Petite Priss ~ Raising GR8 Girls

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2011-12-03T13:27:00.000-06:00

At Petite Priss™ Spa Parties, the holidays are a veryspecial time to cherish loved ones and to reflect on all that we have tobe grateful for. To commemorate the moment we would like to explore some of thegreat traditions that not only make this holiday season a fun experience for yourfamily, but also helps spread the cheer throughout your community.

This year, Petite Priss™ has spent a lot of timefocusing on putting even more personality into the business. We wanted you to get to know who we reallyare and of course we think the same self-expression should carry over into thingswe make. For example, you all know by now how much we love crafts and allthings hand-made, so it will come as no surprise that we think your holidaydecorations deserve your personality, too! We've found that it's surprisingly easy to make your house festive for the season; you can find craftmaterials around the house for simple projects, such as paper bags to makereindeer puppets, gift boxes made from paper, felt and paper plate angels, wreaths madefrom cut-out hand prints, brown paper bag Christmas stockings… and who knewthat you can make a life-size Christmas tree using only construction paper! Here are some ideas:

For fun that brings together your whole neighborhood, why not coordinate your own Christmas parade? Here are some cool inspirational ideas for decorating your float:

Fun with thefamily is so important any time of year, but the holiday season is also awonderful time to reach out to those who have fallen on hard times. If you’reinterested in giving back this year, here are some great organizations we’ve found thatwill help you do so in various parts of the country & throughout the world:

Action Against Hunger actionagainsthunger.org
City Harvest cityharvest.org
Feeding America feedingamerica.org
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves cleancookstoves.org
Share Our Stregth strength.org
The Singita School of Cooking singita.com

In addition, a simple home cooked meal for another family, educational materials or toys for children or even time spent with an elderly person at a nursing home are simple gifts anyone can give that will have a huge impact.

We'd love to hear from you what fun traditions your family will participatein this season. If you plan to make your holiday decorations, or know of anygreat volunteer opportunities within your local community we would love for youto share them with us!

From the PetitePriss™ Family we wish you and yours a Safe and Happy Holiday!

Photocredits:

http://www.sevencherubs.com/
www.tapkenggallery.com
http://paradefloats.wordpress.com/category/holiday-float/page/2/

You're Invited!

2011-12-01T13:55:00.000-06:00

Petite Priss™ Spa Parties strives to help younggirls and tweens feel empowered by making them feel beautiful. In a world wherethere’s always someone else’s standard to meet, we know how challenging it isto instill confidence and great self-esteem in girls today. Therefore, it's extremely importantto us that we use the opportunities we have in front of them during a PetitePriss™experience to not only let the girls get pampered and unwind, but we want themto remember how good it felt to be treated like a queen for a day. Watch the slideshow to go inside a truly unforgettable spa experience! (Be sure to turn up your volume!)

A SPA-rkly Celebration - live and IN COLOR!;-)

2011-11-28T11:14:00.001-06:00

When I was asked to do a Petite Priss party without our signature pink, black, white color scheme, I have to admit - I was a little hesitant. I was nervous and I was unsure about what everything would look like. I had to create a whole new supply list. Everything from the robes to the pillows and rugs would need to change. Once I realized how much I would be changing I decided to just create a new theme for the party - instead of a spa party - it would be a SPA-arkly party! Those that know me know I love anything and everything SPARKLY - so this was right up my alley!

I had so many ideas that I just didn't have time to execute - I had 5 parties on the same weekend as this party - and I was completely overwhelmed. But at the end of the day - I think the event was beautiful. The colors worked out great and most importantly, our Petite Priss girls had a fabulous SPA-rkly time! And now I know that a Petite Priss party can come in any color, shade or hue...it's not about the colors or what we bring to the party...it's all about what we leave with the girls when we are gone - a strong sense of self, confidence, and beauty on the inside and out! Get ready for a colorful and sparkly picture explosion below! ;-)

The colors worked in perfect harmony with each other - orange, blue, lime and hot pink.

Each girl got a monogrammed cosmetic bag, sparkly emory board set and personalized glass.

The robes popped with color!;-)

The girls went home with some fabulous goodies - complete in sparkly boxes and bags!

OPI Nail Polish Cake Pops

"Keep Calm and SPARKLE"

I decided to do a mini dessert table...with a sparkly diamond curtain backdrop.

The girls enjoyed salt water taffy frosting facials - with a little added SPARKLY of course. Glitter infused facial masks were a must have for this party! ;-)

Truly "SPA-arkling Water" ;-)

The girls worked on their decorating their own sparkling mirror as a craft activity during the party.

And of course we did our usual Petite Priss thing - pampering it up!

Instead of an pink runway - we had an orange runway for this party!;-)

And of course our PP pledge and birthday toast!

It was a SPA-rkly fabulous celebration for a very special group of young ladies. I still love my pink, black and white polka dots - but now I know that Petite Priss is so much more than just our color scheme...and that confidence and fun can come in any color - as long as it comes from the heart!

Petite Priss Queen 2012 - Online Pageant

2011-09-30T14:36:00.002-05:00

Wow...it's been a long time since I wrote a blog here! I spend most of my time posting updates and information on our Facebook page, but I promise to start paying a little more attention to the blog now. Someone once told me that I shouldn't blog - because I am so opinionated that I might scare customers away! lol Well, I think what customers really want is to get to know us personally, the women and the team behind the hot pink and polka dots!;-) So we will start to do more blogging, posting, and connecting to ensure we build and nurture a long term connection with our customers and supporters in each Petite Priss territory.

