Let's fly away!!!

Hi my blogging buddies..I will be flying away from my nest & off to my favorite city San Francisco!!!! Just a quick trip to do some buying & selling... and attend my dad's art exhibit. back in the old days I lived in Half Moon Bay & Pacific Heights... I truly did leave my heart in San Francisco... high above a hill...and it is calling me...
If anyone has any suggestions for some special places to see & people to meet just drop me a line.... I will post my pictures and some exciting news when I return on the June 10th. xooxo laura

The SUN is shinning!!!

This morning when the sun finally came out my son said good morning sun time to get back from your vacation!!!! God Bless my Dante!!!! So for now I am trying to get a better shot of my these magical necklaces for you to see in brighter light.....Lately I have been doing some soul searching and really looking into what my true passion is & always has been.. not going into too many details I have decided to take a new fresh direction and will be incorporating all things healing for the body & soul. I will be posting more soon.
The Verbena Goddess necklaces ... I posted last week & am selling from my blog ..These are one of a kind semi precious stone pieces... All our prices are very affordable.

p.s. each necklace come with a detailed description of the stones their healing elements and wrapped beautifully in a handmade sack just for you. Want some love... try a little rose quartz ...
email dellaporta@cox.net... paypal accepted... limited quantities available.

Sacred Treasures I am so in love with!!!!

O.K. I just got in the rain has not let up at all...but I think the Heavens have opened up here in Ocala and are pouring real treasures into the nest!!! .. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing customers & truly gifted Artists who help make Verbena the special place it is. I am posting a picture I took before I left the store to show you these amazing necklaces.. I have close up shots & will post in detail. Verbena Sacred Goddess Necklaces I call them... exclusively available here at Verbena ... . They are magical... like nothing I have seen in a long time...All made of Semiprecious stones, rose quartz, turquoise, tigers eye,Kyanite, Crystal, agate, smoky quartz, carnelian, vintage shells, grandmothers findings,sea charms, copper findings etc...... all highest quality semi precious stones & findings... ( nothing you will find at your local craft stores) the stones & finding are searched in special places... including grandmothers box left behind... really... I wear mine everyday... Please let me know if you would like me to post more photos & are interested in these special pieces. I truly am in love with them.
xoxo laura

Rain Rain Go Away!!!!

Hi My friends...Took this picture looking out my sun room window. But there is no sun. It has been raining nonstop for six day here in NW Central Florida...my outside bucket filled op over twenty inches!!! We know nature needs it's nourishment & all the flowers & trees will be bursting of color and fresh scents when it stops but we have had enough.....my home has a mote around it filled with water.. my garage ( antique mall) is flooded ... and as I write this it is getting dark again outside... here it comes... I am on my way Downtown to the store... Rain or shine retail must go on!!!! Have a great day!!! xoxoo laura

For all you GOOD apples!!!!

Women...

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree.

Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of

falling and getting hurt. Instead, they sometimes take the apples from

the ground that are not as good but easy. The apples at the top think

something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just

have to wait for the right person to come along for the one who is brave

enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Now Men. . .

Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to

stomp the shit out of them until they turn into something acceptable to

have dinner with.

P.S. this delicious apple was eaten after her dress up...

xoxoxo laura

One of my favorite things>>>>

One of my favorite things is to take long walks along the beach... just the sound of the surf.. the smell of the ocean and the salty sweet breeze totally calms my inner spirit... It is very hard for me to shut my mind off& calm my nerves..the beach is the most healing place for me... I brought my camera to take a few pic to share with you... take a little walk with me... shoes off please... xoxo laura

My beach walk con't...Castles in the sand..

my castle...
a big castle... looks like it needs some life...
another beautiful castle...
Check out this modern castle... the windows are painted with clouds & birds...

Look up... close your eyes take a deep breath... Thank God for all the beauty around us & just being alive!!!!
My mouse is broken I want to post more pic It taking me sooo long... I will get a new one tomorrow... when I can post properly.... xoxo laura

Calm.... Peace.... Joy

Good Morning... Off to town to open up my shop...I wanted to wish everyone a weekend filled with Calm, Peace & Joy!!!! I know we can all use a little of this... Enjoy... xoox laura

Ameila Island.... A special & memorable Mother's Day weekend....

kick back...enjoy your time here at beautiful Amelia Island... one of the most beautiful beaches, antiquing, charming historic district, great shopping & dining.... oh and did I mention coffee from Seattle..... take a peek I took some pics to share... xoox laura
Found treasures.... love these...





