DIY pretty Necklace by Kayla

Hello everyone!!! Today I'm so excited to have Kayla over to my blog again!! She's going to share with us a DIY to make an amazingly cute necklace. :) Just look at her! I know you want to make one too... let's see how....

 

 

Hello friends! My name is Kayla from Love Sparkle Pretty and I'm so thrilled to be on Luisa's blog today! She really is the sweetest! :)

Today, I am going to share a super easy DIY tutorial to make your own wooden bead necklace. I have seen these necklaces pop up everywhere and I am really loving them. They are so simple to make and yet very versatile and fun to wear!

What you will need:
*6 medium sized round wooden beads
*fine cable chain in color of your choice. You will need 18" of this and make sure it's small enough to thread through the holes of your wooden beads
*a lobster claw clasp with link
*2 small jump rings
*wire cutters
*chain-nose pliers

Most wooden beads come plain with the option of painting them the colors you would like. You can also get some that are "pre-colored." Decide whether or not you would like to paint yours (I painted mine metallic gold) and do so to 6 of the beads.

Once your beads are the colors you would like, get your chain and measure it 18" in length and cut it (with your wire cutters) at that length.

Then, string your beads (once they have dried) one at a time through the cut chain.

Once the beads are strung, attach a small jump ring to the end of one side of the chain. Then, attach the lobster clasp to the jump ring and close the jump ring.

On the other end of the chain, attach the other jump ring. Then, attach the link that the lobster clasp will connect with.

Once that jump ring has been closed, you have yourself a brand spankin' new necklace! Now, wear it proudly because after all, you made it! :)

Thank you so much Kayla!!! It looks beautiful and fun to make!

I hope you all enjoyed it too!

xoxo,

 

Pretty Flowers Finds

What a beautiful sunny day here in California!! I've seen in different pictures posted by a few of my blogger friends that it has been snowing a lot in different states of America! Colorado had a blizzard!! I cannot even imagine... it's like being in a another world here..

So... spring is in the air, and I love it!! Even those that are stuck in the snow, I'm sure they are dreaming about spring. That's why I want to share with you my Pretty Flowers Finds... and dream a little bit together... :)

Adorable set of coasters

Lovely shabby chic flowers

Flower resin bracelet.. so springy!

Pale peonies print

 

 super cute Shabby Apple dress

 Love this chair!!

and then...me! :) posing with my Flower Tote-Bag

That's all for now!!!
Sending rays of California sun to you all!!

xoxo,

 

 

 

 

Les Madeleines

What a wonderful day!!!! I accomplished something that I wanted to do in a loooong time... which is to bake Madeleines!! The adorable, super delicious french little cakes! I buy them once in a while at the store, but they are so expensive! I have never had the possibility to make them because I needed the special madeleine-pan and it's found in france or in special/fancy stores. Well, I have been recently soooo blessed in winning a giveaway hosted by the bestest girl Kristine from TheFoleyFam. What I received as a prize was a 25$ gift-card to Williams-Sonoma! The FIRST thing I thought I really needed was the pan to cook madeleines, so I found it and bought it on their web-site! :)

I'm so happy! They came out really really good, so fresh and much better than the ones from the store. I'm making the second batch right now, my children wanted more! {not only them..}..

...here they are! I wish I could give you some..

I have to finish this post speaking about Marcel Proust, a very famous French poet who wrote about these cute little cakes in one of his works.. he was speaking about memories, the type of memory that takes you back to the past through the senses, like the smell of something or in his case the taste of the Madeleines.

"No sooner had the warm liquid mixed with the crumbs touched my palate than a shudder ran through me and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary thing that was happening to me. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, something isolated, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory – this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence; or rather this essence was not in me it was me. ... Whence did it come? What did it mean? How could I seize and apprehend it? ... And suddenly the memory revealed itself. The taste was that of the little piece of madeleine which on Sunday mornings at Combray (because on those mornings I did not go out before mass), when I went to say good morning to her in her bedroom, my aunt Léonie used to give me, dipping it first in her own cup of tea or tisane. The sight of the little madeleine had recalled nothing to my mind before I tasted it. And all from my cup of tea."

—Marcel Proust, In Search of Lost Time

Have a sweet rest of the day!!

xoxo,

Bocelli Love

I spent the last two days in the car driving to L.A. back and forth {I know it's crazy! we spend a loooot of time in the car!}. I usually like to crochet to kill time... 7 hours can be pretty long... this time I forgot to bring my work! Fortunately my husband had the great idea to rent a few cds from the Library. {Our cds are all super scratched!} One of these was a Bocelli one. I love it. We listened to it over and over. I knew only a few songs... and I'm so happy to have discovered some new favorite songs. I've always loved Andrea Bocelli... who doesn't... the way he transmits the emotions in his songs just gives me goose-bumps, I also admire his humility, his style.. and of course, his voice is incredible. I also love the fact that he's Italian... he he :) even if now he's singing more and more in different languages. One of the songs that I liked the most from the ones I listened to today is half sang in Portuguese and half in Neapolitan (dialect spoken in Naples). Soooo beautiful!!! it's a duet with Dulce Pontes.

I found it on you-tube... listen to it! and tell me if you like it!!... I like the Arabic type of melody and the rhythm. Here it is:

O Mare e Tu (the sea and you)

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Huge Giveaway with Lena B Actually!!!

 

I'm very excited to let you all know that I am part of a biiiig giveaway on a fantastic blog!

Lena B Actually!! I'm very lucky to be one of her sponsors this month.

Check out the prizes... one lucky winner will win them all!! Will it be you??

Alyson, Neely, Angie, Beth, Amanda & Sandra are teaming up to give you a $60 ModCloth Gift Card!!

Who wouldn't want 2 months cool ad space over at Joanna's blog ModaMama!?

Betsy is giving away a coin wallet & a large ad space at her blog, Musings of a Museum Fanatic!

This is ME giving you the choice of one cup cozy from my Esty shop!!

 Please be fair and play by the rules!  Take a minute to check out these awesome ladies as you're entering the giveaway... they totally rock!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is open to everyone and will end Sunday, Feb 24th at midnight!

Good luck!

And also.... don't forget about my sponsor's giveaway that is still going on!!! Click HERE to enter!!

Hugs!!

 

Iphone dust-plug Review!!

Hi to you all!!! :) Have you ever heard of a dust-plug or headphone-plug for your phone??? I may live in my little world all the time, but I never heard of such a thing until I received it as a present from my little sister!!! There was not a real occasion, I think... she's just a sweetie. ;) She found it on Etsy, precisely at FingerFoodDelight ...suuuper cute shop!! If you like kawaii items, it's the shop for you, you won't leave it without buying something... the prices are very affordable and the quality is great! Here's the little cutie I have now on my phone...

Isn't it adorable?? French-fries of course!!! My sister knows me very well... haha! But if you are not a fast-food fan, you can choose something else.. there is a big variety of little miniatures to choose from. I'll show you a few:

adorable pink cupcake

 

mais oui!! Paris!

 

 

Starbucks lover?

 

cute red star-fish

 

mmm...yummi pie!

 

They also make incredibly cute rings!!! Go check out their collection... I cannot decide which one is my favorite! They are all very original and beautifully made!! Just like my french-fries!! :)

 

You can go visit them on FB: FingerFoodDelight

or follow them on Twitter: @FingerFoodDelit

 

I think it's time for a late night snack now.... have a great night.. or day... or afternoon...

 

Love to you all!!

xoxo,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garlands

It's been a while since I posted some "Etsy Finds".. I love exploring Etsy, because I love anything handmade and I'm amazed at how many gorgeous things are out there!! Everything created in the comfort of a house, maybe next to the warmth of a cozy fire-place, while the children are finally asleep.. or while sipping a delicious and bubbly wine. Things handmade are just the best! God gave us hands and fingers able to create beautiful things... like garlands, for example... a decorating item that I think should be in every house!!! Look what I found:

 

 

Puffy Pale Roses... for a soft touch in a baby room..


shabby chic classic bunting banner.... just adorable!


I love the rustic look of this Love Banner..

..for those who love Tea and the Queen of England (like I do!!)


I need this on my bed!


Look at these roses!..made out of paper...


I had to pick a crochet garland! This one is so beautiful!!


Gorgeous and colorful pom-poms!!!

...oooh and I could go on and on and on!!!! There are so many!! and so beautiful!!!! Please go check these, put them among your favorite finds, favorite their shop... look for more!!!

