Bella Notte Baby!

Bella Notte Linens has amazingly luxurious baby bedding for your adorable teeny tot! Since you want what is best for your bundle of joy, they also know how important it is not to expose your baby (or yourself) to dangerous toxins. This is why they use top of the line non-toxic and low-impact dyes. It keeps the environment healthy, and you and your munchkin too.   

 

1. Whisper Linen Crib Dust Ruffle | 2. Loulah Baby Blanket | 3. Quilted Linen Bumper
4. Betty Bumper | 5. Silk Velvet Baby Blanket | 6. Whisper Linen Receiving Blanket
 

Bella Notte pride's themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly.

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals
and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used
to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric.
In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us
with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste
and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as
those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their
entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production,
usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout
the varying stages of its life.
For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown
using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility,
reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds
biologically diverse agriculture.
Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment
unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton,
which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

Our very own Lori Madrid is a certified interior designer and offers free design assistance. With free swatches, layaway services, and free shipping, you're getting the whole sha-bang! All of this can be done on a payment plan for even further ease.

Lori also offers FULL design services within the Lavender Fields service area, which is located in Long Island, New York city and New Jersey.

I loved sharing all things Bella Notte baby with you!

Stick around, we have much more exciting things to share coming your way.
Have a pleasant weekend!

Bella Notte Linens Spotlight

Hello, hello!

It's that time again; it's time to spotlighting one of the many wonderful brands we carry in our shop. 

Bella Notte Linens is a magnificent example of thought, quality,  and care put into manufacturing process. The entire collection is manufactured in the San Francisco Bay Area, by local craftspeople. Spending years refining their process, they have become pioneers in the garment-dying world. Their unique process leaves the end result with rich colors and a luxurious softness that you can't find anywhere else.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Bella Notte is the fact that they pride themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly. Top quality and it doesn't ruin the environment? Count me in! 

 

We carry a wide variety of their products in our shop, from bedding to baby, and a whole lot more. Here's a sneak peek at just a few of our favorites. Be sure to check out the entire collection here.

1. Homespun Duvet Cover | 2. Linen w/ Crochet Lace Duvet  | 3. Madera Duvet Cover 

4. Colette Duvet | 5. Primrose Sham  | 6. Betty Duvet Cover

7. Loulah Sham | 8. Whisper Linen Shams | 9. Silk Velvet Quilted Sham

10. Linen Whisper Tablecloth | 11. Homespun Napkin Set of 6 | 12. Silk Velvet Quilted Placemat Set

The quality of their products is clearly evident, even just from viewing a few photos.  But the ability to provide such beautiful products that are safe for our health an environment really brings "quality" to a whole new level. 

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric. In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production, usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout the varying stages of its life. For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility, reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds biologically diverse agriculture. Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton, which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

That's pretty amazing, if you ask me! Be sure to check out the fabrics we carry by Bella Notte Linens and peruse all of their products that we carry in stock. 

 

Thank you so much for joining me for this Spotlight! We hope you enjoyed this exciting brand. 

Until next time, friends! Have a great day!

The Interiors Insider - Winter Whites Edition

Happy 2013, everyone!
I couldn't think of a better idea than to start off the year with a new series for our blog.
The Interiors Insider will be your chance to learn great interior design tips, from a certified interior designer, for free! Our very own Lori Madrid, owner of Lavender Fields, will be offering her wonderful expertise to you, so your home can be even more charming and beautiful.
This week Lori is sharing great information about the mystery behind keeping your whites, well... white! Pull out your notebook, grab a pen, and take notes - this information will have all of your guests wondering how you get your whites looking brand new.

But before we equip you with this new advice, I had to share a bundle of my favorite white products from the store. There are plenty more on our website but here's just a few of my favorites from our bedding selection. Hope you enjoy!

1. Abigail Cream Sham | 2. Louisa White Duvet | 3. Belgian Linen Sheet Set | 4. Louisa White Bedding Set 5. Balmoral Sheet Set | 6. Ruched Platinum Duvet Cover | 7. Bella Notte Linen Duvet | 8. Linen Voile Bedskirt  9. Bella Notte Crochet Lace Duvet | 10. Elisa White Duvet | 11. Juliet White Duvet Cover | 12. Curtain Panel with Ruffle | 13. Crib Dust Ruffle| 14. Hampton Duvet | 15. Petite Ruffle White Pillowcases

Interiors Insider - Winter Whites

How to Keep Whites White:

"I love my white bedding and linens and work hard on keeping them white. These tips will help you keep your whites white.

Wash whites separately. The best way to launder white items is together and in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate (water that is at least 120 degrees is most effective at removing soil). Choose detergent with a bleach alternative and/or enzymes, using the maximum amount recommended.

You can increase the cleaning power of a detergent by adding a booster, such as borax, oxygen bleach, or washing soda to help maintain whiteness. Before washing, soak heavily soiled items using an enzyme detergent or oxygen bleach, and launder them separately.

To remove perspiration and other greasy stains, pre-treat with liquid detergent, dish-washing liquid, or colorless shampoo . Gently rub the liquid into the fabric using a clean toothbrush.

Tackle colored stains. Address food spills, such as coffee or juice, and underarm yellowing, which is residue from antiperspirant or deodorant, by applying undiluted liquid oxygen bleach directly to the fabric immediately before laundering.

Use a color remover. Once a month or when your whites become dull, wash them with a color remover. Alternatively, soak items in boiling water and oxygen bleach in a basin (this is suitable only for fabrics that won't shrink). You may have to experiment to determine which technique whitens best."

