Bella Pink Cafe

Day Trip

    

     We took the kids to Peddlers Village on Saturday.  A quaint town with cobblestone paths that take you from beautiful store to store.  Bus trips bring people to this popular attraction.  We are lucky to live only 10 minutes away, so no need for a bus ticket!  Originally, the plan was for just me and Superman to escape for the day and shop, have lunch and hunt for antiques.  Then we found out the village was having it's popular scarecrow contest, which the kids love, so I didn't have the heart to leave them behind (I know, I'm a sucker)  It's not just your typical scarecrows though, these are some of the most creative things on a stick I have ever seen!  Check out the pictures below.  OH and the place was overrun with ladies from the Red Hat Society, they came on a huge bus all dressed in purple and red hats.  Superman (my blog name for 'hubby') had such a hard time understanding what it was about and why they would walk around like that!

     Ever wonder if you are dressed appropriate for a restaurant?  I did.  We came upon one that was a bit "fancy" looking from the outside.  I was unsure, since we were all in jeans and sneaks.  Until Superman spotted a red hat through the window and said to me "listen, if there are old ladies in there wearing purple tee shirts and red hats, we're dressed perfectly and going in"  lol, so we did and had a delicious lunch!

     Those old doors and shutters up there were just a stop on the way to the village.  Aren't they cool?   This is where our family's construction supervisors from the residential division store stuff salvaged from old homes before they get tossed into the big black dumspter sitting there onsite.  Almost like a salvage graveyard.  We took a few, one in particular will make a great top for a work table and another one I took for my sister to make a headboard for her bedroom.  She has the most beautiful Bella Notte Linens and a big fluffy bed, she just needs the perfect headboard to finish it off.  We have to get both of our homes in tip top shape for some upcoming projects.  Enjoy the day trip pictures in the village!~xo

Invasion of the famous red hats:

A favorite shop:

Not really a scarecrow is it?  Just a sample of one of the entries in the contest!

"Lord of the Bling" scarecrow:

I liked this sign!

Little man didn't like this one:

A reminder that Christmas is coming soon:

The kids favorite store:

Lunch is served!

Now you see it

Now you don't!  Our girl can eat!

Finally some dessert too!

The Foyer

photos from Traditional Home

     Now that's a nice entrance!  Not mine (*sigh*), but I'm gathering ideas for my foyer since we are in the middle of a re-vamp.  Not long ago it had a piano temporarily in it, remember? Now we have beautiful molding, and a fresh coat of paint.  A table chandelier and an antique french mirror are all that sit there now.  It's such a huge ginormous two story space, I have no idea what I was thinking when we built this Farmhouse six years ago and laid out this foyer.  I could fit a school bus in there if I wanted to, it's ridiculous.  I believe the foyer says so much about your home.  It's the first thing guests see upon entering and makes them feel welcome.  Right now my foyer is saying to guests "get the heck outta here".  So I am collecting some inspirational photos in my design binder and will keep you posted!

photos from Traditional Home

A Written Note...

     I went to my mailbox today, nothing exciting, until I looked at a brown envelope with handwriting so familiar to me.  I opened it, unsure of the contents, and on his own personal beautiful stationery, a 6 page letter from my Dad.  I think I mentioned that I live within 5 minutes of my parents and talk to them at least 2 times a day.  So was the letter a surprise?  Yep.....BUT Dad loves to write, in fact he has been writing a journal of his life to pass down to us once he is long gone.  We are not allowed to read it now, only when he is "in heaven checking out the place before you get there", as he says.  The contents of his letter to me were so touching, just asking me to slow it down a bit after the hospital saga .   Words so sweet from the man I admire most in the world.

     He writes every day, journal upon journal, I'm not sure how many books he has filled, his life has been full of funny outrageous stories and colorful characters floating in and out.  A perfect Martin Scorsese movie for sure.  He has lived (and still living) an amazing life.  A wonderful husband and father to me,my brother and sister and a kind and generous friend to many.  An example of what hard work and determination can do.  He's a cool guy, I know you would like him.  He has even given autographs on occasion!  Not because of fame.. but proximity...his close friend is a famous retired sports player, when they are out to eat, their meals are usually interuppted by a fan, and they turn to Dad and ask for his autograph too.  When they do, he always replies "I'm no one famous", but he is famous in my eyes. My son was born on Dad's birthday, January 15th.  Little man made his entrance 5 days early, so it was a surprise and a cool birthday present too!  They are so much alike in so many ways.

