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Monday, September 29, 2014

Falling for the Beach

We love the beach and walking along the
Jersey shore on one of its famous boardwalks.
 
But we rarely make the trip in the Fall.
This past weekend was like an
old fashioned "Indian Summer" with
beautiful temperatures and minimal clouds.
Saturday we went to a local amusement park...
 
 
 
...then took a trip down to my favorite beach
yesterday. Needed to get away and clear
the fog in my head. We've been really busy
and I witnessed a bad accident on Friday
trying to get Bebe to ballet class.

 
This ocean side town is always
 a great getaway for me.
 
Combine that with my love for picture
taking and it all adds up to be a fun time.
 
 
Bebe likes to comb the beach for shells.
Broken shells, unique colors, twisty shapes,
...she loves so many! She calls them "rare"
and is happy to have these special treasures. 
 

I love the old architecture. This is the
music pier and there are many
events held in the auditorium
from the Miss New Jersey Pageant to
orchestra performances.
 

 
My favorite candy shop was all decorated for fall.
Weird to see pumpkins on the boardwalk...
but also a welcoming sight.

 
With all that has been going on in the
world this was a bit unnerving.
Until we saw that the parrot was also
missing its head! They were probably
working on it in the off season.
What a relief.
 
 
Yes, a visit to my favorite beach, which is filled
with many memories, helps to make new ones, too. 

It is the start of a new week, a fresh one with
a new outlook, and I'll be busy working in
my shop... still more vintage goodies to list!

Also, working on starting a vintage link party.
Which do you like better: "Flea Market Tuesdays"
or "Let's Talk Vintage?"

More to come!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Perusing the Local Flea Market


 
There is a local flea market that is buzzing with
anticipation and excitement, every Tuesday morning
in my area. From April through October, vendors
are in place and shoppers are happily scanning tables.
 

 
This means I have had about 24 chances
to get myself up and over there with my
cart and bags in hand.
 
I think I went three times. Yep, three.
 
 
 
I know, it is a shame, just look at some
of this cool stuff I am missing out on.
I did go this past Tuesday and took some
pictures along the way.
 

 
Look at these cool soda crates! These
three look great together.


 
I had my eye on this chocolate pot.
So did the vendor. LOL!
 I just noticed today that I snapped
the photo with her face right
in the handle area.
Kind of creepy, no?
She was a very nice lady though.
 
 
 
She also had this on her table.
Gorgeous!
 
 
Lots of metal and rust here. 

 
 This sign caught my eye...
but I couldn't find anything for
my shop that was 1.00.
Can't hurt to try!

 
My poor little cart was over loaded
and stuffed. Turned out to be a great day
for me to find inventory for my shop.
 
Here are some of the finds:
 
 
Check them out listed, here.
 
I'm thinking about doing a link up party
called "Flea Market Tuesdays."
The sign I took a picture of at the
top of this post gave me the inspiration.
 
More to follow on that, soon!
 
For now, I am linking to Pink Saturday.
And Vintage Inspiration Party at My Salvaged Treasures
And Ivy and Elephants "What's It Wednesday"

Thursday, September 25, 2014

New Arrivals for Fall Include French Seltzer Bottle, Victorian Sentiments Mug, Pinocchio Book and More!

They're here! My new arrivals for Fall are now listed in the shop!
So excited about so many of them. Aren't I always?
But this week I have some really neat pieces:



Where do I begin? I'll start with the first:
 
French Aqua Blue Glass Seltzer Bottle from Paris
Japanese Nippon Style Rose Bowl
Antique 1910 Calendar Plate
Victorian Sentiment Mug
Antique Hand Colored Tin Type Portrait
Ladies Beaded Gloves
Hand Painted Rose Vanity Tray
Antique Children's Black Beauty Book
French Porcelain Trinket Box
 
and there's more that I haven't even mentioned.
Hop over here, to see the new collection!

Linking to Ivy and Elephants: What's it Wednesday
and Share a Cup with Mrs. Olson
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Candy, Cupcake, and Ice Cream Birthday Party

How SWEET it was!
 
