Bella Ink Blog

Last Minute Costume Ideas From Bella Ink Designs

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM BELLA INK DESIGNS!

Need a last minute costume?  The girls at Bella Ink threw these ideas around in the weeks before Halloween:

1. Billy Mays (OxiClean infomercial host): Wear a blue button down shirt with a white t-shirt underneath and khaki slacks.  Draw an OxiClean logo on some computer paper, cut out and affix to your shirt.

2. 1980s Madonna: A la her "Like A Virgin" video, wear some blue spandex leggings with a black dress and heels.  The leggings are back in fashion for the younger set and are easy to find at teeny-bopper shops.  Incredulously, so are accessories like jelly bracelets.  Spirit Halloween has a 80s Pop Star wig that will top off the outfit.

3. Ugly Betty: Perfect if you have a child with braces!  All you need is a colorful poncho and some thick rimmed, glasses.  Make sure the rest of the outfit is a mish-mash of colors and patterns. 

4. Charlie Brown: Pop on a bald cap and draw Charlie's signature curly lock just above your forehead.  Wear a yellow t-shirt and some black shorts.  Be sure to color in a jagged black line on the shirt!

5. A Vampire: All you need are black slacks, a white button down shirt and a cape.  Use an eye pencil to draw in a widow's peak and think about running out for some fangs.

6. Chick Magnet: Put on a Hawaiian shirt and pin your daughter's Barbie dolls to the front and back.

We hope this gets all you procrastinators out the door with minimal effort this evening.  Happy Halloween!  

Shop Girl Focus: Candy of Where's the Party?

Where's the Party? opened its doors on April 1, 1990 after Candy and her then business partner, Robin, had met and bonded over their love for parties at a balloon class one year earlier. "We absolutely had no idea of how much work this would entail, starting from "scratch," but of course we jumped in with both feet. The first couple of years were a lot of learning, laughing and late nights."

Eventually Robin moved on and off to Oregon, but Candy kept the business growing, expanding the store three times in her 18 years in business. "Going to the store daily still gives me so much joy. It is not unusual to sit with a wedding client for two hours and get to know them and become friends. But now I have 26 smiling, beautiful faces to say 'Where's the party? How can I help?'"

So Candy...

Q: Why did you start your business?
A: I was ready for a change in my life and right around that time I had met a woman (my would be business partner) who shared my love for parties.

Q: If you were a product in your store, what product would you be?
A: I've been told that I make people laugh and smile and I like to have a good time, so I guess I would have to say a "Pinata."

Q: What was the last book your read?
A: "The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks.

Q: Halloween is coming up, do you have any superstitions?
A: No, but I do love Halloween.

Q: How do you unwind after a day at the store?
A: Sit with my husband, have a glass of wine and watch the news.

Q: In what time-frame should a "Thank You" be mailed?
A: In a perfect world it would be within a week, for weddings a month... but a thank you at any time is appreciated.

Q: What is your favorite method of communication?
A: Person to person.

Q: Fashionably late is...
A: Not good!

Q: Where is your favorite place to shop, other than your store?
A: Nordstrom's

Q: What design is on your personal stationery?
A: A shell.

Q: Oprah Winfrey or Kathy Griffin?
A: Oprah Winfrey.

Q: What is your favorite in-store soundtrack?
A: Mama Mia!

Q: What was your strangest pet, ever?
A: I had a gerbil when I was a little girl.

Q: Which holiday do you like to dress your store up for most?
A: Christmas!

Q: What was your best moment as a businesswoman in the last year?
A: My best moments would have to be when I come into the store and see the smiling faces of my customers and knowing that even during the rough times with the economy, they still keep coming!

You can find Where's the Party? at:

270 E. 17th St.
12A
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
P: 949-722-1803
www.wheresthepartyink.com

A Feather In Your Cap

In Season 4 of Project Runway, Christian Siriano quite literally stole the show with his couture feather dress. Is it a coincidence then that feathers are popping up almost everywhere you look this fall? Even the Bella Ink Designs fall/winter 2008 line of invitations and photo cards were inspired by some beautiful, feathered friends.

Earlier this year People's StyleWatch was one of the first publications to picture feathered accessories in the form of a headband from Pluma. This October's issue continues to sing the trend's praises by peppering its pages with feather clad celebs like Leighton Meester, Rachel Bilson and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It's easy to integrate this slightly retro look into your wardrobe since retailers like Barney's, Forever 21,Shopbop and Urban Outfitters have added feathered hats and headbands to their online catalogs.

While some femme fatales choose to channel their inner 1940s diva during the day, we say let the feathers fly with a fun party frock after dark. We suggest a solid color, strapless dress (perhaps in peacock blue) to keep the focus on the the feathers in your hair. Add a pair of black opaque tights and heels or ankle boots in the same color to keep the look firmly planted in the 21st Century.

A less conspicuous way to wear plumage is on your wrist. Take a peek at the golden feather cuff pictured above by Alex and Ani. This bracelet will give any jeans and t-shirt combo an edgy rock-n-roll vibe.

If you think feathers are an accessory best left to the birds, try sending your season's greetings with Bella Ink's PC-27 "Tweedy Bird" instead. A card adorned with a beautifully feathered creature will be much easier to pull off for most than a feathery hairpiece.

Now if only we could fly South for the winter...