HomeStyle Divas

Count Down

It's Count Down to Show Time.....In just a litle over two weeks, we will be leaving for our Holiday Shows and we are working overtime to be ready. This is a very busy time for us and our days are growing shorter and shorter. This travel mug sums it all up.
Multi-Tasking......LOL  We have become pros at this....:)

This is one of the fun and fabulous items you'll find this year at our shows. They are great to grab and go. Hit the road with coffee in hand....!!!

Yep.....this will be US in a couple of weeks. However, I'm not sure we'll  look quite so happy...lol   But, ready or not it's time for us to tie on our Santa Arpons.....And start Serving Up Christmas....:)
   

If your are in the Charlotte, NC area during our SHOW, please drop in and say hello. You will find us there with all of our goodies..... Smiling......and ready to help you choose the Perfect Holiday Gift for someone on your list....:)
And just in case you can't make it to the show, just hop over to our website where you will find all the wonderful fun products we've selected this year. We are adding them weekly, so visit often to see what's new.
Pre Holiday Cheer to YOU and Big Hugs,
Dianne and Kathy
www.homestyledivas.com

Sister Sister

It's been TOO long since I posted here.......But that's about to change....My dear sister who you will meet SOON is joining ME at HomeStyle Divas and I want YOU to get to know HER....:) I'll start by taking you on a tour of HER HOME......

I was there the other week.....SHE lives about two hours away....and WE had WORK to do...!!! Our Holiday Shows will be here SOON and we had to wrap things up in our ordering department...

HER home is filled with Charm and loving touches surrounded by pictures of her two daughters that have filled her life for the last 21 years....A true MOTHER......she is.....:)

And you'll see as we go along, that I'm not the only one who loves to TEMPT others with yummy desserts that....you can not EAT.....!!! But first, let's go into her newly remodeled powder room. I LOVE how she completely changed it.....

It's so very charming and pretty.....:) And this lamp that sits right outside the door in her laundry room kept calling me to grab it and run. I did try to sneak it out to my car....however, she out smarted me. It was hooked up BEHIND the washer.  Well, I guess I won't be MOVING that to unplug it....!

Now NO ONE needs a lamp this Pretty and Sassy it their laundry room. Don't you agree. But it's there to STAY.....:)

Her kitchen is full of vintatge retro charm....I LOVE her white table and chairs.....The fun red lazy susan keeps condiments handy during mealtime and the red and white colors are perky....happy....and fun....:)

On the wall near the table is this grouping of items that adds a warm cozy touch to this area.....

And a few other things found in and around her kitchen....

And don't tell HER I said this...but she's always thought she was HOT STUFF....Here's proof....:)

Do you recognize this CAke.....Yes, SHE has one too. And look at HER prissy cake stand. Only someone who thinks they are Hot Stuff would have one of these....:)

And she has a coffee mug to match.....Gotta LOVE those painted toes.!!!

Look at her collection of delightful temptations.....all grouped here together creating more Charm....

Since I couldn't TAKE the lamp....I tried sneaking the PINK Cheese Dish...I never made it to the door before I was busted...:) But that was ok....Dinner was ready to be served and SHE was the Perfect Hostess....

Everything SHE served was simply delicious....but once these babies came out the oven....the rest really didn't matter....I quickly grabbed them from Chris and headed to the table....:)   Oh what a treat....!!!!

We had a great time at dinner laughing remembering fun times spent together with our family.....And before we leave...here are just a few more glimpses of the charming home of my sweet sister that I simply ADORE....The sweet little pillow says it all...I gave her this one Christmas and it sits in a chair in her dining room....:)

LOVE is SWEET when it is SHARED......:)  And oh, I almost forgot. She has her own waiter....serving you in STYLE....Check HER out....:)

Talk about Charm and Class.....This chicks got it all.....:) More Hot Stuff...
You gotta LOVE it....I do. She is oh so charming and fun.

OK....a few more quick looks and the tour is over.

