Decorating with Natural Greens

 I think it all started when I saw this in the Ballard Designs catalog.

 A personalized letter wreath! Love it! Now to figure out how they made it.
I've also always wanted to use the natural greens found in the woods outside my home so this was a great opportunity.

But where to start?

We decided to go for simple. Hubby fashioned an "M"

out of heavy gauge wire. It does help that my dear hubby used to make wreaths on the family farm.

(Or I'm sure I would have NEVER attempted to do this on my own!)

Next I spotted a tall cedar tree...

 Cut a few branches...and hand wired batches of the little branches.
Now I'm almost finished with my wreath.

I'm not sure how I like it. I think I'd like to create a thicker frame for it next time.

Pictures to follow...I just have to add a few doodads, a bow, a ribbon hanger
and it is done.

Then I spotted a holly tree (with red berries!) and a pine.

Not all holly trees have berries, did you know that? We actually have two.

One of them does not have berries. I think there has to be a male and a female tree in order to have one with berries...but I'm sure I have this info all mixed up but it is something to that affect.

ANYWAY....

Snipped a few branches from each...

 And we created nicely filled urns for either side of the door.

And swags for our lamp post and windows!

It was a lot of fun and we used everything found already at our house.

My kind of decorating!

Next up: Using natural greens indoors!

A "Pink Saturday" Moment

It occurred to me late in the day yesterday that I forgot to create a pink saturday post. FORGOT. Can you believe it?

But I did have a very PINK SATURDAY moment this week.

While signing up for a new account at my bank I was asked to show my ID and I pulled out my pink wallet... The woman asked me "Uh...do you like pink?"

Wearing my pink jacket and sneakers with the pink NIKE swoosh I answered..."Is it that obvious?" Sharing a little bit of pink today ...very late I might add, for Pink Saturday. Check out the rest, here! (These photos are from the famly farm up north...will it be a white Christmas there this year?)

Jingle Bella: New Listings (Last Chance Before the New Year!}

Having a wee bit of trouble with blogger today... but I'm moving forward despite my frustration! Here are some of my latest listings.... available on BellaRosaAntiques.com in the "JUST LISTED" category:

Weeping Gold pottery looks best during the holidays!

This charming nut or candy dish is oh so affordable!

Another Tuck's collectible antique postcard...coming to the end of my stash from a big estate auction purchase last spring. These are in such GREAT condition.

They were preserved very well.

This is one of the largest collections of keys I've offered...very unique and unsual keys here for sale. All waiting and ready for you to do what your creative mind inspires you to come up with!

I LOVE rhinestone jewelry. It just never really goes out of style. Why not wear vintage this year?

So cute! Vintage "candy cane striped" chip, nut, and candies set.

These old pics and tin types have the perfect look for decorating and crafting. A nice assortment. The real deal you just can't find in the craft store.

The same with these old postmarked and stamped envelopes. Just look at that handwriting!

A sweet trio of scatter pins... mismatched but fun just the same. Wear them all together or give them as stocking stuffers!

Decorating with Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Decorating can be so easy ... almost as easy as 1, 2, 3 when you have ornaments.

Vintage are my favorite but regular glass ornies can be found anywhere these days.Find a clear glass bowl, a piece of pottery, a tray, and voila! Instant decor.

This lovely mirror plateau makes a great base for something shiny and bright.

We still have our plateau in the Bella Rosa Shop here. I've discounted it for my blog readers this week.

And multiples of anything make a statement on their own.

These vintage Santas may be harder to come by but searching for them makes it all the more fun!

Happy decorating! I'm a little behind this week (too much partying this weekend ha ha!) so I hope to have a few new listings, for you soon. Then I'll be taking a break until New Years.

You may still place orders, there just won't be anything new in the "Just Listed" category after this week.

Enjoy the day!

(All photos were found on CottageLiving.com a great source for vintage ideas and inspiration!)

Rockin' Around My Pink Party Finds

This week I'm getting my dancin' shoes on and I'm looking for something to wear to my hubby's Christmas party. These vintage pink party horns will sure set the party mood!

Rhinestone earrings, especially vintage, are my choice each and every year!

The pair above is available here in the Bella Rosa store.

While I may not be grabbing inventory out of my shop for the party, this vintage pink beaded bag is quite the temptation.
Do you think the hubs will get me a corsage to wear reminiscent of this one?

Hmmmm.... I doubt it!

I can see this gracing a Christmas tree now or maybe for a vintage wreath add on.


I've also been known to add a vintage rhinestone pin here and there either on my cocktail dress or my coat.

One year I pinned one on a pink knit hat and I received lots of compliments!
In case you were wondering, I did not wear the pink knit hat to the company Christmas party.
Tee hee!

