The Bella Life

Q&C Decorating with Pillows Cont’d…

debbie — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:25:41 +0000

In my last Quick and Cheap post I showed how pillows can be used to “inexpensively” makeover a room-and I shared some of my favorite online places for pillow shopping. Today I’m going to show you how easy it is to use recycled materials around your house.

One quick and easy idea is to find an old-extra large-scarf , find an existing pillow and tie it onto the pillow with the knot on the front of the pillow like this:

Or you can take the scarf, add some fabric for backing it and make a slipcover to put over a pillow form.

(Check here for detailed tutorial on how to make a pillow cover.)

Some other ”recycle” options for making pillows from things around you house might be:

Blue shirts…

(Check here for instructions on how to make these pillows.)

Fabric shower curtains…

How cute would pillows be made out of shower curtains like these?

Army blankets…

I’m thinking cabin for these.

Fabric table napkins…

(Check here for directions on making these pillows.)

Pillows are a great way to change the look and feel of your room without being too expensive-especially if you “recycle”.

Happy Decorating!

Deb

Cupcakes Anyone?

keighley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:47:17 +0000

This is one of the greatest books around! At work Debs has a stack of inspirational home decor books that I like to flip through whenever possible. This is the only food-themed book in our office and let me tell you…. IT IS INSPIRING! The pictures are art, I can literally almost taste the cupcakes, and the colors and textures of the frosting make me swoon.

After flipping through this book for the past year I came up with a brilliant plan! wahahahaaa. In the near future I am throwing a ‘cupcakes‘ party and all those who lucky enough to attend are going to be assigned one of the recipes Shelly Kaldunski highlights in her book. Everyone will bring there batch of cupcakes where all invitees will vote on ‘Best Taste’, ‘Best Look-Alike’, ‘Worste Taste’ (which I will most likely win), ‘Best Attempt” and ‘Queen of the Cupcakes!’

{Pssst…I just came up with the contest while I was writing this post so categories will most likely change as the party draws closer.}

Anyways, if you would like to be invited to my personal shindig leave a comment and MAYBE just MAYBE you will make the Cupcake CUT! xoxo

PS. Check out some of the CoopCakes!

Crap. These are the only ones I could find online.

For all future attendees I will scan and email you a recipe, instructions, and rules.

Quote of the Day

camberley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:35:10 +0000

Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.

~Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Faire Frou Frou

via Faire Frou Frou blog

Dear Cricket – - -

camberley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:40:54 +0000

Dear Cricket {aka Our Lovebird} – - -

Dallan and I haven’t seen you in 5 DAYS. Now we are starting to believe we may never see you again. At first I was in denial; thinking, “Cricket will come back when he’s hungry”. Now I’m starting to believe you found freedom and you love it more than me {and D}.

I’m starting to miss your little chirps and whistles.

Have a safe adventure,

Camberley

Life As I KNOW It

keighley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:11:42 +0000

PLUS

MAKES FOR A WHOLE LOT OF STRESS.

If any of you see me walking around mumbling, with a bag of cough drops in one hand and my inhaler in the other… JUST. WALK. AWAY.

(did i mention its midterms and I have to give an oral presentation in SPANISH for 10 minutes?)

-Sincerely Losing My Mind-

Keighley

Quote of the Day

camberley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:17 +0000

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.

~Margaret Atwood

No related posts.

Beautiful Burlap…

debbie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:11:22 +0000

Burlap is big and beautiful-it’s everywhere you turn. I think that it’s a fun “texture” to use in home decor and can fit into many different decor styles. Here’s a few ways that it’s being used…

Pillows, Hanging Ornaments, Flower Posey…and Pillows!

On Etsy I found this Jolie Marche Pillow.

How about a PB lampshade?

And I love this board from Pottery Barn as well.

Headboard are a great idea. Check out these on here.

Love the burlap with the carved and painted bed frame.

This French burlap chair has a more casual look…

And this burlap chaise lounge is combined with linen and silk for a more formal look.

What do you think?

Debs

Take Another Quick Music Break With Brandi Carlile {That Year}

camberley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:52:24 +0000

The first time I heard this song was at one of Brandi’sconcerts in Tempe. Before performing this song, she explained that she wrote it for a friend who committed suicide in high school -- this is a very powerfully sad song.

~Camberley

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

camberley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:46:30 +0000

Debs taught me how to make these creamy chicken enchiladas a couple of years ago. This recipe is easy and delicious. Sometimes I’ll make a pan of these bad boys the night before, and pop them in the oven after work the next day.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

8-10 Corn Tortillas
Chicken (you may use shredded or ground chicken)
Container of Low Fat Sour Cream
Can of Cream of Chicken Soup (I usually use the healthy choice can)
Cheese
Diced Green Chilies
Salsa

Directions:

Set oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together sour cream, cream of chicken soup and diced green chilies – set aside. Take a tortilla and fill with chicken, dollop of sour cream, and a pinch of cheese. Roll tortilla up and line the bottom of the pan (I use an 8′x6″ glass pan). Once the pan is filled, pour the remaining sour cream mixture over the enchiladas. Finish the pan of enchiladas off with some cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Serve with salsa, avocado, and corn. Enjoy!

