The Pale Pastels To Colour Brights Makeover

Artfully transform a plain wall with stunning artwork.

And yes we did just that with a stunning photographic image!

It was time to change it up!

From 'pale pastels to colour brights please'.

And that is exactly what was achieved with this makeover.
(scroll to the bottom for before and after pictures).

The centrepiece and focal statement in this bedroom,

 is the stunning Siamese Fighting Fish canvas print from Photowall.



Photowall is a ethical Swedish company.
I love the fact they don't do Warehouse storage, produce superb quality products, and they give back to the environment by planting trees.

If you haven't already, do stop by for a look.

It's where you will find wall art by passionate people.

Stunning wallpapers, prints, canvases, and posters.

You can use your own image, 

or choose one from Photowall's extensive and inspiring art or photographic selection.

Visit Photowall HERE

So back to the bedroom makeover:
What was so fabulous about this Siamese Fighting Fish canvas is; 
we could choose the size of the print.
Photowall actually makes to your exact measurements!
This canvas is 100cm by 100cm in size.


It arrived as a DIY kitset.


But don't worry - it's reasonably easy to assemble.


And if you find paper instructions tricky to follow there is a Youtube tutorial with visual step by steps to assist.

The bedding selected coordinates with the colourful hues in the canvas artwork.

Mustard yellow, orange, and peachy pink with just a little hint of blues.

And what an amazing transformation.

Before - From pastel...


After - to colour bright.

And if you are crying out ' that it's too bright for my decor'!
Worry no more, for Photowall has the most beautiful pastel images for you too.

Want this style?

Get The Look:

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Canvas Wall Art by Photowall Sweden

European Pillows - 'Pinky Field Of Dreams' - Kip & Co
Gingham Linen Pillowcases in 'Malt/Natural' - Citta

Duvet - 'Spice' - Home Republic Stonewashed Cotton Collection
Chunky Handknitted stripe throw - Adairs 
'Aztec' Cotton tassel throw and matching cushion - Adairs

Orange and yellow throw cushions - Kip & Co
Candle - 'Brown Sugar & Fig' Soy Wax Candle by AMBERJACK NZ
Glass Propagation Stations - Folium Friend

Lamps - Harvey Norman

*A Mia Bella Passions & Photowall Collaboration.
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Find examples of their beautiful wallpaper on my Pinterest.



#wallart #canvasprints #homedecor #photowall #affilatepost

Trail Mix Chocolates

A slightly healthy take on homemade chocolates.

Easy peasy to make.

It's a superb chocolate making activity to do with the children.

Dark chocolate with a hint of wholesomeness on top.

Simple.

So simple there is no printable with this...

ALL YOU DO IS:

Dry pan TOAST (on stove top) coconut, sliced or diced nuts and seeds of your choice.  

Over a high heat, toss the ingredients and move constantly with a wooden spoon until golden.

Cool.

Add some diced dried fruit to the mix.
(I used dried strawberries diced).

Then MELT 60% or darker dark cacao chocolate.

I use the Whittakers brand as it is dairy-free.

Spoon rounds of melted chocolate onto a pre-prepared baking paper-lined tray.

Sprinkle your nutty topping onto them.

Refrigerate until set.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The extra nutty topping can be stored and used as a topping on a fruit and yoghurt breakfast.

Fun to make

Divine to eat.

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

GRAB A COFFEE AND POP OVER TO MY GIFT STORES AT

FINE ART AMERICA

REDBUBBLE

SAATCHI ART

#chocolate #trailmix

Succulent Love...❥

I just can't resist succulents...

The form of them is so interesting.

While visiting the Garden Centre for a Sunday BROWSE (As YOU Do!)

I came across a little Sempervivum.

I love, love, love the dark-tipped grey-green leaves.

It will look amazing when it eventually grows into its mat-forming form.
And even as a single rosette, I think it's amazing!

But meanwhile, as it's still a baby, 

I am going to place it in a grey green pot for my home office deck table.
This pot is a perfect match to the leaf colour of this Sempervivum.

Then when I take my work coffee breaks I can enjoy it,

while sitting in the sun.

Sempervivum Tect.Calceraum will as all succulents grow new plants from a leaf section planted into seed raising mix.

This plant requires a full sun position and will need protection from frosts.

It grows into a many head mat with a height of 10cm.

Not only great in a pot, but also in a rockery garden, or a garden border edge.

Plant sourced from Mitre 10 Garden Centre.
Plant pot by Lifestyle Homewares.

#Sempervivum #succulents

Healthy Family Food Options - No Bake Nut Slice

Meet Bridget...

  I recently met Bridget Serafimidis on my 'eating healthy journey'...

Bridget is passionate.

Passionate about:

Women's and children's health.

About empowering families to take control of their own health, by giving them the tools to create healthy food cultures within the home.

She loves sharing recipes that are not full of fillers and for the most part, refined sugar-free. 

Recipes that are easy enough for even the new home cook to pride themself on creating. 

Recipes that are family-friendly and adaptable for everyone.  

Bridgets philosophies resonated with me as I am on a heal myself through diet mission.  

A mission that is all about health, vitality, energy and healing from consuming homemade and healthier food chooses.  

Here is a delicious slice to try:

Healthy Nut Butter Slice.

Base

2 cups of almond meal

2 cups of toasted coconut

6 Tbsp of coconut oil

4 Tbsp of maple syrup

Pinch of salt

6 Tbsp of cacao

2 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter

Filling

3/4 cup of cacao/peanut butter

3/4 cup of mixed nut butter

4 Tbsp of maple syrup

6 Tbsp Coconut oil

Topping

Melted Whitakers chocolate 85%

Toasted slithered almonds

Place all base ingredients into a food processor, blitz and press into lined 20 cm cake tin.

Melt filling together in a pot, pour over the base, set in the freezer for 20 mins or until firm.

Melt chocolate and drizzle over the set filling, sprinkle with toasted almonds.

Cut into small squares (a little goes a long way.)

(Printable recipe link at bottom of the article).

It is a fabulous nutty, chocolatey, 'sweet fix' choice.

It's also 'no-bake'.

Plus super fun to make with the children or grandchildren.

A slice homemade - so that you know exactly what the ingredients in it are! 

Do pop over to find out more about Bridget here on Facebook.

Or over at 'Lifestyle Tribe' (she's the co-founder).

Printable recipe for 'Nut Butter Slice' HERE.

#recipes #nutbutter #slices

Everything Has Beauty...

It seems like 'forever' since I have shared a quote.

This old petalless sunflower was the inspiration to do so.

Here in New Zealand, winter is nearing.

And as autumn closes the garden is falling into its rest state.

The flowers are spent.

The leaves are coloured.

And though there is a chill in the air,

 it is time to remember this quote by Confucius,

'Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it'.

Open your eyes to the beauty found in the changing seasons.

#confucius #quotes

Pickle Plant...❥

Well, ain't this just the cutest little succulent plant?

It's called a pickle plant.

because of its cute pickle like resemblance.

The official Latin name is Delosperma Echinatum.

Succulents are so easy to grow.

You just need the right conditions for them.  This one LOVES full sun.

And it is great for pots.

I found this little pot in the Garden Centre too.

So pretty with a gorgeous green decoupage effect on its glaze.

I'm placing this cutie now planted,

 on the corner of my office desk as it gets a lot of sunshine there.

Then eventually I will move it outside onto the little office deck!

Like all succulents, this will be easy to propagate...

by planting a fleshy pickle into a little soil to eventually grow a new plant.

Check out the cute yellow flower bud!

Which became this cute little flower!

Plant sourced from Mitre 10 Garden Centre.
Plant Pot By CC Interiors NZ.

#succulents 

Lemon Mustard Salad Dressing...

The health journey I have been on has been epic!

Many choices of change have been made.

It's been a long, slow journey.

Goals made.

Goals met.

New goals set.

I began putting my journey into words in 2017 here at Mia Bella Passions.

In 2020 - began updating that story, which is ongoing.

The hope is that it may inspire others who are chronic pain and poor health sufferers.

You will find that story so far HERE.

It also inspired me to start sharing some of the recipes I love with y'all

- that offer healthier choices.
Delicious and tasty choices.

Today I'm sharing a lemon and mustard dressing for salads.

Lemon Mustard Dressing

In a bowl place:

1/2 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1/2 cup of olive oil

1 Tablespoon of honey

Juice of 1/2 lemon 

1 teaspoon crushed garlic.

Whisk until combined.

Salad

Rocket, lettuce or mixed salad greens

diced cucumber

chopped tomato

diced red onion.
diced orange capsicum

(omit or add any other salad ingredients you desire)

I served this with flaked cold salmon.

But try it with:

Honey grilled chicken.

Seared lamb or beef.

Crumbed fresh fish fillet.

Topping:

Dry toast sesame seeds over high heat in a non-stick frying pan.

Swirl and stir constantly until golden.

( I make a large quantity at a time and store in an airtight jar, to have on hand to add to salads, savoury baking, and pizzas.

A superbly tasty salad that is very quick to prepare.

Printable Recipe HERE.

#healthyfood #weightlossstory

DIY Tray Makeover...

Take an old tray

(found at the Thrift Store)

and give it a facelift!
 
I love upcycling old things and giving them a new lease of life.

This is what happened to this very aqua-blue tray.
From this....


To this!

I actually love the blue,

but it just did not compliment my home decor.

So it was out with the blue,

and in with the grey.


Manorburn Double by Resene was the colour used.

I love candles.

So the tray contained all my candle pots in one place.

I added a potted yellow flowering succulent plant to the vignette.

This is a 'Kalanchoe'.
A great repeat-flowering indoor plant.
Easy care.
Just give it bright natural light (No direct sun) and do not overwater.
Remember it is a succulent and they hate wet soggy feet.

But something was missing...

a coffee table runner.

So I looked in my fabric stash to see what I had that would be complimentary.

This natural light linen-look fabric was perfect.

With a contrasting herringbone pattern, 

it adds interest to the table vignette.

All I did was measured the table and hemmed all four sides to fit.

I'm loving the fabric table runner

and the tray vignette.

And easy low-cost upgrade to freshen my sitting room.

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Visit my 'Saatchi Art & Photography' store HERE

Original art store HERE

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#diy #upcycling #homedecorideas #diyhome #Kalanchoe

#diyhomedecor