My favourite Hairspray: White Sand’s Liquid Texture

Both in the salon and outside the salon I get asked frequently about what products are good on the hair, how to get the results desired, and how to achieve the same ‘in the salon’ look with ease at home. In my mind it is not about selling products to clients but fulfilling a trust set that if I recommend something  that it lives up to my words. In the last ten years that I have been in the business of Hair, I have worked with and used a lot of different brands and hair companies.  There have been many different products that are quite similar and go off of personal preference and taste.  Though there are others that stand out for me one of kind that often get referenced in conversation about hair.  One such product I have seen used on the stages of hair exhibits at trade shows to clients in the salon.  Liquid Texture by White Sands has ‘raised the bar for hair spray because it can be combed through and has incredible memory to provide long-lasting designs without regard to humidity’.  What I love about this product is you get the shine and the softness desired, but with a really great lasting hold you require.  It works off heat to set in the style, and is what activates the shine. But the product does not stop there.  It has been a long time favourite product on location with models because I can push their hair across creative bounds for the look needed, and comb out the look after we are done.  For a product to have such hold and be brushed out with out flakiness is not something I see all that often in the product world. Which makes it a great working hair spray for brides.  Rock the updo or hair up style and then have the flexibility for a change of styles for the reception and ‘let your hair down’. I will use a setting spray afterwards on shoots when we are dealing with wind and the elements, but for normal circumstances you are all set to go with just the working hair spray, Liquid Texture. Besides it smells great and thats just the icing on the cake.
Taylor Beck, Tammy Cagle
Behind the scene photographs above via: Bonnie Rose: www.bonnie-rose.co.uk
Two photos from the shoot by photographer BJ Formento: www.formento2.com
Product image from White Sands: www.whitesandsproducts.com/

The Roman Baths (Bath, England)

This weekend our walk led us not into the English countryside but into our town of Bath, England. This is the home of the historic Roman Baths and location of a natural hot springs.  The history stems before the Romans built their temple in 60-70 AD to the Celtics who built a shrine here dedicated to the goddess Sulis, and whom the Romans identified with as Minerva.  I had come here a very young girl, drank the water, and I do not remember a moment of that occasion  Needless to say it was a wonderful place to re-experience with my family as they came here for the very first time.

As residents of Bath we were able to cut the lines of tourists and apply for our Discover card, which got us into the Roman Baths free of charge. The electronic handheld tour guides are complimentary and come with a variety of tours which you can follow at your leisure.  With two sons who would gladly play their Nintendo DS all day, this was a huge hit with them both.  We ended up spending three hours touring the sights and we could easily come back to see and hear more at another time.

I definitely recommend coming to Bath, England not only for the lush and beautiful views of the country but for the historic sites in town like the Roman Baths.  You can also check out the Jane Austen Museum.  We have not been yet but plan to go especially during this year of anniversary.  After viewing the Baths you can kick your feet up and relax at the modern day thermal spa and enjoy the natural hot springs as the Romans had many years before.

Visiting the Roman Baths in Bath, England.
The Bath Abbey overlooks the Roman Baths.
With my husband, +Ryan Aherin, at the Roman Baths. 
Loved the image of love in photo on the left and the details as shown on the right. 
Only the ducks are allowed to bathe in the steamy warm waters  today.
For a girl who grew up in Italy, I love the Roman aspects of Bath, England.
Visiting the historic sight with my bella familia. 
Details of old and details of new were visions we saw today in Bath, England.
For those of you who follow me on Instagram
Here are the highlights I shared from over the weekend. 

*All Photographs belong to Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All Rights Reserved | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk

**Images may not be used or altered without written consent. Please get in contact for more information.

Mothering Sunday

Today is Mothering Sunday in England.  
Let me wish all the new mums in England a wonderful first Mum’s Day!  
(Shout out to Lauren at Aspring Kennedy
This morning we had a delicious paleo breakfast of eggs, bacon and avocado with our tea.
In the typical rush fashion of getting the four of us ready for Church,
we arrived late fashionably on time.  
I do love walking briskly up the road as the church bells beckon us near.
Ronan and Maddox were asked to be in the morning procession, 
with Ronan carrying the cross towards the front.  
Maddox, in younger brother mode, made some sort of silly face 
as he followed up behind.
I was really touched seeing Ronan, my eight year old, pass out all the flower bouquets
to the mums in church today.  He is growing up to be such a sweet gentleman.
Its hard to believe that I’ve been a mum for eight years now.
So many friends of mine are having babies and my youngest is nearly six.
I would be lying if I said I did not have baby on the brain. 
Children are such a blessing and I cannot imagine life without my boys. 
A little shout out also to my mum (aka ‘Nonna’) who gave birth to me thirty years ago
in Oxford, England and paved the way for this expat living abroad. 
My mum is spoiled.  She gets Mothering Sunday with me
and Mother’s Day with my sister Zoë.
Love you mum. 
<3 


Self Portrait: ‘Lost in the Noise’

For my Self Portrait this week I decided to focus on my weakness.
This year that is working with a fairly basic camera compared to my D700.
Working in low light situations and having a lot of noise has always 
been two things to which make me feel most uncomfortable.
So this week: Deal with the noise.
I embraced it and played with it and accentuated it.  
It may not be most beautiful portrait. It may be flawed.
But I am accepting the beauty in the noise. 
Self Portrait by Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All Rights Reserved | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk 

Expat Living: Highs & Lows

It has been a busy week for this expat living in Bath, England.
If you follow my instagram you may have seen the budding flowers. 
I am so happy about this that its hard to walk down the street
without snapping a photo of the signs of Spring.
I had been asked by an Expat Blog to do an interview about my life living
abroad and advice to other expats and those hoping to cross over the pond. 
In this I realized that there is only really one thing that gets me down.
Life in England is a little more expensive than if we had chose to live stateside.
I have friends who own their own two story houses with basements and land.
While that looks nice in photograph, I would not give up my tiny washing machine and
drying my clothes over the heater to not seeing the views I have outside my window.
With our 10 year Vow Renewal coming up, I look forward to sharing those views
as the backdrop to our ceremony and photographs. 
I have however found out that life does not have to be so expensive in England and 
hopefully within the next couple of months things may start becoming more smooth 
as we continue our transition into our new home here in Batheaston. 
Anyone interested in seeing a house tour of where we live?
While I was out with my friend Libby yesterday having one of the best Chai lattes,
we discussed going out weekly to try out different venues in our Bath area.
Which would be great because there is somewhere special that I hope to share
with all you blog readers next week. 
Speaking of surprises.
I was suprised this week to find out that I was chosen to be a VIP blogger
for Britain Style Bloggers at Bristol Fashion Week. 
 I added the official button on the side bar and wil be tweeting on Twitter about it.
Look for the hashtags: #BFWSS13#BristolFashionWeek
Until that awesome time later this month I have a special guest blogger
to share something special with you. Something else to look forward to next week!
Thank you to all the new readers and if you found me from Across the Pond
Thank you and I’m glad you came this way. 
xx 
B. 

The Island of Capri

I lived in the Napoli, Italia twice for a total of six years as a young child and young teenager.
So far that has made it the longest place I have lived anywhere on earth in my lifetime.
One of my favourite things about Napoli is the islands off its coast: Capri, Ischia, and Procida.
Today for Travel Thursday I am going to take you on a tour of Capri.
The Island of Capri is one of a few islands off of the bay of Napoli that you can visit.  While I also highly recommend Ischia, the bigger island of Capri has so much to offer. 
See the island from the the outside on a boat tour that can give you a close and personal look at the infamous Blue Grotto. 
The island is quite large and I do not recommend trying to cram it all into a few hours.  Spend the whole day at Capri and enjoy it at your leisure taking in all the wonders the island has to share. Buses are also available if your feet get tired from the walking.  
There are many passageways and if you do not have a map it can be easy to get a bit turned around. Do not fret if you do.  There are a lot of beautiful sights to behold along the journey, like these handmade ceramic street signs.  Even the signs for the electric and gas lines were made in the same fashion. How italian. 
We went to Capri last time in August and the blooming flowers with their pops of colour in the mass of green were quite pleasing to the eye.  
If you decide to forgo transportation you can easily get around on foot. Just be cautious of the mopeds. 
We passed a lot of beautiful private gardens on our walk, including this one with a beautiful fountain. 
I reccomend earlier in the day making your way to see the infamous Grotto Azzurra, the Blue Grotto.  If you get there too late and the tide is is you will not be able to go inside. You get to ride in a little row boat inside the grotto and trust me it is not to be missed! 
You can also enjoy a bite to eat and a refreshing drink at the small cafe near the entrance to embarking towards the Grotto. Then walk up the hill and get a view from down below. 
Whether you plan to soak up the sun on a boat tour or get in a work out hiking around the island, it is one place you will not forget.  As glamorous as life in Capri can be, remember sensible walking shoes,  your hat and sun protection. 

*All Photographs belong to Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All Rights Reserved
** For more information about the photos or for purchase: www.bonnie-rose.co.uk 

Meet Zia Zoë

A con to living the expat life is being many miles and many more miles away from family.  
In my life my family is already quite small and scattered across the United States already.  
My mother lives in Arizona, her father lives in Arkansas, 
my father’s brother lives in New Jersey, and my sister lives in Washing DC.  
Thats my family. 

Zia Zoë with her nephew Maddox 
My sister Zoë and I are five and half years apart in age…to the day.  
Our half birthday’s land on each other’s birthdays.  
She was still just in elementary school when we moved from Italy to the United States.  
I was on the verge of graduating high school  and ‘too cool’ to hang out with my younger sister.  
In University I was ready to build that relationship and she was busy growing up in high school.  
Since  her graduation from Uni we have finally met on the same plane, but now separated by distance.
  I really look forward to the short moments of time we get to spend together. 
 I was fortunate to have a week last summer and a busy week at Christmas with my sister. 

Zia Zoë with her nephews Ronan and Maddox.

My boys having special time with her means a lot more to me now that our dad is no longer with us.
  When its the two of us with Ronan & Maddox 
I see us filling our dad’s shoes so they can experience his life through us.  
Loss is hard and distance can equally be challenging.  
It is why I really enjoy having Google Hangouts, 
especially since many people can join in with no charge, compared to Skype.  
Video chats are a luxury my sister and I did not have 
when we were growing up as a military family living abroad.  
It makes me quite interested to know what technology will be available 
when my own children have children.

Zia Zoë with her nephews superhero and villian. 
Side note: My boys call my sister Zoë, Zia, which is ‘Aunt’ in Italian. 
My mum is called ‘Nonna’, Italian for grandmother.  
The six years my family spent in Italy alone has impacted our family culture. 
With my little sister Zoë and my two sons.