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

Pastels for Spring

SPRINGTIME IS NEARLY HERE. Well where I live, it already feels like Spring. It's always sunny in my city and our Spring starts in early February. My favorite part of Spring fashion are the pastels; the femininity really shines through in outfits during this season and I absolutely love it. I've created 3 different sets in the past 3 days all with really pretty and delicate pastel colors.

Cassie by bellacharlie featuring a gem necklace

My first, and favorite one, is called Cassie, in honor of one of my favorite tv characters, Cassie Ainsworth. This outfit really brings out her daydreamy and innocent personality. The crop top is from A.L.C, which is unfortunately unavailable. You could still style this outfit with a similar white crochet crop top. The jacquard skirt is from P.A.R.O.S.H, the heels are from Valentino, the sunglasses are from The Row, the clutch is from Kate Spade and the necklace is from The Limited.

Forelsket by bellacharlie featuring a cropped blouse

The second look I created is called Forelsket, and I got inspired by the "Ah-hah" moment you get when you find someone you really like. When I made this set, I imagined a girl in an office just meeting the new guy who falls head over heels for her (In this case, the girl is Taylor Swift). Of course I had to include the One Direction perfume, because this euphoria is their moment. The crop top and skirt are both under the brand MSGM, the heels are Christian Louboutin, and the clutch is Charlotte Olympia.

Induratize by bellacharlie featuring Ted Baker

The final outfit is called Induratize. This set reminds me of someone who's heart sincerely belongs to another. The idea of love, to this person, means so much to her fragile and delicate heart. I used the same color blocked heels as the ones I used in the first outfit (I am kinda completely obsessed with them). The jeans are from Topshop, the jumper is from Rebecca Taylor, and the mohair coat is from Gucci. The accessories that complete the look are, the watch from Ted Baker, the scarf from Jil Sander, and the gorgeous color blocked handbag from Dolce and Gabbana.

Which one will you wear this Spring? Xx

Outgrowing Friends

"Giving up doesn't always mean your weak. Sometimes it just means you're strong enough to let go."-Taylor Swift

This quote doesn't just apply to outgrowing the people you've considered close friends, it can also mean people you've tried so hard to maintain a relationship with, no matter who it may be.
But in my case, this is about friends. I'll be the first to admit that I've felt broken before in many of my past friendships and I had no one to turn to. I think these are how I build up all my insecurities.  

"Am I too boring?"
"Am I not that outgoing?"
"What am I possibly doing wrong?"

Loads of different questions pop into my mind when I feel as if my friends are drifting away from me. I've come to realization that not everyone will like me or accept me. It wasn't my fault; it wasn't their fault either. We simply just weren't meant to interact with one another. We were like north and south. 
When I found a group of friends who had similar interests as me, I finally felt appreciated. But then, most of the people in that group have drifted away from me. I tried so hard to patch the friendships up and I spent months thinking of elaborate ways to get them to like me again. I beat myself up with all the things I was facing at the moment. Even more questions popped into my mind:

"Why is this happening again?"
"Maybe I don't need friends."
"I just want someone to like me."
"Worst case scenario, I'll be sitting in the teacher lounge during lunch hours because I don't belong anywhere."

True story, I actually did debate for a fairly long period of time whether or not I should just sit with my English teacher at lunch, gossiping about other students. I mean, what was I supposed to do?

After that friendship backfired, I turned to a group of people who I've known since we were in 1st grade. I was best friends with the "queen bee" of the group but she eventually got tired of me, and I got tired of her. I became friends with her little clique once again, and I had high hopes with this group of people. I've known them for basically forever, we have most of the same classes together, and they were all so easy to talk to. Why not try it? 
...
Well, I'll be looking for a new group of people to be friends with because these people have lost interest in me too. My best friend started hanging out with the people I think of as a bad influence. And I know I am going to sound like a clingy mother, but I'm worried for her. I don't want her mixing in with the wrong crowd. Her new friends are too outgoing, too extravagant, much more interesting than I could ever be. I feel awkward now whenever I talk to her, that is if she gives me the time of day. I come up with terrible conversation starters like, "I have a headache", "I don't feel good", "how was your day". Everything seems to be about her now. That question, "how was your day", gives her a pass to start talking about every single problem she has. How bad her day is, all of her boy troubles, all of her daddy issues. She never lets me talk, just respond to her problems with pity and advice, as if I were her psychiatrist. 

It hurts a lot, not having anyone to turn to when you've been hurt so many times. It hurts to be excluded, it hurts to feel unwanted, it hurts when the people you care about the most think you are not worth their time. 

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."- Alexander Graham Bell
If any of you are feeling the same things as me, know that you aren't alone by any means, I'll be here for you Xx