 
We had Bebe's birthday party over the weekend.
 
There was a change in plans about where to have it,
but it all ended up working out really well.
 
 
Instead of having it in our remodeled basement
(it was almost done, but not quite) I decided to
set it up in our "den" or main living area.
 
We have these wonderful tall glass windows
and the light on the decorations gave everything
a lovely pastel pop of color.
 
 
I found many of my jars and glass containers
at our local Salvation Army.

And saved myself some time by getting
the sticker labels at Party City.
They were only 99 cents!


We played several games,
like "guess how many gumballs"...
 
 
 
... and a "decorate your own cupcake" project
 which I put together myself instead of looking
online for a kit. I was trying to stick to a budget
 and this worked out better than I had anticipated!
 
 
I also made the circle garland out
of scrapbook paper and string.

The tissue paper pom poms looked
 so pretty above the table but
 I found them to be a bit
tedious to pull apart and puff out.
The results were awesome though!
(Got them for 1/2 price at our
local craft store using a coupon
...due to the above mentioned budget.)
 
Bebe and her sweet friends
had a lot of fun, and I had a
great time setting it all up.

Pinterest was a great place for inspiration!
(Feel free to follow along with me as I pin my favorites.)

Enjoy the day!
~Jillian

Linking with:
Coastal Charm: Show and Share
Hope in Every Season: The Homemaking Party
Ivy and Elephants: What's It Wednesday
Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olsen
How Sweet the Sound: Pink Saturday

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

C Stands for Cool! Check Out this Vintage Letter Sweater

What does the letter "C" stand for?
 
While the origin of this vintage collegiate (or high school) sweater
remains a mystery to me, I think it has a great look!
 

 
Made of wool, this old sweater was found
in the Adirondack Mountains this past summer.
One of my favorite finds.
 
In fact, I was so excited to bring it home
that I forgot to ask the gentleman who told me
it was his Father's ....
"What school this come from?"
 
The "C" stands for ... what?
Columbia? Cornell? Cambridge?
 
 
For now, I think it just stands for COOL.
 
I'll be listing it very soon...probably as soon
as next week when FALL officially arrives!
 
I'm still working on party plans for Bebe... and
we are in full basement remodel. You know 
I will have photos to share with you from both!
 
Enjoy the day,
 
Jillian

Linking with What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Pink Party Prep: A Candy, Cupcake, and Ice Cream Gathering

Ah, the weekend!

Even though I am a work at home Mom, I still love Fridays.

We have plenty to do on the weekends, but it is less scheduled than the regular days of the week. I like feeling less scheduled.

How about you?

I do have some upcoming events on my calendar however, and one of them is Bebe's birthday gathering.

Since she is an only child I really try to have a party for her every year.

This year's shin-dig will not be ANYTHING like last year's big carnival party where all of my family members swore they'd never help out again  loved every minute of it!

This year I plan on a much smaller party... for just the girls.


A PINK PARTY.

The theme is simple: Cupcake, Candy, and Ice Cream.

Yep, that's it!

I've been having fun looking around on Pinterest for ideas. You can follow me on there, too if you'd like! (See my side bar also, for link!)

So far I have all kinds goodies gathered and prepped:
First, I sent out pink invitations, then I gathered glass jars and vases for candy (Salvation Army is a great place to buy them,) pink Martha Stewart treat boxes to take home, pink ice cream cone decor, etc.

We'll play some old fashioned games and make pink and pastel beaded necklaces.


I'm also working on a banner where I have eight panels. Trying to decide if
it should read:

Ice Cream, Candy Bar, Birthday, or Lollipop? So far I've narrowed it down to Candy Bar or Ice Cream.

I'd love to be able to use it again by using the word BIRTHDAY, but I figure I can just peel off the letters and make something else out of it later for the Egg Hunt Party we have every year.


I also saw vertical hanging circle garland on Pinterest. Scrapbook paper and circle templates came in handy for this project!

Much, MUCH easier than last year.  Although some of you read on here that I am not too "crafty." I have my moments!

