Hello Bella Fans-

We’ve moved again.  Please make sure to change our blog address to www.thebellalifeblog.com and don’t forget to update your RSS feeds.

via The Girl in the Cafe

 

Thank You!

The Bella Girls

 

Does your disposal smell sour?  Does it need a quick “pick me up”? TRY LEMONS!

 

WASTE DISPOSAL:

“If your waste disposal is starting to whiff, here is an easy way to deodorize it. Save leftover lemon and orange peel and just toss them down the drain. To keep it smelling pleasant repeat this process once a month.” (Green Cleaning)

 

Happy Cleaning,

Camberley

 

Do you have a hard time removing stains and grime from your stove top?  How about giving these spots a little Baking Soda love.  Here is this weeks green cleaning tip.

Cleaning The Top Of The Stove:

“Wet the area and sprinkle baking soda onto the top.  Let it sit for about 30 minutes before removing and rinsing off.” (Green Cleaning)

 

Happy Cleaning,

Camberley

 “Do-It-Yourself” design does save you money-IF you do things right. One of the most important  “MUST DO” items is to create a budget for your design project. I will be the first to admit that I hate budgets BUT if you want to have enough money to complete the project a budget is the only way to go.

 

  

SO…here’s a few thoughts on figuring out your very own  approach to “Interior Decorating Budget” (Not your “Budget Interior Decorator”)…

  

   

• Determine what you have to spend your money on. Is this just strictly just a decor project that involves furniture, decor, drapes,etc.?

  

via High Fashion Home

Are you putting together a budget that allows for the ultimate in bedroom decor?

 

Or is your budget leaning towards just adding a few simple Chic items like a slipcovered sofa?

 

Or are you budgeting to have a nice (but not over the top) decor look?

 

• Another thing to consider: Will any renovations be involved i.e. wallpaper removal, painting, etc. This may add significantly more to the cost of your project so be sure that you allow for any unforeseen additions to the budget.

 

 Taking wallpaper down is so fun-NOT!

  

• REMEMBER THAT IT ALWAYS COSTS MORE THAN YOU THINK IT WILL! So you might want to have a miscellaneous category for any additional costs.

 

• Determine your approach to the project. Are you trying  to move from start to finish as quickly as possible? Or will you be spending time getting the decor just right? Some people would rather spend less on each item so that they can get everything at once. Others like to take their time and purchase items that cost a little more.

Are you doing the “Ikea” approach to your budget decor project?

 

Or have you budgeted enough to take the Marge Carson approach to your project? 

 

• Put your budget in writing. This will allow you to see what you need to purchase as well as keeping track of what you’ve spent.  Categories should include: what you need to purchase, your estimated cost, the actual cost and the differnce.

  For more ideas check out the Domino: The Book of Decorating 

Happy Budgeting!

Debbie 

 

 

 

 

FLOUR’S FAMOUS BANANA BREAD

I’ve got frozen bananas.  They’ve been staring me in the face, mocking me, every time I open the door to my freezer.

via Eat and Train

This week some of my Tweeps (Twitter Peeps) started discussing Banana Bread Recipes.  A sign from God.  So, I decided to hop on the bandwagon and join in on the conversation. This started my quest for the most Delicious Banana Bread Recipe. 

I love foodnetwork’s website.  Not because it takes 1,000 years to download all of the images on their home page, but because some kind citizens take time out of their hectic schedule to rate recipes they’ve tried.  Therefore, every time I go hunting for a recipe on this website, I try to select recipes that have received 5 Stars.  This weeks 5 star recipe is courtesy of the Flour Bakery in Boston. 

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream (I’ve used both; however, I usually have sour cream on hand so I tend to use this more)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped (Sometimes I leave these out, since the hubs is not a big fan)

Directions

Set oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a loaf pan with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Drizzle in oil. Add mashed bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a lined loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Serve warm with butter.  Enjoy!

P.S. I know this is my second banana recipe this week, so I apologize to those cold-hearted people who dislike bananas.

Camberley

On today’s Latest ETSY Love, we are highlighting CarrotFever’s shop. Here is a little synopsis about the shop’s owner:

“Hi there! First of all, thank you for looking at my store. Just a little about myself: I am a full time college student (Child Development – Special Education Major). I am a self-proclaimed craftaholic. Crafting is what I do to let off steam. I do everything from photography, quilting, crocheting, jewelry making, knitting, painting, hand sewing stuffed toys, candle making… the list can go on forever. I fully believe that buying handmade is the way to go. It’s refreshing to get away from the corporate world and purchase something that took some real soul to make. So if you purchase something from me I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!”

CarrotFever’s products are anywhere between $8.00-$38.00 – Talk about a steal!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sure alot of you are thinking…Wow…Cammie must be baby hungry.  Most of her ETSY posts are geared towards children’s items.  My friends, I ensure you that is not the case.  I am perfectly content with my dogs, lovebird and fish.  Plus, I’m lucky I have these two little guys living five doors down.  This means- I get to play with them when they are being cute, and send them home when they are being fussy.  Life is good 🙂

 

 

Happy Shopping,

Aunt Cam

 

“From small beginnings come great things.”

Proverb quotes

via Stylish Interior and Exterior Designs

 

via Hot Frog 

 

 via DigsDigs

 

via DigsDigs

 

via DigsDigs

 

Debi Treloar

 

ohdeedoh

 

House to Home

 

Justin Bernhaut

I will be posting the last part of my Saga tomorrow. (Do you like how I use the word SAGA? I do it because it sounds cool.) I want to give you a heads up and let you know it’s going be a LONG Part 4. I don’t want to write 7 posts about my story…. although…. I am probably just narcissistic enough to do it. There are just so many moments to record, and write down for future generations. Before tomorrow happens, I just want to write about a couple of incidents that have happened to me over the last couple of days.

Incident 1. { Brother vs. Sister}

So being the thoughtful person I am, I called my brother yesterday. (I am phone-phobic, so this is a big deal) We were chatting away like the best of friends, when out of the clear blue sky he asks me seriously, “So how long are you going to play the sick card? It’s been over a week.”  Ummmm. GASP. I didn’t know what to say to that. Heavens, I had just told him that I was leaving work. I hadn’t even mentioned my health! (Well I am 80% sure I didn’t. I can never remember.)

After a few seconds of shock, I replied by practically barfing, ” I don’t really use the sick card. I just left work… remember? { voice raised an octave} People who are sick don’t go to work…. Yes, I didn’t make it to Dads house last night because I was stupid and started moving some heavy things at work so I didn’t feel well.{Gulp for air} I wasn’t on my deathbed. I am not even taking my prescription drugs. I am not like SICK, sick, but I’m not 100% either.” 

As you can see I was shaken to the core! I was throwing out everything I could to prove I wasn’t using what “happened” as a crutch. All those words of defense couldn’t prevent the feelings of doubt I started having. Was I using the sick card? As I sat there in silence trying to recall if I had been doing this, my brother said something even more shocking! ” I know a girl who had the EXACT thing happen to her, a day after you, and she was back to work 3 days later. She is perfectly fine now.”  What?!?! Someone went through the hell I went through and was back to living life 3 days later? I was overcome with humiliation and I said the only thing I could think of saying… ” Well John, I guess I just suck at life.”

Our conversation ended.  As I drove the last few miles home, I tried to think positive. I was convincing myself that “said girl” had superpowers and was NOT normal. As I sat there, lifting my spirits, the phone rang. GUESS WHO? My doctor/surgeon’s office . I answered hurriedly. 

As I scheduled my followup appointment, I couldn’t refrain myself. I needed reassurance that I didn’t suck at life. I told my doctor’s assistant all about the previous conversation with my brother and his story about “said girl” and her magical healing powers. I asked if I was being mental. Then, the beautiful assistant reassured me with some wonderful news. She confirmed that I was normal and I shouldn’t do ANYTHING physical until I had my follow-up appt. She also said that “said Freaky girl” was lucky she felt “perfectly fine” but, that’s not how it always goes. I took a deep breath, said my thanks, and smiled with smug satisfaction. I felt justified.

Dear Brother, I do not suck at life. I take it back. Please let your friend know that she is not normal and I am. Talk to you soon.

xoxo Ky

 

This is probably what the girl looks like...

 

Incident 2:

My husband during this whole mess has been the most amazing thing. I don’t want to do that  blogging thing girls do and write a novel about my husband’s attributes and heroic deeds, but that had to be said. He’s been so great, in fact, that I can’t help but obsessively tell him how wonderful he is. I want to wrap him up in a blanket, rock him back and forth, and sing a sonnet about what he means to me. It is creepy with a capitol WEIRD. When you have an expierence were you really thought you could be dying, you start seeing life in a different light. (At least for a couple of weeks.) So, as of now, I drool after and gaze at my husband in adoration.

With this said…I’ll move on.

A couple days ago he started saying and doing something that I pretend makes me upset.  But, in reality, I can’t help but laugh when he walks away.

You see, I was standing in our kitchen when Michael requested I do some type of housework. I can’t remember exactly what it was… I think laundry, or picking up my water bottles. Anyways he asked me to do ________ and followed the statement by looking me in the eyes and saying (dead serious), ” If you don’t…. I will punch you in the stomach”. Then, immediately followed that statement by pulling his arm back and throwing his fist towards my stomach as if he would hit it. He threatens me all the time with this. It. Is. So. Funny. I’m still in such a state of euphoric love, so I think him pretending to beat me is just precious.

Dear Michael, if you ever punch me in the stomach, I will knife you while you sleep. Also, I want you to know that even if you looked like this I would still want to sing you sonnets.

xoxo Keighley

Love you Mr. Onion.

 

Images via google and insideablackapple.typepad.com

Today’s Taking “Timeout” focuses on de-stressing through personal massage.  This week I am going to share tips on giving yourself a hand massage.  I found some great tips about this subject on ehow. Check them out.

Step 1

Put massage oil or the moisturizing cream generously on your right hand.

Step 2

With your left thumb apply firm and steady pressure over the palm of your right hand, focus more on the ball of your thumb. Now gently move your thumb while maintaining the pressure and make circular motions over the palm.

Step 3

Next move your thumb over the fingers sequentially.

Step 4

Repeat same maneuvers with your knuckles instead of the thumb to get a different feeling.

Step 5

Hold your right hand between your left thumb and index finger and try to feel the groove between the bones of your palm on the back of your hand. With gently pressure slide down your thumb in each groove towards the web. Do it for each groove.

Step 6

Next, hold your right index finger between the left index finger and thumb firmly and slide down towards the finger tips while maintaining firm pressure. Repeat it for all the five fingers of your right hand. This will also stretch your fingers gently.

Step 7

Interlock your left and right hand fingers and squeeze gently.

Step 8

Now repeat on the left hand.

 

ENJOY!

Camberley

 

The “Ice Queen” (Ice Queen = one of the Plastics = one of the FAB four) IM’d me the other day and this is what he said:

Ice Queen – Congrats!

Moi – For what?

Ice Queen – You’ve finally made it…the gays love you.

Moi – huh?

Ice Queen – Once you’ve made it in with the gays, you are officially a classy woman.  Until then, you are TRASH in our eyes and will never amount to anything.

Moral of this story…I’m one classy lady… Debs is sooo PROUD.

~Camberley

Putting together a floor plan for the room you’re decorating can be easy.

Using the “Room Planner” at www.Icovia.com makes it fun and easy to do a floor plan-and it’s free! Just sign up and you can set up the dimensions of your room and choose furniture to put into different places in your room.

 

To begin your floor plan project you will want to stand back and look at your room. Determine the focal point. What is the first area or feature in the room that you notice? Can you highlight this area with your decor?  Some of the most common focal points in a room are:

 

FIREPLACES 

 

TELEVISIONS

 

  

WINDOWS

 

 

Once you’ve decided  on your focal point, you will want to get the measurements for the size of your room, any larger features (fireplace, windows, etc.) as well as your furniture.  Then get on the room planner and start doing your floor plans!

 

 Don’t limit yourself to just one floor plan. Try a couple of arrangements. And remember that furniture “appears larger” in person than on paper.

 

 

 

Happy Decorating!

Debs

 

INSPIRATION – stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions of others.

I had the great opportunity to have dinner with two women I really admire tonight. The three of us are very different personality wise; however, together we are energetic, intentional, gifted, supportive and inspirational. Our circumstances are similar, yet very different. We share a common understanding of spiritual and divine teachings. We are mothers who love our children and want only the best for each of them. We are women of strong conviction, we each embrace the fact we can band together to improve our neighborhoods and communities. We understand where we have come from, why we are here on earth and where are journey will ultimately take us.

Not one of us envisioned the adversity and challenges that would be strewn along our path. Nor could we have possibly experienced the personal growth, change and strength that would be our constant companion. I love the quote, “Life isn’t about surviving the storm, it’s learning how to dance in the rain”.

My greatest challenges have also facilitated the greatest growth and understanding of myself. Learning to like the person you are not only takes practice, it requires courage. At times it may seem easier to think of ourselves as others do, or to place damaging labels upon our self worth. That would feel like the path of least resistance. Allowing ourselves to wallow and to become common place.

 

via Laura’s Road

The road less traveled requires courage, conviction, perseverance and the desire to keep moving towards our goal. Even when we feel tired and overwhelmed. We choose to live in the realm of possibility, seeing the world as our oyster. We choose to change limiting behaviors, eliminate defeating self talk, leaving behind destructive relationships. I choose to surround myself with those who seek enlightenment, embrace personal change, welcome new perspectives, and understand the power of love, charity and kindness.

On my journey I have been blessed and guided to many of these great women whom I call my friends. True friendship is the most powerful and loving force once can experience in life.

via Flickr

Tonight as we talked about many things there was time for laughter,  discussing good books, enjoying a great dinner. I came home inspired, uplifted and ready to embark on a lifelong dream. We all left feeling inspired. A gift of sisterhood.

 To my friends, Thank you. I am most fortunate to have made your acquaintance on the Road less Traveled.

Life with intensity and purpose,

Carla

He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end.–Harry Emerson Fosdick

 

BANANA CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST

 

Are you looking for a way to celebrate the new school year with your kids?

Rumor is, the way to your children’s heart is through their stomach. So, why not make them a scrumptious breakfast?  Here’s a quick, easy, kid-friendly breakfast recipe to try out this weekend. (recipe courtesy of cdkitchen)

INGREDIENTS:

1 large ripe banana
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 bread slices
1 1/2 tablespoon margarine
1/2 cup maple syrup — warmed

DIRECTIONS:

Blend first 4 ingredients in processor until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13″ pan. Place bread in milk mixture and soak until all liquid is absorbed, turning bread occasionally, about 20 minutes. Melt butter in large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add bread and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

If you really want to win your kids over, serve with a dollop of whip cream.

 

Happy Baking,

Camberley

 

 Part II of this saga (which again I would like to state is overly dramatic, but very REAL to me) ended with the paramedics and firefighters storming into my room and me finally getting to close my eyes. You need to know the “closing my eyes” part was a BIG DEAL. You probably thought I passed out or something. NOT. THE. CASE. When I was sitting on the toliet thinking to myself  ” This is not good, I think I am dying” one of my biggest concerns became closing my eyes. Often times when people are hurt they want to close their eyes, scrunch their face, and scream. This would usually be my way of dealing with pain.  However, since I was kinda LOCO, my thought process went the opposite direction. I was CONVINCED that  if I closed my eyes I was a goner. I also think the creepy voice and my Cool, Calm, & Collected Act also fell into this weird thought process (subconsciously). 

     When those beautiful men, in Navy, walked through our hotel room door, I finally allowed myself to shut my eyes because I was willing to give into death. Don’t make that face. I haven’t finished yet. I was finally willing  to give into the machete hacking away at my chest because I KNEW if my heart stopped 10 people in the room were qualified to use those heart paddles. {You know… the ones that re-start your heart.} See, I’m self-centered. I wasn’t going to chance anything until the right people were in the room. Anyways, I wanted you to know how big those last few words were. How brave was I???

PS. I said there were 12 M.I.N. (Men in Navy) in my previous post, it was actually 10.

Let Part III begin…

As the 10 M.I.N  gathered around me, I started feeling bad. I felt bad because there I was, lying on the floor and only 6 people were really needed. {Ok, I will be honest… only 3 were actually needed.} When I looked up to answer a question about 4 fingers and my name, a thought came to me. “Keighley 7 M.I.N are standing around you doing nothing! What if someone, somewhere else needs help?!?” As I continued to look around in a daze and answer the same questions over and over (I guess that’s how they check to see if your brain is functioning) this thought kept replaying in my mind. The knowledge that 7 M.I.N. were not physically needed led me to wail, “I’m sorry” and oh get this, ” I’M SUCH A DRAMA QUEEN!” (Yes I said that over. And over. And over.)  As I cried this obnoxious phrase over and over, I could hear male voices reassure me that I was “fine” and “it was no problem”.

THEN. IT. HIT. ME. I was wearing a SEE-through shirt and red baithing suit bottoms. HA.

Please dont think I am saying I was cute to look at-I WASN’T. I am pointing out the fact that my shirt was transparent.  I don’t care how ugly I looked, they all noticed my shirt wasn’t hiding anything. This is when I stopped feeling bad. Please check out the actual bottoms and a similar shirt below. (This is my outfit of choice after each bath. Why? IDK.)

My American Apparel.

Within mintues of me realizing the state of  my apparel, I was whisked onto the “gurney” and being rolled out of my room. This is the moment my transparent top became entertainment for the entire hotel. You see, The Hotel Valley Ho is set up so a majority of the rooms face the courtyard and pool. To get to the hotel lobby, you have to circle the entire courtyard and, then, pass the hotel bar which has giant floor-to-ceiling windows from one end to the other. I am talking GIANT windows. I was mortified. I may have been dying, but I was going out being the awkwardly private person I have always been. (minus this post… drugs are involved.)

Although, it was 1:45 am, the courtyard was PACKED with young singles. In mortification, I covered my face with my 50 lb hands. As we continued to roll, I could literally hear everyones’ thoughts. ” That girl looks like she drank too much!” or ” That’s why you don’t do hard drugs… it messes you up.” and “Look at her shirt. How embarrassing!” There were so many people. Luckily I had my hands covering my eyes so I could pretend they weren’t there. Then we passed the bar. No big deal. Probably only 75 people sitting on sofas and at tables looking out the giant-A windows. Luckily, this is when my 50 lb hands decide to gain another 50 lbs and slowly slide down my face. Giving me a more glamorous droopy eyed, bulldog cheek look. {Can you see it? Do it to your own face… you’ll understand.} This is when everyone in the bar started thinking, “What is WRONG with HER FAAACE?”

Finally, I reached the ambulance. (Which I almost refused because I wanted to save money; however, the machete-like pain quickly changed my mind.)  Immediately I was hooked up to an IV, given a barf bag, and asked the routine questions. As I repeated  Keighley Poulsen for the 100th time the EMT looked at me, grinned, and asked ” HEY! Do you by chance have an uncle by the name of Seth Poulsen that lives in Prescott?” I grabbed the barf bag, closed my eyes and replied solemly, “Yes. I. Do.”

Stay tuned…Part IV is coming up shortly.

Ky

Have you committed to trying to be your own interior designer so that you can save money? Like I mentioned in my last post, it’s easy if you know where to begin.

 

Now that you’ve determined how the room is going to be used…

 

 

 Follow these simple steps for assessing the “stuff” in the areas you are decorating:

 

MY DECOR PROJECT

 

 

Be objective when it comes to looking at your house and the decor that you have. Don’t limit yourself by viewing it like you always have.

Then…..

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH EVERYTHINGAll the furniture, lamps, decor, art, etc. When you see these things  separately you will be able to look at your things more objectively. This helps you to envision them as separate pieces and opens your mind to the possibility of  your “stuff” being moved around from room to room

 

 

SORT YOUR PICTURES

  Once you have all your pictures printed off you will then need to sort them into 4 groups:

 

Keep

Change (Paint, reupholster, etc.)

Giveaway

Sell

I need to reupholster this chair.

 

Love the lamp-it’s a keeper!

 

This light fixture=donation pile!

 

 

Time to get rid of the old TV and get a Flatscreen.

 

 

This sofa doesn’t work now that I have kids-It’s going on Craigslist.

 

 

MEASURE 

Last thing you need to do is measure all of the things you are keeping. This way you in knowing where it will work when you get ready to do your floor plans. I suggest that you write the measurements directly on the pic and put it into your design notebook.

 

 

Tomorrow’s topic:  Floor Plans

Happy Decorating!

Debs

 

Special Thanks to Domino: The Book of Decorating for this inspiration. You can purchase this book by going to www.amazon.com 

Many women would love to be in my position.  Not because I am a Marketing Rockstar, but because I get to work with four fabulous men.  You know, the kind of men who luv, luv, lu-uv Madonna, who cried when Michael Jackson left our world, who are constantly worried about their physique, who enjoy giving fashion advice, who like to sit around and gab about the latest recipe they’ve tried. Well, you get my point.  I’m one lucky lady. 

