Bella Carta

shopping for ideas for kids?

As the holidays approach, your shopping has probably been kicked into high gear.  If you have kids you may be looking at furniture for kids as part of their holidays.  This is where Wayfair comes in, Wayfair was CSN and CSN Stores has made some exciting new changes, including changing the name.  Wayfair has the same great product selection ranging from home décor items like accent pillows, bookcases, wall art, and much more! In addition to our wide selection of home décor items, we also have a breadth of items from cookware, luggage, and shoes to bedding, accent chairs and everything in between!  So many great choices available for furniture for kids  - the variety is amazing!

Anyway ... back to kids ideas - what girl wouldn't love this princess pink vanity?

Or this work station/drafting table - wouldn't it be awesome for the young student or little papercrafter in your family?

or what about this awesome chair - available in different colors and personalized?

Take a look and check them out!  Leave me a comment about your favs!

"Brother-ly" love

I recently had the opportunity to receive and review this wonderful sewing machine courtesy of CSN Stores.   I received a Brother 26 stitch machine and after years and years (probably decades) of wrestling with my old Singer machine - I have to tell you how much I love this machine!

Whereas my old Singer had a ridiculously difficult temperament - this one sets up within minutes right out of the box!  Easy peasy button winder and even easier needle threading: this machine is self threading or you can thread it by hand:-) !  And oh my goodness, the bobbin loads and "catches" on the first try!

No fiddling with tensions - this machine tensioned itself automatically for PERFECT stitching on its first try.  Amazing, no?

And the foot pedal control is like butter - smooooooth and easy!

Oh my goodness - I wish I had the opportunity years ago to ditch my Singer.  I have to admit that I was afraid it wouldn't live up to its reviews, that it wasn't any easier to use than my Singer, but my fears were totally unfounded. 

This machine is all about "brotherly love" and I loved reviewing it! Thank you to CSN Stores for their generous giveaway.

And for anyone wondering about my skill level - I'm definitely a "novice" sew-er but hope to improve my skills.

 

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Features:

• 26 built-in stitches, each with multiple stitch funtions
• Free-arm / flat-bed convertible sewing surface
• Twin needle for decorative stitching
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Built-in 4-step buttonho...

Free-Arm Sewing Machine with 26 Stitches

SEW easy to use!

 

5out of 5

This product sets up in minutes - with easy bobbin winding, even easier threading (upper) - you can get sewing in minutes after receiving this.

This machine is better than a Singer's hands down with ease of use!

And did I mention how smooth the pedal control is?

(legalese)

FTC:  I did receive a product in consideration for reviewing this product on my blog.

a little post-holiday shopping

Online shopping at CSN has got to be one of my favorite things!  Its just so convenient and with great customer service including free shipping on many items, I find I am checking their site for more and more items.

Recently, while browsing for new options for carrying my laptop - I came across their HUGE selection & range of choices for a laptop messenger bag.   Check these out ... I am in LOVE with this leather bag:

 

And great organizing bags for women like these:

 
 

And while you're there browsing their site - don't forget to check out my absolute favorite cooking tool - this cast iron enamaled pot from Rachel Ray.  I love it in this shade of green, but it also comes in her signature orange, as well as in cobalt blue.  

 
 

And this is one of my favorite recipes for Beef Paprikash - this is a wonderful Hungarian stew.

1 lb. of beef, cut into chunks
1 TBSP of flour, with salt and pepper in it
Olive oil
Large Onion, sliced
2 Garlic cloves
8 oz. of mushrooms, cut the larger ones in half
1 green pepper or red pepper (or even the orange ones)
1 TBSP Paprika (I like to use 1/2 TBSP of sweet and 1/2  TBSP of spicy but whatever you have on hand is fine)
2 tsp of caraway seeds
Large can of crushed tomatoes (I think thats the 28 oz size)
14 oz. of beef broth

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.  Toss the beef with the seasoned flour then brown all over in 1 tbsp oil in a large pan. Scoop out, then add the onions and cook really well until soft and browned at the edges. Add the garlic, mushrooms and pepper and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Return the beef to the pan and add the spices, tomatoes and beef stock.
3. Transfer to your cast iron pot, put on a lid and transfer to the and cook for 2.5 hours until beef is really tender and sauce thickened.
4. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top.  Serve with spatzle, egg noodles, rice, cheese grits or your favorite bread.