There are Petite Priss teams in five cities now: New Orleans, LA., Johnson City, TN., Atlanta, GA., Fredericksburg, VA. and where it all started - Nashville, TN.! In our effort to bring all the cities together and to celebrate the relaunch and launch of the new PP teams in Nashvile and Atlanta - we are proud to announce the Petite Priss Queen 2012 online pageant! The Petite Priss Queen will be "the face" of Petite Priss as we launch and promote our new services and products in the coming year. She will represent Petite Priss in media and in print, as well as at special events. Therefore she must embody all of the things that make a Petite Priss girl - confidence, poise, kindness, and fun - beautiful from the inside out~

All girls are princesses - but there will only be ONE Petite Priss Queen 2012:

Prizes include:
Petite Priss Queen Crown
Photo Shoot
"Queen for a Day" Lunch and Shopping $50 Gift Card
Personalized Petite Priss Notebook/Journal
Personalized "Mama Notes" for our Queen's Mom
Tutu Fabulous/Spa Party for 8 Friends
Petite Priss Bow of the Month: A new hair bow for each month of her reign from our new Petite Priss Pretties Hair Accessory line for girls - launching in November! ;-)
Etiquette Workshop for the Queen and 4 friends with Tea Party
VIP Status for all NEW Petite Priss Celebrations - The PP Queen and her friends will be the first to experience new party themes when they launch (Coming Soon: Petite Priss Tea Parties, Dancing Diva Parties, Drama Queen Parties, and Cupcake Cutie Parties!)

AND Prizes from the following sponsors:

Aimee Broussard Events: A Party to Geaux Collection www.facebook.com/aimeebroussardevents

The Paper Chik: $25 Gift Certificate http://www.thepaperchik.com/

Cocolait: A winter gift pack, complete with writing materials, journal, inspiration mugs, cocoa, teas and more http://www.cocolait.com/

Posh Girl Couture: $25 gift certificate and Posh Pedi set with a pair of our custom flip flops, matching hair bow, nail polish and pink pedicure accesories in a cute tote. www.poshgirlcouture.com

Fancy Bows & Toes: Custom Tutu with matching bow https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fancy-Bows-and-Toes/124584634287502

Tutu Kute Kids Kouture:

$25 Gift Certificate www.facebook.com/tutukutekids

Sweet Harlem Soul: A custom necklace and bracelet set.

Spa Diva Lakia - Lemongrass Spa: Slumber Party Gift Set www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/spadiva

Lahryn's Bowtique: A pair of custom bling converse www.facebook.com/lahrynsbowtique

A Lil Something to Remember: Gift Bag http://alilsomethingtoremember.webs.com/

And finally - her very own Kindle e-book reader - with pre-loaded with e-books about confidence and self-esteem for girls!

To enter your little princess -

Submit a Photo to the following email address:

If you are in the Nashville area submit to: confidentgirlsnashville@gmail.com

If you are in the New Orleans area submit to: confidentgirls504@gmail.com

If you are in the Johnson City area submit to: confidentgirlsEASTTN@gmail.com

If you are in the Atlanta area submit to: confidentgirlsATL@gmail.com

If you are in the VA area submit to: confidentgirlsVirginia@gmail.com

Along with your photo you must also answer the following questions about your PP girl:

Name:
Age:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Book:
What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
What do you like most about you?

Answers will be featured along with the photo in the FB photo album the corresponds with your city.

Voting will end October 23rd at midnight. Photos will stop being accepted after October 19th.

The girl from each city with the most "votes" (likes will be counted as votes, not comments) will then become a FINALIST.

PLEASE NOTE: Your votes will NOT count if your supporters do not also like the Petite Priss business page. At the end of the contest votes will be compared to our fan list on our page. If the people who voted for your picture have not also LIKED the Petite Priss page, those votes will not count.

All finalists will receive a Petite Priss notebook as a prize and be recognize as the Petite Priss Princess in their city;-)

From the 5 Finalist - the PP Team along with our sponsors will vote to decide who will be Petite Priss Queen 2012! Winner will be announced on Friday, November 11th at noon. Questions?: Email Tee@PetitePriss.com

So spread the word - send in your photo.....
and vote vote vote vote!

Contest is open to girls age 4 to 14 who live in the vicinity (within 3 hours) of one of the 5 target cities. Prizes will not be shipped internationally or to cities outside of the targeted Petite Priss territories. Queen will "reign" from December 1, 2011 to December 1, 2012. Please allow up to 60 days to receive all prizes and awards. No purchase or booking necessary to participate. The guidelines, rules, and decisions regarding disqualification from this contest is solely at the discretion of Petite Priss, LLC. Any votes found to be fraudulent (i.e. the creative of fake pages for the sole purpose of voting) will be cause for immediate disqualification. This determination is at the sole discretion of Petite Priss, LLC. This contest is in no way affiliated, sponsored by, or in conjunction with Facebook or any of its entities or partners . All responsibility and management of this promotion is solely owned by Petite Priss, LLC. and its sponsors. By submitting a photo to this contest you signify that you agree to these terms.

Back to School Discussion Starters: 7 Signs of Good Friendship

2009-07-19T23:04:00.003-05:00

As I begin writing this blog entry, I question whether I am qualified to do so! lol Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a person can have – especially for girls & women. But, I haven’t always had the best of luck in the area– so one might say I am the last person who should give tips on how to get and keep genuine friendships! But perhaps, it is because of my experiences that I am the perfect person to speak on the topic. Experience is after all, the best teacher.

Petite Priss brings girls and their friends together in a fun setting that allows them to connect, communicate, and learn more about each other in a relaxing and relatable way. Now, as we head into another school year, girls will be re-connecting with old friends and making new ones. What a young girl learns about friends and friendship now, will most certainly carry over into how she approaches friendship later in her life. When raising confident, strong, and secure girls, it is important to talk to them about how they interact and connect with other girls – as they mature and grow-up; I guarantee it will make a profound difference in their life.

