20100727

hip-hop is dead

20100724

DIY: oats & honey facial mask

I am very passionate when it comes to skin care and I love to dabble in homemade skin products. Why spend so much money on fancy skin products when you can make some of the same products right at home? Today, I'm going to teach you how to make a simply oats and honey facial mask. This is a wonderful toning mask and is great for people with oily skin or skin that tends to be very red.

The combination of oats and honey has a tremendous effect on skin. This simple, easy-to-make mask gently unblocks pores and helps to dramatically improve skin texture. The duo of these two ingredients restores a healthy glow to the skin, making you look fresh, young, and beautiful.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of plain oatmeal
1/4 cup of honey
A blender
A bowl/jar

Yields: enough mask for one treatment

To make:

1. After the oatmeal has been cooked and cooled, combine the two ingredients and blend until a sticky paste is formed. This is best used immediately.
2. To use, spread thickly onto the skin, avoiding the sensitive eye area. Leave on for twenty minutes and then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
How it works:

The oatmeal absorbs the oiliness from the skin and pores and also removes dead skin cells. It also exfoliates the skin. The honey is just used so that the oatmeal can better adhere to the skin.

Of course, before you apply this mask to your face, it is suggested that you do a patch test on another part of your skin to see how your body reacts to this mask. Like all facial masks, this is not suited for everyone's skin types/skin needs, so please exercise caution.

Enjoy!

20100722

fierce

trouble following?

Hey guys, quick question.

It has come to my attention that some people are having trouble following my blog? When they click follow, it says, "URL Request Too Large." Is anyone experiencing this?

Please let me know so I can try to fix it.

20100721

travel inspiration: magical marrakech, the red city

















featured: souks & marketplaces
photos via flickr

20100720

painting of the week

 
 


Portrait of a Lady c. 1460
Roger van der Weyden, Netherlands
Oil on Panel, Gothic

20100719

blogging is hard

Blogging is not an easy task.

I've had this blog for about a month and I feel like I'm disappointing my followers.  You see, I want to entertain you, but I don't know what to post. 

When people start a blog, I think everyone has the hopes of getting a million followers and becoming a blog icon.  But how do you go about doing that? 

I've figured out some of the ways.  One, be patient.  This is probably the most simple yet hardest thing to do.  I, for one, am not a patient person.  I hate waiting for anything.  I'm the type of person who likes to get things done, receive things quickly, etc. 

But I don't really want to rant about all that good stuff.  I'd like to know what you - the readers - would like to see on this blog.  That's ultimately what a blog all boils down to: you.  So, what attracts you to a blog and leads you to ultimately clicking that fabulous little button that says 'follow'?  What is it that you like to see?

Please, do tell.  I'm all ears for you guys.

20100717

:(

I CAN'T FIND MY CAMERA :( :( :(

hellohellohello

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING!

Nothing better than starting off your day with a cappuchino and some frozen blueberries.

I can't believe it's already mid-July.  Where is this summer going?  Can, ugh, someone call and tell summer to please slow down a bit?  I don't want to go back to school! :(  Summer has been good, even though I've only been to the beach once and I've spent most of my time working.  I have good reason to work, though.  My mom okayed a trip to Spain next summer with just me and my friend.  I have to save up my money because I'll be paying for it by myself.  Hopefully it happens though!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!  That would be so fantastic.  Spain is my dream.  And we'd also take a boat to Morocco for a day because it's only about an hour away from Spain by boat.  EEEEP, so excited to just think about it!  I was supposed to go to Croatia by boat when I was in Italy, but it never happened.  Oh well.  One day, one day!  My goal is to see the world, so I'm sure one day I will see it.

That reminds me.  I have a question for you guys.  Can you recommend any good skin care lines?  I have to buy face stuff because I'm running out.  I'm thinking of going with my usual Darphin, but can anyone recommend anything?  It would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I realize that there is a lack of photos on this website.  Guys, I promise I am working on this.  I'm getting a Macbook soon, so when that comes, expect picture overload.  For now, I just have to deal with the camera I have.

I don't have plans until tonight, so I promised myself that I'd dedicate a good portion of the day working on this blog. 

By the way, do you guys have twitter?  Post your links and I'll follow you!

Lots of love,

Bella

20100711

QUE VIVA ESPAÑA



GRANDE ESPAÑA!  LOS CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO! <3
2010 - 2014!
ilusión es mi camino, victoria mi destino.

Well done, boys!  You certainly deserve it!

You know, there is not one drop of Spanish blood in me (well, not that I know of, anyway) and yet, I feel such a connection and love for the culture and the people.  I really feel Spanish today!  haha

I'm going to miss writing about the world cup though.  Now, it will all be strictly fashion and whatnot.  But now, I want to live in Spain more than ever.  I've wanted to for a while, but all the energy surrounding the world cup has just amplified my desire.  I can't wait to start studying Spanish in school!
Well now, I hope everyone is celebrating!  What a nasty game, though!  The Dutch were very violent but, in the end, they both deserved their positions in the final and I'm happy that Spain is bringing the cup home!  See you in 2014 in BRASIL!

PS - Since I have a few Spanish followers, please take pictures of the celebrations in Spain and post them on your blog!  I'd love to see them!

this is it!

Today is the day: The Netherlands vs. Spain.  Who will win?

I have to say that I am extremely happy that my two favorite teams in the tournament have made it to the top.  Even though I want Spain to win, I won't be disappointed if Holland wins because they have played a spectacular game all tournament long. 

Paul the Octopus has predicted Spain to win.  An Asian Oracle has predicted the Netherlands.

