Bella Pink Cafe

Blog on...

   

     I just received the June 2008 issue of Romantic Homes magazine and so happy to see my column received a new name... "Blog On", thanks to the lovely editor, Jacqueline.  I hope you enjoy the picks this issue for creative blogs (or "crogs" as I call them).  I love to write about blogs that inspire, are funny and creative...and I think I found 3 you will love and may already know.  The issue itself is chock full of inspiration and it's always a treat when Elizabeth Maxson drops by with her "Tada" article.  This one is exceptional, I just love her style.

    I hope you enjoy.  Please drop me a line by way of comment and I would love to visit your creative and inspiring 'crog' and remember...crog blog on !~xo

Random...

    

     Alot of you emailed about the bomb sniffing dog and air Marshall in my previous post (thank you for your concern and validation of my panic attack)  Apparently someone checked a bag onto our flight, but didn't check themselves onto the flight.  At least that's what was being whispered down the lane at the gate.  No airport official would confirm anything. Super fishy?  yep.  Super scary? yep.  Cause for a cocktail? you bet!  Another panic moment on the plane,  which turned out to be hilarious...we sat near a bunch of German tourists.  Mom heard them all speaking German and here's how it went...  Mom: "Oh my God, Tara ,we're on the wrong plane, we're going to Frankfurt Germany, I swear I just heard someone say it"  Tara:  "Mom you don't speak German so how do you know?  Anyway, it's okay, it's the right plane, Flight 1280"....(more German chatter as I'm flipping through a rag mag)...  Mom: "Oh Jesus Mary and Joseph, I can't take this anymore, I'm going to ask someone"  she turns to the poor woman sitting next to us who was already laughing...mom asks: "Are you going to Philadelphia"?  "Yes" she said while still laughing "you're on the right plane"    Poor Mom.  She hates to fly and this flight confirmed every fear and emotion she ever had about flying.

     Some random stuff:  Still waiting to hear when my friend will be on the Rachael Ray show.  She did receive word from the producer that she made it on.  (Their was still a chance her piece could have ended up on the cutting room floor!)  I'll let you know asap. 

      Lovin this little Blackberry!  I found it was super easy to get used to, just like you all said it would be.  It's so convenient and I highly recommend to anyone who receives a lot of emails and is on the go.

   We are keeping super busy around here with the kids and just life in general.  I'm sure you all feel the same way.  Out of hibernation and into the hustle and bustle again.  I'm trying to decide whether to take down a half wall in between my kitchen and family room.  Do any of you have this problem?  The wall is a high half wall and drives me crazy.  I don't want a giant room, but would like to open it up and add an architectural archway instead.  We're working with a contractor to come up with some ideas.  Any input is appreciated!  I'll take plenty of pictures along the way. ~xo

ps:  photo has nothing to do with post, but it's a lovely frame I bought at The Cats Meow     

BlackBerry Phobia...

     It arrived yesterday.  Very black, but not like a berry at all.  It's very intimidating.  I imagine it will come in handy though.  Would have been very useful in Venice instead of searching for an internet cafe to check emails.  It would have been especially convenient at the airport when we saw the terror alert level raised to "High", then a bomb sniffing dog topped off with an air marshall on our plane.  I would have been able to email friends and family and send a "just in case" message.  I'm sure it's easy to use and is waiting for me to at least turn it on so it can show itself off to me...but where is the darn power button?

Fabulous Lunch Date...

     On Friday, Mom & I drove to Sarasota (about 20 minutes from Venice) to have lunch with Fifi  (editor and writer extraordinare!) It was so nice to finally meet her in person. In the past, we’ve talked on the phone and emailed a lot, but to be able to finally give each other hugs and kisses, eat food, tell stories and have lots of laughs was fantastic She is an absolute doll, so down to earth, extremely funny and we instantly connected and I know Mom did too. Our lunch date made me love Fifi even more. She is fabulous in every way. I think she is now my sister, since my mom said she is going to adopt her.

