When I was younger I can remember my step-mother reminding me that when I wanted to get something new I needed to make room for it by getting rid of the old. The item in question of course was a favorite sweatshirt of mine that had rips and tears in it. The shirt was totally in fashion those days (don’t ask me when!) but she was right….I needed space to put the new clothing in. The reason I was reminded of this little slice of my life was that now with the new reality all of us are facing, like many, I’ve had time to do a wholesale decluttering of everywhere in my space ….starting with my closet. You know what I discovered, besides a pair of shoes I’d forgotten I even had? Letting go of stuff is harder than you might think!

Maybe you have items that have sentimental value to you but they are taking up valuable space. Experts suggest you take a picture of that item. That way you can still remember it and the memory associated with it without it taking up needed real estate in your closet. Another good thing to ask yourself is whether the item in question is something you really ever use, or will ever likely use. If you are like me you have made a purchase or two with the intention of using said item, but there it sits in all its glory. If the items are still in good condition consider donating them to a charity rather than filling up the landfill. Someone else may actually get around to using that item. 

Once you get your closets under control you may find yourself wanting to tackle other areas of your home. But beyond the Konmari effect that comes from cleaning and organizing everything is the mind-clearing, soul-lifting benefit from decluttering. It is as if you are clearing away the mental clutter as you clear away your physical clutter. And, it can be said that letting go of things that no longer serve you, fit you, are broken, or you never bought in to works as much for relationships and self-image as much as it does for old shoes, chipped coffee cups or craft projects that, let’s face it, are never going to be done. My last thought on this decluttering adventure is that letting go is a freeing experience everyone should embrace. Is anyone else hearing the song from Frozen playing in the background? 

For a memorable European summer getaway, you’ll want to feel as good as you look and vice-versa. There are lots of tried and true ways to guarantee a sexy appearance, and Nabila K’s got you covered. Whether you’re looking to try full-on glamour with statement-making smoky eyes or natural sun-kissed beauty, Nabila K has all the inspiration via your favorite European glamour goddesses. With the right products, you can easily achieve romantic looks that will leave everyone breathless.

For all of the romantic looks listed below, ensure that your makeup is shiny, ethereal, and perfect with a bit of primer (tinted or clear) and setting spray. To get that radiant glow to immediately illuminate your look, try Nabila K’s Beauty Stix (“Glow Getter” will add instant glimmer and glitter).

And, let us not forget: when you feel like covering up (and should to protect yourself from the sun), a stylish straw hat and dark sunglasses (à la Brigitte Bardot) are always chic. 

Look 1: Emulate Sophia Loren with a sexy and sun-kissed look, with full brows and lined lips. There’s nothing more seductive, summery, or European than high glamour accentuated with a shadow of underarm hair, full lips, and natural eyebrows. If you’re planning a European getaway this summer, draw inspiration from one of Italy’s most iconic beauties, Sophia Loren. 

For full, sumptuous lips, try lining them with one of Nabila K’s long-lasting lip pencils. This will give your mouth definition that won’t rub off in the water, sun, or even while sipping a cocktail. For a subtle yet romantic look, try a dusty rose hue; Nabila K’s “Satin” lip liner pencil is perfect for a look that’s just enough. 

• For full, perfectly manicured eyebrows that are natural yet done, try Nabila K’s “Brow Fixx” product in Blondie, Brunette, Chocolate, Dark Brunette, Fair Blonde, or Clear shades to match your unique hue. Of course, Sophia Loren would need the brunette option. 
• No romantic look would be complete without a good mascara.

• For the perfect smoky eye, try Nabila K’s single well eyeshadow in “Blackest Black.” Now, it’s essential to remember that a little goes a long way with such a dark shadow, and with this (as opposed to eyeliner), you can create a gently smudged smoky look that is soft and not too garish. Because this eyeshadow is crease-proof and has impressive staying power, it’s exactly what you need to recreate Cardinale’s romantic look.
• To complete a romantic look that’s all about the eyes, you’ll need false eyelashes. Try a full strip of Nabila K’s “Feather” lashes or the individual “Ever After” option for a more precise, defined look that screams 1960s allure.

• Make sure your skin is hydrated and smooth with a clean, organic moisturizer or serum (we recommend Nabila K’s Manuka Honey Whip with aloe vera and shea butter), some aloe surge facial mist, and, by all means, do not neglect your lips! Keep them supple and kissable with Nabila K’s silky smooth lip balm (try the collection of seven travel-size tubes) made from the finest, most ethically-sourced ingredients. 
• For a little more pizazz, try one of Nabila K’s vibrant, romantic lip glosses (available in ten shades).

• For your eyes, look no further than Nabila K’s Ultra Black waterproof liquid eyeliner. Because it’s smudge-proof, your mysterious dark eye makeup will stay put (and perfect) all day and night.
•  Make everyone say “Ooh-La-La” when they see your shiny coral lips. For a romantic look that lasts, Nabila K’s lipstick is just what you need. For pink lips with high shine, smooth on the creamiest, most luxurious lipstick in the perfect shade of dusty rose. It’s no wonder Nabila K dubbed it “Bella.”

Our Coffee Craze Started with Goats!

Most historians agree that the discovery of coffee was in Ethiopia (whose coffee is still outrageously good to this day). A goat herder noticed that his goats were very energetic after eating red berries off a nearby stand of bushes. This was the 16^th century. Not wanting to be outdone by his goats and being very tired as a goat herder might be in the 16^th century, he decided to make a “tea” from the berries of the bush. The first coffee was born. Since it was discovered in the region called Kaffe, this is what the drink was called. This delicious brew went viral, and soon, it was being enjoyed all throughout the Arabian Peninsula. And, enterprising businessmen decided to open, you guessed it, coffee shops. 

Through the usual trade routes, coffee made its way into Europe, but the Church in Italy condemned it, calling it the invention of the devil. Makes me wonder if that’s where espresso came from because you had to make it fast before the priest caught you. Actually, the truth is that Luigi Bezzera created the espresso machine in Italy around 1901, so my curiosity is now satisfied. Finally, the Pope became involved (Pope Clement VIII) and decided to taste this bitter brew for himself. As you can guess, he was won over and declared that it was not Satan’s drink after all. 

Finally, coffee made its way to America in 1668. And for a while, coffee overtook beer in popularity as New York’s best breakfast beverage, which is why, to this day it is still viewed as a breakfast beverage. 

Not that I’ve done this yet, but I think it would be interesting to line up a good sample from each of the countries producing coffee to taste the difference between them. This is definitely on my to-do list. I do know that most of the Latin American regions have coffees that tend to have flavors that are nutty, with hints of chocolate. They mostly grow the Arabica varieties. Africa and Arabia grow both the Robusta and Arabica types of beans, and the taste is more along the lines of fruit, floral, and even earthy. Coffee from Nicaragua often has hints of vanilla and hazelnut without you having to add any of that by way of a flavored creamer. 

Jamaican coffee has an almost sweet quality to it, while coffee in Mexico has a little hint of spiciness. True Columbian coffee, and one of my favorites, is smooth, sweet, and very rich with almost overtones of nuts and caramel. In stark contrast is coffee from Brazil that can taste almost like you’ve bitten into a bar of dark chocolate (still VERY good, but strong). 

If you have not tasted coffee from Tanzania or Kenya, make plans to do so. They are unlike any of the others in that the coffee has an almost ‘bright’ taste with overtones of citrus and berries. Delicious! Also on the delicious radar is Indian coffee, which tends to be creamy, smooth, and even has hints of cloves and nuts. 

Intelligentsia : This company has won numerous awards for its mostly Columbian and Peruvian coffee blends. What I love about it is their direct-trade practices, so you know exactly where they are sourcing their beans and that the farmers are benefiting from it rather than a large-scale commercial farming conglomerate. Try their Frequency Blend or the Borealis Blend. 

Stumptown: Located in Portland, Oregon, this coffee company started crafting its coffees in small artisanal batches. To this day, they still use the same production methods to create delicious whole-bean coffees that hail from Columbia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Rwanda. Try their Ethiopian Mordecofe, or Hair Bender from Africa. 

Lavazza: (best for espresso): This coffee company has been around since 1895, so they know coffee. In particular, they know espresso. Their espresso blends are exquisite. Expect to experience a hint of fruit and even floral fragrances from this coffee. Try the Caffe Espresso if you are a lightweight when it comes to espresso, or if you want to go for the gusto, try Crema e Gusto. 

Peerless Coffee & Tea: Located in California, this company won the Roaster of the Year in 2019, so they are very good at what they do. Founded almost 100 years ago, this company was started by an immigrant from Yugoslavia. Try their coffees using beans from Costa Rica, Jamaica, Hawaii, or Panama. Their coffees are sourced from direct trade or single origin, which means sustainable practices were used and the farmers weren’t exploited. 

“Lists are a form of power” – A. S. Byatt

I have a confession. I’m a list maker. In fact, I might even be a serial list maker, if that’s a thing. I have lists for daily activities, lists for appointments, lists for things I plan to do in the future, and lists for my lists. I realize this may be a little extreme for many people (do they MAKE a 12-step program?) but having some organization in your life is also not a bad thing. Here’s a list of the BEST lists to make to keep yourself organized and productive. 

1. Household Chore List

If things tend to pile up in your house, then creating a list of tasks prevents this from happening (or at least happening as frequently). For me, doing just a little bit each day means I don’t have to spend a few hours on the weekend playing catchup. If you have a large home, then try the “zone” technique. Each area of the house is a zone, and you only focus a small amount of time on that one zone. Set a timer, put on a great audiobook or music, and before you know it, 30 minutes or less has blown past. 

2. !0 Minute Task List

Think about all of the things you need or want to get done. Select those that should only take around 10 minutes or less. When you get an unexpected chunk of time, drop one of these bad boys into that time slot. Believe me, these little 10-minute wonders add up when you are able to do about 3-4 of them a week. 

4. Kitchen List of Goodness

I don’t know about you, but it annoys me when we waste food. We don’t do it on purpose, but often after a meal is made, there are leftovers…which we promptly forget about until it becomes a science experiment gone horribly wrong. So, on the outside of our ‘fridge, we have a leftovers list, and down below that, there is a space for grocery items we want or need to replace. Same goes for the freezer…where things go in and often never come out. You can expand this kitchen list to include pantry items as well. 

5. Birthdays and Gift Lists

Remembering someone’s birthday is a great way to remind them how much they mean to you. Create a list on your computer or enter their birthdays onto your phone’s calendar. Then, set a reminder a week ahead, so you have time to order the perfect gift, or send them off a beautiful card. If your loved ones live farther away from you and you’d have to mail a gift, choose something that will ship well and arrive intact, like an elegant candle, diffuser, or a personal product like creamy body butter or lotion.