CiaoBellaDesign~

Bookishly Fab~Books To Check Out

2011-12-20T14:54:00.000-05:00

I love books, I collect books, I hoard books....
If your a booker check out these below.

For the crafter:

I do not own these books........YET. But I will. If your a fan of the BUST magazine you will love Bust's DIY guide to life. I scanned through it and liked what I saw. It has everything from beauty, health, fashion, food, entertaining, finance, travel, sex....on and on. If you like BUST magazine you will also like BITCH magazine. Check them both out here:

http://bitchmagazine.org/

http://www.bust.com/

Weekend Handmade by Kelly Wilkinson has about 40 projects that you can do in a weekend. I am all for anything that can nourish my creative wild side!

I belong to a wonderful book club. The girls are so fun and being in this group I read books I would not normally read or give a second thought. It is always, always good to get involved in groups, clubs, throw little social parties etc. Get Out And LIVE! Step outside your comfort zone and learn something new and explore the life around you. You will be amazed at how you grow.

Anyway.....the latest books some of us gals read were:

I have not read The Night Circus yet, but it seems interesting. I am actually going to pick it up today from my library. They just called me today telling me it is now my turn to check it out! Read below the book description I copied off of Amazon:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. As far as for Maine, I just finished it and LUV'D it. Read below the book description I copied off Amazon.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

In her best-selling debut, Commencement, J. Courtney Sullivan explored the complicated and contradictory landscape of female friendship. Now, in her highly anticipated second novel, Sullivan takes us into even richer territory, introducing four unforgettable women who have nothing in common but the fact that, like it or not, they’re family.

For the Kellehers, Maine is a place where children run in packs, showers are taken outdoors, and old Irish songs are sung around a piano. Their beachfront property, won on a barroom bet after the war, sits on three acres of sand and pine nestled between stretches of rocky coast, with one tree bearing the initials “A.H.” At the cottage, built by Kelleher hands, cocktail hour follows morning mass, nosy grandchildren snoop in drawers, and decades-old grudges simmer beneath the surface.

As three generations of Kelleher women descend on the property one summer, each brings her own hopes and fears. Maggie is thirty-two and pregnant, waiting for the perfect moment to tell her imperfect boyfriend the news; Ann Marie, a Kelleher by marriage, is channeling her domestic frustration into a dollhouse obsession and an ill-advised crush; Kathleen, the black sheep, never wanted to set foot in the cottage again; and Alice, the matriarch at the center of it all, would trade every floorboard for a chance to undo the events of one night, long ago.

By turns wickedly funny and achingly sad, Maine unveils the sibling rivalry, alcoholism, social climbing, and Catholic guilt at the center of one family, along with the abiding, often irrational love that keeps them coming back, every summer, to Maine and to each other.

For me, I liked reading about how this family acts, re-acts and moves along in life. It was a good read.

I will post more book selections to check out. Most of my book choices come from my book club and other people who inspire me. If I can in turn expand your world...then life is good ;)

CIAO~

Life Gets Busy

2011-12-14T09:52:00.001-05:00

I have been busy with the holidays! Trying to get all the shopping done in between my son's wrestling tournaments. I am proud to say he placed 1st last weekend AND won most outstanding wrestler! YEAH!

The other day I took the time to finish a necklace that I will soon place in my Etsy shop. My poor Etsy shop has been neglected with every day life. My new years resolution is to sit down a few days a week and make a piece. I also have another Etsy shop for vintage goods. I need to get my ass in gear and get them both filled up!!

This necklace is amazing! It is black and white glass beads and I added a small skeleton key for that little touch of mystery. The beads don't always lay perfectly flat, which gives it such an amazing look. You can wear it with a classy dress or it can even be worn with your everyday jeans and sweater to add a rich look! LUV IT!! I showed a lot of people this, as I always do with my pieces and they fell in love with how unique it is. I think it will sell fast!

I have recently went to NJ and visited local boutiques. I love local shops, vintage shops and thrift stores! Look at what I found. I really love to look through them and find treasures and unique things from the past. A few of my favorites back home on the PA side are Salvage Goods, Phyllis's Boutique, Underwire and Mercantile. Support your local shops!

This is a Sarah Coventry necklace. Love the pirate ship. It is so different. Can you find this in your brick and mortar store? Nope.

This vintage pendant grabbed my eye! LUV IT!! I don't know to much about it, if you do let me know. It is amazing!!

Ciao!

Skull Necklace

2011-11-01T14:05:00.001-04:00

I love skulls! I think they are cute! I bought the colored skulls at a local bead shop. I knew they were perfect for something. I think I hung onto them for about a year before I figured out what to do with them.

The other day I came across a design that inspired me to make the skull necklace. They are wire wrapped on a chain and each skull has beads hanging from them.

I have a few left and I will soon be making a skull and rose necklace!

Sometimes inspiration can come from any place!!!

Lucite Flower Necklace

2011-10-31T09:21:00.000-04:00

I was at my local bead shop and saw a basket full of lucite lily flowers. I wanted to buy the whole basket, but since they were a littly pricey I selected a few to make a necklace, I love the powder blue with the yellow. I think I may go back and get a few of the smaller flowers and make dangley earrings on the same silver chain.

Ciao!

Things I Love

2011-10-26T15:01:00.000-04:00

I come across so many things that make me happy on a daily basis I figured I create a post about them. Sometimes I think people take things for granted. I think that we all are looking for the bigger and better "thing" that we forget it is OK to appreciate the everyday joys.

Here is what made me happy:

Finding a Seth Godin Book at the used book store.
My eBay purchase of vintage clogs!!!!

The thrill of going back to school for design and writing classes.

American Horror Story being on tonight!!

The nice fall weather today.

Yogi Tea.

Oprah's Life Class

Stumbling upon various websites today that fueled my creativity.

Coming across this quote on one of the sites:

Cherry Blossoms & A Thrifted Piece

2011-10-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

Ciao!

I love this pendant. I found it at one of my friends bead shop. I was not sure how to come up with a necklace design.........but I love red and black and I had red chipped beads that really look great against this. I added some black round beads and piece complete. I finished it last night at our monthly bead meeting.

It is different. That is what I love about designing jewelry. You can create your own pieces to go with whatever mood, outfit, occasion you need. The joys of being creative!

I am attending a city Art Association tomorrow. They saw some of my pieces last month and this month I get to find out if I am voted in! Fingers crossed!

Besides my many craft groups, I belong to a book club, and a local Art Museum. I read something the other day......."Consume experiences, not things" I really thought about that one, because at this state in my life that is what I am doing. There is more important things in life than buying the over priced latest fad or being duped by the many advertising traps out there to make you think you NEED the next IPhone or whatever is current these days. As I get older, this becomes abundantly clearer to me.

A friend of mine saw a 1950's bangle bracelet at a thrift store over the weekend. This bracelet is awesome! Matches my outfit today! The cost was less than a $1. I was so appreciative of my friend who gave it to me first thing Monday morning (what a boost for a Monday) and it looks great. This is what life is about, good friends, good thoughts........and a good glass of wine!

Weekend Estate Sale

2011-09-25T19:43:00.000-04:00

It was a rainy weekend. I did not do much. Just tinkered around the house, cleaned etc. All the normal things that go on on rainy days. The rain did not stop me from checking out a local estate sale!!

This vintage purse is a gift for my step mother in law........maybe. I LOVE it and may keep it if I do not find anything else to get her. I love vintage purses!!!

I love jewelry. I make my own, but I cannot pass up estate sale jewelry. I just love things that have a history. I much rather wear something that belonged to someone else.....like to keep their memory alive. In my family, I am the keeper of the memories. I have all the old pictures from the 70's, certain things from the past that no one really wants...trinkets etc. I keep it, because I feel the memory of the dead is alive in the living.

The palm tree bracelet is sterling silver. It was $18 but today everything was half off!! I got it because I am going to Florida and this is the perfect bracelet!! The broach speaks for itself for me!! The necklace, I love it. Two pearls and the clasp has details with dangles...that is what I do to my clasps, add dangles or charms.

OMG, I kept walking by the bathroom and saw the waste basket and toilet holder. It is soooo retro 60's/70's. I don't think it was for sale, but she tagged it for me...$5. LOVE IT!!!

Now I am having wine and watching Cash and Cari!! I can never get enough!! LOL!

Ciao!!

Happy List

2011-09-22T14:58:00.003-04:00

The other day I got lost in blog world. I came across so many interesting blogs about vintage, thrifting etc. I just couldn't even stand it! Vintage Vixen had a list of top 10 UK blogs that were FAB! Congrats to her for being on that list!!

Going through those blogs and other faves, a lot of people always refer to "Happy Lists". You write in a journal a list of things that you appreciate or what made you happy that day. It is a good exercise, because if you always focus on what you DON'T have you will always come from a place of lacking. If you focus on the things you DO have, or what makes you happy you will always feel fulfilled. It is good to do a list when you are having a bad day or you are around people who aggravate you........kinda like people who suck your good energies right out of you or are to negative....eeewww!

Seems a no-brainer, but it is one of those things that are easy to talk about doing, but never do.

So today I start one...and will continue to do weekly and even daily! You can have fun with these lists, they don't have to be soooooooooo lengthy, or stuffed in a journal. If you see an inspiring picture on the web print it out and jot 1 or 2 things on it, and hang it up to look at it for random bursts of happiness. Print a picture of your favorite flower, celebrity, food etc. Possibilities are endless...........

1. My upcoming trip to Florida!! (I already printed out a list of local thrift shops to visit)!

2. Wine.

3. Twisted Sisters cupcakes.

4. New found favorite Vintage Blogs.

5. New inspiration from those blogs.

6. Local estate sale that I will be going to tomorrow!!!

7. The smell of coffee.

8. Family & Friends.

I feel good already!!

Ciao!

Coupon Craze

2011-09-13T11:33:00.003-04:00

Every time I turn around I am into something new. Coupons are nothing new, however I really never used them. I would cut them out, organize them and then forget about them. By the time I went to use them they were expired. They were not really worth my time anyway since I bought mostly generic.

One of the food stores I go to are now starting to double coupons up to a dollar and doubling dollar coupons on Wednesdays! That is a savings! I figured I would go try this out. I gather a few coupons on items I wanted and headed out. When I got to the register my total was $23 and then I gave her my coupons and the total dropped below $17. Not bad for a few things right?

I learned today from my fellow friends and co-workers that you can stack coupons! Meaning if I have 5 coupons (store/manufacture) for a $1 off of lets say Gain detergent I can use all 5 of them on one bottle. If that product is on sale combined with the 3 coupons.....wow!! What a savings. If I go on a Wednesday armed with all this, since they double dollar coupons.........holy crap!!! Lets say the price of Gain is $12. I have 5 coupons so that is $5 off. Gain is now $7. Now if I use these on a Wednesday with the coupons being doubled ($10 instead of $5 off) it really costs me $2 for the detergent!

The more I educated myself on this the more excited I got! I started realizing how much money can be saved doing this. My goal is to save save save and put the money I saved from food shopping away for my jewelry creating, big estate, thrifting days!

Ciao!

Cancer Awareness

2011-09-08T09:53:00.008-04:00

I think we all know someone who has cancer. It is a disease that too many people have. As a gift to one of my co-worker's mother, I made her a bracelet. She was recently diagnosed with cancer. I believe they caught it early enough. I am sure she is a little racked by all this so I made her a surprise gift.

I hope every time she looks at it it gives her positive energy and the strength she needs to deal with everything she will be facing. The best thing you can do when life throws you curve balls, is embrace it. Be positive. It will only make you stronger.

It is harder to do than you think, but it can be done. It is a mind set. When you feel like you have a bad day and all is loss, it isn't.

If you think it is, click on the below picture here:

I came across this blog yesterday and I was so impressed and touched with his attitude and outlook on life. It changed mine.

Love your life.

