These are letters you should definitely open...

Remember that feeling you would get when you received a personal letter in the mail? For a moment you didn't know who had sent it, and there was an anticipation as you tried to decipher who's writing it might be on the envelope. Only to impatiently rip it open, and dive into the words scribbled across the page.  With email, this is now a memory of things past. Letters are sent instantly through cyber space directly into your inbox. 

It was not that long ago however, that letters took months to reach their final destination, and there were no cell phones or telephones for that matter, that could provide an immediate answer to your question. Needless to say, life was slower and letters held much more weight. People often chose their words carefully, hoping each word would carry their full-hearted intention. It was beautiful in a way, people putting that much care into each and every word. 

This is apparent when you check out one of our very favorite websites, www.lettersofnote.com. Letters of Note is a collection of 125 of the world's most entertaining, inspiring and unusual letters and we are BIG BIG FANS. From Virginia Woolf's heart-breaking suicide letter, to Queen Elizabeth II's recipe for drop scones sent to President Eisenhower; from the first recorded use of the expression 'OMG' in a letter to Winston Churchill, to Gandhi's appeal for calm to Hitler; and from Iggy Pop's beautiful letter of advice to a troubled young fan, to Leonardo da Vinci's remarkable job application letter,Letters of Note is a celebration of the power of written correspondence which captures the humour, seriousness, sadness and brilliance that make up all of our lives.

We often turn to this site for inspiration for our line and figured it was about time to share one of our favs with you!

We would love to hear your thoughts and favorite letters of the bunch, and hope that you love this romantic glimpse into the past as much as we do. 

www. lettersofnote.com

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CONTEST GIVEAWAY

Three H's silver, black rhodium and gold 18 brass plated H cuff.  To enter to win our random drawing like our facebook, tweet and share our best selling H cuff. The more you like, the more you share the more you tweet the more you are entered. Have a Happy Healthy and Heavenly H weekend...Good luck winner announced monday.

Which one flavor of H do you prefer? 

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Yes? No! No? Yes!: Say yes to life.

For many people there is still a belief that "I do" are the two words that open the gateway to a happy, safe and meaningful life.  I disagree.

I believe the gateway words are 'yes' and 'no'.

Our Yes/No Earrings

 Many greater minds then mine have mulled over the importance of these words eons
before me.

Mae West, who mixed her sex appeal, intelligence and humor brilliantly said "I only have 'yes' men around me.  Who needs "no"  men?" HA!

Our Mae West Tombstone Tote

Eleanor Roosevelt, who was named by President Truman as the First Lady of the World because of her humanitarian efforts,  said 

"Never allow a person to tell you 'no' who doesn't have the power to say 'yes'"

 I try to remember her wisdom throughout the craziness of everyday life.  

Gandhi once said "A 'no' uttered from the deepest conviction is better then a 'yes'  merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."

I wish I had taken that to heart sooner.  I have found that many
 of my own, and my friends, personal relationships fail from
 this just as often as governments do. 

Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician,  said “the oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought".   His math theory has more than stood the test of time so I would trust his thinking.

Finally, one of my favorite mythological and philosophical writers Joseph Campbell, who coined the infamous phrase "follow your bliss",
and who's definition of a hero's journey is replayed in
every Hollywood film, declared
"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty 'yes' to your adventure. 

I honor all these thinkers in my yes/no line, which I created as much to help me with my own equivocation, as my desire to remind everyone else to 

stay true to their own 'yes' and 'no'. I find that people who are living by the truth of what they really want to say 'yes' and 'no' to,  have an inner and outer beauty that shows up in all areas of their life.

As Nietzsche, the great philosopher said, "there is no middle ground to life, you either said 'yes' to life or you have said 'no'.

Our Yes/No Coin Purse

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Be Happy

Benjamin Franklin was the 15th of 17 children,  with no formal education, and he could have easily found reason to be unhappy.

I quoted on my tote for so many reason but one is that instead of stopping and making excuses he reached for greatness.

  I love this quote from him.....

"The constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  

You have to catch it.  

Without continual growth and progress, 

such words as improvement,

 achievement, and success have no meaning." 

I am concerned that I am measuring happiness the same way I measure hunger.  You?

I never spend my day thinking I am NOT hungry,  but when I am hungry I notice I am starved (and I get cranky)! 

