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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