Must-Have -- Rings that Give Back!

We can thank The Real Housewives of Orange County, Alexis Bellino for connecting us with one FABulous small biz. Holly Freese is the Founder and Designer behind some pretty amazing bling - Expressions Rings of Hope. 

Black Cowboy Swarovski Ring $40 
As seen on Alexis Bellino 

Not only is the Focus Ring ($40) our go-to accessory for everyday (because it pretty much matches anything & everything) but it also supports a good cause. Bling for a cause! What's not to love? Read on to get to know Holly and see what inspired this oh-so-fabulous biz! Holly is absolutely one of the sweetest cupcakes we have ever met and has one of the biggest hearts. We admire Holly for getting the word out and spreading an amazing message to everyone! 

{1} Tell us about yourself & about Expression Rings of Hope, your biz!

My name is Holly Freese and currently I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I am 28 years old and currently a Stay at home Mom of 2 boys;  Walker is 2 years old, and Bryce is 1 year old. Before having children I was in advertising sales downtown Chicago.  I started Expressions of Hope in May of 2010.  I was inspired by my friend, Mike Kacynski, who passed last April from Renal Cell Carcinoma. I wanted to do something with my time, and also wanted to help make a difference!  So, I came up with this idea of creating a little piece of HOPE that women can wear as a accessory to their wardrobe, or as reminder of someone they loved that had passed.  Also, with the purchase of an Expression of Hope Ring, a portion of the proceeds from each ring sale is being donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  I hope to make a stride towards finding a cure for cancer.  There is far to many cases out there, and we need to all come together to help find a cure!

Who doesn't love pink? Patience Ring, $40

{2} What has been the best part about having your own business?

The best part of having my own business is being able to help those who lost loved ones smile, and being able to help support a good cause.  It really makes me smile to see how many supporters I have, and how many continue to follow me each and everyday.  The more supporters I have, the more we can donate towards a wonderful cause.  I love to hear about my "Hope Fans" inspirational stories.  I am truly thankful to those who have helped me and continue to help spread my message BLING FOR A CAUSE! 

Make sure you add the Holiday collection to your wish list!

{3} When did the light bulb go off that you knew this is what you wanted to do?

After my best friend's husband, Mike Kacynski, died last April 2010 of Renal Cell Carcinoma I kept thinking about what I could do help.  He found out in February of 2010 of his disease, and 3 months later he was no longer with us.  I just couldn't believe how this could happen.  Since I was a Stay at Home Mom, I really wanted to start a business that helped my family, as well as helping out a greater cause.  I decided to start making these Swarovski Rings, and donate towards the V Foundation in Mike's name.  

{4} Do you plan to expand the line?

I defintely hope to grow this business, and expand my product line.  I have had some people recommend some jewelry for little girls, or bracelets for women.  I will eventually get a few more products, but for now, I am just trying to get my name out there. 

Make sure you check out these beautiful bracelets too!

{5} What's up next? 

Well....I really just want to get my name out there as much as possible.  Just in the last 2 months my business has really grown and I have quite a few followers on Facebook and Twitter.  I hope to keep that going, keep reaching out to those who have lost loved ones and hear about their stories.  It inspires me to keep growing and moving forward.  I am just trying to keep contacting people in helping spread my message BLING FOR A CAUSE!  The more people who are "BLINGING," that means the more money that has been raised and donated towards cancer research and finding a cure for this awful and all to common disease.  I appreciate you taking the time with me, and look forward to this upcoming year and what's to come of Expressions of Hope. I thank everyone again who has helped me, supported me, and believed in me.  Thank you!!!

{All Things Expression Rings of Hope}

{shop}

{facebook}

{twitter}

{Thank you Holly for our beautiful BLING FOR A CAUSE. We absolutely adore the Focus ring you sent for review purposes and love everything you do!}

Catching Up with Alexis Bellino!