I hope you have enjoyed visiting MY SISTER....And Oh, by the way....Her Name is Kathy....Yes, Kathy with a K....Now I need to teach HER how to blog. I hope you will join me in welcoming HER to HomeStyle Divas....WE have lots in store for you here. So visit us often to see what we are up to.
Until then, remember,
YOU are the Queen of your Home.....
Claim it, it's yours.
Big Hugs,
Dianne
www.homestyledivas.com
www.desperatediva.typepad.com 

Is it Pink or Brown

With cooler weather sneaking around the corner, and as we seek warm and cozy places to gather with friends, what could be better than some hot steamy cups of chocolate to snuggle up with.                                                    

Celebrate the season with these adorable COCOA CONES packaged like old fashion ice cream cones with chocole chips and marshmallows for melting in your cup. These CONES for TWO will make your fall gatherings fun and cozy.                                                                                 

The Celebration Cones with festive sprinkles with set the mood for your next party or gathering. Hot Cocoa for two makes the PERFECT party favor.

And what's more adorable than this charmng delicious PINK HOT CHOCOLATE Mix. Just add hot water and watch it turn PINK in your CUP

So put some CHOCOLATE in YOUR CUP...Which will it be....PINK OR BROWN:)

To try our delicious COCOA CONES, visit us at our web sites:

www.desperatetodiva.com       www.homestyledivas.com

www.justgottatryit.com

Christmas at the Door

The trailer truck was parked out in the road in front to our home. The driver had 17 boxes for me. I had him put those in the garage. U.P.S. and Fed X have been making their regular visits, leaving boxes on the porch.

Even in this 100 degree weather, there was Christmas at the Door. I get so excited when my new products arrive and can't wait to rip into them. Looking at all the new SANTA and SNOWMEN products seem to cool me off a bit.

Looks like Santa will be KICKING up some FUN for this HOLIDAY season. I LOVE this adorable fun collection of Napkin rings...Spreaders...Dip Bowls and Wine Bottle Toppers.  Shop early. These might not be around very long.

O.K. Time to GET BACK to unpacking more boxes. I'm sure that before the day is over, there will be MORE Christmas at my DOOR!!!

Maybe I'll have to POP the TOP before I'm done:)  You will find all our Christmas and other new products on our web sites. Please visit us there.

www.desperatetodiva.com

www.homestyledivas.com

She Turned One Today

Its so hard to believe that our Little Katie turned "ONE" today. Her Very First Birthday!!! We celebrated this week end and she seemed to enjoy every moment as if SHE knew the day belonged to HER:)

My daughter made her cakes, one for Katie and one for the guest.

First came the presents. She didn't know where to start.

Now that MOUSE looks familar. I think we've met somewhere before!

Oh look, I love this one....

Time for my Cake. She's giving me the WHOLE cake.

The first bite.....!!!

This stuff is Really good. Wonder what we're having tomorrow.

And this is what was left. Katie's belly was so full....

How does a lady crawl in a dress....

With a belly full of cake....

And there she goes....on her way to becoming "TWO"..!!!

The Pleasure of Baking and Making

Keeping a well stocked pantry makes baking and making more enjoyable and fun. Boxes...bags...ribbons...tags... Favorite recipes should be kept in easy to find places:)

Taking the time to organize your shelves and drawers will also add to.....THE PLEASURE OF BAKING AND MAKING

Keep a variety of sizes and colors on hand for any reason or season. The boxes are perfect for candy, cookies, muffins, mini breads, brownies or fudge. Are you hungry yet:)

Beautiful boxes in JUST THE RIGHT SIZE with charming ribbons for that PERFECT touch.

When everything is gathered and ready, making homemade food gifts will be a fun exciting time spent in your kitchen. Give the gift of food. Make someone smile:)

Wanna see all our pretty food boxes and packaging. Then visit our web site at: www.desperatetodiva.com

Divas In Training

Double the Recipe.....Double the FUN!!!

