A MONTH IN ///

These photos are a good representation of how quarantine life has been for us. I’ve been crazy, goofy, fun, serious, positive, broken down, creative, mean (a couple of times). He has been supportive, a little moody, fun, encouraging, calming, and totally keeping it together for us. I feel very blessed to have someone who is not an extremist like myself. That would be awful right now.

I wake up most days to him bringing me coffee in bed, making me take my allergy meds and natural oils, and hugging me to start the day. We talk about what we are going to do with our day. What are we wanting to accomplish. Are we going to run or workout? Are we doing this together or separate? But the most popular topic is WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EAT TODAY?

Shits Getting Real. Me, along with a lot of people I know are not getting stimulus checks, unemployment, or any kind of aid during this time. We don’t qualify. When I don’t work behind the chair I do not make money. This is making me rethink so many things in my life. How can the future be better? How can I do things differently in the future.

POSITIVE THINGS /// what is helping us make ends meet right now…

Jacob is still able to go to work for his family business MARIGOLD BARS and that is HUGE for us, plus our dogs get to run around in the country so its a double win! And he always comes back with treats. So I guess its a triple win! These are my favorite TREAT. They do weekly giveaways, you should enter!

I am still able to do product orders for Do or Dye Tx!!! Major blessing! Thank you to those who have purchased. This has been amazing for our team! No one is making income right now but this is taking the burden of paying rent away.

My new goal for the week is to POSHMARK /// I need to list at least one thing a day. AT LEAST! I have so many clothes in my closet just hanging there. Free People, MADEWELL, Billy Reid….

My skin game and lash game is going strong thanks to Rodan and Fields. Since I am not making income from working as a hairstylist it’s nice to know that I can make a little something through this company which just happens to be the #1 skincare company. Take this quiz to find out what your perfect regimen is and I can help you out with any questions you have.

Blogging again has been fun and a good creative outlet for me. There are so many photos and trips I never posted about so I might just be throwing it back for awhile…Like these photos from Pandesal Photo.

The Bueno Shop also keeps us busy. We have a lot of MAMA rings available for Mothers Day gifts.

And DELLA RICCA!!! For all of you that are having trouble with your roots right now. I can put in your formula, email address, and shipping address and they will send you a professional at home color kit to match your hair color right now.

I am thankful for my health, my family, my friends, and I really love our roof right now. Its quiet. and the sunsets are gorgeous. Its the perfect time of year to enjoy being outside when the sun goes down. We make a drink, turn on the string of lights, put on some tunes and for that moment all is good in our world.

How are y’all spending your days? Are you finding a little good each day?

YOUNG LOVE MAD STYLE /// BELLA AND ALEC

I’m a little biased here because I really love these two and I thought they would be a fun pair to bring back YOUNG LOVE MAD STYLE for happy vibes, style and hope into your life. I used to love doing this series because there is just something about love that always makes us curious…. and wanna know everything about couples. Am I right? Or maybe it’s just me that is nosey with my 100 questions.

Meet Bella and Alec.

Q. HOW DID Y’ALL FIRST MEET? AND WHAT MADE YOU REACH OUT?

BELLA - Tinder, but we met in person on Feb 23rd. Definitely how he looked. I thought he was really cute. He was a skater and I liked his style, so that was a plus.

ALEC - We met on Tinder and met Feb 23rd. A Sunday… I was having a get together and I invited Bella. She still came even though she had to work in the A.M! The Blonde hair and Blue eyes!!

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF EACH OTHER?

BELLA- He was quiet but weirdly outgoing. I loved how he was dressed the first time we met, he was really caring, and made sure I was comfortable and having fun around his friends the whole night.

ALEC- I was surprised that there was no awkward moments. Also the way there were never moments of silence. We could of talked for hours!

Q. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO HANG OUT AGAIN?

BELLA- I was really interested in him and he gave the impression that he wanted a relationship and wasn’t interested in a fwb or hookup.

ALEC- We shared a lot of the same interests. She is really cool and stylish and enjoyed clothes and fashion.

Q. HOW HAS QUARANTINE BEEN FOR Y’ALL?

BELLA- Weird. I love being around him but he can be too much sometimes. But I know I can be too much for him as well.

ALEC- Completely insane! I feel trapped and none of this is real. Sleep has become work and dreams have become intense!

Q. ONE THING YOU HOPE NEVER CHANGES ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON?

BELLA- I hope he never stops being his goofy, loving self. He’s the most caring person and I hope that never goes away.

ALEC- Her independence! The way she can do everything for herself.

Q. FAVORITE SONG AT THE MOMENT?

BELLA - City Club by The Growlers.

ALEC- Sink Into The Floor by Feng Suave.

Q. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 3 YEARS?

BELLA- A successful hairstylist at Do or Dye Tx with a dream clientele and moved out of my current place into a bigger home or apartment.

ALEC- Doing music full time and traveling.

Q. FIRST THING YOU WANNA DO AFTER THIS SHUT DOWN IS OVER?

BELLA - Hang out with my Besties and I need to get back to work. I miss making money! LOL.

ALEC- Take Bella to dinner somewhere nice!

Q. GO TO PLACE TO SHOP?

BELLA- I’m a huge thrifter so I like going to Montrose thrifting strip and Goodwill!

ALEC- Online shops! Like Depop and Etsy.

Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? AND WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE?

BELLA- Youthful and Vintage. I don’t care if people like or hate what I wear. LOL.

ALEC- Even and Odd. Even because I use matching colors and matching lines. Odd because I like pieces that stand out or have odd shapes and colors on them. And what makes it unique.. A lot of people don’t express themselves creatively by the things they wear. For me.. That’s where I get most my creative expression.

Q. WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

BELLA- Myself.

ALEC- A skateboarder by the name of Dylan Rieder.

Q. BEST PURCHASE FOR YOUR WARDROBE?

BELLA- My jewelry. It makes all my outfits come together.

ALEC- Well I do most of my shopping online or thrift stores but my best purchase was a Levi’s denim jacket that I got for $25 at Texas Thrift in Austin.

Q. WHAT TREND DO YOU HATE?

BELLA- Honestly I can’t think of any.

ALEC- TIK TOK. The meme content is dense and there are a ton of funny videos but I’ve heard the same Megan Stallion song everyday for months now?

Q. FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO TOGETHER?

BELLA- Arts & Crafts. (Like bleaching these jeans)

ALEC- We both really enjoy cooking! So I’d say my favorite activity would be when we cook a meal together!

Q. TELL ME TWO OF YOUR BEST QUALITIES.

BELLA- How funny I am and I’m really compassionate and care a lot for other people.

ALEC- I’m fun and outgoing! Oh and I never stink!

Q. ALEC, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR NECKLACE AND RINGS?

A- It was 2 days after graduation. Me and the boyzzz went to Panama City and wanted to go thrifting. We ended up going to a pawn shop and I saw the cleaver. It had no chain and all of the chains were too expensive. So I bought the cleaver and waited to find a cheaper chain. So a few months later I’m working for my uncle in a warehouse and he has hundreds of feet of light weight chain. I asked him for a foot and cut it to size and put the cleaver on the chain.

I got the wrench and the guitar ring from a vendor at Mardi gras in Galveston! And the ring on my pointer finger is from a native Indian vendor in New Mexico! And you already know about my EYE ring.

Q. BELLA WE LOVE YOUR NEW HAIRSTYLE, HOW DID YOU DO IT?

B- I did a tutorial over on my Ig all products and tools can be purchased through our salon Do Or Dye Tx. @doordyebella

Bleached Hair on Alec by Bella during Quarantine.

KOOK and BLONDE Ring - Bueno Bueno (@THEBUENOSHOP)

H-TOWN Sweat Shirts - Atrate Studio

MUSIC HEALS ///

What are you listening to right now? I am really into listening to my records and CD’s right now. It’s the best time travel. I am currently looking for a boom box for my cassettes. I wish I would of kept mine from back in the day.

These chairs are upstairs in our bedroom now. How many of you have rearranged the furniture in your house right now? I kinda want to sell everything I own right now and start over. I have a lot of stuff though…. so that could take awhile. I want to down size. Maybe live in a tent.

Life is weird right now. I don’t even watch the news. I can’t really concentrate on much other than product orders for the salon. I am so thankful that I have that to do.

This week has been like this /// Wake up. Sneeze attack. Have coffee. Eat Breakfast. Make a list. Post hair related things for salon account. Check orders. Shower. Check emails. CRY. Walk around my house and clean things in sight. GET MAD AT SOMEONE. Check orders again. Work out. LAUGH. Tend to my plants. Do my hair. Connect with our clients. Check orders. Shower. Eat something. Give Hair advice and hairscriptions to people. Talk to people on phone. Go to salon for orders. Make a drink. Eat Dinner. Go on the roof. Check orders. Watch Baywatch (1989). Wash my Face. Pass out.

Good things /// Our salon website is pretty much done. We needed some video and updated pics for some of it but CORONA happened. But it’s up and refreshed!

The super moon was amazing last night. Just Wow. Thank you God!

I have a new playlist to listen to on spotify made by Bella’s “friend” Alec. I titled it Alec’s Quarantine Playlist.

I am staying active even if the outdoors is making my allergies insane.

My skin looks great because I’ve been consistent with my regimen.

I have stamps and stickers for SURF HAIR CLUB now…. thanks JOSEPH!

Jacob and I have only been in 1 fight!

I have puppies that love to cuddle. Y’all should think about fostering.

My mom has made guac a few times :)

Bad Things /// I am losing a lot of hair. I guess I’m more stressed than I’d like to admit.

Not making personal income right now. It’s really making me rethink a lot of things and how I want to do things differently.

I’m not in a financial position to help my loved ones and it tears my apart.

We have no end date of this shut down. When do you think we can go back to work?

Just wanted to check in with y’all. And this is acting as a journal for my thoughts during these weird times and hopefully you don’t feel so alone.

Photos by: Joseph @ Pandesal Photography