My apologies?

Hello Divas!
Good Sunday morning to you all! We had a busy day yesterday at the fair, met some great people and sold some great product, too.

Tre & I noticed that we may be getting too "big" for these smaller fairs--and I don't mean our waist-sizes though Tre did make a nasty comment about my underwear, which I won't go into here--and we should probably make the final transition to the larger fairs this year.

This is sort of sad, but obviously positive, too. Sad because the small church fairs is where we got our start and met some of our best customers. But positive because it means our plan to grow our company is working. We keep saying: "This year is going to be the year!" and I really believe it, too.

Last year I was a wreck (because of various personal issues) and SO very sick from the pregnancy, that it was all I could do to even attend the fairs. Tre held it together on her own. Goddess bless her! I think I slept most of the year away!

But this year is quite a bit different. Even though I've still got issues (when will I not have issues??) and am trying to keep up with a 7 month old, I've been able to at least help Tre in some of this year's plans. We've got a very busy schedule going and we've managed to acquire so many new wholesale accounts already. Plus we have a new eBay store (check it out: http://stores.ebay.com/La-Diva-Bella-LLC) . All in all, we've gotten off to a great start and everything is looking like this will definitely be OUR YEAR!

Anyway....Darling Sis said in my last post that I was ranting, so I thought I'd apologize a little. I sometimes get so darn fired up about something that I do get on my pulpit and I trust you know that this is my opinion only. Plus "opinions are like....." and all that.

Sis said: "Keep the focus on the company and the product!", so that's what I will do (at least most of the time).

The really good thing about working with people that understand you is they don't hold mistakes against you like others do. For example, Tre & I got to bickering yesterday about something stupid and I had to stop and think: "Ya know, I would never be able to do this at a REAL JOB!" And, the fortunate thing, all was forgiven in just a few minutes (even though Darling Sis DOES repeat herself when she is trying to make a point). LOL..had to sneak that in there. Forgive me, Tre.

Anyway, today is more or less a rest day for us. I've got a baby shower to attend and Tre is taking some much needed rest. However we do have a BIG week coming up, which includes Diva Day on Saturday at the Crows Corner Gift Shoppe and the MayFair Celebration in downtown Harvard Square (a huge event and our first outdoor one this year)on Sunday.

Two VERY different events in the same weekend! So, depending on if you like small, intimate affairs (Diva Day) or huge, hoards of people times--we've got it going on next week. Whew, good thing we are flexible (even if some people have accused us otherwise! Was that a rant? So sorry!)

Moving on.... Please visit us and MAKE sure you tell me (I'm the younger one) that you enjoy my blog. Obviously, I need the encouragement! :)

Have a restful day, Darling Divas!

Pickle Pot 2

Good morning, darlings!

Just a quick note to let you know that the meeting with Jeff at the The Pickle Pot went wonderfully! She's a fan now--a genuine Diva Devotee--and we will be sending over a boatload of wonderful stuff for them next week. So make sure you check it out! The gallery is so ecclectic and Jeff even has a lending library in the back, which I think is WAY cool!

Jeff and I seem like kindred spirits, for sure. She used to be caught up in all that corporate shit, too, and now she's "sticking it to the man" by running her own community-enhancing store. Goddess bless her! She has a lot to offer, for sure!

Darlings, I have been living on Boston's North Shore all my life (with only a few years away for school, of course) and I know my way around, believe me. But it just seems like now I beginning to see just how special this place is.

Yes, it can be very beautiful and historic and interesting...but the most exciting thing is that it is full of independent thinking, full-of-life and creative people, just like me! I can't believe I tried to fit myself into such a cookie-cutter life for so long. What was I thinking?

The folks I used to hang with had "lives so small" they "thought they'd seen it all" (Michelle Shocked). I feel so sorry for them, Divas! I'm so elated when I hear that one has broken free from the mold.

The other night I heard of two more of my favorite people that have made a true leap of faith from that faithless, judgemental company on the hill (un-named, but you could figure it out easily). My praises go to those people--they are my heros!

I know how hard it is to leave somewhere on which you have spent so much of your blood, sweat and tears, but believe me they don't care about it. They don't give it a second thought!

They think "everyone is replaceable" or "no one is indispensible" and frankly, girlfriends, that is just a big ol' pile of stinky bull. Let them go hit little balls with tiny sticks and relish in the fact that they have loads of money! They are missing out on the true meaning of life and the real riches that this world has to offer. Can I get an "Amen!", Sisters?

Ok, well, off my soap box for a now. Wanted to tell you that I am feeling so empowered and happy about this year. Last year was so awful, I thought I would die. But, darlings, this year---this year is going to be THE YEAR OF THE DIVA COMEBACK. Hey, why not? Mariah Carey did it, didn't she? And, based on her appearance on Ellen, she's not exactly the brightest bulb on the ferris wheel. So, why not me, eh? Right! Why NOT me! I'm ready and I'm able and most of all I DESERVE it.

Think about your lives, Divas? Have you been pushed down and made to feel wrong, bad, ugly, dumb, inadequate or not worthy? It's time to pull yourself up by your pantyhose and start thinking completely differently, babies! You ARE right, wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, completely adequate and totally worthy! If you EVER doubt this, you need to listen to the wonderful lyrics of Bette Midler's song "I'm Beautiful" over and over and over again until you get it. If you've never heard this one, here are the lyrics for you to study and learn!

Goddess Bless you with Everything you need, Divas!

I'm Beautiful by Bette Midler
That's it, baby! When you got it, flaunt it, flaunt it!
This is the Divine Miss M and I'm here to share with you some rare and stimulating insight into my cosmic fabulosity.
It's really very simple. I simply believe with all my heart:"I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!
I'm beautiful, so beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!"

Go away, little girl," they used to say.
"Hey, you're too fat, baby, you can't play."
"Hold on, miss thing, what you trying to do? You know you're too wack to be in our school."
Too wack, too smart, too fast, too fine,too loud, too tough, too too divine.
I said you don't belong. You don't belong.
Too loud, too big, too much to bear,too bold, too brash, too prone to swear.
I heard that song for much too long.

Ain't this my sun? Ain't this my moon?Ain't this my world to be who I choose?
Ain't this my song? Ain't this my movie?Ain't this my world? I know I can do it.
I'm not too short, I'm not too tall,I'm not too big, I'm not too small.
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
I'm not too white, I'm not too black,I'm not too this, I'm not too that.
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, dammit!

It's time to call it what it is.
Don't play the naming game.
Become what you were born to be and be it unashamed.
"Go away, little boy," I can hear them say,"Everybody on the block says they think you're gay.
Hold on, my friend, do you think we're blind?Take a look at yourself. You're not our kind."

Too black, too white, too short, too tall,too big, too green, too red, too small.I said you don't belong. You don't belong.
Too black, too white, too short, too tall,too blue, too green, too red, too small.
I heard that song for much to long.
Ain't this my sun? Ain't this my moon?Ain't this my world to be who I choose?
Ain't this my song? Ain't this my movie?Ain't this my world? I know I can do it.

People always ask me,"Miss M, how did you get so far on so little?" Shut up!
Well, I woke up one morning,flossed my teeth and decided,
"Damn, I'm fierce!"
(You look good!) You can be just like me! (A goddess?) Yeah!

Don't just pussy foot around and sit on your assets.
Unleash your ferocity upon an unsuspecting world.
Rise up and repeat after me: "I'm beautiful!"I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful!Can you say that?
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful!I don't hear you!I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful!Louder!
I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful!

Hey!That's it, baby, when you got it, flaunt it, flaunt it!Aaaaaah!

Ain't this my sun? My sun! Ain't this my moon? My moon!Ain't this my world to be who I choose?
Ain't this our song? Ain't this our song?Ain't this our movie? Ain't this our movie?Ain't this our world to be who we choose?
I'm not too short, I'm not too tall,I'm not too big, I'm not too small.
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!I'm not too white, I'm not too black,I'm not too this, I'm not too that.
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!
Ooh, don't lemme start lovin' myself!

I'm beautiful, dammit!

Oh my Goddess, Divas!

Oh my Goddess!!!!!
Divas!!!!

You absolutely need to try out the Vitality Wellness Spa (www.vitalitywellnessspa.com) in Reading! It was SUCH a fabulous experience I wanted to pull up a bed and move in! And, dare I say it, the treatments were better than SEX! (Yes, even really good sex!)

Getting ahead of myself. Ok, well, remember when I told you my darling sisters gave me a spa night for my 40th B-day? Well, we--the Three Lee Sisters--went last night and we had the entire beautiful place to ourselves for almost 5 hours. And now, I can finally say, I know exactly what it was like to be Cleopatra and have everyone waiting on you hand and foot.

Darling Sara Lee (Tre) had her feet--her literal "achilles heel"--worked on until they no longer ached, which is practically impossible for her.

Little Sis had her first facial and then splurged for a pedicure, too. She looked very relaxed (the wine might have helped!)

I, darlings, had THE WORKS and that means THE WORKS!

First, Miss Cassie gave me a phenomenal massage that just made me melt. Then I spent some time with my new best friend--this massage chair called the Marvelous Migun--heaven! After a little sustenance (provided by the Green Tomato--which I always call the Purple Pepper--in Reading), I was off for my facial complete with Pumpkin Enzymes. Heaven! Then an ultra relaxing pedicure and manicure complete with the most attractive copper foot basins filled with darling little river rocks--no Rubbermaid containers, there, let me tell you!

What a night! Miss Christina--the owner of Vitality Wellness Spa--was the most gracious hostess and we vowed to be back at least once a week when we make our first million (which we are hoping to do any day now)!

