THE BEST PLACE TO FIND AN EASTER DRESS IN BIRMINGHAM: CLOVER AND BEE

If you’re like us, you probably also just remembered that Easter is around the corner and you STILL have NOTHING to wear—oopsie daisy! Do not fret, dear reader, you don’t have to go on any easter egg hunts for this info.

At Bustle, we help guide you into the wedding dress of your dreams. We know how valuable it is to create meaningful connections with you. It’s our biggest desire to introduce you to our remarkable gowns while making you feel at home—comfortable and treasured. Needless to say, our expectations are high when it comes to local boutiques. Clover + Bee checks every box effortlessly!

““Whether it’s the perfect fit, a unique accessory, the ideal gift, or a memorable connection, we hope you feel like one lucky girl when you visit us at our boutique in Birmingham, AL.””

— CLOVER + BEE

Formally known as Cradle + Bee, this local treasure trove sits pretty in the heart of Cahaba Heights in Birmingham, AL. Clover + Bee is a burst of color, waiting to give you your daily dose of serotonin. This boutique is INSPIRED floor to ceiling. Every little corner filled with something that will make you smile—so whole-heartedly happy.

““We consider ourselves truly lucky to have you as our customer, and our personal service is designed to let you know how special you are to us. You can expect a welcoming environment, attentive service, and a genuine smile from everyone on our team.””

— CLOVER + BEE

Our Bustle girls took a stroll around the shop and fawned over all their new inventory. If you are still in need of an Easter dress, they truly have something for EVERY style. From clean lines and classic silhouettes, to whimsical color palettes and trendsetting styles, they have it all.

Their staff is so incredibly kind and welcoming. We felt so taken care of from the time we walked in.

You really need to visit Clover + Bee to experience it yourself! You can visit their website here, or check out their instagram for all the latest updates.

BUSTLE IS DRESSED FOR CHRISTMAS

It’s no secret that we love the holidays. ESPECIALLY, decorating for the holidays. Let’s be real, some of the most fun we have over the Christmas season is scouring for the perfect scented pinecone. And while we’re busy trying to decide which poinsettia pillow best fits our aesthetic, we are finding simple joy. The feeling of accomplishment as each little corner comes together is a familiar form of serotonin. Decorating Bustle for Christmas was every bit of therapy that we needed it to be. While fun, we’d be lying if we said it didn’t come with a few…. hiccups. If you’d like to see our decorating feats AND blunders, you can watch our recent reel here <3

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

— Washington Irving

We hope you all have a beautifully decorated holiday season. Sending all our love!

EXPERT TIPS FROM MAKEUP ARTIST: ASIA NICOLE

Asia Nicole is no stranger to the love of getting dolled up for the pure pleasure of feeling good for herself. A main character in her own right, she was playing with hair and makeup long before it became her career. Asia’s admiration for all things beauty grew from her dancing roots and in college she found herself working her first wedding. As Asia booked more brides after that first wedding, her calendar wasn’t the only thing filling up. She quickly began to feel the fulfillment in this industry and made it her full time job.

“I was a dancer at a very young age and was the designated person to apply all of my teammates fake eyelashes and braid their hair before performances.”

— Asia

The beauty industry can come with its fair share of stigmas and sometimes it’s easy to assume how someone will be when you hear what they do for a living. Even the most unassuming careers aren’t free from the occasional skeptical judgement (insert David Rose/Schitt’s Creek gif). We can say with 100% transparency that Asia is one of the good ones. After working with her on Bustle’s last photoshoot, Asia left us with so much joy. She is one of the most comforting and radiant women we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to leave her makeup chair without feeling like you could conquer the world.

“As cheesy as it may sound, my favorite part about being a makeup artist is getting to see women light up when they realize how beautiful they are. I point out their glowing skin, gorgeous eye color, long lashes. After applying makeup, not only do they now look glamorous, but they leave my chair noticing their beautiful features even without the makeup on.”

— Asia

We asked Asia for some much-needed advice on how brides can best prep for their wedding day makeup. 

1.) Start a skincare routine three months before your wedding.

This will give you the time you need to see which products your skin responds to the best while allowing for time to adjust any steps that might be hindering your skin from it’s full glory.

2.) DERMAPLANE

We will link a full explanation here on this miracle-working skincare procedure here. We personally would like to recommend our friends at Fancy Face for this quick aesthetic procedure. Asia says that the difference in how makeup applies to skin after this procedure is mind blowing and we will take her word for it.

3.) HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE

One of the surest pathways to supple skin is through the art of hydration. Keep that comfort water bottle filled and drink up, ladies!

BONUS TIP FOR WEDDING DAY MAKEUP - Asia assured us when bridal makeup is done properly it should not budge on your wedding day! A good makeup artist is trained in makeup application and longevity. The only exception to this rule is lip product. With an evening of eating, drinking, and kissing on the forecast, Asia recommends buying your lip product and having it with you in the chance that you might need to reapply. Gotta’ keep that lip color looking fresh, honey!

One of the standout moments in Asia’s career this far was when she traveled to Los Angeles in February with Sophie Scott and her long-time boyfriend and *cough* *cough* QUARTERBACK of the New England Patriots, Mac Jones. Asia helped them glam up for the NFL honors night on the Red Carpet! We are fangirling hard over you, Asia.

If you would love to learn the art of makeup application or have a bride in mind that would like to learn how to do their own bridal makeup, Asia just launched a dreamy online masterclass that teaches you all of her tips and tricks. There are so many little gems in this course; from what powders help avoid flashback in photos to tips on how to insure your makeup shows up on camera without looking cakey in person. Visit Asia’s website if you need this Master Class in your life or if you would like to set up an appointment for beauty services! You can also freely follow along with Asia’s daily tips by following her on instagram.