Author Archives: theRAREbelle

lacquer…if these walls could talk!!

27 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in belle maison

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We have to admit that we are a little like magpies, constantly drawn to anything shiny. So, it stands to reason that lacquer would become one of our latest obsessions.

Our homes are ever-changing works in progress (hey, a belle is what she is!)…and walls are a virtual canvas that can add elegance, intimacy, sophistication, and interest to a room. Highly lacquered walls are beyond chic and oh, so shiny!! In a den, dining room, bathroom or living room, this wall treatment is On Another Level!!!

There is a little work involved…somewhat time consuming even. But the end result??? To die for!!

Here are a few examples that sent us over the edge.

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Via Pinterest

I mean, c’ mon, don’t you just want to wrap yourself in it?

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Via Pinterest

Or feel like you are living inside a Tiffany’s box?

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Via Pinterest

And this yummy room…the color… And don’t get us started on fret work….

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Via Pinterest
And for all you timid belles out there who just want to tiptoe into this scrumptious pool of glossiness…. How about just the ceiling? Divine

And the piece de resistance …
Our humble little ole selves gently suggested to a friend that her dining room was the perfect spot to try out this reflective finish….here’s how it turned out. And the pictures don’t even begin to do it justice!!

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Mind you, this is a work in progress. New walls and new carpeting, complete. Upholstery and sconces, etc, still to come. We will be sure to keep you posted as this belle room unfolds!!

We love laquered walls and hope you might be feeling a bit magpie-ish yourselves 😉 Ding, ding!!

a&a

sacrifices….. just sayin’

23 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by in just sayin'

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Sometimes you have to prioritize. For us, more often than not, the price of beauty is punctuality.

What…y’all hadn’t heard of “fashionably late” ?

Better late than never, belles!

a&a

for the body and mind…your friday friend-1-1

21 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in healthy belle

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“Workout” and “exercise” can sometimes sound like dirty words. Granted, a good run alone or a walk with the dogs can be great for clearing your thoughts and boosting the mood, but doesn’t it seem so much more pleasant (and less of a chore) when you have a partner (or a few) to keep you company and share the misery?

We kicked off our new year by wearing our new Fitbit fitness bands to help keep us on track, but we had both already bought into the whole “take care of you” idea. We support each other and other friends on our quest to stay fit by planning activities together and holding each other accountable. On Sundays, we have a group who meets for a power walk and talk session. Honestly, I think we could solve the world’s problems with this group of get-the-job done girls in no time flat!! We also each have a workout (there’s that dirty word again) partner. We both actually go somewhere with a friend and PAY someone to make our muscles ache! Now, we aren’t saying you have to do the same…we just want to encourage all of our sweet belles to pair up and get busy if you aren’t already doing it. You won’t believe how great it feels!! Strong body, check. Clear head, check. Girl time, check check 😉

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You go, girl!

a&a

banquettes…they aren’t just for kitchens anymore!!

20 Thursday Feb 2014

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We have been obsessing just a titch about banquettes. But not your typical kitchen, diner-style seating. To that we say nay nay!! We are drooling over that cozy nook, the intimate corner, the welcoming area to set a spell, read a book, have a chat or toast a friend.

Here are a few examples that got our hearts racing and motivated us to execute the idea in one of our living rooms.

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Jan Showers

Via Pinterest

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Via Pinterest

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Melissa Miles Rufty
Via Pinterest

As we have already proclaimed, we are so smitten with the whole banquette fantasy that we couldn’t wait to make it a reality.

We found a corner in one our very own living rooms and with a little tweaking (there we go again!!), our dream came true. We moved a chest and a floor lamp, and ordered the banquette pieces from Ballard Design. We picked the Coventry style. Once it arrived, we added a couple of pillows we had on hand and ordered some velvet to make the persimmon-colored ones. Pulled an old coffee table from the attic, added a couple of coffee table books and a pretty plant and voila!!!

Presenting what we think turned out pretty darn well. How do y’all think we did??

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Banquettes will have you sittin’ pretty!

a&a

A venti sized friend-1-1

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in friday friend 1-1

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Due to the thoroughly abhorrent weather conditions that continue to abuse us tender belles, we have had to become very resourceful. Some of us prefer to have a blotting paper or two on hand to temper the occasional shine. Belles glow…we do not shine.

In these difficult times, resources are becoming low and the ability to replenish quickly near impossible. Bless our hearts!!!

But lo and behold, a little bird told us that our local Starbucks could help us in a pinch. Just so happens…the napkins at this coffee house extraordinaire make the perfect blotting papers!!

Who knew?? Now we all do!

Cheers to belles looking their best.

a&a

salted caramel blondies…ring. a-ling!

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in belle-icious, what's ringin' our belle

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Salted caramel…let us count the ways!! This has become one of our latest obsessions, and it could be a rather dangerous one! (We are going to be forced to log 20,000 steps a day on our Fitbits pretty soon…uh oh). We have pinned and tried various versions of this sinful combination of salty, sweet, gooey goodness; and you, our dear belles, will certainly be hearing more from us on this very important topic. But…this one recipe has been ringing our belles (and collecting oohs and ahhs from friends) lately. So, we feel almost obligated to get it out to all of our belles immediately. We can’t have you missing out on all the fun!!

Now, before we divulge the gooey details, we must give you two very important pointers.

1. The recipe, as presented in the link, is to be prepared in an 8″x8″ pan. Now, you know what that means? It is just not enough!! Our solution…go right ahead and double that recipe and pull out the 9″x13″…especially if you plan to share (which a good belle would always do). Add 5 minutes to your baking time and you are all set.
2. The recipe also calls for a perfectly delicious homemade salted caramel sauce as well as a perfectly delicious homemade fudge sauce. We adore these recipes and encourage you to try them…but save them for a time when they will be the star of the show. For this recipe, they are drizzled on prior to baking and we find that the store-bought versions work beautifully (and allow you to crank these babies out in record time…making everyone happy). Let Trader Joe’s help you out here with their Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce and their Fudge Sauce & Fondue. You’re welcome!

And, now, here it is…in all it’s salted caramel goodness!!
Simply heaven on earth:

salted caramel and hot fudge blondies

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a&a

nail it, belle!…your friday friend 1-1

07 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in friday friend 1-1, what's ringin' our belle

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As true belles we reserve the right to change our mind from one moment to the next. Turns out we are pretty good at it too.

We have remained loyal to one color for sometime now and we intend to stay that way.

You Don’t Know Jaques!! is an Opi color that has become a uniform. Who can resist a polish with that kind of attitude?!?

OPI You dont know jacques

We have cheated a tad lately on our beloved Jaques because we couldn’t resist the gamble. A dark and swarthy sort with an air of mystery and a winning glow caught us in a moment of weakness. OO, Belle, how could we resist? Casino Royale by Opi is his name. Doesn’t that just have a lovely ring to it??

OPI Casino Royale Swatch1

via The Polish Hideout

Clearly we are suckers for Zee French.  These two rang our belles, hope they ring yours too.

a&a