The Bella Girls

Winter Wonderland

2011-11-17T02:02:00.007-05:00

Winter Skin Care

The key to looking radiant in the winter lies in your skin. Remember: As the seasons change, so should your skin care (hopefully your wardrobe does too! Brrrr!). Having luminous skin in the winter is something we all want, but with pale and dry skin, all we see is our imperfections. If you remember one thing out of this blog, let it be this: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Every morning after I shower I put on moisturizer, then, before I put my makeup on, I put on mark.’s tinted moisturizer. This acts as a light-coverage foundation and evens skin tones without even adding makeup. Next, I apply a medium coverage liquid foundation, by Mary Kay, with a foundation brush - making sure to cover the area under my eyes as well. By using a foundation brush and a liquid foundation, I am getting a dewy look, which looks healthy in the dry winter months. Note: If you find that you are having problems applying foundation without making your skin looking dry, try mixing moisturizer into the liquid foundation. Some days when my skin is not dry, I add a light concealing powder to make my skin look more finished and flawless; however, this takes away from the dewy look.

When I want to keep the hydrated and dewy look, I finish the look off by lightly dabbing Benefit bronzer on the outer edges of my face on my hairline. Since this bronzer is not shimmery, it acts like a concealer, but with a darker finish. This gives your face a bit of color without adding bronzer all over your whole face. Note: Make sure your foundation matches your skin tone, and is blended well, and you will naturally glow. Now, for the finishing touch: mascara. When I find something I like, I stick with it and buy it over and over again. While I have definitely tried my fair share of mascaras, I always find myself going back to Covergirl’s LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara. Add this as your final touch and you have completed my simple, yet radiant, winter-day look.

Winter Wardrobe

Whenever I wake up in the morning, and I know its freezing outside, I am extremely tempted to throw on a sweatshirt, jeans, and Uggs, and call it a day – and sometimes I do. But when I have classes and don’t want to look like I just rolled out of bed, I put together an outfit that is cute but still comfortable and simple. That’s the key to my winter look – comfortable. My favorite winter ensemble consists of a lot of simple things thrown together to make a cute outfit: skinny jeans, a sweater, boots, a jacket, and a scarf. I often get more compliments on the effortless, yet cute, outfits I wear, more than the ones I spend hours on putting together when going out to dinner with my friends. Here is a collection of pieces I am seen wearing on a daily basis.

About Me

Since this was my first blog post, I thought I would spend a little time introducing myself. My name is Kristen and I am an intern at Bella Magazine. I am also a student at Lynchburg College. I’m from New Hampshire and coming down to live in Virginia was definitely a culture change for me, but I have grown to love Virginia and the people I have met here in the past two years. After spending the winter months here in Virginia, I learned they’re not nearly as bitter as some I had encountered, but they are also not as warm as I had expected. Considering I am from New Hampshire, only two hours from the border of Canada, I know a lot about skin care and wardrobe advice when it comes to the harsh winter temperatures. I hope that that this helped to teach you how to cope with the miserable winter months, while also teaching you a little about me in the process. Keep coming back to learn more about fabulous Bella events, fashion and skin care tips, girly baubles, and more!

"She was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people..." - Nicholas Sparks (The Lucky One)

August Cover Sneak Peek

2011-07-15T09:26:00.000-04:00

This is our Back-to-School issue, jam packed with tips, good reads, and fabulous products. More to come later...

Bella Magazine's Lynchburg Office

2011-06-24T15:16:00.000-04:00

In case you didn't know already, Bella Magazine has opened an office in Wyndhurst in Lynchburg! We're very excited to have a presence in Lynchburg, and wanted to share with you some pictures of the office. Feel free to stop by anytime to say hello and to pick up the latest issue of the magazine.

Lynchburg Office:
103B Tradewynd Drive, Suite 7
434.239.0970

Stone Blue Productions Photo Shoot

2011-06-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

We simply loved what Jeremiah Guelzo of Stone Blue Productions photographed for our June 2011 Travel issue. Titled "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," the shoot showcased wearable fashions for traveling. Model Rose O'Neil was beautiful in clothing and accessories from J.Crew, Vivendi, Moore and Giles, and Boho Luxe, and hair and makeup by Emily Garbee of Bodyworks Day Spa and Salon. Kudos to our amazing Editorial Director, Jennifer Prince, for putting together such an amazing feature! Make sure to check out the entire photo shoot.

