When You Wish Upon A Star...

In one of my more recent posts I mentioned

that I needed a vacation.

 

Well, I got one!

 

We had the chance to go to

Walt Disney World in

Orlando, Florida.

 

 

What a nice break from the snow

and cold temperatures.

 

I was happy where ever we

went, just because I was

wearing shorts and the

grass was green!

 

 

We did the Magic Kingdom as well as Epcot.

 

In Magic Kingdom I made sure to go on

one of the rides stored in my childhood

memories. You probably know the one.

 

"It's a Small World."

 

Love, love that ride! Just hearing the

song brought back a flood of memories.

 

Bebe met a bunch of Princesses.

And Alice in Wonderland, too.

Plus Pluto!

 

We did not do the "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique,"

the popular "Dress 'er up and make her

look like a princess" attraction.

The dresses were over $100.00 and just

to have her hair and make up was another $50.00.

 

She still had a great time...after we got over

the initial "I just want to go back

to the hotel pool" phase. The Hubs and I

were getting very frustrated!

 

The next day we went to Epcot, one of my

favorite parks. Where else can you get a

small sampling of so many countries in

one place? The food in Italy was my favorite!

Delizioso!

 

 

I'm having trouble accessing the camera card.

If I can't get to my photos I will be so sad!

The photos you see were from our cell

phones and not the best quality.

 

I'm still recovering from being away for

a few days. I have so much work to do.

New listings to edit, orders to pack.

 

I'll be back with more from our trip and

some of our helpful tips that we encountered.

 

Have a day filled with many blessings!

 

 

 

 

Miami Vice, Boom Box Fever, and the Jane Fonda Workout: Looking Back Through The 1986 Sears Catalog

Dealing in antique and vintage items is

just plain old fun. There is nostalgia

in looking back at what we were

doing, what were we wearing, and

what was important to us at the time.

 

And then there is the stuff

we refer to as "Retro."

 

This week I had the joy of coming

across a 1986  Sears Catalog!

 

I was in my last year of high school...

Come on along with me

as we take a journey through the pages:

 

 

Not only was it a SEARS catalog, it

was their 100th anniversary edition

with a hard cover!

 

 

 

Here's what we were wearing...

Color blocking was big.

Angular lines.

Big colored earrings.
Big hair.

 

 

Just look at these pant suits.

Whoaaaa Nellie!

 

I could usually be found looking

through a telescope while wearing one.

 

 

 

Ahhh, and remember the
"Let's Get Physical" phase?

(What would we have done without

Olivia Newton John's music video and song?)

 

How about the Jane Fonda workout?

 

 And don't think I am forgetting the men.

Ooooh no. This is straight out of

Don Johnson's Miami Vice wardrobe.

 

 

Oh yeah.

Hot stuff!

 

 

 

How about our homes?

I loved this description of why women

would want to have mirrored closet doors:

"Mirrored doors magically transform

your rooms into relections of your

good taste and judgment."

 

And these microwaves were "quicker than a flash"

Are these the models that were supposedly

leaking radiation? Or did they just take

up a lot of space on our counters?

 

Love that wood grain!

They weren't cheap either.

Three, four, five hundred dollars.

That was a lot of money

for convenient cooking.

But everyone was buying one.

What else were we buying?

Take a look:

First there was PAC MAN fever...

and then the people at SEARS thought

 our music players  of choice

became "Boom Box Fever!"

I remember thinking these were SO COOL!

Like TOTALLY!

I mean, just look at it!

That's cool stuff.

 

 

 

The eighties...

A time of rainbows, Care Bears,

Unicorns and ruffles.

What little girl wouldn't want this

pink poofy bedroom?

 

Lots of smiles and laughter

while looking through the pages

of the 1980's.

 

What will we say about the 2000's?

 

I don't even think they produce

a Sears Catalog anymore.

 

This was like a mini time capsule

I'm glad I opened it up.

I hope you enjoyed the trip too!

Antiquing Finds: And a Shop Sneak Peek

We've had lots of snow so that makes

the hubby and I a bit weary of the indoors.

 

The cure? A little antique hunt will

bring a few smiles... and as usual

we bring Bebe along. She will

either hate antiques or grow

to love them as much as we do.

 

My first stop:

A booth filled with vintage china.

 

Seriously, I keep going there

and the china doth over flow.

 

I picked out my favorites.

This is the second time I've bought

multiple pieces from this person.

 

 

As long as it keeps over flowing with china

like this... I will be buying.

 

Just love the colors in this collage of china!

 

 

A few sweet, movable eye dolls...

I just picked out my favorites for today.

There are more!

 

I have opened a second Etsy shop.

To fill in the gaps where my other

shops are slow. It has been a

tough economy for sales.

I have the "don't ever give up

mantra!"

 

These vintage goodies caught my eye

as I am now looking for vintage mid-century

and retro vintage items which is the theme

for this second shop.

 

The Barbie outfits, still in the original

packaging, was a thrill to see.

Who wouldn't open their

new Barbie clothes? I just

have to wonder sometimes!

Then there were these lamps which I just listed today:

 

 

Mid Century modern!

Love it in my shop called

Antique Retroactive.

 

Enjoy your day!

 

Check back early next week

for new listings on Bella Rosa...

With all of the snow

and school snow days, I'm

behind in a lot of my work.

Mommy here needs a

vacation.  

A Little Vintage Valentine Love

This week has been a busy one for the Bella Rosa household.

I volunteered to decorate for Bebe's school... they were
having a kindergarten open house.

Since I think decorating is fun, it was a no brainer to
sign up for the task.

Then I heard I had to be there at 7 in the morning.

Okay, so I'm not a morning person. Or a cold weather person!

I think it turned out nice...

despite my obstacles!

 

Nothing super fancy...

