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

'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