Oh, The Glamourous Life!

708. Get away from your screens for a while. Go outside. Spend some time with your pets or your kids or your friends. (9-19-25)

707. Alcohol can help get out ink stains. (9-12-25)

706. That is their real name. (9-5-25)

705. What is keeping you from working on your project? Really think about the root of your reluctance. What can you do to get beyond it? (8-29-25)

704. Keep your eye on deadlines. (8-22-25)

703. Use beading thread for beadwork. (8-15-25)

702. Stand up for good people under fire. Private messages are important, but even the simple act of posting public support (or offering other forms of public aid) can help mitigate the damage. It tells a person that he or she is not alone and that decency is not dead. –David French (8-8-25)

701. Fill a zippered pillowcase with squishy clothing, like socks, underwear, and t-shirts. (8-1-25)

700. Get some rest. If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.
–Count Rugen (7-18-25)

699. Avoid using actual dairy on stage. (7-11-25)

698. Get angry. Stay hopeful. (7-4-25)

697. If you use food in your act, clean up promptly and thoroughly. (6-27-25)

696. When you’re traveling, on vacation, or otherwise outside your usual routine, set up reminders for tasks that you still need to do at a particular time. (6-21-25)

695. Black cats make great pets. (6-13-25)

694. Set some constraints. (6-6-25)

693. Get to know your neighbors. (5-30-25)

692. What is the surface of your performance space vs. your rehearsal space? Can you do all your choreography in both places? (5-23-25)

691. Have a membership to a roadside assistance service. (5-16-25)

690. Try a new skill. (5-9-25)

689. Posture check! (5-2-25)

688. Keep the humidity in mind when working on a project.  (4-25-25)

687. Keep a wish list for impromptu shopping. (4-18-25)

686. You are the only one who knows your choreography.(4-11-15)

685. Go out and enjoy the nice weather.(4-4-25)

684. When working with glittery fabric, store the fabric and any resulting garments away from, well, everything else. (3-28-25)

683. Maybe don’t come to the US. (3-21-25)

682. Check your elastic before you sew with it. (3-14-25)

681. When working with interfacing, whether it’s fusible or not, make sure you catch it in the seam stitching to secure it, then trim away any excess to reduce bulk before you press the seam. (3-7-25)

680. Keep your hot showers short. (2-21-25)

679. Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. — Maya Angelou (2-14-25)

678. Whether you believe you see the darkness or the light, you’re right. — Groundhog Day proverb via Breaking Cat News (2-7-25)

677. If you’re in a show (or similar situation) and something you do (or failed to do) causes a problem. Accept responsibility and work with other folks to solve the problem. (1-31-25)

676. Do something nice for yourself. And then do something nice for someone else.(1-24-25)

675. Do not store your costumes in dry cleaning bags. (1-17-25)

674. Organize your costume closet! (1-10-25)

673. Look at what you’ve accomplished over the past year. (1-3-25)

672. Expect nothing; appreciate everything. (12-27-24)

671. Go out and see live entertainment. (12-20-24)

670. This is a hectic time of year — lots of gigs, lots of parties and other social events, lots of family obligations. Remember to build in some down time. And I don’t mean on January first. You need to rest to be at your best! (12-13-24)

669. Tell those you love that you care about them. (12-6-24)

668. Leftovers are not only good for Thanksgiving. They’re good in burlesque too.(11-29-24)

667. A quarter is about an inch.
A dollar bill is about 6 inches.
Your arm span from fingertip to fingertip is about your height. (11-22-24)

666. To preserve your manicure, wear gloves whenever working with your hands. (11-15-24)

665. It’s okay if you need to mourn, to cry, to rage, to scream, to talk, to listen, to seek out company, to be alone. Just don’t give up. (11-8-24)

664. Use a cloth meant for cleaning glasses to polish your rhinestones. (11-1-24)

663. To customize your costumes, Frankenstein your sewing patterns. (10-25-24)

662. When you loan something, take a picture of the person you are lending it to with the item, then text it to them. (10-18-24)

661. If you use storage boxes or totes for your stuff (costumes, props, craft supplies, &c.), label them on the end, the side, and on the lid. (10-11-24)

660. Lift with your legs, not your back. (10-4-24)

659. Have a cancellation clause in your contract. (9-27-24)

658. When doing core-strengthening exercises lying on your back, press your lower back into the ground. (9-20-24)

657. Bad dress rehearsal, good show. (9-13-24)

656. Get a charging cable with multiple connection ends and keep it in your show bag. (9-6-24)

655. When prewashing fabric you think is going to fray a lot, seam the two raw edges together with a zigzag stitch. (8-30-24)

654. Create a short description of your act intended spark interest. (8-23-24)

653. While you have a handkerchief over your eyes crying about something in the past, you might miss something swell that is going on in the present. (8-16-24)

652. Enjoy your accomplishments. (8-9-24)

651. You are more than your job. (8-2-24)

650. Hold at the end of your act for a moment. Your stillness allows the audience to realize it’s over and it gives you a chance to enjoy the applause. (7-26-24)

649. If you want to film your acts, invest in a tripod. (7-19-24)

648. Rotate your stock. (7-12-24)

647. Have every other person do a variation of the movement.(7-5-24)

646. Vary group movements with cascades. (6-28-24)

645. When creating group acts with performers in synchronized movement, the lowest common denominator wins.(6-21-24)

644. Contrast is important. (6-14-24)

643. Know the history of our art. You can only truly move forward if you know who came before you. (6-7-24)

642. Record wide, not tall. (5-31-24)

641. Check the ceiling height of your venue. (5-24-24)

640. Make a mock up. (5-17-24)

639. Stay off the stage. (5-10-24)

638. There is no set order in which to remove your costume pieces. (5-3-24)

637. Sometimes people just suck. (4-26-24)

636. Make sure your jewelry and your act are compatible. (4-19-24)

635. When removing, keep moving. (4-12-24)

634. Flexible measuring tapes are often made of materials that can stretch or shrink over time. Periodically check yours against a plastic or metal ruler. If the measurements are off, toss it. (4-5-24)

633. Pack hangers along with your costumes. (3-29-24)

632. Exfoliate your dry lips with mixture of equal parts sugar and oil. (3-22-24)

631. Wash out your water bottle. (3-15-24)

630. Follow up.(3-8-24)

629. “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.”
–Mae West (2-23-24)

628. When using elastic in your costumes, if possible, make a casing instead of stitching it down.(2-16-24)

627. If you like a song, but it’s not quite right, look for a different arrangement. (2-9-24)

626. After applying the adhesive to your eyelashes, give it a little time to set up and get tacky before you apply your lashes. (2-2-24)

625. Trim your videos to cut down the introductions. (1-26-24)

624. When modifying a paper pattern, trace it first, so you’re not messing with the original. (1-19-24)

623. When applying to festivals, make sure you can get there. (1-5-24)

622. Be kind to yourself and to others. (12-29-23)

621. In tech rehearsal, walk the stage and ask someone in the house tell you where the shadows are, so you know where to stay to be well lit. (12-22-23)

620. Most Western music is in 4/4 time, which lends itself to moves in fours. To shake things up, try three moves that are the same and one that’s different.  (12-15-23)

619. Embrace change. (12-8-23)

618. When creating pasties, remember that the finished product will be smaller than the flat pattern and size up accordingly. (12-1-23)

617. You don’t have to discount your work, just because everyone else is doing so. (11-24-23)

616. Take a look at your lines. Where is the eye drawn? Is that where you want a gaze to rest? How do you make sure the audience looks where you want? (11-17-23)

615. If you spill glitter, use a vacuum to clean it up. (11-10-23)

614. When washing rhinestone costumes, avoid soaking them for too long. (11-3-23)

613. Let glue dry at least 24 hours before wearing a costume piece. (10-27-32)

612. Use a richer moisturizer in winter. (10-20-23)

611. If performing in more than one show in one night, make sure each audience gets the same amount of your energy. (10-13-23)

610. If you can’t get into your costume by yourself, arrange for some assistance in advance. (10-6-23)

609. The weather is getting cooler. It’s time to check the shoes you use for fall and winter acts and repair if needed. (9-29-23)

608. Trouble twirling? Your tassels might be too light. (9-25-23)

607. When in doubt, arms out. (9-15-23)

606. Make sure your pastie adhesive is meant for skin. (9-8-23)

605. Asking for help is hard, but necessary (9-1-23)

604. If unhooking a bra is a challenge, add a ribbon tie. (8-25-23)

603. Make your bed right after you get up. (8-18-23)

602. Boots, then corset. (8-11-23)

601. Trends come and go; stay true to yourself. (8-4-23)

600. Stockings are useful gardening tools. (7-28-23)

599. If you tap dance, you can make sure you always have a good dance surface with a tap board. (7-21-23)

598. Pack clothes for after the show.  (7-14-23)

597. Consider keeping a small folding fan in your bag. (7-7-23)

596. When making non-symetrical pasties, and you want them to mirror each other, remember to flip your pattern over for the second one! (6-30-23)

595. A costume does not an act make. (6-16-23)

594. Dream big. (6-9-23)

593. Our Legends are non-renewable resources. (6-2-23)

592. When cast in a theme or other one-off show, think about the reusability of your act. (5-26-23)

591. No idea is stupid. (5-19-23)

590. If you are renting a venue and you need to leave it in exactly the same condition and configuration as when you arrived, take lots of photos before you do anything. (5-12-23)

589. Organize your photos and videos. (4-28-23)

588. When measuring yourself for a costume or fitting one, ask a friend for help. (4-21-23)

587. When traveling, plan your outfits to bring the fewest items while still looking good.(4-14-23)

586. If you’re using magnets on your costume and they’re proving too strong, swap one of the pair for a steel washer. (4-7-23)

585. If your hem falls down, temporarily mend it with pastie tape! (3-31-23)

584. Sometimes you need to look at your to-do list and prioritize what’s critical and what can wait. (3-24-23)

583. A few moments before you head out of the dressing room to go on stage, do a quick check of your costume. Are you wearing everything you’re supposed to be? (3-17-23)

582. Have a friend take your measurements. (3-10-23)

581. Buy the song. (3-3-23)

580. Have at least one high-resolution, high-quality photo of yourself for promo. (2-24-23)

579. Get a lighted makeup mirror. (2-17-23)

578. Clip your corners! (2-10-23)

577. If you have a costume piece that just won’t stay put, add a non-slip band of silicone. (2-3-23)

576. Revising is easier than creating.  (1-27-23)

575. Wear something under your corset to keep it clean. (1-20-23)

574. It’s great to interact with audience members! But only if they want to interact with you. (1-13-23)

573. Toss a little something to the audience. (1-6-23)

572. If you consume something during your act, replenish it as soon as possible (or have a plan to do so before the next performance). (12-30-22)

571: Claim your name (stage name, troupe, and/or school name) on as many platforms as you can.
Don’t be a jerk. No squatting! (12-23-22)

570. When facing a big task,  break it down into tiny ones. (12-16-22)

569. Add specialty feet to your chair. (12-9-22)

568. Burlesque is a dialog between performer and audience. Give them time to react before you go on to the next moment in your act. (12-2-22)

567. If you have pets, make sure precious things like boas, fans, D’Lish robes, rhinestoned shoes, &c. are kept secured when you aren’t actively using them.  (11-25-22)

566. To save time and money when you travel, pack your own food. (11-18-22)

565. Get out all the costumes and props for your holiday acts and make sure they are in good condition. (11-11-22)

564. When sewing velvet, only pin within the seam allowance. (11-4-22)

563. Make life easier for your stage hands with the show order. (10-28-22)

562. Want to be a hero? Bring a just-in-case act with you. (10-21-22)

561. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. (10-14-22)

560. If there’s tipping at your show, make sure the cast, crew, and audience all understand how it works.  (10-7-22)

559. When you travel, try to go to a burlesque show.  (9-30-22)

558. When using magnets in a costume remove, slide them apart instead of pulling.  (9-23-22)

557. When everything is a rush, you need to slow down.  (9-16-22)

556. If you know the dressing room at a venue is small, arrive with hair & makeup done. (9-9-22)

555. Let people enjoy what they like. It may not be your cup of tea, but there’s no reason to squash their pleasure. (9-2-22)

554. Feather fans, corset strings, wigs, and other burlesque staples are indistinguishable from toys by pets. Store your precious things carefully. (8-12-22)

553. Use an insulated lunch bag as a micro-cooler. (7-29-22)

552. Pack a small towel to dry your skin before attaching your pasties. (7-15-22)

551. Waiting until you feel that the time is right to start (or re-start) a project is a form of procrastination. Just start. (7-1-22)

550. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Ask for help. Even if it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. (4-29-22)

549. Hope for the best; prepare for the worst. (4-22-22)

548. If you are getting paid for your gigs as an independent contractor, set aside some of the money against taxes. (4-15-22)

547. Want a big, fluffy boa without breaking the bank? Braid three thinner boas together. (4-8-22)

546. If you need a better grip with your slippery shoes, paint or spray the sole with a liquid rubber or silicone. (4-1-22)

545. To make your shoes easy to put on, store them with a tennis ball in the heel. (3-25-22)

544. Don’t wait until the last minute. (3-18-22)

543. Trim your false lashes on the outside edge. (3-11-22)

542. Be good to your regulars.(3-4-22)

541. Print out the order of the acts. Make sure at least one copy goes back stage for the performers. There should also be one for the host, one for each tech person, and one for the stage hand(s). (2-25-22)

540. If your bag is still packed from your last show, even if you’re doing the same acts, unpack and check everything over. (2-18-22)

539. Before putting away anything battery-powered — your wireless microphone, your light-up costume, your vibrator — take the batteries out.
Put the batteries in a ziptop bag and store them in the same place. This will make everything last longer. (2-11-22)

538. Take time for self-care, especially when you are incredibly busy. (2-4-22)

537. If one item in a pair needs repair, do it on both pieces. (1-28-22)

536. Have a go-to move or combination you can draw upon if you get lost in the music or forget your choreography. (1-21-22)

535. Clean your iron. (1-14-22)

534. There are no mistakes, only happy accidents. — Bob Ross (1-7-22)

533. May 2022 be a better year for us all. (12-31-21)

532. It’s a dark time of year; provide a little light. (12-24-21)

531. When sending out holiday cards, include the producers who booked you this year. (12-17-21)

530. Masks are here for a while longer. Make or buy some that coordinate with your costumes and post-show outfits. (12-10-21)

529. If you’re performing a sing-and-strip, design your act around the type of microphone you’ll be using. (12-3-21)

528. Make sure your tassels are entirely concealed inside your bra cups as you get dressed. (11-26-21)

527. Refrain from licking your lips while you’re wearing glitter on them. (11-19-21)

526. Shop early this year. (11-12-21)

525. In your emergency costume repair kit, have some needles pre-threaded with a doubled length of thread and knot the ends so the needle won’t slip off. (11-5-21)

524. Know exactly where your props are at the top of the show. (10-29-21)

523. When hit with a sudden curve ball, think fast and be ready to run with a new plan. (10-22-21)

522. Turn your phone off and enjoy the show. (10-15-21)

521. One is funny. Three is funny. After that you have to go for 20.(10-8-21)

520. Don’t be fooled by glitter-dot fabric.(10-1-21)

519. Help out your emcee — tell them the pronunciation of your name and your pronouns. (9-24-21)

518. Use hairnets to preserve your wig’s style. (9-17-21)

517. Buy from independent stores, artists, and craftspeople. (9-3-21)

516. Wash your cloth masks after every wearing. (8-27-21)

515. Before every costume project, take your measurements, even if you’re sure of what they are, write them down, and refer to them throughout the project. (8-20-21)

514. If you edit your music for an act, rename the song so you can easily find the version you need. (8-13-21)

513. Take joy in what you do and share it with others. (8-6-21)

512. Sometimes you’re not feeling it. Try again later. (7-30-21)

511. When applying skin care and cosmetics, consider your neck to be an extension of your face. (7-23-21)

510. Make a list of all your projects in progress and then prioritize them. (7-16-21)

509. If you’re going to throw something into the audience, lob it underhand. (7-9-21)

508. If you use a table in your act, bring a tablecloth. (7-2-21)

507. The world feels like it’s starting to go back to normal, but doesn’t have to be the same as it was. Take some time to revisit your relationships — with your venues, fellow performers, producers, but especially yourself. This is a great time to re-examine and make changes. You’re not the same person; you don’t need to fall back into the same patterns. (6-25-21)

506. Reapply your sunblock more frequently than you used to.(6-18-21)

505. If you wear glasses, have a pair that suits your stage persona.(6-11-21)

504. Use a soft brush to remove dust and dirt from feathers. (6-4-21)

503. You can wash ostrich feathers. (5-28-21)

502. Don’t trust that your Facebook account will always exist. (5-21-21)

501. When creating a teaching choreography, be sparing with moves where you face away. (5-14-21)