I whip my hair back and forth...I whip my hair back and forth...

Are you ready for some great, useless information? I need a break from thinking about sick babies, tutus, and such. So, I thought I would write about hair. (and if you haven't heard the song in the title, it's great!  haha) I figure I have enough of it I can talk at least a little about it. (When I was little I always wanted my hair as long as Crystal Gayle’s. ) And, after all these years of long hair I have developed a great love affair with hair products. From time to time I am asked about what I use, or how I get my hair the way it is…and have even been asked if I use bump-its. (For the record, I do not.)

To start at the beginning we’ll talk shampoo and conditioner. I do think that to keep your hair fresh you have to switch them out every once in a while. I switch (randomly) between three. I love the Herbal Essences for color-treated hair because it makes my hair smell so very good and makes me feel so girly. I used to work with a girl that always got people to smell of her hair. Now, I have never done that, but I sure want to after I use this! Second, I use Redken Color Extend. It just makes my hair keep the color brighter longer. Lastly, I use Big Sexy Hair Big Volume. Obviously, with this long hair I need all the help I can get in the volume department.

Now, after I get out of the shower, here are the products I use every time I straighten my hair (in the order I use them, which I also feel is important):
1. Redken Color Extend Total Recharge;
2. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap;
3. Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus;
4. Redken Straight Align 12; --insert blow dry here--
5. Chi Silk Infusion (smells wooooonderful);
6. Redken Heat Styling Iron Silk 07;
7. Schwarzkopf Dust It; and
8. Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder hairspray.

Then, when I scrunch my hair, here is the list (also in order):
1. Redken Color Extend Total Recharge;
2. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap;
3. Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus;
4. Redken Fresh Curls Spring Mousse;
5. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Finishing Touch Cream;
6. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel;
7. Dep Sport Endurance Styling Gel (yep, Dep. Best gel there is.) --insert blow dry here--
8. Schwarzkopf Dust It; and
9. Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder hairspray.


Now, I have also tried many products I was not so thrilled about. One is Big Sexy Hair Powder Play. I don’t know which came first, but to me it is a cheap imitation of the Dust It. Dust It works at least 100 times better. Another, I actually liked the description so much I bought twice. That is Big Sexy Hair Flip it Over Texture Spray. TERRIBLE!! It makes your hair feel like you haven’t washed it in at least a week. Very greasy and gross. Redken also had some awesome Blonde Glam products I loved that they (sadly) discontinued. I’m starting to think Redken needs to call me to be in commercials! Just sayin‘.

Alright, there’s your blog. A nice little change for me. And now I need some sleep! In case you were wondering, yesterday at Deborah’s Boutique was the most spectacular day for Tutu Sweet Boutique. A special thanks to Debbie Parker and Nikki Barr (okay, it’s now Watkins, but I like saying “Nikki Barr” all together.) J Good night!

P.S. I wanted to put fun links to all these products, but I am still kind of new to the blogging and don’t know how to do that yet.

Shopping Extravaganza at Deborah's Boutique

I am so excited!!!  Debbie Parker called and asked ME to be a part of her annual Shopping Extravaganza at Deborah's Boutique!  It will be Thursday, November 11, 2010, from 10:00 a.m.-8:00p.m.  Debbie will be having lots of sales, I will have a display set up (and be present to talk to you and take your orders), and there will be a custom jewelry lady there.  A good time is sure to be had by all.  :)  In honor of this great event I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off ordering supplies, googling, brainstorming, etc.

Here are a few applique ideas I have come across...birdie, piece of candy, ornament, Christmas tree, set of 3 trees, elf shoes, gift, gingerbread house, lollipops, nativity, penguin, snowman, and train. I will have examples of some (if not all) by Thursday. Let me know if there is a specific one you are interested in and I will try to make it as well.  I will also have a new reindeer, gingerbread girl and turkey. 

I will have for sale, leg warmers, bottlecap necklaces, tap ties and hair clips.  For clothing, tutus, bib and burp sets, and all other merchandise I will have display items and a NEW photobook catalog for custom ordering.

If there is anything specific that you would like to see on Thursday, please just email me at tutusweetboutique@yahoo.com, or facebook me.

Have a SWEEEET day!!

Christmas Giveaway at Tutu Sweet Boutique

I just realized I needed to make the "official" announcement that I am doing a contest to win a FREE tutu/outfit/top...  Just send me your super cute Christmas ideas via email (tutusweetboutique@yahoo.com) and you will be entered to win.  Once I receive all the entries I will create a photo album on facebook and let people "like" the photos to vote for their favorite.  At the end of the contest, I will make the winning idea for FREE for the person who entered the idea.