Focus on what you have instead of what you don't.

Don't be caught up with labels and worrying about what people are saying.

Anyone saying anything negative is not worth having around you.

Wear Your Hardware

2011-08-31T15:28:00.005-04:00

Once in a while my husband goes through the mundane task of cleaning out the garage. Trying to make room for his bikes and bar stool racers. As he was building his trash pile, I saw old slatted doors in the pile. The hardware caught my eye.

I have a big love for skeleton keys, key plates, old keys of all shapes and sizes. Maybe it's the allure of stories of past lives the key holds.

I knew I could come up with some sort of design. It did not take me long. I just grabbed a few beads and wire and whipped something up.

I am wearing this piece today and as I was out and about I got a lot of compliments on it. I have been meaning to make another one to put in my Etsy shop.

What ever it is you design, YOU are your biggest advertiser. Wear your stuff. People will gravitate to you and ask you about your pieces. Have business cards on hand to pass out!

I did not do anything to the finish of the key hole. On my next one I may....not sure yet.

Ciao!

Calm before the storm

2011-08-24T10:03:00.005-04:00

Yesterday the east coast had a 5.8 earthquake. Some areas felt it more than others. I thought someone dropped something heavy on the second floor of the building. Overall no big deal and no one was hurt that I know of. I guess we are getting hit with a hurricane this weekend. Maybe that is why we are having such calm and pretty weather right now.

The weather was beautiful last night. It was breezy and in the 80's. A nice break from the 90+ heat and humidity. After work my husband and I sat outside by our firepit having a few beers.

He made this fire pit by hand, scrolled the legs and everything! The stone is left over tile from our backsplash in our kitchen. We broke it up and put it on top! This patio is off of our original patio area and sits on top of hudge granite slabs. I LOVE IT here. You can take any space in your back yard or porch area and make it unique and beautiful. A far away retreat in your own back yard.

What I usually do every summer is hang skrim off my main patio. Skrim is a gauzy material that is great to hang outdoors. It dries fast and you can see through it. This plant below was not this big in the beginning of the summer. It had a few stems hanging down and now look at it. I almost goes around the whole top area!

The skrim gives the patio area a tropical feeling, perfect for summer nights. It looks great with candles and tiki torches lit at night. I keep it like this well into the fall! :)

Nice to sit outside and have vino as well.......my fave drink!

Estate Sale

2011-08-16T08:25:00.008-04:00

I found an estate sale the other weekend close to home! We were getting ready to head to the beaches in NC, but I managed the time to go check this sale out. It was in a very ritzy, artsy area and I could not miss it!

Oil lamps! Love them. I have a handful of them. These two were the ones that stood out to me the most. The one lady next to me had a green one that I really wanted. I hoped that she would of changed her mind and put it back on the table, but no luck. We were saying how they do not make these anymore and lamps like these are precious! I use them as decoration and outdoor light on the patio. I may resell these two.

I love dishes and pill boxes. I like to display them randomly throughout the house.

This is an omelet cooker I guess. I grabbed it because it was different. This was rarely used. The one lady said she has one and LOVES it. She uses it all the time. It will go in my vintage camper!!!

I am not a smoker, but I love old ash trays. I use this to hold random beads and jewelry. I love the flowers! I hope to find one of those ashtray stands. Remember them?

They had a great piece of furniture. A green old dresser. I wish I had the space for it. I really need to have a big barn to house all my findings. I also found an old floor lamp, and a unique fish/knife scaler. I have a lot of fun going to these sales. You can find many unique things that you can display around your house and add flair!

Ciao!

Wanderlust........and Gypsies

2011-08-02T16:10:00.006-04:00

The other day I read a post on Misfits Vintage's blog about wanderlust. We all have it. We want to travel and see the world and meet fascinating people. I get like that, specially when I watch Anthony Bourdain. I just want to travel and hob nob with the finest people and talk about life over a good glass of wine.

But I can't travel the world, not at this point anyway. But you can satisfy your own wanderlust on a smaller scale. You learn so much about life and yourself when you go out and meet people, join groups, scower blogs. You can travel so far away right in the comfort of your own living room. This past month I have come across some pretty cool blogs from other parts of the world. These people have inspired me, reminded me of things, and given me a boost in an area of my life that needed a jump start. We all

After reading Misfits Vintage blog, her wanderlust reminded me of gypsies and how I like them and how I like Gypsy Rose Lee.

My mother use to call me Gypsy Rose Lee when I was little. I used to walk around with a bunch of jewelry on...all "gussied" up. Gypsy Rose Lee was one of the most famous strippers. During a raid at Minsky's Burlesque house she told the police that she was not naked, she was completely covered by a blue spotlight. Strong and witty! My kind of chic. She was also an actress and author.

I would love to pick up and travel on a whim. I envy the people who do. I do my share of traveling however. Weekends here and there with friends. I've had a busy summer this year......yeah!

Make sure you settle your own wanderlust....whenever it hits you. Don't forget to travel. It does not have to be to a far away country, it can be in your own town!! Take time for yourself, get to know yourself through others. I think sometimes we get caught up in mundane things in our life and forget to live uninhibited. We forget about our own desires. We sometimes let peoples negative energy squash our positive energies.

Don't let that be you......don't get caught in a slump.

Go......let your hair down, wear something outrageous DO something and GO SOMEWHERE!!!

Ciao!

Sunday Sunday

2011-07-31T17:28:00.006-04:00

Winding down from my weekend. I had a good weekend. My husband went out of town and I went yard-sailing! LUV'd it. I got some cool clothes and I spotted a vintage couch that I LOVE! It would look so good in my kitchen. I have a huge enough kitchen where one of those small vintage love seat couches would do well......but I have to move my washer and dryer into another room before that can happen. It is quite convenient to have one in the kitchen, specially if it is not noticeable. I'd much rather have the vintage couch!!! I can cook and have people sit on it......it would be such the entertainment spot! I went back today, just to visit it but do to rain they cancelled the yard sale.

I keep thinking about it and I have a huge extra room I could store it it. I believe they will have the yard sale next weekend, but if not I will go knock on the door! I have to have it!! Wish me luck!!!

I have just put a tray of Lasagna in the oven and having a glass of Nero D' Avlo. I am watching Criminal Minds.... Love that show.

I watched Cupcake Girls on WE last night. I love this show. I love these girls. Check them out:

http://originalcupcakes.com/

Their shop is in Vancouver and I believe they just started this business blindly.....and succeeded. I love stories like that. Who says you have to have 20 degrees and come from influence. You can achieve anything as long as you have drive and desire!! Remember this!!

Ciao!

Vintage Style Glasses

2011-07-27T14:41:00.005-04:00

I am totally obsessed with vintage style cat's eye glasses! I just recently purchased glasses at the local optometry. It was disappointing to say the least of all the mundane, everyday styles that were around. I managed to find a pair that stood out from the rest until I find what I really want.

I just lost a bid on a 1950's pair of eye glasses! I am so sad, but can't let it stop me from searching! This is the pair I lost the bid on:

However, I did win this pair!!

When I first saw them, I wasn't to sure about them, but how often do you see this style?!?! I cannot wait to get my lenses put in them. Everybody I showed them too LUV'd them!! Once I get this baby ready to wear I will post many pictures!! These will be so fun to wear!

I love accessories and I love wearing pieces that will make any outfit pop and stand out! I think these glasses are just the item to do it. I am never afraid to wear anything. If you like it and it makes you happy.....GO FOR IT!

Ciao!

American Restoration

2011-07-27T08:49:00.005-04:00

American Restoration is a show on the History channel that takes old rusty, beat up items that have been discarded for whatever crazy reason and restores them to their original state. LUV the show! I love seeing beautiful vintage pieces get new life breathed back into them.

The show features Rick Dale and his crew of fun guys including his son located in Las Vegas, Nevada. They can restore anything from a giant gas pump from the 1940s or a vintage Harley the 1950s.

One of the things that was brought to the guys was an old US Mailbox. I had actually forgotten that they used to be red and blue! WOW, it is funny how seeing things from yester-year....it brings back memories.

I hope I am lucky enough to find more great treasures...I am stepping up my thrifting game this weekend scouring the city for lost treasures.

Ciao~

Vintage Room

2011-07-25T11:42:00.008-04:00

I have not blogged in so long! I have lost interest and desire until I came across a FABULOUS blog Vintage Vixen It is a great blog about vintage, car jumbles and it is just packed full of awesomeness!

Inspiration and encouragement is everywhere. You just have to be open to it.

I have a spare bedroom that is used as a guest room/craft room. I love vintage pins. I collect them! I have some displayed on a fabric picture board (also a thrift store find). This is not a real good picture, but for some reason my camera would not cooperate! I have many black and white photos of 1950's - 1960's women my uncle use to take back in the day. He was an avid photographer of just everday life. I am glad I have them. I have some of them displayed around this room. It just adds to the vintage feel!

I recently re-vamped this room! It was to cluttered. I scored a amour that has about 8 drawers on the inside and above the drawers is a space where you can put a TV. I use that as a workspace. This room also holds my vintage dressing table! I LOVE them!! This room doubles as and a great place for guests to stay and a place for me to create jewelry pieces. The amour helps store all my tools, beads, metal etc. I also have a vintage day bed on the other side!! I will post more pics soon!

Skeleton Keys & Things I love

2011-02-15T08:44:00.008-05:00

I started working on a skeleton key necklace. I used black and gray beads I had laying around and made a necklace. I love it. I never get rid of beads. Even if I think I never will use them, because you never know when creativity will strike and you could come up with a fan-dam-taskic design with beads you never thought you would use again. OH, and the blob of fur around me? A black and gray 60's style vest I bought on sale for a steal....$10...marked down from $58...SCORE!

I am not sure what it is about skeleton keys that I love so much, but I do. I love the vintage look of them, the idea of that back in the day they opened many doors in old style houses or farm houses....that I would love to own one day. Who owned them? What story lies behind those old doors? I am going to create a line of key necklaces and add them to my Etsy shop.. I should have some up in a few weeks.

Nicole Atkins..............

LOVE her! Not only is she from Jersey, like me....grew up in a Sicilian family like me! Her music ROCKS!! The first song I heard from her was a song called Neptune City, homage to her hometown in NJ. The video is awesome. She is on the boardwalk in a pink vintage dress and the back ground is gray scale...very nostalgia.

I just bought her latest cd, Mondo Amore. Her sound is different; she has a bluesy, soulful....just fabulous sound. If you like artists like Neko Case you will love Nicole Atkins.

As for this picture.......

I saw this on the internet as someone's background. When I first looked at it, I liked it....the colors the dress...then when I really looked at it I was like WOW, she is shooting herself. Kind of morbid........The more I looked at it the more I liked it. I guess it is called "butterfly suicide" It is different....I like different.

On other notes, I decided to go back to school. I want to take a few art classes, psychology, graphic design and English/writing classes. I am not going for a particular degree...I just want to take these classes. I want to continue my education and keep my mind active. I consider myself an ongoing student of life, but it is fun and beneficial to be in a classroom. The hard part is deciding what I want to take first.

I think ongoing education is very important, I think what is also very important is having a skill; such as welding, mechanics, contracting etc.. You never know when you need to be self-sufficient. It never hurts to be able to fall back on an old fashion skill. I don't believe you should rely the corporate 9-5 gig. Drive, ambition and the key to wanting to learn is the best desire you can have.

Have a fabulous week!!

Ciao~

I am taking over the webs design for our bead society. I am real syked about that. I can't wait to get back into that. I will be designing our new page!I am also scouring the world for vintage items to fill my other Etsy shop I will be opening soon. I am also trying to work on a facial scrub and candle line.....and learning Italian on my own. Yes, my plate is full and I love it!!

Creative Ways

2010-11-10T09:29:00.005-05:00

This gun used to be a key chain. I had this forever. It is metal and the trigger works, like a pop gun. The gun is black and the trigger and accents are antique copper.