On the Rack Now - July 2011

2011-06-24T12:10:00.001-04:00

A brand new issue is out TODAY! It's teen-focused, and fabulous as usual. Features include:

July 4th: Ideas for a Vintage Backyard BBQ
Daughters of the American Revolution
Bella Teens Section: Eating Tips, Stress Tips, Organization Tips, Must-Read Books, D.I.Y Animal Print Tote, and more!
Street Smarts: Floyd, VA
Strawberry Wheatberry Salad and Grapefruit Sorbet Recipes
And so much more!

Pick up your copy today at your favorite Bella distributor.

2010-09-30T12:38:00.002-04:00

Take 69 seconds to #fightbreastcancer at http://69-seconds.org

October Issue Sneak Peek

2010-09-21T20:29:00.000-04:00

It's time for your monthly sneak peek of the latest Bella Magazine cover! This is our "cause" issue. October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we at Bella wanted to share with you all that our community is doing to contribute to causes everywhere! There are many articles about local and national businesses and organizations that are helping and inspiring the world. We hope you enjoy this month's very special issue!

September Issue Sneak Peek

2010-08-20T21:35:00.002-04:00

Here's your September 2010 cover sneak peek! Bella Magazine is all NEW this month! We are very excited to introduce a new layout and some incredibly wonderful sections. "Creative Women" is a new monthly feature that highlights local women and their beautiful creations. The "Bella Fella" is all new, profiling local male business owners. There is an all new "Bella Family" section, complete with articles, prizes and more for every member of the family. "Mind-Body-Soul" presents everything a Bella girl needs to feel fabulous. "Bella Eats" and "Casa de Bella" are also new - so there is truly something for every Bella reader to enjoy! And the best part... there are PRIZES galore :)

Make sure to pick up the all new September 2010 issue of Bella Magazine next week!

Bella Girls Cruise

2010-08-08T15:34:00.002-04:00

In case you haven't heard... We're going on a cruise, and we want you to come! From January 31 - February 5, 2011 join us and Celebrity Cruise Lines for a voyage through the Caribbean. With stops in Cozumel, Mexico and Roatan, and Honduras, these five nights and days are sure to be paradise in February! Simply pay a $100 deposit today with full payment not due until November 8th.

Check out the flyer below for rates which include accommodations, meals, entertainment, and all taxes and government fees. To sign up call Ginny or Sharon at World Travel American Express: (540) 982-2200 TODAY! For more information, view the cruise itinerary and ship details here.

What's New In Bella?

2010-07-27T10:53:00.006-04:00

This month's issue of Bella Magazine is a MUST read. What's in it? Here's one small teaser...

"It all began in the basement of my parents house with very limited resources," she said. Like every first time business owner knows, it takes a little spark to light the fire on an idea, but a whole lot of time and effort to actually keep the fire burning, or in this case, the soaps curing. "Those were the best days of my life."

August's Bella Muse is Christina M. Dudley, creator and owner of the Capricorn Soap Company. Her luxury handmade and sustainable products are enough to make any Bella girl feel squeaky clean.

Article written by: Mary Kathryn Wilmer

Check out the August 2010 of Bella Magazine (on the rack now) to read the complete article and many others!

Bloglovin'

2010-07-26T15:14:00.001-04:00

Okay, with this being a blog and all... we MUST share Bloglovin' with you. Rather than looking from site to site, Bloglovin' is the BEST way to keep up with your favorite blogs (including The Bella Girls!) and find the most popular and up and coming blogs. Bloglovin' provides a feed of the latest posts of the blogs you follow (much like Twitter and Facebook feeds) and even suggests blogs that you might be interested in. So it's time to make your Bloglovin' account and, if you're not already following The Bella Girls, do so ASAP!

Bella Girls Night Out

2010-07-21T10:25:00.000-04:00

Are you in need of a girls night out? Join us from 6-8 pm on Thursday night (tomorrow!) for the Bella Girls Night Out at Kira*Kira, located at West Village on Electric Road in Roanoke. Kira*Kira is a Unique Boutique and Natural Nail Studio that features bareMinerals by bareEscentuals. Everyone is invited to sip, shop, and sample! There will be make-up, manicures, food, and as always, lots of prizes! Bring all of your girlfriends to attend the fabulous event. See you there!

August Cover Sneak Peek

2010-07-19T20:46:00.003-04:00

The August 2010 issue of Bella Magazine is set to come out next week. Enjoy this sneak peek of the cover in the meantime!

Hmm.. What is there to do this weekend?

