The #1 Way to Add Instant Style to Any Look

“You have witchcraft in your lips....”

— Henry V

Sweater: Zara

White shirt: H&M

Lipstick: MAC Rubywoo

Doing this one thing will add instant style and glamour to your look, no matter what you’re wearing or how you’re feeling. You could be dressed to the nines, out on the town in your best outfit, or running errands in leggings, a t-shirt and a baseball cap, having had only a couple hours of sleep. It doesn‘t matter. Doing this one thing will pull your entire look together, no matter the situation.

So, what is it, you ask?

Well, the next time you want to snazz up your look, simply add a red lip. Yes, it‘s truly that simple! Find a color that suits you, (Mac’s Ruby Woo is fabulous on ANY skin tone…..like, I’m serious…) line your lips in a lip pencil that is a similar shade (this will ensure the staying power of your red lippie..), and then rock your lipstick.

The great thing is, whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup, or nothing but moisturizer, this red lip will not only look fabulous, but make you feel fabulous, too. (Hidden Bonus: Red lipstick makes your pearly whites appear even whiter!) Now, what’s not to love about that!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

View fullsize

My Bali Travel Guide: Solo traveling

“To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.”

— The Winter’s Tale

View fullsize

Where I stayed

While in Bali, I stayed in a one bedroom AirBnB located in central Seminyak. The upstairs of the villa consisted of the bedroom, which was the bed, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower. Downstairs was a small kitchen, small dining table, a couch, and a small bathroom with only a toilet and a sink. There were doors that opened all the way to make the inside and outside one space, as well. Outside on the patio were chairs, tables, and a private swimming pool with luscious greenery. Truthfully, this spot was perfect for just me, but for two or more people, it would have been way too tight. The pictures on AirBnB made it appear much larger than it was.

Photos taken by me.

What’s Bali like?

Language: In Bali, there are many dialects spoken depending on which caste you come from. However, there is a common language called bahasa, that is kind of a newer language used to unite all of the different dialects so everyone can communicate easier. But fear not! Since Bali’s tourism industry is very strong, English is spoken everywhere, so you won’t have a problem in this area.

Getting around: OMG!!!!! There are soooo many scooters in Bali! That is the first thing I noticed while I was being driven (in a car) from the airport to my AirBnB. My driver informed me that because there really isn’t a public transportation infrastructure such as buses and trains, people mostly use scooters to get around because it’s cheap and easy. Taxis are also everywhere and easily accessible. However, it is recommended (by myself as well) to use Bluebird Taxis. These taxis are regulated, they use a meter, and you won’t get ripped off. Unfortunately, I was running late for something because my Bluebird Taxi I ordered couldn’t find my AirBnB (that’s another story…lol), so I hailed an unregulated taxi and got taken for a ride, if you get my drift…lol! From then on, it was only Bluebird for me! :-)

Back to these scooters! If you’re brave enough, you too can easily rent a scooter to get around on. But it’s nothing like riding around Mykonos, for example. That’s child’s play compared to Bali. Bali on a scooter is not for the faint of heart. There are very few to zero rules of the road that I noticed…so ride at your own risk, and don’t forget to wear a helmet! You will also get offered rides on scooters for money by the Balinese and their scooters, so that is also an option if you feel adventurous.

Tirta Gangga, Bali

Must-have Apps: Here are three apps that you need to download for your time in Bali and Southeast Asia period. If you need a taxi or scooter, if you need food delivered from your favorite restaurant, or even groceries delivered, these are the apps you need. You can pay through the app for cashless transactions, which makes everything easier. So, download these apps for a much more enjoyable stay in Bali. I was definitely happy I had them.

App #1 : Grab

App # 2 Gojek

App# 3 My Bluebird

Vegan yumminess! My falafel burger and sweet potato fries with tahini sauce. This was at a cafè called Kimsoo.

Currency: Rupiah is the currency used in Bali. You can exchange your home currency for theirs directly in the airport after you grab your luggage. This is safe and easy. You can exchange your money at various other places in Bali, but make sure that it’s an authorized vendor, otherwise you will get cheated. Because Bali is a poor country (in terms of wealth), your money will go far here. For example, 100,000 Rp = approx. $7…(at the time this post was written.) There are also lots of ATM’s around, too.

