La Belle Naturelle

    Let's talk bread. Stick to your thighs bread. Yummy, golden, soft, know what the hell is in your bread kind of bread. THHHHAAATTTT's right....I'm talking about the kind of bread that you, yourself made. Get ready for a shocker moment...people have been making bread for thousands of years! Wait for it..........without a bread machine! *mic drop*     Ok, sarcasm out of the way...I've been making my bread on and off for years, but normally the ease of making it, wasn't easy and to make things worse, I'm impatient. Impatient + bread making = disaster. Which is why I suppose someone came up with the bread machine. BUT, I don't have one. Hence, my need to find a way to make bread that was easy, doesn't take a whole day and without a crap ton of stuff in it. I know, you're thinking, it's flour, water and yeast....have you read the label to your bread? Go ahead, take a gander. Not likely that it's JUST flour, water and yeast. Also, when making...

     As you all should have gathered from now, I....like....easy. With the family and business, I don't have time to fool around trying to to 'be pretty'. Let me be clear, I am speaking of jewelry. I see so many people with amazing necklaces and cool looking bracelets and with dogs and kids....my hands are in a lot of places....a...lot...of...places. Seriously.      I've mentioned this company before Isle Coast) with their amazing 'I Care' bracelet line that helps support ocean life...but these bracelets, which are something that is also in their line of goodies is beyond amazing. I can wear them with just about everything. They dress up my outfit, or give me a 'cool' relaxed feeling when I am dressed in my lazy clothes.      Is that it? Absolutely not. It comes in this amazing packaging with a cleaning cloth AND instructions to keep YOUR arm candy in simple perfection! How many small businesses do that anymore? I mean really? So they ca...

   So, I know....who has time to MAKE their own chocolate syrup? I KNOW! But, if you read my last post on making your own cleaner....you know that I am all about easy. Again, trying to run a business, take care of 2 kids under 5, 2 pups under 1 year and a adult man baby....I like easy when it comes to everything else in my life.    This recipe can be done in seriously 5-10min... and you know what you're eating. You can control the sugar, the taste and it is easy on the wallet AND you can make it with things that you would normally have in your kitchen anyway! WWWHHHHAAAAAA???? That's right. So, get ready....let's do this! What you'll need (makes a small mason jar):   - 1/2c Milk   - 1/4c Cocoa powder   - 1/2c Cane sugar   - OPTIONAL: pinch of salt & vanilla extract to taste Cheap right??? Let's Make It!   1. In a small saucepan, whisk cocoa and milk.   2. Turn stove on low/medium and heat mixture until cocoa is dissolve...

   I am not going to lie, cleaning supplies are easy to buy. With 2 kids, a husband, 2 puppies and a house to take care of....life is busy and trying to figure out my own 'green' products along with concocting new recipes for the business....buying cleaning products is just WAY easier.    That being said, I've FINALLY been able to test something that I have heard of, but have never tried. And usually when I get an orange, I don't think about saving the peels...but THIS is totally worth it. Not only are you recycling what you would normally just toss, but you're saving money, energy and well...money. And did I mention you're saving money? HAHA. But, this is also safe for kids too which is an extra bonus because I have a toddler who's new fascination is touching EVERYTHING....and then a baby who of course is going through the agonizing lengthy period of putting EVERYTHING in her mouth. Not to mention pups who I catch several times a day just licking. Literal...

   As a business, especially a small business, we try to turn to small shops for our personal shopping. Yes, we STILL have to purchase some things. I am not going to pretend that I am good at making jewelry. It has NEVER been a strong point on my end...and I always feel like it isn't good enough.   Since I am not so jewelry handy....but love accessorizing, I am always on the look out. I am picky though when it comes to jewelry. Most people are, but I take a lot into consideration. Is it a small business? Can I wear it all the time or at least most of the time? Is it able to hold up with my 2 kids, 2 dogs and farm life? Is it affordable (without looking cheap)? Does it show my personality? Is it meaningful? And finally...a HUGE bonus for whenever companies do things like this...charity!    Normally, I can find the businesses that are handmade and have the personal touch...but they all seem to be lacking in one or more areas in my 'pickiness'. But, things hav...

  I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely love the old houses on a hill...a farmhouse. So much history, calming, peaceful. I love all decor of that farmhouse scene. Quiet, rustic and pieces that have their own charm. Modern, yet old. To me, there is nothing like it.   I am always on the hunt to make my little farmhouse feel modern with a dash of old farm scenery. During my hunt...I've run across several amazing sites which offer that old time farmhouse scene. Some of those sites have crazy beautiful decor...with the hefty price tag that goes with it. But, with my search, I've also found one in site in particular that gives me EVERYTHING that I have been searching for. Distressed Galvanized Table Grow Your Garden Planter Farm Fresh Decorative Trays Grand Shabby Chic Chandelier   From the rustic distressed furniture , old time gardening decor , decor for the kitchen  to even rustic lighting . They have it all. The best p...

  I...am...me. So really, who is that? I am known as 'her' mom, 'his' wife, 'their' daughter, a friend of a friend. Somewhere a long the line I stopped being Anna and started being someone else's identity. It's frustrating when you think about it.   Here I am, attempting to run a business, be a mom, run a household, take care of the grown adult man baby known as my husband and yet....me, Anna, has been lost a long the way. Owning a business, I am known as the Owner, business lady, the face of La Belle Naturelle. Ok, truthfully, that part is pretty awesome. But, nevertheless, my personality, my life became everyone else's instead of my own. So, what's my point?   I don't think I am alone. In fact, I KNOW there are others out there that think about this. Maybe rarely or maybe more than they would like to admit, but I know that I am not alone. I wonder though...can we get ourselves back before our youngest leaves the nest and leaves us try...