With Aprons tied tight and ingredients gathered, the fun was about to begin:)

Mix sugar, milk and butter together

Mix well and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Keep it stirred to avoid scorching.

Five minutes is a LONG time...when you're waiting for CHOCOLATE.....

Is it "DONE" yet.......

Waiting...and...waiting....and.....waiting:)

At last....turn off the burner and grab those chocolate chips

Begin stirring to melt all chocolate and start spooning in the marshmallow cream.

Add vanilla flavoring......

Stir and mix until all chocolate is melted.

When all is mixed and melted, pour into your containers. The girls chose "tea cups" for an adorable Cuppa Fudge:)

What a TEA-rrific Idea !

Papa said THIS was HIS dish.......

Then got caught trying to poke his finger in it:)

Carly is drooling while Cassie is cleanig off the cups.

She's taking toooo long. I Want that SPOON !!!

She stepped away.....Grab it quick!

Worth waiting for, licking the spoon....at last!

Aprons were flung over chairs, and chef hat landed in tuplips. A tea tray full of yummy fudge cups......Such a wonderful reminder of Our Chocolate Afternoon.

Life is good....Eat dessert first

Create your own "Chocolate Afternoon"!

Just Off the Press

July 21, 2007

We are back from Atlanta and completely worn out. Markets are always fun and I enjoy being there, however it is a lot of really hard work.

  Walking...Talking....Thinking...making decisions....dragging around catalogs.....and after a while...dragging around ourselves:)

Here is our product display in our showroom in Atlanta

Click on pictures for a closer look.

Notice our NEW Food Packaging hanging there on the right in the photo above and on the left here below.

To see all our new gourmet food products and food packaging ideas from the "Packaging Diva".....please visit us at, www.homestyledivas.com AND www.fromdesperatetodiva.com

As far as NEW TRENDS and Styles.....if they were there, they were hard to spot. Which leaves me to believe that their really aren't any. The only new colors I noticed were deeper shades of green, maybe in the pine family and some burgandys...pinks...and blacks. There were new rust colors with deep golds.  None of these impressed me much. 

But through it all, I did find a few really exciting products that I know you will simply love. So keep your eyes open, cause I will be spotlighting them right here for you to see. They should all be coming to me soon. 

Mama said...Don't make a mess!

Leave the nice dishes in the cupboard. You won't need them. And you can still impress your guest with your creative decorating style. Take a look at these adorable paper plate holders.

You can even change the ribbons for any reason or season. Doesn't get easier than this. And oh how clever. Next time you head out the door for dinner at a friends house, surprise her with one as a hostess gift. She'll adore you.

No need causing such a big fuss over making "REAL" Hot Cocoa.....  This gourmet Hot Chocolate mix taste as good as homemade. Seriously, it is so yummy and we know this because that's what everyone says.

Oh, and we drink it too!  For real, it's simply delicious.

And if you can NEATLY "boil water", there'll be no mess to clean up.....unless you use REAL cups or mugs.

I would suggest that you do, it just taste better sipping it from a favorite cup. Maybe one of those that you bought just to look at. Just be careful washing it and gently place it back in the cupboard.  Not so hard to do:)

Did I forget to mention how adorable they they are in these cute little boxes. All wrapped up and ready to surprise your friends. Who wouldn't want such a sweet gift.

O.K. Now it's time to make HOT CHOCOLATE ...

Let me show you how easy it is:)

What's in YOUR cup

Pink and Chocolate

Who doesn't love it.

Put it in your cup and enjoy it from another perspective.  Ohhhhh the lucious flavor of " HOT CHOCOLATE". Nothing better to soothe out your day.

Kick back, Relax and Enjoy a Cup.

O.k. So you've seen hot chocolate before, of course you have.    BUT....have you seen

" PINK ".... HOT CHOCOLATE.

That's what I thought. Well take a look !

Click on images for a closer look.

Now, let's get a little closer!

And this is what it looks like packaged....A sweet little gift for someone you love....OR share a cup with a friend.