• Therarebelle

the RARE belle

~ a southern gal's guide to all things fabulous in food, fashion, finery and frippery

the RARE belle

Category Archives: belle maison

home, sweet-smellin’ home…

24 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

amazon, candle, Votivo

We just noticed that our all-time favorite candle is available as a 4-pack these days!!!

We’ve taken to burning them en-masse so that the aroma floods the home in no time flat…so the 4-at-a-time deal really rings our belle!!

Get the 4-pack here and the single here at Amazon

PS…this makes a great gift, too. Just sayin’

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

memora-belle entertaining…kickin’ off the holidays

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison, belle of the ball

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

dinner party, entertaining, Thanksgiving, trivia

We were blown away at a recent dinner party given by an extremely sweet, creative, fun belle-friend!  This party was so well-thought-out and executed, we just had to share some of the details!

As guests arrived, we were greeted with a tray of champagne cocktails with floating cranberries…setting the scene for the pre-holiday event.


Fun fact…in order to test the ripeness of a cranberry, it is bounced.  If it bounces about 4 inches, it’s good to go!

But the libations didn’t stop there.  Guests were free to pick their poison…


This is cocktailin’ heaven!

The focus of the event was Thanksgiving…our most favorite holiday!  Prior to attending, we were given links to Thanksgiving trivia sites so that we could “study up”.  Test your own knowledge here and here and here.  At trivia time…it was game-on!  Our hostess with the mostest had a belle-ringin “prize table”…

…with lottery tickets, candles, tequila (one of us came home with this!), sausages, a puzzle, and much, much more!!

While our hostess shifted gears from game referee to chef, guests had the chance to relax by the fire…


…which, by the way, was perfect as we FINALLY had an evening that felt like fall!!  (80 degrees the day before made this all the more exciting!)

And now for the table and other belle-ringin’ decor…


Perfection!


And our hostess loves to downplay her talents…but this creation speaks for itself!

We are now duly inspired and ready for the weeks to come.  Bring on the eggnog!!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

A belle worthy book by a belle extraordinaire friend …

12 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

About Decorating, amazon, books, design, interiors, Sara Ruffin Costello

One of us was blessed enough to attend Tulane University…actually belles went to Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University…Sophie Newcomb is no more, but the belles live on…

It was an amazing stroke of luck to get to spend those college years with a slew of fabulous girls…all with personality, charisma, mischief and creativity.  We thought it was about time we shared the tremendous creations and gifts they have brought to the world.

There is a long list, and they each deserve their own spotlight…so we will share them one at a time.

Sara Ruffin Costello is our first belle star! From the first day she stepped on campus, she was vibrant, vivacious, exhuberant and magnetic!  She was part of the dynamic team that started Domino Magazine…which is to this day one of our favorite mags…we only wish it was still a monthly.

Now we are proud to say that she has authored the most beautiful and extraordinary book…About Decorating.  In it, she writes about the work of famed Richard Keith Langham

Via Amazon

Even the hard cover is scrumptious…


Courtesy of Sara Ruffin Costello

And inside…oh my!  Yes, please!


Anyone who appreciates interiors, enjoys home design, seeks style with a touch of flair will adore this book…and it’s a great addition to any library or coffee table.

Y’all order it on Amazon!!

What a beautiful creation you’ve made, Sara…thank you for sharing!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

belle-decor tips…on a shoestring

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

amazon, apartment, college, curtains, decorating, shoestring

Sending girls off to college can be pretty stressful…preparing for dorm living, rush and the rush wardrobe for freshmen…preparing for apartment living on a shoestring for the others.  We have both experienced it all…and have lived to tell about it!  

Bama-belle recently moved into a “vintage” house near campus in Tuscaloosa.  Here are a couple of hacks we feel turned out pretty well…


Inexpensive bamboo shades from Home Depot can warm up a window and disguise the plastic blinds favored by college-town landlords.


And while you’re at Home Depot, grab several paint drop-cloths…the flax kind.  They make excellent curtains!!  Here, we added grommets (ordered on Amazon  along with a grommet setter) to spruce them up a bit.  And no hemming required!  Just fold the top edge over to create the length needed (you need the thickness for the grommet anyway).  Add an inexpensive drapery rod.  Voila!


Mirrors expand the space…and can be found in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges

Talk to the other moms/parents.  In this particular case, we all combined our neutral extra furniture, lamps and pillows.  The girls decided they wanted several shades of blue as accent colors.  We picked up pillows and other tchotchkes to add those pops.

