DustyLu

Come visit me daily on...

2014-02-01T15:26:00.001-08:00

Come on over to INSTAGRAM to see what I have been up

to daily. Health, work, and just about everything under the sun.

Lemon, mint and alkaline water are an amazing, delicious way to

stay hydrated. I have given up all caffeine and feel better then ever.

My health kick is in full effect and I am inspired to share what works for me.

I hope you will join me on INSTAGRAM

P.S The update on our home and the redecorating I talked about last year.

I will always be fluffing and changing things around but, we decided to

not to do any major imporvememts because we want to move.

We needed to adjust some things with our current home which will enable us to rent it out.

We want to keep it. Now that it is all done we are now gearing up the process to buy another home, which these days takes time but, one challenge down and one to go. EXCITED!!!

INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST

The Whole Pantry

2014-01-02T14:44:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

I wanted to check in with a quick hello and share this amazing new app.

If you are like me and this year is your year to get fit and eat healthy. The Whole Pantry

app is just what you need. Get fresh, simple, whole food based healthy recipes right to your phone.

I am obsessed and know you will be too!

Cheers to a healthy new year!

(images by The Whole Pantry)

Early Fitness Resolutions & A Continued White Christmas

2013-12-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Mini white birch logs used to hold chalkboard name tags.

French jars holding berries, bunched with acorns

and vintage tea light candle holders from the 1890's that where used

to hang from a Christmas tree.

My last years Anthropologie wreath hangs on my

new/old reclaimed wood cabinets. Vintage green French wine bottles

and stacks of linens and ironstone.

A sliver tip fur tree and popcorn garland for the perfect

amount of contrast.

French pendants lights.

Pulled the switcheroo. Living room is now the dinning room

that held 12 for Thanksgiving.

My gorgeous new/old reclaimed wood table and cabinet is

from Found in Arizona! Kristin Alber is the uber talented owner, her store

is amazing and there are so, so many gorgeous items available!

You may also know her as the founder of Restyle Source.

Accessories on the table are all French and

from A Beautiful Mess Home. I am blessed and grateful to

be collaborating with these two boutiques!!!

More images will be out next year in a magazine for Christmas!

On Instagram I mentioned

how much I have been working out this past year. I started working out

when I was 16 with a good friend and it has always been a part of my life.

LOL A little something about me :

I won best body and butt in high school! Why they have those

contest and feature them in the year book is beyond me and really silly.

I hope they take those contests out of schools, it gives

kids a complex. Good or bad, I don't think they are healthy.

Fitness should be about being healthy on the inside first and

the plus side of it is that you look fit.

I am lucky to have a home gym and wanted to start there first

to see how committed I was. Realizing quickly, that with age (getting older) comes serious commitment LOL. My husband and I have cleansed a few times with Kymberley Synders cleansing programs and we went away to a cleansing spa, I wanted to gain more knowledge that I hope to now share here. I wanted to first get a routine in tow and then share my plans here on my blog. Equinox gym has come into my hood and opens in January. I joined and I and gearing up to work out harder and live an even more fit and healthy lifestyle. It is a process and is becoming a more serious lifestyle for me and my family. My husband and I work out together and we love it.

My mom got sick with cancer at a very young age of 30. Stress from raising 4 kids on her own and working so hard, took a toll on her. She is strong and hanging in there and wants to be here for her grandchildren, but because of all the chemo she now struggles with so many aliments, Lupus being the latest diagnoses. It was rough seeing her in and out of the hospital all my life. My mom often

tried to get really healthy, but work and family always took front and center.

She has taught me balance and to take care of me first, then I can better care for my family.

I am a mother of two young boys and I wanted to share with you that it can be fun

and exciting to workout and that anyone can do it.

We spend countless hours on our homes and family which is important but, I

think spending time on yourself is just as important.

My goal this coming year is to make my blog not only about interiors, which I LOVE and it will always remain, but lifestyle too, healthy food, my work outs, my struggles and more.

Collaborating with my old friend from high school and fellow photog, Adi of

Alexa-Paige.blogspot.com

We are going to have some fun!!

Purpose is the spirit seeking expression! Always evolving, forever changing.

I hope you will join me on my journey.

P.S Our home is still a work in progress. I am adding wallpaper to my dinning
room and hope to get things moving soon. There is just not enough time in the day!

A White Christmas

2013-11-20T09:13:00.001-08:00

Decking the halls early this year and loving every minute of it.

Now, I get to keep it up longer and really be in the moment with the kids

and enjoy this time. I am working on the dinning room this week. I had some

fun and switched the rooms around. I am waiting for a special tree! Woot!

Every year I add some kind of snow ski element. The snow shoes on the wall

are from Vermont. Love them! I used natural real garland. The house smells

wonderful.

Add a little kick to your coffee by stirring in a candy cane

and watch it melt. So sweet! Yum.

I had these old crates from Found in Arizona. AMAZING store.

I decided to cascade vintage ornaments and homes. It reminds me of a little

rustic town. Antique French sap bucket in the perfect shade of red.

I put French linens on my sofa.

I wanted to share my decor first, then on to the yummy holiday meals.

I thought it would be fun to also share how my style has changed over the years and so I will

be posting past decor on my Instagram and Facebook page. Be sure to visit.

P.S The changes for my home are on hold until after the holidays
but, I did get a few new pieces to share.

French Leather Chair, French Sap Bucket, French Cutting Board
A Beautiful Mess Home //Crates from Found in Arizona
Snow Skies from Flea Market

Happy November...

2013-11-05T10:06:00.001-08:00

Do you need an idea for a fun, chic Thanksgiving table setting?

Check out this month's issue of Cottage & Bungalow.

Styled and shot by Dustylu

Happy Halloween Eve

2013-10-30T18:04:00.003-07:00

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Ciao,

A special day...

2013-10-24T18:11:00.001-07:00

Thank you Bailee Madison for letting me capture your special day, this past weekend.

My favorite part of this birthday party was that they were all given

vintage dresses to wear. Just dreamy.

Hosted by the amazing Good Carma Studio

Even if it is just one or two image's I will be posting on my blog

whenever I post anywhere else.

Have a lovely evening!

Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Ciao, Lu

Candy Apples and a quick hello...

2013-10-17T17:00:00.002-07:00

Today's post will be short and simple. A quick hello!!! Getting my feet wet again.

William Sonoma has an amazing DIY carmel apple candy kit to do with the kiddos. Fun!

My blog has been down for awhile because of my Wordpress site.
I got hacked, and had so many problems with my blog and Wordpress so we shut down my Wordpress site, and now I am staying on blogger. You can navigate through my blog by simply going to the top right side and select what page you would like to view.

With help from Sara of Sadie Olive my blog is fixed, organized, re-designed and finally working perfectly. Thank you Sara. Sara is amazing to work with and really knows her stuff.

I highly recommend her for all your website needs.

Crossing fingers I should be

back to blogging now but, in the meantime it has been easier for

me to post almost daily on my

Facebook Page, Instagram & Pinterest.

Hope you will visit me there!

Ciao,

Better Homes & Gardens Halloween 2013 Issue & more...

2013-08-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

I was so honored when Better Homes & Gardens

came out last year to shoot our home for their

special interest Halloween 2013 Issue, out on newsstands today.

Halloween is my favorite time of year, and for me marks the

beginning of the holiday season!

This issue is full of lovely inspiration and ideas.

The editor let me style the way I wanted to and

it was photographed by the talented Edmond Bar.

I can't wait to share what I will be doing this year.

Kitchen remodel by my darling husband Geminii Services, Inc.

Sweet Sweater Pumpkins and botanicals available

at A Beautiful Mess Home.

Update on the spa we went to. My husband and I had a wonderful time and yes it was

life changing. We each lost close to 40 pounds over the past few months and changed

our diet and lifestyle completely. I want to some how incorporate what I was taught

about living a fit lifestyle on my blog,

and I am trying figure out how it will all work. I need more time in the day and some help!!!

I am working on several different

projects and will update the fun on my blog but, in the meantime you can follow me

on Instagram daily and Facebook if you like.

Lastly, count down T-MINUS one month until we start a complete

makeover on several rooms in our home! YES,

once again Dustylu is changing the formal living room, dinning room,

and master bedroom. HUGE changes including furniture, walls, and flooring.

I have been waiting patiently to do this, researching what I really want and saving my pennies!

I am over the moon and so excited and will share the new look on my blog.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY and loving every minute of it

I am truly blessed and a very grateful for my life and opportunties.

Thank you to all my old and new readers for sticking with me!

INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK

Ciao,

Dustylu

Souvenir Magazine, Lady Bug Crostini, It's All Good...

2013-07-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

Souvenir Magazine's summer issue is out and it is beautiful!

I have contributed to 5 issues so far, but this one is my

favorite. Find my simple Lady Bug crostini recipe in this issue and more!

Grab your copy today. HERE

I bought It's All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow a few months back.

I have been trying out the recipes and they are delicious!!!

If you have read the book you would know they reference a doctor by the name of

Dr. Junger's and his 21-Day Cleanse, and programs.

My husband and I tried our first juice cleanse a few months back from

HERE, and we felt really good. We have been working out 6 days a week,

but feel our bodies are stuck and need to be pushed.

We have tried to maintain some what of a clean eating diet but, I am Italian and love my breads and pasta's, so do my kids. We know that this is a process and something we can not do over night,

but we have made SERIOUS changes.

On our last doctor's visit a final suggestion was made to enlist in a wellness spa and retreat.

The place we are going is booked for months and very difficult to get into!!! The planets have aligned and there was a cancellation and we got in this coming weekend! I can't believe it!

They will teach us how to live clean with cooking classes,

one-on-one mentoring, scrubs, a detox using castro oil. Kinda scared about that, but just an overall

overhaul!!! I will be sharing what I learn here on my blog.

My hubby and I love fitness and most of our friends think we

nuts and should be spending time at a wine vineyard somewhere.

We prefer to take care of our body, mind and spirit, and

know that in the long run the reward will be greater.

We can't wait to do this together and know this will be a bonding experience and feel

this will take us to a new level!

We are going to start a joint

fitness journal and will be sharing it once we feel comfortable.

They say this spa is LIFE CHANGING,

not that my life needs changing because

its pretty amazing as it it!

We shall see about that...

I am looking for our before's and well share after's when

we feel good! Stay tuned...

Ciao,

Lulu

Facebook

Instagram

P.S. I don't want to disclose the location . If you

read the book and follow Dr. Junger you can find many resources from him.

Also there a going to be some changes on my blog this week please ignore as we are

updating.

A French Linen Tent

2013-07-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite shoots!!!

French linen's hung over twine

and on the ground to keep you cool.

Soft ticking pillows, lovely wild flowers,

vintage cowboy boots and a good book.

Does it get any better?

It is tough sometimes because I have so much to share, but I always

have to wait for the material to come out. HA!

I was happy when I was able to show these fun images styled and

shot by me. Hope you likey! More creative produXtions to come...

Follow along on Instagram to see this week exciting happenings.

Have a beautiful day.

Ciao,

Lulu

Instagram

Facebook

P.S I am working on my master bathroom,

can't wait to post on it!

Forgo the fork, French Cooling Rack, Mini Pie's & Updating my blog

2013-07-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

I love summer.

I tried a recipe in Martha Stewart Living. These cute, little blueberry, raspberry

mini pies are delicious and so easy to make. No fork required.

My family loves them.

Directions are in the issue.

I love my new coffee table I found at the flea

and my antique French cooling rack.

My blog will be changing a bit in the next couple of weeks. I spent time on my wordpress blog

and feel it is time to freshen up my blogspot as well. Always exciting to change things up!

Lacafetiere

Espresso anyone?

Ciao,

Baby's breath & Institute of Domestic Technology

2013-06-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

I found this pretty Belgium woven basket at our local farm. They come in different colors.

I think I need more, especially at a price of 29 dollars.

It's fun to bunch baby's breath together in a basket, simple and fresh. The pictures on the blog today

have nothing to do with what is below, and this post is kinda random, but these days I like random. I was putting my dinning room/studio back together and snapped a few pics.

Oh, and I moved the clock again.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile now you know that I went to culinary school.

I enjoy taking courses on whatever interests me.

It is empowering to learn something new.

I mean, you can't just finish high school go on to college and that's it!

Continue to educate yourself, push harder and don't be afraid!

With that being said,

have you heard of the Institute of Domestic Technology?

My husband bought me a few domestic courses for my birthday and I can't wait to attend.

"Through classes, workshops and events the Institute of Domestic Technology is a resource to discover lost arts and invent new ones."

Check it out HERE!

Even though I can make some of these recipes, I am excited to try their take on it.

Until next time, I am going to keep challenging myself, how about you?

Blessings,

Instagram

Facebook

2013-06-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Found this cute little, vintage mini step stool this weekend and I am using it

to display my oils and cooking favs!

Ciao,

Follow Dustylu on

Instagram

Facebook

Table cloth love & cutting board center piece..

2013-05-31T13:56:00.002-07:00

Have a great weekend!!!

Instagram

Catching up & Happy Memorial Weekend

2013-05-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Meee and my love.

Check out what I have been up to

On WORDPRESS

Facebook

Instagram

home tour continued with our dining room

2013-04-13T16:31:00.002-07:00

you can see the rest over

HERE

easter eggs

2013-03-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last night we dyed some eggs.

This weekend we have an easter egg hunt planned with the cousins!!!

These are the 6 pretties I was able to save. LOL. The boys, hubby and I had a blast,

Using Eco-Eggs Coloring Kit from William Sonoma.

"Decorate Easter eggs with nature's own colors with our eco-friendly coloring kit. The all-natural dyes come straight from the farm, made with red cabbage, purple sweet potatoes, annatto and turmeric. We've included a color chart that illustrates how to blend the dyes to create your favorite hues. To customize your eggs with one-of-a-kind designs, use the playful carrot crayon."

Have a wonderful day!

Bright Idea

2013-03-27T15:43:00.001-07:00

Love the "Bright Idea's," in this months Country Living. Turn

your French washtub upside down and insta end table. Love it.

I have been working and sick with an ear infection. Feeling so much better now.

Back to bloggin again.

Don't forget you can also follow us on Instagram, Pinterest,

and Facebook.

Have a wonderful day!

2013-03-21T12:17:00.001-07:00

Fashion designer Lily Ashwell launched her new spring clothing line and site yesterday. Nicole Levine art director of Frankie Hearts Fashion and I worked really hard on this project, and enjoyed working with Lily. She is so talented. We are proud to see the end product.

Visit http://lilyashwell.com/
(shop images and landing/contact by Dustylu)

...life is good...

ox lu