ROOM TO GROW....

O.K. so what have I been up to lately... well being a mom... we know how busy that job is.. late nights around here.. I have been painting, organizing, making custom orders & refreshing my home studio.. I will post pictures when it is complete.. My kitchen is almost finished and I found the best Hungarian handy man who has helped me beyond words!!! The good news.. Verbena will be expanding with more room and will reopen after spring break with a new look & more space.. my mom who had the room cross from me is moving into larger space around the corner ( Mademoiselle Edie Gourmet) she will continue with her Charcutarie, cheese & chocolate shop and will be adding garden & antiques. I will be keeping my current space and taking over her old space in the Marion Block Building. Now I will have the room needed to spread my wings... Also my studio upstairs from the store we will be introducing ....Verbena's Salon....(A salon is a gathering of stimulating people of quality under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings, often consciously following Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to please or to educate" ("aut delectare aut prodesse est"). The salons, commonly associated with French literary and philosophical salons of the 17th century and 18th century, were carried on until quite recently in urban settings among like-minded people of a 'set': many 20th-century salons could be instanced.) I feel there is a need for a place where the younger girls can go, get creative & learn some of the exciting new & old crafts out there. Also a mom of a Special needs child I will offer creative classes for some of my sons classmates and their friends. I have been wanting to do this for a very long time and it is finally happening...a special place created to gather kindred spirits wanting to learn or teach a new craft, some of the classes we will offer are what we call our special project classes teaching sewing for the young girls or their moms, jewelry making the old fashioned way, painting , knitting & crocheting, piquette mosaic art, etc... so this is what I have been up to.. it will be a challenge but my heart is in it and have the support & help from some special & talanted friends who will be a part of this journey.. my sign up sheet is growing long.. so here it goes. Any questions feel free to contact me for details... (this picture is the inspiration for my studio)Ixoxoxo Laura

Bonjour!!!

My incredible dad Roberto Venosa www.venosa.com & his wife Martina sent me a few pictures from Paris... had to share. xoxo laura

Martina In Paris

Bonjour Martina..

My Dad!!!

what genes... he looks amazing ... health living, lots of love & joy!!!! He is MY inspiration!!!! xoxo Laura

Salvage Heaven ... MORE PICTURES!!!

you got mail... love the shutter... .hello my friends... scroll down hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took to share some of my favorite finds... more to come... I had computer issues but am back on track. let me know what you think. xoxoxo Laura

Salvage Con't

Garden friends...

Salvage Con't

I am a metal glider fan... but this iron bed.. oh only $100.00

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old headboard made into a bench....

Salvage Con't

Killer piece sink on top sorry for the brightness...

Salvage Con't

This is the size of you!!!!! where would you hand this one!!!!

Salvage Con't

Salvage Con't

Salvage Con't

Salvage Doors...

weather shades... what could be better..maybe hanging on my pantry or yours????

Salvage Con't

back barn treasures.. mantels, old doors etc..

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Oh is this a beautiful piece!!!! It comes from Amish Country Penn. If you like primitive shabby styles in some of the creamiest paint colors the Amish are the best....

Salvage con't Recycle the old...

Painted dresser...I actually just sold a similar piece... When my son was born fourteen years ago, I got into paining my old furniture for his room and then started to paint & sell pieces for customers ....there are so many pretty colors available... love this green color. I just painted an old armoir that was olive green a pretty shade of aqua with a brown glaze over it...

Salvage Heaven barn con't

the Gyspy Farm House has four barns in the back I loved this iron bench.. Oh can't you see fluffy down filled cushion made out of french ticking or just raw linen.. what would you do?

Salvage Heaven!!!

Hi back from my trip!!!! I am just checking in.. ... This stop was & is my all time favorite stop.. Gypsy Farm house... true Salvage Heaven ...I will post all the pictures tonight. Laura

Salvage Heaven!!!!! con't

In Full Bloom!!!!

Good morning from BEAUTIFUL sunny Florida.. snapped a picture this morning in my front yard of my fuschia colored azaleas that are in full bloom...so very pretty.... I will be off to N.Y. for a visit and will return next week... wishing everyone a happy & healthy weekend.. and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!!!!. xooxxo Laura

Porch Magazine a must buy!!!

If you are not familiar with porch-magazine.blogspot.com you will fall in love... a publication for bloggers to promote fellow bloggers, Porch truly keys into the newest, freshest and most happening artists, crafters, shop owners & just lovely creative souls out there!!!! I can't wait to get my copy this week!!! My little boutique... Verbena Nested Treasures is honored to be featured in this special issue.... Check it out & let me know what you think. xoxox Laura

Garden & Antiquing!!!

A beautiful Sunny day here in Florida... and what can be better then spending it with your mom & good friend.. I can't remember the last time I played hooky.. is that what you call it? Just driving to little old historic towns... shopping ... eating good Southern Cookin and just stopping to smell the flowers... take a peek only a few pictures but something nice to share. xoxoxo Laura

Garden & antiquing

If you look closely.. really closely this man attached old windows to the top of the fence added a shelf and tin roof... really a great garden idea...

This Old Door

Just a great old door... I have a passion for them I would love to one day replace ALL my doors in my home with old chippy ones... would you?

Antique French Window Box

I fell in love with this old French window box sitting on top of a French Farm table...

Garden Art.

A fun idea...a garden pipe mounted on a board with a whimsy touch of our favorite piece... chandelier crystal...

Where have I been?

This was a one rough week.....I have been feeling under the weather... & have not been able to work on some new orders & shipments... and answer some of your sweet comments...I apologize for the delays & am back on track now... xoxoxo Laura

Special Lady...

I said a prayer for You Today and I know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart Although he spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame. I knew you wouldn't mind, I asked him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that he be near you at the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you In all things great and small, but it was his loving care I prayed the most of all.
-author unknown

This is a piece I am working on for a special lady who comes into my shop.. She has asked me to help redo some of her rooms in her home..this piece will go in her bathroom...
Have a great Weekend!!!! xoxox Laura

Exciting News...in the studio!!!!

Congratulations to the sweet gals who will be getting my Valentine's Day giveaways!!! I am excited to send some treasures you way!!! I also wanted to say.. God is so good this past week many exciting things have happened... my life has always been feast or famine.l.. I think it's time for a feast yes!!!! Hard work does pay off..I have to wait a bit before I can share some very exciting news but for now wanted to share a peek at something I made that is a part of a one of a kind clothing collection I will be selling here at Verbena.... My designs always change according to my mood & the time of the year... My new Spring designs will be handmade, clean & soft, with a touch of homespun, organic & recycled fabrics, a bit of an a vintage, a touch of romance & lots of love!!!.. I will have everything from jewelry , bags, clothing avail to purchase March/April..

Happy Valentines's Day... and the winners are....

Greedy Nan..... Shade of Pink Velvet Rose brooch.

Debby....... Original one of a kind Olivia Rose necklace.

Sandra Lee..... French block soap with glitter Rose..

Lets connect so I can get your addys and get you your treasures!!!!!
xoxoxoo laura

It's almost here!!! last chance to post for Valentine's Day give away...

Drawing Saturday evening... winners will be announced on Saturday evening!!!!
Scroll down to Counting my Blessings... Good luck!!!

In the nest...

If I were a Birdie...
If I were a birdie I would sing you a song
And have you come play with me all day long
But now I am busy making a mess
working & creating treasures for my nest..
So come back in a while and I will sing you a song
of all sweet things I've been making all night long! xoxoxo Laura

It's freezing here in Ocala Florida record breaking tempatures.. there is no heat In the store & my little space heater is not helping... so I will be here in my cozy nest working & baking... Verbena will reopen tomorow. xoxoxo laura

In the nest.. be back soon...

Many exciting changes & projects are in the works I will be back soon to post a new... xoxoxo Laura

Verbena Sacred Treasures inspired pieces...

My hands have been busy lately making custom orders on my tassel shrine box necklace.. This necklace I created from all recycled materials down to the buttons,I am excited to say it has become a favorite after posting on my blog as well as at Verbena.. If you would like me to make one for you just e-mail me... dellaporta@cox.net xoxoxo Laura
all designs are original please respect & do not copy.. thank you...

Je t'aime A NEW LOVE...

Cupid delivered new treasures at Verbena!!! What better way to say I love you or just love your self with these sweet little charms.. Each one is one of a kind... made with love... e-mail me for details.. dellaporta@cox.net xoxoxo Laura

TRADING PLACES.... NEW SPACES.....

HERE ARE SOME ITEMS I HAVE LET GO OF & REPLACED THEM WITH SOME NEW FINDS... TAKE A LOOK.GOOD BYE SWEET OLD SHABBY MANTEL... YOU ARE GOING TO A NEW HOME NOW I WILL MISS YOU BUT IT IS TIME FOR ME TO LET GO & MAKE SOME CHANGES AROUND HERE. THIS LITTLE ALCOVE WILL BE MY SPECIAL QUITE SPOT.. I WILL POST BEFORE & AFTER SOON...

TRADING PLACES....NEW SPACES... BOTTLE RACK..

