The Diva Dish

All good things must come to an end...

2011-01-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

Move on over! Diaper Diva Boutique has grown & I'm proud to announce Aidan Grace Boutique, so this blog will be gone *tear:( But the good news is a new blog is in progress & I wanted to share that with you so you can become a follower of the new blog. It's A {southern} Charmed Life is a new blog featuring all kinds of fun entries.... I'll share grat finds of all kinds... from businesses I love, recipes, links to other great blogs & just anything else I think you might enjoy. Soooo excited, so MOVE ON OVER & follow the new blog!

http://southerncharmedlife.blogspot.com/

*Psssst, the link to Aidan Grace's blog will be linked there as well... so you'll still be in on all the news there:)

It's going to be a FIERCE 4th of July ladies!

2010-04-27T20:58:00.001-07:00

I am so excited about 4th of July this year & all the cute fashions we have in store for you! I am hard at work with Brittany Bentine, the genius behind Locked Illusions Photogrpahy on a special mini session... Beautiful photography by her with wardrobe provided & styling by me. What a wonderful combo!?! Here's a peek at the {teaser} shoot we did with one of my regular Little Divas:

If you are interested in the '4th at The Park' Mini Session please e-mail me at esther@diaperdivaboutique.com so I can get you the details as soon as we pin down a date... You won't want to miss this opportunity! We have lots of fun props & great ideas for pics... bring the family!

Hope to hear from you soon!

*Spreading the {LOVE}

2010-04-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

So, as I checked my e-mails yesterday I opened this one & thought I would share with you:

Esther,

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how you have inspired me. I have never sewn before and a couple of months ago I saw your boutique. I have been shopping at boutiques since my 12 year old was born and now we have been blessed with another little girl, Reese. I saw your pillowcase dress and thought to my self why cant I do that? I had bought my daughter a Brother ES350 sewing machine 2 years ago for Chrismas because my mother in law wanted her to start sewing with her. Well needless to say that did not last very long. So we had this sewing machine sitting around and I thought maybe I can try and sew a pilllowcase dress. I looked up how to do one on youtube and walla. I did it. I was so impressed with myself hehehehe! Anyway, I started going to JoAnns and Hobby Lobby and buying easy patterns. My husband and I run a trucking company out of Houston and I have 3 beautiful children. I am very busy, but wanted to start sewing for my little girl. Sometimes when I go to the boutique here in my neighborhood they do not have what I want. So now I can make it myself. Not that I have a lot of time, but the time I do have in the evenings or should I say wee mornings I spend sewing. I want to thank you for giving me the courrage to do something for myself and express my creativity. By the way you are awesome! Your creations are georgous and thank you for sharing them with all of us. I hope one day I can make it to Boutique Blvd and see all of your stuff in person! Take care and thanks again!

Tabitha Gatlin
Baby Sister's Boutique
www.babysistersboutique.etsy.com

I find it so rewarding when I can read that I helped launch a dream or even plant a seed of wanting to crank up that old sewing machine... I get a lot of joy from what I do & I encourage anyone to stretch their {sewing & crafting} legs... who knows what you can do. This just made my day!

Thank You Tabitha:)

Busy, busy, busy!

2010-04-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the countdown has officially begun... 6 days and counting & I get to see my business in a magazine! Wahoo! ON STANDS APRIL 27TH, 2010!

I am so excited & proud of this. The editor herself found my website & arraigned everything... Rose Bailey did the photography & my sweet web designer Jessica did my ad design. This is the ad that will run in the May/June "Mother's Day Edition" of Southern Lady Magazine!

Now if I could only meet Paula Deen & Oprah my life would be complete:) Now... back to sewing!

P.S. Make sure to check out all the new additions to the site starting with the re-opening on next Friday, the 30th!

{giveaway}

2010-04-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

What Little Diva doesn't like a posh petti or some sweet hair candy?!? How does a $25 online credit to www.diaperdivaboutique.com sound?

