Dancing Queen

Two year old Gracie is a dancing queen. From the moment she could crawl - at nine and a half months- she would make her way over to the cd player, pull herself up into a stand and boogie for days. Her favorite cd : Elephunk by the Black Eyed Peas ( This is eight month old Annelie's favorite cd as well. You just can't beat the beat!). When she was one, and my husband and I would go to a party, Gracie would park herself in the middle of the room and dance to the music. If people weren't watching, she would let out a scream until she had everyone's attention again.

Gracie started her very first dance class - a ballet, tap and gymnastics class- last weekend. For the first time, she put on her pink leotard, tights and tap shoes, and walked into the dance studio with Miss Ruby, leaving me to watch through a window in the hallway. I nearly cried.

Gracie was in seventh heaven as she danced with four other girls, all between the ages of two and three. They wiggled their fingers, tapped their toes, danced and twirled to the music for a whole hour. When Gracie was done, she had the biggest smile on her face. My dancing queen was completely in her element.

After class, we walked over to Starbucks for a vanilla milk and a chocolate chip cookie (I had an iced coffee and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin, of course). Gracie has been talking about Miss Ruby's "ballet-tap" class ever since.

To celebrate little ballerinas everywhere I want to promote shops which have items just for little dancing queens.

The first shop I would like to feature is Tu Sweet Boutique. Here you will find gorgeous custom tutus for your little ballerina. The hand-made tutus will fit most 6 to 24 months, but if you would like to order a different size, just send a convo! I just love these tutus! You can choose from an assortment of colors, and even have coordinating ribbon woven in, creating a custom tutu perfect for your leading lady.

You can find this boutique at www.TuSweetBoutique.etsy.com. Your little ballerina will love it!

The next shop I would like to feature is Lindy Lou. Yup, my mom’s shop. Lindy Lou is a shop where you can find designer items for the home and gals (and little gals) on the go. I just love her toddler pillowcases, which are perfect for naptime! Annelie even has one that we keep in the stroller for when she falls asleep. These darling ballerina pillowcases made from fabric by designer Alexander Henry, are just perfect for daycare, naptime, or long car and airplane rides.

You can find this shop at www.lindylou2.etsy.com

In the shop Tutu Cute & Moore, you will find custom made clothes, accessories, and room décor made from tulle, chenille and lots of fluffy, fuzzy stuff! I love these wall hangings, especially the one declaring, “I’m tutu cute.” They are the perfect thing for giving your favorite girl’s bedroom some seriously cute style. I also can’t resist showing off the party hat. Even thought it isn’t ballet related, it is too adorable not to mention!

This shop is located at www.tutucuteandmoore.etsy.com

Baby ballerinas will be darling as well as dainty in these teeny tiny ballet slippers by Fue Go Designs. These slippers can be made in sizes newborn-3 years and are just the cutest things I have ever seen. I also love these flower slippers and had to show off the little hat (size 0-3 months) which matches. Too cute for words.

You can find these at www.fuegodesigns.etsy.com

For all you adults who love music and love to dance, check out the skirts from Tall Giraffe. You will be sure to burn the floor in these twirly circle skirts. I don’t have one yet, but it is only a matter of time because I LOVE THEM!!! You can find these skirts and others at www.tallgiraffe.etsy.com.

Put on your dancing shoes, everyone! It is so wonderful to move and groove without a care in the world except you and the music!!