“flowers don’t tell, they show”
Welcome to the next issue of Bella in a full bloom! Recently we got this very nice email where except of some praise on our magazine (thank you!) one question was included: ‘Why do you create the magazine?’. Simple question. Difficult answer. Make ourselves crazy, that is. Come up with new ideas, new features, making new layouts for several times to pick out the best one, fighting pictures that aren’t big/good/nice enough and regretting not having more time to prepare even bigger issues every month... We know why we do it, because we love creating our own stylish world. The real world full of real, yet fabulous things. Because we love spreading the word about girls who are good at what they do. Who are real and still looking amazing. So this issue is jam-packed with stylish ideas and inspirational stories - pick one or two that speak to you and enjoy – fashion, beauty tips, travel and culture suggestions, anything that will make your life better, nicer, fun.
Bella Team
Have a great May and see you next month!
bellamagazine@mail.com Have something you’d like to share? Do you have an idea that you’d like us to feature in BELLA Magazine? Know interesting, creative people who deserve to shine? Let us know!
2
the team
people behind “Who is your role model?”
Production&Design Martina&Martyna “Ivanka Trump”
Editor in Chief Paulina Ness “Oprah Winfrey”
Editors Pavla Millerová
“Pippi Longstocking”
Ema Duláková
“my dad”
Contributors Fashion editorial: Rebeka Vodrážková “Karrah Kobus” Fashion sets design: Kremena Koleva “my mum” Contact us: Would you like to advertise in Bella Magazine?
Email us at bellamagazine@mail.com.
3
bazaar
“the Earth laughts in flowers�
Accessorize
Debenhams
on
s ilkin
blossom W
East
Mo
nso
Paperchase
lovely floral motifs not only for romantic souls
Bertie
4
Martine Wester
Monsoon
Zara Home
on
anything
who’s that girl
but boring
Her creative life is obvious at the first sight. Her bright hair, edgy tatoos and piercings with delicate vintage style dressing, even her unusual name. Everything about Kaelah Bee is both fascinating and curious. And how do sharks fit into that all? You are blogging since you were 14, it’s been more than 10 years! How has it influenced your life? I most certainly wouldn’t have taken certain career paths if it weren’t for blogging. Sharing my daily life with so many people has really given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. It’s like having a stadium full of best friends cheering you on. I owe a lot of credit to my blog and it’s readers, that’s for sure! What kind of story does your wardrobe tell? Looking at the pile of it on my office floor, it’d probably tell you I need to be better at picking up after myself! And most people who look at my shoe collection think I’m outright insane! But seriously, it’d say I love clashing patterns and feminine silhouettes. I like mixing things up. Edgy tattoos and piercings, but delicate dresses and heels. I’m not afraid of a wardrobe contradiction.
You are a very creative person doing lots of things. What are your favorite creative outlets and are there any more you want to try? I really just love to create things. No matter what format or medium. One day I might be working on a blog design, the next I’m helping my husband create some wooden furniture for our home. I love to do anything that generates a product that I can be proud of in the end. As far as what I’d like to explore more of, I’d say sewing. I have all of these ideas for my own dresses, and I’d like to make them a reality! What is the one thing that represents your style? A knee-length, A-line skirted, 50’s style frock Bernie Dexter dresses are a great example! I feel like they’re loud enough to garner attention, but they’re modest in the length, and they’re flattering on my body type. I’m slowly but surely working on a closet full of 50’s style dresses! Your love for tattoos is obvious. How many do you have and what do they stand for? I probably couldn’t count them all out! Each one has a different, specific meaning, and I could probably write a novel about them! But when it comes down to it, I get tattoos of things I truly love and want to wake up seeing every day. They’re little mementos that I’m able to keep with me at all times, like a portrait of my mum, tribute tattoo to my Nana or a best friend tattoo.
Nashville, USA
5
kaelahbee.com
“being normal is boring” You have your mobile boutique - how did you get an idea to do it? I had seen mobile boutiques start popping up around the country via blogging for a little while. I had never really considered doing it myself until one day when I was talking to a friend about the shop I wanted to open. It was going to take a long time and a lot of capital, two things I didn’t have a lot of. My husband and I had always wanted a vintage caravan, so we opted to just go for it. It was really a spur of the moment decision, but it’s been a great one. We really love what we do and that we’re able to bring so many lovely items to the shoppers around Nashville. I would definitely say that it’s a great reflection of our lifestyle. We’re always on the go and it’s tough to get us to settle down. Hitching the caravan onto our truck and towin’ it out is awesome. How does a mobile boutique work? What do you offer and do you also sell your own things? Our shoppe is currently an event-only boutique. That means we only set up at large scale festivals and events with guaranteed foot traffic. We currently stock over 30 independent designers from around the world. Sometimes we’ll have handmade plush dolls from New Zealand, jewelry from Germany, and dresses from Oklahoma. Then we’ll rotate them out and bring in a fresh batch of designers. It gives indie designers a chance to showcase their product in a different environment, and it allows us to have inventory that no one else in our area has. I do make a wide variety of things that are sold in the shoppe, such as headbands, fascinators, and some jewelry as well. I’d like to start selling handmade dresses of my own, once I get that sewing thing down!
