Ballet Bows

The first day of ballet definitely requires a special bow!

Nope, not back in business, yet. I've decided to work on making a large inventory before I start selling again. It could be a while before my Etsy shop is back in business. But, still making gobs of bows for the little ones!

Happy Mother's Day

Mmmm.
Our mother's day dessert.

I am still alive.
Just wanted you to know.
I have not reopened my Etsy shop.
But I have been enjoying my children.
Bows can wait.
Little hands and feet cannot.
Stay tuned...

Etsy Shop Goes on Vacation

I had an idea. (sell bows)

I gave it a name. (Sugar On Top Boutique)

I put it to the test. (Etsy)

I had a great time.

I heard about a law. (CPSIA)

I couldn't sleep.

I put my shop on "vacation mode."

But not because I am in the Bahamas.

Now we wait.

Until I am sure my supplies comply with the law.

The future of this BLOG?

Stay tuned.





My baby ballerina. A perfect little sou-sous.

The Social Business Concept in Action-- Charity Auction

I'm participating in a small way...

All proceeds of this auction will go to Mom It Forward.

"The Secret is in the Sauce" is hosting this amazing event.
(Scroll almost all the way to the bottom to see my item in the auction. You can leave a comment there if you'd like to bid! It's not much, but I'm donating a custom-made hair bow of the winner's choice, and the Disney DVD, "101 Dalmations" ).

I was first introduced to the idea of social businesses by my brother-in-law last summer. I am very intrigued by this concept. "A social business aims to be financially self-sufficient, if not profitable, in its pursuit of a social, ethical or environmental goal." Basically, they are founded upon the theory of using financial, networking, and many other resources to empower other people for the good of humanity. Where profits are made, they are used to stimulate small businesses in needy places, from my understanding.

Here is a social business I'd like to introduce you to:
Yehu


PS- This is really bad timing, seeing as I'll probably have more traffic here than usual, but I just put my Etsy shop on vacation mode for a while. I'm sorry you won't be able to view the bows in my shop, but this blog will still be active, so check in periodically, and I'll let you know when my shop returns!
(There's this new law that is consuming my every thought, and it's really strict about lead levels. I feel it's my duty to make sure all my products are compliant with it before I am willing to sell anymore).
To the person who wins the custom hair bow- I'm buying some new supplies that are certified with all the new laws, so rest assured! We'll be in touch!

"Lifted to a more whimisical look"

I found this hilarious article on eHow.com, "About Hair Bows"... So, here's your history lesson for today.

Did you know...

Ancient peoples adorned their hair with bits of bone or sticks as a way to symbolize a strong leader, singling him out as the superior. Cultures that followed continued the custom of decorating hair with a variety of objects to look attractive. (Moms, a great way to teach your child leadership, LOL).

The hair bow styles of the early 1900s were hugely oversized bows, usually decorating the heads of little girls, often taking up an entire side of their face. (That's funny)

A hair bow has two main functions: adding beauty, color and style to a hairstyle, and covering up a plain elastic band that is holding the hair in place. (No, really)?

Without the hair bow, a child's hairstyle can look functional and serious. With the use of a hair bow, a child's hairstyle is lifted to a more whimsical look. (A look we're all after).

Even the most stubborn child likes to feel beautiful and special, and sometimes a little bow made of ribbon can achieve that affect. (If my child is that stubborn, she probably won't hold still to have a bow put in her hair).

To see the entire article, click here. To learn how to buy a draft horse, click here. To learn how to clip an awake baby's fingernails, click here. Or to learn how to marry a film producer, click here.

Ha!

Happy Easter!

My First Feature!

My Etsy shop was just featured for the first time on an awesome blog, The Virgin Knitter.

To check out the interview by Emilee, go here.
To check out her Etsy shop, go here.

Moi.

Another snow day.

Another challenge:
Learn how to make pictures on my blog BIGGER.

If you love photography, like I do, and want to look like you know what you're doing, enlarge your pics! I'm pretty sure all photography blogs post their pictures larger. So much easier to view, and pleasing to the eye.

Leave a comment if you want to learn. Perhaps I will do a tutorial.

A new spin on HAIR Bows

Check out these HAIR Bows! And I mean that in the most literal sense. Either you'll love them or hate them. I'm not sure which styles are made from their real hair, and which are just pin ons. I actually think Paris pulls it off well. Tell me what you think!

Though I would like to take credit for these pictures, I cannot. Visit HERE to see the site where I found these amazing hair pics.

You won't believe what I won!!!!!

Ahhhhh!!!

I'm so excited I could faint!

I have the best news ever...

I WON THE HGTV DREAM HOME GIVEAWAY!

Aren't you so excited that you "know" me!

Looks like I'll have TONS to blog about.

I will be posting lots of pictures about the whole process.

And guess what else?

This is an awful joke.

April Fools!

Hehehehehehe.

I only WISH it was me who won the HGTV Dream Home.

It was my sis who gave me this idea.

Sorry to let you down everyone!

Stay tuned for next year's prank. Be prepared. :)

Prom Hair

I am not an acclaimed hair artist, but I have been daydreaming of this hair style for days. You see, my youngest sister is about to go to the *P*R*O*M* and as a big sister, it is my duty (and privilege) to help her get ready! Lucky for me, we live in the same town.

The only requirement is she wants her hair down. Here are some pics and tips from our experiement:

A few tips of how I did it:

♥Curl all of her hair starting at the roots. (We'll do tighter curls and more hairspray for the big day.)

♥Part the front of her hair and do a sideways french braid. Secure with bobby pins. (Is that ghetto)?

♥Take the sides of her hair, and do a "half up" style. Secure with a clear elastic. Pull down a few flyaways to frame face.

♥Take a small section on hair from the pony tail and wrap around elastic. Secure underneath with pins.

♥Take section of hair, similar to a checkerboard pattern, and crimp. I did about 3 crimps per section of hair.

♥Do small rope twists, braids, fishtails, and push up braids through-out random sections of her hair. Secure with tiny elastics. (I have been saving those little rubberbands I used to wear on my braces for nearly ten years! I knew they would come in handy for something)!

♥How to do a push-up braid: (see 3rd pic) braid a small section of hair like normal. When you get to then end, hold the middle strand tightly, and push the other 2 strands of hair up. You get a really cool pretzel looking effect.

♥♥♥♥♥

This was just a trial run, but what do you think?

♥♥♥♥♥

And the best part?

Her dinosaur footie pj's of course!

LOL. TMI. JK. IDK.

I ♥ teenagers!

Lookie what I did!

A great way to spend your day when you are snowed in...
And I mean snowed in!

Challenge yourself.

I thought for sure if I ever wanted a button link, I'd be paying some computer whiz genious to figure it out for me.

But guess what people...

It turns out I am a computer whiz genious!!!!!

Do you see that clever little {GRAB OUR BUTTON} link on the sidebar?

I did that!!!

Me, who 2 years ago was still emailing pictures to all my relatives instead of blogging, who one year ago was standing in line at Wal-Mart for an hour with 2 kids in the cart while I edited alllll of my pictures instead of using editing software at home, 9 months ago didn't even know the difference between a P&S camera and an SLR camera, and 3 months ago wasn't even on Facebook yet!

I repeat. Challenge yourself. See what can happen?

In the past 2 months, I have started a business, learned graphic design, improved my photography skills, oh, and made a lot of bows.

In the past half hour, I learned how to add a button link to my blog. I'm so excited!

Baby steps.

By the way, you can add it to your blog to!

Should you accept...Here is your own personal challenge for the day:
Highlight, right-click and copy the code below my Babyface button.
On your Blogger Blog, click on Customize.
Click on Add a Gadget.
Click on HTML/JavaScript.
Right-click and paste. There's the code!
Give it a title if you want.
Voila and thank you!
While you're at it, feel free to leave a comment or become a follower of this blog :)

Remember, you're never too stupid for the computer. And here's a little secret... It wasn't that hard. I believe in sharing, so click here for directions on how to get your own Blog Button!

Thanks for helping me promote Sugar On Top Boutique. New bows will be listed in my Etsy shop soon.

Oh. And. If you feel so inclined to add the button to your blog, I will send you a free Basic Bow Holder with any order of one or more bows from my etsy shop. (I will show you what they look like in a future post). At checkout, mention Blog Button and the link to your blog, and I will include it, free of charge!

Let it snow!!!

The Missing Trend

We all love our Hollywood babies. They are soooooo cute. This post is in no way meant to criticize their parent's parenting skills or their adorableness.

