Curtsie Boutique

What started off as a little pipe dream has slowly started turning into a small business for me!

Months ago with the push from my best friend Tiffany I decided to start selling my handmade tutus and bows and such. And without any start-up money and just using the enormous amount of ribbon I have collected in the past few years I got to work. First selling to family and close friends. And once I accumulated a bit of cash I started with actually forming it into a business.

Tiff and I both decided to sell out stuff together. I make tutus, bows, flip flops, and accessories. She has been making these adorable pillowcase dresses, and will soon be adding more items to her collection such as aprons!


Tiffany's sweet little dresses

Once I had a good stash going I decided to create a Facebook page to broaden my horizons. And I started receiving custom orders from different states and such! I've had so much fun putting together my creations for many people to enjoy. The feedback I have gotten has been awesome! And now Tiff and I have set up shop at a few craft fairs around the valley. And hope in the new year we can attend and be a part of many more on a regular basis!




Peoria Holiday Sale

If you're interested in purchasing any of our items my store is HERE
I have it up to date with in stock items but we really love custom orders. Match an outfit, occasion, or anything!

And Tiffany's items can be found HERE
My girls own some of these dresses and they're complimented every time they wear them! Paired with my bows and flip flops my girls are just so cute!

Atalie Belle is 6 Months! No Wait... She's 7 Months!

I hadn't done Atalie's 6 month update and now she just turned 7 months! A lot has changed since my last update when she was 4 months... I believe! Yikes!

The week she turned 6 months I kid you not it was like she transformed into a different baby. Or not a baby. She's trying to grow up faster than I want her to. She's been sitting on her own since she was like 4 1/2 months. Then by 5 months she was scooting herself across the floor to get wherever she wanted to go.

At 6 months she was fully crawling and pulling herself up on things. Couches, tables, any furniture she could get her hands on. At barely 6 months people! I've never had a child to do these things way early! None of my other three even began to start crawling until like 7-8 months!

And now she just turned 7 months and is so active. She pulls herself up and tries to walk. With the aid of the couch mostly, she cruises back and forth. Sometimes she thinks she can walk and completely lets go. And we have nothing but tile :/ She cries but gets right up to do it again. Crazy child.

She blows my mind on the things she can do! Her pediatrician bet me she'll be walking by her 9 month check-up! Oh no... I still want her to be my little baby!

Atalie @ 6 months:

- Weighed 14lbs 14oz
- Size 2 diapers
- Size some 0-3 months and some 3-6 months clothes
- Eats Eats about five 8 ounce bottles a day... no solids because she refuses to eat it! I've tried and tried!
- Holds her own bottle (been doing this a while too)
- Sits up completely on her own (been doing this for over a month)
- Rolls and drags herself to get from one place to another
- Babbles a lot when you talk to her
- Loves to sing songs... she joins in when you sing to her
- Hates to have her diaper changed because she hates being constrained in one place for more than 5 seconds
- Hates being held... she's so independent she 'd rather be exploring everything

Atalie @ 7 months:
- Not sure how much she weighs but she's so tiny!
- Wears 3-6 months and some 6 months clothes. She's very small.
- Size 2 diapers. Bought size 3 and they were way too big and made her leak. So back to 2's.
- Finally eating solids! Stage 2 Gerbers
Feeding Schedule:
Breakfast - A fruit gerber mixed with cereal (either rice, wheat, or oatmeal... we change it up every day) And she washes that down with a baby juice.
Snack - 6 ounces of formula
Lunch - Vegetable gerber and baby juice
Snack - 6 ounces of formula
Dinner - Vegetable gerber
Bedtime - 6 ounce bottle with one scoop of cereal in it.
- Walks around everywhere with the help of couches and her sisters and brother
- Babbles and screams to get someone's attention
- Starting to wave bye bye

She's growing so fast! It's weird to see such a tiny little thing doing all these older baby things. But she's absolutely the calmest easiest baby I've had! Our next goal is to get her a high chair so she can start feeding herself some finger foods and such.

My 26th Birthday Halloween Party

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday yet again with a Halloween Party. Woo!

My sister Nichole and my neice Laila


My baby Tal in the costume that both of my olders girls wore their first Halloween that belonged to my neice Brianna who wore it her first Halloween... and she is now 9. My Mom bought it and so I've kept it.


Junior the Mexican Situation and Kika the Sailor!


Matthew the Nerd


Felicia, Jr, and Me


Felicia, James, Kika, and Me

Felicia and James have been my friends since High School and they've been together that long!

With our babies... Atalie and Journey are 2 days apart!


Me, my Daddy, my cousin Alexis, my sister Nichole


Me and my Bestie Tiffany


They are the cutest ever! Her husband Kevin was the bee keeper!


