'From head to toe'- Winter warm tones

Lake Merritt

Oakland, California

Lipstick: Makeup Forever Lipstick in Warm Pink

Eyes: Lorac Pro Palette 

Scarf: JCrew, now sold out but similar here
Jacket: Sold out but similar here

Skirt: Ace Delivery for Nordstrom
Shirt: Gap Fluid Relaxed TShirt

Nails: Essie Blanc

Shoes: Trolley Ankle Bootie
Socks: Topshop Lace Trim Ankle

Earrings: JCrew, now sold out but similar here

Many thanks to the wonderful & talented Lorin Anderberg for shooting these pictures! 

http://cargocollective.com/lorinanderberg

With love and winter warmth,

Sarah Belle

Natural products- worth it?

Aveeno Clear Complexion Lotion: $14 from Target

Pros: Smells good but not overpowering, doesn't make my skin feel oily, and has 0.5% salicylic acid to help with breakouts- I have re-purchased this twice!

Cons: Doesn't help with dry skin patches and not effective for use in dry winter months.

Final say: Worth it! I am now using a daily lotion that has SPF in it, but I am still a fan of this product. The $14 price is questionable, but this bottle lasted me at least 6 months!

St Ives Green Tea Scrub: $8 on Amazon

Pros: Gentle exfoliant that doesn't irritate skin, smells lovely, is oil free and has a low dose of acne medication to combat problem areas.

Cons: Exfoliating isn't always the answer... sometimes moisturizing skin instead of drying out problem areas helps more than you might think!

Final say: Worth it! While I am trying to not use exfoliants as much as usual- this product is my go-to. 

Burt's Bees: Deep cleansing cream: $8.00 at Target

Pros: Smells amazing, leaves skin tingling and refreshed

Cons: It claims to remove 'dirt, excess oil and make-up'. And while I do think it removes oils from my face, I would never use it to remove makeup. I use this product in the mornings to help me wake up and remove any lotion or oils from the night before. A tip: try using this with a dry face! Put some warm water on your hands, then rub in the cleanser all over your face, followed by warm water rinse and a pat dry.

Final say: Worth it!! I love this cleanser. The smell is ridiculously fresh and clean, and I do think it is helping my skin. A win. 

Neutrogena fresh cleansing + makeup remover: $8 on Ulta, also sold at Target

Pros: Smells nice, removes face makeup easily and is a good size for the price.

Cons: None in particular, but it doesn't remove all of my eyeliner or mascara. 

Final say: Ehh.. worth it? I have never been a fan of makeup remover, so I always use a face wash that takes it off for me. This face wash works well and smells good- but isn't anything special. If you are satisfied with what you're using- don't rush out to get this. 

Origins Clear Improvement Face Mask: ($25 for 3.4oz at Sephora)

Pros: Lasts a long time, a little goes a long way, skin feels immediately smooth after, and blemishes decrease. I have had this for years and always go back to it!

Cons: A bit pricey, packaging breaks easily, and product can dry out quickly if left uncapped. 

Finals say: Worth it! Origins is a powerhouse in the skincare department, and this mask has been a cult favorite for years. It seriously works. However, you can get many other dupe masks for a cheaper price if you want- just know that sometimes the money is worth the results!

Korres Mattifying Primer: ($33 at Sephora)

Pros: Smells great, and doesn't feel processed or sticky when applying.

Cons: Doesn't make my makeup last longer or go on more smoothly. Acts more like lotion than primer. Expensive!

Final say: Not worth it. Not only was this product pricey, it was ineffective. Sure it smells good, but it just doesn't keep my makeup in place all day. I now use the Laura Mercier primer!

The Body Shop- Tea Tree Oil: $9.50 for .33 oz 

Pros: Smells delicious, is potent and effective for treating problem areas. Makeup glides on smoothly over areas with the oil on them. 

Cons: Packaging is frustrating and hard to use, is a bit pricey for the tiny bottle.

Final say: Worth it! I purchased a Trader Joe's tea tree oil dupe recently, and it is more astringent and too strong for my liking. All of the tea tree products at The Body Shop are great, and this little bottle is a lifesaver for bad spots without overdrying. 

