Kindergarten, in fact, does rock.

I have referred to myself as a recovering preppy in the past. I am not quite sure that I am recovering, entirely. When it comes to my "look" I would still fit into the fairly conservative category. Not "lands end" preppy, more "j crew-ish" . I do, however, take a lot of liberties when it comes to my daughter's wardrobing options. She runs all over the fashion spectrum, from girly girl, to hippy love child, to boarding school chic. I can't nail her down, and that is fine with me...I love more options than I could have ever imagined. I can take more fashion "chances" with a 5 year old...I have this kind of paper-doll mentality when it comes to dressing Parker. Since the day she was born, I have wanted her to be one of those babies that spits up a lot...so I could put a new outfit on her. Much to my dismay, she was the "cleanest" of all my children.

Anyhow, I got my girl...beware of what you wish for :)

So, Parker got a pair of tie dyed sneakers from her over-indulgent mom this weekend (you can do that when you make stuff for a living) and you can get them too atwww.billiebeans.etsy.com. You also get to have other wonderful friends that make cool stuff for a living. Parker digs all her Paperlili apparel, but this tee is her current fav. I think that most girls adore color, and rainbows and sparkles and that is what Cristy is all about! We especially like to have coordinating items to go with her Paperlili goodies! Check out www.paperlili.com! Always, always new and fun and original sparkly goodies!

So check out paperlili, and check out my etsy shop for some cool new sneakers, whatever way you like 'em!

xo

Here is a quickie look at what I have been working on! I will have them available in my Etsy shop shortly. You can just click on the link to the right, and it will take you right there!

I am so fortunate to have a photographer for a sister-in-law. Michele is wonderful! Go here to see her work: http://www.hinzphoto.com She and my brother Brian do wonderful work. If you are in the metro Phoenix area, look her up for some great holiday photos or Senior portraits or any other photo desire you may conjure up!

A New Meaning for Happy Feet

Oh, these shoes just make me happy by looking at them! I have been working on these under strict recommendations by my buddy Cristy of Paperlil.com. She is a good motivator!

I will be offering these in my Etsy shop, shortly. They will be completely custom, I am loving the rainbow tie dyed version at this point.

So, look for them shortly in my Etsy store. You can click on the right, or go to www.billiebeans.etsy.com.

BTW, these are for my sweet niece, Alexis in Michigan! Your shoes are on their way :)

This is what I have been working on....I can't even tell you how many pairs I have dyed trying to just get it right! This is the first pair I dyed back in July. I will get a shot of the pair I am doing for my niece, Alexis, in Michigan when they are all washed out and fluffed up! I am having a ball with them!

Until tomorrow, you will have to deal with the shoddy quality photo!

See you soon!

Cleaning Closets

Hi! Long time, no see. I have been so busy getting ready for the school year. Having each of the kids attend a different school can be a lot to get used to! Coordinating rides, and activities is finally getting a bit easier. So with my mind being clear, and no kids in the house, I decided to clean out my little gals closet!

I have to tell you, she has a fabulous closet full of things that I love. Here is the problem with the youngest child to teen aged brothers...she has decided to assert her independence and will not always wear what I would like her to! I thought, "I'll show her. I will sell this great stuff on ebay". So that is what I am doing!

I will be listing more every day! Great boots and shoes and clothes! Oh, and lots that still have tags and most has only been worn once or twice. It is a time to give others the opportunity for some great steals and finds and a cathartic closet cleaning experience for me!

Some examples of what you are going to find in my ebay store are pictured above. I have lots of crewcuts, Matilda Jane, Peek...aren't you curious, splendid, and of course Billie Beans tie dye that has been worn a couple of times or not at all. All for great prices. I swear, I would be money ahead to have another female child! I just love to shop for Miss P, but alas, she doesn't want to wear what I pick any longer...sniff. So go to :

http://http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Billie-Beans-Boutique-Tie-Dye__W0QQ_armrsZ1


and check out some of my daughter's things, add me as a favorite and keep checking back for more. Most of what I have is size 4T and up to a 6.

Shortly, I will also have new tie dyed items available as well.

Just Say....

I am still part of the learning curve in the blogosphere! Bear with me and the disorganization of my posts until I get a handle on things, or read a manual or ask a friend!















I figured I should make good on the offer to show you what I was working on for Centrestage. Here is a little sneaky-peeky. You can't really tell what is going on here, but I thought I could give you a glimpse into what my office is looking like. Yup, kind of a mess...but I hear that is a sign of a creative mind??? In this heap you will find yoga pants, puff sleeved tees (love the fit of these) and circle skirted tank dresses for kids (my hottest seller this summer) and women's halter dresses. I will follow up soon with more images of the finished product.

