July 2015 Favorites

Ah July, you flew by. But really... where did this month go? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was spilling red wine on my white pants on the 4th. What good times. Here is a hodgepodge of things I have loved this month- enjoy!

Rave: Swedish Hasbeens Braided Sky high clogs ($140 at Anthrologie) but if you want to truly copy me you can just pop over to the Galleries Lafayette in Paris. Au revoir paycheck! 
I used to think my Mom's brown leather clogs were the anti-cool but suddenly I am singing a new tune. 70's-esk style is making a major comeback and clogs are coming along for the ride. These trendy sandal style clogs add an extra bit of style and pop of color to any outfit. Not to mention they are they are wooden (whoa), comfortable (craft fair, shopping and dance party tested), and I can be obnoxious and say "I got these in Paris" when anyone asks. (insert sassy girl emoji here)

Rave: Sephora Everyday Eye Brush set ($39)
Having proper brushes is a very under appreciated part a beauty routine! You really can blame your tools when it comes to makeup, and these Sephora brushes prove you don't have to spend a ridiculous amount to find what you're looking for. They are synthetic fiber brushes that still feel soft, have no fallout, and hold pigment really well. A 10/10 for the quality, variety and usefulness of all the brushes and brush cleaner wipes includes. Plus how cute and is that slim opalescent carrying case! 

Rave: Simple Micellar Facial Cleanser Water ($6.99) This is one of those bloggery things that seem pointless and over the top- especially considering there is enough drama about water in CA as it is. #DroughtJokes #toosoon. Yet here we are. On one of my many Target therapeutic sessions, I made this cheeky purchase and unlike my purchase of 4 nail polishes that are all essentially the same, I don't regret buying it. Morning & night I use this product after washing my face with a gentle cleanser. It is perfect for sensitive skin that can't handle harsh toners or irritating scrubs- I pour some onto a cotton pad, wipe over my whole face and watch the makeup residue come off onto the cotton pad. Gross yet immensely satisfying. 
You need this if you A. Have sensitive skin. B. Have issues with dry skin and redness. & C. Are lazy (yes, you. Don't deny it!). 

Rave: Ulta Instant Bronze Tanning Mousse ($12.99) & Sunless Applicator Mitt ($5.99)
Imagine how much Leo wants to win an Oscar- that is how much I want to have glowing tan skin. My lobster tendencies always seemed to get in the way of the bronze goddess look so I have been desperate to find a good self tanner that isn't outrageously priced (cough, St Tropez, cough). After trying a bunch of different products and reading countless reviews I can safely say I have found my favorite. The mousse has a nice scent, dries quickly, and goes on without streaks or patches thanks to the applicator mitt.  I use this every other day after showering being careful to moisturize my feet, ankles, elbows and knees before application. If you're looking to have the appearance of a summer tan without the skin cancer, or orange fake tan this is the one. 

Read: Filler Podcast (FREE)
Although people watching on BART is top notch, my morning commute necessitates some form of hands-free entertainment. Getting squeezed onto the train doesn't allow for much elbow room to play Doodlejump or whatever kids are playing these days. Anywho, Filler is a creative-industries podcast: basically 45 minutes inside some of the most brilliant creative minds out there- most of them in their 20's! It is inspiring, funny and thought provoking plus most contributors are British so it's not too harsh on the ears. 

Random: Trader Joes Gone Bananas ($1.99) in the frozen section
YUM. My new favorite summertime dessert is frozen fruit (blueberries, raspberries etc) with a sprinkling of marshmallows and a few of TJ's gone bananas on top. Relatively healthy, very refreshing and oh so yummy. Basically I should wear Trader Joe's ring on my finger I love him so much. 

Recent: Deliciously Ella ($13) and Oh She Glows ($14) cookbooks
I am on a cookbook kick. After being abroad where I had very little control over what food I ate, I am loving being able to read cookbooks for inspiration, plan my meals and enjoy the fruits of my labor for dinner. Both of these cookbooks are easy, healthy and creative with gorgeous pictures and notes from the authors on each page! From vegan desserts to hearty chili these two make a great kitchen duo. 

Deliciously Ella's butternut squash and eggplant curry with chickpeas: Not only is this recipe delicious, healthy and easy it is also customizable! If you don't like any of the featured vegetables- swap for cauliflower, zucchini, sweet potatoes or carrots. The perfect balance of sweet coconut milk and spice I couldn't get enough of this. But if you do have extra the curry saves well in the fridge so you have lunches ready to go the next day! 

Oh She Glows: Sweet potato and black bean VEGAN enchiladas. These are seriously good and seriously good for you. A light yet hearty alternative to traditional Mexican food, the flavors of this are amazing. Word from the wise: pay attention to Tablespoon vs. Teaspoon. Turns out my family didn't appreciate the accidental 4 tablespoons of chile powder. 

Rhythm: Tom Rosenthal 'Take your guess"

A piano ballad with a twist. It's filled with emotion, random whistling and awesome lyrics that really get me good. I especially love "I took a road that wasn't a road but its something I chose, and that's fine" and I am totally charmed by Tom's quirky music videos. 

With love and what I like,

Sarah Belle

Belle's beauty- Kiko Milano

Let me tell you a little story about language barrier. I was hanging out with some Spanish girls and singing One Direction (as you do) and one of the girls mistakenly sang "take your fart away" when the lyric was "take your heart away". I burst into merciless and immature giggles. She had no idea why I was laughing at her and then when I calmed enough to explain it I couldn't... no Spanish class I took ever taught me how to say fart. I lacked the basic communication needed to tell my friend why saying fart was potentially embarrassing. After some creative word use and hilarious miming, she figured out what I was trying to tell her and laughed, unabashed at her mistake. Now how does One Direction, Spanish and farting relate to makeup? Allow me to enlighten you.

One of the things that I was most excited for during study abroad was the shopping. No lie, the retail industry and sheer level of style in Europe is in a league of it's own and I wanted to experience everything, buy everything, and try tons of new brands. That is how I discovered Kiko! I had heard a bit about them from various bloggers as being a cheap alternative or dupe for MAC products so when I saw their store in Sevilla- I knew my time had come. Enter struggle #1: I have NO makeup vocabulary. How do you say lip liner? Oil-free? Pigment? Shimmer vs glitter? I was at a loss. 

Enter solution #1: Like my Spanish friend, I learned to embrace my language mistakes and simply tried to communicate the best I could without shame of seeming like a foreigner (Although the cats already out of the bag.. I'm about as different looking from a Spaniard as you can get). 

So without further ado, let me introduce you to Kiko- a cosmetics brand based out of Milan that I fell in love with despite having no idea what the sales associates were selling to me. 

Disclaimer: this is going to be such a tease and for that I apologize. Unfortunately you cannot buy Kiko cosmetic products in the U.S. (YET). But I couldn't not share! So if you are abroad now, are planning a trip to Europe or simply want an excuse for quick trip across the pond- your wait is over and Kiko is here. *Update: YES YOU CAN!!

Product breakdown

(All pricing is converted from pounds to dollars) 

Smart Lip pencils ($3.90): The first thing I ever tried from Kiko! The formula is creamy and strongly pigmented- when I just used the liner and nothing else it stayed on my lips for 8+ hours without awkward smudges or fading. My only complaint is that the color range in the Smart Lip liners isn't very extensive, and the matte selection is even slimmer. But I suppose that is what you get for such a cheap product! If you want to extend your budget, Kiko does make more lip liner ranges with more colors and a 'nicer' formula. 

3 lip product swatches in order of description

'Coral #702' Now I'm not normally a coral girl but I loved this fun, happy and summery shade. However, does happen with darker and more intense shades, the application can be tricky and the color strength doesn't last as long. I have never dared wear this liner on its own because of those reasons, I have only ever mixed it with MAC's 'Cranberry' liner for a coral and pink fusion or I gloss it up with one of Maybelline's Color Whispers (paired below). 

'Pink Mauve #712' This shade is a great dupe for MAC's 'Soar' lip liner which is what Kylie Jenner supposedly uses to get her lips so luscious. Well that, lip injections and professional makeup artist. I love it for everyday wear and the brownish pink tones are flattering on basically every skin tone. 

Smart Lipstick ($6.00): I so regret not buying more of these lipsticks. They have impressive stay power for their price and a bigger color range than I was expecting for their most basic lipstick. The best part?? They smell good! Have you noticed how MAC lipsticks have a subtle scent? Kiko's do the same thing and it isn't overly noticeable or sickly sweet- just a nice treat for your lips and nose. 

'Classic Rose #918' Love, love, love. A classic shade to have in a makeup drawer because of it's 'your lips but better' subtle coloring and shimmer-free formula. 

Long Lasting Color Lip Marker ($10): 

I have been on the hunt for a quality lip stain for years. It seems like creating an effective lip stain would be easy, but apparently not. At this point I am ready to take a Sharpie to my lips and call it a day. When I found this lip marker (on sale!) I had to try it and it did work really well... for a while. Unfortunately the marker dried out just like any other and the initial application is streaky and uneven. It is definitely not my favorite Kiko product but when I layer it with another liner, lipstick, or even a gloss the coloring evens out and the stain does last for a longgg time. (This layering theory has been proven through multiple 6 hour Spanish night club experiments, so basically it's science)

Natural Concealer ($8.50): 

This purchase was actually fueled by need, which was new for me!! I have always been a faithful Benefit Boing concealer user, but the weather in Sevilla is so hot and humid that having anything that heavy on your face melts right off. I mainly use this for under eye concealer because it brightens up my under eye without looking too forced and also doesn't crease or run throughout the day. Semi-Pro tip: Using a Beauty Blender to apply makes this so easy and look even better.

Kiko Natural Konjac facial sponge ($9.20)

I have been wanting to try one of these for ages but never took the plunge till recently. The Konjac sponge originates from Japan and claims to 'removes dead cells and excess sebum with an effective but delicate exfoliant action'. Well I have no clue what sebum is but I do agree about the impressive exfoliating power. It is so gentle and doesn't irritate my skin, but it does make my face feel smooth and squeaky clean after each use. Plus most other Konjac sponges go for a much higher price, so if you have sensitive skin and are looking for an innovative solution- give this a whirl! 

Kiko Nail Lacquer ($6.00 but on sale for $4)
Leaving my extensive nail polish collection in the US for study abroad was pretty devastating. You may call me silly, but I have an attachment to my nail polish and find painting my nails very therapeutic. So finding these nail polishes was basically a wise investment in my mental health. I love the color range available, they go 5+ days without chipping (base coat and top coat always ladies!!), and the price is pretty unbeatable considering they are almost always on sale. 

207 "French Pink"

211 "French Candy Pink"

Pairings

I paired some of my favorite Kiko products with some other items that can help compliment them, change the color slightly, or allow you to have some variety without too much risk or money! 

1. Kiko Lip pencil in Coral #702

Maybelline color whisper in 'Coral ambition' ($7.00)

2. Smart Lip Pencil in Rose Mauve #712
Smart Lipstick in Classic Rose layered over the top

3. Long Lasting Color Lip Marker in Plum #107
Maybelline Color Whisper in 'Rose of Attraction' ($7.00) to even out the pigment and increase shine

Phew. That was a lot of makeup. How did you like seeing my face close up that many times? Let's do this again sometime. 

With love and wanting what you can't have,

Sarah

How to find Kiko so you can pester them into expanding to the US:

Instagram, Twitter, and their website

Swimming and the anti bucket list

"When life gets you down do you know what you've gotta do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

Lately I feel like I've been stuck in the 'just keep swimming' mentality coined by everyone's favorite forgetful fish, Dory. In this scene of Finding Nemo Dory is telling Marlin to 'just keep swimming' down through the darkness to the deep depths of the ocean in the hope of finding a diver's mask and Marlin's only hope of finding his son. I'm praying you didn't actually need that mini synopsis because you have seen (and love) the movie, but if you haven't please 1. Reevaluate your priorities and 2. Abandon everything and go watch Finding Nemo.
My life isn't quite as dramatic as swimming across the ocean in search of a lost family member, but I have felt a bit in the dark lately. Just like being underwater, I feel pressure closing in around me and the unknown darkness seems pretty endless. This 'swimming' isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is also not a peaceful place to be and doesn't inspire me. I blame everything but myself for this; that my computer is broken, my work hours too long, and my exhaustion too great. However the reality is I need to taste my own medicine and reevaluate my priorities just like you fools who haven't seen Finding Nemo.

When I was abroad I came to realize how great I have it at home. I have a wonderful family and friend base, people who missed me and people who make me a better person. Not everyone can say that and I am truly (un-sarcastically) #blessed. I live in a gorgeous part of the world and I have the privilege to explore it and accomplish amazing things because I want to, not because I have to. While abroad I wrote lists of things I was going to do, old friends I was going to see, recipes to try and road trips to take. Yet here I am, 49 days into summer, and I have accomplished almost none of these things. Intervention time.

Fun fact about me: I have a mysterious issue with the term 'bucket list'. It irks me and I couldn't tell you exactly why. Maybe it's an existential annoyance with the idea that people think they need to check of accomplishments before they die to be happy. Maybe it's that the bucket list term gets used for short periods of time like study abroad, summer, or senior year of college where you hopefully don't plan on 'kicking the bucket'. Or maybe it's the fact that some people include ridiculous things like "Eat McDonalds in all 50 states" on their list that get me but it does. Long winded rant over. My point being: I don't want to call this list a 'bucket list' and the word 'resolution' doesn't quite fit so I am going to call this list what it is.

"A list of things that would make me very happy and proud if I accomplished them this summer" 

(A.L.T.T.W.M.M.V.H.P.I.A.T.T.S. for short)

1. Prioritize my workouts: run, hike, play tennis... just get OUTSIDE at least 4 times a week. 

2. Be mindful of my relationship with food: plan, buy and cook with purpose and balance.
3. Plan something to look forward to each week: reach out, connect, explore. 
4. Blog every week: Keep the creative juices flowing, write with dedication and don't forget that you love doing this.
5. Finality always scared me. Goal #5 is TBA

So there you have it. I'm trying awfully hard to find pride in what I am doing, and pride in myself. Hopefully this anti-bucket list will get me to a place of balance and hopefully it inspired some of you. At the very least I hope it inspired you to watch Finding Nemo. 

With love and lists,

Sarah Belle