Drop Dead Funny Fred

More fun from Fred & Friends arrived today. My fav is a set of 8 pens guaranteed to leave an impression. Titled Borrow my Pen?, the idea was inspired by all those annoying pens that end up in your purse, pocket, or overloading your pencil cup promoting Joe’s Garage or Nancy’s House of Insurance. The sick minds at Fred are now providing you with some advertising gems to hand out to your friends, your parole officer, your boss, etc. Example...."Springfield Sexual Addiction Center - From PERV to PERFECT in as little as 10 days. Curbing your enthusiasm since 1998. www.cold-shower.com".


Something I am taking home to the Captain right away.....To-Do Tattoos. Actually....they would more appropriate for him if they read "Don't Leave the House Without!" as he forgets his cell/wallet/keys/whatever ALL THE TIME. But no matter.....anything to help his shoddy short-term memory. The set includes 12 graphic “To Do” forms that you can apply to your body wherever it’s most convenient (or creative) and a skin-safe, washable-ink gel pen.

Also just arrived....the 2-Carat Cup in gold or platinum. Sure to make you feel uber fancy and extremely loved during your morning cup of caffeine, it adorns you with a sparkling solitaire diamond ring when you pick it up. And even better....it comes packaged in an elegant oversize jewelry box where upon initial opening - all you see is the ring. How excited will a gal get to find out she didn't get a diamond ring...but a coffee cup. ;-) (I am going to take a wild guess and assume that a MAN with a very twisted sense of humor designed this one.)

Last but not least....a new version of the famous Pick Your Nose party cups......Pick Your Nose: Party Animals! Drinking from these cups at your next shindig will surely release the inner beast in all of your guests. Each package includes 24 cups in 6 assorted animal styles.


xxxx

It's Party Time

Last week we brought over boxes and boxes of merchandise from storage for our Curtsylicious Sidewalk Sale. Being held June 19th - 22nd, we've sub-titled it our "Learning Curve Sale". We've been in business a little over 2 years now, during that time span we've learned what our customers like. Some of the sale items were mistakes, some things we paid too much for, some we're just tired of looking at. Whatever...all I know is that I've priced boxes of items at bargin prices! I can't walk through the back room as it's so crowded, but I'm going on vacation on Monday, so I guess I can stand it for another couple of days. Our generous landlord has actually agreed to let us hold the sale inside the one remaining vacant store space in this building, and we're pretty psyched about that. Don't worry they'll be signs showing the way!


Remember when you were little and the excitement you felt when you were invited to some one's birthday party? Even more fun were the games you got to play and the little prizes that were handed out. Our friends at Eeboo have updated the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey Game. Now it's Pin the Parrot on the Pirate and Pin the Fairy on the Flower. Both games come with a cloth blindfold and instead of pins, they use removable stickers.

A wonderful prize for the winner of the game would be a set of the Respect the Earth Flash Cards. They help kids learn simple ways to be kind to our planet with tips such as "Turn off the lights" and "Don't leave plastic on the beach". I think it's so cool that we're conscious enough about the problems facing the earth that we're raising a whole generation to be aware of the challenges out there and what they can do to help.







XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Ooh La La!

First of all - let's start with the good news. Juliet, the roaming kitty has returned. Needless to say, Danielle and the Captain are quite relieved. Juliet, on the other hand, looks like she was partying it up big time - the little tramp! At least she's been fixed so the kids can rest assured there won't be any new little mousers running around.

A new shipment of goodies arrived from Honeydew this morning. After beginning yesterday with a tearful phone from Danielle regarding the kitty and another from my mom regarding some health problems I was feeling a little frazzled. These days when that happens, I remind myself that I can't take care of anyone else unless I take care of me first. My inner goddess reminded me that a new little "ooh la la" in my life can help me take on the world. It's much easier to deal with everyone else traumas when you know you're wearing cute panties - right?