Some things to do: Depending on whether you just want to chill, or if you want adventure, you can find it all in Bali. I actually did both. The first few days, I went on some tours that I booked via AirBnB (yes, they also have what they call Experiences for you to book), and Viator. I went to the famous Gate of Heaven, the Water Garden, the Jungle Swing, coffee plantation, and the rice gardens. It was a long tour, but highly worth it. I even took a bike tour (something I do on all of my vacations if available). This tour was more strenuous than I expected…lol…but I loved it because we rode to Canngu, an area that I had wanted to see, and I saw parts of Bali that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I highly suggest tours, especially if you are a solo traveller, because it´s stress-free. Most of the time they even pick you up from your accommodation. You can’t get more stress-free than that! :-)

Of course, if you just want to chill, you can hit up the beaches and the beach clubs. I would recommend Ku De Ta and also Potato Head. Massages are also offered everywhere if you’re in need of one. Also, other spa services are offered at many places on the island. And, these services are very inexpensive, too.

Miscellaneous: Restaurants are plentiful in Bali. You will find anything and everything, no need to worry about that. I’m a plant-based eater and found tons of eating options to accommodate me.

There are also dogs EVERYWHERE in Bali. One of my Balinese tour guides told me that the Balinese love dogs, and that every household has one. The dogs I saw appeared to be very independent, and didn’t seem to belong to anyone, but maybe that’s just dog- life in Bali……:-). None of the dogs seemed aggressive, they just did their own doggy thing. I did see an unfortunate accident where a poor dog got hit by a truck and became instantly paralyzed….:-(. This ties into the crazy driving situation in Bali that I mentioned earlier. So, just be careful if you do decide to rent a car or a scooter.

I chose the above quote from The Winter´s Tale, because in this particular scene one character is telling two other characters not to go off to some far away, possibly dangerous part of the world. I often come across people who tell me not to go there, or maybe you shouldn’t go alone, or maybe why are you going for so long, or why are ´not you staying longer, it´s not worth it….blah, blah blah. So many people have opinions about this or that….and because what you’re doing doesn’t seem or feel right for them, they try and deter you from doing what feels right for you. That is when you thank them, or not thank them for their input, and continuing to do you and continue to remember that you are living YOUR life, not theirs.

Please like, share, and/or leave a comment telling me about your experience in beautiful Bali!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

What if knowledge is LITERALLY power?

“He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.”

— Julius Caesar, Act II, i

WARNING: I’m an out-of-the-box thinker kinda gal.

Carry on.

Have you ever considered this? Good ole Merriam Webster has nine definitions for the word power. In the above quote, Brutus was referencing the second definition: A position of authority, control, or influence over others. There is no need to expound upon that definition. We constantly experience the effects of it in various aspects of our lives. I, however, want to discuss definition number 6: A source or means of supplying energy: especially electricity. From this point on, open your minds and let me give you something to ponder.

Since childhood, we’ve all been inundated with the platitude KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that. And trying to gain more control and power in our lives is a big money maker in our society, Whether it’s paying for knowledge gaining esteemed letters after your name, paying for workshops and buying self-help books from other people who seem to know you better than you know yourself. Or better yet, joining the infinite amount of groups that require you to take an oath, perform a ritual of some kind to gain some “secret” knowledge the rest of us don’t know..i.e…Shriners, Knights of Malta, those Rosicrucians, or any of the other numerous fraternal orders out here. Or perhaps going to yoga, learning to meditate is more your thing (which is a good thing) all in an effort to gain more control and knowledge in your own life in order to manifest a life that society says you need. The only thing is, you’ll NEVER get the true answer that will free you and give you the power to empower you, which is your/our birthright.

BUT let me posit this: WHAT IF the phrase in a very popular book Genesis 1:3, Let there be light, actually meant that the people in power at the time actually monopolized how to generate electricity. (Pay close attention the letters in bold.) The descendants from these people, are now the only people to have this knowledge (the knowledge all of humanity once shared), and they now govern us today in the form of royal families and presidents worldwide….a.k.a. governments.

What do you think? Hard to believe? Not really. Without going into an extensive history lesson to cross all of my t’s and dot all of my i’s, it’s more than plausible. Think about it: You essentially go to work everyday to literally pay for power, that is free, so you can go home and flick on the light switch, open your fridge to find something to eat, then turn on your stove to make a nice dinner. Afterwards, turn on your laptops and/or computers to check in on my blogs..;-)..play Nintendo, charge up your electronic devices, etc. Mind you, all the while we are all paying for energy that these huge power plants all around the world are generating for free. Let that sink in a bit.

Most people would equate money with power. They believe the accumulation of wealth will ultimately lead to power.

Unfortunately, money became the poor substitution for true power.

If money = currency, and currency = current, then current = energy, which = power.

Knowledge really used to be power. That knowledge has been hidden.

You can’t be liberated without power...and you can’t have power without knowing how to generate it. And you will never have power if you are paying power companies for energy. Period.

True empowerment comes from more than joining a group and/or subscribing to a particular ideology.

Ok…I’m done soliloquizing….for now..:-)

To be continued at another time. So much more to be deduced through this one thought.

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO!!

Sequins here, sequins there, sequins everywhere!

“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances....”

— As You Like it, Act II, iv

Tis the season to be shiny!! To be fair, any season is shiny season for me. I happen to agree that all the world is my stage (and yours too), and I am the protagonist of my story. J. Cole also paraphrased this same sentiment…”This is my canvas….Ima paint it how I want it..”

This fabulous skirt is from Vivetta. I paired it with a Karl Lagerfeld T-shirt which dresses “down” the dressiness of the skirt. This type of juxtaposition is something I love to play with. My Gucci fanny pack (whoever thought you’d live to see the fanny pack make a comeback!) ties everything together.

Don’t be shocked if you ever run into me at the local grocery store dressed in this shiny sequin skirt and some fab gym shoes…because I never “save my best” for a special day. To me, everyday is a special day…and I dress accordingly!

GO AHEAD AND PIN ME! :-)

Thank you for stopping by! Let me know how you shine! XOXO

Turbans/Headbands...Get into it!

This hilarious, yet oh so true statement was said by Antipholos of Syracuse is the aforementioned, yet doesn't get enough action,  Shakespearean play.  And I'd like to think that it doesn't apply to me either…...LOL.   However, I must admit there are PLENTY of days where I wish that I could get up and go, and not worry about a hairstyle.   Doing this would save me plenty of time, but unfortunately looking like I got electrocuted is not the style I'm currently shooting for.  

The turban/headband trend that has been around for a while, but I'd say heavily for about a year and a half, and it has really spoken to my soul.  I mean, if you want to put minimal effort into styling your hair,  you can add either a turban or headband to your look, and your stylish factor instantly goes through the roof! I mean this is using your wit in the astuteness or perception of judgment sense of the word. You think I'm joking, right?  Take a close look at my pics.  I'm not wearing anything special.  Just some Rag and Bone jeans, a white shoulder free top from Asos, raffia sandals from Asos, and a fabulous straw bag from Etsy,  a fabulous palm cuff from Gucci , and the crowning glory…...DA DADA DAAAAA...….A beautiful green headband from Cult Gaia.  These headbands on their website sell out pretty quickly, and for good reason. They can totally take a bland outfit and turn it and you into a head turner. If you think you can't pull this look off, think again.  They come in many styles and price points. Also, a big plus for me, is that they camouflage my five head and make it appear like I have a (four) head.....LOL.  So, grab one that you are comfortable with, pair it with a simple outfit, and behold the transformation. 

I met up with a friend of mine, and she asked me if this was my new "thing".  I was wearing one of these headbands that I own when she saw me that time, and I also had one on the previous time before that. So, I guess it is my "thing".  I must admit that I own quite a few of them, from Gucci to H&M, and they all look fabulous. 

Photo credit: JG

So, although Antipholos was talking about a lack of hair...we can use our wit and not have a lack of a hairstyle….lol!  Thanks for stopping by! XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin