A letter to Daughters

Tamara Film: A dream not deferred.

Tamara_Film from Jason Marino on Vimeo.

A child's dream will overcome her circumstances.

houseboatanimation.com
facebook.com/houseboatanimation

Student Film done by San Jose State University

Had to share this! Don't let your situations dictate your outlook on life. More importantly, believe in your children's dreams. 

She is Fierce: Beauty Pageants?!

BySamantha

How fitting. 

As Lillian Arielle grows everyday, I'm seeing her attitude develop more and more. She's cranky and bossy. She's sweet and sassy. Today, she found her way into my handbag, aka her personal Treasure Chest. She found my lipstick and proceeded to put it on. Her application was a bit sloppy but her positioning is accurate. I wiped the access off of her face and took a picture. So apparently my baby is ready for pageants, I'm not so sure I'm ready though.  I know she would be absolutely fierce and would definitely win in all categories.

I'm that confident. She's an absolute DOLL BABY. I've done a bit of searching to see what's in the area, and I've found past and up coming pageants. I think I've even found a pageant that I could participate in. I know, I know, stop stealing the glory and shine, but a gal can dream.  This is something her father and I had discussed since I was pregnant, and we would like to try it, at least for the cute pictures anyway. But, for her to be this girly and this glamorous so young, it has to be a sign. We'll discuss this some more and come to a conclusion, but until then, I've found a collection of pageants to consider. Have any of you thought about participating in an event like this? Have any of you actually participated in pageants? Have any of your children participated in pageants? Do you have any wisdom to share for a newbie? Any horror stories? Leave a comment and let us know.

List of past and future pageants

Southern Elite Pageants Southern Belle Glitz Pageant

www.southernelitepagents.com

Princess of the Triangle Pageant

www.princessofnc.com

Summer pool Party Pageant

www.abitofclasspageants.wix.com/aboc

Starz N Glitz Free Pageant

www.starznglitz.wix.com/nc#

QNC "I am Barbie" Pageant

www.quennsofnc.wix.com/queens-of-nc

Lake Norman/Iredell County Cinderella Pageant

www.nccinderella.com

TuTu Glitz on Tour Regional Pageant

www.tutuglitz.com

Natural Beauties Open State Pageant "Western Showdown"

www.natural-elite.com

Mrs North Carolina America Pageant

www.mrsnorthcarolinaamerica.com

Southern Elite Pageant Santa Baby Nationals

www.southernelitepageants.com

I am Breathtaking Semi-Glitz & Natural Beauty & Christmas Pageant

www.iambreathtaking.com

Debutante Lessons: Introductions

"Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible for marriage, and part of the purpose was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle. To become a debutante, a young girl must be a member of family with society connections. Young girls who wish to become a debutante experience social training in manners, character, verbal skills, dancing, literature and fine arts as part of their lives in school and as part of their lives in their social set.It is not possible for all young girls to become a debutante. Some who wish to become a debutante do not have the family social connections. Some do not have the family wealth to participate in the events necessary to become a debutante. For some to become a debutante is not a coronation they desire. They view the act to become a debutante as far removed from their values. To become a debutante requires dedication and perseverance since the process to become a debutante season and its attendant parties can last almost a year.To become a debutante, a family must prepare their daughter for her entry into their society. This requires attention to details in her life that can rule her out of the process to become a debutante. Where she attends school and the other families who send their daughters to her school are important components of the basic requirements to become a debutante. Becoming a debutante announces to the world that a young woman has matured into an eligible young woman capable of taking her place in her parents’ society.To become a debutante, is a highly regarded event. Becoming a debutante and graduating to her rightful position in society, gives such a woman credentials that other society men will notice."

In no way shape or form am I pushing marriage on my 14 month old daughter, but as far as her rearing is concerned, I want her to be more aware of the world we live in and her role in society. I want her to be well rounded, educated, giving, kind, warm, and more importantly, a lady. These were the values that my grandmother's attempted to pass down to me, and now I shall pass them down to Lilly. She shall be the modern debutante, and I will provide her with lessons.

Love,

Mom 

Daddy's Girl

Silly Lilly & Fashion Glasses

I love Lilly's inquisitive nature. I dislike Lilly's inquisitive nature...of MY THINGS! I've seen more polish bottles, makeup brushes, fashion glasses, hair combs, etc. break within these last few months compared to what I've seen in my entire 25 year lifetime. Her little hands are so fast, I can barely keep up!

Silly Lilly!

Out and about!

Puffs and Stripes

I love these striped shirts that her god mommy brought over! So cute.

Bangs and Thangs

Hip Hip Beret!

L.A.

Bite Size Naturalista of the Month

compliments of cooleasyhairstyles.com

I know normally we have a BSN of the week, but this is getting a bit out of hand! I've cut back a bit to make room for different content.

Moving forward: Do to resent news about the little girl who was kicked out of class because of her hair, I have deemed this little loc princess "Bite Size Naturalista of the Month". I'm not sure if you are aware of the article but here it is for your viewing pleasure.  Oklahoma Girl Sent Home From School Because Dreadlocks Were ‘Unacceptable’

Hot Pants!!!

I found the cutest little shorts on sale at Target! 

Aren't they a beaut? We decided to go with a plain onsie and accent all of this hotness with an accent bow. Adorable. I'm loving that hair bow, I'm tempted to make a few in different colors. (Can we say: "DIY"?)

Side note: She peed around her diaper, on to her clothes, and then on to my lap that day. She ruined two outfits with one mighty blow. 

So, This is a look we may rock a few more times before we let go of summer. More outfit selections coming soon, so stay tuned. 

Bite Size Natural of the Week

Love the braid (and those lashes!)

Our Bite size natural of the week Ladies and Gents

Bite Size Natural of the Week

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE 

Curly Coily "Creamy Crack"

Lillian had her first experience with Shea Butter. Uh-May-Zuh-ing! it looks so Shiny and healthy without being wet or super oily. I just want to thank Shanna Fife for cooking up some Curly Coily "Creamy Crack". You've been deemed our pusher. Visit her blog. http://msnaturallyrandom.blogspot.com/ Again thanks a bunch!

If you want to whip up a batch of love for your Bite Size Natural check out this tutorial from Laila of Youtube's FusionofCultures (compliments of Curlynikki). Just about any mix will work, just nix the fancy smelling oils. 

And for you grown Queens of the Qurls I suggest something a bit more detailed for sealants, spritz, and styling:

BGLH

ENJOY!

Bite size Natural of the Week

Adorbs.

Teeny Weeny Turban Tutorial

How to tie a tiny turban.

Step 1: Open large scarf and lay it on Lilly for...

Step 2: an impromptu game of peek-a-boo

Step 3: Lay head on scarf

Step 4: fold scarf around head

Step 5: Began to twist (and watch Lilly fall asleep)

Step 6: Continue to twist

Step 7: Began to wrap and coil scarf

Step 8: Almost finish....

Step 9: realize the scarf was too big. So, you undo it, fold it, and re-wrap it. 

Step 10: TADA!!!