A Dream Come True
My husband Michael and I fell in love with the beauty and charm of Old Town Alexandria and moved into our first apartment in 1994. We lived right outside of the Historic District, and every time we would drive through Old Town, I would always say, "I love Old Town!" We knew back then that Alexandria would be our forever home.
Being a daughter of an ambassador, married to a son of a U.S. Naval Officer, traveling is definitely in our blood. As much as we love to travel, we also love to nest. I'm happy to say that we live in one of our most favorite places in the world!
For well over two decades, I worked in sales and management in the retail and the beauty industry. And, after my 13-year stint at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, I decided to become an independent contractor and freelancer. I started my own business, Makeup By Celthia, serving the D.C. Metro and New York City area as a professional makeup artist. I freelanced for several high-end makeup and skincare brands, educating and supporting events, and became the DMV Market Coordinator for one of them. Not to mention being on call for a top D.C. salon and a D.C.-based beauty agency. It was liberating, challenging, exciting all at the same time - but I loved it!
So, when Angela connected with me to be a makeup artist for her at Bellacara, I couldn't resist the opportunity to work in Old Town, Alexandria. Bellacara has been my second home now for the past four years, and I fell in love with it on my very first day. Not only was the store beautiful, I loved the camaraderie, and the family I had become a part of that Angela had built. I loved meeting the Bellacara clients and being a part of an amazing community. It had been like no other coming from the major retailers and vendors I had always been familiar with. Working at Bellacara was personal, intimate. It felt like home.
When Angela approached me about taking the reins, I was honored that she would entrust me with taking care of her baby, and that meant the world to me. I am beyond excited to be the new owner of Bellacara! It truly is a dream come true! It has come full circle not just from the retail and beauty aspect, but the fact that 25 years ago, I got married two doors down from Bellacara! I will love and nurture Bellacara as Angela has all these years. I still meet with Angela every week as she trains me through the transition period.
I truly love being a part of the Old Town Alexandria community. I've enjoyed meeting and working with you, the wonderful clients of Bellacara, through the years. I have been in your homes and businesses for makeup consultations, makeup for commercial shoots, and special events. I look forward to getting to know you better. Please come by Bellacara so I can personally say hello to you! To this day, driving through Old Town, it fills my heart to say, "I love Old Town," also knowing that I have become a permanent part of something special, Bellacara!