But I really am mystified about one thing.

They've got the clothes.

They've got the shoes.

They've got the strollers.

They've got gorgeous parents.

They are the trendsetters.

But.......

something is missing.

Where are the hair bows???

The hair do's???

It appears to me that our Hollywood babies are not trendsetters when it comes to hair. Check it out. See what you think.

She's got some great genes. I know Angelina's a busy mom, but someone please encourage a little pony tail on top!
What IS that pony-tail thing on top of Violet's head? At least they tried. But still. I guess it'd pass if there was a bow or flower attached somewhere. Maybe her Dad did her hair that morning. If that's the case.... A+.

Look at that head of gorgeous dark hair. How has it been left untouched? Oh, I just want to grab a comb and put little piggies on the sides of Suri's head. And two little polka dot bows.I'm thinkin' a little barrette to pull back the bangs. Oh wait! Is that a boy? Never mind, perfect as you are!
I get annoyed when my hair is hanging in my face. How do you think little Apple feels?

Goodness knows that I don't have my children dolled up every single day, especially when we just stay at home. But when we actually go out, that is my excuse to do their hair! Add a bow! Make 'em match! I feel like my kids look orphaned when their hair is all amuck. Adding a bow doesn't turn them into perfect little pixie-angles, but it does increase their cuteness factor times ten! Not everyone feels the same way I do about bows, obviously, so...... Let's help 'em out. We'll add a little 'sugar on top' for them.

How 'bout a flower?

Yes! Love it!
Oh, how cute!

Positively darling!

And if you need more inspiration, check out all the HAIR BLOGS I have listed under my "Need a Hair-do" category. There are some seriously talented hairdressers out there! Sometimes you don't even need a bow when their hair looks THIS good. Other times, a bow is just the right touch!

So.....what do you think? Am I on to something here? Have you ever noticed to same thing? Someone please tell me if you know of a celebrity baby who has her hair done regularly! I need to know!

..................................................................................

CITING MY SOURCES:
Apple: www.3.bp.blogspot.com/.../s400/gwyneth-040307-a.jpg

Suri: www.petitebrigitte.files.wordpress.com/.../suri.jpg and petitebrigitte.com/.../

Shiloh: www.magnoliastore.com.br/blog/?m=200805 and www.magnoliastore.com.br/blog/?m=200805

Beckham: www.images.starpulse.com/pictures/2007/01/29/prev and www.celebrity-baby-fashion.com/.../

Violet: www.img2.timeinc.net/.../yearend/violet/11.jpg and http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20163805_11,00.html

And the prize goes to...

Bad luck struck me and my internet was down last night (maybe having something to do with it being Friday the 13th at midnight)? So I couldn't post my winner until this morning. Thanks to all who participated in my giveaway. Some of you had 6 entries! According to Random.org, the lucky integer was, get a load of this, #1....

Queen Jeannie!!! Check out her fun blog HERE!



Congratulations! It made my day when I scrolled down your blog and saw the scrapbooking loot. This is perfect for you! You can expect your Creative Memories scrapbook and the Blue Froofy Bow from my Etsy shop in the mail shortly! (We will be in touch with more details soon).

Thanks again to all who participated!

You've gotta be kidding me!

Yeah!!! I won a $20 Gift Card at none other than the wonderful Target. I am so grateful! Lis, thank you for making my day! Check her out: http://www.atruckerwife.com/.

PS- The Secret is in the Sauce is a blog that is dedicated to supporting bloggers. They hosted a giveaway contest yesterday. Check out my previous post- my giveaway is still going until Friday the 13th at midnight! *spooky*

The Secret is in the Sauce....

Hello "SITSas!" (click on the link if you have no idea what I'm talking about). Yay for my first ever online giveaway! My Spring Fling Giveaway is....

Your choice of one of the bows in my ETSY shop, AND this 12x12 Creative Memories Scrapbook, brand new, with 14 pages!!!!

Here's what you need to do for 1 entry...

1. Click on "Follow" to follow this blog AND

2. Leave a comment, telling me what bow from my shop you would want.

.................................................................................

For Extra Entries You Can...

2 entries- Follow me on Twitter (SugarOnTopBows). I will follow you too!

3 entries- Add me to your blog favorites list and tell me you did. I don't have a button for you but I really want one! This blog isn't only about bows, I will try to entertain you occasionally too :)

..................................................................................

