Ball-Pit Color-Block

March 22, 2018March 22, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

I saw this super tacky, rainbow, color block dress on Nasty Gal and fell in love with how weirdly loud it was so obviously, it was an instant purchase. I knew that this was made for some kind of “out there” shoot and had just the idea.

Channeling my inner McDonald’s play-place loving self, I did a photoshoot in a ball pit. I was inspired by the ugly location challenge and haven’t seen anything like this. I worked with the super talented Jordan Marc and he made my ball pit dreams a reality. Definitely give his work a look, it’s incredible! I am so glad I got to meet and work with such a down to earth creative person.

Hope you enjoy these childish, bright images below. I plan on creating more high quality, editorial-like content very soon.

xx Bella

dress : Nasty Gal | belt : Gucci | hat : Target (similar) | boots : Rebecca Minkoff (similar) | jacket : vintage (similar)

photographer : Jordan Marc

Midnight Downpour

March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ 2 Comments

About to go to sleep listening to the loud thunderstorm outside my window, I receive a notification on my phone with a message saying “is anyone down to shoot in the rain right now?”. Although I was super comfortable, I had never done anything like this before and shot out of bed.

This post is not fashion related by any means but these images are way too good not to share. Photographer Anna Tripolitis came up with the whole concept and direction and turned it into a beautifully edgy shoot.

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

photographer : Anna Tripolitis

OOTD : 2/25/18 | MODA Shoot at Lee Jeans Headquarters

February 27, 2018February 26, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello! This is just a real fast post but I wanted to quickly mention what I was doing at Lee Jeans Headquarters this past Sunday! So Lee Jeans is based out of the Kansas City area, Merriam, Kansas to be exact, and I was invited to be a model coach at the MODA Photoshoot. MODA is basically a collaborative group bringing together all sorts of people within the industry to network and create. Check out MODA here. I had a blast working with other models and professionals and can’t wait to attend more!

xx Bella

LEE HQ

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

A Dark Valentine’s

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day 2018, I guess… Everyone who knows me knows that I do hate this holiday; not because I’m single (that part is awesome for now) but because I think that we should love one another this much every single day and not just only on February 14th.

I shot this photos with the super talented Anna Tripoltis at our local Target! I was inspired by the “ugly places pretty photos” Lowe’s challenge and used the Valentine’s Day sections here. Since I’m not a fan of V-day, I went for an all black, gothic look; lipstick included. Something to edge up all the girly-ness.

I looked at my Valentine’s Day post from a year ago and it is so crazy to see how much I’ve changed in just 365 days! If interested, feel free to check that out here.

xx Bella

jacket : Marshalls (similar) | pants : Urban Outfitters (similar) | necklace : Topshop (similar) | shoes : Via Spiga (similar)

photographer : Anna Tripoltis

Red Silk Top

February 13, 2018February 12, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Here are some more shots from the KC Creatives meet-up on February 3. These are from the amazing Amina Shaw. She is such a light and I can’t wait to work with her more in the future!

I put these photos in a separate blog post mainly because I wanted to quickly talk about how important thrifting is! I purchased this red blouse from a Goodwill in Columbia, Missouri for 99 cents. It was so bold and the first thing I saw in the store. It’s 100% silk, from Bloomingdales, and in PERFECT condition. For 99 cents? Not bad.

Especially as a college student on a budget, it is not easy to buy all new clothing for Instagram content and blog posts. Thrift stores and vintage shops are the way to go to not only save money, but make a statement.

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

blouse : goodwill originally Bloomingdales (similar)

photographer : Amina Shaw

Vinyl Vibes : Como Collabs Meetup 1

January 23, 2018January 22, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ 1 Comment

This is a follow up post from yesterday with the rest of the photos from the Columbia Collaboratives’ first meet up. I wanted to keep these photos separate from the others because they have such a different aesthetic. Rachel Leigh took these shots at Hitt Records in Columbia, MO. This record store is one of my favorites to shop at and made a great, moody place to shoot.

Be sure to follow the official Instagram account for Como Collabs and if you live in Columbia come to a meet up or use the hashtag #comocollabs to be featured.

