For Sale by Order Only 
4 week turn around 

4000 4mm and 5mm Rhinestones laid by hand (Any Color)
2 yards of beaded fringe in 4 inch
2 yards of beaded fringe in 6 inch
Pasties Included 
$250.00 Dollars + Shipping
Please Contact 
bellasinburlesque@gmail.com 

The lesson plan for this year did not include being as harmed emotionally and physically by an abusive relationship, but yet i thrived on leaning on friends and family for support and remembering to "BRACE" my self for my next big hit. At times i forget that we can just fall down and get back up again, Dust our self's off and learn from your mistake instead of trying to "brace" for the next hit. 

Breathing became easy once i learned that i can only control my self and my life, not that of another what they feel or might do. I can also control my reaction to the effect they might take on me as a person of many emotions. We all have been there experiencing Passion, Anger, Dissolution are feeling that are valid as human beings but why do we feel like we need to stop our self's from processing these feelings naturally? Dealing, Coping, Understanding- Knowing that we can heal our self's from that wrongful doing or that tragic event that was inflicted upon us but instead of doing that we "brace" our self's and live in fear of "What If" "Just Incase" "I'm not sure" "I'm Afraid".

Living in fear of the known and becoming blind of what is in front of us, Questioning and wondering if this in fact is real... and inflicting that doubt on to another. I have to always remember that yes i can learn but not doubt and let my heart and self go to that one lesson i was put in front of me and live that life i always keep taking about living. 
Time flows but yet i feel like am frozen in other peoples stories.... 

I often wonder if people understand why to me this is not just another show or another spooky holiday, It was not even a few years back that this holiday "Dia De Los Muertos" became embraced by the mainstream culture as cool trendy thing. 

You see every year on November 2, I welcome my family back to this world of the living. Sounds Silly? Yes to some but not to me... Let me tell you about my tradition. 

The Aztecs were one of the many Mesoamerican Civilizations that flourished for nearly 40 centuries, Their belief in the afterlife was that people do not cease to exist once they die instead, their soul carried on to the underworld.  Where "Lady of The Dead"  Goddess Mictecacihuatl, The aztecs believed that our deceased preferred to be celebrated, rather than mourned. The mictecacihuatl festival lasted for about a month in the old world and it was the 9th month on the Aztec calendar. 

In 1521 the spanish came and failed to understand Aztec tradition, Implementing the catholic religion upon the land but that was not very effective. Till They reached a compromise a blend per say - The shortening of the festival to two days that coincided with their own celebration "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day" This was a key change in the Dia De Los Muertos. Aztec custom still prevailed but they still took a few centuries for these traditions to slowly warp to what we know today and what i learned as a child. Even then goddess found a new form in "La Catrina". 

This is where we leave Fact and move to Fable- 

This is what i was told when i was a little girl living in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. 

In the land of the dead there comes the Goddess Mictecacihuatl out of the underworld and calls upon the monarch butterflies to help her transport the millions of souls awaiting passage to visit their love ones in the land of the living... This journey is long and dangerous for the vail between worlds is only opened for a few days. The children mount the butterflies first and embark on their journey as they disappear over the horizon the rest of the adult souls mount the butterflies and set off with the guiding prayers of Goddess Mictecacihuatl. Mean while in the land of the living humans are busy preparing...  Building alters that are full of food that the deceased loved as well as alcohol, flowers, playing cards, bread, candy, messages, candles and some butterflies with images of that family member that had passed pictured on the top. You see the dead are the honored guest so no one would touch anything till they arrived and tool in the spirits and energy of the good food and drink that was put there with love..... but remember little one blend in costume your face so they do not think they are different this is a celebration after all you need to look your best for your family. At night we under the candle light would paint our faces white with black rounded eyes... we drew our teeth out side of our mouths and we were skeletons running amok thru the music and the folkloric dancers ... Then we would share a dinner with our beloved visitors speaking to them as we did in life, sharing and remembering things that they said and celebrating their return.... if you are very lucky you will get to see a a real spirit wondering around the cemetery or even your family member ... no need to be scared they are just saying hello and if you feel a chill down your spine or a shiver from being cold... its just the embrace of the dead saying Thank You... 
When the rays of the sun hit the graves and we are all fast to sleep they embark back to the underworld where 
Goddess Mictecacihuatl waits for them with open arms waiting to hear how their trip was in detail... Dont ever forget to leave something out for her... i hear she likes chocolate.

