Guest Room Reveal

While I may enjoy decorating my house, I'm no interior decorator. I like to go with the "use what you have" decorating theme. We purchased a few things but the rest I grabbed from around the house to complete this room.


Pictures above the bed were from hubby's old house, before we were married. (B.M.)

I almost gave them up for sale or for goodwill. This is one of those cases where I'm glad I didn't.


Nightstand and side table pulled from the master bedroom. (Replacements coming soon!)

We used Behr's "Warm Muffin" for the wall color. At first I hated it! I was in "what was I thinking" mode. Then we added in the curtains, furniture and bed cover and I breathed a sigh of relief. The big piece of furniture in the foreground is one of hubby's favorite purchases... an old victrola. I was against leaving it in but we actually need someone who can help him carry it down before we can bring it to our antique booth, so it stays. It adds an extra antiquey element I wasn't expecting. The matching antique dresser and headboard are from 1941, purchased at an auctioin, and were from my house, B.H. (Before Hubs.) We pulled the head and foot board out of the attic and pulled the dresser from the master bedroom. The vanity brush set was my Grandmother's and always welcomes our guests. It is a must stay item!

Unfortunately I was a bad blogger and did not take any before pictures of the guest room! Bad, bad! Let's just say the room had no theme except shabby country meets "hey lets throw this stuff in here for storage.'

This is definitely an improvement!

Now, with this behind us we can now focus on my Dear Step-daughter's wedding. Can't wait 'til I can take photos, she is making her own centerpieces and I know they are going to be fabulous!

Have a BELLA day!

Second Chance Tuesday #1

Today I'm featuring some items from my shop that deserve a second chance. Sometimes I wish I could hit a "mix up" button on my website and let some of my pretty pieces come to the front of the website instead of being in order of how I listed them.

So today, on a Tuesday I thought I would try it out. Other bloggers who have a shop let me know if you'd like to join me and I will start a Mr. Linky. Or, if you have a favorite post and you'd like to give it a SECOND chance, well, now's your chance!

Any of the items found in my second chance list here on the blog will receive an additional 20 percent off. Just simply mention Second Chance Tuesday when checking out and you get the discount!


Here is my first piece for SCT. (Already using abbreviations!) I think this little shaving mug is soooo sweet. It is still here, helping to decorate my office so I can't complain.

These maps are great for decorating suitcases or other craft projects...

Whether you are planning a wedding or just love elegance, this book is fabulously Tiffany.

This pretty frame is too nice to be in my inventory closet. Needed to take her out to get some fresh air.

I received so many compliments and even a few requests to put this rosey jar on the site after featuring it on my blog.


Check in with me again, next week for another edition of Second Chance Tuesday!

Who's Party Is It, Anyway?

Yesterday we had the birthday party for Dear Bebe. I just can't believe she is two already!
This is a cute stand up card I found in an antique shop while we were on vacation along Chatauqua Lake, NY. Two year old cards were just finding me, seriously.

I had such a good time getting everything ready, I was starting to think the party was for me.

Well, it was for me too, wasn't it? I celebrate the precious gift I received two years ago!

Here are the goodie boxes with the scanned birthday cards on the front. I think they turned out cute. (If I must say so myself.)

Gramma (Ms. Daisy) and I ran out of time because our craft night was bumped to the night before the party. We decided to go see a show at our local dinner theatre. It was a fun girls' night out!

So, with that excuse already out there... I did not get to make cupcake toppers for every single one and I did not make gift tags. I'm not even sure anyone noticed anyway!

We had a great time and Dear Bebe loved having her Gramma here. Who's turn is it next to have a party? I'm ready!

Two Years Ago...

I met my Dear Bebe for the first time.

We're celebrating today, just Mommy and Bebe. I bought her a "ba-ba" (balloon) and she hasn't put it down since (it is tied to her bed while she is napping.)

A party is set for this weekend for family and close friends. I decided to use vintage birthday cards to decorate with. I've scanned them and will make smaller versions for tags, cupcake toppers and goodie boxes.

As a "gift" I'm giving you all the scans to keep for yourself in case you also have a birthday coming up for a 2 year old!

Enjoy!

I'm off to get some crafting done....

Latest Finds: Pink Aurora Borealis Brooch, Saints Print, Roses Transfer Plate, Christmas Pixies

Finally! I'm getting my latest listings up here on the blog... my apologies! We've been so busy with re-decorating the guest room, company coming, and a wedding. Plus, I have Dear Bebe's birthday party in 4 days and I have not come up with a plan yet.

Not too much to do here in the Bella household, eh?

Without further ado, here is what hasn't sold since yesterday:

Not old but a lovely collectible teacup ... English "Queen's China" in the cottage rose pattern.

This print is just right for that little sitting nook or reading area.

Great for fall sweaters: A uniqe bar pin... vintage patina all throughout. Gorgeous!

Pretty roses plate. Large size like a cake plate. Hmmmm....cake!

Adorable Christmas pixie ornaments!



Can't remember if I showed this photo before... it is an old, well, very very old receipts record book. The date was 1899 and rent was only 4 bucks.

This is by far my favorite piece... some of the rhinestones have an aurora borealis sheen.

All available on in the Bella Rosa Antiques shop here.

This morning we worked on finishing touches on the guest room, hanging pictures and arranging pillows, tying back curtains. Pictures soon, I think. I keep writing this but nothing yet. I will find the time! I will!

Vintage Corning Ware ~ Blue Cornflower

Photo courtesy of Stylehive.com

Do you remember the Corning Ware with the blue floral design? My Grandmother had this set. I have a few of her pieces and using them reminds me of the time I spent at her house.

It is actually called "Blue Cornflower." While it really didn't matter to me at the time what it was called I just knew it was either Easter or New Year's Day because it was when Grandmom got out her best cookware and baked up something yummy.



If you have your own set you might like this little doll version. So cute!

For sale in my shop, here.

What are your favorite Grandmom or holiday memories of her china or dinnerware? I'd love to hear about them!

PS... I'm working on my latest additions, I should have them done tonight. We're almost finished with our guest room too. Excited! I'll post pics soon.

A Sneak Peek

Ever have one of those weeks where time seems to slip by and

events/dates/plans just creep up on you?

I'm having one of those weeks!

I really thought I would have been able to list the rest of my finds tonight but I recevied a few orders, we painted the guest room last night and I've been shopping for curtains and things.

So, I thought I would share a little sneak peek at what will be up on the site soon:

Pretty ramekin and saucer...

Beautiful rose teacup.

Vintage original letter/mail holder from an old lakeside cottage.

Unique scalloped rose dish.


Ultra feminine lingerie case... covered with delicate pastel roses!

I just loved this Farmers of America (Germantown, Philadelphia, PA area) ribbon and pin. They don't go together but would make a nice pairing.


Couldn't resist picking this up for the rose lovers...

Many would call this an "end of day" piece... where the artist added in multiple colors to use up the leftovers...

Love the colors in this vintage crystal choker.



Vintage "French Reproduction" plate by Vernon Kilns.

There are a few more items I'll be adding as well...but this is a start!

This weekend is also busy. We have our antique booth, getting ready for my Step-daughters wedding soon, finishing up the guest room, and then I need to figure out what to do for Dear Bebe's birthday party. She's going to be TWO next week!

Where did the time go?

Hope your weekend is much more relaxing... see you on Monday!

Requests and Questions

From the moment I started my blog, and then, my website, I have really enjoyed it. I never expected some of the joys and rewards that could come out of posting my thoughts, ideas, and vintage finds online.

Recently I received an email from a woman who is an artist. She wrote about how she found a picture of my toe shoes in a GOOGLE search.

She asked my permission to do a painting with my shoes as the subject.

At first I was surprised a photo of my ballet slippers appeared in a google search. I tried the same search and didn't see them. But hey, she found them and wants to use them as a subject of still life.

Since this seemed like a great idea to me I was thrilled she even asked.

Plus, this is the second time they've been used as a subject for a painting.

Here is the first painting of them:

It was painted by a former co-worker of mine. A great job and the colors are stunning.

I can't wait to see how a second painting might turn out.

I also receive questions about antiques and what they are worth. (Even after 11 years in the biz, I do not profess to be an expert but I will always take an honest look at an item, I just may know the answer.)

Many more questions come in asking about one of my favorite topics, LuRay Pastels dinnerware. I love seeing photos people email me of their items.

Just another fun aspect of blogging and another day in the life of an antiquey gal like myself.