Guess what, girls. Now there’s a boy at Itty Bitty Bella.

Brent in his Germantown Studio/Office.

Although you probably won’t see Brent Singley too much in our stores, his contribution to Itty Bitty Bella is already obvious to us and soon, it will be to you too. Brent is our new technology guru, heading up our online marketing and behind-the-scenes-operations efforts.

He joined Itty Bitty Bella’s management team July 1 and hasn’t looked back—hasn’t had time. Out of his office/studio in Germantown, Brent’s been busy, photographing new inventory (arriving daily!) and adding even more to Itty Bitty Bella's blog and email marketing.

Brent is the all-things-technology guy who definitely makes things happen, namely taking our online presence, including our website, to the next level. And he’s certainly got the credentials for the job. Brent has worked for FedEx, International Paper and until recently, Hilton, where he was manager of information architecture and usability. In plain-speak, that meant he made sure all of Hilton’s sites ran optimally and were completely user-friendly.

 Image courtesy of Allison Rodgers Photography

Oh, have we mentioned he’s related to Stephanie? Yep, he’s her hubbie, so we’re bringing one more family member into the fold. And Brent already knows a thing or two about Itty Bitty Bella. Not only has he been Stephanie’s bedrock through, he’s spent countless nights and weekends photographing products, creating e-blasts, tweaking the website, helping search out (and haul!) product, and so much more.

It was natural that after several years of essentially working two full-time jobs—during the day at Hilton and at night for Itty Bitty Bella—he made the leap over to Itty Bitty Bella permanently.

Natural, maybe. Easy, not necessarily.

Brent admits he’s the self-appointed planner and likes to have things perfectly in place. He could have reviewed business and household financial forecasts for years and still not had the gumption to quit his day job.

But it was Stephanie’s prodding and Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford (words of wisdom he thinks of often) that prompted him to say yes and begin the next chapter. (In case your curious, here’s the entire speech and one of Brent’s favorite parts: “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”)

We’re grateful Brent remembered that speech—and listened to his wife! They’re proving to be a great team, with Brent managing the online business, and Stephanie doing what she does best—staying focused on the next steps and leading the charge to ensure every customer finds a beautiful life within Itty Bitty Bella. 

So we’re starting a new chapter at both stores, but one critical question remains: How do we fit Brent into a girls group shot?

Welcome, Brent!

- The Girls at Itty Bitty Bella

This Thanksgiving we couldn't be more grateful for you, all of our customers, who offer your continued support and friendship to Itty Bitty Bella. We know that it is because of you that Itty Bitty Bella has started off on the right foot, and for that we thank you!

We hope each of you enjoy a happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. After all, aren't they the most important thing?

- The Girls at Itty Bitty Bella

A couple of weeks ago Itty Bitty Bella packed up and went to Louisville, KY for the ABC Kids Expo. Sure, we've been to markets and trade shows before- every year, at least twice a year actually. But this one was totally different.

 

Instead of seeing a variety of products for home, self, children and adults, this show was entirely devoted to kids and babies. Every product we saw, every buyer there, was out to find the latest and greatest in children's accessories, gear, baby gifts, furniture, clothing....the list goes on. 

This was just one of the booths we toured this weekend. The entire building is full of rows and rows of these booths, each offering something new in the world of baby and kids!

At first, it was really quite overwhelming! As mentioned, we knew what markets were all about, but we were used to our particular markets we've been going to for years. This was a whole new show. Talk about product overload! Everything we saw pulled for our attention. We inspected each booth, each line to see if it was in fact the latest and greatest. We know our space at Itty Bitty Bella is limited to our four walls, so we knew that each and every item we chose to come back to the store with us had to be the best.

 

Do we look a little tired?! It was a long (but exciting!) weekend.

We're ecstatic to announce that we conquered the ABC Kids Expo...and we'll be back to conquer it again year, after year, after year. Here's a sneak peak at the amazing products we found, and the ones that will be making their way to Itty Bitty Bella in the next few weeks!

Aden and Anais now have crib sheets! They're made from the same muslin as their swaddle blankets, and let us tell you- they are fantastic. They make great baby gifts.

Love all the new Skip Hop bathtime products. And as a side note...how cool is the bathtub!

The new infant insert for the mamaRoo. They're on their way to Itty Bitty Bella!

Turquoise is the new color for Bumbleride 2012. It's still two toned, but more of a tone-on-tone rather than contrasting colors like we saw in the Seagrass 2011 (which is still available!).

Of course we had to break for dinner...and why not at the Cheesecake Factory? There was still plenty of work to be done though, even over dinner.

