This is What My Week Has Looked Like…

Article Posted on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 9:45 pm

This week I got to make a few things for our missions conference at the church. It has been so long since I have crafted quite this much, and it was so much fun! Have you been doing anything crafty lately?

If you have an hour…

Article Posted on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 12:23 pm

{ What you’ll need: old Anthropologie catalogs, violet ribbon, & scissors }

During Christmas, we had shiny, little ornaments hanging from our dining room light fixture, and ever since I took them down, it has felt a little bare. So last Sunday when I wanted a short, little craft project to do while Netflixing old 30 Rocks, I decided to do something to brighten up the dining room.

If we can’t have snowflakes outside, why not have a few inside, right?

Happy Monday!

Article Posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 pm

{ Warning: This week’s links are very, *very* random, but I think you’ll love them all! }

: Listen :

I read Blaine Hogan’s blog; If you don’t, you should. (Have you read his book yet?) Anyway, last week he posted about this project a friend of his  is working on called A New Liturgy. It’s beautiful. Think of it as a personal worship service that you can participate in anytime, any place. It’s perfect for your car ride home, your time on the treadmill, or your lunch hour. I’ve found it really rejuvenating and a great way to start the week off in the right mindset.

: Read :

Last week, Elsie had some really great sewing tips on her blog, A Beautiful Mess. Between her guide to seams and Husband’s encouragement to make a few things for the house and for ourselves, I have a feeling I’ll be dusting off my sewing machine this week. ‘Bout time, huh?

: Dress :

If you saw the Bill Cunningham documentary, or if you’ve ever seen his curated photos in the NYTimes style section, I’m sure you too *heart* Bill Cunningham. So how great is this tee from Barneys?

: Live :

Just try and tell me that looking at these pictures of Martha’s Homekeeping Room doesn’t make your little heart skip a beat. From the organized labeled bins to the wrapping station, these pics make me want to organize, organize, organize. What better way to brighten things up on dreary January days for free? First on the docket this week: organizing the kitchen cupboards.

Happy Monday to all! Make it the best you can! xo* Hannah B.

Tis the Season

Article Posted on Monday, December 12th, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Hello, dears! Tis the season to make *pretty* things and, if you’ll indulge me, I’d love to share a few of the more crafty parts of our holiday thus far. If you’ll remember, I got a *gorgeous* silver piece at an estate sale last month that I’ve made into a cute little candle display on top of our piano. The block tree on the left is something my mother-in-law made a few years ago and each year I add a few more tiny ornaments. Isn’t it wonderful?

This is the first year I decided to make our cards and now I don’t know if I’ll ever go back. They may not be red and green but they are very *us.* I tied them up in a red bow for Husband to take to the PO this afternoon.

*Belle Secret: Little details like tying your cards up in red ribbon are a simple way to make life more beautiful.

I also made some mistletoe this weekend out of felt and pearls. It may have to stay up all year. After all, who isn’t always looking for an excuse to kiss their beau?

We have this thing for dinosaurs at our house; can you tell? Mom and I made these trees when I was really little, and they lived in my dollhouse for years. Now they inhabit random tabletops with little mini dinosaurs to feed on them. The bigger guy who I affectionately refer to as “Fancy the dinosaur” is one of a few guys that lives on top of our bookshelf. For Christmas, he got his own bow tie. Dapper, no?

Have you done any Christmas crafting? I’d *love* to see! Share a link below…

A Little Bit o’Craft Therapy

Article Posted on Monday, October 24th, 2011 at 8:28 am

This past week was a little unbelievable and quite emotionally draining. Without the heavy detailslet me just say that, as Martha has taught me, sometimes there is no better cure than holing up and doing some serious holiday crafting. I first saw these little guys on pinterest, and I just had to try them. I used the large pretzel sticks, one and a quarter cup white chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons shortening. I slowly (slow is key) melted the chocolate, adding the shortening a little bit at a time. (The shortening is what thins the chocolate enough to dip the pretzels smoothly.) After letting the chocolate cool and set, it’s time to add the faces. I used black icing but on pinterest I saw that you could use mini chocolate chips if you’d like.