But seriously, as I was getting my massage I was thinking to myself, "Why don't I do this more often?" (Like every day!) "Why am I so critical of my body?" And it really made me think!

Divas, getting a massage is such a terrific way to tell your body that while you might not be happy with all of its parts, you are still one with it. You accept it for what it is and you thank it for carrying your spirit around all day every day.
In a sense, it is like honoring your body.
And, frankly girls, we just don't do that enough!

If you want to try out the Spa, you should take advantage of a very special event they are having on SATURDAY called the "Dress for Success" Event.

Drive on over to their place (but make sure to bring some gently worn spring/summer women's biz clothes for your donation!) and you'll be treated to a day full of wonderful fun and enjoyment. La Diva Bella has even donated a few items for their Goodie Bags that we think you'll love!

And, although we won't be able to attend (we have a show at the Holy Trinity UM Church in Danvers that day), we will be there in spirit with you!

If you do go (and you better, darlings!), PLEASE tell Christina that we said "hi!"
We are so lucky to have met her and we just think she is a Goddess Extraordinaire!

I've got so much to tell you--including my wonderful meeting with Jeff at the Pickle Pot complete with one of those "its a very small world" happenings. But, alas, I've run out of steam for tonight. It's tough keeping up with a 7 month old!

Tomorrow then? Same place? Ok, great!

Nighty-night, Divas!

Exciting new product!

Hi all-

Just have a few minutes after a very LONG day to tell you about a brand new and exciting product we've just added to our line. It's called EyesCream and it is fabulous!

We developed it using two of my all-time favorite ingredients--shea butter and jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is actually not an oil, but a wax, and is well known as the vegetable oil that most resembles our natural sebum (oil).

Before adding the jojoba to the cream base, we infused it with both calendula and elder flowers. Calendula--known as pot marigold--imparts skin softening properties to the oil. Elder flower was used during the Victorian Era as a skin whitening and softening botanical.
And shea butter--as you probably know--is one of the most fabulous finds for the skin. It softens, soothes, increases flexibility and circulation, and deeply moisturizes, too.

All this in a terrific cream so thick you'll think it is Ice Cream (hence the name). And what a price...you can't get stuff like this at any of the big body shops for under $25. And we're selling it for only $7 for a 1/2 an ounce!

You should check it out--Here's the link on our site: http://www.ladivabella.com/product_info.php/products_id/468
You won't be disappointed, Bellas!

OK...got to run...you take good care of your wonderful selves, Divas!

La Diva Bella meets Basket Hideaway 2

Hi again, Divas!
Darling Sis---Sara Lee--figured out how to resize the photos for the Basket HideAway, so I'm going to try to post them now. Aren't they cute?

La Diva Bella meets Basket HideAway!

Hi Divas!
Great news! We met with the folks from Basket HideAway on Washington Street (in Peabody) and decided to put some of our products in their new store! Linda--the owner--made a beautiful display of the products. You should go in and check it out. She sent pix so I will post them later when I figure out how to resize them! :)

Basket HideAway is a really cute store filled with lots of great gift ideas. A rare find in Peabody! They also have all kinds of teas and coffees---even the specialty ones!--for you to enjoy.

If you stop by, make sure you told them you heard about them thru the Divas!

Ciao for now, Bellas!

Our friends

We meet such nice people at shows--both customers and other vendors, too. At this show (Castleberry in Wilmington at the Shriners Auditorium) we are right along side our friends from the Thanksgiving Show: Nancy and Chuck from Country Door crafts.

They make the most unique silk floral arrangements and I've been eyeing this beautiful fuschia water lily vase they have. Maybe darling sister will buy it for my birthday next week! Hint, hint!

Nancy & Chuck (a mother/son team) also have Corgis--a boy and a girl named Tipper and Lacey--so we spent yesterday chit chatting about how awesome they were and that they are the ONLY type of dogs to have even though they do shed SO much!

Last week I had Gus & Gwen groomed at Petsmart and got the Sweet Treat upgrade which included MARSHMALLOW SCENTED conditioner and cologne. So, not only did they look like those little Peeps they smelled like them, too!

This weekend's show has been a little slow, but it is hard to judge spring shows. We are happy just to be here and show off our new products.

The most popular new soaps this year are Honeysuckle and Lilac, which have sold out each day. Plus the 3 pack of body butters are doing well. And, why not? You get three different and fun scents in a cute vinyl bag--Orange Sherbert, Island Time and Mango Papaya--for just $14.
Yummy! http://www.ladivabella.com/product_info.php/cPath/51/products_id/464

Plus the Citrus Deodorant made a big splash! http://www.ladivabella.com/product_info.php/products_id/463

I'll write more later...I've got to go out the the Jeep for some more catalogs, which look very nice by the way. If you haven't received yours yet, send us an email and we'll get one right out to you! info@ladivabella.com

Ciao Bellas!