Random winner will be announced Friday the 13th at midnight. You have until then to enter! Thanks for your support; that's what it's all about!!! Have a Happy Day!

*contest open to US citizens only. sorry! (shipping this scrapbook internationally would cost me a bundle!)

See The Listing!!!

I have recently come across some great networking websites after opening my etsy shop. Among my favorites is TIP JUNKIE. They are dedicated to "promoting products created by women...the mom-preneur shops."

You can find my listing with them by clicking HERE. (the Shop category). Scroll to the ACCESSORIES category. Find our picture!

Why I watch A.I.

What would you think if the judges told you that you were "so commercial?" "the package deal." "your face is so commercial." (speaking of faces, someday i will post one of my own. just to prove i have one). i know it's supposed to be a compliment. it just soesn't sound very complimentary. unless it was my bows they were talking about. hehe

ANYWAY, here are the reasons I watch American Idol....

to hear the sassy comments Simon has to say.

to vicariously live on stage through the contestants.

to count how many times Paula stutters. she appeared to be "all there" last night.

to make use of the DVR!

just to see how Gentle Norman can really be. (please bring him back)!

some comfy couch time with the Mister.

motivation to get the kids to bed.

These are all good reasons....

but really....

the number one reason is....

so I can relax and make bows!!!!
(ok, actually spending time with my Mister is way better, but bows are a close second)

The American Idol bows~

Fresh Look

The cool thing about photographing bows is.....

they sit still!

Unlike some little people I know.

Like... long enough for me to practice my photography skills :)

I've been taking a photography class--it is helping me so much!

Thanks Brinn.  Check her out.

See?

"Before"

"After"

I feel much better now!

Why didn't I do this BEFORE I launched the new store? I was just so ancy to get it going, I took all those "before" pics at 1 in the morning, when I had H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E light. I had to go back and re-list everything, but it was worth it!

Check out my "new look!"

Yay!

A SALE!!!!! A SALE! I FINALLY GOT A SALE!!!

Ya-hoo! I'm doing the first sale dance in my living room.

Never mind that it was my sister who purchased from me. hehehe. Thanks sis. You're the best! It's a SALE!

More exciting news... someone hearts me. Someone with a very cute sock shop.

In Etsy lingo, that is someone telling you they like your store!

Still not sure if this is going to pay off in the long run.... but....

Work in Progress

Oh hi.  You came back!  I have a story.

Bows galore were scattered on the table yesterday.

The three-year-old girl asked, "Mommy, why do you have all the bows? They're silly."

We will be referring to the nameless children as Girl 1 and Girl 2.  Kind of how Dr. Suess invented his little friends Thing 1 and Thing 2.  Only my little friends are real.  And don't have blue hair.  Or permanent smiles drawn on their faces.    

Back to the story.  Perhaps she is right.  I'm not sure this little business will take off, but it's really exciting to try.  I listed a few items on Etsy last night.  No sales yet, but I've had some views.  Yay yay yay!  Any sign of life is super exciting while getting my boutique on it's feet.  So, feel free to leave me some feedback about anything- I'll use all the help I can get.  Just remember, it's a work in progress, so look for innovations and improvements along the way.

Thanks for taking an interest in my little journey! 

A blog about bows and such.

Do you go to desperate measures to make your kids cute?

Just wondering.

Like making sure the ruffle of the girl's sock is folded over just right? 

Or re-doing the part in her hair five times until its finally straight? 

Does it really matter?  

And would you honestly go to your ribbon stash and whip out a bow in 30 seconds just cuz you didn't have one that matched her current outfit?

And then made your husband 10 minutes late? (hehehehe...oops)

Yeah, that one was a bit insane on my part.

Are you sensing we have something in common?  (please say yes in your head).  Then, welcome to this blog!  This blog is for EVERYONE!  It's like visiting my house, but not.  Cuz you're busy.  And I'm probably making bows.  Or busy being a mommy.  Some of you know how that goes. So let's pretend we're all friends already.  Yay!

When you need a quick blog fix, come on over!  I just started a little Etsy shop.  I'll be posting about how well or not so well that is going.  And about life as a mommy with girls and bows.  Feel free to spread the word....anyone is welcome to add my blog to your bloglist/feed.

PS- What desperate measures have YOU taken lately to get your kids ready?