June, 2020 - BELLE OMNILEY

Belle Omniley Beverages Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Low Carb Dalgona Coffee

Can you believe that it’s almost July? My family and I were hoping to be planning a Fourth of July event, but the way things are going we are shooting for Thanksgiving now.

I stumbled upon the perfect coffee concoction and I’m sharing my take on it with you today. My love for coffee started in 2012 when I was sitting in the Baton Rouge Airport en route to Dallas on a 0615 flight. I could barely keep my eyes open and I stopped at PJs coffee and got a small regular coffee…I added the perfect amount of creamer and Splenda and fast forward to 2020 and I’m still perfecting my favorite cup. I went from two-three cups of regular coffee to now maybe one to two cups of decaf every day. If I don’t get my 1st cup I’m by 10 I usually just skip it. I always thought the coffee gave me energy and I have come to realize drinking coffee just makes me feel like I’m grown so decaf using does the trick for me.

I’m not much of a Starbucks person so when I saw the dalgona coffee storming the internet I had to put my Southern spin on it. I’m not sure what my NaNa would say about this one as she liked her coffee strong with a little sugar.

What is Dalgona coffee?

Only three main ingredients — instant coffee, sugar, and hot water — then combine them with a whisk or, better yet, a hand mixer, until the mixture gets thick and, well, fluffy. Pour it over cold or warm milk. Either way, you have a delicious, extra-creamy drink to enjoy.

Why is it called “Dalgona”?

Dalgona coffee gets its name from dalgona, a spongy South Korean coffee candy. Similar to honeycomb toffee candy, dalgona is basically made by melting sugar and stirring in a little bit of baking soda appearing very similar to the pockmarked texture of dalgona coffee foam against the side of a glass.

Because of the prep time I usually on get these once or twice a week, but they are so worth it. If you give it a try be sure to let me know please-Omniley?

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Low Carb Dalgona Coffee

Low carb whipped/fluffy coffee

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 Serving

Ingredients

1 Tbsp hot water
1 Tbsp instant coffee
1 Tbsp Monkfruit
6 oz milk of choice
Handful of ice optional
1/4 tsp tsp. vanilla extract
pinch ground cinnamon

Instructions

Add the water, instant coffee, and monk fruit to a medium sized bowl. (Vanilla and cinnamon optional)
Use hand mixer or whisk for 5 minutes until a thick mousse consistency starts to form.
Once it does, add heated milk to glass and top with the coffee mousse. Can also be served cold with cold milk and ice.
Mix the mousse into the milk.
Drink immediately.

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Belle Omniley Home Decor Baton Rouge, Louisiana

DIY Porch Bed Swing

Hey Y’all. I got so many questions and compliments on my porch swing, so I decided to share a step by step tutorial (video below). This side porch is dedicated to my late NaNa; she loved sitting out on her porch. Although she passed away before we moved into this home I feel her spirit is with me every day.

Now before we get into all the nuts and bolts (haha) let me just say I initially wanted one of the cute egg chairs that are inundating everyone’s home and patios right now, but due to COVID-19, I couldn’t find one online that would ship without crazy fees. So, of course, we decided to build something ourselves. This took a bit of convincing and arm twisting. My better half is always about working smarter not harder and I agree to a certain extent. I think it’s the unique side of me that always wins though. After looking for inspiration I decided on a porch bed swing.

This was a super easy project and can be completed in a weekend. I ended up taking about four weekends because I made custom cushions and added a bed skirt around the frame.

What you’ll need:

pallet~45” x 55”
(3) 2 x 4 x 3’ lumber
(3) 1 x 6 x 8 lumber
drill
screws
(8) lag eye screw bolt 7/16” x 5 1/4”
measuring tape
~30ft rope
(2) 6 x 24 x 72 cushion/foam
48″ batting
10 yards duck canvas fabric
fabric protectant
(3) 30″ zipper
(2) 6×9 drop cloths

You can locate pallets at nurseries and shipping areas. Try to locate healthy and good looking pallets.

The hardest part of this project was the installation of the backrest to the swing seat. We used 2 X 4 x3’ boards (already pre-cut) to make a base for the back and attached them with screws at a 45-degree angle to the pallet. (see video below)

We used a saw and cut the 1 x 6 x 8 lumber pieces into lengths of 48″. We used five pieces and spaced them evenly and screwed them onto the angled 2 x 4’s to make the backrest.

Once the frame was finished we used 4 lag eye screws and secured them on each corner of the swing base where we would be tying the rope. At this point the swing is complete now it is time to hang it up. If you wanted to paint the swing this would be a perfect time. I opted not to paint ours.

We used 4 cylinder blocks upright to hold the swing in place (about the height of a 5-gallon bucket). The 4 remaining lag screws were placed in the ceiling of the porch. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PLACING THE SCREWS IN A 2 X4 OR 4 X 4 AND NOT HOLLOW FRAME. The load weight of the rope and eye screws is obsolete if you don’t and someone might get injured if the swing gives away. My husband and one of his friends attached the swing to the ceiling using the cutest bowline rope knots.

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A post shared by Belle Omniley (@omniley) on Jun 22, 2020 at 9:02am PDT

For the finishing touches…I looked for a few days for cushions and of course, I couldn’t find any I liked so I made my own.

I also used drop cloths to make a bed skirt and voila.

All Chinoiserie Accessories (pillows, tray, and throw) gifted from InkFlow Art (use “OMNILEY” at checkout for 15%off they have the cutest accessories)

I am so happy with the results. Please let me know what you think and if you decide to try this tutorial please send me pictures so I can feature you. Omniley?

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Belle Omniley Home Decor Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Coffee Table Styling

Greetings. I hope this post finds you well. After a little over 4 years of being in our dream home, I finally got a coffee table. So just to be clear, we’ve had a table in the space for a while, but it wasn’t anything that we had picked specifically for this room. If you know me well then you know that I am an avid thrifter/estate sale queen. I love shopping at estate sales because you can find excellent quality furniture/decor and at great prices. I’m no cookie-cutter person and love unique and antique items. This is one of the reasons we bought our home it was built before we were born and everything about it is so unique.

Due to COVID, I haven’t been to estate sales since February. Shortly I will be returning to the field for work, so I decided to wrap up the last lingering task of picking out a coffee table. I decided to go with my love for brass and being bold and ended up with this Hammered Coffee Table. I thought my work was done until it arrived and I had to decorate it. This is what I ended up with after two days of placing and rearranging.

Today I’m sharing with you 4 tips to bring your coffee table to life without overpowering the table or room.

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Step 1: Start with a Base Item.

A base item can be a tray, runner, or books. I didn’t want to take away from the brass or my rug so I went with some simple decor books. Books can create a perfect contrast. I adore using hardcover books, but you can opt to use magazines as well. Amazon is a great price for books I always try to check for used versions for a price break. Estates sales and garage sales are great options for old books too.

Step 2: Medium Size Decor Item

As with anything you want to have a balance to your coffee table. Make sure you use a medium size decor item. You will personally have to decide what is considered medium-sized based on the size of your coffee table. Here I am using a medium-size ginger jar; it will be slightly smaller than my main piece but a bit larger than my base item (in terms of height).

Step 3: Large Size Decor Item

I like to refer to this as the “conversation piece”. Pick a piece that will be eye-catching and will get at least one or two looks from any guest you invite in your home. I opted for this llama planter. I picked it up from my local Tuesday Morning and I knew it would be perfect for our coffee table. I used the white to break up the depth of the brass from the coffee table and “WOW” was I pleased with my selection. This piece is no overpowering the table or other pieces but gives the table that extra dimension it needed.

Step 4: Greenery

The final, but most important tip ADD GREENERY. Greenery/floral arrangement is always the final step when finishing any design space. Since this is in an area near books and brass I opted to use a faux arrangement. You can always use fresh clippings from your yard or a bouquet from the market just be mindful of the risk associated with the water.

