Hey Y’all! 

Welcome to my world! 

I have been helping women create a lifestyle of JOY and warm elegance for years.

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I love the looks on their faces when we finish a  session and then they walk into a room after we finish putting our simple touches on it.

JOY. Relief. Inspiration. 

The soft ease of simple changes improves lives…magic.  

I love working privately with women who are feeling frumpy, discontent or disconnected to create a life that they are absolutely in love with.

One of the first things that I give each new client is my Simply Elegant Everyday Toolkit.

1:

Wear something that makes you feel GOOD every single day. If you have an item of clothing that does not light you up, toss it or give it away.

2:

Without a doubt, pillows, candles and music are always my first loves in turning any bedroom into a warm and elegant space of relaxation, soft intimacy and restoration.  

Pillows~ LOVE THEM!!  

Large and small with trims, texture and frills to make yourself feel special…because you are…!!! 

A simple way to choose pillows is based upon the bedroom paint color~ For white or cream colored bedrooms~ I choose jewel tone pillows to soften and add a richness~  These look particularly great on a light or cream colored bedcover.  

For other paint colors, I choose a combination of lighter and darker versions of the wall paint color~Stripes, small patterns and solid pillows look great with floral bedcovers and floral pillows look great with solid covers~ Have fun and just play with your combinations. Make them pleasing to your eye and and oh so comfortable for your body! 

   Tip~ If you are feeling color challenged, a great way to make sure you get a combination that you will enjoy is to go the the paint store~ Find a color palate that you love~ You can choose pillows, bedcovers, accent pieces etc. out of your new colors.  Mix and match...again, just have fun! 

Candles~Instant atmosphere and lots of warmth. 

We all look better in soft candlelight~ I use Luminara candles, they are very good quality, battery operated candles that even come with a remote!~I use a variety of heights~ They give off a lovely, warm and inviting light~I also mix in other smokeless dripless candles too~Light colored candles work beautifully with all paint schemes. 

Music~Choose soothing songs or instrumental pieces that you love and make you feel good to create your mood. 

  These simple additions invite happiness and comfort for the soul. 

Love, light and happiness, 

Donna 

P.S. Add a slice of cake and a nice glass of wine or cup of tea as a night cap! 

Sweet Orange Zucchini Cake with Grand Marnier 

Cake

  • 1 ½ cups egetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ cup Grand Marnier  
  • 1 tsp. orange rind, grated 
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour 
  • 2 tsp. baking soda 
  • 1 tsp. baking powder 
  • 1 tsp. salt 
  • 2 to 3 tsp. ground cinnamon 
  • 2 cups grated zucchini 
  • 1 cup raisins 
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts 

Frosting

  • 2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened 
  • 1 cup butter, softened 
  • 4 cups powered sugar, sifted 
  • 4 tbsp. Grand Marnier 
  • 2 tbsp. orange rind, grated 
  • 2 tsp. Vanilla extract 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in liqueur, orange rind and vanilla. 

Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; stir well.  Add to creamed mixture, beating well until blended.  Add zucchini, raisins and nuts; stir well. 

Line the 3 round cake pans with wax paper cut into circles that fit the bottoms only. Grease then flour each one. Pour batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cake cool for 10 minutes then take cake out of the pan and remove the wax paper. Cool layers completely on wire racks.  

Frosting~ Combine cream cheese and butter; beat until smooth.  Add powered sugar and remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Frost cake layers generously. For that extra touch, garnish the cake with extra nuts and a zucchini blossom or two.  

Note~Cake Layers and icing freeze well for several weeks preparation ahead. 

Enjoy!