guess I have a lot to say. This surprises even me.

Do you ever sleep?
Sometimes.