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
Friday, November 14, 2008
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.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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?)
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.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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...
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.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
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.
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
Friday, November 7, 2008
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.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Traveling Coach.. On my way to California..
O.K. I find myself talking to you out there are your really listening?.. LISTEN UP.. I am getting real excited...I am leaving for California next week.. sort of a leap of faith trip.. Am I ready... no way.. Am I freaking out that I am leaving my children for ten days... YES YES YES!!! So why do you go you ask... I ask myself that every day? It's just my time to get out of Ocala, Time for a change a big one..I will see some dear friends I haven't seen in ages, and meet some new ones... take a workshop given by one of my favorite jewelry artists ( I will let you know it is a surprise) make a trip to the best Barn Sale & gals in the world... La Maison Rustique, shop the stores, attend Heather's Soiree Party... drive, drive & drive, think about life..... get inspired.. shop some more.. EAT... and count my blessing along the way... Oh & did I mention I will take lots & lots of interesting pictures ..I know how much you Blog ladies love to look at pictures ( cause I do).. so I won't be posting for a while lots to make, lots to do. and remember I will miss all of you!!! xoxoxo Laura
Verbena's Nested Holiday Treasures starting to arrive!
Take a peek at some of the pretty new cards Verbena is so excited to unpack & display all over our little nest...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The First Pink Pumpkin!!!!
Who ordered this pumpkin anyway??? Rachael Ashwell or Cinderella??? They are in demand and here is were you can get one.. www.ellsworthfarm.com Please let me know what you think.. Thursday, October 9, 2008
MARIE ANTOINETTE...A FRENCH HEART ATTACK!!!
THESE ARE TRULY THE MOST INCREDIBLE WORKS OF MAGICAL PAPER ART I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! I AM HONORED TO HAVE THIS FRENCH PAPER ARTIST REPRESENTED IN MY STORE VERBENA NESTED TREASURES.I WILL BE POSTING TONIGHT SEVERAL MORE PIECES WITH ALL THE DETAILS... MY HEART REALLY DOES SKIP A BEAT EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THEM... THIS ONE IS OF COURSE MARIE IN HER GLORY...FEAST YOUR EYES..
Sunday, October 5, 2008
VINTAGE HANKIES.THE GIFT OF GIVING
NINETY SIX HANKIES..VERY VERY OLD BEAUTIFUL HAND EMB'D HAND CROCHET, BURNOUT ROSES, LINEN, BABY COTTON ALL SOFTLY STACKED IN AN OLD ROSE BOX. OWNING A BOUTIQUE DOWN TOWN IN THE HISTORIC DISTRIC GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET LOTS OF INTERESTING PEOPLE...KNOWING HOW MUCH I LOVE OLD THINGS PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO BRING ME THEIR TREASURES THEY NO LONGER WANT. AND WITH TIMES BEING SO TOUGH LATELY I HAVE HAD A LOT OF WALK-INS SELLING ALL SORTS OF ITEMS...YESTERDAY A GAL CAME IN WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL OLD FLORAL BOX STUFFED WITH TONS OF HER GRANDMOTHERS & GREAT AUNTS HANKERCHIEFS ( 96 TO BE EXACT)...I BOUGHT THE BOX FOR A SONG BUT FOR SOME REASON FELT BAD SHE WAS LETTING GO OF THIS LITTLE BOX FILLED WITH SOME OF HER FAMILY TREASURES...THE SMELL IS SO SWEET, THE HANKIES ARE SO SOFT IT TOOK BE BACK IN TIME REMEMBERING MY NANNY SARAH HOW SHE ALWAYS CARRIED A HANKIE IN HER POCKETBOOK... I STILL HAVE SOME OF THEM TUCKED AWAY IN MY DRAWER. WHEN I SHOWED THEM TO MY DAUGHTER THIS MORNING I SAID WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH THESE..AND SHE SAID MOMMY WHY DON'T YOU MAKE SOMETHING FOR THE GIRL YOU BOUGHT THEM FROM... RIGHT THEN MY HEART MELTED... YES!!!! THAT IS THE THING TO DO... I WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL SO SHE HAS A SPECIAL MEMORY SHE CAN KEEP AND HOPEFULLY NOT HAVE TO SELL... O.K. HERE IS THE QUESTION..ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT I CAN MAKE BESIDES A QUILT. I LOVE TO GIVE AND THINK THE SWEET YOUNG LADY WHO GAVE THESE TO ME DESERVES A GIFT FROM THE HEART. LET ME KNOW YOUR IDEAS. XOXOXOLAURA
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I LUST FOR RUST!!!
What is it about chippy old rusty iron...I have issues.. I am on a mission to declutter my home, refresh my look, and get rid of what I don't use... (I love Rachael Ashwell's new look have you seen it)..however I can not and will not let go of my rust..I see all these beautiful high end homes that are clutter free & elegantly put together... but I just can't seem to get that look...or do I even want it? It's the stuff, the vignettes of it all... I am trying to get rid of most of it...Everywhere I look rusty stuff...pots, urns, tables, fixtures...Is it in the genes? Was I a welder in a past life? Am I lacking iron in my diet? where does this passion come from...can anybody out there tell me... I have piles of rusty furniture in my yard, on my porch all over...really it's time to let go ...thanks for listening!!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
ROMANTIC COUNTRY MAGAZINE !!!!!!!
