Happy Belated Birthday to the Old Blog +Versatile Blogger Award

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This blog really turned 1 sometime in February but being the attentive blogger that I am it totally passed me by. Not to sound vain but when I started this blog I knew I would have some followers just not as much as I have managed to keep. I want to welcome all of my new followers as well as appreciate those who have stuck with me since day 1. This is where I keep all of my weird interests alive as well as give my mind a break when I have so many ideas running through my head. So once again I thank all of you ladies (and some fellas too) for making every post possible!

This was awarded to me this past January by the beautiful beauty Blogger EV over at Mozarella and Makeup. I want to thank her for thinking about the old blog and considering me a versatile gal! I appreciate it.

The rules are to share 7 random things about myself so here goes…..



World Map in my home office…..



1. I’m fascinated by world maps and globes. I have a huge world map in my small home office, just need a cute globe to go with it.

2. I read and collect dictionaries as if they were story books. I just like to lounge around and read the meaning of common words as well as come across new ones.

3. I make lists like nobody’s business, life’s list, food list, bills list, to do today, tomorrow and forever lists and really the list goes on.

4. I can sing…. I got a little diva voice in me.

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5. I know how to read the tarot cards.

6. I eat really heavy for breakfast. Rice beans, basically a feast. It keeps me from eating so much throughout the day……For example:

via remolacha.net

Mangu- mashed plantains with boiled eggs.

Pastel en hoja

This is mashed root vegetables with meat fillings……

7. My favorite foods in the whole world is Ecuadorian food. Ceviches, encebollados, cazulea de pescado uyyy the list goes on. If you are in NYC and happen to be in Brooklyn you must go to Barzola’s Ecuadorian restaurant.

So there is so much more to me but that is just the surface…… I will resume to regular posting this week. March was a very busy month for me. I have several hair product reviews (long over due), a lentil side dish tutorial as well as many more so stay tuned!

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Rollersetting and Baby Banana Food Deep Conditioner

I have been loving banana baby food for my hair lately. It has been a favorite among many of my readers as well. When the lovely Miss Esspi (check out her blog here) asked if I would get fabulous results with rollersets I wondered and decided to give it a try. I had been using this deep conditioner bi weekly for the past couple of weeks and decided to try it out with rollersets recently.

 

So I did my usual, I used the same ingredients I did on my last banana baby food DC post, but this time I added a little castor oil (about a tablespoon). I used my rosewater/ aloe vera juice mix as a leave in and these were the results……..

I have to say I LOVEEE this Deep Conditioner. I used to be a silicon mix freak, but since giving up silicones and many other commercial hair products I have not been rollersetting much, up until now.

So this was my hair hot off the rollers. Very shiny and soft hair. I was very impressed with how well my hair turned out. This deep conditioner put many of my beloved commercial DC to SHAME……

So I combed through the rollerset curls…..

and wrapped my hair in what many call a “Dubbie Wrap”. This helps with the waves at the roots and also gives my hair the straight look without having to use a flat iron.

After a couple of hours I let my hair out. I went out for the evening and wrapped my hair again that night.

The following day and that week I kept my hair in protective styles for the most part.

This is what I have been working with. I still can’t get over how healthy my hair is. I had amazing shine and not to mention softness for days. I have been roller setting more often, of course using this DC as my holy grail and love it.

So once again Baby Banana food has saved my pockets and has left me with amazing hair too. No matter if air drying or with heat styles this Deep Conditioner definitely has come through for my hair, all the while strengthening and moisturizing my hair at the same time. So there goes, not much to say other than this will be my staple DC for months to come.

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Inspired Nail of These Days…..Plus a Journal

I’m not a nail polish kind of girl mostly because the smell of nail polish lingers for way too long driving my sinuses insane.

So I usually just leave my nails bare with clear polish. But I have been getting bored with the same old same old, so I decided to trim my nails a bit and give them some color. While going through my many favorite beauty blogs I came across Glam doll Lumi’s Nail art of the week. Here it is:



Via glam doll Lumi



 She is so talented, My gosh! I instantly fell in love with the design and had to recreate it.

So I went out and got the nude polish which is gorgeous by itself. It’s wet n wild’s Private Viewing. This is my inspired nail…..