Ameilia Island has the best sea shells I am a Hugh sea shell picker... they are all over my house...
Grandma Edie.....
my mother Edie... yea I finally got her to the beach... she looks great for being over 70... don't tell anyone... all natural..
I love old cemetery's this one in Amelia Island is amazing..


what to do with ugly lamp bases cover them with shells!!!! Great Idea!!!
Oh you know I love to mosaic this piece totally inspired me!!!!
great piece
some junk....


beautiful homes I love the architecture...
i don't know what this home once was... but I would love to decorate the outside what potential!!! What da ya say a little wisteria...paint that door what color? some nice iron urns, lots of flowers maybe a swing... no windows? maybe some old windowpanes? what would you do here?
I wouldn't mind having a little studio upthere facing the water

my mom LOVES this shop...Please note the BLUE sky... always the most beautiful skies here in Florida... no smog..never...that is the true color... amazing...
lilly & Grandpa Crupi....

Dante & grandpa Crupi... best friends!!!

Your My Best Friend!!!

If there are angels on Earth Joyce is one of them...this is a pic taken on her 50th surprise birthday party a few weeks ago with my son Dante.... nine years ago when I moved to Ocala I was introduced to Joyce from my daughters art teacher.. she though we would connect and we did....she has been one of my best friends ever since.. she is a phenomenal mother of four great kids, happily married to the best husband & father ( my attorney & friend) she graduated & got her degree this year & became an ese teacher and is one of the most creative & giving ladies I know...last night while driving home with my family from a beautiful & fun Mother's Day weeks end at Amelia Island, I got a call that Joyce had a heart attack & was in the hospital... today she is having tests done.... please have her in your prayers today... she is one special lady & I love her very much... We ALL need to take care of ourselves today for tomorrow may not be here.. xoxo laura

P.S. I will post pic of my trip... beautiful sites, antiquing and family tomorrow....and let you know how Joyce is doing!!!

P.S.S. This is a fun idea for the party Girl.... Joyce"s sister made for her to wear on her flip flops BIG GIANT COLORFUL POM POMS taped on!!!!

what keeps me going.....

one word for now... FAITH.

ONLY ONE MOTHER!!!

My Grandmother to this day is my biggest inspiration... she has always given me the special love, lots & lots of laughs, spiritual Faith & strength I needed most growing up.... I miss her sooo much...My grandmother also know as Nanny Sarah was an orphan (she lost her mother at birth)... ... she would say to me... "I never had anyone to call mom...just remember you have your own life but only have ONE mother".... This has always stayed with me... so Thank you Nanny for having my special mom and giving me someone I can call mom ... Remember we only have One Mother in this life... let her know today you love her no matter what... she may not be here tomorrow....I love you Happy Mothers Day!!!! xoxoxo laura

I'll have what she's having!!!

After working a long day yesterday and not eating... this is what was waiting for me at my mom's house.... mmmmm...



Figs with marscapone & apricot preserves, asst melon, berries, brea cheese drizzled with honey & walnuts & gorganzola cheese
Fresh pineapple & strawberries...
mmmm yogurt drizzled with honey.... cured olives.... whipped goat cheese with herbs d Provence...
These are delicious healthy snacks fit for a queen... enjoy!!!!

Verbena Sacred Treasures..

I have had this vision for many years......beautiful Religious images & designs.... inspired by my Grandmother... I started hand sewing these tees & bags for friends then decided to take the next step and offer them to the public.. .. after many trials & tribulations...and many lessons learned...... I decided to just go for it on my own... believe in my original vision and have faith that everything works out for the best no matter what... This bag is my personal favorite.. Inspired by my grandmother ( Nanny Sarah) and my prayer card collection, I designed this organic linen sack style bag to be worn as a special accessory piece with a pair of jeans , your everyday outfit or to hang in a special place with dried lavender/. roses..... each bag is detailed with an inside crochet & linen pockets for your rosaries or your special treasure, completely hand stitched with hemp, vintage rhinestones, sparklie beads, antique rosary beads from Italy, mother of pearl buttons, long strap with crochet detail, dangling charms and whatever moves me to add ... I love making these on of a kind bags... made to order & available at my store... please contact me if you wish to have one for yourself or a loved one. I have many original exclusive images available I can use for each bag..all vintage Madonna inspired images from my personal collection. I will have these available on my site as well. I also wanted to mention..you do not have to be Catholic to wear these beautiful images ... They are feminine & beautiful for all to wear. I would love make you a Sacred Treasure !!! xooxoox laura


Here is a peek at the article in the new Belle Amour Issue featuring some of my handmade bags & tees... I am very honored & thrilled to be a part of the Stampington World... ...Thank you very very much Jenny Doh & her talanted team!!! If you like to get inspired, create, learn or just be a part of this creative artistic phenomenal industry get your copy ASAP!!! You will never be the same!!! www.stampington.com xoxoxo laura

The Verbena Sacred Treasure logo was designed exclusively by me and is copywritten please respect all designs..