The Sunny Belle

Three Essential Things in My Craft Office! (And you can make these yourself!)

2018-09-03T10:22:00.003-05:00

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Sunny Belle Updates August 2018

2018-08-28T13:23:00.001-05:00

Body Love

2018-08-21T10:43:00.004-05:00

Hi friends! I know it's been a while since I've posted and I'm about to change that and start vlogging here soon, but until then, I thought I'd share my precious daughter's solo... choreographed by Taylor Toups to the song, Body Love.

The Battlefield I Love

2016-07-05T09:01:00.000-05:00

I love waking up to sleeping teens all over the house. Even if my house does look like a war zone. Makes me happy to know they're safe, they had a good time yesterday and they enjoy being HERE.

I mean, I know I probably roll my eyes every time one of my kids asks, "Can (fill in the blank) sleep over tonight?" Because if I'm being honest, the first thing I think is "Okay, what's in the fridge? Since now I'm feeding (fill in the blank) people." Or "Where am I going to have to take them to eat?" Because anyone who knows me knows that while I love eating healthy, I suck at cooking. It's just not a passion of mine, so I view it as a serious challenge.

But I digress. The most important thing is that even though I may balk a bit at the request, I secretly love that my kids are happy enough with their home life that they want their friends to come HERE. That's a good feeling, y'all!

So I tolerate the louder music, which, even though I asked them to turn it down because Momma has to work in the morning, is still a tad too loud. And I tolerate the chatter and loud bursts of laughter in the living room that I can still hear even with a pillow strategically placed over one side of my head.

The truth is, I know there will come a time when I will no longer wake up to kids hanging awkwardly off of sofas and chairs, to empty pizza boxes all over the kitchen and to water bottles and blankets all over the living room floor.

And, while I fuss as I pick it up, I know I'm going to desperately miss this one day. So for now, I just tip toe through the battlefield to my coffee pot and smile big. ‪#‎lovethesekids‬ ‪#‎theteenageyears‬

Worried You're Not Being Productive? Try these Small Business Life Hacks

2015-03-11T10:05:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted by Jordan Jolley on Zane Benefits on March 9, 2015)

Here's a great article I found on Zane Benefits on tips for surviving life with a small biz! Enjoy!

Everyone loves a good life hack. And sometimes some of the most simple life hacks can literally change your life like when you realized you can use fingernail polish to fix scratches on your car (yeah, I know, genius).

With so many life hacks for things we do every day, there has to be some pretty amazing ones for your small business, too, right? Of course there are! To help you run your small business more efficiently, we’ve put together some of the best life hacks to help you and your employees be more productive.

10 Free Valentine Printables!

2015-02-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Love is in the air! But that's not the only thing floating around here. Creativity is in the air too and we've got loads of free printables that some super savvy bloggers have been kind enough to share. Click on the links below to visit their sites and download these great printables.

Think that all that glitters is gold? I think you're right! Check out this great set of prints from Love From the Oven. Available in several different sizes.

Tired of the same old lame greeting cards? Well Landeelu is breaking that up right now! Take a look at these clever and humorous valentine cards from Landeelu.com.

Nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate (and lots of it, in my case). Well, Lil Luna has made the most adorable candy bar wrappers just for this "sweet" occasion. Print yours for free at LilLuna.com.

I'm not normally into decorating for Valentine's Day but I sure changed my mind quickly as soon as I saw this conversation heart banner by Sandy Toes and Popsicles. Doing this tonight! Plus it's something the kiddos can help with as well.

I'm such a sucker for the cutesy printed signs and subway art that I had to overdo it a bit by adding two more to my list of free printables. This first set of three prints from How To Nest For Less are so different and creative! I just love the floral background in the word "LOVE". The second print here is a beautiful subway art creation by The Girl Creative that features Corinthians 1:13, one of my favorite scriptures!

Now this is one I love because it's a great gift for my better half! Printable cards for 12 Months of Pre-Planned Date Nights from The Thinking Closet. What a precious idea! Thanks, Lauren!

Ok, I thought this was a kick because I can remember as a child in the 80s filling out TONS of these Mad Lib forms. This brings back so many great memories and I think it's genius that someone did this for Valentine's Day. Big shout out to Caroline at Made Vibrant for these great free printables.

Another tried and true Valentine's Gift is the Love Coupon Book. We've seen many versions of these, but I love how beautifully and simply put together this set is from Kristen Duke at Capturing Joy.

Last, but certainly not least, how do you plan to label these great gifts you've just discovered? Well have no fear, we even have free printable Valentine Gift Tags from Lia Griffith at Handcraft Your Life.

Well I don't know about you, but I'm about to pull out the cardstock and get my Hewlett Packard ready! Lots of fantastic freebies to print for Valentine's Day! Do you have any cute printables or ideas you'd like to share? Please do! Until next time, Happy Valentine's Day!

Top 10 Christmas Gift Ideas from Sunny Belle

2014-11-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween has come and gone with hopefully few mishaps and lots of fantastic memories with all the kiddos, young and old! Now that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we must start thinking of Turkey Day menus, travel plans and the many things for which we are thankful. But most of my fellow lady shoppers know that there's also one more thing lurking in the background -- THE HOLIDAY GIFT LIST! So why not be prepared and start your shopping a little early? Sunny Belle makes it easy peasy with tons of personalized gifts for that hard-to-please friend or family member. Take a look below at our top 10 Christmas Gift Ideas. These cuties are our best sellers!

The perfect gift for the new Christmas baby in your life! These glass ornaments measure 4 inches wide and about 1 inch thick. They are designed with high quality vinyl. Features name on one side and baby feet on the other. $10 each.

This personalized family Christmas tree print includes Jesus at the top of the tree followed by your family members' names. Printed on high quality cardstock and shipped with cardboard backing or rolled in a cardboard mailer to prevent bending.

Two sizes to choose from. $16 to $20.

Beautiful ceramic family Christmas plate features family faces and names with a red and green polka dotted rim. Hand wash only. $25.

Personalized notecards are foldover style and are blank inside. They measure 5.5" x 4.25" inches folded and are printed on white cardstock. These are great for the men in your life!

