Tabitha Wearing "Tabitha" by Maggie Sottero

I think it was like 4 months ago when I was looking through the new Maggie Sottero vendor catalogue and saw a dress...wait...I have to back up and give you more info first.

Ok, FIRST of all Maggie Sottero names all of their gowns which is charming and also makes life easier because you can say to your gown specialist, "I saw "Clarice" on line and am really interested in her!" And we know exactly who you're talking about.  It also gets funny because we talk about the dresses like they are ACTUALLY girls..."Have you tried Bernadette?"  or "She LOVES Tracey!"  and "I pulled  Madison, I think you'll like her." It's awesome :)

Anyway, four months ago I was looking through the new Maggie Sottero vendor catalogue and saw a dress named...TABITHA!! JUST LIKE ME!!!! I love it!!  So I (of course) FUUUHREEEEK'D out and was like "YOU GUYS YOU GUYS YOU GUYS!! THERE'S A DRESS WITH MY NAME!!!!"

Normal people have names like Ashley, Jennifer, Jessica, Kristen, Nicole, Christine, and Sarah.  These people are totally accustomed to sharing their names so they don't FREAK OUT about things with their name. Yeah. (All of the kids in my family have good friends named Tabitha.  We attract Tabithas. Shout out to Tabitha A.!!)

Back to me FREAKING OUT: The rest of the store was mildly impressed and said, "Oh, hhhmm...yes...it's a pretty dress." And carried on. Sigh.

Fast forward 4 months, to where I FUUUUHREEEK'D out again because THE DRESS IS HERE!! IT CAME IN!! TABITHA'S HERE!! TABITHA'S HERE!!!

This time more people got excited with me and I immediately tried on Tabitha!! (And by immediately I mean took my clothes off in the back room)

So allow me to introduce:

Tabitha by Maggie Sottero 

 "Tabitha" is ultimate femininity!  Lace, delicate beading, extreme mermaid silhouette, and a matching lace veil combine forces to create a superhero of gowns.

 Here is the matching cathedral length veil that goes with "Tabitha"!  The lace edge is called "eyelash" lace because of the fine pieces that you can see flaring from the lace. 

Check out this extreme mermaid!  It's fitted tightly through the thigh and the petticoat underneath this gown is ENORMOUS!!  You can't tell by looking at it, but the flared skirt is extremely full and "thick" with layers of "fluff" to make it stand out beautifully!

 How beautiful is this veil?!?  We are in LOVE with this look!!

 "Tabitha" has the signature Maggie Sottero corset back that is uber figure flattering.
 











  




















This is the optional flower that comes with "Tabitha"! It's such a great accessory especially to add to the gown on the way to the reception!



I hate writing about dresses when I wear them because it makes me feel weird so I am asking the girls what they think...here we go!!

Nichole: "I love the top.  It's soft, very feminine.  I love the eyelash lace, too. I actually really love where the sash is.  It breaks up the torso, espeically for someone like you, you look proportioned."

Jazmyn: "What do I like about "Tabitha"?  I think that in terms of fit the structure of the dress though is a mermaid but it a woman's curves nicely without making her look "hip-y".  I agree with Nichole, it makes you look really long and lean."

Shelley: "I like it.  It's unique, unusual.  It's fitted but it's empire waisted, which you don't see a lot.  It's a TRUE mermaid and there are a lot of dresses that aren't. "

Claire: "I think Tabitha is pretty amazing, she's friendly, has a great a...OH THE DRESS? My feelings towards the gown: I think it's sparkly, glittery, and looks like a pretty doily.  I love the eyelash lace.  I love that it's called eyelash lace.  I like the simple elegance."

You're welcome for the amazing over the top bridal pose.

So come see, "Tabitha"! If you're interested in a mermaid, she's your girl!  When you put her on you instantly feel the quality in the structure of this Maggie Sottero gown.  You MUST check her out!!



Love, Tabitha. (me, not the dress)

PS: THANK YOU CLAIRE FOR BEING AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER!!  Seriously.  She's baller. She photographs weddings. Just saying. :)

A re-telling of "Snow White" and "Beauty and the Beast" with Alfred Angelo

Once Upon A Time...

(Claire is wearing "Snow White" by Alfred Angelo)

There was a beautiful young girl.  She had lips as red as roses, hair black as the raven, and skin as white as snow, and so she was called Claire.

Claire worked as a receptionist at Camarillo Bridal where the wicked Director of First Impressions enslaved her and forced her to do her evil bidding.  One day the Director of First Impressions said, "Claire, I want you to sing to this bird...yes...I know it's a ridiculous request but I'm the boss and you have to do what I say.  So START SINGING."  Claire obediently began to to sing to the silly plastic bird.

Then she made her sit around and look into mirrors...

(The "Disney Princess" dresses are all available here at Camarillo Bridal!!)

Finally Claire just couldn't take it anymore and said, "Where is my prince to help me escape the clutches of this evil boss?!?"  And like all decently trained beautiful young girls she threw herself dramatically on the couch clutching an apple she had brought for lunch that she was too sick with worry to eat...

(It is a gorgeous line of gowns inspired by the gowns and the girls of Disney...)

Then..against all odds...she heard something in the distance...the sound of hope...

 (Not only are they beautifully made dresses, but they are a very appealing price point)

It was the little bird telling her "Don't lose hope!  You have a great job, you're young, you have your whole life ahead of you!  Don't let the evil Director of First Impressions deter you from your dreams! And besides, your beautiful songs make each day special for me!"

 

 (These gowns are perfect for the bride who wants to be a princess on her wedding day!)

"OH, THANK YOU LITTLE BIRD, for your words of encouragement!  You're right!  It is a VERY good job and I'm sure all my dreams for the future will come true when I least expect them."

(Make an appointment to try on "Snow White"...You will feel BEAUTIFUL in her)

And she lived happily knowing that working at Camarillo Bridal was in fact so much fun despite the evil Director of First Impressions who still occasionally made her sing to the birds.

The End

Once Upon A Time...

(Nichole is wearing "Belle" by Alfred Angelo)

There was a beautiful and bright young girl named, Nichole.  Nichole was engaged to a beast named, Joe, who loved her very much.

Nichole was in the throes of planning her wedding and starting to feel the pressure of it weighing heavily on her pretty shoulders. Nichole, who is very organized, turned to the "Wedding Celebrations" vendor guide to help her in the her search for the perfect vendors.  "Wedding Celebrations" was the ultimate book of all wedding vendors throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for Nichole to plan her wedding!  You can get your own copy here at Camarillo Bridal!

(www.weddingcelebrations.com Wedding Locations and Venues

Wedding Planner and Vendor Services in Southern California)

Nichole searched far and wide to make every detail of her wedding day perfect...

 (The "Belle" gown is an exquisitely beaded bodice with a beautifully draped skirt...)
 

As Nichole began to really get down to crunch time in her wedding planning she and her trusty candelabra friend, Tim (who works at Party Pleasers), buckled down and began checking things off the "to-do" list one thing at a time...

 ("Belle" can be worn with or without the tulle shoulder wrap)

As she approaches the date of her wedding she is anxiously counting the days and the things still left to do, but is keeping her nerves calm through plenty of exercise, organization, and drinking lots of water.  Seriously...LOTS of water.

(The Disney dresses provide all of the romance and fantasy that any princess deserves)
 

Nichole and Joe will live happily every after and their amazing day will be everything they could have wanted because they have each other and their enduring full-length-animated-feature-style love for each other.

When Nichole and Joe look back at their Wedding Day they will be able to remember it with complete joy and happiness, thanks to Nichole's hard working, discipline, and incredible aptitude for details.

The End

**We are VERY happy to be able to off the Disney Collection by Alfred Angelo!!  These beautiful gowns will melt any girls heart.  Over the next few months I will be featuring each Princess gown here in the blog so that YOU get to see these dresses in all their gorgeous glory!  I look forward to sharing Aurora, Jasmine, Tiana, Ariel, and Cinderella with you!!**

Interview with a Gown Specialist

Renee Barnett: Store Manager and Gown Specialist Extraordinaire

I would like to introduce you to all of the Camarillo Bridal Babes...so I thought I would start this week with Renee since she is currently our longest standing Babe.  She will give you a little insight into what it is like being a Gown Specialist here at Camarillo Bridal. And also what it's like being Renee Barnett.

ALSO: Check out our channel on YouTube!!

Tabitha: "What is your favorite color?"

Renee:  "Red.  As you can see by the hair...and also shoes that I have.  I just really like it.  I like bold."

Tabitha: "You are bold."

Renee: "I am, I am"
Tabitha: "It's true."

Yeah. There was no hesitation.  Red is DEFINITELY her fave color.  I also know this because she has, in fact, said to me before, "Is this red lipstick ok?  Is it too much like all my other red lipsticks? Or is it too circus?"  It wasn't.  It was Renee Red...a.k.a. Gorgeous.

 This is when Renee received the Camarillo Bridal Babes Yearbook Superlative 

"Most Like to Succeed"

T: "How long have you been in bridal?"
R: "Oh my goodness. <extremely long pause and also a slightly scared look which can be translated as "Holy crap I'm giving my age away" or as "Oh crap I have to add."> I have been in bridal on and off for about 12 years.  I started at a boutique in the valley then I worked with a designer for a while.  Then I took time off to have babies and then I found this tremendous opportunity with Camarillo Bridal and I have been here for 3 years!"
T: "That's...amazing."

T: "Do you have a current favorite dress?"
R: "That's a hard one.  I think Fiorella by Maggie Sottero.  It's a one shoulder,  it's curvaceous, the material is wonderful.  The color is really really rich...it's the alabaster and it's not something you see a lot, it's unusual."
T: "Is there an all-time favorite dress or dress style?"
R: "Ya know, I still am a huge fan of sheer sleeves. I am waiting to find a dress that is off the shoulder with long sheer sleeves...not like weird Lord of the Rings type, but something elegant and sexy that is off the shoulder showing the collar bone."
T: "Nice I love it."

We (Renee and I) got all dressed up for the 

 Grand Opening of the new location of Camarillo Bridal!

T: "What is the best part of working in bridal?"
R: "Ya know,  I know that I am not a firefighter saving lives, and I'm not a teacher enriching young minds but I think my job..there is an importance to it because every girl needs a dress. I tell people all the time that the bridal industry and the funeral industry are fairly recession proof...people always need us. But honestly the best part is knowing you're playing a fairly pivotal role in a girl's life even if only for a few months while she's planning her wedding. I think that is what is just really heartwarming for me."
T: "I'm gonna cry!"
R: "I love being a girl!"

Yes.  Yes.  We actually got that sappy talking about working in bridal together. I knoooowww don't make fun of us.
 

T: "What piece of advice would you give to girls who are searching for their dream wedding dress?"
R: "Probably the biggest thing I can say is to not have your guard up when you come see us because honestly the people who work in a bridal store are looking out for your best interest, at least I know Camarillo Bridal prides themselves on that.  We are not out for the bottom line, we are not out to mess up your budget or your dress, so I would say just coming in with an open mind and view us as your advocate instead of a sales person. Because, yes we are, but that's the not the bottom line, we want to find you a dress you feel extraordinary in. So come with an open mind."

Renee dyeing a pair of shoes in "Dyeing for Color"

T: "So with all these years of finding dream dresses for brides, what would you say is the most interesting story that you have been part of?"
R: "Oooohhh..."
<This is the part where she looks down and you can SEE her contemplating "Do I tell this story?!? How do I handle this?!  Thankfully she proceeds>:
"Ok, I've got a good one. There was a bride that came into my salon on the valley.  Very pretty girl, long blonde hair, thin figure.  She said she was getting married in a Vegas in a couple of weeks so we were going to have to go off the rack and I said no problem.  She wanted something really tight, really curvy. BUT she had a special request....And she told me that while she was in Vegas she was immediately going from her wedding to the adult film awards that were going on the night of her wedding.  So she wanted a dress that she could wear to both events...That was a challenge.  UUuuum...believe it or not we found something for her, it was a halter neckline, kind of a white, and we had our seamstress make the neckline plunge to her naval so it was like a really extreme v neck if you wanna call it that.  And she was able to wear it to both events. I never got to see the finished product.  She said she was up for a few awards so I know it was seen, but by far one of the most INTERESTING bridal experiences I've had!"
T: "That is hilarious. Was she shopping alone?"
R: "No Sugar Daddy was with her....he was about 30 years older than she was."
T: "...fascinating."
R: "Ahh romance! Romance in the bridal world!"

Renee playing the role of "Outraged Bridesmaid" in
"True or False: Every gown needs alterations."

T: "A last questions for you.  Do you like soup?"
R: "Mmmm! I DO like soup!"
T: "Do you have a favorite soup?"
R: "There is a clam chowder, a white clam chowder, from this little Mexican restaurant in Ventura that they serve only on Fridays.  By far the best clam chowder I have ever had."

T: "Thank you for letting me interview you!  Is there anything you would like to leave us with?"
R: "Yes.  Particularly about Camarillo Bridal.  We have been in our new location for about four months now and I am so proud of the store and so proud of our team.  And I can't image myself doing ANYTHING else and I think we have something really unique, and really special here.  I really hope anyone who sees this or comes in for their dress is able to sense the same sense of pride I feel every day when I come here."
T: "That is awesome, thank you!"

Renee and Nichole at the 2 mile point when we all participatedin the 

Camarillo Kiwanis 5k.  The best part of running a 5k? 

Walking it.

To Know-A-Veil

Well Ladies, I did a Facebook Poll and thus today's blog is all about just that!

Renee gets FULL credit for the cleverly punny title...she is very good at that.  She is training for the pun Olympics...London 2012 here she comes.

So I enlisted the lovely Nichole to come model some veils for me!  It was great to have Nichole and Jazmyn's help in picking out the right veils because they work with them so much more than I do.  I mean, I LOVE headpieces and birdcage veils so I am not as well versed in the more traditional veils and their options.

"The gown is the cake, but the veil is the frosting.  It is what takes you from just trying on wedding dresses to being a bride." 

- Renee Barnett

The tradition of a veil stems from back in the day when you did not see the bride before the wedding.  I know, "Hey, I'm Mr. Right, we've never met but I hear you're my wife."
HOWEVER...I do love the symbolism of uncovering the face of the bride in all of her bridal splendour and seeing her for the first time as your wife...to remove the cloth that separates the two of you.  THAT is beautiful.


I'm going to start with the long and go to the short to give you a little tutorial about all the veils and what they have to offer! Readdyyyy...seeeet...BLOG!

Cathedral Length:

 

 This length is dramatic, romantic, and absolutely breath-taking when you see the bride walking down the isle as is trails behind her delicately.  The length of the veil and train match and I LOVE the effect of the extra detail on the train that the veil gives!

Cause look at that beautiful edge!  

Can't you just imagine it flowing out behind you?

Here is how it flows around your shoulders and down around the gown in the front...also adding delicate detail to the gown as it sweeps gracefully to the ground...

We love a cathedral length veil on our brides who are looking for a traditional and dramatic bridal ensemble.  This one was Jazmyn's pull...Jazmyn says things like "it's the bomb.com".  Well, I went to thebomb.com and it's not exciting.

Chapel Length:

There was some discussion about this one...how long IS it?!  Well, if it hits the floor and flares out a bit, that's Chapel!  So here I have a GORGEOUS Chapel Length veil...you can see how it flows along the train of the gown...

Plus how CUTE is Nichole!? I love this veil on this dress :)  I didn't even know we have it!  I didn't even know it EXISTED.  See...this is why I blog.  For your edification as well as mine.  Yes.
This is the lace detailing up close.  Seriously.  I love this.

Fingertip and Blusher:

This is the MOST traditional of all the veils.  The longest layer is roughly fingertip (shocker) and the second layer is slightly shorter and can be pulled over your face for the tradition of removing the veil before the kiss!

This one has beautiful satin edging that really makes the veil stand out against your gown and body...I like that it's super light weight, too.

 

And now this angle...you can see how it falls across your shoulders once the blusher is pulled back...

 I really love this one...it's just so BRIDEFUL!!

Elbow Length:

Just like it says...at the elbow!  It seriously makes me roll my eyes that the names of these are so self explanatory and yet I still feel compelled to explain them...thank you for bearing with me.  I appreciate your patience.

OK ANYWAY...this one is for my brides who love bling!  Check out the thick edge of gorgeous sparkle on this bad larry...

YEP...beading...sparkle...so beautiful!!  Can you image this with a super sparkley belt??
"Yes I can, Tabitha!"

You're such a good audience.

 And the length on this in the back is very flattering with the backs of the gowns...

Elbow Length 2:

Because it's the most popular length I photographed two of them...and this one is pretty much one of my favorites!!  I like the delicate crystals that are spaced along the edges...

The little baby crystals along the edge catch the lights so that you are sparkling without being a disco ball.  It's a wedding...not a discotheque.

Shoulder Length: 

Ok. Um.  Let's just talk about this picture of Nichole for a second...WHAT IS UP HOTTIE MCSEXYPANTS??!

Moment over.

This is one of Nichole's favorite's that she pulled for me to use and I had no idea how much I would love it!  It's a sweet length with some really beautiful details...

Yep.  LOVE.  And gorgeous length.

 

Flyaway:

 A.K.A. Tiny Little Veil!!  It's soooooo cute! I love this thing!  It hugs your shoulders and is absolutely sweet.  And it's called FLYAWAY!! That's funny.  Like it's going to sprout wings.

This is the satin edging that is also on the fingertip veil I showed earlier.  There's something really nice about the way it stands out against the dresses.

Gah!! SO GREAT! (And...HI CLAIRE IN THE BACKGROUND!!)

This little cutie definitely stole my heart for the day :)

YOU'VE BEEN VEILED!!  I just knowledged you about veils lengths!!  And you will never be the same!  Mwahahahahahah!!

But other than that, yay!  This was a fun blog, thank you so much for all 4 of your votes that determined today's subject.  'Cuz I when I post things on our Facebook I'm not kidding around.  YOU could choose our next blog topic...JUST VOTE!

Other news:  I ate 4 peanut butter chocolate chip cookies while writing this.  I am

a) tweaking out on sugar right now
b) can feel my thighs growing
c) need water desperately
d) all of the above

If you answered a) tweaking out on sure right now...YOU ARE CORRECT!!  Congratulations!!

Peace out, yo.