My Favorite DIY Project from 2008

Hello!

Welcome to my little installment for Rhoda's 2008 Before & After Party.

This project is from October 30, 2008 and I know that many of you will remember it. It was my favorite project of the year and it still makes me smile whenever I walk past it.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to visit the other blogs that are partying down today at Southern Hospitality!

Thanks!

Bella

_________________________________________________

Remember that cute little telephone gossip bench that I bought at a garage sale?

Well, she's even cuter now, maybe even tres chic!

First I used a liquid sanding product on her. Then, spray painted on a primer. Next, I hand painted her black, 2 coats. Then for fun, I painted the top areas with chalkboard paint. Then she sat around for awhile waiting for a new seat...


After much inner debate, I went with a light green, sagey sort of color with some swirls and floral designs in it, I really like it! I really thought I was going to make this chair 'casual', but my fanciness just got the best of me and well, I just made her all pretty and stuff...hope that's OK.

My seat is so w i d e, like my new owner's ;)

Just for fun, some Chalkboard Paint, love that stuff!

Oh, the D? It stands for Decorating Dork, haha. I think I read that on Nester's blog once and it is stuck in my head now ;)

So, are the next 5 days going to be the longest days of our lives or what?

ttfn,

I Love HGTV's Designed to Sell

My favorite TV Couple is Lisa LaPorta and Clive Pearse of HGTV's Designed to Sell, it's also one of my favorite TV shows, too. So many good tips and all on a budget, what's not to love?









Actually, I have to admit my favorite part of the show comes right in the beginning when the "Real Estate Critic" comes in and picks the whole place apart...everything they say is so true and it's pretty entertaining to watch, especially since it is not MY HOUSE that they are critiquing!


Donna Freeman, is hand's down my favorite critic on Designed to Sell, go, Donna!!!

Some of the things I have learned from watching Designed to Sell are:

• White walls are never a good thing, ever




• Taupe is the new neutral color




• Painting kitchen cupboards & slapping some granite on those counters can add so much value to your home (and your bottom line)




• Demolition is fun




• Labor is apparently free

That last one always makes me laugh. They do the recap of what they spent on the home's projects and labor is never part of the equation. I guess if I want to do these remodeling projects in my home, I will just be able to find young, attractive carpenters walking down my street, who will more than happy to come into my home and complete my 'Honey Do List' for free, and with a smile, too! That's OK, though, I still love this show and learn a lot from it, so I will let them slide on their fuzzy math.

Don't you just wish they would show up at your house and transform it in a week for you? Yeah, me, too! It's funny how your wild and crazy fantasies evolve over the years! I've gone from:

Scott Baio...

to John Stamos...

to HGTV???

Which reminds me, I need to enter to win that gorgeous HGTV Dream Home 2009 again! It's mine, mine, all mine!!! ;)

ttfn,


PS: Don't forget about the Blog Party on Wednesday at Southern Hospitality. And on Friday, Hooked on Houses will have a Hooked on Fridays blog party!

Upcoming Blog Party & facebook

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is having a blog party on Wednesday, January 7th. The guest of honor are your best before and after projects from 2008, how fun! So get your pics and posts ready and join in on the fun on Wednesday, see you there!






Do you have facebook? Do you posts your blog post links to your profile? Of course you do!

Wouldn't you like it if there were an application that would post it there for you automatically?

Well, then you have to go read my new post over at bella casa news to check out this fantastic facebook application, I love it!



Thanks!





ttfn,


PS: Do you know about any other upcoming parties??? Please share your news! Thanks!

Asian Cole Slaw Recipe

Here is an easy & delicious recipe for Asian Cole Slaw or Oriental Salad that I got from my friend, Lisa several years ago. It's good all by itself or as a side. You can even throw in some chicken breast for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Asian Cole Slaw/Oriental Salad Recipe

Photo Courtesy of RecipeTips.com

1 bag prepared coleslaw mix (Dole or other)

4 scallions, chopped (I use my home grown chives in the summer)

3 oz. chicken flavored Raman noodles--crushed up-- Reserve Chicken Flavor Packet for Dressing (I slide the bag open at one end, take out the seasoning packet, then bang the noodles up with the back end of a butter knife until they are crushed up pretty well).


Mix above and chill


Dressing:



1/2 cup canola oil

3 TBS sugar

3 TBS rice vinegar

1 Chicken flavor packet from noodles

Splash of soy sauce



Mix dressing and refrigerate



Nuts & Seeds:



1/2 cup toasted almonds--slivered
3 TBS toasted sesame seeds (Buy these in the Ethnic Food aisle of your grocery store, much cheaper than the Spice Aisle).

Add nuts & seeds at last minute


Toss all above and Serve--2 hours ahead is good.



ttfn,

Walgreens Christmas Items, 75% Off

Hi!

I went to Walgreens yesterday and noticed that the Christmas items were 75% off! My store still had an aisle and a half of decor, candy, cards and more. I bought 2 of these cute Christmas tree votive holders for $1.50 each, heart them!!!

What after Christmas deals have you found?

We are off to The Rainforest Cafe for lunch today, wish me luck ;)

HGTV Dream Home 2009

Happy New Year everyone!




I have been watching alot of HGTV lately and have not seen one commercial for their Dream Home giveaway, so I actually thought they were not doing it this year...but thankfully, I was wrong...look at this gorgeous home!

It's a fully furnished Victorian Farmhouse, in Sonoma, California, be still my heart!

Want to see more? You know you do:

• Photo Tour


• Interactive Tour


• Video Tour

The show with the full tour will air tonight at 9pm. But you can start entering for a chance to win The HGTV Dream Home at 9am here.

Good Luck and if you win, I want to be invited to the house warming party!

ttfn,

Happy New Year!!!

I wish all the best to you and yours for 2009!!!

xoxo,

Have an Etsy Shop or other Online Business?

You might find my new article at bella casa news of interest:

Promoting Your Business Using Social Media

Thanks and Happy New Year!!!

ttfn,

My Top Entrecard Droppers

I'd like to thank my top droppers of the last 31 days from Entrecard:


The Junk Drawer 31

Fresh and delicious stories about anything that amuses me, confuses me, or makes me blow a gasket. Take a look around the drawer. Just leave everything where you found it.


Alteredevents 30

My unique altered accessories costume fantasy shop blog for special events.


My gypsygoods 30

Life, creative moments, saving money, nature, eco-friendly tips. Supporting the handmade community.


"Cents"able Momma 26
A blog that gives ideas for frugal living as well as store deals and freebies. It also lists some ways to make some extra money on the side through surveys and other reward sites.


Contrariwise Jewelry 22

Blog about my jewelry, personal life, crafting, tutorials.


1 Blog and 2 Sides 22

A collection of favorite recipes that chilly and I have tried and taste great or ones we would like to try.


LovelyPurses 21

This blog is all about creativity, my love of fabrics, bag design and construction, useful sewing advice, trends and current projects.


Not Your Ordinary History 20

Our history is every human history; a black and gory business, with more scoundrels than wise men at the lead, and more louts than both put together to cheer and follow.


Foodarrific 19

A busy mom of teens shares her recipes and reviews the family’s eating out experiences. Restaurant reviews, healthy eating, food tips, anything and everything food-related.


Prague 18

A city guide to the Golden City of Prague.



Why not visit their blogs and see what they have been up to lately?



Thanks everyone!!!



PS: If you liked this post, you might also like this one, it's about marketing your blog:



Are You Monetizing Your Blog?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!! xoxo, Bella, Velo, Zach, Robert & Goldie

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