1. One person can enter up to two ideas.
2. You have until midnight November 14 to enter your ideas.
3. I will post the photo album of ideas for approximately one week.  Voting will end November 21.  The ONLY way to vote will be to "like" the photo/idea.
4.  The one with the most likes will receive their idea for FREE.



In other news, you will have until midnight on November 14 to order (including payment) for Thanksgiving.  Anything you order from now until the first of the year will require at least two-four weeks notice, unless other arrangements are made.  JUST ASK!  :)  If you need it asap, call me.

I look forward to all of your SWEET ideas!!

Put me in coach...I'm ready to play...today...

Whew! I love the holidays. I really do, but could we just push back Thanksgiving and Christmas about two more weeks? I need a minute. Thanks.

Well, I am sure that didn’t work, so let me share a little of my life lately. Of course, since Halloween is over I am done with costumes. Now on to turkeys, pumpkins, gingerbread girls, etc. I think I’ll do a Christmas owl too. I just love the little owl shirts. Anyway.

Our family went downtown Thursday night (GREAT job Uncle BoBo!) and had a great time. G originally wanted to be Yoda, but when he saw the Darth Maul costume he decided it would scare E much better. E was Tinkerbell, and A was a butterfly. Upon trying on her costume the night before, E decided I needed to be Silvermist. Luckily a blue scarf and a little matching blue makeup were enough the satisfy her. (I decorated E’s face in a cute design with lots of rhinestones and she loved those “buttons”. I tried to get her to call them diamonds. J ) Although, we mostly visited with people and didn’t wait in line for much candy. Then we ate at Jalapeno Tree and the kids got in bed late. E wanted to sleep with G, which I thought was so sweet because she really misses him when he’s not here, but he was none too thrilled.

Friday was our “Friday with MM” which is always great fun. I get a great kick out of listening to the conversations of two 3-year old girls. They had a Sock Hop at school which was a lot of fun. (And, when we were getting ready this morning E requested the buttons she had on her face from last night.) I did miss the first part of it because I had to make B up like Uncle Fester. Everyone at his office dresses up for Halloween and the kids come and trick-or-treat. It’s pretty cute. I’ll try to post of picture if I can figure it out! So, after the Sock Hop I took A, E & MM to LAW for some trick-or-treating and they definitely got their fill of candy. While we were there B and I got word that we had been given tickets to the Cowboys game AND the World Series game for Sunday. WOOOHOOOO!!! I was so very excited. We then loaded the car, headed to the Pizza Hut drive-thru. I let them pick ONE piece of candy. Reese’s cups. I took their bags and moved them all the way to the front seat. As we were sitting at the drive-thru I hear paper crinkling. I look back there and they have more candy…how did this happen? Apparently Gage’s bucket from the night before was just in arms’ reach for these sneaky little girls. Their faces were priceless though. Ha! We got our pizza and went home. Ate and they played. They really are very entertaining. Then it was time to transform these two lovelies into Tinkerbell and Cinderella. I drew designs on their faces and put a few “diamonds” on. Lots of glitter for Tink, but Cinderella -shockingly- wanted none. Hair put up in buns. Then the waiting game for party time so the costumes would make it through the night. They were not too happy about having to wait to put on their costumes. They rode bikes and scooters and tricycles until time for the party. When the transformations were made into a fairy and a princess, hilarity ensued. Those girls could pose with the best of them. Then on to the party, which was of course such a great time. I love seeing all the little kids dressed up in their cute costumes. And I especially look forward to this party every year for the cookies from Kern’s. Yum. Needless to say this was quite an eventful day and we were very successful in wearing the kids out. At one point during the party E walked up and said she was sleepy. Yes, that was our cue to hit the road. She was asleep before we got to 43.