Call me crazy, but now I'm excited to do laundry - how about you? :) I've always struggled with stubborn whites that lose their sparkle. I'm eager to try these out for myself. Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us, Lori!

That's all for today, friends! I'm off to wash my bedding, so it's as white as the beautiful snow outside. We hope you enjoyed this new series; keep your eyes peeled for a new edition. You never know what kind of interior design tip Lori may share. As always, thank you for reading!

From all of us to you...

New Years Goodies

Hello, friends!

New Years Eve is just a few days away, can you believe it?

We hope your Holiday season has been absolutely lovely so far! As we head into yet another holiday and a whole new year, how are you preparing?
I rounded up some great tips for New Years Resolutions and how to keep them!

1. Make it Attainable! Start small and set goals for each month to attain your overall goal.
2. Write it. And I mean everywhere! Heck, make it into a work of art then print and frame it. Hanging it in a common area that you see on a regular basis to constantly inspire you to achieve it. Inspire yourself; this is a big deal after all, so treat it that way. 
3. Tell Everyone. Ask for accountability! Whether it’s with one specific person or multiple, be sure to promote your goal to people who will appreciate what you’re doing enough to follow up with you on a regular basis. Are you giving up sweets? Offer to give $50 bucks each person who catches you giving into your sweet tooth. Take this seriously and utilize the support around you.
4. Be Specific. This biggie-backs on #1 when I say set goals. Rather than saying: “I want to lose weight in 2013” specifically set goals for each month. Try: “I want to lose 10lbs in January and another 10 in February etc.”
5. Plan every little detail to help you get to the big picture.
6. Celebrate! Did you lose your first 5lbs? Hooray! Have close friends over for a special night or treat yourself to a day at the spa. Maybe you are reorganizing your home for a big home makeover and you accomplished one major room in the process. Be sure to share the photos on your blog or social media network or invite a few friends over for cocktails; whatever it is be sure to celebrate the small milestones because each milestone gets you one step closer to the big goal. 

Don’t let your New Year’s Resolution weigh heavily on your shoulders; this process should be fun and enjoyable! Don’t be afraid to feel silly when celebrating your first week of eating healthy, changes can be hard, be proud of what you’re doing!

What are your resolutions for the New Year? How can you better yourself in 2013?

But! Maybe resolutions aren’t your thing and that’s OK too! Here are some great ideas for decorations to inspire you to head into 2013 with style. Many of these ideas could easily be DIY, and with 5 days before the big night, you have plenty of time to get crafty and prepare.

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Check out all of our New Years 2013 Inspiration, by heading on over on our Pinterest Board.

Last but not least, you’ll want to feed your guests and sip on something delicious as you count down the hours and minutes to when the ball drops. Here are the perfect vegan recipes to quench your thirst and fill your belly, after you’ve danced the evening away:

Gorgonzola’ Arancini (Risotto Balls)
2 qts. vegetable stock

1 Tbsp. olive oil

½ medium yellow onion, diced

1 Tbsp. chopped garlic

1 lb. arborio rice

1 oz. white wine

1/8 bunch Italian parsley, chopped

1/8 bunch thyme, chopped

1/8 bunch rosemary, chopped

1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

½ cup soy Parmesan cheese

6 oz. soy gorgonzola-style cheese

1½ cups Egg Replacer (mix with 2 cups water until medium-thick)

2 cups bread crumbs

1 qt. canola or peanut oil for frying

• Simmer the vegetable stock over low heat.

• In a large-bottom pan (roundeaux or Dutch oven works best), heat the oil, add the onion, and sauté until slightly brown. Stir, add the garlic, and sauté for about 2 minutes.

• Add the rice, sauté about 1 minute, and stir constantly.

• Deglaze with the white wine, add 2 cups of the vegetable stock, reduce the heat to medium-high, and stir occasionally until the liquid is gone.

• Continue to add 1 to 2 cups of vegetable stock at a time until the rice is cooked and creamy and the liquid is gone. Add the chopped herbs and nondairy “Parmesan.” Spread the rice mixture on a cookie sheet and cool.

• While the rice is cooling, form the “gorgonzola” into little balls about the size of a ½ tsp.

• Mix the egg replacer with water.

• Form the risotto into 1-oz. balls, then put the “gorgonzola balls” in the center.

• Coat the balls with the egg replacer and coat again with the bread crumbs.

• Heat the canola or peanut oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Deep-fry the arancini until brown.

Makes approximately 55 balls


Peach Melba Liqueur
Yields 8 cups
Ingredients:

▪    2 cups fresh raspberries

▪    2 cups peach slices (from a jar, not a can)*

▪    3 tablespoons orange zest

▪    Juice of 2 oranges

▪    4 cups vodka

▪    3 cups simple syrup

Directions:

1. In a large mason jar, combine raspberries, peaches, orange zest, orange juice, and vodka. Seal and set in a dark place for 2 weeks, stirring after 1 week.

2. Stir in the simple syrup, seal, and set in a dark place for 1 to 2 more weeks.

3. Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth. Pour liqueur through the sieve into a large pitcher. Discard the solids.

4. Transfer the liqueur to a large mason jar or a variety of smaller mason jars.

*Use fresh peaches if you make this liqueur in the summer.

Whether you're setting goals, decorating for the party, or bringing the drinks, we hope you found some great inspirations for a little bit of each in this post! Have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!