Waiting for Summer

Ciao, darlings!


I took a long walk tonight. Don't worry, my neighborhood is relatively safe... I won't get kidnapped (hopefully). The weather was extraordinary!!! It's barely spring but it felt like a true summer night. The air was balmy and the wind was whipping pretty fast, as there's a big storm front on the horizon. I could see the moon glowing and a few bright stars speckled around it. The weather made me want to run! I can't run currently, due to a temporary medical concern, but it was pretty hard not to break into a jog just to feel the amazing wind more fully. I could see storm clouds in the distance and the lightning inside them! It was crazy to see such a tempestuous scene only a few miles away and at the same time be locked inside a stolen summer moment, dreaming about what lies ahead of me next season. God's creation is truly stunning. I had to tell Him on my walk how grateful I was for the beauty He has created for me to enjoy. I think we get a little too wrapped up in our technology sometimes to see what's going on around us, but if we would just look up there are some amazing views waiting. The power of the incoming storm was a reminder of God's own power, which far surpasses any earthly occurrence.

A friend sent me a photo of a small lightning strike and I wanted to include it, and I took a picture myself of  the clear sky where I was, just to contrast.

The intense lightning!

The peaceful sky above my house. I wish I could stay out all night. Maybe I will when it's summer and  I'll sleep outside and just walk around some, and enjoy the humid breezes. After all, there really isn't any night like a summer night.

What's your favorite season?

A Quick Photoshoot

Ciao, darlings!

It's really fun finding cute clothes on sale! I was shopping at JCP the other day with a friend and found a striped cotton dress. I immediately fell in love and pulled some money from my savings to purchase it. Stripes are the most classy, timeless, and seasonless look! Summer, fall, winter, spring- stripes fit into your wardrobe somewhere. I also discovered a modest, colorful bathing suit- a rarity these days! Bathing suits have always been a struggle for me, and I'm so glad I found one before it's time to jump in the pool. I also found a chic (striped) tank top. I don't think modeling a bathing suit is very modest, and I haven't worn my tank yet, so I just have a few snapshots of my new fabulous dress.

I accessorized my simple dress with a flashy orange necklace, one of my favorites.

I liked the back of this dress because it had a cute cutout that was still modest. It added character to the outfit. There's also neon peach lining around the sleeves and cutout, which thankfully matched my necklace. 

Have fun shopping this spring and remember that if you like what you're wearing, it doesn't matter if anyone else does! Your style is about what you like and not what everyone else is wearing. Be adventurous! And be yourself. 

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak" - Rachel Zoe

Comment and tell me what spring styles you've discovered or have invented yourself! What do you think is stylish?

A Day at the Races...

Ciao, darlings!

I love horses. I always have. I've taken riding lessons for a long time and I love the feeling of galloping on the back of a horse, with the wind running through your hair and adrenaline coursing through your veins. I love jumping over a hurdle, the split-second sensation of flying, every person's dream. I can't imagine what a jockey must feel like atop a medal- winning racehorse. Talk about fast.        
           Today my parents took me and my sister to Oaklawn in Hot Springs. Going to the races is an old Southern tradition. Everyone dresses up in their Sunday best to attend, although a racetrack is hardly a fancy place. I watched five races and left at closing time, and had an amazing time. I saw gorgeous horses with funny names, and listened to people shout and cheer for their bets. I myself did not place any bets, but my dad did and he won a few dollars. Spending time with the family and having racetrack treats is fun,  but my favorite part of the races is watching the horses pass the finish line. The winning mount usually pulls up from the middle of the pack, and the victorious jockey raises their crop in the air triumphantly. I like witnessing the big wins and the almost-came-in-second wins, and it's even more fun because the crowd favorite is rarely the champion, which makes the race even more suspenseful.

There's me and my yummy strawberry fro-yo 

My racing outfit

The horses coming in hard across the line!!! I love the gray

A different race.... Neck and neck! There is only one winner, however, and it's not #2...

The very last race of the day. The horses thunder across the finish, tired and sweaty. Magnolia Steele was the ultimate champion today, and she later received a trophy for her efforts. 

Going to Oaklawn was a great way to kick off the spring season and I cant't wait to go again

¡Ciao!

Ciao, darlings! I'm Bella, authoress of Bella Ama. In Italian that means "Bella Loves", and I've not added an end to that statement because there are far too many things to list, and I also intend for this to be about the things I love. As you no doubt have picked up, I hold Italy and its culture close to my heart. But that, of course, is only the beginning.  There are so many things out there worthy of talking about. I will post soon and I hope you find it interesting❤️