Envelopes are included. Available in sets of 10, 20, 40 and 100. Starting at $14.

Beautiful personalized coaster sets make great gifts! The set of four includes 4"x4" ceramic coasters, backed with cork for the safety of your furniture. $14.

A lifetime keepsake. Don't forget Santa's cookies! Choose from a green rim or red rim. Also check out our M ilk for Santa mug. Hand wash only. $25.

No need to settle the score... Just divide the homefront! Pick your teams and I'll do the rest! 14" ceramic platter personalized with two teams and family name. Hand wash only. $35.

Gorgeous set of four stemless wine glasses, complete with three letter monogramming in high quality vinyl. Makes the perfect Christmas gift, wedding gift or housewarming gift! Hand wash only. Not dishwasher safe. $25 for a set of four.

This beautiful ceramic family tile measures 12" x 12" and is designed with high quality vinyl. Makes a beautiful gift for any occasion. Personalized to your specifications. $24.

Don't lose your glass during those holiday parties! Simply jot your name down with chalk and you're good to go! Hand wash only. Chalk included. $36 for a set of four.

Make it their best Christmas ever with custom gifts from Sunny Belle.

Questions? Give us a call at 225/255-0977.

Stay tuned next month for the Top 10 Teacher Gifts. Happy Holidays!

DIY Scripture Bunting

2014-04-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

Hello again friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! For me, Easter kicks off a season of renewal, both spiritually and physically. It’s a time to clean out the cobwebs from both our hearts and our homes!

So as promised in my last blog post on my craft nook makeover, I will share with you today how simple it is to make a Scripture Pennant Bunting for your home.

What exactly IS a scripture bunting, you ask? It’s simply a pennant style bunting that holds references to your favorite scriptures! Glancing at these scriptures while working your tail off is a great way to keep Jesus in your home and keep things in perspective. We hope.

First, simply decide what your favorite scriptures are. Mine are as follows:

Exodus 14:14 - The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 31:27 - She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Second, get in front of your computer, open a word document and type up the abbreviations for your scripture reference so that they will properly fit on your pennant.

Third, print out your abbreviations on white paper and cut them out in circle shapes either with scrapbooking scissors or you can use the “print and cut” feature on your die cut machine. You can also cut out circles slightly larger than your white "dots" to add as a background so that they will pop with contrast!

Fourth, measure and cut into large triangles the background paper you wish to use for your pennant bunting. Any color will do. I chose yellow to match my sunny décor.

Fifth, using an acid-free glue stick, glue the white scripture references and background circles to the triangular paper.

Sixth, attach your pennants to any type of flexible string – I used a jute twine. You can either punch holes in each corner of the pennant triangle, or simply tape the triangle to the jute twine on the backside.

That’s it! You’re done. One more step to making your crafty work area more personable and uplifting! Check out more ideas on one of my previous posts on my favorite craftrooms.

What are some tips that you’ve used to make your craft space work for you?

How to Turn a Boring Dining Room Corner into the Perfect Craft Nook

2014-04-04T19:42:00.001-05:00

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so much craft cr*p she didn't know what to do.

Seriously it was a lot.

Day after day she’d find herself sobbing.
Because her house looked like it threw up Hobby Lobby.

I mean really, the kids could only eat at the island or on the floor.

So one day she said, “Hey, I know what I can do.”

I’ll carve out a spot in my little dining room.”

I mean like, REALLY little.

So she cleaned out some cabinets and moved some books.

To make the sweetest little hidden Crafting Nook.

The end.

Okay it’s not really the end, because I keep changing things. But for the most part, I LOVE my new little crafting area.

So here’s what I did. As I alluded to in my amateur poem-writing experience, I had so much crafting ~~crap~~ material all over my dining room, that it was really starting to overwhelm me. I don’t have a dedicated craft room, so I was at the mercy of my organizational skills and some learned “tricks” to keep my crafting area tidy and my sanity in check.

The nucleus of my crafting is my glass painting business, Sunny Belle. I hand paint glassware and ceramics, so I usually have open projects, paint brushes, paint pens, enamels and any materials related to painting ALL over the dining room.

This is what my dining room looked like at the beginning of my project. Note that I started out with a bare useless corner that held only this drab accent chest. Ugh. Thank goodness that at least the kitchen recently received a makeover!

I knew I wanted to utilize the accent chest for storage of my most commonly used items. As such, I set out to clear the chest of the items that it currently contained. I relocated the photo albums to my bedroom bookshelf and cleaned out the top drawer that used to be the “art drawer” for the kids, which sadly doesn’t get used nearly as much. (But being the mom that I am and clinging to the optimistic hope that even in their teen years, they’ll opt to break open a coloring book, I saved the contents of the nostalgic art drawer and made a special art box to be kept in my daughter’s room.)

So next, I decided to perk up the space by refinishing the accent chest with Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint.

Love. Her.

I chose her namesake paint color called “Mustard Seed Yellow”!

After I put a couple of coats of the milk paint on, this was the result! I do love a shabby chic look.

I let it chip away naturally a bit – which it will surprisingly do on its own – and then I did a little of my own distressing with some fine sandpaper.

Look how cool the chipping looks on the edges of the doors and drawer! Oh and how can I not point out my fabulous choice of new knobs for my “new” craft cabinet!

Finally I finished it off with a coat of Miss Mustard Seed’s Hemp Oil which actually deepened the color a tad and gave it a richer look. Isn’t it absolutely beautiful???

Gosh, I love a pretty clean surface… but alas, it must be covered. Boooo...

So after adding a mirror to the top of the cabinet, my next task was to set out to thrift stores and craft stores to grab some great deals to house my little crafting knick knacks!

First, I found this neat white ceramic canister to hold all my paint pens. I found it at a thrift store for $3! I love any piece of home décor in white! Check out my blog post on all of my favorite white treasures.

I also scooped up this cute flower bouquet at Michael’s for about $3 and the chevron frame at Hobby Lobby for about $9. Both pieces pull out a bit of orange that I wanted.

The baskets hold all of my bottles of enamel paint and my paint brushes. These were on sale for half off at JoAnn’s Fabric Store for $3 each! My favorite finds are these three adorable printed boxes, that keep all of my small loose craft items contained in one spot. Would you believe I snagged these for a buck a piece at the Dollar Tree? They really add the perfect pop of color!

Also for only $1 each are these three adorable little tin buckets with handles, that hold the items I use most frequently. Note they are hanging on this great wooden chevron print rack that I found at JoAnn’s for $7.50!

The inside of the cabinet holds folders of scrapbook paper, rolls of vinyl, jars and glassware, and cutting boards.

You’ll also see at the end of the cabinet two brown paper colored photo boxes that hold all the gemstones that I use on glasses, as well as other paints that I do not use as often (hence, the reason they’re not in the open basket).

So here’s the finished craft nook! What’s that super cool pennant thingy hanging on the mirror, you ask? Well that would be my Scripture Pennant, which holds all my favorite scripture verses! Pssst. That’s the next blog!

I hope you see how super easy it is to create a crafty workstation that actually serves as a functional area, while still blending beautifully with your home decor. It's all in the containers you choose!

Oh and we couldn’t finish the blog post without a photo bomb by the old woman who lives in the shoe…

What’s your favorite crafty makeover? Share it with us!

My 10 Favorite Crafty Office Ideas!

2013-11-14T16:27:00.000-06:00

So anyone who is a crafter knows how incredibly frustrating it is to keep all of your supplies organized, especially if you do not have a dedicated space. Well to those lucky ones who DO have either a special craft room or home office, here are some fabulous ideas I've found on Pinterest for keeping your workspace organized! Check 'em out!

The first space is one I've admired for months! I'd give anything to have this fabulous cabinet space painted and transformed into an amazing cabinet of bins, which can hold a gazillion different items. Check this out at Lil Luna!

If you're like me, you have ribbon thrown all over the place. First I tried placing them on spools like you see so often, but I quickly became frustrated by the unruly strands that would spin out of control each time I even breathed on it too hard. So imagine my bliss when I found this handy idea for a ribbon holder at Spunky Junky!

I love, love, love any kind of pegboard organization like the one found here on the Nest of Posies, even though I've never gotten around to getting one for myself. One day, "I'll get you my pretty... and your little jars too." ;)

Now THIS is a fantastic idea for those files that you don't want to store away in the filing cabinet just yet because you're constantly reaching for them, right? I mean, who knew you could use dish racks in more ways than one??? Genius, I tell ya!

Ok, I have a craft crush on Lolly Jane and this is why. I mean, really? Can you get any stinkin' cuter than this? Gawwgeous!!! I love everything about it... the herringbone patterned background, the jars, the crates, the suitcases. Too cute for words! Except that I did find some words... Anyhoo... moving on.

This is really great for the slightly classier home office. I love the "neat" feel of it and the whites greatly contribute to that. Great job, um, to the person whose pic I found on Pinterest, but could not find the source so, yeaaahhh... Whoever you are, it's awesome!!!

For the artist (kiddos and professionals alike), this is a great way to keep all those markers and paint pens from piling up in desk drawers. Again, another fantastic use of pegboard.

So I know I'm obsessing over pegboard, but how cool is this? Honey Bear Lane has this all figured out! I especially love this because I hand paint wine glasses at Sunny Belle, so the space for the paints is much appreciated! I also love the space for wrapping paper and even the buckets to hold smaller items.

Originally found on the French Knot, this set up is a really cute example of the versatility of a basic bookshelf and a few clipboards. This proves it doesn't take lots of fancy organization components to streamline all your craft goods! Just a little imagination!

Last but not least, for those of you (like me) who do not have a dedicated room for your crafts, how about a corner of a room? I am guessing this takes up about a 1.5' x 4' corner of a room, but look at how much storage it creates! The chalkboard is pretty awesome too. And there's something about the rustic feel of baskets that I simply LOVE! Check out the Tip Junkie and you'll find lots more "family planning" ideas on this blog post. Great job!

Well, I hope you found these craft room and home office ideas just as useful as I did! Do you have any cool ideas of your own? Please share them here! Happy crafting!

Chalk One Up for The Paint Powder by Sunny Belle

2013-09-20T11:36:00.001-05:00

Sunny Belle is now offering The Paint Powder that can be added to your favorite latex paint (flat, eggshell and satin work best) to achieve that shabby chic "chalky" look on furniture that you've seen everywhere from HGTV to Pinterest!

Simply add 2 TBS of The Paint Powder to 1 TBS of water and mix well. Add that mixture to 1 cup of latex paint and voila' - you've got the paint necessary to achieve a fabulous matte, chalky finish on your favorite pieces.

You will receive a resealable container of enough powder to mix with four cups of paint, with instructions printed on the inside of the lid for easy reference.

Check out these samples of pieces I have refinished using The Paint Powder by Sunny Belle. You can see more at The Treasure Trunk by Sunny Belle!

Here are some advantages of using The Paint Powder by Sunny Belle:

Inexpensive (compare to popular brands of pre-made chalk paint)
No priming or sanding necessary
Easy to apply
Great coverage
Can be used with any color or brand of latex paint
Easily distressed
No more wasting paint! (mix only what you need.)

FUN TIP: Go to local hardware store and pick up sample size containers of paint in different colors!

Don't forget to have fun while you're at it! That's all that matters!

One Kings Lane's "Day of the Kitchen" Sale!

2013-04-23T15:23:00.001-05:00

Hey my friends! The One Kings Lane Day of Kitchen sale is here just in time for Spring! This is one of the best sales of the year because of the variety of high quality kitchen items One Kings Lane offers! Below are some of my favorite sales they are hosting. Remember, One Kings Lane sales only last 72 hours so when you see an item you love you should definitely buy it! This Day Of Kitchen sale is live from today-4/26. Let me know what you wind up getting to make your space ready for spring time!

The Spring Table Sale at One Kings Lane
Set a table that blooms with these light, bright entertaining necessities. Full of floral dishes, playfully printed linens, and vibrant flatware, we’ve got something to freshen up every spring soiree.

The Composed Counter Sale at One Kings Lane
From cookware inherited for your first apartment to the bone white china on your wedding registry, a fully-equipped kitchen is a highly-personal thing of beauty. For those missing a few key pieces, we've created a collection of kitchen essentials, perfect for function, family, and entertaining.

Entertaining Essentials Sale at One Kings Lane
Warm days and balmy nights -- this season is just made for entertaining. Whether you're planning a casual alfresco brunch or an elaborate outdoor party, these colorful wine glasses, tumblers, coasters and cake stands make every occasion stylish and chic.

The Eat-In Kitchen Sale at One Kings Lane
The eat-in kitchen is the heart and soul of the home. It’s where friends and family gather, meals are prepped and served, and memories are made. We selected our favorite kitchen and dining finds, from furniture to table linens, so you can create your own freshly-styled, functional eat-in kitchen.

Most of you know my love for One Kings Lane. They ALWAYS have the most original and wonderful things to offer (remember my bird cage bookends from last month? LOVE.) Hope you find what you're looking for! What's your favorite find from One Kings Lane? Share it with us!

Kitchen Makeover Reveal: Out with the Oak!

2013-04-21T21:26:00.003-05:00

Well, what I thought would be a weekend project, took TWO ENTIRE MONTHS but hey, the kitchen is finally done! I have always wanted a white kitchen and in January my brother, who is a professional painter on the side, decided to accept the challenge. Now I knew it would take a while because he already has a full time job, so I had to brush up on my skills at being patient. Whew.

Any-hoo, as much as I appreciate a pretty wood finish, I was just tired of the drab look of builder-grade oak. Blah. So a makeover was definitely in order.

So, let the renovation begin! Step one was to remove all the doors and then get a coat of primer applied.

No need for sanding since we used this handy-dandy primer, Bulls Eye 1-2-3 by Zinsser. Who knew how easy this would be? (I am sure if my brother were reading this, he would growl at my use of the word "we". Ha.)

To create a stunning contrast, we decided to paint my island a glossy black! Hard to envision it here, but just wait! Yea!

Needless to say, I didn't get to park my car under the carport for two months. But it was worth the wait!

Progress was slow, but eventually the drawers made their way back home, one by one.

Soon it was time for the first coat of black on my beautiful island. It was so awesome to see a vision come to fruition, however small.

FINALLY, after two months, my beautiful kitchen is complete! I love the clean lines and brightness of the space. Call me crazy, but I tell ya' the place looks bigger!

FYI, the color we chose was "Biscuit" from Sherwin Williams because it matched the current color of my interior doors and trim in my home so well. Great job, Mikey! :)

I chose brushed nickel half moon cup pulls for the cabinet hardware on the drawers because it gave the space that modern feel it needed; however, I kept the current brushed nickel knobs that were already on the cabinet doors and they matched beautifully. If it aint broke, don't fix it, eh?

I'll admit I was nervous, but I can't tell you how happy I am with my new black island! Perfecto!

I really like the dedicated space for my laptop. I don't really need a desk; and the laptop is now in a very convenient spot for me to check email as I'm passing through.

The rest of the pics are just fun shots of the nooks and crannies of my kitchen. Enjoy!

And last, but not least, my funky chalkboard frame that I made from an old thrift store two-dollar frame! Stay tuned for the DIY blog on that one.

Well that's it for the kitchen makeover. Don't miss out on the upcoming dining room makeover and craft nook makeover, plus lots more! Cheers!

More White "Diamonds"! Thrift Store Treasures, Part Two

2013-04-08T10:07:00.002-05:00

My obsession for white accessories continues and led me to yet another thrift store over the weekend. (If you didn't catch the last post about my thrift store finds, check it out!) I realize I will get to a point where I'll need to stop... but until then, I'm still amazed at how discovering these little treasures are like finding diamonds in the rough -- white diamonds, that is.

My first find was this absolutely precious basket weave porcelain bowl that I managed to snag for $4. When I filled it will jelly beans leftover from Easter, I laughed out loud because it looked just like a bird's nest filled with sweet little eggs. Perfectly delightful!

Next was this gorgeous footed white bowl. (I almost feel disrespectful calling it a "bowl". What's another word for this beauty? Help me out here, friends.) So it wasn't as much of a steal at $10, but it was love at first sight so it couldn't be helped. Again, I was compelled to fill it with remaining malted milk balls leftover from Easter. (I have no doubt that I'll end up smearing one of the white ones across my lips for that classic frosty "lipstick". Come on'... you know you did that as a child!)

Just as I was getting giddy with my two previous finds, I came across this awesome set of three ceramic canisters with the lids for $7!!! That made up for the $10 footed bowl. I love using pretty unexpected containers for supplies, etc. so this was absolutely perfect, especially since I am in the process of making a tiny craft nook in my dining room. (More on that in another post!)

Now just when I thought my mission was complete, I spotted this beautiful pure white porcelain bust of Jesus for only $4, that I knew I simply HAD to have. I knew just where I wanted Him -- looking over my family from the mantle in my living room. Perfect.

I so love thrift stores just because you NEVER know what you'll find next! They are all diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be discovered and repurposed.

What are some of your latest finds? I'd love to hear your trash to treasure stories.

How to Create a Fab Coffee Table Centerpiece for Less than $10

2013-03-23T15:46:00.001-05:00

So I'm still in the process of redoing my kitchen and dining area (kitchen reveal to come soon), but due to the open floorplan I have, a living room redo is also in order. You kinda' can't do one without the other. The good news is that you don't need to take out a small loan just to obtain a new look. With the right placement of odds and ends, a little paint and some colorful throw pillows, you can really give your home a facelift on a budget.

Today, I'm going to give you a couple of tips on how to create a cute coffee table centerpiece with little time and little money. It just takes a good eye.

A little background -- I'm a thrift store junkie. Love, love, love garage sales, thrift stores, etc. Trash to treasure is a real obsession with me. So this morning as I'm sipping coffee and reading the paper, my mother calls to tell me she spotted a beautiful white apothecary jar at the local thrift store for four bucks. Wha? Seriously? I nearly spilled the coffee I jumped out of bed so fast. She knows my love for white accessories.

Thirty minutes later, I arrive at this little piece of heaven and in less than 10 minutes, I had three design must-haves in my arms. So here are my finds of the day from the local thrift store in good ole' Plaquemine, Louisiana.

1. The initial mission: the white apothecary jar - $3.50.

I instantly fell in love with it because of its color and its height. You always want to have one item on your table that has some height to visually keep it interesting. Also if you stick with neutral colors it gives your centerpiece a calm uncluttered look, not to mention you can continue to use it even when you change your color scheme six months from now.

2. My beautiful portugese bowl - $4. Okay, so it was really $5 but I asked him to come down a bit. I wouldn't have paid more than $2, but I flipped it over and noticed it was actually porcelain and made in Portugal, so for some reason I was intrigued and wanted it all the more (but not enough to pay the full $5. Ha.)

This bowl was perfect for my centerpiece because I needed something lower to complement the taller apothecary jar. I also needed something to carry either fruit, greenery, flowers, etc. to break up all the white.

3. Finally! My favorite find of the day! My hand painted ceramic horse straight from Brazil. $2!!! Always, always, always find just one piece that is either quirky, exceptionally pretty or some kind of conversation starter. This was the perfect find and as always, the fact that it was made in Brazil was yet another reason to snag it.

So I get my goodies home and the first thing I do is find a touch of greenery to soften my centerpiece and I also found some fruit to place in my bowl. I don't mind vases being empty but I've never been wild about leaving a bowl empty. I dunno. That's just me. So after adding a couple of books to hold my quirky item, I had created a beautiful centerpiece in about an hour and for less than $10!

So there you have it! You can easily create a centerpiece with a few odds and ends and keeping a few handy rules in mind.

1. Keep it inexpensive. Shop garage sales and thrift stores! You don't have to invest a lot and three months from now, you won't feel so bad when you want to change things around... again...

2. Keep the majority of your items white or neutral. This allows you to have that one "pop" of color or interest elsewhere. Less is more when it comes to colors and patterns in a centerpiece.

3. Vary your heights. Choose a taller item, a shorter item and something in between if you must. Prop things on books to get just the right size scape.

4. Always add a quirky item. And sometimes that one super cool find at the thrift store or yard sale will be just what you needed. As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

Hope you enjoyed this. Do you have any other suggestions for creating a special centerpiece? Please share them here!

9 Ways to Wring Your Own Neck!

2013-03-21T10:55:00.002-05:00

This is a great "cheat sheet" provided by Charming Charlie regarding what type of necklace to wear with a specific neckline. A gal can never have too many tips when it comes to looking sassy! I especially like it when a magazine will show several different ways to wear a great basic such as a white blouse or a simple sheath. Or maybe it's one of the articles showing the five "must haves" for Spring! Do you have any fashion tips you can share? Please do!

Springtime Resolutions You'll Actually WANT to Keep!

2013-03-07T16:30:00.000-06:00

So last year I made an attempt to offer you a list of resolutions that were fun and easier to keep than things like "lose 50 pounds" or "never get angry in traffic again." But by resolution #3, I seemed to fall right off the map, didn't I? Well I vote that we pick up right where we left off and apply these same resolutions to the remainder of 2013. So let's revisit last year's list and make it happen THIS year!

Here we are, just a few weeks shy of springtime, and if any of you share my tendency to avoid anything remotely confrontational or uncomfortable, then I have a sneaky feeling that I’m not the only cowboy that’s fallen off the New Year’s Resolution wagon. Am I right? Or maybe you are one of those rebels that say, “You know what? It stresses me out so much to try to accomplish something major or make any substantive changes in my life that I’m going to avoid the idea of making resolutions altogether! What’s the point when I blow it by February???”

My friend, I feel you. And I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to make some changes and a change doesn’t have to feel like a grave penance (which we, Catholics, strive so diligently to do during Lent – but that’s another blog). It seems our resolutions always involve some sort of “corrective action” if you will, for something that is lacking in our life or to correct something society tells us we shouldn’t have been doing (i.e. overeating, swearing too much, drinking too much, watching too much television, drinking too much, not exercising enough, not volunteering enough, drinking too much).

Well, instead of making a list of things we feel OBLIGATED to do that feel like punishments, what about just setting some goals that will enrich your life, make you feel like you’re accomplishing something, and will be fairly easy to achieve? Let’s face it – if it’s a miserable task, we’re not going to want to achieve it. If it in involves fun and makes you feel good about yourself, then you want to tackle it!

With this concept in mind, I’ve established a list of 10 suggested goals that you can strive to achieve over the next year (or whenever – no rules here). There’s no need to slit your wrists or put a bag over your head if you don’t achieve them. And I’m not sure who came up with the rule that if you miss your goals by mid-February, then you’ve blown your opportunity to make it a great year. That’s baloney!

Below is a list of 10 goals I will review over the next several weeks:

1. Read more. Why not start with the Bible? It’s a best-seller! How about organizing a book club? It's on my top ten list. (This was actually addressed in my August blog post! Check it out!)

2. Keep up with technology. Discover cool apps and websites that will make your life easier. (Been there, done that... Check out the blog post here.)

3. Make a wish board. Grab a poster board, some magazines and some scissors, because this will be FUN!

4. Simplify Your Life. Yeah, this may take more than one blog post. HA.

5. Repurpose, Redefine, Redesign.

Great tips for cleaning out, reorganizing and recycling. Disclaimer: Sunny Belle will not be responsible for recycling of husbands, wives, significant others or in-laws. The intended goal is to reduce clutter and use things more efficiently. Intended goal is not applicable to anything with a pulse.

6. Pinch pennies. We’ll discuss the logistics of setting up a lemonade stand for supplemental income. Just kidding. We will however, find reasonable ways to make it easier to keep some cash in our wallets!

7. Eat healthier and take care of yourself. (Eww, sounds dangerously close to a real New Years’ Resolution, doesn’t it? Don’t worry. We’ll make it fun.)

8. Take more pictures. We’ll learn photography tips, including how to store pictures and organize digital files and maybe even some scrapbooking tips!

9. Document your thoughts. There are so many cool ways to express yourself and record memories at the same time. I’ll show you how.

10. Start and support small businesses. This is a trend that is growing by leaps and bounds! We’ll check out the best resources for “keeping it local”.

Well, there you have it. Over the next several weeks, I’ll cover one fun goal at a time and give you lots of useful information that just might make you look forward to making some simple changes in your life.

So get ready to climb aboard and enjoy the ride! Cheers to 2013!

http://www.sunnybelle.com/

Friday's Finds of the Day

2013-02-15T15:55:00.000-06:00

It's been a fun week of discoveries so here are three of my latest finds!

Who knew that covering throw pillows could be so inexpensive? I was shopping in Hobby Lobby for drapery fabric this week, when I stumbled across these fabulous pillow covers, most of them priced at less than 6 bucks! This is a nugget of info to file away for when I redecorate my living room (after my kitchen is done, of course). Most pillow covers that I see are priced at $20 and up, so this was a pleasant little surprise for me! Moral of the story - DO NOT toss out those old throw pillows just because you’ve changed your color palette. Breathe new life into those babies with these bargain-priced pillow pick-me-ups!

My next discovery was found when I was searching for some new social buttons for my blog. Moxie Tonic offers super cute social media buttons that match your blog and your style! She even offers special fonts for your blog signature. Choose from standard colors or get a perfect match for your blog design. The best part is that her prices are incredibly reasonable! Check out Moxic Tonic today on Etsy.

My last find of the day is a relatively new store in my neck of the woods called Discoveries Furniture & Finds in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Determined not to be your run of the mill antique furniture store, these two go-getters, Scott and Kat McKearn, travel the world in search of the perfect pieces for every budget. They cut out the middle man by buying direct and pass the savings on to you! Located on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, it’s definitely a place to visit the next time you come to the capitol of Louisiana. You’re sure to find something you’ll want to take home at Discoveries Furniture & Finds!

Well that's it for today! Got any cool finds you'd like to shout about? I'm always looking for new things to discover! Please leave a comment if you've found a cool shop or website you'd like to share with the rest of us!

Chalk One Up for DIY-ers!

2013-02-08T10:27:00.004-06:00

So, I've had this addiction to chalk paint lately. My kids are lucky their walls are not plastered with the stuff. It's just so versatile! Nearly anything can be instantly transformed into a label, a notepad or a work of art with just a few coats of this glorious indispensable crafter's tool. And best of all, it gives a home that extra quirky touch. Here are some of my favorite uses of chalkboard paint...

How about these precious flower pots that can be erased and redesignated for other herbs in the making? Wouldn't these make great teacher gifts? The possibilities are endless!

Canisters of all shapes and sizes painted with chalkboard paint seem to be the big craze! So Sunny Belle jumped on the bandwagon with these! Only $25 for a set of three at www.sunnybelle.com.

I so WISH I had a place in my home where I could hang a huge group of chalkboard panels as shown below. This makes the coolest showing and I think it looks funky and hip. I especially like it paired with the black sideboard.

Here's a cool trick! Paint your wineglasses with chalkboard paint so that your guests won't lose their glass again. Pretty sweet, huh? Check them out at www.sunnybelle.com.

So even though my home is only 1,459 square feet (suck in when you pass people in the hall), I have decided I need to do this "menu motif" somewhere in my home. Ooh I should do this to one of my kitchen cabinets; especially since I'm in the middle of repainting the cabinets now. So why not, right? Find more ideas like these at www.whipperberry.com.

Last, but not least, is my absolutely favorite idea - chalkboard frames! Whaaaat???? I can't count on my fingers and toes how many different ways you can design chalkboard frames. Check out more of these original ideas on www.madebynicole.blogspot.com.

Do you have some original and quirky uses of your own for chalkboard paint? Please do share them here! Happy painting!

Two Years Later – I’ve Learned to "Mind" My Business!

2013-02-06T11:10:00.003-06:00

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Sunny Belle opened its virtual doors to the world and started offering fun hand painted gifts for every occasion. If that sounded like a tagline, it kinda' was. I can’t help it. For two years, I’ve been in cyber mode, learning so very much (but not nearly enough) about setting up websites, creating blogs, improving Facebook pages and learning how to make Twitter and even Pinterest work in my favor. I am obsessed with making things look pretty, yet professional. I may not have completely succeeded with all of my efforts, but I think I’m on the right track.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to trust my instincts as a consumer – not a business owner – as to what works and what doesn’t. I need to think like my customers and my followers to make them happy and keep them coming for more.

So in my limited time on the internet scene as a small business, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way…

WEBSITES:

1.     Create a website that looks professional, but follows the theme of your business.   There is no bigger turnoff to me than a lackluster or unorganized website. I will literally close it out if I don’t like the way it flows.  If your website is not as top notch as it could be, then one may assume (however unfair) that your business is not top notch either. Your website is a first impression to the buying community. Make it count.
2.      Pick a theme that will set the desired mood when viewers find you. If it’s an upscale photography business, be serious and don’t litter your website with polka dots and cutesy fonts. If it’s a quirky gift shop, bring on those polka dots and cutesy fonts and showcase your creativity. Make sure your website is easy to navigate; don’t frustrate people by making them search three pages to figure out how to start perusing your products. Also, if you don’t have a mobile version of your website, MAKE SURE YOUR BUTTONS ARE LARGE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO NAVIGATE EASILY ON TABLETS AND SMARTPHONES! Likewise, even on a desktop version, make sure all your tabs and links are large and easy to spot.

3.       If you know HTML and CSS, then by all means, knock yourself out and design your own website. However, if you’re like me and would LOVE to know HTML and more about web design, but don’t have it down pat yet, do yourself a favor and purchase a template and hosting plan to get your business launched, and study how to design a website on the side. If, in a year, you’ve learned enough to do it yourself, then take it from there. There are many wonderful website templates and hosting companies out there that frequently run specials that allow you to start an online business without cashing in body parts. My personal favorite hosting company is Bizzy Mama Hosting.

4.       Domains – For as little as $5 per year, they are cheap enough that you should jump on every version of your primary domain name. If possible, grab the .com, .org, .net, .info, etc. The more you have under your belt, the less chance of a look-alike domain stealing your thunder.

5.     Always be sure to add social buttons on your website. Encourage your viewers to follow you everywhere!

6.   Set up a "Testimonial" page to allow others to see rave reviews about your products or services. Word of mouth is golden!

BLOGS:

1. I am NO expert blogger. Yet. My blog is slooowly getting better, but I have LOTS to learn! Design-wise, the good news is that many of your website template designers also offer blog packages to match your web theme. There are also lots of online DIY blog courses out there that will give you tips on what works and what doesn’t, and tons of blogging books you can purchase that have a wealth of information on what attracts followers, etc.

2.     Choose a rather simple and aesthetically pleasing design.

3.     My favorite thing about a blog – the discovery of OTHER cool blogs! I've found some of the most amazing blogs by clicking on the list of "blogs I follow" often featured on the sidebars of my favorite blogs.  If you love one blog, you tend to respect their choice of favorite blogs. So line 'em up. (Make sure to feature blogs that are similar to your taste and have a gazillion followers). I said "blog" eight times in that paragraph. Now nine.

4.      Choose catchy blog post titles. I have to work on that with mine, but I do find that a catchy title is what attracts me to other blogs. For example, “Redesigning with Mirrors” is not nearly as much fun as “It’s All Smoke and Mirrors!” or “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”. If you're stuck, choose three titles and ask a friend or colleague to pick the best one.

5.   Give readers options for ways to follow. Google Reader is my personal favorite way to have all of my blog posts delivered to me.

6.     Use lots of tags and labels in your posts. That way our dear friend, Google, will find those followers for you!

FACEBOOK:

1.      DO NOT... I repeat… DO NOT post a picture of an item for sale with no price. There is nothing more annoying than having to dig around for the price on a different page or ask someone in a message or post how much the item is. If it’s for sale, state the price up front. Period. If I am in a brick and mortar store and I see an item with no price, I will literally pass it up in lieu of having to track down a sales clerk to find it. Time is money and the price shouldn’t be a secret. (Ditto with garage sales. HA)

2.     Check out cool apps that will attract followers. Woobox is amazing and they have great apps that allow you to add tabs like Pinterest, Twitter, etc.   You can also entice people to like your page with coupons! Like our Facebook page and receive 15% off your next order! (It worked for me!) The more people can peruse your entire social profile, the more interested they are and the more they get to see what you’re about. (Yes, Rachael, I did end this sentence with a preposition. Carry on…)

3.     To avoid having to post the exact same pictures of products on your Facebook page that you have on your website (and with hundreds of items, trust me that can become an onerous task), have a tab designed that will bring the follower directly to your shop. They can peruse the pics there and it will make it easier for them to purchase!

4.      Always make sure to have your website information in your “About” section on your Facebook page.

5.      Make your profile and cover images reflect the theme of your business, and if at all possible, match your website design.

TWITTER:

1. If you have a Twitter account for your business, link them to your Facebook page so that what you tweet gets posted on Facebook or vice versa. The more exposure the better.

2. Be creative and make sure your tweet packs punch. Don’t think being limited to 140 characters is a bad thing. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish in a single tweet. Post pics on Twitter; add links to your website to redirect your followers; add hash-tags in hopes that your tweets become wrapped up in a trend! (See an earlier blog post that showcases an article recently written on hash-tags). Good stuff, I tell ya!

PINTEREST

1.     Create a Pinterest board specifically for certain products; when you add a price, it now creates a price banner over that picture! How cool is that? I’m late in the game and I’m just discovering this little tidbit.

2.      Always make sure you credit your business (www.sunnybelle.com) in your pins and boards. Not much point in showing off your product if they can’t figure out where to go to buy it, right? And while we’re on the subject, remember pin etiquette and be sure to credit anyone whose picture you post. Fair is fair.

3.       If you’re combining both personal and business on your Pinterest page, be mindful of the personal boards you post. Sorry, but the fact of the matter is, people will decide what kind of business owner you are by viewing other things that you find pleasing. If you’re a baby clothing store, you might not want to create a board on your favorite 50 foreign beers. Just saying. Check out The Mom Creative for 10 tips on using Pinterest well.

Well that is all I have today and let me add, I would LOVE suggestions on how to make my blog, my website, my Facebook and my Twitter page better for my followers. So please feel free to contact me at crystal@sunnybelle.com if there’s something that’s driving you nuts or something you’d like to see added. I hope this helped you "mind your business" just a tiny bit! Until next time, happy surfing, posting, tweeting and pinning!

2013 Krewe of Mutts Parade

2013-01-28T10:32:00.000-06:00

There’s nothing like a dog parade to lift your spirits! These fur babies are just as sweet as they can be and they graced the streets of downtown Baton Rouge this Saturday for the 2013 Krewe of Mutts Parade, sponsored by Raising Cane’s and the Capitol Area Animal Welfare Society. Browse through the pictures below for snapshots of our local canines strutting their stuff for a good cause!

A side of hashtags, anyone?

2013-01-12T08:40:00.001-06:00

This is such a succinct and noteworthy article on hashtags. Julia Turner is an excellent writer.

In Praise of the Hashtag - NYTimes.com

Less and More from "Honey We're Home..."

2012-12-30T23:35:00.002-06:00

I knew there was a reason I loved the blog "Honey We're Home" - Her resolution list is absolutely perfect and everything I wanted to express but didn't know how, so I simply have to share. And again, I always give credit where credit is due. So please check out the blog "Honey We're Home" today! You will NOT be disappointed! Happy New Year!

I've Got the Munchies!

2012-09-04T21:44:00.002-05:00

Okay, I know that my next post is supposed to be about making wishboards, but this was so stinkin' cute, that I had to share! These are super-easy-to-make corner bookmarks that would make a great craft for kids!

Go to Tally's Treasury to check out how to make them. It looks fairly simple! Also, for some super pizzazzy (is that a word?) bookmarks, check out Sunny Belle's new bookmarks --Sunny Markers! Think teacher gifts! Until next time, get your poster boards and stick glue ready because we'll be making wishboards! (Because every girl deserves to have goals, dreams and wishes!)

Designing for Smiles,
Crystal
www.sunnybelle.com

There's an App For That Too (Goal #2)

2012-08-23T16:32:00.001-05:00

So goal #2 of our "resolution list" was to keep up with technology...

