Dry Shampoo- the lazy girls guide

"He can run faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo" JK Rowling

You are now Snape, and for whatever reason (usually laziness) you haven't showered and your hair is in need of some maintenance! Never fear, dry shampoo is here and so am I to give you a list of some to praise, and some to avoid. 

Some general tips before we get started:

1. You are human, use your tools. 

If you are accidentally or purposefully heavy handed with the dry shampoo, make sure it is evenly distributed. A little tip: use your trusty hair dryer to get all the powder/color settled in and looking natural. While you're at it, give your hair some nice volume by blowing out sections of your hair with a large barreled brush and the hair dryer that is already prepped and ready. 

2. Blend people, blend.
My heart breaks a little every time I see a girl with a slightly white spray residue on her head/scalp from hastily applied dry shampoo (or other..erm issues). Do a check of your forehead, part, general scalp, even neck and ears. The whole 'I didn't shower but I'm getting away with it' losses its charm if you look even dirtier than before... just sayin.

3. Recognize defeat
Sometimes, you really need to shower. If you just got back from the gym, a basement gathering of any kind, or your hair is so oily it looks wet... get your lovely self under some hot water and suds. Dry shampoo is a crutch, not a cast. Do not abuse the magic.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo- $11 for 1oz at Sephora, Target

This product is the most refreshing of the bunch, it smells like lemons and cleanliness and has a wonderfully effective powered formula. My hair always feels cleanest after I use Oscar Blandi, but it does take a bit longer to apply correctly. It is simply a white powder, so it is up to the user to sprinkle and blend carefully without the help of an aerosol nozzle. I always have to use a hairdryer to spread the product evenly, but the extra effort is worth the result! Plus this stuff is a great value, I got it over a year ago and haven't run out yet. *you can get this in aerosol form here, but I haven't tried it!

The Dry Bar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Dry Shampoo- $12 for 1.67 oz from Sephora

Praise be to this dry shampoo- everything about it is wonderful except for the value. It smells wonderful but not overpowering, application is easy, leaves no yucky residue or stiffness, and keeps my hair looking and feeling clean long after application. However, when I purchased this small travel size I was out within a few months. Considering I had only used it maybe 10 times, this seems to be a bit of a rip off. However, if the price tag doesn't matter to you- I haven't found anything that can compare to this caliber. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo (Blonde)- $8 for 6.74 oz from Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and many drug stores

Batiste has a huge range of dry shampoos from different scents, color tints, and sizes they have it all and still maintain a good price for the quality and size. The 'hints of color' are really nice for anyone who struggles with the white contrast of dry shampoo powder, and wants to give their color a bit of a makeover without any chalky residue or flaking. I will definitely repurchase this as I like the sweet scent and blonde highlights, and it is readily available at many stores! 

Psst Instant Dry Shampoo- around $6 for 5.3 oz at any drugstore

While this is one of the 'original' creators of dry shampoo, the Pssst product didn't impress me. It did the job, but left white residue and didn't have a particularly nice scent. Plus I feel like it look me more dry shampoo than anticipated to get my hair feeling at all clean or refreshed! Kind of a 'meh' product, but a good price tag for the can size!

Some updates to my dry shampoo collection! (hence the not uniform pictures... my bad)

Suave Professionals Beautiful Clean Dry Shampoo- $2.48 for 5 oz at Target

In my November 2014 favorites I mentioned this dry shampoo and how much I am not a fan of it, no matter how cheap it is: 'The smell was fresh, but when I put it in my hair it felt sticky and stiff. Not to mention it left a slightly white and off-color residue in my hair that wasn't easily brushed off or  It reminded me of stiff hold hairspray, and I felt yuckier than before.' Thanks, but no thanks Suave.

Aussie Miracle Dry Shampoo $4.99 for 180ml/5 oz from Amazon

I have been on a hunt for dry shampoo in Spain so when I finally found this, it had to be mine. Good news is the search was worth it because so far I have been pretty pleased! The smell is fruity but not sickly sweet, and lasts for hours. However, it does feel a bit sticky when applying, and made my hair a little stiff. Good value, but updates on quality to come.

So there you have it, a starter kit for all things dry shampoo! I hope it helps keep you lazy, but at an acceptable level of clean. 

With love and lazy Sundays,

Sarah Belle

"A pearl set in emeralds" - La Alhambra palace

I spent the day at La Alhambra and every inch was incredible, detailed, perfectly symmetrical, iconic, and historical. Here are 5 facts and a ton of photos of this beautiful piece of Granada!

1. Some basic history: Spain was once ruled by Arabs and Muslims, and as such, the palace started off as a small fortress built in 899 but was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Mohamed Yusuf I, then the Sultan of Granada. 