Diaper Diva Boutique will be back up & running Friday the 30th of April. I have been hard at work designing some adorable 4th of July & Summer '10 fashions as well as the addition of Wee Squeak shoes & two gorgeous bedding & room decor lines. Beginning Summer of 2010 custom diaper totes will be available as well. This is a new endeavor for me, but I truly enjoy getting to create these bags... fun fabrics & saturated color... seeing them come together is just awesome!

*IF YOU'RE READING THIS THEN YOU'RE GETTING A LEG UP ON THE COMPETITION FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY BECOME A FOLLOWER & LEAVE A COMMENT HERE! *MUST BE ON THIS BLOG ENTRY TO COUNT!

THAT EQUALS 1 ENTRY!

BUUUUTTT... Don't just leave any old comment:) In your comment, let me know your favorite item I carry on the site as of now!

This will give you a leg up, because as a Diva Dish Follower you already have your name in the bowl ONCE, but by leaving a comment... your name will be added again! So before the giveaway even begins... your name is in the bowl TWICE!!!

More giveaway details will be released tomorrow!

{The Murphys 2010}

2010-04-12T22:55:00.000-07:00

A huge Thank You to Brittany of Locked Illusions Photography! We haven't had family pics done since Emma was one... This session was work, dragging a antique seatee up & down the seawall... Can't wait to see those:)

But the session was fun & I'm sure there are even more to come. If you are in the Greater Houston area and are looking for GREAT family pics, check out www.lockedillusionsphoto.com

Branded!?! & Spoiled...

2010-04-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

After a good month or so of waiting for them to come in...

Well, it a small step, but a big addition! I've been hard at work mastering using my not-so-new anymore BabyLock & having so much fun doing it! Every new pattern I tackle, & every new project I undertake... It is such a huge feeling of accomplishment when I can hang that item up & say "I made that!" But it's even more rewarding when I get to see photos done by my awesome photographers with the new item modeled:) It seriously makes my day!

I am jumping right into Summer designs... well, after I get these last few Spring orders shipped out:)

And on a personal note: Me & Emma had way too much fun getting our first pedicure together! Ok, it definitely wasn't my first, but it was Emma-Grace's first & she LOVED it! I think she has a lot of her Mama in her, because we all know I love to get pampered... but don't we all? Here's a pic of my BIG girl doing what she does best... getting spoiled:)

Miss. Fashionista

2010-04-02T23:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you all.. but I love me some babies! Especially new, slightly chunky ones. Time is just too fleeting when you have a little one. I think that's why I tend to spoil my two ROTTEN when given the opportunity... but then again, we all do:)

*Big thanks to Grace By The Lake Photography for the way cute pic!

I just wanted to share this peek at a new item that will soon be offered at the boutique & get your opinions on it... I absolutely would LOVE to be able to offer this onesie along with the petti, & bow... possibly in a keepsake type box. I would have been over the moon had I gotten a gift like that at my shower when I was preggers with Emma-Grace!

I am so blessed & excited about the amazing opportunities I have been given. Keep your eyes peeled for the Mother's Day edition of Southern Lady Magazine. Diaper Diva Boutique will be featured in the "Incredible Finds by Inspiring Moms" section... how awesome is that?!?

Also, just want to extend a ginormous "Thank You" to my amazing customers, family & friends... your prayers & support are what has kept me sewing & designing & in turn have grown my business to where it is.

But it's not stopping anytime soon! I am so excited about being on the verge of so many new changes & additions available soon. I want to continue to offer you all quality boutique designs & I am now moving into the designer baby gear, bedding & room decor department. The best thing about being a WAHM is the opportunity to make some other WAHMom's items available as well as some gorgeous designer high quality items as well.

2010 was already looking great & we have now closed the books on our first quarter & I am just blown away at the growth compared to this quarter last year... Look out ladies, DDB is on the move & I can't wait to share!

Welcome 2010... Bring on the NEW YEAR!

2010-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

Whew! 2009 was a whirl-wind & boy am I glad it is over. It never fails that this time of year forces me to reflect on the time that has passed, what I've accomplished, what I regret, and my hopes & goals for the New Year.

