Bella Pink Cafe

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

Ch..Ch..Ch...Changes

     Don't worry, you didn't take a wrong turn, it's still me!   Change is good, no?  I say sure!  It was time to do some major Spring cleaning around here.  No more clutter.  I wanted to create a crisp clean look, less distractions on the sidebars, and backgrounds, etc...  I enlisted the help of super talents Bari J.(for the banner) and Sara  (for changes to the blog design). I also changed the blog name to 'Bella Cafe' and added a new tag line "a vintage pitstop to refuel your soul™" More like me and I think more like the blogger I've become. 

     I do love when bloggers change up their banners every once in a while and do something different which makes you stop and say "wait a minute, where am I?  Did I click on the right blog?!" So if you are asking that question right now, you are here...and I'm glad you are here! Hope you enjoy the crisp fresh feel, and less cluttered look (and hopefully a faster load time too?) 

     Survey results are coming soon, WHOA you ladies know blogging and you know what you want.  I loved every minute of it, learned a lot and want to thank you for helping me with the research project, I received over 400 responses!  The pet peeves were really interesting to read,  there were so many things I never really thought about, some were very direct and to the point, which I really loved and appreciate the candid openness you all shared.  Thank you! ~xo

Blog Investigation, part 1 ...

     Ok, bloggers...need your help on a project and it's on our favorite subject... blogging!  I have some questions for all of you.  I know you are super busy... but since you are all experts in the field, I value your opinions greatly and it would make this little research project even better.  I'll try to make it short, I was able to create a little survey link with 10 questions. ..and hopefully it will work! (a sample question is, "do you like music on blogs?") Anything not listed on the survey (hey, I was only allowed 10 questions, that's why it's labeled "PART 1"... more questions to come!) that you would like to sound off on, be my guest! There is a "pet peeve" area on the survey for things that you would like to bring up (or get off your chest).  Please feel free to be as honest as you want, there is total anonymity with the survey.  I'll be posting the results in a later post.

I can't wait to see your answers and opinions!~ xo

TARA'S PROBING BLOG INVESTIGATION, "PART 1" !

Click Here to take Tara's survey

and the winner is...

     413 comments!  Seriously?? I can't believe it myself.  This was so incredibly FUN!  My inbox was completely jammed from all the comments and I had a moment of drama/panic when I thought all them had disappeared and contacted Typepad, with the help of a fabulous girl named Kimberly, all was fixed (and she entered the contest herself! lol)  Much love to the typepad people.  Also, love to all of YOU! My blog readers ROCK, you are all absolute super stars, beams of light, and the best cheering section a girl could ask for. I read every single post (so did my Mom!) I spent some late nights reading into the wee hours, they were all so inspiring and lovely.  Thank you from the bottom of my pink heart!

     Ok, let's get onto the good stuff and announcing the winner....but first a happy dance (or our version of a drum roll!)

Our winner is #194, ShabbyJuls   Please email me your address and your goodies are on the way!  Thanks to everyone who entered and look for more crazy cool giveaways soon!  Have a fabulous weekend~xo

New Year & Time For a GIVE AWAY!...

 

     Happy New Year to you all!  Since this is my first post of the new year, let's kick it off right and have a blow out give away?  You all have cheered me along in 2007 and I want to say a big fat THANK YOU to everyone, you are the best.  You all inspire me to do better, be better and wish I could give each of you a hug.  All you have to do to win is leave a comment and a winner will be chosen using that cool random number generator thingie on January 12th.  Some changes are coming, you may have noticed the new picture of the back of my head?  It was time for a photo switch out, and since my daughter took that shot after we bought new hats, I thought it would be cool to put it up, she's very excited!. Although my friend Chris said it looks I may be mooning everyone (ps: Happy Birthday!), Sara said it's artistic and mysterious.  I just think it's a cool photo from a 6 year old!.  Would love to hear your thoughts!

Anyhoo, here is what's included in our giveaway, take a look at the photos of the loot below and good luck to you all, just leave a comment to be entered!~ xo

• The February 2008 Romantic Homes Issue
• Vintage Vavoom , a new book from the editors of Romantic Homes
• Trash Ties by Heather Bailey, yeah they're cool, I can't live without them.
• A fabulous french market tote
• Handmade french journal
• A Wriskey from the collection and a Wriskey charm
• Paris Plaque
• A grab bag of tags from Jen at Artful Dreamer
• and last but not least... a super cute pin cushion!

 

Victorian Friend with Style...

    One of my best friends, Gina, has a beautiful Victorian her and her husband painstakingly restored.  Love her style.  So cozy and romantic I thought I would share some quick shots.  The home dates back to the 1800's and has 3 levels.  Lots of nooks and crannies.  They built a carriage house to match the main house and also have a garden shed.  I hope to give you more peeks inside soon!  The picture to the right was taken at our other best friend's wedding rehearsal dinner way back in 1996, the one I mentioned here.  Although now that I look at the picture, it looks like we are dressed for a funeral all in black!  I think I was about 4 months preggers with little man and feeling nauseous and trying to cover my baby bump with black.  The day of the wedding, as bridesmaids, we all wore white, it was really beautiful!  I met Gina, my dark Italian friend, in "Espanol" class when we were 13.  The irony of it all... she is a Spanish teacher herself now.  Crazy cool ! 