2010-07-14T11:01:00.001-04:00

If you're like us at all, you never know your weekend plans until the last minute. So instead of waiting, plan a few days in advance. Join Bella Magazine and and KitchenAid for a night of decadence at Desserts for a Cure. The event will take place this Saturday, July 17, from 7-9 p.m. at Foodies (on Franklin Road). Tickets are $40 per person and proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The event includes cooking instruction on three gourmet desserts (YUM!!) from Chef Steve at Foodies, as well as wine tastings from AmRhein Wine Cellars. It's a chance to have some fun and give back as the same time. Sign up today at www.cookingmadefun.com - space is very limited! Check below for more information on this incredible event that is a MUST experience occasion. See you there!

Happy Birthday Bella!

2010-07-08T11:06:00.006-04:00

Bella Magazine is 4 years old! Viva La Cupcake helped us celebrate and it was DELICIOUS! Check out the amazingly tasty cupcakes we enjoyed (actually, inhaled) in celebration of a very special day! The cupcakes were Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Mimosa, and Mojito flavored - YUM!!!!!

On the Rack Now - July 2010

2010-07-08T10:53:00.001-04:00

It's time to check out the latest issue of Bella Magazine! It's full of summertime articles, products, and interesting news! Look for it at any of our carefully selected locations in Central & Southwest Virginia. What is there to look forward to in this issue?

Lynchburg Fashion Scene: An article about Lynchburg's rising designer stars - Chromat, Storm & Stress, Maverick Bean, Sauvage, and Born Rogue
Chef John's Find Your Flavor describes a couple of business women who deserve recognition - Patty Trostle, owner of the event venue Sundara, and Bayla Sussman with her simply delectable Baylee's Best Chocolates
An article on Primland - A 14,000 acre resort in Southwestern Virginia
The inspiring stories of Second to Nature Boutique and Jim "The Boob Guy" Thomas
Business Profiles giving information on some of Southwest & Central Virginia's finest local businesses
As always, Bella's incredible monthly columns contributed by local writers - Women @ Work, Manage This, DWF Seeks, An Everyday Bella Girl, Welcome to My World, Life on Mars, Off the Beaten Path, and The Bella Bookworm
And SO much more!

Please pick up your copy of Bella Magazine today!

Bella Women's Luncheon

2010-06-28T13:55:00.007-04:00

Last Thursday, Bella Magazine put on the event of the summer and it's time to brag a little about its success. As you can tell by the pictures, it was absolutely fabulous in every regard. Angela Courser and her team at CORSAIR Floral & Decor did all of the (incredible) floral arrangements. We provided Angela with the ideas and inspiration, but the final product left us speechless (and maybe a little giggly) and exceeded our expectations immensely! The beautiful flowers with added feathers, animal print fabric, and exquisite vases were oh so girly and the talk of the luncheon.

The cake was another surprise that simply blew our minds! Created by John and Karen Schopp of Center Stage Catering, the mouth-watering masterpiece was a four-tier, multi-flavored cake inspired by our May 2010 cover (contributed by artist Claudia Stubstad of Lynchburg). The separate tiers included chocolate, orange, pink lemonade, and peanut butter flavored cake (we kept the top two layers for the office to snack on afterwards!). The event would not have been possible without the help of Chef Randy and Tammy Scaggs and their amazing staff at Plantation Creations. The Plantation at Sunnybrook was the perfect venue for our luncheon and is highly recommended for any special event! A very special thanks goes out to all 35 vendors for participating, contributing prizes, and showing our guests a fabulous time. Thanks to Three17 Boutique and SHE's International for providing our fashion models and entertainment with the wonderful clothing and accessories (we know that our guests loved every outfit!). Also, thank you to each and everyone of the 100 guests in attendance - it was all for you! We hope that everyone enjoyed the luncheon as much as we did! Feel free to comment on your experiences and we look forward to seeing everyone next time!

Ballroom Dancing

2010-06-22T20:08:00.000-04:00

American Dance Center
4002 Brandon Ave . Roanoke
540.777.0727

Ok, we confess... by the time out third dance lesson rolled around, we were all danced out. (Apparently anti-aging face cream only works on the face!) So we sent two of our interns, Emily and Jessica over to American Dance Center for a latin ballroom lesson with owner/instructor Kenneth Kinchen, who gave the girls a mini lesson in the art of Cha Cha and Tango. They learned that the little things count, like the difference between turning your foot in vs. out, correct arm placement, and how to count, step correctly, where the turns based on body movement, etc. etc. etc.

They will be the first to tell you that ballroom isn't for wussies! It takes quite a bit of mind/body coordination, and a presence on the dance floor. Jessica was graceful and caught on quickly, while Emily... well, let's just say she accidentally brought two left feet with her that day. They spent some time talking to Kenneth after the class and found out that American Dance Center has so much to offer for both the beginner, and the advanced. Packages can be totally customized based on the client's need, and are really designed to help dancers concentrate on their favorite styles. (And there are so many: Salsa, Tango, Swing, and Mambo just to name a few!) After they came back to the office and showed us their new moves, we're pretty sure they both got on Facebook to talk about their crazy internship adventures.