So, who will it be?

All I know is that it has been such a beautiful cup.  In the semi-final, history repeated itself.  Tonight, history will be made.

Good luck to both teams! <3

20100710

wear your wishes!

Hi guys! I wanted to share something with you, something that I, personally, find very interesting. Now, I guess I'll start off by saying that I'm not particularly suspicious, but, from time to time, I tend to believe in things like wishes and tarot and whatever.

Brazilets are a 200 year old tradition from Bahia, Brazil. The bracelets, which are 47 centimeters long, are said to bring good luck as well as the completion of three wishes. When you get your brazilet, you are supposed to tie it around you wrist and secure it with three knots, making one wish for each knot. When the bracelet naturally falls off, it is said that your wishes will come true. The bracelet says "Lembrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia" or, "In remembrance of our patron saint good luck in life."

Brazilets come in a bunch of colors. I have one in red and I just ordered another one in mango. Each brazilet is $5.00 and 20% of that ($1.00) goes to Plant a Billion Trees.

I really like brazilets. You can buy one for $5.00, as I said before, or a whole pack for $70.00. The colors they come in are ruby, black, white, mango, sunflower, iris, leaf green, light pink, ocean, chocolate, lime, flamingo, and turquoise. They make for great gifts to.  They come with a cute little sheet as well so that you can write down your three wishes.  I'm generally not that superstitious, but I do believe in the wishes coming true with brazilets. I think they're a really great accessory to have. Plus, it's not something that many people have, so you'll certainly stand out with it. I was reading through on Kael Robinson's blog and she talked about the magnificent church in Bahia whose gates are covered with Brazilets. People really believe in this. It's a huge thing in Brazil. That's what's really cool about them; you can connect to a new culture through means of accessory, and isn't that what fashion is all about anyway?

The color of the brazilet, in case you were wondering, is totally subjective.  There are certain symbolisms attached to each color, but the color you choose is dependent on your style.  Like, let's say you were wishing for money.  Even though green is the universal color for money, you don't have to purchase the green brazilet for it.  Personally, I think it's just fun to read through the symbolisms that they have.  Here is what they said about my ruby brazilet and my mango brazilet (I obviously purchased red and mango because they are the colors of Spain.  Just kidding =])

RUBY:
"Ruby red is associated with strength, power, determination. It is an emotionally charged color that is symbolic of passion, desire, and love.

Red gets noticed. It is not subtle; it does not hide. It bears forward unthwarted and inspired. It stands for important things and calls attention to these items. It is bold, striking and intense.

Ruby Brazilets put passion and intensity at the forefront of your wish list. They remind you of the power that drives your desires and the strength and determination that bring your dreams to fruition. Share Ruby Brazilets with friends and loved ones who need a spark of fire and drive. Show them that their dreams and wishes are important to you."

MANGO:
"Juicy, sunshine and a full body wake up are associated with the this tropical color. Recognized as a tonic for the soul this healthful color is associated with joy, enthusiasm, determination, encouragement and success. Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain is said to increase immunity and sexual energy. It is a creative, exhuberant color that artfully blends the fire of red and the joyfullness of yellow.

The warm color symbolizes the needs of the physical body making Mango Brazilets a wonderful gift to friends and family who need a mental pick-me-up or a shot of creativity and detemination. Wrap a Mango Brazilet around your wrist to remind yourself that joy, excitment and success belong to everyone. Wear it on your wrist alone or in combination with other Brazilets."

So, what do you think? Will you be purchasing a brazilet? If so, what color?

You can purchase brazilets at http://www.brazilets.com/

20100708

AHORA: ESPAÑA

SPAIN IS ONTO THE FINALS! VIVA ESPAÑA!

Guys, I am literally so beyond happy! I'm happy that it's the Netherlands vs Spain! Do you realize how historic this is for both countries?! I'm thinking Spain is going to win, but if the Netherlands win, I won't be mad at all. I'm just so beyond happy! AHHHHHH <3 I've been smiling and screaming all day. And let me tell you, that was no easy game to watch! I literally started crying as soon as they started playing the national anthems. Plus, throughout the game, I felt nauseous and...ugh, it was a miracle that I survived!

And Silva finally played! Olé!

Anyway, since I love Spain so much, next summer, my best friend and I are planning to take a trip to Spain. Just me, her, and her sister who will serve as our chaperone. She's so chill though, so it will basically be like having no chaperone. But we can't tell the parentals that! ;)

And I apologize to you! I will put more fashion updates as soon as my world cup fever fades away.

Off to work now!

Adios!

20100704

new findings


black machinery dress by Rumi Neely
sweet hitchhiker by Erin Wasson

Hello!

I'm sorry for the lack of updates I've had. I've been so caught up with the World Cup, but even that is ending in a week. All my predictions were right, by the way! I know I posted Argentina in first, but, literally, the next day, I changed my mind to Germany. So, long behold, I was correct with the top four and I believe the order of placement will ring true at the end.

Fashion wise...

I guess I've been living under a rock these past months because I had no idea Erin Wasson designed for RVCA! I mean, I think I remember reading about it somewhere a while ago, but it completely slipped my mind. I like the shirts a lot in her spring/summer collection. I like the fluidity of them and the looseness. I mean, I'm not sure if she did, but it seems like she played off the idea of a summer breeze. And, personally, I like loose clothing in the summer. It's very reminiscent of Europe, I believe. I like the loose clothes during the day and the tighter, more scandalous ones at night.

And I am obsessed with the Machinery Dress designed by Rumi Neely at fashiontoast.com! Want it!

Check out the collections here: http://shop.rvca.com