Now this is Something to Blog about!!!! Believe!!!!

O.K. there are two parts to this story how do I explain something like this.. Right now I am full of so much excitement & joy I can not up load this fast enough... O.K. I will start my story.. & am sorry I never write this much but you MUST READ THIS..yesterday while working in the store I was behind my counter bending looking for something when all of a sudden when I got up a mysterious looking man was standing right in front of me he startled me.. at first I though he was homeless ( sorry if he ever reads this) he looked like a cross between A hippy from Woodstock & Santa Clause.. I said can I help you he said I am the Spoon Man where is the waif that use to work here not me I have been here for several years then he pulled out piles of handmade vintage spoons he makes into bracelets... oh my heart was beating they are beautiful perfect for my store I was thinking.. as we started to talk it turns out he is from the Midwest travels around with his wife in a bus and just sell these spoon bracelets.. He said he has been making them for Thirty years that all he does.. o.k. I can go on & on I bought a bunch for the shop thinking I could do some fun embellishments to them for my customers... One of the things I though I would love especially for was to add a watch... I do not have one & I thought it is Time for me to wear one.. the man left and that was that..anyway park that thought.. Today when I got home from the store a box was waiting on my porch...mmm I thought what is this from who.. it was from Dawn Marie.. someone I connected with on Facebook, never met face to face but am beyond honored to have connected with her...why well you tell me..not only did she make me the most incredible gifts.. I never expected any of these & was shocked when I opened up the box. scroll down to see what she did but the last gift I opened up was guess what???? The spoon bracelet with a watch on it.. better yet it was from the same man who came into my shop here in Florida I know they are his because he has special closures that only he does & when I put Two & two together Dawn Marie lives in the same State as he...Minnesota ... Now what do you think of that!!!! Please go visit Dawn Marie (artifacts & whimsy blogspot) for me send out some love to someone special... she is am Angel On Earth.. A REAL One.. This is what she did.. How do you give back to someone like her???

I believe!!!

peek inside the box...there is a Santa

For my daughter!!!! OMG how cute is this packaging!!!
Handmade stocking filled with healing gifts.. funny my nickname was Jasper & my stone is rose quartz.. how did she know?
Love Love this... Dawn Is an Angel Artist on Earth!!!!
wrapped for A Vintage Queen Vintage Queen.... Oh No Glamor Queen even better!!!!
In person this handmade box would make your heart melt!
now this makes me thing I better start making time for the important things in my life!!!!
yes I am frustrated & the naked truth.. not to much these days... naked though... scary
aromatherapy... my favorite
A yummy pile all cut up waiting for me..pinching myself!!!!
My beautiful Spoon watch... can you believe it!!!!
This is the spoon I purchased for the shop yesterday from the mysterious spoon man.. Believe That's all I can say there are angles around us.. Believe in God, Believe in Yourself, Believe that everything always works out for the best... Believe in Faith Hope & love... God Bless you all.. may all your dreams come true in the New Year!!! xoxoxo laura

Where my dreams are made...

Hope you all are great & getting into the Holiday spirit...I have not started my Christmas shopping & have just started to put up a few decorations...there are some many beautiful blogs out there filled with amazing Holiday treasures...I am not there this year for some reason... but have put my energies into my home studio..I have finally clean up & organized it I as promised here is a very small peek at where I dream late at night, create a mess, sew, make jewelry, mosaic & whatever I am in the mood to do...I am in the process of developing a new company & taking a whole new direction for the coming year so place stay in touch as I will keep you posted...If you come by for a visit sit by the fire & have a cup of tea or Java... & I hope you do...please remember Studio hours are 11:00 p.m. -2:00 a.m.
my favorite corner & chair where I sit, rock & daydream when I have the time...
Thank you for taking a peek . Many more picture to come... xoxo Laura

A Sparklie Christmas Message.... Part 1

Bonjour my blogging buddies!!!! O.K. I had this idea in my head to paint a pink glitter Eiffel Tower with white Swallows flying up & around all the windows to the last window forming a peace sign..This is my first attempt to paint a window but you get the idea.. Not the straightest but in person it looks really nice. I will take pictures this week of how it turned out lots of details & more sparkles added.. I am also taking pictures of my moms shop you will love it..

Left front door...
Peace on Earth!!!! Keep in mind this window is not decorated in this photo.. I will take & post this week. xooxxoo laura

Verbena Jardin Crown!!!!