I've gotten into the habit of burning candles in every room of my apartment both morning and night. Our newest candle order from Voluspa came today and there are several new scents I have to try. Tonight I'm taking home the Pink Fatale Candle - it smells heavenly, light, pink (yes, pink has a smell) and very girly.





XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Wherefore Art Thou Juliet?

Today started out absolutely terribly.....I realized one of my very indoor kitties had escaped to the scary outdoors ;-( We have posted signs all over the neighborhood and posted it on Craigslist. Our new place is in the Maple Leaf area....102nd & Roosevelt. If you happen to live in that area.....her name is Juliet....she is all black and built very tiny...and she has a quiet meow. (A friend recently remarked to us that her meow sounded broken ;-)) She has literally never been outside....I bought jeweled harnesses & leashes for the kitties once 'cuz I thought it would be fabulous to walk my cats. They shot that idea down very quickly. I am trying to have happy thoughts of her enjoying some fun adventures of frolicking with field mice (not bopping them on the head....I raised her better than that) before making her way home. But I am an absolute mess without her. My other kitty Romeo is very much missing his girlfriend too.....he is just very good at acting strong 'cuz he was happily prancing around the apartment this morning looking forward to some extra breakfast.

So in between sniffles today I was able to check in our new goodies from Mudpuppy, who makes fabulous children's toys, games & gifts. My favorite thing that arrived today is the Let's Go Shopping puzzle....surprise surprise ;-).....never too early to teach them how to be a good contributor to the economy. It is a 63 piece puzzle and comes in an adorable canister with a rope handle. We also received this puzzle with a Mighty Dinosaurs! theme for the boys. I also adore the Princess Magnetic Dress-up Dolls. This set contains 4 background scenes, 3 pages of magnets, & 1 magnetic princess......allowing you to mix and match outfits as you become royalty!

Also just arrived....Ahoy Pirates! Play Scene. Mudpuppy's Sticker Set Play Scenes have 50 reusable vinyl stickers to arrange and rearrange for ever-changing adventure. The background boards (9 x 12" closed) contain exciting play scenes and fold up just like a book with a cool handle to carry them everywhere. In addition to the Pirates Play Scene...we received Fun and Dance and Very Funny Faces Mini Play Scene.

Most of Mudpuppy's products are educational in addition to being fun & super cute. They make Learning Wheels which you rotate to align the die cut windows and reveal the information beneath. We received the All about Languages Learning Wheel which teaches kids basic words in four languages....Spanish, French, German, and Italian....and the All About Dinosaurs Learning Wheel.

xxxx

P.S. We just received word that it looks like the Mommy Mixer scheduled to take place in Curtsyland tomorrow night is being postponed until next Wednesday - June 4th due to unforseen circumstances. Check Mommy Mixer's website for details!

Send a Postcard!

Porn for Women book of postcards came in today and it is soooooo f***ing funny!!!! Pictures of hot guys doing chores - like the shirtless hunk vacuuming with the caption "I love a clean house". I know a lot of my girlfriends who will appreciate receiving a quick note on one of these gems.
We only ordered 4 and I know they'll go quickly - think I'll do a quick re-order next week!

The Granny Diaries by celebrated columnist Adair Lara gives new grandmas clear direction on how to navigate foreign territory. She offers wise counsel on how to stay on the parents' good side (don't say anything ...ever!) along with how to give advice without getting a Dr. Sears guide chucked at your head. Hilarious in its blunt truisms, The Granny Diaries steers around the shoals of grandma sentimentality. And yet, having fallen madly in love with her own grandchildren, Adair affirms that the years after the big G truly are golden.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Remember that Curtsyland will be open it's normal hours on Monday from 10AM - 6PM.






XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

SAVE THE DATE!!!! Thurday June 19th - Sunday June 22nd - the Second Annual Curtsylicious Sidewalk Sale!

Spring Tarina!!!!