Saturday…Nesbitt Turkey Shoot. B took G and E and they had a great time. I had a bit of a calm morning (THANK YOU B!) with little A. B and G each won a turkey from Bear Creek Smokehouse, which was GREAT! I washed clothes and got things together for the kids on Sunday. It was quite a feat making arrangements for all three kids, but it really worked out in the end. Saturday night one of G’s friends had a birthday party at the great Pump It Up. We stopped off for some Chick-fil-A (love) and then us girls dropped the boys off and did a little shopping at Target. We were sure to get back in time for E to get to play though. This party was from 7-9p, so it was another very late night. The kids didn’t go to sleep until around midnight. I stayed up until about one getting all the kids’ stuff together.
Sunday…gameS day. I got up at 5, even though I was shooting for 4:30 (who was I kidding!) I immediately drank a huge cup of coffee and then showered and got ready. Of course, I had lots of blue eyeshadow and glitter. It was Halloween and I really wanted to do more, but all things creative in my brain were fried. So, a star on my cheek was as good as it got. We got all packed up and ready and dropped the kids off and headed west young man. (Now I am getting tired of typing and you are getting tired of reading.) Lots of drama ensued on the way, but I will spare you the uninteresting details. It made for lots of laughs though. We got to the parking lot and had a great spot (thanks to a friend who got their early). We walked down to the Cowboys game. I had never been and that place is AMAZING. There is really not a bad seat in the house. It was very, very cool. Although, it would have been a lot cooler if they’d won. The halftime show was pretty neat. I loved the backwards dancing. The cheerleaders wore costumes that included a mask on the back of their head. Anyway, it was cool. We left the game early and went back to the car to tailgate. There were five of us and it was a good time. B cooked us some brats, pork chops and boudain. Yum. And, of course chips and dips. You just can’t beat Ruffles and French onion dip. J then we walked down to the WORLD SERIES game!! I would have never ever though I would get to go to a game like this. I love baseball and our seats were awesome. We were in row 8 right behind third base. It was AWESOME. B of course said he would have preferred the box, but I did not agree this time. We ended up sitting behind two of the Dallas Stars, which was pretty neat too. Again, this would have been a lot more fun if the Rangers had won, but we still loved it. Although, when it was time to go home it took us an hour and a half just to get out of the parking lot (and we were very close to the exit). It took three of us to drive home because we were so sleepy. We rolled into our driveway at 3a. Needless to say, verrrrrrrry tired.

Monday…recovery day. I took two naps and still went to bed early.

Tuesday…today is the day to VOTE! Be sure and get out there if you haven’t already.

I hope all of you have a nice relaxing week with lots of rest. I am super stoked for the Skinner family and sweet little M getting to come home tomorrow. Please remember them in your prayers.  www.caringbridge.org/visit/madieskinner

Too Much for Facebook

So, technically I wanted to write all this on facebook, but couldn't fit it in one post.  Here goes...  I have finished all costumes, EXCEPT a finishing touch for Sleeping Beauty, (2) Belle aprons, and dying Woody's yellow shirt.  All was going according to plan until around 11:30 when I heard Evie crying on the monitor and went to check on her.  Let me just say she is one of those lucky girls that doesn't get sick.  Well, usually.  It was chunky and gross.  I mean, both of us in the shower will our clothes on.  ANYWAY.  The costume making was put on hold and I am not sending her to school tomorrow.  I think maybe she just ate too much, but to make sure I will keep her home.  That also means I will not be delivering costumes tomorrow (technically today as it is 1:21 a.m.).  I will deliver all costumes on Tuesday.  This does include items for the Sock Hop.  (This means you, Mellisa Shaw, Brooke Labouve, Fonda Smith, Jennifer Abney, Julie Welch, Charla Foster, Brooke Carlile, Sara Cottrell, Kyla Burke, Reagan Foster, Kristin Skinner, and Carrie Hammack.)  If your name is not on here and you think it should be, please call me.


So far I have posted most of the pictures, but have not posted Woody vests, some initial shirts and scarves, and the remaining costumes.  I am very excited to be so close!  :) 


Okay, so now it's time to get your turkey shirt orders in!  This year I have also added pumpkins and owls.  Send me a message with the size shirt, boy or girl, color of shirt, and color scheme/theme you would like on the shirt(s).  If you would like suggestions, let me know.  I have some cute fabrics for boys too (and I don't just mean camo!).


What else?  I would love for you to make your Christmas orders also.  The sooner the better, because (as most of you have already found out) this is my busiest time of year and it will stay pretty crazy until after the first of the year.


I am excited to announce that my very first photoshoot is in the works for February!!  Stay tuned for more details.  And feel free to email or message me if you are interested in having your child model for me.


Okay, the toothpicks I had propping my eyes open just fell out, so I better go get some sleep.  I know there is something I'm forgetting, so I may update later.  Have a SWEET day!!

Love, Lust & Faking It

The past couple of weeks have included a lot of late nights, early mornings, no cleaning house or doing laundry…just lots AND LOTS of tulle and hot glue. I am usually running back and forth from room to room (crafty things are in nearly every room of the house this time of year because I seem to have several costumes going at once), so this is not a good time to catch up on my All My Children or Ellen, because I don’t have time to press pause. Seriously. I am only doing this blog so I can have a break. Although I may fall asleep in the middle of it. Wow, already rambling. ALL that was to say I have been killing brain cells with lots of E! Channel and Craig Ferguson. Since I seem to have started a “list” trend in my blog, here are my top five things I’ve learned from the E! Channel and Craig Ferguson:

1. I still love Chelsea Lately. Yes, I know her last name is Handler, not Lately. That girls is fuuuunnnnaaayy.

2. Ashton Kutcher has absolutely made me want to buy a Nikon camera. Maybe two.

3. Elton John is the queen of England. (This was funnier in Craig’s joke, but you get the gist.)
4. I heard a clip of Kendra saying “I wanna live my life for me!” Buahahahahahaha! Shoulda stayed at the mansion sweetie.

