By Bella Hibbs
It is finally starting to feel like fall in Arizona! No joke two weeks ago it was 104 degrees and now it is 75! Arizona weather has a mind of its own but I’m okay with it. I’m just glad it’s finally time to wear fall clothes. Suede skirts are very in this season and come in lots of fun fall colors. Mini skirts are always a great option because you can dress them up and down for all occasions.
Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
A rapidly growing trend is athleisure style and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The amazing thing about athleisure wear is that there is almost no wrong way to wear it because it’s all about comfort. Love this idea of style and comfort but not sure how to pull it off? Check out these easy style tips.
Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
When people say New York City is the city that never sleeps….it’s so true! I had an amazing first time trip to New York City and look forward to go back again. There is still SO much I didn’t get to see. Also, the shopping and fashion in New York are unbelievable.
I found this fabulous velvet emerald green dress that is perfect for the holiday season. I’m currently obsessed with velvet for a few reasons. The biggest reason I love it is because wearing velvet is insanely comfortable. Many people are all about sequin dresses during the holidays, but most of those dresses are uncomfortable especially if the dress doesn’t have sleeves. You know what I’m talking about…those sequins rub against your inner arms all night long! In addition, I have yet to find a sequin dress that doesn’t lose some of the sequins after a night out. And finally, I love the look of velvet because it is elegant, classy, and always pops in photos. Comment below and let me know if you are team velvet or team sequin!
Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
Okay, you all know that 80% of the time you will find me in workout clothes, but even I from time to time, I like to dress up. When I dress up I go all out by wearing bright and bold colors. When I saw this red bandage dress, I knew it was a must-have. This red dress is flawless and was the perfect date-night dress. This will also be a great staple for holiday parties and could pair well with a warm jacket. You can dress this outfit up or down with accessories. I personally like keeping it simple with black strappy shoes and earrings.
It is so important to make time for a special date night or celebration. It is easy to get caught up in work and life, but be mindful and realize it’s okay (and even encouraged) to take a break, get dressed up, go out, and enjoy life!
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Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
This was my second visit to San Francisco and I was much more prepared for the city this time around! Like many large cities, San Francisco is glamourized online and in movies/TV. And while there are certainly fun things to do in San Francisco, you have to experience it the right way. This is why I have come up with these seven tips to make your next trip fabulous!
Tip 1- San Francisco is typically cold in the mornings and evenings. I’d still suggest you bring a light jacket with you. You will find yourself putting it on and off, but its worth it to have with you.
Tip 2- Be prepared for it to always be busy! No matter the day or time you visit, it will be busy! There is always lots of people and limited parking. It is honestly amazing to see so many people in one spot. Don’t get me wrong, where I live its busy, but San Francisco takes it to a whole new level.
Tip 3- Like I mentioned, it is always busy, so driving will be stressful and parking will be limited. I suggest find a parking lot, pay the fee for all-day parking ($15 to $30). The city is big and you may find your self still using an LYFT (discount code: BELLA695761) to get around. Using LYFT will be a lifesaver. When picking a parking do some preplanning of what spots you defiantly want to see and try to park near those activities.
Tip 4- Wear good walking shoes. Even if you are driving yourself or using LYFT, you will still be doing a ton of walking. While flip flops and sandals are stylish, they will hurt your feet by the end of the day. I suggest wearing a pair of sneakers, keds or anything with good foot support. Since you will be walking a ton don’t forget your Fitbit!
Tip 5- Bring a portable charger! By 4pm all our phones were at less than 15%, and as a blogger that totally stressed me out. You want to enjoy all your adventures by posting Instagram stories and snapchat. Don’t miss a beat just because your phone died.
Tip 6- Sunscreen! Depending on the time of year you go (we went in August) I suggest putting on sunscreen. You will end up doing a lot of walking outside and sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin.
Tip 7- Expect to pay “city prices” when eating out. If you choose to eat in the city just know the prices are high and the food is meh. The few places we ate, the food was overpriced and wasn’t anything special. I would suggest checking out The Buena Vista, they have good food and an amazing Irish coffee. This place is worth the wait!
I hope these tips help make your next trip to San Fransico an amazing experience!
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Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
My recent trip to Northern California was the perfect escape from the Arizona heat. While in California, we wanted to explore some wineries but going to Napa Valley was just too far from where we were staying. I was happy to find Testarossa Winery which is truly a hidden treat in downtown Los Gatos, California.
In 1888, Jesuit Fathers and Brothers of Santa Clara University built the Novitiate Winery to fund their seminary college. And it was interesting to learn that during prohibition, they were one of only a few wineries to stay open because they made altar wine. Flash forward to 1986, they decided to shut down the novitiate winery and would lease the property to winemakers. Then in 1997, Rob and Diana Jenson moved their home production to the Notviaitae. The Jensens started Testarossa in their garage in 1993 with only 25 cases of wine.
If you know me at all, you know I love wine! I especially love Chardonnay and 40% of Testarossa’s production is Chardonnay! But I can admit I don’t know a whole lot about the winemaking process. Back in college, I took a bar and beverage class when I was 19 and learned all about wine, beer, and spirits. Since I wasn’t old enough to drink a lot of the information went over my head. Taking this guided tour of Testarossa’s wine cellars brought back so much of what I learned in college and more! The tour takes you from the grapevine, all the way through their on-site bottling center. We even got to enjoy a bottle of chardonnay throughout the tour of the property. The tour takes about an hour from start to finish (maybe a little less since I was taking a lot of photos). Once we finished the tour, we started the wine tasting!
Once we finished the winery tour, we did the wine tasting in the members-only club which was a covered balcony with twinkle lights that overlooked the green scenery. We tried five wines: 2 Chardonnays and 3 Pinot Noirs. We also had the five-cheese plate and the fruit plate which paired nicely with the wines we tasted. The overall experience was outstanding! Like I mentioned before, I don’t know a lot about wine but our server explained each wine to us which made everyone feel comfortable with the tasting. There was also a live band playing downstairs which created a great atmosphere to relax and enjoy great wines. If you are in Northern California, Testarossa is a must see.
Fun Fact: Testarossa means “red head” in Italian!
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Disclaimer – I did receive a free wine tasting in exchange for a review but I express all my own opinions in this blog.
Do you need a little motivation in your life or just feeling stuck? Check out this list of TED Talks you need to see! I personally watch TED talks while I do my fasted morning cardio, not only does it help the time go by faster but I end up feeling so motivated that I have a great day!
Brené Brown – The power of vulnerability
Amy Cuddy – Your body language may shapes who you are
Monica Lewinsky– The Price Of Shame
James Veitch – This is what happens when you reply to spam email
Simon Sinek – How great leaders inspire action
Jackson Katz- Violence and Silence
Mel Robbins– Stop Screwing Your Self Over
Do you watch TED Talks? Comment below and tell me some of your favorites that I need to watch!
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Happy August everyone! I love the start of a new month. I sit down to reevaluate and create new goals. Your 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down constantly.
Work Goals for August
Personal Goals for August
The key to achieving and being successful with your goals is to have both big and small goals. An example, I have monthly, yearly and long-term goals. I also make all my goals realistic which is key for success! It would be crazy to say I want to make 6 figures blogging this year but saying I want to make $100 in September from blogging, now that is a more realistic goal.
Comment below and let me know your August goals!
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Photography by Jordan Hibbs Photography
Mural by @Mslaurenlee
Summers in Arizona are brutal! Where the triple digits are the norm and now with monsoon season starting so it’s also humid! This red off the shoulder top is lightweight and will keep you cool all summer long. Paring it with this adorable blue skort that adds a fun sporty feel to the outfit. When shopping look for cotton clothes as it is a breathable fabric that will keep you cool. In the high temperatures, I would stay away from jeans, go with a flowy dress or skirt. As always stay hydrated this summer to help curb your cravings.
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Happy Saturday my boss babes!
My super awesome, feminist sister showed me this adorable crop top, and I fell in love with it (plus it is only $14 on Amazon)! Something you may not know about me is that I am extremely passionate women’s rights and empowerment. While women’s rights are a huge topic and making progress towards true gender equality may seem daunting, every person can make an impact! You may think to yourself: “I’m not a politician, what can I do?” Well it is SIMPLE, support women!
Often, despite our best intentions, our first instinct is to not support other women. Instead, we compare ourselves with the women around us, rather than build each other up. Whether it is about appearances, relationships, careers, talents — these types of comparisons often bring about feelings of jealousy and create an unhealthy sense of competitiveness.
Here’s an example: I compete in bikini competitions where the other women are literally my competition. I could let this negatively impact my behavior towards them or myself. I could seclude myself backstage during a show and say “I’m not here to make friends, this a competition”. But instead, I choose to make friends with the women backstage and have been made many friends through competing.
I understand seeing other women as competition, especially in the fitness or blogging industry since it is so competitive. But before you are quick to judge, maybe think about reaching out and starting a conversation. If you do this, you will likely discover you have more in common than you think. And who knows it might lead to a beautiful friendship.
Share this blog with your best boss babes!
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And while you are here, check out the footage from my most recent show:
