Why is it so difficult to keep up?

I am, admittedly, one of the worst bloggers out there. I start out the year strong: each year I do my "31 Days..." series and I am motivated for the year. 

Then February comes.

That's pretty much the end.

It's not that I don't have a lot of fun and interesting things going on: quite the opposite, in fact. 

I suppose that's the problem. I have so much to do that I don't really have the time to stop and share!

So, here is a little recap of 2015 so far for belmonili:

• January: did MOST of my 31 days posts
• February: broke my wrist, had a beautiful bridal shower
• March: got ready for my wedding!!!
• April: got married to the love of my life, went on an amazing honeymoon to Punta Cana, DR
• May: got pregnant!
• June: worked. slept. worked. slept.
• July: went to Florida to visit my brother. slept.
• August: entered into 2nd trimester, enjoyed a glorious resurgence of energy.
• September: had an amazing time at the Country Living Fair!
• October: my little dog Diva had enculeation surgery (removal of her eyes) and recovered like a pro

I am going to ***try*** to get some more updates out there, including long-overdue photos of my wedding and honeymoon. Wish me luck!

The Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY

Aah, the Country Living Fairs. They are undeniably the BEST antique/junk/artisan shows, offering unique, one of a kind items from near and far. Here's a peek of what bel monili saw at the inagural Rhinebeck fair:

Check out this line of people waiting to get in to the Fair!

Blogging friends! Left to right: Jeanne (juNxtaposition), Breida (breida with a b), Lucy (bel monili), Kelly (Eclectically Vintage)

bel monili and juNxtaposition with the Beekman Boys! Left to right: Brent, Lucy, Jeanne, and Josh

The adorable flags adorning the walkways were made by our friends at Modern June

I just LOVE Modern June!!

The South Porch Antiques booth is a bel monili favorite

South Porch Antiques

South Porch Antiques

Red Door Antiques is another favorite of mine...I love her displays!

from Red Door Antiques

one of my very dearest friends Green Bubble Gorgeous was right next to my booth!

I loved EVERYTHING in the Hi Ho Home Market booth...and I can't wait to see them again at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH this fall!

Hi Ho Home Market

La Bonne Vie always puts out an amazing display...

La Bonne Vie

I was THRILLED to meet Christina from No. 29 Design blog!

 Whew! It was an amazing weekend filled with fun, beautiful finds, and joyful meetings. I can't wait until Columbus in September!!!

Fantastic 14: Day 4: Knick of Time

Today I am featuring one of my favorite romantic/vintage/DIY blogs: Knick of Time.

Take a stroll (or some clicks...however you like to think of it) through this site and you'll quickly find that you are inspired, excited, and even a wee bit envious. 

Ok, you'll need peanut butter for your jelly sandwich.

(jelly = JEALOUS!)

Angie, the beautiful brains behind this amazing blog, pulls together gorgeous, simple projects and ideas that give a new meaning to the term "fabulous".

On Tuesdays, you can take some time to peruse the amazing bloggers and their pages during 

Knick of Time Tuesday, a highly popular (and very well curated!) linky party.

Through her Antique Graphics Wednesday, Angie shares THE best vintage graphics (gratis, I might add...) to help her many readers take some of these ideas and turn them into reality.

How adorable is this vintage luggage tag graphic?!

As if that wasn't enough, Angie shares a plethora of valuable ideas and projects in her Project Gallery. One of my very favorites is her Furniture Makeovers, where she takes the most ordinary household accessories and turns them into something amazingly special and unique.

Friends, I cannot say enough about Angie and her gorgeous collection of posts at Knick of Time. I invite you to follow the Knick of Time blog, "like" on Facebook, and follow on Pinterest, Twitter, and Hometalk. Happy hunting!

Fantastic 14: Day 3: juNxtaposition

There are oh so many wonderful things I can say about Jeanne of juNxtapostion!

For starters, she is one of my closest, very best friends. Jeanne is someone who I can talk to for (literally) hours on end and yet STILL not have enough time to cover it all.

Jeanne has worn many hats over the years; at the present time, she is the expert of all things "wordy".

 juNxtapostion is THE source for the Original Typewriter Key Necklace, which has been sought after world-wide. It doesn't stop there, though...visit the juNxtaposition website where you'll find typewriter key bracelets, stamped silverware handles, bubble necklaces...it's all so exciting.

Visit juNxtaposition at any major event, and you'll see something like this.

Pretty impressive, huh?

JuNxtaposition's blog gives you a sneak peek into the wonderful and exciting world of travelling across the country. Her photos share with you the eclectic mix of new and old, pale and bright...all of the interesting things that make this country a great place to live.

And...today might be YOUR lucky day! juNxtaposition is running a Pin It to Win It contest on Pinterest! Click on the photo below, the re-pin it to your board as an entry. The winner will get to select a bubble necklace of his or her choice. Yea!

I invite you to check out juNxtaposition's blog, and follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. You'll be glad you did!

It's February...Now What?!

Whew!

I just blogged for 31 days, and boy is my brain tired!

...well, not really. 

Actually, I feel more centered now than I have ever been. Taking a 31 day inventory of my world and how much I have to be thankful for has given me a renewed energy; the excitement is electrifying. 

With my new found sense of self and entrepreneurship, I am entering into February with some amazing new blog friends who I am grateful to have in my world. I have come to be a part of one of the most dynamic, creative, truly inspiring group of women I have ever known.

This month, I will take the opportunity to highlight 14 blogs that I love. 

It's terribly difficult to narrow it down to just a few, but quite frankly, 

my little fingers need to blog less and create more (jewelry, that is). 

Throughout the month, I will take opportunities to share 

the names and links of my new friends' blogs as well.

I thank you again for joining me on my 31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful blog series, and I welcome you to hop on board and follow the series to spotlight bel monili's Fantastic 14!

If you would like to have your blog included in a post link, please be sure to follow my blog and post your blog's link in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 29: Beauty

There is just so much beauty in this world. 

Sometimes it's in plain sight, and sometimes it's hiding where you can't quite see it. 

Beauty is young,

 and old

large

and small

Each and every day, I step out into the world and am faced with infinite beauty and wonder. I am blessed with an amazing assortment of beautiful people, places, and things. 

Today, I am thankful for all of the beauty in my world.

What beautiful things did you see today?

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."  -Confucius

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 28: Organization

Everybody who knows me knows this:

I LOVE LITTLE DRAWERS.

I have a wonderful collection, but it's never quite enough. I suppose this goes along well with my business; beads, bits, and bobs fit quite well into these little beauties.

I love that feeling of pure satisfaction that comes with  finishing up a really great organizational project. For me, those projects always involve little drawers.

My gift-giver had painted this for me...I thanked him and promptly painted it white

Last year, a friend gave me a GORGEOUS set of the perfect little drawers: 20 letter-sized metal drawers (2 rows of 10) that house my beads, vintage flowers, antique earrings, lace, ribbon...you get the picture. This same friend gave me a gorgeous library card catalog for Christmas, effectively beginning my hunt for more of these gorgeous little drawers.

 

My $35 shining star

This past summer I found a magnificent 15-drawer card catalog for sale, complete with stand, for a mere $35. It was one of those breathtaking moments at the flea market where you look around to make sure there is no one closing in on your find...I handed that cash over like it was on fire.  

I love having things in order. I think that, if my physical surroundings are organized, then so too must be my life. Well...that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Do YOU love little drawers? Share your crafty organizational love stories with us!