I have confidence...

...that if I were a man with hairy arms (like up to my shoulders), I would refrain from wearing sleeveless shirts.

We Are Nashville

Thanks to all of you who called to check on us during this crazy time in Nashville. We are fine, thank God! We had one house in our neighborhood that had flooding in their garage, and we had some roads buckle and some damage to a bridge and our neighborhood playground. So in the big scheme of things...nothing. So many have lost their homes, their possessions, and some, their lives and loved ones.

But I can't tell you how beautiful it has been to see such an outpouring of love and community during all of this. We have had friends affected by this terrible flood, and have heard stories of how people have come to the rescue. Before FEMA arrived, before Red Cross arrived. Neighbors, churches, complete strangers were there to help these people pick up the pieces that were left and lend a helping hand. Strangers, covered in mud and sewage from climbing under houses and ripping out ductwork. Covered in dust from cutting out drywall. Coughing, sneezing, sick from the mildew infested carpet, furniture, clothing, and air. It's such a good reminder that you don't have to look far from help. And that people really are generous...sometimes it just takes a natural disaster to get people going.

There are tents set up in these neighborhoods that were destroyed. Here, people, restaurants and grocery stores bring food and drinks daily so that lunch and dinner will be available to these people who still have no power, no food, and some of them no money to replace these things.

Below is a video clip of some of the pictures from the flood, and the quotes are from a blog post from a local who had some great things to say. Please continue to reach out to these people in any way you can. If you aren't local, there are plenty of ways to donate. If you can't donate, please pray. There are so many stories out there that would just break your heart.

One way you can help (and be really fashionable at the same time) is to buy a "We are Nashville" t-shirt. I'll be heading over to Nashville Clothing Company to pick up one for myself this weekend!

'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

And the winner of the naming of the newsletter contest is....Molly! The newsletter's name is Transformations! I'm throwing an honorable mention at Miz Becky. I'm using her "The Girl Across the Room (never envy her again, advice on being her)" for the advice column! She gets a $50 gift certificate! Congrats girls. And I promise, you'll get the newsletter soon. I worked really hard on it, made it beautiful, and the file is too big to email. I may have to make it less beautiful so I can get it to ya'll :( Congrats girls, and thanks to everyone for the creative names. It was a tough decision!

Win $100 Gift Certificate

Ok people, I'm giving away $100 Bella Bucks (that's a gift certificate towards my services)! But I need your help! I'm in the process of creating my very first newsletter, and I'm very excited about it. But I want some input as to what I should name it. It's going to have articles, tips, a Q&A section, and of course a client section with before and afters.

So put on your thinking caps! I want to get the newsletter out by week's end, so contest ends on Thursday. Oh, and if you are out of town (too far for me to travel) and you win, no worries. We can do a partial consultation online!

To enter, just leave a comment with what you think I should name my blog. And if you want to receive the newsletter via email, leave your email address in comments section or email me at holly@ciaobellaimages.com. Let all of your blog buddies know so I have lots of ideas to choose from!

Good Luck!

You Were on the Cross

Yesterday, all I wanted to do was spend time praying, meditating and reflecting on the death of our Lord. Tall order for a mom of 3. Satan did everything in his power to make this not happen, and most of the day it worked. I had a really hard "mommy day." I found myself praying, "Lord, I just want to spend time with you!!!" And the truth is, spending time with my kids (even at their worst) IS spending time with HIM! So as my 3 year old was throwing fit after fit, and literally throwing her sippy cup at me while I was driving down the road, I "offered it up." I knew that I was going to have a little time with Him at the Good Friday service at church, where I could utilize the nursery. WRONG! No nursery. More offering it up. As I prayed last night, the Lord put this song on my heart. Even at my worst (which really isn't that bad) and I wonder where he is, he's there, on the cross.

Lost.

Everything is lost

And everything I’ve loved before is gone

Alone, like the coming of the frost

And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

Where were You when all that I’ve hoped for

Where were You when all that I’ve dreamed

Came crashing down in shambles around me?

You were on the cross

Pain.

Could You take away the pain

If I find someone to blame

Would it make my life seem easier

Alone, all my friends are asleep

And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

And where were You when sin stole my innocence

Where were You when I was ashamed

Hiding in a life I wish I’d never made?

You were on the cross

My God, my God All along, all along

You were on the cross You died for us

All along, all along

You were on the cross

Victorious

All along, all along

You were there in all my suffering

You were there in doubt and fear

I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear

By: Matt Maher

CD: Alive Again

Wisdom of a Man Named Joe

Last weekend, we had a business fair at our church. I had a table set up there, and it was great to share my business with the people of my parish. I was doing free, quick, wardrobe analysis and consultations. I met a very interesting and confident man named Joe. He came up to my table and said, "So, what do you think of my image, never mind, don't tell me. I already know. My image is perfect, because I am made in the image of God. In fact, we all are, which means, nobody needs to hire you."

He got me thinking. He is right, we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and when we meet him one day, we will have perfect bodies, and no thoughts of insecurity. However, we don't all have perfect bodies and/or the confidence of Joe. I heard a lady speak at the women's conference yesterday, and she mentioned the Dove "Real Women" campaign from a few years ago. The campaign statistics showed that 2% of women label themselves as beautiful. 2%!!! This is crazy to me. I look around every day and see the beauty of the women I come in contact with. So different, and so "perfect." Even though we are perfect, and God sees us that way, and is crazy about us JUST THE WAY WE ARE, that doesn't mean we see ourselves that way.

So that's where I come in. You know, when I describe my business, I compare what I do to the show What Not to Wear. I should really stop doing that, because the way I approach the whole process is very different. I don't choose to tear you down only to bring you back up. I take the person and ask them about their insecurities. I teach them to love what God has given them, and to make them look and feel beautiful, no matter what their body type or perceived flaws.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all felt like Joe about ourselves? I would totally be fine being out of business if that's how we all felt! I would find something else to do. But thanks to the media, Satan, and original sin, we don't all feel that way.

A new friend asked me about my business not long ago. She said, "So do you think that a sweet little nun with a bulky habit, and no make-up needs your services?" My response, "Heaven's No!" That little woman has given her life to God, and is probably very confident that God loves her just the way she is.

I'm not out to make a little fashionista clone army. Just as God made us all look different, I think we should all dress different. I like to help people feel comfy in the skin they are in while wearing things that make them feel good about themselves (so sue me if for me these things happen to be skinny jeans, cool boots and trendy jewelry)!

So today, I challenge you all to tell yourself you are beautiful, and mean it. And if you don't feel it, go through your closet and put something on that makes you feel beautiful. Then thank God for giving you this beautiful body that is made in HIS image!

Finger Lickin' Evil

Do you know how hard it is not to lick the spoon after you've made chocolate muffins for your daughter's preschool? Well, it's hard. Ridiculously hard. Borderline heroic