HUGE SALE ON JUNE 13TH

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE LOVE 4 NORA FOUNDATION

Nora was born on July 19, 2011 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which is a rare heart disease in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, leaving the right side of the heart to do the work of both sides. In just 10 1/2 months Nora underwent 2 open heart surgeries and a heart transplant. Sadly, Nora Faith passed on June 6. She fought a very hard fight and touched the lives of many during her time here. 

 

Our hearts go out to Nora's mom and dad (whom I went to school with and was very very close with many years ago) during this tragic time. 

 

Please join us on Wednesday, June 13! The first sale item will be posted at 9 am!!! 

Nora Faith

Nora's Obituary

Huge Sale!

All items are $15 and under

Shipping included!

We are blowing out inventory to make room for new styles and new trends!  We have tons of items listed $15 and below and all posted prices include shipping!  While we continue our transition to our online only storefront, we are selling solely through Facebook!  

To purchase, simply click the link below, scroll through the album, once you find an item you would like to purchase, comment "Sold" with the size (if applicable) and your PayPal address.  We will email over an invoice to you.  All items ship within 24 hrs of our receipt of the payment.  If you do not have PayPal, we are able to process a secure credit card transaction over the phone.  Simply call, 616.818.8108.  

We thank you for your continued support and patronage!

Click here to shop!

Come visit us this Saturday, May 19th, from 9 to 5

at

The GR8 Parenting Event at DeVos Place

FREE ADMISSION!

Sofia Bella Couture will be at Booth #12

Pregnancy & Birth · Safety · Day Cares · Preschools · Natural Living · Health · Fitness · Family Fun· All About Mom · Shopping · Work at Home and Continuing Education Opportunities · Estate Planning · Vacations · And More!

 The West Michigan Mom's Sale will be going on as well!  Two events, under one roof!  

Visit the GR8 Parenting Event website for more details!

Check out our new space!

We have a month to month space at Cranberry Hill Consignment Co in Ada, MI!

We have our women's clothing, jewelry, scarves, hair accessories and home decor on display for you to touch, try on and buy!  You can purchase and redeem Gift Certificates at this location too!

Cranberry Hill Consignment Co is located at 583 Ada Dr.

The Grand Opening is May 10th from 10 am to 8 pm!

Hours are as follows:

Thursday - 11 am to 8 pm

Friday - 11 am to 7 pm

Saturday - 11 am to 7 pm

Sunday - 12 to 5 pm

Here's a sneak peak at our booth!  We have some work to do, but isn't everything in life a work in progress?!

The End of a Chapter

Today was our last day at our retail location located in the MoDiv Retail Incubator located in downtown Grand Rapids.  Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another!  

I am so proud of what Sofia Bella Couture has become and what it has accomplished since its inception in September.  I have given 110% of my life to this business over the course of the last 7 months and I am so thankful for what I have learned throughout this journey.  

As we began to tell people that we were closing our retail location and moving to a different business model, we heard the same thing over and over, "I am so sorry to hear this.  I am sorry it didn't work out for you."  I want everyone to know that there is nothing to be sorry for!  This is exciting news!  This is a very smart, savvy business decision that is going to catapult our business to the next level!  Our product line appeals to a very niche market, so we were not able to thrive in an incubator type setting, much less downtown!  Our demographics are not shopping downtown on a consistent basis.  I racked my brain thinking of ways to increase sales.  Spend money on print ads?  No!  No one reads print ads anymore!  We received press from every media outlet in Grand Rapids!  If people hadn't heard about us through eightWest, WZZM13, Fox 17, Wood TV, GRNow, mLive, Grand Rapids Press or Rapid Growth Media, then they weren't going to hear about us!  MoDiv received more press and coverage than any other retail in Grand Rapids ever has.  

I have been working feverishly behind the scenes to build our online presence and our online following and in recent weeks we have accomplished that.  We have been shipping out 10-15 packages a week, consistently, for the last month and a half!  This is so exciting to us!  Our Facebook fan base is growing by a minimum of 10-25 fans a day on a bad day and anywhere from 25-50 on a good day!

Our social calendar is filling up fast with fun, exciting networking functions.  We have vendor shows, craft shows, farmers markets and other gigs lined up all summer long!  You will be able to visit us at various shows around town as well as shop through our Facebook page, our e commerce site and trunk shows!

This is where you can find us the month of May:

May 2  @ 9 am - Stroller Strides Grand Opening - Manhattan Park - EGR

May 2 @ 7 pm - Moms in Tow Moms Night Out - Boatwerks in Holland - Come Join Us!

May 12 - River Bank Run - Come cheer Sofia Bella on!  I'll be running in a pink tutu!

May 14 @ 10 am - MOM's Club Meet n Greet Open House - Caledonia Public Library

May 19  @ 9 am - GR8 Parenting Event @ DeVos Place!  Free admission!  Lots of shopping!

May 24 @ 6 pm Moms in Tow Birthday Party

We will continue to keep you updated on our whereabouts as we fill our calendar!  We are also looking at a small space to rent as well!  