Alexis Bellino isn't just a star from Bravo TV's hit series, The Real Housewives of Orange County. Alexis is one of the most down-to-earth and humble people we have ever met. And well, just simply FABulous. {And did we mention super sweet too?} We were so excited to catch-up with all things Alexis and most of all to share it with all of our Alexis fans out there! Read on to see whats new, her thoughts on the drama-filled season and - the do we dare ask {oh yes, we do!} question!

{Alexis Casual, The Black Maxi Dress}
{Buy it NOW!}

{1} Since we spoke last season, what is new?

Wow, so much is new!! Where to begin? I just celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary April 16! My husband is the light of my life, and my best friend! My son's 5th birthday was May 4th, so I am so thankful every day he came into my life 5 years ago! He has grown into such a wise, amazing young boy! I hate to say he is a boy now, and not a baby. I still call my girls "babies" though since they are only 31/2. {laughs} I honestly think my husband is going to go crazy because I am ready for another baby now that the kids are older!  

Business wise, I have launched my maxi line, which is an entirely new endeavor aside from Alexis Couture and Alexis Casual that I decided to take on! The first "Braid" maxi has done extremely well! We are offering it in summer colors in the next two weeks, and we are offering it up to size 16! 

We also just launched Alexis Couture on Sunday, May 8th, with many dresses available! I also have my hat line with the "Bling" trucker hat as the first hat, and the "Conviction" trucker hat comes out next week. And hold tight, because I have a few other secret items in the works! So it's an exciting time right now!  You can go to www.everythingalexis.com to order any of my hats or dresses now! 

{2} This season has been drama-filled! Would you say more so then last season? 

I definitely have to say this season is more drama-filled than last season. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am more vocal and more comfortable with the cameras, and also the fact that some of the people I thought were friends have shown their true colors. 

{3} Do we dare ask, what is your relationship like now with the other housewives? 

{laughs} Yes, you can ask! Gretchen is one of my closest friends. We are a lot alike, we don't expect too much from each other, and we only want loyalty and respect in return. With Tamra I am saddened by the fact that I found out in episode 3 that she really wasn't my friend, and I thought she was up until that point. Vicki and I tried to make amends this year, and we are still working towards that. We have had a couple hiccups along the way, but I'm hopeful that things will work out. Peggy was my friend of 4 years, and unfortunately I never wanted her on the show because I was afraid that it would wreck our friendship, and it did just that. She is not the same person I knew a year ago. So there you have it in a nutshell! 

{4.} Since starting the show, would you say your life has changed? If so, in what ways?  

I think it's impossible for reality TV NOT to change someones life. I feel this show has mostly been a positive thing in my life. Just as with any career, it has it's ups and downs, however, it has made my family stronger, my husband and I are closer and have learned a lot about each other and ourselves. I love the ability to express my faith and show that Christians are not perfect, and entertain people along the way. I am also very thankful for the opportunities it has brought my way. And best of all, I have a two-year documentary with my kids! 

{5.} How is the Alexis Couture fashion line going? What tips do you have for other MOMpreneurs managing it all? 

Alexis Couture is going so well! We launched May 8, and you can purchase any of the styles on www.everythingalexis.com. It has been rough, don't get me wrong! I probably have some gray hairs underneath this blonde after this baby launched, but it has been such a growing experience for me, and so much fun along the way!  My biggest advice to any MOMpreneur (I love this term by the way ever since I saw it on Twitter!)  is that YOU CAN DO IT! I know it seems there are never enough hours in a day, and look I'm doing this interview at midnight!  I do my best work between 10pm and 2am since I began working! But it's important to believe in yourself and your passion the entire step of the way. My second tip to MOMpreneurs is to learn to say no to certain things. I have to admit that my social life is about 1/10th of what it use to be. I have a very small window of free time after my kids, my husband and my career, so I have to select very carefully what (and who) I fill that time with. And my kids are the FIRST thing to fill my time. 

{6.} You always are so perfectly together when it comes to your wardrobe! As a Mom of 3, how do you time for yourself? 

