When life hands you lemons...

You know, sometimes during your life you are handed lemons...

...some people let those lemons harden and they place them on a shelf as a constant reminder...that they've been handed lemons.

There are those who do the ever so popular making of lemonade.

AND, then there is me...I make lemon bars...really yummy, sweet lemon bars.

AND, then I gain 10 pounds because of those yummy, sweet lemon bars.

10 pounds???

What???

What is that life???

Did you just hand me another lemon?

**NOTE TO SELF: You can still be optimistic if you just squeeze the lemon into some water and discard the juiced lemon away

I want a Golden Ticket!

I love the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie with Gene Wilder! I like the re-make with Johnny Depp as well...but mainly because of Johnny Depp!

But for many years, the original has been seen in our home many a time! Who doesn't want to visit the Chocolate Factory and the candy man...AND, the room where EVERYTHING is edible? A dream for any sweet tooth, indeed!

Well, I have heard of a place...a place where the candy is stacked so high...high into the sky!
Well...okay, maybe not that high...but stacked none the less...and writing that, makes for a great visual!

If you are reading my blog...chances are you are in the boutique community. AND, if you are in the boutique community chances are you have heard of the Diva...the Domestic Diva! AND, if you are reading my blog and NOT in the boutique community...then YAY for me...I'm crossing over!!!! BUT, then I must explain the candy...and the Diva... and how they all come together.

You see the Domestic Diva has an annual BBQ...on Staten Island...in New York...and she welcomes those in the Boutique Community! Well the boutique community extends far and wide. Now, we get invited to many BBQs...who doesn't? AND, we attend many of those BBQs as they are normally where we live or at least within an hour and a half drive. Well, somehow the Diva has been able to get families to fly from one side of the country to the other...to attend her annual bash! AND, I hear every year it gets bigger! AND better! AND more exciting! I'm not going to get into all of the specifics...you can read her blog for that...but I will speak of the candy!

I have never attended the BBQ! BUT, I have heard of the candy cart! The one the children come up to all wide-eyed and jaw-dropped! Okay, this is why I believe the candy is stacked so high. I hear the children get to fill a goodie bag...with whatever they would like. AND, some adults do as well. Well...I don't know about you, but I have been to some Birthday parties where the pinata has been broken and the candy has fallen to the ground...reminding me of Easter when the confetti litters the lawn and sidewalks after a cascarone-fest...but not more than a minute later... the children just can't seem to fill up their goodie bags with enough...and just like that it's gone...beautiful grass once again! YET, the children at the BBQ...are given free reign to fill up their bag...AND, somehow there is candy left over! WHAT? How can that be? Is that possible?? SURE, if the candy is stacked high...high into the sky!

Anyway, she's giving it away to one lucky winner! AND, I want it! LOL! SO, that's why I'm blogging about it...to enter this yummilicious contest! SO, now all you have to do is visit her blog here and help me win OR you could simply enter yourself and blog about it and if you win...just share some with me, LOL!

On a more serious note...while you are there...please read about her daughter, Marielle...her Sunshine Girl! Ironically, the clouds are trying to put a damper on things...she is in stage 5 Kidney failure...and is desperately needing a kidney transplant. Please be giving to this generous woman and leave her some big hugs and prayers!

Aaaahhhhh...forget about the candy...I don't need it...just send some well wishes...here's praying the sun shines through the clouds and a rainbow soon leads you to the pot of gold...

Who can make the sun rise...the candy man can...

My 2nd Arte Y Pico Award...YAY!

The talented graphic designer behind The Pink Tulip, has given me
the Arte Y Pico Award. I last received this award in June of this year, and am honored to have
it once again. Much hugs, Beth...I love your blog, too!!!

This award recognizes a blog’s creativity and overall contribution to the blogger community.

Once you’ve been selected, please follow these guidelines and pay it forward:

1) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.

2) Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog by so everyone can view it.

3) Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.

4) The award-winner and the presenter should post the link of the “Arte y pico“blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) Please post these rules.


Well, here are my nominations for this award...

Michelle from Eat, Sleep, Create (paying it back)
Steffi from Mausbar's Nahkiste
Angelica from Childish Couture
Tam from Painted Patooties
Julie from Painted Butterfly Studio

Hee hee...I just have to share this!

OMG, my sister-in-law sent this to me today...AND, I just had to share!!



You have to send one to your politically obsessed friends...

Totally Custom Twirl Skirt up for bids!!!

Well, I have one more for The Boutique Angels' launch on eBay! Again, all proceeds will go towards the research of Juvenile Diabetes through JDRF. We still have a few days left to raise money to help children like Mitchell and Jamie...so please search our auctions and bid what you can, it's a donation to a very worthy cause, with something great in return!

Okay, well...my camera has officially shuttered it's last click, flashed it's last flash, heard it's last "Cheese". Never again, will it allow me to capture life's little moments. In the last 3 years that it has been by my side, we've seen so much together, experienced many emotions...but alas, everything comes to an end. Farewell my camera, thanks for the memories!

I now need to buy another camera, but I also must make a very informed purchase! I don't want to just go out and buy an inexpensive camera to hold me over...because...well..then I will just get comfortable with it and forgo buying a REAL one!

SO, why am I telling you all this? Well, because I wanted to list another auction for the Boutique Angels and I figured out that I can't take pictures to have the set modeled. AND, so after sharing my plight with a very dear friend of mine...she suggested I do a Totally Custom Twirl Skirt auction...I wouldn't need new photos for that, I'd simply use examples of some skirts I've done in the past. Well a couple of hours later, I listed the auction! AND, you must bid...I guarantee a very happy little girl to whomever wins this set...have I mentioned your money will be going to JDRF????

Want a FREE Mimi Kattini twirl skirt?

Then head on over to
A Boutique Buyer's Blog!
The wonderful ladies over there are having their first ever contest and
the winner will receive a twirl skirt from ME!

All you have to do is leave a comment on anything you'd like referencing the Olympics and you'll be entered! The contest ends, Friday August 15...so hurry...and...um...your odds are pretty good right now!!!!

The Angels on the eBay Chatter!

My group, the Boutique Angels Charity Organization, is being featured on the eBay Chatter!
Please take a peek! Also, we'll be on Danna's Radio show once again, discussing the Boutique Angels' launch on Friday, August 8 at 8pm EST.

Please tune in or call in...I'd love to hear from you!!!!

You can find the link here and the call-in number is (646)595-3995

Vintage Pink

I have another one up for the Boutique Angels' launch benefiting the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 100% is being donated!
Search "Boutique Angels Charity" on eBay to view our listings now through August 17.

This little dress is absolutely beautiful in person! I must remember to take some lessons in
photography, LOL! I bought these vintage, embroidered panels a while back, and they
are in pristine condition. This is such a feminine little dress...great for portraits or any other special occasion. You can see more of it here!

Howdy Y'all!!!!

We got back from our mini summer vacation a few days ago...and we had a great time! We desperately needed to get away...my husband is in denial about being a workaholic...and the kids and I had an intervention with him.

So we packed our bags and went to a DUDE ranch...yes, you heard me right...a DUUUUUUDE ranch...after all, we are Texans...we'd fit right in! AND, we did!

Unless you worked there...there was no need for boots or belt buckles or even cowboy hats! This was a resort type Dude ranch...don't get me wrong...they had the horseback riding, the campfires, marshmallow roasting for smore's, hay rides and the occasional yelling of yeeeeeeeeeeee-haw certainly wasn't out of place...BUT, they had a SUPER FUN water park, too...it is HUGE...I only have this picture of it...but it had tons more to do...we spent most of our days there...after all...we are in Texas and it is EXTREMELY HOT!
But our nights were reserved for all those Dude-sy things like hayrides and campfires and such. We really did have such a great time...and the kids didn't want to leave.

We were able to get some authentic looking photos of the little cowpokes...they look really great and I'm imagining that I'm about to see an armadillo scurry across them...and then I take a look at that second one...and huh, who would of thought they had crocs back then??? OH, yeah... and the pettiskirt has been around for a long, long time!

Ele-fun!

It's been awhile...I know! I have been so busy!
I have a new charity listing up!

The Boutique Angels are launching for
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,
100% of the proceeds from our auctions will be donated.
Please search "Boutique Angels Charity" to see our listings!

Ele-fun is a cute and comfortable dress! The style is just perfect for
this Lilly Pulitzer fabric! This is one of my favorite prints...with it's adorable pink elephants...and turquoise background...this one screams---SUMMER!!!!
It comes in custom sizes from 18 months to girl's 8.

I'd appreciate a little peek if you could...please!!!!