A scent of Italy.

Hello Friends!!!

what a beautiful hot day we had here in California today!! After a few days of rain, the sun is back again! It really felt like summer... and when I feel that type of warmth I can only think of my South of Italy {where I come from}. I recently had the opportunity to purchase something I had on my "I-really-want" List for a long time and it arrived two days ago all the way from the beautiful Calabria (Italy)!!! 

I purchased a pretty locket with a deliciously homemade solid perfume called Scirocco. I first fell in love with the name as it takes me back to the South of Italy... for those who don't know, it's the name of a wind that originates in Africa (in the Sahara desert) and blows through the Mediterranean sea. It brings with it the scent of summer, of the jasmine, the oranges and other citruses.. well, that perfume contains it all! I can close my eyes and smell the countryside where I grew up.

I want to thank so much Mariu', the owner of the beautiful Etsy SHOP called LaMiaCasaNelVento, meaning My House In the Wind {she makes also organic soaps and candles}. She also writes a BLOG where she shares the most amazing pictures! You should check it out!!

Her talent is great and the care she takes in bringing every little detail to perfection is what touches me.

I feel honored to have one of her pieces and to be able to smell Italy. If you are curious... you should go order one of her perfumes as well and let me know what you think!! :)

this is what I received.... 

Here is something you can find in her shop:

Natural Solid Perfume

Organic Chamomile

Hugs to you all!!

..and tanti baci...

the cutest fabric...

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!!

I had a pretty quiet morning so far... I'm glad I had the time to sew. I used the last little piece of one the cutest fabric I've ever bought. Disney Princesses! I found it online, it came all the way from Japan! I wish I could buy more... I could only find a small sample that I cut in pieces to be able to create more with it.

I don't know if you had a chance to see the newest pouches in my shop... they are one of a kind!.. unless I find more of that gorgeous fabric!!.... he he... :)

 

What do you think??

Which one is your favorite Disney Princess? I can't decide!!! Even if I know I'm never tired to watch Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.......

Hugs to you..
and may all your dreams come true!!!!

xoxo,

How to crochet a heart with HappyBerry crochet..

Hello friends!!!

it's still February.. the month of Love ad hearts.. I've been wanting to write a post on crocheted hearts and I'm still on time!!... even if I think anytime is always the right time to speak about hearts... :) 

I recently found a beautiful website about knitting and crochet.. they have a BLOG, a SHOP and a you-tube channel! They are called HAPPYBERRY. Cute, eh? You need to check them out... they even have adorable free patterns! 

I'll share with you the you-tube video on how to crochet a heart. I've tried to crochet hearts before in different ways...but I think this is my favorite result! Also, the girl who teaches the technique is really sweet... not boring at all.. and has a cute British accent!! She sounds like Keira Knightly or Emma Thompson {I don't know if you a fan of English actresses like me...}...

So, what are you waiting for?? If you know how to crochet..you will learn how to make a cute heart... and if you don't know how to crochet... you will just learn!! :)

These are just 3 of my little hearts. I'm thinking to crochet a couple more and make a bunting banner.. maybe a cake-topper.. I love the yellow yarn I used.

And now... the you-tube video. Thank you Crochet Berry for allowing me to show and share your beautiful work!!! :)

Hugs and kisses to you all!! until next time!!!

xoxo,

Happy Valentine's Day!!! (and giveaway winner!)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I wish you all a sweet day and all the love your heart desires.

 

 

{I have to have this coffee in the morning!!! :) }

 

Oh....and congratulations to NIKKI!!! The winner of my Cozy & Spoon Giveaway!!!!! :)

Hugs to you all and thanks to all those who participated!!!

xoxo,

Mug Cozy & Vintage Spoon GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi!!!

I can't believe we are already ONE week away from Valentine's Day! These last days I had a few orders from my SHOP that made me very happy and useful... I love to make something that will be gifted to someone special... :) And because of this I'm in the mood for a Giveaway!!! Who doesn't like free stuff?? Especially if the prize is beautiful! One of my dearest friends and awesome crafty-lady is joining me in this giveaway {what a blessing!}.

Are you ready??? 

I'm giving away my newest Latte Mug Cozy together with Lisa's hand-stamped "Need Coffee" vintage spoon!

Hurry up and follow all the instructions in our Rafflecopter Giveaway below the picture

{please don't cheat!! we check all the answers...} :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!!!

The winner will be announced on Feb. 15th!!!

xoxo,

Rich & Creamy Hot Chocolate {Italian style}

Hello everyone!

How many of you watched the SuperBowl yesterday??... well, I hope you were all SeaHawks' fans, because for the Bronco Fans it has not been a very good afternoon.. :(

It was so disappointing that at the end of the game I had to find a way to cheer up and the first thing that popped in my mind was the Hot Chocolate I used to drink in Italy. What's better than a dense and luscious hot chocolate?? And when I say dense I mean it! Every time I make hot chocolate for my children (the store-bought kind) it's basically a hot chocolate-milk.  The kind I used to drink is like velvet, it sticks gently to the spoon.. but it's at the same time liquid enough to drink.

If you have never had it you should try it... and the secret is very simple!

RICH & CREAMY ITALIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE

• Your favorite kind of Hot Chocolate {I used the "double chocolate" Starbucks brand}
• 1 full tsp of Corn Starch each serving
• sugar {only if you need it}
• Cold Milk

Mix the cocoa powder and the corn starch together in a pot. Add as much milk as directed (usually one cup per serving). Stir on low heat... never stop stirring! Let it boil a little bit and serve hot.

 

Yesss! The corn-starch does the magic!

 

What's your favorite kind of hot-cocoa? Share your recipe... I would love to know!!!

 

xoxo,

 

 

New Year ~ New Look

First of all......

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!!!!

Who knows, maybe during this year 2014 there will be more action in this little blog of mine. I always think about things I should write but it's very hard to find the time. Well, I'm here today and I want to share with you my new studio!!! 

Yesssss... LaBelleMadeleine needed a new cute space to be able to create. It's very hard to find a place to work in peace in a small apartment with 4 little kids running around all day long {especially during school-breaks!}. :) I have to say that I found my perfect spot... in a corner of my bedroom, near the window to get some light, surrounded by all the things I need to work with. 

Here's a few pics...

What do you think?? I know it's very small... but there's all I need!! And it's a "happy place" for me, because I love doing what I do... which is mainly sewing and crocheting. And thanks to my new-awesome sewing-machine I will be able to embroider as well!!!! Get ready for some new extra items in my shop! :)

xoxo to you,