Bonjour out there!!! It's me bad blogging girl.. checking in finally ..I have never been this busy in my life.. maybe because I am finally giving FB a rest... or maybe it's just that time of the year where my customers are looking for something a little different & personal..this is it!!! My original Verbena Jardin Crown was made to sit atop my vintage dress form but can be used to add beauty atop an old book, a shelf or on your head!!! This unexpected piece has become quite the item!!! I hand make these myself & personalize in my romantic muted shades or color theme of your choice.. special trinkets, charms & memory items are added to each one... Now shipped in a sweet cake box makes the best gift!!! I have done them for Holidays,Weddings, baby showers, birthdays, Garden Parties, Retail shop Windows... this one is a custom order to give you an idea.. You can message me to order & get all the details.... Hope you love it as much as I do making them!!! xoxo Laura

LETS GET IN THE SPIRIT !!!!

Verbena Girl here...I can't believe the Holidays are right around the corner... and I can't believe I am posting a Holiday Picture this early... but I just love this time of year & though why not get in the spirit a little early this year!!!! Lets start sending out Happy Holidays thoughts & good cheer to all!!! There is enough sadness & stress around so lets get this party started!!!
***** I will be featuring & posting my moms out of this world Gourmet shop... Edie Gourmet... and posting pictures this week.. you will love it.... see ya around town. xoox Laura

Rachel Ashwell... Shabby Chic Book Signing!!!

The Shabby girls..or shall I say The Shabby Queen with The Shabby Girl..

Rachel Ashwell... is a dream come true

I have been a Shabby Chic fan for over 17 years. I think most of us know what Shabby Chic is & how Rachel's beautiful dreamy style

transformed our interiors & changed the world of flea market shopping... I can go on & on about how much I love her style but what is more important is the woman who created all of this incredible beauty is just as beautiful as a person..I was honored to spend some time talking with her... and must say I was enamored listening to her as she gave her book presentation.. she is beautiful, down to earth, spiritual, & a little Shabby in a good way...wearing a pretty pink vintage top, faded jeans...worn out leather belt...sueded mutted out boots...crumpled big white leather bag.... Thank you Rachel for such a special time!!! You MUST own her new book for your collection it is a treasure just like her!!!! xooxoo Shabby Girl Laura

The Book Center ladies are super sweet & helpful... thank you for all your help ladies & saving me a seat in the first row...
lots of construction going on here.. a little Shabby road...
Oh this is the table? where is the beautiful Shabby Table covering?????


Oh there ya go... Rachel giving her heart felt book presentation... she is just beautiful!!!
Rachel getting ready for her book signing... love this table covering you can purchase it at her store....
I will always treasure Rachel's New Book for many years to come & will past it on to my daughter.... xooxxo Shabby Girl forever Laura

Fifi O'Neal . The Creative French Goddess ... check out her necklace !!!!

First of all I want to start this post by saying a few years ago when I first staring blogging I discovered a blog called Chez Fifi I think almost any one who loves all that is beautiful on this planet earth knows who Fifi is..a real Angel on earth & if you don't you MUST go to her blog

http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/chez_fifi
Fifi works non stop always creating something more beautiful then the next.. whether she is recreating a plain store bought table into a french inspired treasure, introducing a new creative soul to the blogging community or just talking about her late night drive to the airport discovering an angry opossum sitting in the back seat of her car smiling at her & wanting to go off to Provence for her next Photo shoot, Fifi in my opinion is everyone's favorite treasure!!! So that is what I wanted to share Now the other thing I wanted to share is she has a a NEW T.V. show in the works with H.G.T.V. go to her blog to read about it and look at what she is wearing in her T.V. video... VERBENA'S OLIVIA ROSE NECKLACE!!!!! How great is that & how honored am I!!! So that's my exciting post for today.. I will have this necklace uploaded on etsy... currently selling under the name apieceofvintage.... any question just email me at dellaporta@cox.net.
xooxoo Laura

What's New.. New Day, New necklace, New ad...

The day is over... getting ready to turn out the lights.... ... Tomorrow is a brand New day!!!
The Magical Window Necklace... so original, available for purchase one of a kind ( etsy) it's NEW romantic, Vintagy & just magical...

I am very happy how our NEW ad turned out!!!! That's all folks!!! xoxo Laura

My Shabby Space... but not chic...

