Doing What I Love

I opened The Yellow Rose because I wanted women to have an option when it came to choosing a bridal or formal gown. I cannot count the number of times I heard women from various walks of life and in differing circumstance say how difficult it was to find a modest gown. I've had several different jobs over the course of my lifetime. And while I appreciated the income those jobs provided, I definitely felt no love for those particular jobs.

So when I saw an opportunity to start my own business and at the same time provide an invaluable service to women who desired modest dresses, I was excited.

But what I didn't count on was how simply

and quickly I fell in love with my "job". I love helping young ladies scour through my inventory looking for something that is just right. I love seeing their excitement when they know that they have found THE dress. I love it that when a customer comes into my shop, she is shopping for a dress for a happy occasion.

And the satisfaction I receive when my customers tell me how much they appreciate my store? Beyond compare. When they tell me they want me to be successful because there is a great need for a store like mine? Priceless. That's how I view doing what I love and loving what I do: Priceless beyond

compare.

Come in and see the satisfaction The Yellow Rose can offer you this holiday season!

Modesty is Multi-Cultural

During The Yellow Rose's year and a half tenure, one of the most poignant lessons I've learned is that the desire to dress modesty crosses cultures and countires alike. I think this is a great thing!

For example, when I started The Yellow Rose, I admit I thought I was targeting a specific group of women. To my delight, I have found that there are women from amazingly different backgrounds who share at least one thing in common: they prefer to wear modest dresses. These women cherish modesty and are so grateful that there is a shop near them that offers gowns with sleeves.

Additionally, I was recently looking at my blog to see how many visitors I have had and was amazed at the number of different countries that appear on mysite meter. I have had visitors from Romania, Japan, the Phillipines, Canada, Austrialia, Ireland, India, and New Zealand, to name a few. Even though The Yellow Rose physically makes it's home in Lilburn, Georgia, I'm thrilled to remind my international readers at large that in this day in age of computers, internet and online shopping your next gorgeous, modest dress is only a mouse click

away, because I can ship anywhere in this world.

I am happy to know that in a small way, I am giving women both in my own neighborhood as well as around the world a modest option when it comes to selecting a bridal or formal gown. Happy Shopping!

Ten Percent Off Shabby Apple Dresses Throughout July

I am still very excited about my new line of dresses from Shabby Apple. I've received some more styles and I still cannot decide which one is my favorite.

As a special promotion, I am offering 10% off all Shabby Apple dresses during the month of July.

This is a great time to visit The Yellow Rose and see for yourself how great these dresses are. If you've been looking for a great of dress to wear to that luncheon, vacation, meeting or semi-formal occasion, give me a call and set up an appointment today! I can guarantee you will NOT be disappointed.

A New Line of Less Formal Dresses Now Available!

Due to numerous requests for less formal modest dresses, I am super excited to inform you that The Yellow Rose will now be carrying another line of fashionable and very chic modest dresses. Shabby Apple dresses will now be available in the Atlanta area!

Shabby Apple offers a great line of dresses that are dressy, but not formal. I was introduced to this line by my ever fashion conscious daughters Natalie Giddens and Paula Roberts. To quote one of them, "my friends lust after Shabby Apple dresses." After browsing their Web site, I could see why. There are plenty of different styles and they are all trendy AND modest - two things I definitely like.

According to their Web site, Shabby Apple was created because...

"After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it.

They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren't buying the right dresses, but that designers weren't designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else."

Currently, the only way to purchase a Shabby Apple dress is to go online, browse and then purchase. I wanted to bring Shabby Apple to The Yellow Rose so that women could try on the dresses before making a purchase. I am thrilled to be a Shabby Apple distributor here in the Southeast!

Two of my favorite dresses are the Nantucket and the Marseilles (I just love the names of the dresses). Shabby Apple also has a new line of dresses for the working woman called the Manhattan Line. Shabby Apple comes out with new lines of dresses several times throughout the year.

I will have these fabulous dresses in my shop by the end of this week so stop by The Yellow Rose and take a look. I am sure you will agree with me that there is nothing shabby about a Shabby Apple dress!

Celebrating Modesty

"You would not believe the celebration that took place when we saw there was a store in Georgia that had modest dresses."

That is what a mom said to me recently after she and her daughter came to The Yellow Rose and bought a modest bridal gown. I have received very similar comments from numerous other customers. They are all happy and delighted that there is a store where young women can buy a modest formal or bridal gown. I always get the following question:

"Do you know how hard it is to find a modest gown?"

My answer is always the same:

"Yes, I know how difficult it is! This is why I opened The Yellow Rose."

I am so pleased that there are so many young women who want to dress modestly. It is my hope that women everywhere, not simply the young ones, will find modesty important.