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to those of you who have supported us and shopped with us over the last 7 months.  Without you, we wouldn't be us!

See you soon!

 

Brandice & Sofia

MOVING SALE!

 

Don't forget about our moving sale open house style on Saturday 4/28 from 11 to 5!

 

Most furniture and accessories must go!

 

Here is a list of the items we are selling:

 

Large Black Table (39 x 39 x 3) $100
2 Nesting Tables $65
Black Desk with Zebra knobs $50
Small black desk on wheels $50
Black vanity with mirror and matching zebra stool $100
Large black metal bakers rack $100
Small black metal bakers rack $75
Zebra Stool $30
Black Sofa Table $75
Apple crates $5 ea
Small pink fabric storage bins $3 ea
Large pink fabric storage bins $5 ea
Storage box with flip top (Paris theme) $8
Glass Vase $5
Steel jewelry holders in the shape of a dress $10 ea
Rocking Horse $25
Children's wooden hangers $1 ea

 

Save 25% off your total purchase on 4/28!!! 

Moving Sale!

Most furniture for sale!

Must go by Saturday 4/28!  

Here is the link to the Craigslist posting, which shows pricing and pics!

Craigslist Post

Stop in and save 25% off your total purchase from now until 4/28!

We are moving!

May 1st

We are moving from MoDiv to www.sofiabellacouture.com!

We feel so blessed to have been a part of the very first retail incubator in Grand Rapids!  MoDiv has given us the opportunity to launch our name, our product and our brand.  It’s been an exciting journey and we love the energy of downtown.  However, our journey has also taught us that location is key.  While downtown offers so much to do and see and experience, our demographic doesn’t seem to shop downtown.  Even more so, we’ve learned that an online presence is even more powerful than a retail location. 

 
This is such a huge step forward for us and a move that is key to our future successes.  By reducing our overhead, we are able to offer you more inventory at lower prices!  We have already increased our inventory to include select women's pieces clothing!
 
You are able to Shop Sofia by clicking here sofiabellacouture.com!
 
If you are not yet following us on Facebook, be sure to do so!  We post deals, specials and flash sales throughout the day and offer chances to win Couture credits!  You can also shop right from Facebook!

We ship via USPS and all items ship within 24 hours of payment!
 
We want to thank each and every one of you for your patronage over the last many months!  We look forward to offering you the same great products and service you’ve come to know! 
All gift certificates and Couture Cash will be honored!  Living Social vouchers will be honored through the expiration date of May 17, 2012.

Save 20% 

on your entire purchase from now through April 30!

Most furniture is for sale

Children's wooden hangers for sale 2 / $1

For those of you following us on Facebook, you may have noticed that we are starting to add more and more women's pieces to our inventory.  We are so excited to share that we purchased over 70 pieces of women's tops / dresses / bottoms this weekend, over 13 new styles!  

We are transitioning from carrying solely children's clothing to carrying a 50 / 50 combo of women's styles and children's fashions!  Our goal is to give you momma's a one stop shop!  You will be able to pick up an outfit for your posh tot and snag an amazing top for yourself as well!

We will post pics throughout the week on our FB page and you will be able to pre-order!  

Here is a little sneak peak for you!

Fabulous Fuchsia Dress!  Beautiful color for spring!  This piece looks gorgeous belted too!

 Turquoise looks amazing on everyone!

And check out the detail on the back!

Absolutely stunning lace & ruffle dress!  Love love love!

Tune in to our Facebook page to stay in the know!

Gorgeous Lace Pettirompers

 

Our lace pettirompers are back in stock, but going fast!  They are super super soft with layers and layers of lace!  

 

 

 

7 colors to choose from

3 sizes to choose from

0-12 M0

12-24 Mo

24-36 Mo

 

 

 

$25 ea + $3 shipping

 

Keep your eye out for Couture Cash and Daily Deals and you could score one at a discounted price!

 

 

 

To order comment Sold with your Paypal Address beneath the pic of the romper you would like!

Shop here:

Shop Pettirompers 

Shop Sofia Bella!

We are so excited to announce that you can now shop Sofia Bella Couture online @ sofiabellacouture.com!

We know that with today's busy lifestyles, you would much prefer to shop at home and receive a package at your door step!

So go ahead, shop away!

Shop Sofia Bella 

 

New Inventory!

 

 

We unpacked, pressed, tagged and set out some new inventory yesterday!  Here is a sneak peak for you!

 

For the mommy's that have been asking about boys items, this one is for you!  Adorable, super soft short sleeved onesies, sizes 3-6 mo, 6-9 mo, and 9-12 mo.   

 

Price:  $18 ea or 2 / $30

How cute is this Sock Monkey board game?!  Sock Monkeys are all the rage right now!

$14 

"I love my Mommy" and "I love my Daddy" Book & Animal!  This makes a great gift!

$15 set

And last, but not least, one of my fav's!!!  Cupcake & lollipop shaped washcloths!  The packaging is so sweet!