I added two skull beads and attached an antique copper over sized clasp all on a black chain.

Luv it!!

Another Great Thrifty Find!

2010-11-08T16:34:00.003-05:00

I have a vintage dressing table. The one with a big mirror in the middle and three drawers on each side. It is soo cool. My husband found it up in NY and gave it to me for Christmas.

It did not have a bench so I have been using a wicker chair that I had. Normally these things have a cute little bench. I have been trying to find one......old vintage style, not modern and never could find anything I liked.

Today, during my thrift store browsing there it was! It is solid metal. I got this for $15 and with a discount I ended up paying $12!!! SO HAPPY! These usually run anywhere between $40 - $80 if not more new.

I am thinking of recovering it with a vintage fabric to go with my dressing table and spray painting the metal the color to match. For now, I will leave it until I settle on one idea! I am just happy I finally found somthing.

I soooo love thrift stores and finding a great deal!!

CIAO!
XOXOX

These boots are made for walking!

2010-11-04T13:37:00.007-04:00

Do you LOVE them?! I found these at a thrift store today! They are pretty cool! I soo love thrift stores, specially when you can find something wild like this. I originally went thrifting today to find a jean skirt, which I did for $3.99! I am going to wear that and these boots tomorrow! So excited. I got a lot of compliments on the boots already, just holding them in my hand. Pretty snazzy!! They are blue with animal print and all man made material! The brand is BeeFly. They zip up on the side and come just below the knee. I looked these up online and used some start at $20 - $65 used! I got these for $10. CIAO!

Reboot Yourself

2010-11-02T14:32:00.004-04:00

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." — Andy Warhol

The year is coming to an end and another one is going to start. The New Year brings to people a reason to make the ever so famous "New Years Resolutions" I am going to exercise more, eat right and travel more are usually on the top 10

This coming year I will be turning 40. I guess I am OK with that. I don't look 40 and don't really feel it. That is due to the good Sicilian blood flowing in my veins ;) The only list I plan on making is "What I want to accomplish in my 40's" list. I will post that one in a couple of months. It will be something I plan on adding to here and there, but ultimately it is the list of things I want to accomplish during that decade.

As for the title of this post, reboot yourself. There are always things you don't like about yourself. Bad habits, weight, diet, your hair, clothes....whatever. If you don't like something, don't wait to start on the New Year, reboot yourself and do it now! Your computer is slow or freezes, you don't wait to reboot it.....and you should not wait to reboot yourself. Keep a little calendar or a notebook and jot down your milestones along the way.......if you quit smoking mark the 5th day, 6th day or 30th day that you have gone without.

There is no time like the present to update, change or "reboot" yourself. Are you waiting for that career change? Do it. Take charge and reboot it!

Ciao!

"Do one thing everyday that scares you"
~Elleanor Roosevelt

A Tribute to Robert Frost

2010-10-22T09:35:00.007-04:00

Robert Lee Frost

Born: March 26, 1874
Place: San Francisco, California
Died: January 29, 1963
Place: Boston, Massachusetts

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Just Do It!

2010-10-14T09:49:00.003-04:00

That is my favorite slogan.....Just Do It. How motivational. This came into my email and I thought I'd share it. It is pretty good advise:

There will always be a reason not to do something.

Always.

(Given our natural talent for rationalizing, there will probably be far more than one.)

There will always be a reason you shouldn't change jobs. There will always be a reason you shouldn't start a business. There will always be a reason you shouldn't go to New York to attend art school.

Always.

So you have a choice.

You can wait until you no longer have a reason to avoid making an uncomfortable change (which isn't going to happen) or you can accept that your mind will always conjure up a reason why you need to play it safe and you can stop listening.

It's not an easy choice. Most people opt for the comfort of the routine. Sure, they'd like to make a shift, but that's scary. Better to stay snug in the same old pattern.

More comfortable? Possibly. But certainly not the way to live your life.

If you're waiting for that moment when the stars align and you feel 100% confident and comfortable about doing something new, stop.

Please stop.

You'll be waiting for the rest of your life.

Remember: There will always be a reason not to do something.

So do it anyway.

If you want to live your passion..........JUST DO IT!!

Ciao!
XOXOX
;)

My finished enamel piece!!

2010-10-11T10:45:00.000-04:00

It is done! Once of the pieces I created, I turned into a necklace. These are two copper circles that I sifted a few different colors on. The two sides that are shown are blue and orange the the other side I have a red and brown. I can mix these around a bit if I choose.

I have it on a copper chain with a couple of glass beads to compliment the colors. I had to add a dang-ly piece on each side.......I love things that dangle, it is so fun and gives it a little movement.

Not to bad for my first project. I am moving on the saw out of copper vintage ladies, a martini and wine glass etc. Fun Fun Fun!!!

CIAO!

End of Summer

2010-09-07T08:52:00.006-04:00

Even though it is officially the end of summer, it still remains hot here in Virginia through November. This weekend we spent a night at a local state park. I never even new this place existed and it is so close to our house. Another couple go here every year. Even though we spent only one night, we had a great time. We went on a bike ride and discovered a peaceful beach. At night we sat around the fire with drinks and good convo. We decided that every year we are going to join them. It is a nice paradise get a way so close to home and very inexpensive. It is a great way to get in touch with nature, recharge your juices and get creative new ideas. Next week I start my enamaling class. I am going to be creating new designs and finishing up a couple of copper bezels I worked on. This year has really been all about learning and discovering things in the DIY world. I want to learn as much as I can so when I sit in my studio I am armed with creative possibilities. I have so many collection of things that inspire me in binders........I am thinking.......why are they in binders? Out of site, out of mind. I want to put a wire on one wall to hang such inspirations, I want to get a bullentin board to post ideas, reminders etc. So even though it is the end of summer, I already have new beginnings starting. With the end of each season something new can be born. Kinda like shedding old skin. Yeah!

Get Clear

2010-08-30T11:27:00.002-04:00

Today I read something from my Skinny Bitch book. Anyone who feels empty, sad, or like they are not ahead....I hope this helps:

Get Clear:
Are you living your life
as someone who is healthy,
happy and vibrant
or someone who is
sick, angry, and sad?
If it is the latter,
it's because your being a victim,
KNOCK IT OFF! The best way to turn
that shit around
is to make a list of all the things
in your life you are grateful for.
Every single one of them.
Bask in your gratitude all day long!

Listen, it doesn't matter that you don't have a Lexus in your driveway, a big fancy house or a few friends/family instead of an entourage. What you have is good enough. I have to remind myself of this daily. We are all going to run into life's dilemmas and fall short somewhere. That is what makes us....US!
The more we appreciate the better we will feel. :)

A Riveting Experience

2010-07-16T15:56:00.003-04:00

Last night in my silver jewelry class, I was paging through a very cool book on riveting for jewelry., Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet. Soooooo of course I wanted to learn how to do this and my teacher just happened to have her equipment with her. We took a piece of copper that was aged and distressed and riveting other metal materials and WA-LA! .

I think I am going to turn this into a necklace.........:)

Fresh New Goodies

2010-07-16T15:48:00.006-04:00

The best thing about summer is flowers and lovely gardens. I just created this piece not to long ago. It is a pink enamal flower on a copper chain. Very simple and fun. It reminds me of summer.

This is another flower piece. The flower pendent has an egyptian spiral wrap that attaches the flower to the beads. The copper wine brings out the brown and copper tones on the beads....love it.

Both available at my Etsy shop! Check them out!

Ciao!

Indie

2010-07-12T16:00:00.003-04:00

The Power of Handmade!

The more I create, the more inspired I feel. I can't tell you the last time it was that I went shopping at a department store or mall to buy clothing or jewelry. I don't need to run out and buy the latest and greatest trend. I use to, and all it got me was wasted money and a sense of disappointment after the newness wore off so shortly after the purchase. I have learned not to buy into all the commercial hype. It is garbage and not needed. Ever since this change.....I feel lighter....

When you buy handmade, you are supporting someones dreams and hard work. When you buy Indie, you are getting one of a kind piece of art! How cool is that? These artists really are so appreciative of your purchase. It feels good. I really do not like supporting mass productions. I will spend my money on a more deserving community.

I also support local farmers markets. If I am not growing it myself, I will buy from the locals. It is healthier and tastier. I am gravitating more towards an organic diet. The hormones, pesticides, and processed foods are a real turn off. I feel healthier and not so sluggish. You can change also, you have to start small. Change one thing at a time....Rome was not built in a day ;) If you change a few things in your diet you are ahead of the game. Maybe eat fresh fruit in the morning or snack on veggies for a start. You can even do something as simple as replacing a can of soda with water.

So this change I have been going through the past year is a good one. I am so glad I got into the Indie world and am so very appreciative of my crafty artsy people I have met along the way. The world is a much brighter and healthier place!

Is there any change you made in your life that makes you feel like a new person?

A Key To All Things

2010-07-11T05:08:00.000-04:00

This is a recycle piece with vintage flair. We were getting rid of an old door and I saved the brass decorative plates. I just new I could make something out of it.

I love skeleton keys. I love the old look. I wonder how many doors they have opened and imagine how cool it must have been to live in the olden days. I like to think of keys as symbolic. Such as a positive energy, when your looking to pass from an old situation and into a new one. I like to look ahead and "unlock the secrets" of new things.

Collecting skeleton keys is one of my many obsessions. They are hard to find, but when I do, it is such a satisfaction.

Ciao!

Take Control Of Your Life

2010-06-28T10:56:00.008-04:00

Today is Monday and I am sure having the Monday Blah. Well, I was until I read a post over at Scoutie Girl! I wanted to share it:

You are in control: of your life, your opportunities, your ability to enact change in this world.

Use your creativity, your outside-of-the-box point of view to make something happen today. Stop wishing for change, stop envisioning a better world, stop hoping for a shift of power.

Seize control. Take your ideas to the street and demand to be heard.

If you are a consumer, use consumption to take control. If are a creator, use innovation to overpower the status quo.

We all as Artists get into these frumps. Everyday life can do that to

us. It is when we come across a post, a quote or someone who says something like the above that instantly gives me this recharge! I wanted to pass it along. Hopefully it inspires you as well.

I have not blogged in a while so this is what has been going on with me.....

Yesterday I spent the day with an artist friend of mine, Kat Allison. We dyed fabrics like muslin and china silk. She also taught me a little bit about screen printing and

mixing my own dyes. It is very fun to do. My hands have red dye on them still.........gives me a very arty look :)

I was fumbling around in my studio the other day and put together a piece with scraps. It is my favorite piece at the moment, my circle eternity necklace.

This necklace I wore at the local Etsy party we had for Etsy's birthday. This is going to be part of a flower line I am creating. I should be posting this necklace on Etsy soon......I have someone who may be interested...yeah! We will see.....

I am continuing with my silver jewelry class. I am working on some copper pieces. I figure I spend this year learning and working on inventory so I will be better equipped for shows next summer.....Besides this I am spending my weekends walking around farmer markets and laying on the beach....enjoy the simple things in life and absorbing all the earth has to offer!

I like spending evenings after work on my patio and looking out at our gardens....

The other week was my birthday. My husband knows how much I love Marilyn so they got together and order me this cake!!

It took me a day or so to cut into it, but they took a picture of it for me and had it framed.

My Interview

2010-06-01T15:21:00.004-04:00

I am currently working on an article for our Bead Society. I am the newsletter editor and I decided to pay tribute to a member and local artist who recently opened her shop. I feel that local artists do not get recognized enough if at all.

I feel that as artists, we often get into rutts and wonder if anyone else gets like this and how to get out of it. One of my questions to Tammy was "What inspires you? Here is an excerpt:

What most inspires you?

Nature, water. I love solitude and quiet. My office/studio looks out over the Sarah Creek and York River. I get to watch the Heron feed, red wing black birds nest ,boats coming and going and the wonderful sunsets. Almost everything comes from this. I recently took Kat Allison and Cindy Yost’s class at Art and Soul, a new medium for me. The energy from other artists gives us so much and renews us from day to day chores. I will go into my studio late at night, when no one is around. This seems to be the most valuable time for me to put things into action. I always look at other artist’s work. I do not copy their designs, but I carry a sketchbook in my purse and take notes or draw out my interpretation of the concept

I love her answer on this, because I believe we all pull energy and inspirations from other people. People and our daily surroundings are great sources. If we carry a sketchbook or a journal with us, we can capture life's moments at any given time.

Sometimes we just have to stop and take in what is around us and breath........

Vintage Blouse

2010-05-19T15:10:00.004-04:00

Pretty In Pink....
and shear blouse
Nice for summer nights with jeans and chunky shoes........

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46981596/vintage-blouse

Silversmith Class

2010-05-19T10:44:00.002-04:00

Well, this is my first pendant from my silversmith class. I am pretty proud. It is a great class and I love doing this.

It takes a lot of time, but like anything else, the more I work with it the better and faster I will get. I must say the polishing part took the longest. It was hard for me to detect the fire scale. I am still working on this piece. I have to add the wire up top. Normally a bale will go there, but I decided to use wire because of the bottom pieces of brass, silver and copper. I need to stamp those pieces. I figure I will stamp them with the name of my soy making candles project.......coming soon! :)

The stone needs to be set in the bezel. Once all this is finished and polished to perfection I will post detail pictures........

Italian Life

2010-05-17T13:33:00.002-04:00

I love, love, love being Italian!! Not just because of the pasta and the cannolis........that is fabulous, but because I feel Italians are full of love and life! If you ever been around them you know this. Even at funerals, there always seemed to be such a calming sense. Though funerals are sad, being around a room full of Italians made it manageable. The stories, the food, the wise cracks.........everything always seemed fine. They celebrated the life of the person. Italians always laugh, and have a good time no matter what. I remember growing up we lived next door to my cousins and there was always laughter, gatherings and food and wine. They lived life to the fullest, loved people and never judged.

Some things I have learned growing up Italian:

Everything will be fine, just put on a little lipstick!
Mangia! Don't worry about the calories, life is too short.
Eat Fresh Food, get rid of the processed crap!
Red Wine...drink it
LAUGH
LOVE
Have a strong Family
Enjoy your life, surround yourself with friends and famiies.....have fun little gatherings
Appreciate Each day and Have fun
Be Happy, Hopeful and optimistic.....no need to be miserable, remember, everything will be fine, just put on a little lipstick.

Labels?

2010-05-12T16:16:00.002-04:00

Scoutie Girl, a blog I am so happy I came acrossed, has a question about "How do you label yourself?" http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/05/labels-whats-yours-we-scout-wednesday.html

I cannot define myself in one label. I think that we are so many things and having to be "labeled" can seem so negative.

I am so many things; Mom, Wife, Friend, Tech, daughter, designer, crafter, Creator, silversmith......the list goes on. I could have a different label everyday dependinng on my mood, LOL. The one I like, that best describes me to date is "Student Of Life". I am constantly learning. I need to educate myself from others, books, the web etc. That is a label I could live with....for the moment :)

Backyard

2010-05-06T09:51:00.007-04:00

We are revamping out backyard. We put a little patio off our main patio by the driveway. It was just grass with a little stone garden. Now it looks great coming off the patio!! By the fence is a flower garden. See how drab it is? Check out the pictures further down :)

My husband made this fireplace for me. It is great!! He took some left over slate that we had when we redid our kitchen and put it on the top of the fireplace.

Finished product! We just have to grout it now. This fireplace will sit on another section of our yard as soon as we get our granite patio done. We were given big huge slabs! Can't wait for it to be done!!

This year we did the red mulch in our back yard. It used to be filled in with stone, but over the years it just got to much debris from the pine needles etc. We decided to do the mulch. It really pad the backyard pop!

I love to have a nice backyard were I can just sit and enjoy the weather and views! It has been a long time since we really gave our backyard TLC!

65 Red Roses Eva Markvoort Blog to the end.

2010-04-27T13:45:00.005-04:00

I saw this girl's story on CNN.com I went to her blog and red a few posts. Stories like this with people's courage really inspires me. I saw her story on the internet only a few minutes ago and she has already impacted my life. It reminds me we all have the power to make a difference. We all have our problems, issues, pains, but we can't forget to live passionately with love and hope. We all take things for granted, and when we do we must appreciate the little things to remind us of what is important.

From here journal:

© Eva Dien Brine Markvoort 2006-2010
pressure change
Mar. 22nd, 2010 at 12:49 AM

making the effort this evening to sit up in a chair

good to change positions

stretch different muscles

sending air to different pockets

mum asked what i miss?

i miss walking in and out of buildings

the feeling of air pressure change when you enter or exit a building

i miss getting in and out of cars

how your view changes when you sit at a different height

change really

i miss change

now, it is all the same

seven weeks....there are no transitions

i miss transitions

from one place to another

which is strange really

because now i hate change

i can't stand change and yet i miss the transitions

i hold onto who ever is near

since when am i clingy?

i grasp onto

annie in the morning

jackie and robin in the afternoon

dad in the evening

maman all the time

episodes of projectile vomiting

hours of gasping for breath

waves of nausea lulling out into

hours of sleepiness once the meds have hit

leaving me daydreaming about stepping out of this room

just getting up free of tubes and plugs and walking out the door pushing open doorways skipping down the street

breathing free free

© Eva Dien Brine Markvoort 2006-2010

RINGS RINGS RINGS!!

2010-04-21T08:36:00.006-04:00

I am making some fab fab rings!!

I love this one! This is a flower ring on a copper piece with a white peal bead. This is in the process of being made still. I am also working on a few flower necklaces that should be done this weekend. Yeah! I already have someone who wants dibs on the flower necklaces. Sooo cool!

These two girls are vintage buttons. Aren't they beautiful! They are so fun to wear! The redone was scoffed up already by my friend. I have another one to make of her......These will be posted on my Etsy shop here soon.

Ciao!

My lunch hour was spent here.....

2010-04-14T15:51:00.000-04:00

Love spring.........
XOXOX

Things I Like

2010-04-14T15:43:00.000-04:00

-kind people
-Love
-My family and friends
-cheese
-going for walks
-wine
-coffee (preferably in interesting mugs)
-back roads
-antiques
-old houses & abandoned houses
-the smell of libraries and old books
-criminal minds (tv show)
-walking on the beach
-bike rides
-dogs
-scary stories
-art
-craft magazines and books
-glitter
-Classic Cartoons
-Family Guy

-

WHAT DO YOU LIKE?-
-

New Necklace

2010-04-12T11:03:00.001-04:00

I love this! It is turquoise beads and a coral pendant with silver spacers. I think all the colors go great!!! It is soooo yummy!

I really have to take a better picture of it, this is from my camera phone. I need to keep my camera with me more. Turquoise pieces look great against suntanned skin......it is bellisimo!!';) I will be posting this soon in my shop!!

I have been slacking a little lately with my jewelry designs because I have been head over heals in love with learning my silversmithing and getting my yard looking good and enjoying the warm weather!

So much to do......so little time.

XOXOX

Made In Italy

2010-04-09T13:12:00.000-04:00

I love anything Italian. I love thrifting. So how great is it today that I go thrifting and fine two items made in Italy!!!!!!

I found these shoes. I love the colors, yellow and blues. Perfect for spring, and they will go great with my yellow pants!! Price $.98 cents!! YES! .98 cents!!!

The next item, is the leather purse! It was hanging on the rack wide open and the label screamed at me: MADE IN ITALY! It has copper circles for zipper pulls and the strap is a copper color with leather sewn laces, like a shoe string. It fits snug right under my arm!! Price $4.00

On my way to the thrift store, I stopped at this awesome store. I call it the witch store. They sell crystals, do circle meets, tarrot card readings etc. They have great jewelry, stones and neat little things. I am delving into the world of silversmithing and I love it, so I wanted to pick up some stones to do my settings and wire wraps.

They have a great selection. The guy there told me he has a friend coming in from Peru who is bringing all his precious stones and crystals! I am excited to see his stuff.

Today I bought Tigers Eye, Jasper, Amethyst, and natural stones. I cannot wait to create the settings for these!

CIAO!!

Have A Secret?

2010-04-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Do you have something you like to get off your chest but can't bear to tell anyone else?

Well now you can read all about peoples thoughts.......anonymously of course. Post Secret. I love this blog! It is an art community, where people mail in their secrets, never revealed before, on homemade postcards.

Certain secrets are selected and posted on the blog and in books. There are some very creative postcards and very interesting secrets..........

Check it out.......

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

I love the Art that people create on their cards.....but I also love that people have the same issues, obstacles, and struggles that we all do. Of course I don't love that people go through this, but this is life....it happens to everyone. It is nice to know that we are not alone.

I reminds me to enjoy my journey and let love guide you.

Ciao!

Create Your Life

2010-04-06T10:35:00.000-04:00

I have spent a lot of time searching for creative inspirations. I read books, blogs, talk to other DIY'ers to get a perspective on how others come up with ideas. I think learning to be creative, expressing yourself and not being afraid to make mistakes or say what you think are all equally important. I've changed, grown and learned so much during this. I did not realize how much at first.....one day I was like......hey I got this!

This is your life. Everyday is a new start. There are times when we feel like it is a constant uphill battle, but it is a journey. All of this you go through is a learning experience. Every hard time you may go through.....it is only a moment....a small period of your life that won't last forever.

If you don't like something, change it. We create life everyday, our own lives. The words we use, the actions we take, the people we surround ourselves with mold us everyday. What is it that you want to achieve? Create a manifest of your own self......we get one shot at this life.....make it the best Oscar deserving one you can!

Random Bits

2010-03-26T15:25:00.000-04:00

Last week was sooooooooooo nice out. 70 degree weather. YUM! We planted some veggies. We have lettuce and brussell sprouts and some herbs. First time planting the lettuce and sprouts so we will see how that goes. I believe the brussell sprouts are for cooler weather but we will see how they turn out.

There is this super cool Martini bar downtown that we discovered the other weekend. We have been there the last two weeks. Luv this place! The decor is very trendy. The tapas are yummy. It is in an old town. I have to post more pics of this area. Lots of antique shops, coffee shop and an Irish pub! When I walk into this place, I feel like I am in Manhattan because of its chic, trendy style.

The bartenders are cool. When you are in there, these bartenders have conversations with everyone and everyone joins in the conversations. It is like being at home during an Italian family get together over pasta and wine. I usually have two martinis.

If I have anymore than two I will need a sign like this:

Blah ha ha ha!

Enjoy your weekend! It is going to be rainy and chilly, the battle of winter and spring. That is ok, spring will win. I will be busy creating necklaces with some cool vintage flower pieces and hanging out with my art group.

CIAO!

My Hair

2010-03-25T08:39:00.000-04:00

I always get highlights. I use to get sand/blond color and I got tired of that after so many years. I always liked red, but my hair is so dark that it never stays in for very long at all. A few months ago I got a real pretty wine color in my hair and it wasn't very noticeable. It was pretty, but you could not really see it and then it faded.

I always liked the block style color and I always liked big bold red colors. My hairdresser said to me last night as we were looking at color, go with the bold red, you always show me pictures of this color, if we are going to do it, lets just do it!! I said OK.

After it was all said and done, I was in shock. Shock because I never did anything this extreme before with color. They loved it at the shop, she told me to wait a few days and if I still did not like it she would tone it down. It was to bright for me. In the pic it shows a little darker. I also have it styled more to one side because WOW, if I had it going across the top it would be too much.

I am not sure what I was in shock mostly over, the new color or what would the reaction of my office peers be? So far, as the morning goes on people like it. For some people they are to conservative and would not be so bold, and that is fine; (however those same people judge and hold their noses up). That is were I used to be. I would never do anything fun, edgy because I worked in an office and fell into the "what are people going to think"?

So as I sit here this morning thinking about the shock to my system, I realize, it is just hair. It is just a section of hair that is red. I wanted different, I got it. I want to be a little edgier, branch out of my comfort zone and I did it. I wanted to be brave and try new things and adventures. It is no big deal! I got what I want.

The moral to this story? Don't be afraid to try anything new! Just Do It!!! Give it a chance. The worst thing that could happen is you don't like it, but at least now you know this. You never know how you will grow and change as a person if you do not take the jump. Your not performing surgery, no one will die. Don't fall into the "what will people think"? Who cares. Any criticism you get from someone take as constructive, use what you can from it and move on. You are only in this life one time! :)

OH Jessie Jessie Jessie!

2010-03-22T09:45:00.000-04:00

What were you thinking??

You had this:

And you cheated to be with this:

Really???

You gave up your wife and kids and curled up next to her?

Thrifty Finds

2010-03-18T13:45:00.000-04:00

Every third Tuesday I meet with a knitting group. I love it. They are such great ladies and I have a great time. I learn things, laugh and just have a great time!

Usually I stop at a thrift store near were we meet before I head over. I usually look over the books as usual and gaze around to see if I can find anything cool and vintage. I was looking through the books and found a book called While My Pretty One Knits I laughed! How cool was that. It is about two rival knitting shops, murder and gossip! Knitting with a twist.

I also found another book, Living Artfully. I never heard of this book. I am all into the Art world; creating and learning. I LOVE any books to do with Art and Crafts. Well, obsessed is more like it! This book is teaching you to express who you are through moments that you create living. Living Artfully reminds us to explore and experience life with more heart, meaning, purpose, and joy.

You never know what you will find in your local thrift stores. You can buy a pile of books and without risk. Your spending a fraction of what you would at a bookstore. Your reusing, saving the environment and education yourself! What is not to love! :)

Ciao~

Spring Is Coming!

2010-03-17T12:14:00.000-04:00

I just signed up for a silversmith class!! Super excited about that! I cannot wait. I will post things and pics on my progress.

On my way back from signing up, I stopped by a Garden Shop. I bought spinach, Brussels Sprouts, Lettuce, Parsley and Oregano for my herb/vegetable garden. I also bought a pink Geranium. I am redoing my yard and I am not putting flowers and plants in pots anymore, I am putting them in the ground. I want things to grow and come back year after year. I know geraniums do not, however they provide color all summer long so I will mix annuals and perennials. Perennials, from what I just learned at the garden shop, bloom a few weeks here then die off and re-bloom a few weeks later on.

There is a lot of work to be done still, but I am sooo excited! I am so ready for warm weather, the beach and a cold beer on a hot day! :)

OH, HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!

New Stuff

2010-03-15T09:37:00.001-04:00

The weather is getting warmer.......finally!! I cannot wait for it to be in full swing! I love laying on the beach and being in the sun. It gives me good energies to be creative!

I made a few things recently and just posted them to my Etsy account.

I love skulls and guitar pics. Always have. So I combined the two! I went to a party over the weekend and sold a pair!

I love browns, copper and reds together. This set is soo cool. I just love it!

http://www.ciaobelladesign.etsy.com/

My husband also has a creative side. He made this fireplace. We all sat around it Saturday night! He made this as a gift for a friend of ours. Very cool!

I also went to a craft show that was being held at a local high school. Soooo many talented people! I went out to support a couple of my friends that were there. I bought some of their jewelry. I am wearing a couple of pieces today. I feel real good. Not only did I support my friends and buy great pieces of theirs, I feel good because they, as well as all crafters, spend so much time on their designs and I know they truly appreciate my purchase. Each piece is thought up, carefully constructed and put together.

Buy Handmade! Your not only buying one of a kind pieces, but you are making people feel good and satisfied in their crafts!

Ciao!

Busy Beader!!

2010-03-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have been busy creating. I have been waiting for my skeleton keys to come in the mail so I can make something out of it. I have always been drawn to skeleton keys. Not sure if it is for their symbolism (the power to open things or wisdom) but maybe for the vintage look or I wonder what doors these opened? What was behind the door?

I made a necklace out of one. I wanted to double wrap this, but I was not sure how much string I needed to use. I love the read and tan/black beads against this. It is soooo cool. Unique! I love unique things. Not many people would wear a key around their neck or even think of using it has a piece of jewelry. This is one of the many things I love, these skeleton keys, and wearing it just shows a bit of my personality I suppose.

Yesterday morning I put together this bracelet. I had some read lamp work beads and silver pieces....and wa-la a bracelet is born. I am going to make another one of these and a skeleton key necklace and add to my Etsy shop soon!!!

I am now also dabbling in painting. I love it. I love so much this creative outlet I have. Summer is coming! I will be inspired by the beach, the sun, the warm weather!! Possibilities are endless! Keep coming warm weather!!! Sun, sand, beach and a cold one! How nice.......

Ciao!!

My Artful Mind!

2010-03-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

I checked out an Art group over the weekend. I have been wanting to get into painting. I was very inspired by the people there. The one girl who organizes this meeting is very talented and nice. She had a lot of her collages on display. One of the girls there gave me a canvas to play around with. I learned a little about the paints and tools they use. As soon as I left there I stopped to get my own supplies before heading home!

I figured with my new canvas I would create something to do with my anniversary that is coming up this weekend. I went in the attic and dug out one of my wedding invitations and a scroll that I used for favors. I started cutting, shaping and gluing.........the result:

We all start somewhere! I can't wait to experiment with mixing paints!

Slate Bathroom

2010-02-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

I love slate! We used it in our kitchen as a back splash. It really looks nice against our granite counter tops.

We re-did are 70's style bathroom years ago when we bought the house. We, well my husband, gutted it and re-did the entire thing. We built.......I mean he, built a stand up shower, tiled the floor and walls etc. We loved it. Now many years later we want to redo it again. In slate. He just sent me a picture of an idea.

We have a walk in shower, not like above, this is very elaborate. But we can do the slate shower and floors. He saw this buffet on craigs lists that he thought would make a great vanity:

I love this idea! He could put the bowl sink on top, get rid of our medicine cabinet vanity thing...... put our towels and what-nots in the drawers....possibilities are endless!

I may take us a little while to collect, save $$$, and figure out what we really want to do, but the design process is fun!

Dabbling

2010-02-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

I am excited for this weekend! My son and husband are going away to a wrestling match. I normally go but this Saturday I have a crafting/painting thing to check out. I want to learn how to paint. I really do not know anybody there, but I hope to make new friends and learn great things. One good thing I can say is that I have no problem going anywhere to check anything out by myself. Neither should you.......

I figured when I get back I can clean and organize the house. I like having a day or so to myself. It is nice. On Sunday I plan on making more jewelry and posting things on Etsy and Ebay and work on the newsletter for the bead society. I have some ceramics that I will not finish....they are in the bisque stage. These pieces were given to me. I wanted to learn how to do ceramics, but I have sooooo many things I want to learn right now that I am putting that to the way side.......for now. These ceramic pieces I have are unfinished Christmas things. I won't do anything with them. I know someone out there will appreciate starter pieces.

I am planning on taking a silversmith class in March!! I am so excited!! I can't wait, I can't wait!!!!

I bought vintage skeleton keys. I am going to make something cool with them. I will post pictures of whatever I come up with.

I saw the following quotes this morning that inspired me and got me going a little bit. These are why I posted this morning :

"I got a dream and that dream is big, cant stop, wont stop til that dream is mine...perserverance"

"You will never know unless you try"

"How the hell could you stop me why in the world would you try i go hard forever, that's just how I'm designed, that's just how I was builtSee the look in my eyes you take all of this from me, And I'm still gon' survive"

I know the kid who posted this. He is such a nice kid. He is in his late 20's and he had some stuff to overcome. We all do. The diffence is when he fell, he got back up.

I come across things a lot that inspire me...inspire me to learn and try new things. I hope the things I share do that to you as well! :)

XOXO!
Ciao~~

Technique to Talk Away Negativity

2010-02-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

I came across this and thought I'd share! :)

An Excerpt from Five Steps to Personal PowerBy Patrick Ryan

Even though there are twenty-four hours in a day, I don't believe that all time is created equal.

I am convinced that what happens to us during both the first and last ten minutes of each day is inordinately important.

An athlete would not dream of starting a physical activity without first stretching and warming up. Similarly, we need to psychologically stretch and warm up each morning before starting our day.

Read on for the psychological warm-up that I use every morning to...

Talk Away Negativity and Prepare Myself for a Positive, Constructive, and Happy Day

Set your alarm clock for five minutes before you actually need to get out of bed.

It is important to wake up gently, without feeling rushed.

Before you get out of bed, ask (and answer) these three questions:

· What do I have to be thankful for?

· What do I have to look forward to today?

· What can I do today to move me closer to my goals?

If you wake up in the morning and ask a question like Oh God, another day: why me, Lord? your subconscious mind will spend the rest of the day validating that question.

But the opposite is also possible.

If you ask a question like, "What do I have to look forward to today?" your powerful subconscious mind will make every attempt to validate that question.

So the choice is really yours: you can either program your mind with garbage or program it with empowering thoughts and questions.

Ciao!

Flower Pendant

2010-02-18T08:42:00.000-05:00

I love this piece. I love it! love it! love it! I bought the string of copper/brownish color style beads quite sometime ago at a trunk show. I just loved the color. Then my husband scored me some beads....lots and lots. In the bunch were some pendants. I took the flower pendant and put it next to these beads and thought........why not?

This reminds me of summer. I made a copper spiral to connect the flower to the string of beads. Silver Tibetan toggle clasps complete this look.

Poetry Book

2010-02-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

Check this out. If you like poems you may like this book. His name is Jamall Richardson. He is a college - friend of mine. I talked to him about his work on this book, publishing it, and doing advertising events at local Barnes and Nobles called Poetry Slams. I am happy to say his crowds are increasing at the local events and he is gaining fast attention on this book. Everytime I walk by his desk he has a flyer regarding his monthy events. This month he is doing a Romatic giveaway at Barnes and Nobles. I am so proud for him because of this acheivement.

This is something he does. He took his passion for something and made it profitable. All poetry in this book is his original work. To get a book published, carried by Barnes and Nobles......how cool is that? He is now working on his second release! How inspiring is that? For all you DIY'ers out there, anything is possible. Any ambition can be achieveable. Do What You LOVE!

What I like about this book is that it is different. Anytime you need to be reminded about love or passion..look at a poem. Put this on a coffee table so you can look at it once in awhile to be recharged. That is what life is all about.... LOVE.

Here is one of his poems:

Pure Elegance*

By J-Ali Richardson

The sound of the breeze

blowing through her hair

Could cause a meditative state.

Down to earth and firmly planted

She is strong enough to hold her place.

Her roots date back to

Ancient times and her stability is an

Ode to our ancestors

Only God’s grace could produce her

Men try to chop her down and take her crown

But her ability to survive through the times

Doesn’t fall upon the blinds eyesS

he’s incredible.

An even when the world

Attacks her with the harshest flames

She finds a way to remain

In the winter her appearance is at its worst

Yet as the sun reacquaints itself with our world

Her beauty unfurls

Her presence make the air taste clean

And from her bottom blossoms

Very delicious things.P

Pure elegance is all that I see

When I analyze the beautyOf a Peach tree.

Check out the link on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Cupids-Crossroads-J-Ali-Richardson/dp/1438982232/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266334790&sr=8-2

Ciao~

New Designs

2010-02-10T08:53:00.001-05:00

I got busy creating last night during American Idol. Loved Ellen!