Me, Sara and the Junk Drawer...

     Let me do a little horn tooting here TOOT TOOT!  The talented Sara at Sadie Olive Design created a custom "About" page for me on my bloggy.  Check it out here!  I asked her to do a junk drawer with miscellaneous fun facts and I snapped this picture of my junk (really treasure) drawer.  She also spruced up my banner and added some gypsy *bling* on the sides.  The about page design is a cool idea and she will be offering this service for an additional fee with her various design packages.  Sara completed my friend Chris's blog:  Lucy's Lounge at Tutti Chic .  If you are in need of a great website or blog design or just some touch-ups then be sure to contact Sara!

    ALSO!  Thank you for all your sweet, special anniversary wishes, it was like receiving piles of cards in the mailbox, I loved every minute of it and read them all to my husband.  He was impressed.  I can't believe the blog love out there, you are all so awesome!  We went to a really romantic restaurant and just spent the time catching up...a lot of "oh I forgot to tell you this.."  We are so busy during the week (as most of you are I'm sure)...it's nice to get dressed up, eat a good meal. have a few drinks and catch up with the person you usually pass groggily in the kitchen each morning grabbing a cup of coffee with your eyes half closed! ~xo

What Happens In Vegas...

      

     A blog I have enjoyed for a while now is Jackie Von Tobel's.  Her hilarious posts have me giggling out loud, her sense of humor sings to me!  Her new book is out: The Design Directory of Window Treatments and in pre-order status at Amazon .  One of my favorite posts is where she talks about Vegas here where she lives (her hubby was the brainchild behind the slogan "what happens in Vegas...")  I love Vegas and had a blast on a girls getaway there.  I was there during the filming of the movie Casino and met some of the cast!  (So many stories about that trip, one of them involves Charlie Sheen (who is NOT in the movie Casino), some margaritas and a lost shoe....but like the slogan says, it must stay in Vegas?)   Anyway, I had the pleasure of "talking" with Jackie through emails, she is a great lady and an inspiration!   She was kind enough to send me some peeks into the inside of her book.  Stop by her blog and say hello,  I know she will keep it in Vegas!

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!

Photo Shoot...Tutti Chic Style

     Since she already "spilled the beans" on her own blog, I guess I can tell her secret here, right?  My friend Chris from Tutti Chic (in case you were wondering, the word "Tutti" is Italian for "all") had a photo shoot on the grounds of her home in Massachusetts showcasing her lovely gardens and  backyard oasis.  Photographed by the talented Dan Mayers in collaboration for one of Ms. Babette's upcoming books! (author Barbara Jacksier) 

     Stop by Chris's blog here and read about the photo shoot (and see the pictures she took of Dan taking pictures!LOL!) Congrats Chris (and ps tutts:  superman picked out those lavender roses that came yesterday!)

Chris at home:

A sneak preview inside her lovely home:

I'm A Little Tea Shirt...

     My friend Heather Bullard sent me this oh so fabulous "Tea" Shirt.   Is this the cutest thing you've ever seen?  Perfect for us ladies in the "vintage" world.  I'm so happy to be one of the first to get it before she launches her new store The Present Past  Heather and I "met" and quickly became friends while working on a project together (one of those soon to be told surprises I have coming!) and we felt like we knew each other forever.  She is such an inspiration and talented lady.  Love her eye for design and beautiful photography.  I think we will get the chance to meet in person on another project in the works.  Note to Heather:  you were so right about the size my dear!  Fits perfectly :) Ok, for you vintage lovers, go check out her inspiring blog and keep checking for the launch of her gorgeous boutique   Here is a little modeling session with my new tea shirt!

Packaged perfectly to a "tea" in Heather style!

 

 

Fabulous Fifi

     Had to make a quick post (although it shouldn't be so quick since the subject matter is great!) BUT I have a gazillion things on my never ending "to-do" list today.  So here goes...my friend and author, Francoise O'Neill (fifi), whom I mentioned here has started a blog.  Can I just say that the new blog "Chez Fifi" is as fabulous as fifi herself?!  With the help of a VERY talented gal named Shawn, she created the perfect blog for fifi.  I have to thank Shabby Miss Jenn for connecting us with Shawn, she was a godsend!  If you need an awesome banner or any digi scrap *dazzle* (Shawn; that word suits you perfectly!) go see Shawn at her blog Auntie Pea.  I had a lot of emails asking for the blog link when it was ready, so be sure to stop by and see Fifi's blog and say hello, I know she would love to hear from you all, tell her Tara sent you! lol! xo  Visit Chez Fifi Blog

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.