Bella Luna's Friday Night Art Show

Lesson to be learned: Applying lipstick to one’s face and acrylic to one’s canvas simultaneously is no easy task (and comes with severe consequences if one mixes up one's hands).

Due to my procrastination with my own art portfolio, I spent pre-art-show trying to get ready while finishing some paintings for college admissions. Regretfully, I showed up a half-hour past fashionably late, but despite my tardiness I still had plenty of time to admire the work of artists much more established than myself, at Bella Luna’s Friday Night Art Show. 

Artists: Carly Thurman and Janice Elder wearing Johnnymeg

Carly Thurman, a long-time Bella Luna alumna, displayed her own exotic yet simple handmade jewelry collection, Johnnymeg. Her collection can seen and purchased on her Etsy site as well.  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnymeg#

Esther tries on one of Carly's pieces

Guests browse the collections with champagne  and chocolate-covered strawberries in hand

Queen Janice covered Bella's walls with her whimsical, ocean and floral inspired paintings. They are still on display brightening up the entire store, so be sure to drop take a peak if you could not make it to the show. 

Queen Janice and daughter Sage 

A Janice original

Jennifer, me, and Sophia pose in front of Janice's artwork

A few member of the Bella Luna Family reunite
Carly, Colleen, Janice, Sammy, Esther, and Sophia

We were glad to see friends, family, and locals come out for the night of cheese-tasting, picture-taking, and art-admiring. I have received word that Bella Luna will be joining the Second Saturday Mosaic Art Walk in the near future. Supporting the Rehoboth art scene, Bella will be showing local student work and of course, serving refreshments to accompany. More details will be given later. 

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Thank you to all the Bella-Lunatics.

Live creatively, 

Kateland

Love Creates Love

"Amor gignit amorem"—Love creates love. To the surprise of many, the legend of saint valentine was not derived from singing cards or printed sugar candies—it has a much coarser origin.

The Beloved Roots

The Catholic Church sainted a priest by name of Valentine for his brave defiance against the Emperor Claudius II of Rome back in the third century. The emperor had decided single men made better soliders than those with attachments, and so he outlawed marriage. The priest, Valentine, married couples in secret under the emperors rule, and was eventually executed for it. It was a truly romantic operation—forbidden love, secret matrimony, a martyr for young lovers—but somehow the history evolved into this commercial holiday for waxy chocolates and cheaply made bears that wheeze 'I love you'.

Modern Romance

I believe that St. Valentines Day is very important to our society. It is the only holiday that really focuses on love, human to human. People like to be thought about, they like to be surprised, they like a little vulnerability. Instead of treating the holiday as a chore by dragging yourself to CVS in the freezing wet weather, or rebelling against the holiday as a whole, complaining "it's a scheme", allow yourself to see it through new eyes. The littlest “You’re my favorite” note can make a bigger impression on someone than the largest box of Whitman’s. While you might believe major businesses exploit the holiday and diminish it's meaning, use the oppurtunity to support small businesses while buying thoughtful and and less "standard" gifts for those who you appreciate.

Some things I have given over the years:

A funny doodle

Favorite baked goods

A personal note, dated, and signed

A favorite book with a To:/From: on the inside cover

A tangible photo with a message on the back

Localized Love

As a foodie, I naturally make it a must to dress up and go out to dinner, because I like the excuse. I also use this as a good excuse to pick out some appropriately shiny new jewelry from Bella Luna for my night out (with a note “To myself, I love you too—Me”). My advice is to make reservations well before-hand at restaurants in town, because I am not the only one who likes a nice dinner. In fact, a lot of the restaurants reopen for spring on this day, so why not celebrate the coming end of off-season as well? Soon the warmth of velvet hearts will be replaced with the warmth of the sun and sand, and who wouldn’t love that.

Xoxo,
Kateland

Dreamweaving

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.”
– Chief Seattle

Dear fellow dreamers,

Queen Janice and I have embarked on a new venture that is the culmination of sprit and beauty—a.k.a dream catchers. Natural, mystic, and hand-woven, our creations are now ready for purchase in Bella Luna.

It is taught in the Native American culture that dreams are messages sent by sacred spirits. The hole in the center of the dream catcher allows the passage of good dreams while the web collects the bad dreams until they disappear at first light.

Although our dream catchers are a little off-kilter, we believe that they will give a good night’s rest to Bellalunatics near and far, believing and skeptical. With each one being completely original they make the perfect quaint, creative gift for the holiday season. There are more to come! 