We received our first spring shipment of new Tarina Tarantino jewels in today!! We have trained our UPS man to announce what goodies he is delivering as soon as he heads in the door. This happened after months of us shouting "What did you bring us??!?!!! upon first glimpse of the brown uniform entering Curtsyland. He now tells us what he has and waits for the appropriate response....obviously jumping up and down & clapping for goodies we have been anxiously awaiting....or pouty lips & boos if it is something stinky like office supplies. Well today....we had a different UPS man who wasn't aware of his extra job duties while delivering to the Curtsy Girls. While signing the little electronic thing, I caught a glimpse that the sender was Tarina Tarantino and began my usual celebration. I think I scared him a bit.....but I guarantee Curtsyland was his most exciting delivery of the day.

Sarahrose came in for a few hours this afternoon to watch the store while Curtsy Mama and I enjoyed lunch at Elliot's with some family in town for the day. So unfortunately I haven't had a chance to unpack all of the new sparkle....but sooooooo looking forward to tomorrow now!! The few things I have gotten to drool over so far are absolutely wonderful & fabulous & perfect adornments for your spring and summer wardrobe. We received a pair of earrings from the Bibarucci collection, which is inspired by two of fashion's favorite icons....Elio Fiourucci and Barbara Hulanicki, creator of the Biba label in the 1960's. Tarina had the opportunity to meet and spend time with both of them while developing this collection, which utilizes lots of animal print, safari-style influences, and sweet winged cherubs. The earrings are giant crystal-studded lucite "teeth" hanging on a chain from a bow on Swarovski crystal posts. Obsessed with these.

I instantly fell for another pair of earrings upon laying eyes on them....the fine detail on them is amazing & the catalog did not do them justice. They are large lucite filigree circle drop earrings...black & pink with a carved lucite rose in the center. We will definitely tell you about all the other TT goodness that arrived once we get it all unpacked tomorrow. Have sweet Tarina dreams 'til then.....

xxxx

P.S. Curtsy Mama has decided to stay open normal business hours on Memorial day. Our Monday hours are 10-6pm.

P.S.S. Please don't forget to vote for Curtsyland!

It's Party Time!!!!

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, we received some great new party products from Fred and Friends. Frozen Smiles are ice cube trays sure to add a little "bite" to any beverage. I mean, really , how funny will it be to watch the reaction as your guests suddenly discover their drink smiling back at them? The Bone Chillers ice cube trays are sure to make even the surliest pirate crack a smile when they see the skull and crossbones floating in their grog.

The Pick Your Nose Cups are always the hit of any party. These never stay in stock very long, so if you want some for your holiday bash , hurry in. Speaking of Memorial Day, we'll be open our normal Monday hours from 10 AM - 6 PM on Monday.

Yesterday was my day off and as usual, I volunteered down at the Denise Louie Center in the International District. When I was finished, I headed over to Capital Hill to try out a "Nia" class. For those of you who don't know what Nia is go to www.niaseattle.com for an explanation. I was in Dara McKinley's class at Dance Underground and it was a BLAST! It's also a kick ass workout , but the classes are geared so that anyone at any fitness level can participate. Everyone there was very welcoming, so if you're looking for something fun to do for yourself - go find a Nia class!

XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

New Nooses

We received a big shipment of new Cyberoptix ties in today....all perfect for Father's Day! My favorite is titled Swinger....it features a silhouette of a man swinging from a chandelier. (Possibly attempting to spice up his love life?? can't be sure.) I also love Cut Throat....a new design adorned with 5 straight razor chevrons. Oooh...and Catstooth....a clever (and slightly disturbing) twist to the classic pattern houndstooth. It takes the pattern, gives it a quarter turn and adds some shifty looking eyes. Many of the designs by Cyberoptix are deceptive at first glance. One of our best sellers is titled She Loves Me (Not). Upon first glance, it appears to be adorned with daisies slowly losing their petals. Look closer and you'll notice the petals are in fact knives.



