This time of year always reminds me of Christmas pasts. Especially now that my children have grown. Throughout the years I’ve had some pretty amazing holidays, filled with the laughter of my girls, exoctic trips, lavish gifts, some not so lavish and one I spent alone.

But one Christmas always takes me back to a special place, a place of innocence.

It was my first Christmas on my own. I had just moved to Salt Lake City, gotten married and was living on love. The one thing I wanted so much that year was snow.  The apartment we lived in had a very large bay window that set at a 90 degree angle. I remember gazing out the window for hours at a time. I had made quite a comfortable spot, reading, designing and dreaming.

Those days were sprinkled with everything new.  Such an adventure for young girl. My first love, my first apartment and my first Christmas with snow!

 The view from my window seat was breathtaking. As I watched the world turn white and glisten, I remember thinking how magical everything was. It was a perfect evening that Christmas Eve, just he and I and the magic of Christmas. There I sat with my coffee, in my little corner of the world, little did I know I was making a memory, a memory that would last a lifetime!

Always remember you’re making memories ….

Bella

pics via –  weheartit

Getting a little crafty this year and decided to make a few personalized ornaments. This on is for my daughter Jaime.

Supplies I use. Left over ornaments laying around the house. A clear Christmas bulb. A strand of red bulbs, swarovski crystals for the initial and gold ribbon.

First I glued on the crystals with E6000.

Straighten them out carefully with a toothpick. Once I had the initial completed I use nail polish remover to get rid of any remaining glue.

I then tied on the strand of red bulbs and secured them with the gold ribbon, which I made into a perfectly lovely bow. And TA-DA …. a pretty impressive ornament that’s personalized . I tried to photograph it on my tree, and it’s a little hard to see the details, hence the reason I’m asking Santa for a new camera! ” )

Here’s the finished product …

You can only see this glue due to the closeup. In real life you can’t.

 I decided to go the sentimental route this year and hand make a few gifts. Jaimes’ other gift is a picture of her and her horse Grace. I took the picture six months ago, so she won’t even remember.   shhhhhh don’t tell! : )

My daughter did inherit some of my quirkyness like for instance, this picture is going to be hung in her barn. The barn is under construction right now and should be finished mid January and her and I are already discussing how to decorate it. So I thought how cute to have a picture of her and her favorite horse hung proudly by Grace’s stall.

She will definitely be surprised!

How is your holidays going? Any cute DIY you like to share? I’d love to see them.

Happy Weekend Luvs

Bella

Easy elegant gift wrap

Tulle fabric can dress up your gifts as well! Cut a large circle of tulle, gather up the edges, and wrap it around any size box. Tie the tulle in place with ribbon or tinsel trimmed with small ornaments.

Looks perfect with a pink tree!

Happy Holidays

Bella

Bombshell Hair for the holidays.

No matter what your style, your hair is one of your best assets. Killer hair will always set you apart!

A few simple tricks will take your hair from drab to BOMBSHELL in a matter of minutes.

Step 1: Wash: Start with newly shampooed and conditioned hair. Towel dry. Stylist suggestion: Pick a cleansing routine designed for your hair texture. Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner (for medium to thick hair) or Bamboo Volume Abundant Volume Shampoo & Conditioner (for fine hair).

Step 2: Prep: Use a styling cocktail of one part Bamboo Smooth Kendi Pure Treatment Oil and one part Bamboo Volume Plumping Strand Expand. The mixture will give hair fullness and body while keeping strands smooth and sleek.

Step 3: Section and Dry: Blast hair in 2-inch sections at the top of your head with a large round boar bristle brush.

Step 4: Set: When the first 2-inch section is almost dry, wrap hair around the brush starting at the ends, rolling hair all the way to the roots. Keep the brush in place and blow dry for about 10 seconds (more or less depending on hair type). The hair should be heated through thoroughly to help keep the shape of the curl. Set the curl with a cool blast.

Step 5: Twist: Use your index and middle fingers, to gently twist hair into soft curls.

Step 6: Continue sectioning hair 2 inches at a time and repeat steps 3 – 5 until hair is dry. Start at the crown of the head, moving towards the back, then finish with the sides.

Step 7: Tousle: When all hair is dry and curled, break the curls apart with fingers and set the look with Bamboo Smooth Anti-Humidity Hair Spray. For an added dose of volume, spray Bamboo Volume Uplifting Root Blast directly at roots.

This may sound a little more difficult than it really is, but I promise you’ll love the look!

Bella

tutorial via Sephora pics via I Heart It

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn’t be, and what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?

