10 Things You Don’t Know About Me

As we get to know each other better, I wanted to share with you 10 things that you didn’t know about me. Well at least this won’t be published online for all to read…oh come on...your turn next.

1) Out of all the places in the world that I’ve been lucky to travel to, I would live in Italy or in Brazil. Both places had a warmth, love for family, light, beauty, I had food crushes and each place is filled with dance and music. (Argentina is a close second.)

2) I developed a love for writing/performing at a young age when we created speeches for school. I loved writing out of the box and then performing the speech in front of my classmates.

3) My favorite street has to be Union Street in San Francisco. Still to this day, I find my Zen walking up and down that street with window shopping, sitting in a secret garden, watching the dogs walk by and smelling the soaps at Lush.

4) I love staying in hotel rooms. Getting free slippers, sitting in robes and room service. Do you like taking a break from your day to day?

5)  I am in awe of stand-up comedians. They are so brave to stand up there and put it all out on stage.

6) T.V. remotes and I are not friends. We try to be, but I think we should always get a universal one. I just can’t remember how to work the darn thing. Is there a course I can take lovely?

7) Can you keep a secret? I love documentaries, independent films, museums, but I am a sucker for the Bravo channel. Please help me and don't tell!

8) As the sun sets over Hawaii, you can find me eating a rainbow flavored shaved ice with vanilla ice cream at the bottom. Now... that’s an entire bowl of happiness.

9) I didn’t learn how to cook until my thirties because cooking was something you ordered or just heated up. After taking some cooking lessons, I developed a love for it. Early on, my poor honey had to deal with some frozen in the middle (I am so embarrassed) meals.

10) If I could wear Lululemon pants every day...my life would be complete. Belt it, wear them to a work interview, yoga it up, but never intense exercise. I wouldn’t want to ruin them!

The Name: Bella Lights

Over the last year, my young one has started to bring “imaginary” friends along with us. Their names are Twigs, Romie, Omie and Bella. They come everywhere with us, but on the days the young one goes to school, she makes Twigs stay home with me. Boy, I have had to make a lot of imaginary matzah ball chicken soup! All of her “friends” get into mischief except sweet Bella. Bella listens to her parents, goes to school and sleeps through the night. Don’t tell anyone, but Bella is my favorite.

Also, the name “Bella” makes me smile because Honey and I go to a brunch place that has the most amazing eggs benedict, acai bowls and mimosas, and the owner greets me on Sunday mornings by saying, “Buongiorno Bella.”

So, we have Bella…

Now for lights…I love white lights on patios, in backyards, sprinkled in trees and throughout Main Street in small towns. They bring a magic to the dusk and evening. My favorite weddings are outside; the trees covered in white lights and flowers. I tried to continue this feeling at home by hanging white lights over our kitchen sink. Did this help everyone clean the dishes more? Sadly, it did not.

So, Bella Lights was born. And why do I blog and guest post… simply put, I love creating a space where I can pour my heart, feed my soul, discover different ways to write, and connect with points of view… I blog to share my own life knowledge which includes living and visiting different countries, marrying into another culture, being a social worker in L.A. and then changing careers to marketing/ advertising, moving to San Francisco by myself, being in the blogging community early on and writing for the other sites.

What’s makes me who I am? I try to appreciate every day, have a positive outlook, connect within and give back. I can give to those around me and feed my soul with Bella Lights, but at the same time going outside of the box and discovering. Imagine Twigs, Romie, Omie and Bella along for the ride. How do you feed your soul lovely?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

This inspirational weekend quote speaks volumes to me because this Zen tea bag message reminds me to think of others before myself. When I try to uplift others, I also feel uplifted. It's just like the joy I feel when I give someone a present. It means the world to me to see the receiver of the gift happy and thought of.  Can we make this weekends gift to be kinder to each other too?

Remember what it's like when someone lifts you up with a phone call or a smile? It makes my day to know I was thought of. How you treat others will come back to you. Don't you agree? So let's take this another step further and lets go and uplift someone today. Try to appreciate how much you cared for another. Now go and put the kettle on and make yourself a cup off tea. I'll wait... Do you find it easier to be positive or negative bella?

5 Must Have Beauty Products

100% Bella Argan Oil

This is my slept all night beauty secret (even though I didn’t) glow must have. I believe the more natural a product is the more benefits you’ll soak in. All I use is 1-2 drops of 100% Argan oil after I wash my face and sleep peacefully with the sweetest dreams…wake up with a glow. My trick is to use the oil 2 nights on and 1 night off and not more then 2 drops for all over my face and neck (or you might slip off of your pillow). This oil is also great for your hands and hair, but I love it as a night moisturizer.

Other makers of argan oil are Acure, Josie Maran and now Trader Joe’s sells it.

Eau Thermale Avène Care for Sensitive Lips

Gloss vs. balm oh if only our daily problems were as easy to decide. I am in love with the Avène skincare line which I discovered when we were traveling in Singapore. This is a lip balm that you can wear during the day alone or with a lip pencil for some color. You can find it at natural pharmacies and also on Amazon.

Stila convertible color (peony or petunia)

I’ve only worn this as blush on my cheeks, but I have worn it for years. It’s my go to blush that always stays on throughout the day. This stila convertible blush blends really well on my cheeks, takes no time at all and lasts for a long time. Whenever I try another (sorry stila I have cheated on you) I always go back.

Matrix Oil Wonders

Changed my life…changed my hair…Ok makes my coarse thick hair shiny and smooth. This trick was done to me in the hair salon and I’ve never looked back. Add some of this strong smelling oil wonders right before you condition and then wash it out. Or add it after your shower before you blow dry and voila it’s like I’ve had an expensive hair treatment. And I won’t have to shave my head after all.

Fresh Rose Face mask

The Rose is for sure my favorite flower, I appreciate so many others, but hands down pale pink or lovely yellow roses always make me smile. This Fresh Rose facemask is lovely, smells so pretty and hydrates/tones. The rose is known for naturally soothing the skin. Plus they’ve added green tea, cucumber and aloe vera. I couldn’t ask for more unless it could do a load of laundry? Sephora and on Amazon.