She was a nice bee... no stinger! Just a sweet little bow! (But we know better!)


We're awesome.


Hot Stuff!



Happy Birthday to me!


Happy Birthday to me...


Happy Birthday dear Michelle... (from Loyiel)...


Happy Birthday to me!


Man what a great birthday weekend. I was spoiled beyond belief! Lots of gifts. Lots of cake. Lots of love. Lots of food.

And to top it off my aunt had my uncle make me some pozole and sent me a big huge pot. Seriously I have the most amazing family and friends ever. At first I was bummed because my Mom always made my birthday special... she bought me my outfits, she bought me the perfect gift, she took me to my favorite places, and she cooked me my favorite meal. And this year I wasn't without any of that. She left me in good hands because these people I love... love me just as much!

Gracias Tia Elena y Tio Alfredo por el pozolito! Los quiero mucho!

My 26th Birthday @ Westgate

Friday was my 26th birthday. For the most part it was a lazy day for me. Enjoyed the wonderful weather. Missed my Mom like crazy because I wasn't getting her pozole like every year since I turned 18. It's totally my favorite food ever. :(

But that night we went out to Westgate and boy was that fun!

We started off at Saddle Ranch because they make the best drinks.


Best Sister-in-law ever! Jen and Me!


Me and my good friend since High School Felicia!

Earlier in the week sometime when I wasn't aware my husband had called Jen and had asked her to make me a cake for my birthday... and she showed up to Saddle Ranch with this!

They love me they really love me!


My brother and his beer tower... solely for him...


The King and the Queen


Me and my aunt Kika


They made me take a shot called a blowjob... needless to say I couldn't fit it into my mouth.



After getting our drink on a while we headed over to McFaddens for a more party atmosphere...










He loves me entirely more than I deserve

And then we got kicked out of the bar... I will spare you the details but it wasn't our fault.


Oh well it was only an hour til closing anyway...

I still had a blast!

30 Day Challenge - Day 9

Day 09 - Five Thing You Would You Like To See Change

1. The Economy
2. Joe Arpio as Sheriff
3. The price of gas
4. My weight (that involves work though :P)
5. A higher balance when I check my bank account!

It's My Birthmonth!

I love October... it's the beginning of my favorite time of year. Not only is my birthday in October... but there's Halloween, Pumpkin Patches, Fall Clothes, Cooler Weather, Parties, Food, Lots of Family Time... I could really go on!

So I'll be 26 on the the 22nd. Holla!

My birthday lands on a friday so I have a weekend of fun planned. Yay! I really can't wait.

And just for fun (okay okay maybe not for fun but I found out my husband reads my blog now so...) I am posting my birthday wish list. It's actually my Holiday wish list. It's just a bunch of random things I want. Hint Hint Honey! ;)

Without further ado... in no particular order:

Macbook - I am currently without a laptop and I really need one for my work. It's hard to put together flyers and invites for my business when I don't have all right programs and a computer that works.


Makeup and a Makeup Case - I really want new makeup. I don't wear it much so I don't even know what I like anymore. I mean besides MAC. I get by with my Studio Fix, black eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. Also I have bought a few new things and now I need a real makeup case or bag to hold it all in. Jr and I saw some really cute sets at Walmart and when I went back to buy them they no longer had them. Boo!

Cardinals Jersey

Boots - I have always loved boots and every year I say I am going to buy them and never do. This will be my year for boots!
Forever 21 has cute Over the Knee boots. And for the western girl in me there's these! And how cute are these little things?!

Walmart has cute affordable boots too! Here, Here, and Here!

New Purse

Coach - I love these two... Here and Here.

Walmart - Again with the cute stuff at Wally World... I like this!

Clothes - Shopping Spree Please! I want a new coat and some skinny jeans. Among other things.

That's all I can think of right now! I pretty much want everything. But what's new?

30 Day Challenge - Day 8

Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president

George Lopez



We need a Mexican president. He's funny. And he's real. He'd get my vote! Watcha!

30 Day Challenge - Day 7

Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song

I have way too many favorite songs... so how about I switch it up a bit and give you my favorite covers? These are songs that even though I like to original... the cover is just even better! And I am gonna give you 3... because yes, I am that indecisive.

1. "Use Somebody" Original: Kings Of Leon Cover: Paramore
I love love love Hayley Williams voice. My goodness can that girl sing!


2. "Hallelujah" Original: Leonard Cohen Cover: Jeff Buckley
One of my most favorite songs... and definitely my most favorite version. I can listen to it forever!


3. "Hurt" Original: Nine Inch Nails Cover: Johnny Cash
Everyone might know this already as the biggest debate over which is better. I am here to say I love them both in their own ways. I do not listen to Nine Inch Nails and only first heard the song with Johnny Cash. If you know me then you know I am fascinated with Johnny Cash and his life. My favorite movie is Walk the Line y'all. So immediately I couldn't help but feel all the emotion in his version. But when I realized it was a cover... I found the NIN version. And I really really like it. Sometimes you can't tell it's the same song. Well I'll stop rambling... I've included both versions for your listening pleasure :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 6

Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember

Sheesh I guess it has to be my 3rd birthday. I vaguely remember the house... our old house before moving to Arizona. I remember what I was wearing. The cake. My Pillow People that I got as gifts. When I was younger I though it was all like dreams or just something in my head. Until one day my Mom and I were looking at old pictures and I found one from that day and all of a sudden it clicked. That was my memory! I asked her and she told me it was my 3rd birthday. If I had a working scanner I would post a picture. I was so darn cute too.

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life



Dear Diego,

Of all the people I know and of all the situations I have faced in my 26 years of life... you are the person who has changed me the most. I can say it was me and take the credit but really... it was ALL you. I can say my Mom, who helped me grow into the person I am today, changed my life... but really she didn't. It has always been you.

At age 17 I was scared to find out about you. I had a flood of emotions run through me. Worry. How on earth would I be able to be a mother? I didn't even like kids! Sadness. I didn't feel like I was worthy enough at that age to have someone as precious as you. Afraid. Afraid that I would never be the kind of mother you deserved. But then ultimately excited. As you started to grow within me... suddenly I didn't feel so young anymore. I felt like I needed to step up and be whatever it was you needed me to be. And although I didn't know exactly what that entailed when you were born and I was just 18... I knew I had to just take things as they came.

And when you were born you comepletely changed me. My outlook on life was different. Everything was happy just because you were there by my side. Your smile made me smile. Your laugh made me happy. And although I still didn't know which direction my life was headed, all I knew was that you were the single best thing that ever happened to me.

The timing may not have been perfect... but who is perfect anyway? I learned that with you I made mistakes and I still continue to make them even 7 1/2 years later. There's no right and wrong way to parent you but I am learning as I go along. Learning that you changed me into the kind of person who lives for her children and all she wants is her childrens happiness.

Becoming a mother changed me.

30 Day Challenge - Day 4

Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like

I imagine paradise to be just somewhere where I am with the people I love the most and laughing. When my family and I get together it's nothing but non-stop laughing. Every time. So paradise would be like a family reunion. Oh and maybe someone giving me a pedicure too ;)

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why

1. I Will Survive: Gloria Gaynor - Cuz I would... somehow


2. Crazy: Patsy Cline - Just seems to fit... kinda. And I need a little country.


3. Not Afraid: Eminem - No time to be afraid son!


4. Airplanes: B.o.B/Hayley Williams/Eminem - I'd need a wish... Hayley Williams... and Eminem... need I say more?


5. Spacebound: Eminem - It's my favorite song at the moment and if this was right now that I was on a desert island then I'd have to have it.


(Really I'd just have all Eminem CDs with me... he's my favorite! His album recovery is Awwwesoooome!)

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

Day 02 - Something that inspires you

These people.


Seriously.

My kids are the ones I live for. I do everything I do for them. The inspire me to want to be a good mom. They inspire me to take up my crafting. They inspire my photography.

And my Mom. She has always inspired me. And now that she's gone I find my self always thinking... WWMD? (What Would Mom Do?)

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

Some of my cousins do these challenges on their tumblr accounts so I figured I start mine here and you all can link up if you want! (If you've already done them just backlink every day se we can all read them!)

If you're not doing these challenges feel free to start with us! If anything it can be a good way to get new readers to your blog :)

Here's our first 30 day challenge:

Day 01 - Guilty pleasure
Day 02 - Something that inspires you
Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why
Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like
Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember
Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song
Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president
Day 09 - Five things you want to see change Day
10 - A dream you had this past week described in detail Day
11 - Favorite picture ever taken of yourself Day
12 - Your favorite musical artist’s life story
Day 13 - A memory that never fails to make you laugh
Day 14 - Best mashup you’ve ever heard
Day 15 - A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
Day 16 - Something that you want to do within the next five years.
Day 17 - What you want to remembered for.
Day 18 - A picture that makes you feel
Day 19 - A passage from a book that has touched you
Day 20 - A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them
Day 21 - Your favorite medium of art.
Day 22 - Someone you would give your life up for without question.
Day 23 - Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given
Day 24 - Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
Day 25 - Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
Day 26 - Your definition of love.
Day 27 - Your definition of the meaning of life.
Day 28 - A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness
Day 29 - What you live for.
Day 30 - Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.


Day 01 - Guilty Pleasure

My guilty pleasure?

Buying craft stuff. I mean Hobby Lobby is like my Disneyland. I seriously gravitate towards that stuff like a magnet! I haven't scrapbooked in 6 years and I still find myself buying pretty scrappbook paper vowing to myself that one day I will use it for something. I literally have a whole scrapbook tote FULL and maybe even overstuffed with an entire collection of paper that spans through 6 years. But it's not just paper... I have ribbons, paints, adhesives, embellishments, stickers (oh the stickers, I have an accordian folder FULL), fabric, wood shapes, wood boxes, wood frames... the list can really go on. I can't help it! Maybe one day it will all get used.

At least I can justify that the ribbons and embellishments are all now being used for bows!

I Love The Way You Lie

I have been trying for so long to capture this on video.

It's my ringtone... and she sings it everytime I get a text message... which is a million times a day.

But...

When I try and film it she either gets camera shy, or picks the one time to NOT sing.

And then when I had the camera... she ignores the song. I never win.

But yesterday... all the hiding paid off... I finally got it!

Kids Expo

I decided to take my kids to the kids expo this year... so I called up my sister and asked her if she wanted to go. Every year I say I want to go but it never happens. The last time I went I was a kid myself! But I knew it would be a lot of fun for the kids and I could get lots of vendor information and maybe win a few prizes while there. So when I remembered a few days ago that it was coming up I had to work fast to be able to get the tickets early so I didn't have to pay $10/head at the door.

It was held at the University of Phoenix stadium... otherwise known as the Cardinal Stadium. I live literally 5 minutes away and yet I've never actually been there. And how long has it been built... yeah.

The kids were super excited once they found out where we were going... even though they had no idea what it was.



And Nichole and I were happy to take the kids... but we didn't realize that we'd meet a whole lot of celebrities.



But of course as always... potty stop before we even start because we KNOW these kids!


First up the kids watched an animal show. We saw a huge lizard thing, snakes, a turkey, chickens, a sugar glider, a baby goat... I am sure we saw few more but I don't remember them all. Diego, his friend, and Arielle all sat there just taking it all in while my nephews Anthony and Ducky were about ready to bolt everytime a new animal was brought out.



And Princess Atalie was so much cuter so my sister got some shots of her!





Then it was time for some arts and crafts...

Daddy helped Arielle make a flower and she was so amazed



And at the Cox booth we got to color Digi!



Even my sister and my husband joined in on all the fun!



And holy moly guess who showed up? Digi himself accompanied by Dora. Digi made my day... Dora made Arielle's day even though she wouldn't go anywhere NEAR them.





Diego got to part a cute little magic show!



And then all of a sudden we're just walking and Nichole spots him... it was Howler! She hands her husband her phone and pulls Howler to pose with her. He probably thought... what a crazy lady!



And then he was gone again just like that. What about me?! :(

There was lots of more activities for the kids to do and in between it was like a character celebrity overload! It was so exciting!

I mean come on now... Spongebob! Overwhelmed us seriously!



And then at the Coyotes booth... who was sitting there signing autographs?! Yup Howler. We jumped in line quick be cause he was also signing Coyote hats!

And when he wasn't looking the fangirl in me too over and I snuck in for a picture... aided by my sister of course... I snuck... she snapped...



And when he realized I was invading his personal space he stopped to pose for a picture. He must have liked me... that smile says it all!



And Diego and his best friend Detrick were stoked to get signed hats!


When Alayna saw Strawberry Shortcake she was so excited... forget Hockey... Strawberry is the business!



And Nichole and I were like totally in awe... the girl that was on our bedsheets as kids was standing right before our very eyes! Nichole was a kid again to say the least! Yup I thought her eyes were going to pop right out of their sockets.



Don't worry her glasses must have helped keep her eyes in place because we were able to continue on...

Got the kiddos together for a group picture... minus the princess babies...


We got separated for a bit... bathroom break you know how that goes... but right outside the bathroom was McGruff!



Nichole didn't get to see him but I told her of our chance encounter... and a few minutes later he appeared again and Nichole got her shot. We go back... way back to like 6th grade.

Take a bite out of crime. Ruff.



But wait?! Who is that jolly fellow standing over there?

Oh yes... George... Curious George...

Had to stalk him too... and take up entirely too much of his time.



Atalie wanted to touch him... and Arielle wanted to be as far away from him as possible...



And Nichole... well she snuggles with everyone...



So you see it was a star studded event... and all of it was just too much for us to handle.

I had to elevate Atalie to keep her from fainting... just way too much excitement on a Sunday afternoon.



And an outing is not an outing if Alayna doesn't fall and then whine about her scratches, y'all.



And the car ride home was peace... all 5 minutes if it.