Thank you for that compliment. Geez, I don't feel that way! Honestly, that has been such a struggle for me. I use to be able to work out 4-5 days a week, (and working out is my stress reliever) now I'm lucky if I get to work out two days. I just feel like I will eventually get that "me" time back again, but right now it's "game time" as I like to call it. Everyone's life has seasons, and I am in a family season, combined with a work season, so "me" time has to take a back burner for the time being.

{7.} What is your go-to outfit? How would you describe your style? 

My go-to outfit depends...is this a stay home day, an errand day or a press day? {laughs} For stay home it's sweats all the way baby (and no makeup) ! For errand day it's a long maxi dress. For a press day, it's a cute dress with YSL or Louboutin stilettos! (I love dresses---as we all know!)

{8.} Besides The Real Housewives of Orange County - what other reality TV do you watch?  

I LOVE Dancing With the Stars! And I want to be on it---competing against my husband!! {laughs} He is an amazing salsa dancer, but I think with a ton of training I have the desire and ambition to kick his butt! Oh, and The Bachelor/Bachelorette...I'm a hopeless romantic! Oh, and any other HW show...although I am naming all of these shows and I can't remember the last time I had a free hour to watch any of them! HA!

{9.} What is up next for you? Any new or upcoming projects? 

I have a few new projects in the works, and my husband just bought a new exciting business that I will be very involved with, but you have to stay tuned, and keep checking my facebook Alexis Bellino Verified Profile and twitter @alexisbellino or my website www.everythingalexis.com for updates! 

{Make sure you all stay tuned to the Season 6 Finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County this Sunday on Bravo!}

Alexis Bellino, Wife, Mother, Reality Star and Designer!

By Shasta Moczulski, Fashion & Beauty Director

All of us at CupcakeMAG fell in love with Alexis Bellino and her heart of gold when she was introduced to us as “The New Housewife of Orange County” on Bravo’s hit series “Real Housewives of Orange County”.  

Bar none, Alexis has NO agenda, only wants the best for her marriage, her children, has the kindest heart, and I am GENUINELY blessed by this interview!

First of all, thank you for the interview you and congratulations on your new dress line!  You always look so pretty, stylish and confident. What was your inspiration to start designing?

Well thank you for the compliment! My main inspiration in starting Alexis Couture is two-fold: First, I wanted to make fashion EASY for the busy mom (and non-moms!!) who needs to grab ONE item from her closet and go, and two, I want to bring the couture feeling of fashion to women  at an expense everyone can afford. 

When will your new dress line be available? 

January 2011.

Where will our readers be able to purchase your collections?   

Always on my website alexis-bellino.com, but also in a few stores and boutiques that will soon be announced!  

How is the new season of RHOOC going?  Assuming that you are filming anyway!   

Honestly?  Just kidding!  I actually feel that I learned so much last year about myself, and each of the women that I feel the season is going well! I'm not saying it is drama-free, but I am saying that IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD!

Is there a moment from a past season of RHOOC, that you were in, that is your favorite?  

I think the moment that I prayed for Vicki's daughter. That was such a tough scene for all of us, none of us expecting that argument between Vicki and I to occur. So when it did, and I realized that the focus was being shifted from Vicki's precious daughter to our own dispute, it felt good and right to take the matter back to Briana (Vicki’s daughter). That's really what life is really about - staying healthy and your children.

How are your kids? What are their ages now?

 

My kids are fabulous! They make me smile and keep it real for me!  My son is 41/2 and my twin daughters are 3 yrs old in November!  Although my son acts 34 and my twins are the most emotional little things I've ever witnessed! 

What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?  

Definitely breakfast.  It's the one meal during the day that EVERYONE is in a good mood, including me (lol), and I just love waking up and all five of us having breakfast together! I usually cook, they are only allowed cereal one day per week, so the rest of the time it's fun to have them help me make French toast, eggs, oatmeal etc! 

How is Jim?  Do you two still go on regular dates? 

My honey is doing so well!  We make it a weekly requirement to spend one dinner a week out alone, getting to reconnect, discussing our exciting endeavors, discussing our kids (of course!) and just relaxing while someone else can cook the darn meal! LOL!