How many of you have been put in your place by a child about 20 years your junior with his declaration that “You’re doing it wrong”? It started with programming the VCR and now the cockiness bleeds into so much more. That's the fast track of technology, my friends. I am amazed at how much my children know about iPods, iPads, androids and laptops. Heck, my son is only 11 and he is learning how to set up servers for video games! Really? I don’t even know what that means or if I even said that correctly! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t want to lose the edge that I used to have on those little stinkers.

Before I launch into my recommendations of websites and apps, I would like to throw out a disclaimer. Your life should not be dictated or consumed by your phone, by your e-mail, or by YouTube for that matter. For heaven’s sake, put the phone down and pay attention to your children and your significant other. The latest drama with Honey Boo Boo or today’s coupon on Bargain Bee is simply NOT more important than your family's needs. Enjoy the luxuries that technology affords us, but don’t let it RUN your life or your household.

Having said that, let’s shift gears and talk about how utterly awesome and cool it is to have all of this innovative technology at our fingertips. Most of us have incredibly busy schedules, right? So why not use some apps and websites that make life just a tad easier for us? I’m game. Keep in mind that I take advantage of LOTS of other websites that are just plain fabulous, but I’m trying to narrow it down to ones that can assist you in reducing stress in your everyday life. Mmkay? Mmkay. Let’s check out my faves in each category.

Websites:

Houzz – Want inspiration for decorating rooms? Look no further. This website is as addictive as chocolate (well...) Without naming names, I even have a male neighbor (a manly man) who recommended this website to me. “He had me at design”. Just kidding, B. On this website, you can create an account (for free, of course – that’s how I roll) and organize your favorite room designs in folders. It’s like HGTV quadrupled. It's a time sucker though, so beware!

Cozi – Speaking of time, this app allows you to grab all those family schedules and pull it into one database. No more inadvertently scheduling a PTA function on the same night as Tommy’s soccer game. Cozi keeps it all on one calendar and notifies you of upcoming events. It allows you to color code for different family members and even has designated to-do lists and shopping lists that can be shared by all! There’s even a corresponding app for Androids and iPhones so staying in sync and maintaining your schedules and lists on the go is a breeze.

Mint – This is a great personal finance planner that allows you to download transactions from your bank accounts, categorize them automatically, and produce spending and income reports using cool colorful graphs. Mint lets users track financial goals, such as getting out of debt, saving for the little stinkers’ college funds or buying that new car. There’s also a thermometer graphic on Mint’s dashboard that gives you an idea of how much you have to save and how long it will take you to get there. The thermometer even turns red if you’re slacking!

Family Fun – This website is so much fun and a must-have for every parent. Anything from crafts, recipes and printables to a variety of learning games and even party planning. This site is amazing!

DIY Network – Don’t build a thing without it. Enough said.

Autotrader.com – Don’t spend your time going from website to website. Auto Trader makes car buying much easier because it pulls from both dealers and private sellers within a specific distance. You can even save your favorite cars when you create a free account! Suhweet.

Shutterfly – Okay, I grieved with the rest of you when Kodak Gallery shut down. But I’ve wiped my eyes and my snotty nose and realized fairly quickly that Shutterfly is equally as awesome! “Plain Jane” prints used to be the only thing you could do back in the day. Now you can put pictures on everything from a t-shirt to a postage stamp. Shutterfly is great for greeting cards, photo books and slideshows too. The possibilities are endless!

Sunny Belle – My favorite website! (grin) Looking for a unique gift? Sunny Belle has hand-painted wine glasses, water goblets, beer mugs, plates and platters for every occasion! Check us out today!

Apps:

Vlingo – Don’t text and drive; speak it instead. This is basically the android version of Siri. You can give this app verbal commands which will trigger many actions. Not foolproof, but worth the few seconds to download.

Barcode Scanner – Scan barcodes on products then look up prices and reviews. You can also scan Data Matrix and QR (quick response) Codes containing URLs, contact info, etc. By the way, QR codes seem to be the hot thing these days. They are great to use on fliers or even on the backs of business cards or in print ads. Just the swipe of a barcode scanner gives the consumer a ton of info in a flash. It’s easy to create QR codes at QR Code Maker. Try it out for yourself!

Catch – This is great for jotting down all those notes you think about when you’re not in front of your computer. To-do lists, random notes about anything, tasks, etc. can all be stored on this app and tagged so that you can round up notes by subject matter if necessary. Another cool thing is that when I use Vlingo to say “Remind me to…” it opens Catch automatically because I chose that app as the default "note taker". That’s pretty sweet.

Google Drive – I am in love with Google drive which is essentially a cloud server. No more bringing a flash drive back and forth from one place to the next. Important “stuff” just stays in the Google Drive and I can retrieve it from virtually anywhere.

Google Voice – Another must-have for small business owners. First I registered online and obtained a specific phone number that I use specifically for Sunny Belle. Then by adding the Google Voice app on my phone, I was able to adjust my settings so that when I receive a Sunny Belle call, it has a specific ID and the app discerns the difference and sends the caller to Sunny Belle’s voicemail as opposed to my personal voice mail. It also allows me to place a call originating from the Sunny Belle phone number instead of my personal cell number. I could not live without the Google Voice app and it totally eliminates the need for me to purchase a separate phone line for my business.

PayPal – I use it to buy anything and everything and Sunny Belle uses it to accept payments. The great thing is I can transfer money from PayPal to my checking account while on the road. Can’t beat that! And the good news is that more and more merchants are allowing PayPal as a payment method.

Urbanspoon – This app is old as the hills but still a top freebie! Simply punch in your location and the type of food you’re craving and voila – there are multiple suggestions. Fun to play around with when you’re indecisive about where to dine.

Fitness Pal – Free online calorie counting and diet plan app that allows you to easily track your meals and your progress. Includes customizable fitness plans too. It holds a database of hundreds, if not thousands, of different foods and their caloric counts.

I hope some of these suggestions play a part in making life just a tad more convenient for you. Remember, don’t overdo it with technology to the point that your family doesn’t recognize your face, but don’t let a three-year-old show you up on his iPad either. Keep up my friends and enjoy life while you’re at it! Cheers!