Serves around 5 People

Quote of the Day

camberley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:46 +0000

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.

~Doug Larson

The Chocolate Dessert Cafe!

Jamie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:32 +0000

ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO ORDER!!!

Listen up Arizona! The Chocolate Dessert Cafe is coming to the Valley of the Sun for a LIMITED TIME ONLY!

The Chocolate Dessert Cafe is based out of Orem, Utah and was developed by a fantastically talented woman ~ Ange. Ange happens to be one of my best friends. So, without further ado, I give you Ange!

Through extensive training in New York, Ange has perfected the art of making delicious desserts. In addition to this, she has traveled all over the country searching for decadent dessert recipes.

Right now, Ange is taking delivery orders for Arizonans. You can order her scrumptious indulgences now, thru the 11th of March. Then, on Friday (March 12th) she will deliver fresh desserts to your door. If you want to order something (and you do {I’m saying this is my best hypnotic voice}) you may call the store directly at (801)224-7334 and specify that it’s for Ange’s “Arizona delivery.” Or email your order to eatcake@thechocolatedc.com.

Don’t know what to order? Check out the menu at www.thechocolatedc.com

I will be ordering a dozen baby cakes for $12.

Or maybe I’ll order the German Chocolate Cake…. Mmmmmm, now that I’m thinking about it, I may also order some mint brownies….. There’s always the “Veronika” {Ange knows that is truly my favorite}. Go. Check it out. Let me know what you are ordering. Maybe I’ll order that too.

If you are in the Orem area you could stop by and check out the cafe at 212 S. State St.
Orem, UT, 84058
I hope to get there very soon to visit. Here are some pictures of her cafe. Enjoy!

-Jamie

Q&C (Quick and Cheap) Decorating With Pillows

debbie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:10:55 +0000

Want a quick and cheap way to give your house a facelift this spring? It’s as simple as adding or changing the decorative pillows on your sofa, bed or chairs. There are several ways that you can do it ”on a dime”.

Q&C Idea #1

Buy a few pillows at your favorite online store. I love finding a great bargain online-especially those online stores that offer low cost or free shipping and returns. The convenience is a plus too. Here are a few for you to check out…

One of my favorite stores to check out online is Overstock. Here are a few “fabulous” finds from this store that would look great on this sofa:

Zandra Pillow $19.00

Nisha Bohemian Pillow $18.99

Another great website to check for pillows is Designer Linens Outlet. How about adding the following pillows on a Shabby Chic bed to give it a little color?

Modena Pillow $39.00

Valencia Pillow $39.99

Ravenna Pillow $39.99

And finally-online shopping would not be complete without checking out Target. Look at what I found to add to this sofa…

Peony Pillow $24.99

Yellow Tree Pillow $19.99

Pillows are a great way to change the entire look of your room without spending a lot of money. In my next Q&C post I will show you how to make your own slipcovered pillows with things that you may already have around your house.

Until then…

Happy Decorating!

Debs

Trash or Art?

Jamie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:46:54 +0000

Trey, my preschooler, caught me. He opened up the trash can to throw something away and saw his precious piece of artwork. Slimy, sticky, crinkled and in the trash. He took it out, dripping with goo and handed it to me. Saying, “Why did you throw my art away”? I was crushed (so was Trey). I took that gooey piece of “art” and told him I didn’t mean to throw it away and that it was so great. It is still sitting on my kitchen table, starring at me. So… I decided I needed to start displaying his art some way. Some of his art is really great so I “file” it away. This one may not be “file” worthy but to Trey it is not worthy of the trash. I need to come up with some fun way of displaying his “art”.

Here is the beloved art from today. I don’t even know what it is but I’m sure Trey knows.

These are some ideas I came across.

The “art of the week” display.

Simple clothes pins would be cute.

This could look great in our playroom.

This may be cute in Trey’s room. He’d love it.

Or you can take pictures of all the art and hang that up too. I love this idea.

Have fun and good luck!

Green Cleaning – Baking Soda

Shopping With The Girls: Latest ETSY Love

camberley — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:30:57 +0000

Keighley and I were flipping through this month’s issue of Better Homes and Garden’s Do It Yourself Magazine, when Ky spotted a pincushion cupcake {page. 21 – for those of you who have the magazine}.

“Ugh,” she cried. “I hate that cupcakes are popular because I love them.” {Remember her Cupcake Christmas Tree?}

This comment is what prompted me to hunt out cupcake pincushions on ETSY. All I can say is “I am now a lover of cupcake trinkets.” Kill me now.