I found several fun ways to package these little guys. For a party, I used a little mason jar, fruit netting and twine. Then, for a couple of friends, craft paper and orange yarn.

Although, I must warn you there is one serious side effect of this craft. I have been singing this song all weekend…

I miss the White Stripes. [ sadface ]

Getting in the Spirit

Article Posted on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 at 11:03 pm

I love *love* love this time of year, and it has me in the spirit to engage in some craftiness. I’m thinking there may be some sewing, paint, and sparkle in our future! Pictures coming soon!

A Few Random Links…

Article Posted on Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at 5:19 pm

Good afternoon! I don’t know how it is where you are but here it has seemed to be dark, damp & dreary all week. Thus, I thought the photo of my very 1st Dark & Stormy (while at Chez Liberty on Monday night) would be the perfect header for a post with random who’s-its and what-not links…

This article in the NYTimes on Emily Thompson, a floral designer living in NYC, sounded perfectly romantic to me and makes me want to go home and turn our dining room into a rotating showcase of flowers and things.

Incidentally, Atlanta stylist Annette Joseph just completed a lovely series on her blog about styling your home for photos. I’m also super stoked about the rumors that Annette is going to have a reality show on  Fox. I’m not sure if it’s set in stone yet, but isn’t that great? Finally a reality show I would watch! In another life, I think I want to be Annette Joseph.

One thing I listened to while working yesterday was this interview that Emily Martin (aka the Black Apple) did with Julie Sabatier for OPB. I’d highly recommend clicking here and listening if you have like Emily and her work. She’s a Southern girl, ya know!

Finally I thought I’d add that I’ve been posting a lot of fun links lately on Twitter and the Secrets of a Belle facebook page so I think those may start replacing these Random Things posts.

You can click here to follow me on Twitter.

And here to *Like* Secrets of a Belle on Facebook!

Be sure to say ‘hi!’
xo~ Hannah B.

Friday’s Random Links…

Article Posted on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 4:21 pm

1.) Recently, I have sort of fallen head over heals in love with the photography of Ms. Jamie of From Me to You. Needless to say, this pictorial story just added kindling to the fire! It’s called A Hudson River Story, and you can find it in the latest issue of Rue but, in the meantime, these are a few of my favorites. Isn’t the lighting just romantic and haunting all at the same time?!

2.) This is probably #526 on the list of reasons we should frequently visit NYC… and, of course, by frequently I mean at least for the 1st time. Artist Daniel Egnéus just released a book last week that tells the classic Grimm brothers tale of Little Red Riding Hood. (I will be ordering my copy ASAP!) Anyway, during the month of February these works will be on display at Traffic. If you’re in the area, please stop by for me!

{first seen here}

3.) I would like to live in this bathroom. (Also Marta’s description of how to have a proper soak is quite cute!)

4.) I am quite a fan of the adorable illustrations of Ms. Janice Nadeau, and I am especially fond of this most recent one for Coup de Pouce!

5.) I’ve been coming across great fashion blogs right & left lately, but this may be one of my new favorites. Keiko Lynn has a very rocker-chic style, I *love* Makeup Mondays, and I think I may need her bangs. What do you think?

6.) The 1st time I heard this song, Husband sang it with my mother. To make the moment weirder, I totally thought it was a fake song and have stood by that for the past 6 years. And then, I saw this cute little video. Who knew?

diy valentine’s cakes from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

Friday’s Random Links

Article Posted on Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Happy Friday to all! Mike Witcher, the local weatherman, has promised a sunny weekend with temps in the 50′s which means as soon as it’s quitting time, I’m blowing this joint and heading out for a weekend with the hubby! I am so ready to be out and about, aren’t you? Anyway, as we wait for the weekend to start I though I’d share a few random links that I’ve loved this week… Enjoy!  xo~ Hannah B.

1.) Around this time last year, Husband & I had  a serious urge to get the heck out of dodge. One of the main places we considered was Portland. Not only is it super artist friendly, but did you also know it’s the micro-brewery capital of America? (#littlethings) Anyway, I watched some clips of this IFC show called Portlandia and could not stop laughing to myself.

There is a book store that shall remain nameless about 5 minutes from us and the first time I went in,
I totally felt like this…

My bestie has made sooo much fun of me since we made the decision to go organic at home and support more local food. He always asks if my chickens and cows were sang to as they were slaughtered.
Wonder what he’ll think of this?

2.) I *adore* this bride with her bright yellow wedding dress and that cute little fascinator! Don’t you? Hop over to Style Me Pretty to see photos of this San Antonio wedding. (Photography by: Eclectic Images)

3.) I was so excited that Matchbook Magazine finally arrived this week! I think F.E. Castleberry (Unabashedly Prep) said it perfectly when he said of Katie & Jane (the co-founders): “their field guide to a charmed life seeks to inspire women around the globe to design a life they adore.” Don’t you just love that? It’s just full of beautiful, inspiring content and, since it is one of those online magazines, all you have to do is click here to read it.

4.) Another online publication I was happy to read this week is Rue! Don’t you just *adore* the cover to their 3rd issue?

5.) For some reason, I don’t really get too excited about the Women’s collections from Brooks Brothers, but the Mens? Well, let’s just say Husband needs these pants! Oh, you know which ones I’m talking about! K. Cooper Ray (Social Primer) calls them ‘Go to Hell’ pants! Don’t you just love that?!

6.) I’m pretty much digging this glitter heart headband. I’m thinking I will need to a.) order one for myself or b.) make one before VDay.

6 Random Things

Article Posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

Just a reminder, in case you are A) new to this blog or B) thinking I’m the most ADD person on the face of the earth: the Random Things are always just that–random. There’s always a good mix of things I’ve found perusing the interwebs and highlights from blogs I read daily so I don’t have to bookmark every little thing. I just thought it may be a good idea to add that now that there are some new readers lest you think I’m crazy!

1.) When I saw these paper dolls, I couldn’t help but laugh–mainly because of Prince William’s apparent patriotic boxer briefs. I have to say, it’s a pretty adorable idea for royal wedding memorabilia, especially for the fashion-dedicated like myself. What do you think? Yay or nay?

2.) Thanks to this post by Ms. Em, I am now hooked on Vogue’s APT with LSD feature. This, in turn, has got me longing for this particular Damien Hirst sculpture. First spotted here, in Samantha Boardman’s home.

It’s actually a take on (as many of his works are) a little girl that was used for Spastics fundraising in the 1960s.

I’ve been a big fan of Hirst since college (although I can’t say I enjoy anything of his that involves dead beings) mainly because I always thought his sculptures were the most memorable. Well, that and the fact that when we were in the Houston Museum for the first time I saw one of Hirst’s medical cabinets and got a full run-down of everything that was wrong with it from an 80-something oncologist turned docent. It was an experience I will never forget!

This is also something I saw recently that I liked. As I understand it, it is a collaborative piece Hirst did with Banksy…

3.) Looking at this energetic apartment, you’d have no idea it lived in a boring brick building with a creepy hallway, would you? I *adore* the bold colors and the crazy mix of patterns! Click here to read the article about Bergamin’s 1-bedroom on the Elle Decor site. Click here to see a few more pics.

4.) I *love* the Life.Style.etc blog (written by the geniuses behind Living,etc.), and this morning, whilst sifting through my Google Reader, I completely fell head over heals for Baudouin! He’s a French photographer and these particular images are my *favorites* from his “I Am a Parisian Lady” series… Go check out the rest of his portfolio too tho! It will totally make you smile!

5.) I am kind of in *hearts* with these Valentino sunglasses… aren’t they just oozing glamour?

6.) I am pretty positive that: 1) I need this girl’s outfit! and 2) that she and I would be kindred spirits.

7.)