You have gorgeous skin, what is your skincare regimen? 

Thank you again!  I wash every morning, and every evening. I use a skincare line from Cosmeticare, called Vivite with a couple other products from them Intracueticals and Neocutis. It's important to always wash, tone, and moisturize several times a day! Plus you always have to remember to pay special attention to your eyes-they need extra moisture and care! And drink WATER!!

Do you wear foundation?  Our readers are always on the hunt for a great foundation. Is there one that you love?  

I never used foundation BEFORE Housewives! I do use two different ones now: On camera I use Smashbox High Definition Health FX foundation. Off camera I use Urban Decay Surreal Skin to Powder Foundation.     

I really admire how open you are about your Faith, have you thought about writing children's books based upon Christian principles?  

I feel that faith is important because it helps remind us this life is not about us, it's about what is next to come. Faith is what keeps me going every day of my life. When times get tough, it seems it would be so easy to fall into the trap of "victim", however with a strong faith, it makes it easier to know you are not alone and God will always meet you where you are.  I have absolutely thought about writing a children's book based upon Christian principles. 

Can you tell us what other plans you have on the horizon for 'Alexis'? Will jewelry become a part if your line?  

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!!! The great part of "Alexis Couture" is that there are many embellishments on some of the dresses that allow me to still fill that jewelry aspect as well! My focus is on my dress line right now because I want to perfect it before I move onto other entities of Alexis Couture. It could EASILY be another facet of Alexis Couture in the future.

What are 10 things that our readers may not know about you?    

 

1. I love Coffee Bean over Starbucks.

2. I sleep on my stomach more than my back.

3. I HATE road rage.                                                                       

4. My dream is to be on Dancing with the Stars (on ABC) OR hosting it!                                                                       

5. I have a lips gloss addiction.                                                          

6. I am a list girl. I have bought every type of PDA, electronic organizer, my phone etc, and I ALWAYS go back to my notebook and post-it notes. It drives my hubby CRAZY!

7. I am scared of heights but love roller coasters, explain that one to me! 8. I suffered from Postpartum Depression after my twins.

9. I LOVE a good bargain!!!                                                             

10. I eat tuna out of a pack for lunch probably twice a week- for convenience and it tastes good!!        

In the next few weeks we will be bringing you all the behind the scenes details about Alexis Belino’s new dress line and all of her upcoming projects, so stay tuned! 

Thank you to Alexis for being such a breath of fresh air, you are such a doll!

Off Topic…

Want to know more about Alexis?  Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and of course her website!

Alexis, can you tell Jim to tell my Jer where to order a fab monogram pendant like yours?  I really NEED that up in my life, this girl loves bling and anything monogrammed and THAT features my babies’ initials!  SO please do let Jer know where to order that pendant from and I cannot wait to place my order from your new line!  Xoxo

the real gretchen rossi

By Shasta Moczulski, Contributing Writer 

We were all captivated  when Gretchen Rossi became a cast member of Bravo's  The Real Housewives of Orange County in season 4.  Her positive attitude, sense of humor and brilliant smile quickly won the hearts of so many.   Gretchen,  has created  an incredible life outside of reality TV.  A quote from Gretchen's  blog, sums up who this amazing woman is, "I believe in encouraging and lifting people up."   Two of her current and might I add, very successful projects include,  Gretchen Christine Beaute  and  her new new handbag line for shopnbc.com that launched July 30, 2010.   

We here at cupcakeMAG were thrilled that Gretchen took  the time to talk to us about her latest projects, her favorite beauty products and share so much more.  Her openness and gracious heart won us over! 

Your line debuts on July 30, 2010 on www.shopnbc.com.  What is your favorite item that will be presented that day?

The debut of the Gretchen Christine Collection on July 30^th was a huge success! We sold out of many of the handbags right away! It really is so hard to pick a favorite because I use all of them and they all have such unique and different looks, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the “Newport Satchel” in Coral!  

When you were creating the "Gretchen Christine Collection", what did you draw upon for inspiration?  Does your Southern California lifestyle influence the design process? 

Yes my Southern California lifestyle definitely influenced the design process! I love being a California gal and all the beauty and glamour that goes along with that.  My inspiration was two- fold, my own personal style combined with my travels and influence around the world. My passion for design and fashion have always been a part of my life but it was even more ignited when my fans wanted to know more about my personal style and the handbags in particular I was carrying on the show!  Once I told them that most of the bags were designer bags that cost thousands of dollars they would get disappointed and say “I could never afford one of those bags”.   It made me realize that every woman deserves to look like a million bucks without having to spend it. I knew that I could bring high fashion and quality to my handbags without it leaving your bank account empty.

I believe every woman wants to have access to high fashion and good quality handbags, clothes and accessories, but not all of us can afford the designer names especially in today’s economy, thus the creation of the “Gretchen Christine Collection”.

You seem to be a positive, happy person.  How do you stay so upbeat?  

Thank you for that compliment! I would have to say is my upbringing (my family) and my faith that keeps me going strong no matter what life throws at me. I struggle with things just as much as the next person but to soak in sadness does nothing but make me feel worse, so I CHOOSE, and it is a choice, to be happy and upbeat much more often than not.


Life is way too short and I have learned that lesson many times over. I have one life to live here and I am going to live it to its fullest!  Even when I am in my darkest hour I believe God will never give me more than I can handle and he will always be faithful. He hasn’t let me down yet and that makes me HAPPY!

Your makeup line, that was actually featured on Real Housewives of Orange County, "Gretchen Christine Beaute", seems to be really taking off!  What is your favorite product in your line that you can't live without? 

I absolutely cannot choose a favorite in the line! I use all of it every single day to do my make-up!  I made it with the “everyday” woman in mind. I wanted a woman to look and feel her best everyday! So everything from the foundations to the powders, blushes and bronzers, to the eye shadows and eye products to the lip liners, lip glosses, and Pout Poppers,  to the eye and lip primer I have not missed a thing that a woman would want in her make-up bag, and at very affordable prices to boot! What girl could want anything more! High quality make-up that makes you look and feel like a million bucks without the high price tag!

Music is also one of your many talents, do you plan to release an entire album now that your song "Nothing Without You" had such success?  

Wow thank you again for such a nice compliment! I love, love, love music it has always been a part of my soul. My family is very musically inclined and I have been fortunate to be surrounded by that my whole life. I have been writing since a little girl and that was the most nerve racking yet exhilarating thing in my life to be able to take my very private lyrics and get behind a mic and sing them. I am so blessed to be able to have a support system around me that encourages me to express myself through these different avenues. I do plan to release another song here hopefully soon, but a much different type of song, one that you would hear in the clubs! I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!

Have you started filming the new Season of RHOC?  If so, are there are any hints that you can give viewers about what to expect in the upcoming season?   

Unfortunately I am not at liberty to confirm season six yet, but I can tell everyone that I personally have a lot going on in my life and I am excited about the possibility to share all those things with our viewers and my wonderful and loyal fans if we return!




What items can always be found in your makeup bag?  

Well obviously my Gretchen Christine Beaute” products, but I love to have a little brozner, mascara, and lip gloss on hand at all times!





What is the most valuable lesson that you have learned about yourself while being on hugely popular reality show?  

Wow, I have learned so many things! First, not to take myself too seriously or the show for that matter, and second not to be affected by what people say about you. When you sign up for a show like this people want to tear you apart in the press and blogs. I have learned to stay away from reading those sites and stay focused on my goal with this show…which is building a lasting brand that stands for something that I can be proud of.  “Gretchen Christine” stands for empowering people. GCC and GCB ‘s foundation was built from the philosophy “How to look and feel like a million bucks without having to spend it” My goal is to empower people to live with their best foot forward, whether it be through fashion, beauty or internally. 

Whether or not there is a Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Orange County, we are confident that Gretchen will continue to pursue her dreams and do so with a grateful heart. Stay-up-to date with Gretchen at her website  , on Twitter , Facebook  and of course, get your shop on at shopnbc!