I gave my self a trim and a mini manicure….

and this is how they came out. I was complimented all week on my nails and just love how simple it came out. For the cheetah print I just did semi circles and filled it in with the gold.. Very easy. Thanks Lumi you are fabulous!

For those who know me, know that I just loveeeee journals, notebooks, anything with a blank piece of paper really. While shopping for polishes I came across this amazing journal for 3 bucks.

I love to write and needed something to keep my recipes in so this turned out great.

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And the WINNERS ARE……

Yes I said winners because I got my hands on an extra evil eye ring and just had to give it away!

But first the grand prize winner is……..

Comment #4 Bitty Boss! Email me with your shipping address that way I can mail it out as soon as possible.

Hellnotesforbeauty@yahoo.com

But wait That’s not all!!!!! While shopping for a friend’s birthday party gift last weekend I stumbled upon the evil eye ring again

I wish I could giveaway something to each and everyone of you ladies but that is not possible, but I squeezed in one more winner and here goes……………

Comment#11 Miss Cindia!

Please email me at hellnotesforbeauty@yahoo.com with your shipping address.

I have a few things coming together for my next giveaway sometime in the spring so stay tuned! Thanks to all who entered.

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At The Library

One of my  favorite places to visit especially during these cold dark days is the library. It’s the place that kept me out of some trouble during my teens and where I learned many of my favorite beauty recipes and beauty know how.

Since I can remember I always gravitated toward natural health and beauty books. I was intrigued by the wealth of information and curious about all the amazing qualities not only humans posses but the foods, herbs and world around us. 

I first started with the chakras, spirituality and self healing books…..

then gravitated and stayed hooked on beauty books and recipes ever since. Beauty books like Bobbi Brown’s and many more alike catapulted me into makeup and beauty way before beauty blogs became so popular.

I recently stopped by my local library for some inspiration and the 2011 Farmer’s Almanac. It’s truly more than just weather info but other quirky stuff I was curious about too. I picked up a book on eyebrows since I want to wax my own eyebrows very soon. I also got a very interesting book on natural beauty recipes I have been getting a lot of great inspiration and recipes from.

I also picked up this amazing book which I love and have been reading these past cold and snowy days. I’m a huge fan of Traditional Chinese Medicine and this book really simplifies a lot of the complex concepts to Chinese medicine. So far I’ve learned a few interesting things. So don’t neglect your local library. Roam about and see what you find.

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I’m Back…. with a Giveaway (closed) and Haul

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday. My mini hiatus was great in my own special mellow way. I rested and stayed away from a computer for a full seven days at one point. It was a little weird not being on the computer at the same time very relaxing. I really needed the mental vacation to help breed more ideas and inspirations.

I’m glad to be back and get back into the groove of blogging. Christmas was low key and quiet with my grandmother’s amazing food, while new year’s was chocolate cake and a kiss at the stroke of midnight. I couldn’t ask for more. In between I did some shopping not only for me but for one lucky follower as well. I also started my cone free regimen and bought some goodies for that too. As far as new year’s resolutions, I don’t indulge in resolutions really, because personally for me every new day is a chance for me to start fresh.

 So I have been building my arsenal for my new regimen bit by bit.  Here is a mini haul from my recent trip to the natural health food store.

Aloe Vera Juice– Using this to experiment with a new leave in hair mist /experimenting with Aloe Vera juice for health purposes too

Shea Butter– My daily moisturizer and for Body scrubs

Honey– For my facials, Deep Conditioners and Body Scrubs

Rosewater– First time using rosewater and so far my hair and skin is loving it. Currently using rosewater as a toner.

Oolong Tea– Decided to switch it up a bit from white tea and currently sipping on oolong tea.

 I also stopped by target and walmart and briefly purchased something from BEE Mine which I love and have a huge wish list too. I’ll show you that haul in another post.

Anyway, I did some accessories shopping recently and had you lovely ladies in mind and here is what I picked up just for you:

Remember my post on accessories I’m loving? Well I got my hands on that evil eye ring!

Along with that I was able to snatch up 2 of the very coveted wet n wild palettes. These things are hard to come by it’s insane…. I got vanity and pride.

