New Beginnings...

I've always been amazed at how quickly life can change in just a few weeks or even days. One day you are traveling down one path and then, suddenly you decide to try a different direction. For 3 years Bella Ropa has been my life. And until two weeks ago, I thought it would continue to be that way.

We've been in negotiations with our landlord and it's not working out. I love Birkdale and can't imagine being anywhere else, but at the same time I have to do what is right for me and my business.

So Bella Ropa is officially closed. It's not a sad thing. I have been so lucky to do what I love for the last 3 years, but it's time to move on now. I am beyond thrilled and excited about what life has to offer. I'm excited to have weekends off, to have time to take a vacation and most importantly, to spend more time with friends and family. It truly is a blessing in disguise.

I will miss all my wonderful customers. Thank you to everyone that has supported me through this adventure. You mean the world to me and I could not have done this without you.

Vacation Inspiration...

I decided to make a last minute trip with some girlfriends to Florida for a little fun in the sun. After the reservations were booked, I immediately starting taking inventory of my closet. What should I pack? Obviously, there are the basics- swimsuit, cute dress, shorts, tanks... a lot of my pieces have been with me through the season, and I love them! But, sometimes you just need a little something new to spruce up your old faithful pieces.

I realized most boutiques, including Bella Ropa, are having their end of summer sales! So, now is the perfect time to stock up on a few new fun pieces for the trip and they will be great to wear next year, too! And who doesn't love a great deal! Here a few of my favorite steals-

Striped Tunic (Original $32, Sale $19) with DL1961 Betty Jeans (Original $148, Sale $74)

Theme Embroidered Tank (Original $62, Sale $49) DL1961 Jennifer Jean (Original $158, Sale $79)

*All of our summer items are marked up to 50% off! Including white and cropped denim!*

Casual Summer

Our romance with summer is heating up with the arrival of new fashions. The smell of sunscreen, longer days and dew on the roses, reminds of us how little time we have to spend with our favorite season.

Toss on a tee-shirt, shorts and sandals to celebrate the casual side of summer. Enjoy sitting on the dock, catching the sun's rays and kicking off your shoes. We have a great selection of comfortable tee-shirts perfect to wear while lighting up the grill and making your summer complete.

Now is a great time to stock up on basics to last you the rest of the season! We have summer items marked 20%-50% off! Including 40% off cropped and white denim.

DL1961 Jeans

Ladies, I have found it. The Holy Grail of jeans. Take it from a admitted jeanaholic, these jeans are the best in the market. I have tried almost every brand, style and wash and none compare to DL1961.

DL1961 uses a cross-weave XFIT technology that basically molds the jeans to your body. I've heard of similar lines before taunting the same claims, and I've always been disappointed. Eventually the jeans stretch and lose their shape or they begin to sag. But I figured it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

When I tried them on, I was impressed. They felt good and I liked the way they fit. Little did I know, just how well they fit. I wore them out to dinner that night and I've never received so many compliments. Did you lose weight? You look skinny! What jeans are you wearing? My head was so big at the end of the night I almost fell over.

I also noticed that the jeans had kept their shape. No saggy bottom and they weren't lose around the waist. They really do give to fit your body. You can walk, sit and breath in these jeans but still look good!

Catwalk for a Cause

Don't miss a night of fashion, great food, freebies and philanthropy at the first Catwalk for a Cause: A Celebration of Fashion Benefiting the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, May 18 at River Run Country Club, 19125 River Falls Drive, Davidson, NC.

The highlight of the night will be the runway presentation featuring spring/summer apparel for men and women from the best boutiques in Lake Norman: Bella Ropa in Huntersville and Lavendar and Dot's Women's Wear in Mooresville.

Expect to see the latest offerings from the hottest lines, including William Rast, True Religion, Rock & Republic, Ella Moss, Da-Nang, Nanette Lepore, Yumi Kim, MM Couture, Theory, Miss Me, Young Fabulous & Broke and more.

"I have wanted to stage a fashion show in the Lake Norman area since we opened in 2007," says Lavendar owner Sherry Pollex, longtime girlfriend of NASCAR driver Truex. "So when the opportunity presented itself to plan this event and have the proceeds go to the foundation Martin and I started, it seemed like a perfect fit."

In keeping with the high fashion/high speed theme, the emcee for the evening is the fabulously stylish Jamie Little, ESPN/ABC pit reporter for NASCAR Nationwide and the Sprint Cup series.
Each $75 tax-deductible ticket includes food, select beverages, door-prizes and a supersized swag bag jammed with designer apparel, accessories and beauty products. The silent auction will feature high-dollar items including jewelry, designer handbags, entertainment and sporting packages and dining and spa certificates.

Buy your ticket before May 14th and get a 25% off coupon* to use at Lavendar Boutique, Dot's Women's Wear or Bella Ropa Boutique.

*Full price styles only and cannot be combined with other offers. One coupon per ticket.

The SilverGirl Jewelry Giveaway!

That's right! Here is your chance to win a fabulous SilverGirl Jewelry necklace. Recently, Genia, of SilverGirl Jewelry, joined us at Bella Ropa to show her newest spring designs, and we decided to share our enthusiasm by giving away two of her beautiful designs - just by signing up as a fan on her Facebook page.

