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

“i know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream”

 Things I’m Obsessed With … this is going to be a new weekly post starting in January. I say obsessed because I’m a type A personality. I live my life on the edge, I love hard, I fall hard, I do everything to an obsession. It has taken me many years to accept this, {as most people whom are not, give me grief about it}. Why am I telling you this, because most blogs call it their {favorite five}. To me it’s not a favorite, if I post it, that means I want, I think about incessantly until I have it.

Here are a few links I found this week I’m simply had to share!

     Boo on Facebook, oh hell yes I’m obsessed with this … just wait until you see him! Love….. http://www.facebook.com/Boo

     This photo-shoot takes my breath away. Also makes me excited for Spring! Liandra by Michelle Du Xuan for Fashion Gone Rogue

      Jennifer Aniston: Extensions Destroyed My Hair (PHOTOS) {WHAT? You mean I had hair envy all this time for nothing?}

      Sell Your Breakup Memories Instead of Burning Them!  Good Lifestyle – Great Article

      I know I’m contradicting my earlier statement, BUT … there are RULES! The Do’s and Don’t of Wearing Glitter Makeup

      My favorite pajamas right now. Silky satin and my go to for lounging and blogging in. They inspire me …. The Afterhours Satin Pajama

Happy New Years … See ya in 2012

Bella

XoX

pics via Tumbler, CitifiedBlogspot, Pinterest

Tom Joules Wellies

Merry Christmas everyone! Campy pic of me above …

As this year comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on changes that need to take place in my life. We all do this, right? I have some big changes coming  my way for the new year. {personally imposed}

I am so grateful for each and everyone of you who leave your lovely comments and take the time to read my blog.

It’s Christmas morning, and I’m having my morning coffee waiting for the house to wake up. I hope this post finds you well and happy. If you’re spending the day alone, I’m sending you one big happy hug. So many people struggle through this time of the year and I for one am no exception. I know I’ve said it a million times here, but always remember “You’re Beautiful” !

Major Hugs Today

Bella

I finally finished the frame I was making for my daughter Jaime’s Christmas gift. As I mentioned in a post a few days ago, I was hand-making her gift.  Obviously no glitz or glamour here, which was a major stretch for me. Unless it sparkles …. well I kind of find it boring. But sometimes as a Mother you have to do what you’ve gotta do, right? After all this is going in her barn, so keep that in mind!!!  : )

I went to Hobby Lobby last night looking for just the right frame. I found this one, that looks old and used. For an added touch I wanted to add a few western theme pieces to amp up the frame. And this is what I came up with!

I thought this skull was fabulous, so western.

The top two items are drawer pulls that I felt matched this wrought iron plaque with hooks. (perfect for her to hang to horse lead ropes .)

Quick tip: by using a small pair of sciccors to hold the nail in place, it made the job a lot easier. Have you seen the size of these nails?

I used a glue gun for the drawer pulls and skull to attached them to the frame. Doesn’t the frame look rustic, here’s your first look.

I had the picture blown up to a 20 x 30 size. I did have to trim the photo to accomodate the frame. Once I secured the frame to the picture, added the hanger on the back, applied the pulls, plaque and skull, this is how it turned out!

The finished size is quite large and impressive. And as always the details get lost in the photography here. My first western project and probably my last, but I do love how it turned out! I hope she does as well.

Happy Crafting

Bella

XoX

I wanted to share with you this little jewel of a boutique called Silverhooks.com. Their prices are phenomenal, and they have the cutest little gifts or for me, the basics of fun things we love.

Purse organizers, bling pens, purse hangers and so much more. Just a really fun boutique to get your GIRL on!

These are two of the items I was gifted, the organizer and pen. The organizer makes it so easy to switch between purses. Just lift out and insert into my purse of the day. Perfect!

Three days till Christmas, can you beleive it? I’m almost ready, well kinda! : )

Happy Thursday Luvs….

Bella

 I have found so many gorgeous DIY’s this holiday season, the blog world is just bursting with creativity.  These DIY Miu Miu Jeweled Heels are stunning and what a fabulous job  the ladies at  HonestlyWTF did! So simple, yet so creative. Any heel will do, but here is a link to the ones they used.   Heels here.

You’ll need:

• a pair of heeled shoes
• 40-50 large and medium (10-15 mm) multi-shaped rhinestones
• 30-40 small (3-6 mm) round rhinestones
• E-6000 glue
• tweezers
• small dish or container
• toothpick
• flat nose pliers (optional)

A tip: the smaller round stones will require the tiniest bit of glue. Dip a toothpick into the glue, dab it onto the backside of the stone and apply to the shoe.

Press the stone into the top of the center of the heel. Add several other large stones around the top, gradually working your way down to the middle of the heel with smaller stones. Go back and add small round stones in bare spots. There is no right or wrong way to creating the pattern – have fun with it!

Just in time for New Year’s Eve!

Bella

images and tutorial via Honestly WTF