The First Collaboration Project: Fevrie Fashion

A couple of weeks ago, I got a message from an independent fashion brand called Fevrie. If you are not aware of Fevrie, it is basically a fashion brand with a style that comes from Californian roots and inspired by the luxury of French culture. Their pieces are really bohemian inspired (just think of Coachella trends, and that is basically Fevrie's overall style.) They carry clothing items, as well as jewelry, accessories, and swimwear.

A social media coordinator from Fevrie told me that they were interested in working with me to promote their company and I was completely flattered and shocked that I even got an offering. I told them that I would be honored collaborating with them because a) I would love for their brand to get more recognition because their clothing items are really lovely, b) this can be a potential start to my fashion career, c) working with different brands can really give me an insight on different trends and styles around the country and perhaps even the world.

They were extremely lovely enough to send an item of my choice to me. I chose the "Quilted Queen Jacket" because of its sophisticated and simple silhouette and look. 

Product Review: This jacket is cropped so it can be worn with pretty much everything. It has a boxy silhouette for more of a mod and office chic look. It is very thick and cozy, perfect for autumnal months but not exactly a go-to jacket for the Spring/Summer season. 

Buy this, and other products at www.fevrie.com and use the discount code BELLACHARLIE for 25% off your total purchase.
This offer ends May 31, 2015

The Best Carbonara

I am absolutely in love with Italian food; pasta in particular is one of my favorites. About a year ago, I attempted to make a carbonara since I have never tried it before and it resulted in a dry tasteless mess. Ever since then I stayed away from ever making a carbonara again. I kinda got traumatized by this incident until a couple months ago when I decided to give the carbonara another chance but with a different recipe. It turned out delicious and I'm in love with it. 

The chef who's recipe I got it from is Tyler Florence and he does a brilliant job in making it. 
I have revised the recipe so it would be enough for 2 people.
Ingredients you'll need are:

• 8 oz dry spaghetti
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 oz chopped bacon
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c Parmesan cheese
• fresh parsley
• black pepper

The finished product, courtesy of Food Network 

Directions and some tips:

1. Cook pasta in salted water and drain Make sure you add salt after the water comes to a boil, the salt gives the pasta flavor 
2. Reserve 1/4 c of water (or more) This step is absolutely important because without the pasta water, the carbonara becomes dry and inedible 
3. Heat oil in a skillet on medium, add bacon and saute for 3 minutes 
4. Toss in garlic for less than a minute Don't cook garlic for over a minute or it will burn
5. Add the hot pasta and toss for 2 minutes
6. Beat eggs and cheese
7. Remove pan from heat Super important, you don't want scrambled eggs in pasta ew
8. Pour egg mixture in pasta and whisk fast Again, whisk fast or you will end up with scrambled eggs in your pasta and that is utterly disgusting
9. Thin out sauce with pasta water I have already mentioned this before but unless you like crispy pasta, I recommend you use the pasta water
10. Season with pepper in parsley 

5-Minute Highstreet/Drugstore Spring Makeup

For those days when you are too much of in a hurry to spend 30 minutes+ doing makeup, this natural makeup guide is perfect. I included one highstreet brand and one drugstore brand for those who like the luxury of an expensive high end makeup, or for those who don't have enough money to buy highstreet makeup but still want to look and feel amazing. For my highstreet brand, I used NARS and for my drugstore brand, I used Rimmel London.  

Highstreet & Drugstore Makeup by bellacharlie featuring nars cosmetics

This is a 5-minute makeup guide, so I went for the natural Spring look. 

1. Conceal imperfections, with Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer
2. Powder if needed, with NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder
3. Apply a warm and natural flushed blush, with NARS Blush (I used it in Oasis)
4. Apply a natural colored eye shadow, with Rimmel London Glam Eyes Quad Eye Shadow
5. Use Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil, and apply NARS mascara (I used it in Kinshasa) 

I hope you've found this guide helpful Xx

Jumpers for Spring

I know that Winter is over and I am utterly devestated, (Winter fashion has always been my favorite) and Spring/Summer is here to stay for the next few months. One of my favorite Spring/Winter crossover clothing item are the light jumpers. When it's too hot to wear heavy overcoats and boyfriend coats but still a bit windy and chilly, jumpers are perfect. As usual, I will show you guys 3 different outfits which I put together with the featured trend; in this case jumpers.

Firefly Catching Days by bellacharlie featuring oversized sweaters

The first one is called Firefly Catching Days, inspired by Taylor Swift's song Innocent. This set captures the childish and naive nature a lot of us like to show through how we act, what we wear, or how we talk. I included key pieces that are a must in every child's closet (and every inner child's closet). These include of course a printed ice cream jumper by Wildfox, a kind of off-white colored sneakers by Converse, frilly shorts, lace trim socks by Topshop, and pink round sunglasses by Wildfox.

Messenger by bellacharlie featuring blue sunglasses

The second was is called Messenger, with the satchel as the key component of this set. I especially made this set for all the girls out there with pink hair. The shade of pink I included in the Polaroid compliments this outfit perfectly. This set features items such as, a bow-printed jumper from Wildfox, a satchel from the wonderfully famous Cambrige Satchel Company, Dolce and Gabbana gingham shorts, and Saint Laurent loafers.

Infinite by bellacharlie featuring black flats

My last outfit, and perhaps my favorite out of the three is called Infinite. When I was making this outfit, I immediately thought of the show title, Orange is the New Black. And I know that the show has nothing to do with fashion and Spring trends, but I think the color orange can indeed be the new black. These colors pair together to perfection. Items featured in this set include a cropped jumper by Tibi, a pair of patterned shorts by Stella McCartney, black loafers by Dune Lexus, and a bright orange clutch by Saint Laurent. 

Do you have a favorite Spring jumper? Xx