So as you can see they are included in this New Year Giveaway I will be having!

along with some cute evil eye studs and fancy flower studs too!

And I got a few hoop earrings and evil eye bracelets to go with the ring as well.

So to show my appreciation 1 lucky follower will be able to get their hands on all these goodies.

Giveaway Rules:

Open for US and International Entries

Follow Hell Notes for Beauty

Leave a comment telling me you want in!

Giveaway Ends January 31st

Winner will be announced via Random.org

For extra Entries:

Blog about the giveaway on your blog or place on sidebar

Simply leave a comment telling me you did, so it can count as an extra entry.

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While the Cat’s away The Mice will Play!

I meant to put this up right before Christmas but time caught up with me and with all the stuff I had to do this past weekend  decided to leave it for today…..

 I have to get a lot done from here on to the next year. So I will be taking a mini Hiatus of several weeks. I’ll be back mid January fresh and rested hopefully with a few new goodies a lots of new stuff to review and talk about. Until then keep yourself busy with some of my favorite blogs!

First I want to thank Larita from Larita’s Makeup for giving me this fabulous blog award! Like always I appreciate it.

I pass this on to all of my lovely followers!

Now let’s get into some good reads…….

http://www.profreshstyle.com/

I’ve been getting into fashion blogs lately. And I’m all for the expression of self. The lovely lady over at pro fresh styles serves you just that along with her enticing love, lust diary series, Reader appreciation posts where she highlights her favorite reader’s comments and most recently her retreat series which I love.

http://www.fashionbananas.com/

Delmy is an amazing fashionista.  Her sense of style is very versatile, daring, yet demure. I love how daring she can be with her hair cutting it short leaving it long. A lovely blog featuring amazing shoes, dresses and all the girly things in between.

http://naturallyobsessed.onsugar.com/

Kinky Kurly Queen has amazing hair. Her recipes always has me heading to the fridge and her weekly food for thought always leaves you with a little extra knowledge. She also features other ladies hair journeys which is helpful since you can always pick up a hair tip every now and then.

http://crunchybetty.com/

You have food on your face! As you should. This is my ultimate go to blog for all things homemade. Be it household, hair, skin all or those naturally homemade things in between Crunchy Betty has the goods.

http://lafeem.blogspot.com/

This is where high fashion and all the fabulous and gorgeous models converge to give a little highlight as to what’s trending in fashion.

Kimberly Snyder’s Health and Beauty Blog

This is my ultimate health and beauty blog. Kimberly is a nutritionist traveling the entire world in search for the best foods and experiences. She teaches you so many things concerning your health. True beauty comes from a healthy lifesyle and kimberly def inpires many to do so.

http://vendellablog.blogspot.com/

Makeup reviews, DIY beauty projects……

http://www.mzfashioncloset.com/

Dhalia is truly a MZ. when it comes to fashion. She rocks the most amazing shoes, sense of style is fabulous and as a makeup artist her makeup game is always on point.

http://nubiasnonsense.blogspot.com/

Nubia is such a liberating person. She inspires me all the time and her heart is always open to new fashionistas. She always knows where the great parties are too. Def a cool girl.

http://www.samanthadietz.com/

An up and coming photographer which not only captures images but always leaves you with the stories behind them. Samantha recently shot her first wedding in which she did an amazing job too.

http://www.socialitedreams.com/

Vonnie is a treat and her smile is amazing. From parties, good food, fashion and beauty tips and not to mention those lovely hump day eye candy she feautures you simply can’t go wrong here!

http://vividfusion.blogspot.com/

Makeup galore. Love her tutorials! Check her out!

http://canelawomyn.blogspot.com/

Canela Woman is very outspoken and she blogs about those things that have crossed my mind but never discussed. I like how her opinions leave you with a whole new perspective.

http://jilliecat.blogspot.com/

http://gorgeousglam.blogspot.com/

 Glam Doll Lumi

http://lloronaarts.blogspot.com/

Dolce Vanity

Beauty Thesis

Complex Simplicity

Girl On the Moon

Miss Cindia

Cosmetics Aficionado

I’m sure I missed out on a few others I meant to mention, so make sure you check out my blog roll on my side bar and all the other blogs I’m loving Here.