Thanks so much for stopping by again. I look forward to sharing many more home posts with you. Until next time…Be Well-Omniley

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Belle Omniley Uncategorized

A Woman’s Best Friend and Protector-My Dog and his Diet Journey

Greetings. I hope this post finds you well. We recently began making changes to help with our buddy Bane’s overall health, especially as he gets up in age. I truly wish we had done this years ago…I remember vividly the day we picked him up from the airport. After months of researching the perfect dog for our family and finally getting the okay from my husband, we found the ideal Breeder. I did tons of research, and this guy and I have become like peanut butter and jelly.

If you have been following me for a while, you know we went through a scary patch last year when he underwent surgery and had a rocky recovery. It was then that I began doing thorough research on how we could help him more, and the first thing was his diet. I again started looking for a dog food that would support his overall health, including joint support and his energy level.

Funny thing is since he has been with us, he has always been a picky eater. I’m sure our veterinarian got sick of me talking about him not eating enough. I went from clockwork feeding to graze feeding, and he still never really ate as much as I thought he should. So let’s just say he has had his fair share of dog foods on the market. We have tried a raw diet, high protein, large breed and etc.; nothing ever hit the mark for us.

I recently discovered Wellness CORE RawRev with Wholesome Grains, and we are totally impressed. Wellness CORE RawRev is a natural, high-quality kibble with pieces of craveworthy 100% freeze dried raw meat. The turkey is so moist, and we love the all-natural ingredients.

We have noticed an increase in the luster and shininess of his coat and most importantly his energy level is improving. He is getting up in the morning and ready to eat.

We believe feeding your dog better food makes them healthier from the inside out. Wellness CORE RawRev is better food, so your best friend can live a better life. We are looking forward to many more great memories with our furry friend. Click here to learn more about Wellness CORE RawRev and save $3 off your purchase. Omniley?

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Belle Omniley

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Belle Omniley Uncategorized Baton Rouge, Louisiana

At-Home Workout Studio

Greetings! I hope this post finds you in good spirits. I know there is a lot going on in the world and we are all trying to do what is best for us. I’ve been gardening and knocking out DIY projects. I also started designing an at-home workout studio. I have always wanted to do this but thought I would just take over my son’s gaming room in the main house when he left for college so it was no big deal.

Fast forward to 2020, COVID-19 and I haven’t been to the gym since March 2020. I started riding my regular outside bike, but it wasn’t a structured routine, and to add all the mosquito attacks I was too done. My gym has opened back but as a licensed healthcare professional I am too afraid to return at this time. Now I am not saying to anyone don’t go to the gym; this is just my personal preference at this time.

I looked into Peloton and Echelon…I was hearing that Peloton shipping was like two-plus months and I reached out to Echelon to discuss a partnership and they never got back to me. So I did a little research and ended up going with Joroto Indoor Stationary Bike from Amazon. As a disclaimer, I have never ridden a Peloton or Echelon; I did take a look at an Echelon at our local Academy Sports, but it was sold out in-store and online for $799.

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I can only speak to the Joroto Indoor Stationary Bike; it is a super stable and quiet bike with a tray for a tablet (no LCD/monitor included). I use the tray for my water bottle and phone, and I utilize the Peloton classes via our TV on Amazon Fire Stick. At this point I have completed approximately 7(20 to 30-minute) rides and feel I have had enough experience to provide a valid review. I also ordered the Woohoo Cadence to accurately monitor my cadence and resistance; it’s currently on backorder and shipment is still pending.

I definitely recommend a water bottle and a sweat towel before starting any riding session. My first ride with the sauna suit on I was sweating my life away. I didn’t want to stop in the middle of the session, so go figure–sweat was pouring down my face the whole ride.

We are looking to add a weight bench to the studio in the near future, but for now, I have a pair of 15# dumbbells. I definitely encourage you to do your research. I will update this post as needed. The Joroto X2 is currently unavailable. I provided an alternate option by them below.

Omniley

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