This is it...

this is my time to shine! Today is my official first day as a full time boutique! Of course, I've spent WAY more than 40 hours a week on my boutique before today, but I've always done it as a SAHM. Not anymore...we have a full time babysitter for the kids and today is her first day which means...today is my first "official" day as a full time boutique owner. YAY! I am so so so excited. My husband told me this summer is my chance to prove that I can do it. And so I will. There is nothing I want more in the world right now. I eat, sleep, and breath boutique clothes.
Speaking of clothes...I am sending out a huge chunk of my fall line to the photographer this week. Remember Terra from the Photographer's Challenge in February? She finally gets to photograph my clothes and we couldn't be happier! I hope you guys are ready for my best clothes yet. I have been creating these outfits and finding the perfect fabrics since I chose Terra all those months ago. If I don't get rave reviews from customers on my Fall Line, I probably never will! lol.
So anyway, I have to go back to work. Wish me luck and thank you from the bottom of my humble heart for being a fan!

Reevaluation...

The past two days I have been in talks with a boutique that is opening up soon and wants to sell my stuff! I am geeked!!! Nothing is final yet, but things are looking good! Anyway, certain circumstances have arisen from this opportunity that have forced me to reevaluate certain areas of my business...mainly prices. It sucks. I hate despise raising prices, especially because I don't want to make my clothes unaffordable for anyone! I am proud to offer affordable boutique clothes for everyone. However, with the prices of supplies rising paired with my demand rising--I am only one person and can only make so many outfits a month--some prices have to be adjusted. Not only all this, but I must admit that I've never actually figured out exactly what it costs to make an outfit and I was very surprised because I was underpricing myself. So now, I must raise prices on certain items, not because I want to bit because if I want DDD to survive I NEED to.
Interestingly enough, I came across some inspiring articles while trying to research HOW to price my items "correctly". This one in particular made me really realize how much we undervalue handmade items, myself included. I NEVER buy handmade items because I never think they are worth it, yet I sell handmade and want people to pay for my items. A few months ago, I went shopping for some clothes for myself at Target. I got everything out of the clearance section (just like the article) and what do I have to show for it not even 2 months later? A bunch of clothes with holes in them! Seriously, its maddening! I might as well have spent the extra money on a shirt for myself from a seller on Etsy that WON'T fall apart after 3 washes.
I really feel that this article hit the proverbial nail on the head when it comes to buying handmade. I also hope that everyone can understand why I am raising the prices of some of my items. Now go out there and buy something handmade!!! I know I am right now...

In Case You Missed It...

My friend Tiffany, from Whimsical Willows Couture, decided to go back into business together--we used to own Cookie Crumbs Couture together with another friend--to make patterns! After both of us getting emails from people requesting patterns for our personal designs, as well as having many more pattern ideas we want to see come to fruition, we finally decided to do it! And it only took a year...lol. Seriously.
We are hoping to open up shop in the next two weeks as our first 3 patterns are out to testers as we speak. We have gotten a couple reviews back from testers and so far (surprise of surprises) their stuff is turning out and they love the pattern! You don't know what a relief it is knowing that the hard work on these patterns shows!
Here are the first 5 patterns Create Kids Couture will be offering:

Chloe's Party Peasant Dress



Anika's Peasant Romper



Ruby's Cap Sleeve Sun Top & Gaby's Side Ruffle Capris



Penny's Patchwork Twirler Dress



I hope you love them and they inspire you as much as they inspire us!

How to Tie the Perfect Bow

Yes, I realize that this is a video of someone tying a bow on a chair, not a moving toddler. But it gives you the basic idea. It took me a long time to find a video of someone tying a bow that actually turned out good so I'll take it! I Get asked all the time how I tie my sashes and bows so here ya go!

It's That Time Again...

time for Prom!!! How does this effect me, you ask? Well, my husband is a high school teacher in Detroit so we get to go "chaperone" every year! That means going to an AH-MAZING place in Detroit--yes, these DO exsist--eating delicious food, and sometimes dancing. This part is a little harder since we're at a Detroit High School dance and they like to listed to mainly rap music. Although, I cannot believe I'm going to admit this, I really like rap music. My husband "has" to listed to rap music everyday and it has grown on him; it has since transferred over to our car music and has grown on me. SOME of it, not all of it. Regardless, as much as I'm sure his students would LOVE to see us dance to some rap music at their prom...it ain't gonna happen! lol.

I got off course though because I wanted to show you some gorgeous places in Detroit that I have been--places I can assure you I would have never been to had we not been "chaperones" (I always put that in quotations because its used very loosely).
-The first year we went to Prom we went to Sinbads at the River. What a view! I don't actually remember much except the view. Oh well...
-The second year was at the Hotel St. Regis. One word to describe this place would be...ritzy? lol. Actually, I don't think I can do it in just one word. The decor was modern and trendy, but the architecture was breathtaking; it was an interesting combination that they got to work.
-The third year (last year) was at The Detroit Yacht Club. This place in to die for. I actually wish it was there again this year. DYC is actually on Belle Isle which is an island in the Detroit River. The view was incredible we could stand on the balcony and watch the sunset--which was beautiful that day. The food was impeccable and it was fun exploring the building and grounds. They actually have a members only room which I was dying to go in, but it was all men in jackets. lol. I think I would have been detected. I'm sure the price of the banquet rooms is ridiculously expensive but I would have LOVED to have got married there had I known about it!
--Finally, this year we are going to the Antheneum Suite Hotel as far as I can remember. I can't tell you about it because I haven't been their yet, but I'll be reporting about it tomorrow I'm sure.

SO right now, I having a mini-meltdown deciding what to wear tonight. Why must we always have this challenge? I wish I could just through on a suit and call it a day like men do. Life would be easier and as a stay-at-home-mom, I need easy today because I can already tell its going to be a loooooooong day.