I have some great things in store for this year & I am so excited about New Beginnings & Fresh Starts...

Here's a shot from 2009... enjoy!

One Year In & Here's The Diva Dish!

2009-12-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Over the past year I have had more than a handful of people ask me how Diaper Diva Boutique started & I figured what better way to celebrate my first year up and running than to share with my friends, family, customers & fans exactly that.

Let me start this by saying that I am so Thankful for where I am today & for those that stood behind me, stood beside me & those that kicked me in the rear and made me take those first few steps… I am where I am because of you.

Last year I was a stay at home mom, not glamorous, but right where I wanted to be. The problem was… since my husband had taken a job with a new company finances had become tight to say the least. Bills were becoming late & debt was mounting, but the idea of having to go back to work at the bank I had left a year earlier was not something I wanted to have to do. At least once a week Kaleb, Emma & myself would meet up with a close girlfriend for lunch and a play-date and of course somewhere in the conversation the subject of money and lack there of would come up. One day, this amazingly sweet friend put it to me blunt… “Shut up & do something about it. If you don’t like where you are… change it. You have talent, you’re creative & you love your kids… so tap into it.” I had played with the idea of this boutique of mine since my daughter was born, but had obviously never made any real strides at making a “go” of it. That afternoon, we loaded up the kids and made a $500 trip to Hobby Lobby. We purchased fabric, ribbon, tulle, hot glue guns… you name it, we threw it in the cart. Oh this would be perfect I thought… except for one tiny hang up. This required me to actually use my new Singer machine my girlfriends had all pitched in the year before and bought me. And I say new because I hadn’t opened the box. *If you’re reading this, and you know who you are… I’m sorry! I was scared to death to take up sewing again, lol.

Well, with my heart in my throat I came home and posted an album on my personal MySpace showing what I was capable of doing, hoping for some friends to ask me to make gifts for Christmas. That first Christmas it was all about super fun tutus & dare I say… some of the ugliest bows I’ve ever made. But cut me some slack… I had just started! And surprisingly, the orders started rolling in. By the grace of God, it hasn’t let up yet. Now here I am writing this while listening to Martina McBride sing “Blessed” & I feel more blessed this evening than I have in a long while.

What started out as a way to make some extra money for Christmas gifts has grown to something I couldn’t have imagined & dare I say… successful. I am every day, completely in awe of what has happened over the past year. This Christmas I was capable of more than I ever knew I was capable of… and I owe Thanks to so many people! I also have to say that by doing this I have grown so much as a person, a wife, and a mother. I have made a couple new & great close friends… Ariane, you’re the BOMB! And I owe more to you than I could ever re-pay! All of the annoying e-mails and messages on my part, & you being so helpful & understanding… To the jokes, laughs and gossip almost every day… It’s crazy, you’re states away yet I consider you such an awesome & great girlfriend. Brittany, you were such a blessing… from a meeting to take pictures of my kids because I fell in love with your work, but was so broke! The best trade for free tutus ever! Our friendship has grown, both of our businesses have & I can’t help but think it was meant to be. And thanks to my circle of girlfriends... the Singer, the love, the support... I wouldn't be here without it. And Brandy, Thanks for the swift kick in the rear I needed to just be brave & do something about it :)

I have to say also, that my best friend, my husband… he’s been amazingly supportive. Days of him coming home to a crazy messy house, but me standing holding up my newest creation I’m sure would drive any man away… I love him to bits and pieces because he works crazy hours, sacrifices anything and everything to provide for us & I know it’s because he loves us to the end of the Earth and back. I love him even more for loving me and encouraging me the way he does... in his eyes I'm Super Woman! So if you see him on the street just play along, j/k!

Lastly, & most importantly… Thank You to my babies! Kaleb & Emma-Grace, you are my reason for being, your sweet faces are what pushes me to stay up just one more hour, or answer just one more e-mail before heading to bed. You two are the encouragement I need to keep trying, because I want more than anything else, for you to be proud of me.

I sit here thinking about the past year, how it started, & where I am now & it still blows me away. What a combination… I was raised by my Grandmother, a woman who came from a generation where women could barely vote, but boy could they sew… attended a High School where my favorite class was Home Ec. and a proud member of FHA (Future Homemakers of America). Throw that in with wanting to stay home with my baby girl, who has been the Queen Bee of the house since birth… and you get Diaper Diva Boutique.

I’ll finish off by saying two things.

The first, being that never underestimate what you are capable of, because you might just surprise yourself. And secondly, a quote…

“You are never taken down a path in life for no reason; there is a meaning behind every footstep.”

I hope & pray that you ladies enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it & I wish everyone a blessed Christmas & Happy New Year! 2010 is going to be great… it’s up to us to make it that way.

No Pouting!

2009-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

Luvin' these thighs!!! Just had to share!

available at www.diaperdivaboutique.com

Your Own Style...

2009-11-05T21:11:00.000-08:00

I'm coming up on one year of finding my footing & falling into a style of my own...

I think I have pretty much found it & am loving it... Coming up quick is my One Year Anniversary of the launch of Diaper Diva Boutique. I am so excited about the holiday season quickly approaching & all the exciting milestones I'm sure are coming our way...

DIVA-licious X-Mas 2009

2009-10-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Christmas Collection is well under-way! With this being my first Christmas Line I wanted to open the opportunity to local customers & their goregous kiddos to model for the site. I posted the shoot details online and within 24 hours it was COMPLETELY FULL!!! Amazing is the least I can say. What a blessing to know I have such commited friends and customers. I hope that 2010 brings me just that much closer to what I envision Diaper Diva Boutique to be!

A big thanks to everyone that has shown support :)

Here's a sneak -peek of what's to come soon!

It's Fall Ya'll!

2009-09-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

So anyone that knows me knows that the fall seasons are my favorite, even waaaay before the birth of Diaper Diva Boutique. And I wanted to share a couple of my favortie pics from the Halloween Shoot with you.

These designs along with lots of others are available online for purchase at www.diaperdivaboutique.com

*Just a reminder: My clothing items are handmade & the cut-off date for Halloween orders is Friday, October 2nd (midnight). Please put the time needed to make your quality boutique outfits into consideration when placing orders. Orders generally take at least 2 weeks processing time, but during this busy season I am anticipating that being closer to 3 weeks.

The Maiden Trunk Show...

2009-09-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

OK... Once again I've procrastinated! LOL... Anyway, here are some pics from my first Trunk Show. I had lots of fun, got to meet new people & hang out at my favorite salon! What more could a girl want.

Keep your eyes peeled for the details of my Fall Fling Show!

(Summer & Dudes Duds )Pics...

2009-08-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

A few Summer Design pics...

And for the little Dudes too... NEW false-tie tees!

Available at http://www.diaperdivaboutique.com/ soon!

Photography by Locked Illusions

Spooky Sneak Peek Ya'll

2009-08-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ok... Halloween Sneak Peek pics were promised... So, here they are!

Photography by Locked Illusions

These are sneak peek shots & the 2009 Fa"BOO"lous wear shoot is scheduled for later in the month... Can't wait!

1st Trunk Show August 6th, 2009

2009-07-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

OK... The "Trunk Show" idea has ignited & come by and visit me during my first one ever! There will be a sample sale as well as custom orders taken on the spot! Checks, cash, Visa & Mastercard will be accepted.

If you are near the Alvin, TX area Thursday, August 6th swing by DaVinci Salon:

The address is 1516 S. Gordon St.

From 9 AM - 5 PM

Call 713-816-4787 if you need directions etc.

Hope to see ya'll there!

Forever, LOL!

2009-07-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Ok... My cousin's wife Miranda posted this up on her blog & I had tears streaming by the time it was over.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

I've been a busy bee...

2009-07-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Ok... So since the arrival of Ms. Bea I have attempted more than a blanket. Now this is a sneak peek, and expect some professional pics here soon. But I've been working on my Halloween clothing & these are what I've done so far! Let me know what you think :)

(More cute spooky stuff to come soon!)

Oh... and this isn't a "Halloween" item, but I still sewed it & want to show it off :)

It's a headband holder made out of a plain bolster pillow. I added satin, cheetah ribbon & voila! Headband holder... so chic!

Mae-Mae's Blanket

2009-05-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Ok... after purchasing Ms. Bea, I made a vow to either pick up sewing again or join a support group for fabric addicts! I have an antique armoire in my bedroom filled to the brim with TONS & TONS of fabric. So, the last time I went out shopping for supplies I ran across a "kit" to make a blanket & thought... "I maybe could pull this one off starting back up." So I immediately purchased it, brought it home & then occasionally glanced at it for about 2 weeks. I didn't study it or anything like that, I honestly just looked at it in fear. Kind of like you do when there's a mountain of laundry staring back at you & everytime you walk by you're a little more scared than the last to even touch it :)

But I decided to just jump in & start... and I stayed up until 3 AM the first night working on it. For those of you that don't personally know me, I am a HUGE perfectionist & that can be a huge character flaw at times. Another thing some might not know is that I have a very sensitive & nostalgic side. I knew that if I set out to make something I thought my daughter might hang on to & pass down to my G-babies; My chances of accomplishing that were a lot higher, because I would refuse to fail for her. Cheesy, but oh so true!

So I've been working on it off and on for a few days now & just thought I would post a few pics. I didn't want to "announce" I was taking this on until I knew it would turn out somewhat decent. It might just be a "kit" blanket, but I'm am one PROUD MAMA! Because for my first honest attempt at following a pattern from start to finish... I think I turned out awesome!

Here are a few pics...

(Above: after the first night)

(Below: close-up of the monogram I did myself)

(Below: a snap of what it looks like almost done)

And I will post a pic of my little munchkin with her new blanky soon :)

Hope you enjoyed hearing about my baby steps back into the "sewing world"
XoXo
Esther

Introducing Ms. "Bea"!

2009-05-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

My tiara fits... Does yours?

On the heels of the website opening I have been so so busy with local craft shows and getting to know my great photographer friend, Justine, owner of Pelata Photography. I just recently purchased a new sewing/embroidery machine... and I am in love! Can one really be in love with a machine... I think... wait, I KNOW so, lol!

Look at her... she's goregous!

Ok... so now my little "Beatrice", I named her :) will be earning her keep here very shortly. I have plans to use that "Future Home-Maker of America" title I earned in High School & make a go of some children's clothing. Scary, but it's so fun!

So be on the look out... Me & Ms. Bea are are working on our grand entrance!

Ahhh... just have to show her off!

~XoXo~

Esther

News!!!

2009-03-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

OK...

The new web design is finally installed! I love it... A huge thanks to Jessica at Sweetest Cupcake! She did an awesome job and I got exactly what I wanted out of it!

http://www.sweetestcupcake.com/

Come check it out & let me know what you think!

www.diaperdivaboutique.com

Now... If I could only find the time to get my product loaded. More on that subject... I have enlisted a great photographer to help me get the perfect look for the new Diaper Diva Boutique. Justine, owner of Paleta Photography is going to bring a great vision & I think she has a lot of creative flair. I am so excited to see where this might go!

EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS!!!

(as if that was possible!)

If you live in the Alvin, TX area you have got to swing by the Music Festival on April 4th and the Crawfest on April 18th & come tell me "hi"!

I'll have a booth there along with a couple great friends helping me out. I'll have lots to choose from & will be taking orders as well!

Sorry it's been so long since I've gotten on here, but there just aren't enough hours in the day, lol!~Esther

The BIG Move

2009-02-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

It's official... Diaper Diva Boutique has a retail spot... kind of. Come check out my booth at the Alvin Antique Mall & Marketplace! It's not the vision I dreamed of, but I just started out and it's baby steps... right?

I am so excited about getting to launch my little dream of a boutique. Those close to me know that this has been a HUGE dream of mine for a good time coming now... Hopefully, even bigger things will come my way! I just get so much joy out of making fru-fru girly things & I get such a kick out of seeing them in use!