Bonus! Some natural treats:

Lara Bars: (around $1.30 per bar- order in bulk here) Lara bars are all: gluten free, fair trade, dairy free, soy free, and made with ingredients you know and can pronounce! Thank you Olivia for getting me hooked on these, they are a perfect snack/meal replacement on a busy day.

Some of my favorite flavors: Peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, and the seasonal flavors are always yummy! Pumpkin pie flavor is out now and it is delish. 

With love and nature,

Sarah Belle

Ps. Thank you for all the lovin, positive responses, and support for my last post. While I enjoy writing about dry shampoo and makeup... I love that I am able to take Sarah's Nest in a more serious direction when inspiration strikes. Keep on keeping on, and keep reading! 

My biggest fear- Sundays with Sarah

An honest string of words.
If you were to ask me what my biggest fear is, I would probably say the dentist, that I've never been fond of sharks, and shudder at the thought of bees. You personally might have a fear of spiders, snakes, maybe even clowns. Point is, we all have fears. And we all have strength. But in all honesty, lately my fears have been overshadowing my strengths. 
My biggest fear is that my best isn't good enough. That I will give everything I have to something or someone, and things won't turn out the way I wanted them to. Effort is exhausting, and this term especially I feel like I am putting in so much effort for so few rewards. Translated to tween speak: I "just can't even" anymore. My fear is becoming more of a reality all the time. It's affecting me slowly, I can't fight it off with one quick blow or duck to miss a punch of pain or disappointment. It's little things- the paper cuts to the bone that getcha. Bandaids just aren't cutting it anymore. But yuck. Why do you want to read this? I'm boring, depressing, and I'm conducting a pity party for one that you probably don't care about. Here's why you should:
We all have fears, and we all have strengths. Yours and mine may be different, but they could also be the same. We all have to overcome things in our lives, face our fears, and deal with consequences. The sooner you do that, the stronger you will probably feel. I say 'probably' because I don't begin to claim that I have the first idea about how facing and overcoming fears would feel because I've never tried. But I intend to. My life is about to hit the restart button; I'm moving to Spain for 5 months with absolutely no-one I know. Now that is scary for sure, but it also gives me the chance to let go of problems I have here. I have always wanted to be 'the best', to never settle, and to go for the gold. People (I think) know me as "Sarah, the type A leader who gets good grades and has her shit together". So naturally, when I give a project or goal my all, I am expected to accomplish what I worked for. Recently however, I have been reaching, climbing, and even jumping to reach lofty goals, but I'm simply stumbling back to the ground disappointed. Even though no one might actually notice, I still feel a sharp pain from each one. I get disappointed, even ashamed sometimes of myself and who I should be versus who I am right now. BUT in Spain, no one knows who I am and therefore expects nothing of me. I will feel no pressure to be 'that girl' anymore, and I can work on things that make me happy instead of accomplishing things in the name of 'greatness'. What even is 'greatness', 'success', or 'accomplishment'? More on that another time....

I could continue to babble on, feebly attempting wisdom and you might even read it, but I am going to end this post with words shown to me by a woman that I love, and written by a woman who inspires me: A quote from Mother Teresa. A faded, photocopied, tattered piece of paper has held these words on our kitchen wall for years, and my Mom made sure that I have my own exact replica for my own college desk as a reminder to always:

Do it Anyway:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give the best you've got anyway.

You see,
in the final analysis it is between you and God*;
it was never between you and them anyway.

I hope this post gave you pause, a short break from studying, or maybe even some peace. I know I feel better just having written it all down. Thank you for reading, and remember that you should always 'do it anyway' if it makes you happy. Remember that it is ok to be afraid-just feel confident in knowing that we're all scared, and that we're all strong.

With love and strength,

Sarah Belle

*disclaimer: I never felt totally sold on the 'between you and God' line. Point being; your happiness and life are not controlled by anyone but yourself. Do the best you can no matter what the haters say because at the end of the day you are the only person who truly has to answer to your actions. It is between you and ________. 

November favorites!

