A Very Merry Beauchamp Christmas

The Hubs and I have returned from a perfectly blissful Christmas week in Charlotte, NC. Celebrating with my Beauchamp clan could seriously not have been more perfect! I love The Hubs. I love being his wife. And I LOVE that I get to be a part of his amazing family. My time in the South with Mike, Kitty, Tish, Scott, Brad, Ben and Kelsie was exactly what the Dr. ordered.

Started the trip with a family Italian dinner and got some very exciting news while we broke bread and drank vino. Then a lovely ladies day with my mom-in-law Kitty and sis-in-law Tish complete with an exquisite meal at 131 Main and ceramic painting at Dish it Out. My bro-in-law Brad introduced me to the artery-clogging deliciousness that is Bojangles and I indulged in my tradition of consuming as much North Carolina sweet tea as humanly possible. We spent much of the days leading up to Christmas elfing and prepping for the big day, laughing and loving as we all found the perfect thoughtful gifts for each other, gorging ourselves on Tish's delicious cookies all the while. And of course, there was Kelsie.

I love my niece! Two-year-old Kelsie is a ball of unstoppable, hilarious energy. I had so much fun playing with her, it was ridiculous. I miss her so much already!

Music lesson. Natch.

 

They don't call him Dr. for nothin'

Tish and Scott hosted a tasty Taco Tuesday and I was totally jealous of their kick-ass tortilla press. I didn't even realize how much I want to make homemade tortillas until I saw them do it. Of course, no taco night, or really any night with my sibs-in-law, would be complete without some Patron silver. Yum! After Kelsie wowed us with her maraca skills (see awesome video below!!), we headed over to the Cook house for an insane Christmas light display (see awesome video in link!!)!

Christmas was a perfect evening of mouth-watering food, great company, and great gifting! There was so much laughter, especially during the Beauchamp Gaffle, that my abs actually ached the next morning.

Kelsie's righteous new dino book

Tish, Ben and my Totally Awesome Ultimate Cool dad-in-law Mike

Farmville money!!! Kitty is also sporting a necklace made by yours truly.

Mike kept saying the two were a lot alike. I'm starting to see the resemblance.

We got the matching cookie cutters! Wooohoooo!

Kitty's awesome gaffle gift

Kelsie and Uncle Bradical

Ben's hamster balls!

Christmas by Lady B

On our way home, the airline gods gave The Hubs and I a Christmas miracle. Surprise upgrade to first class seats! Booyah! Merry Christmas, indeed.

Our first class view.

Our entire visit to Charlotte, I was hoping it would snow so I could experience my first White Christmas. Naturally, this what the Beauchamp house looked like the day AFTER we left!

Oh, we also caught a matinee of "Little Fockers." But I think it's safe to say that we'd all just rather forget that 2 hours ever happened.

Happy Holidays!

Going Once! Going Twice! SOLD!!

I sold two paintings last night! Waaaahoooooo!

I really could not be happier about their awesome new home and owner. I know they're going to be displayed in the perfect location and given a lot of love. I'll miss seeing them everyday but I know that they have found the PERFECT new parent.

Yes, I realize that I sound like I gave my puppy up for adoption or something, but that's kind of how it feels to sell a painting. Selling reproductions and my DeviantART items always feels great, but nothing can compare to the feeling I get when someone wants to hang one of my originals in their home. I paint for ME. When I started painting five years ago, it was a form of therapy for myself and never intended for public viewing. To this day, it's still a lot like that. I'm better about putting my art out there for the world to see, but I still paint for me and me alone. If someone else happens to love what I do, it's an incredible bonus and I still can't help but feel like they're joking. They can't possibly mean that they want to spend money on my glorified finger-painting can they? It's a feeling like no other when I realize that's EXACTLY what they mean!

So, Circle Phases I & II, enjoy your new amazing home. I can't wait to visit you in your new, pretty habitat.

Circle Phase I

Circle Phase 2

Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh,...Ooh! Shiny!

We got our Christmas tree!!! I LOVE our tree! I LOVE Christmas! And I LOVE sparkly, glittery ornaments!