You have a big passion for sharks - how come? Sharks are my passion! It takes a lot of people by surprise but it’s true. I live for Shark Week each and every year, and my life goal is to free dive with a Great White. I have no idea where my fascination came from, but it’s a huge part of my life. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Mexico just last year and I had a chance to hold, hug, and kiss a Nurse shark. I hope that’s just the beginning of my shark experiences!
“I am a self-motivated
gal who dresses like every day is a tea party, and strives to look on the bright side of life!”
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would stop shark finning all together. I should probably say something like World Peace or Abolish Hunger, but shark finning is a really big problem in the world. If sharks go extinct, the ecosystem will suffer and it’ll eventually work its way up to us. Over 100 species of shark are expected to go extinct by 2017. That’s 1/3 of the shark population!
6
Hola,
city chic
H&M
MADRID Zara
New Look
Promod
New Yorker
ook New L
Orsay
Forever 21
Zara
7
“la ciudad que nunca duerme” Dunnes Stores Astrid and Miyu
H&M
New Look
River Island
Blossom Steve Madden
do not miss
Zara
Royal Palace - Madrid’s most beautiful building, the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Templo de Debod - an authentic 2nd Century BC Egyptian temple in the middle of the city. Botin Restaurant - the oldest restaurant in the world, dating from 1725. Flamenco Show with some of the best flamenco dancers in the world. Augusto Figueroa Street with numerous outlets for a unique factory shoe samples. 8
stylists
fashion icons
celebrity
Not only they make their celebrity clients look beautiful, they themselves are iconic for the way they dress.
Leslie Fremar Background: Canadian expat began working at Vogue as an assistant to Anna Wintour prior to becoming the in-house Director of Celebrity Relations at Prada. Her style: casual yet elegant with male style elements, she loves blazers and minimalist dresses Famous clients: Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore
Nicole Chavez Background: worked as a nanny for a Disney executive and as a production assistant in a wardrobe department on films and television Her style: she likes to accentuate her curvy silhouette and is not afraid of bold colors and feminine patterns Famous clients: Rachel Bilson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Courtney Cox, Katherine Heigl
Rachel Zoe Background: after studying psychology and sociology she worked as a fashion assistant and later a senior fashion editor at a New York-based fashion magazine Her style: bohemian with lots of flowy materials and simple shapes, she loves statement jewelry and long vintage dresses Famous clients: Anne Hathaway, Debra Messing, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner, Eva Mendes, Milla Jovovich
9
“the difference between style and fashion is quality�
Kate Young Background: a former assistant to Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, stylist for Dior ad campaigns Her style: she loves wearing black that makes a great contrast with her long platinum hair. Her style is foremost comfy and practical but never boring. Famous clients: Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz
Elizabeth Stewart Background: a fashion editor for W Magazine and for The New York Times Her style: feminine and elegant with lots of prints, skirts and dresses with a minimum jewelry Famous clients: Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Amanda Seyfried
Petra Flannery Background: studied art and architecture and worked at Elite Models as an agent Her style: clean, classic, sophisticated, likes neutral colors Famous clients: Emma Stone, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Megan Fox, Faith Hill, Claire Danes
Photos: Style.com
Jen Rade Background: she tried to become an actress and singer, styled music videos and commercials Her style: skinny jeans, shirts and printed colorful blouses, feminine accessories Famous clients: Angeline Jolie, Pink, Cher, Jenna Fischer, Kim Kardashian
10
get the look
3 4
1 2
6 5 7
1. TopShop, 2. Mango, 3. TopShop, 4. Mango, 5. Zara, 6. Zara, 7. Stradivarius 11
“I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet ”
2
1
4
5 1. Betsey Johnson, 2. Vero Moda, 3. Aldo, 4. BooHoo, 5. Mango 12
3
fashion focus
your capsule WARDROBE Invest in a few go-with-everything pieces that are easy to combine and will ensure you the perfect look for any occasion at any time.
button down shirt
JustJeans
Pink
Amy Childs
1
2
pair of dark jeans
3
black heels J.Crew
little black dress
4
SHOPPING RULES 1. Quality not quantity Buy the best quality you can afford. Clothes look better and last longer. Opt for fabrics like wool, cashmere, silk and cotton. They are more expensive but will last far longer and fit better. Focus on what you need, rather than what you want.
3. Fit is everything Don’t buy things that don’t fit perfectly. Clothes should flatter your figure, be comfortable and make you look better. You can also choose forgiving fabrics with a little bit of stretch, to accommodate minor weight fluctuations.
2. Go neutral Neutrals, like navy, chocolate, camel, gray and black, don’t go out of fashion, will last forever and are easy to mix and match with other pieces.
4. Choose classic styles Avoid anything that’s too trendy or dated, color-wise and shape-wise too. Opt for timeless silhouettes, like straight-leg pants, A-line skirt and a classic shift dress.
13
“if you love it, it works�
5
tailored blazer
6 6
hing
Polo shirt or classic T-shirt loafers trench coat denim jacket wool coat Karen Millen
7
leather handbag
ballet flats striped boatneck evening clutch designer watch
89
V-neck cardigan
A-Line skirt
black/tortoise sunglasses
black trousers
8
More basics for your closet
t Crew Clo
Jil Sander
pencil skirt
pearl studs casual tote tall boots V-neck sweater black turtleneck silk blouse
oute
Pinstripe&Pearls
d La Re
capri pants printed summer dress bikini flip-flops or flat sandals silk scarf
CAPSULE WARDROBE is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that will not go out of fashion, and can then be up-dated with seasonal pieces.
14
my style
what’s in my
wardrobe Sophisticated and very feminine. Shannon Abbott has got a style to be admired and inspired by. My most treasured piece: my new Alexander Wang handbag. I’m obsessed with it! I would never wear: harem pants On my wishlist now: Eric Javits hat, Fendi ‘2Jours Elite’, and Miu Miu Geometric Sunglasses My tip for looking fab: It’s a combo of knowing what works for your body, wearing what you love and feeling confident! My last $100 spree: Shoes from Zara My favorite beauty product: ELF tinted moisturizer
Utah, USA
15
stylewithshannon.com
Photographs: Follow Your Art, Nick Stone, Cindy Archer, Amber Hansen
1
If I feel like I have nothing to wear, I go for shirt.
This is my most recent favorite formal look! I love it because you dont have to spend a lot to look great! This dress was under $40!
I love heels so much that they are part of my ‘casual’ looks also!
I’m in love with black on black for spring/summer. One of my favorite looks ever! I love the all white with the small touches of yellow. 16
details Guess
Marks&Spencer
LittleWodds
J.Crew
PiedATerre
21
ver
e For
H&M
metallic JEWELS 17
Zara
“shoes cure the blues”
J.Crew
Zara
Zara
Tildon
ds
oo leW
Litt
ra
Za
Next
es tor
sS
e nn
Du
18
my fair lady
19
Photographs by Rebeka Vodrážková 20
22
23
24
model: Alexandra/HM models
scene
THE BEST advice I ever got
Andrea B. Davis, USA “Be good to others.’ I am a huge believer in karma and think there is nothing better than to treat people with respect. glamhungrymum..com
Sasha T. South Lake City, USA My mother told me when I was growing up: ‘Any friend can emphasize with a friends suffering, but it takes a true fine character to be happy for a friends success - surround yourself with those friends.’ moiology.com
Nadia A. New York, USA ‘If you work hard and you’re nice to people, you will be successful.’ nadiaaboulhosn.com
Niki C. Boston, USA ‘Be true to yourself.’ I struggled with my self-image a bit growing up, but I’ve learned that a confidence in our own individuality (including what we consider our flaws!) makes us shine; and honesty, authenticity and integrity earn the ultimate levels of respect. glossyblonde.com
27
“everything is possible”
Leanne B. Provo, USA ‘90 % of pulling something off is to just go for it!’ Don’t spend the time worrying about if you can pull it off, because chances are, you can. elleapparelblog.com
Abbey R. Encinitas, USA Best advice? ‘You don’t ask, you don’t get!’. This saying has inspired me to be more bold and to shoot for the stars! alongabbeyroad.com
Amber F. Mesa, USA ‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.’ As girls, we deal with jealousy quite often and end up tearing each other down. This reminds me to build others up instead of letting jealousy get the best of me. barefootblonde.com
Lola M. Madrid, Spain ‘Be yourself and capable of taking any critics as well as forgive.’ lolamansil.blogspot.com.es
Adelina A. Fort Lauderdale, USA The best advice about life I’ve ever gotten is to never give up my dreams. ‘If you give up your dreams, you die!’ adelinaalexander.blogspot.com
28
BEAUTY
is confidence and grace
Body Oil by YVES ROCHER
ARMANI CODE Summer Fragrance
Lip Gel by CLARI
NS
Tinted Day Cream by ORIFLAME
Powder Make Up by ESTÉE LAUDER
DAVIDOFF Cool Water Sea Rose Fragrance
pretty news
Mascara Infinitize by AVON
Correcting Cream by MAX FACTOR
Hair Style Dust by LABEL.M
Spray Mousse by SCHWARZKOPF
Lip Gloss by LANCÔME
30
lacquer
pro tips
let’s
Get the stylish nails with our tips for perfect manicure
For nails care try a nail file that has different uses, like buffing, shining and shaping. This makes nails look great and shiny even without a nail polish.
