Monday, March 26, 2012

An Inexpensive Gift Idea from Little Diva Tutus




Another fun & easy DIY gift idea!

We threw a surprise party for my sixteen year old on Saturday. We had a super fattening candy bar. I saved money by purchasing vases & candy at the Dollar Tree.

After cleaning up I thought what can I do with these vases? I already have a bunch saved in my cabinet...I didn't want to add to unnecessary clutter.

I decided to make these for my sister who, like me has a wine theme in her dining room.

Total cost...$1.00/each vase ~ Wine corks purchased through eBay (I bought 100 for $10 or $15) ~ Tealights...I have a bunch because I light them often.

This project is so easy...

Simply line your wine corks in order inside your vase, be sure to put one in the center to balance it.

Continue this all the way up, using a shorter cork for the center of the top. Push your tealight into place. Make sure the tealight is secure.

I don't recommend lighting these unless you are watching them...maybe at dinner or something where you can watch them constantly. I like them more as decor and the best part is, if you need the vases, dump the corks into something else and your vases are ready for another use.



Happy Crafting!



Melissa











Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DIY Fabric Softener - Cost: $1.43!

The recipe below created 2 1/4 containers of fabric softener for $1.43!

I made it a goal of mine to cut out unnecessary spending this year...now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll still splurge from time to time, but generally speaking I'm looking for areas I can cut back on. Laundry was one of them. Each month I found myself buying Tide, Downy and Downy Fabric Sheets. I decided that I didn't need both liquid fabric softener and fabric sheets so I cut out the liquid.

Missing my liquid Downy in each load (I really miss that smell) I started searching for alternatives...and I found this one on Frugal Girls.

I am so pleased with how easy it is to make and the savings blew me away!!!

What you'll need:








6 cups of hot water (I brought my water to a slight boil on the stove top)



3 cups of white vinegar



2 cups of Suave conditions (use your favorite scent)



Instructions:



Mix conditioner and hot water until the conditioner is completely dissolved.



Add the 3 cups of vinegar and mix well.




I used a whisk to start and then switched to a spatula to make sure the conditioner was mixed in well.



Once it's dissolved, you're done! It's that easy!!



Using a funnel, pour your fabric softener into a used, clean container. I used my old detergent bottles.



The original instructions state to use your Downy Ball, which leads me to believe you use the same amount you would if you were using a store bought fabric softener.



I will post my results as soon as I've completed some laundry!



Price Breakdown:


1 Family Size bottle of Suave conditioner: $1.46


1 Gallon Vinegar: $2.38




Use: 2 cups of Suave = .49/cup = .98


3 cups of Vinegar = .15/cup = .45


Total: $1.43!

Changing it up a bit...

Instead of just talking about tutus and what Little Diva Tutus is doing next I thought I'd expand this blog into some of my favorite DIY (Do It Yourself) projects and information.

We will still keep you up to date on what's going on at Little Diva Tutus, but add a few projects and information I have found helpful in as well.

I hope you enjoy our *New* blog and share it with your friends!

Melissa
Owner
Little Diva Tutus, LLC

Monday, September 26, 2011

Layla Grace Foundation Fundraiser Pageant


We are hosting a fundraising pageant online for a foundation near and dear to our hearts. In case you don't know who sweet Layla is, check out the foundation founded in her name's website at: www.laylagrace.org . All profits from this fundraiser will go to the Layla Grace Children's Cancer Research Foundation.
Get your cameras ready & start shooting pics of those precious kiddos of yours!
Here are the details you need to know!
Girls theme will be "Pinkalicious" and the Boys theme is, "Boys will be Boys"
Enter up to 3 photos for $5.00 or Enter up to 5 photos of the same child for $9.00
Send your payment to: (paypal address) admin@littledivatutus.com
Send your photo entries to us at: contests@littledivatutus.com
Be sure to include the following info with your pictures:
Paypal address you used for your entry fee & Child's Name and Age
Guidelines :
-Contest open to Girls and Boys (newborn to 18 yrs)
-A contest collage of your photographs will be created and posted in our pageant photo album on our Facebook page.
-"Like" and NICE comments are welcomed, but do not count as a "vote"
-**This contest is a judged contest**
- Photos will be judged on 1. Beauty 2. Personality 3. First Impression
-Snapshots and professional photos are accepted. Please do not watermark your images with business names (photographer name is OK). NO GLITZ PLEASE!
- You can tag your own photo once it's posted on facebook.
-Photos will be accepted from September 21st to October 14th
- You will receive a thank you for entering email when your photographs are received
- ** Winners will be chosen by the Layla Grace Foundation the week of October 16th **
ALL PROFITS WILL GO TO THE LAYLA GRACE CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Prizes!!
Grand Prize - Girl: Queen Crown
Runner Up - Girl: Princess Crown
Grand Prize - Boy: King Crown
Runner Up - Boy: (to be determined)
** There are no refunds unless we cancel the pageant. By sending your payment you agree to these terms.
If you have any questions, please post them here or write us at: contests@littledivatutus.com
Thank you & Good Luck !!
Melissa

Monday, March 14, 2011

Enter Little Diva Tutus Cover Model Photo Contest!


We have said it many times, Little Diva Tutus has the cutest fans! Now we’re giving you the chance to show her off on the Front Page of the Little Diva Tutus website!

To enter your Little Diva:

* Send 3 MEDIUM size JPGS to: contests@littledivatutus.com Subject: Cover Model Search. Please note: e-mails without a subject line are automatically deleted!

* Divas must be between the ages of newborn - 8 years old. Since you are not only representing your child as a model, but representing the Little Diva Tutus brand, you MUST include the name of your photographer AS WELL as a link to their blog/website. If you are the photographer and don’t have a blog or website, please indicate that with your photo entry.

* Photo entries must be sent to us at: contests@littledivatutus.com ONLY. Please do not post your entries on our Facebook Fan Page. We will do that when all the entries have been received.

When entering your photographs we ask that:

* Photographs are not watermarked with other tutu company websites and/or names. Photographs watermarked with other tutu/boutiques that offer tutus will automatically be deleted.

* Photographs CAN be watermarked with photography websites.

* Only 3 MEDIUM size JPG images can be submitted. If you are unsure how to re-size your photographs, go to Photobucket.com, upload your image, click edit, click resize, select Medium and save.

* Diva’s must be between the ages of 0-8 years old.

* Parents with more than one daughter may enter each daughter.

How the contest will run:

* Photographs will be accepted 3/14/2011 (today) - 3/31/2011. Once all photographs are received Little Diva Tutus will publish a folder with either a collage of your childs photographs or an individual photograph of your child to be judged by our anonymous on-line judges.

* Judges will be asked to judge on a 1-5 star basis (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest) using the following criteria.

•Appearance
•Charisma
•Expression
•Overall "Diva" Image

* When the photographs are posted to our FB fan page you will have the opportunity to ask your friends and family to vote for your child to be the “Fan Favorite” model. In the event there is a tie between the fan favorites we will break the tie.

* On-line judges will have 10 days to judge and turn in their scores to the Little Diva Tutus team. At that time the Little Diva Tutus team will judge the photographs.

* We ask that everyone act like adults and please no mud-slinging attacks on other children and/or photographs. As someone who has been attacked, it’s hurtful and totally uncalled for! If this happens, the parent(s) of the child(ren) in question will be e-mailed, if we find evidence of attacks, that child will be disqualified from the contest.

* Please remember that judging contests is never easy! Our judges have agreed to stay anonymous and are not allowed to “Like” or comment under ANY photographs. Our judges will remain anonymous amongst one another as well as to the Little Diva Tutus fan page/Twitter Page and Blog. Judges decisions are final.

* Please do not be offended if your child is not picked. There are only 2 winners. If this contest is a success we may choose to host one every season (summer, fall, winter, spring) but we can only do this if it’s run in a professional manner.

*Please note, due to high shipping fees, this contest is only open in the US and Canada.

Prizes:

* Each Little Diva Tutus model will receive a complete Little Diva Tutus outfit OR dress to model. The outfit will be decided by Little Diva Tutus and sent within 5-10 business days from the date the winner is announced.

* If your Little Diva wins one of the two Cover Model spots, you agree to submit at least 5-7 high resolution photographs to Little Diva Tutus within TWO (2) WEEKS of receiving your Little Diva Tutus outfit or dress. Since these photos will be used on the front page of our website NO watermarks may appear on the photos. Photo credit and a website link will be given on the front page of the website!

* If Little Diva Tutus uses your photograph(s) in printed advertising materials a copy will be sent to you. If they are used in a banner, a photograph of the banner will be sent to you.

IMPORTANT: If you do not send your photographs to Little Diva Tutus you agree that you are financially responsible for the retail price of the goods sent as well as shipping fees. This total may vary depending on the prize pack sent to you.

*Important dates to remember:

3/14/11 - 3/31/11 - Enter 3 quality, MEDIUM size, JPG photographs to Little Diva Tutus at
contests@littledivatutus.com Subject: Cover Model Search. BE SURE to include your child's name, age, as well as your name. BE SURE to use an e-mail address that you check often.

4/4/2011 & 4/5/2011 - Entries will be posted to the Little Diva Tutus Fan Page. Judges will be asked to vote on each child and return their results to us on or before 4/15/2011. Fan Favorite voting begins on the Facebook Fan Page. “Like” votes are the only votes counted for Fan Favorite.

4/15/2011 - Judges & Fan Favorite votes come to an end at Midnight Pacific Time. We will leave a comment at midnight under each photograph with the official number of votes.

4/16/2011 - Winners will be contacted. As soon as the parents agree for the 2nd time to the rules and regulations of the contest a public announcement will be made on Facebook/Twitter and our Blog. If a child can no longer participate or the winner doesn‘t respond to the e-mail within 24 hours, the Diva with the next highest number of votes will be contacted.

4/17/2011 or 4/18/2011 - Official announcement will be made!

6/1/2011 - 6/30/2011 - Winners will appear on the front page of the Little Diva Tutus website!

Please note: By sending your photographs to us, you agree to the above stated terms.

If you have any questions, please ask!

Thank you and Good Luck!

Melissa Jones
Owner
Little Diva Tutus, LLC



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Samantha Harris Shows Little Diva Tutus some Tutu Love!


There is something to be said when a business that started out with an idea, a little cash and a lot of hope gets a little recognition!
I (Melissa) had the great pleasure of meeting ET's Samantha Harris at a Pre-Oscars Studio in Beverly Hills a couple of weeks ago. There, Samantha told me that her new Little Diva, Hillary would be wearing a tutu by Little Diva Tutus in an upcoming photoshoot for In Touch Magazine.
To say the least I was thrilled and quickly ran to my phone to update my Facebook status with the good news!
This morning I saw the above photo and story of Samantha and her youngest daughter Hillary and there she is....in a tutu created by Little Diva Tutus! Little Hillary is wearing our popular Lily Tutu. It's created with a mix of bold, fun colors!
Our great thanks goes out to Samantha! Just seeing this photo brought a HUGE smile to my face!
Be sure to follow Samantha on Twitter
To see the entire photo spread pick up the newest issue of In Touch magazine!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Little Diva Tutus is giving away a Years Supply of Tutus!




You read that right!

Little Diva Tutus is giving away a years worth of tutus to one of you when we reach 10,000 Facebook fans!

You may be asking, "What's a years worth of tutus?"

•*¨*•.¸¸ It's 12 tutus! Yes! We're giving away hundreds of dollars in tutus to one lucky Little Diva Tutus fan! •*¨*•.¸¸

Here's how it's going to work...We will design and send you one (1) tutu each month for an entire year! Upon winning we will ask you for your Little Diva's size and birthday. You will have the opportunity to design your own tutu for the month of her birthday.

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The Rules:

1) This prize pack is intended for one (1) child. If you are the parent of more than one child, you will be asked to decide which size you want at the time you win. We will adjust the sizes as the year goes on.

2) Due to shipping fees, this contest is open to US and Canada only.

3) Unless it's a Holiday or we are closed, tutus will be sent the 2nd week of each month. In the event that you need the tutu the 1st week of the month, we will do our best to get it to you in time for your event.

4) Upon winning, you will be asked which month you'd like your birthday tutu. We will contact you the month before asking you for the date you need the tutu by and the colors and/or pattern you'd like the tutu created in.

5) Tutus can not be substituted for cash, credit or other Little Diva Tutu items.

6) Children must be between newborn and 9 years old.

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How to enter and gain extra entries.

PLEASE NOTE: Each time you've done any of these things you must go to the FB Discussions folder or here to tell us (Please list links whenever possible). If you choose to follow us on our Blog or Twitter, please list the names used to follow us.

1) Enter below! - 1 entry
2) Follow our blog: http://littledivatutus.blogspot.com/ - 1 entry
3) Follow us on Twitter: @LittleDivaTutus - 1 entry
4) Tweet about our giveaway - 1 entry - Be sure to record your link at FB or here and give us the link to your Twitter. Limit: 1 tweet per hour / 4 tweets per day.
4) Send your friends to us - 1 entry for each friend that "Likes" our FB page AND enters the contest. They need to tell us you sent them!
5) Blog about this giveaway - 2 entries - Be sure to share your blog link.
6) Write about this contest in your Facebook status - 2 entries - Be sure to come back here or our FB Discussion and tell us you've done so. Limit: 2 status updates per day.

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How and when the winner will be picked!

When our Facebook Fan page reaches 10,000 fans a drawing date will be announced. The random drawing will be recorded and posted on our YouTube Channel. Drawing will also be broadcasted on our Facebook Fan Page as well as our Blog.

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Questions? Please list them below!

GOOD LUCK!!

- Melissa