 

  

I also LOVE fabulous footwear.

Merry Christmas!!!

First Sale!

I made my first DeviantART sale today!

A week ago, I started my DeviantART online print shop. Shoppers can now purchase my art as photo prints, wrapped canvases, greeting cards, postcards and even adorable novelty items like coasters, mouse pads, and puzzles. And COFFEE MUGS! That's right, coffee mugs.

Someone bought 6 of them! Cool! I think they're gonna make some rockin' holidays gifts.

Good Enough

Hoo-Ha Flower

Circle Phase I

I'm so unbelievably stoked that my sales of my paintings are no longer limited to originals only!

Next up, Etsy shoppe! Anyone got advice?

Domestic Diva Gift Guide (or, Dear Santa: Lady B Wants...)

This holiday season, what better way to show your favorite domestic goddess you appreciate her than by indulging her inner girl's girl? Of course, I'm talking about the domestic diva in YOUR life. Not myself. Certainly not myself. But, um, hey Santa? I've been an awful good girl this year.

I desperately want to host a tea party featuring these adorable monogrammed Anthropologie cups. The only question is: Is it better to order an assortment of letters so that my gals can pick their own initial? Or make it all about me with a full set o' Bs?

Speaking of hostessing, how freaking cute is this Jitterbug apron? I want. I want. I want.

Any true domestic diva loves organization. And things that are pretty. Voila! The ultimate color collection from Sephora! I've always had a thing for makeup gift sets and this bad boy does not disappoint! 70 shades of lip gloss! 98 eye shadows! Not to mention, it's cleverly hidden as a Sephora shopping bag when closed. Cuuuuute!

Have you ever been to Solvang? The sleepy, Danish town is one of my fave escapes from Los Angeles. Only an hour a half from the city, the kitschy village offers amazing food, chocolate, windmills, theatre under the stars (The Hubs and I did this on our first vacay together. No wonder we fell in love.), and my absolute favorite thing about the whole place...EBELSKIVERS!!! A traditional Danish treat, these pancake balls can be filled with anything from raspberry jam to bacon and cheddar. I've been hankering for one of these Williams-Sonoma Ebelskiver pans for years.The turning tools and cookbook would go nicely with it as well.

Speaking of cookbooks, any kitchen kitten would love to get any of these rockin' references.

 
And then perhaps this classic recipe holder and embosser for those amazing dishes your diva whips up herself?

There's something uber sexy about a woman in cowboy boots. These Tony Lama's from Zappos are no exception. I'm drooling thinking of all the countless perfect outfits I could create with these puppies. In fact, they'd go perfectly with my perfectly worn in Levi's and this kick-ass French Connection faux fur vest.

Add a classic pair of Ray-Ban aviators and this Hive and Honey necklace and it's sheer hotness.

Of course, any true domestic diva loves, and knows the importance of, showing gratitude. What better way to say thanks when Santa surprises with you with one of these gift guide goodies than with these ravishingly retro cards from Etsy artisan thecraftpantry?

Christmas Craftin'

In case you didn't notice, we're in a recession. I know. It's crazy, huh?

Since The Hubs and I are on a budget this Christmas season (and really, who isn't?), I'm going back to my crafting roots and spreading holiday cheer with homemade gifts made with lots and lots love. And I gotta tell y'all...I'm having SO. MUCH. FUN!!!!

Before I could begin, I had to tackle a project I've been dreading for more than 4 years.

I inherited all of my grandmother's jewelry making supplies (including THOUSANDS of packets of vintage glass seed beads from the 40s, 50s, and 60s...my FAVORITE!) but had yet to organize the countless boxes of goodies out of utter fear. How on earth does one go about sorting millions and millions of tiny little beads into some semblance of order without going crazy? Or blind?

One long night, a bottle of wine, and a Real Housewives marathon! That's how! Now many of the awesome ladies in our lives will be gifted with one-of-a-kind accessories this holiday season!

First prototype!

While decorating our home for Christmas, I was struck with a depressing realization. There is not nearly enough glitter in our box of decorations!

