Bella Pink Cafe

Time for a Give-Away!

     I want to celebrate all the great things that are happening in my little world.  Some of these "things" will be announced soon (I know...I hate teasers) but I have to get everything wrapped up and make sure all my "i's" are dotted and "t's" are crossed!  So in celebration of things to come, let's have some fun!  The traffic to my blog has been unbelivable these past few months and to those of you who stop by, whether you just browse in and out or take the time to leave a comment, I thank you so much.  I love reading all of your emails and your comments... it's a bright spot of the day.  I put together a little goodie giveaway that I think you will enjoy as a thank you.

     To be entered into the contest, all you have to do is just leave a comment here on this post down below (just click on "Comments" button at end of post) and the winner will be chosen at random on July 6th and the name will be posted on July 7th.  So if you have been browsing without commenting, now is the time to leave a comment and just say hello!  I figured with the July 4th holiday coming up, we could allow some extra time.  Good luck and thank you again!  Below is a picture of the goodies, they include the Romantic Country magazine Summer issue, an antique spoon with lace, vintage Limoges tea cup and saucer, Limoges dessert plate and some gorgeous altered art tags and postcard, also our most popular Bella Wriskey™ "Chocolate Roses".  Have a wonderful weekend and July 4th Holiday! xo

 

Going To The Chapel

     Well, not really a chapel, but my brother is getting married!  After 17 years with his sweet girlfriend, (for a long time I introduced her as my sister-in-law anyway),the two are finally making it official this Summer with a small casual candlelight ceremony and dinner/dancing right afterwards.   So many exciting things are happening around here this Summer, professionally and personally, this wedding is the icing on the cake! 

     My brother's good friend, who happens to be a Judge, is marrying them at a really nice reception hall.  My sister and I are so honored she asked us to be "unofficial" bridesmaids.  Quickly saying to us that we "don't have to walk down an aisle or wear the same dress", she just wants us to stand next to her as they exchange vows.  So sweet and of course we said "yes"!   She asked me to help plan the intimate wedding (about 100 close friends and family)  I forgot how much work goes into a wedding, big or small!  We still have a month to go, but here is a sketch I drew of her pretty gown, (sort of a "rough" sketch, since my drawing skills are very novice!) but I think it captures the simplicity and elegance of her gown which sets the theme for the entire wedding, "casual and elegant".  My sister and I decided that we would at least match in the color of our dresses, so we chose a "chocolate" shade, with pink roses for the flowers.  Chocolate loves pink, right?  Or is it pink loves chocolate!?

Below is my dress, it has a really pretty back and I forgot to take a picture!

and here are my shoes that I am almost positive will be killing me by the end of the night!

Bella Spindles

     New handpainted items coming soon from talented guest artist Claudia.  We are so pleased to have her exclusive products in our boutique.  These are salvage spindles that she has lovingly handpainted and creatively turned into garden architecture!  Use them on your patio, front porch or in the garden.  Also use them inside the home in a romantic corner.  They are truly beautiful and exclusive to Bella Pink.  We will also be taking custom orders for wording on the signs.    I will be listing the spindles in the boutique soon, here is a sneak peek!

I'm Happy Blue...

     I came home from a busy day with the kids, carpooling to camps and swim parties, etc..  At the carriage house on our property, there was a BIG box.  I knew it was from UPS, because for some reason the UPS driver leaves all of our packages at the carriage house and not at our main house on our property.  (maybe because he doesn't have to walk as far when he comes up our long driveway?) I never complain to him because I want my packages to arrive safely!  Anyway, I opened the giant box to find a BIG BLUE BOX with the famous logo T I F F A N Y & C O across it!  OMG!   I waited a few seconds (or maybe it was minutes?) just looking at the beautiful box.  There was a card...it was from a very dear friend and her eloquently written note touched my heart.  Could she have remembered my love of Tiffany that I posted  here?  Inside was a set of beautiful champagne flutes with a daisy design.  A gift from Tiffany brings such joy! What a lovely way to brighten someone's day, wouldn't you say?  Now a "toast" to my blue friend, I will use your gift often and think of you!  Thank you xo!

It's Show Time!

