Savvy Style, Bella Figura USA

It's A New Year's Sale!

2010-01-06T18:20:00Z

We thought and thought about how we should welcome in 2010. Champagne? Did it. Fireworks? Yep. Crazy headgear? Hm... not this year. But wait - what about something that everyone loves? What about a sale?

Yippee - going on in the boutique right now is our first sale of 2010 - our New Year's Sale. Lots of beautiful, handcrafted things - all marked down 20%. And - we continue to add more items!

So, come see us - and shop away for cool "stuff" and great savings.

To whet your appetite:

Hm... Italian pewter wine decanters, crystal champagne sets... great way to celebrate throughout the year!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T03:59:00Z

Farewell to 2009 - Raise your glass to a brilliant 2010!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2009-12-25T08:42:00Z

Merry Christmas!

American Women's Style vs. European Women's Style

2009-11-09T21:05:00Z

Yes, it's my first post in awhile after my journey to Italy and Silversea adventure. And while there was loads to see and take note of, one of the things that kept getting my attention was the women. Women in different regions of Italy, women in Croatia, women in Montenegro, and women I was traveling with (from many different countries.)

And I was constantly struck by the style of the Europeans. Italians, of course, have become legendary for great style; but young Eastern European women are also seen as style setters. And what do they wear that American women don't? Scarves and wraps.

OK, I'm putting it out there: what's with American women's refusal to wear scarves and wraps? Oh yeah, I know there's a small contingent that absolutely wear them. In fact, I just saw some young women (and a young man) in our local paper being touted as style stars and guess what? They were wearing scarves. Even the guy! And they looked great.

I've said it time and time again: a scarf (or wrap) is about the easiest, and least expensive way to gussy up your ensemble. You can dress it up, down, or completely change the look with the addition of a simple rectangle (or square) of fabric. And it's inexpensive!

So, why do so many women seem so resistant to them? Is it the casual thing rearing it's ugly head? Or the comfort thing?

I just don't get it. After all, I saw this striking woman walking down the street in Rome. She was casual: jeans, simple sweater, boots. So, why did I take note? She had a fab Pashmina wrapped around her neck. It elevated her outfit from so what to wow, doesn't she look great? And all it took was a wrap!

So, take the plunge: get a new wrap. The holidays are just around the corner. Update and dazzle your wardrobe with an accessory that won't break the budget. And check out our winter scarves and wraps in the boutique. They're handwoven, gorgeous and unique. What could be better?

Eva Longoria and Julie Christie looking stunning.

Savvy Style Does Italy - And, It's Time for Another Give-Away

2009-09-28T11:32:00Z

Here on a What's New Monday, we're happy to tell you that this will be our last post for a few weeks. "What? Happy?" Yeah - because we're taking off on an Italian adventure! Yippee!

And while we're away, we invite you to join us at our sister blog: Travels With Bella Figura USA.

Over at Travels, we're marking each leg of the journey: from beautiful, mystical Venice to our journey's end, the Eternal City - Rome. We'll be sharing videos (not ours - not quite yet - but ones we found on YouTube that we really liked) Italian recipes, and a Spotlight Products note - featuring wonderful Italian products for sale in the boutique.

So, come join us on our journey - we welcome your company!

And -drum roll - we have another Bella Figura USA Give-Away on FaceBook coming up. Last month, our winner received a beautiful Escama Tonia Clutch. For this drawing, the prize is one of our bestsellers: the Twist Pencil Box.

This box is made of natural hardwoods, accented by a beautiful wood inlay, and topped with a silky smooth hand-poured lacquer finish. It is a beauty! And besides its good looks, it's very functional. Originally designed to hold pens and pencils, it's perfect for cuff links, watches, other jewelry - any of your bits and bobs.

And it's easy to be included in the drawing. The sign up period is October 5-16. And the sign up process is the same as last month:

* If you're already a Bella Figura USA FaceBook Fan and on the boutique's mailing list, just drop us a line at Contact Us and say "include me in the drawing." Make sure your name and email address match the address you signed up with.

* If you're not a Fan - become one now on our FaceBook Page. Then click on over to the boutique's Home Page, and sign up on our Mailing List (box in the upper left side.) That's it - easy as pie!

The drawing will take place on Monday, October 19, and we'll announce the winner on the 20th.

We'll be looking for you over at Travels and FaceBook. Andiamo!

Come On Baby Light My Fire

2009-09-24T13:24:00Z

It's Thursday, time for our Style Source Faves segment, and since we're now officially in autumn, I'm thinking about the dropping temperatures. Yes, we're still having warm weather here in northern Virginia, but we've had a couple of mornings that were downright chilly, and a couple evenings when Pashminas were in order.

Which brings me to today's style source fave for your outdoor space: Stone Age Fireplaces. Cutesy name, but cool product.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have a very personal interest in this product. You see, there's been a raging debate in my house for several years now about what to do with one prominent spot in the back garden. The original plan was to put a big fountain in the area. But because of the close proximity to a dining table, I was worried about "splashage." Yikes - the last thing you want when it's on the cool side is to find yourself wet!

So, I started arguing that it was the perfect spot for a fireplace. After all, in the warm months it would be a beautiful (allbeit expensive) focal point - candles on the stone mantel, on the hearth, etc., and in the cold months, it would make the patio an appealing place to be.