The month of heavy rain, Thanksgiving family celebrations, black Friday mayhem, and male facial hair. (good riddance Movember)

Rave: Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer- $33 from Sephora

Primer is the unsung hero of the beauty world, and every woman should have a solid primer in their makeup arsenal. This Laura Mercier primer feels smooth during application and leaves no sticky residue, not to mention it is oil free and formulated for oily and acne prone skin. It creates a smooth base for foundation and powder application, and helps your foundation to look fresh all day. When applying, keep in mind you can wear lotion underneath or just use the primer on its own- I would suggest doing some test runs to see what you like best and lasts the longest. Laura Mercier also makes a similar primer that is designed to hydrate, another for radiance, and others with high SPF protection. Go crazy.

Read: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

This was required reading in one of my HS english classes, and it has been my favorite book ever since. Published in 1952, the novel takes place in the Salinas Valley of California and is written mainly about the lives of two families; The Trask's and the Hamilton's. With obvious connections to the Cain and Abel biblical story, Steinbeck writes about love, ambition, pride, guilt and freedom in some of the most wise and heartbreaking ways. Seriously, each page has quotes that make you think, reflect, and wonder. If I were to ever get a tattoo (don't worry Mom) it would be 'timshel', one of the main themes from the book about the power to choose, fate, and God.  I am currently re-reading it, and while it may take a while to get through at 601 pages, it is well worth it. It rocks.

Random: Traditional Medicine Tea, Seasonal Sampler - $4 at Target

Being an ex-choir and theater nerd I have developed an extreme passion for tea, especially those that help soothe my throat. During this cold season tea is a great way to battle the elements and sickness in a natural and delicious way. I have always loved the 'throat coat' tea by Traditional Medicine, but the seasonal sampler exposed me to Gypsy cold care, Echinacea plus, and Breathe easy. Standing ovation all around, somebody give these teas a medal.

Repurchase: OPI You Don't know Jacques Nail Lacquer- around $9 at any beauty supply store

Straight up, this is one of my favorite nail polishes of all time. It is a staple in my polish collection, and works in every season. This brownish grey color looks striking yet neutral on so many skin tones, it is mature enough to suit and flatter all ages, and is reliable no matter the occasion or outfit. Especially during the winter, it ends up being my go-to color that I know I will always love. (Ulta has buy two get one free on OPI polish... holiday presents anyone?!)

Reject: Suave Dry Shampoo- $2.89 at Target

Simply not a favorite this month. I wanted to try something new and thrifty, and it disappointed me. The smell was fresh, but when I put it in my hair it felt sticky and stiff. It reminded me of stiff hold hairspray, and I felt yuckier than before. No gracias. Heads up: as a self proclaimed dry shampoo connoisseur I am taking my reviews to the next level with a whole post on Dry Shampoo- a guide for all the lazy sisters out there who simply cant be bothered.

Recent: Bio Oil- $9 on Amazon, also sold at Target
Coconut Oil- $5.99 at Trader Joes

A beauty guru staple, Bio-Oil claims to smooth and tone scars and skin discoloration while directly moisturizing dehydrated skin. It does just that! It smells faintly like sweet cinnamon, and I have been applying it before bed a 4 days a week for a few weeks now. This bitter cold weather has been drying out my skin, and the Bio-Oil is really helping to calm the angry dry spots. I originally bought it to help lessen dark marks on my skin from acne scaring (hooray pale skin), and I have already seen some improvements. Really promising, and a great deal for the results!

All credit goes to Olivia for this one for making me try the glory that is coconut oil. I had heard of people using coconut oil for all kinds of things from lotion to hair masks, but I had never tried it. While I don't necessarily recommend using this on your face if you are prone to breakouts, using coconut oil on your body as moisturizer is amazing. You have to let it soak in for a while before putting on clothes or touching anything, but it is the best attack on my dry winter skin that I have found. Not to mention its cheap! Head to Trader Joe's or any grocery store, a jar of this will cost about $6.00 and last you a year.

That's all folks! I hope you're December is merry and bright!

With love and favorites,

Sarah Belle

'From head to toe' - California Edition

Malibu, California

September 2014

 

Jumpsuit: 

A gift from the magnificent Nellie B, made my June & Hudson on super sale here. 

Similar version from ASTR here- $74.