     On the way home we drove though Casey Key. Can you say mansions? Oh god, the houses are unbelievable! I love Venice though. It’s so charming and the stores are really wonderful. Lots of little cafés to sit and have wine outside and people watch.  The next day we went to the beach and then had a lovely dinner with Susie & Mark at an outdoor restaurant. Great food and even more laughs. We’ll be sad to leave Venice and the new friends we made. Back to reality soon!~xo

Venice Beach:

Here is Mark, the cutie

Susie, Mark and me at dinner (Mom won't get her photo taken..ever!)

Live from Venice...

      

     Sorry for the delay, I had a hard time finding an internet connection. Mom and I arrived safely in Venice on Wednesday! (and to sunny 85 degree weather!) I was able to bump our seats up to first class which is always cool but has anyone noticed they cut back on the "special" treatment!? Certainly not like that famous ‘Seinfeld’ episode. Seats are still extra wide and comfy though. Anyway, the car rental place had a brand new convertible waiting for us, we jumped in and off we went to the cottage! 

     Sounds easy, but somehow we managed to get lost on the way. Mom knows her way around Venice pretty well, but the road we were looking for to the cottage was really hard to see and we must have passed it at least 5 times before we saw it. Total tourists, riding in a convertible, our hair blowing like Thelma & Louise and horns beeping at us.

     We pulled up to the cottage and saw the cutest man waiting for us. There was Mark Holt (from the infamous Susie & Mark Holt!) He was there with open arms to show us in (Susie was at the store working) Walking into the cottage was like stepping into your favorite issue of Romantic Country. Every little detail is completely amazing. I’ll take you on a tour...(*Warning:  LOTS of photos ahead!)

 

     Thursday we went into town to visit Susie & Mark at their store The Cat's Meow Inc  in it’s new location. Seriously people, I was weak in the knees when we first walked in. The store swallows you up with a cozy airy feel, chic sofas, tables, vintage chandeliers abound. I was in awe. Their old store was one block over and I had been in there about 3 or 4 years ago, but the new store is bigger and better than ever! It was packed with people walking around, they seemed to be in awe like me and Mom. It was very busy with customers, phones ringing, etc.. There was Susie, calm an unfazed by the distractions and greeted us with big hugs and a soft sweet smile. We took a tour and then Susie and I sat and gabbed and giggled for a while. I even showed Susie how to leave a comment on Fifi’s blog. Susie is so busy in the store, she hasn’t learned the blog ropes yet!

     Thursday night, Mom & I were invited to the Holt’s home next door for drinks. It was so relaxing and lovely. Their home is a dream. All white, big comfy slipcovered furniture, tall hutches, mirrors and chandeliers everywhere. Susie & Mark’s signature style throughout with salvaged doors replacing standard builder grade doors. What an awesome idea!? We had such a nice time talking and laughing until late into the night. They are the most gracious hosts and I’m honored to now call them dear friends. Mom & I found them to be genuine people who love what they do...yet work very hard at what they do. Their Cat’s Meow start up story over 11 years ago is amazing! They are the real deal, shop owners who are living their passion and enjoying life. Big things are coming soon in their future!  I hope to sneak back into their home and take some shots for you, but here is Susie & I at the store.

Me & Susie at the store

 

  Today, mom & I are off to meet miss fabulous Fifi  in Sarasota for lunch. I’ll be back to report with photos and details!~xo

to Venice...