Sweet dreams,

Kateland

All Wrapped Up

November has arrived and so has the chill. Bundle up with a warm wool, or a nice knit, perhaps even a perfect print. Scarves are a must-have accessory and Bella Luna is fully stocked.

   

In hope of some November snow,
Stay all wrapped up Bella Lunatics! 

Sophia Moore

(photo credit to Kateland for any pictures of me)

Wholesome Eats & Thanks

When it comes to the culinary arts, I lack all talents and ability except for the ones that include criticism and consumption. Being the only vegetarian in my extended American family, I spend the fourth Sunday of every November trying to make dinner for one, whilst being bullied out of the oven and around the kitchen by a large featherless bird.

During Thanksgiving, and the food preparation that precedes it, I am especially thankful for the Internet. As of late I have been looking for quality meat-less recipes I can enjoy with the rest of the table. 

Last year I half-successfully (took a few tries) conjured up a few dishes that were très magnifique.  These included: Artichoke & Red Bell Pepper Risotto, Ricotta Gnocchi on Fresh Baby Spinach, and Tofu Parmigiana w/ Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. 

However this year I came upon an article on The New York Times website with an array of season-appropriate vegetarian meals. It lists everything from sandwiches to soups to scones, all of which look delicious, but I set aside a few winners from this article and others. 

(and yes I am one of those pumpkin-crazed crazies)

Thanksgiving Meal Plan 2012

Beverages

☙San Pellegrino w/ squeezed lemon and lime

☙Spiced Chai Tea

Harvest Galette

H'ordeuvres

☙Garlicy Hummus w/ Baked Pita or sliced veggies

☙Creamy Artichoke Spinach Dip

☙Harvest Galette

Garniture

☙Baked Acorn Squash

☙Sweet Potato Soup w/ Feta

☙Pumpkin and Pecorino Gratin

☙Kale Salad w/ Cranberries and Cashews

Risotto

Entrees

☙Risotto w/ Pumpkin Ginger and Sage

☙Veggie Balls

☙Saffron Ravioli

☙Mandarin Rice Stuffing

Afters

☙ Pumpkin Cheese Cake

 *Note: Queen Janice reccomends for the pumpkin cheesecake, using non-dairy cream cheese and adding a sprinkle of pixie dust to enhance magical taste

☙Pumpkin Tiramisù

☙ Cappuccino

Even if your family is not vegetarian why not change up the traditional starch-filled, cholesterol-high courses a bit? 

I might end up being the only one eating my risotto and galette, but I know no meat-lover will be able to the desserts.

Happy vegetables, 

Kateland

The Coast Carries On

After a long week of thrills and chills, traditionally (Sea Witch) and unexpectedly (Sandy), I can report that our locals are experts in the art of sustainment. In spite of the storm, coastal Delawarians did how they always do—they carried on.

 Sophia and I joined forces with the Delaware Chapter of the Surf Rider Foundation to long board next to the "float" and throw candy. Ignoring the atmospheric chaos brewing above, hundreds of little princesses, zombies, and transformers joined the front line of the war zone that is a Halloween parade. 

The objective: candy retrieval. The weapons: open pillow cases, and puppy dog faces. 

Rehoboth Beach culture prevailed. I happened to walk by this extremely talented folky trio performing on the avenue. 

The family below won "Best Collaborated Costume" in my book, as well as "Best Nonchalant Posing". 

In contrast with the lighthearted climate of the streets,  Queen Janice locked herself away upstairs, deep in preparation mode for the days to come. The preparation being sewing starfish to her daughter's mermaid costume. As you can see, Sandy was obviously making her anxious.

While the costumes at Seawitch were quite scary, the foot print Sandy left is a tad more frightening.The newly reconstructed beach by Henlopen Hotel was ravaged, along with the rest of the coast. Dewey was under water, the inlet was breached, and Bethany was submerged. Although we are almost recovered (besides the dunes), New York and New Jersey are far from recovery. 

This past Friday during Cocoa Crawl, Bella Luna sent 15% of it's profits to the Points of Light organization.

A charitable man in my community has been making rounds to the water drop offs in NYC, so as of late my house become somewhat of a water hub. I encourage everyone reach out to community members, perhaps through facebook, or organisations like Points of Light to see what you can do to help our coastal neighbors.

Love thy neighbor, love thy beach.

Kateland Kester