Here are some other items that became life-savers in small spaces…

For extra bathroom storage:


Use that space over the toilet.  Get one Here

To keep the tissue handy…


Hook it right on the tank. Get it here

For extra bedroom/closet storage…


We put this in a cubby in the room and disguised it with curtains.  Get it Here

We would love to hear your tips for next year!!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

belles want to take it outside….  

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

barbara steele, decor, fabric, home, interior design, local, monogram, needlesandthread, outdoor, patio, porch, reupholstery, sunbrella

After a long winter and with spring upon us…we decided we needed to upgrade our outdoor seating. Our lovely Libby-belle was also a big contributor to this little endeavor! 


This little troublemaker is lucky she’s so cute.  If we could locate the pics, we’d show you what happened when she ate the stuffing right out of these cushions…but until then you’ll have to use your imagination.  Just picture a sea of white cotton candy all over a bright green backdrop. Lovely no? 

Anyhoo…time to do a lil refresh.  We went to a fabulous local lady who just happens to be very good at what she does (beyond good actually). Her name is Barbara Steele, and her company is Needles and Thread (needlesandthread.barbara@gmail.com – 281-974-7317). She can do anything. Really, anything! 


We picked a sunbrella outdoor fabric in a neutral, and then for a little fashion flair (and what any good southern belle would do)…a monogram ! 

The monogrammer did an incredible job don’t you think?  We used Missy Underwood of Underwood Embroidery, 120 East Main Street, Walhalla (864-718-5414).  And…of course…we always think bigger is better!


Love the idea of creating comfortable seating on the pillars!! 

Time to relax and enjoy!!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

a great DIY holiday centerpiece idea…

17 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison, belle of the ball, friday friend 1-1

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ballons, centerpiece, Christmas, diy, ohhappyday, ornaments

A festive, fun do-it-yourself opportunity. This centerpiece will put everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Get the how-to here

Thank you, Oh Happy Day!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

when the ruby slippers aren’t available…

14 Wednesday Dec 2016

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle gifts, belle maison, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

candles, fragrance, homesickcandles.com

Although we love living in “yeah THAT greenville“, sometimes we miss our home towns.  Imagine our excitement when we ran across this awesome idea!!  We MUST have Northern California and Georgia – pronto!!  And we think these would be great gifts for just about anyone living afar…

Via Homesickcandles.com

Order by December 16 for Christmas delivery.  Get on it, belles!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

add some sparkle to that holiday decor, belles…

03 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

amazon, diy, lights, wreath

Lights aren’t only for the tree and the yard (which can be disastrous…hello, Clark Griswald)

We have found the perfect bit of sparkle for our wreaths this year – inside and out – and they are battery-operated, making them super easy (no pesky cords…score!)

For example…

On the door


In the kitchen

These little copper string lights are the-sparklin’-bomb!!

Get your Christmas lights here

Twinklin’ all the way

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

a beautiful gift and a fabulous find….

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

diffuser, fragrance, gift, home, Lampes Berger

As we all know it is better to give than it is to receive. But let’s be honest, receiving a present is pretty darn great. Especially when it’s unexpected! 

We had the pleasure of  being on the receiving end of things recently…and it’s such a treat just knowing someone was thinking of you. 

It’s even better when it’s a gift that you’ve never even heard of before and realize that you can’t live without. When we opened a Lampe Berger oil diffuser, we couldn’t believe our eyes. 


These are the beautiful Lampe Berger we received – and love!!

Practical, useful, great looking…what more could a belle want?

We decided we needed to research this find a bit further…and lo and behold there is a color, style, look that will be the perfect addition to anyone’s home decor.


One for you, one as a gift…one for you, one as a …you get it!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

belles gettin’ beachy…

07 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle adventures, belle maison, fashion forward

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cooler, ice tray, ray ban, shades, shopbop, sunglasses, tote, towel

Thought we’d share some of our beachy favorites…

 Ice ice baby, anchors away belles 
  
We love a round towel…that’s a wrap!!

  
Totes. A must!!

 

Don’t forget to throw some shade

Sand, sun, fun, belles!

a&a

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Follow us on Bloglovin

Follow on Bloglovin

Follow the RARE belle on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

The Rare Belle

The Rare Belle
Follow the RARE belle on WordPress.com

Follow me on Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest

Follow us on Bloglovin

Follow on Bloglovin

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • the RARE belle
    • Join 304 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • the RARE belle
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: