| February
2010 |
The Design Diva Dishes!
Design Trends and Lifestyle Tips |
| by Article Author |
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Dear ,
Hi everybody! I hope your year has gotten off to a great start. February is a big month for me, as it is the anniversary month of starting my business. I have been blessed to be able to do the job I love for eighteen years. Thank you to all my prior clients for allowing me to follow my passion by serving their decorating needs. There is a special bonus for all of you to celebrate with me located in the "Special Offer" section at the end of the E-Zine.
February is always associated with Valentine's Day, which brings romance to mind. For that reason, this issue will focus on the bedroom. I share suggestions for creating a bedroom sanctuary and the latest trends for bedroom design. The Color of the Month is pink (my favorite and a Valentine's Day staple) and the Green Report presents eco-friendly bedding. Finally, our Recipe of the Month will keep the romance going with a delicious breakfast in bed.
I hope you all have a great February, filled with love and happiness. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com or call me at 704.987.0277.
Barbara Green | |
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Bedroom Decorating |
| by Article Author |
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No doubt, life can be difficult. Decorating your bedroom should be easy. Your goal is to create a bedroom that is a warm, inviting sanctuary where you can go to erase the stresses of the day and comfort you through the night. Here are five things you can do to create your own personal getaway:
1. Paint - Stay away from white or light beige walls. You will never achieve a welcoming environment with such dull, boring colors. The adventurous can add passion and sizzle with dramatic red walls, but I prefer the calming tones of green, blue, or a deep beige or tan.
2. Furniture - Purchase the highest quality bed you can afford. This is a lasting investment in your health and welfare, since no one can function at their finest without a good night's sleep. Be sure you have enough storage, either in dressers, armoires, or closet space, so that clutter will not drain your energy. Adding a comfortable reading chair allows you to escape to another place without leaving the room.
3. Bedding - Quality is key. Invest in luxurious linens with a minimum thread count of 350. The higher the thread count you can afford, the more luxurious and decadent your bed will be. Include fabrics with different textures. The combination of smooth and silky sheets, fluffy comforters or duvets, chenille throws and velvety pillows makes for a sensually stimulating environment.
4. Lighting - All rooms need a variety of lighting, such as ambient, accent, or task. Ambient will deliver the overall light throughout the room. You can achieve this with chandeliers, ceiling fans with lights, or recessed lighting. Accent lighting is used to highlight artwork or accessories, or to cast an interesting design on the ceiling from a floor plant. It can even be as simple as a nightlight. Task lighting offers a brighter light for those reading in bed or in their comfortable armchair.
5. Accessories - Surround yourself with things you love; items that remind you of happy memories, or of dreams of things to come. This is true for any room, but especially appropriate in the bedroom. Do not clutter your space, for that will prevent you from truly relaxing. Most importantly, don't bring your work or your bills into the bedroom. You can't get away from life's pressures if they are staring you in the face!
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Trend Report |
| by Article Author |
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This month I will share three current trends in Master Bedroom design. They are:
1. Bold Bedding: No matter what your personal design style may be, bold patterns on bedding are the hot trend right now. The photo on the left represents a design that would work in a Modern or Asian room, while the photo on the right shows a bold pattern used in a more traditional setting. Either way, it makes quite a statement!
 
2. Chandeliers - More and more bedrooms feature ambient light from the use of chandeliers. They are utilized in both traditional and modern environments, and add the look of glamour no matter what your preference may be. The room on the left is a sleek modern interpretation, while the room on the right is elegantly traditional.
3. OK, so this one might seem a bit decadent, but there is a trend in high end homes to include mini-kitchens in the Master Bedroom. Sometimes called "Breakfast Bars," these areas mimic the mini-bars featured in hotel rooms, only without the exhorbitant fees associated with the goodies! They typically include a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a small amount of cabinetry topped with a granite countertop. You can stock it with whatever you might crave for a midnight snack or breakfast in bed.
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Color of the Month |
| by Article Author |
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If I disregard all the cold weather and snow, February just might be my favorite month since it gives me the chance to indulge my passion for pink. Pink is everywhere you look thanks to the commercialization of Valentine's Day. I share my passion for pink with world-famous fashion designer Betsey Johnson (below). I may wear pink everyday, but the only room in my home that is pink is my laundry room. Betsy, however, excites every room in her home with pink.
 
The owner of the Bed and Breakefast below knows that pink can also be used to relax a room. The deep rose walls and comfortable bed adorned in shades of rose are sure to transport guests to a calmer state of mind.
Pink offers feel-good emotions. If you can't commit to a room filled with pink, take it slow with the Color of the Month and simply use it on accent pieces. It will freshen up your decor and help you anticipate the beautiful colors of the coming spring.
