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Luxury Linen Care Instructions: 3 Tips from Bella Notte

(Post adapted with permission from the Bella Blog) While all of Bella Notte's products are easy care (they don't have to be dry cleaned, pressed, or ironed), we do have specific care instructions that allow for the longevity of your linens. No one wants to squint to read the tiny label, so here's three easy tips to follow: 1. DELICATE DETERGENT Because our products are dyed with non-toxic dyes, to preserve the color we suggest avoiding anything that contains bleach, brighteners, or whiteners. While there are generic brands like Arm & Hammer that have gentle detergents, we recommend Caldrea products, which are available for purchase in our store. Caldrea products clean effectively yet gently, helping to preserve your Bella items during each...

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Agate Makes a Really Gouda Cheese Board!

We're serious — it's a briel good alternative to the overdone slate and/or wooden variety of cheese board! Agate is one of the most versatile design elements you can implement in your home. The stone’s from-the-earth vibe is a great neutralizer for any space, while the beautiful details allow Mother Nature to make a statement. Lake Superior agate is Minnesota's official state gem, but we swear we're not biased (maybe a little biased). Its innate ability to maintain a highly polished surface makes it a low-maintenance design element, as well. Opulence meets utility — what’s not to love?  (Our tour of the cheese case included samples, naturally.)       (The cheese case at Kowalski's in Excelsior, MN — just down the street...

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Basil Gin & Tonics in the Penthouse

Pairing the Champagne/Penthouse LAFCO candle with a tall, slim glass of bubbly would have been too easy. The candle's clean, sparkling and citrusy scent paired perfectly with our own fresh twist on the classic gin and tonic. We took advantage of the last few days of summer and muddled a bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice with a few springs of basil leaf. Garnished with more basil and a few slices of baby cucumbers...this is a cocktail to savor, whether you're enjoying it in the penthouse or at the kitchen table.  Keep reading for our cocktail recipe, and make sure to check out the entire LAFCO House and Home collection of candles.  Ingredients (Makes one cocktail): .75 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1.5 oz. gin of...

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Embrace the Sunday Blues

Breakfast in bed and hues of blue make for a morning you can savor. "I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel." -Audrey Hepburn    Blue evokes peace, serenity and calm, making it the perfect hue to build your idyllic Sunday morning space around. We accessorized our ideal space with mountains of pillows in luxe fabrics and variant shades of blue, which pop perfectly against the creamy white bed linens.  All featured products are available at our store in Excelsior, where you'll find our talented team of interior designers happy to help you build your own perfect morning. Sweet treats provided by...

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Airy White Guest Room

Part of the art of entertaining and hospitality is the guest room. When friends or family stay at your home, it's always pleasant to have a space that will make them feel welcome without intruding too much of one personality type into the decor. This light, airy, guest room in shades of whites and blues is a perfectly crisp and clean space to make any guest feel welcome.    

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