     Although he doesn't even know how to turn on a computer, let alone read this post (Mom, maybe you can show him), I wanted you to *meet* my dad and share some pictures, while I go call him and thank him for his beautiful letter and tell him how much I love him and maybe inspire you to call someone you love too or write them a letter. ~ xo

Lights, Camera...Party!

    We attended a surprise birthday party last night for my best friend's Dad.  I thought I would share with you if you are looking for party ideas!  This was an over the top, go all out type of party.   Around 100 people with the best caterer in town, DJ & dancing, she even had a famous local ice cream store come to the party and serve the guest of honor's favorite ice cream! (the owner of the store is a published childrens author:  The Zebra Striped Whale With The Polka Dot Tail ) All the parties that my best friend hosts must have a "theme"...this event was tagged "Movies", in honor of her Dad who is a movie buff.   She had a red carpet entrance, all the table centerpieces had different movie themes, and right down to the cake as seen below.  They had a video company come and show a beautiful photo montage of his life put to music.  Lots of tears and laughs during the production! (there was one picture of him, me and my 3 best friends before we left the house for our first prom in 1986, OMG...can you say big hair and ugly shiny dresses? Of course the birthday boy looked adorable!)   It was a lovely evening and my feet hurt from dancing all night!

Fabulous food!

The movie cake:

The patio converted into a dance floor after dinner:

One of the different movie themed centerpieces, not sure if you can see it but there is an electrical outlet in this centerpiece because he owns an electrical company!

Mailbox Spoiling...

      

     I am spoiled, there I said it!  So many goodies have been arriving, I can barely keep up.  First up, proof that comments are read on blogs...Francie from The Scented Cottage sent me a sweet smelling sache for leaving a comment on her bloggy.  I could smell it before I even put the key in the PO Box.   It was as if fresh flowers were in there!  Speaking of fresh flowers, look at those beautiful roses from my dear friend Chris of Tutti Chic a beautiful surprise and the brightest spot in my day/week!  I spoiled myself and got my Laundry Room sign from Ms. Sara over at Sadie Olive  She is a doll and her store and blog are divine, go have a look.    Finally, Kim at Daisy Cottage sent me the most beautiful note and rosey paperweight, I will cherish forever.  So many other little cards and notes from fellow bloggers, like twinkles of light in every direction.  My heart is melted over with blog love and I thank you so much for taking the time to write , send a wish or invite me to read your blog! Merci! 

     Another bright spot...I got word that I received a  new juicy writing assignment   for one of my favorite magazines! I think you will all enjoy it and I hope to share with you soon. Stay tuned! ~ xo

Give me a "B"

     Love this paper cone stuffed with goodies for Fall that I got over at Etsy I was able to choose the custom letter initial and went with a "B" for Bella Pink, since it was going in the studio.  It looks so pretty hanging from the work table and reminds me that my favorite season is just around the corner.  Thank you for all the well wishes and personal emails, in means so much to me and was the perfect comforting pick me up I needed! I am feeling much "B" for better today and getting the kids off to school. ~xo

The Hospital Saga...

     I'm used to going to the hospital on happy notes, either having babies or visiting friends who just had a baby.  Not this time though, I was sicker than I had ever been and refused to admit it, until my dear Mom showed up at my house and said "we're going to the hospital"  I thought I could fight her off and talk her out of it, until I saw my Dad right behind her, then I knew I was in for it.  There's no messing around with Daddy pops.   So...just as I was dressed, in beat up old sweatpants, ripped t-shirt and giant knots in my hair, in my slippers, they escorted me to their car and off I went (also with a trash bag, just in case)  Hours into the ER, tubes down my throat to see if I was bleeding internally, blood work, cat scans, etc...I heard the dreaded words from the Dr. "you're not going home today and we're going to have to admit you"  UGH!  It felt like an out of body experience.  I finally got a room around 11pm...my roommate?  An elderly woman who kept me up all night long.  I have a new respect for Nurses....  they are angels really.  I'm home now, still in bed but feeling MUCH better, with my favorite things...magazines, books, my laptop, my favorite blanket we call the "woobie" curled up with my girl watching her favorite show, the Suite Life of Zack and Cody on Disney, fresh air blowing in the windows from the beautiful breeze outside..  Thankful to be home with my family and thankful to the nurses who took good care of me to get me home quickly.  Aren't my roses pretty?  Superman always knows how to cheer a girl up! ~ xo

Is This Necessary?