Ballet & Hip Hop

2010-06-22T19:26:00.000-04:00

Valley Dance Productions
17 Elm Ave . Roanoke
540.344.5633

Next, we headed over to Valley Dance Productions for a private lesson with owner/instructor Leslie Arthur. Valley Dance has been serving the Valley for over 10 years now, and offers several adult classes such as ballet, tap, jazz, and different yoga and pilates classes. What we love about the idea of adult classes is that you don't have to have a degree in dance, or be a retired Broadway dancer to take them. They offer a casual environment that allows you to move at your own pace, and be surrounded by adults who are there for the exercise, stress relief, or even just for fun. We started off with some bar work for ballet. Wow! No wonder ballerinas have such long and lean bodies! We were really impressed by the strength it took for what looks like such effortless movement. Amy had a slight disadvantage when it came to stretching on the bar, (after all, she isn't that much taller than the bar to begin with) but she hung in there. (Literally!)

Once we were warmed up and ready to hit the stage for our version of Swan Lake, Leslie switched it up on us and we started learning a hip hop routine in the middle of the floor. Joey lasted all of two minutes, and decided to watch for the rest! Hip hop isn't easy - it requires a dancer to be able to move off beat, on beat, be fluid, then sharp, loose, then harsh all within a matter on an 8-count. (Which is where we lost Joey.)

Trust us; it's not just booty shakin'! Amy was able to keep up for the most part (show off), but she doesn't plan on trying out for So You Think You Can Dance anytime soon. We really enjoyed our time with Leslie; it has inspired us both to look into some classes for the fall! The ballet class is perfect for anyone looking for a strength and stretching class - think yoga, but "prettier" - and hip hop is an excellent cardio workout while learning a few new moves to impress the kids. (Of course, Joey will have to impress the youngsters with something else because her "hip hop" won't impress anyone!)

Belly Dancing

2010-06-21T15:05:00.001-04:00

Uttara Yoga Studio
112-B Kirk Ave . Roanoke
540.309.0071

Now, in all fairness to Joey, Amy (up until children) had danced all her life and even taught for several years. But dance isn't like riding a bike, especially with an extra thirty pounds to carry around... so she encountered just as many challenged as Joey (aka "Stiff as a Board Sally")! We weren't exactly sure how four left feet could make a right, but we had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and a lot of sore muscles!

We went to Uttara Yoga Studio for a belly dancing lesson with Kimberly Vest, a seasoned belly dancing and yoga instructor. Kimberly was even gracious enough to bring us some fabulous hip scarves to let us play with! We learned that belly dancing has really been "jazzed up" by Hollywood over the last half century. The costumes, glitz and glam that you see in the movies today didn't look like genies from a bottle, they remained covered up. In honor of that tradition, (and to not scare our readers) Amy kept her clothing traditional, while Joey and Kimberly bared their bellies!

There are many different styles, but we focused on Tribal, which isn't as structured, and uses stronger upper body movements to portray the strength of women. (Girl power!) Belly dancing may look easy, but it's really all about core control. We didn't realize how much effort and technique it took to jiggle and shake - but Kimberly helped us to concentrate our movements and by the end of class we were able to [belly] roll with the best of them! (P.S. This is one of the best an workouts we've had in a long time.)

July Cover Sneak Peek

2010-06-17T10:01:00.001-04:00

Here's your July cover sneak peek! The July 2010 issue will be out next week for all to enjoy. Make sure to pick up a copy!

Bella Finds of the Day

2010-06-09T14:57:00.006-04:00

What do we love this week?

Dare Me by Kimora Lee Simmons

Baby Phat's "Dare Me'" fragrance is a sweet-scented, feminine blend of fruit and flowers. This perfume is sure to make you feel glam, edgy, sexy, and super glamorous for a night out on the town.

Price: $17.00

Surprise Inside!

Wondering what this darling little pink bag is? It happens to be one of our many fabulous goody bags for the Bella Magazine Women's Luncheon on June 24. Want to know what sort of goodies are inside? Call 540.904.6800 and buy your ticket today before they're all sold out! Check out the flyer below for more information.

