La Mia Vita, La Mia Musa

are you recession proof?...

Over a month on this and I am feeling great!! I have more energy..

it's not only amazing products..but ..an amazing business you can become a part of.. you can visit ..here

Ciao Bellas!!

a style fix...

 Need a style fix this Saturday?

  End of Summer blues?.. need a little inspiration for your self? Jade green nail polish?!! How 'cool' is that? Visit here for more...{photo courtesy of BellaSugar}

Or..for your home...

  {photo courtesy of chippingcharm, member of JunkMarket Style..} Light and breezy.. love the shutters! I am actually on the hunt for some larger ones to make a wonderful screen for my bedroom... Visit here.. for more Junk style..There are soo many talented "Junk Sistas" on that site!!

Have a wonderful and safe Labor day! Ciao Bellas!!

a tuesday...

it's Tuesday.. first day of school for the boys..

  I have to offer you this fun wooden vintage bin..available now in the shoppe..I have one that I have hanging in my kitchen...

  let your imagination run! wow..you could use it in a baby's room for diapers or other necessities... in the bath for towels and such..

  I never got to share the big puffy paper flowers we made in the studio!! I  have them hanging right over my work table...

  It really makes you smile when you walk in and see these big blooms over head!

Well..that's my Tuesday.. the other gal that started at the agency to alleviate some of the work load up and quit today... Summer is 'over'.. back to schedules and discipline... oh well..only 179 days left till Summer vacation!! Yay!

home...

  ohh.. we are home now from a much needed vacation.

Some special family members flew all the way from PA... to join us on our camping trip..gosh, it felt so good to just relax and enjoy life again..{oh yeah... wonderful DH fixed the camera!! }

 We spent a few days at our homestead before heading up to Peninsula State Park in Door County WI...steaks on the grill... sunsets.. catching up since Jan... the special family members are DH's brother and his wife , my fabulous sister-in-heart.. we haven't seen them since my mom-in-heart passed in Jan. and it feels like it was just yesterday..that incredible feeling of 'Famille' ...OHANA..Famiglia

 one of the joys of living in the country is when a special event happens.. or when you just want to let loose and shoot some off!... booyahh! crack bang.. and boy did we!

lots of pics taken, lots of memories.. I'll share more later..one thing that was stylish AND useful.. my Ballard bags.. I loaded these bags down and they didn't even blink!! I mean, they are sturdy and the leather handles are riveted into the stylish burlap.... waaay strong! lots of treks to and from.. loooove 'em! They come in a rainbow of colors and you can design the logo to say just the right thing...

Ahh.. it's good to be home..but I will have such wonderful memories of this wonderful vacation we had... good to be back Bellas!

Ciao!

she sells sea shells...

Well, only one more week and we will finally be leaving for vacation!! wahoo!!

 How was your vacation? Did you go to the Mountains? Did you go by the sea? Was it a family one? Or did you and your honey get to sneek away?

We will be going to Door County again...it was so much fun last time..we will be joined by DH's brother & sister-in-law..sans pets... it will really be a fun time!

I really miss the beach.. I remember all the shells we collected as a family when we used to live in Savannah Ga.. What is your favorite vacation memory?

Thought I'd share some inspiration as to what to do with all those shells you might have collected on your vacations... What do you think about the ladies?? Fun!

{ All photo's courteous of The New French Decor by Lanlade and Trillard}

Ciao Bellas!

whimsical wednesday...

 ..I so enjoy Summer... the lovely blooms everywhere I turn.. well, if I must be sentenced to an office all day.. I have been determined that my spirit won't be sentenced.. just look what I get to see everyday I go to work! Cupcakes!!

  I know some will look and say..they are just planters! But to me..they look like wonderful pink cupcakes! Honestly, they are the only ones in town that look like this..others have different flowers, ornamental grass.. but yay!! I get to pass by these lovely cupcakes everyday..

  My Muse has been silenced because of the on going economy...our family business is in question..but you know, whimsy must not be silenced! I'm such a weirdie.. I think..ahh.. what would these giant cupcakes taste like?..no strawberry for me.. it would be a real scientific breakthrough if they could make..pink chocolate!!!LOL!!

Happy Wed!

summer bounty...and stuff...

 

 There are soo many good things coming out of the garden now! My tomatoes haven't started to turn yet, but I'm sure lots of other's are enjoying scrumptious, mouth watering tomatoes!!

I've pulled out my Summer Notebook by Carolyne Roehm to strum up some ideas on how to enjoy the bounty of the season... here is a recipe for you...or two

Tomato-Dill Soup: You can enjoy this hot or cold... you will need..

  2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 cups of chopped onions, 5 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes..salt & pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon of ground sage, 1 bay leaf.. One 12 ounce can of tomato puree' , 1/2 cup heavy cream chilled and 3/4 cup chopped fresh dill.....

 1. Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat and saute' onions until soft and slightly golden, about 7 minutes. 2. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sage, bay leaf, and tomato puree' and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. 3. Working in small batches, push mixture through sieve with a rubber spatula into a medium sized bowl; discard solids. Chill puree' in refrigerator. 4. One hour before serving whisk in cream and dill. Continue chilling and serve cold.... hehehe.. as you can tell..this is a rich soup..so small portions are recommended.

  Corn.. We actually have some coming in!! It's been so long since we've had a garden.. ours isn't the prettiest to look at {garden }, but.. all the produce is looking nice and healthy!

Here are some tips! Older varieties of corn need to be soaked longer before cooking ...  the wonderful hybrids are more sweet and tender..how about the speckled yellow & white varieties??! yum.

Don't salt the water..salt in cooking water toughens kernels.. always roast corn with the husks on and silk removed. Soak the husks in cold water for a few minutes to keep them from burning..

Peaches?? OH yeah..I'm there.. I love peaches! Who's with me??!!lol..

Here is a wonderful desert!! ..Poached peaches in White Wine.. you will need... 6 ripe whole peaches, 1 bottle white wine { 750 ml.} 1/2 cup cognac, 1 cup granulated sugar and 4 cups water..

1.  To peel peaches, dip in a large pot o f boiling water for 30 seconds then place in cold water for one minute. Peel skins. 2.  Combine wine, cognac, sugar, and water in a large saucepan: bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add peaches and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 20 minutes, or until peaches are tender. Remove peaches and place in bowl. 3.  Over medium heat, briskly simmer poaching liquid until reduced by half, approximately 30 minutes. Strain liquid into bowl of peaches and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving..

Thanks so much for visitin' !!

Ciao bellas...

{All photos and recipes from Summer Notebook by Carolyne Roehm }

love trains..

We love trains at our house... I think it was such a romantic way to travel!

This past Sat. the boys and I went to the train museum..

We were able to go for a ride... tour actually 'retired' trains..from front to back!

  Would you do it? Would you travel this way again?... I probably would...

  This is a train they call a 'Big Boy' it is HUGE!! #1 stood by the wheels...and it was almost as tall as him...

{ oooh.. pardon my bad hair day! lol}

We are in a vintage Pullman car... it was actually quite cozy..wonderful brass elements.. soft woolen blankets..

 Tickets for the day...$10.00..train ride..$10.00.. enjoying some of Americana history..priceless..

Ciao!!

paper flower fun...

'foof-a-licious' is our new word for these fun paper flowers! Which, by the way are hanging now from the ceiling in the studio...

{taken with my phone..}

now..doesn't that word just describe them?!!! Fun!!

  #1 got into the act... they are addicting.. something about working with the paper and seeing the creation of them...

#2 as well... These make wonderful decorations for birthday parties.. showers.. and like we did... just for fun & inspiration...

Want to add some lovely handmade style to your world.. check them out here.. 

Ciao Bellas!

eight hour beauty...

  Are you looking for something that can help your parched Summer lips? Something to help keep them luscious? Look no further...

  Elizabeth Arden is a classic... why not try something that has stood the test of time?... You can check it out here.

I've used it in the past..and I must say... my lips are thankin' me right now for picking up a tube. Don't you love the retro packaging?

Kisses..