Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Secret Santa's easy lesson


This year I started a lot of things. I opened up my etsy shop Bonita Bellita, I started this blog, I moved, there have been so many things happening! But by far one of the best things and my own personal favorites is I found a blog that I love to follow. There aren't too many that I can honestly say I look forward to, but like a little kid excited for a gift, this blog constantly has something new and fresh to offer. I have found yummy cheesecake recipes, inspiring photos, and a life of a fascinating person. Ah, Nicole of Lillyella, you are a breath of fresh air!











She decided to put together a Secret Santa exchange this year, and I was thrilled to join! So I opened my packages today, and this is what I received! Oh, I can't begin to tell you how my day brightened!






---I love this wrapping! Wish I thought of it...---




--aren't these earrings just lovely?---





---and I already wore my knee highs the day I got them!---


---who doesn't like a little Hello Kitty in their life? Adorable--




---this apron is absolutely eye catching! The pattern is so my style, the colors among my favorites, and the lace pocket completes it all. *sigh* ---


---You'll have to excuse my rainy day hair, but isn't this scarf just the neatest?---






So I guess what I'm trying to say overall is not that I got a ton of fabulous gifts in the mail (although I did ^_^), but it's this. Someone took the time out of their day to organize this giving event, and that right there is amazing and kind. Therefore, someone else went out and got this for me, just because they knew it's what I liked. This is the kind of circle I want to be a part of, where I can go out and continue to pass on this love and cheer. So you know what I did afterward? I went out to visit a friend and take her some Christmas cheer in the form of gifts for her family. Not big, not expensive, but full of love.

Merry Christmas, everyone, from me to you.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Autumn warmth

I've been neglectful of this blog lately, sorry to admit it, but life has been so busy there hasn't been much time to update! So today will be short and sweet. Autumn is everywhere, and I am absolutely in love with it. Here is some of what is on my mind...

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Fire in the trees - Fine art autumn tree photograph

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Ribbed Eternity Scarf - SAFFRON in the MEDITERREAN...Oversized

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Ruffled Vegan Scarf, All Seasons, Burnt Orange




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Amber Gold warmth of Autumn Fine art print 16X20 unframed



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Warm Molasses Wood photograph- 11x14
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Two of Hearts--pair of Raspberry Red Heart Bowls


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...don't forget to check out my store Bonita Bellita for some of the new fall listings... it's part of what's been keeping me so busy!

Until next time,
-Steph

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Teal and transitions


I woke up this morning to absolutely delicious weather! It was cool, overcast, and a slightly breeze drifting through my window was making me curl into my blankets much more than I have in a bit. What's odd about this? Only that it's in the beginning of August. Don't get me wrong, I like summer. Picnics, late sunsets, excessive beach trips, and summer nights... all are wonderful to me. But... I know, there's always a but... hmm, how to put this simply...

I'm in love with the autumn and winter. The crunch of the leaves I step on, the twisted pumpkin vines, knowing that when I go up to the mountains I'll see snow, wrapping the Christmas gifts, all of it. The fact that I need a sweater to go out and my boots are begging to come out of their boxes... well, I know I still have to wait awhile, but I can't say that I mind. To me, it's just around the corner.

In the meantime, I think I'll go to the beach again this weekend. Need to soak up those sunrays while I can.

Oh, and did I mention I'm on a turquoise kick? Would you like to see what I'm so in love with? I'll show you...

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Butterfly Vase
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Blank mini cards - birds in flight
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Dream
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ROBINS EGG BLUE COAT RACK SHELF
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turquoise framed corkboard

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Much Love,
Stephanie

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WARNING: Not for those without a sweet tooth!


For whatever reason, I have been having a major sweet tooth! Of course, right when I decide that I'm going to quit the sugar binge, one of my favorite blogs Lillyella had made an AMAZING recipe for mini oreo cheesecake! (Here's the recipe for you to enjoy them too!)
There is no way I could live with myself if I pass them up, and let me tell you, cheesecake is a definite weakness. *sigh* Well, I guess I know what I will be making this coming weekend.

I decided to see what other sweet stuff I could find on Etsy, and some yummy treats (with 0 calories) came up! I hope you like them as much as I do!

