I spoke about the trend of matching makeup to clothes, now matching nail polish to your shoes is also becoming popular. When I was in high school we changed our polish every night to match our outfits, but never a pedicure! Seems a little time consuming, but beautiful non the less.

Do you do this, I may start now … cause I’m really liking it!

Happy Saturday and I hope your days are more exciting than ever right now. I have a fun new contest next week, can’t wait to share it with you!

Thanks for reading and commenting….you guys are the best!  XoX

Bella

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

On my nightstand Rachel Zoe

My new obsession GUCCI Indy bag

My new wine glasses which have the most beautiful color tones.

Kissing Giraffe sculpture – Once  I saw that cutest commercial on TV with this mini giraffe sitting on a pillow, the one where he  leans over and gives his owner a little kiss … I’ve been obsessed with giraffes…. lol  (have you seen )?

My crystal curtains – looks like it’s raining everyday!

My new dining room rug … love the contrast to the table. I spent so much time on this table it’s crazy. Can’t tell from this picture but there are a ring of swarovski crystals detailing the outside edge.  Dining room chairs DIY in earlier post, purchased for 6.00 a piece and recovered with a little glitter fabric. Combined with the crystals and the crystal decor surrounding the table it looks quite amazing at night!

This crystal chandelier hangs in the corner of the dining room.  Check out the next picture, the glow it puts out is gorgeous!

Sooo, do you love it or what? I find myself gazing into it all the time.   : )

Crystal floral arrangement I made for my living room.  Flowers purchased at Z Gallery.

My new manicure … another version of the reverse french!

My cozy patio where I blog from. Just beyond the fence you see in the background is a golf course. Always find the activities distracting… from the cute bunnies that romp the course to the oh so chic fashion that graces the greens everyday!

Happy Weekend Dolls!

Bella

XoX

Daydreaming or day-tripping? Always a dreamer, or so I’ve been accuse of. Gorgeous pictures to get lost in and have a little dream yourself! Of late I’ve often thought of a seaside cottage where I can write, blog and tweet. Three of my favorite things. The dress in the first picture is what I would wear while sipping cappuccino endlessly in a hammock while reading a juicy book to get lost in.

Happy Wednesday Luvs….

Bella

P.S. A super fun announcement coming up on my blog in the next couple of days, can’t wait to share! Let’s just say it’s includes shiney sparkly things and a giveaway… a BIG giveaway!

pics via citified blogspot

Dainty pink cookies sandwiched together with a silky ganache look as if they belong on a restaurant’s petits fours plate.

Enjoy this recipe below, it’s soooo amazing and delish!!!!

 Hope you had a relaxing weekend!

Bella XoX

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE FRENCH MACAROONS

For macaroons

• 6 oz sliced blanched almonds (not slivered; 2 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Red or pink food coloring

For chocolate raspberry ganache

• 3 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (60 to 64% cacao), finely chopped
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 1/16 teaspoon raspberry extract (preferably McCormick brand)

• Special equipment: parchment paper; a gallon-size sealable plastic bag (not pleated)

Make macaroons:

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Pulse almonds with 1/2 cup confectioners sugar in a food processor until very finely ground, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. Sift in remaining cup confectioners sugar, stirring to combine.

Beat egg whites with salt in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add granulated sugar, a little at a time, beating, then increase speed to high and continue to beat until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks. Add drops of food coloring to reach desired shade and mix at low speed until evenly combined. Stir almond mixture into meringue with a rubber spatula until completely incorporated. (Meringue will deflate.)

Spoon batter into bag, pressing out excess air, and snip off 1 corner of plastic bag to create a 1/4-inch opening. Twist bag firmly just above batter, then pipe peaked mounds of batter (the size of a chocolate kiss) onto lined sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Let cookies stand, uncovered, at room temperature until tops are no longer sticky and a light crust forms, 20 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 300°F.

Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until crisp and edges are just slightly darker, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on sheets on racks, about 30 minutes.

Make ganache while macaroons bake:
Melt chocolate with cream in a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water or in top of a double boiler, stirring until smooth. (Bowl should not touch water.) Remove bowl from heat, then add butter and raspberry extract, stirring until butter is melted. Let stand at room temperature until cooled completely and slightly thickened.

Assemble cookies:
Carefully peel cookies from parchment (they will be fragile). Sandwich a thin layer of ganache (about 1/2 teaspoon) between flat sides of cookies.

Incredibly stylish, fashion forward and simply styled in such an elegant way.  Alix Cherry never disappoints with her outfit posts!

The ASOS socks or over the knee nylons are my favorite part. Inspiration X ‘s three on this one.

Finally completed so much more of my decorating to do list, I’ve been crossing them off feverishly.  I’ll take more pics this weekend and share. Finishing up is the best part, ya know, when it all starts to come together. Right?

Hope everyone has had a great week so far, if not, well hell it’s Friday tomorrow, so it’s about to get better!

Bella XoX

Shoes : Asos

Tshirt : Asos

  Skirt : Zara

  Socks : Asos

  Bag : Mulberry

These pictures are beyond gorgeous and I found them soothing and romantically inspiring. When softening up your decor or wardrobe a little strand of pearls, a peek of feathers or a beautiful bow goes a long way.

Just a little weekend eye candy to dream about.  Hope your’s is the BEST!

Bella

XoX

pics via Absolutely Ladylike 

 This room was so much fun to do! Obviously my style, right? Deep purple walls, crystal columns and white furniture. A dream is made.

A few finishing touches still to be done, but overall we definitely achieved the look we were going for.

I’ve been discussing incessantly my mad decorating projects lately and here is another one! Since my daughter Jaime recently bought her new home and I recently moved as well, we’ve been busy bees getting the homes put together.

Two ten foot columns flank the bed for a stunning look. At the top of the columns are remote control lights, which when turned on give off the most amazing glow. The purple radiates through the crystals, it’s absolutely magical!  I also adorned the window with crystal curtains to keep the effect going. And the topper above the bed is feathers, yep, feathers. Boa’s make such a dreamy look in a bedroom. And when you’re going for GLAM, why not go all the way!

Here is a pic of when we first started the room, stark white to begin with.  Ashleigh and I

And here is the princess, meet Ashleigh – my grandaughter

Let me do the math for you! : ) I’m 52, my daughter Jaime is 32 and Ash is 15.

Most of the products used for this design were purchased from Shop Wild Things . Com.  I’ve long been a fan of theirs. I first purchase their products about five years ago when decorating my closet. Below is a list of the products used in this design.

Two 10′ crystal columns Shop Wild Things 

Two 9′ crystal curtains Shop Wild Things

Two 6″ crystal curtains Shop Wild Things

Bed and dresser Ikea

Florals, bedspread  and crystal frame Z Gallerie

Purple pillows Pier One

Boa’s JoAnn Fabrics

On to my next project!

Bella

 Mad shopping skills this weekend. All of the above was purchase at Z Gallerie. The green crystal flowers have now found a lovely spot in my living room. And the insanely bright diamond reflective vase and crystal candle sticks are for my dining room table!

How was your weekend? And decorating around your house?

Happy Monday dolls!

Bella

XoX

While taking a picture of another project, I found this was the best pic I had of the table. If you look closely at the rim of the table you will see the crystals! Just a thin line on the outer corner, just enough bling to make the table pop!

Here is another angle, although I have out my lamp project! Haha

Still haven’t found the chairs I want, as I am looking for just the right ones! Remember these below that I found a picture of? They are from the House of Dior and I am determined to duplicate them!

On to the next project, coming right up!

Bella

XoX

I love how this turned out!

This is how the light looked when I first started

I started by wrapping with crystals.  Seriously all I did was wrap, no glue, nothing!

I left the ends so I could attach crystal drops.

 I just kept wrapping  until I ended up with this!

Hello everyone, I spent a majority of my weekend decorating.  And as you are going to be able to tell by my next few post…lol

I decorated a chandelier, two floral arrangements , a lamp shade, finished my dining room table and hung crystals curtains. Ohhh and shopped till I dropped!!!! So much fun.

The crystals I wrapped around the chandelier were actually cut from an extra curtain I had, the teardrops I took off a candelabra I haven’t used in years.

I purchase a great deal of decor from a company called shop wild things dot com.  Which you can buy a roll of these crystal strands.

Super excited to share with a bedroom I am doing right now!  Pics will be up next weekend. Verbal glimpse — Bedroom is deep purple, two ten foot crystal columns flanking the bed, crystal curtains, gorgeous florals (purple of course) and simple white bedroom furniture. Think glitz and glam.

Hope your weekend was fab, next post I am finally posting my dining room table I have been talking about endlessly.

Bella

XoX

I’m not crazy, I know it’s Summer! But I came upon this fabulous coat, so flirty and feminine. Deliciously pink and how elegant would the pairing of these heels below be?

ALWAYS follow your dreams.

Bella XoX

source http://www.senseofashion.com/ and I heart it

I’ve been so crafty lately! Lamp shades, dining room table and chairs and now floral’s.

This simple and chic flower arrangement can be made so easily with just a little masking tape. Cut the stems short, and insert one or two flowers in each opening in the grid. Tuck fern clippings in last. And Voila beautiful!

I will post some of my own DIY projects I’ve been working on this weekend. If you love glamour and all things girly than you’re in luck!

Happy Wednesday Luvs!  XoX

Bella

Pics via deliciously organized 

Finally ordered these sunglasses, I’ve been dying to emulate this picture as my avatar for Twitter and Facebook!

I want to hang these everywhere, such a happy, colorful piece!

 Confetti systems http://www.confettisystem.com/

Honeydew Lime Popsicles, I live in Arizona, what can I say, it’s HOT here!

Honeydew Lime Popsicle Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 (3-4lb) ripe honeydew melon, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice

• 5 ounce Dixie cups
• 20-30 Popsicle sticks

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat water over medium/high heat, add sugar and continue stirring until completely dissolved. Let cool.

In a blender, add your melon, lime juice and syrup and blend until smooth. Carefully pour mixture into your 5 ounce Dixie cups, filling 2/3 of the way.

Place in the freezer for 30 minutes (set your timer), insert your wooden sticks, and continue to freeze until the popsicles are completely frozen, about 6 hours.

When you’re ready to enjoy, cut and tear the Dixie cups off of the popsicles and voila, enjoy! see image below

Makes about 20 popsicles

Have an AH-mazing weekend luvs!

Bella XoX

recipe via http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/

A little pink and orange inspirations for your Wednesday. I have been a long time fan of these Brian Atwood pumps. While saving up to purchase them I came across this Alexander McQueen Wool Crepe dress. Wow is all I can say, color blocking at it’s finest!

But before you crush your budget, maybe save up for the heels, and find an amazing look alike for the dress! That’s what I am going to do.

Looking forward to restarting my DIY dining room project again tonight. Last night’s progress, I completed over half the table!

Hope you had a lovely Wednesday?

Bella xx