'From head to toe' Lisbon

My makeup look:

Eyes: created a warm smokey eye effect with Lorac Pro Palette

Face: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation, Hoola Bronzer, Nars Deep Throat Blush

Lips: Bobbi Brown Pink Beige Lip Gloss

Brows: Lightly filled in and shaped with Maybelline Brow Pencil

 My look:

Pants: from a local designer exhibition in Sevilla, similar here

Belt: handmade in Sevilla, I can't find anything like it!

Shoes: Topshop sandals, similar here

Sweater: Nordstrom Sun & Shadow

Top: Zara Black Basic

Earrings: Anthropologie similar here

Bag: Day a Day (Spanish company) similar here

Cheers to Lisbon, the first stop on my final European trip that ended in London on May 20th 2015.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, felt like a city of copy cats to me. I don't mean to offend, but everywhere I turned I saw shadows of other cities mirrored in Lisbon. From the nearly identical Golden Gate bridge replica, the large statue of Jesus overlooking the city just like in Rio de Janeiro, the main square that looks so much like Madrid's Plaza Mayor, even to the architecture and narrow streets that remind me of Italy. Each of these elements play an important and purposeful role in Lisbon's history; they are not imitating due to lack of creativity but the familiarity struck me all the same. This little photo shoot was taken right outside the restaurant we ate at for our last night in Lisbon before we moved on to Vienna, hastily trying to capture some pictures before the sun went down and the restaurant canceled our reservation. I think they turned out pretty well, and encompass the laid back and casual feel of both Lisbon and Sevilla. If I were to wear this same outfit again, I think I would fully embrace the 'more is more' attitude and throw on more jewelry, muss up my hair a bit, and overall de-polish my look to a more relaxed vacation vibe. And what a vacation it was. 

I have been home for exactly a week, and am slowly working on a post that ties together my study abroad experience and reflects on everything that happened during those 5 months. However this project may take a while. As you can imagine Netflix is much more appealing than trying to summarize 150 days abroad in one short blog post that demonstrates gratitude, self reflection, and tells some really great anecdotes. Thank you for reading these ramblings and supporting my virtual journey to find my voice and passion. Being abroad solidified some of my priorities and goals, which excites me but also scared me because I learned a lot about accepting things I cannot change, that your friends truly make your world, and that sometimes you have to lose an iPhone in order to find your perspective. 

In the meantime, I just started my internship as a Style Guru for College Fashionista; an website where students write articles and photograph their peers in order to share street style fashion right from their college campus. I will be writing weekly posts and hopefully inspiring creativity for both my own style and for anyone who stumbles across my fashion musings. Check out my Style Guru bio here and #StyleOn. 

With love and 'obligada',

Sarah Belle

"I think I forgot something" Travel essentials

We have all been there, forgetting essential things like socks but remembering to bring 10 shirts and 5 shades of lipstick for a 3 day trip. #priorities. While the struggle is real, I am a firm believer that as long as you have a toothbrush, credit card, and positive attitude you can conquer basically any travel mishap. However, if you have the time to give a bit more thought to your packing, I have made up a little list of travel packing essentials that have helped me have smooth trips for the last 4 months. 

Cleanse, moisturize, protect

Fact: traveling in general is very dehydrating, especially when flying.
If you can, fly without makeup on and slather on the moisturizer before, during, and after the flight. First Aid Beauty has awesome and high quality products without an unbearable price tag, and the juice pack-esk packaging for the cleanser is so thin and easy to slip into travel packs. While sunscreen should be an everyday reality for everyone, it most definitely is a must when on holiday in sunny places.

Cleanse: First Aid Beauty Cleanser: cleanser and cream duo for $15

Moisturize: Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion - $5.00 for .5 oz travel size

Protect: Neutrogena Sunscreen SPF 70- $9.00 for 3.0 fluid oz

Spritz and smell

There is something that makes me feel more put together and ready to face the day if I add a spritz of something lovely to my routine. Smelling good should be a priority, no matter where you are!
 A word on the Sephora perfume samplers: you pay $24 for 6 perfume samples, choose your favorite, and then can redeem a roller ball of it for free! An easy an inexpensive way to discover new scents, a sweet gift, and a great travel companion- I love it.

Chloe Perfume Roller Ball-  Spray of Sunshine Perfume Sampler $24

Elizabeth & James Nirvana (Black and White) Mini Rollerball Set $20

Healthy Brovelli

Traveling means trying new things, and frequently means trying food that might not agree with you. If you get air sick, car sick, or have a sensitive tummy, throw some ginger chews in your purse for immediate and yummy relief. Finally, they don't call me Mama Brovelli for nothing: bring bandaids, Neosporin, Advil, vitamins... hell just bring a mini first aid kit! No one ever regretted being over prepared, and you never know if where you're going will have your favorite remedies.

'Gin Gins' Ginger Chew Candy- around $3 available at Trader Joes & Whole Foods

Safe travels First Aid Kit (found one with Disney Princesses cause why not). $6.50

Huzzah for organization!

Both of these were things my Mom forced me to get before leaving for Europe.... and I proudly admit that she was right (as usual). The makeup organizer has been a godsend of organization, I love the tri fold format and that it can hang up for easy access or fold down to a slim pouch for storage. The travel bottles are kind of a no brainer, but I never anticipated how much I would like having the clear pouch and different sized containers. Yay for airport liquid restrictions!

Makeup Organizer: Orla Kiely for Target- around $25, similar here

Travel Bottles and Bag: $8, similar here

Misc importance

Sometimes it's the random bits and bobs that you throw in last minute that can make or break a packing list. If you are going to be out for hours on end, using your phone for directions, snapping pictures, and Instagraming your adventures, odds are you are going to need some extra battery juice. It gives me such peace of mind to have my portable phone charger on trips, and I have been so grateful to have it many times (thanks Auntie Kim!) I always thought I was real book kind of person, until I was united with the beauty that is the Kindle. I love love LOVE it. I have the Kindle Fire so I can download books, stream movies and shows, play games, and it even has a built in camera so #selfie. 

Jackery Bar Portable External Battery Charger (in gold): on sale for $24 on Amazon

Kindle Fire HD: $99

No explanation needed, just love, random importance, and helpfulness: Nail clippers, Hobo 'Euro slide' wallet, nail polish removing wipes, extra razor heads, and of course- my neck pillow.
 

Me, the clearly overjoyed neck pillow model 

With love and wanderlust,

Sarah Belle