'From head to toe'- Fall: Cloudy with a chance of overalls

Fall in Eugene cannot be beat. It's the season of school reunions, nature's changing colors, sweater weather, pumpkin spice overload and apparently- overalls. Overalls are one of those things that are very easy to get wrong, the line between 'off duty farmer' and 'Jen Aniston circa 1994' is very thin, but I am brave enough to walk it. I feel like the vibe of this outfit is something close to 'elementary school art teacher'- but that's a title I am very happy to embrace. Regardless, this trendy piece has become a staple in my closet and I love pairing it with different shoes & tops to change the style completely. 

A huge thank you to the kind, wise and talented Katya Grasso for chasing the daylight with me and taking these pictures- you are a gem. 

Soph, shoutout to you for being my sometimes hairstylist and always friend- you make an amazing roommate and great sou chef.

My look:

Overalls: Free People $98

Shirt: Gap Boatneck Tee (So hard to find anything similar but I tried: here for $13)

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Peep Toe clogs, I got mine in Paris (yes, I hate me too) but find a similar pair here from Nordstrom $215 

Purse: Stradivarius in Spain (similar here from ASOS $46)

Necklace: Anthropologie (can't find anything similar, my apologies)

Ring: Hands Gallery in San Luis Obispo (one of a kind, thx Livy)

Makeup look: (only mentioning new/different items)

Face: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation $15

Cheeks: MAC 'Blush All Day' for a more brown tone vs. my usual peach $27

Lips: YSL Glossy Stain in Beige Aquarelle $36

Eyes: Lorac Pro Matte Palette $28 

Eyebrows: Maybelline Brown Define & Fill Duo $7 + NYX Tinted Brow Mascara $7 

Nails: Nothing *gasp!

If you are a dedicated Sarah's Nest fan (hi Mom!) you may have noticed something different on my website! Please forgive the virtual construction mess. I am undergoing some format changes and sometime soon I hope to expand my posts to things like: "How to make an amazing, cheap & vegan meal all from Trader Joe's", "Why your eyebrows need my help" and other such humble and reflective posts. For real though, change is coming and I'm excited.

As always I'm so happy you landed on my little nest today, you're always welcome to visit.

With love and the sound of crunchy leaves,

Sarah Belle

"If not me, who? If not now, when?"

"If not me, who? If not now, when?" I was re-watching Emma Watson's HeforShe campaign speech the other day and those words really struck me. Not only are they perfectly applicable for Emma's speech in reference to her own ability to create positive change in the world- but they are applicable to all of us. Sometime's I doubt that what I am doing matters. That is one of my fears- being unimportant, not mattering, and having no ability to make a difference no matter how hard I try. I already wrote a post about 'my biggest fear' which you can read here, but I've been thinking, as people sometimes do, and there is more I would like to share with you. (Thanks for reading by the way, I hope you're having a great day. Also, your hair looks especially great today).

There are people all over the world, and certainly in ever corner of the interweb who are making great strides in the 'do something' department, and they certainly matter. They are making positive change through their YouTube videos, Blogs, Vlogs, Instagrams, and even through their 140 character tweets. Check out such an inspiring human here, a lovely lady here, and a wise person here. They have said something, they did not back down, and they know that at least one person will be positively affected by their decision to 'do something'.
Now I keep saying 'do something', but I haven't actually told you what 'something' is. Guess what? It's whatever the hell you want. That might sound obnoxiously philosophical, but take it at face value. My 'something' was my little internet 'nest', this blog. It is a safe, carefully constructed home, each twig chosen carefully and nervously put into place for all to see where I store my most treasured thoughts, beauty products, favorites, fears, and dreams. Although I know that some people may find this whole blog self centered, obnoxious, presumptuous, and poorly done... #whatever. I was inspired by people on the internet, encouraged by complete strangers, supported by friends, and told by so many books, poems, songs, and my Mother to do what makes you happy. This makes me so incredibly happy!! Working hard on something, typing away when I feel inspired, my brain racing ahead of my fingers- always leaving them a step behind, and making the final edits on something I feel proud of, hitting the 'publish' button, and sharing it with all of you. (Again, thanks for reading, your eyebrows are on fleek today.) When I started this whole thing in May of 2014, I honestly thought that a few friends would read it, my Mom would tell me how cute I am, and my Grandparents would conquer the internet to read my posts. And they did! Except there was more than that.... people actually liked what I was doing. Some even said that my words made their day better, that it helped them feel less alone, and that they could relate to my most personal fears that I had made so vulnerable. Each person who encouraged me, supported me, or even told me that they bought a mascara I recommended made me feel like the "Grinch whose small heart grew 3 sizes that day".

But that's whatever, right? I'm one human in the universe, not the prettiest girl, not the smartest, not the most creative...so why do my posts matter? Who even cares? and yet.... 
I know that each act of kindness matters, I know that recycling matters, I know that giving your all matters- so why shouldn't I matter? I have been letting my worries speak louder than my wishes. I do matter, and my little online nest does too. You will see a new post once a week, and I will do my best to only share entertaining, authentic, and meaningful content that I am proud of.  

“She wasn’t a person to whom things happen. She did all the happenings.”– Muriel Spark, Aiding and Abetting

With love and happenings,

Sarah Belle

5 Travel Tips From A Proud Tourist

Now that I have been home from study abroad for a few months I have started to decompress, reflect and spout wisdom. Hear ye, hear ye- below are some tips and tricks that I have learned from my 5 months of suitcase life. In short: fanny packs are your friend. 

1. Commit
If you are traveling, chances are you paid a lot of money to get there, changed your schedule to make it happen, and want to come home with stories to tell. So act like it! Don't let jet lag get you down, carpe diem, and take pictures everywhere sans shame. Also, get off your high horse and at least attempt to conquer the public transportation system. Even if everything goes wrong and you end up in the Bronx when you wanted to be in midtown Manhattan (#truestory) you at least have a great story. 

London Tube, January

En route to Versailles in Paris, May 

2. Comfort
My Mama Brovelli hat is now on, and I am begging you to be comfortable, pack wisely, and plan. You could be on your feet for 12 or more hours of the day so you had better wear comfortable shoes (just not tennis shoes with jeans I beg of you), socks, shoe inserts, gloves, chapstick etc. These might seem like obvious suggestions, and they are, but that doesn't make them any less important. Blisters can ruin your plans, cold and chapped hands can make you miserable, and not bringing an umbrella is a recipe for a 15 euro umbrella purchase during an Austrian downpour (#truestory). Lecture complete.

The Supergas that traveled the world:

Sevilla, Spain with Liv

Morocco beach trip

3. Acceptance 
As much as the guidebook/map/big camera/fanny pack may give you away, you have to accept the tourist you are inside. Reality check: trust me, the locals already know you're a foreigner, so go big, go home, or get really lost alone in Paris because you're 'too cool' for a map (#truestory). Trust me, you're not too cool to ask for help and chances are the metro stop you are looking for is just around the corner. Also, go on a guided tour! You will gain so much more appreciation and understanding for each landmark and part of the place you are visiting because your kodak moments will be beautiful AND have context and history. Plus, there are a ton of free tour companies so all you risk loosing is a few hours of your life. 

Pretending to be Maria in Salzburg, Austria

Wearing a 'yes I am a tourist' sign around my neck (my big camera)

4. Food

You are exploring uncharted territory, and the worst thing on an adventure is getting hungry or dehydrated. Please be kind to the earth- bring a water bottle with you in your purse/backpack or buy a water bottle in the afternoon and refill it during the day. Remember kids, you're supposed to have at least 2.2 liters of water a day so the one glass you have at lunch and dinner wont cut it! Also, bring provisions. There is no shame in having a bag of nuts, a granola bar, or even a sandwich tucked away 'just in case'. You don't want your hangry wrath to affect your trip, so plan meals ahead of time, make reservations, bring snacks and water, and remember that food is your friend.

Captured: Pure joy in Madrid at purchasing cookies, peach rings, and pretzels for dinner

Underrated food strategy: supermarket smorgasbords eaten in bed

Exhibit A. Feat: Mom in Paris

Exhibit B. Feat: Olivia's arm, Sevilla and She's the Man

5. Expectations
Sometimes the most unexpected parts of traveling can be your favorite memories. For example: I may have invested a lot of emotional capital into finding/kidnapping Harry Styles when in London, but my mission failed. I might have fantasized and planned how our epic romance would pan out, but I could have never anticipated how much I would enjoy the alternate dream of spending New Year's eve cuddling with my family, ending 2014 with red wine and Phish Food Ice-cream. My point being: say 'yes', stay positive in the face of One Direction adversity, and make the best of your privileged opportunity to explore the world. 

"10 days in London: cold, history, beer and family" 

6. Bonus tip:
Make a shirt that says "NO, I DO NOT WANT TO BUY A SELFIE STICK". You can thank me later. 

With love and passport stamps,

Sarah Belle

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