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

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?

Smell Good Books...

   Don't you love the smell of a new book?  I can't get enough of it.  I think it ranks up there with a new car smell and a newborn baby's head.  A recent trip to our local small bookshop uncovered some great finds.  Yes, Amazon is easy... Barnes & Noble has everything under the sun (and a coffee lounge to boot), but there's something so lovely about a little corner bookstore.  Remember the enchanted one in the movie with Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail?  called "The Shop Around The Corner", a book lovers dream.  Anyway, let me share with you some good 'smellin' books from our little shop around the corner! *Warning...lots of pictures ahead!*

     On Alicia's blog, she has written about these yummy cookbooks and I happen to pass by them on my way to the Home Decor section.  These are not your ordinary cookbooks, each page has beautiful photos, incredible family stories and delicious recipes.  I couldn't put them down.  When I paged through each book, I felt like I was transported to another time and place. It reads more like a story than a cookbook.  Aren't the titles dreamy?  Apples For Jam: A Coloful Cookbook and  Falling Clouberries: A World of Family Recipes by Tessa Kiros. I'm anxious to try some of these recipes, they make me want to cook something...anything.  Even if you don't cook, they are lovely to have sitting in your kitchen (just for the cover artwork alone!)

     Coming up with a unique hostess gift (or any gift) sometimes can be so hard.  The Art of Giving takes the guesswork out and is filled with the most creative (and easy) gift giving ideas I've ever seen. There are pages in the back for color copying and making your own labels & tags, etc. Take a look:

    My daughter came home from school last week with a library book that was all tattered, torn, taped (the 3 T's) this book had received it's fair share of use.  After we read the book, it became obvious why it was so over-used....it is probably the cutest darn book (and perfect for a 6 year old who is asking for a new doggie).  She read that book at least 10 times a day, every word, over and over.  Carried it wherever she went (Hey...it even comes with a leash strap!) and was so sad when she had to return it on it's due date.  This book is the next best thing to a dog, and after you read it, you'll know why. (I won't spoil the ending for you.)  So when we passed a new crisp copy in the children's section, she squealed like a monkey, jumping up and down.  I highly suggest Open Me...I'm A Dog to anyone with children (or not) and whether you have a doggie (or not!)~xo

Just Rambling...

   

  Thanks for the cool comments on the blabby video post!  We'll work on making it more audible (hello? couldn't hear a thing) and more interesting topics...less rambling... more light, more fun.  That was just a test run. (I'd say it was very raw footage..or film lying on the cutting room floor?) We'll jazz it up, especially for you...after all, you are the best bloggers around and deserve first class video posts.  I named the last post "Sunday Night Live", but it would be cool to do it each week?  Not sure, Sunday nights here at our home have a fun relaxing ritual...we cook up a great dinner, turn the TV off , play a board game (usually it's 'Trouble' ) and then we make the kids homemade milkshakes (with extra chocolate syrup).  It's something they look forward to each week (and takes their minds off of going back to school the next day!) I wonder if that would make a good video post?  We'll see.  Whatever you want, just let me know!

     Love the photo above, so serene, makes me want to just curl up, rest and read a book. (or better yet, fall asleep reading a book)  I'm not sure where it's from, it's been on my computer for a while. (if anyone happens to know the photographer, please let me know for credit purposes) I may need to crawl into that picture asap...lots of Wriskey™ business going on around here..."soon" is approaching fast!  Combined with a few trips we have planned for business and I'm feeling tired and excited at the same time.  One trip that is strictly for fun that I'm really looking forward to is the tropical getaway in March... BahamaMama here I come!  I can feel the sand and sun now...excuse me while I go jump into that picture above and dream away for a while, be back in a bit!~xo

Tassles & Dazzles...

     Here is a quick shot of the Target curtains I talked about here.  My talented seamstress added some *tassle dazzle*.  Now they look custom and I love it!  A girl can never have too many tassles?!

