Absolute Travel Addict Feature

Hi there,

This has been a really busy week and my body is finally reclaiming what's rightfully its own. Due to my poor time management and mountain of work, I haven't really been able to maintain much of my regular blogging posts such as weekly inspiration or blogger link love. Lo siento mis amigos. I will try to do better.

In other news, as many of you know I am an avid traveller in my spare time. But if you're new here or simply missed my features, check them out Road Trip JA Road Trip JA 2 Road Trip JA 3. At the Jamaica blog awards I was introduced to the wonderful April from The Absolute Travel Addict who later approach me to be featured in her newest series called Featured Travel Addict. After an exchange of emails and a wonderful interview. Check out the end product Here and see what it's all about.

Much Love,

Nella

Friday Link Love

Happy Friday everyone!!!! Hope it's been a great day.Well dolls and dudes it's time for another week link love!!! Woot Woot!!!  If you're new to the blog it's where I keep you updated on all that our loverly Jamaican bloggers have been up to for the past week. I unfortunately missed last week's link love but I'll try my best not to miss again. So let's begin my darlings!

Shannon @ Exotic You talks about 5 Days of School
Debbie @ Exotic You talks about Removing Acrylic Nails At Home (2 ways)

Roxy @ Foxy Et Al talks about Ready fo De Road- Bacchanal Chunky Glitter Nail

Roxy @ Foxy Et Al talks about The Best Finishing Powder

DMarcus @ Cogito Ergo Sum talks about The Victim is The Villain

Afayah @ Beauty Jamaica talks about Party Style: Daydreams Easter Weekend (Pic Heavy)
Afayah @ Beauty Jamaica talks about Massive Collective Haul | Forever 21, Payless, Collectibles Etc.

Cinni @ Candid Cinni talks about Spring on over to Youtube
Cinni @ Candid Cinni talks about Product Alert!!!

Carey-Lee @ For Eat Explore Live talks about Our Island People - Travel and Lifestyle with Anita Chin

Carey-Lee @ For Eat Explore Live talks about Taste of St.Kitts

Carey-Lee @ For Eat Explore Live talks about 5 Caribbean Swimwear Lines You Should Be Shopping Now

Carey-Lee @ ExclusiveUmpf talks about Voice of the Caribbean Through Styling

Carey-Lee @ ExclusiveUmpf talks about Backpacks - The New Cool for the Fashionable?

Carey-Lee @ ExclusiveUmpf talks about Accessories They Wore + Accessories-Styling We Love: Appleton Big Wall

Carey-Lee @ For Women to Women talks about Just Got Hitched Now What - Lecia-Gaye Taylor Shares The Myths, the Reality and the Greatest Things about Marriage
Carey-Lee @ For Women to Women talks about On Women Surviving Out There
Carey-Lee @ For Women to Women talks about Getting Bikini Fit & Fabulous
Carey-Lee @ For Women to Women talks about Beautiful Inside Out: Paulina Mo of Lil Bits of Chic

Lorrane @ Haute People talks about This Vs That : Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Vs Maybelline Super Stay Make-up

Lorrane @ Haute People talks about This Vs That : Santee Beach Blue vs Kleancolor Beach Blue Nail Polish

Lorrane @ Haute People talks about First Impression : Montagne Jeunesse Gel Cream Masque
Lorrane @ Haute People talks about There is Something about Jeneil

Kim-Issa @ In Between A Million Thoughts talks about Get Organised: there's an app for that
Kim-Issa @ In Between A Million Thoughts talks about Attitude of gratitude

Alwayne @ Introvert Mind talks about Sorry, Not Sorry

Marsha Rose @ Jamaican Beauty Blog talks about Using Oregano Medicinally - Off The Grid News

Lindsworth @ My thoughts on Technology and Jamaica talks about Digicel to launch the DL600 Smartphone by Mid-May 2013 starting below US$100 - Alcatel One Touch running Firefox OS marketed like The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Lindsworth @ My thoughts on Technology and Jamaica talks about UC Berkeley School of Information research Passthoughts as Passwords - The Matrix Frees you Mind with Johnny Mnemonic unhackable password

Natalia @ Natalia Oh! talks about DIY: Distressed Boyfriend Jeans
Natalia @ Natalia Oh! talks about Spring Swing
Natalia @ Natalia Oh! talks about Flowers, Bamboo and Flats

Vanessa @ Naturally Beautiful Going natural often leads to more positive changes
Vanessa @ Naturally Beautiful  First Impressions: Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Masque and Conditioner

Jane @ The Jane Way talks about Review: Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

Ashleigh @ The Pink Socialite talks about Weekend Style : Crop Me In !
Ashleigh @ The Pink Socialite talks about Recent Purchase: Kenneth Cole Reaction Wallet

Check out their blogs, like it and follow along on their journey. 

Much Love,

Nella

Weekly Inspiration- Refocus

Hey All,

It has been a busy week so far. I mean oy vey!!! Today is literally the first time in a few days that I actually left the hospital and there is sunlight. My inspiration for this week is REFOCUS. When we transition into new periods in our lives or have been on our current path for extended periods, we often forget why we started in the first place. This the time we need to sit down and revive ourselves. Renew our focus and bein again.

