Top five ways to de-stress, pronto

Hello all, happy Saturday! 

This week has been about as busy as anything - I feel like I was running every-which-way with no relief in sight. Add that to working a Saturday (six days in a row) and you get the idea. I was slightly frazzled this week, so I wanted to share my top five ways to de-stress in a jiffy.

1. Give yourself a fancy mani.

Hubs and I are on a tight budget and I blush to admit I haven't ever gotten my nails done professionally. I tend to do them myself and have found as long as I'm practice patience, they turn out alright. If I'm really into it, I'll soak my nails in some warm, soapy water, slather on some lotion, push back my cuticles... the whole nine yards. I use the OPI Ridge Filler as my base coat. Recently, I've been loving Zoya nail polish. They're an awesome brand and BONUS they're cruelty-free and vegan I believe. The topcoat I've been loving is the Sally Hansen quick dry top coat (red bottle). 

2. Hugging these bad boys.

Sure, they cause undue amounts of trouble, but look at those faces. Precious.

3. Hugging this fellow

This guy still makes my heart smile, after 7 years together and 3 wonderous years of wedded bliss.

4. Hot baths, 'nuff said.

5. Hours and hours of Jane Austen movies. Personal faves include "Persuasion" and "Mansfield Park." Add in a glass of good (or cheap) wine and you're home free.

Obviously, some of these aren't necessarily "in a jiffy" but I'm a huge advocate of taking time for yourself every day.

How do you like to unwind in a pinch?

Cartilage piercing: 3 weeks

So today I just wanted to talk about my cartilage piercing, my experience and some helpful tips and tricks for the healing process. I got it when I was up north visiting the fam for 4th of July holiday weekend... So pretty much 2ish weeks ago. 

Let me start off by saying that if your sister tells you it won't hurt, she's lying. It hurts, not terribly but it is a bit of a pinch, a painful pinch. Then it aches... for days.

The first tip I will give you as given to be by Em, said sister, and that is get it done on the side you sleep on the least since you won't want to even think of touching it for days upon days. For me, that's my left side. I'm just now to the point where I can kind of sleep on my right side if I pad my face just so. 

The next tip is DO NOT TOUCH IT OR TWIST IT WITH DIRTY HANDS. This is so important because you definitely do not want to introduce new bacteria to a healing piercing. Always wash your hands. I would even avoid hand sanitizer as most people don't use it properly. Better to be safe than infected. 

Clean it often, but do it gently. I used the solution from the place I got pierced, Em used salt water spray. The choice is up to you! I used a mix of cotton balls and q-tips one it healed a but more. 

Over all, it wasn't too bad. I'd do it again for sure. Don't be silly when it comes to getting poked. Do your research and be super careful. I kinda did mine on a whim which I wouldn't necessarily recommend ;) 

Let me know your tips for fresh piercings! 

- Camella

Pixie Cut: My thoughts and personal rebellion against the patriarchy

Hello all! 

I wanted to start this series to share my pixie growth journey. I had been wanting to make the chop for a long time and finally did it last weekend. 

And lo, the locks were cut:

Cutting my hair was a significant move for me. I have been exploring feminism lately and wanted to "stick it to the patriarchy" and learn about myself in the process. Maybe I over think things but I tend to have hair disasters if I don't. I knew this would be a huge change for me and I vowed to myself that even if it wasn't what I thought I wanted initially, I would be open to the journey. 

At first, I'll admit, I was in shock. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I had read so many blog posts about women who were so empowered by their haircut, so liberated. I didn't feel that. I felt like me, but with a distinct lack of hair. 

After some soul searching and talks with hubs, I came to the conclusion that I am still me. I still make the same facial expressions to make him laugh and I'm still the young, struggling professional that I was prior to my haircut. Cutting my hair hasn't made me wiser or more interesting but I am finding new facets to myself that may not have been discovered had I not taken a chance on a new look. 

As women, we are told we have to look a certain way to be pretty or attractive. I'm finding that this doesn't have to be true. We define our own beauty. We define our own worth. Having hair (or not having hair) doesn't contribute to who we are underneath. 

So maybe cutting my hair was freeing in a sense. Not immediately, but eventually. I would encourage you to try it if you're curious. It's ok to be gradual, it's ok to be brave. It's been interesting seeing my face in new ways. I like my face and its funny to think I used to hide it behind my hair. I'm looking forward to trying out new things as it grows and changes. 

I hope this is helpful and semi-insightful. I guess the gist of this post is "Hair is hair" as my mom always told me. Let's be brave and try the things we really want to without fearing what society thinks is "beautiful."

Let me know your thoughts! 

- Camella

Weekly Favorites - Round 1

Aloha bloggers! 

Camella here with my first ever weekly favorites! Let's roll!!

1. Plug in GED mini straightener (found at Sally's Beauty Supply) -$19.99

I love this thing, especially with my new do. Getting at the shorter pieces is mighty tricky and is makes it slightly easier. My glasses case is to show you a size reference.

2. Ion Texturizing Wax ~ $8-$9

I love this for piecing out my bangs. It also helps tame my unruly cowlick in the back. It smells really nice - clean and summery, and the finish isn't sticky or crispy. Very pliable.  

*Fun fact* Ion products are cruelty-free and vegan. Bless this stuff! 

3. E.L.F. Contouring Blush and Bronzer in St. Lucia - $3

Allegedly, this is a dupe for Nars' Orgasm and Laguna - I wouldn't know because I'm cheap... But this is such a pretty combo though. The blush is a shimmering coral color while the bronzer is a slightly shimmery brown (soooo descriptive). I've also used the bronzer as eye shadow when I'm feeling exceptionally lazy. The best part is that you can't go wrong for $3! (It's also cruelty-free -- sensing a theme?)

4. Almay One Coat Dial Up mascara ~ $7

I like this stuff because again it's supposed to be cruelty-free but I really enjoy the look on my lashes. I tend to "dial it up" to only one but I've used it at 2 and 3 in the past and its pretty. It separated my eyelashes really well and wasn't a pain to remove. Let me know if you want a more in-depth review on this baby.

Lastly, I have three TV shows I've been addicted to: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is número uno. Laugh if you will, I'm famous for being late on the band wagons but this show is so fun... And it's nice to see a bad ass female lead.

Next is BBQ Pitmasters. Again, laugh at me if ya gotta, but I just find this show so amusing! The personalities crack me up. This show is sort of random considering my husband, Matt, and I are vegetarian.

Last up, Black Butler. This one is a Japanese anime with English subtitles. It's set in Victorian-era England. The main characters are Ceil Phantomhive, a young lord who makes a deal with a demon to avenge the deaths of his family, and Sebastian, the demon butler who protects and assists the young master in his crime-solving duties for Queen Victoria. 

*All of these shows are on Netflix instant streaming.

So, there you have it. Things I've been using excessively this week. Hopefully it was more interesting with the pics. Have a fabulous week, all!

- Camella 

Pixie cuts and grown up stuff

Good golly, it's been a while!
I want to get back into this blogging thing but I have been crazy busy the last year. In November, hubs and I moved across the state for my brand new, full time, big girl job. I'm loving it so far and have finally gotten the swing of this adult world. I will admit, it's not as fun as I thought it would be as a kid.
I've also just taken the plunge and chopped off my curly locks. Yep, I pulled a Emma Watson and got a pixie. It took a lot of encouragement (and Matt promising to still think I'm pretty) but I did it and I think I like it. Only time will tell ;)
Look for more posts from me in the future. My goal is to get more cruelty-free beauty and DIY posts up. You can now connect with me on Instagram as well @ camellabea. Thanks for reading and (hopefully) see you soon!

Here's a couple pictures of my *new* hair:

Before & after

With hubs: