Archive for the ‘look of the day’ Category

look book

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

I was so happy yesterday to finally see all the photos in our look book.  This being the first one, we were experimenting with it, but I think we will probably do a style guide soon.  I can’t really reveal too much about it, but it will most likely be on our site this week if everything tests out well.  I thought you might enjoy seeing some photographs from our latest photo shoot.  These didn’t make it into the look book.  For this latest round, we used talented photographer Eloisa Nadine Hernandez.  She takes amazing photos and definitely understands all the nuances of making the shot look beautiful, as well as tell a story.

The emma blouse is my sister’s favorite blouse so far.  So soft and very figure flattering because it isn’t fitted so it allows you to eat and not divulge any imperfections you may have around your waistline.  Because it is so versatile, you can wear it casual with your best boyfriend jeans or dressy, for office days and when you want to look prim and proper.

(First look:  Loralei wears the emma blouse with distressed boyfriend jeans, Prada sunglasses, and a straw hat.  Second look:  Loralei wears the emma blouse with snakeskin natural belt, braid bracelet, blue moissanite bracelet, charm hoop disk earrings in gold, and a floral print skirt. | Photography by Eloisa Nadine Hernandez for Bella Maven | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon.)

look book

travel dressing

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Towards the end of summer, I like to travel.  I figure there’s less chance of being somewhere crowded since most people take their vacations beforehand.  I tend to pack light just in case I buy some new things.  So, for the most part, much of my wardrobe consists of dresses.  They don’t take up much space in my suitcase. I favor dresses that are comfortable and look great.  In fact, I like dresses that feel like I’m wearing sweats for days when I don’t want to spend too much time on my appearance.  I am on vacation.  At the same time, I don’t want people I don’t know to think I’m a bum.  Who knows if I might catch the eye of a good looking, muscular toned stranger, right?  My go-to-travel dress right now is the abby.  The color, cut, and pleating of the dress make it very figure flattering. Here’s Abby, looking relaxed in a tropical setting, wearing the dress that is so aptly named after her.

(Abby wears the Abby dress with forum sea necklace and trio bracelet. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)

TravelDressing

summer blues

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

BlogSummerblues

I always like vibrant colors for summer, especially blue.  It’s one of those colors that look great on most skin tones.  Here’s Abby wearing the monet blouse, which is great for warm weather days, barbeques, or when you need to hide some belly flab.  She accessorizes the blouse with some jewelry. What’s really hot right now is wearing multiple bracelets on your wrist.

Due to the heat, makeup melts and hair tends to flatten or get frizzy.  We recommend using Moroccan Oil.  It seems to be  a popular product among celebrities and keeps hair looking healthy, shiny, and retain body.  We used it on Abby’s hair for the latest photoshoot.

Makeup requires a light touch for warm days.  You’ll probably just need a little lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe silver metallic eye liner just to make your eyes pop.  Spritz some Chantecaille Pure Rosewater when you’ve been outside for a few hours and you should feel refreshed.

(Abby wears monet blouse with tere hoops, braid ring, four wires ring, and nirvana bangle set. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)

stay the night and party

Monday, February 8th, 2010

BlogLuParty

On Friday, January 29th, Bella Maven attended the birthday celebration of our good friend, Joe Ninofranco, and BM model/stylist, Loralei Rose Bingamon, who sported the palomar dress, at J Lounge in downtown L.A.  It was a wonderful event filled with lots of eye candy and great tunes to dance to by the Cerritos All-Stars.  We even managed to leave with a CD featuring mixes by DJ Remark, DJ Epic, and DJ Kwest.

(Loralei Rose Bingamon wears the palomar dress in black from Bella Maven. | Make-up for Loralei Rose Bingamon done by Pauline Calanoc.)

hat fetish: look of the day

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

abbybloghats

I just love love LOVE hats…almost, but not quite as much as I love food.  I think it’s probably because I’m one of those people that actually look good in them.  I can take any hat, put it on, and it looks great on me.  It’s actually surprising considering I have a big noggin.  Usually, people with large heads look silly in hats, that’s not true for me.  But, I look hideous in glasses so thank goodness I have 20/20 vision.