People often talk about the things that don’t work within female friendships – maybe we should spend a little more time examining what friendship looks like when it works between women? Instead of warning our girls about friends, maybe we should spend a little more time teaching them what it means to be a good friend. Let’s try giving less power to the ugliness of bad friendship, and instead focus on the signs of a genuine friendship. Feel free to share these 7 ingredients of genuine friendship with the girls in your life and discuss with them and their friends as the new school year starts.

1. Laughter – Ever notice how when two close friends get together, everything seems to be funny to them? And you’ll find that their laughter doesn’t always have to be at the expense of other people – it’s not gossip or malicious based laughter that resonates between two genuine friends – it is deep down, soul stirring, “I am so glad I get to laugh at life with you” laughter that just can’t contain itself when friends share a moment that only they know. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine joy.

2. Similarities – A lot of people make the mistake of believing that their friends have to be similar to them aesthetically – in other words, too many people decide who their friends are based on superficial and surface level things. It’s important to have things in common with your friends, but things that are of SUBSTANCE…not just on the surface. The best friendships may not share the same taste in fashion – but they can share values, goals, dreams, morals, spirituality, ambitions, and life experiences. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine substance.

3. Differences – People say opposites attract. I am not sure how true that is but I do know that in friendship it is important to be able to LEARN from each other. While having things in common is important – so is being an individual within your friendships. A true friend doesn’t just play cheerleader for you – a true friend is someone who will offer you a fresh perspective when you need it. When we learn to appreciate our friends not in spite of our differences, but BECAUSE of our differences - our friendships become more meaningful. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine value.

4. Connection – A lot of people say they have a “connection” with someone. But what exactly does that mean? I believe “having a connection” is just another way of saying NATURAL. There is something about a friendship when things just seem to flow naturally – there is no awkward or forced meeting, no strained conversation, no quiet competition, no unspoken baggage, dishonesty, or silent judgment. Friendship should never be forced, and it should never feel like a carousel going around in circles. It should be natural and consistent. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine interaction

5. Conversation – Everyone has moments when they “just need someone to talk to” – whether it be for support, to share in some good news, or just someone to listen to them vent - the idea of having someone to share your feelings with is rooted in having friendship in your life. There are friends who only have something to talk about when there is drama. That is not a healthy friendship. The conversation in a healthy friendship is diverse and stimulating – and it doesn’t always have to be verbal. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine communication.

6. Appreciation – Whether we like to admit it or not, we all have a life priority list – and everyone can’t always been in the top 10 of that list. We figure out where we land on someone’s list by how appreciated we feel. True friends do not take each other for granted. They recognize the contributions their friends make to their lives and they show their appreciation by contributing to their lives in return. Teach your girls that genuine friendship = genuine gratitude.

7. Unselfish – One of the hardest things for some people to do is to put their insecurities, their ego and their own desires aside to give focused attention to the goals, success and happiness of someone else. But when you are able to do this, you know you have found a genuine friend. The most beautiful thing about friendship is it requires us to support in spite of our own setbacks, motivate in the midst of being discouraged ourselves, and make someone else laugh when we feel like crying. We put our own problems, needs, wants, and heartaches on hold in order to BE a friend – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Teach you girls that genuine friendship = genuine selflessness.

The 7 qualities above are all things I recognize that are a part of my best, closest and most genuine friendships…these are the things that make friendship work. They can serve as discussion points between you and your school aged girls as they start a new school year where they will inevitably make new friends…and hopefully find genuine friendships along the way.

Tee Wilson
President – Petite Priss Mobile Spa for Girls

2009-07-18T14:20:00.001-05:00

Reminder: 1 month left to be apart of the Petite Priss Summer Sassy Special;-) $100 Off! www.petitepriss.com

2009-07-18T13:48:00.001-05:00

For teen girls who may try wearing make-up for the first time this school year;-) http://ping.fm/ytDow

The JOY of Parenting

2009-06-03T01:18:00.001-05:00

Every year my son spends the summer with one of his grandparents - this year it's my mom's turn to take him. I have to admit, I am a little melancholy about him leaving...I know he is in good hands and I know he will have a great time - but I still worry. I worry about the plane ride (the Air France crash this week did not help with that), I worry about earthquakes in Cali, I worry about swine flu...sometimes I think that is a mother's #1 job - to worry about her child. But when we worry - what do we teach our kids about fear? And most importantly, what are we teaching them about faith? In an effort to teach our kids to be positive and have faith, we sometimes have to mask our own fears for their sake. But at the same time, we want our kids to be cautious, careful and concious of their choices and actions - how do we teach them to be cautious - without teaching fear?

As my son gets older (he turned 8 this year), I am starting to realize how all the things I want to teach him - somehow clash with all the things I don't want to teach him. I suspect this is something all parents go thru - with boys AND girls.

I want to teach my child limitless love, compassion and companionship - but I also want to teach him emotional independence.

I want to teach him to be dependable always - but also teach him that he can't always depend on others.

I want to teach him to not allow fear to hold him back, but I also want to teach him that sometimes, fear is what saves us from making big mistakes.

I want to teach him to never give up - but I also want to teach him to recognize when its time to let go.

I want to teach him to always speak up for himself, but I also want to teach him to be a good listener.

I want to teach him to stand up for what he believes in, but I also want to teach him to be open minded.

I want to teach him to be sensitive, kind and selfless toward others, but I also want to teach him to make his happiness his top priority.

I want to teach him to be nice - but I also want to teach him to NEVER be a pushover.

