Spring/Summer Collection with Fevrie

Bella's Fevrie Sets by bellacharlie on polyvore.com

I keep on forgetting to blog about this, so here it is. While working with Fevrie on a collaboration, I created 16 sets for them that revolve around different spring styles. I've put them in a collection that you can look through for inspiration. This blog post is really long so bare with me.

• The first one that you see definitely has an edgy feel to it with a "let loose" kind of vibe, I'd like to think. I absolutely love love love the fringed camisole top that you can get at H&M.
• Next, you have a spring outfit that can be used for more of a chilly day, which is why I included this lovely neutral colored pea coat you can get by Moschino Cheap & Chic. 
• This next set is also a very edgy party outfit, as you can tell by the leather pants and fringe crop top. 
• My next set is very casual chic and I love it so much, especially the fringed tassel bralette from Free People. (Yes more fringe)
• This next set is kind of a baby doll kind of look, with the cute nude flats and the simple blue dress.
• Next, this set can be used for a cold spring day where it is still sunny, which is why I included a cropped cashmere sweater but I still incorporated cute sandals.
• The next set is definitely one of my favorite Fevrie sets I've made. I love the bold colors and those loafers are ridiculously cute.
• I love this next set, it has an edgy vibe like the ones you saw earlier. This is a menswear inspired outfit, with a feminine twist. (Cue the gorgeous brogues and denim shirt)
• The next set is a pretty and girly set that includes all your must-have spring staples; espadrilles, destroyed denim jeans, lightweight flowy camisole, and a delicate fragrance that completes the look (I used a lovely Jack Wills perfume but it is unfortunately unavailable at the moment).
• I really adore this next set because of its nostalgic simplicity and femininity it displays. Remember, always opt for your go-to destroyed denim boyfriend jeans for a casual spring outfit. 
• This next set is more of an occasional outfit that can be worn to a spring or summer wedding, and it really goes well with this year's trend as a two-piece dress.
• The next set is so adorable and reminds me of elementary school, with its t-bar flats and warm stockings, paired with a sweatshirt featuring the lovely Lucy Van Pelt.
• My next set is also an adorable child-like set which features a very cute Topshop ice cream graphic jumper (which is unavailable at the moment, but I'm sure you can find other graphic sweatshirts similar tot his one).
• This is really edgy (I think I am really into edgy outfits now...) and features a casual Topshop bomber jacket that is a spring staple. 
• I am really proud of this next set as it can be dressed up with a pair of glamorous pointed toe flats and a blazer, or dressed down with jelly sandals. 
• My last set is very edgy and rocker chic and I just had to include these amazing and stylish brogues. 

Fevrie products I used in this collection:

Heart necklace, pink bangle, mood ring, gold crossed ring, chunky heart necklace, pearl headband, gold linked bracelet, silver bracelet (that is unfortunately sold out), pearl ring, poison ivy ring, daisy skirt, silver bangle (that is also unfortunately sold out), floral short shorts, plaid bralette crop top    

www.fevrie.com

Mother's Day Breakfast: French Toast

Since my mom is the best mother I could ever have (and I mean that 110%), I made her a Pre-Mother's Day breakfast today. I surprised her with sweet french toast, warm maple syrup, hash browns, bacon, juice, and green tea. She loved it and was so surprised.
This is the recipe I used for the french toast I made her, just saying this will be the best french toast you will ever try. EVER.

Indgredients you'll need to buy (or borrow from your neighbor)---better yet, you can just invite all of the neighborhood mothers for a delicious brunch. Oops got a bit off topic...
So anyways you will need:

• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg 
• 2 tbsp sugar (or maple syrup or honey, depends on what you fancy)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 c milk (whole milk will taste a lot richer)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 8 slices stale white bread (tastes a whole lot better than soft bread that will turn out soggy)
• toppings: warm maple syrup, fruit, nutella, berries, powdered sugar, cream cheese, etc.

Recipe adopted from Robert Irvine

Steps:

1. In a small bowl (I used a ramekin), combine cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg
2. Melt butter over medium heat on a skillet (use a nonstick cooking spray before buttering the skillet to prevent the butter burning)
3. Whisk together the cinnamon mixture with eggs, milk, and vanilla (make sure ingredients are at room temperature for a richer flavor) and pour into shallow pie dish
4. Dip bread into egg mixture (whisk the mixture very well so it has a smooth consistency and prevents any excess bits of fried eggs hanging out)
5. Fry until golden and flip 

This recipe serves 4 people

Also, this recipe tastes delicious with a quick and easy berry compote I created:

1. Preheat a small saucepan over a stovetop on medium heat
2. Add 3/4 c of mixed berries
3. Add ice cubes and 2 teaspoons of sugar (optional)
4. Stir with wooden spoon and add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch 
5. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve

This recipe serves 2 people

I am also making another Mother's Day surprise for my mom tomorrow, so expect a blog post on another delicious recipe soon. 

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Xx

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

Denim Jackets for Spring

I have grown an intense obsession this season for denim jackets. They are absolutely perfect for when it's sunny but still a little windy and chilly. I made 3 sets including this Spring staple, and it's inevitable for me to make more outfits with denim jackets from now on. 

Needing by bellacharlie featuring a topshop nail polish

My first outfit is called Needing, and I got inspired by one of my favorite songs, This Love by Taylor Swift. It's on her 1989 album and it is absolutely AMAZING. One line on this song especially caught my eye; "When you're young you just run, but you come back to what you need. Seriously pure genius. I included a Spring trend that is really popular this season, denim on denim. Items featured in this outfit include a denim top by Marc Jacobs, a denim jacket by Topshop, floral shorts by A.L.C., slip-on sneakers by Open Ceremony, sunglasses by Monki, and a scalloped clutch by BCBG. 

                                       Remember Me by bellacharlie featuring open toe flat sandals

My second outfit called Remember Me is also inspired by Taylor's song This Love, revolves around a different line, "Say you'll remember me standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset." This outfit captures the chastity and purity This Love truly captures. This outfit features simple items such as a white dress featured on the Harper's Bazaar website, a denim jacket by Acne Studios, sandals by asos, the same white sunglasses by Monki I used in my first set, and a scalloped clutch by Kate Spade. 

Lola by bellacharlie featuring a square neck top

My final set called Lola is inspired by How You Get the Girl by Taylor Swift and includes a tricky Spring trend, mixing patterns. When I created this set, I had in mind the youthfulness Taylor displays in many of her songs. My inspiration for this set can be relatable to many girls like Taylor; girls who are strong, hopeful, and without a doubt loves to have fun. Even though they've been heartbroken, they still keep in mind that they are young and have a long life ahead of them which includes unexpected events and adventures. This set really captures the daringness of someone who isn't afraid to color outside the lines and experiment with fun prints and pieces. Items featured in this outfit include, a striped crop top by Topshop, floral shorts by Boutique, a denim jacket by Topshop, black sneakers by Converse, and sunglasses by Marc Jacobs.  

From denim jackets to floral shorts, what is your favorite Spring staple? Xx