                                                                                                                                                

     not Venice Italy, but the next best thing, Venice Florida!  Packing up again, leaving the cold here in Pennsylvania and I'm taking my mom for just a girls getaway soon, we're staying at the beautiful cottage of owners Susie & Mark Holt, they are also the store owners of the yummy boutique Cat's Meow Inc and have been in countless issues of Romantic Homes and Romantic Country magazines.  The cottage we are staying in was featured in a past issue of Romantic Country as well (and even made the cover!) We are flying in and rented a convertible, (because can you really drive around Florida in anything else?)  My Mom is so excited, since it's a little trip I sprung on her for her birthday.  She loves Venice (really anywhere in Florida for that matter!)  We plan to meet up with miss Fabulous Fifi too.  Here is a peek at Susie's store in Venice, I can't wait to see it (and her!):

Photos courtesy of Fifi O'Neill and The Cats Meow Inc

     Also, if you get a chance, pick up the latest copy of Romantic Country magazine, it's a great issue this month!  Lots of familiar faces, and names, I think you will recognize a few! I hope to report live from the sweet cottage, maybe do a "talkie post" with Mom, she reads a lot of your blogs and I'm surprised at how much she knows about all of you.  Ciao again friends and stay tuned!~xo

Ciao for now...

     Like many of you I am taking some much needed time off.   A fabulous vacation is planned and also squeezing in some business as well. Then it's time to tend to all the unattended things around the house, working on deadlines, etc..  Spring Break.  2 perfectly combined words for my tired body and mind.  I replaced my photo over there...time to change out the old cowgirl (I had full permission from the photographer, my daughter) She has approved the new one and likes it.  I do too, it's kind of grungy and vintage looking?

     What do you all have planned for Spring and Easter?  Can you believe the above photo is actually a cake.  I would kill for the Louis luggage piece sitting under it! Not sure where I got the photo, it's been on my computer waiting for the right moment, which I think now is the perfect time.  Ciao for now, I'll be back soon!~xo

Springing Forward...

     Love that it will be lighter later, don't you?!  Just to think that Spring is around the corner and soon it will be warm and sunny again and we can say goodbye to these long cold gray days.

     Exciting news...my friend is having a Rachael Ray production crew come to her home today!  The segment is about her "mommy tricks"  She has lots of them, including my favorite, setting all the clocks ahead in the house (not just at daylight savings time) so the kids go to bed earlier!  She has twins who keep her very busy.  I'll let you know when the segment will air on T.V.  The only "trick" I could come up with on the spot when she called me in a panic was that we tell the kids it won't be sunny the next day if they don't eat their vegetables at dinner.  Lame, I know...but it's the only one I could remember.  Now that the kids are getting older, we can't use those old tricks anymore, they are on to us !

     Enjoy the extra daylight time!  I'll be taking some time off for vacation and to catch up on some projects.  ~xo

White Wednesday...

     Nothing says fresh, clean and crisp (3 words I had in mind when designing the new blog) than the color white.  While blog cruising, I stumbled upon a french site Blanc d'Ivoire.  So lovely with it's french inspired designs mixed with Swedish accents as well...chippy grays & patinas...all combined to make a beautiful rustic, elegant feminine feel.  Can't you see yourself in that tub up there taking a warm milk bath?

     I love white and use it a lot in decorating our home.  For our formal dining room, (as seen here in a video) 7 years ago I purchased an all white Swedish inspired table with upholstered chairs, then mixed it up with a black floral rug and a chippy old hand painted patina hutch topped off with an antique (and all white) eight arm chandelier dripping with crystals.  We bought an inexpensive ceiling medallion at Home Depot, painted it white and it just completed the room giving a casual yet elegant feel.

    Do you know of a white/ french or swedish inspired website you can share? Or perhaps a blog with all white decor photos or accessories? (maybe even your own!) Please let me know and post a link here in the comments for all to see...let's make it a "White Wednesday"!~xo

Little gems...

     I'm getting the itch for some hunting at the open flea markets here, however the weather has not been cooperating.  So, instead, I've been going through some little vintage gems I've accumulated and been playing around with them in the studio with the camera, testing the light and lense.  I find that in the cold of the Winter, little things make me happy, don't you? Things like homemade chocolate chip cookies, (and having the kids beg to lick the spoon!) ...lazy Sunday's with no agenda...discovering that Legends of The Fall is running on TV....wrapping up in a blanket in front of the fire and watching our daughter perfect her jump roping skills!  Just little things like that, you know?