Summer requires simple, comfortable dressing.  What can be better than wearing something that’s so versatile?  We just adore the flutter dress with its butterfly print.  It’s perfect by itself or worn as a tunic blouse with shorts.  To dress it up even more, add a blazer.

(First Look – Lauren wears the flutter dress with the siren cuff, teardrop chandelier in silver, super star necklace, and tiered chain necklace in sterling silver; Second Look – Lauren wears the flutter dress with teardrop chandelier in silver, siren cuff, super star necklace, tiered chain necklace in sterling silver, and allie handbag; Third Look – Lauren wears the flutter dress as a tunic top with the jackson metallic clutch in gold, triangle hoops, trio bracelet, en pointe ring, goddess leaves ring, and tere necklace; Fourth Look – Lauren wears the flutter dress as a tunic top with canvas handbag, triangle hoops, trio bracelet, en pointe ring, goddess leaves ring, and tere necklace.)

[Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven | Modeled by Lauren Quan-Madrid]

Six months ago, my sister told me that moccasins would be in.  I didn’t believe her, wondering who would be wearing them.  Turns out, my sister was right as usual with her fashion predictions.  Moccasins are everywhere; even I want a pair.  People love to wear them with skinny jeans.  They look cute with skirts and shorts too.

My favorite moccasins are Minnetonka shearling ones, which are perfect for the cold weather and just cozy on your toes.  The tall fringed boots are great way to show off your legs.

We have had some amazing opportunities, met with a lot of interesting people, worked with well-known brands, and traveled all over the world.  Being so lucky, Bella Maven wants to give back to the community that has given us so much.  This is why we are currently running an online promotion (now until May 8th), where 15% of sales will be donated to the Community Family Guidance Center and along with Hartfactory and Postella are sponsoring the Community Family Guidance Center’s Mother’s Day Fundraising Event on Friday April 15th.  We believe in supporting a good cause.

The Community Family Guidance Center (CFGC) promotes the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and provides affordable services to help children and their families deal with child abuse and mental illness. This is an important and worthy organization that needs your help to maintain its services.  We would love it if you could contribute to the CFGC as well.  Here are some  ways to help support this great organization:

(1) Attend the Mother’s Day Fundraiser on April 15, 2011 at the Emerald Room, Cerritos Sheraton, Cerritos, CA (VIP from 6:00 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. and general public from 7:20 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) and shop for items from Bella Maven, Hartfactory and Postella;

(2) Purchase a VIP/Raffle ticket for $15 online or through CFGC. The VIP/Raffle ticket entitles you to preview the fundraiser from 6:00 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., hors d’oeuvres, and enters you to win a $150 prize. Even if you cannot attend the Mother’s Day fundraiser, you can still purchase the $15 raffle ticket to be eligible for the $150 prize and help support for CFGC;

(3) Shop at Bella Maven. 15% of all sales through May 8 will be donated to CFGC. Use promo code CFGC at checkout and you can also get 5% off your entire purchase.

Finally, please feel free to help us spread the word. The more people who know about CFGC and this fundraiser, the more funds we can raise to help CFGC continue its programs and provide much needed assistance to children and their families who suffer from childhood trauma, abuse and mental illness.

Thank you for your consideration and anticipated support!

I know someone who believes that everyday should be glamourous even if you are stuck cleaning the house, babysitting, doing yardwork, having a staycation, etc., etc.  Her philosophy is this:  make the effort to put some bling into your wardrobe, it keeps you feeling good about yourself.  Whenever I’ve run into my friend, who may just be doing errands, I never cease to notice the effort she makes in wearing one standout piece or accessory.

Here are some things that make us feel beautiful and we love wearing, even if it’s just to clean the toilets:  molly earrings, stephanie cross, ocean necklace, and siren cuff.  And, if we want people to think we have other plans besides staying at home for the rest of the night, we love to bring along the golden sunshine coin purse, paisley clutch, and elegant soiree clutch.

The color palette this season consists of camel, earth/forest tones, doses of gray, black, berries, and neutrals.

Gold is the hottest accent color this season with bangles and gold chain shoulder bags – trio, gold bangles, nirvana bangle set, bark bangle set, liberty, laura wave trimmed satchel, and jackson metallic.  There’s also the addition of luxurious features – decadent gold, soft fabrics, interesting textures, and fur.  As the major element of the season, fur is seen everywhere from clothing to shoes, and handbags.

The statement accessory is the fur handbag.  We love the sequin fur handbag with its sparkles, the portable alvin crossbody, and the practical fur hobo.  The styles that are hot right now include satchels and buckle front handbags that can be carried or act as a clutch – laura wave satchel, liberty, park, marianne, and alyssa. Crossbody bags are great as well due to their youthful appeal.  Long chain straps are chic and these bags are perfect for nights and days, where only credit cards, i.d., cash, and lipstick are required – flower cross body, moon beams coin purse, golden sunshine, single handle fringe, blue rose, butterfly, true blue, fruity, and josie.

It’s not surprising then that for parties and celebrations, women tend to dress with some flair.  Bright, bold colors and interesting hair pieces and hats are what make the Costa del Sol region distinct.  Pairing darker colored dresses with colorful accessories and wearing hair pulled back in simple buns were all the rage.

]]> http://blog.bellamaven.com/?feed=rss2&p=1497 0 http://blog.bellamaven.com/?p=1473 http://blog.bellamaven.com/?p=1473#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:45:18 +0000 Bella Maven http://blog.bellamaven.com/?p=1473 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.)

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

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.)

Here’s a sneak peak at what goes on behind the scenes in a Bella Maven photoshoot.

(Nicole wears the kensington blouse, walker cuff in patchwork, and charm hoop disk earrings in gold for Bella Maven | Photography by Marie Padilla | Shot on location in Newport Coast.)