When I stumbled across the pictures of Ana Antunes home I honestly gasped. The combination of colors are stunningly perfect.

The lavender tea cup set against the greens, just gorgeous

The grouping of Ana’s collections are so inspiring. Just enough to make me want to work on my home a little more and maybe bring in a little more color. Trying to incorporate color has always intimidated me. Right now I’m an eclectic mix of black, white and hints of pink! With these photos Ana has shown us how to blend them beautifully.

Do you feel inspired, yeah me too!

Bella

pics via The Lennox & Anna Antunes Blog

My favorite Balmain heels and a little help from Audrey is what helped me get through the day!

Sometimes’ that’s all you need…

Bella XoX

To get this look, you’re going to need a sheer, milky white polish; 3-4 complementary nail colors (we chose purple, hot pink, fuchsia, and baby blue); nail decals; polish remover, and a disposable eyeliner brush.

Fleury says it’s going to be easiest to unscrew all of the tops of your bottles before you begin this one — it takes a long time to dry and you’re more apt to smudge if you have to futz around too much. Start off by painting all of your nails with the creamy white polish (Fleury likes Color Club’s Bonjour Girl shade). “It helps to have a lighter base with these bright designs so that the colors pop more,” says Fleury. After this, you’re going to want to do one nail at a time, as you need the polishes to be semi-wet.

Starting at the base of the nail, paint a thick strip of color diagonally across the nail. Do this with all the colors, until you reach the tip of the nail. It’s okay if you overlap, since you are going to blend them anyways. Fleury recommends mixing up the order of the colors for each nail to give this look a more authentic feel.

While the polish is still wet, dip your eyeliner brush in some nail polish remover (it should be wet, not soaking) and, starting at the base of the nail, gently drag it up vertically through the colors. Do this in four separate lines, all the way across the nail. Repeat this on each nail, then wait for it to dry.

Apply a thick top coat to the nail, then grab an orangewood stick and tap it against the brush of the top coat to get a dab of it on the stick. Use that dab to pick up a star decal and place it on the nail, pressing it into the still-wet top coat on your nail. Repeat with a few different sizes of stars, or add some crystals if you’re feeling really fancy. Added bonus: The decals are really great at covering up any mistakes. Wait for it to dry, then apply another layer of top coat to the whole nail to hold it all together.

Hello everyone! Is this a happy mani or what? Perfect for Spring.

In other news, my weight loss update. I soooo went off the wagon this weekend. OMG so frustrating! Back on today with a delicious Lean Cuisine … kinda bleh, but two bike rides later I should be good.  : )  { Down 15lbs in 23 days} yay, yay….

Happy Monday dolls…

Bella XoX

pics and article via Refinery 29

I am always game for something new and a reverse French mani with Pink on the tips of my nails I thought would be fun to try! They looks so feminine and the color is to die for. It’s called Havana Guys from OPI and for the little touch of something glam I added a little white heart with a crystal in the center.

Bella

pics 3 & 4 of nail polish via The Cherry Blossom Girl

Tulips are my favorite flower and what a fun way to add a lovely touch to your windowsill.  I tend to forget about plants outside and really never get to enjoy them as much, always been a big fan of interior planting!

Ruffles on cake are just about as fabulous as they are on your wardrobe. My sister loves to bake and we tried this a couple of weekends ago. Here are a few tips to help you out, should you decide to try it! Be prepared to use a lot of frosting, almost triple the amount normally used.

Hold pastry bag straight up and down with narrow end of petal tip facing you and wider end of the tip against edge of the cake.

Beginning at bottom of the cake, squeeze bag and move tip back and forth as you build a vertical “wall” of ruffles, one on top of the next, up entire side of the cake. When your first column of ruffles is done, start piping your next ruffle column next to the completed ruffles. Proceed all the way around cake until complete.

If you want to ruffle the top of your cake, use the same technique but tilt the piping bag at a 45 degree angle. Instead of lying on top of each other, the ruffles will overlap each other (like shingles).

Happy Thursday, so glad it’s almost Friday!

Bella

image one, two, three, four, five

 Not even going to mention the Neon’s that will be gracing every boutique you go to, but I can promise you it’s going to be a very bright Spring! Yellow, in my opinion is going to be the IT color. I plan on making it happen with a splash here and there. Yellow shirts, shoes and most of all, my favorite way in shine is the handbag!

