Dahab Baby

We've been away for the weekend, staying in a resort town in Dahab Egypt.  It is along the Red Sea about 5 hours from where we live.  The town is built along the mountains with beautiful ocean front resort along the coast. All the restaurants run along the water and serve everything from Pizza, Falafel's to Sushi and Egyptian fare.  We had a fantastic time relaxing, reading and a bit of shopping.

We had breakfast here every morning

In the evening we shopped at an open market for a few goods.  I bought a one-piece Harem pant suit, which Ryan really disapproved of but I am thinking with a great blazer, belt and some fierce heels I will be at the height of fashion here in Egypt -- don't worry Beanilla lovers this is one style I won't be bringing back for the website.  I also found this incredible Tea called "Bedouin Tea" which is only found in these parts, it is a traditional tea drank by the local Bedouin people.  I would love to try and bring some home with me to Canada, so it looks like we might need to have another trip to Dahab.

Shopping in Dahab market.

Beanilla does Hana Khalili

I have to start off by apologizing for not being able to blog since I have arrived.  The internet doesn't always work in Egypt and my computer turned Arabic as soon as I hit ground.  I had to find an Egyptian friend to convert the language back to English so I could access everything.

I have been here now a week and I am finally adjusting to the change in life.  On the weekend we decided to hit the market 'Hana Khalili' although it was not the market from 'Sex in the City' I did feel somewhat like Carrie Bradshaw like roaming and getting lost through the winding streets.  Every colour more vibrant than the next.  Strange wonderful aromas around every corner.  Men shouting "I have something for you pretty lady".  I felt like we were in the labyrinth of strange exciting wonder.  We were told by my Egyptian friend "if you see something you like buy it, as we will never find this stall again". Sensory overload kicked in and I was falling in love with all the shopping.

The entrance to my Labyrinth 

I took a few snap shots of some of the magnificent scarfs and bead shops we found there.  I managed to get a few pieces made especially for Beanilla and I can't wait to make some more.

Near the end of the day we stopped for a coffee at the oldest coffee shop in the world.  Because I don't drink coffee I opted for a fresh squeezed lemonade.  It was wonderful!

Having a rest at the oldest coffee shop in the world!  We didn't even have to leave as the men around us brought us many goods to look at and to purchase.

Delicious fresh squeezed lemonade

My first shopping experience at the Market was exciting and I can't wait to go again.  This weekend we're off to Dahab to relax on the coast, snorkel and shop some more.  Looking forward to bringing tons of treasure back with me.  

  

Walk like an Egyptian

Beanilla is excited to announce that we are going on a buying trip! Today I leave for Egypt where I will be living for the next 4 months with my husband. I will be exploring the markets, clothing factories and designing some handmade jewelry for the site. My husband and I are also planning to travel to Turkey and Morocco in April, followed by Italy and Paris in the later spring. What about the website you ask??? We are still up and running with the help from some great Bea lovers and supporters back home. Stock will be updated regularly from our fave places (California and New York) but we will also be adding some worldly treasures. I plan on fashion blogging while I am away and I want all of your opinions on different finds, colors and sneak peaks of what I’ll be bringing back.

To start things off I had a huge dilemma like many fashionistas I was stuck on what/how much to pack. I was looking for fashionable items that would easily mix and match but also kept with the covering customs of living in a foreign country. These are some of my faves…

www.travelista.com

Since the flight is 17 hours I plan on wearing my fav sweats, a great scarf and a graphic-t.  I can't wait to fill you all in our my adventures.  See you soon!

Spring into Dresses!

Our Spring trunk show was a huge hit, thanks to all who attended.  This season we ran it from Friday to Monday.  With special low prices for our local shoppers.  The overall consensus was that we should make this a quarterly event.  We are already planning for our summer party after our buying trip.  I can't wait to see you ladies in sportin you Beanilla outfit.

Thanks for making this dream come true!

  

Spring Launch

Beanilla is having another Trunk show and Sale to celebrate our buying trip and make room for spring and summer stock.  We had such a great turnout for our Holiday Show I can't wait for this one. Hope to see you all there.

Directions on how to get there!

http://g.co/maps/f9vpe

January Contest

I hope Santa was good to all of you over Christmas. This month we are having a contest, post a picture of you wearing Beanilla on our facebook wall and get a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate.

* Contest runs until Jan 31st

* Winner will be decided on February 01, 2012

* Post as many different dresses as you like

Good Luck!

Tonight we're going to party like it's 1999...2012

What will you be wearing for the big soiree?  I still can't decide myself.  Here are some of our fav's for the night...

Snow Shoeing

Yesterday my husband and I decided to take a day off to go show shoeing up Forbidden Plateau.  We packed a lunch, some hot drinks and bundled up as best we could for our trek.  Once we got a ways up we dug a "snow-hole" and just sat and enjoyed the view from the top.  The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to be outside with the one you love.  I hope all of you get to enjoy adventures over the holiday season. Enjoy!

Pre-Christmas

Beanilla is running a "Pre-Christmas Sale" now thru December 31st.  Also 2 day Express shipping on all orders.  For locals type in "pickup" for free deliveries within the Comox Valley.

http://shopbeanilla.com/

Hanger Sale

A Special offer for all our Bea lovers December 1st thru to December 7th 

Our Little Black Dress

This, as with every, seasons the wardrobe essential is the "little black dress".  Everyone needs to own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down.  Pair any of ours with a great tuxedo jacket or a fitted leather.  Throw on lots of bling or go "coco" with simple elegant pearls.  Beanilla's little black dress is long-lasting, versatile and super affordable.  Which one says your style best? 

http://shopbeanilla.com/product/cocos/, http://shopbeanilla.com/product/beau-beautiful/,http://shopbeanilla.com/product/black-swan/, http://shopbeanilla.com/product/big-girls-party-dress/,

Something old to something new...

Ryan and I were in need of a new headboard and didn't have much money, I decided I wanted to make something look a bit shabby chic.  I found this one at a thrift store for $25.00, bought some spray paint from Canadian Tire, a sanding pad and Voila! New bed!  Now I am super inspired to buy tons of old stuff and re-finish it.

Old headboard purchased at Thrift Store for $25.00

1st coat of paint after sanding

New Bed!  I used "Almond" paint color and roughened up
the edges once dried to give it more of an antique look.

Our Love Affair

L'amour, chapeaux, et le Eiffel Tower...ahh how J'adore Paris.  Some of our fall fav's with a Parisian interest.

Yum Yum!

Hello all,

Two more days until our 1st Beanilla launch party.  New items arriving daily, many not yet posted on the site. Come try things on and enjoy some champagne and cupcakes.  Event specials on certain dress, door prizes and great fashion company.  

Falling Leaves

Here are some of our photo's for our new Bea look.  

We're having an OPEN HOUSE

Leave a comment on our blog or facebook letting us know if your coming

And the Winner is...

Thank you ALL for taking the time to enter our "Name that Dress" Contest! We got an amazing amount of entries and the names are all so creative!

After reviewing all the entries, the Beanilla team has decided on a name. And the winner is..."Pink Souffle" by Jamie.   We also decided on a runner up for our 1st contest!  The runner up is “Pink Lola” by Sherlynn Ludwig.

Jamie and Sherlynn, please email us to claim your prize (info@shopbeanilla.com). Congrats!

Grand Prize for $25 off your next on-line purchase at Beanilla: Jamie for “Pink Souffle”

Runner Up for a $5 off your next on-line purchase at Beanilla: Sherlynn for “Pink Lola”

Keep checking back for future contests! xxoo

Awesome and Awkward Tuesdays!

Hello everyone, I am planning on starting a weekly post of all the "awesome and awkward" things that happen to me over the week, hope you enjoy.


Awkward:
-grocery shopping, filling your cart, and realizing you wallet is in "the other purse"
-realizing your legging are inside out and you've been wearing them all day with the tag showing
-running into an old classmate from HighSchool and forgetting their names (I hate that)


Awesome:
-yoga (recently discovered and I can't get enough)
-cool crisp mornings of October...how I love the fall
-having your husband crawl into bed after a late night of playing hockey and whispering "I love you and I am so proud of you"
-following your dreams --thank you BEANILLA

Name that dress!

Bonjour and welcome to our “Name that dress contest”.  If you haven’t visited shopbeanilla.com yet, you have to drop by and take a look at our product names.  We like to give each piece an individual name and description, and we’re asking YOU to name this dress for us.  We will select our favorite name for the dress and the winner will receive a $25.00 coupon towards a dress of your choice on Beanilla.

You might recognize this dress from "our story" on shopbeanilla.com

Rules:

1.     Leave a comment under the image on our blog site

2.   Be creative and fun

3.   Limit one (1) entry per person – please post your first and last name on the entry along with the “dress” name.

4. Contest closes on October 20^th the winner will be announced on October 21^st.

5.  Winner will have one (1) month to redeem coupon

Contest Disclaimer:

No purchase necessary. We reserve the right to close the contests early or late without warning. We will post the name of the winner on October 21st, 2011. Winner will have to contact us within 48 hours to claim their prize. Upon winning the contest, please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery of the prize. Please note that by completing and submitting your name and email as an entrant to any of our contests you will be agreeing to abide by the official rules and regulations of our contests. You further agree that your name can published on the close of the contests. Please do not enter a contest more than once under one name. Please do not enter our contests if you do not agree to or abide by any of our above stipulations.

Print Interest

We're talking "prints".  This fall must-have is the printed dress.  Paired with tall, short or ankle boots the print dress goes with everything.  Consider wearing these little numbers with a statement leather jacket and dainty shoes or a blazer and a tough pair of motorcycle boots.  The combo's are endless.