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Frosting scented Mini Bath CUPCAKE Bomb Fizz Fizzy set of 3


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MINI PETIT FOUR FELT FOOD CAKE WEDDING FAVOR DECORATIONS


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She Loves Cupcakes print (reminds me of my daughter)

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Felted Cupcake Pincushion (I personally am in love with this red one listed but not shown in the picture)


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Tea Party Ring in Polymer Clay


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Darling Little Rose Cake Pincushion


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Vanilla Creme print Art of Amy

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With Love,
Stephanie

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

This weekend...


This weekend was a little different for me. Usually I take the time to catch up on whatever leftover work I need to do around the house or my store, as well as work a shift or two at my day job. This time, however, it was definitely an experience not usually had.

I logged on to my blog and found a comment left by Tara Breanne of Tarapparel, letting me know I had a surprise waiting. Sure enough, I clicked on over to find this very sweet and much appreciated award. It put a big grin on my face, and I'm sure it was there for the rest of the day. To know that someone out there likes what they are reading that much just makes me happy! So thank you, Tara, you started my weekend off right!

I then had the pleasure of my cousin coming over Saturday. If I have not mentioned it before, I have a cousin who actually is more like my best friend. She's gorgeous, funny, and well... some days she is everything I wish I could be. She has that beautiful hair that is always in place, the big pretty eyes... ok, I'll stop now. I know you're jealous as much as I am. *heehee* Anyway, she came over and we drove to the beach. It was her & her son, my kids & man, and a friend of his from work. We went to a different beach than I'd ever been to, Oceanside. There is almost no sandy beach, this is a surfer beach! As luck would have it, the guys wanted to surf, both body and board.





The rest of us stayed on the shore, playing in the sand, building castles, and if you were between the ages of 1 & 3, creating sandstorms. It was enough to watch the crashing waves and collect shells.





Although I will confess, there was a point where I realized that I was just dying to jump in those wild waves! Problem: I didn't wear a swimsuit. I thought I would just be on the shore the entire time. It didn't matter, I couldn't say no. So there I was, in a gray flowing skirt, purple tank top, and a sheer grey top over that, hair all curled and wild... and I jumped straight into the ocean. I didn't just stand, I dove into those cresting giants... and I loved it. It may have been crazy and spontaneous, but it was me, and I was happy.

Sunday held some shopping, sushi, and cupcakes! Yum! We went to my ever loved Anthropologie! *sigh* I think that if I won the lotto, I would spend my first month's installment of money there. Its just so beautiful and inspirational! The cupcake place we went to was so tasty as well! Sugar|Tart is amazing, they have different names for all of their creations, which don't stop at cupcakes! They include fruit drinks, smores, and quiches (one is named after me!). Definitely my favorite dessert place! Chandeliers hanging, fresh flowers on every tiny table, velvet couches... I think I'll go there this weekend too!





Anyways, that was my amazing weekend. Thought I would share with you all! Much love

-Steph

Friday, July 16, 2010

Inspiration

Wow, it has been a little bit since I've updated... guess I'm overdue! Thankfully not too much has gone on.

Where I live, it is HOT! I mean, we had a summer storm and the rain dried up as soon as it hit the ground. It was that hot! Today the clouds have cleared up though, so I'm thinking a bbq and the beach is in order for this weekend! I went last weekend too, and I burned so badly I was red and purple! Ouch! Other than that, just working on my store's next collection to come out in August. I'm very excited for it! There are going to be some bobby pin flowers, as well as a few new necklaces and brooches.

I've been extra inspired by some of my co-Etsy-ians and my ever loved Anthropologie, so I've decided to share some of the beautiful items that are capturing my attention!

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Fenced Clematis blossom - Fine Art Photograph (8x10)(Best part? It's part of a buy one get one free sale, and it's in stock!!)

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Sweet Roses by Schin 8x12 print (Talk about an explosion of color! Amazing!)

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Golden Afternoon - Alice in Wonderland Art Print (Oh I can't begin to tell you how much I love her work!)


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I bought these lovely flowers from this wonderful store

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Zipper Flower Hair Piece in Peach (Unique design for a zipper, right?)



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Florist Measuring cups
(made out of stoneware, they stack into each other, and they are so pretty! I think If I owned them I would bake more!)


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Plucked Petals Measuring Spoons made of Bone Chine (even more incentive to bake!)