It goes with just about anything, especially Pink or Navy Blue. So, do you dare? Just make sure to keep it classy. I can see this trend going ALL kinds of wrong.  ”Best if you Invest” has long been my motto. Yellow can easily go backwards.

Did you notice the RED interior of the hutch above in the first picture? A cute way to pump up an otherwise boring piece! Super easy DIY.

Happy Wednesday

Bella

ps. The hutch via The Well Appointed Life

 How to get the perfect brow!

Infusions are all the rage right now, and with good reason.  

 Link to the recipe for the Marshmallow Cake-tini Cocktail

 How gorgeous is this comforter? Here is the link on how to make it! DIY Design

Gorgeous long hair infused with color!

Practical no … Fabulous Yes

I found so many fun things to share with you over the weekend! Links are above each picture.

Brows are everything! If you pay attention to ONE detail on your face, please don’t ignore this!  When your eyes start to lose some of that “wide eyed” look we were born with, just make it up with your brows.

Marshmello Cake-Tini’s …. ummm not only do they look fun, but they have to taste just as good!

The ruffled comforter is so Chic and Fabulous! DIY instructions linked. I plan on making mine this weekend, {Pink of course}.

The pictures above without any links are just to inspire and make you drool! Hence the last pic of shoes… : )

Third week into the new year, and I am still on my plan with this diet. Struggles crop up here and there, but I muster right through them. Right now what is working for me? A silly phrase I heard once … “Nothing Taste As Good, As Thin Feels”.  When I get the urge to cheat I say this aloud over and over. I’ve also set up a LOOK board of fashions I would not be comfortable in at this weight. I look to it for inspiration daily and am already planning my new wardrobe! Down 13 lbs. in 16 days …. Yay!

Happy Monday Luvs

Bella

How many times have you said to yourself “this is the year, I making changes?”  We all do! But something is different this year. I am so determined.  My Cinderella story didn’t turn out quite the way I imagined. No regrets, just determination to put it all behind me.

My weight loss resolution is still on track, down 11 lbs. Difficult as hell, because as many of you know, we tend to feed our soul, not just our stomachs with food.  I’m finding the exercising is the harder resolution of the two. I seriously detest it! I mean really really dislike exercising. So just in case any of you have a notion that you can’t do it, trust me you can!

I’ll share another set of photo’s soon of my progress, once I can see a major difference.

OK so enough about me! Here are some things I found FABULOUS this week!!!

Let’s start off with this purse. As you know I live in a world of glitter, crystals {the swarovski kind}, and feathers. I love it all. Well finding a handbag with feathers is nearly impossible! So I decided to make one myself. Flowing Ostrich feathers with some lovely beading across the top. I received an insane amount of compliments when I carried it last weekend. Already have two requests from friends to make one for them. So what’s the verdict Yay or Nay?

My favorite product lately is this Laser Free Resurfacing serum by Peter Thomas Roth. I am always a sucker for fun products, but to my surprise I love it! I call it my Dragons Blood {they call it that as well}! I’ve been using it now for 10 days and can definitely tell a difference. Pores are dramatically smaller and the clarity of my skin definitely looks better.

Foiled wallpaper. What a simple way to glam up any room! Fabulous right?

And for those of you NOT concerned with dieting!  Try this…. I can’t wait to! Imagine how your guest will swoon over this gorgeous and yummy dessert!.

Creamy Blackberry Frozen Yogurt
 

• 3 cups fresh blackberries
• 3 cups yogurt cheese (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

1. In a blender, puree the blackberries with the sweetened condensed milk.
2. In a medium bowl mix the puree with the yogurt cheese.
3. Pour the mixture in to your ice-cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Hope all your wishes and dreams are coming true!

Bella

XoX

Jamie from http://fromme-toyou.tumblr.com/ took these gorgeous pictures today.

This weekend get swept away!

 Styled by + Featuring Kelly Framel / Clothes + Accessories by Kelly Wearstler / Hair by Sam Divine / Makeup by Kristee Liu

Bella

My first day of exercise felt like the picture above, {I kinda despise exercising} …… but then on day five I’m starting to feel a little stronger…. yay!  Thanks again for all of your support.

Bella

XoX

pics via { http://www.kristianschuller.com/}

Dreamy, feminine and soft is what I adore when it comes to design. Infusing Pink into your color schemes can be quite tricky.  Little touches here and there give the illusion of much more than is really there. One simple chair trimmed in white dilutes it just enough to make it work. Also, by adding sheers, white of course, brings an instant elegance and dreaminess.

Crystal vases, or antique perfume bottles can take it to a another level.  I prefer a piece of crystal strategically placed so the color bounces right off of it. Add a fabulous chandelier and you have the coziest, ultra feminine design.  I’ve selected a few photos to inspire you

Happy Wednesday Luvs

Bella

pics via weheartit.com 

Say what you will about Kim K, but personally I think her face is sheer perfection! The makeup for the Christmas card photo shoot is impeccable. A lot of dramatic effects but non the less, I’m having major makeup envy.

I found this tutorial by Dulce Candy, who created her own version. I thought you may enjoy it.

For this look,  Wycee  applied a shimmery white eye shadow on my lid just below my crease and surrounded it with dark brown and gray colors. The contrast created by using light and dark colors makes this a dramatic nighttime look, she stated.

EYES

- MAC Paint Pot in “Soft Ochre” (entire lid)

- Inglot E/S Matte in “351″ (highlight)

- Inglot E/S AMC Shine in “35″ (center lid to inner corner, slightly above crease; also apply on tear duct) — this is the white color

- Inglot AMC E/S in “52″ (outer V; blend along outer 3/4 of crease) — this is the dark brown color

- Inglot E/S D.S. in “498″ (blend along outer edge of outer V, on top of 52) — this is the dark gray color

- Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in “77″ (upper lash line)

- Maybelline The Falsies Volum’Express Waterproof Mascara in “Very Black” (two coats on top lashes)

- Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in “01 Black” (one coat on bottom lashes)

Bella

last pic and tutorial via {Nerdy Girl Makeup}

  As promised in yesterdays post! Here we gooooooooooooooo …..

I now know I am the BRAVEST woman in the entire world! Frown lines and all (still need to get on the botox bandwagon) as you can see! Really the sun was just SO bright… : )  Loving the 80′s workout clothes don’t you? Ummmm, it’s because that’s the last time I worked out.

You see no one ever told me about this little thing called menopause, sure I’d heard of it, but had zero idea of the destruction it has to your body. Always a perfect size 6 with no worries, ate whatever I wanted (I know, right), and without any exercise. Now, not so much. Everything is so puffy, gone is the lean mean girl, but I am determined and on a mission to rediscover her. Only now I’m going to have to work on it.

Statistically speaking I am now a size 10 and want to lose 30lbs. Tone my upper body by next summer and drop those god awful inches around my waist.

I cannot tell you how much all of your comments meant to me in my last post, ladies we must all ban together and support! I am also here for YOU, please let me know if ever you need some support from me.

See my face, I’m thinking “Who The Hell Are You”.  haha

I will update you on my progress weekly.

Major Hugs for all of you and your kindness.

Bella

XoX

Hello,  it’s now January 1, 2012 and I’m hoping to look back at this post frequently as a reminder of many things. You wanna discuss?

Ok good here we go …. first off, see that dress in the first picture? I’m using it as my inspiration as to what I’m wearing next New Year’s Eve. Typically on an average day, I would be just admire it, then have that annoying thought that races around my head, you know the one, the evil little guy who tells you, “you can’t wear that!” None of us are safe from body issues, and while I’ve never been one who has to watch her weight, I did lose sight of it and it found me.

So annoyed by the whole process, so much so that yes I am going to be one of those. One of those who makes a resolution to get back into shape. Oh, but I do have a secret weapon, I have YOU! By keeping it real, by keeping it honest and with your encouragement I know I can do this.

I am going to even take this one step further by posting pictures of my journey. I need some sort of documentation to keep me on track.

Tomorrow I’ll put on my big girl panties or should I say my leotards and reveal my before. {good god why am I doing this?} haha, see the little creeper is back, kinda freaky when he talks so much.

Off to my first bike ride of 2012 and then back to take the pictures.

I hope this New Year brings you everything you ever wished for!

Bella

XoX

Can’t think of a better color scheme to help ring in the new year. So vibrant, but what I love most are the roses hung as decor from the ceiling. They are beautifully cascading down over the table.

Just a quick post to inspire maybe, for your New Year’s Eve party.

Be safe and have a blast!

Bella

XoX

images via Mindy Weiss