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!