Summertime fun begins with Memorial Day Weekend, and ChaCha wants to know: Where is your ChaCha going this summer? Nothing says summer like boating and swimming, so I officially marked the season with my obligatory summer bikini wax. (I hope that isn’t TMI, but isn’t that what blogging is all about?) ChaCha girls scream, “No Pain, No Gain!”

The sounds of summer are important as we load up our iPods with catchy tunes. I am excited to kick off my summer by going to the Jimmy Buffett concert in Atlanta. I have been to many shows, and am definitely a Parrot-Head. So, in true ChaCha fashion, I went above and beyond with some “gimmicks” to

make the concert even more festive; I have a bowling game with pineapples and coconuts, flowery margarita cups, fun napkins, and goofy parrot hats! This year, we even rented an RV for tailgating. I am bringing some friends who have never been to a Jimmy Buffet concert before, and when I told them about the RV, they thought I was nuts! Imagine my joy when I called the local RV dealer and was asked, “Would you like the Jimmy Buffet special?” I said, “I do!” and quickly called my friends to tell them the news.

Boating and tailgating aside, Memorial Day is a great opportunity to thank our armed forces and be appreciative for our freedoms. We at ChaChaBella salute our veterans and all those currently enlisted.

Whether you attend a parade, grill out, eat watermelon or indulge in some ice cream, the smells, sounds, and tastes of summer are here! We hope you all have safe travels, and please take photos of you wearing your ChaCha ring wherever you go. Whether you are flying overseas or driving cross-country, we want to see that spark

le shine! The pictures you send us may be featured on our Facebook page, and one lucky winner will receive a free ring, so say, “ChaCha”

when you snap away! And if you’re looking for some ChaCha bling to take on your trip, we have beautiful red, white, and blue rings so you can be prepared with holiday sparkle!

Please send photos and a description of your location to Michelle at mk@chachabella.com and if you have a great Jimmy Buffet story, send it to me, Suzanne at s@chachabella.com to win a free ring!

Unfortunately, April showers brought more than just May flowers this year. Recently, the news has featured the devastation from the tornadoes that ripped through the South East, and one poignant scene showed some teenage girls crying over their lost or ruined prom dresses. Our hearts go out to all the families who experienced loss and were affected by this tragedy. Of course, losing a prom dress is insignificant to loss of life and to entire households that were demolished and destroyed, but any ChaCha woman can relate to how that simple loss, represents so much more than a dress.

The time and energy of finding the right prom dress, let alone the shoes, accessories, and of course date, is really a representation of the entire

high school experience and the hope of future successes. So, seeing these girls cry over their dresses is understandable! They were in mourning. But, as ChaCha citizens do, tons of prom dresses were donated to these hard-hit areas and watching the girls sort through the inventory was ChaCha exciting and inspirational.

Nowadays, dresses are sleek in black, deep purples and metallic colors. The days of Gone with the Wind pink and lace prom dresses that I wore, are totally out of fashion. Of course, some prom traditions never fade such as the limousine ride, begging to stay at a hotel that night with your friends, and of course the crowning of prom king and queen. One new tradition can be to wear a ChaCha Bella ring with your dress, to add that extra special sparkle to your outfit. Of course we know all ChaCha prom girls will already be glowing with excitement, and their sparkly smile is the best accessory! The rings can also make great girlfriend graduation gifts, or for a ChaCha teacher that really inspired you to be a better student and person.

Please share any special ChaCha prom stories, teacher stories, or stories of inspiration with me at S@chachabella.com and you (and your teacher if applicable) will be entered to win a ChaChaBella ring! Congratulations to the class of 2011 and our prayers go out to all those families affected by the tornadoes.