KEEPING THE FAITH...

Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. how much stuff do we really need... all we really need is Love, Faith & Hope... wishing all my blogging buddies the simple pleasure in life. xoxoxo Laura

BED OF ROSES....

I still love the idea of an upholstered headboard.. It's like an accessory item for the bedroom... a necklace for your bed...loving just beautiful white linens on the bed you can change you head board according to the seasons, your mood or a just great inexpensive way to update your bed.. Share some ideas you may have on headboards you love. P.S. I have & made myself a white linen covered headboard in my Bedroom..love it.
xoxox Laura

COINCIDENTAL POSITIONING PHOTOGRAPHY... HAD TO SHARE MORE BELOW..

WINTER ROSES

BEAUTIFUL VELVET & FRENCH RIBBON ROSE PINS AVAILABLE AT VERBENA... ONE OF MY FAVORITE PERSONAL ITEMS I WEAR WITH MY DYED VINTAGE SLIPS, TEES & JEANS...ALSO LOOKS PRETTY ON OUR VERBENA SACRED TREASURE HANDMADE BAGS!!! SEE FRENCH RIBBON COLORS TOO. $22.00 VELVET SHADES OF PINK. $18.00 FRENCH RIBBON. E-MAIL ME TO PURCHACE. DELLAPORTA@COX.NET...

PAINTED ANGELS AT VERBENA

BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL ANGEL ART PAINTED ON WOOD BOARD SEVERAL SIZES AVAIL TO PURCHACE... CONTACT ME FOR DETAILS..GREAT GIFT GIVING... XOXOX LAURA

VERBENA SACRED TREASURES... MY LONGTIME VISION..

After many months getting the line together, copyrighting logos, a few big bumps along the way and an overwhelming response, my new line VERBENA SACRED TREASURES.. consisting of accessories, inspirational images with a vintage twist & jewelry collection is available. Please contact me for details.

Keeping The Faith!!!

I am very Blessed to have met with the kindest & nicest lady in Publishing today... Jenny Doh at Stampington regarding publishing my new line of inspirational religious tees, bags etc... Verbena Sacred Treasures has been a long time vision of mine.. inspired by my Grandmother, my Catholic upbringing & Italian heritage.I am proud to share my designs & passions with new in this new adventure. I will keep you posted.. xoxox Laura

QUEEN MARIE IN FRENCH LAVENDER

VIRGIN GORDA.... BLOGGING BREAK...

TAKE A MINUTE FOR YOUR SELF.... IMAGINE YOURSELF SITTING DOWN RELAXING ON TOP OF THIS HILL...FEEL THE WARM SUN...FEEL THE BREEZE BLOW THROUGH YOUR HAIR... BREATH... FEEL THE MAGIC OF THIS SACRED ISLAND... BETTER....O.K YOU CAN GO BACK TO BLOGGING NOW. ( many years ago I was very fortunate to travel by boat to this incredible place... it brings back a lot of special memories.. take time to think of special times in your life and think of all the better times to come)
xoxoxo Laura

And you got to have Friends...so Bette says...

I am blessed to have a few but very special friends in my life... Thank you to those who are my true friends...

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
~ Unknown

A friend is a gift you give yourself.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

What little things mean the most to you?

The Little Things It's the little things in life I pay most attention to Sometimes the smallest insult Can hurt the most A little white lie Can ruin everything It's the little things in life I cherish most One flower stands out In a garden of hundreds Two kids pointing at the night sky Not sure what they're thinking But they too Appreciate the little things It's the little things in life You do for me that I love A quick touch of your hand As we walk past one another A little but tight hug Holding me up when I want to fall One thing I adore most The way you look at me A little turn of the head While I stare into your eyes You look into my heart by Cody

Ready to move in...

I don't remember where I got this photo but I just love this room. I always wanted a claw tub bath in an open bedroom... imagine the fire going.... nice tunes...candles....I would add a cozy rug...mmmm good night....

Simply The Best..

Even though Rachael Ashwell's style is still romantically simple there is still some kind of magic in it that I love & I can't get enough of... Visiting her Santa Monica Shop you can feel the magic... I love the ways she now incorporates a mix & bend of ethnic patterns & colors.. ( see article in Romantic Country Magazine)

Blogging Blessings..

Thank you all for your lovely comments.. Blogging has certainly changed my life for the better. I have connected with so many amazing creative souls & am excited about a special project I am working on & developing... I will be sharing with you soon. I had a gathering at my home last night with some of the local artists who will be making Holiday treasures for Verbena... we have a surprise Artist that will be the highlight of our Ladies Night out next Thursday... Stay posted. xoxoxo Laura

Holidays birdies..

Many requests for Verbena's handmade birdies stuffed with pine & lavender for the holidays..we are busy sewing & filling our nests for next weeks big Holiday event downtown ( Thursday 20th 4-9:00... Be sure to stop by..

Our Marvelous handmade Mermaid Ms Faye.. Great Gifts

Ms Faye loves aroma therapy & will help you find a yummy handmade soap for your bath or you can take Ms Faye home to sit in your bathroom Armoire...
Contact me for details.

My Dad Robert Venosa...Love him sooo much

One of the best days visiting California was driving up the cost ( listening to Adele purchased at Gianetti Home I might add) going to see my father Robert Venosa & his beautiful wife Martina Hoffman. I am very very proud of my dad.. check out his work he is a world known visionary artist www.venosa.com as well as his wife www.martinahoffman.com you will be amazed.
I will never forget this day I was so happy being with them. I took a quiet walk along the beach by myself, collected rocks for my children, stopped at a local fish market located right off the beach.. we had an incredible dinner... a time I will cherish...life seems to be going faster these days.. I don't know when I will see them again... They sent these pictures to me tonight I wanted to share them with you. xoxox Laura ( please take note... what's the heck is up with my bag?)

St Ynes, California...Martina

4

Robert Venosa ( my dad) & Martina Hoffman

My father & his wife have been together for thirty years they have one of the most special, loving & inspiring relationships I have ever seen. I love being with them.

Behind The Green Door???

the sign speaks for itself

Santa Barbara... happy times with Martina

The one & only Robert Venosa.... My Dad

www.venosa.com

ANGEL BOY WAITING FOR YOU ....AT ROCOCO FLOWERS

ROCOCO FLOWERS HAS THE BEST SELECTION OF VERY OLD GARDEN ELEMENTS. THEY HAVE BEEN ON MONTANA AVE IN SANTA MONICA FOR 15 YEARS ( NEXT TO THE SHABBY CHIC STORE) I WISH THEY HAD A WEB SITE.. THE OWNERS NAME IS BRANCO HE IS A CHARACTER FROM THE OLD COUNTRY.. I ENJOYED MY TIME TALKING TO HIM...

BOUNTIFUL WINDOW

THE MOST IMPORTED BEAUTIFUL RUGS..ROCOCO FLOWERS

GREAT PRICES TOO..I HAVE NOT SEEN RUGS LIKE THIS ANYWHERE.. THEY ARE ALL HAND MADE & HAND CARRIED FROM EUROPE..THEY HAVE NO WEBSITE... YOU CAN CONTACT THEM 310-4582828 THEY HAVE HUNDREDS OF THEM PILED UP EVERYWHERE.. I WILL BE BACK TO BUY ONE ON MY NEXT TRIP.

ROCOCO FLOWERS... SANTA MONICA

BEST SELECTION OF METAL GLIDERS LOVE THIS PIECE..

Bountiful Venice ..

SOUL SISTERS..

CINDY AT WORK..

ORIGINAL SIGNITURE SPOON BRACLET MADE BY CINDY

BEAUTIFUL BOTTLES made by Kecia!!! AT WORKSHOP..

NANCY EATING A PRETZEL OR MAYBE SHE IS SOLDERING ONE?

BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBOR DIANNE.