Along those lines, I was thrilled when I learned of the new Mrs. Texas International, Bonnie Hubert. Mrs. Hubert was the only contestant to wear a gown with sleeves. Modesty was a priority to her and she was not willing to compromise her standards for a beauty pageant. She was quoted as saying, "I feel like it turned out great because I could feel beautiful and comfortable in what I selected. You have to put in a little effort, but it is worth it because then your beauty can shine through."

I'm happy there are women like Bonnie Hubert out there who are a wonderful example of womanhood and modesty.

The Yellow Rose is in the news

This article appeared in the Gwinnett Daily Post on May 10, 2009.

Berkmar High student wins scholarship dress
By Heather Darenberg

Julia Kilgore wanted to do something to reward Hispanic girls for making good grades in school and encourage them to continue their education. She also wanted to do something to honor her sister's dedication and love of learning.Earlier this year, Kilgore, the owner of the Yellow Rose Bridal Shop in
Old Town Lilburn, decided to give a girl a formal dress from her shop in honor of her sister, Gloria, who died in 1986 at the age of 43 from breast cancer.

Students at Berkmar High School were eligible to apply for the merit-based award, and senior Vanessa Flores was chosen as the winner of the "Gloria Dress."Instead of finishing high school, Gloria Garza Rodriguez eloped when she was 16 and had her first child about a year later. Eventually, Gloria divorced her husband, but the mother of two young children also obtained her GED and enrolled at Angelo State University. She received a degree in elementary education, becoming the only one of her siblings to graduate from college, and taught kindergarten.

"Gloria's story taught me that it is possible to be a strong, brave and courageous young lady," Flores wrote after receiving the dress. "Her story has inspired me to follow my dreams. Even though I did not have the privilege of meeting her, I attest that she still inspires other people today. Her struggles and victories reminded me how blessed I am to have the opportunity to go to college."Coming from an extremely humble Mexican family, I am tremendously lucky to be able to pursue a career. To me, as was the case with Gloria, education is the key to success. In the future, I hope to receive a master's degree in social work."Kilgore said she plans to continue this scholarship and hopes to offer it to students at two schools next year.

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I have always wanted to do something in honor of my sister, Gloria. After she died, I remember thinking how great it would be if I could establish a scholarship in her memory for a Hispanic girl. I wanted to offer it a Hispanic because, being of Mexican descent myself, I know the drop out rate for Hispanics is high. But at that time I was still raising my children so my idea sat on the back burner for a while. However, after I opened The Yellow Rose, I realized that I could offer one of my dresses to a deserving young lady. I came up with three requirements. First, that she be of Hispanic origin, second, that she have a GPA of at least 3.5, and third, that she have plans to attend a post-secondary institution. I worked with Ms. West, a counselor at Berkmar H.S. and she selected Vanessa.

Vanessa came to my shop to introduce herself to me and from the moment I met her, I knew that the counselor had made the right choice.

I am very pleased with the first recipient of my "Gloria Dress".

Prom Preview Review

Prom Preview was a big success and I would like to thank several people for helping me. First, my two beautiful daughters Natalie and Paula. They are always willing to do whatever it takes to make the Yellow Rose successful. They have been very supportive of my dream. I would also like to give a big thank you to my "experts". Heidi Beck Simpson, fashion expert, Melissa Cashman Pyne, make-up expert, and Marlie Denis, hair expert. Also, I am very grateful to all of you that made the effort to attend.

One of the things that we talked about at Prom Preview was the different body shapes and styles that look best on that particular shape.

The following information was compiled by my fashion expert, Heidi Beck Simpson. I believe you will find it invaluable in determing your body shape and deciding what clothing choices to make. The four body shapes are Apple, Hourglass, Pear, and Rectangle.



APPLE

Characterized by:
*Generous bust
*Wider rib cage
*Round shoulders and back
*Soft middle
*Narrow hips
*Shapely, slender legs

DO:
*Wear fitted and tailored dresses and skirts
*Wear monochromatic outfits
*Wear narrow belts that will help add curves
*Wear V and scoop necklines
*Embrace knee-length skirts, especially A-line
*Emphasize bust with surplice and wrap tops
*Tailor, tailor, tailor! Don’t get lost in your clothes
*Show off your collarbone and neck!
*Wear ¾ length sleeves
*Wear high heels to showcase your fabulous legs

DO NOT:
*Wear fitted tops which will accentuate a larger middle
*Wear pleated or gathered skirts
*Wear busy embellishments or patterns on torso.
*Wear wide or busy belts



HOURGLASS

Characterized by:
*Pronounced bust
*Small bone structure
*Defined waist
*Curved hips
*Shapely legs
*Sometimes protruding buttocks

DO:
*Draw attention to your waist with waistbands, belts, and wrap tops
*Wear monochromatic outfits to emphasize curves
*Wear V-neck or scoop-neck shaped necklines
*Wear high heels
*Embrace soft, clingy, flowy fabrics that skim the body

