Antiquing Trips ~ Pennsylvania ~ Reed & Barton Trophy Bowl

There's no denying it. One of my favorite things to do is explore. And I'm not talking about with a pair of hiking shoes, a backpack, and the sun to guide me. I'm talking about a pair of comfy shoes, a handbag, and a vision. I'm talking about antiquing.

We recently stopped at a tiny little store near Abbottstown, Pennsylvania. Kind of jammed full of trinkets and odds and ends....perfect really, for finding that "something special." But you have to dig. And dig I did!

This little Reed & Barton silverplated bowl caught my eye. ( That and some silver napkin rings, souvenir spoons, and a pastel McCoy mixing bowl set.) It wasn't easy to see because it was wrapped up in a plastic sandwhich bag which was stapled shut. At first, I just thought it was a minature sized version of a bowl I had at home, which of course, made me love it instantly. Then I noticed it was marked Reed & Barton. Then upon further inspection I noticed it was a trophy! Truly charming!

Some of the designers in the decorating magazines use them for wonderful bookshelf displays, vignettes, etc. I love to pass on the treasures I find...so they may find the right home. Since my new website, Bella Rosa Antiques is not quite ready yet, I have listed it in my online auction.

Of course, if you are an avid antiquer like myself, you know how much fun it is to find something "special"... which only means you are even more eager to go exploring, again, and as soon as possible! Maybe I do need those hiking shoes and a backpack. . .

Fair of Face ~ Monday's Child (A Correction)

Yesterday I really didn't know what I was going to write about. I kind of had a feeling, but it just wasn't clicking for me. I finally put something together but it really wasn't my best post or my favorite. But it did turn out to be my first CORRECTED post. A concerned blogger....er, lurker (MY MOTHER) let me know that the real meaning of the nursery rhyme "Monday's child is fair of face," is not that the child has pale skin (like I do) ...it is that she will be pretty in the face. Well, she was concerned that everyone who reads this (who is her age and remembers the original meaning will think I have become quite taken with myself and those who are closer to my age (not revealing anything here) will think what I did, and that it meant a person who has very white and pasty (LOL, definitely me in the winter time) skin.

So, thank you Mom, for the correction. The last thing I want is for my blogger gal pals to think I am stuck up!!!! Unless of course, you happen to think I am pasty AND pretty, then ok.

Also, I told her I wouldn't do this...but since I'm here typing. . .

My Mother would also like to start her own blog, but doesn't know what to call it yet. If anyone has any great suggestions (and please try not to think about today's correction).... I would love to share them with her. She likes to write, read, watch movies, and go antiquing. I joked and told her I would have a giveaway for the best one. Which, I may still do if there is something fabulous and she actually uses it.

For now, I will keep pondering a title over and see if she has come up with anything yet. This could take me awhile... LOVE YOU, Mom!

Monday, Monday : Quilt, Banner, & More

It's been since last Thursday since I've blogged. Not that long ago but it seems like it has been awhile. The weekend went by fast (as usual) and now it is Monday. I was born on a Monday. What is that saying about Monday's child? Fair of face? Well, that is true.

There are a few things I'd like to show you. First is this lovely quilt I found last summer at an estate sale. Beautiful! I"m not a quilter so I have no idea how much work went into this beauty...but I can only imagine!

And the other thing I was excited to show you....look at this pretty banner I had made for my Sister's new blog, below! It was created by Mary of Isabella's Closet. She has a special blog called Bella's Banners. Most of her banners are only 5.00! This is quite a deal.

My Sister was thrilled with the surprise banner. Drop by and say hello as she is VERY new to this whole blogging thang.....A Tuneful of Sugar.

This was a pretty "Be Mine" Valentine's Day cake my sweetie gave to me last week....

Hope you enjoyed your Monday! I'll be back to show some of my vintage finds on a quick antique stop last weekend.

Come On a My House!

The Ballard Designs catalog arrived today!

I absolutely love the things in there but usually only order once in a blue moon, just to make sure I still get the catalog. They pile up in my living room, then I transfer them up to my bedroom and then a few years later I finally decide I can throw some away. And most of the stuff in there is similar to what I saw in the catalog LAST TIME. Yet, I can't throw them away for fear I might not be inspired by the next one. Or worse yet, they might catch on that I am not their best customer ....and stop sending it to me! So it was today when I thought how much I wanted to order something when it dawned on me I've been picking up things here and there that remind of Ballard Designs all along.

These are items you can find in their catalog and online:

So, I decided to show you how this company has influenced my decorating... except on a beer budget! Many of the things I bought were found on clearance, at local auctions and even yard sales!

For example:

I was bound and determined to get one of these clocks...and finally found one at a Kirklands, on clearance, for 8.00. (Why I need such a big clock is a great story for another post.) The black one pictured earlier from Ballard is priced at $89.95 and I think mine is an even larger size.

My 1.00 shelf full of fun finds...the car photo is an actual photo of my Father-in-Law's car....that he took back in the 50's. I scanned it into my computer and framed it. (Yes that is a price tag on there...I had it in my antique booth and I haven't removed the sticker yet!) There are two more of these shelves I found at a yard sale. I spray painted them black last summer and finally figured out where to put one, in our family room. Two more to go! Ballard prices for similar shelves: $29.95 - 49.95.


Entryway table. This vignette could be improved...but for the price paid...it is perfect. The table was purchased at a yard sale....for I think maybe 5 or 10 dollars...the mirror at a local auction and for the lamp I just bought a new shade at Lowes.

I wanted something simple to hang in my kitchen ...but something that was soft enough to not distract from my vintage LuRay dinnerware. These three vintage plates did the trick. I believe I picked these up at Goodwill.
This is definitely one of my favorite finds at a yard sale. For a price of $2.00...it was just perfect for the hallway! The black mirror shown above from Ballards was priced at 399.95!!!! This one is too similar to pass up. We are usually looking for antiques and collectibles at the wee hours on a weekend...but I can't stop myself when these gems appear! My DH usually sighs and hauls it into the van for me.

This was a very vibrant copper colored mirror we received for our wedding. I decided to change it to a platinum and really liked the softer tone . The BISTRO sign is a TJ Maxx clearance item...and reminds my DH and I of romantic dinners together.

The whole section must be in honor of my DH and I...this just occurred to me. The pedestal (not shown) for the flowers was used at our outdoor wedding reception!

This chair was another yard sale find at a whopping 7.50. I have still not decided on the material I've chosen for the seat cover. The one I have gone with so far is not even attached yet. Still not sure...

This is an end table in our formal living room. My DH came home with the end tables from a yard sale for 9.00. For BOTH! Although I forgot to show the whole table in the photo, they are in great condition and have two drawers for storage. The glass lamp is another yard sale find....two for 8.00 (2 new lamp shades for 6.00 each and this is still a great buy for these lamps!) The great photo of my Step Children was the gift they gave to my DH for Christmas.

While I love yard sale decorating...I still buy occasionally at regular furniture stores...but sometimes you just can't beat a great deal when someone is having a moving sale or a sale out of their garage!

Hope you enjoyed stopping by my house. The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and I am thrilled!

Now if we could just finish painting the rest of the house...

Snow, Freezing Rain, Winter Blues

With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I should post something well, I dunno, LOVELY. Instead, my first thought is....I know, I've posted this before, and after reading about all kinds of frigid temperatures in the West, and terrible tornadoes in the South, I shouldn't complain.

But, I can't help it. The dismal sky, cold temps, and icicles just really get me down! Why didn't that fat little fuzzy creature see spring just around the corner? He never does! He's lost all credibility with me...

How about some vintage ice skating???

On the brighter side of things...my DH wants to take me out to a "shi shi foo foo" Italian restaurant here in town for Valentine's Day. Can't argue with that one. I LOVE Italian food. Since my Grandmother is Italian, I've learned some of the traditional dishes and hope to pass them on someday. But to have someone else cook it for me, that's fabulous too!

And also, I've seen the first mockup of my new website "Bella Rosa Antiques." Looking good! Can't wait until the launch. I just might have to have another giveaway. Hmmmm....the wheels are turning.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day and wherever you are, you are safe, happy, and warm!

Cutie Pie Mini Brownie Cupcakes ~ Sweetheart Tea

Yes, it is Saturday night and I am baking. Not really into baking much. When I was much younger, yes, I enjoyed it. For some reason, I don't now. But, tonight I thought I would...since we are having our annual "Sweetheart Tea" at the antique mall, Ziegler's In the Country, where we have a booth. Finger foods are best since people will be coming in and snacking as well as shopping. My first year I thought I would make use of my heart shaped cake pans (really, I'm not into baking) and since it was difficult to walk around with a major piece of cake, my lovely pink and white concoction was kind of ignored. (Maybe this has something to do with my bake-a-phob.) I might even have a picture of it somewhere...I'll have to scan it.

Anyway, I decided the smaller, the better. I remembered my Pampered Chef mini muffin pan. Yes! This would do the trick. Small, little tiny cupcakes from a brownie mix, a cinch! Well, since I'm not used to baking, getting the batter INTO the teeny tiny muffin paper cups was tedious. But, I turned on the iPOD (this is starting to sound like an infommercial) and let the music move me...

And these are what I came up with....candy hearts and all. They still make me chuckle with their goofy short sayings of love: "Cutie Pie, Only You, My Love," etc. Except of course, now, we are up to date with the ones that read "Email Me" and "Fax Me!" Maybe they will come up with "Text Me" unless they have already and I didn't come across it yet.

What do you normally do on a Saturday evening? I'm usually watching a movie from Netflix (another endorsement....at least I'm not linking to each website!) because as a Radio/TV/Film major in college, this is one of my favorite things to do. I really prefer the big screen. I haven't done that in awhile. Anything good playing??? Maybe I can get my "True Love" to take me for Valentine's Day!

PS. Since I normally show my latest "finds" ... notice the ceramic purple serving trays? DH and I happened upon a moving sale this morning and I picked up four of these (two in blue glass and the two shown above) for 50 cents! Although not antiques, they were a great buy!

Can We Say Bella? A Sneak Antique Peek...

Thrilling! This is the word that comes to mind when I think of my time at the auction. I actually had to attend TWO different auctions because the first one resulted in only a few great finds.

The first day I was able to bring home a lovely Tole handpainted roses tray, some vintage jewelry, an old and very beautiful marriage certificate, the cutest child's chair, an old German Testament, and some glassware items.

But then yesterday I went again to a different auctioneer and wow, I was just filled with anticipation. There were so many things I wanted to bid on, I had to write a list. I did manage to bid on and win several of the things I wanted. Yay! One of my favorites is this gorgeous, vintage ROSE collar box, seen in the photo below. There were collars inside, too! This was definitely "Bella Rosa!"

I also love vintage jewelry and I brought home several pieces that I just fell in love with. Rhinestone earrings, necklaces, pearl necklaces, bracelets, clear and colored crystal necklaces, and LOTS of sparkly pins. I love to decorate my denim jackets with the pins, but during this time of year, my dress coat.

Some of the other vintage finds: evening bags, an extremely tall hat pin holder, even taller hat pins, a very old photo album, a roses fan, sterling pieces, perfume bottle, mini decorated shoes, prints, and a very kitschy kitty kat string holder.

Some of the "jazzy thoughts" I received (from some very bella bloggers) helped tremendously. This may lead to a "request list" on my website. This way, if you're searching for something, tell me, and you just never know, I may be able to find it.

Well, there are more finds that I did not show...some things need to be a surprise! But, as the inventory grows, so does my excitement to begin my new venture. And as usual, I'll post the latest update on my blog.

Antique Hunt - Going, Going, ... Gone!

Ever been to an antique or household goods auction? They are lots of fun...but if it is your first time, they can be pretty intimidating. I've been going for about 8 or 9 years now and there's always a special excitement upon arrival...you just never know what you're going to get.

The reason I'm telling you about my antique venture today is because my new website, Bella Rosa Antiques, is in the works! Tonight I might actually see a "first draft" version of it! So I've decided it is time to start building the inventory.

And as always, I'll show you what I found, back here on the blog. So for now, I'm going, going, GONE! See ya...

Miss Jillian's Award & I've Been Tagged!

To my surprise, I logged on yesterday to discover I'd been given a "You Make My Day" award from Michelle of I'm a Little Teapot. Thank you! What an honor to have made a friend who thought to pass down an award to me. It's the neat little surprises that can make this fun. And I just thought it was fun typing in these thoughts of mine...this makes it even sweeter.

So in order to keep it going and share the joy, I'd like to pass it to: Bobby's Mommy of Bobby's Escapades. I don't think I would have started this blog if it weren't for her! Bobby's Mommy and I went to college together and share a lot of old memories. Wait. Did I type old???? What I meant to say was we share a lot of GREAT MEMORIES!

Also on my recipient list is Arlene of Retro Boutiques. She is working on my new web design and is just one of the nicest gal's to work with. If you have thought of creating your own web page...I would check out her site! The plans for my online boutique can be followed on my other new blog Bella Rosa Antiques.

In addition to finding out I was the lucky recipient of a Blogger Award...I was tagged to list different things about me using my middle name from Amy of Abundant Curiosities. To make it even more interesting, I am going to use the version of it from my early days of Italian Class (Elena.) So, here it is:

E - Stands for Exciting. While working for different television stations throughout my career, I really had some exciting and fun moments. I've met stars like Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and his trusty sidekick Andy Richter. At the time I met Conan, he was very still very new to NBC and they had not yet picked the Ed McMahon type sidekick. I had the nerve to tell him I should be his trusty sidekick because we both had red hair. (Oh to be young and naive again!) I was a little disappointed when I found out they had selected Mr. Richter. LOL! (Sorry Andy!) I also met Kelsey Grammer, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Merv Griffin, Vanna White, a hunky soap star, and more. I'll have to post pictures someday for my "Show and Tell Friday" edition. Good times!

L- This one is easy for me... L stands for LuRay. Like I wrote about here, I have been collecting vintage LuRay Pastels dinnerware since 1992. I'm still going!

E- Stands for everlasting. As in everlasting life. (John 3:16) I think there is more to us than just the here and now. A creator, a design. Too much going on inside me( the amazing human body) and around me (the beautiful sights and sounds of this earth) to ignore it. It just makes the most sense. It takes more faith not to believe than to believe... with all of the evidence stacked up around us. So I choose life everlasting. Why not? It is a peaceful thought and there's so much more to look forward to!

N- Stands for New books. Despite my addiction to collecting OLD books, I love to get a new book and then do something very weird after I open it up. My DH will look at me and say " Did you just smell that?????" I know, it is weird.

A - This one is even easier. It stands for antiques! I love them! Have been checking them out ever since my Mother took me on some junk finding trips every now and then when I was in college. (Or was it high school?) I'm sure she'll let me know after she reads this! Anyway, I think I get it honestly. Her parents had an antique and book store in Florida many years ago. I remember going in their store and the little bell on the door would jingle....and the first thing you heard was "Hello! Pretty boy! Pretty boy! Hello!" It was their Myna bird named "Charlie." Amazing what you remember when someone tags you to type random things about yourself!

I hope this entertained you at least for a little while. I'm exhausted! :-) And since I am sooooo tried I will omit the tagging part of this exercise and let a few gals off the hook until next time.

Memories of Grandmom ~ Her Porcelain Spinner

Okay, now that it is Friday, I can tell you why this gift shop, porcelain, trinkety figurine means so much to me.

When I was a little girl, my Grandmother would take care of me when my parents went to work. So, I spent a lot of time there. One of my favorite things to do, was to hop on my Grandmother's bed. Now her bedroom set was modern at the time, but basically it was one of those 1960's headboards with the shelf built in and the sliding cubby doors on each side. In the center she had different items. I don't remember when I first discovered it, but it caught my attention every time I saw it. A porcelain eagle with the spinning gnome-like ballerina. I would hop on her bed (to her dismay,) lay down and stare at the things on her shelf. But my FAVORITE thing to do was to make this little ballerina SPIN. And spin it did. (Also to her dismay...she was usually heard hollering "and don't spin that thing, you're gonna breaaaaaaaak itttttttt!) And did I stop? No, not usually. Somehow, it did not break.

Well, as the years went on, I would still love to spin the ballerina, but more so in an admiring way.

When it unfortunately came time for her to live in a nursing home my Father asked me and my two cousins (both women) to come in and pick out what we wanted of hers so they wouldn't be lost, but kept in the family. They of course, picked out big things like furniture, but I had little things like this in mind. I really wanted to retain my childhood memories of "spending time with Grandmom."

So, I was able to take my precious little spinning ballerina home with me and I keep it in a safe place so that it DOESN'T break...but every now and then I give her a little spin. My Grandmother passed away a little over a year ago and I still miss her. This helps keep her close to my heart. There are other things I was able to keep, but this one is my favorite.

And this is my edition of Show and Tell Friday.

Check out the other entries at this blog site:

Additional note:

If anyone knows anything more about this type of spinning figurine, I'd love to hear about it...or even if you have one yourself, I'd love to see a picture of it! Drop me a line or two!