Can't wait to share photos from the upcoming party...

Have a great weekend!

~Jillian

Linking to the Pink Saturday blog link up.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Vintage Stuff That Hits The Proverbial Edit Room Floor

Now what does that mean? Stuff that hits the
edit room floor?
 
I think it means I am stuck somewhere between
lingo from my old job as a TV producer and my
current, antique dealer mode.
 
It means that there are things that never make it
into my shop, believe it or not!
 
Does that even make any sense?
No, not to me.
Yet, it keeps happening.
 
For some reason while I am editing pictures
and writing descriptions ... I go for one item over another.
 
And then I move on to the next batch of goodies...
leaving some behind!
 
Like the antique FRENCH book or how about an
art deco cigarette box with a sliding celluloid lid.
 
What? They are neat things, yet I haven't
attempted to list them.
 
A sweet kitty child's hankie?
What gives? It is adorable!
 
One of these days I'll get to them.
One of these days.
I promise! 
 
Linking to "What's It Wednesday"

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

New Finds This Week Include First Bobbsey Twins Book

I'm always so thrilled to share with you some of my latest finds. Because each one is a like a rare treasure.

But I really have a nice find this week...

My Grandparents had an antique book store when I was a little girl. I remember my Grandmother gave me an old Bobbsey Twins book that was similar to this one below. I still have the exact book she gave to me...I will always cherish it!

Now the one below is the first in the series. It is called "The Bobbsey Twins or Merry Days Indoors and Out." Copyright 1904. It is one hundred and ten years old! And it is available on my site here.

 
Love those old covers!
The art work is nice enough to use it for display.
 
Anyway, I have more finds coming this week...
I'm starting to add items to my shop.
 
 
They are not all up on BellaRosaAntiques.com yet... things like
old grocery store price signs, an antique Pinocchio book,
a scrapbook of pre-1950's Valentines,
vintage jewelry, American Red Cross Box,
a celluloid Kewpie doll, and more!
 
But while I am working on new listings I
wanted to link up with Blog Shop over at
How Sweet the Sound for a fun way to
connect with other sellers and lovers of vintage.
 
Enjoy the day!
 
~Jillian

Monday, September 8, 2014

On Butterfly Wings


Ah, Monday comes again.

A new week! A new chance to make this a great week. Today is a great day the Lord has made!

There is just something so inspiring about the butterfly.

Its gracefulness, its beauty.

From caterpillar to winged creature, made anew.

A very good friend of mine (we've known each other for 15 years) took me out to lunch at the Olive Garden on Friday. As we were leaving we saw this pretty butterfly land on the flowers they had growing outside of the restaurant.

This was taken with my mobile phone, believe it or not.

Sadly there is a big tear in it's left wing with a piece missing. But, it did not stop this butterfly from flying! Imperfect, just like we are.

Such symbolism in just one tiny creature. How many more then, do we have to share?

Hope you are having a great start to your week! May you feel lifted, as if you were on butterfly wings.

Enjoy the day!

I'll leave you with the perfect bible verse for my butterfly:

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.         

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Another Summer at the Lake Behind Us, Looking Forward to Fall

 
Another Labor Day, the signal that summer
is indeed behind us.
 
 
Spending time at the lake gives
us a moment to reflect...
 
 
relax, slow down.

 
And enjoy the beauty around us.

 
Nature.
Treasures, all by themselves,
God's beautiful creations.

 
And let's not forget the fun times, too.
Splashing...
 
(Bebe with her Brother-in-Law, not sure who is
getting the fishing lesson!)
 
Fishing...


(A rare shot of me!)
 
Cruising around on the boat...

 
And how about this old
fashioned rope swing...
Love it!

 
And as we turn and watch the boat make
it's final cruise on the lake...
 
 (Bebe with her older Sister. My Sweet
 and beautiful Step-Daughter)
 
We look forward to a fabulous Fall!
 
Sad to say good bye to summer
at the lake... but happy to
be back working in my
 
Stay tuned for new finds
and vintage goodies!
 
Linking with Ivy and Elephants