I am working on organizing & cleaning out my studio I started to work on it last Sunday but then decided to go swimming instead... This picture was taken at sunset to hide my mess. I don't know what it is but I have this block to get organized...It's not one of my strong points never has been... I do wish I was a little more anal ( oops) so I figured if I posted part of my home/studio work area it would put a little pressure on me & force me to get it together.... so will call these the before shots & will post the after soon I promise...
my little crammed messy alcove where I am now....
Oh how I love my books.. this is my sitting area right behind my alcove... to be continued...

Hallmark Who?

Here's a sweet idea for a card to give to a friend... I remember my grandmother always giving hankies as gifts... This one for you nanny....

My friend loves roses & lace so I used some pretty vintage wall paper I have been saving, use any color construction paper fold in half then decorate to your hearts desire... the vintage wall paper was glued to the front, lace buttons, rhinestones...whatever you have in your stash........ when she opens it up......
Oh how sweet a vintage hankie tucked underneath a wide piece of ribbon hot glue works wonders around here..... Don't forget to wrap it in a pretty ribbon with some little flower posies to finish it off....that was my little crafty project for you... xoxo laura

Welcome to our special nest... Verbena's Artist Studio...

Today we had our first Sewing class taught by Melody ...she is such a beautiful lady, teacher & friend.. I think this is the beginning of many classes here in the Studio.. I feel as if I am truly doing what I love.. bringing kindred spirits together to learn, create & have fun!!! I am posting some pics to share our special space here in this Historic building and some pictures of the studio & class...I am a little tired so please excuse my post if it's a little dull.. xoox Laura
Welcome to the first landing .. check out the stain glass window.. one of many...one the most incredible buildings in Down town Ocala.. The Marion Block Building was once housed as the original Ocala Opera house.
Up the stairs to the Studio...nothing like this building downtown
I love the old world charm & beauty of this hallway.. original oak paneling, tiled floors, high ceilings and us!!!
Sewing area.. our cozy peaceful corner in the world.

Special Irish linen stored away for projects
Oh that darn bobbin... Melody is the queen of sewing I must say.
Catherine, Melody & Olivia sewing & thinking........
Jennifer with her sweet little pin cushion.
Catherine with Her sweet little pin cushion.

The Verbena Look... Casual... Bohemian..Romance!!!

Recently I was asked by another Retailer to describe the style & feel of Verbena... it just came to me.. Casual, Bohemian & Romantic.. all of us who create are really expressing who we are.. at Verbena I not only share my passion of what I love but share other artistic styles of other creative souls.... it all comes together creating magical beauty I must say. Please watch for some beautiful new clothing & accessory designs I would love to share... Happiness to all xoxoo laura

Merci My Friends!!!

If there is a Bad Blogger award I deserve it... and if there is Rose I tess I have it...O.K. first of all MERCI... THANK YOU to all my blogging friend who have come to visit... and came back..but where have I been...oh I guess you can say a little lost.. just trying to find my way.. (some things are better left alone right)... retail ahhh...trying to keep the store afloat... working hard preparing Verbena's Salon/Workshop for classes to be opened next week...filling wholesale & custom rose orders... sewing bags mostly by hand all to pay the bills ahhhh & hanging out on Facebook when I should be here with you.. well I am sorry I seem to get off track from time to time but my energies are back to keep you up to date with my world.. and I will say this I have a renewed energy & am excited with all that is happening here down South!!! FOR STARTERS IT'S FALL GIVE AWAY TIME.. ADD YOUR NAME AND A COLOR (toasted rose, shabby pink,cream, ginger snap, pistachio, lavender, bluebell, aubergene, chocolate, etc...)TO THE COMMENTS... I WILL PICK A NAME IN A WEEK AND SEND YOU A ROSE MADE JUST FOR YOU.. BIG, SCRUNCY , BEAUTIFUL MADE WITH LOTS OF LOVE... MY WAY OF SAYING MERCI FOR BEING THERE!!! XOOXXOLAURA

we know everything coming up roses even though fall is in the air in some places..these are still one of my favorite items.. ever so popular.. a lot of work goes into these...(toasted rose..... Ginger snap above colors) I have over ten colors available roses are made with vintage rhinestones, french ribbons, vintage buttons lots & lots of buttons... all packaged in a nested treasure bag available wholesale & retail..contact me for details..