 

English elms brought by the Duke of Wellington, 1812

 2. Through the centuries the palace saw many renovations, wars, new rulers, and millions of visitors. The fortress was originally controlled by a Nazari monarch then by his descendants Mohamed the II, III, and V, but was conquered by Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492.  In 1984 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and is the most popular tourist attraction in Spain! 

 3. La Alhambra is split into 4 sections: Alcazaba, The Generalife, Nasrid Palaces and Torres/Alhambra High. The above pictures are all from 'Generalife' which was originally constructed as a place for the monarchs to escape to for tranquility outside of official palace life. This intricate set of gardens, detailed hallways, small patios and stone stairwells were all so detailed and full of life, even in the cold winter months. 

 4. The royal palace has some of the most recognizable features of La Alhambra, including the ornate pools and fountains that are constructed around the private living areas of previous rulers. Even after the conquest by Catholic monarchs such as Carlos V, their renovations have maintainted the traditionally Muslim details and architecture. 

My favorite door of the Alhambra

Patio de los Leones

The detailed script on the right translates to "God is the only victor" 

5. The following photos are all taken from the tallest tower of La Alhambra, Torre de Vela, situated in the Alcazaba section. The view overlooks all of Granada, the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and looks down onto sections of the palace such as the Generalife gardens and the Palacios Nazaríes. It was absolutely breathtaking from up there, both because of its beauty and the cold! It was gorgeous to see the snow capped mountains, the homes and shops nestled into the hills, and the many colors of the valley all merged together into one historic panoramic view. 

Fun fact: there is a large bell on the top of the tower that used to be a home for soldiers, a way of telling time at night for farmers, and as a warning of danger for the townspeople. Now however it is the symbol of a historical tradition that if an unmarried woman of the city rings the bell on January 2nd, she will be married before the year ends...ring a ding ding!

This place holds an immense amount of history, and is one of the most impressive places I have ever visited. As each of the annual 2 million visitors I'm sure would tell you, it is certainly worth the trip. Add La Alhambra to your bucket list, and come visit me in Spain while you're at it!

With love and history,

Sarah Belle

January 2015- 4 countries of favorites

Hello and hola, this month's favorites are racking up frequent flier miles because they are from all over the world! If you are a dedicated reader (Hi, Mom!) you may notice that this format is a tad different than past favorites posts because these items are all things I have loved this month, while in the past I had some variety with my 'rave', 'read', 'random', 'reject' and other 'r' descriptive words. But hey, lets switch it up a bit! 

Soap & Glory Daily Youth Face wash-£9, Discovered in London (not available in the US, but similar linked above)

While traveling and in life, I forget things. This time round I forgot to bring face wash on our trip to Europe... oops. When we were leaving London we needed to get rid of some UK pounds, so Mom ran into a Boots store in Kings Cross and bought this face wash pretty much at random. It smells like grapefruit and peaches, and helps to wake me up in the morning but is still hydrating and takes makeup off! It might be hard to come by, but Soap & Glory has proved itself again as a solid brand for everything skincare, makeup, and lotion with a twist of fun.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 'Anti Aging' -$24, A gift from Alex in the USA

This stuff lives up to its name, because it seriously must have some magic potion ingredients. It's amazing. It makes my eyeshadow go on with a stronger color pigment, and it really does stay all day!! I am a proud addict, and don't know how I lived without this before. I could go on but it would just be more excited rambling, so basically: this is a great investment, lasts a long time, isn't sticky, has no scent, and works wonders- especially for anyone whose makeup tends to smear throughout the day.

Lorac Pro Palette- $42, A gift from Livy in the USA

I have had my eye on this beauty for a while, but couldn't justify getting it for myself. Thats what friends are for! Liv got me this amazing eyeshadow palette for Christmas, and I seriously haven't wanted to use another one since. The variety of colors, the even spread of mattes and sparkle colors, and the pigment quality is just...wow. My daily eyeshadow routine: base of 'LT Pink', under the brow highlight in 'Cream' or 'White', crease shading with 'Taupe' or 'Mauve' (probably my favorite in the whole palette), and a pop of shine in the inner corner with 'Nude'. I love them all! In my opinion, this palette is superior to the Urban Decay Naked Palettes (gasp), and is a better value at $42 for 16 colors versus $54 for 12 shades.

Smith's Rosebud Salve in a tube- $6, pre Europe Sephora purchase

I love this stuff. It is a beauty/backstage cult favorite, and it is amazing. It smells like roses and gives a nice shine, but isn't sticky or overpowering in any way. The formula is great all formats, but I love the convenience of the tube especially for traveling. It's a bit pricey at $6 for a lip-balm, but it technically is multipurpose and can be used for dry skin, cuticles, and even heals irritation on the skin from a rash or burn. Well worth the price tag!

Boscia Clear Complexion Willow Bark Treatment Stick-$15, Inspiration taken from Livy in the USA

Boscia is an all around reliable and great brand for anyone with sensitive skin or anyone who is looking for high quality products with delicious scents. This product works really well for targeting problem areas without over drying or irritating the skin, and blends in nicely so makeup can go seamlessly on top! The tube has a 'click to release' system, so be careful when applying that you don't click one to many times and get too much product! Most Boscia products are on the higher price range, but this spot treatment lasts a long time and is seriously high quality.

'Flowers of Liberty' Liberty London 2015 Planner £29.95, Gift from Mom in London

This planner is a tease favorite, because unless you are in London there is no way to purchase this exact version online but it was just too cute so I had to show it off. The outside of this planner is made of cloth in one of Liberty's famous flower prints and gold leaf is stamped on the outside of every page and on the front of the book itself. Precious. Liberty, built in 1924 from the tiber of two ships with dark wood and classic British decorations lining each floor and stairwell, is one of the coolest and most expensive department stores I have ever been in. You could tell it was still the 'wonderful emporium where the latest fashions sit alongside design classics' as it was built to be, and Mom wanted to find the perfect thing to help me remember the trip- and this is just the ticket. I love the design of the calendar and weekly planner inside, and the outside flowers and gold details make it girly and beautiful without being obnoxious.

Twinings Lemon Ginger tea- around $3, Discovered in London

Tea is quintessentially British, and has been a constant companion and obsession of mine for years. I have tea almost every day, so I couldn't resist picking some up while we were in London. Earl Grey for the morning, mint tea for after dinner movie time, and this lemon ginger tea for practically anytime. The ginger gives it a nice zing, and helps to wake me up without any caffeine or added sugars. Especially after a heavy meal, dairy, or a strange Spanish meal, this tea helps to calm my stomach and soothe any unwanted food side effects. I don't have the original packaging, so I have started storing my tea bags in empty glass jars and I think they look really cute on my desk and don't create any extra waste! Twinings is a bargain worthy brand, and creates quality tea that is available almost anywhere...except Spain.

Jojoba oil-around $10, Discovered in Spain

When I arrived in Spain, my skin started to act real funky. It was probably stressed out just like me and adjusting to the new environment, food, and weather was a bit much for my pobre piel to handle. When I mentioned this to Pilar (my señora/host Mom who has a homeopathic cure for everything) she told me the solution was jojoba oil, and let me borrow hers. I have since invested in my own, and I'm hooked. It reminds me of BioOil which I also love, but it is unscented, completely natural, and has a myriad of uses. Some include a daily skin moisturizer, makeup remover, and hair conditioning treatment. A complete list of uses and a link to buy it can be found here.

With love and favoritos,

Sarah Belle

10 days in London- Cold, history, beer, and family

December 25, 2014- presents were opened, breakfast was feasted, bags were barely zipped, and goodbyes were said. The 5 Brovellis were on our way to London!!

We arrived at Heathrow, took the train to Queens Park, and walked through semi freezing rain to the apartment that would be our home for the next 10 days. This video documents our time across the pond. Disclaimer: I put this video together as a creative way to remember the trip, not to blow you away with my cinematic genius. I hope you enjoy watching it regardless! 

Music: Ink, Coldplay. I don't have any rights to this song, but I thought it was only appropriate for the tunes to be British, just like the footage. 

Brovelli Family London trip superlatives:

Carol/Mom: Most trusting, most likely to take pictures at embarrassing times, biggest champion of public transportation, and the most positive 

Jimmy Bro/Dad: Most easy going, most likely to embarrass the girls with his fashion choices, warmest Brovelli 

Jack: Most likely to be asleep anywhere at any time, proudest 18 year old, most likely to order a 'Budweiser' in a London pub....

Tommy: Biggest teddy bear, most likely to say 'I don't care' in response to everything, most likely to still be hungry after every meal

Sarah: Most likely to pawn her heavy camera off to gullible family members, biggest complainer about her feet being cold, most homesick Brovelli 

Click directly on this picture to watch the video!

The trip was amazing, and it was the last time I would be together with the whole family unit until May 2015! 

With love and London,

Sarah Belle

Celebrating my 1 week anniversary- Sevilla 2015

I have officially been living in Sevilla for 7 days, and have been away from home for a month. Wow. Cheers to breaking down the language barrier! 

Orange trees line all the streets in Sevilla- but 'they are not for eating'

7 new words I have learned to sum up 7 days:

1. Calabacín (Zuccini)
My first night Pilar, my señora/mama Sevillana, asked if I wanted 'crema de calabacín" and I said yes without having a clue what I had just politely agreed to eat. Turns out it was a delicious soup, a sort of pureed zucchini with other vegetables like broccoli mixed in with it. It is now one of my favorite things, but I would have never tried such a thing if I had known the English translation before. I have since said 'Sí, gracias!' to anything Pilar asks me to try and so far I have only had to feed things to the dog under the table once.*

2. Ir/salir de marcha (to go out on the town/dancing)
"¿Vas a salir de marcha esta noche?" - Pilar. 
"¿Qué haces en casa? Debe estar bailando en un discoteca!" -Pilar
"Tenemos que encontrar a un chico guapo para ti" - Pilar
You get the idea. If you don't, Google translate is your new BFF. Pilar was so proud when I came home at 4am on Friday night, and didn't wake up till 12pm the next day. But don't worry, (Mom/Dad/Grandparents listen up) this timeline is totally normal!! When I left the club at 3:30am, it was still packed with Sevillanos and extranjeros alike planning to be there till the sun came up. Everything here is on a later schedule, not just the nightlife. 
From lunch at 4pm to dinner at 9pm, this new concept of time has been the biggest adjustment so far.

3. Siesta (an afternoon nap... the true meaning) 
As a direct translation siesta means 'nap/afternoon nap', but the concept encompasses so much more than that. A siesta is a glorious few hours in the late afternoon where people leave work/school to come home for a well prepared and large lunch, to rest, and maybe sneak in a nap. It is amazing- except when you are new and think you can run out to do some errands between 2-5pm, or anytime on Sunday. Jokes on you because everything is closed- its a mandatory 'descanso' for all. Siesta is an every day reality that I will just have to deal with, oh woe is me.

4. Todo el mundo (everyone/everybody)
Europe in general is much more of a collectivist culture than the US, and they focus on the needs of the group above the individual. From a family setting of 3 people, to a large group of students at orientation, the phrase 'todo el mundo' is used synonymously with 'todos' which is what we were taught to use in US Spanish class. 'Todo el mundo' has such a nice ring to it, and it reaches out to include every person in that space- pronouns and hyperboles be damned. 

5.  Contabilidad (accounting), ordenador (computer), redacción (essay) 
I have only had 3 hours of class so far, and I am already drowning in new vocabulary. We dove right into politics, the economy, and social inequality- all topics that are complicated and hard to discuss in any language. I guess they call it intensive Spanish for a reason...

Business & Economics building, University of Sevilla

6. Mantas (blankets), perchas (hangers), sábanas (sheets)
I have come to realize that there is a huge list of everyday/household words that I don't know how to say, the above being only a small portion. I now look forward to playing games like Pictionary, Catchphrase, and charades because my daily life is full of Oscar worthy attempts to act out words and phrases- only its not a game anymore. Hip hip hooray for Google translate! 

7. Bol (Bowl) 
Because expectations are (duh) not always reality. There is an expectation of awkwardness; not knowing what is 'normal' with a new culture, not having all the vocabulary to communicate, and consequently feeling like a 'dumb blonde' outsider who isn't fooling anyone. Que pena. However, sitting down at my first breakfast in Spain, racking my brain for the translation of bowl- I proved myself wrong. Sometimes a 'bowl' is just a 'bol'. 

With love and guiri**, 

Sarah Belle

*Una broma, I'm just kidding, I haven't met a food in Pilar's house that I don't like! Also Kika, the princess of the house, only likes fish and fruit anyway. 

**Pilar says I am too timid, and need to be direct like a Sevillana. If anyone treats me like I am stupid or tries to take advantage of me because I am A. from the US, B. don't speak perfect Spanish, and C. blonde I am to tell them "Soy guiri, no tonta" or "I'm foreign, not stupid" with as much sass as I can muster. Here goes!

'From head to toe'- Winter cool tones

Dress: 'Glamorous' Long Sleeve Shift Dress

Ring: Monogram ring, a gift

Leather Jacket: Blanc NYC, sold out but similar here

Necklace: JCrew, not available but similar layering option here

Sunglasses: Anthropologie, sold out but similar here

Boots: Sam Edelman, sold out now but similar sold here

Nails: Essie Blanc

Bracelet: Elizabeth W boutique in Carmel

Photos shot at the Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, CA
Lorin has struck again- just too talented for the rest of us mere mortals. Thank you for being the brain behind the lens! http://cargocollective.com/lorinanderberg

With love and cool winter,

Sarah Belle