     Recital day...so exciting...hair and makeup, tap shoes ready to perform!  Check out that purple! We celebrated after the show with our in-laws, nieces, etc..at a Japanese restaurant--so cool, they made the food right in front of us and did all kinds of tricks, they even threw food in the air to see if we could catch it in our mouths using no hands.  The kids were loving it!  It was a great time and we had a lot of laughs!  Hope you all enjoyed a Happy Father's Day, I know we did!

The Color Purple

     

     Looking around my house,  my Sixth Sense says "I See Lavender!"  I just realized that I use it in my decorating a lot more than pink....perhaps because my hubby would not like the look of a pink bedroom or kitchen? I guess I choose this color as a way of "fooling" him.  But he is no dummy, he knows what I'm up to.  However,  the color is not as feminine as pink and therefore I can sneak it in, here and there.  I'm drawn to lavender and love it mixed with golds and creams, as shown in our bedroom and adjoining sitting room.  Below is a little photo tour of the room.   If you have a passion for the color purple, in any shade, please visit my dear friend, Chris, at Tuttichic.com

Take A Powder

     If I could fit a couch and TV in my powder room, I would probably live in there.  It's one of my favorite rooms in our home.  That sounds weird, but true.  I love the warm antique aged wallpaper and the chandelier, it feels so cozy.  The hutch with soaps and towels fits nicely too.  If I ever get around to it, I would like to replace the standard pedestal sink with something grand and add 2 chandelier sconces.  I love the furniture cabinets for sinks that they have these days.

inside the hutch...

On The Edge of Seventeen...

      Just like the song Stevie Nicks sings... "Edge of Seventeen"... so is my beautiful niece (and Goddaughter) Brooke on the verge of, turning 17 in October.  Here she is practicing her driving skills in her little white VW convertible.  Funny story when I took this picture, she forgot to turn the car on and it was in neutral, she was just coasting backwards and she was yelling (in the most dramatic way that only a 16 year old could do), "Oh my God, there's something totally wrong with my car!"  We yelled back, "the engine isn't on Ding Dong!"  The only girl granddaughter born (until my girl came along 10 years later)  There were all boys before her.  She was the most beautiful baby, you know the kind...with the chubby little baby fat, the tannest olive skin and the most gorgeous green eyes and wild long brown locks with little highlights kissed from the sun.  One of those babies on the beach that always has a better tan than you!

     She wants to go to college in California.  No wait, maybe Florida or New York.  She wants to be an entertainment lawyer.  No wait, I forgot, today it's a singer.  So full of promise, future wide ahead...so young and beautiful on the Edge of Seventeen

Say Hello To My Friend

     I just realized that title sounds a little like the famous quote from the movie "Scarface" lol.. Anyway, I'm excited to share that my dear friend and author, Barbara Jacksier, has taken the plunge into the blogging world!  She is the Editor of Romantic Country and Cottage Style Magazines and is now taking some time off to write books.  The first book is about Cozy Waterside Cottages and her new blog will take us along on her book journey.  I had the pleasure of working with her on some fun projects in the past and look forward to more in the future, it's going to be exciting!  Take a moment to stop by and say hello, I know she would love to hear from you! Barbara Jacksier- The Book Blog   And if you have a cozy waterside cottage, you may just end up in her book...give her a shout!

                                   All photos courtesy of Barbara Jacksier and are copyrighted.

Romantic Country Magazine

     The Summer issue is out soon.  Can't wait to see it, here is a sneak peek at the cover!  I'm sure it will be jam packed with everything we love and a few surprises along the way.

UPDATE JUNE 12th :  It's officially "OUT" !  Look on your newstands.  Thank you for all of your emails, I have had many questions regarding subscriptions to the magazine.  At this time, it is only available on the newstands, there is no subscription.  ENJOY!

Small Things to Brighten A Day

    

     Small things can bring a smile.  I woke up and found that hubby cut a peony from our garden and laid it on my laptop before he left for work...(He sure knows the first place I go in the morning)  It smells so good...I grabbed a little Limoges teacup in one of the cabinets in the studio , slightly imperfect with a chip in it...but completely perfect now... sitting next to my laptop and making me smile. 

     Wishing you a day full of smiles and a wonderful weekend!