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}

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{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!}

Backstage at NYFW: Venexiana Show!

By: Tiffany Olson

Remember my article about the Venexiana show? Well, I had the opportunity to go backstage and get all the scoop on everything before the show! Here is your official backstage pass to all the behind the scenes fun!

Hair and Makeup!

Tons of photogs capturing the BECCA makeup artists at work!

Getting dolled up in BECCA Cosmetics!

Confessions of a NYFW Model: This gal above, said the Venexiana show was her 3rd of the day. At her first show, they put a lot of gel in her hair, for her 2nd show, she needed pin straight hair, so all the gel was fried out via straightening iron! She said she couldn't watch as her hair sizzled! Luckily for this show, it just went up, but she said it took over an hour to get this lovely look! We asked how she cares for her hair after fashion week is over, and she said she sleeps in conditioner over night to try to reverse all the damage! Phew! (I learned that male models have it way easier- no heels and no hair drama!)

Hair in progress...

And here's what the finished product looked like!

And here's the makeup guide all the BECCA Cosmetics gals used! I absolutely LOVED their makeup!

And here's a pic my friend snapped of me interviewing Venexiana designer, Kati Stern!

You can read my full interview with her {here}.

Here's Kati on the runway after the show! The crowd loved her!

Soo exciting! Thank you to the Venexiana team for letting me come backstage and play!

NYFW: Carlos Miele Spring 2012

By: Tiffany Olson

Carlos Miele kicked up the sizzle factor with his spring collection of hot dresses and coverups.

These models looked like they might have just came from lounging by in the pool on an exotic vacation, as they all had slicked back wet hair! And tans.

5 Thoughts about this show:

1. I love that the hair isn't "trying to hard."

2. I love the cinched waists: so flattering but hard to find in formal full length gowns.

3. Kate Middleton would totally approve of the deep "V" necks.

4. One shoulder gowns are here to stay. Yess!!!

5. I need to go somewhere tropical...

Happy weekend dolls!

NYFW: Venexiana Spring 2012

By: Tiffany Olson

I love to see bold, fun, looks on the runway - Kati Stern is known to deliver just this, and she certainly did with this collection! The energy at this show was probably the best of any show I saw this season. It made me wish I had a black tie event coming up!!

I had the pleasure of interviewing the Venexiana designer, Kati Stern, backstage before the show. Here’s what she had to say!!

CupcakeMAG: What was your inspiration for this collection?

Kati Stern: Always, always my fabrics. I go and I look for… beautiful. What I find is beautiful. And then I start designing. It’s the fabric, it’s the texture, it’s the color.

CupcakeMAG: What era influences you the most?

Kati Stern: That’s a tough question, because I have a great interest in the 17^th and 18^th century. And a lot of my inspiration comes from there. But at the same time, the 20s and the 30s are definitely an inspiration as well. But what I do is take it and turn it into contemporary – I don’t try to do a costume look. But it’s difficult to take something that I feel so strongly about and then dissect it basically.

CupcakeMAG: If I had to tell cupcakeMAG readers to buy one piece from this collection, what would it be? The one piece they NEED that will just go anywhere!

Kati Stern: Ah! Oh my god. I’ll tell you something, you will see many pieces that will go anywhere. I’m trying to find the one….. (scans the racks of dresses)… I just want you to see this one. (Finds gorgeous dress pictured below.) This is a dress which is satin, and it’s handmade. All the embroidered pieces are hand attached – every pieces of this is handmade inside and out, even the zipper. So, this is a cocktail dress, that you can take anywhere... I’m not saying you can have breakfast in it. You can go in the afternoon, and follow it up in the evening… so that’s one … but you’ll see many variations on the runway.

CupcakeMAG: You seem so calm!

Kati Stern: I am completely! Because anything that can go crazy did already – at this point… a broken zipper? We’ll deal with it!

Don’t you love her? She was so sweet and sincere and her designs are just out of this world. If you're looking to make a statement, these are the dresses for you!

Also, the makeup for this show was by Becca, and was absolutely gorgeous!! Here is a close up of one of the models' makeup. Those eyes!! I die! So pretty! I chatted with some of the Becca girls backstage while they were glamming up the models, and their work is absolutely amazing!

Overall, I loved the Venexiana show and can't wait to see these looks on a red carpet!!

NYFW: Callula Lillibelle Spring 2012

By: Tiffany Olson

After first falling in love with Callula Lillibelle in February at the fall show, I had really high expectations for the spring show. And I’m happy to report it did not disappoint!!

I chatted with one of the designers, Melanie Fraser Hart, and here is what she said about the inspiration for the collection.

“We started off - Sophia Loren, 2012 and who is that iconic person today, and thinking about creating really sexy shapes, but without having to show too much skin, because our purpose is to cover every woman of all shapes and sizes, and for them to feel comfortable. But this season we decided to do much more poppy with the prints and colors, and a little more daring. We just want to make every woman smile.”

Between the polka dots, pretty color scheme, and retro styling, I'd say this collection is a major hit! And they definitely succeeded in making this woman smile - there are so many things that I want! Out of all the collections I've seen, this is the one that actually makes me wish we'd skip fall and winter, and go right back to spring. (And I love fall!)

I swoon over this collection! Yes, swoon! Cannot wait for this to be in stores!

NYFW: Mara Hoffman Spring 2012

By: Tiffany Olson

Colorful and Mexican inspired, (mariachi band included), this was such a fun show! Neon colors, bold necklaces, and silhouettes the modern bohemian will die for, Mara Hoffman strikes again!

The personal style of Mexican women was the inspiration for this Spring collection. As Hoffman described it, this collection is very “Mexican Mamas.”

Peasant dresses, loose fitting rompers and jumpsuits, drapey blouses and tunics - these are the kind of pieces comfortable enough to wear all day, and chic enough to translate into the evening so you can! Each print was custom designed in house, and the detailing was exquisite, ranging from beading to embroidery.

Did I mention I loved the necklaces? Die! The statement jewelry with the tribal prints and printed shoes... you'd think it would be overwhelming but somehow Mara weaves it all together in her perfect, signature way. (Note: all necklaces were by Holst and Lee.)

Side note, Mara looked AHHHHMazing.... and she just had a baby! Her style is just so unique and fun, and we can't get enough.

We continue to love Mara Hoffman!!

Retro Swimwear - We Love Norma Kamali!

By: Tiffany Olson

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim has just wrapped up in Miami, and I have to say, I'm kind of loving the retro swimwear.

Norma Kamali had a fabulous collection of 50's inspired swimsuits that I think Marilyn Monroe would definitely approve of. Don't you agree?

Halter + sequins + retro sunglasses. This is a swimsuit look I'd wear possibly at a sexy resort or maybe on the beaches of St. Tropez! (Let's daydream a moment.)

How fun would this high-waisted number be with a floppy hat and fruity drink in hand? This would no doubt be a pool scene attention grabber!

PS - Did you know that Norma Kamali is the designer of the famous Farrah Fawcett red swimsuit? She knows her suits!!

I love the blast from the past swimwear! Definitely a great excuse to glam it up on the beach!!!

Would you wear a retro suit?

Featured Blogger -- Jenn, The Stylish Housewife!

It was love at first tweet. Yep, once again, we thank social media for introducing us to the lovely writings of The Stylish Housewife. We are thrilled to introduce you to Jenn -- one of our favorite stylish housewives ever! Love her. Love the site. Love everything about this Stylish Housewife. 

{1} Tell us a little about yourself and your blog, The Stylish Housewife.

I started my blog The Stylish Housewife after my husband and I decided that I would be a stay at home mom. After I had my son, I realized that I started wearing the same thing every day...yoga pants and a t-shirt (and sometimes I stayed in my pj's a little too long). Then I came across the 30 for 30 challenge over on Kendi Everyday and it changed the way I looked at my closet. I used to look in my closet and think I had nothing to wear and now I feel like the possibilities are endless! I LOVE finding outfit inspiration on my favorite blogs and it makes me SO happy when readers comment on my blog that I've inspired them! 

{neon & neutrals}

{2} What made you decide to enter the blogging world?

I started blogging back in 2008 and have a wedding website called Bridalinquirer which I started after planning my own wedding on a budget. I wasn't sure how to transition it into a personal "life after the wedding" blog so I started my new blog! I have made SO many "friends" through blogging and twitter. I just really LOVE the blogging community. There is SO much inspiration out there!!!

{we LOVE her fun manicures}

{3} What blogs do you make sure to read daily? 

Oh my gosh...there are SO many! But I read Cupcakes & Cashmere, Love Maegan, Hollywood Housewife and Atlantic-Pacific EVERY day.

{4} What is your favorite OOTD? 

Right now I am addicted to maxi dresses and skirts! They are so easy to dress up or down and are SO comfy! I am LOVING all of the fun prints and bold colors too. 

{everybody everywear: the maxi dress}

{5}  How would you describe your personal style? 

My first thought is feminine. I love dresses and actually feel more comfortable in dresses than in jeans. But I love trying new trends and challenging myself fashion-wise. I actually texted one of my BFF's to ask her how she would describe my style and she said "clean and feminine". Then she said I was definitely a "Carrie Bradshaw from SATC". What a compliment...I wish! =)

{6} What are some of your favorite style tips? 

I used to think that you should get rid of things you haven't worn in over a year, but starting my blog has turned me into a bit of a hoarder so now I say hold on to EVERYTHING. Odds are that it will be back in style! My best advice is probably to splurge on classic pieces that won't go out of style and go cheaper on the trendy stuff. But most of all, wear what makes YOU feel good!

{A few of Jenn's favorite things here}

{7} What is up next for The Stylish Housewife? 

I am looking forward to blogger features, more giveaways and maybe even a clothing swap or two. I have also done a "favorite things" gift exchange with another blogger and we are both going to reveal what we got each other on our blogs! I am a BIG fan of blogging events of all kinds so if you have a link up, I'd love to hear about it! I hope you will stop by and say hello! 

How can you not love The Stylish Housewife? Seriously adore Jenn! 

{grab her badge, add it to your blog!}

{All Things The Stylish Housewife}

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