I was having a typical evening on a beautiful balmy August night, Michael and I had gone to dinner enjoying our favorite Italian cuisines from Vito’s.  As we were talking, he gently slid an envelope across the table stopping just short of my plate.  I looked down, and thought this has got to be good.

You see many times in the past, this is how I always received gifts from him!  As I opened the envelope ……  I saw three things…

1. Two First Class Tickets to “New York City” ~~~ OMG

2. A picture of the “Waldorf Astoria Hotel” ~~~~~OMG

3. Tickets to the “US OPEN”  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tears!

When someone knows you this well it is just the best feeling in the world!  The three things he gave me for my birthday that year meant the world to me, but more than that, and what I will always deeply Cherish, was that he knew me…I mean REALLY knew me!

As a little girl I watched Barbra Streisand in movies walking down the Streets of New York. I can remember Barbra walking by the “Waldorf Astoria”  thinking someday I will stay there … right on Park Avenue!

Amazed with my childhofood memory  of what the view would look like!  I just knew I had to go there someday!  As I got older my fascination with THE CITY never wavered.  As a teenager I would watch the US Open and dream of someday seeing it in person, watching from the stands.

Back then It was Era of Jimmy Conner’s, Chris Evert, Illia Nastasee (SP), and Bjorn Borg!

The flight from L.A was a long one…I do not enjoy flying and that is an understatement..: )  But I knew what I had do and I could not give up this once in a life time dream to finally see My Beautiful New York.

Michael was so kind and gracious throughout the flight…Pampered me and kept my mind off the flight!  (Can you say MILE High Club~~~~)  I cannot believe I just told you that!…Oh well, true it is and if you ever need to get your mind preoccupied …..  Try it!

We couldn’t have pick a better time to land..as we started our descent I was like a child.  Camera was clicking away.. the people across the aisle by this time knew me well!  You spend 6 hours in a plane with  me oh well, you get the idea.

Landing in New York at Dusk is the most incredible vision ever to be seen.

I was literally bouncing in my seat…snapping pictures and actually squealing like a child… It was a party in First Class Section that day!!  The people and staff around me loved my enthusiam….

As the planes wheels hit the ground I remember closing my eyes, all of the childhood visions of Times Square, Barbra walking in front of the Waldorf,  The US Open, the shopping…Ohhhh the shopping,  were vividly flashing rapidly.   I opened my eyes with tears and said “Baby I’m in New York”!!!!!!  My whole section started cheering!  What a blast that plane ride was.

I was dressed that day in head to toe Escada….I felt like a million bucks!  When we arrived in the Limo in front of the Waldorf…I yelled at the driver …. STOP….. OMG   Please STOP…..As I stood up and opened the sunroof ….. this is what I saw.

Upon entering the hotel I was mesmerized at how this could be even more beautiful that I had anticipated.

While my husband was checking us in I was  busy snapping pictures. I overheard him tell the concierge it was my first time to New York and also my birthday.

I watch as three people from the Waldorf huddled… “what  could they be doing I wondered”  I was then approached by a man in a stunning Black Suit.. who said  ”Ms. Bella….this way ma’am”….

Michael had the biggest grin on his face, I looked with deference as to say…”Should I go with him”?  With a nod and a smile I knew I was in for another surprise!  We then left the main lobby my handsome suited stranger and I and proceeded to a private elevator.

While riding in the elevator with my stranger we exchanged glances often!..I finally said…”OK what’s up…where are we going?”  He smiled a sneaky grin and at that moment the doors opened to a stunning suite!.

“What is this?”,  I said.  I thought maybe we had taken the WRONG elevator.  I then heard Michael in another room say “Honey do you love it”?  Whaat … this cannot be our room!…Are you kidding me!….”How did you get up here I asked?”

Living Room

I was in the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf!  How can this be real?  I ran to every window and whipped open the drapes….The New York City skyline was visible from every angle.  Remember the scene on the plane? …Well I was playing it out again.. Jumping … running from window to window, taking pictures  …. I was having the time of my life.