I hope you like my finds as much as I do! :)

...and please... don't forget my Sponsor's GIVEAWAY! you can win free advertising for 2 months for your shop or your blog!!! Go enter now!!! 

 

Much Love to you All!!

 

xoxo,

 

Sponsor's Feature & Giveaway on Valentine's Day!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

After a lot of traveling via plane and via car.. I'm finally back home!! I've been to a wonderful retreat, I've seen people I love and many people I admire. We have also been ALL sick, me, my husband and the children.. so we are very happy to be home now, it's true that.. there is no place like home!!

I promised you a Giveaway from one of my wonderful and very patient sponsors!!

Please meet.... LaCasetaDePaper !!!!

 

I asked Laura, the creator of adorable little tags and cards, to share a little bit about herself. Maybe I'm just a curious person, but I like to get to know people, even just a little.

This is what she said:

-Please tell us who you are.

My name is Laura, and I've been blogging at La Caseta de Paper for a few months now. Mostly, I'd define myself as a fan of all the little things: watching a sunset, the smell of the grass after the storm, or a warm coffee in a winter day. I try to lead a life as simple as possible, because that's what really makes me happy.

-When did you start creating for your beautiful shop?

I started around October last year. I've always liked to be active in several communities online, and since I loved Etsy and everything handmade, I decided to give it a try and start my own show too.

-What is your inspiration?

Most of what I do is very minimalist, it's a style I really like and I try to keep all the items on the same line.

-What else do you like to do for fun?

Two of my favorite activities are photography and snail-mailing. The reason I like both of them is because they help me staying creative. I also love yoga and mountain-biking.

-Tell me one funny thing about you.

I have a weird OCD when walking up/down the stairs: the last step always needs to be touched with the right food. 

-Tell me one of your dreams.

I'd love the have a little house close enough to the ocean to be able to go surfing every day.

 

Thank you Laura!!!! It's my pleasure to have you here!!

And thank you for the opportunity for any of my readers to win a 2 months AD SPACE on your BLOG!!

Please enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below!! And Good Luck!!!!
 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura has also a special discount code for all of you in her SHOP! Enter the code MADELEINE15 at check-out and you'll receive 15% off your purchase!

 

Have a Beautiful Heart Day everyone!!!!!

Hugs and Kisses from me..

 

Being a new blogger...

I feel like I have completely abandoned my blog.... but that's not the case. I'm still a new blogger with a lot of things to learn about blogging.
I left California to come to NY for a spiritual retreat with my husband. Once here it's very hard to start writing a post (i tried with my last post using my phone... it was not a big success), I should have organized myself and pre-write and schedule a few posts. I imagine that's what big bloggers do!! :) well, next time I'll do better.
I'm having a great time at my retreat, God shows me every time how good He is. Where would I be without Him??

I'll be back soon to Cali where I have an awesome giveaway ready for you!!!!

Be patient with me... :)

Much love to all,

Luisa

Thinking Pink

Here I am!! Typing this post from my phone.. we'll see how it comes out.. :)
I recently noticed that in these last months I've been obsessed with a particular color. Does it happen to you? I just feel drawn to it, whatever thing it may be. The color is Bright Pink, I'm sure there's a specific name to it...
The other day I took my parents to shop at Ross and I fell in love with a pair of bright pink Converse All Star! My husband was a sweetie and he bought them for me.. Look how gorgeous they are!! And they were cheap (thank you Ross)!!
Typing on this small screen is becoming pretty hard.... it's time to go to bed, I wish you all Good Night and pink dreams!! ;)
XoXo

Ready for the Super Bowl??

Happy Sunday to all of you!!!

Today is probably going to be a special day for many of you.. especially for the fans of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers... Yessss, I'm talking about the Super Bowl!

Do you have anything fun prepared for the occasion? I will spend the afternoon with my little family and some friends. I have to say that I'm not a great fan of football. I grew up in Italy and the main sport there is soccer {you would see my face painted with the Italian flag colors during the Soccer World Cup}, but my husband is from Colorado and a Broncos fan, that's why I support it and try to understand all the games rules. ;)
I would have loved to see the Broncos playing today.. but if I had to pick a team I would pick San Francisco! Just because I live very close and I know many people there. But in the end.. may the best one win!!!! And have fun!!!

Big hugs,