Category: glam

2015, glam

Isabel by Tocca

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I have to say this is the first fragrance I have bought for myself in years – I think the last time was when I was working at Nordstrom for the holidays back in 2009. My husband usually buys me perfume, he was in Canada for business a few months ago and showed up with Miss Dior and Coco by Chanel, which were the latest additions to my little collection.

I was subscribing to Birchbox for a few months (I’ve traded it for Rocksbox) and I received a sample of Tocca’s new scent, Isabel. It is pretty and feminine but not overly floral, and there’s something really “sparkling” about it. I fell in love with it, and on my recent visit to Chicago with my bff, I purchased a bottle at Sephora.


I can’t believe it’s already August. My boys start school next month, my youngest turned nine a few days ago, this year is really flying by. I am so looking forward to experiencing fall here in the Midwest. Summer has been wonderful and I am very excited about the holidays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2015, bedding, bedroom, glam, gold, home, ikea, neutrals, paris, wisconsin

Master bedroom

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A wise friend advised me to focus on the master bedroom, to create a sanctuary there even if the rest of the house was not finished. For the most part we did that, because having a place for the whole family to gather was at the top of our list, so our living room did get top priority. Today I’m sharing our master bedroom as it is now. I still want to have a little sitting area, but for the most part, it is functional, and after a few things we added this past weekend, I think it’s beautiful.

I wanted warm, soothing neutrals, a bit of glam, a bit of Paris (of course), and I definitely wanted to make good use of things we had in our California house.

The main purchase here was the bed. We wanted a king-sized bed (Eastern king, not California king), and Steve wanted a sleigh frame, so we looked and looked, and found the bed at Wayfair.

We had the white duvet cover, got white sheet sets from IKEA and WalMart, and the beaded pillow is from the clearance aisle at Pier 1. Our Stearns and Foster mattress is absolutely heavenly to sleep on, and was purchased from Ashley Furniture in nearby Brookfield.

We bought some prints from street vendors when we were in Paris last November, and I’ve held on to them until I figured out what I wanted to do with them. We considered putting them in the living room, dining room, but in the end I liked the idea of having them in our bedroom.

The frames are from the “value” section at Michaels, and the set of mirrors are from Kohl’s, but I’ve seen similar at Target.

Steve did a great job putting them up and we both love how they look up there.

The neutral frames let the color in the prints pop and this little gallery is a sweet reminder of our trip.

The nightstands are IKEA Expedit pieces we brought from California, and the lamps and shades are from WalMart.

I love these curtains.

They’re from World Market and the moment I saw them I knew that I wanted them. They’re neutral and warm, and I liked that they give us privacy but are not completely blocking the light. Don’t worry, we don’t light those candles when the curtains are closed 😀

The painting to the left was brought from our California bedroom.

We also have our two dressers facing the bed, as well as the trunk that is a family heirloom. We’re really happy how our bedroom is coming along, it is a soothing, comfortable space we both love.

2014, about me, accessories, glam, health

One announcement Two

by casadeberry5 Comments on One announcement Two

First of all, how is it almost April? Good grief. This year is so getting away from me. I am in planning mode for a party next month, plus I wanted to share some news with y’all. So far I’ve come up with Red Wedding Cupcakes for the Game of Thrones station 😀

Ok, onto the news: I’m happy to tell you guys that I am a new Stella & Dot stylist! WOOT!!! I am super excited about this new venture. I love putting looks together and playing with sparkly pretties, so hey, I am already having a lot of fun with this.

Some of you who know me a little bit more will remember that I used to make jewelry. I had a pretty successful business back in the ’00s and still play around with beads and things. However, and I guess this is kind of an announcement in the sense that I haven’t talked about it before, but mostly it’s because I just don’t keep much to myself. I’ve mentioned my youngest son’s autism, my hysterectomy, etc. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I take Paxil, but ha, I just did. I am super happy and love my life — there’s always that pesky 5% of the time when I want to throw someone out the window — but I have accepted that my brain needs some extra goodness in order not to be on a continuous emotional rollercoaster. Nothing wrong with that. However, what I actually wanted to mention today is that I was making some jewelry last weekend after going through my craft tower, and it’s just become a fact that arthritis is taking its toll on my hands. Which is why I haven’t crocheted in a while, and why I am glad that project is an afghan for the FALL. Both my parents had/have it pretty badly, my darling dad had to have surgery on his knee because the arthritis was making his life miserable with severe pain, and my mom has constant pain on her limbs. I do plan on seeing my doctor to see what they can do for me, as well as adapting my diet.

