Bella Pink Cafe

Ch..Ch..Ch...Changes

     Don't worry, you didn't take a wrong turn, it's still me!   Change is good, no?  I say sure!  It was time to do some major Spring cleaning around here.  No more clutter.  I wanted to create a crisp clean look, less distractions on the sidebars, and backgrounds, etc...  I enlisted the help of super talents Bari J.(for the banner) and Sara  (for changes to the blog design). I also changed the blog name to 'Bella Cafe' and added a new tag line "a vintage pitstop to refuel your soul™" More like me and I think more like the blogger I've become. 

     I do love when bloggers change up their banners every once in a while and do something different which makes you stop and say "wait a minute, where am I?  Did I click on the right blog?!" So if you are asking that question right now, you are here...and I'm glad you are here! Hope you enjoy the crisp fresh feel, and less cluttered look (and hopefully a faster load time too?) 

     Survey results are coming soon, WHOA you ladies know blogging and you know what you want.  I loved every minute of it, learned a lot and want to thank you for helping me with the research project, I received over 400 responses!  The pet peeves were really interesting to read,  there were so many things I never really thought about, some were very direct and to the point, which I really loved and appreciate the candid openness you all shared.  Thank you! ~xo

Blog Investigation, part 1 ...

     Ok, bloggers...need your help on a project and it's on our favorite subject... blogging!  I have some questions for all of you.  I know you are super busy... but since you are all experts in the field, I value your opinions greatly and it would make this little research project even better.  I'll try to make it short, I was able to create a little survey link with 10 questions. ..and hopefully it will work! (a sample question is, "do you like music on blogs?") Anything not listed on the survey (hey, I was only allowed 10 questions, that's why it's labeled "PART 1"... more questions to come!) that you would like to sound off on, be my guest! There is a "pet peeve" area on the survey for things that you would like to bring up (or get off your chest).  Please feel free to be as honest as you want, there is total anonymity with the survey.  I'll be posting the results in a later post.

I can't wait to see your answers and opinions!~ xo

TARA'S PROBING BLOG INVESTIGATION, "PART 1" !

Click Here to take Tara's survey

Why we can't eat on the dining room table...

     Hello!  My super talented 11 year old son made this video using his new tripod (it really helps to keep the video steady) In computer class he is learning how to make 'movie mixes'...I have no idea how he did this, but I know he would be happy to answer your questions, because mom sure doesn't know! LOL! He even uploaded it for me  I love how he put music to it, sped up the film, and made it look like an old time movie in a sepia tone, complete with the old time look of a reel...lines jumping, etc..(also glad there is no sound on this one because at one point my husband walks in and I tell him "don't just stand there, get to work!") This was filmed one night when we were doing the second batch of orders, since then, my poor dining room has been overwrought in Wriskey's, you can't even walk in there anymore!

  Enjoy!  I know he would love your feedback!~xo

i Heart You...

     Happy Valentine's Day! Just a quick *pop* post to say I hope you have a wonderful day and possibly receive something from your secret admirer?  This time last year, we went to this ultra fabulous Valentine party, I posted about it here  I wish I could get the pictures to enlarge on the original post, (back then I wasn't sure how to size them!)  The photos above were taken there, such an elegant and fun Valentine themed party!

     It's soooo cold here!  There was an ice storm that roared through here the past few days.. felt like pellets hitting me when I was walking to the mailbox.  Large ice balls falling from the sky.  Speaking of ice...we are going ice skating this weekend!  Little man wants to video tape it...perhaps a good shot of Mom falling on her butt?  We'll see and hopefully you all can see too!  Oh! thank you so much for your sweet wishes and great advice on the back issue.  It's really appreciated, not sure what I'll be doing, but I'll keep you posted.  Have any of you heard of Cabi parties?  It's sort of a demonstration... but with clothes! My friend is hosting one and she asked me to help model, hopefully I won't trip...I'm not used to walking in heels! I went to one last year and it was really fun and the clothes are super cute!

     Have a wonderful day! ~ xo

Sit, Relax..Let's Catch up...

   

    So many things, so little time.  Have a seat, let's play catch up around here... . my back has been acting up, had an epidural shot last week- WHOA...don't think I will ever do that again.  I know I gave birth, twice in fact, but geez Louise, that sucker hurt...and I think it has now irritated the monster that has been living in my back even more.  I'm going to leave the restless beast alone for a while.  My doctor says the disc is so bad that I need surgery, and wants to insert 3 titanium screws, but I think I will get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion!