FRENCH BOTTLE DRYING RACK OR TORTURE DEVICE??? O.K. I TRADED A BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN DRESSER FOR THIS... PLUS SOME AMAZING ART & POUND S OF FABRIC I WILL USE FOR SOME PROJECTS IN THE WORKS....WHAT WAS I THINKING AM I CRAZY?

TRADING PLACES.... NEW SPACES.... LAVABO

A lavabo is a device used to provide water for the washing of hands. It consists normally of a ewer or container of some kind to pour water, and a bowl to catch the water as it falls off the hands. In ecclesiastical usage it refers to both the basin in which the priest washes his hands and the ritual that surrounds this action in the Eucharist. In secular usage, it refers to a sink for washing hands; the room in which it is kept is the lavatory.
I have been wanting one of these for a long time... as I was leaving an antique shop I spotted this piece on the garden wall... mmm how much is that oh the lady said you can have that for $60.00 SOLD!!!!! what should I do put it outside my front door filled with pretty geraniums???? or HOW ABOUT FILLED WITH FRENCH SOAP & LAVENDER IN A BATHROOM THAT HAS A CLAW TUB... MMMMM... OH MAYBE ONE DAY.. Let me know what you think.

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS.. VALENTINE' DAY S GIVEAWAY!!!

I have been wanting to do a give away for quite sometime now & what better time then Valentine's Day... right... One of my favorite things to do is to give gifts & bring happiness to others around me...my way of saying Thank you to all the sweet & creative bloggers who have become my friends though kind words & beautiful pictures.. Thank you for all your inspiration, humor & words of wisdom. I know I am a little quirky but I love to do everything in three's and love roses, I am giving away the following gifts for you... THREE items choose ONE.. leave a post next to the one you would like to have and just write a little something about one of the best things that happened to you this past week..mmm something to think about...xoxoxo laura
Drawing for each item will be on Valentine's Day I will post the names selected that evening!!!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS... #1

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ITEMS... VELVET ROSE BROOCH.

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS ....#2

THE OLIVIA ROSE NECKLACE.. ONE OF MY SIGNATURE PIECES.. YOU SELECT A COLOR & SIZE...

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS.. # 3

EXTRA LARGE BLOCK OF ROSE PETAL SOAP FROM MARCELLE FRANCE. WRAPPED & DETAILED WITH A HANDMADE PAPER GLITTERED ROSE..

How does your garden grow?

This is a peek at a very exciting new project I have been working on. I will post the finished product & all the details soon..xooxxoo Laura

LOVE NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE!!!!

A VERBENA SACRED TREASURE... OVER SIZED PEWTER TWIST TOP SACRED HEART EX VOTO PENDENT FINISHED WITH A COCO COLORED EXTRA LONG SILK RIBBON. ( i moved it up for the pic) Exvoto is a Spanish word meaning votive offering. The word comes from the Latin, meaning "out of a promise or vow" and these votive offerings are given or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow or pledge, or expressing a wish or desire. It is most commonly a personal thank you note to God, often taking the form of folk art. They are very public, yet very personal, professions of faith in God. BEING A COLLECTOR OF RELIGIOUS INSPIRED ITEMS THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU...
LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE $28.00 WITH SHIPPING.
XOOXXOO LAURA e-mail me to order dellaporta@cox.net

Make every day a NEW Happy New Years Day!!!!

DON'T FORGET TO STOP & SMELL THE LAVENDER!!!
xoxoxo Laura
If anyone is interested.. we carry a beautiful assortment of French inspired cards....
some are made by my twelve year old daughter.

Less is what I want a little more of....

In the decorating dept...(One of my biggest passions) a New Year always motivates me to reorganize, redecorate & refresh everything around me. A friend of mine once said when looking at all her stuff I don't own this ... it owns me... and sometimes I feel that way. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with everything I just wish I could do two things ... one be like I Dream of Jeanie nod my head & it's all in order or hire some one like Extreme Makeover to come in and just tear all this down and make everything perfect... but as we know life doesn't work that way so for now I just have to make the best of what I have...little old me... to hammer , drill & haul stuff... my mission is to have less...have a cleaner look... but still be loyal to my Shabby Chic style of decorating.. Take a look at this home I am posting... I am totally in love with it!!! It still has that Shabby Chic Romantic feel but is cleaner more modern.... I just love it!!! I don't know what style to call it. Does anyone have a name? What is your style of decorating? I would love to know.. Lets give this look a new name I say this is the new look for me !!! Let me know what you think... xoxoxo Laura

My Dreambedroom...

What a feeling of peace I get when I look at this room...

Dream sitting area

My dream bathroom

To me this bathroom has a both a French feel with a touch of that old Hollywood Glamour...