Point is, I don’t think I can make jewelry on a constant basis in order to make it a business, but I CAN sell beautiful, on trend, colorful jewelry that can make an outfit. Like so:

Aren’t they gorgeous???

Anyway, you’ll probably see me sporting some of the Stella & Dot beauties around town and I’m wishing for a lot of fun and some good opportunities! Hope Monday treated you well!

2013, decor, glam, holiday, house

Exterior love

by casadeberry5 Comments on Exterior love


We finally put up our outside decorations this past weekend, and now it truly feels like we are ready for Christmas. Which is good because there’s two weeks left – eek!!!


The only unfinished business is that little white urn my beautiful friend J lent me, I might get a little evergreen for it.


All our outside decor is from past years, this lit wreath is a favorite, it makes me happy.


Our front door wreath is one I made eons ago, I’ve added a few bits to it here and there since every year we lose a couple from all the door opening and closing.

And since I’m in a totally sappy mood, I’m leaving you with this modified version of our first picture 😀

2013, decor, glam, holiday, living room, mantel

Glam holiday mantel

by casadeberry1 Comment on Glam holiday mantel

Our holiday decor “stash” is one that we add to every year. Also, I love to use things that we’d ordinarily have around the house anyway, and add them to our holiday decor. A couple of pieces in this mantel are a good example.


The two lanterns you see are part of our every day decor. The lovely one on the left is from Pier 1, we paid a couple of bucks for it because one of the pieces of glass was missing. The red one on the right is from IKEA.


I wrapped a couple of bottles in green yard for contrast to all the red and gold, and stuck a variety of branches in each. Steve had the WISH stocking holders since before we met, they’re from Pottery Barn, I think.


Our tree is also a forever work-in-progress. We started with many generic ornaments and over the past few years have been working on replacing them with more meaningful ornaments:

When our tree topper broke a couple of years ago, Steve (of course) rigged a star I had from Pier 1, and we’ve been using that as our topper. People have asked where we got it and love it because it’s so bright and cheerful.

That is our living room all decked out for the holidays, along with the village Steve put together. Next time I will show you our outside decorations – have a great week!

2012, craft, glam, gold, paper, ribbon

Glitter and Ribbon Matting

by casadeberry2 Comments on Glitter and Ribbon Matting

Matting, not mating. Not that I wrote mating the first time around or anything.

I found a great hemisphere map at my favorite paper goods store – in my favorite blues and greens – and needed a frame large enough for it. My husband volunteered a frame he had, which was the perfect size, except the mat color didn’t really go with my map.

I had also purchased gold glitter wrap paper and decided to tape it over the existing map. This frame does not have glass so it’s just the backing, the map, and the mat over it.

The strips were cut wide enough to go a little beyond the original mat:

As a finishing touch, I added teal ribbon from my sewing stash:

The finished product:



The wedding picture you see above is also matted with lovely wrapping paper, in a music note pattern.

I hope you like this craft, it was an inexpensive way to use something we have and give it the exact look I wanted. Now the frame coordinates with the map print and has a bit of glam, which my office can always use ;D

2012, accessories, costume, friends, glam, jewelry, makeup

Speakeasy Style

by casadeberry4 Comments on Speakeasy Style

Over the weekend, our friend D, who’s the bee’s knees, held a helluva birthday party at a speakeasy up in the city. We got our wiggle on, put on our glad rags and drove up to the juice joint to join the other fellas and dolls who’d be celebrating. D and her husband C definitely put on the Ritz for this party, and we had a swell time!

My husband rented his outfit from a local costume shop, which happens to be a block away from the first place we ever lived in. I, however, relied on the kindness of friends, cheap stores, and some craftiness to put my ensemble together.


My headpiece was made of 3 purple feathers glued to the back of a gold satin rosette that I made. I added some pearls and rhinestones to the rosette and glued felt to the back to secure the feather stems, then sewed the felt to a small comb. I made a thin braid on the left side of my head to anchor the comb, slipped the comb in, and secured it with some bobby pins. It didn’t not move all night, through hugging, windy San Francisco streets, and lots of dancing.

The earrings were made from clear crystals years ago and the necklaces I got from Forever 21.

Our dear friend J lent me a gorgeous ruffly black dress, it was perfect, comfortable, and fun to dance in. I wore sheer dark stockings and black pumps.