Seattle's next Mommy Mixer will be taking place here at Curtsyland a week from tomorrow...May 28th from 7 - 8:30pm. Be sure to sign up ASAP if you want to attend....they always fill up fast and have to close it to moms-in-need! Find out all about Mommy Mixer and what to expect at a mixer on their website. That is also where you can sign up to attend....and right now they are offering a 50% discount if you invite another Mom along!!

xxxx

p.s.....Pretty please don't forget to vote for Curtsyland (everyday ;-)) for NWSource's People's Picks '08 awards!

Trick Out Your Baby Shower

Danielle helped give one of the Captain's sisters a baby shower over the weekend. She was in charge of decorations and favors and being the creative Curtsy Girl that she is, she made everything custom. The Baby in Waiting's name is Stetson and the colors of his room are blue and brown. She started by making a color-coordinated diaper cake. It made a beautiful centerpiece and can be broken down to make use of the diapers.

She then made custom surprise balls for all of the guests. It was a co-ed shower so she tailored some for the guys and some for the girls. The guests un-wrapped the balls to discover all kind of fun little prizes inside. Eash guest also received a cute mini baby bottle decorated in the shower colors filled with little pillow mints.

She finished up by making a bouquet of baby clothes - socks, onesies, hats and a blanket in a container that she painted and glittered for good measure. If you're interested in having her trick out your baby shower, let us know. She needs several weeks notice, so just give us a call and make an appointment with her to go over just what you want to make your shower the affair to remember!





XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Busy Bees

We've been busy little worker bees at Curtsyland today. After all the craziness of the past month, we're both a bit behind in our Curtsy duties. The top of my desk has been especially hard to find these past few weeks and that drives me crazy. Danielle and I are both really organized, so when we have to let things slide for a few days, or a week, it threatens to push us over the edge! I know I've been doing most of the blogging lately, but Danielle doesn't yet have Internet access at her new place and is swamped when she's at the store.

Father's Day is Sunday June 15th. Tell the big man just how you feel about him with Dad, My Hero. Through the good times and the bad, you always knew that no matter how bad you screwed up, he would be there for you. Sometimes to teach you a lesson you needed to learn, more times than not, just to pick you up and help you dust yourself off when you got knocked down. It's hard to find exactly the right words to say "thanks". This book helps him to know just how very much you appreciate him.

OK - that's it for today - I'm going to pretend that I have to take yet another big bag of trash out to the dumpster so I can grabs a few more rays of this beautiful, beautiful sun.





XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Temperature Wars

It's sometimes hard to believe that Danielle and I are mother and daughter as we have such completely different internal temperature gauges. She's always freezing and I'm always hot. It's a contest of wills when we go on buying trips and share a hotel room. While she's taking a shower I'll set the thermostat to where I think it should be (aka "a normal temperature"). When I'm in brushing my teeth, she'll set it to where she thinks it should be (aka "Arizona in August"). OK, she was actually born in Phoenix on August 15th, so maybe there is a correlation there....hmmmmm. All I know is that hot is hot. Basically, whoever falls asleep last is the ultimate winner. The air conditioning at the store actually kicked on today as it has finally started to warm up and Danielle was not a happy camper.



When I heard that it's supposed to be warm over the next couple of days, I pulled out the summer wardrobe. When the temperature rises, I tend to dress pretty simply and get the bling for my outfit from my jewelry. These Tarina Tarantino Lucite and Crystal Drop Earrings kick up even the plainest outfit.

I pair them with an armful of her Lucite Beaded Bracelets in both the small and large sizes in several different colors and I'm set. I'm joining Danielle and the captain and his family for a dinner at the Melting Pot tonight and my Tarina sparkles help me go from work to a night on the town.


XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Rock & Roll Baby!!

Seems like today is the first time Danielle and I have worked a full day together in a long time. Curtsyland looks so much prettier now that she is back from all of her moving chores. Ok, I have to spend just a couple of lines preaching to the women out there. My mom just had surgery again to correct more spinal compression fractures in her back due to severe osteoporosis. If you don't currently take calcium...start....now. Go to the store tonight and buy some and take it!! She had several other fractures repaired last December and several a year before that. Osteoporosis is a horrible disease and I would hate for anyone of our fabulous customers to go through all of the painful stuff that she's had to endure!

We received some great new tee shirt sets in the store today. The Hugs Kisses and Rock and Roll long sleeve tee comes with a pair of tiny silver sneakers. The perfect gift for that future American Idol! Pair it with a set of the Rock & Roll Squirties and you have the gift that will be the hit of the baby shower!

Please don't forget to vote for Curtsy Bella at nwsource.com for the People's Picks Contest. You will notice that sometimes our name shows up under the Gift Store category and sometimes it doesn't and you have to write it in. To keep it fair, they rotate the names of the stores that have been elected, so if you don't see us listed, just write it in.





XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

New Nippies

The Captain is finally home! Our new place is finally starting to feel cozy and livable.....still a few nagging projects to complete...but the important stuff is done.....(i.e. shoe wall is complete, jewelry is organized, handbags are stuffed with acid-free tissue and placed in duster bags, clothes are all on fabulous new wooden hangers(!!)) I have heard more than once since the Captain's return that he kind of feels like he moved into my closet. I do feel a bit bad about this....I am hoping once we hang pictures the feeling will start to fade for him. (kind of feels like we get to go home to Curtsyland v2.0 every night.....not sure I see the problem)

We received a much needed shipment of Nippies today! I have been sending Mother Nature happy thoughts all day so maybe some warm weather would finally come our way so you can rock our new Nippies! My favorite new styles are bronze & gold sequin butterflies.....they will look amazing with a tan. We also got silver & silver sequin stars....maybe perfect for the 4th?! I just flipped open our new InStyle and spotted Voluspa eau de parfum featured. We will be putting a new Voluspa order together tomorrow....we can't ever keep anything in stock! Anyways...we have tons of special orders for customers who can't live without Voluspa's candles. Let us know if you have a favorite you want us to add on...always happy to!

xxxx

The Bling is Back!

Sorry we were blog-less on Friday. The Curtsylicious Anniversary Sale kept us hopping all day. Our customers are all so fabulous and we really appreciated all of the kind words of congratulations! We couldn't have done it without you! We guarantee that year 3 will bring more fun and surprises....stay tuned!
Thanks also to Seattle Chocolates for providing Chick Chocolates for our customers to sample while they shopped.
For those of you who have been patiently waiting for the return of our Pink Jeweled Flasks, the wait is over! They finally arrived today along with a new supply of the Black Jeweled Cocktail Shakers. These two items are widely popular Bachelorette and 21 Birthday party gifts.

We also received more of the Bling Nail Files. A fun gift for girls of all ages.


We had a gal in over the weekend who is in the process of planning her wedding. She was looking for some matching fun gifts for her bridesmaids. We have a great source for all sorts of jeweled undies, thongs, tanks, sweats and pj's that can be personalized with loads of different sayings and names. We've got a catalog to browse through and will help you put together your custom order. We also have a great source for all kinds of favors - baby, bridal & birthday - just ask!


XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo

Be Prepared!

You've been asked to be a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. You've done this before and know the things that can go wrong at the last minute. Being the savvy girl you are, you pop the new bridesmaid's survival kit into your bag to head off said emergencies. This kit includes 18 must have items from double sided tape, stain remover, pain reliever and extra dancing socks! The same company also makes the bridessentials kit that contains 26 can't do without items. This one even includes extra wedding bands! It makes a wonderful gift for the bride to be or even her mom.

A great gift for the those graduating from high school and heading off to school is the College Survival Kit. I love this one and so wish I had it to give to my kids when they went off to college. It includes a shower tote, first aid kit, collapsible clothes hamper, mending kit, Domino's Pizza gift certificate and a bunch of other cool stuff that every college freshman can use.

REMINDER: Tomorrow is the big one day Curtsylicious Anniversary Sale! Twenty Percent off EVERYTHING in the store. Be there or be....well you know.

XOXO
Curtsy Mama
Mary Jo