Remembering my manners I ran back over to the gentlemen who had so graciously escorted me to paradise,  thanked him profusely and said “Hold on”….Picked up my purse to give him a tip, while handing it to him.  He politely stated … “no ma’am .. I’m here for the week, I’ll be right inside this area if you need anything”.

Really, you live here,  with us,!!  I asked? No, he said laughing, there will be others, whatever you need Ms. Bella, just let us know.

Royal Master Suite

Suite Bedroom

What I knew at that moment was;  I wanted to see New York, I didn’t care if was 11 PM….I am outta here!…I said…..”Let’s go Honey, I want to see Times Square, I must”!

“One more surprise before we go”  my husband said. “Oh no, there cannot be more?”…Michael handed me a Tiffany’s Box,  and in it was a  stunning necklace I had admired one day…. “Oh honey I love it.” He put it around my neck and  off we went and we didn’t return to our suite for several hours…

It was almost morning, but knew I had to sleep a of couple hours!  The next day I shopped, visited Trump Tower, Grand Central Station, we did the Empire State Building at Dusk  (again, the best time to view the city).

Food was Fabulous, our personal assistants always had fresh fruit and cheese freshly prepared for us!…My clothes were layed out impeccably everyday.

Today was the day, no limos … I wanted to take the subway to Flushing Meadows.  I remember thinking “two hours from now, I will be at Arthur Ashe Stadium” watching the US Open,  I can’t believe it!….

The subway was so much fun…I felt so privileged as we left Manhattan and entered the other cities.

I remember staring out the window, and was amazed how differently many people lived.  I had this notion it was ALL Park Avenue.  It’s not, as you well know, but to me that is what New York represented, all glitz and glamour.  I said many prayers that day as I witnessed the sheer poverty that the subway took us through.

I had many many life fulfilling moments that week, but only two took my breath away.  Upon entering the stadium … my heart was pounding, it’s very large, very grand, and everything I had hoped for.  We were escorted to our seats, again thinking “well this is odd”…But the whole trip was phenomenal so why should this be any different?

Front  Row and Center… Yes my darling husband really knew how to do it..  As I looked around at all the famous people in our section, I knew I had to act cool…No jumping .. no squealing…I thought to myself, “Be Cool Bella” also thankful I had shopped at the Ralph Lauren Store the day before.

There was Gwenynth Paltrow to my right, Justin Timberlake, Boris Becker, Kim Catrall, Jim Carey so many more……

When the lights came on and lit up the stadium, the players entered the court  I lost it…  I mean really.. how was I to contain this energy!  It was fine, nobody cared about my enthusiasm, they were just as excited to be there..

The matches that week lived up to all my expectations.  I spent a full day in Central Park, I visited the Twin Towers site…”extremely emotional place to see”, I ate twice at Tavern on the Green, I sat in the “Strawberry Fields”, went to the taping of The David Letterman Show, (don’t bother) and a taping of THE View.

The trip overall was my all time favorite vacation!  New York was everything I ever thought it would be and more. Every dream I had was fulfilled!

Note: Michael and I are now divorced~~We lasted 3 years after this vacation. We subsequently went on many more, but none that compared to New York?

The Winners Are

Francis A and Miki

Enjoy your

Thank you to all whom entered!  We will be doing another giveaway in two weeks, so watch for it and don’t forget to enter!

Bella

XoX

Most Coveted  Burberry Jacket this season and trying to get one is impossible!

Start saving up as well, around $3500

SHEARLING FUNNEL NECK AVIATOR JACKET

pics via Fashion Gone Rogue

I wanted to share these with you, how simple and fabulous all in one!  Mirrored accessories always bring lux looks to your home.

I have mirror tables in my living room and bedroom and these are perfect.  I am also going to drape mine with PEARLS, for an added touch of femininity.

These mirrors can be found at any dollar store.. Total Price  $5.00

scrape the stickers off with a razor squeegee. trying to peel them off will only end in tears and pill popping.

lay your base, mirror side down and hold one of the mirrored pieces up to the edge of the base.

once you’re sure everything is even and level run a bead of hot glue along the seam where the edges meet.

wait patiently for the glue to dry before moving onto the next piece of mirror. this is exactly when the bottom of your foot will feel like it needs to be scratched.

continue lining up and gluing the bottom and side edges of the mirrored pieces. my glue gun broke mid-craft so mine is messy.

done! if you think you’re going to see inside the boxes, remove the round felt pads on the bottom of each square.

Have Fun !!!  Bella XoX

via Fabulous DIY’S The Art of Doing Stuff

Adore the femininity of Laurens line, the soft shades, the ruffles and lace.

Laurens new fall 2010 line is available at Kohls and the prices are so affordable, most are under $50.00.

Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.   Coco Chanel

Bella XoX

Fabulous pump for fall !!

Casadei Women’s 3509 Triple Platform Pump in Steel Raso on Amazon.com, $328.15

Hello Luvs,    somewhat of a dramatic weekend for me.  So many life decisions swirling in my head,  the lessons over my lifetime, have forced me to start making better decisions.

For the majority of my life I’ve been married, I’ve had a support system in place and always have  had the focus and determination needed to make such decisions.  Now making them on my own, is somewhat overwhelming.  Not having a partner in life, is my weakest point of moving forward.

I am learning day to day to be strong, to be independent and realizing that life without a man is possible.   So many times I look back at my choices I’ve made and have regret, but today, is the DAY, I move forward!

Opening my heart to new possibilities and letting go of my past, not forgetting, just letting go.  And for me, that’s a big step, one that took much to long to arrive at.

FOCUS on the future and to quit looking in the rear view mirror in my new motto.  And as I continue on this personal journey, I hope to give you the same desires to be your best, your most beautiful and continue to inspire with BEAUTY.  Afterall, without hope, without our dreams, what do we really have?

Lovely fashions and dreamy pictures always inspire me, and on your darkest days, know you are not alone in this world.

Bella

XoX

Note:  Hahaha, just notice the links name, quite ironic I think!!!!

pics via {TheSlightlyObessesiveBride}

This summer-y watermelon cocktail from Sunset Magazine sounds just delicious!  So simple, yet so festive…..here’s the how-to:

Whirl chunks of watermelon in a food processor until blended, then strain. Rub the rim of a martini glass with a cut lemon wedge, then dip rim in a shallow plate of sugar. Pour 3 tbsp. watermelon juice, 2 tbsp. brandy, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, and 2 tbsp. Cointreau into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly, then strain into glass. Garnish with watermelon wedges.  YUM, right?!

This chop salad caught my eye for a couple of reasons: 1) it just looks so darn pretty!  I love the presentation!  2) the fresh ingredients used are sure to be tasty and 3) I love that it is a full meal, but only one dish (less to clean up, less to prepare!).

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Enjoying the last few weekends of summer, the lovely times spent with friends and family.  When I found this yummy summer cocktail, I wanted to share it with you.  Watermelon season is almost over, so we’re just in time.

Last Friday I spent the day at the Spa, oh how I wish it were today!  Holding back from making the call to repeat the day today!  : )

What are your plan this weekend?  I’d love to know!!!

Hoping your weekend is FABULOUS, remember the beautiful you everytime you look in the mirror.

Bella XoX

party pics via ThePartyDress

It’s giveaway time!

Two $25.00  gift certificate from FROWNIES

I was estactic when I first found these, because I am one of those rare people who  is allergic to Botox.  I tried it about 10 years ago, and became severely ill.

So you can imagine when I saw a natural way, I knew I had to try them.

You can postpone the signs of aging… NATURALLY

FROWNIES beauty treatments include products that reduce wrinkles while you sleep and natural biologically active antioxidant treatments for the skin. The right antioxidants for the skin and wrinkle treatment products can help you reduce wrinkles and preserve your beauty.

Raquel Welch, a beautiful 69 year old Hollywood star, was interviewed by Valerie Bertinelli on the Joy Behar show. Raquel Welch said that she uses Frownies to keep the elevens between the eyes under control. What other stars use Frownies and we just don’t know? They were after all called “Hollywood’s Beauty Secret”.

One more star lets the secret out. Today we all assume they use Botox if there are no lines but many women won’t touch it and others just have not learned about Frownies.

Joy Behar Show-March 31, 2010

The View is an American talk show broadcast on American Broadcasting Company as part of ABC Daytime. The View created by Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie, features a panel of women as co-hosts. Frownies were seen on the View when Eve Pearl, View Crew Makeup Artist and make-up artist for Sex In the City brought Frownies anti-aging patch on the show. Eve said: ” Frownies are Hollywood’s biggest secret. It’s kind of like the natural Botox…You wet it, use the adhesive, and you stick it on those little areas where you have frowns…And basically when you sleep with this, it rejuvenates the muscles in your skin, and it gets rid of those lines…You do it while you’re vacuuming, when you’re sleeping…They do work, they really work.” -Eve Pearl, View Crew Makeup Artist. – The View on ABC, October 22, 2004

Contest Rules:

Two $ 25.00 gift certificate will be given out,to two   randomly selected  followers of my Blog.

1.  You must follow my Blog to be elegible.

2.  You must tweet this giveaway.

3.  You must follow TheFrownies on Twitter

4.  You may enter as many times as you wish… just keep Retweeting or posting to Facebook, and please leave me a comment, so I can keep track of your entries.

Winner will be announced September 1, 2010, one week from today!

If this is succesful, we will be doing similar giveaways with Frownies on a regular basis!

Good Luck

Bella XoX



Adore the mixing and layering, so many great ideas  in these pictures.

It’s not obvious I am looking forward to fall is it?  Haha, living in Arizona tends to make you wish it was October, rather than August!

I can remember when I was pregnant with my second daughter, we lived in a house without air conditioning, I drove a volkswagon {no air}, and she was born in August !!!!  I also had a 15 month daughter I was running after constantly, and I don’t remember it being this fricken HOT!  How on earth did I do it?  Now, I’m so pampered, so accustom to my air conditioners, that taking the trash out in the heat is a huge feat.

I’m blaming it all on Menopause, I swear my body core temperature has risen 20 degrees.  So in actuality when its a 110 degrees outside, to ME it feels as though it’s 130 !!!

Bella XoX

pics via Cosmo UK

The key to working this look is to layer and temper the new volume by contrasting with razor-sharp tailored city shorts or super-skinny jeans.

Mixing these Edelman Booties up with a Shearling Jacket and Jeans.

Winsford Clog Boot

I fell in love with these Sam Edelman Booties with the  leather lace up &  faux shearling trim.  I heart shoes that snuggle up with my feet and keep me warm for those 70 degrees Arizona  mornings, in the winter.   Not  available until the first of September.

Bella XoX

MALIN AKERMAN

This look is so fresh and easy, famed makeup artist Troy Jensen always gets it right!  This was from a photo shoot for Dirty Glam.

An illuminator was applied  to Malin’s upper cheekbones, along her jawline and into her shoulders. Then  a liquid foundation evenly on her entire face and neck,   some concealer under the eyes, around the mouth and blended well.   Dusted a rose powder cheek color to the apples of the cheeks and set the face with a pressed powder.

A pale beige liquid shimmer was added  down the bridge of the nose, inner corners of the eyes, just above the upper bow of the lips, and blended well.

The brows were lined with a brow pencil and groomed them with a brow gel.
blended soft browns to lightly define the eyes yet keeping a natural look.
A thin line was applied with a black liquid liner and finished by curling and coating the lashes with black mascara. Troy then defined the lips with a nude lip liner and topped off with a rose pink lipgloss.

via TroyJensen

Such stunning white on whites, these resort options inspire.

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My mood today is slightly melancholy, reminds me of this lovely poem I once read and refer back to ever so often, by James Hayley

Petals Of The White Rose

Dreaming by the morning moon
protected in a tight cocoon
so pale in the gloom
Petals of the white rose

Stretching at the sun light smiles
reflecting on its dew drop tiles
a glow that’s seen for miles
The waking of the white rose

Delicate as the summer breeze
pearly white of royal genes
a queen within the garden green
the blooming of the white rose

Soft as love you give it when
hearts should touch a frail friend
before the gift of life might end
The message of the white rose

As we cry these tender woes
and say goodbye to them we know
they’ll fly wherever spirits go
On petals of a soft white rose.

Bella XoX

photos via Town&Country

I fell in love with these two necklaces and ring while shopping this weekend!

Cobra Necklace

Add a prominent display of gleaming crystal to your décolleté. This rhodium-plated necklace with 4 snake chains features a large Silver Shade crystal pendant in the exclusive Newgrange cut. The bale is set with Silver Shade crystal pavé. Make a daring statement of seduction!  $ 320.00

Life Pendant

A truly exclusive masterpiece, this one-of-a-kind design showcases Swarovski’s expert craftsmanship. A breath-taking White ‘floating chaton’ sparkles inside the clear crystal pendant. Combine this exquisite rhodium-plated creation with the Nirvana ring for a more opulent look. An absolute must-have of the season!  $ 140.00 necklace  $ 75.00  earrings

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Nirvana Flash Blue Glitter Ring

This breath-taking clear crystal ring gives the iconic Nirvana ring a modern twist, bringing even more sparkle! The applied lacquer features a blue glittery substance that adds a radiant, shimmering effect to this spectacular Sterling silver-plated creation.    $ 190.00

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Jessica Simpson looks great in this outfit, right?  Well when I look at it I feel as though it’s missing something.  Where’s  the EDGE, what makes it STANDOUT?  For me, I always look at the magazines and think, hmmm how can I make it better !   This one was simple, my mind immediately went to Balmain Military Jacket, that I dream of at least once a month!  : )   Yeah, I think that’s it, an edgy jacket, a rocking pair of kick=ass boots, and VOILA  you’re THE GIRL !

Balmain’s Military Jacket

Ok, I know, who can afford the $11,500 price tag for the aforementioned Balmain Jacket.  But not to worry, just buy your favorite, one that suits your body type and embellish it yourself!    You can easily hand sew appliqués on to any style you wish.   Last year I added CHAINS to one shoulder,   of my favorite leather jacket  to emulate Balmains latest creation.  What a hit!

Whether you spend $10,000 or $25.00, Bling it out or keep it simple,  just have fun with this trend, pair with your favorite jeans and a white T Shirt, let the jacket and the boots, tell the world …. You are THE GIRL!!!!

A-Ten-Hut Military Jacket
$24.80  Forever21

Complete the look with these fabulous boots, oooh the ruffles, instant love when I saw these

Jeffrey Campbell ‘All-Ruffle’ Ankle Boot

$239.95 Nordstroms

Hope the weekend is treating you kind, may all your dreams come true! Bella XoX

Two books I’ve added to my library this summer, are written by the fabulous Nina Garcia.  Nina who now holds the top post at marie claire magazine,   is also a lauded author.

My favorite summer reads ……

Nina Garcias books are  not a read you put away and forget about after the last page.

“It’s an essential guide you keep and refer back to as you build and enhance your wardrobe. The alphabetically ordered contents make it easy to actually remember all the fashion essentials.   Even then Garcia expands on the must haves to kick your wardrobe up a notch. One will really enjoy the small tidbits on fashion history. Who knew the eternal Chanel 2.55 quilted bag was named so because of its debut on February 1955.”

“Readers will appreciate how Garcia is very specific about her picks down to the colors of the accessories. The illustrations by one of my favorite artists, Ruben Toledo are also fantastic. This book is great for those who are new to the fashion world and would like a crash course on the industry. It’s also great for us who need a refresher.” says, haute mimi.