 

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Tag: Christmas Wish List

I was tagged to do a Christmas wish list by the lovely lady over at Beauty with Brains. This year will be a bit low key for me. Instead of gifts I will be taking my family members out and about. Dinner with my mom, clubbing with the sis and a few other places everyone has in mind. I felt it to be a great idea since I don’t get to actually do things with the the family that often since everyone’s schedule seems to clash.

As far as my wants If I had my way I would be thrilled to see each and every one of these on Christmas morning.

The creator of these amazing and one of a kind accessories comes from Birmingham Lady. Not only does her jewelry match my personality, but her blog is so adorable truly one of a kind and unique. As some of you may know I have a thing for evil eye jewelry. She has these amazing bracelets and evil eye brooches which I love.

I don’t even know where to start with this one….. I truly adore Leila Hjazi’s art. She can transform anything into a master piece. When I first came across her etsy shop I was floored when I saw this mirror. Anything day of the dead I love. The skulls,colors and the coquettish flare each piece has truly calls me!

It’s sold much to my delight. But I’m sure who ever owns it now has a great item in hand. You can check out these and many more fabulous stuff on at her Etsy shop Illustrated Ink or check out her works in progress on her blog here.

I have an obsession with concealers. This benefit concealerholic has my name written all over it.

Bentonite Clay

I have been meaning to get this for the longest…. It’s great for the skin and hair. It’s natural and versatile.

Second to concealer my second makeup obsession is tinted moisturizers. I’m battling it out between Laura’s TM and a TM by Suki.

Suki Color

 I need a new juicer. I would prefer one with a food processor as well. My poor old little juicer is way too old which is why I don’t use it that often. This spring I’m hoping to juice a lot more and so I will be needing one of these.

And last but not least head out to the Islands and dance my life away! Wepaa!

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/5pklEgxcOeE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999

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Bonafide Tree Hugger…and Loving it

I love the woods….the solitude and peace always leaves me feeling renewed. While sitting and meditating on the view shown in the pic below… a dragon fly decided to join me.

The boyfriend has family in Pennsylvania so we decided to have a nature date not too long ago in the woods. The weather has been rather pleasant despite it being November so we took advantage.

I always come across the most amazing Mushrooms when I am in the woods….. this one looks like a star, fabulous!

Quiet and romantic trail…..

More mushrooms…..

Our little spot…

I love flowing water, the smell, sound just makes me love life so much more…. a sweet escape I tell you…

A family of mushrooms! I told you I always come across the most amazing shrooms…I was so amazed to see this.

Just going with the flow…..

It is so relaxing to just take a walk throughout the woods. Talking, relaxing and taking in the sights is what made my day…

LoL my bag for the day, which I’m loving a lot right now. Thankfully the print is back in season.

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Happy Halloween and Dia De los Muertos

beautyineverything.com

A lot of things will be going on these next couple of days… Halloween (samhain), All soul’s day and my favorite Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead). One of my dreams is to experience The Day of the Dead in the middle of Mexico. Taking in all the colors, sugar skulls, altars, food and most importantly the people who honor the dead with such splendid festivities.

Many believe that despite their ancestors having experienced a physical death, they still do not cease to exist in the spriritual realm. It is believed that they continue to be part and conscious of us, the people they experienced life with. Neither time nor space seperates us. In the same way we love and remember them they also continue to do the same despite the thin veil that seperates us.

This is why on the day of the dead and the original meaning behind Halloween, calls for altars and offerings with the deceased’s favorite foods, candles and photos set up beautifully to ensure that the ancestors are still rememebered and honored for who they were and will become in their journey to spiritual elevation.

screen encounters

Just because your loved one died a physical death does not mean they should die a spiritual one too….

This is usually the time of year where I give thanks and remember my lineage. I give always thanks for the memories my ancestors left with each story told, each aunt, cousin and family member I have, which to me is an extension of my ancestors. You truly don’t know who you are until you know where you came from………..

This is my favorite time of the year so I will be enjoying it! I hope you all enjoy it in your own special way too……..

Images Via BeautyinEverything.com

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