     Speaking of dazzle, I ordered this beautiful paperweight from Janet at ShabbyFufu.  It came packed with goodies in true FuFu style.  Such a unique idea and a beautiful gift for someone special on your list!  I mentioned Janet and her home in Florida here in a previous post.  You can find these beautiful paperweights at her store here ~xo

Fashion Friday part 2...

I put together this mosaic to hang up for visual reference for my weekend project....does anybody really wear these?  However, when they are put together like this they remind me of cupcakes!...Chock full of inspiration in every little detail... thought I would share with all of you couture divas!  Ok, back to work!  ~xo

Fashion Friday & other must haves...

Working on a super cool project over the weekend (think Vogue, couture, jewels, tiara, etc..) and it has me thinking of  fashion, beauty and my own "must haves", so I thought I would share here if you are looking for some new things to try.  First up:  for those sweet people that emailed about my previous post, my sunglasses are by Ralph Lauren!  They are huge beetle looking things, BUT they cover the face and prevent squinting which causes the dreaded frown lines in between the eyebrows (often referred to as the # 11, since that's what it looks like!).  My mother puts it into perspective by saying... "I have earned those lines and eleven is my lucky number!" 

I don't know about you, but I can't go in the Fall without a long sweatercoat, I love them and probably have too many.  This cute one I ordered from White House Black Market

I don't leave the house without my favorite lip gloss by MAC ...color: "Underage" (Don't you love the titles of lipstick and nailpolish?  That would be a cool job to have!)

Also, I can not live without Laura Mercier "Secret Camouflage".  This stuff can cover a zit the size of  a Limoges dinner plate!   I love flip flops, but when the weather gets cold here on the East Coast, I slip on my Rocket Dog clogs.  They go with anything and are so comfy (with or without socks!)

For hair I use Redken and the "All Soft" line.  Love the way it makes my hair feel...softer, shinier, thicker. (and it smells good too!)  OH! and I was asked a few times via email what bracelet I was wearing in the picture with the pumpkin on the previous post.  It's my FAVORITE accessory... I do get a lot of compliments on it when I am out and about...it was a gift from my parents for my birthday about 7 years ago, it's from Tiffany and it's called the Bone Cuff Bracelet.  I wear it almost everyday!  Love it.  Not sure if it's still available, since it was a few years ago, but it *rocks*!  More emails asking about my necklaces (dang my inbox was FULL after the last post! lol..I'm flattered, really!)  For necklaces I love to layer them...silver...gold...chunky, anything with charms, etc... the more the better I think! 

Ok...back to work...please share your "must haves" with me too!... Hope you have a fashionably fabulous weekend!~ xo

Celebrity Style Friday

     Don't you love peeking in celebrity homes?  Grab the new copy of In Style Home and check out Molly Sims Manhattan apartment.  Her style is definitely right up our alley!  She buys from ebay and frequents antique stores.  Molly talks about visiting Paris and treasure hunting at the Clignancourt Flea Market , speaking French fluently and haggling with the vendors!  My kind of girl.  Here are some photos if you can't get a copy quick enough.  Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend~ xo.

All photos from In Style Home, photographed by Troy House

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

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

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

Friday Eye Candy & other stuff...

     Here is a Friday Fab Favorite to kick off the weekend.  I just love putting these together, so many talented people!

     On a sad note, we attended my sister in law's father's funeral this week.  He died 10 days after walking her down the aisle at the wedding that I wrote about here on the blog.  I even posted a sweet picture of her and her Dad lighting a candle in memory of her Mom.  He died suddenly of a heart attack and unfortunately my brother was the one who found him.  His funeral was lovely, he was an avid painter/artist...handpainting every birthday card and Chistmas card every year.  He would paint houses, cottages, horses...whatever tickled his fancy.  All of his beautiful artwork was displayed at the funeral.  I hope to share with you some of his paintings here on the blog.  So talented, he will be sadly missed.  I know my brother and sister in law treasure those wedding photos even more now.

    On a lighter note, we will be going to our annual family reunion this weekend.  It's a blast every year.  My Dad's side of the family is huge and it became a tradition that we all look forward to.  This year, my sister and I are in charge of bringing the sweets...she is working on one of her fancy desserts...but I am bringing the traditional homemade brownies and chocolate covered strawberries.  Who doesn't love them?!

     Also, I heard (and thank you to the many emails!) that the October issue of Romantic Homes is out and my new column is in there where I get to talk about my favorite subject...BLOGS!  How fun is that?  I didn't get to see it yet, hopefully soon.  I will be taking some time off to work on some deadlines, new projects and re-stock the shelves in the boutique.  Enjoy your weekend! ~xo

Just Playing

     Just bought a bunch of digi srap stuff, playing around with my photos!  Here is a thank you to everyone who has taken the time to drop by and say hello, or just browse around and smell the roses! xo

 

Friday Fab Favorites~Wedding Day!

     How perfect to put together this Friday's fab favorite's to honor my brother's wedding day!  Yep! It's today!  Have a wonderful weekend, gotta get ready for the big event, xo

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!

 

 

Friday Fab Favorites!

     Ok, this was fun.  I have always wanted to do this after seeing them on my dear friend Heather's blog.(ps: Have you seen her blog? She rocks! I will tell you how we met in a later post!)  So here goes... my little inspiration for this week (and should carry me into the weekend).  I will try to do this every Friday to start the weekend off right! Hope you enjoy, all courtesy of Flickr (photo credits can found on this link).  xo

mental note:  work on fixing the right side so it's not cut off! UGH! 

Little Packages

     I love the sound of the UPS/ Fed Ex or mail truck pulling up our long driveway.  I know what that means...another pretty package awaits me.  Yesterday it was this lovely piece.  An altered clipboard, almost too pretty to use don't you think?  How can I possibly stick stark white sheets of paper with nonsense written on them and cover this up.  No way.  This will have to be displayed proudly..maybe on a shelf or in a hutch hubby is making for the studio....hmm...where is he anyway?  I think he might be hiding from me..

Any Given Sunday

I love Sunday morning trips to our favorite outdoor flea market in Lambertville NJ.  Just a short drive across a small bridge from Pennsylvania takes us to a little piece of heaven!  It's jam packed with great vendors and hardly room to move.  Our favorite seller is a dear older man who calls himself "Hippie Jim".  He works the table with his son and they treat us like royalty when they see me and my little family coming.. He sings..."here she is, our favorite pink lady"...he remembers my childrens names, gives them each a soda pop and a treat each week.  They adore him.  While I am searching his 3 large tables (he saves all the pink for me in a corner!)  he lets the kids ring the big giant bell everytime he makes a sale!  It's a crack up!  He gave our Natalie a cute vintage leopard beret for being a good helper. Next week, I will remember to take his picture and share with all of you...here are some shots from this morning...

The bridge to flea finds!

Just a small section of the huge market....time to hunt!

A gift from Hippie Jim, the Prince song "Raspberry Beret" comes to mind! (except replacing raspberry with leopard!)

Our finds from the day....PLATE PALOOZA!  They will be listed tomorrow in our Boutique at Bella Pink

Playing With Color (or lack of!)

I am playing around with my photos.  I love the look of Black & White and some color popping through..of course I chose pink for this one!  Still learning, but it's fun to experiment :)

Ethan Goes Pink

isn't this quick page digi great?  Here is where I bought it: Scrapbook Graphics

After browsing through the new Ethan Allen furniture catalogue, (a whopping 320 pages!) I was excited to see a room and accessories in PINK.  They call it "The Blush of Romance".  I have a lot of furniture from Ethan Allen during their french provincial phase (they have discontinued that line)  Lots of big, antique white furniture that looks like it came straight from France.  I was disappointed with their new look until I came to these pages.  Of course hubby would never allow a pink family room, but one can dream!  (I sneak it in when I can.)

Tiffany Blue

Ok, I know we are all pinked out here...but who doesn't love the infamous "blue" box?  I remember my first one, from my parents, I still remember screaming and jumping up and down, not even knowing (or caring) what was inside, I just loved the box!  So with Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I would drop some hints to hubby and leave some boxes around my studio.

Fabrics & Linens

Some of my favorite fabrics and tablecloths

Pillows and things