10. Winter weather. Living in the desert, I learn to appreciate the cold MUCH more than when I lived in Ohio.
9. Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" for the very first time, this year, to my son. He would never listen to it before!
8. Digging out my Christmas tree from storage (it's always dusty) and testing all the lights--half, of which, don't work anymore.
7. Seeing all my ornaments again and appreciating each and every one.
6. Watching my 6 yr. old son open each ornament and say, "Mom, this is my favorite one!" and then proceeding to play with it and almost break it every year.
5. Begging my husband to get on the roof to hang our outside lights and then hearing profanity during the course of it. "This isn't going to F***ing work, Erin!". And, yet, it always does.
4. Making Buckeyes (a chocolate/peanut butter treat known well to my fellow Ohioans) and eating 1/3 of them in the process.
3. Waiting til the very, very last minute to shop for gifts and barely getting it done! Whew!
2. Listening to Christmas music day-in and day-out--and getting away with it!!! Also, watching 24 hours of " A Christmas Story"!
1. The joy on my boys face. The delight in his eyes when he sees a gaggle of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning and the feeling we get afterwards, "We did it, again!"
Just notified I was part of a wedding editorial! A client of mine was featured in Vermont Vows magazine, Fall & Winter issue, along with her husband and their beautiful wedding. Take a peek at their gorgeous photos loaded with the deep hues of Fall! Chayah (the bride) is wearing my Khaki Peony with Burgundy Biot feathers Headpiece, she looks amazing!
The Cover.
They did alot of antique shopping for decorations and even table settings!
My credits are listed at the very bottom left side, too tiny to see in this photo:(
The colors are deep and earthy, looks like it was a fabulous affair!
My 5 year old son has started kindergarten, already has a girlfriend (that he's kissed behind the tree on recess!) and is excelling at it--both school and the kissing!. Time seems to be flying by at an extremely fast pace...and I dont like it. No more diapers. No more binkies. No more baby food. And...no more baby. Vince is turning into a full-fledged boy, now. My only hope is that he lets me kiss and hug him for a bit longer. Just a few more years?
Bellababy Studio is gaining a bit more recognition this Fall. Just notified I was featured in Vermont Vows magazine for this Fall. Will be receiving a copy in the mail. I didnt even know it was happening so, a nice bonus! I will also be doing Hullabaloo again this November! This will be my 4th or 5th year...i forget!
I'm trying to focus on more formal pieces, (i.e.) bridal, gala/ball, cocktail hats, Kentucky Derby-style hats, burlesque and slowly trying to learn the Millinery trade. I am becoming VERY fond of felt, velvet, feathers, sequins, appliques and Russian netting/tulle...especially the "dotted" kind. Perfecting my style in birdcage and blusher veils has opened a whole new door for me (and you!) to experiment with color, texture, style, size and boldness of formal, photo-prop and ready-to-wear accessories.
Be on the lookout this season for bigger and better pieces themed around the richness of Fall and Winter. Dont you have a Winter Gala to attend? Or maybe a New Years Eve Ball? If so, you know where to find me. I'll be the one covered in feathers and felt sitting next to the sewing machine.
In lieu of new Fall items coming your way, I have announced my Fall Frenzy sale! 15% off entire stock when you enter "fallfrenzy15" at checkout. Visit Bellababy Studio from now until Oct 1st. to get your Fall savings. Stock up for Christmas gifts! I have loads of goodies still available in my CLEARANCE section and the 15% off applies there too! Stay tuned for more new merchandise soon and...HAPPY FALL!!!
Come see Bellababy Studio Saturday, Sept.3rd (6pm) at Chasers in Scottsdale.
ALL AGES WELCOME!!!
Live Music & Fashion Show supporting the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
Prizes, Raffles, $3.50 tall PBR and Auction!
I'll be there with all my latest designs so bring plenty of cash! See ya there!
(p.s. $10 cover to go to AAWL)
Summer is coming to an end soon but I am beginning something new! In order for that to happen I need to make room. Until these items are sold, they will be priced to make you giddy! My entire Tattoo Collection is discounted and my Clearance section has been re-vamped and prices have been slashed...like seriously slashed. I'm not even kidding! So jet on over to Bellababy Studio and pick up your goodies before they have vanished!
I'd like to reach another milestone--300 "Likes"!
If you "share" my fan page (www.facebook.com/bellababystudio) and POST HERE ( Bellababy Studio's Events Page) WHEN YOU HAVE, then you will be automatically entered to win a Bellababy Studio Swag box! "Share" your heart out for "yours truly" and you will be granted some sweet Summer goodies to keep you peachy-keen on the Summer scene!
Happy Summer!!
(P.S. Dont forget to post on Bellababy Studio's Events Page when you have "shared" on your Facebook wall or you wont qualify for FREE SWAG.)
Heads up! It's Spring cleaning time--that means more for you.
