Glimmer of hope for the car greenies

Well, there is a glimmer hope for all of us newbie-greenies that want to buy a Prius. Toyota announced today that beginning in 2010 (yes, I know that is a long way off), they will begin manufacturing the hybrid in Blue Springs, Mississippi to help meet the demand. Folks have their names on waiting lists at dealerships.

I don’t know about you bellas but I’m not sure I can wait until 2010 to buy a Prius. I’m now considering other fuel efficient cars. My absolute favorites are: Lexus RXh (hybrid) and the Mini-Cooper S. Although the cooper isn’t a hybrid, its stylish and gets good gas mileage.

According to Lexus.com, the RXh FWD (front wheel drive) gets 27 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 24 mpg in the city is pretty good. However, the price tag starts at $41,500.

My other fav, the Mini Cooper S, gets 34 miles per gallon on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. And this cutie starts at $21,200.

How many of you are making car swaps to lower your fuel costs and carbon imprint? Check out the poll.

Smooches,

CB

White beauty not caramel beauty, huh!

Today, Jezebel posted a saddening piece about beauty in India. According to The Independent, Pond’s (owned by Unilever) is airing a commercial that promotes their product, White Beauty, a skin lightening cream. In the commercial, a dark-skinned Indian woman gets passed over by her boyfriend for a lighter-skinned woman. Guessing that her skin color is the problem, she turns to White Beauty. This commercial says, not so subtly, that light skin women are preferred and dark skinned women will not find love. This commercial is a sad statement on beauty and the after-effects of racism. Across the globe, women, and not just those in America, feel as though caramel or darker skin isn’t beautiful – the lighter the better. This is both scary and sad.

Interesting to note is that Unilever also owns Dove which has the whole campaign about “Love your Body.” Hmm.. anything to make a buck. Love yourself or hate yourself, just as long as they make money. Makes you think.

The commercial is below.

Today, Jezebel posted a saddening piece about beauty in India. According to The Independent, Pond’s (owned by Unilever) is airing a commercial that promotes their product, White Beauty, a skin lightening cream. In the commercial, a dark-skinned Indian woman gets passed over by her boyfriend for a lighter-skinned woman. Guessing that her skin color is the problem, she turns to White Beauty. This commercial says, not so subtly, that light skin women are preferred and dark skinned women will not find love. This commercial is a sad statement on beauty and the after-effects of racism. Across the globe, women, and not just those in America, feel as though caramel or darker skin isn’t beautiful – the lighter the better. This is both scary and sad.

Interesting to note is that Unilever also owns Dove which has the whole campaign about “Love your Body.” Hmm.. anything to make a buck. Love yourself or hate yourself, just as long as they make money. Makes you think.

The commercial is below.

Bellas still buy designer shades…

The New York Times has a great article today about the growing sales of designer sunglasses. Despite the sagging economy, consumers are still paying big dough (in excess of $250) for brand name shades.

Now I must admit, this story hits really close to home for me. Although I’ve always been a designer sunglasses bella, I have a love-hate relationship with them. Why is that the designer shades get stolen, lost or frankly just disappear but the cheapos will follow me to the grave.

NYC story number one. So, last Thursday I head to Jersey with the hubby to shop and spend time with my family. My Chanel glasses perched on top of my head in their normal resting spot. (I always wear them like a headband. They double as a hair accessory because they keep my hair out of my face.) Well after a day of shopping, mani’s and pedi’s, and dinner at Bonefish Grill (love it), the glasses have disappeared. As I am in a NYC cab headed to Penn Station on Friday, I discover that my Chanel’s are missing.

What’s any Bella to do? I turn the cab around and had back to my NYC studio. My optimism kicks in. The glasses have to be in my car or my apartment. After enlisting my husband’s searching abilities for the car, I look all around my 400 s.f. apartment. They are nowhere to be found. My heart is broken.

I know that I was way too attached to my Chanel’s. I miss them incredibly. And I honestly can’t imagine walking around NYC or LA (especially Los Angeles) without my designer shades. These $10 knockoffs just won’t do. So, now I am trying to figure out a way to replace my Chanel babies!

So, bellas, I understand your love, far and wide, for the designer sunglasses. No outfit is complete without a fabulous bag and some designer shades (Chanel, Dior or Versace please).

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

Caramel Bella in the Big Apple

Guess what Bellas? The Caramel Bella has left her sunny hometown of Los Angeles to work in the hot and humid Big Apple (New York City) for the summer. (Can you tell I’m not too happy with the weather.) Although I won’t delve into my personal reasons for being here, let’s just say a girl has to work and obtain “experience.” So, I’m living and working in the NY metro until mid-August.

Although I realized that NYC would be a major change from Los Angeles, I don’t think I counted on as many differences as I have experienced. So, over the next month or so, you can count on NYC adventure posts.

Smooches,
The Caramel Bella

Oldie but goodie hair saver

Over the weekend, I discovered an oldie but goodie hair saver – - the scarf. Think seventies! This age old item comes in so many fashionable varieties. I personally used a bandana. Believe it or not, I walked around all of New York City yesterday with a white and black bandana on. However, I was coordinated with white yoga pants and v-neck t-shirt. I was headed to yoga and discovered this great necessity to keep your curls or straight hair frizz-free. As I was on the subway feeling a bit self-conscious (I was worried that I looked like a cancer patient), I noticed a couple of women donning chic scarves. So, next time I need a hair cover to prevent a frizz-box of a head, I will wear a scarf. What a hair saver!

The Caramel Bella is back

Many of you have missed me. Well, the Caramel Bella is back. After problems with web site hackers, the site is being re-done. Thank you to all of my loyal readers who continued to search for my posts day after day. Well, I’m back. And you can count on honest, timely posts about fashion, style, beauty and culture. And occasionally, I’ll rant about happenings in the world because some one has to talk about them. I hope you’ll fasten your seat belts and stay tuned because The Caramel Bella is back – and stronger than ever.