Oh, and the out of place photo on your upper right is an example of what about $30 worth of swarovkis can do to a target tee shirt. My friend Cristy from Paperlili and I have an addiction of sorts when it comes to purchasing clothing, shoes and accesories for our lovely daughters. It is a self diagnosed addiction, so we haven't sought any outside help for our problem. That being disclosed, try not to judge. Anyhoo, we had a little contest of sorts in which we both agreed not to purchase any new items for our girls for the month of June. The prize was to be a cupcake in a jar. Well, I am not entirely sure who fell off the radio flyer first, but we did, the two of us. It could have been simultaneous for all I know. But I think that it probably started with a trip to Target. An innocent trip to Target, where all things are inexpensively fabulous. Ok, I admit it, once the "seal" was broken, we both got sucked into Crewcuts and Peek...Aren't you Curious, our 2 most favorite places to spoil our(selves) children. Ok, I digress...the Target tee...but you see, it is so easy to buy super cute, darling items for our kids everyday. If there is a moral to this story, don't disclose your purchases to your friend first...there was a cupcake at stake, for gosh sakes.





For your edification, Miss "P" has worn this shirt twice. In a row. She has too many items to get through her rotation to wear anything twice. Anyone who knows her would agree that this tee suits her well. I tie dyed her a heather gray knit skirt charcoal to match the tee as well as purchasing some plaid bermudas in purple/yellow and pink. Pretty stinking cute, if I do say so myself.

Centrestage Performing Dance Studio

I am so happy to announce that Billie Beans will now be carried by Centrestage Performing Dance Studio in Scottsdale. It has been a while since I have been in a brick and mortar boutique, so I am thrilled that such an adorable place is going to be carrying my goods in the late summer, early fall. I have a lot in the works for them (love that Jenny, she is giving me creative control) and I will show you some photos as soon as I complete them! http://www.centrestagedancestudio.com/studio.htm Check out the dance studio as well, great place for your kids with a desire to perform!

Photo above is my little "P" and moi.

Now for the 4th of July Holiday! In addition to attemping an "indoor yard sale" at the old house, we are going to be spending the afternoon/evening with my parent's here in town. For those of you that don't know the Phoenix area...the fourth is best spent indoors, or in a pool. It's ok, we are used to it. We can typically sit on the roof and enjoy 360 degrees (not temperature degrees) of pyrotechnics around the valley. It is awesome and the kids love having a legit reason to climb on the roof. My family is not one of outstanding cooks unless you consider my husband and his side of the family. Our Fourth is usually spent with a bucket of KFC and ice cream sandwiches. It's all good.

To your right is my fabulous father, more on him later, but he is an amazing man that works harder than anyone I know. This man could make a diamond out of a lump of coal if I asked him to. He is pictured with my "P" after her dance recital last month. Anyhow, I just love him to pieces. I wouldn't have embarked on Billie Beans without his encouragement. I will share some of his Billisms later, and also share what we in my family have come to know as the "Bill Factor". I will save that for a separate post :)

I am looking forward to posting some of the very cool items I have in the works for Centrestage! Please come back and see me!

I just listed a couple of new items on etsy. Check it out! www.billiebeans.etsy.com

Ramping Up

I figure that blogs with photos are the most fun to visit, so I am going to try and include some good stuff to look at while reading :)

My family and I are in the throes of a move as we speak. As with many people out there, we are doing the "recession renovation" . It stinks to go through moving about 10 years worth of stuff that fit nicely into a 4800 sq ft home and trying to make it fit into a 2600 sq ft space. Everything is about half the size. Case in point, my daughter "P" had a four poster queen size bed with pillows galore, large area rug, doll house shaped bookshelf, lots of toys, very big closet with storage that accomodated a little girl whos mommy is a card carrying member of Shopaholics Anonymous. We now own a twin sized, white iron daybed. It is cute, but I need help in making it an inviting girl paradise. I have specific tastes that run on the more grown up side. I refuse to get licensed products for her bedding or walls. Ewwww, blech! I am sorry, I like to give choices, but not full blown creative license to my children when it comes to a room in my house.

So, I did let Miss "P" help with wall color, and she chose a really nice, soothing green. It is a ICI color, Spring Field. I loved it so much I put it in my office as well. It is great with white and pinks of all shades. I had purchased on Etsy a couple of prints, the above being my fav! It is from a great shop called BluLima. The print I purchased is in bubblegum pink and I placed it in a white Ikea frame. It looks amazing next to the green...I haven't hung it up yet. It may sit for a while as I determine the perfect spot for that and the other prints that I purchased. I do need a theme and I want it to be cohesive and not something that you can see anywhere...it has to be different. I am on the hunt for some great quilt or comforter or duvet or something...I will let you know what I find. In the meantime, if you know of anything fantastic let me know!

I have to get to work now. See you soon!

I am officially NUTS!

I know that there are many people out there doing what I am about to do. I just can't help myself...I want to do it, too! Oh, I have a lot of other things that I could be doing...working on orders, paying bills, grocery shopping for the four teenaged sons and kindergarten daughter my husband and I have...but I need an outlet. Voila! This is great!

I am a wife/mom/step-mom/small business owner/designer/recovering preppy. I tie dye boutique clothing for children and mom's and I wholeheartedly believe I would be crazy bored if I didn't have a creative outlet. This blog will share what I love most whether it is my kids or a great find on etsy or just to shoot the poop...I don't get out much.

I owe it all the my dear, dear friend, Cristy of Paperlil fame. She is a doll...really. She has encouraged me to start this blog (she has an amazing one, by the way)...I think that she can get more work done during the day if I just had my own blog and didn't email and text her all day long. I hope that you come and visit often and I will do my best to share as often as possible.