Genia creates fun, flirty, and functional jewelry by blending glistening gem stones, luminous pearls and precious metals. SilverGirl Jewelry is available at fine boutiques in Charlotte, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Even Miley Cyrus has picked up a few of her pieces.

So become a fan and make sure you stop by Bella Ropa Boutique to see SilverGirl Jewelry's spring collection.

Eco Chic

In the mood to save the planet or take recycling to the edge? Whether you've checked out our Facebook page or stopped by Bella Ropa Boutique, we're sure you've seen our latest obsession- The EcoCuff. Wrap your wrist in a peaceful, artsy statement representing the true meaning of reusing materials that are earth-friendly (made from left excess wood used to make designer furniture). Each EcoCuff is hand-made by Green Market Girl - we think her name says it all.

All bracelets are constructed with FSC wood, stained, glued and finished with low to no VOC compounds making them all Eco Friendly. EcoCuffs are designed and hand-crafted right here in the Queen City.

The Peace Cuff is uniquely designed to align our planets, to compliment the hippie in all of us and to keep us singing in perfect harmony. Try one on your wrist and hum along with us.

Three Cheers for Spring!

When checking your calendar gives you a thrill, you know good things are happening! March winds are blowing in exciting events and promotions this month. And believe us, you don't want to miss any of them!

March 12th: Hems and Hers Trunk Show. Stop by and meet the adorable, Caroline Black, the designer behind this fun, flirty line. These dresses are perfect for the Carolina Cup, a surprise birthday party or a bridal shower. We're certain you can think of a few events, too! Caroline can make a custom piece just for you! You will feel at ease knowing you will be the only one wearing the piece (it's so uncomfortable running into someone wearing the same dress). And the best part, her designs retail for under $100.

March 12th - March14th: Spring Sidewalk Sale. Join Bella Ropa, as we excitedly await the arrival of Spring. Birkdale Village hosts the biggest sidewalk sale of the season. Do you find yourself feeling like it's time to add a new flair to your spring wardrobe? All new arrivals will be 20% off! Don't miss out on great deals on Yumi Kim, Frenzii and MM Couture.

March 19th: SilverGirl Designs Trunk Show. One of our favorite jewelry designers, Genia Silver, will be here showing her new Spring line. Nothing changes the attitude of an outfit like accessories! Genia's unique designs are created with personality, sophisticated charm, and lively stones. Awaken your current fashions or accent on new spring trends.

Hems and Hers

Here at Bella Ropa, we love our local designers. The jewelry we carry is designed by local artists and we love the unique collection they represent. Recently, I decided that I wanted to add a local clothing line to the mix. I wasn't sure if I would be able to find a local fashion designer - after all, it takes a lot of energy, time and creativity to maintain a clothing line.

This is where Caroline Black pops into the picture. She is the bubbly personality behind Hems and Hers. You might have seen her pieces featured in Charlotte Magazine but I am happy to say we are the first store to carry the line! Hems and Hers is a line of skirts and dresses in bright, vibrant patterns. All of the pieces are hand sewn with great care and attention to detail. My favorite part is that each piece retails for under $100! So you can be stylish and not break the bank.

Need a dress for the Carolina Cup? Or see a skirt you like but want it in a different pattern? Caroline can create your own custom Hems and Hers piece for any occasion. How many designers do you know that will do that? And the best part, you know you will be the only one wearing it!

We've asked Caroline to come by for a trunk show in the Spring so stay tuned for details!

Love much, Sophia

Jewelry is always the perfect finishing touch to any occasion! Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate and share our joy of all things beautiful. Adorned with handsome gemstones and intricate embellishments, Miller Canning's jewelry designs are as unique as the people who wear them.

My favorite Miller Canning piece, is a stunning amethyst necklace that is hand wire wrapped into a sterling squiggle charm that reads "Love Much." It was was a birthday gift to me from my mother (who has quite a collection of Miller Canning jewelry).

Now, is the perfect time to share your passion for exquisite jewelry and help support an incredible cause. Miller's dog, Sophia, has been diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer. And to help raise funds for the necessary surgery, Miller Canning is offering a 15% discount off her site at ARTFIRE(http://www.artfire.com/users/millercanningjewelry).

The Trauma Unit

I hear it almost every day "I can never find jeans that fit my body." Finding the perfect pair of jeans is almost as stressful as shopping for a bathing suit. I remember being greeted with "Welcome to the trauma unit" upon entering the swim suit section at a department store. I had to laugh at the remark, because I knew before me was the agonizing task of selecting a swim suit. Same goes for buying new jeans. You have to be mentally prepared for the task of finding the "one". You know, the "one" pair of jeans that was cut straight from the design room with you in mind.

You walk into the store and jeans are displayed on a jean wall, hanging neatly on a designer rack, or folded ever so carefully on a table and they are screaming "cardiac arrest" at you!

So, let the jean selection process begin. If you follow a basic jean selecting technique, known as the "pick-pocket", you simply pick up the pair you like based on the design or placement of the back pocket. Sometimes the pocket technique works and sometimes it fails you miserably. Also, there is the "right cut" technique, in which you try on every pair of boot-cut, straight-leg or flare in the store. It gets tricky using this method.

Through my experience in retail, I've developed a system for finding the perfect pair of jeans for just about anyone.

My first recommendation in finding the perfect pair of jeans, is to ask a sales person that you trust! Personally, I am not going to throw 15 different styles of jeans at you, cross my fingers and hope that a pair fits. I think it's best to start with 2 or 3 jean styles that will provide an idea of what you prefer in a jean. Trust me, it doesn't have to be an overwhelming experience or one that requires heavy medication or psychiatric help afterwards.

Here are a few things I look for when helping someone find the perfect pair of jeans:

1- You want the jeans to fit tight. I offer this tip all the time and some women don't believe me. Jeans are going to stretch so if you try them on and they fit like your old comfy jeans that you've had forever - you might want to try the next size down. Jeans look better when they are fitted and you don't want that saggy bottom look. Trust me on this. And I'm not going to let you walk out of the store in jeans that are too tight!

2- You can look at the knee to tell if the jeans are the right fit. If excessive fabric is bunching around the knee, you might need a different size or style.

3- Jeans run long. They are made for people who are 6 feet tall, so if you're average in height, like me, the jeans will need to be altered (or you can just find the tallest shoes and wear those- this will also make your legs look longer - my favorite trick). Bring heels with you while jean shopping and you can get an idea of the length. If you are considering a flare jean, but alteration is required, you might lose a significant amount of fabric which means the end product is closer to a boot-cut. Skinny jeans or straight-legged jeans can easily be altered and the cost is usually around $12.00.

Now it's time to say goodbye to the trauma unit forever (wish buying a bathing suit could be this simple). Happy Jean Shopping!

Shop Local

Recently, when reading a local a paper or magazine, it seems that there is at least one article about a beloved local business that has closed it's doors. Every time I hear about the unfortunate loss of a local store or business closing, I get a little sick to my stomach. To the person who owned the business, more than likely it was their life's dream that has fallen victim to the economy. They vested their heart and soul, emotional well-being, and all their financial resources into that dream. And in part, the community just lost a friend along with some of it's charm.


Besides having the the experience of shopping in a store that's either unique and quirky, and in a lot of instances both, there are real benefits to shopping local. According to the The 3/50 Project, for every $100 you spend at a locally owned store, $68 goes back into the community (whether it's through payroll, taxes or donations) If you shop at a chain it drops to about $43. If you shop online, nothing is passed back into the community.


Locally owned businesses are more likely to contribute to local charities, fundraisers and community events. If your child participates in intramural sports, chances are the team on which your child plays is sponsored by a locally owned business. Now that I think about it I've never seen Abercrombie & Fitch or Gap on the back of a little league tee-shirt.

Locally owned businesses are tailored to blend with the uniqueness of the neighborhood or community. We know our customers and we purchase product based on what they want - not what "Corporate America" dictates. In fact, we spend most of our time thinking about what our customers want and what would make them happy. Can you say that about most chain stores?

So the next time you make a purchase, why don't you stop by a local store first. In the end, we all win.

So it's that time of year when we begin transitioning from winter to spring. Yes, a new fashion season is right around the corner. It's hard to think about spring while the frigid weather wages war on our spirit, but the thought of warmer weather provides the inspiration to get our closet ready! Now is the time to find great deals on fall and holiday apparel that can easily be slipped into your current wardrobe - the perfect transition pieces - and I'm going to help you manage the change in seasons with style and ease.

Look around for incredible savings on jackets and outwear. Besides having it ready for next year, a well-chosen jacket can be worn over dresses during the earlier spring months. You know what I'm talking about - the event you are attending requires a little flirty dress, but the weather outside isn't cooperating. So, you need something to wear between leaving your house and arriving at the event. Probably the most hip jacket is, of course, leather! MM Couture has the perfect leather jacket to compliment this Yumi Kim dress. Wear this ultra chic outfit now with tights and booties and in the spring, lose the tights and wear it with a pair of funky wedges. We like the way this look creates a smooth move from winter to spring.

Knit dresses have an easy flow and charm making them an absolute required basic that should be in every fashion collection. This purple criss cross dress from Frenzii defies all odds by fearlessly bridging the seasons - in fact, it is great to wear throughout most of the year. Pair it with leggings (yes, I have a thing for leggings) and boots, a fun scarf that mingles close to your body for a little extra warmth. In the spring, sporting the dress with a pair of flats and funky jewelry will set the pace for warm weather.

If you have a wedding or an occasion that requires a little something dressier, now is a fantastic time to check out party dresses at 50% to 75% off. MM Couture offers a little black dress so simple that it easily conforms to multiple outfits and no one will know it is the same dress. You can wear it now with this grey MM Couture blazer, tights and boots. When it gets warmer, dress it up with a fun pair of heels and over the top jewelry. You could even layer a fun colored shirt underneath for an additional outfit. This little black dress really delivers the the most bang for the buck.

When you are shopping keep in mind that adding or taking away a few key pieces can create a completely different outfit. Make sure you make the most out of every piece in your wardrobe!