This summer I have had the priviledge of being invited to few resorts. Last weekend I had such an amazing time at the Omni Tucson!  Only situated about 90 miles south of my home, the short road trip was a fun bonus.

Omni Tucson Resort is home to one of the most fabulous golf courses I’ve seen.  I mean PGA status … so impressive!  It is also nestled into the Santa Catalinas  with such spectacular views. And with the rich history of golf, this artful blend of natural beauty and recreation is elevated to a new level of discovery.

When I was invited I was asked to bring my children with me to experience Camp Omni. (I did borrow my grand babies for this one) and what a chance to spend three days with two of my favorite little people. Ashleigh 16 and Tristan 12.

Camp Omni is such a creative way to experience your vacation with your children, in a way that they actually feel like they are on vacation too!

My fabulous Steak Salad from the

Legends Bar & Grill

This is the perfect place to unwind after a day of tennis, swimming or playing on  the golf course. The sports bar offers casual club fare, a great selection of spirits,  TV sports, shuffleboard and billiards. The kids and drifted into the Legends Bar & Grill most nights. We found a cozy spot that felt like we had the entire club to ourselves, complete with a shuffle board. While waiting for our dinner to arrive we would have a fast game, then promptly jump right back into it after dinner.  I think besides the pool and virgin Margueritas  this is where the kids had the most fun.

Saturday morning started off with a Tennis lesson provided by the hotel.

Then off to the pool we went …

Ashleigh and Tristan had so much fun ordering their drinks and lucky for us it was a fun BBQ day filled with games poolside, crazy music and perfect sunshine.

Here are the kids hamming it up in the pool!

Ashleigh playing games ….

Resting in their room after a long fun filled day!

Me resting after a long day! : )

Camp Omni was a great bonding experience for myself and the kids.  It’s so important to me that when you are traveling with children, you stay at a kid friendly place. And the Tucson Omni Resort fits the bill perfectly!

Hope everyone is having a great summer, happy traveling!

Bella

Here is some extra information on the Camp Omni experience. And the world class Spa and Golf Resort Omni Tucson 

Camp Omni takes family vacations to a whole new level, offering deluxe accommodations, 15% discount when you stay two nights, kids’ gift cards to be redeemed anywhere in the hotel, a scavenger hunt with a prize upon completion and a welcome amenity. Our ‘Camp Counselors’ will call in advance to help you plan your adventure with us.

The Omni Tucson National Resort has it all – from its picturesque setting in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains to the lush fairways of its 36-hole championship and desert-style golf courses.  Recently selected by Golf Digest as Best Places to Play 2008/09 and one of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America,” this 650-acre desert resort with 128 guestrooms is one of Tucson’s finest spa and golf resorts.

Disclaimer –  I was compensated for this posting, the entire weekend was provided by Omni Hotels.

I could not have been any more excited that I was chosen to attend an event presented by #PHXjourneys, The Four Seasons Resort at Troon North and The Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa! Six ladies were asked to join in and experience Arizona.

The anticipation alone of meeting women (twitter bad-asses) whom I’ve made long term ONLINE relationships with, was now about to take another turn. Afraid of the online delusional representation is always a concern. You know what I mean? Albeit super excited at the same time. As we met one by one my fears wained away …. all perfectly lovely, strikingly beautiful and full of fun!

From the moment I arrived at the Wild Horse Pass Resort, I was treated like royalty. Two days later we were driven to the Four Seasons Resort at Troon North. And over the next four days with an itinerary that would rival the Presidents we were swept away, let me show you in pictures!

Meet the ladies!

Left to right … Stephanie our host from Wild Horse Pass, Annie Fitzsimmons, Liliana Baldassari , Gina Stark, myself, Taren Buffington host from Wild Horse Pass, Front row left to right …  Ann Trann, Debra Cincioni, and our tour guide, can’t remember here name…

Our first destination the Stunningly Beautiful Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, nestled into the South Mountains.

The Aji Spa at Wild Horse Pass Resort reflects the heritage of the Gila River Indian Community in a way you won’t experience anywhere else on the property. The artwork and d￩cor in the 17,000 square foot facility speaks to the culture of days gone by. A feature exhibit is an Olas Ki. This historic dwelling was used to provide shelter in the winter. At the spa today, you’ll find one serving as a meditation room where you can attain calmness and solitude. With 17 treatment rooms, services are abundant and varied from manicures to seaweed wraps, but you almost can’t pass on a spiritual healing treatment by Belen Stoneman. A member of the community, Stoneman is a shawoman and has the power to heal naturally through communication with spirits.

Enjoying the Spa day with Annie Fitz and Debra Cincioni

Us girls on the range, with our horse wrangler Chuck!

Our Sorbet dessert at Kai Restaurant, Wild Horse Pass

Breakfast at our SPARTY! Provided by the Four Seasons Resort 3rd day.

My manicure which happen to match our Yoga mats the Four Seasons had custom embroidered with our Twitter handles! Oh and I must not for get the embroidered pillow cases ever night they freshly put on our beds with our names on them. I was so impressed with the details.

Early morning hike up Pinnacle Peak!

Touring the Musical Instrument Museum

Set up for our fabulous Tequila tasting party.

Big smiles all around with Chris our Tequila expert!

Poolside at the Four Seasons Resort @ Troon North pic via Suuper G

Heirloom tomato salad with local goat cheese.  Four Seasons

Gorgeous last evening at Talavera, Four Seasons, Scottsdale

So many details as I could go on forever.

Every evening was filled with exquisite cuisine, days were filled with major pampering and the friendships that were made were lifelong!

Hope you enjoyed this journey in pictures with me!

Bella

Many thanks to Suuper G {Gina Stark} and Ann Tran along with her husband Michael for all of these lovely photos!

The Four Seasons at Troon North  is nested in the high Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is a place of western lore and cosmopolitan culture, a place of awe-inspiring beauty and spectacular golf, a place unlike any other.  Adjacent to the legendary Troon North Golf Course. With casita accommodations scattered across a boulder-strewn hillside, the Four Seasons boasts one of the Valley’s most dramatic settings, and with a hiking trail to nearby Pinnacle Peak Park, the resort is a good choice for anyone who wants to explore the desert on foot. Guest rooms and suites are among the most lavish you’ll find in Arizona. If you can afford it, opt for one with a private plunge pool and an outdoor shower — a luxury usually found only in tropical resorts.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass and Spa Resort  was designed to be an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian Community’s heritage and culture. The architecture, design, art and legends of the Pima (Akimel O’otham) and Maricopa (Pee Posh) tribes are celebrated in every detail imaginable, indoors and out.  A true destination resort, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa offers several dining options to meet any need and please any palate.

Experience a one-of-a-kind cultural culinary journey at Kai, the Forbes Five Star Award and AAA Five Diamond Award Signature Restaurant; enjoy Southwest/American cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Ko’Sin; snack on tasty light fare at our Lobby Bar; lounge by the pool with menu options from Hanyo Grill; visit the nearby Sivlik Grill at the Whirlwind Golf Club or tempt your taste buds any time of day or night with 24-hour room service.

Hello everyone! Been so crazy busy I’ve neglected my blog once again. So much to share with you I don’t even know where to start.

My GLAM day at Rolf’s was amazing, I will be posting the video here tomorrow.

Just spent four fabulous days with some major players on Twitter. All of whom you would be lucky to call your friends. Amazing women each and every one of them! Long story short, we were invited by two resorts here in Arizona to enjoy their amenenties and have a special 4 day retreat. Can you say YES fast enough?, I couldn’t.  Details Wednesday with all of the pictures and Chic ladies I met, some of which you will know I’m sure.

How’s your summer going? The lovely pictures above show where my mind is wondering, always to the beach.  : ) Oh and before you ask, the last picture of the starfish sandals is my latest DIY project! Just love them…..

Happy Monday Dolls

Bella

P.S. Have you tried Bobbi Brown’s Beach oil yet? I swath in it everyday. It’s the perfect summertime smell! Available at most stores, Nordstroms, Sephora … etc.

pics via this is glamorous   & my pinterest

Brian Atwood strappy cage heels {nordstroms}

Weight Watchers Mango Bellini
This Mother’s Day treat your Mom to a delicious cocktail. This is a unique twist on an old favorite and great served with brunch.
Gina’s Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 1 serving • Time: 5 minutes • Points: 2 ww points

• 1 tablespoon fresh mango pureed
• 4 oz chilled Prosecco or Champagne

Combine mango puree and chilled Prosecco in each champagne glass and serve.

perfectly lovely party setting

fantasy heels

layered blocks of color

Street Style

Beautiful Dior

orange crush

dance

So in love with this color combination. As you can see from the photos above, there are so many ways to incorporate this current chic look into your life.

Yesterday I was so honored to take part in a GLAMfest at Rolfs Salon here in Scottsdale. I was asked to bring in five friends for a day of pampering, makeovers and fun! The entire day was videoed and captured in pictures by Rolf’s. They were kind enough to schedule us on a day when their salon was closed. From the moment I arrived, I felt like a queen and a star. Hair, makeup and lunch.

Needless to say we had a fabulous time. The guests I chose to invite were a mix of young and older. From 16 to 70. I wanted to show that no matter what age you are, GLAMovers are essential and truly necessary for our well being.

Intimidated by the camera’s, self conscious of course! Girls being girls, and the laughter was unstoppable. Thank you Rolf’s for making such a beautiful experience for all of us to share.

The video and pictures will be available at the end of the week, I will be posting them here. Oh, and the tie in here is what I wore! Pink and Orange of course!!!!

Happy Tuesday Dolls

xox

Bella

Yesterday I attempted to emulate this look. Fresh and breezy and perfect for Summer! I wrapped the side strands around the pony tail to give it a more polished feel. Below are a couple of shots that were taken with my cell camera, so please excuse the quality.

What’s your favorite hairstyle for Summer?

I came across this dress last week. A great add to any wardrobe and the price is pretty fab too!

PEPLUM SCUBA PENCIL DRESS

Price: $96.00

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.  ~William Shakespeare

Shakespeare said it best!  The spirit of youth, April does feel like a new beginning every year.  Everything is so fresh and pretty, just like the photos above all of which inspire me!

Bella

Pics via this is glamorous, flickr, ManoloHome

I spoke about the trend of matching makeup to clothes, now matching nail polish to your shoes is also becoming popular. When I was in high school we changed our polish every night to match our outfits, but never a pedicure! Seems a little time consuming, but beautiful non the less.

Do you do this, I may start now … cause I’m really liking it!

Happy Saturday and I hope your days are more exciting than ever right now. I have a fun new contest next week, can’t wait to share it with you!

Thanks for reading and commenting….you guys are the best!  XoX

Bella

Hello everyone! It’s Spring time once again, my favorite time of the year.  This last week I’ve found so many things to share with you. Flowers and fashion can only bring a smile to your face. And while my yard is in full bloom, I’m doing the same with my closet! Quick trip to San Francisco last Thursday was all that was necessary. Albeit a quick stop at my local mall would have produced the same effect. But let’s face it, nothing beats San Fran.

Two looks I used for inspiration while shopping were the two below. I love a Spring blazer over a little cami with my favorite pair of jeans. Always look for one with a little special detail, notice the interior of the cuff, the pleated shoulders and especially the CUT. The cut of a blazer can take your look from drab to fab. Always insist on a narrow waist, with some minor details!

Notice the details on Kim’s blazer. The draping, hard edged shoulders, and the length of the sleeve. So polished!

Such an easy way to create a little Spring in your home. I found these on Pinterest. Flower inspired cookies and so easy to make. {directions below}

Roll a dough ball in colored sugar. Snip it in half with scissors, then snip each half into three petals. Gently spread the petals apart and lay flat.

How many of you struggle with your hair? Yes, I get it and sympathize with you.  Let me describe my hair, it’s fine, but plenty of of it. With the amount of coloring and torturing I do to it, let’s just say it’s a little frail. My daughter Jaime actually is the one who recommended this to me. She has fabulous hair, thick and healthy.

  With the radical differences in Jaime’s and my hair, I was a little skeptical. I thought for sure mine would be flat with zero body.

Always a sucker for a new product, I tried it. The only problem with it is they should have called it “It’s an11.” Shiny, silky, healthy hair after just two uses. It’s available at most salons or beauty supply houses. If you have trouble finding it let me know. ps {I was not paid for this endorsement)

Have a great weekend!

Bella

Pearls are the ultimate accessory. Mixing up the flavors can also work, as shown above. Nothing compares to the ladylike look!

Below is a cell phone showing it’s most glamorous self, swathed in luscious pearls.

DIY Mermaid Hairpins 

Chanel Spring 2012 was the inspiration for this DIY from the lovely This Is Glamorous and she does a fabulous job of recreating the undeniable glamour.    . . .   ”the magic underwater kingdom created by karl lagerfeld – there was lightness and seashells, but most astonishingly lovely, were the iridescent pearls glistening from chignons and following the curvatures of necks and down plunging backs . . . ” says Rosaline

Are you inspired? How beautiful to adorn an up-do for those days when you need a little enchantment!

Bella

It’s been awhile since I’ve been so excited about a singular line from ONE store. But, Ann Taylor really got it perfectly this year. I honestly want to buy the entire line. This season neon or colorful blocking as I like to call it. Who knew Orange and Pink would look so fabulous together? Add a yellow handbag and you are good to go!

If you buy only one piece this year I suggest it be the colorful scarf in the second picture. Worn with a pair of jeans, a white shirt and cute flats.

My closet is still a dark vapid hole of black. Even when the lights are on it’s difficult to distinguish the pieces. I am definitely going to introduce them to their new cheery friends. My goal is have a color party swirling in my closet, intimidate the dark side, ya know. : )

Hope this week is treating you well? And please let me know, if you’re into this fun look as well this Spring!

Bella

pics  #2 via glossedandfound

I spent the weekend in LA and I am already making so many gorgeous things! Cannot wait to share them with you. In the meantime, check out this video my daughters horse, Jagger. It’s hysterical, he loves to play obviously!

Hope your weekend was lovely?

Bella

Three day weekend, yay! Packing tonight for a quick trip to LA and back. My essentials, comfort clothes, cappuccino, a great book, currently reading { goddess of vengeance by Jackie Collins }, Bobbie Brown Beach Oil {only because there is no better way to smell in LA!

Can’t wait to return with all my goodies from the market as I said in my prior post, I bursting with creativity!

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Bella

Please forgive me for the  small sabbatical away from my blog. After 3 years of non stop blogging, I needed to recharge my batteries.

I’ve been feeling really creative as of late. Idea’s float around in my head at the most awkward moments. Like when I’m trying to get to sleep especially! Creativity can sometimes be a curse, if you ignore it you kind of feel guilty.

So a quick trip to the LA markets this weekend and I shall have everything I need to incorporate these ideas. Tons of swarovski, pearls, ribbons, feathers and bows.

I’ve always yearned for things that are not easily found or so ridiculously priced. So now I compensate by creating what I want myself.

On my to-do list is two chairs in my Living Room. They absolutely need some GLAM. A couple of months ago I purchased two black simple barrel chairs and seriously every time I walk by them, my eyes decorate them! Same goes for shoes, cell phones, t-shirts and the list goes on and on! Hell I even had the nerve to encompass the edge of my dining room table with crystals. It’s simple and elegant I promise! lol

I sometimes envy people who can simply buy things and be satisfied with the way they look. Me on the other hand, not so much. Everything I buy, my brain immediately goes to the place of “what can I do to make this look better!”

The road trip to LA will be a blast and I can’t wait to share with you my new idea’s that are bounding around in my head.

Welcome back to your blog Bella!  {smiley face inserted here} XoX

PS … shall I tie in the headline of this blog, ummmm no I think it’s pretty self explanatory!

Pics via tumblr, weheartit, and the wild fleur

“Most people come into our lives and quickly leave. It is the special few that come in and leave a footprint in our hearts. and we are forever changed.”

Happy Valentine’s Day

Bella

Giorgio Armani SS 12

How very Man Men Esque, right? Peplum is making such a comeback this Spring. The cut of these pants, the placement of the slit. adds the perfect  amount of femininity.  I’m hoping this trend catches on and more designers take notice to bring this more main stream.

This is such a simple DIY and bring a touch of glitter into the most UNEXPECTED place!

The glow and prisms that display at night are beautiful.

Give your hallway sconces extra sparkle using blackout lampshades that can be purchased from a home-supply store. Working in sections, apply craft glue to the inside of a lampshade using a paintbrush. Sprinkle glass glitter over the glue. Let dry for 1 hour, and shake off excess glitter. Repeat until entire inner surface is coated.

And since we’re going RETRO today, let’s talk nails! I swear I had a dress with the same colors and pattern in the 80′s! How adorable with an all white Spring outfit.  Daisy are so simple so paint!

• Apply a dark-colored nail polish. This will be the background for your daisies. The darker the background color, the more your white daisies pop. Allow the first coat of background color to dry and then apply a second coat. Allow both coats to fully dry (at least 20 to 30 minutes).

• Use a small-bristled paintbrush or toothpick to paint a yellow circle in the center of each nail. The circle will be the center of your daisy. Simply dip the paintbrush or toothpick into your nail polish and apply a small dot to the nail.

• Draw the white petals of the daisy. Clean off the yellow paint from your paintbrush and dry the bristles with a cloth, or use a new toothpick. You can draw straight lines out from the center dot or encircle the center dot with white dots — the latter might be easier if you don’t have a steady hand. You’ll probably need about six or seven lines or dots to make a full-looking daisy. Allow the white petals to fully dry.

   

  Happy Thursday Dolls!

  Bella XoX

  Lampshade DIY via Martha Stewart