I had this pendant and found some beads to go with it. I love it, very Gothic. I call it my Wicked necklace LOL. Colors are grays, blacks and purple. The black chipped beads are a smokey black. Goes great with the pendant. I was going to sell it, but I just can't part with it right now.

This bracelet I finished at 5:30am this morning. I woke up thinking, I have an extra smokey blue star I can add next to the toggle......so I did!

I LOVE LOVE vintage bags! I collect them. They are so versatile. You can wear it on a formal evening dinner or function or with a pair of jeans and heals for a night out with the girls!

Check out my shop on Etsy: www.ciaobelladesign.etsy.com

Whats For Dinner?

2010-02-09T10:41:00.001-05:00

This dish was one of the first dinners I made. I found it among my Italian recipes. After 17 years I still use it:

Sausage Broccoli Dish (This is what I call it)

I use turkey or Italian sausage, egg noodles, broccoli, carrots and onion. Cook your sausage first, cut it into bite size pieces set aside with juices. Saute your onions, cook carrots and the broccoli. I cook the broccoli alone in olive oil and season with Italian seasonings. Once that is done I take all the cooked veggies and add them in the pan to keep warm. While your doing that cook your egg noodles. Throw all together and it is fabulous! This dish is quick, easy and great to take to potluck.

Here is another receipe I am trying tonight, similar to above. I saw this on Everyday Italian. I could not find broccoli rabe (or rapini) anywhere and I saw it at Harris Teeter the other day along with the orecchiette (little ears ) pasta.

Broccoli Rabe is a common vegetable in southern Italy or Sicily. It has a bitter, nutty taste.

Orecchiette and Broccoli Rabe Dinner

Ingredients

2 bunches broccoli rabe, stems trimmed
1 pound orecchiette pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound turkey Italian-style sausage, casings removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch dried crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Cook the broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 1 minute. Transfer the broccoli rabe to a large bowl of ice water to cool, saving the cooking water. Bring the reserved cooking water back to a boil.

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces with a spoon, until browned and juices form, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, when the reserved cooking water is boiling, add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Strain the broccoli rabe and add it to the pan with the sausage mixture and toss to coat with the juices. Add the pasta to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan and serve immediately.

Simple Tomato Sauce:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
4 to 6 basil leaves
2 dried bay leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavor.

Pour half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and then pour 1 to 2 cup portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

MANGIA!!!

Moonbeam Soy Candles

2010-02-08T08:44:00.000-05:00

I love these candles. I recently placed my first order. I bought a wine scented candle (above) and it is the best! I have a hudge kitchen and I can smell this candle before I even enter my kitchen. These candles are hand poured and they also have hand dipped incense. There are over 600 fragrances to choose from. Great price, great candle! Check them out:

http://moonbeamsoycandles.com/

Ciao!

Sicily

2010-02-04T13:12:00.000-05:00

I blog about things I love. Jewlery making, art, thrift stores etc. Today I went again to the Thrift Store and found the Ann Rice Witching Hour book (yeah!) I was looking for and then I happened to look over on the shelf and saw a book titled "Bella Tuscany". This is a sequel to Under The Tuscan Sun. It is about the author, Francis Mayes continuing her affair with Italy. She now lives there and is writing about Italy, the joys of the food, the people, the wine.

As I was driving back from the Thrift Store excited over this book, I thought I don't remember blogging about Sicily. Well let me fix that!

I have an undying love for Sicily. That is where my great grandparents came from. My dad and Uncle John went to visit our family back in the day during the war. My cousins went to visit them a few years ago and met them for the first time. Italians have a love of life. They are happy, they find fun in simple things and they don't get caught up in the hussle and bussle or keeping up with the Jones. At least they don't in Sicily. It definatly showed in the pictures. They have cheese hanging in their basements, wine barrels. It is beautiful. They love to sit on the front porch and relax and garden. They take their talents and turn it into a business.

My cousins own a ceramic shop in Santo Stefano Di Camastra. They import to New York and California. I have some pieces from his shop. My cousins are going back in a year and I plan on going. I am going to save and go. I can't wait!

Here are some pictures from my cousin's last trip, Santa Stefano Di Camastra, Sicily:

Snow and my Doberman

2010-02-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

We actually got some snow here (Virginia) over the weekend. My dobermans are not use to this weather. We hardly get snow and a few inches really can shut things down here. I am used to it being from NJ. Honeslty, I do not miss it anymore. Here is a picture of my larger doberman, Duke looking out from our porch not sure if he wants to venture out into our yard.

Use your Thrift Store!!

2010-02-01T09:23:00.000-05:00

I love thrift stores!!! Luv them! It is amazing what you find.

I love books. I always go and see what kind of books they have at the thrift stores or used books stores. In the past week I found many.

I found:
She Comes undone and I know This Much is True by Wally Lamb for $6 at a used books store. Retails at Barnes and Noble for over $14.
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar for $1.
The Memory Keeper's daughter $1.98,
Ann Rice The VAmpire Lestat (I am searching for The Witching Hour to add to my collection),
Gardening and Landscaping books (5 of them for about $5) Great deal since I am redoing my back yard this summer!

These are books that I would not spend the money at Barnes and Noble but wouldn't mind reading them either. So I grab them so I have them on my bookshelf. I took up knitting. One day I was browsing around the thrift store and found "Knitting for Dummies" for $1.98!

If you can wait to have a book, I would periodically check your thrift stores. More than likely the book you want will pop up sooner or later and it will save you $$$.

Ciao!

Preparing for Yard Work

2010-01-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

I am determined to have a super fab paradise in my back yard this summer. Granted, I have to compete with two dobermans, but I will succeed! I am even reading this book I found in the thrift store "From The Ground Up, the story of a first garden". I do have a lot to learn. This book is perfect for that. I just started reading it this weekend and it has got me motivated. In the first few chapters I realized now is the time to start preparing. Battling against weeds, digging, cleaning. Just like you would if you were cleaning out your mental closet. I come to realize that gardening can be very theraputic. Before, I would not even care about my yard, but in the last year with my HGTV obsession and my friends tropical pond paradise in her back yard, I am ready to turn my yard into a island paradise!!!

Off my patio I have a great fire place area. The fireplace was made by my husband. It is one of those open circle ones you see in the stores for $300 or more. Yes, he is quite handy. There is nothing he can't make for fix. I want to tile the top of this in some sort of "tropical" feel. I have flower beds that wrap around my privacy fence. This year I am going to plant my plants and flowers in the ground instead of in pots. I am going to fill the beds in with mulch and maybe expand them out a bid. I want tropical trees and plants and I want it to be my own backyard paradise. I need to pick things that will come back every year and some stuff that will stay all winter long so my yard does not look so barren. When I walk out into my back yard, I want to feel like I left my home and traveled into a vacation get away.

The big challenge is to keep my dogs out of this area. LOL.

Welcome to my gardening journey!! I will post before and after pictures, the ups and downs of a first time gardener and see how it ends!

Helping Haiti

2010-01-19T07:40:00.000-05:00

The company I work for is holding a jean and sneaker jean day this week at work. We can wear jeans and sneakers on Tuesday and Friday. The cost is $3 for jeans and $2 for sneakers. All the money that is collected will go to Haiti.

Every little bit helps. If you donate on your own or get together as a group, the money you generate will make a difference, no matter the amount.

There is a guy that my husband works with. He is from Haiti. He reports that 8 of his family members have died. They are still looking for more of his family. When you actually meet someone who is affected, the reality of it hits you harder.

The money I will donate this week, isn't really anything. It is something I can do without and knowing it will help someone is an awsome feeling.

Ciao~

Some of my designs

2010-01-18T11:24:00.003-05:00

I will be putting some of this stuff on my Etsy soon http://www.ciaobelladesign.etsy.com/

This necklace below will not be added, the pendant is from my childhood and I love it!

I love these rings!! I have people stopping and asking me about them. They are such an eye catcher. I wear them on my index finger.

This necklace has matching earrings to it. I love this necklace. I found the ceramic pieces. It is a great piece.

Bracelets! Bracelets! Bracelets!

Ciao!

Uses For Wine Corks

2010-01-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

I save all my wine corks. I have a drawer full of them. I want to make a wreath with them. I did make a cork board with some. I hot glued corks together and put it in an old picture frame. Very cute. Makes a cute wall hanging also!

Some other uses I stumbled across were cutting them up and using them as mulch, very green. It absorbs water. You probably could put them in the bottom of pots without the holes drilled in.

Searching on the Internet aimlessly for more ideas, I stumbled across this very cute use for corks, Wine Cork Ornaments:

LUV IT!

MATERIALS:

Wine corks Thin ribbon Tassels Decorative beads (with large holes) Long darning needle Scissors Drill Glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Carefully drill a hole through the center of the cork lengthwise using a small bit drill.

2. Slide one or more decorative beads over the loop of the tassel.

3. Cut approximately 1 foot of ribbon and slip one end into the tassel loop (above the beads) then bring ends of ribbon together.

4. Thread the ribbon (now attached to the tassel) through the darning needle and bring up through the center of the cork then pull till the beads and tassel are in contact with the cork.

5. Slip one or more decorative beads over the ribbon then knot the ribbon several inches up leaving a loop to hang from Christmas tree branch.

6. Cut excess ribbon above the knot and use Fray Check (available at Joann.com) to prevent ribbon from fraying. You may also carefully use a lighter or match to slightly singe the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

7. Glue the beads to the top and bottom of the cork to ensure they remain centered and in place.
NOTE: This craft also makes a lovely decoration to hang on the neck of a bottle of wine. Follow the instructions as above, except use 2 feet of ribbon so the ornament will hang nicely on the bottle of wine.

Kuddos for this person coming up with this design.

Not only will it hand nicely on bottles, but even knobs. Jazz up a hutch or drawer. You could also paint them, use pins that have decorative ends and stick it in the cork, glue a a picture with a design etc on it. This idea has a lot of possibilities.

If you do this, please post your crafty design, would love to see it.

Drink up!

Ciao~

Etsy Site!

2010-01-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

I stopped dragging my heals on publishing the Etsy site. Chalk it up to first time jitters who knows. I am an Artist, I design, I need to get over my jitters, lol

I am very excited though. I want to learn to do so much all at once, sometimes I just got remember to do one thing at a time and the rest falls into place! So go grab a glass of wine and check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CiaoBellaDesign

You like the button?

http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com

Her work it fabulous and she is a doll to work with! Check it out.

Classic Vintage Vixens

2009-12-29T15:48:00.000-05:00

I love old movies. I love the vintage style, the mannerisms...I wish I could live during those times. The 20's....30's.....40's. Wouldn't it be great if we could time travel! My favorite actress whose movies I can watch over and over.....because of the times and their beauty are Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

Sophia Loren has that classic timeless Italian beauty! I love her voice! There are not enough Italian movies.......the ones she is in I adore! She has strength and courage and drive.

Breakfast At Tiffany's is my favorite with Audrey Hepburn. I believe it is the only one I saw. It is a must see! I love how she just goes through life without a care in the world it seems. Her style in this movie is absolutely fabulous!

I first fell in love with Marilyn Monroe movies when I saw my dad watching one of her movies. I was hooked!! When I was in grade school and we had to do reports I always choose Marilyn. My room was covered with her posters. I collect books, cards...you name it! My faves are Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds and the Seven Year Itch. She was very vulnerable, something we can all relate to at one time or another.

These women have always grabbed me. There charisma, style, strengths, ambitions and weaknesses all are inspiring.

My current favorite actress is Angelina Jolie. She harness classic and edge! Two of my favorite movies from her are Girl Interrupted and Changeling. I feel that she will go down in history as a classic like the ladies above. I love that she is edgy. To me the classic actress are classic, pure and that is great! But with Angelina Jolie I feel she has what it takes to go down in history as a classic actress even though she has that edginess.

Her role as Christina Collins was played great! The demeanor she portrayed was great. I could not be that calm in that situation. I am assuming that is how she handled it since it was based on a true story. Women back then showed amazing courage, strength and poise. When I watch this movie I realize many things..most of all courage, persistence, professionalism and hope.

Love this hat!!

Ciao~

A Time For Reflection....

2009-12-28T14:50:00.001-05:00

Like most people this time of the year marks a transitory period in peoples lives. Looking back at the past year and planning for the next couple years, I've been looking at a lot of things that were painful to go through, but I reflect on them now and see everything with a new life.

People come in and out of your life and it's absolutely amazing the timing. As you grow and evolve your energies change and some people don't fit anymore. When they are gone it leaves room for new people who do fit. I also look at the people that no matter how much you change or how much they change for some reason they still fit. Some people may come from the past and seem to work better now than ever.

I also look back on how I was searching for a purpose and I finally found something that gives me drive and ambition once again. For a while there I did not think I was going to find anything that interested me. Some people who do not even know, have have taught me new things.

I am thankful for coming across the things that have inspired me and people who gave me insight.

For my new years resolution I am going to fully dive into my creative talents. I am going to create more, live in passion and stop being afraid to call myself an artist!

Welcome 2010!

What are some of your New Year's resolutions?

I hope everyone has an amazing year!

Ciao~

Cinema Paradiso

2009-12-23T10:01:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine told me about this movie. I am glad he did. This is a great movie about Love and Hope. Italians do it best when it comes to having Love and Passion. It is one of those movies that inspire you.

Giuseppe Tornatore's beautiful 1988 film about a little boy's (Toto) love affair with the movies deservedly won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film and a Special Jury Prize at Cannes. Philippe Noiret plays a grizzled old projectionist who takes pride in his presentation of screen dreams for a town still recovering from World War II. It takes you on a journey of Toto's life as a small boy and as he gets older and comes back to his town.

It has nothing to do with materialistic things. Society gets so consumed with that. It is the simple things in life that matter. My Sicilian cousins know this the best. I see how happy they are with their wonderful homes that are not full of expensive "must have now" things. But they look like a million bucks. That love of life is captured in their decor and that is what makes it so wonderful. I got this impression from the photo's I saw when my cousin went to visit them. I am captured by their auroa.

It is one of those DVD's to have in your collection of movies you can watch over and over.

Ciao~

My First Sale!!!

2009-12-22T15:29:00.000-05:00

I am so excited!!! I made a few wire bracelets and I got a lot of compliments on them. Some of my friends said they would buy them. I made some more, thinking they proboly won't buy them...........but they did!!!!!!!! I just sold two!!!!

This makes me feel sooooo good!!!!

Vintage Finds!

2009-12-21T15:53:00.000-05:00

For some reason, over night, I have become obsessed with vintage phones. I ordered a french phone on Ebay to put on this stand in my hallway. It will actually look quite cute. I also wanted a black rotary phone for my office area. I found one! I do not really use my house phone anymore so why not replace regular phones with nice vintage ones!

In my search I also came across a vintage lamp. This lamp has a nightlight at the bottom, full light from the top or you can have both top an bottom lit.

This lamp was on sale from $10 to $2! It gives off more light than my newer ones! I had an antique doley I got from my mom's house and put under the lamp. I love the mix of modern and vintage!

Ciao~

A Crafty Book

2009-12-18T09:44:00.000-05:00

I was surfing the net and came across this book called, How To Sew A Button and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew.

I immediately new that I had to have this book! The author, Erin Bried, is a senior staff writer at Self magazine. She is also a native of the Lehigh Valley area, my old stomping grounds! As soon as I came across this book on the "BITCH" blog I went to her website, http://www.howtosewabutton.com/ and just fell in love with it. I went to Barnes and nobles right after work and bought it!

If you are a DIY'er this book is for you. If you are a new and upcoming DIY'er it is definitely for you!

Here are some of the fun things in this book. What to do with that bacon grease, learn how to budget, how to fold a fitted sheet (YES!), make your own cleaners and on and on of goodies!

I am going to start reading it this weekend.

Ciao~

Tutti Gauza.....

2009-12-17T12:40:00.000-05:00

This is a recipe that my Sicilian family makes. We call it Tutta Gauza, (everything in there). Here is the story.

On Saturday mornings my grandfather Paul would
take all the leftovers from the week and make this omelet.
He would save everything ,even if it was a piece of lunch meat..a hot dog
some roast beef..pepperoni..sausage etc
He then would add potatoes and eggs ,It is a great memory in my family.My grandfather would call it Tutti Gauza...(everything's in there)

Hope you enjoy !

2 tab of oil
4 potatoes peeled and cut into slices or cubes
4 eggs
2 pieces of cooked sausage
3 hot dogs sliced
4 slices of peperoni
salt ..pepper garlic powder
and anything else you have

Fry potatoes till tender...set aside
In same skillet saute hot dogs...sausage and pepperoni
Add potatoes and simmer all together
season with salt and pepper and garlic powder to taste
Crack the eggs on top..with a fork break the eggs.
Put a lid on till eggs are cooked.
Serve with Italian bread

Ciao~

Designs Designs Designs!!

2009-12-15T08:57:00.000-05:00

I have been busy! Have neglected this blog. I created some jewlery. A few of my friends are intereseted in my wire bracelets and my ring! Sooo excited! I have been thrifting. I found the CUTEST vintage purses! I am so thrift obsessed I tell ya! I really need to get my Etsy shop up and running.... I have been trying to get that inventory and my bead inventory up. Busy, but fun busy!!

I am starting on the newsletter this month for the bead society. I am very excited about creating this! This has also re-opened my interest in web design. Isn't it funny how certain things pull you back in?

My friend sent me a box of CAO cigars! These are the cigars that were only smoked on the Soprano show. She works for the place that makes it. They are very good cigars. If you are a cigar smoker, try these. If your a Soprano fan and a cigar smoker....bonus!

Ciao~

New Creations

2009-12-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

I just finished a couple of jewlery projects. I search for the perfect bead to go with this glass pendant I found. I love the colors. I found gold tubular shaped beads to go with the gold in the necklace and I had brown crystals wich pull out the colors so fabulously!

I started making rings. I love big rings for the index. Here is one I made with white beads. The beads have brown swirls in them and I used the same crystal beads for my necklace in this ring and it works oh so well!

I learned how to do wire wrapping for a bracelet! This was so easy and I have a lot of fun doing this one.

Ciao~

Weekend Craft Event

2009-11-09T08:56:00.000-05:00

This weekend I went to a craft group for the first time! I was a little nervous because I am walking into a group of people who all know each other and are friends. I felt I would be alienated. I new this would be a great group to be involved with for inspiration, good energies and making new friends.......so I hoped.

Well off I went to this meeting and hoping for the best it all turned out great! I left there being inspired, knowing more people who I one day hope to become friends with and left feeling energized.

I am not one of those people who will shy away from something because I am going solo. I don't like to go places alone, but for me I am a one chick show for my hobbies. My crafting is just a fraction of me that I love to do. Why should I not do it because my inner circle does not share the same? I have a whole other life with them too. This is how you make new friends right?

I am glad it went well. I hope each month gets bigger and better! I hope to grow with them and become part of their happy inner family. Now, off to put my good energies to work!

Ciao~

Creativity~ What I am Learning

2009-11-04T11:12:00.001-05:00

As I go forward with trying to harness my inner creativity, I want to blog about what I am learning. One, to reiterate it into my hard head and to share with others. It is a hard journey, for me. I first have to get the idea of overnight "success" or "over repair" out of my head, but I think I am thinking to heavily into this. But that is my battle, a rare one at that.

I learn that buying into a limited definition of creativity prevents many from appreciating their own potential. Just because you will never be the next Al Pacino, JLo or Vera Wang, does not mean that you can't harness your ideas generating powers that make your own life your masterpiece. You don't have to be a Picasso, Mozart or Einstein. Anything you do that is creative, whether it be painting a room, redecorating it, or adding something to a lampshade makes you creative. Start small, aim big you never know where it will lead you.

So as I continue on this journey I have to take it easy on myself, have patience, perseverance and a little more faith.

Weekend Ramblings

2009-11-02T11:39:00.000-05:00

Halloween weekend was fun. My husband and I dressed up. It was a last minute decision. I wanted to be Marilyn but could not find the wig so I went as a retro go-go dancer. Spent to much money on the costume. I cannot forgive myself for that. But I had fun. That is what it is all about I guess. We went to a friends house, ate, drank and where merry!

I went thrifting for some books. My was saying how she loved Dean Koontz's books. She loved them better than Stephen King. So I decided to go search for some and add to my book collection.

The ones I found were:

Door To December
The Darkness Evening of the Year
One Door Away From Heaven

They seem interesting. I got them for 40 cents each. Not bad for books I would not normally buy. I love to check out what others read and find interesting. For 40 cents, not a bad hobby!

Ever since I watched the movie of The Jane Austin Book Club, I decided to read her books. So far I collected 3 from used books stores and thrift stores. They are vintage hard backs. I love them. Have not read them yet, but I will. I have such a bad habit of reading 2-3 books at once.

I woke up this morning a little frazzled. My son needed his football pants washed and tells me at the last minutes. That started it, on a Monday no less.

Also, I am in a bad habit of trying to perfect things I want to do. I feel like I go nowhere. I see how other people are so established, people I admire. I think I need to realize they did not get so far ahead in a hot minute and maybe it took some time. I assume everyone is an overnight success.

So instead of trying to perfect 10 things at once, I will choose 3 to spend my time on. Two are my jewlery designs. I belong to a monthly group so I can work on projects throught the month and the third will be my spiritual/positive journey I am on. I feel like it is not happening fast enough. It is still a lot. Perhaps I need to add patience to the list LOL

Ciao~

Off to lunch!

This and That

2009-10-28T15:27:00.000-04:00

I finally finished my scarf I have been working on. This is my first project since I learned crocheting. I will post a pic later. I am going to learn how to do a hat next. I don't wear hats, but whatever. I will make them cute and give them as gifts.

As far as for my jewelry, I finished a bracelet. The beads are white glass beads with black lines inside them. In between the beads I put black and red sea beads. The picture I posted is from a mobile so I will have to get a better one. I am working on matching earrings for it. I am also working on making a necklace with a vintage pendant from my childhood. This pendant is sooooo super fab, I love it! I am so glad I can make something for it so I can wear it. Did I mention it was vintage?? ;)

I am also taking over the newsletter for our beading group. This is a great opportunity for me to learn publisher a little bit better. This also inspired me to get back into web design. I hope this gets me out there a little. So many people inspired me on the web, I'd like to inspire someone and help them find something out about themselves or discover something new by reading my ramblings.

I have been thinking of ways to be creative or how to be more creative. In this searching, I came across a book called The Artist Way. I am now reading that and doing the teachings. I will let ya know how that turns out. So far it is good. I am hard headed, so I may need to read it again LOL.

I feel good and productive. I have a few different things going on at once, so I need to devote certain times to each project so each becomes fulfilling and one project does not get left behind.

Lately in life I have realized that I pay more attention......to life. I know it is this discovery journey I am on. I finally figured out what I want for my creative self. It took me long enough to figure it out. I take time for what is important. I have slip ups, I revert back to my old grumpy, blah ways. We all do. But at least I have a destination now, I know what goals I want to achieve.

Ciao~

Inspired

2009-10-15T15:18:00.000-04:00

A lot of people on the Internet inspire me. I have a list of blogs I follow from DIY'ers and friend accounts of the same and people from Italy. For a long time I was searching for this something I wanted to do. I knew I wanted something, but did not know what or how to figure it out. I had the burn, the desire, but not the tools.