Part one photos of the meet up here.

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

pants : Zara (similar) | top : H&M (similar) | belt : Vintage (similar) | earrings : Forever 21 (similar)

photographer : Rachel Leigh

Blue Faux Fur Jacket : Como Collabs Meetup 1

January 22, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ 2 Comments

Sometimes it is hard to find the creative people in such a big-small town. Columbia, Missouri is small yes, but full of college students. It is easy to get lost in the crowd and difficult to find your way out.

Two Sundays ago, I met up with a couple other people who all have a similar interest; creating art in some kind of form. Together we collaborated on small photoshoots and after made the group official. The CoMo Collaboratives is “a community of creatives living in Columbia, MO”. Be sure to follow the official Instagram account and if you live in COMO come to a meet up or use the hashtag #comocollabs to be featured.

I ended up loving these outfits especially after seeing these shots. I matched the navy from my velvet striped pants to my faux fur leather jacket from Missguided. I feel like I was giving off a retro vibe with the flares. It was absolutely freezing so I won’t be breaking this outfit again until it warms up here pretty soon!

Photos are split up by Photographer. First is Rachel Leigh then Kassidy Jones and last Lexi Churchill. **There will be a part 2 post from this same meet up tomorrow

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

photographer : Rachel Leigh

model feature : Brooke Richardson

photographer : Kassidy Jones

model feature : Brooke Richardson & Eliott Shearhart

photographer : Lexi Churchill

#KCFW Cruise 2017 – Day 4 : COZUMEL

December 3, 2017December 4, 2017 ~ bellalightner ~ 1 Comment

Hello from Cozumel! This was my first time ever going to Mexico! It was so pretty and we all had a blast. The water was so blue and salty and the beaches were beautiful and the best place for our photoshoot. Since this is a cruise, we are on a set schedule and couldn’t stay here for a long time so I definitely want to come back to Cozumel in the future.

Processed with VSCO with g3 preset

set : Etiquette Boutique | sunglasses : vintage (similar)

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

swimsuit : LV Swim | sunglasses : vintage (similar)

For today’s shoot, we had caftans from Alicia Janesko and a couple bathing suits from LV Swim. Like I said earlier, this beach was the perfect spot!

Photo : Layne Haley Whitehouse | Clothing : Alicia Janesko

Photo : Layne Haley Whitehouse | Swimsuit : LV Swim

Alicia Janekso – Facebook page, website | LV Swim – Facebook page, website

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

swimsuit : American Apparel (similar) | sunglasses : vintage (similar)

#KCFW Cruise 2017 – Day 3 : KEY WEST

December 2, 2017December 4, 2017 ~ bellalightner ~ 1 Comment

Day three is here and today we docked in Key West, Florida. I have never been to the Keys and this place was absolutely gorgeous. We shot a couple of looks right as we got off the boat. I modeled today and wore a top by Maria Behnen. We also shot some Kansas City Chiefs shirts because they are one of Kansas City Fashion Week’s official sponsors.

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

wearing : Maria Benhen | photo : Layne Haley Whitehouse | Hair/MUA : Ashley Hazelwood

photo : Layne Haley Whitehouse | H/MUA : Ashley Hazelwood | models (left to right) : Bella Lightner (self), Jazlynne Dawson, Audrey White, Aezia Jardin

After we were finished shooting we all could go explore the city. Key West is beautiful! As much as I love black and more edgy city environments, it’s so refreshing to change the scenery.

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

sunglasses : Diff Eyewear | top : Brandy Melville (similar)

Our cruise ship

Key West

After walking around Key West for a while, we boarded back on our ship and hung around (napped, lol) until an amazing dinner!

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

dress : Forever 21 | blazer : Nordstrom (similar) | belt : Vintage (similar)

Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

set : Rachel by Rachel Roy | shoes : Steve Madden (similar)

Business Casual

March 24, 2017 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hey guys! I don’t own a whole lot of business clothing so when it comes to interviews I am out of luck. However, I just purchased these orange-brown pants from Zara and I love them so much. They make a simple white tee look professional and are super comfy! I also do not care at all that they are a Fall color, I will wear them year round.

xx Bella