After applying your polish, sink your fingertips into an ice water for a minute. It will help dry your nails quicker. You can also use your hair dryer set on ‘cool’ air. The hot one will just make bubbles and ruin your polish.
31
Astor
Nars
Once lacquer is on, seal it with a slow-setting topcoat that leaves a harder, more protective finish. Quick-dry evaporate so fast, they leave polish soft, mushy, and prone to denting.
Mary Kay
Marks&Spencer
Avon
Instead of one thick coat, that will only dry at the top layer leaving your manicure vulnerable to smudges, apply multiple thin coats. Let each dry for at least five minutes.
} Rimmel
{
Never skip a base coat. The natural oils in nails make polish chip, and a base coat protects the color from these oils, extending a manicure’s life span by several days.
To make your manicure last a full week, apply a base coat, nail polish, and a top coat along the edge of your nail tip. This quick trick helps double the life of your mani, protecting your nails from a water damage and prevent the polish from chipping.
“if you love it, it works�
For faster drying you can use nail-drying spray from the drugstore but any cooking oil aerosols help to set your manicure and prevent smudges as well. Wait a few minutes after you spray it on, then rinse your hands to prevent oily smell.
Make your manicures last longer by rubbing a little moisturizing cream or an olive oil over your cuticles and nails every other day. This protects the polish and keeps fingertips soft.
Metallics, a big spring nail trend have their pros. A metallic polish lasts longer because the small iridescent flecks thicken the enamel, so it forms a stronger film as it dries.
{
If you like glittery colors, always dab the first coat, don’t brush it on. This will help to distribute the glitter evenly and get the big chunks where you want them.
}
Choose nail textures according to your skills. Glittery nail polishes are the most forgiving. On the other hand, matt have to be applied very carefully not to show every little imperfection. Old nail polishes change consistency and become thick and gloppy. That means they are difficult to apply and chip quickly. Toss old bottles away and buy new or add a bit of polish thinner to make it smoother.
The Most Popular nail colors
Clinique
48 % red 23 % pastel 19 % glittery 10 % nude 32
beauty zoom
Spring Nail Trends + best jewels to match
Promod
Nixon
pastels + white
lime green + gold Bijou Brigitte
Accessorize
levander + silver Rain
Diva Diva
33
“show off your true colors”
blue + rose gold Astrid&Miyu Bottica
eggshell + gunmetal
Bijou Brigitte
d
o rP om
white + crystal Glitzy Secrets
Monsoon
coral + purple Swatch
Diva
34
Kendra Scott
my
beauty picks
BEAUTY
rules
British cosmetics lover shares her favorite products and tricks to look great.
YSIS LORENNA London, UK
labeautygirl.com What is your daily beauty routine? It depends if I’m going out or staying in; if I’m going out, I wash my face with water, moisturize and apply some make up. If I’m staying in, I give my skin some more TLC and I also apply serum and an eye cream. How do you care for your hair? My hair is quite damaged because I’ve had it chemically straightened since I was 17. So I try to look after my hair really well to make sure it looks shiny and healthy. I wash it every 2-3 days with a normal shampoo and conditioner; after the hair is towel-dried I apply a leave-in conditioner and some heat protectant spray. Then I blow dry and style my hair with my GHDs, and finally I apply a drop of argan oil to keep my hair looking shiny. Every 2 weeks I like to use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of product build-up and I also use a hair mask for 20 minutes to inject extra moisture into my hair. Do you spend a lot of money on cosmetics? I do, far too much actually. I just can’t resist all those pretty sparkly things and anything with a ‘NEW’ tag on it.
35
“love is a great beautifier” What’s your best beauty discovery? For hair, I’d say GHDs - I couldn’t live without them. For make up, YSL Touche Eclat concealer is a staple in my handbag, it brightens up my face like nothing else! What’s in your make up bag? Far too much, I can never travel lightly. But if I had to choose just the basics it would be: Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, YSL Touche Eclat, MAC Blush in Pinch O Peach, Benefit They’Re Real Mascara, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Half-Baked, Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial. Do you remember your first beauty product? Yes, it was kohl liner from a Brazilian brand called Natura. Nails – nude, bright or au naturel? Nude; I love french manicure as well. Any beauty indulgences you try and make time for? I always try to do my full evening skincare routine, if I can. It takes a while, but it’s definitely worth it! What’s the best beauty trick you’ve ever been shown? I’m pretty impressed by the whole Kim Kardashian Highlighting & Contouring technique. It’s so effective and it’s a great little trick that’s worth knowing. What’s your biggest beauty sin? Not removing my makeup properly every night, I am guilty of using some makeup remover wipes when I’m a bit lazy... What are you dying to add to your beauty bag? I’m lusting over some high-end skincare bits like the Alpha-H Liquid Gold, Bioderma Cleanser and pretty much everything from Michael Todd. Make up-wise I really want the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation, not that I need anymore foundations, but I really want that one!
“ The more you
look after your skin, the less makeup you will need.” 36
dream job
stylist
personal
She worked for fashion magazines, television, even with celebrities like Jennifer Hudson. Alexandra Suzanne Greenawalt, creator of a SixFigureStyle.com, author of Secrets of a Fashion Stylist knows how to dress well and how to change a passion into a business. Have you always wanted to be a stylist? What got you started? Actually as a young child I wanted to be a ballerina. Then it morphed into acting and then when I realized that I was drawn by acting because of the costumes I started focusing on fashion. It did take me awhile to even find my place in fashion. Growing up I knew about designers and fashion photographers but didn’t know much about stylists. My first fashion job was an internship in Paris and after that I was hooked.
What skills must one have to become a stylist? For me it was really important to get training in the science behind the style. So I got certified in color and shape analysis and also took a lot of business, and marketing classes. I think what most stylist don’t understand is that, yes you have to be a creative person, but you have to be an entrepreneur and a business person first. If you don’t have any business coming in, it’s not a business but a hobby. The skills which come in handy are: being good with people, creative, fast and efficient, problem solver, marketing and sales so that you have clients.
Do you remember your first work? First styling editorial was founding the Improper Bostonian’s fashion section. I approached them and I talk more about this story in my book Secrets of a Fashion Stylist. My first personal styling paying client was a friend of my Mom’s who I came to style to New York.
What other areas do you need to understand and work with to make your job as a stylist? That you can’t serve ALL markets. You need to choose a target market and attack one at a time. Be focused and don’t be afraid to tweak your market. Be prepared to manage people. Get a team to support you for the business and online part of the work. I now have a team of nine freelancers most are virtual who support me. I would be nothing without my team. Where there any challenges when starting out? Yes, figuring out whom I wanted to serve as a market. Getting consistent clients. In the beginning I took any job which came my way because I was still trying to figure out where I’d fit. Once I defined my niche things really took off.
alexandrastylist.com
37
“fashion is what you buy, STYLE is what you do with it”
What was the best work you have had so far? I really love working with my private clients. The thank you notes touch me deeply and having the opportunity to change someone’s life is what keeps me going. Yes there have been more ‘glamorous’ projects such as Japanese Vogue but it’s the private clients who feed my soul. This is my true calling in life to help women up level their style. What was the most important lesson you have learned along the way? You can’t sit around waiting for people or things to happen. You have to ‘make it rain’ for yourself. Be proactive and determined. And don’t be afraid to be persistent. I had a lot of big breaks because I followed up with people so many times they had to hire me. For personal styling being visible is the most important. That means your branding, your website, your whole web presence must be tight. What does your typical day look like? Some days I’m in the stores, some in a client’s closet, some at my atelier. I serve my private clients in a deep way so I don’t work with more than one client a day. It keeps my head straight and allows me to totally focus on their needs and desires.
What is the best part and the worst in your job? When I was fashion styling, chasing money to get paid was never fun. Also it was a bummer to do styling for TFP (trade for prints) only to have the pictures come out not good enough for my book. And there was always a hope that photographer would remember how you worked for free and hire you for a paid job. 9 times out of 10 this didn’t happen. That’s one of the reasons I moved out of fashion styling and focused on a private personal styling. As a business owner I find doing my own books pretty challenging because I’m not really a numbers person. This year I hired a book keeper which I was so grateful to be able to do. There’s lots of nitty gritty business details that as an owner one must do. But I would much rather do this than work for a company within a cubicle. I love that my job is active and I don’t sit a lot. I love changing a woman’s life for the better. I love hearing the testimonials and that they felt supported by me in the process. Because a style makeover can be an emotional process. It’s not all ponies and rainbows. It’s a serious undertaking and the person has to be supported through the change. If I was to go get more training, it would be in psychology which is funny because I loved those classes in college.
“ Great STYLE
for me is when one is consistently expresses themselves through clothing and accessories in a unique and fresh way.”
38
dream job What is the top that can stylist achieve? I no longer dream of what a typical stylist dreams of - to be Rachel Zoe and charge 6K a day and work with celebrities. For me I love what IS right now. I’m content with who I am serving. My only dream is to serve, give back, and work with more women and the way I’m doing that is through my online program. Reaching more globally - touching lives. Maybe a TV show. Although what some television people have failed to realize is that my private clients are so private they don’t want a camera following them around. There are so many fashion bloggers considering themselves stylists - how do you perceive them? It’s my job to educate my market as to why I am different and the best option for them. I get to know them and their closet, I work based on science not opinion. I think it’s great that fashion has expanded to be this huge market. Most stand alone blogs aren’t businesses so I don’t see them as a competition. If I operated from a place of lack I would be worried of competition from all stylists and wouldn’t mentor other stylists through the Style Now program. But I believe that no ONE can be ME and no one can be them. We are unique in this world and when someone hires me they are hiring ME not a company. So I operate from a place of abundance and light. There’s plenty of money floating around the world.
ALEXANDRA’S ADVICE for women who dream of becoming a stylist - Get a training - Define your market - Design your business around you and how you want to work - Get a mentor If you want to go into fashion styling read Alexandra’s book ‘Secrets of a Fashion Stylist’. If you want to dominate in the personal styling world apply for Michelle Rodriguez’s Style Now program. When you sign up using Alexandra’s name you can get mentored by her.
39
Photographs: AlexandrAStylist.com
- Prepare to pay your dues for a while
“clothes won’t change the world, the women who wear them will”
6 THINGS
every woman should have in her spring closet to keep it fresh by Alexandra Suzanne Greenawalt
1.
Iosselliani
(which goes from day to night)
2. M&Co
fun statement necklace (to dress up basics)
wrap dress
an amazing pair of sunglasses
3. Selima Optique
dramatic earrings (for that hot date)
4.
What’s About Town
Michael Kors
awesome nude shoes (to go with everything)
6.
bold color trench 40
5.
Zara
better life
stylish
living ECO
Going green is easier (and cooler) than you think. Here are the most stylish ways to help save the Earth. And also look and feel great.
Dress Ecologically
Recycle and use recycled things. Vintage and second-hand clothes are often very stylish and one of a kind. Or choose to wear eco-garment made with organic and recycled materials. Great are also fabrics made with bamboo fiber, a highlysustainable natural resource, growing a meter each day without an aid of fertilizer and pesticides. Bamboo fabrics feel soft as silk, have anti-bacterial properties and are more durable than cotton.
Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Did you know that over 1 million plastic bags are used worldwide each minute? And that they take at least 400 years to decompose? They are not biodegradable, and are making their way into our oceans, and subsequently, the food chain. So remember to take your own recyclable bags to the supermarket.
Get Smart Apps
Download some smartphone apps, like Ecoble, The greeMeter, ShopGreen or GoodGuide, that will help you manage your household and personal life, reduce an environmental footprint and make good, eco-friendly choices.
Eat Vegetarian Food
One meatless meal a week helps the planet and your diet. Meat makes energy less efficient use of land, soil, water, and energy – and cows emit 300 liters of methane per day. As a vegetarian you can also save some trees. For each hamburger approx. 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed.
Be Creative
You can reuse gift bags, bows and event paper, but you can also make something unique by using old maps, fabric or even newspaper. Create your own wrapping paper that’s environmentally friendly and extra special for the recipient.
41
“the Earth has music for those who listen”
Turn Off Your Computer
By turning off your computer at night instead of leaving it in a sleep mode, you can save 40 watthours per day. That adds up to 4 cents a day, or $14 per year. If you don’t want to wait for your computer to start up, set it to turn on automatically a few minutes before you get to work.
Swap Baths For Quick Showers
Baths require almost twice as much water. Not only will you reduce water consumption, but the energy costs associated with heating the water. Quick showers are also good for your skin - they don’t cause as much dehydration as baths do.
Use Bike Instead of Car
Use alternative means of transport when possible. If you must drive, go slower with proper tire inflation. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives and makes you more fit and sexy!
Check The Labels
Use eco-friendly cosmetics that bear green labels certifying it contains pure organic ingredients and that has been developed without any use of animal testing. Choose those packaged using biodegradable or recycled components.
Be Smart
Pick up books from your local library or used book store. In many libraries you also find magazines, CDs, books-on-tape, and videos. You can also share printables with your friends or read e-mag like Bella. This ways you save the trees used for paper production.
Give Away
Before you throw something away, think about if someone else might need it. You can donate to a charitable organization or post it on a web site to sell or give. For the next time, think before you buy any product that you don’t really need.
GREEN POINT Just how much eco-friendly can be cosmetics? Just imagine: you buy a hair product in a lovely designed bottle. You use it, enjoy it and then plant the empty packaging in your garden - and then, in 9 - 12 months, the shampoo bottle will begin growing into a healthy tree! Yes, it’s real! Check out more about the unique O’Right Hair Care products at www.orightorganics.com.
42
abode
workroom
my stylish
Some people have to go to work every day. Some stay at home and enjoy their privacy in an elegant home office. Lindsay Dress is the lucky one who works from home.
“ My creativity is
fostered in an eclectic and collected environment.�
Kansas City, USA
sadieandstella.blogspot.com 43
“taking time to live will only inspire your work�
The most important element to me when designing an office is a color. For me personally, I need a color and a pattern to feel inspired. A bright, cheerful, clean and colorful spaces serve as an origin of all of my ideas. My home office illustrates how bold of a person and a designer I am. I like unique color combinations and items. I think a juxtaposition of elements and colors inspires me each and every day. It is my only office so I have to go big or go home. Three things I have to have on my desk: Fresh flowers, personalized stationery and a room for a lot of caffeine. And a Hello French press.
44
far far away
New Zealand From America to Europe isn’t that far. But what if you change your mind and swap EU for the other side of the world? Kristen Fellers shares her adventures from the land of Kiwis. I visited NZ during my honeymoon as a newlywed. My new husband and I had always figured we would live in Europe some day, but after visiting NZ, we had changed our minds entirely! It took a year of thinking about it and a year of planning to make it happen. I have been here for just five months! Sometimes it still feels like I’m on vacation, other days I feel like I’ve been here for ages. Our current plan is to stay in New Zealand for just a few years, but who knows! They do speak English in New Zealand, so I’ve been lucky when it comes to language barriers. Of course there are accents that are difficult to decipher, but that’s really not more different than back in the US. After a few weeks, understanding Kiwis became as easy as understanding Americans.
It’s surprising how nice everyone is! A great shock! You hear about how nice and helpful Kiwis are - and it’s all true! The day we arrived was stressful - we set up our bank account, rented a car, and bought cell phones with 1 year plans. Everyone was so helpful and interested in our adventure. Coming from a metropolitan upbringing in California, I’m not used to city folks being so friendly! It’s amazing! I’m a registered nurse and to get my nursing registration in here was a bit difficult. Even though it wasn’t required for me to sit my nursing boards again, I did have to take an English test. It lasted 6 hours and was so expensive! I also had to send in about 50 pages worth of documents and a large check to make it all happen. The best way to be approved for a visa in New Zealand is to have a job lined up, which is what we did. Otherwise it can be pretty challenging to move here permanently. Making new friends with locals is sometimes really easy, and sometimes it’s a challenge! The best advice I can give to people is something I have to practice myself: get out there. Do things out of the ordinary. Take classes, join clubs, go have adventures. It’s the best way to meet people, and they are usually quite similar to you! It took me about 3 months to feel like we had a good group of friends. I have a mix of Kiwi and expat friends, which I think is cool! Local food is pretty similar to American. Pizza, sandwiches, burgers, salads. But there’s a WAY better selection of yummy ethnic foods here!