Well, with the weather turning awful, hats are the perfect accessory to keep you warm.  So, here’s BM model Abby looking lovely and beautiful with a knit hat from the Bella Maven closet.  Remind me to tell you more about the Bella Maven closet as we get closer to relaunching our website with its enhanced features.  You know what this means, we will probably be carrying hats soon.

(Abby is wearing the gwen dress by Lush, ivy earrings by Gorjana, lara handbag in creme by Big Buddha, wisdom ring by Ur Eternity, and turquoise pear necklace by Boe.  Hat, denim vest, and belt from the Bella Maven closet.  Photography by Marie Padilla enhanced with lomography technique and viewfinder | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

old and new

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Blogoldnew

Though we often think of the new year as out with the old and in with the new, Bella Maven’s approach to fashion is all about mixing these two opposites. This is why we absolutely adore our vintage De La Luna leather handbags – josie, butterfly, fruity, true blue, and blue rose.  Without the intricate hand painted design on fabric, these handbags would look so plain.  The old classic style of the handbag is upgraded with floral imagery.  If you mix the moderne tank with black slacks, a vest, and a scarf from your closet and combine it with the josie bag or pair the pink watercolor tank with your own leather jacket, some leggings, a scarf, and the butterfly clutch, your look becomes street chic and naturally pulled together.

We apply this same philosophy to other things in our life like our relationships – keeping old friends and meeting new ones. This week we had a chance to see our good friend from Otis, up-and-coming and uber-talented designer Jay Nicolas Sario who stars in Project Runway this season; our favorite celebrity photographer Jonathan Friolo, whose photos you can see in various publications; foodie and best chef ever Rolando Armenta, who is a visual merchandiser for GAP corporate and makes a killer boeuf bourguignon; new friends Justin Warwick, owner of vintage store Warwick in Echo Park; and Anthony Martinez, store manager of soon to be open Australian based company Cotton On.

We hope you can incorporate this style mantra into your own wardrobe – layering the old with the new.  Have a happy 2KY!  Be productive, fashionable, and always strive for something beautiful everyday!

(Loralei wears moderne tank, coral celluloid ring, and josie handbag.  Shoes, vest, scarf, sunglasses, and bangles from the Bella Maven closet.  Denise wears pink watercolor tank, gliteratti scarf, butterfly clutch, and madrid ring.  Sunglasses, earrings, jacket, and leggings from the Bella Maven closet.  Shot on location in Los Angeles.  Photography by Joyce Vicente | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

holiday dressing – let me entertain you

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Blogdressing-up

Coco Chanel once said, “I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness.  And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny.  And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

With all the holiday parties these season, including the family get-togethers and office shin-digs, we need to look our best.  That means putting some effort on our part, you just never know who you are going to meet, right?

I’m notorious for going over-the-top with my holiday dressing.  My sister with her sharp tongue tends to reign me in.  So, this year, I’m looking to go more streamlined, have one or two “look at me” accessories, but the focus remains largely on the dress.  I’m crushing on black dresses.  Here are a few of my recommendations for the best holiday dresses.

palomar - I can’t stop gushing about this dress.  I wore it to a fancy dinner party once in San Fran and my stylish gay best friend complimented me when I walked in.  I love it in purple, just to be different.

rumi – So soft because it’s made out of silk and fitted to show off your body’s contours.  It’s all about the black and white combination that we’ve seen on the runways.

marble – Great in black!  You’ll look adorable!

japonai - I wore this dress on my birthday during a five course meal and it was roomy enough to hide my belly bulge.

(Abby wears the palomar dress with the max clutch, nancy bracelet, letter A charm necklace, and tiger eye ring.  Fur mini-wrap, knee high socks, and shoes are model’s own.  Abby also wears the marble dress in black and nancy bracelet.  Knit hat, scarf, stockings, and shoes are model’s own.  Photography by Marie Padilla.  Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

party like a rockstar

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

BMronartest

By Loralei Rose Bingamon

It began last Wednesday morning with an email.  I had just been invited to Los Angeles Laker- Ron Artest’s December bash and toy drive.  Thrilled, but also in a state of disbelief, I sat staring at my computer screen.  Anxiety began to fill my veins.  Like every style conscious woman, the first question that popped into my mind was, “What am I going to wear?”  With only two days to find the perfect fit, I decided to skip the crowded malls and go straight to the Bella Maven girls for help.

After a long debate with myself, I decided that I wanted to go for the glam rock look.  But just how would I pull this off and still be comfortable and confident at the same time?  I knew I needed the perfect dress and just the right accessories to do the trick.  Thank God Bella Maven had so many great selections for me to choose from.

The puple palomar dress saved my life!  I absolutely loved it and so did everyone else at the party!  It’s stretchy and the body shaping material hugged me in just the right places, accentuating what needed to be accentuated and hiding what needed to be hidden, if you know what I mean.  Ahem.  The dress was classy, hip, and occasion appropriate.  Whether walking through the club or dancing on the dance floor, I felt confident in every stride and two step.  Black textured tights and black ankle booties undoubtedly complemented the dress and aided my rocker aura.

Knowing that glam rock style is not complete without the appropriate details, I chose a few edgy pieces from the Bella Maven jewelry collection.  Scouring for studs, metals, and metallics, I decided on the snake earrings and gray graham leather wrap bracelet with gold studs.  If these two pieces didn’t scream “she’s bad”, nothing could.  To tie the entire outfit together, I went with the studded rockstar clutch.

I truly felt like a rockstar that night and I have Bella Maven to thank.  So, thank you Bella Maven.  I heart you!

(Stylist and model Loralei Rose Bingamon wears the palomar dress in purple, rockstar clutch in black, snake earrings, and graham leather wrap bracelet in gray.  Shoes and stockings are model’s own.)

office chic

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

BlogofficeA few years ago when I was climbing the corporate ladder and had a routine 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. job, I was restricted in what was considered appropriate office attire.  You know the drill.  No sleeveless blouses, no open toe shoes.  If you wore a skirt, it couldn’t be too short.  And, you had to wear hosiery.  My workplace was ultra conservative.  Me, being the slacker that I am, always tried to find a way to push the envelope so that I wasn’t breaking the rules, but I definitely wanted to stand out.  It’s a little risky to wear brightly colored stockings, completely different colored shoes, and to sport a blouse that you would normally wear with jeans, to the office.  I like to stack necklaces too.  You just need a little confidence.  And then suddenly, office wear looks amazingly cool!

(Model is wearing jolie blouse in white, small horseshoe necklace in gold, and large horseshoe necklace in gold.  Skirt, stockings, and shoes are model’s own.  Photographed by Ryan Gabriel.  Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon.)

she looks so swell

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

bloglooksswell

I have a weakness for tops that are super comfortable and look great with everything.  So, it’s not surprising then that I was enthusiastic when I saw the moderne tank.  It’s the type of shirt that goes perfect with a bunch of different looks.  Casually, I would pair it up with my black jeans, some boots, and a leather jacket or sweater.  Of course, I wanted to know about some other ways to wear it. I asked BM stylist Loralei Rose Bingamon for some advice and she came up with two different outfits for the moderne tank.  She paired it up with a short full skirt and also some shorts.  Why had I not thought of that?  Anyway, Abby, the BM model, looks terrific in both getups.

(right photo:  Abby is wearing ebony fate earrings, layering ryan necklace, moderne tank, and eclipse clutch in copper.  Jacket, belt, skirt, and shoes are model’s own. left photo:  Abby is wearing joely earrings, nancy bracelet, graham leather wrap bracelet, tiger’s eye ring, band ring, rich expresso scarf, and moderne tank.  Shorts, fishnet stockings, and shoes are model’s own.  Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon and photographed by Marie Padilla.)