~Camberley

Quote of the Day

camberley — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:41 +0000

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

~Charles Dickens

The Bella Bookies…

debbie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:30:15 +0000

The Bella Girls are starting their very own book group.

Not only will it be a literary adventure but it will be a a great opportunity to share everything from our love of books to our life’s experiences. I began by thinking of the “purpose” of our group, the “girls” I would bring together and the “rules”.

My first prerequisite is that the Bella Bookies will be “age” diverse.

I thought that one easy way to make the group more varied was to bring together women from different age groups- i.e. young marrieds, married with children, middle age with children and middle age without children. What a great way to share our different perspectives about life and to learn from each other. Another prerequisite is that our members will be committed and lots of FUN!

The Bella Bookies will officially start after their first planning meeting where the following will be decided:

What books will we read for the upcoming year?

Each member will be asked to bring 3 book ideas to share at the first meeting where the group will discuss these ideas and then decide which books to read for the upcoming year. When we choose our books we will consider using the idea of “themes”-which can keep the book club fresh and exciting. When planning our reading schedule we will consider the time of year as well as such ideas as: reading books only from the best sellers list, classics, mysteries, romance, etc. We might even consider in the future reading classics one year, a series the next year, etc.

How often and where will we meet?

Because our lives are busy I’m going to suggest that we start out by meeting 6 times a year. This gives us the flexibility to add our yearly planning meeting or going out to see a movie together based on a book we’ve read. Having fewer meetings per year allows us the opportunity to take time off during the summer months and to avoid doing a meeting during the busy holidays.

Deciding where to meet is going to be a group decision. A couple of ideas we will consider is rotating the meeting between each of our houses or having it at Bella Fine’s new studio. The day of the week and the time will be another collective decision along with what to eat. After all, what’s a get together unless it has fabulous food!

How to stay informed and connected?

After we’ve determined all the above, I thought that it would be a good idea to stay connected by posting our own Bella Bookies meeting schedule, reading guides, members birthdays, snack/food assignments and other pertinent information by using email, a blog or an “invitation-only” group online.

Now that I have the business out of the way I’m happy to introduce some of the Bella Bookies…

KY the ”Desperate Housewife”

Mrs. “OCD” (Outta Control Deb)

Our “Corporate Climbing” CAM

”Auntie” JEN

“Wild n’ Crazy” CARLA

The Super SIL “JAMES”

The Awesome “ASHNIC”

The “JENSTER” (without the T.J.)

We will be adding more to our group so if you’re interested in being a part of this wonderful adventure we are excepting applications now. (Just kidding about the applications part…)

Happy Reading

Debs

Colored Bubbles?

Jamie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:01:39 +0000

So, as I was starting to write this post I thought I would do an experiment. I started making bubbles from the ingredients (see below) and thought it would be fun to add some food coloring and give the bubbles some COLOR. Uh-oh! Has anyone ever tried this before? Messy, yucky and duh, food coloring stains. So I thought I’d look up a recipe for colored bubbles. Chemistry.com was the only website I found with ingredients for colored bubbles. Ya, no thanks! Then… I hit the mother load! The first ever non-staining disappearing bubbles. Coming soon! Can’t wait. http://www.zubbles.com/
The green bubble.

The blue bubble.

The red bubble.

Until then. Need bubbles? Here’s a recipe to make your own. Enjoy this time of year, go outside, blow some bubbles. Did you know bubbles even help clean the air? It’s true.

Tear Free Bubbles ( This is great for small children! )

Need:
1/4 cup no-tears baby shampoo, 3/4 cup water, 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients and let bubbles settle. Have fun.

Taking “Timeout” Through Music with Iron & Wine

camberley — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:41:33 +0000

“Samuel Beam (born July 26 1974), better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter.”

“Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Florida to attend school and now resides outside of Austin, Texas. The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named “Beef Iron & Wine” that he found in a general store while shooting a film.”

“Beam earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.He specialized in painting. He graduated from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Before the release of the first Iron & Wine album, Beam’s main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend loaned him a four-track recorder. He made demos which his friends distributed and eventually the owner of Sub Pop Records contacted him to propose a deal.” (Info from here)

For more information about Iron & Wine, visit Beam’s website at www.ironandwine.com

Something Funny….

camberley — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:28:28 +0000

My Male “Fashionistas” know I’m pretty bummed about Cricket, so they sent over something funny to cheer me up.

Thanks Ice Queen!

MISSING

camberley — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:18:37 +0000

Our lovebird, Cricket, flew away yesterday (just before the big rain storm). If you are in East Mesa and you see a peachfaced lovebird sitting in your backyard making human-like whistles let me know.

His colors are more brilliant now {he’s young in these pics}

Thanks,

Camberley