Well, outdoor fireplaces don't come cheap - no two ways about it. But then I discovered some videos all about Stone Age Fireplaces. Now, let me forewarn you, the first video is an ad for one of the distributors. Period. But it gives great information about the product, and the exciting thing is this: these fireplaces come in kits. Imagine!

In fact, on the manufacturers' website they say that experienced masons/handymen can put a kit together in 2-4 hours. And a do-it-yourselfer can pull it off in 1-2 days. Hm... sounds a little rosy to me. At my house, 1-2 days could easily turn into 1-2 months. But regardless - it's a kit! And you can have it finished in any style so that it matches your home - or whatever you want it to match.

Here's the first video - good information about fireplaces in general, and the Stone Age product:

And in this video you get to see variations of the kits:

Another plus: the kits are made right here in the US (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and there are distributors throughout the country. Plus, besides fireplaces, there are kits for pizza ovens, firepits and outdoor kitchens.

Oh yeah, I'm feeling warmer already!

Designing a Custom Home

2009-09-23T13:54:00Z

Today for our Home Decor Thoughts segment, we're veering off course, just a bit. Instead of focusing strictly on interior design (or garden spaces) we're looking at architecture.

I found this video, made by an architecture firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was intrigued from the start since I lived in Albuquerque for several years.

In the video, architect Eric Spurlock talks about designing a custom home for a client. He begins with a lovely thought on the meaning of a home: A home is not merely a shelter, but the essence of our personalities. Well said. Even when a home is not the owner's "dream house," you can still learn a lot about the person who lives there just by being in the space and observing.

Now, let me say upfront - the homes shown in the video are grand, luxe spaces. There's nothing small or "not so big" about them. But despite their size, there's good information for home buyers and potential architecture clients. After all, if you've never thought about site design on a lot before, you will after watching this video.

And to visit the architect's website, go to Eric Spurlock.

Cindy Crawford - Chic & Stunning at Forty Three

2009-09-22T11:51:00Z

Here we are on a Tuesday, which means it's time for our They Get It segment. And today, our pick could be called a blast from the past - except she's still very much in vogue.

We met her in the 80's - she was one of the first honest to goodness super models. And she was the girl that was not only stunning, but so nice, and normal. Yes, the beauty everyone loved: Cindy Crawford.

But Cindy was not just some vacuous model; no, this smart cookie quickly became Cindy, Inc. And the savvy businesswoman is still in the thick of it today. She recently announced her new line of home furnishings which are being sold through JC Penneys.

Yes, we love her: beauty and brains personified! But she's our pick today because of her style: always chic and always appropriate. Whether she's at the beach, out shopping, with her kids or at a Red Carpet-type event, Cindy is stunning. After all, this is a woman who is so gorgeous she could probably get by in the proverbial potato sack. But not Cindy. She always looks amazing.

Check her out for yourself:

Totally Euro-chic with husband, Rande Gerber. And with her two beautiful kids she's everyone's pick for most stylish Beach Mama.

And a little bonus: here's Cindy, just a couple of weeks ago, talking with the ladies on The View. Mid-interview, she talks about how she's more comfortable with how she looks at 43, than she did when she was younger.

Love Leather? Yves St. Laurent Shows How to Wear It

2009-09-21T11:52:00Z

Another Monday, another What's New segment. (And for you who are wondering whatever happened to the Monday This Makes Me Crazy segments - we just haven't experienced anything in awhile that made us crazy! ) So, on to the "new."

Do you love leather? Leather is everywhere this season - in all the shops, in all the catalogs. And wouldn't you know it: at the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2009 RTW Show, there was lots of leather on the runway.

Now, I'll admit right off, I've been a St. Laurent fan since my college days (a LONG time ago.) I became a fan because of one of my roommates. She was a lovely girl, and just happened to be a fashion merchandising major. And she was the one that introduced me to YSL.

The introduction was pretty hilarious, though; and had nothing to do with fashion. She came into the apartment one day, obviously vexed, and threw her books down with disgust. And what had happened to cause her troubled state? Well, it seems that they had been studying the venerable St. Laurent, and a number of girls in the class kept referring to the French designer as "Yives."

That's right, lovely readers: not "Eve" but "Yives!" Well, she was in a tizzy, and I was doubled over laughing. Yes, Yves St. Laurent, spoken with a thick east Texas accent is something to behold. "And furthermore," she sputtered, "if you can't pronounce it, you shouldn't be anywhere near the fashion business." Well, after I managed to stop laughing at her indignation (it was hilarious, just imagine the beautiful French vowels reduced to: Yives Saint Lorent) I asked her to show me some of the clothes.

Oh my... the silk smoking jackets, the velvet bustiers... the stuff of dreams. And that did it for me - I was a fan.

Of course, Monsieur St. Laurent passed away last year, and Stefano Pilati is the designer for the House that Yves built. Here is the video of the 2009 RTW Show. Enjoy:

Grace Kelly & Whitney Houston - Let the Weekend Begin!

2009-09-18T14:33:00Z

Hallelujah - it's Friday! And today for our Free For All segment, we have a treat for everyone who loves great style - and Grace Kelly and Whitney Houston. That covers a pretty wide spectrum!

Just for fun - the stunning Grace Kelly, one of our favorites, in a video tribute, with the added pleasure of a soundtrack by "The Voice" - Whitney Houston.

To a good weekend everywhere!