$12 ea

These items can be purchased by posting a comment below, include item, quantity and paypal address.  These items can also be purchased through our Facebook page and by contacting us directly at sales@sofiabellacouture.com or by phone at 616.818.8108!

Happy Monday Fashionistas!

 How many of you watch Celebrity Apprentice?  I haven't tuned in yet this season, until last night and it was the perfect episode for me to catch!

The teams had to create a window display for Ivanka's new fashion line.  How exciting!!!  The two teams had to brand her new line and the team that best captured and conveyed the concept of her line would win $20,000 for a charity of their choice.  The men's team lost, which resulted in George being fired.  They attempted to show the versatility of Ivanka's line, the fact that she has day pieces for the office and evening pieces for nightlife and that many of those pieces were interchangeable.  The judges thought the wardrobe pieces were poorly chosen and the concept didn't depict her line.

 I have to say that I thought the men did an excellent job, given the fact that fashion and window displays are topics they probably know nothing about! In my opinion, trying to show the versatility from day to evening was a huge plus!  As women, we are always looking for pieces that are office appropriate that we can also wear out!  Every Glamour and Cosmo and InStyle mag I have picked up lately has pages and pages of pics and articles on how to extend the wear of your office attire, how to dress appropriately for the office but then wear the same outfit out at night.  Hats off to the men!

 Creating a window display is such an art form.  It's the perfect marketing opportunity.  A chance to create the essence of my brand and convey that message to the outside passer-by's.  My window display is my chance to attract more customers, new customers.  Even if they don't buy, the fact that they pass by, check out the window display and then decide to come in to check out the rest of the place.  Chances are, they know somebody with children.  I hand them my card and a $5 off coupon and I pray that my card ends up in the hand of somebody with a child and a credit card!

Our windows on Monroe Center are a far cry from the windows on 5th Avenue.  I never knew that the window displays were actually on a hydraulic platform that lowers to the basement, which is where the creative magic happens!  How cool is that!

Check out some of the photos of Sofia Bella's windows!  How do you think we are doing at conveying our message and our product?!

Blogging = Writer's Block!

Okay!  Here goes!  This is my honest to goodness effort to blog......not once or twice a month or only when I have something to say....but a consistent, daily blog.  I try to envision myself as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City...but in actuality, I sit here with my laptop in my lap, updating Facebook, Pinning, searching out the latest clothing trends and at an utter loss for words.  Blogging.....everybody's doing, everyone has a blog, so why am I having such a hard time with this?  Do I blog about myself?  My daughter?  My experiences?  My work?  My industry?  Can I blog about all of it?  Separately?  Collectively?  


I'm going to treat my blog as my journal.  A place to lay my thoughts out each night.  Perhaps, a recap of my day, as a mother, an entrepreneur, a sister, a daughter and a friend.


And I will start tomorrow, on Sunday.  I will start up my exercise routine again tomorrow too because Sunday is a great day to start a new routine!


Until then..................goodnight!

Sofia Bella Couture is now on Twitter!

Follow our Tweets at:

http://twitter.com/ShopSofiaBella

MoDiv's Grand Opening a Success!

Our Grand Opening yesterday was amazing!  It was everything I've ever dreamed of and more.  The ceremony started with a few introductory words from Rockford Construction, Haworth, and Eastern Floral.  The mayor then took center stage and invited us retailers to join him.  As I was standing there I had so many thoughts running through my mind.  I was so excited to be a part of this!  Never had I ever imaged that my dream of becoming a boutique owner in the heart of downtown would come true!  I never thought that I would actually be standing there one day being introduced by the city mayor and cutting the ribbon!!  As I looked out into the crowd and made eye contact with my mom, I knew that she was proud of me and that made me feel so good.  And as the photographers snapped pic after pic, I was thinking of the day that Sofia is able to see the pics of our amazing journey and the path that she inspired me to take!

Check out the footage from News13:

http://www.wzzm13.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1396610971001

Stay Fabulous!

Brandice Labadie & Sofia Bella

Ready to Ship!

Check out this Ready to Ship item!

Adorable upcycle!  Polo Ralph Lauren jeans, size 3-6 mos, with matching belt and hair accessory $28

3-6 mos appliqued onesie $18

Available for purchase in our Etsy store:

etsy.com/shop/sofiabellacouture

Ready to Ship Item!

Check out this Ready to Ship Peasant Top!

Full lined 4T Peasant Top with shirred bodice and sash at waist!  This can be purchased one size larger than usual to maximize wear by starting as a dress!

etsy.com/shop/sofiabellacouture

Check out this Ready to Ship item!

Doll dress fits American Girl dolls and any 18" doll!

$18

This item can be purchased on our Etsy site at:

etsy.com/shop/sofiabellacouture

 Check out some of our Ready to Ship items!!!

Items can be purchased through our FB site or our Etsy store!

This is a fully lined 3T Peasant top, but can be worn as a dress as well!

facebook.com/sofiabellacouture

etsy.com/shop/sofiabellacouture.com