We're so excited to get our cloth diaper lines in. Bummis, gDiaper and Bum Genius are all on their way. The information we received at each booth was priceless. Can't wait to pass it on to you!

 

Chewbeads! Necklaces and bracelets that mom can wear, and baby can play with. They're great for teething, and not to mention distracting them while you're out and about.

Gowns, onesies and tee's are all available in this adorable line of applique apparel. Fall designs are set to arrive soon.

All of these fun additions are arriving at Itty Bitty Bella over the next few weeks, so stop by to keep up-to-date!

- The Girls at Itty Bitty Bella

All too soon our little meet-and-greet is coming to an end with this, our last group of gals who make it happen every day at Bella Vita and Itty Bitty Bella. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about who we are, where we’re from and what makes us happy.

What makes your heart sing?

We want to know. Stop by either store and visit with us. We’re always ready to help with a smile, a warm hello and helpful advice to make your home a beautiful.

Laurie Losorwith

Without Laurie Losorwith we’d be lost. Not only does she keep our books balanced and up to date, she runs all the back office/warehouse operations, including the most important job of all—our payroll! If that wasn’t enough, she also builds many of the displays we use (the wood pallets, the tree at Itty Bitty Bella; she also wired the chicken-coupe lights and mason-jar lights at Bella Vita. I’m afraid if HGTV found out about her, they’d be calling, and then where would we be!?!)

Hometown: San Mateo, California

Hobbies: Horses, sewing and crafts

Go-to clothing/favorite piece of jewelry: Island Cowgirl Rose gold heart necklace and my three gold/silver bracelets that I have collected on various trips.
 
Last book read: The Blind Side

Favorite TV Show: Covert Affairs. In fact, I recently named my new Yorkshire puppy after Piper Perabo.

What’s unique about me: I enjoy learning new skills, like woodworking, wood-finishing techniques, fabric applications—the list goes on.

What I love about Bella Vita: I enjoy creating the displays and décor fixtures at both stores. (Oh, and staying out of trouble with the bosses!)

Kathrine Snider

Kathrine Snider is our design guru in waiting. (Well, she’s already a design maven in our book, but she’ll really move into high display gear when she covers for Megan while she’s out on maternity leave.) Kathrine floats between Bella Vita and Itty Bitty Bella, working on the sales floors, keeping our displays straightened and attractive, placing orders, and more.

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas.

Hobbies: Traveling and anything Alpha Delta Pi. I love going to new places and back home to Texas.

Go-to clothing/favorite piece of jewelry: My Ellen Hays knot necklace. It goes with everything.
 
Last great movie: Captain America. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

Favorite TV: Pawn Stars I love watching what they bring in and seeing how much it’s worth.

What’s unique about me: I’m a home-furnishings major at the University of Memphis. And I hope to move back to Texas one day.

What I love about Bella Vita: It’s always fun going to work. Here I can put what I’m learning in school into practice, and find new, refreshing ways to make create displays.

Brittany Thompson

Brittany stays busy working at Bella Vita full time on our sales floor, helping customers, placing orders and making sure everyone is just as happy when they go out as when they come into our store.

Hometown: I am a native Memphian and currently reside in Germantown. (Just because I tend to have a “neutral” accent does not mean I’m not a Southerner!)

Hobbies: Well, I am definitely a foodie and you’ll find me at wine tastings too. I love to eat, cook and basically play in the kitchen. I also enjoy playing golf, riding my bicycle (when it’s not scorching hot outside) and walking my dog, Rudy.

Go-to clothing/favorite piece of jewelry: In the fall and winter, you will definitely see me sporting argyle. I tend to be more minimal in jewelry but I have to wear my watch every day and, of course, my wedding rings.

Last book read: Every month, I read my Southern Living, and the last book I read was Haunted Charleston. Besides cookbooks, I tend to read historical, political or sports-related books.

Favorite TV: I always watch House, NCIS and Glee, and Fox & Friends in the morning.
What’s unique about me: Well, I met Chris, my husband, while practicing my short game at Memphis National Golf Course, and I’m an avid listener of Frank Sinatra.

What I love about Bella Vita: I enjoy being around all the girls at Bella Vita and Itty Bitty Bella. It’s great getting to know all the loyal (and new) customers and meeting many of the artists whose work we have in Bella Vita. And who doesn’t love helping people shop?

Well that’s our fabulous line up. Our blogs about the girls simply don’t do them justice. They have so many more talents and creative energies, and are so hard-working. I guess you’ll just have to find out more for yourself by stopping in to visit with us.

Truly, I’m lucky to have them on staff and count them as my friends, and we’re lucky to have you as a Bella Vita customer.

Until I see you again,

Stephanie

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