    That was my question to my husband when I saw him digging an area in our backyard outside my office window and then watching him build yet another patio.  Our first patio is outside our kitchen back door, the typical cobblestone paver patio jazzed up with a waterfall and steps, etc..  So when I see this going on outside my window, I had to ask that question.  Of course he says "yes it's necessary!" Like I'm crazy for even asking.  Ok then, I say to myself...now we have 2 patios.  This new one is more of a private area with a walkway that adjoins the other patio but it's sort of tucked away.  It is turning out just beautiful and I have come to the conclusion that he has to create.  period.  He does this for a living so you think he would be tired of looking at them or talking about them.  Nope.  This is his passion, so I will sit back...admire and when it's all done, I will take my laptop onto the new patio for my own inspiration and tell him how very necessary it was!~ xo

Site supervision:

Also very necessary for him...as he said "it helps the creative flow" lol...

The Many Hats We Wear...

     Have you thought about the many "hats" you wear?  A hat for each role:....mommy, wife, daughter, sister,  hobbies, job(s), talents, etc..  I thought it would be fun to put together a hat mosaic of the different hats I wear throughout the day, week, year.  Would LOVE to hear about your many hats too!~ xo

Peace...

This picture always moves me to tears...so much pain...so much hurt.  No words today on September 11th,  just wishing you peace...always.

Friday Fab Favorites~Weekend Plans

     I thought it would be fun to put together a flickr mosaic of what I have planned for the weekend, let's see if I can get it all done!  Hair cuts, shipping orders, planning the New York Trip , birthday parties, photo shoots, flea markets, the kids sport activities, maybe sneak in a dinner for two, projects for magazines and other cool stuff.  Those rocking chairs aren't for relaxing...need to buy new ones for our front porch, then I can relax! Looking at the mosaic gives me inspiration to get it done!  Wishing you a wonderful weekend., whether it's relaxing or getting things done. ~ xo

Go Coastal...

   

     Do you love the coastal decor look?  I do! .. and I have the perfect eye candy for you!  My friend Janet from Shabbyfufu in sunny Florida wrote this beautiful article on Year Round Coastal Style featuring another friend of mine author Barbara Jacksier .  Janet's eye for design and elegant style has been featured in numerous magazine's and she is one of the original shabby, vintage "e-boutiquers" (is that even a word?) Let's just say she's been around and knows her business well.  Her long standing beautiful boutique is proof and is a shabby vintage lover's dream come true.  Janet's specialty of fabric dress forms and tea cup chandeliers are superior (I know this because I own some!)  Take a minute to browse her boutique at Shabby FuFu and you will see what I mean!  Also, Janet recently started blogging so please say hello when you have time and enjoy the coast for a while!

Come Window Shop With Me...

    Today my sister and I took our daughters shopping in her lovely little town, filled with so many unique shops at every turn in old historic buildings.  .  Little nooks and crannies, coffee shops, vintage wares, cottage shops.  Of course my niece just wanted to hit the clothing boutiques.  I had an interesting conversation with a fabric store owner, tons of beautiful fabrics, she was showing me around the store...we came across some of the cool fabrics of the fabulous designers I was lucky enough to work with on some upcoming projects. (soon to be posted!) They had a "no photo policy" and I didn't want to be a "bad Tara" ( like my friend Fifi at a shop in CA ), so I behaved and bit my tongue!  Anyway, come window shop with us if you weren't able to get out today!

Trying on some cool jeans:

My niece didn't have to twist our arm to enter this clothing boutique.  So chic!  Chandeliers everwhere!

Our turn for the cottage shops ...

Look what's playing in the old time movie theater... Casablanca!

For you Babette! 

and for you too Fifi ...

and for my paper friends, check out this cool shop's storefront!

is it really that time soon?

Ending with lunch at a cute cafe:

and some water ice to finish it off!  Hope you had fun shopping with us! ~xo