Much Love,

Nella

Time for a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greetings beautiful people!

Today is a first for me. In my 3 plus years of blogging I have never hosted a giveaway on my blog. Shame on me!!! Well today is the day I correct my horrid mistake. So I have decided to do my very first giveaway! YAAAY!!!!

1 super fantastic lucky winner will receive this lovely chunky necklace with emerald green rhinestones and a sleek gold lining. Cute huh? I totally agree!!!

So how do you enter for a chance to win this necklace you ask? 

Winning is super easy and very simple! All you have to do is carry out ALL the following instructions in order to win:

1. Follow me on Twitter.

2. Follow the blog via Google Friend Connect 

3.Comment on this blog post saying "I entered".

4. Mention me on Twitter to say "I follow As Told By Nella".

Note: This giveaway is open to ONLY Jamaican residents! (Sorry International Readers :( :( :( )

See how simple it is to win?

This giveaway ends on May 1. So enter and tell your friends!

Road Trip Jamaica: Hidden Gem

Hey everyone,

It seem like recently I've been neglecting my Road Trip JA posts. When I first started the series I was so excited and rejuvenated that I released posts weekly and then blah no more posts or features. Wa wa waaaaaaaaaa. I'm sorry that this has been the case and I promise to do my best to try t make it up to you. No posts won't be weekly like before but I hope to do monthly Road Trip JA posts to entertain and inform you all about the beautiful places located around the lovely island of Jamaica. Hopefully I can start doing little videos reflecting my trip too. Just wait big things are coming in my future.

This time my family and I ventured to the beautiful parish of St. Ann to locate a hidden gem by the name of Jewel Runaway Bay Hotel. It was a much needed holiday escape in the cooler months of December 2012 when my family and I made the 2 and a half hour journey to Runaway Bay. The best thing about spending time in a hotel is the ability to escape the mundane repetition of your daily life and indulge in those activities that you wouldn't dare to do on a regular basis and that's exactly what I did. A love of aquatic activities I participated in kayaking and sailing, both a first for me and both items completed from my bucket list. Check out my adventure below and see what I had to say about my overall experience.

Accommodations:



My family and I were treated to a dual bed suite which was almost beach front. It was nice little room which had 2 beds, a bathroom, television with cable and a small desk and chair. Despite the room being a tad bit small I never actually felt cramped or like I was tripping over my father and sisters in the room. The older of us each had our own room keys and so had a level of freedom to come and go as we please and still find time to enjoy each other's company. I have a little badmind for the people who got mini-pools attached to the front of their room section. 

All in all I would give the accommodations a 3.5/5.

Surroundings: 

The ground were vast, spacious and immaculate. It was safe and a great number of spots available for relaxing, entertaining and just enjoying the moment. With hammocks located at different spots across the property and golf cars available to carry extensive distances, although rarely needed. I was pretty impressed with the general surrounding and atmosphere of the hotel. It truly was beautiful!!!

Overall Impression: 4/5 










Food:

The food was variable and palatable for all taste buds and preferences. From all you can eat buffet open at certain times during the day to grill stand. Not to mention Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean and of course Jamaican restaurants and bars located on the vast estate. In my opinion the best food was from the grill where I had my fill of grilled chicken sandwich, wraps, fries, burgers, hotdogs, basically a made to order playground. That being said the wait to actually get the food was ridiculous. There is only one stand with at most 3 chefs operating the grill and a lot of hungry people who end up waiting extended periods of time because no one ever seems to just order one plate at a time. Ah brother. Other than that the food was alright it wasn't as great as other hotels or restaurants I've visited but it was ok to eat.

My Overall Food Rating is: 3/5





Activities:

Activities ranged from a gym that was open 24 hours a day to water activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, sailing and so on. There were also golf, poolside fun, tennis, basketball, archery, horse and buggy and laser tag. There were countless things to do at Jewel Runaway Bay. Trust me!!! Not to mention this family-friendly resort had activities for just about every age group with parents being able to leave children at the kiddies play area, teens having a game arcade and adults free to do as they please. My only problem was that as with many hotels, many of the activities did not go as schedule and would often be late or not at all depending on what happens. See some pictures below of what I took part in.

Overall, I would rate activities as a 3.5/5. 

Overall Experience:

My impression of Jewel Runaway Bay is one of fond memories, enjoyable moments, great activities and complete relaxation. I would definitely visit this place again and I totally recommend this to you.

Overall Grade: 3.5/ 5

Mi Familia

When did you take your last vacation? It's time to start living today and enjoying the little times of freedom that we have.

Much Love ,

Nella

Life Under Construction

Lately I haven't been feeling too great and so it's time for some tough decisions to be made and hopefully it ends up for the best. Wish me luck my sweethearts!!!

Much Love,

Nella

Weekly Inspiration

Hey dolls and dudes,

This week I want to talk about forgiveness. It's time we stop being prisoners of our past and forgive not only the other person but forgive ourselves also. Forgive ourselves for the decisions we made for they made us who we are today. Forgive ourselves for the choices we made for they taught us valuable lessons. And forgive ourselves for our mistakes. They are not prisons but rather guides. Forgiveness is the key to unlock our inner potential.

Much Love,

Nella