THANK YOU FIFI FOR SELECTING MY TERRARIUM FOR YOUR MOST SPECIAL ISSUE!!! I AM TRYING TO FIND THE LATEST ISSUE IN THE STORES SO FAR NO LUCK....ANYONE HAVE A COPY ??? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE ARTICLE. OK I FOUND ONE TODAY AT BOOKS A MILLION LAST ONE!!!!! Fifi needs more distribution her magazine is one in a million!!!! Send me out in the fields!!!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY PIE!!!
TODAYS IS MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER OLIVIA'S TWELFTH BIRTHDAY. (WE CALL HER LILLY PIE OR LILLY)...LAST NIGHT WHILE SHE WAS SLEEPING ( IN MY ROOM) I QUIETLY WALKED DOWNSTAIRS TO ADD A FEW SWEET LITTLE NESTED TREASURES TO HER ROOM..SO WHEN SHE OPEN HER DOOR IN THE MORNING.. AAH... WHAT HAPPENED IN HERE...I AM POSTING SOME OF THE PRETTY ARTWORK I HUNG. (on the Right side as I am still trying to figure this blog alignment thing out).TRYING TO HAMMER NAILS QUIETLY AT MIDNIGHT IS NOT EASY.. .IN A WORLD FULL OF GADGETS KIDS TODAY I FEEL ARE TOO PLUGGED IN SOOO I AM GOING TO UNPLUG HER FOR A DAY..I AM MAKING THIS AN ARTFUL BIRTHDAY FILLED ONLY WITH HANDMADE GOODIES..I AM GIVING HER THE PRESENTS I MADE FOR HER TONIGHT...HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY!!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BEST THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES!!!!!!
OH MY LONG AWAITED BOOK A BIT OF VELVET & A DASH OF LACE WRITTEN BY ROBIN BROWN WHO TRULY IS ONE OF THE MOST MAGICALLY TALENTED & GIFTED ARTIST/DESIGNER TODAY WAS WAITING FOR ME ON MY FRONT PORCH WHEN I GOT HOME AFTER A VERY BUSY DAY... AHHHHH!! TAKE MY WORD... ONCE IN A LIFE TIME IF WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH SOMEONE THIS GIFTED COMES ALONG . ROBIN & HER LONG TIME SOUL MATE JOHN HAVE CREATED A BEAUTIFUL LIFE TOGETHER... GET THIS BOOK IT WILL BE YOUR FAVORITE... I KNOW AS I AM A MAGAZINE & DECORATING BOOK ADDICT...YOU WILL THANK ME FOR THIS.. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK....AHHH XOXOXXO LAURA
P.S. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE OF MY FANTASIES WITH YOU.. IT WOULD BE A DREAM TO HAVE RACHAEL ASHWELL & ROBIN BROWN STOP BY ONE DAY AND SAY WE ARE SENDING YOU OFF TO THE ISLANDS FOR A WEEK WHEN YOU COME BACK YOUR HOME WILL BE TRANSFORMED BY US!!! RACHAEL WOULD DO MY BEACH HOME & ROBIN WOULD DO MY COUNTRY HOME... EVERY NOW AN THEN I DRIFT OFF...OH I MUST BE DREAMING AGAIN? XOXOOX
Monday, September 15, 2008
ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE IN YOUR LIFE!!!
This is an easy project to do for the holidays.. spray adhesive glue to a object you love.. Then roll in glitter... I used a partridge.. or any bird... a nice touch is to add something inspirational, an old ribbon, adorn with a piece of jewelry etc.. they also make sweet name tags for your Holiday table setting.... xooxo Laura
Friday, September 12, 2008
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.....
Growing up in an Italian household exposed me to many beautiful experiences... one of them I remember is sleeping over my grandmothers house on the weekends.. hiding in her bedroom & playing around her beautiful religious alter... so around my house I have many of them... little vignettes of them... Here's to you Nanny... xoxoxo Laura
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
BONJOUR!!!
AS YOU CAN SEE I AM RELAXED NOW AS MY COMPUTER VIRUS HAS BEEN CURED..MY KNEES ARE HEALING, AND THE SUN IS SHINNING HERE IN OCALA.. SOO SO I WILL BE POSTING MORE AND HAVE MANY EXCITING THINGS TO SHARE WITH YOU IN THE NEXT COMING MONTHS... A SURPRISE...A BIG PROJECT...CAN'T WAIT..SO FOR NOW HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, CREATIVITY & MUCH LAUGHTER!!! XOXOXO LAURA
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Feeling a little wilted today...
Dear blog ladies.. I just wrote a very long story to you wanting to share my devastating day but just erased my intire post.. It's too late to rewrite it maybe tomorrow but a quick blog vent... yesterday as I was coming out of a meeting downtown, I tripped on a bump in the side walk...I fell down landing on both hands ripped my knees up.. my skirt flew over my head exposing my big butt and my hand landed in dog poop.. Really It did... it was not a bed of roses.OK and I had my court hearing yesterday... a few months ago I was getting into my car and was hit by a driver ( postal worker off duty) not watching were she was going.. to make a long story short I was cited and decided to fight it in court... It was very dis hearting for me to see how the system works here in Ocala... it's all about the $$$.. need I say more.. Good night..
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Verbena's Sidewalk Treasures!!!
Bringing the magic outside....Come stop by I would love to chat with you and show you our new treasures...stained glass windows from England.. Iron Italian chandeliers, French iron candle rack, Handmade French tea towels, lots of vintage jewelry, the sweetest little bird wall art, new shrine boxes all at afforable prices and hand picked just for you........xoxoxoLaura
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