5. I now need the other six books Jenny McCarthy has written. Especially her latest one. Ladies, if you didn’t catch her interview on Chelsea tonight. Seriously. I would tell you, but I’m scared my mama is reading this. Whew. Go get yourself some progesterone cream.  That is all.

Now I’m thinking of starting a “business” blog for contests and things, because I want this one just to be silly and fun. Not ALL of my customers need to know what a hot mess I am. Night.

Wine-Oh

All I have to say today is that at my next job I will request to be paid in Llanno Sweet Red, forget the Trident Triple Layer.  Thanks.

Pour Me a Vacation

Barmaid play me some Buffett. I’m in the mood to get away…..Another list. Yes, I love lists. I couldn’t decide on just ONE thing to write about, so I will just write about a few completely random, things that have nothing to do with each other.

1. What ever happened to “for better OR WORSE”? (I will not go in depth about this because it is too overwhelming, but seriously. I just think sometimes people give up too easily.)

2. I had something happen to me that has never happened before. I was literally in the middle of making a tutu while A was sleeping. All of the sudden I got a sick feeling in my stomach and started crying. Weirdest thing ever. (I found out I have an uncle with a sinus infection, so hopefully that clears up soon.) Has that ever happened to you? It was super strange to me because I recently read Jenny McCarthy’s book Louder Than Words and she talks about physically feeling herself having a seizure when her son has one - when she was in another state. Crazy.

3. I have a dear friend who is adopting a baby, which has given me a little “adoption fever”. Is there such a thing? Well, don’t get all excited. I told her I would have to get a dog. Think I finally got B talked into it, because I want the kids to have a dog that is “theirs”. As I said in my other post, I want to name our next dog Carl Wayne (from the song “White Trash Story”), but we’ll probably get a girl so I said we need to name her Sarah Anne Baker Smith (also in that song). B says that’s funny, but wants to name it “Way Cool”. Seriously. I have to say, I think it’s growing on me. I also have always wanted a little mini-Yorkie to name Hoochie Mama and call her Hooch.

4. I seriously wonder why I am putting my ridiculousness out there for the world to read. Haven’t we always heard to keep quiet and let them THINK you’re stupid, not open your mouth and let them KNOW it? Anyway.

5. I am a very non-confrontational person and do not like drama, but you know the crazies come out every once in a while. There has been a little “hot mess” going on that I have been completely flabbergasted by. Luckily a good friend sent me this verse in the midst of our mess, Proverbs 26:20, “Without wood a fire goes out and without gossip a quarrel dies down.” Very good advice.

Well, I leave you with that and say good night. I am so excited to have three whole followers.   :)




I noticed after viewing my post I use an awful lot of quotation marks, huh?

I'm sorry Mrs. Jackson

This one here goes out to all the babies mamas mamas… This will be my very first blog ever. I have been thinking of so many funny things this past week that I would put in a blog, if only I had one. So now I’ve created a page and cannot think of one single thing. So, I thought I would share with you my top five favorite not-so-famous singers/bands. Maybe you’ve heard of them, maybe you haven’t.

1. Jason Boland & The Stragglers - If you know me, you know Jason Boland is my honest to goodness very favorite singer ever and I love every single song they sing. Also, their song “Comal County Blue” is one of Evie’s nightly ‘lullabies’.

2. Joey Green - He opened for JB&S at the Levee and told me I was hot. So I bought his CD and actually LOVE it! No kidding. Check out “Natchitoches Blues” and “Roommates”.

3. Casey Donahew Band - so good. Love “White Trash Story”. The next dog we get will be named ‘Carl Wayne.’ That’s all I’m saying.

4. JB & The Moonshine Band - okay, maybe they aren’t the greatest singers ever, but they have a song called “Your Love Makes my Sticker Peck Out”. Seriously.

5. P!nk - She sings this awesome song called “M!ssundaztood“. Okay, so she’s my girl favorite singer ever and I couldn‘t think of a fifth ‘not-so-famous‘ singer. Love love love her.

6. Okay, after I typed that I remembered Jacob Lyda. I just don’t know his songs because my CD is messed up and he told me I’d have to steal one from someone because he doesn’t have any more right now. Boo!

So, I’m sure I’m not as cool as I’d like to be and you’ve all probably heard of these singers, but I love them all the same.

That’s it for my first blog. I’m super exhausted and you’re super bored.

Night all….you’re hot mess mama.

P.S. Here are three sites I love to check 80 times a day:


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madieskinner
http://labouveloca.blogspot.com/
http://www.jeremiah18-4.blogspot.com/