The list goes on and on - its a long, exhaustive list of contradictions and the heartfelt desires of a mother who only wants absolute safety, peace, joy and fulfillment for her child. I know I am not the only mother who ponders the seemingly impossible task of raising a child to be a...well-rounded, yet grounded - strong, yet sensitive - confident, yet humble - cautious, yet FEARLESS human being. I don't have the answer to how to do this successfully - I am a novice at this parenting thing and just trying to keep my composure from day to day - hoping I don't land on some obscure list of moms that got it all wrong! I am not certain I will get it all right - but I pray I don't get it all wrong. The truth is, all we can do as parents is guide & love our kids to the best of our ability - and hope that will be enough.

Most importantly though, don't waste precious moments, hours, or days worrying about whether or not you are getting it right - because with each passing moment, your kids are growing up and you are missing out on the most valuable part of being a mom - and that is enJOYing your sons and daughters.

On that note, I think I'll go cuddle up with mine;-)

Tee

Petite Priss Special Interview: Feel Good, Girl!

2009-05-03T20:02:00.007-05:00

Petite Priss is thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview author Felicia Richardson-Battle for this very special edition of Raising GR8 Girls! Felicia is the author of "Feel Good, Girl!". Felicia noticed the messages being sent to girls and women: Be pretty. Dress nice. Shop a lot. Smell good. And of course, impress boys. So she set out to write a book of advice for girls...including her own daughter. The content is real and delivered in Felicia’s fun, down-to-earth style. If you have a adolescent or teen girl, leave a comment and you could win one of two FREE copies of "Feel Good, Girl!" that Felicia has so graciously offered to Petite Priss followers!

In this interview we get Felicia's insight on some of today's most signficant issues facing young women in our society today. We hope the questions and answers in this interview will get you talking to your girls - or at least thinking about new ways you can nurture and encourage the girls in your lives!

PP: If a girl could only take away one key message from your book Feel Good, Girl – what would you want that message to be?

FRB: I think it would definitely be to never let fear be your guide. That alone encompasses so much. Speaking your mind, asking questions, trying new things and meeting new people can all be hindered by fear. I want girls to know that if they let fear keep them from doing these things in life, they're going to miss out on a whole lot of really cool experiences and even cooler people.

PP: So many of us read books or give books to our children to read, and then after the book is done – it’s so easy to forget the lessons learned. What can parents and girls do to ensure the lessons in your book manifest themselves in their every day lives? Once the book is completed, how can parents and girls stay motivated and encouraged to apply what they learned in real life?

FRB: That’s a good question. I have tons of books of that I read years ago but I couldn’t for the life of me tell you what they were about today. I tried to create Feel Good, Girl! as more of an interactive workbook. So the girls are not just reading it and putting it down. There are activities, recipes, projects and illustrations that present the concepts in a unique way that will hopefully stick with them.

Take the "Naked Happy" for example. It's a concept I introduce girls to in the book. The idea is that when your happiness is dictated by "things" like clothes and money, then it's always going to be short-lived because those things are always changing; money comes and goes, clothing is always going out of style, etc…

But the most complete happiness tends to come from the experiences that are absolutely free; the things we enjoy with nothing but our five senses. A "Naked Happy" is just that… happiness that we get from the things we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Like the sound of a baby laughing, or the smell of the ocean, or the way the sun feels on our skin. No money, batteries, or fashion sense needed. It's a totally Naked Happy! A concept like this is one that tends to stick with the girls because it's fun. You could walk down a street or through a park and pick out Naked Happy-s left and right.

PP: Friendship among girls and women is so important. Yet one of the issues that bothers me most about the issues facing girls and women in general is the tension amongst us. Often, women aren’t able to get past the idea of competition between each other and focus more on cooperation to help each other succeed. What are your thoughts on how we can break this cycle in our young girls so that they can work together more – instead of against each other?

FRB: Oh yes, one of my pet peeves! Girls are practically groomed to be in competition with each other over guys, over clothes, over material possessions. Turn on any television show geared at 'tween girls' and you're guaranteed to find the stereotypical "mean girl" who's jealous, shallow, gossipy and catty. It drives me nuts! I think one of the best ways to start breaking this cycle in our daughters is to set a great example. Don’t be someone who allows jealously, competition and gossip be a driving force because kids definitely learn by example. Also it's helpful to point out to girls that people who foster that kind of mean energy always tend to get that same kind of energy directed back at them.

PP: Our society is evolving into a melting pot of a different sort – years ago it was mostly about integrating races and securing rights for minorities and women. However, today we have issues like gay marriage that have come into debate in our country. With the first African-American winning the office of President we have also seen the issues of racism, sexism and prejudice come into the media spotlight once again. This generation of girls will be faced with more complex decisions about what they believe and how they interact with others who are different from them. What are you thoughts on teaching our girls about tolerance of other races, cultures, and other people’s choices?

FRB: The face of the world certainly is changing isn't it? Although younger generations are certainly more tolerant of differences than even my generation was, we still have a ways to go. I have a chapter in the book that tackles differences in people and in cultures. The take-away is really that we live in a BIG world, and how boring would it be if everyone in it was the same? Embracing the differences in people and cultures and food and music are things that can bring more richness into your life. But at the same time, they should know that they don't have to agree with every one's beliefs or choices but to dislike or treat someone badly based on their race or religious beliefs or sexual orientation is definitely not cool.

PP: The relationship between a mother and a daughter can be the most loving, most important – but also the most volatile relationship in both of their lives. What advice would you give a mom and adolescent daughters who are struggling to maintain and nurture their relationship?