MISS DOLLY BELLE IS AMAZING I LOVE HER STYLE!!!

AFTER WE DRANK THE CONTECTS IN THESE BOTTLES THIS IS WHAT CINDY CREATED... JUST KIDDING... CINDY ORIGINALS...

LIGHTS ON I'M HOME..

MANY MORE PICTURES TO POST THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING...TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY. XOXOXO lAURA I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT THEM IN BLOG ORDER STILL LEARNING. XOXOXO LAURA

HEAVEN ON EARTH...

EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK AT BOUNTIFUL THERE IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLE TO SEE.. THIS SHOT IS LOOKING UP ABOVE.

SALVAGED SANTUARY...

BOUNTIFUL'S THE BEST!!!

LOCATED IN VENICE BEACH NO SIGN BUT YOU KNOW WHEN YOU PULL UP.. YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT SHABBY HEAVEN...THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING SPACE FILLED WITH EVERYTHING YOU LOVE.. THER ARE NO WORDS SUE'S SANCTUARY IT IS AN EXPERIENCE.. I LOVED IT!!!

RACHAEL WHO???

o.k. so my first stop was the Shabby Chic store on Montana.. I am still a loyal Rachael Ashwell fan. I can't imagine what would life be like if Rachael never created the Shabby Chic line? What if she designed only shoes? Oh that might be an idea white cotton slippers with little crowns.. Rachael if you are reading this I will order a pair... Anyway Living in Horse Country (Ocala) for many years I needed a shabby fix real bad. Every one is so nice & helpful in the store.. I didn't want to leave.

HELLO CALIFORNIA....COTTAGE LIVING AT ITS BEST...

My dear friends Richard & Bea have a beautiful home & guest cottage in Brentwood Ca. ( their home is behind this cottage & pool area) I was very fortunate to be able to have this lovely home all to MYSELF for ten days... ... ... what more can I say...life will never be the same!!!

BLESSINGS TO ALL..

PLEASE BE PATIENCE WITH ME ME I WILL BE POSTING MY TRIP PICTURES LATER.. AFTER BEING GONE FOR TEN DAYS I AM BACKED UP WITH CUSTOM ORDERS AND GETTING VERBENA READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS... THIS PICTURE ABOVE IS TAKEN IN ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOPS IN BRENT WOOD CALLED ROCOCO FLOWERS...( NO WEBSITE A RARE FIND) THEY SELL THE MOST UNUSUAL ITEMS... BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS,CRUSTY& RUSTY IRON URNS, BIRDCAGES, AMAZING RUGS YOU WILL NOT SEE ANYWHERE FROM EUROPE, ALSO SPECIALIZING IN OLD METAL GLIDERS... IF YOU WANT TO SPOT A CELEBRITY TAKE A PEEK IN THEIR BACK ROOM SHOPPING... I DID MMMMM.. PLEASE LOOK FOR MY POSTS...XOXOXO LAURA

REAL INSPIRATION!!!

MY FAVORITE ANTIQUE...MARGIE GREEN 100 YEARS OLD!!! THAT'S RIGHT. WHILE MAKING A STOP AT KINKOS THIS WONDER WOMAN WAS MAKING A COPY OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY PICTURE OF HER BALLROOM DANCING PARTY. WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT HER SECRET IS TO A LONG LIFE SHE REPLIED... BALLROOM DANCING, ATTITUDE & YOUNG MEN.. MANY MORE PICTURES TO COME.

BACK HOME TO..OCALA...

HI MY BLOGGING BUDDIES.... I JUST GOT BACK.. MY TRIP WAS AMAZING!!! I WILL BE POSTING LATER ..AFTER I DO SOME LAUNDRY, MAKE A POT OF CHICKEN SOUP, MAKE THE SCHOOL RUN, ETC...I AM STILL HAVING A BIT OF CULTURE SHOCK... MISSING CALIFORNIA SO MUCH...TALK TO YOU LATER...