New Blog

Dear Myglamourogy,
   We had a really great run, and as much I hate to part it seems I've outgrown you. I hope you can understand my change of heart. For now I'll be over at www.la-bellavia.com please feel free to visit, as I'll miss you dearly.

All my love,
Monique Bellavia (née Lopez)

Lazy weekend...

{via}

We don't have much going on this weekend and I am thakful for that. It seems lately we are booked every weekend. We'll be hanging around locally and might even make some time for a movie. Sounds like the perfect lazy weekend! Happy Friday!!

Perfectly Matched

I've been wanting to post about this little DIY I did for our wedding favors for some time now, but haven't gotten around to it till now. I don't have any real step by step photos, so these will have to do.
       My Husband and I met on Match.com. Quite common these days, I know, but I wanted our wedding to have just a tiny showcase of our beginning courtship, so I thought; matches! Right?!? But it couldn't be just any plain old matchbook, it needed to be a special keepsake. So I knew it was going to be a glass bottle and somehow I wanted to be able to strike the match ON the bottle.
      I originally came across a DIY for glass etching involving this etching paste. Easy peasy right? Not so much. Turns out not ALL glass can be etched using the paste. I forgot exactly why (I did the research back in July), but the fact is, the adorable little bottles I had purchased were not getting etched no matter how hard I tried. Still intent on etching something on the bottom of my bottles I called a few glass companies to see how much they'd charge per glass bottle to be etched. I was quoted $10 a bottle??? Yea right! But when the man explained to me how they needed to be sand blasted, well now I knew I had a DIY on my hands. A little more research and it led me to this at home sand blasting kit and voila. I did the steps as followed over the course of a few weeks, little by little and I was able to sand blast 200 bottles and fill with matches for our wedding favors. This project isn't too hard. If you have a lot of bottles (like my 200) it can be quite taxing, but all in all, it was pretty simple.

1. Find a bottle you want to work with. I purchased 200 of these and I really liked the size. Perfect to keep on a coffee table next to candles.
2. Purchase a pre-made stencil or make one yourself by free hand cutting sticky vinyl or using the Shiloutte Cameo      cutter to cut into sticky vinyl (I used the cameo method because I needed 200 hearts).
3. Stick your stencil to the bottle. I chose to stick mine on the bottom because I was also going to add a little tag, but the side of the bottle could be cute too!
4. Tape up all (or most) of the exposed bottle with painters tape. I taped mine about half way because I knew my hand would cover up the rest of the bottle while sand blasting. My wonderful husband helped me tape up the 200 bottles. It was a LOT of work for that many.
5. Put together your little sand blast kit. I purchased mine here. You really have to use this little "inflate a booth" or the sand will fly everywhere. During my research I read some people just use a cardboard box with holes cut in the sides for your arms to reach in.

BEFORE YOU DO THE NEXT STEP MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LONG SLEEVES ON AND GLOVES. Unless of course you enjoy tiny particles of sand pelting your skin.


      6.   Blast your glass bottle on the stenciled part for about 60 seconds.
      7.   Peel the tape and stencil off the bottle, rinse off with warm water. A match should strike on your etched design quite easily (you have to use the strike anywhere version of the matches, the other ones wont work. These are the ones I used).

I made a little label saying "John and Monique, a perfect match" with our wedding date and directions for how to use the little bottle. This with a scented candle would make a really cute Valentines gift!

2013

Both Photos: Angelica Glass Photography

         This New Years we decided to have a low key gathering with my Sister, Brother in Law, and some close friends. Slowly this smallish gathering has evolved into something just a wee bit bigger. Never the less, I am so so excited to ring in 2013 with our friends and my new Husband. I'll be spending the day prepping food and drinks and day dreaming of my first new years kiss as a newly wed. 2013 is going to be magical and I cant wait!
Happy New Years to you and yours!! xoxo

Santa's NEW favorite cookie

I don't think I've ever met a cookie Santa wouldn't like. But these just take the cake, err cookie...
The combination of bacon, no not regular bacon, CANDIED bacon is unreal. For real. I followed this recipe to a T. I'm so not gonna hide the fact that I literally ate these cookies for breakfast the next day. They are THAT good. My Husband took some to work with him and I heard I am now a bit of a celebrity over there (not that I'm complaining). When, not IF, but when I make these again, I'll sprinkle just a dash of sea salt on top to amp them up.
       
Note: To candy my bacon I laid them out on this handy bacon making tool, smothered them in brown sugar and popped them in the microwave for about 4 - 5 min. You can also bake them on a wire rack for 20 min...but really, when your anticipating eating possibly one of THE best cookies ever, who has 20 min to spare!

OK now I dare you make these for Santa and NOT eat them all. Go on I dare you!
Have a happy Christmas!! Be back after the holidays!
xo

Christmas Boozing with Jello Shots

White Chocolate Peppermint Jello Shots

These are super yummy! And they make any holiday party festive and fun!

Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup Skinny Mixes in White Chocolate Peppermintini flavor. (if you don't have this please see my note below)
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 envelopes Knox Gelatin
• 1/2 cup Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 cup Vanilla Vodka (reduce to 1/4 cup for a slightly weaker shot)
• 2 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
• Crushed candy cane
• White Chocolate Chips (optional)

To prep your molds or pan lightly spray with oil. Then wipe away leaving just a light unnoticeable film. 

Pour the Skinny Mixer and water into a sauce pan and sprinkle the gelatin over the mixture. Allow it to soak up for about a minute. Turn the heat on to low and mix until everything is dissolved, about 3-5 min. When its ready add the peppermint extract, all the alcohol and mix well until everything is incorporated. Pour into molds (I used a mini muffin pan) leaving a little bit left over for later if you want to add the chocolate chip filling. If not then use up all the mix and let it set over night.
             To add the chocolate chip, let them set for about 1/2hr till it's just sticky to the touch. Place a single white chocolate chip in the middle and push it into the shot with a tooth pick. Carefully spoon over a little of the leftover jello mixture to cover up the hole. Let it set over night or for about 8 hours.
           Before serving garnish with some crushed candy cane (do not add garnishes till your ready to serve as they will melt, even in the fridge). Then get ready to get a bit tipsy!

Note:
You can cub Skinny Mixes with:
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and adjust the peppermint extract to your liking.

Dear Santa... {Gift Guide}

1. Inka Books
2. Frends Taylor Head Phones
3. Nikon D3200 DSLR
4. Kate Spade Ipad Sleeve - ON SALE!
5. ONA - The Palma Camera Bag
6. J. Crew Pave Link Bracelet
7. Kate Spade Trixie Flat
8. Audrey The 60's Book