It seems that some days are here faster more then others when it comes to travel, After i arrived from The Michigan Burlesque Festival to my dear Cleveland. I only really had a day here to rest, repack and get ready to head out again. This journey seemed more of a spiritual quest to the land of New York City, This was the first time i could experience NYC by my self.. All by my self.. all on my own! My bus trip was quite uneventful but your regular colorful characters were here and there. I arrived to NYC during the afternoon and i raced to the ever so wonderful Time Square where i took to the ever so wonderful tourist picture taking. Being my 5th time in NYC i was going to make sure i made it worth my while to roam around and see the city and ride the subway, I boarded my first train on way to Brooklyn where i was hosted by the Wonderful Producer of Homo Erectous, Matt Knife- 

I made my way to his apartment quite easily, I do have to say New Yorkers are very nice people to tourists they were helpful pointing me to the right direction if i seem to be lost.  I got to rest for a bit before heading to see Matt Knife perform at The Famous Slipper Room. I was taken by the idea of seeing him perform at the venue since it was the very first time i was to be there EVER! I was beyond excited about it. the gentlemen at the door was so wonderful even got me a drink on the house, The Place off off to the side as i went up the stairs you could see the architecture care they put into it in the remodel. The inside lobby was beautiful with the floors clean and shinny then inside the main hall the lovely ceiling detail and the amazing red curtain stage set the very amazing atmosphere. The bar tenders were great and friendly... I prepared my self for the show and was a lovely surprise to see familiar faces on stage this was Tainted Cabaret - Produced by Teddy Turnaround and Ula Uberbusen their cast for the night was amazing including a very dear friend Sabrina Chap (I love that woman). I was able to see Gege Louise and Tiny D- This was a pretty great show that i very much enjoyed. 
I was able to see friends too like Dangrr Doll, Albert Cadabra, Darlinda just Darlinda and Scary Ben- 
After Matt and i went back to his apartment where i met Cubby Hall (Scott) his Fiance. I went to sleep in the most comfy couch ever! 

Thursday morning came soon and i have to say my mind and heart were racing.... I meet the most ever so amazing Cheeky Cheetah let me tell you this woman is great at making pasties and rhinestone epicness (GO BUY STUFF). After having a very amazing meeting and multiple ideas floating around with in a room of amazing people we started to pack and get ready for the show. Matt the night before showed me videos of the show and i have to say they were inventive, entertaining and eye opening for more then one reason- Passion- Matt had  passion along with his cast! 
I really started to get nervous that i was not going to do this show justice, here i thought ITS STONEWALL INN!!! I needed to be glitteryer or brighter maybe i was just not ready... i keep the thoughts to my self and as he headed out to the New York Burlesque Festival... I was taking a moment to prepare emotionally for this journey.  Cubby arrived home and we both set off on the trip... We came to the stop on the train and went up ... my heart was raising and we went thru The Gay Liberation Monument where two sets of statues stood in white of two men and two woman...  as we crossed the street he said "Here we are" ... i stopped and my heart grew very heavy and my eyes just managed to tear up and tears flowed down my face.... The energy, The History, The Beauty, The Meaning... I remember Cubby asking me "Are you ok?" I said "NO" It was Stonewall Inn the very place where the moment started, the very place that held the most amazing history i stood for... You see i have been Involved with Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival for years now and also have been a life long activist for the LGBTQ Community this to me was holy ground! 
I was not able to compose my self and entered the venue... "There is your name on the poster" Cubby Said... I could not stop crying still ... We went in and i keep saying "IM INSIDE THE STONEWALL INN" As we went up the stairs it dawned on me this is the place that started it all... The stage upstairs was perfect and the bar was amazing.. I met all the show cast as we got ready... It was very pleasant atmosphere have to say it felt like a home. 
The shor started and like every show it was high energy and very fun to see boylesque... I made my way to the back and got ready to hit the stage .. not going to lie i was nervous! The time came and before you know it Cleveland was on stage representing. After words my energy was thru the roof and i went "I JUST PERFORMED AT STONEWALL INN" shortly Matt Knife arrived and performed his number from the NYBF and killed it! the show came to an end after the show we headed to the dinner... (also a cleveland tradition) after a great dinner we headed home... The next day i repacked, had coffee and conversation with Matt and it was lovely.. The trip was coming to an end.. as i left i headed out to the fashion district as well as some touristy things to do. I boarded my bus and headed back home... I never have been so excited to get to my Cleveland. As i was welcomed by it beautiful skyline i thought of my journey thru the last couple of days had been one for the books. Stonewall Inn was and will always be part of my life in so many ways and my time there was magical. Thank you to the producer of Homo Erectous Matt Knife and Cubby Hall for having me, this was a highlight of my year! - With love B