FRB: With a teen of my own, I'm definitely feeling this! Sometimes we get along great. Other times we clash like night and day. The one thing I think is so important is to keep the lines of communication open. So I try to do days or afternoons where it's just her and me. It could be running errands or shopping or whatever. I don’t make a big deal out of it. There's no special schedule or protocol I follow, it's just our time. We chat. We might have a hamburger. We argue. We laugh. We just hang out. It's a small thing but it gives us a chance to spend time one on one without her brother or dad around. You'd be surprised at how much kids will open up during those times. And sometimes I’m surprised at the things that I tell her during those times (usually stories about things I did when I was her age). Those one-on-one times can only build a stronger base. So even when we're at each others throats, we have a better understanding of each other.

PP: Thank you Felica for your time and we look forward to your next project!

Leave a comment with your thoughts on these issues - and you could be selected to win a free copy of "Feel Good, Girl!"

Faith is the substance...

2009-04-15T20:38:00.009-05:00

Approximately 48 hours from now I will be in Memphis, TN. hosting the first Petite Priss Spa Party Experience. I am a little nervous, but mostly what I feel is a weird combination of peace and excitement. When I began this journey 2.5 months ago, I had no idea where I would end up. I knew the vision I held in my heart and mind, but I had no idea how any of my vision would manifest into reality. I had my doubts, my fears and my hesitations - but I kept moving forward.

I had limited resources (we're a military family = we ain't rich!:-)), I had limited time (I work full time and my department is in the midst of a major transition, not to mention my time for my family), I had limited support (my friends and family supported me but they also know that I always have many ideas that I never follow thru on so they were skeptical), and I had limited knowledge (I had no idea what steps I needed to take to accomplish my goals. In a nutshell, let's just say when I started this journey...I had no clue what would happen or how it would happen...I just knew I felt something deep inside me that I could not ignore.

However, in spite of all the limitations I had...there is one thing I had in abundance - FAITH. You would have to know how I've struggled with faith in the past (I'm a worrier) in order to wrap your brain around why this is such a big deal for me. I am usually the type of person who seems confident and strong on the surface - but on the inside, I am terrified and doubtful. But there was something about the past 2 1/2 months...some odd calm that pushed back whenever doubt pulled at my thoughts...some quiet KNOWING that consistently lowered my heart rate whenever unknowing made it race...some wise courageous smile that always fought its way through whenever my eyelids attempted to shed foolish frightened tears. I've never experienced this kind of calm before. I've never been so CERTAIN about doing something as I have been the past couple months. I went into this with blind faith and it was faith that kept me going even when things seemed impossible. I am not writing this blog to preach about faith...I am just documenting my personal experience with faith - took me a while to get here.

I look over into the dining room area of my house and I see mountains of supplies, boas, sequin hats, gloves, chairs, pretty pink rugs, girly little signs and plaques...and a long rack full of fluffy pink robes and pink slippers ready for the little Petite Priss princesses who will wear them. I look over into that dining room and I have to keep doing a double and a triple take to make sure I am not hallucinating. I don't even know how all of this happened so fast. I don't even know how I got here. I just know I took the first step and something just kept pushing me along. I used to hear people say that, "all you have to do is take the first step" - and I used to think it was just a well intended cliche' - but now that I am living it, I can't deny it. But it's not only taking the first step that matters...it's taking the first step and BELIEVING...it's taking the first step and having FAITH that your steps are ordered. Taking the first step with doubt will never yield what you seek...but taking the first step with a pure heart and genuine faith, can mean the difference between having a dream...and living a dream. I can't predict where this journey will ultimately lead me or how many parties will come after this one...but I can predict one thing, my faith will not subside.

I'm in the midst of writing motivational quotes that I plan to frame and place at each station for the party...so we can chat with the girls about confidence, inner beauty, strength, and the power they have as little girls to change their world - all while they celebrate who they are by pampering themselves pink and prissy! Instilling confidence and pride while playing dress-up??? It doesn't get any more TEE than that. Friday night, I meet ME as I was meant to be. Been waiting to meet her for a very long time.

Wish her luck;-)

Daddy's Little Girl...

2009-04-01T14:29:00.010-05:00

I was raised by a single mom...a FANTASTIC single mom. No mother will do everything perfectly, but my mother loved me in a perfect way. I have never felt that being raised by a single mother impacted my life adversely. Although I know the importance of having a father figure, I have never felt like my life lacked anything or that I missed anything - and that is because my mother did such an excellent job raising me on her own. But sometimes the way your life experiences effect your life choices is not always evident to you. Sometimes it takes getting a glimpse into someone else's book to truly realize the missing chapters inside your own.

Recently in an online forum that I have been apart of for many years, a friend of mine who keeps a personal journal inside the forum, posted an email her father wrote to her. He was writing to let her know how proud he was of her and to motivate her. I must have read that email at least six times. I am not quite sure why it intrigued me so. I know my father loves and supports me, I know he is proud of me...but that email stirred something inside me. That email left no room for assumptions, no second guessing, and no doubt. I started to wonder, just what kind of impact such a relationship with my father would have had on my life as a young girl, or even today. More importantly, what can fathers of little girls do to ensure they foster and nurture a positive relationship with their daughters, whether they are in the home with them or not.

This Valentine's Day, a colleague of mine mentioned that when she was a little girl, her dad was always her Valentine. He always bought her flowers, a box of candy or some token of love for Valentine's Day. It was as if she never had to worry about being some one's Valentine because she was born with one...her father. As I listened to her tell the story, I smiled quietly, but inside I was contemplating the lessons we teach young girls about love and acceptance. Many girls seek love and attention from the outside world because they did not have a male figure in their life who made it his priority to show unconditional love and respect.