My "green" solution? Transform this toppling tower of old mags into some serious bling!

Before

After!

Happy Holidays, everyone!! If crafting isn't for you, maybe you can wow your loved ones with this instead:  Best Christmas Dinner Idea Ever. Unless You're a Vegetarian.

Mia Pia's Pie Shop

Y'all know how much I love to bake. It's pretty much my favorite thing to do in the whole wide world. Which is why every holiday season, I go completely and absolutely bananas in the kitchen for a solid month straight.  Thanksgiving is always my starting line and I usually go straight to the New Year. First up for Baking Blitz 2010...PIE!

Perfect, pleasing, pleasant PIES! Being this year's designated dessert provider for Turkey Fest at the Nicastro-Nale household, I took my job very seriously. A little too seriously. Two nights. One tortured husband. Six pies. Ten fat and happy family members.

First of all, pie fixin's ain't cheap! I've always been taught that store-bought ANYTHING is ALWAYS more expensive than doing it yourself. Psssshhhhh... Grand total for all the necessary supplies? $92.36. Yowza. If I ever do decide to open my own pie shop, I'm gonna need to charge $50 a pie to break even!

I've made pies in years past but I'd never attempted my own crust. Feeling brave, I went to the first person I thought of that would be sure to get the buttery-goodness just right. Paula Deen. Not since Julia Child have I seen anyone cook with more butter and fat. No wonder her food is delicious. After watching a couple of videos and relishing in her good ol' Southern Comfort, I felt brave.

Brave enough to not only try to make my first crust but to make said crust for a berry pie. I've never made a berry pie. So, to make ensure that I was completely out of my element, I settled on a pie that needed TWO types of berries.

How pretty are these berries? I almost just stopped here and ate the whole bowl of fresh wholesome goodness. Then I remembered that I spent $28 (!!!) on them and I wasn't about to disappoint my Uncle Vinnie, who loves him some berry pie.

Paula Deen steered me sooo right on my crust (flaky, buttery, and perfect!) and I was filled with so much confidence after mastering the perfect dough to ice water ratio that I got fancy on this pie's ass.

Before

Success!!

I was so excited when my berry masterpiece came out of the oven perfectly golden and bubbly, that I actually got teary. The moment The Hubs walked in from a gig, I squealed, "Look at it! Look at it! Isn't it PUUURRRFECT?!?!?"

"Wow, babe! Can I eat it?"

"NO!"

Next up, my old tried and true pecan and pumpkin pies. I mastered both recipes last year and couldn't wait to improve them with my kick-ass new crust. My dear old dad's all-time favorite is pecan pie and he had yet to try mine. I was so excited for him to finally test it out this year!

 The Hubs loves pecan as well and as I baked each one of three of them, he repeated "Can I eat some yet?"

"NO! But doesn't it look delicious?"

"YES!!! Soooo...can I eat some yet?

"THURSDAY!!"



The Hubs isn't a huge fan of pumpkin pie which means each year there's enough leftover for Mom and I to indulge in our pie for breakfast tradition. This year was no exception. I made so much pumpkin pie filling, there was enough extra to fill one of Grandma's vintage baking dishes. I'll be serving that over ice cream tonight. Nom!


Even though he's not a pumpkin eater, when these bad boys came out of the oven The Hubs said, "That actually looks good. Can I eat some?"

"NO!!!!!!!"

Thursday afternoon rolled around and The Hubs and I walked in my parents' house carrying a giant box of pies. There was much oohing, aahing, and drooling over my creations and I wanted to dance on the roof I was so excited. I love turkey dinner, but I COULD. NOT. WAIT. for them all to finish and move on to PIE!

I'm please to report that the pecan pie got a Poppy Grade A Seal of Approval. Mom proclaimed that I should open "Mia Pia Pie's Shop." And After Uncle Jim ate all three, he moaned, "I'm gonna be sick."

When you can make Uncle Jim sick, you've kicked some serious kitchen ass.

There may not have been yams this year. But there was pie. And The Hubs finally got some.

Mangia!