Happiness seems to be calibrated the same way.  When we are unhappy,  like when we are hungry,  we chatter and chatter on about it.  When we are happy we do not notice or give it nearly the same amount of air time. 

 Am I only turning my attention to what is not working verses what is working?  Are you? 

Life is a series of things not working; the air conditioner, hair dryer, the internet, friendships, marriages the list goes on and on.. I run my own company, I have projects, four kids, two dogs, family and friends....it is very easy to look through the list and find the pieces that have fallen off the rails.

I am going to start to embrace my inner Ben Franklin and take my right to pursue happiness with a vengeance.  Starting with my answer to "How are you?";  "I am happy".  I think the more we say it the more it will be true. 

"I'm happy", say it, even if you are only happy for that one moment when you acknowledge that someone in your life cared enough to ask how you're doing. 

People say it is never a good time to get married, pregnant, have surgery or go on a diet, ...IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO BE HAPPY..we just have to do it! 

Catch the joy.  Notice the moments when you are content, when you are full enough.  When you are not hungry.  Share them with me.  Let's start a happiness pandemic! 

The Tombstone Tote in Grey

The Ben Franklin Tombstone Tote

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Judy Bentley - Designer Eye

Having been around the world of art and style my whole life, I can say with confidence that my dear friend, Judy Bentley, has one of the best designer eyes I have ever seen. 

Judy came into my life when she began working with my Mother on her home in Atlanta where they quickly became dear friends.  They manifested some of the most beautiful events, occasions and homes I have experienced in my lifetime.  Over the life of their friendship I have seen Judy bring to life homes in Hilton Head, Aspen, slick NY condos, my mothers gorgeous studio and Mothers home. The design details throughout all of Judy's spaces are breath taking and unique.  

Judy's work,  similar to my own line,  truly takes the style of her clients and makes it the best it can be.  She does not take a cookie cutter approach and apply it to all her projects.  If special, unique and beautiful is what you want, either for a fluff up or a total redesign,  I would trust her completely. 

You can read the full article on Judy and her designs here. It was through watching my mom that I learned about casting.  Featured in the article are two pieces from my mom's collection; a piece from the bronze basket series and one of my personal favorites, the red shield.  

Article in Atlanta Homes Magazine featuring Judy's work

My Mother's shield and basket.

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Guest Blog Post on Lion'esque Style!

Check out my guest blog post for Lion'esque on wrist stacking.  Get my top 5 styling tips to make your arm candy statement!

TIPS FROM THE DESIGNER: A HEATHER BELLE FALL HUED WRIST STACK

September 02 2013

No one styles Heather Belle's jewelry better than the designer herself. Every time we meet with her we can't wait to see her latest and greatest creations. In honor of her new product launches and the upcoming fall season, Heather gave us a few tips on how to master wrist decorating and even put together an exclusive autumn inspired stack:

1. Stack in odd numbers. Add to your arm candy in groups of 3, 5, or 7. The number 3 is playful .... I think a woman's outer style is only complete when her mind, body and soul are in sync.

2. Mix your textures. Textured leather, smooth metal and beaded bracelets make for a great stacking combo.

3. Tone on tone color combinations. There's something visually appealing about all different shades of blue together.

4. Make it messy. See how the stack lays when you have your arm down. It shouln't be perfectly neat. Mess it up, shake it up. Pieces should have movement.

5. Add something unusual. Add a little surprise to the stack. Something unexpected. Vintage pieces work great for this, you can mix them with something more modern or classic. Mix up your styles; pearls with rocker leather or classic modern style. Do something unique.

Make a statement that is as "Unique As You Are'!!

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Heather Belle on Louise Roe!

Look what we found! Our Vegan line of handbags was featured on TV host and fashion journalist Louise Roe's blog!

Roe has contributed to and been featured in numerous publications, including Glamour magazine (where she served as Fashion Editor at Large), Us Weekly, People StyleWatch, Vogue.com, In Style UK, Elle UK, Cosmopolitan UK, Lucky, Mens Health UK, Huffington Post, and StylistPick, among others.

We are so honored and excited to hear that she loves our collection!

Thanks Louise!

