Fashion Friday

This weeks look is for the "golden girl" in all of us.

It is brought to you by Cowgirl Tuff and Tony Lama.

This cute cap sleeve, v-neck burn out tee with gold Rock & Roll foil accents by Cowgirl Tuff paired with the relaxed casual look of the ripped and torn Ain't My Day to Care Jean.

Adding just a bit of bling is this fun hair on hide belt by Nocona. With copper and brown accents, it brings a fun element to the outfit.

Completing the look is this great Santa Fe boot by Tony Lama. In great contrasting tones with scroll inlays, this boot definately makes a statement.

Dutch Oven Cooking

With camping season on the horizon and in some places in full swing, one of the greatest things about camping and summer is Dutch Oven cooking. One thing we never do without on a camping trip is breakfast in a dutch oven. I don't have a recipe for the breakfast we cook, but I found one similar in Kettles & Coals Dutch Oven Favorites cookbook by Ken & Cheryl Allred.

Chuck Wagon Breakfast

2 lbs. ground seasoned sausage or bacon

1/4 medium onion, diced

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 lb. cooked ham, cubed

1- 2 lb. package cubed hashbrowns

18 eggs

1/2 c. milk

seasonings to taste

With 12 coals on top and 12 on bottom, add sausage or quarter sliced bacon. When meat is cooked, drain all the grease . Add onion and garlic and saute for 4 minutes. Add ham & hashbrowns, cover and cook until hashbrowns are done, stirring occasionally. In a separate bowl, whip eggs and milk. Add egg mixture to oven, stirring into meat. Add seasonings, cover and cook until eggs are done, stirring occasionally.

There are several other yummy sounding recipes I can't wait to try out this summer. Click here to order this great book online.

How to Date a Cowgirl

Every so often I browse the internet looking for fun websites and blogs to add to my links ( I did find and add a few really good links, so check them out). This time I came across this article on e-how.com entitled How to Date a Cowgirl by an eHow Contributor. I read it and found it quite interesting, here are some of the highlights.

If your idea of fun includes rodeos, honky-tonks, and country music, then you might want to settle down with a cowgirl. Down to earth with an appreciation for the simple things in life, cowgirls make for great companions. Before you set out to find love on the open plain, read on for more information on how to date a cowgirl
Instructions

1. Frequent cowgirl friendly establishments. Country- western bars, honky- tonks and rodeos are just a few places you're likely to find cowgirls. Keep up with your community's calendar to take advantage of more opportunities

2. Dress the part. Cowgirls are looking for cowboys, so don't leave the house without your Wranglers and cowboy hat. Don't look like you are in character, but put some thought into your appearance. Think rugged & masculine

3. Rope her in. Initiate conversation relating to horses, country-western music or ask her to go two-stepping. Dates should be designed around the cowboy way of life.

4. Pace yourself, and don't rush the relationship. Cowgirls believe in old fashioned values and command respect.

5. Give her some space. Once you have landed a lady, don't smother her. Cowgirls are independent, self-sufficient and like to hold the reins in a relationship.

The article goes on to give tips & warnings for dating a cowgirl. Some of this has some merit, but it also makes me wonder who comes up with this stuff ??????

Fashion Friday

This weeks fashion Friday look comes to us from Southern Thread and Lucchese. The plaid weave top by Southern Thread features roll tab sleeves, flocked and embroidered accents as well as grey marbled snaps. The complimentary pairing of the violet and lime makes this an eye catching look.

The jeans are also brought to us by Southern Thread. They are their Adriane Jeans, featuring a vintage cast on the denim and a down to earth rip and repair detailing. This lower rise, slim fit jean is completed with a flare leg and a 20" leg opening perfect for wearing with boots.

And the boots chosen to finish off this fun look are these exclusive Burns Design Lucchese Cowgirl Boots. These destroyed purple ruffle goat boots with silver and gold wing and cross accents bring a pop of color to your feet as well as tying the entire outfit together.

You can click on each picture to find these great items on our website.

Spring Dresses

Another item you will want to add to your spring wardrobe is a dress. Dresses bring such a feminine touch to your wardrobe and they come in so many styles, from casual to romantic.

This sweet and sexy dress by Stetson is made of a lightweight cotton voile that enhances the flowing skirt. You will find cotton lace insets on the bodice and skirt. This dress will definately bring a romantic and feminine touch to your wardrobe. Pair with boots to show a little of your playful side.

These dresses by Rock & Roll Cowgirl definately bring fun and sexy to the mix. These sleeveless lightweight knit racerback dresses feature cute and unique embroidered accents. The twisted straps feature 2 wooden beads each and pass through a tube hem on the back giving these dresses personality from the back.

This cap sleeve knit dress also by Rock & Roll Cowgirl features smocking at the front waistband. Embroidered fleur de lis accents are set off by nailheads. The back is finished off by embroidered crossed guns and wings.

Whether you are looking for soft and romantic or fun and sassy, there is a great spring dress out there for you. Click here to check out our website for these and other fun dresses.

Cowboy Poetry Week

April is National Poetry Month in the United States & Canada. April 17-23 2011 is National Cowboy Poetry Week. Cowboypoetry.com initiated Cowboy Poetry Week and for the celebrations second year, in April 2003 the United States senate passed a resolution, with unanimous approval recognized the Cowboy Poetry celebration. Twenty two states governers and other officials have recognized cowboy poetry week since.

In 2006 Governer Jon M. Huntsman proclaimed Cowboy Poetry Week here in Utah and we have several local Cowboy Poets in our area. There are several fun gatherings & celebrations going on throughout the state.

So take a moment and check out some of the talented poets and celebrate National Cowboy Poetry Week.

Capris and Shorts

One of the funnest things about spring has to be breaking out the shorts, bermudas and capris. We have some really fun styles from Rock 47, Cruel Girl and Ariat.

These cute capris are brought to us from Rock 47 by Wrangler. They are a low rise with a dark wash and fun cross detail on the back pockets. Definately a comfortable fun addition to any spring wardrobe.

These fun purple plaid bermuda shorts come from Cruel Girl. They are low rise, slim through the hip and thigh. These bermudas are a great casual, relaxed addition to any wardrobe.

These slimming, sexy bermuda shorts come from the new Ariat Denim collection. They are a low rise, dark wash with a frayed hemline for a touch of fun.

Click here to view these three styles plus other styles avaliable on our Burns Saddlery website So have fun and grab some "short pants" and enjoy spring.

Cowgirl Tuff Jeans

I am a huge fan of jeans. They are right at the top of my list next to boots and I love it when I find a line of jeans that are amazing. To me an amazing jean must fit great, look great and still do that after I have washed them. I have fallen in love with Cowgirl Tuff Jeans. They are made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex which gives them a great fit. They give just enough without getting stretched out. They have yet to shrink and I do dry my jeans 80% of the way. A great jean must also look great and come in several different styles. Cowgirl Tuff has so many fun looks from casual to dressy, light to dark wash, and from lots of embellishments and bling to none at all. One of the coolest things about Cowgirl Tuff Jeans is we have a great promotion going on with select styles. Buy 2 get 1 free. You can choose from the Ain't My Day to Care, Chrome Gypsy, Orange Don't Fence Me In and Wild Thing. Come in the store and check them out or check them out on our website.

Cleaning Your Cowboy Boots

We get many questions on: What is the best method for keeping my boots looking great? Dirt is leathers worst enemy, never leave leather boots or leather products dirty. We recommend using Bickmore's Bick 4 Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. Then, following up with a Gard-More Water & Stain Repellent.

Why choose Bick 4? Because. . .

• It does not darken finished leather.


• It conditions, cleans, polishes and protects.


• Highly recommended for exotic leathers.*


• Ideal for leather restoration and deep conditioning.

Things you will need the following for leather boot care:

• Soft damp cloth


• Bick 4 Leather Cleaner. Click here to purchase now.


• Bick 4 leather Conditioner. Click here to select size of available bottles for purchase.