I'm offering up more of my hair goodies at a "gotta move" low price. Must make room for bigger and better things! Get your old favorites here for just $5 & $10 while supplies last.
(As always, Bows ship FREE!)
Happy March everyone! Spring is in the air and it's time for another Giveaway! Click the link below for full details on how YOU could win a fab box of Bellababy Studio swag!
Before you read this post, please "pause" music from bottom of page and press "play" here:
We moved. 4 miles north from our original home. I miss my neighbor dearly (and our weekend play dates). But, I now have a bigger and better home. Dogs love it. Cats love it. Son loves it. I love it. The hubs...well the jury is still out on that. He just moved from his childhood home of 18 years. I do think its growing on him though. MORE ROOM for all of our crap! 4 bedrooms, 2 big "extra" rooms to boot. Plenty of room to do whatever to. We have several tiled-in planters in the front yard. I've been planting seeds of flowers and watching everyday for seedlings to sprout up (they are coming). It's sort of a re-birth for me. New beginnings. New surroundings. New digs. Closer to city life and the "Orbit" free shuttle bus--score!
I absolutely adore moving. I tend to get stir crazy in one place. Must keep moving. Must find a new adventure. Must explore. Hubs seems to be a bit skeptical of it all. Now, I have moved a million times in my life. Never has it been disappointing or boring. It's exciting! It's new! I, for the life of me, can not understand why anyone would want to spend "forever" in any one place? Why should you? There's a whole big world out there waiting for you to discover it. It's not going anywhere. It's waiting. Waiting for you--waiting for us.
What I wouldn't give to go to Spain and roast/steam green onions (in news paper) in the ground for 2 hours then eat, drink and be merry! What I also wouldn't give to visit Greece and dance with the men in a traditional Greek dance, kicking my heels high while lamb was slowly roasting over a smokey and rustic spit. All the while, helping prepare the local vegetable fair (while indulging in a touch of wine) and using exotic herbs and spices. Black sand, blue-green waters, foreign hospitality and cheer to go around.
Ok, I' got a bit off track. But, really. Who doesn't like change? Who??? The way I see it, only "good" can come from change. Growth. Knowledge. Understanding. Peace.
Which is why, when I learned of the inevitable "move" I was quietly enthused and relieved. Time to start over. "New beginnings", as I've said before. A new chapter. Move over 2010! 2011 is moving in and taking names! Get the hell outta my way!
It's not all roses and champagne though. Moving is adjusting and setting up shop. New routines, new locations of everyday items, new smells, new friends (if any) and a new life (or at least the dream of one). But for me, it won't just be a dream. It will be reality. New things will happen and I will make them happen. You bet your ass I will. Seriously...bet your ass and your ass is mine. No take-backs. I mean it.
I do apologize for the lack of photos in this post. They are still a work in progress, Don't wet your pants--they are coming eventually. I feel the need to show you, in chronological order, the progression of the "garden" and the inside "decor". Bare with me. "Bare"? (Who knows if that's the right spelling, prob not.)
The reason why I felt the urge to write this is because I don't want anyone to feel "bad" for our move or feel "sorry" for our circumstance. It's all good vibes! We feel very good! We are all in a good place now--geographically and spiritually. It feels right. It feels comfortable.
It feels like home.
Home is where ourhearts are.
The best words I've heard this month:
Landlord: "Do whatever you want to the house--it's yours!"
Tracey Taft McMahan from Swanton, Ohio! Congrats Tracey! You are the lucky winner of a FAB box of BBS swag! All you need to do is message me (on FB) and give me ur address so I can send ur prize.
Thanks to all who participated--enter again next month for another chance to win!
The tattoo culture is widely growing everyday and with it--acceptance. We all know that treating everyone as equals is a must. Now, not everyone does it (obviously) but at least we can try, right? I wish we lived in a world where no one was judged by their appearance or was refused work because of something as simple as body art. Because that's exactly what it is...art. How can society hate art? How? It's a staple to humanity. Now, we don't all have to like the same thing but that is what's so great about art. It's ever-changing.
Who I (as well as many others) consider to be the father of classic tattoo art is the one and only "Sailor Jerry" (pictured above). Sailor Jerry (R.I.P.) was and is an icon among the tattooed community. His work is re-done, re-worked and re-invented on a daily basis. Imitation is the best form of flattery, isn't it? I took inspiration from this very person when I created my new line of Satin Hair Bows.
If your not the one to go all the way and get a tattoo, maybe this will make up for it.
I call it "Tattooed".
The "Forever Rose" bow.
The "Love" bow.
The "White Roses" bow.
The "Royalty" bow.
The "Nautical Star" bow.
The "Black Butterfly" bow.
So, next time you catch yourself admiring someone else's tattoo--smile at them and think about what you've just read.
Will you be mine? Or maybe just give me a peck on the cheek? I have a special heart-felt treat just for you for Valentine's day! Black and white satin hair bows with a touch of love added in to spice up your special day--take a peek!
