{Celebrating} - The Season

Summer is coming to an end and fall is upon us, I can't wait! Halloween is such a fun holiday and I have some sweet goodies in store for you! Freebies, a killer giveaway, fantastic party ideas and the new Fall/Halloween line reveal! So excited, stay tuned!

Have you decided what the kiddos will be for Halloween this year? Kailey and I are still in the decision phase! But, we could not pass on the bathing suit, headband and fairy wings we found at the Dollar Tree tonight - so fun! We blasted music and danced around until well past her bedtime, shhhh! Pair this $3 outfit with your no sew handmade tutu and an adorable fairy Halloween costume is born. Oh, the possibilities...I am giddy at the thought of celebrating the season with you!

{Crafty Monday} - Auntie Robin's No Sew Tutu

 If it were up to me, Kailey would wear a tutu everywhere, little girls just look so sweet in them! There are some great tutu and pettiskirt shops on Etsy (more on that later), but a tutu is just so much more special when it is handmade with love from your Auntie! Thank you Auntie Robin for Kailey's adorable petal pink no sew tutu, we cherish it! Make your own no sew tutu in minutes with Auntie Robin's simple instructions.

 1. Gather your materials:  You will need scissors, 6 yards of tulle in one solid color or a combination of colors and any ribbon style of your choice (not wired) for the waistband at least ¾ of an inch wide up to 1 ½ inches wide.

2. Lay tulle out across a large flat surface with fold toward you. Cut 4-6-inch wide strips using all of the tulle. Pieces should be about 18 inches long and 4 inches wide when you are done. It is not important that the strips be perfectly straight or exactly 6 inches wide.

3. Cut length of ribbon for your child’s waist size, I double the child’s waist to start. You can leave it long and always shorten it later.

4. Open a strip of tulle and place the center over the back of the waist ribbon. Pull tulle around to the front and tie snuggly. Repeat with all tulle pieces.

5. Once all pieces are securely tied on you can spread them out more evenly. Then just tie your new no-sew tutu around your little one in a pretty bow and enjoy!

Extra Tips:  

*To save time use your first piece of tulle you cut as a pattern to cut out your remaining pieces.

*Your no-sew tutu is totally customizable for your child's height and weight and can be made for babies to teens with the same instructions! If you are making your no-sew tutu for a little baby you will probably want a shorter version, to accomplish this simply gather the ends of the tutu in your hand and cut a couple inches off. The best part about this no-sew tutu, it's not meant to be perfect and actually looks better when it's not! Have fun and don't forget to send in pictures of your tutu masterpiece!

{A Little Inspiration Sunday} - Giving Giving...Getting? An Awesome Coupon!!!

 I am a little late to the party, but this is too good not to share! Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic have a 30% off coupon good through today that also gives 5% of your purchase price to the designated charity. Click HERE for this awesome coupon and to help support the non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters just by shopping. I LOVE this idea of being able to give back while shopping, SO I would LOVE your help compiling a list of 12 different non-profit organizations to give back to each month. Please leave a comment or send me an email if you have an organization that is near and dear to your heart. And, don't forget through September all proceeds from the angel wing necklace will be donated to support sweet Kaelie Tarver and the Tarver Family's healing, to learn more please visit the We Support The Tarver Family Facebook Page.

{Saturday Etsy Love} - 2 Dogs Wood Working

After our family photographer Life...by Mandy took Kailey's 1st birthday pictures, I searched all over to find the perfect frame so I could display my favorites. My search ended when I discovered 2 Dogs Wood Working on Etsy and my perfect frame - one I could customize to my hearts desire. Color, style, hang, you name it, they do it - their shop is a frame heaven! Our frame arrived carefully packaged with a fresh from the wood shop smell and just left the artist's hands quality! Thank you Life...by Mandy and 2 Dogs Wood Working, I am one happy Mommy! :)

A closer peek of my favorites from Kailey's 1st Birthday

Happy weekend!

{Friday Blog Obsession} - Revisiting Vol25

 Jessica of Vol25 speaks right to my soul with her art work, and this quote from her weekly quote series is no exception. Straight from Bob Marley about remembering to enjoy life, my kinda quote. Have you visited her blog for freebies yet? You should, they are killer! Here are a couple examples, click HERE when you've decided you just have to stop by and enjoy a freebie.