With little vintage touches here and there,

it was something different.

 

I decided to go through my ephemera

and use some old cabinet card photos

 

I had a few adorable old pictures of little children...

and mother's with wee little ones...

 

Inside the picture frame I tied the love

theme for Valentine's day in with the

love mentioned in John 3:16

 

For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten

son that who so ever believeth in Him shall

have ever lasting life.

 

Five years ago this Valentine's Day,
I found out I was going to have a

baby. I know God is faithful.

 

Not sure if those who came out

read the verse inside the frame

but the intention was there.

 

 

So here in this photo you will

see two lonely balloons.

We had just enough helium

left in the tank from Bebe's carnival

party to create a mini balloon bouquet!

 

 

And all those who attended (some of them I knew

 as I had recommended our school to them)

said how they enjoyed the décor.

 

I just think it is fun!

 

Wouldn't mind if it were my real job...

 

Well, that is for another post.

 

Don't worry, I'm still going to be

selling my vintage wares... I love

looking for vintage too!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Linking with Pink Saturday

 

What Do a Home Show, Cannoli, and Real Housewives of NJ have in Common?

Last weekend I helped a friend

with her booth at a local home

show, here in Central PA.

 

She is an interior designer and

has her own business called

Design Elements LTD.

 

 

We met through our daughter's

school... so when she asked

me to come work at her

booth I thought it would

be a great chance to see some

beautiful home displays and

get to know her a little better.

 

It was a fun day with some

unexpected surprises!

 

Here is her booth.

 

She was having a "What's Your Style?" contest.

 

I thought it was a great idea.

There were different vignettes set up,

and people could choose from A, B,

or C to determine their style.

 

This was the traditional style.

 

Then the mid-century modern....

 

and then the last style was transitional.

 

I think this is me.

 

I like to include a bit of the past

(of course) with some of the modern.

 

So did many of the people

who took part in the contest.

 

The winning entry was drawn

from the style that

received the most votes.

 

Prizes were gift certificates

to the furniture stores that

were lending out the furniture

for her display.

 

Another great idea! 

 

 

She also had this in the booth.

 

Loved it!

 

We were having fun talking

to people who stopped by

PLUS the booth was right

next to the stage which was

to be the venue for several speakers

on different topics.

My friend was set to speak the

last day of the home show.

 

But, lo and behold, we

noticed a crowd gathering.

 

 

Kathy Wakile of  Real

Housewives of NJ was set to

speak any minute.

 

Really?

What was she going to talk about?

 

Since I don't watch the show

I had no idea ....

 

but come to find out she makes

cannoli and sells them in a kit.

 

After her time on the stage was

over, the home show folks set

up a table right in front

of my friend's booth

without even asking

her if she minded....

 

Then Kathy's husband (Mr. Wakile?)

 was there to join her.

 

People were lined up to get

their photos taken, autographs signed.

 

The works!

 

It was really entertaining!

 

Her husband is a real hoot.

 

But we soon discovered there was an

advantage to having a celebrity close by.

 

The local newspaper reporter

stepped over to talk to my

friend and did a little interviewing!

 

You just never know what is

going to happen.

 

And this experience with other

women entrepreneurs helped

me to think about what

I can do in my own business.

 

It was a day well spent and

I enjoyed the inspiration!

 

 

Linking with Ivy and Elephants

What's It Wednesday

 

 

Vintage Pink Rose Russian Tea Set: The Provenance Weaves Our Live Together

If you've been watching the Sochi winter Olympics in Russia like we have, you've probably been seeing lots of video depicting the beauty of a country that is rich in history.

From architecture to dress to government to lifestyles... there are many things that show how different things are on the other side of the world.

Distance and culture may separate us, but there are also many things that can weave our lifestyles together.... like this pretty Russian tea set found in our vintage china category.

With the beautiful hand painted roses and smooth, soft lines this set of china is absolutely charming. We acquired it from a woman who said it was given as payment to her Father after doing work for an elderly Russian woman. I love hearing stories like that!

Another example of what makes this business of antiques so much fun. The real history and details behind each piece, the "provenance," to use a fancy word for it. I love to share it with you if I happen to know the story.

And sitting down to enjoy tea, sharing with a friend, is something that we all have in common!

Enjoy your day....share what you think of the Olympics so far, if you have a moment. I'd love to hear from you!

Linking to

  

What's It Wednesday

with Ivy and Elephants

Springing Ahead

I know, I know.

 

It is waaaayyyy too early to

think about Spring.

 

And everyone else is writing

Valentine posts.

 

I know.

 

But...

A girl can try, can't she?

 

I'm already thinking about daffodils....

 

 

Easter egg dye and

pretty decorated tables...

While there is still too much

(in my humble opinion) snow

on the ground...

it is thoughts

like these that get me through!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Linking with Pink Saturday...

 

Just Simply Frozen: Can We Fast Forward to Spring?

This is the view outside of our windows.

 

First we had snow the night of

the Super Bowl.

 

No school! Yay!

 

 

Then we had freezing rain

during the night last night.

No school!

Again?

 

Oh dear....

 

I've lost count of how

many snow days we've had

already. We're going to have

school until the Fourth of July!

 

I'm feeling a little bit like

the new Disney movie, Frozen!

 

This is our pretty dogwood

tree out front.

 

Before a huge branch broke off.

 

It sounds like a war zone outside

 when the branches snap and go down.

 

Trying to keep busy and to

keep Bebe occupied.

 

Movies, baking, games.

Coloring. Crafts.

We need more crafts!

 

Ahhhhhhh!

 

Will be busy for awhile

because yet again....another

storm is coming this weekend.

 

Praying for others to stay safe

out there on the roads.

I know this latest storm affected

many, many states.

 

Hang in there!