Over the course of this last year, these office fashionistas have always been willing to give me “beauty” advice at a drop of a hat.  I thought some of you may enjoy hearing the advice I’ve received.

SCENERIO 1~

Fashionista #1: Cammie, I don’t mean to be rude BUT –  YOU ARE REALLY WHITE.  Have you thought about using a bronzer?

Moi:  Actually, I use a bronzer every morning.

Fashionista #1: Huh – (insert loud breathing out noise) – uh.  It’s just that…your chest color and your face color aren’t really matching up.

SCENERIO 2~

Fashionista #1 {talk about opinionated ;)}: Wow, you’re wearing pants today.  You don’t usually wear business pants (It’s true…I’m a skirt person)

Moi: Yup, I went closet shopping this morning.

Fashionist #1: They look good BUT with your short physique YOU REALLY SHOULD be wearing a flat heel (Fashionista #1 holds up hand and puts his thumb and index finger about 2.5 inches apart so he can give me a true visual).  Because the flat shoes you are wearing with those pants really cut you off and make you look shorter.

SCENERIO 3~

Fashionista #1 {suprise, suprise…so, we meet again}: I really like your outfit today

Moi: Thanks, I splurged a couple weeks ago and bought it.

Fashionista #1: I really like the colors BUT I think it WOULD LOOK BETTER if you wore a thicker belt around your waist.  You know, like _________ usually does (________ = one of the plastics.  I’m still trying to come up with a clever name for her).

Every morning before I walk through the glass doors of “The-Large-Corporation-That-I-Work-For-That-Will-Not-Be-Named” I have to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for the “Fahionista” Gauntlet. 

I fear the day that I end up on our offices “worst dressed” list.

Pray for me,

Camberley

"When there is a start to be made, don't step over! Start where you are."
Edgar Cayce

 

Take A Step into New Beginnings!

Stairways courtesy of flotsam/jetsam, eschlabach,Edinlink,Douglas Mackie,and anjie! 

 

Ky

     Michael and I like to daydream. We often sit next to each other and talk about the things we would get if we had loads of money. These items/people include… personal chef, cabin, beach house in Italy, classic automobiles, daily makeup artist, horses, library (like in ‘Beauty and the Beast’), and most importantly a LAUNDRESS! We don’t want anything too fancy or ostentatious, just the normal stuff. I kid, I kid. Seriously, though my biggest dream is to have someone do all my laundry. Some people may be freaked out by someone going through their dirty clothes, but not me. I often turn to Michael and ask, “Do you think one day we could pay some high school girl to do our laundry?” and he often replies with a ” You come up with the money, you can have anything you want.”  Isn’t that sweet? Funny thing is I am determined to work long and hard to get that laundress. Wow, I hate laundry. This month I have decided to organize my laundry room in order to hopefully change my hatred for laundry into a dislike.  Please look at what Im dealing with.

Laundry Room Shelf

 

GROSS.

I am embarrassed by how this looks, hence the black and white. In my mind everything bad looks better in black and white. Next week I plan to have my inspiration/dream laundry room up… so CHECK it out. In the meantime, maybe you should go look at your L.R. and see if it needs organizing.

xox Keighley

Music is what feelings sound like.  ~Author Unknown

When I feel the need for a little “Carla Time”, I reach for my i-pod and go directly to my New Age music folder. Then, I hit play and start breathing again. While I’ve never been confident in my own public playing ability, I have fallen in love with those who played with intensity and inspiration.  The artists I listen to have become my friends. Their music speaks to my heart and continues to help me through …Daily Life….

My passion for relaxation is in piano music.Not just any piano music, but the sounds of Windham Hill and Narada artists. Such as; George Winston, Jim Brickman and Stephen Marq.  Their music transports me to a place of stillness and tranquility. To a location where I can sort through daily happenings and turn my thoughts from stress to complete gratitude. 

I am captivated as I feel the emotion of each note being played.  I have come to love the serenity of music.  The rich melodies and the seamless scales moving up and down the keyboard put my mind at rest.  My worries are played away as I feel my emotional batteries start to recharge.  I never know what the day will bring, but I am prepared. I always carry my iPod with me.

If you are new to the world of New Age Piano music I would recommend the following music:

George Wintson’s Thanksgiving

 

Jim Brickman’s By Heart

 

Click here to view music by Stephen Marq

 

Never under estimate the power, music brings to your life! 

Life with intensity and purpose! 

Carla