And last but not least...don't forget the vintage pink n blue pin ornaments
those "ivory beads" are not beads at all but teeny weeny shells pinned on there!

And hey, tree trimming parties can be lots of fun too! I used to have them when I was a single gal, living out in America's Heartland working for a local TV station. A great way to get through the holidays when your family is 12 hours away.

Now, whatever you do this weekend... make sure to stop by Pink Saturday over at
How Sweet the Sound! There's always a party going on...

My New "Extra" Shop & Not Dreaming of a White Christmas

What's that up there in the title? My new "extra" shop? What could that be?????

Well on necessity I've opened up an Etsy shop here.... there is much inventory sitting around that I've decided to give items that have been waiting for a home another outlet. There are a few "new" finds sprinkled in here and there but for the most part it is for older inventory. Prices are also for the most part, lower than they are in my shop so might be fun to check out what I've listed.

Today I was looking at the site and discovered someone included one of my items in her "Treasury List" called "Not Dreaming of a White Christmas.... here.

This lovely wreath was also part of the collection...

These are my "Very Merry Rose Red" ornaments, available in both shops now.

And aren't these cute ornaments? Etsy is a fun world ... of which I am just discovering!

Enjoy the day!

Vintage Decor I Adore At Christmas

A rainy day here on the East Coast... so what better way to while away the hours? Decorate with vintage christmas stuff.

Today I tackled my mantle. The one from the 70's with the ugly faux barn beam. Someone, somewhere probably likes this but I know I am okay without it!

So, I cover it up with evergreen and pinecone garland...

And sparkly lights.
Then I pulled out a couple of ivory colored pottery pieces and used them for LED lighted branches... and vintage silver glass ornaments.

These old books all have to do with Christmas. I wait all year to display them!

I'm having so much fun decorating I forgot I usually list things on my site on Tuesdays...

Maybe it is okay to take a break once in awile...sharing fun Mommy time with Bebe...
(Look how serious my face is while hanging those ornaments!)

and enjoying the simple things in life! I'll be back soon with more vintage goodies!

LInking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

My Sweet BabyCakes

Remember this pretty pink gadget I wrote about a few weeks ago?

The one I was bursting with joy about? Chanting "I can make mini this and mini that!"

Well even before you could say the words pink babycakes cupcake maker....I had already purchased one.

I had hoped that my great online advertisement would land me a freebie, but to no avail.

Ah well, I'll just get one on my own then, I thought!

And oh yes, I did. I felt like I had snagged the last best new Christmas toy on the shelf. There were actually two left. I'm sure they had more in stock. But still.

I was even more smug knowing I had used a ten dollar off coupon to get it!

Thanksgiving night I gave it as a birthday present to my neice for her December birthday.

She LOVED it! I am officially a ROCK STAR now. Tee hee.

We even tested it out.

Pictures to follow, soon. I am hoping to find one under the tree this year, but if not, I know I can make fun memories with my neice whenver we get to see each other.

Lookin' For Trees in All the Right Places

This year on the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as "Black Friday," we opted for a greener type of tradition instead of shopping. (Although I suppose greenbacks could count as being green!)

You see, for many years now the thought of going out into the mad rush, I mean crowds, sends me into a nervous frenzy.



So this kind of green involved Christmas trees! Hubby took me, Bebe, and the rest of my family to a local Christmas tree farm and it couldn't have been a better day for it. It was beautiful!
We had fun searching up and down the hillside looking for the "perfect" tree that would come to live with us for the next four weeks. Since most of the trees were already tagged, we opted for the tree that would "do!" Any of them would "do" just fine really...so it wasn't too hard.

Here is Dear Hubs getting it ready for hauling...

And Bebe on his shoulders supervising the whole thing while cousin J led the way, his first time ever cutting down a REAL tree and hauling it away from the farm into the truck.

A great experience for all!

Now I can't wait to start decorating...

Setting the Table

It is Thanksgiving week.
I have a lot to be thankful for.
My sweet Dear Bebe, my helpful hubby, my family, and my home.
And they're going to be here for Thanksgiving.

I've got lots of work to do.
This was the table last year.

Each year I pull out everything I've got and somehow I manage to lay out a different tablescape than the year before. It is the part that I enjoy the most.

Thank goodness my Dear Hubs doesn't mind all of my questions. Like "What do you think? Gold with green? The white with gold? My Great Grandmother's china with the pink in it and a vintage tablecloth? Or how about this china we bought at the auction?"

He helps me stay on track but the bottom line is... it doesn't really matter. What really matters is having everyone here on Thursday, spending time together.

A Happy Thanksgiving to you this week. I'm thankful for my blog friends, faithful readers, and customers. Blogging has been such a blessing, thank you!