• Bick 4 Cream Base Non-silicone water and stain protector

(Note: Yes, these Caiman Lucchese Boots are three years old, she just keeps the tag on the boots for good luck : ) )

Steps to cleaning cowboy boots and other leather products:

1. Remove thicker dirt then, clean your leather products by wiping often with soft, damp cloth with Bick 4 cleaning product.


2. Rub conditioner on boots or leather products with Bick 4 Conditioner only after they are clean and dry, so the conditioner can penetrate the pores on the leather. (Or just go ahead and use your hands.) Making sure that you get it in all the cracks and apply liberally.


3. Let your boots rest so the leather can absorb the conditioner.


4. Apply a cream-based leather polish after the conditioner has been applied. That will help cover any scratches still visible to the eye and will give a shine if you prefer.


5. Finally, protect your efforts of cleaning and conditioning, by applying a good non-silicone water and stain protector, making sure to use a boot tree to help maintain the boots shape when your not wearing them. This will protect and keep your leather boots and leather products looking new for years to come and will prevent them from cracking and splitting, and also keeps the stitches in good shape.


6. Enjoy your boots for years to come!

To find out more and purchase our Boot Polish and Leather Care Products, click here.

*Note: Not recomended for Shell Cordovan.

Xtreme Barrel Racing

It's that time again, Xtreme Barrel Racing brought to you by HEI at the Blackhawk Arena in Salina, Utah. Burns Saddlery is so excited to participate with these great Barrel Racers. The series runs the summer with races in April, May, July and August. This year they have added some really great prizes and we have some amazing sponsor items in our store by Equibrand, 5 Star Pads, Rocky Mountain Clothing, Cowgirl Tuff, Burns Custom Hats, and Lucchese Boots. You can check out the details on www.horseeventsinc.com and link to the webcast of the races.

April Boot of the Month

Check out these sweet spring boots. They are our Destroyed Purslane Pink and Destroyed Robin Egg Blue Boots. These boots are fresh and so much fun. We offer both colors in a 13" tall and 7" short option.

The pink comes with a brown wingtip, collar and underlays on the quarters. The blue come with either brown or red accents on the wingtip, collar and underlay.These boots will look absolutely adorable any way you wear them. Whether it be boot cut jeans, skinny jeans, skirts or cute spring dresses, they will provide a soft pop of color and add interest to your outfit. The boots in this line were designed by our owner Danna Burns Shaw and are made from destroyed goat, giving them a soft finish as well as a soft and supple feel to them. They will make a lively addition to any wardrobe.

What is the Quickest Way to Clean and Disinfect Horse Stalls?

Hot Lime will work for a disinfectant for a stall, you can buy it at a hardware store, just put it in a air tight container and it only takes a cup to scatter on the floor of the stall before you put your shavings down. It is used for soil stabilization. Works great, if you have pens at home, you can keep your barn smelling clean by using it.

Thank you for your call in question for our Bloggers Challenge! If you have a question you want answered just submit your question via email to info@burnssaddlery.com with "Quiz Burns' Bloggers" in the subject line and receive Free Shipping on your next order at http://www.burnssaddlery.com/. Click here for more information on the contest and our other social sites.

Do you have any other tips on cleaning horse stalls? If so, please share by commenting on our blog post.

Thanks,

Wendy Winn

Aura Jeans

Our next "Ask the Experts" question comes from Porter. Do you guys carry the Aura jeans in your store?

We do have a limited selection of Aura jeans by Wrangler in the store. We can order any of the 9 styles of Aura jeans that Wrangler offers. Ship time will be about 2-3 weeks.

The Aura jean features slender stretch denim, comfort waist band, no gap back, and slimming side seams. The fabric is 65% cotton, 33% polyester and 2% spandex. It is a lighter 10.75 oz denim.

We also carry several different styles of Wrangler Jeans as well as Stetson, Cruel Girl, Rock & Roll Cowgirl and Cowgirl Tuff. You can check out our selection online at Burns Saddlery's website http://www.burnssaddlery.com/items.asp?Cc=LADIES%2DJEANSSLA&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc