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..

Bonjour... back home...missed you all.

I will be uploading & posting soon what has been going on my friends.. xoxxo Laura

My Mosaic Kitchen Wall...

O.K. I have been a bad blogger not uploading my pictures for etsy BUT I have finally grouted my mosaic wall that took me months of hand cutting thousands of dishes...O.K. I know I am a little loony but this is something I wanted to do for a long time and am soooo happy it is done... and so are my kids... I was going to call it Down & Grout In Ocala, but just decided to call it My Mosaic kitchen wall..inspired by my love of Birds, roses, butterflies & romantic cottage style Take a peek.. & I will get my etsy treasures posted. xooxoluara

One of my favorite treasures.. My grandmothers rose dishes...and my first piece done fiveteen years ago.. It survived my house fire.

oops look like I have some grout to clean off..


I do wish that darn hood was not there.... a bird cage would be nice of course with out the bird.




I hand wrote that last night it sounded right to me. yea relax after this was done ..


O.K. so I love birds nests... Birds nest soup anyone? Enjoy, recycle, relax & have a blessed weekend to all xooxxo mosaic momma
P.S. I usually like to coordinate my songs with my posts... but I just love this song!!!

What's New Pussycat???

Greetings!!!!... had a moment to check in and say hi..I have had house guests in town for a week now.. busy running around entertaining, beaching, antiquing and just eating way too much food!!!. Verbena has been closed for vacation & will reopen on the 22nd of July. The upstairs Salon Studio classes start first week in August contact me for all the details. Verbena's new store hours are Wed-Sat 10:00-5:00 or by appt if requested. I also wanted to say Thank You to all the sweet gals who have supported & ordered Verbena's treasures through this blog & who have patiently been waiting for a website... I have decided to go for it & do an etsy site that will be available in a few days ( after my house guests leave) . I look forward to sharing all of Verbena's New Fall Nested Treasures with all of you. xoxox Laura
P.S. photo is a picture of a vintage pussycat pendant I picked up while antiquing/junking... I thought it was a purrfect treasure.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic RETURNS!!!!

I am truly a loyal fan of Rachel Ashwell & the Shabby Chic style. For some reason I have always been drawn to shades of white, faded elegance and all that yummy crumply stuff as far back as I can remember but when I first discovered the Shabby Chic style I was hooked. When I heard the exciting news that her new book will be out soon I had to share this with my blogging buddies... As we know Shabby Chic closed it's doors this past year and it has also been a rough year with Rachael loosing her Mum but as we know when God closes one door he opens another...you go Girl!!!! Here's to all the Rachael Ashwell fans!!! ... Hope you are enjoying your summer... busy here working away. xoxo Laura

Livin The Dream

Hi my friends....Spend the Fourth Of July with my favorite person in the world... my brother Steven. ( my baby brother) As far back as I remember growing up, my little brother has always worked so hard & has had lots of great friends around him...and he still does... I remember the little skinny kid waking up at the crack of dawn to deliver his local newspaper route, oh how did he ever survive living with me & my mom... let me tell you life was not easy back then... well he turned out to be quite the man. I am so proud of the life he has created... a wonderful life filled with lots of love, a beautiful wife & baby, great friends, an spectacular Farm/home... I love you.. Thank you for being truly the best brother to me & a great uncle!!!!! xooxo Your big sister & your biggest fan!!! I wanted to share a part of what matter most in my life... my family....
me & my little brother who is now my BIG brother
Steven, my son Dante, my daughter Lilly (Olivia), my mom Edie... Happy Fourth!!!
Steven's beautiful wife & my precious nephew Dylan's mom... Dr. White/Aunt Jean
like father like son?
loved his shoes..he didn't quite understand why I was taking so many pictures.. I told him I have a blog...he looked at me like I was from another planet.
God bless this beautiful child!!!
Granny teaching Dylan or Dylan teaching Granny
There was sooo much food but I loved this idea. easy & delicious for a party... grape tomatoes with fresh basil, mozzarella marinated on a skewer... delicious..
Their back porch with the prettiest setting wraps around half the house... I would love to take a long nap here one day or two...
one of their paddocks... lots of hard work keeping up with it all.
A couple of pieces of quartz Dante found on his walk.. Inspired me to make something.



maggie
Rhett
Willie
Madison

we get the best watermelons down here..
my little lillypie is taller then me...
time to head back to home...I just love country livin!!!
O.K. That's All Folks..... Yes... I would say they are Just Livin The Dream... I hope you are too!!!! have a great day!!! xoxo Laura

P.S. sign made by Boston Bob.

Ahipara Girl has left a new comment on your post "Wishing you peace & love... Happy Fourth!!!!":

I had a great wander through your blog today following your comment back to here. A lady after my own heart. Loving your son, beautiful things, making, life, the beach. Don't you just love it when you read someone's blog that just reeks of character and integrity. Especially your best treasures, your son and your heart. How neat to have your mum over the road. Primo.