DO NOT:
*Wear oversized or baggy styles
*Wear clothing that is too fitted or pulls against curves
*Wear turtlenecks or other high necklines. This gives the allusion of the face being puffy.
*Wear stiff or bulky fabrics
*Wear large or open pleats



PEAR

Characterized by:
*Narrow shoulders
* Slender neck
*Small bust
*Refined rib cage
*Shapely waist
*Generous hips
*Full thighs
*Short torso

DO:
*Emphasize midriff, upper torso, shoulders and neck
*Wear wrap, gored, bias-cut, flared and A-line style clothing. These will skim over hips and help minimize width
*Wear outfits detailing around the neckline and bust to bring eyes upward
*Wear embellished, full or puffed sleeves to give illusion of generous curves
*Dress in cowl, scoop or square necklines
*Wear belts. Your narrow waist is one of your best assets!

DO NOT:
*Wear clothes that cling or strain on hips and thighs
*Wear large pockets on hips or thighs
*Wear light colors on the lower half
*Wear skirts that are shorter than they are wide


RECTANGLE

Characterized by:
*Upper and lower torso that are equal in width
*Average bust
*Large rib cage
*Undefined waist
*Slender legs
*Strong muscle tone

DO:
*Wear sheath and shirtdress style dresses
*Wear V necklines
*Wear dropped waist dresses to elongate torso and slenderize
*Wear straight style dresses that emphasize legs and height
*Wear soft dresses and skirts that flow away from the body
*Wear understated embellishment on torso to help soften the body
*Wear A-line, princess seam or empire style dresses to give illusion of curves

DO NOT:
*Wear large belts which will make your waist look thick
*Wear very gathered or pleated fabric at the natural waist
*Wear puffed sleeves or shoulder pads
*Wear full, stiff skirts

2009 Prom Preview on February 28th!

Click on the image below to see it in a bigger size:
In anticipation for the upcoming Prom season, The Yellow Rose is hosting a 2009 Prom Preview. It will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Yellow Rose in Lilburn. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to see the most current lines of modest formal dresses.

At this preview I will show girls how modest formal gowns follow some of the same trends as they can currently find in teen-targeted magazines such as Seventeen, Cosmo Girl! and Your Prom. I will also teach young women what styles of dresses look best on different types of figures. I'll have numerous visual examples so the girls will be better able to find that perfect, figure-flattering prom gown.

In addition to the dresses, I'll also have a make-up expert and professional hair stylist as part of the Prom Preview. Our make-up expert will demonstrate how to adjust everyday make-up into "Prom" make-up. It will be a hands-on demonstration with plenty of time for specific questions. The professional hair stylist will give tips on the most fashionable hair styles for this Prom season.

Drinks and hors d'evours will also be served.

Each Prom Preview will last for 30 minutes and will be held every half hour.

In addition to the Prom Preview, I will also be available for individual appointments beginning at 2:45 p.m. on that Saturday. I definitely understand the excitement that comes from being around so many gorgeous dresses and want to offer everyone an opportunity to try on the dresses. This is best accomplished with individual appointments. Also, I do realize some young women may be travelling a long distance and may only want to make one trip.

I think that Prom-aged young women will find great value and a lot of fun from this kind of activity!

I ship anywhere and everywhere UPS goes

I just wanted to clarify my previous post. I can ship anywhere in the U.S. and also all dresses purchased through the Yellow Rose qualify for the 20% off. This includes dresses that I have in my shop and any dresses that I have to order. So take advantage of this great offer and get the perfect dress for that special occasion.

Twenty Percent Off All Dresses!

Don't let those winter blues get you down. Especially when The Yellow Rose is offering 20% off all it's modest dresses. That's right, you read it here - ALL DRESSES ARE 20% OFF! This is a great time to look and purchase in preparation for the coming spring and summer months. Just think - you'll need something nice for all those summer weddings you'll be attending, or that cruise you'll be going on, or maybe YOU'RE the one getting married - 20% off a modest wedding dress could fit into your budget just perfectly. Or maybe, you just want a new, nice modest dress. In addition to the formal gowns The Yellow Rose carries, there's also a nice array of semi-formal modest gowns perfect for a night out with that special guy or anywhere else where you would need to dress to impress. Twenty percent off! Don't delay - make an appointment this week to see what The Yellow Rose has to offer in the way of modest dresses. You will NOT be disappointed!

Beginning 2009 With a Bang

Welcome to The Yellow Rose Bridal's blog. And thanks for visiting. I am excited to announce that in addition to my current inventory of beautiful wedding and formal gowns, I am also one of the only vendors in the Atlanta area to offer modest gowns for the Big and Beautiful Bride as well. My gown sizes begin at 16W and go up to a size 30. This is exciting news for any bride who has been having trouble finding the perfect wedding dress. Contact me at (770) 315-6823 to set up an appointment to see what The Yellow Rose can offer you.