Hello cute as heck build your own cupcake project for the kiddos!

There are 10 pages total consisting of: cover page, the recipe, 8 different cupcakes, 8 different liners, 8 different frostings, 11 different cupcake toppers, and a sheet of name tags for your little baker(s). So cute!!

This next freebie is for the decorated votives pictured above. Jessica's directions, "All you need to do is print the pages you would like, cut, tape and voila you're all done!" So simple and super stylish!! Like the print next to the votives? It's unique, romantic and available in her Etsy Shop, I'm heading there now...see you there! :)

{Thursday Photo Favorite} - A Mommy's Dream

My photo favorite this week, Kailey's first piggy tails!  We had way too much fun!

Then we played dress up in handmade tutu from Auntie Robin (stay tuned, we just might get her to share her secret for making these adorable no sew tutus on Crafty Monday), sweet flower clippies from Karis Kisses and...

You guessed it, a few pieces from our new baby/children line coming to our website next week! What is she modeling you ask?

Sterling silver butterfly with "k" initial disc on 14" sterling silver ball chain (many available lengths)

Sterling silver charm bracelet with "k" initial star and pearl dangling by the clasp in 4.5" (any length available)

{Wednesday Product Feature} - GIVEAWAY!!!

UPDATE!!!

The winner of the giveaway is...

Comment #3 - Katherine (Katie) Corrigan

Katherine said: Liked you on facebook (image of me is different see Go Ask Katie)

What a lovely giveaway, your boutique has such sweet things. Wishing you happiness and continued success, Katherine

Congratulations Katherine!!!

Please email me at kristen@3littlebirdsboutique.com to claim your prize!!

 

"philosophy: how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."

My mom introduced me to my favorite face wash called purity by philosophy and I have been a philosophy girl ever since. The above quote comes from one of the bottles of the grace line pictured above, each of their products come with an inspiring quote on the container. In their own words, "what is "in" philosophy jars and bottles can give you better skin. what is "on" philosophy jars and bottles can inspire better days. we believe in miracles, and we believe in the beauty in everyone."

I adore the perfume amazing grace by philosophy, it smells heavenly, clean and feminine, but my favorite part about these products is how I feel when I use them. The word grace is among the best and to be reminded of it daily during such a simple task like bathing is such a blessing.

This ultimate gift of grace giveaway includes:

hand stamped sterling silver grace necklace with a creamy freshwater pearl

matching sterling silver creamy freshwater pearl earrings

the entire 4pc philosophy gift of grace collection:

16-oz 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath

8-oz body emulsion

4-oz hand cream

2-oz eau de parfum

all packaged in the beautiful grace box pictured above with a meaningful quote printed on the inside

To enter the giveaway (you may enter 5 times):

• visit my WEBSITE and leave a comment here on my blog telling me what your favorite item is
• become a fan "like" 3 Little Birds Boutique on facebook and leave a comment here letting me know you did. (If you are already a fan, thank you! Leave a comment here saying you are already a fan and it will count as an entry)
• post about this giveaway on facebook and leave a comment with a link
• post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link
• purchase an angel wing necklace (all proceeds from the sale of the angel wing necklace will go to the Tarver Family Fund, learn more on the facebook page We Support The Tarver Family.) Leave a comment here saying you did.

You must leave a separate comment for each entry on my blog letting me know you have done the specific step. You may enter up to 5 times, one for each option. Thank you for following 3 Little Birds Boutique! Good Luck!

Winner will be chosen using random.org on Wednesday August 25th at 11:00 pm (PST). Any entries after this time will not be considered. Open to US Residents only.

"philosophy: believe in miracles"

{Celebrating} - Diamonds & Pearls!!

Just a little sneak peek into our diamond collection coming this week!!! Sterling silver tags and hearts each with a genuine 1 point sparkly diamond! Ooh La La!

{Crafty Monday} - Make Your Own Bow Holder

So cute, so simple and so needed if you have a little girl! Stop by your local craft store and pick up 3 types of ribbon in varying colors and widths, a wood heart or any other shape or letter of preference, hot glue gun, hot glue and craft paint. Paint your wood shape and let it dry, for best results apply a second coat. Cut your 3 pieces of ribbon the same length and glue them together with hot glue. Now glue the top of your ribbon to the back of your painted wood shape or letter and cut the bottom of the ribbon in any fancy way you like. Adorable, simple and a great excuse to get on Etsy and buy more bows!

{A Little Inspiration Sunday} - Tazo Zen Green Iced Tea & Lists!

What is keeping me inspired? Yummy caffeinated Tazo Tea and lists!!! It's August 15th and our website is officially open! While we still have many products to add, our website has come a long way! We now have products in every category except bracelets, and those are coming soon! We have a new about me page, policies page, available fonts page and a super cool gallery of previous custom orders. Go check it out and let me know what you think!

 

My to do lists definitely keep me inspired! I used to love using pretty paper and colored ink to make my to do lists, but lately they have been changing so often a pencil has been a necessity. And, my pretty paper has been swapped for already used scraps of computer paper. Here is a picture of my current to do list, if you look real close you can see where I have erased what has been finished and added new to dos. I love lists! What keeps you inspired? Do you keep a running to do list?

 

Today is our 1 month Anniversary of blogging and we have hit 50 facebook fans, YIPPEE! Thank you all so much! As promised this weeks Wednesday Product Feature post will announce the HUGE giveaway reveal - don't miss out!

{Saturday Etsy Love} - Cocoa Beans

 We all know I have a thing for everything handmade, but I have kept my love of towels, blankets, and all things snuggly a secret until now. My new Etsy purchase of these charming crochet scrubbies (small wash clothes) are on their way! Oh, and the box will smell so good when it arrives because I also purchased this yummy island coconut soap!

Just a little luxury to keep my home feeling loved and my baths enjoyable! I can't wait to use the soft scrubbies on Kailey's cute little bum. Have I mentioned I love Etsy? So much goodness in one little package and it came to $13 and change! Between Diana, the owner of Cocoa Beans  her daughter's shop Ozetta they offer just about every crochet item you can dream up. Happy Saturday! 

{Friday Blog Obsession} - Fresh Chick Design Studio

 Yes, I picked another party girl blog to feature. I can't help it, they are SO darn fun! Especially this one, I adore Rebecca so much she is now my personal friend on facebook. Her style is quirky and fun whether she is designing or writing. I just love getting her posts; they make me smile from ear to ear. Go now and subscribe to her BLOG, you'll be so glad you did! Check out her killer house - oh ya, she is an interior designer as well as a party girl/graphic designer.

Visit her BLOG for more, she is oh so talented! Here are a couple of my favorite graphic designs of hers.

Isn't she amazing!!! I'm telling you, I had trouble picking which pictures to feature! Want more? Visit her SHOP for many more designs and loads of fun!

{Thursday Photo Favorite} - A Photo With A Purpose

This is my favorite necklace in the SHOP right now, and for a limited time (through September) all proceeds from the angel wing necklace will be donated to the Tarver Family Fund. I first learned of sweet Kaelie Tarver's story on facebook, I immediately began praying and could not stop thinking of this beautiful family.

6 year old Kaelie suffered a devastating accidental boiling water burn on her hands, face and neck. A facebook page WE SUPPORT THE TARVER FAMILY has been created to help support the family and sweet Kaelie through this time of healing.

 In celebration of sweet Kaelie there will be an online auction available the week of August 23-27 for anyone to bid, all items have been donated and all proceeds will be donated to the Tarver Family Fund.  Please visit the WE SUPPORT THE TARVER FAMILY facebook page to leave loving comments, prayers, donate a product/service or learn how to shop the online auction.

{Tarver Family pictures courtesy of  Kamee June Photography}

{Wednesday Product Feature} - New Products and Giveaway Hints

 Our website is coming along and on schedule for our August 15th completion. Shop now and receive our grand opening special through September. I am also working on several new designs to add to the boutique! Coming soon, diamonds... real diamonds! I will be offering a sterling silver pendant personalized and adorned with a genuine 1 point diamond - so exciting! Also, personalized baby spoons in stainless steel so they can be used and loved and cleaned in the dishwasher over and over again. Stay tuned, I think these 2 products would be awesome giveaways - FREE DIAMONDS!!! So many other beautiful products in the works as well, and don't forget our HUGE giveaway valued at $175 when we hit 50 fans or followers! I can't wait, thank you all SO much for following 3 Little Birds Boutique!