DESIGN DEVOTION: HOT MOC-CROC

August 28, 2013 / Leave a Comment

VIEW THE LOOK (9 photos)

I’ve finally stopped carrying gigantic, heavy totes, mainly because they were actually making my back ache. So instead for summer, I’ve found the chicest cross-body messenger that’s not only good for my health, it’s good for the environment. Heather Belle handbags are completely vegan, hand-painted and hand-cast in scarily convincing moc-croc and moc-python fabrics. I can see hardcore celeb vegans like Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone jumping all over these. I just bought the mini messenger in mocha brown, and next on my list? The oversized clutch in tangerine.
Click through the gallery to see some of my favorites. Prices start at $275, check them out at   www.heatherbelleco.com.

The Everyday Perfection Vegan in Black

The Vegan Foldover in Merlot

The Vegan Wristlet in Nude

The Vegan Messenger in Black

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Be Proactive

Wow!  Walk into the ENK fashion trade show in NY and, if you are me, the experience can go in one of two directions: "I can't believe my line is here (so proud!" or "I can't believe my line is here (I am not good enough!". 

I went from totally calm to totally insecure in about as much time as it took you to read this sentence.  My inner critic was shouting on my mental stage and before the lights went out, I had to take a moment and get myself glued together.  

So I stepped away, took a moment to breathe and left.   

The infamous "they" refers to life as a journey, the same things apply to any career.  I have to remember to hold onto that idea and not compare my journey to anyone else's (UGHHHH this is easier to write then to do).  I am much better about gaining perspective and proactively controlling my thoughts then I use to be.   Truthfully they are just thoughts. Nothing happened.  Nothing changed except I feel empowered not deflated because I took care of myself.

I wish I had been more successful at this when I was younger.  I wasted a lot of time and energy on inner conversations that were hurtful.  


Here are a few pictures I took at the show.  P.S. My camera is another trick I use when I am feeling sheepish - I hide behind the lens. 

Red Carpet Entrance

Rows of coolness...

My friends company was here.  I was dying to chat them up but they were busy.  Check out Allen and Allen, the founder Jules is one of the kindest women I know. 

King baby was there.  I am a huge fan of the company.

and me...

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Yes/No

A "No" uttered from the deepest conviction

is better than a "yes" merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. 
- Ghandi

I created the yes/no collection before I had read Gahndi's quote,a reminder to myself and others of the importance of taking control of the yes/no's of your life.

I struggled for years people pleasing, reacting and often insecure because I was not clear and confident about my "yes" and "no" boundaries.  As a mother and designer my entire day is often a series of questions.  Can I stay our past my curfew "no" ...do we want to work with this vendor "yes"...yes,no,yes,no on and on it goes ....two words with tremendous power. I know the minute I start to unteather from intuition and begin to fear the clarity and finality of either of these statements things spin out of control pretty fast. 

Wear it with love and confidence. 

xo

Heather

Yes/No Bracelet

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Be Fashionable, Not False

Trends 

When I was a new mom Fendi bags were all the rage. The moms at my kids' pre-schools would wait outside the "blue door" to drop off their pre schoolers. They were totally dressed up, and would then compare and contrast what everyone was wearing to go rush off and shop for the new, must have, never before seen Fendi bag of the moment. One mom had the Fendi Aspen store on her speed dial! I admit I got caught up as well, and even today, years later, when I pull out one of these purses I shake my head, as does any friend I show them to, saying "No" put it back. I was and still can be a total fashion victim. 

The 3 inch Channel Cuff in....Cobalt!

My two cents on shopping....buy well made classic pieces you love and will wear season to season because they fit your shape and flatter your figure.  

At lower price points buy colors and cuts that keep you looking current but are not "too" trendy.  

This advice comes from expensive and embarrassing personal experience as well as the wisdom of some very fashionable women whose styles I love,  like my mother and my fashion "it" friends. When I buy anything meaningful I ask myself the following: 

1. Just because I can wear it should I?  Is this my look and style or a costume?

2. Do I need it?  Is my wardrobe missing the perfect black dress? (No!)

3. Does it fit my daily life style.  Where am I going in 5 inch heels or a wool fur lined coat in LA? 

4. Does it have a element of classic timelessness? 

 A few of my favorite things

This is a round about way of saying - try but do not try too hard.  We want that "I just threw this outfit together look (it took me three days of throwing :))) ) but "ta da" here  I am effortlessly chic" look. Easier said then done but doable.  You should look at building your wardrobe as a investment, just like furniture, art etc... 

I design with my instinct and create what I love because, as Melissa who works for me will confirm, when I read trend reports it seems that almost every season every category is on "trend".  Sometimes the trend of the moment is already in my closet because I bought something I love and the color is in this season or the shape has come back in style and it needs a good tailor to be made a bit more current.   

Today I pulled images from my line of my smart "blue door" picks that I will wear year to year.  Though this beautiful Cobalt color is a "hot trend" this Fall season, I designed classic pieces using this "it" color that can be worn even when this shade fades away from the spotlight. 

If you love it, wear it.  Even if it's not on the "Hot Trend" list :-) Just wear what makes you feel beautiful and brave.  Wear what makes you feel like you.

The Clutch in Cobalt

The Cobalt Collection

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Be Empowered

Throughout my day,  which often feels like an episode of "Survivor",  empowerment has been a far off idea.  A concept way out of reach and understanding.  Empowerment was filed into my mental cabinet as a trendy phrase that hangs out there...full of potential but actually meaningless.  Until recently.

When I learned to add and put two and two together (making four BTW ;-)) ok bad joke, but I had a moment of self discovery that I actually empower myself all the time.  I just never added the word and the actions together.   As I am headed to my first trade show in NY a lot of fear has come up,  and I have had to shore myself up so that regardless of the outcome,  I am proud of myself for going for it.  

Here are the tricks I learned along the way.

HBelle's 5 Empowerment Tricks 

1. I seek expert support  - simply put,  I ask for help and advice. 

In fashion I have my go to girl Jennie Beak at Barney's who understands me and how personal style can be enhanced by certain pieces and I ask my dear friend Elizabeth Shoemaker to help me with anything from parenting to politics.

It is impossible to be your own advisor in every area of your own life.  

Some pieces from the Fall 2013 Collection

2. I fail - I try designs and ideas and when they fail I somehow feel stronger and closer to a great idea. 

3. I read...everything - but mostly I read  things outside my own life experience. From fiction to the Wall Street Journal I always learn something new and that makes me feel strong.   

The Clutch in Cobalt Blue

4. I tell the truth - I use to listen to people's criticisms of me for over sharing and get all worried,  but that's me and it's real. I find  the moment I admit to a fear, a struggle, a concern, that there is someone right there going through the same issue and it creates a powerful bond for us both.  

5. I exercise - the hardest one of all.  I would rather confess every sin known to man but I am 100 percent sure that every time I exercise I feel stronger.  

Being a designer can be very scary.  It's like singing in the high school cafeteria (and not the GLEE version).  A real high school where you feel exposed all the time to criticism or you are being ignored.   Heather Belle Co. empowers me to work outside my comfort zone and face each fear knowing that it wont be the last.  And I don't want it to be.  I want to be tested and admit that I hate not knowing what grade I will get.  

This fear is so much easier to tackle when I am empowered. 

xo

Heather

The Pyramid Tote & Elephant Cuff mixed with some other great pieces from our Fall collection

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Heather Belle Co. @ ENK!

So excited for our first show!! Thanks to SUCCARRA for all of their help. If you will be at ENK in NY come check out our booth for Heather Belle!! We are super excited to show everyone our new Fall/Holiday 2013 Collection! ‪#‎ENK‬‪#‎Succarra‬ ‪#‎HeatherBelleCo‬ ‪#‎FashionNews‬ ‪#‎FashionIndustry‬‪#‎Accessories‬
http://enkshows.com/circuit_aug/

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Be Authentic @ Tracy Anderson? U Bet!

I live in a world of fitness.  All the cliche LA scenes you see in movies, I am surrounded by.  Happy people jogging in the perfect 70 degree weather, sun shining everyday. It is serious out here.  Women cleanse, do mental yoga and soul cycle into seemingly endless bliss.  They all appear slightly tanned with a healthy glow of what must be happiness. Or is it?  I have the habits of a slightly unhealthy person with the burning desire to look and feel 100 percent healthy.

In the free fall of my life I held onto my workout schedule with Michael Brown, my underpaid therapist.  Through our workouts, and my venting, I got (and stayed) in great shape, but as the budget got tighter, I slid into doing nothing. I did not value exercise and the mental and physical health that came with it.  I was into cleansing my mind of childhood trauma and endless "ex" battles, but my body I let go into the dark lands. Running and walking around is not my thing.  I end no where.  As far as exercise goes, self motivation is not my strength, I do not like group exercising, my schedule is nuts and unless I am held accountable to some outside force greater then my own desire to not move, I won't. 

Cut to today. I walk past what I think is a new gorgeous hair salon and it is actually Tracy Anderson's new studio.  Talk about the apex of intimidation, but I went in.  I fell into the hands of Maria, her studio manager, who made me feel welcome and listened to my anxiety about my body. We laughed and I felt calm.  I then met Tracy herself and thought this would be a typical LA meet and greet, but I was captivated by her.  She is bright and funny and real.  We talked work, kids, men and the ever changing hormones and moods associated with a women's body.  When I had to take off my pants for her to talk about my program I actually had no fear of being judged, and that is rare.   

I started Heather Belle Co., to create a space where every woman is in style. It is not a line about what is in or out, it's about what is great. We design a very current line that weaves through your own style and enhances what is uniquely you. Tracy Anderson made that point to me about my body. It is my body and her program, like my lines, are meant to inspire one to be their best selves. 

I believe we are all on a journey and that journey changes constantly. Our ability to be flexible and try new and scary things (like Tracy Anderson) requires putting aside our internal fears and critical voices and opening ourselves up to something great. I certainly have found that in my new workout routine, although I still hate to work out. I do not believe in "no pain no gain". I eat laffy taffy and cookie dough and those are all gain without a ounce of pain.

I still moan and groan, but today, when I did the entire workout session without stopping...and June, Kelly and all the other trainers were happy for me, I realized something.  This is a win win place to push my physical boundaries while at the same time push my own design boundaries.  Like our bodies which go through a lot of discomfort to change, so do our souls.  We may not like it but it is good for us.  I am never going to embrace my inner exercise queen but I am going to keep being authentic, keep complaining :) and keep looking forward to what comes next. 

Welcome crew: Jeremy (l) and manager TR (r)

This is Joie - seriously?!?

Brittany (l) and Missy (r) doing the method workout, Chrissy taking a break and me...in the back snapping pics!

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M loves M....and we love her blog!

I love blogger M loves M's inner and outer style (check her out here:  http://www.mlovesmblog.com).  She embraces love and life with a open heart and a kindness that is infectious to be around. 

I wanted to share some of this summer's amazing style shots she used featuring our Heather Belle Collection.

Thanks Mara!  Have a great weekend and send Matthew a Happy Birthday from all of us at Heather Belle.

Audrey Foldover in Lemon Zest, Niki Cuff in Classic Gold/ photo c/o M loves M

Audrey Foldover in Lemon Zest, Niki Cuff in Classic Gold/photo c/o M loves M

Leopard Print Geo Clutch/photo c/o M loves M

Heather Belle Tassel Necklace in Classic Gold, Niki Cuff in Classic Gold/photo c/o M loves M

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Friday Friends - Michelle Carmela Fiordaliso

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Monday Mantra

"Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience, 

and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world"

I use to carry a Louie Vuitton travel bag with me while I was going back and forth to Atlanta spending time with my declining mother.  

It was a very very dark period in my life.  I was suffocating.  Trapped.  Scared.  I found myself financially, emotionally and spiritually broke.  

I had gone tough a few years of chronic loss and I began to feel hopeless.  I did not see anyone around me who offered a light in what had become a dark tunnel.  I began a search for people who against all odds, without a life raft changed the course of their lives and others.  

I needed to carry hope with me and that was the ideas to create the Tombstone Collection.  The first handbag I had ever made or considered making.  In my own snarky way I thought why carry a logo? why not carry something equally beautiful, sophisticated but with a beautiful message.   Make words into the logo, into a pattern that read up close provoked new thoughts and ideas. 

Well, there are so many people that made me rethink my perspective but one of the people who stirred awe in me and began a return to light was Harriet Tubman.   Unlike me she literally was trapped.  Uneducated. A  slave.   If she could save herself and so many others I could.  We all could because none of us are getting out of here alive. 

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