decorating by the numbers…for the in-style home

22 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in belle maison

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

We ran across an article in the September INSTYLE that really rang our belle!  It listed loads of helpful tips from the “experts” on how to make any room look like you really know what you’re doing on the design-front. (and when in doubt…fake it, belle!!)

Here you go…in no particular order…we think they are all worth a share…

the Collins Sconce from Pottery Barn


66 inches…

Wall sconces should be installed just above eye level…around 66 inches from the floor…so the light doesn’t shine directly at you (and if you hang them too high, they will light the ceiling instead of the room

from homedit.com


30 inches…

your bed is generally about 30 inches from the floor…so why not put your nightstand on the same level??  That makes it the perfect height for the alarm, the book, the water…whatever needs to be within reach

from bestbuy.com


8 feet…the best distance for viewing a 42″ TV (the most common size) is 8 feet.  Adjust from there for larger or smaller screens

thebudgetfashionista.com


2 inches…An insert that is 2 inches larger than your pillow covers will make pillows seem plush and generous.

the Hunter Sofa from mgbwhome.com


84 inches…this is the minimum length for a comfy sofa that will seat up to four people (or one adult lying down). This size also plays nicely with a standard 60-inch coffee table.

the Hunter Sofa from mgbwhome.com



1 inch…leave an inch between furniture and the wall…this keeps the upholstery from looking squished and the paint from getting scuffed (a win-win)


29 watts…apparently,  GE’s 29 W Halogen Frosted bulb is the most face-flattering of all bulbs out there.  Thank goodness someone is studying this!!  A belle always wants/needs to look her best.  Just sayin’…

williamssonoma.com

This one photo has a plethora of belle-ringing decorating numbers…

7 feet…always hang an overhead lighting fixture at least 7 feet above the floor  (don’t want your NBA-sized friends bumpin’ a noggin’)

18 inches…we don’t want you (or those NBA-sized guests) bumpin’ a shin, either.   Leave 18 inches between your coffee table and the sofa or other seating

62 inches…the center of your artwork should be between 62 and 66 inches from the floor…that’s the standard measurement in most galleries (and it just makes for good viewin’)

cotedetexas.blogspot.com

1 1/2 inches…for a tailored drape, allow a break of no more than 1-2 inches (too much puddling can be messy for a tailored, streamlined curtain)

So there you have ’em, belles. It’s easy as 1-2-3 (or 66-30-8-2…)

Happy homing!

a&a

what’s ringin’ our belle…round 27…gettin’ Halloweeny 

20 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_3687-0
Our belle-ringers of the week…

We are always looking for a way to give ourselves a pat on the back…not so easy when your to do list is a mile long and your hard pressed to cross anything off! Well here’s a great list of things that you can actually get done pronto!!

Now that you might have an extra few minutes , why not make this dip? Perfect for football season.

Here’s a perfect cocktail for the inner trick-or-treaters in all of us.

Summer might be over, but there’s no need to put away the beach spray just yet. Here are some great hacks for using that spray year-round. 

We belles have always wondered why the Disney princesses never have moms. Finally, the answer!

If your feeling a little crafty , why not try this fun d.i.y Halloween garland?

Until next time….

a&a

fall football food…a belleicious Friday friend-1-1

16 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by in belle-icious

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

Fall, football, food and Friday…four of our favorite things…and making sure the feasting is worthy enough is extremely important!

We discovered this Reuben Dip while playing on Pinterest. There are a number of versions so we picked our favorite elements and created our own rendition.

REUBEN DIP

1/2 pound pastrami or corned beef (we prefer pastrami…just sayin’)

1 pound Swiss cheese, shredded by hand or in food processor (about 3 c)

(IMPORTANT COOKING FACT:  always use bulk cheese and shred yourself when you want proper melting to happen. The pre-shredded kind has a coating on it which hinders its melting smoothly)

1 cup sauerkraut, drained

1 package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Russian dressing – recipe follows  (most recipes call for Thousand Island … We think this is soooo much better )

Combine all ingredients and heat at 350 for about 35-40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Please don’t have a hissy fit like yours truly when it comes out a bit soupy. Let it rest for a few and it will absorb it and be the right consistency .

Serve with pumpernickel squares or (as we did) Wheat Thins.

Gather your ingredients…

Assemble…

Enjoy…

And now for that dressing recipe…

RUSSIAN DRESSING

1 tsp. garlic powder

8 ounces chili sauce (or ketchup if you are in a bind)

1 1/2 cups Hellman’s mayo

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. Worcestershire  sauce

(This makes plenty of extra because you will want to have some for dunking purposes.)

A hearty dip that will be a sure hit and all-around winner!

a&a

an artist among us…a very belle gift idea

15 Thursday Oct 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

  
We are fortunate to be surrounded by a bevy of talented belle-friends (a smart belle keeps good company, just sayin’). One such friend is someone you oughtta know!  With the holidays approaching, we have been putting on our thinkin’ caps for some cool, super-special, meaningful gifts for our own nearest and dearest. If you are doing the same (and we suggest that you do…time’s a-wastin’), this particular belle might just be your answer!

Starr Haney, of Starr Haney, Art and Design,  is ringin’ belles all over the place with her unique, fun, and simply stunning artwork. 
From commissioned paintings of your furry friends…

our very own Sadie


 
to edgy insects…

  

 

 

to moments artfully captured on canvas…

   
   
to awe-inspiring abstracts…

  

 

 
this “Starr” can deliver!

Starr captures the mood and energy behind each and every piece, leaving us with a creation that feels like a warm hug, raises spirits, and induces a smile. We feel positively giddy when we take a gander at our pieces of her work!

Contact Starr here on her Starr Haney Art Facebook page, follow along on Instagram (@starrhaneyart), and check out her website, www.starrartandgraphics.com.  But don’t lollygag…she needs time to work her magic!  She is taking Christmas commissions until November 15, but is filling up fast!  This is also a great idea for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day…

And if you run a bit behind (which we have been known to do) or want to be sure the gift is even more perfect…Starr can wrap up a blank canvas and your recipient can choose the subject!!  How’s that for belle-ringin’ personal service?

a&a

what’s ringin’ our belle…round 26

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


The latest belle ringers…

While we hesitate to admit our weaknesses…we must admit as of late we seem to be developing a real talent for spilling.  Thank goodness for this amazing Guide!!  A real lifesaver!!

Lazy or Genius?
Because Gin is in!

Sippin’ our cocktail and gettin’ inspired…

All that inspiration makes a belle hungry.

A little reading material.

Until next time belles…

a&a

belles bake for a birthday…

09 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by in belle-icious

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

One of our nearest and dearest had a recent birthday…and the birthday girl just wanted a casual night out with the gals. Since we believe in granting birthday wishes, that’s exactly what we did!  But to make the celebration a tad more special, and because we have been dying to try to recreate this cake, we made this…

Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake from Half Baked Harvest. This blog is worth adding to your repertoire. Her recipes, photographs and writing ability will keep you interested and excited about cooking.

Our skills at cake decorating are nowhere nearly as advanced , but practice makes perfect, right?

The cake and its components are easy to put together. And it is worth every effort.  This cake is moist, flavorful, chocolatey, and rich, yet not overly dense. It is going to be on repeat.  Without. A. Doubt.

We started off making the bourbon caramel:


Get your ingredients together and then melt that sugar …

  

Now add the cubed butter… 
And then pour in some heavy cream…


And then a bit of bourbon and some sea salt…

  On to the next phase. Time to make the cake. Mix all of your dry ingredients together…


And the wet….


And then we combine the two .


Now into pans and bake for a bit…


Allow to cool and make the milk chocolate meringue buttercream …

  
Don’t you just want to take a big old spoon to this bowl… Restraint is not all it’s cracked up to be….

Time to layer and ice…


Refrigerate overnight and then the fun begins!  Pour on the dark chocolate ganache and bourbon caramel …


Now you can add chocolate macaroons (ours were store-bought) chocolate curls, etc …

Now serve and celebrate!!!



For the full and printable recipe click on this link…you won’t regret making this bit of decadence!!

Can’t wait to make this show stopper again!!
a&a

cocktailin’ with a bit of southern culture

08 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in bar belles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

With fall finally here and temperatures headed south, we decided it was time to get a little cozy with some southern culture for our latest cocktailin’ experience. What better place than one perfectly named for such an occasion…Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar on North Pleasantburg in Greenville. This place covers the bases with southern dishes, libations, music and that legendary hospitality that would make any self-respectin’ southerner proud.

For starters…Grandma’s Eggs were nothin’ like this…A dish that is not to be missed:  the “seasonal deviled eggs”. We had the chance to sample the pesto version on micro greens with tomato and goat cheese…a true taste thrill! We could have blown through a dozen in a skinny minute!

Give these cocktails a “shot”…

Cindy Hosea 

The Old-Fashioned Gentleman     
Bring your beau to try this…or if you don’t have a gentleman of your own, here’s your chance to order one up. Bourbon, sage and black peppercorn syrup, bitters, brandied cherry and muddled orange blend to create a strong, smooth, spicy concoction that still maintains a hint of depth and mystery. What more could you ask for in a drink…or a man?

Cindy Hosea

The 1800’s Milkshake

If a nightcap that satisfies the sweet tooth sounds appealing, this is the libation for you. Made with tequila (the only alcohol that isn’t a depressant), you’ll be sure to end the evening on a positive note. Not too thick or sweet, this tastes just like a liquid after-dinner mint. It is served with one large sphere of ice so the flavor doesn’t get diluted and sipping is encouraged. Dessert without guilt is always a winner in our book!

http://www.southernculturekitchenandbar.com

With it bein’ fall and all, we would be remiss if we didn’t tie in the pigskin. Their “tailgate menu” will make the wise planner look like queen (or king) of gameday. Why not swing by on the way to the game, grab a tailgate-to-go, then head back to cozy up for some score-watchin’ and cocktailin’. Or…how about catching a movie and then go cuddle up for a nightcap?  Roaring fire included.

They aren’t kidding around when they say “southern fixins with a heap of culture”. The menu is varied and delicious, and the live band choices are always on-point, allowing toe tapping while still being able hold a conversation.  (Click here for upcoming live music). We were there mid-week, and the place was pleasantly busy but not overcrowded. You will find the weekend brunches hard to resist, especially the limitless Bloody Mary and mimosa bars. We might just have to explore that liquid buffet further…in the name of working hard, of course.

Cheers!

a&a

 

what’s ringin’ our belle…round 25

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_3687
Ringin’ belles this week…

We belles love a lil’ continuing education…

Just in case y’all decide to do an internship or go for extra credit in the above…you might need to be prepared with what food to have on hand.  This quiz will give you the answer.

Because we just had a lesson, let’s make sure we learned something…Real world application.

Belle Rule: never drink on an empty stomach. Be a rule follower. Shouldn’t be difficult…it contains bacon!

Belle approved beauty tips.

Belles all need a little pucker power. This is an awesome color for toutes les belles!

Belles rule!!!

a&a