The era of the independent woman and the "super single mom" ushered in some kind of unspoken dismissal of the significance of father/daughter relationships and the impact that relationship can have on a girl into her teen years and beyond. There was a time when I would be the first person to say, "I was raised by a single mom and I turned out fine!" And that is the truth. But the reality is, the relationship a girl has with her father just may be the most important she will have in her life. Here are a few things fathers can do to ensure the impact they have on their daughter's life is not measured in "what ifs":

1. It is from their fathers that girls learn major lessons about males. Fathers should be conscious of this not only when they are interacting with their daughters, but in everything they do. Girls are likely to choose mates who have similar traits and behaviors as the primary male figure in their life. Fathers should remember this when their daughter is watching them for clues on what to expect from men.

2. Fathers teach their daughters how they should be treated by males as they get older. Treat your daughters with the three Rs: Respect, Recognition and Reminders. Respect her ideas, her opinion, and who she is. Recognize her talents and her worth. Remind her of how valuable she is. She will likely seek out future mates who do the same.

3. Be there when she needs you most. Some fathers start to feel uncomfortable and have a very difficult time when their little girls reach adolescence. However, this can be the most fragile time in a girl's life as well as the time that a girl may be the most impressionable. Fathers have to come to terms with their daughter's emerging womanhood and rebel against the reflex they will have to recoil and panic. This is the perfect time to reach out to your daughter and let her know how important she is to you. This is not the time to make her feel guilty for growing up.

4. Fathers can directly impact a girl's self-esteem. Many girls get clues about what beauty is from listening to and watching their fathers. Fathers should be cautious about the messages they send to their daughters about body image and what they consider to be beautiful. If a girl believes she doesn't meet her father's criteria for beauty, she can find herself on a lifelong journey trying to get there. Compliment your daughter on not only her appearance but on her inner beauty as well. The way a father sees his daughter, can make a difference in the way she sees herself.

5. Be Present. A father does not have to live under the same roof with his daughter to be PRESENT in her life, both physically and emotionally. Fathers should schedule time with their daughters for activities and father/daughter "dates". Girls want to feel as if they are a unique priority in their parent's lives. Fathers can assure them that they are by giving focused and undivided attention. One of the greatest ways a father can bond with his daughter is to simply LISTEN to what she has to say...let her know that no matter what it is, it's important to him.

The notion that fathers play a secondary role in the lives of their children is no longer something we can afford to buy into. Motherhood has been the main event and fatherhood the side-act. But to raise strong, confident children, particularly girls - parenting has to be a united effort of love, support, motivation and respect. When it comes to raising great girls, the significance of a positive male figure in a young girl's life should not be underestimated.

How did your relationship with your father impact your life?

What advice would you give to a single father raising a girl?

Tee

Petite Priss~ Celebrating Confidence in Girls

Piggy Paint the Town!

2009-03-19T16:07:00.002-05:00

In the last Petite Priss blog I discussed nail care for little girls. While researching that topic, I ran across this cute little website - PiggyPaint.com. Piggy Paint makes and sells orderless, non-toxic, kid-friendly nail colors for little girls. I was absolutely thrilled when I found them.

When the concept for Petite Priss first hit my mental radar, my initial concern was not about how difficult it would be to launch a small business or whether or not it would work, my primary concern was about the health and safety of the little customers we would serve. I did not want to do this if I could not find and use products that were not safe for children and environmentally friendly. My worse nightmare would be for a little girl to get sick or have an allergic reaction from a spa treatment she received at a Petite Priss party. Now, with Piggy Paint, I can worry a little less.

Piggy Paint is specially formulated with natural ingredients. The thing that impressed me most is that the polish is free of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone. Our little Petite Priss divas can get prissy perfect nails without worrying about ingesting toxins. And as an added bonus, Piggy Paint also makes all natural polish remover that includes ZERO acetone.

One other thing I loved about PiggyPaint.com was the suggestions offered to parents on how to use nail care and polishing as a learning tool with your daughter. Nail polishing can help girls with fine motor skils, color names and pattern recognition.

Piggy Paint comes in adorable colors like Clouds of Candy, Girls Rule, Ice Cream Dream and Mac-n-Cheese Please. I anticipate using Piggy Paint exclusively at all Petite Priss parties. Check www.piggypaint.com to find out where to buy in your area.

Now I'm off to find all natural, kid-friendly skin care products;-)

Tee

Girls & Nails: 5 Ways to Teach Your Daughter Proper Nail Care

2009-03-17T10:32:00.013-05:00

I've worn acrylic nails for almost 15 years. Why? Because when I was a little girl, I brutalized my own nails. I would suck, bite, knaw and chomp on them as if they were covered in Lemonhead juice. (You would have to know how much I loved Lemonheads to know the significance of that!) In other words, I never let my nails grow to be strong and healthy. For some reason, I picked up the habit of nail biting and I couldn't stop. When I reached my teens and getting manicures became more common for even us common folk, I thought I'd finally figured out a way to have beautiful nails - I'd just buy some! And that is how it's been ever since. Although sometimes, I bite the acrylic nails too...I know, shame on it all.

When I see other women with healthy, strong natural nails, the envy bug definitely nibbles on my nerves a little bit. I want to break out of my acrylic prison and finally allow my real nails to grow on their own. My goal is to take these acrylics off this spring for the first time in over a decade and let my fingers breathe! I am hoping I can conquer nail biting once and for all. Wish me luck!

Girl's shouldn't wait until they are adults to recognize the importance of caring for their nails. More and more young girls are getting acrylic nails these days because it is so easy to do and maintain. Acrylics are okay for older girls, but all girls should be aware of the importance of keeping their own natural nails healthy.

Here are 5 ways you can help teach your little princess how to care for her own nails:

1. Clean and cut your daughter's fingernails bi-weekly. Trim them by following the shape of the fingertip. Do this until she reaches the age of 9 and then start allowing her to try trimming her nails herself under your direct supervision. Show her step by step the safe way to trim her nails and talk to her about the importance of keeping her nails healthy.

2. Get your daughter her very own manicure set. When you daughter has mastered the ability to safely trim her own nails why not get her a personalized manicure set to motivate her to keep it up! Find a set in her favorite colors, get her initials put on it or let her pick out one on her own. If you allow your daughter to take ownership of the task and make it fun, she will be more likely to continue caring for her nails on her own.

3. Keep a nail brush handy in the bathroom and show your daughter how to use it. Washing our hands is important, but there are germs and bacteria that can live under our nails as well. Show your daughter how to use the nail brush to keep her nails clean and healthy.

4. Caring for our toenails is also important. Make sure you daughter's shoes fit properly and that her toenails are trimmed and cleaned regularly. Set aside time with your daughter to care for her nails - pick out fun nail colors or use stickers to make it fun. "Nails Night" could be a weekly mother/daughter activity, so that it doesn't feel like a chore, but something your daughter will look forward too.

5. If your daughter is a nail biter like I was, take a pro-active approach to the problem before it becomes a lifelong habit. Find products that you can put on her nails to discourage her from biting. Most importantly, nail biting could be a sign of stress or worry, talk to your daughter and find out what's on her mind. Addressing the underlying issue that may be causing her to bite, could alleviate the problem altogether. Whatever you do, do not dismiss it as just a "habit". Acknowledge the problem and find a solution.

Although the spa services we provide at Petite Priss are for entertainment purposes only and our mini-manicures and pedicures are all in fun and celebration for our little princess customers, our goal is to still inspire young girls and ladies to consider proper nail care, skin care and hair care now because what they learn now and what they practice now in terms of taking pride in who they are is directly related to who they will be as women. It's not about vanity, it's about recognizing good health is both inward and outward. It is all connected. Teaching our girls how to care for their nails, skin and hair in small ways today, can make a positive impact on their overall confidence and will lay the foundation for healthy nails, skin and hair when they are grown-ups!

Tee
Petite Priss~ In-Home Spa Parties for Girls

Why Petite Priss???

2009-03-07T01:43:00.003-06:00

My son will be eight tomorrow. Wow. It's crazy how time flies. It's funny because my mom always says to me that when she looks at me, she can still see the little baby that she saw when she first held me in her arms. I used to think she was just being a mom when she said that, you know, just saying stuff that moms are supposed to say. But now that I have my own son and I am watching him grow up (and up and up) before my eyes, I have a better understanding of what she means.

There was this moment, when CJ was 3 days old, I was feeling overwhelmed and honestly, terrified at the realization that another human's life was now in my hands! It was just he and I that morning. I was laying down with him propped up on my knees just staring at him in amazement. We locked eyes. I remember he had a little baby acne, he was so small, yet so alert. And looking into his eyes for that moment, I felt this peace come over me. It was this very surreal moment that I will never forget...like that was the instant that we recognized each other for who we are in each others life...at 3 days old, he touched my soul and I've been enchanted by him ever since. And although he will be 8 tomorrow, when I look into his eyes, I still see that little baby face from that morning 8 years ago. I'm sure I'll always see that face no matter how old he gets.

Now, I bet you are wondering what on earth does Chase's birthday have to do with Petite Priss right? Well, the thing is, since more and more people are finding out about Petite Priss, I keep getting the same question. Why would I launch a business geared toward girls when I have a son? They assume that I would have pursued something for boys instead. Even my son seemed confused when he saw my website for the first time, "mommy, you're gonna do parties for GIRLS?" I said, "yes baby, I'm a girl remember?" :-) He understood and has been my #1 cheerleader ever since. But my being female is not the only reason why I am starting Petite Priss. There are many other reasons...so in an effort to set the record straight once and for all, I figured I'd use this late night blog to highlight the main reasons why Petite Priss is so important to me.

First, I'm a girly girl at heart. As a "grown-up" we don't get to play dress up that often. Women wear so many hats these days that our opportunities to just be playful, feminine and fun are sometimes few and far between. Petite Priss is all about acknowledging the frilly willy, jazzy, blingy, shiny pink princess in all of us that just screams to get out sometimes!

Secondly, I've wanted to start my own business for as long as I can remember, but I've always had so many ideas I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. I never could figure out what would be the best way to utilize my skills while combining all the things I am passionate about. When I thought about Petite Priss, I realized this was my opportunity to put my creativity and people skills to use by combining my love of beauty, style and pampering along with my desire to motivate young girls and women. Petite Priss is a perfect storm of sorts for me, it is that business venture that doesn't feel like business at all to me...it's that work that doesn't feel like work, it just feels GOOD. I've always heard people say that you have to "be comfortable in your own skin". But how can you do that if your skin never quite fit you right? All I can say is the concept of Petite Priss makes me comfortable. It fits me.

Lastly, and most importantly, there are some emotions and struggles, challenges and successes that only WOMEN will ever know. As I am sure there are some that men experience that only they will ever know. But when it comes to the female experience in this life, I firmly believe that self-love, self-confidence, and self-worth make up the foundation that a woman must build her life upon. The foundation is laid when we are young girls. If that foundation isn't solid...if its shaky, doubtful, fragile or laid down in the wrong way, it will have a negative effect on a woman's journey through life. There is something deep inside me that aches when I think about so many girls and women who struggle with recognizing their worth. It's definitely something that was at the top of my thought process when I thought about starting Petite Priss.