Makeup:

Foundation: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Sand- Nordstrom, $48

Concealer: Benefit 'Boing' in 01- Sephora, $20

Blush: Bobbi Brown Pretty Coral- Nordstrom, $27

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Bronzer- Sephora, $28 (Looking for extra warmth? Add bronzer to cheeks, nose, forehead, and collar bone/chest area)

Eyes: Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Glamor Palette- similar here, $48, with a bit of Hoola Bronzer in the crease for a warm glow

Lips: Maybelline Color Whisper in Coral Ambition- any drugstore for $5ish, layered with MAC lipliner in Cranberry- (discontinued but duped here with MAC 'In Synch' - $16

Shoes:

Mom's shoes: DV by Dolce Vita 'Daffodil' Sandal- on sale for $35

My shoes: The trusty DV 'Nolita' wedges, no longer available

Lastly, meet the adorable Rowdy! He needs no makeup or outfit to look cute, lucky little man.

With love and California dreaming,

Sarah Belle

Running for the wise- Sundays with Sarah

Installment #1 

I get inspiration at the strangest places and times; in the shower, while folding laundry, when I am on the brink of sleep, and on trains and long drives....

Today, I felt inspired while on a run. (walk/jog) 

Letting my feet carry me for miles, skipping over cracks and bumps in the sidewalk, and seeing Eugene from a new perspective. Running is calming, centering, and exhausting in all the right ways. 

Music makes a big difference in my mindset... the key is finding your perfect mix of energy and serenity. I could run for hours with the right music to motivate me.

Today's playlist:

Let it go- James Bay

Warm foothills - Alt J

Georgia- Vance Joy

Want you Back- Jackson 5

Coming over (Filous remix)- James Hershey

I stopped mid stride to capture some of these shots- and not one looks as pretty as it did in person. I am lucky to be surrounded with such beauty. I'm lucky in general. Feeling grateful- now that's an epiphany I need to have more often. 

I am fortunate to be given so much, to have free time to explore my town, and to be stressed by high expectations and school work. I complain, but in reality I am living a life of tremendous privilege. 

Down the road, I need to make self reflection and humility more of a priority. I started this whole blog business with that in mind, and even though I doubt my abilities... I will always strive to create quality content with pride. The future is a bright place, and I hope to capture it well!

With love and footsteps,

Sarah Belle

Paleo Peach & Blueberry Crumble- Sarah's Eats

This recipe is easy as pie! (Get it? So punny) As well as being super simple and easy to make, this sweet treat is paleo approved and as desserts go- healthy! The mind behind this creation is Diane Sanfilippo, and I love her 'Practical Paleo' cookbook. She does an amazing job breaking down how individual foods directly affect our health and body functioning. It is safe to say that you really are what you eat. For those of you don't know what 'paleo' means, it more or less refers to 'whole foods' that are unprocessed and found in nature. Eating paleo leaves me with the 'clean full' feeling, even after large meals. There are no fake sugar rushes, breakouts from dairy or too much sodium, and keep me energized for longer periods of time. By no means do I claim to be a perfect example of health, but being aware and educated about healthy lifestyle choices can never do any harm. Enjoy the pictures and recipe- try it and home and let me know if you did any better than I did! 

Feel free to supplement with any fruit of your choice! 

Macadamia nuts added a sweet and nutritious crunch to the crumble topping!

My crumble topping ended up a bit dry for my taste- at this step I would recommend some almond milk, or more maple syrup!

Looking back, I would have taken out the crumble early and added more moisture to the top. Maybe a squeeze of lemon juice, or melted coconut oil mixed with maple syrup? Feel free to make this your own. 

Imperfections aside, the crumble was pretty delicious. I took off some of my topping and added some almond milk ice cream, and it became the perfect summer night sweet-tooth solution. I could see this dessert being great for early Fall, a warm treat for cool nights, but not too heavy. Switch out for more seasonal berries (even apples) and make this your new personal specialty. I know if I will be trying this again to get it just right!

The original recipe for the curious and hungry: http://balancedbites.com/2013/06/easy-recipe-fresh-blueberry-crumble.html

With love and sugar,

Sarah Belle