The stole was made from costume leftovers and all I did was cut the rectangular piece in half lengthwise, then join small sides together to make it a longer, thinner piece. I used a huge (length of my index finger) needle and since it was faux-fur, didn’t bother to hem it or anything.

We had an absolute blast — the party was great, the band played fab music all night, and there was delicious food AND a candy buffet table. The three chocolate martinis I had weren’t bad, either ;D  I have to admit I got giddy when a lady wearing a real fur stole and a long strand of real pearls came up to me to ask me for my card because she thought my costume was the bomb.  Or I should say, the cat’s pajamas.  What can I say, we like to have fun on the cheap ;D

We were so happy to celebrate D’s birthday — we wish you nothing but the very best, doll!!!

2012, craft, decor, friends, glam, paint, paris, red

Sassy Red Bookcase Makeover

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As much as I am in love with my shades of turquoise and chartreuse, my love for burgundy will never fade.  Although it does when I try to put it on my hair.

Recently I re-organized the entryway and ended up with a plain little bookcase with nowhere to go, so I decided to glam ‘er up and give her a place to live next to my desk.

First I gave it a coat of primer, then two coats of Krylon’s Burgundy – geek moment: I was so giddy when I realized I used up the last of both that can of primer and the burgundy shade –  am I the only one who loves finishing up cans of spray paint, because it means I can get more? – and finally, a coat of Rustoleum lacquer.


After waiting impatiently for it to fully dry, I started filling it up with items that I wanted near me, that had no place on my desk, and that made me happy.

Et voila!

I am super happy with the result, it adds a lovely pop of color against the white walls of the office, and it has many items that make me smile.


I just received this beautiful mug for mother’s day, from my dear friend D, and believe me, it’s already getting some use. Seeing it there when I first go to my desk reminds me to just take a moment for myself before the craziness of the day begins. The green oval box hides some Splenda packets, and the Paris-papered oatmeal canister holds whatever current magazines I have.


The adorable mini chest of drawers was a gift from my dear friend A long, long ago, and the picture frames were gifts from my mom. The photo on the left is of us holding our month-old oldest, and the one on the right is our youngest’s hospital picture. I don’t think it looks anything like him but yes, I know it’s him because they took the pics in my hospital room ;D


The bottom shelf has a tray I decoupaged with more Paris-themed paper, one of my favorite votive holders (from the dollar bins at Michaels!), a little tray I made inspired by an item at Paper Source, my current inspiration books, and the most sought-after treasure in our household: PENS!!! I swear, I can’t keep them on my desk anymore because they get taken at an alarming rate 😀 so now they are sort of, maybe, semi-hidden. Who am I kidding, by the time this post is published there won’t be any pens left!

So that’s it, my latest re-vamp – I took this bookcase from drab to fab and didn’t spend a cent. But now, I must spend a penny, if you know what that means.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2012, colors, glam, makeup, orange

Tangerine Tango @ Sephora

by casadeberry1 Comment on Tangerine Tango @ Sephora

I saw this collection a couple of days ago and decided that I would stop by Sephora soon and see the colors up close, but so far, I like what I am seeing.  Pantone’s Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango, has been interpreted as a make-up collection at Sephora.

Now, I am not one for orange eye shadow or liner, but . . . nail polishes and nail glosses?

Oh, I’m there, sweetie. Back in a few to show ya what I got ;D

2011, candle, decor, glam, gold, holiday, ikea, white

Corner bookcase all decked out

by casadeberryLeave a Comment on Corner bookcase all decked out

We have a little bookcase in the dining room – it has most of our cookbooks and fits perfectly in a little corner. I decided to jazz it up with some holiday goodness this past weekend:

To the left are the doors going out to the side deck, but our avocado and pear tree block most of the light. Since this corner can get a little dark, I chose some bright accents in gold and white.

First is a beloved picture of my boys. I’ve had this frame for decades but it’s usually on one of the living room bookcase shelves. Now it gives some much needed glam to my little bookcase. The floral fabric is from a runner my mom made — she made a few some years ago and I love to add them throughout my house. The red and green candle holder is cute but gets lost in the larger decorations so I put it here.

Then comes another candle craft I made with candy canes, this one in a mason jar. I added a taper, taper ring and glittery bow.

Last are my white lantern from IKEA and a rustic gold star I got at Pier One.

The bookcase looks so cheerful now — I am very lucky to have so many little areas to decorate. Hope you like my corner bookcase!