Know a Good Tailor?

Does anyone know a good tailor? No, it's not for me-it's for you! Most of us should have a tailor. There are a few who know their way around a sewing machine and have the time to tailor their clothes. I can sew but confess to having a small pile of clothing that may as well get comfortable where they are because spring is here and I have cute dresses to make! And of course, though we hate to mention them but must, there are a few who can put anything on and look spectacular. If that's you, read on anyway but don't feel bad for us-with a great tailor there's hope!

Gone are the days (sadly) when most women made their own clothes. So even if they could not afford the finest fabrics they still looked polished and put together. Why? because fit is everything. We live in the days of ready-to-wear. There is more clothing in this country than we know what to do with and yet if you're honest about it, seriously, be honest, most people don't look so well put together. I'm not saying we all need to look like June Cleaver at the grocery store but I'm sure that back then pajama bottoms were for bed or lounging around the house.

These days clothing is too tight or too big, hems are too high or too low. With the exception of clothing that's too tight (going up a size won't kill you, I promise) then a tailor can easily fix most of those problems. It's not about being in style it's about having style. Taking pride in your appearance. It's about knowing what works for your body and what doesn't. If you feel lost and don't know where to start then get yourself a good fashion consultant (like me) and schedule a closet consultation. Our job is not only to help you go through your wardrobe and figure out what's right for you and what isn't but to teach you how to make clothing work for you. The goal is that you learn how to build a functioning wardrobe and my hope is that you walk away with a little more confidence and a better self-image.

Alright, enough of the self-promoting and back to my point about tailoring. Here are few things to consider when trying on clothes. If you are tall and find that clothing is always too short then look for pieces that have a good couple of inches in the hem. These can be easily lengthened by a tailor. If you are petite have your hems brought up. Blouses and jackets with seam details like vertical darts or princess seams seen here on this lovely Stella McCartney blazer can also be taken in.
Make sure that you have the proper fit along the shoulders, again, you may have to go up a size and then have the rest brought in. Sleeves can be made slimmer. You may even be able to add a button to raise the stance if you're fuller on top. If the pockets on a pair of pants or skirt are bulging or gaping creating an unsightly hip line have them cut out and sewn shut.

I know what you're thinking, "Gina, I'm on a budget and can barely afford the clothes to begin with. I don't have the money for a tailor!" I hear you. If anyone knows how to shop on a budget it's me. I feel your pain but I'm not going to budge. If you have things in your closet that fit you well and make you feel good about yourself when you put them on then it's worth it. Don't you deserve to feel pretty everyday? Of course you do!

Oh, and there's one more thing the ladies of Bombshell Beauties would like you remember. You're beautiful and don't ever forget it!

Con mucho amor,

Gina

Bring out Your Beautiful Best

Are you a make-up artist or hair stylist that is interested in bringing out the beautiful best in every woman? Please drop us a note or give us a call - we would love to partner with you in styling and photographing women of every body shape and color.

Check out our new Bombshell Beauties postcards - let us know if you represent a salon or are a freelance artist that would like to partner with us and we will drop some by.

We hope you are seeing the beauty in your day!

Jennifer, Bombshell Beauties + Horizon Photography

The Most Precious Anniversary Gift

If you are desperately trying to figure out what to give your husband for your anniversary this year, how about the most precious gift of all - YOU! Take a look at the montage we created for Keziah to give her husband Vince...she is indeed "more precious than rubies".

Warm Hearted Gina

Hey Ladies - in case you have not yet met our fabulous wardrobe Stylist, Gina Clark, here are a few pictures of her. Her warm heart and glistening spirit are truly cherished! And just wait until your photo session - she is a miracle worker with all body types. Her great talent is making all women look and feel gorgeous! Even a long-legged gal like me!

I love you Gina!! Jen

You must see this Boudoir Beach session!

Our Passions and Our Beauty

Lately I have been devoting more time to my art. I sew and make clothing, jewelry, and bags. When I was in high school I stayed up all night working on my outfit for the next day. I wore some very creative outfits back then. I would get to bed around 2 am then wake up around 5 or 6 to get started on hair and make-up. I believed then as I do now that an outfit is not complete without the perfect hair and make-up. Unfortunately, as a busy stay at home mom of two with several creative projects in the air I do not have the luxury of devoting all my time to looking picture perfect. I do my best though (as I'm sure you do as well) but here is something I am learning as I allow myself the time to have fun with the gifts that God has given me.

God has made me an artist and if I do not feed and nurture that part of me then I am not wholly connected to God. When I am not wholly connected to God then I find that I am not as happy with myself. You probably already knew that but it took me a long time to make that connection. I wake up every morning to pray and study the Bible. I am active in my church and mentor young women. I get to work with Jen and other talented women through our business, Bombshell Beauties. I have the most incredible husband on the planet and my kids, when they are not driving me crazy, are actually quite awesome. With all of that I still had a hard time feeling happy with myself and all that I have accomplished. I would obsess over my skin and my body. Pouring money into creams and over thinking my diet. Looking into my over stuffed closet and feeling dissatisfied with what was there. I have spent years feeling like life is passing me by and blaming myself and the bad choices I have made in my past and then feeling distressed because time is running out and I'm only getting older. Does any of this sound familiar? If it does then read on-it actually gets better!

In September I decided to buy myself a work table. Something I have always wanted but have never invested in because my family of four lives in a shoe box. After that I enrolled myself in a silk screening class. Another thing I have always wanted to do but there were always more important things to spend the money on. Those two decisions opened something up in me. For my class I decided to print on a t-shirt and from there I decided that I wanted to make the t-shirt. Now I have decided that I want to make most of my wardrobe which will take me years with all I've got going on! I try to be patient and give a little bit of time daily. Every piece I complete fills me with so much satisfaction. I have made jewelry and bags and even a jacket with a lining. I love that jacket and wear it everyday! OK, so here's the best part-since I have started I am happier with myself. I don't stress about flawless skin and appreciate my body more. I have never felt more beautiful. I think I should say that again-I have never felt more beautiful. It never occurred to me that my own unhappiness could be the result of my not using and completely ignoring my God given gifts.

So here are some questions to think about. What gifts has God given you that you are ignoring or setting aside? Do you have passions that have been thrown out because of lack of money or space or because they don't "fit" with your current schedule or lifestyle? Are you feeling dissatisfied with your life? Have you believed the lie that you are not special and that you have nothing of value to contribute to this world?

Take some time to pray and talk to God about these things. As you enter into that conversation I just want to tell you that you are special. That God created you to do some wonderful things in this world that only you can do. I also want to remind you that you are beautiful and if you don't believe me then ask Jen, she thinks you're beautiful too!

The Beauty of a Woman

My aim through portrait photography is to show women how truly BEAUTIFUL they are. Whether your are in your twenties or sixties, any age or size you are created to thrive in your loveliness. But how can we define beauty? Mr. Webster says:

beau·ty

  [byoo-tee] –noun, plural -ties.

1.

the quality present in a thing or person

that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind,

whether arisingfrom sensory manifestations

(as shape, color, sound, etc.),a meaningful design or pattern,

or something else (as apersonality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

Is it the senses alone that are delighted by such a wonder as Beauty?

I have to agree with the author of 'The Beauty of a Woman' when I think of

what truly defines the desire to posess Beauty and be our lovely, loving,

grace-filled best - this will certainly take a lifetime to achieve!

The Beauty Of A Woman

The beauty of a woman

isn't in the clothes she wears,

The figure that she carries,

or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman

must be seen from in her eyes;

Because that's the doorway to her heart,

the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman

isn't in a facial mole;

But true beauty in a woman,

is reflected by her soul.

It's the caring that she cares to give,

the passion that she shows;

And the beauty of a woman

with passing years only grows.

Authorship is variously attributed to the following authors:

Maya Angelou, Ralph Fenger, Audrey Hepburn & Sam Levenson

Here is an attempt at capturing a little sense of that beautiful feeling during a recent Pin-Up Party with my sisters. Looking at this photograph I recall how delighted I was to spend the afternoon photographing my lovely sisters, all in their 40s and 50s. What a thrill to laugh and take joy in one another - what a gift to feel beautiful with my wonderful sisters!! (I will post their photos soon!)