Reading other blogs inspired me to get back into web design. I found my nitch is designing. Also, I am reading a lot more. I Thrift more. I have more confidence. I am blogging. I try new things. I tried Yoga and I love it. I started a little business. I am expanding my knowledge. I go after the mysterious. I learned that what you resist persists. Don't fear anything. I am a braver person. All this from browsing around on the Internet.

I love the Skinny Bitch books. That totally branched me off onto getting more into my creativity. Buy the book. At least check it out. If it does not inspire you, later on in life check it out again, maybe it will. There are a lot of good references in there as well.

I am still fumbling through learning stages. I still try to do 20 projects at once and end up doing nothing because I don't know which I want to do. LOL. I was one of those people that did not know what I wanted. I was one of those people that thought I could never figure it out.

I feel more at peace sometimes. I have set backs, but this journey I am on is fabulous. All those people that I follow........you have all inspired me and thank you!

A Nice Day

2009-10-15T08:28:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday me and my husband went to the annual Italian Wine Festival. I love going. This is the only wine festival I go to. I love the Italian music and seeing all the Italians. Almost like home. The food is good, the wine is good and there are a lot of DIY'ers.

After we walked around and drank wine my husband stopped off at the park. We took a 2 mile hike around the area and it was real nice. I had a good time.

Afterwards, we went to check out a dog park. They re-did this park and made it exclusively for dogs! There are separate sections for big dogs and little ones.

It was a great day. Mostly we are running about with sports for our son and for my husbands coaching. This was a nice break. Something so simple just made a great day.

Justice Served

2009-10-09T09:38:00.000-04:00

I read the paper from back home online weekly. One day back in October I read an article about a 35 year old girl who was dropping off her son to see his father. Apparently they had an argument prior about child support and I guess she was seeing someone new. This enraged him and he shot her six times in front of their son. Four of the shots were fatal. The trial just started this week and ended with less than a 40 minute deliberation finding him guilty of first degree murder! The defense attorney tried to argue that he shot her in self defense. No one bought that. This guy is known to abuse women and he was living with his common law wife and girlfriend.

I do not know anyone from this story. It touched me because this girl is close to my age and it happened back home. Not to mention this 12 year old boy witness this. I am glad justice was served. I am glad this guy will rot in prison with no chance of parole.

I hope these women who are involved with him wake up and get a sense of self worth, before they become a victim. No one should feel inadequate that they need to put up with any type of abuse. You have to be strong, know what you want out of life and be positive and know you deserve well. When people feel so low about themselves it is very hard to pick your head up. It is easier and less work to sulk and be negative then it is to be positive.

Thrift Store Find!

2009-09-15T13:46:00.000-04:00

I love browsing around thrift stores! Today I went to one of my favorites to kill time on my lunch break. I found a cute bag with a red shoe on it for 55 cents! This is soooo me! I am going to use it for my yarn meets to carry whatever I am currently crocheting! Then I saw a chef photo album that had a whole bunch of recipes in it from another person! That was $3.

I have my kitchen decorated in chefs so I loved it right off the bat. Plus, using the photo album as a recipe holder is a great idea. I have a box filled with recipe clips and index card size that will fit in there perfectly and keep them clean!

Sometimes I can go to thrift stores and never find anything, but there are days when you find fabulous stuff!!! Thrift Store Couture Baby!!!!

Buy Handmade

2009-09-10T08:31:00.001-04:00

I love handmade! I do not buy anything anymore as far as fashion accessories unless it is handmade. People put their time and efforts into their designs and you can bet you are getting good quality from these artists! It is one of a kind.

When you buy handmade items you are supporting artists, crafters, small business owners and you are also helping them live their dream. Can you imagine how you can make someone feel just by buying their design?

Handmade items are not mass production. You get to know your local crafter/designer so you are getting a part of them.

BUY HANDMADE! :)

Yoga

2009-09-01T13:44:00.000-04:00

I love yoga! I have been practicing it for about a year. I love the stretching and they way my body reacts to it. For me, yoga is an art. It is not about just putting your body in crazy bends, but it also transforms you.....the practice itself.

I subscribe to the Yoga Journal magazine and I read an article in it that pretty much sums up how I feel. That article inspired this blog. The article was called The Art of Staying Young. It talks about how yoga keeps you young and pliable.....at any age. The more you practice the better you get and the better your form gets as you get older. This article also talked about serving other people is a great way to stay young. If you serve, the fulfillment of helping others is a rewarding one. There is so much work out in this world to be done that we don't need to focus on trivial little things. If you take care of others, you will be taken care of.

Another thing in this article that was mentioned hit the nail on the head for me. It talked about how we usually worry about when "X" happens, I'll be happy, when, when,when. Why not be happy now? Yoga teaches that you cannot base your life on contingencies. Things can change at any moment. EVERYTHING changes. Good times, bad times. It is all a wave in life. You have to ride it out. Appreciate everything....and relax, it is all good!

Yoga helps me keep myself in check. I just started learning this. I can't imagine how far it will take me.

Favorite Wines

2009-08-31T15:18:00.001-04:00

These two bottles of wine are my FAVORITE!!! They are Sicilian, Nero D'Avola. The Ruggero di Tasso is the fruitiest with a bite of spice. The Epicuro is less of a version of that. I have not been to the wine store in a good bit to pick up these two, usually my wine rack stays stocked with these!! I love wine and no matter what I try these two will remain my faves.

My favorite place to get wines are Trader Joe's. I never had a wine I did not like and they are cheap! No more spending $$$$ on wines. Everything at that store is great. They have a large selection of organic, vegetarian, quick meals, heart healthy etc. and everything is priced right!!

Books

2009-08-31T14:29:00.000-04:00

I love to read. Usually I read two books at a time, alternating between them. I guess it is the Gemini in me. Anyway, the last two books I bought are The Time Traveler's Wife and Eat Love Pray. I read about Time Traveler's wife on someone else's blog. I love looking at blogs for this very reason, it exposed you to new things. I just started reading it and I really do love it. It is different from the normal stuff I read, but I am going to be hooked on this so far. Claire and Henry and there traveling love and it seems like she is into Art! Bonus.

The second book, Eat Love Pray, I looked it up because I kept hearing about it. What sucked me in was that she travels to Italy! She also travels to two other places, but I love anything Italian. This one I am going to like because this girl is on a self journey of discovery after her divorce. I think we all go through self discoveries. I know I am. I think I will really like to see all the new and exciting things this girl learns.

Keep Yourself Open

2009-08-20T13:56:00.000-04:00

I used to be so closed minded! I never really looked at all there is out there in the world. I really love meeting people of all walks of life. You can learn so much from others. I guess you can say I have started on journey of self discovery and I am wanting to know so much of everything it is making me dizzy. That is what I get for being a closed minded, straight and narrower.

There are times in life when we don't see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. We feel so alone, confused, mislead, beaten, and discouraged. We just give up. Then, when we least expect it, someone or something reminds us what life is truly about. To be lived.

We are always so concerned about who has cheated us....what people think of us...why we don't have a partner....or keeping up with the Jones's that we simply forget the big picture. We are all beautiful, unique individuals who are capable of achieving magnificent things and we possess the ability to make a difference in other people's lives. Most of the time we take for granted the important thing and that is that we are alive.

Don't pay attention to the closed minded people who tell you why you can't. Just prove them all wrong and do it anyway. Live your life to your best ability.

There are so many things, ideas, places to explore that we should really step out of our norm and go do something different. Even if it is a little thing like driving a new way to work. Stop and smell the roses. Take a look at what is around you and appreciate something different. Just look out your window and notice a tree, how pretty it is. How blue the sky is. Learn something new....dare to do something you never have done before. Try a new food. Watch a different show. Once you do, you will not believe how enlighted......empowered you will feel. YEAH!!!

My Scarf!

2009-08-19T14:54:00.000-04:00

I just started to learned how to crochet. The first thing I am doing is a scarf! I love it, I love the colors and I can't wait until it is done! It is perfect for the fall. It is multiple colors of earth tones. I work on it almost daily. I am already thinking about the next scarf I am going to do. During my lunch today I went and bought more yarn!!! Yellows and whites.

I joined a group with other crocheters and knitters. It is a lot of fun and everyone is great. I just went to the first meet up (first one for me) last night. I love that I am getting involved with all this and meeting people who like the same thing! Life is fun!

Gratitude

2009-08-11T14:59:00.000-04:00

I try to be positive and look at the good instead of the negative. I am having a hard time with this. Mainly because I expect instant results!

I know I have to re-condition my brain to think better. I have to undo all the wrong ways of thinking that I got from my Mother and society. Yes, my Mother. She always worried about what others had, what they were doing, what are people going to think, UGH! Yeah, I got my work cut out.

So I came across a little paragraph about writing down the letters of the alphabet, A-Z. For every letter write something that you are grateful for. I think this is a good exercise and am going to do it. Some are silly, But It gets you thinking.

I am a worrier, a what-ifer, and a dweller. I have a lot of reconditioning ahead of me. None of this will have instant results. It is going to be a long journey of dedication and constant reassurance. I just have to keep remembering that.

Here's the List

Abundance

Being from NJ

Couture

Designing

Evenings

Friends

Garage sales

House (mine)

Italian food

Jewelry

Ketchup

Love of family/friends

Moonstruck

Novels

Ocean

Pizza

Quality of Life

Riding with friends on the Harley

Son (my)

Thrifting

Umbrellas

Vintage items

Wine

X

Yellow

Zen

Crocheting

2009-08-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

I wanted to post what I did last night on my attempt in learning how to crochet. I just need to learn how to attach the rows!

Ghent

2009-08-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

I recently went to check out a craft meeting over the weekend for the first time in an area called Ghent. I am familiar with this area, but never really paid any attention to. I never had any reason to go to this part of town.

I showed up at this meeting about 30 minutes early so I parked and went to explore! I am glad I did. This place has the neatest shops and just walking around in this area I felt like I was in a city! There are antique shops, great food places and cute little boutiques. There is also a fresh market and I saw a couple of Italian (not chain) restaurants. The houses are historic, I love old big houses. They have such character.

There are so many places I need to explore in my own area. That is what everyone should do, just get up and explore 20-30 minutes away. Just drive around. You never know what you will find. For me, finding different shops and places to eat and have a drink are a bonus! You never know what you could run into in your own back yard. You do not need a destination, just drive.

This area is about 20-30 minutes out of my way, but I am definalty going to make it a point to visit it at least twice a month! I hope to meet new people and make a few friends!

Learning To Crochet

2009-08-03T15:15:00.000-04:00

I bought yarn and a crochet needle today. I am going to watch a You Tube Video and teach myself how to crochet!

I will update my successes and frustrations!

Wish me Luck!

Ciao~

A Free Coffee

2009-08-03T09:54:00.001-04:00

A lot of mornings I stop at the same 7-11 to get coffee before I head off to work. There is a man that is usually there most mornings, he is a contractor and I always see him around. He was standing next to me this morning when I was getting my coffee and I always say hi to him. He was ahead of me in line and asked me if that was all I was getting, just the coffee and I said yes. He told the cashier to ring mine up under his. That little gesture made my morning. It is real good to do little things like that for people, because even if it seems very small to you, you don't know the impact it could have on someone else.

Ciao~

Thrift Store Couture

2009-07-28T09:15:00.000-04:00

Nothing makes me happier than great finds at a low prices. These days I am trying to save up money for various things and I don't really feel the need to buy accessories that are very expensive. I sometimes tire of things quickly and then want new, it is the same old cycle. I love to shop but before I know it all my extra money is gone!

Instead of going to the malls I go to the local thrift stores. I have found good books or scarves very cheap! I found a vintage jean jacket for $5. You can't beat that! I recently found on the Internet Italian purses and shoes for about $5 each! Condition was great! I rather buy things from local people selling there stuff and put money in there pocket. If I can get a great vintage find for less than 1/2 the price, save my money and help someone else I am all for that!