Time for Some Holiday Baking!

Enjoy House of Fifty's Holiday Sugar Cookie Recipe

Bake up a batch or two this weekend, decorate, place in bags, 

wrap with a festive ribbon and enjoy sharing with family and friends!

Enjoy!

{See more in House of Fifty's Holiday issue, available here.}

The Holiday Issue is Now Available!

Welcome to HOF's Holiday Issue

Visit the House of Fifty Website for a Preview

A very big "thank you" to all the contributors, designers, photographers and talent featured in the Holiday issue, you've all been so great to work with! And an extra big thanks to Shari, of little blue deer, for being such a talented designer and basically incredible person to work with. Lucky me. 

To read on your computer click HERE

To read on iPads & iPhones click HERE

To purchase a print copy click or read on android devices, click HERE

Enjoy & Here's to a Wonderful Holiday Season

Thank you!

Savor the Moments This Holiday Season, Coming Soon!

Coming Real Soon, the Holiday issue of House of Fifty.

I hope you'll enjoy all we've put together for this issue!

And a reminder, in case you didn't see this post in which I explain the necessity to move away from offering the publication for free to a "pay-to-read" model, beginning with this issue it will be available for purchase for $1.50. I suspect we'll lose a few readers, and I do wish I was able to continue to offer it at no charge, but... 

It's a necessary step in being able to continue publishing  House of Fifty, offering up original content and compensating all the wonderful writers, bloggers, photographers and people behind the scenes on the tech and design side who work so hard contributing to the many pages of each issue. A big thanks to them, and to you, in advance, for sticking around! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Little Change Is Coming To House of Fifty Magazine!

I can hardly believe we're coming up on the two year anniversary of launching House of Fifty magazine. It has been a true labor of love, one that has stretched and challenged me in every possible way. And for that I'm the benefactor!

I've had the pleasure of working with so many amazingly talented designers, writers, bloggers, photographers, artists, as well as the people on the tech side of the publication...and on and on. Before this endeavor I have to say I kind of hid behind my computer. I"ll admit it. But once this thing got going I had to start picking up the phone to talk to people about their articles, interview the talent we've featured and meet with people in person. Oh, can you imagine?! (Ha, it's kind of funny, and sad, how with so much business being done online today you can get used to practically never having face to face communication with those in your "community.") I've also had to learn more about the technical side of producing a publication and developing an app than I dreamed possible, or would willingly submit myself to. 

With each story run I've learned something that I have taken to heart and applied to my own life. Tips on organizing, raising children, how to live a more serene life, fashion and beauty tips and products, foods that have a positive effect on mood, exercise, decorating tips, books and movies read and watched. Not wanting to feel like a hypocrite I've taken to heart everything we've shared, and have challenged myself to live a better life based on the information shared in various articles. As a result I feel my life has been greatly enriched and I can't adequately share how appreciative I am of this opportunity to work on House of Fifty.

Yet, while my life has been enriched...my pocket book is a bit slimmer! Like many businesses, when starting this venture I set aside funds I had saved to launch and support this business through its start up months and years. House of Fifty has been very fortunate to work with many sponsors and selling the iTunes app has helped support the publication. But with each issue costs do go up and the funds set aside to launch the venture are depleted, with some months requiring I dip further into my pocket to sustain the magazine. From the start I felt it was very important to compensate contributors and have aimed to reward their hard work and loyalty through small increases. The same goes for the designers and developers behind the scenes. Then, of course, there is business side: publisher costs, subscriber function costs, and the fees taken by the companies that push out the app. I suspect when someone looks at an online publication they are perhaps not fully aware of the layers of cost involved in providing the publication because it isn't in print. But the reality is, to create and provide original content, it costs.

So as with any business, to grow and continue to thrive, there has to be adequate revenue to sustain and build upon the venture. As a result, beginning with our next issue we will begin charging to read the magazine, essentially the same amount it has cost to download the app. I'm not sure what the response will be, and if possible, wouldn't it be wonderful to continue to offer the magazine for free? But in the end that would result in the venture closing.

I trust the readers of House of Fifty will understand, be supportive - and continue to read! I wanted to take the time to explain the reasons behind this decision today, and to give you a heads up so it won't be a surprise when we release the next issue on November 10th.

Please let me know your thoughts.

As you can imagine, I've very interested and curious about your opinion on this matter!

It's Here, The Fall Issue of House of Fifty Magazine!

I am delighted to announce the Fall issue of 
House of Fifty is now live!


Click here to read.

To start the issue, Rachel Parcell is seen interpreting the chic rooms of 

Interior Designer Amie Corley into some fabulous outfits. 

Following is an interview with Fashion Designer Emerson Fry, 

and I'm simply smitten with her shoes! Have you seen?

And as seen on the cover, Interior Designer Mayme Baker

opens her home to House of Fifty readers. You're in for a visual feast.

And speaking of feasts...towards the back of the issue we've got some delicious recipes, 

all with the idea of the power food has to affect our moods. 

And that is just a little sampling of what we have in store for you.

A heartfelt thank you to all the contributors, 
designers and photographers 

who worked on and submitted materials for this issue. 

I really can't tell you how lucky I am to work 
with these talented people!

To read click here.

To download on the iPad click here.

For a print copy & all other mobile devices click here.

Enjoy and share with a friend! 

The Summer Issue is Live!

The new issue of House of Fifty has arrived!

Lots of goodies await you inside...

Click HERE to read on your computer

Or HERE to download the iTunes app

And visit HERE to order a printed copy or download a PDF for all other mobile devices.

{Phew, we've got you covered}

A big "thank you" to the contributors and all the people featured in the issue,

 who so graciously worked with us on their stories.

And a special thanks to the people at Sacks & Co who worked with us on the story 

featuring singer Kat Edmonson, who is a doll! 

Click HERE to listen to a sampling of her new album 'Way Down Low'

ENJOY!

Janell

Happy Anniversary, Our New Issue Is Live!

The Anniversary Issue of House of Fifty is Live!

Read it on your Computer...

iPhone or iPad,

on all other Mobile Devices,

and even in Print.

{we've got you covered}

And a big thank you to Lulie Wallace for painting this beautiful bouquet of flowers just for House of Fifty,

because every celebration is made better by the presence of flowers!

Enjoy this latest issue, Janell

Time For Simplification & Consolidation!

A couple months ago I posted the below...

Okay, things have gotten out of hand! When I launched House of Fifty mag, of course I also created a House of Fifty website, this blog, a facebook page and twitter account, later adding a Pinterest page. Seriously?!?! I feel dizzy. All in addition to my blog Isabella & Max Rooms and the Isabella & Max facebook and twitter accounts.

Then a couple of days ago I literally stopped in my tracks and thought, duh, time to consolidate! I basically post the same information on both blogs and other accounts and at times even repost a post from one blog to another."

So I've decided to consolidate the two blogs I manage into one, continuing to post on Isabella & Max Rooms, but with a name change - House of Fifty by Janell Beals - one that is keeping with my focus to continue building and growing House of Fifty. 

Seriously, we only have so much time in each day to manage all this social media, get our work done and also have time for the other things that are important in our lives...so I've taken the leap to simplify and consolidate! I will no longer be posting here, but I'd be honored if you'd stop by here to continue reading new posts.

House of Fifty by Janell Beals

Phew, I feel better!

Is there anything you've done lately to simplify your life?

One Fabulous DIY Dresser Redo

Have you seen this latest DIY project by Jenny Komenda? 

She always takes her projects to the next level! 

This time, painting a dresser with an "inlay" pattern. See how she did it here.

Rediscovering A Lost Love

Just what am I talking about? Reading. And of the book variety.

For years, with the arrival of kids and then getting back to work...and the blog, I found little time for reading anything but other blogs and a magazine here and there.

But now that I'm working on House of Fifty, leading the Books On Our Shelves articles, I've put reading back into my week and it has been like rediscovering a lost love!

The above is one of the several read for the latest issue which is coming very soon, and I'm sharing it here because this book is fantastic! It's rare, I think, when a book actually changes your outlook on how you are living your life. A definite must-read recommendation, if you haven't already.

The latest I've just finished won't be making any favorite lists, 'something blue.' While overall it was a pleasant read, the main character irritated me beyond belief for the first 180 plus pages. Maybe that was the point, but seriously?

Look for the list of all the books that did make my summer reading list, in the Anniversary issue of House of Fifty coming May 7th.

Hungry For A Delicious Treat? My Latest Discovery

Always on the lookout for healthy food options that taste fantastic while satisfying, I was over the moon upon sampling a slice of Sin Dawg made by Dave's Killer Bread at Costco this past weekend. In the cart it went! I'd heard about Dave's Bread, but hadn't yet partaken. Well...what a wonderful bit of deliciousness I have been missing out on!

Like the most yummy cinnamon roll, but better, and with not one ounce of guilt.

{Plus it's a local business based here in Portland, with an inspiring story behind the products made of organic, healthy ingredients and a big focus on giving back to the community. Gotta love that.}

But back to my plate...

Yep. Empty.

Busy Working On...

via

Busy wrapping up the next issue of House of Fifty!

(though not quite with this style...)

Busy Working On...

House of Fifty's Anniversary issue...

Celebrating May 7th!

Book Review: Vintage Remix The Interiors of Kishani Perera

I was excited to receive a package yesterday, delivering a copy of the soon to be released book:

Vintage Mix
the interiors of kishani perera

I've been a fan of her work for awhile and how wonderful to now have a collection of her designs wrapped up in one lovely book!

The book is full of advice for decorating your home on any budget, 

with each chapter devoted to one element of the design process.

A sampling of how the book is organized and the topics covered:

Kishani writes, "I'm no minimalist," and I can appreciate and enjoy this approach to pulling together rich spaces when paging through these interiors.

Visit Adrams Books to learn more and order a copy, to be released April 15th.

Designer Crush, And This One Is Serious

Today I just have to share a designer crush, and I've had this one for awhile. So it's serious.

Jessica Helgerson, a local designer in the town I live in, Portland.

This particular project calls out to me, especially at this time of year. With the arrival of spring, summer plans are in the making. Will we go to the beach, the mountains, what camps will the kids go to? This cabin just screams lazy days of summer with family and friends!

A green roof.

Rustic simplicity that remains chic. Notice the one simple pull on the closet?

Open windows and doors, everyone coming in and out. Fresh fruit and vegetables. 

What deliciousness will we cook up for tonight's feast?

I could do an entire week of posts on Jessica's projects, so I'm not sharing them all here today. 

But see for yourself if you wish.

Have We Really Become This Rude?!

One of the absolute best parts of working on House of Fifty mag is how I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of fantastic people! One of them is Mindy Lockard, of the Gracious Girl, a talented columnist and speaker on the topic of etiquette. I met her when we were both scheduled to do a segment for a local TV station one morning. When she introduced herself I immediately knew I just had to work with her. Stopping by her blog recently I saw her post below and she graciously has let me share it with you today.

Seriously, have we really become this rude? From what I see on a daily basis I suspect we have. Read on and tell me what your take on the topic is in a comment if you will...

From Mindy:

"This was sent to me last week by schools.com. It kind of makes me want to cry. You know, the ugly cry."

Courtesy of: Schools.com

"How is this happening and why is it that it’s the twenty-somethings that are bringing it back? I work with a lot of them, I am proud to say so. So let’s light a fire, people! Take back our honor and show the young ones and little ones what we are made of. We are so much better than this! I know it."