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Green Design |
| by Article Author |
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If you are in the market for a new mattress, there are several green options for you to choose from. Instead of choosing the widely-used mattresses made from petroleum-based products, consider converting to a mattress made from wool, natural latex, or organic cotton.
A wool mattress is filled with ten layers of thick wool batting and encased with a thick, soft, organic wool textile. Look for mattresses made from EcoDomestic Wool, which seeks to pay the wool grower a fair price for their wool and educate the public about the importance of domestic resources. With proper care, wool mattresses can last for several decades.
Another option is the latex mattress. Be sure when shopping for a latex mattress that it is made from 100% natural latex made from rubber tree sap and not from petrochemicals. Rubber is a sustainable material and will not off-gas like petroleum-based products. They are hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, and have anti-dust mite qualities. Organisms do not thrive in natural latex.
If you still desire a mattress made by traditional construction techniques, there is a healthier alternative. Now available are innerspring mattresses made with organic cotton and chemical free wool batting. These mattresses are healthy, supportive, and long lasting.
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Quote of the Month |
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You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.
~Author Unknown |
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Recipe of the Month |
| by Article Author |
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Wouldn't it be wonderful to share a romantic breakfast in bed without having to be out of bed for an hour preparing it? My recipe for Easy Orange French Toast allows you to prepare it whenever you want, and keep it in the freezer until you need it. This works great for company too!
Orange Oven French Toast
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
2 T sugar
1 tsp grated orange peel
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Dash salt
8 slices whole wheat bread
1/3 cup melted butter
Line a large cookie sheet with plastic wrap. In medium bowl, beat eggs slightly. Add milk, orange juice, sugar, orange peel, cinnamon, and salt; beat well. Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture; place on prepared cookie sheet. Cover tightly with foil and freeze 1 to 2 hours or until completely frozen. To store, remove from freezer, stack slices, placing waxed paper between slices, and place in freezer bag. Return to freezer.
To serve: preheat oven to 425F. Remove desired number of slices from freezer, brush one side of each slice with melted butter. Place, buttered side down, on ungreased cookie sheet; bake at 425F for 10 minutes. Brush top with butter, then flip. Continue to bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. |
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Community Outreach |
| by Article Author |
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Each month I share local charities that need assistance. This month I am breaking from tradition due to the devastation in Haiti. Even before the earthquake, Haiti was the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. They spend only $96 per person on healthcare, compared to $6090 in the US and have only three doctors for every 10,000 people. I know we've heard of the injuries and deaths, and also of the miracles of survival. Your desire to help may have gotten sidetracked by life's responsibilities. Here is an opportunity to help now. While there have been millions of dollars already donated, the needs will be dire for years to come. We have all had a rough year, but given the opportunity to trade, I am sure we would keep our problems rather than trade for what the Haitians are going through.
UNICEF
Who's heart has not broken at the sight of children suffering? UNICEF's donations are geared to help the most vulnerable in this disaster, the children. To donate to their efforts, click here: unicefusa.org/haitiquake. 100% of your donation will go directly to serving the needs of children since a generous private donor has provided all the funds needed to administer the disaster relief.
SAMARITAN'S PURSE
Samaritan's Purse has already sent medical support and hundreds of tons of emergency supplies and equipment, but there is still so much more to do. The threat of cholera is looming due to the lack of clean water and sewage sanitation. People are playing and bathing in broken water mains where others are filling buckets to use as drinking water. Samaritan's Purse has installed water treatment facilities, built sturdy latrines, and given out personal hygiene kits. To help them continue their work, please click here: samaritanspurse.org.
HELP LOCALLY
The Mayor of Cornelius, Jeff Tarte, has challenged local residents to fill his office at Town Hall with Health Kits for Haiti. The kits will be distributed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Act quickly, as they need to be at his office by February 5th.
Kit contents are 1 each of the following: a washcloth and hand towel (no kitchen towels), a large and sturdy comb (not pocket-sized), a nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers); a bath-size bar of soap (3 ounces and larger), a toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper - no child-sized brushes), 6 Band-Aids, and $1 towards the purchase of toothpaste (toothpaste is bought in bulk to be added to health kits to ensure the product does not expire before it's sent).
All items should be new and contained in a one-gallon zip-closed plastic bag. Kits can contain only requested items. Do not include personal notes or additional items; these things must be removed and will delay shipment. | |
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| Save
18% |
To celebrate my 18th anniversary, save 18% off of any order for bedroom decor.
Call 704.987.0277 to schedule your free consultation.
Mention code DDDFB10 when you call. |
| Offer Expires: 2/28/10 Not valid on orders placed before 2/1/10 | |
| by Article Author |
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Thank you for reading "The Design Diva Dishes." I hope you enjoyed this issue and will forward it to your family, friends, and co-workers using the link below. Have a great month, and I'll see you again March 1st.
Please call me at 704.987.0277 or email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com with any questions or comments. | |
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