 Take a trip with me into the rabbit hole, a place where you can dream, a place where beauty inspires.

Pictures that inspired me this week.

And finally, dipped strawberries in yogurt, freeze and you get this amazing snack!

Happy Sunday Luvs!

Bella

Not a serious baker by any means, actually not a baker at all! But, who could resist these?

Prep Time 15 Minutes

Cook Time 25 Minutes

Difficulty Easy

Servings

 Fun weekend project !!!

Have a beautiful weekend, and always remember to take time for you!

Bella

So many parties this time of year, how do you decide to make a statement?  My trick is always with accessories. What could be more fabulous for the holidays than a Louboutin manicure. Elegant and classy, right?

Easy, just apply black to the tops of your nails and red to the underside. Voila … gorgeous and stylish nails!

Sending Wednesday Hugs

Bella

XoX

PS . I made the cutest Santa Hat Brownies last weekend, watch for my post on Thursday.

Spent last night baking after a long day of shopping. I’ve decided online shopping is the only way to go. I love the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but that was ridiculous!

Gorgeous blues are so romantic and relaxing. Let yourself go, unwind and relax. After-all it’s Sunday!

Today I plan on an in home spa day. My hair drench in Argon Oil, a long bath with a good book, followed by an my favorite in home facial.

Take me away, a secret place.

Bella

XoX

Blue Shoes designed by Alix Cherry

  Well here we are with Christmas right around the corner!  Trying to get a jump on things and actually got my tree up early.  Now it’s time to get the gifts in order. How do you guys keep up? Such a busy fun time of the year. 

Photographed some of my favorite ornaments.

Happy Holidays

Bella

Have a great weekend everyone!

XoX

Last pic via (thisisglamorous)  

Here are some ideas for nontraditional table settings for your dining room:

• Start with a sheer floor-length tablecloth and divide the table into four sections with beautiful sheer lime ribbons placed perpendicular to each other. This is a lovely way to separate the place settings and add visual interest to the skirt of the tablecloth.
• The next layer to the table is the napkins with ornaments attached with ribbons used as napkin rings that are also guest gifts. If desired, use a paint pen or glitter glue to include guest initials.
• Address the centerpiece once the place settings are in position and determine what height, size and shape is appropriate.
• The final touch of sequins or stamped holiday shapes sprinkled all over the table adds even more sparkle.
• To give the chairs a holiday twist, place them with their back toward the table. In this position, the host and hostess can add beautifully wrapped gifts to the seats for the lucky diners.

Wreath in Vogue

Designer Sarah Richardson creates a mod Christmas wreath by wrapping white feather boas around a pre-lit wired wreath.

Sparkling Metallics

The holiday season is all about glitz and glamour. Dress up a plain wreath with ornaments, pine cones, ribbon and leaves in your favorite metallic: bronze, copper, silver or gold.

Cheery Red Wreath

Classic ornaments in a variety of sizes are used to create a festive and bright front door wreath. Gold ribbon provides the perfect contrast to the shiny red glass balls. Design by RMS laurabruen.

After the house is looking FABULOUS, remember to share some special time with your significant other, maybe he’ll be surprising you with a “Little Blue Box” …..

Happy Holidays

Bella

pics via HGTV

My holiday wish list!

Let’s dream a little together and say we could wish for what ever we want. What would you wish for this year? In the superfluous kind of way. : )

Christmas is a little under a month away!  I realize these are not the normal everyday gifts, but ya all know what a dreamer I am. In reality as long as it glitters, sparkles or has some sort of feathers on it, I adore it. If it smells like pomegranate or grapefruit, I love it. If it has a tassel, I covet it.

For me it’s these seven items  ….

1. Gucci Indy Bag 1000.00 @ Gucci

2. Two Carot Coffee Mug 14.95 @ ZGallerie

3. Henri Bendel Candles 30.00 @ HenriBendel preferably pomegranate

4.  Lady Shopper Key FOB 58.00 Ann Taylor

5. Jimmy Choo Glitter Case For iPad  495.00 @ Saks

6.  Elis Lady – Clear Crystal Mesh 650.00 @ Swarovski 

7. Canon EOS Rebel 60D 18MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm IS Lens – Black   1300.00 Target

Hope you’re having a great week so far!

Bella

XoX

Productive daydreaming today!  Sunday’s are best for that. Always a fan of big hair, so I recreated this look above for Thanksgiving. Soooo Bridget Bardot right?

Currently making my most wanted list for the holidays, can’t wait to share it with you. ( See tomorrow’s post).

Thank you so much for daydreaming  with me this year. I hope my posts have sweetened your days just like a lovely piece of chocolate  and I hope we can continue dreaming together in next year. Hoping your Thanksgiving was splendid and sending you much love: Bella

pics via absolutely ladylike, tumbler and vogue

Climb the mountains,  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

And stackable rings, will bring a smile any day

A little gold and Autumn inspirations, so  many changes occurring this month,  prepping for a major road trip today!  Life is a constant state of change isn’t it?

Happy Thanksgiving

Bella

Xox

pics vis style.com & citified blogspot

Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned
To what time has taught us, to what we’ve learned:
We often focus all our thought
On shiny things we’ve shopped and bought;
We take our pleasure in material things
Forgetting the pleasure that friendship brings.
If a lot of our stuff just vanished today,
We’d see the foundation of each happy day
Is special relationships, constant and true,
And that’s when our thoughts go directly to you.
We wish you a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget,
Full of love and joy—your best one yet!

I’ll be traveling for the holidays. Looking forward to playing in the snow! I’ll post some pictures from the road, and I truly hope hope you have the best Thanksgiving ever!

Bella

Caramel Pears

8-10 ripe pears, washed, dried, chilled
372 grams sugar (about 2 cups)
186 grams dark brown sugar (about 1 cup)
150 grams butter (about 2/3 cup)
2/3 cup corn syrup
1 cup cream
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. real vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients together (except the fruit) in a deep saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until the butter melts and temperature on a candy or laser thermometer reaches 246 degrees (119 celcius). Stir constantly toward the end of the cooking period to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Dip fruit into caramel mixture and twist until evenly covered. Roll in nuts or sugar. Drain on waxed paper or a silicone baking sheet. Refrigerate. Consume pears within a few hours. Leftover caramel can be refrigerated and defrosted in the microwave for dipping fruit slices or served with the tart.

Apple Tart Crust:

140 g. sugar
400 g. butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
455 g. flour

1. Mix sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla with dough hook just until combined.
2. Add flour and mix until smooth. Do not over mix.
3. Flatten into disks and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes. (You’ll only use half the dough. The rest can be tightly sealed and frozen)
4. Roll or press tart dough into shells (about 1/4 inch thick)
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (205 celcius)

Apple Filling

6 medium apples, sliced
130 grams sugar
25 grams flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Mix dry ingredients. Add sliced apples and toss with sugar mixture. Arrange apples over tart crust. Bake 45-55 minutes until crust is cooked through.

recipe via http://freshnewengland.com/home.html

We all have those days when we get home from work and are rushing around with just minutes to create a fresh look. Here are my favorite products to spruce you up in just minutes!

Lorac TANtalizer 

SPF 15 is a mineral-based, baked formula that goes on silky-smooth for a bronzed glow that lasts. 

If used properly this you will get this gorgeous glow! DO NOT use as an overall bronzer, otherwise you’ll look like you dipped your face in glitter. {hmmm its that a bad thing?}  

DO apply to the smallest part of the top of your cheek bone slightly cascading the eye.  All I can say is AH-mazing!!!!  

Champagne Lip-gloss & Nail Polish

A new way to rock solid gold and champagne bubbles. This unique gift, a collaboration with Deborah Lippmann and Troy Surratt, contains flecks of gold glitter. The bubbly inspired lip gloss will give you a buzz, even though it’s alcohol-free.

Oh and could you DIE as to how cute this lip gloss champagne is?

 Sold anywhere Almay is sold. These are perfect for a QUICK makeup touchup. Especially around the eyes! Love, love love…..

Handwarmer & Nailpolish Set

The mani-goddess Deborah Lippman and Juicy Couture have teamed up to create the must-have gift of the season. Hot color,   hand-warmers, or as I like to call them {fingerless gloves}. A must for cold weather season. Throw on a pair of jeans, crisp white blouse and let your hands do the talking with these fabulous gloves.

How could one possible manage in this day of technology with your fingers all bundled up anyway?

Luxe Faux Fur Sweater Vest

Soft faux fur and a touch of cashmere add Nordic-inspired luxe to this extra fine merino wool blend vest. Shawl collar. Sleeveless. Faux fur front.

Crisp and classic, right? I’m so obsessed with this vest … it’s absolutely yummy. Adds just the right amount of GLAM to any outfit. Dress it up with your favorite jeans or get a more elegant look by pairing with head to toe white!

Well, what do you think of my FAVORITE FIVE products this week?

Happy shopping dolls and I hope you have a perfectly lovely weekend!

Bella

XoX