Price of goody bags: Free

On the Rack Now - June 2010

2010-06-02T13:32:00.001-04:00

If you haven't already picked up your free copy of the June 2010 issue of Bella Magazine, then you need to today! It can be found at any of Bella's carefully selected locations throughout Southwest and Central Virginia (look for copies at places like salons, restaurants & cafes, boutiques, and other local businesses!). What are the must-reads for this issue? Everything, of course! But be sure to check out:

Hot Fashion Trends for Summer
Chef John's recipe for summer soda pops and sorbet
Simple Steps to Summer Skin
The Fresh Air Fund: An article on an incredible organization that provides NYC children from low income families free summer vacations outside the city
Coffee with an Agenda: Parkway Wesleyan Church's, The Bridge Cafe and Bookstore, where menu and bookstore item proceeds go to support Ebenezer Farms in Nairobi, Kenya
Bella on a Budget's, Staycate This Summer: Fun tips on how to blend a vacation and staying close to home
The Bella Shopping Guide
All of our wonderful columns contributed by writers from the area
And MUCH more!

Find your copy today and enjoy:)!

Bella Finds of the Day

2010-05-27T11:38:00.006-04:00

Spice up your summer look with these fantastic products!

Mineral Fusion™

Simply Sunkissed

Bring out your natural glow with this 3-step bronzing kit. It includes a stunning eye shadow trio, luster bronzer and dazzle lip gloss that combine to give your skin a healthy and radiant color.

Redken

Color Extend Sun™ Solar Screen SPF 12

Don't you just hate a sunburned scalp? Redken's Solar Screen SPF 12 helps protect the scalp from UVA/UVB rays and replenishes sun-stressed hair.

Balmshell Lipgloss

This fabulous lipgloss, made from the finest ingredients, is sheer, nonsticky and moisturizing. When finished with the lip gloss, you can unscrew the themed "float art" and connect it to a keychain component provided in the box. Who wouldn't want Balmshell lipgloss AND a sassy keychain?

Price: $20.00

Outdoor Adventures

2010-05-24T11:46:00.010-04:00

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing
800.782.0779

We did some research and found a fantastic facility called Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. After checking out the website we felt confident that we could endure the bugs, sweat, and tears for one day. We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but zip lining through the trees and canoeing under the sun sounded pretty exciting. They also offer camping (from a simple tent to a fabulous rustic lounge), fishing, hiking, mountain biking, high ropes courses, kayaking, rock climbing, caving and more! (They provide all the equipment too.) They are able to accommodate youth groups, families, corporate team-building events, weddings (!!)... You name it, they can make just about anything happen!

Founded in 1990, Wilderness Adventure was to be an "all-outdoor wilderness summer youth program" but today it has become one of the premier year-round adventure programs available. It was recently named as one of the Top 50 Places to Work by Outside Magazine. (And once you meet the staff and see the facilities you'll know why!) To date there have been 22 weddings (another coming up this Fall) between individuals working there, so it's also a great matchmaking service for wilderness enthusiasts!

Their modern facilities are situated on 500 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 35 miles northwest of Roanoke (click for directions). The property borders beautiful Craig Creek and hundred of square miles of wilderness in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Their facilities include a beautiful main log cabin lodge; another slightly smaller lodge, a small rustic cabin, a pavilion, a sauna, miles of hiking and biking trails, a picturesque gazebo on the water in one of their two fishing ponds, a lighted sand volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, fields for soccer, Frisbee, and football, adventure trails, and the scenic Craig Creek for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

After taking a tour, we made our way to the zipline. Now standing at the bottom of the mountain looking up, it really didn't seem that scary. But as we started hiking up towards the drop platform, we realized that: A) Our gear was super heavy; and B) We were going to be a lot higher than we thought. Once you're strapped up and harnessed in, you step to the edge of the platform and basically lean forward. (And don't think for one minute you can "change your mind." Once it starts you can't "wait" as Joey thought she'd be able to to!) You fly in the air at about 40 mph for 900 feet. It's one of the fastest zip lines around. (Funny poses and squealing are optional). Joey went first, because Amy wanted to make sure that the cables were working properly! We'll admit there were some second guesses in our minds right before we stepped out into mid air, but the flight was exhilarating and if we weren't so exhausted from the hike up the mountain, we would have done it again in a heartbeat!

We wanted to try out canoeing, but knew that if were were alone, in a boat, with paddles... one or both of us would end up in the water. So the Wilderness Adventure accompanied us down Craig Creek. To our surprise, we had a blast! Luckily we weren't the ones guiding the canoe, (we'd still be stuck if that was the case) but we did learn the tricks of the trade and got a pretty good upper body workout too! We learned how to spot rocks and low levels of the creek (look for the V in the water) and the proper way to row. Although, most of the time we were gossiping with the girls more than concentrating on our form. After about an hour, we made it back to the camp; but truth be told, we could have enjoyed the sun shining through the trees along the creek all afternoon.