Summer Time Series

It's almost August, so you're probably thinking "what last activities do I want to do this beautiful summer?" Well, we think there is always room for a few more summer activities to check off your list! Here are ten funtivites for you do with your best gal pals, or for some quality family time...

1. Farmer's Market... Danielle/ Kansas City MO "I love to go to the Kansas City Farmers Market for squash blossoms and homegrown tomatoes!"

2. Cocktails at the beach... Shelley/ Nashville TN "Nothing better than cocktails at sunset on the beach with good friends."

3. Paddle Boarding... Allison/ Charleston SC "Paddle boarding at the beach with family and friends... fun and exercise!"

4. Bike rides... Trinh/ Orange County CA "Bike rides to the beach at the end of the day is my absolute favorite."

5. Mini Golf... Kelly/ Dallas TX "Just doesn't feel like summer if I haven't played a round of miniature golf, preferably somewhere with a tacky theme and huge props like waterfalls or mountains!"

6. Staycation... Jamie/ Las Vegas NV "I love mini staycations in Vegas and renting a cabana for the day at local resorts like Green Valley Ranch."

7. Movie in the Park... Haley/ Houston TX "Evening movies at your local park. They just started this in our neighborhood and I can't wait for the next movie night!"

8. Hiking... RaeAnne/ Denver CO "Hiking, hiking, hiking- almost always in Rocky Mountain National Park."

9. Waterpark... Ashley/ Jacksonville FL "With a little one running around, I love to take him to the water park for some fun!"

10. Kayaking... Lacey Washington/ DC "I really enjoy taking in the DC sites by kayaking on the Potomac River."


xoxo,
    Bella

Meet & Greet: Whitney, owner of Baltimore

Whitney Adams

It must have been love, because Whitney Adams opened her Baltimore Bella Bridesmaid the week of Valentine’s Day 2012. Not only was it love, but a little bit of fate… Whitney’s sister had been interning with Allison, owner of Charleston, connecting Whitney to the Bella Bridesmaid franchise. Deciding to make the career move into the wedding industry, Whitney has been working with brides and their maids from all over Maryland. Taking a beak from the summer appointments, Whitney shared some of her experiences in Baltimore thus far…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

W: After graduating from Denison University, I worked in commercial real estate in Washington DC. I was considering a career move into wedding planning, when fate seemingly stepped in. My younger sister claims most of the credit for my joining the franchise- she was interning with Allison in Charleston and introduced us during family beach week last year. Between the opportunity to reopen a location in Baltimore, and my long time love for all things wedding, it was a big but very fulfilling step.

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

W: Definitely having my second appointment on my first day knowing they'd found their dresses. Little did they know we didn't have any dresses on the racks at all until twelve hours earlier!

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town?

W: Food, drinks, friends and dancing- I've picked up two of Joanna August's lace numbers for this summer- one each in ivory and black. With Jack Rogers and stacked Kendra Scott bangles, it's practical, but oh so pretty.

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?  

America Ferrera via People

W: I'm a huge fan of America Ferrera's Amsale gown. Your wedding day should be as fantastical as you want it to be.

BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story/wedding.

W: I've really enjoyed working with a few brides that are celebrating their second marriage. I'm thrilled we're able to find them a non-traditional wedding gown through our bridesmaid dress options. 

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

W: Always preppy with a touch of trendy.

  

BB: Favorite place traveled?

W: Southern Africa. In particular, Cape Town, is an experience I'll never forget and hope one day to repeat.

BB:  Favorite movie that you can watch over and over?

W: 27 Dresses. Seriously.

Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town

BB:  Everyday wear item?

W: I always wear my Tiffany pearl earrings that were a 21st birthday gift from my best guy friend, and my St. Catherine's High School signet ring.

BB: Celebrity crush?

W: Hah, which one? All time fav- John Krasinski. 

Whitney at Bella training with fellow owners

BB: Favorite quote or expression?

W: You hear a lot of "holy mackerel!" from me- especially when exciting things are happening in the shop.

Adam's sisters all in LulaKate

Now for This & That...

American Idol or The Voice? 

~The Voice. Especially Cee Lo and Purrfect. 

Sun or Snow? 

~Sun- I'm an August baby.

Prince William or Prince Harry?  

~Prince William 

Vogue or Cosmo? 

~Vogue

Mac or PC? 

~Mac

                                                                                                                     Thank you Whitney!

Summer Time Series

We say these are must have swimsuits and accessories because just like you we want to look amazing no matter where we are this summer, and pool or ocean side will surely be at the top of your summer to do list. Our Bella's chose their absolute favorite suits and accessories for this season... what are your must haves?

1. Leona Swimwear Collection "Ahoy Bandeau"... Mary Kendall / Mobile AL "LOVE the Ahoy Bandeau top in the 2012 Leona swimwear collection... flirty and cute!"

2. Tom Ford... Kristy / Greenville SC "Big, fabulous sunglasses are just what I need poolside."

3. Cali Dreaming... Trinh / Orange County CA "I'm currently lusting over this nude colored swimsuit by Cali Dreaming - so cute!"

4. J. Crew... Allison / Indianapolis IN "Cute one piece from JCrew... match with a gauzy white cover up, Jack Rogers flip flops, & Kendra Scott earrings!"

5. Turkish Basic Cotton Towel... Shelley / Nashville TN "Turkish Towel...can be used as a cover-up or beach towel. Amazingly soft and very stylish with lots of stripes and colors available."

6. Victoria's Secret... Allison / Charleston SC "My go to at VS- simple bikini and lots of colors to choose from since I like to mix and match"

7. Vineyard Vines... Brittan / Boston MA "I just fell in love with this cover-up from Vineyard Vines - Whale Tale Cover-Up in Grape Crush. I must have this immediately!"

8. Mara Hoffman... Jeana Lee / Birmingham AL "Anything with fringe... I'm sold!"

9. Michael Kors... Jamie / Las Vegas NV "My mommy friendly Michael Kors suit."

10. Ferragamo... Lacey / Washington DC "I love my Ferragamo jelly flip flops. They have a big bow and if you get them entirely wet, its no problem.



Happy swimming!

    xoxo,
      Bella

Meet & Greet: Mary Kendall, owner of Mobile

Mary Kendall and friend, Ashton

What started as shopping for bridesmaid dresses in the small town of Mobile, Alabama, with no success… soon turned into an amazing opportunity for Mary Kendall Butler. With her friend, and soon to be bride encouraging her to bring fashionable, modern bridesmaid dresses to Alabama, Mary Kendall inquired further about Bella Bridesmaid, and now has her own storefront! Since opening this past March, Mary Kendall has been keeping busy, but was able to take a few minutes to answer some questions…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

MK: I worked as a Business Analyst for the Facility Management Department at the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In February 2011, my great friend, Ashton, asked me to be a bridesmaid in her November wedding. We immediately started looking for dresses at some of the local bridal shops, but never found anything that we loved. Ashton called me one afternoon, while she was on a trip in Nashville, to tell me she found dresses at 'this awesome boutique called Bella Bridesmaid' and how the Mobile area terribly needed one of  'these places'. I nonchalantly laughed and agreed, but after visiting the Baton Rouge store, for my fitting appointment, I knew for sure this was something I would love to do and that the Mobile area did, indeed, need one. That night I went home and contacted Bella Bridesmaid, to request some franchise information, and now here I am, the owner of Bella Bridesmaid Mobile!

Mary Kendall and Bridget Brown
at Bridal Market

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

MK: Gosh…it's a toss up between two great ones. I was absolutely on cloud nine during my trip to the October Bridal Market in New York City, where I got to meet and hang out with the other Bella Bridesmaid owners, as well as with several famous dress designers. It was fantastic.

My other memorable moment was on the very night before I opened my doors for business; I completed the finishing touches (tagging dresses, printing information sheets, etc) and did a full cleaning...the lighting, the smell, everything was just perfect. As I was walking out to lock up for the night, I looked around and it hit me, then, that I had accomplished a huge goal and that this really awesome store belonged to ME. It was kind of surreal. I took a picture so I could remember that forever. 

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

MK:  Living on the gulf coast, I love going for dinner and drinks anywhere outside by the water…usually with a live band…and of course, with someone special. :) I would wear Joanna August's long State Street dress in black and I'd add a long gold necklace to go with!

Joanna August, State Street

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

MK: Loved Kate Middleton's gown! It looks so similar to the one my mom wore, which I actually have hanging on display in my store!

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

MK: I'd say my style is pretty classic. Right now, I'm really digging maxi dresses. I love something simple that I can wear with a pair of big bright earrings.

BB: Favorite place traveled?

MK: Ahhh, Belize! Myself, and three of my dear friends camped in tents on a little island for 7 nights. It was such a fun adventure--we snorkeled, fished, and napped in hammocks. My favorite, though, was the day we kayaked to the Great Blue Hole and swam in the very middle of it! SO unbelievable.

MK in Belize

BB: Favorite movie that you can watch over and over?

MK: The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. Absolutely love it.

BB: Everyday wear item?

MK: Left arm- big gold watch, several different sized gold bangles, and a couple with a splash of color. Right hand- stacked gold rings!

BB: Celebrity crush?

MK: "Crush" is probably a stretch, but "celeb" no doubt… There's this Kim chick- winner of Survivor: One World. My family and I pulled for her from the beginning…She's pretty legit, y'all. 

BB: Favorite quote or expression?

MK: Everything happens for a reason. I'm a firm believer~

Now for This & That...

American Idol or The Voice? 

- The Voice! Two words...Blake Shelton.

Sun or Snow? 

- What is snow??

Prince William or Prince Harry? 

- William: Monday-Friday and Harry: Saturday-Sunday

Vogue or Cosmo? 

- Vogue

Mac or PC? 

- Mac

                                         Thank you Mary Kendall!

Summer Time Series

Summer can often times bring all sorts of unwanted elements to your hair… heat, humidity and frizz! Instead of throwing those tresses in a ponytail for the remainder of these summer months, we thought to ask our Bella gals to divulge their best summer hair care secrets. Whether you’re at an ocean side wedding or relaxing at the pool we want you to know how maintain your lovely locks…

1. Karastase Voile Protecteur Spray... Kelly / Dallas TX "Love Kerastase's spray that protects color treated hair from sun and chlorine!" 

2. Keratin Shampoo & Conditioner... Ashley / Jacksonville FL "I have naturally curly hair, so anything with Keratin to keep the frizz down! I get Keratin treatments, but I also use Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner."

3. Sebastian Re-Shaper... Christy / Raleigh NC "It is AMAZING...it holds, keeps the fly aways back, but you can brush through it, it's not stiff.... LOVE it!"

4. Frederic Fekkai Beach Waves... Charlotte / Birmingham AL "It creates that fresh off the beach hair."

5. Dove Conditioner... Allison / Charleston SC "Conditioner! The saltwater and sun really can dry out the mane, Dove conditioner does just the trick."

6. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray... Trinh / Orange County CA "I like the look of easy hair in the summer, so I stay away from hair products. But, if I want that beachy hair look and can't get to the beach, I love Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray."

xoxo,

 Bella