45
“to those who can dream, there’s no such place as far away ”
I know NZ is known for its beauty, but sometimes I think people just have no idea how beautiful it really is! In other places, you have to drive or fly between the sights. In New Zealand, there’s an epic view almost everywhere you turn around. It takes 5 hours to drive across the south island, for example, and in that time you can see the ocean, the rainforest, glaciers, massive mountains, high desert, the plains, vineyards, and the ocean again. Amazing. People often think that everything here is expensive, and that it’s on the ‘edge of the world’. Both are kind of true... But it’s expensive BECAUSE it’s so far from everywhere else. Most products need to be imported- and that’s just not cheap! Besides family and friends, I miss the fashion style! I can’t seem to quite figure it out here - it’s kind of like going back in time. I’ve been sticking to basics lately, so I don’t stick out like a sore American! I also miss good chocolate and cheap beer! I want to bottle up the friendliness and positive nature of people here! Life just moves a little slower, and people enjoy nature and each other. It’s utopian. I think everyone should be more like the Kiwis.
46
far far away
what to see, try, enjoy... Milford Sound is one of the most famous places in NZ with a beautiful scenery. If you visit on a sunny day, you are lucky, because the weather here can be very fickle. And if you visit when it is raining, there will be thousands of waterfalls to take in. It’s extraordinary. Queenstown is where it’s at for adventure seekers and romantics alike. From downhill mountain biking, to jet boating, to bungy jumping, there is a thrill for every seeker. However, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountains create absolutely stunning scenery. Abel Tasman National Park with clear blue-green water, massive rainforest-y mountains, and long white sandy beaches feels like a tropical paradise. The West Coast is famous for it’s rain forests and glaciers. This is the place to go to ‘get away from it all’. It feels like Jurassic Park! Christchurch - After two massive earthquakes that hit the city a few years back, the rebuild here has been amazing. Innovation and creativity can be seen everywhere, from street art to funky ‘container’ bars, to the new Cardboard Cathedral. 47
culture
love it!
“life is MUSIC, close your eyes and listen”
Hear it, see it, read it,
Best books, music and movies to enjoy and share An epic journey of adventure and discovery based on the best-selling book that was considered un-filmable is here to surprise you with the visual feast, the wonderful cast as well as the story itself.
A whimsical take on Paris, part guide book, part illustrated journal full of wonderful sketches and an art work by one of the most famous illustrators, will appeal to both travelers and fashionistas.
Bonnie is back! The first new studio album since 2005 is modern and powerful, with the set of quality songs bringing you some really fine moments. Take a tour of the world, from Sri Lanka to South Africa to Sweden, by peeking into the gorgeously appointed homes of renowned interior designers. Funny, honest and very emotional, whether you’re in serious training or thinking about running for the bus, this book will make you want to put your trainers on.
48
49
10May
moments
“celebrate EVERY moment”
things to do in
to make it better 1
2
Flirt. It’s fun, and healthy too - it reduces headaches and also rheumatism.
3
Get ready for summer. With longer days go for a shorter skirt.
4
Check out your beauty cabinet. Throw away everything expired and out of fashion.
5
Swap coffee for green tea. Served cold makes a great refreshment in hot days.
6
Give your laptop a new trendy coat. Decorate it with a stylish sticker or a new sleeve.
7
Put on your partner’s shirt. You can wear it instead of a jacket, as a tunic or an oversized shirt.
8
Try Zumba. It’s a fun way to get rid of those extra pounds before the summer.
9
Use cold water instead of hot. It’s ecological and good for your skin and health too.
10
Kiss more. It boosts your immunity, reduces stress and helps burn calories too! Go for a walk in your favorite park or garden. May is the month to enjoy it in a full bloom.
50
Gemini
fashion horoscope
“come what MAY and love it”
21. May - 19. June
You are likely to have the fullest wardrobe in comparison with any other zodiac sign, full of modern, youthful, eclectic and funky outwear. You like playing with different colors and prints, and your style is never boring. But in general, anything goes for you, because you have dual personalities when it comes to clothing too. You are either a trendsetter or a fashion’s victim as you aren’t afraid to take fashion to the extreme. Style: shoulder handbags, miniskirts, skinny jeans, floaty blouses, statement accessories Colors: white, yellow, bright blue, hot pink, vibrant orange, turquoise, green and silver Beauty: vibrant nail colors, bold lipsticks, shiny lip glosses, drama queen mascara or false eyelashes, blue eyeshadows, colorful eyeliners, floral fragrances M&Co
Yves Saint Laurent
Essence
Penneys
Monsoon New Yorker Paul’s Boutique Cerrutti
51
See you in
June! follow us on
FACEBOOK PINTEREST