     Wriskey™ Business is *cRaZy* and I want to thank all of you for being such great supporters!  We started a Wriskey Girl photo pool on flickr.  We thought it would be cool to see creative shots of you creative people using your Wriskey or wearing your tee's, just upload them here and they will appear on the front page of my blog, at random and everytime the page is re-freshed.  Pretty cool!  We plan to have contests/prizes (we love prizes don't we!?) for the most creative shots.  If you don't like having your photo taken, then maybe snap a shot of your baby chewing on your Wriskey, etc...(or something like that, my brain is fried right now, so I am not being too creative!).  Sweet Gail sent us a shot of her reminding hubby that Valentine's Day is soon approaching, take a peek .  Too cute!  Can't wait to see all of you Wriskey Girls!

     I know everyone LOVES giveaways, so make sure you stop by my friends blogs who are having super fabulous ones, Chris at Tutti Chic's Blog and Janet over at Shabby FuFu  Great ladies giving away great stuff!

     I know I am forgetting a half a million other things I wanted to tell you all, but there is always another day and another post.  I think it's time too for another Tara TV post?  My son wants to try something different this time, I might let him run with it, we'll see, stay tuned! I'm off to browse your blogs and see what you have been up to~xo

Smell Good Books...

   Don't you love the smell of a new book?  I can't get enough of it.  I think it ranks up there with a new car smell and a newborn baby's head.  A recent trip to our local small bookshop uncovered some great finds.  Yes, Amazon is easy... Barnes & Noble has everything under the sun (and a coffee lounge to boot), but there's something so lovely about a little corner bookstore.  Remember the enchanted one in the movie with Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail?  called "The Shop Around The Corner", a book lovers dream.  Anyway, let me share with you some good 'smellin' books from our little shop around the corner! *Warning...lots of pictures ahead!*

     On Alicia's blog, she has written about these yummy cookbooks and I happen to pass by them on my way to the Home Decor section.  These are not your ordinary cookbooks, each page has beautiful photos, incredible family stories and delicious recipes.  I couldn't put them down.  When I paged through each book, I felt like I was transported to another time and place. It reads more like a story than a cookbook.  Aren't the titles dreamy?  Apples For Jam: A Coloful Cookbook and  Falling Clouberries: A World of Family Recipes by Tessa Kiros. I'm anxious to try some of these recipes, they make me want to cook something...anything.  Even if you don't cook, they are lovely to have sitting in your kitchen (just for the cover artwork alone!)

     Coming up with a unique hostess gift (or any gift) sometimes can be so hard.  The Art of Giving takes the guesswork out and is filled with the most creative (and easy) gift giving ideas I've ever seen. There are pages in the back for color copying and making your own labels & tags, etc. Take a look:

    My daughter came home from school last week with a library book that was all tattered, torn, taped (the 3 T's) this book had received it's fair share of use.  After we read the book, it became obvious why it was so over-used....it is probably the cutest darn book (and perfect for a 6 year old who is asking for a new doggie).  She read that book at least 10 times a day, every word, over and over.  Carried it wherever she went (Hey...it even comes with a leash strap!) and was so sad when she had to return it on it's due date.  This book is the next best thing to a dog, and after you read it, you'll know why. (I won't spoil the ending for you.)  So when we passed a new crisp copy in the children's section, she squealed like a monkey, jumping up and down.  I highly suggest Open Me...I'm A Dog to anyone with children (or not) and whether you have a doggie (or not!)~xo

Who Knew?...

     WHOA!  We are still dizzy, excited and exhausted from the overwhelming response to the Wriskey™ launch!  I called in the troops (thanks Mom) to help out.  She was on the assembly line for a week straight! (ps Mom, you're not done yet, still lots more work to do, coffee's on!)  Thank you all for your warm wishes and support.  Hope to report some exciting news about our little Wriskey™ biz soon. 

     So apparently I've been living under a rock and this weekend is Superbowl Sunday?  No clue.  I found out when I excitedly told my husband that I'm taking our daughter to see this on Sunday and I proceeded to go on and on about how I couldn't believe I was able to get tickets for the time I wanted, it was meant to be and blah blah .  He just let me go on...then when I finally took a breath, he calmly said "hon...it's Superbowl Sunday"  *burst*  (that's my bubble bursting over the illusion that I was able to get the tickets due to some karma cosmic luckiness)  Anyway I apparently didn't know a lot of things, like who was even playing in the bowl.  Now I know NY and Patriots.  So I say to hubby "I guess we root for NY since they are a state next to us?"  I was then lectured on how NO person in their right mind Philadelphia fan EVER roots for ANY New York team.... huh?  I didn't know this was in the Pennsylvania state handbook, but according to my husband, it is.  So sorry New York fans, I guess Casa Bella is rooting for the Patriots, I still don't get it.  Actually I don't care either way (sorry Tutti Chic! ), what I'm really rooting for is that we get good seats while watching Miss Hannah (sporting our 3D glasses and a big tub of popcorn) but I'm sure we will have no problem, since everyone else on the planet will be home watching the Superbowl?  Have a fabulous SUPER weekend!~xo