Now, if that foundation is strong, stable, secure and laid down the right way, I believe a woman can soar through her journey no matter what comes her way. I want to see more girls soar, so they can become women who soar. What we see, what we hear, what we feel and what we believe about ourselves and who we are as girls, will manifest itself in our lives as women. I know that it is a parent's job to ensure the foundation is laid right in their own daughter's life. But I am hoping that Petite Priss can, if only for a moment, share in that process by allowing young girls to recognize that beauty is both inward and outward, by letting them express themselves in a fun way that they can relate to, and by giving them a chance to appreciate their uniqueness in a safe and positive environment. Some people believe that spas are vain and superficial. It may be that way for some. But when so many girls suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy in our society, any opportunity they get to feel good about themselves can't be a bad thing. Petite Priss strives to be counted as one more of such opportunities.

So, if I had to give only one answer as to why I started Petite Priss, this would be it: I want to do my part to make an impact on the lives of girls and young women. I believe confident girls become strong, confident women - and confident women become confident wives, mothers, and professionals...the backbone of our families and our society. Yes I have a son. And I am doing my part to make sure his foundation is right so he can grow to be a confident man. But Petite Priss has a mission that is near and dear to me...and that is instilling pride and inner confidence in young girls and women. So, if you haven't figured it out yet, my vision for Petite Priss goes far beyond spa parties. Just stay tuned;-)

t

Spa Parties for Kids - What's wrong & what's right.

2009-03-03T22:22:00.001-06:00

Spa parties have been a growing trend for adults the past few years, but it has also been a growing market for kids, specifically little girls. There has been a quiet debate amongst moms concerning whether or not it is appropriate for young girls to have spa parties. In this article I will examine that debate and offer 5 ways to host spa parties for the young divas in your life the right way.

Recently, a group of friends and I were having a discussion about spas and beauty treatments. It was a light hearted conversation about which treatments were absolutely "must haves" compared to the ones that weren't "all that". But somehow the lively discussion morphed into a tense debate when one of the ladies in the group mentioned how much her daughter absolutely loved going to the spa. The problem was her daughter was only 6-years old and some of the other women in the group felt she was way too young to be treated at a spa. The mother took offense to their concerns. She believed that not only was it appropriate for her to bring her daughter to the spa for treatments, it was a positive thing that helped to boost her daughter's self-esteem and confidence.

The other moms disagreed. They felt such treatments should be reserved for older girls and adults. "If girls are getting spa treatments at 6-years old, what will they have to look forward to when they grow up?", they asked. They also expressed concern that such activities for younger girls could result in girls maturing too fast and getting involved in other "adult-like" activities way too young. The debate took a very harsh turn because on one hand you had moms that felt as if their parenting skills were under attack because they pampered their little princesses, and on the other hand you had moms who felt like it was in girls' best interest to wait until they were older for that type of pampering. Honestly, I wasn't sure of my opinion at the time. I could understand and agree with points being made on both sides of the debate.

Little girls and young women in our society are constantly bombarded with images that portray women as glamour goddesses. Young girls feel the need to conform to what they see in the media and often times what they see are women dressed in revealing attire, heavy makeup, intricate hair styles and excessive jewelry...all wrapped up nicely in a pampered and plush lifestyle. Girls begin to feel that they have to mimic what they see. There can be feelings of inadequacy if they do not believe that they can live up to such high expectations. There should be more images in the media that motivate girls to be comfortable in their own skin. Girls should be encouraged to dress for their age group and they should not be under so much pressure to mimic the lavish lifestyles they see in mainstream media. Perhaps allowing young girls to get spa treatments at a young age could perpetuate some of the insecurities that arise from always feeling the need to look, behave and feel more mature than they actually are.

However, there is something to be said for a day at the spa. There is something about taking time out to pamper and take care of oneself that does the spirit good. I believe that's a lesson that we are never too young to learn. Just as many young girls are subjected to images that make them feel insecure, even more girls don't get the opportunity or permission to feel good about themselves or take pride in who they are. It is the responsibility of the adults in their lives to impress upon girls the importance of confidence, pride and self-love. Taking a young girl out for a day at the spa just might open the door to those types of conversations between a mother and a daughter.

So the issue here is not whether or not it is appropriate for a little girl to get spa treatments, the issue is why it is done and the manner in which it is done. Little girls should be allowed to enjoy spa treatments when they fully understand and appreciate the experience for what it is...an opportunity to celebrate the princess she is on the inside and not fix something that she perceives is wrong with her on the outside. Here are a few things to consider when planning a spa day for your daughter:

1. Keep it Simple! Plan age appropriate spa treatments for your daughter. Mini mani/pedis are always a favorite for girls - but keep the make-up natural and keep the hair styles simple. Massages should probably be put on hold when little girls are under 16 years of age.

2. Why so Serious? Make it fun...allow your daughter to express herself through the treatments. Let her pick her nail color even if its lime green! Let her put glitter in her hair or why not let her wear a tiara. Remind her that it is about honoring the princess within.

3. Environment Matters! Choose a kid-friendly location for your spa day with your daughter. Spas that are very large or very exclusive where the atmosphere is very "grown-up" may not be much fun for a little girl and may send the wrong message. In-home spa days are always a good option.

4. What is she thinking? Ask your daughter questions during your spa day together. Find out what she thinks about the experience. You never know what you'll learn.

5. What are you thinking? Talk to your daughter about what being pampered means to you. Remind her that she is beautiful with or without a spa day.

Because whether we agree that spa days are appropriate for young girls or not, we should do our part to let the little ladies in our lives know that true beauty and confidence always starts and ends within us.

Tee