The winner of the velvet fruit giveaway is Jen from the The Cottage Nest! Just a little something to get you into the holiday spirit!!
P.S. Forgive me for my few and far between posts. My computer has been running really slowly and it takes me double the time to post as it should, which really takes the fun out of posting... Hoping Santa will be good and bring a new one to replace this fossil!
In this world, there are few things better than velvet, so soft and decadent. As much as I enjoy velvet throughout the year, I love it all the more come the holidays. Earlier this morning, I was trying to get some Christmas decorations is in order. As a rule of thumb, I always have my decorations up by Thanksgiving and this year won't be an exception. I like to take my time and enjoy the process. As I was saying, I was going through some of my decorations and came upon these velvet fruit ornaments I had purchased at Anthropologie about ten or twelve years ago. Year after year, I look forward to unwrapping them, each like a little gem. I place them in the kitchen, either on a tree or in garlands.
They have such old look to them. There's plums and pears, grapes and cherries and the tiniest slice of watermelon you've ever seen! Gosh..... ten years ago, I loved everything about Anthropologie then. Their style really has changed. Am I the only one who liked it beter years ago?? A whole 'nother post I guess.... The reason for this fruity post is that I have a dozen or two and wanted to share some velvet fruit with one of you.
Just comment here, on this post for me to put your name in the hat! If you'd like to better your chance of making these fruits yours, blog, post to Facebook or Tweet about the giveaway and I'll drop your name in twice! If you win, I'll send you one of each fruits for you to adorn your holiday home.
Is it too late to share Halloween pictures? I know, I know, from Christmas to Halloween. My life right now, is certainly reflected in this post! I feel like I'm all over .... and never in the right place. I can't believe we're already this far into November! I adore this snapshot of my girls. Even though it's almost a portion of a picture, it's so in the moment and their faces just exude excitement!
We went to our favorite them park for some Halloween fun! All three of them on the Tilt- A- Whirl!
Right before trick- or- treating!!
And my little man as a cheeseburger! We got stopped so many times while trick- or treating. He was quite the attention getter! Well, I hear my little cheeseburger waking from his nap now! Take care, sweet girls!
One of the things I love about looking through pretty blogs so much is being able to see the peeks into fellow bloggers homes. Sometimes the peeks are little glances of a corner or niche and other times, we get the grand tour of some pretty fabulous homes. I love seeing all the takes on decorating in vintage style. From frou-frou, feminine and French to shabby, industrial or cottage. There are so, so many really talented creative women out there and their style just carries over into their homes.
I have to say, I sometimes covet that style when the objects once used for inndustry is introduced a bit to their homes.... with rusted letters and old signs and clever coffee tables from old carts right up there with their glistening chandeliers. It all blends so seamlessly. I don't think I could pull that off. For some reason, it intimidates me. Such a step out of the box for me.....
When it comes to decorating, I tend to like to mix the inexpensive.... like hatboxes with a few splurges, the things from near, with objects from afar... like a one of a kind lamp and the feminine with the ultra -feminine. I tend to stick to the things I grew up. Most of their items in our home aren't much of a stretch from the items I could have found in my mother's, grandma's and great-grandma's homes. I've always admired the furniture, knick knacks and accessories sitting about.{Now, if only I could get my hands on some of that great flocked wall paper my Nana had}I guess you could call it my comfort zone. This is the style I know how to pull off.... What about you? Do you have your own comfort zone? Do you have a name for your style?
Ok, transitioning here.... A month or so ago, I planned on incorporating this little bra and panty set of gold charms into a blog post. I've had them for a few years just sitting in my jewelery box, just waiting for me to take them to the jewelers to have them soldered onto my gold charm bracelet. Finally, one day, a few weeks ago, I put them on a gold chain just to be able to wear them. When I came home I realized they were missing. I had been all over the place that day. I searched and searched my house and my friend did he same at her house since we were there for a visit as well. I'm so sad.... even still. I did a internet search to see if I could find another set with no luck. So, this is a little ode to my beloved charms.
From golden bras and panties, to gummy cars... I am definitely not the best transioner(...... I found these pretty pastel gummy car candies at Ikea the a week or so ago....
I knew they would be this little sweeties new favorite candy. I don't think I ever shared with you that my oldest has this passion for cars. It all started about two months ago. She knows every make and model on the road and can tell you what each teacher in her school and every neighbor in our neighborhood drives. just as soon as her daddy's car magazines arrive home, she grabs them and then goes off to study emblems of the more exotic ones. She keeps me in stitches! I think it is so cute that this that little thing knows all about an ultimately male dominated subject. We have lots of car guys in out family along with my husband's friends and they can't believe it. Their expressions are priceless after quizzing her on cars.
Well, lovely ladies that's it for tonight. I'm off to give the kiddos a bath. Over and out.....
Hello girls! It seems like I've been gone forever! Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging.... which is a good thing when it means enjoying your little family and the lovely season and all it has to offer. We've been to the apple orchard three times already and I've been a baking madwoman. Trying to use some of those crisp apples in any recipes I can think of. I hope you are taking the time out of your busy schedules to enjoy this season too! I know autumn will be gone all to soon and the long winter months will be upon us.... something I don't even want to think of yet! I didn't pull too many decorations out this year. Just a really simple lineup of glittered pumpkins on the mantle and that's it in the family room.
Let's see, what else... while doing some antiquing, I managed to score some new (old) dining chairs! I'd been wanting to replace our old chairs for ages and finally found ones that suited. I wasn't even looking for them.... isn't that the way things always happen?
Four of the six chairs were covered in the prettiest shade of worn blue velvet that I loved. The other two chairs though, must have had their velvet ripped ... So, today I went out to find some new fabric to cover them in.
I was lucky and found the prettiest shade of French blue velvet to recover them in. I was in and out of the store within five minutes. There was a lady there debating over fabrics to cover her chair. She said she was there for hours and how it was unfair I was in and out within five minutes. I told her I knew exactly what I was looking for and when I like something, I just tend to stick with it.... LOL
Right now though, I'm in the process of roughing them up a bit. They were already painted white when I found them and I loved the cane backs. I using an antiquing glaze to give the paint a little bit more depth and texture and then taking butter knife and chipping the edges of the chair.... I know most people wouldn't even notice these little details, let alone understand them. I know you girls totally get it. Well, I guess that's it for now. Thanks for listening to me ramble about nothing at all.
XO, Gabrielle
Hello Girls, just popping in tonight with a few pairs of gloves I've worked on over the weekend. They are cable knit cream fingerless gloves I've embellished with handmade flowers in soft, muted shades and vintage rhinestone bits. The flowers can be removed and pinned onto a purse or jacket... I have to say, I am loving the fingerless glove trend! I've decided not to list these on Etsy.... after it giving me a hard time. It's only a few pairs and thought I'd let you know right here, on my blog. They are $19 and $4 shipping. Just send me an email{{gabriellemessina@gmail.com}}letting me know you're interested! Thanks, girls!
Pretty Cozy Gloves Pair 1 Sold
Pretty Cozy Gloves Pair 2 Sold
Pretty Cozy Gloves Pair 3 Sold
Pretty Cozy Gloves Pair 4 Sold
Here's me as a hand model for my gloves.... They'll add some sparkle to any outfit!
My mom and I had a chance to go to the flea market together last weekend! We woke early and hit the dusty trail, just the two of us.We were able to peruse each stand ohh-ing and ahh-ing over treasures to be had. I came home with a pretty full trunk of similar hued pastels. Thought I'd do a little show and tell of a few of the things that came home with me.
I saw these lovely ceramic chandelier flowers from afar and made a mad dash to them. I asked the lady if she knew what the were. "Haven't a clue... make me an offer.... don't be shy!!" She said rather excitedly. Let me tell you I hate being put on the spot like that. Naming your own price, you know? I don't want to insult the dealer, in the same sense I don't want to go broke. There were twelve of them in total. I said "fifteen" and she said "YEA!" I love the soft shades of pink/lavander, yellow, blue and green along with the little nicks and chips of these flowers. I already put these to use on a project, I'll be back another day soon to show you that. The pink-ish and gold backrounnd you see, is the lid of a hatbox that also found it's way home with me. I don't know what it is about a hatbox. Seems I can never just leave them behind.
This, though was the purchase of the day. It's a tiny, petite glass armoire. Made in France in the 1930's. It was take my breath away gorgeous! I knew I had to have it, but it was more... way more than I usually pay for my things. My lovely mom{thanks Mom} offered to get it for an early birthday gift! It was mine! It deserves a much better picture than this and I'm not sure why I didn't take a better one when I took these photos a few days ago.... I'll be sure to get a better shot one of these days soon too!
The inside's line with the yummiest dusty pink silk, all tattered and torn... just the way we like things! The detail is exquisite. It's sitting in my bedroom now I can't help but to look at it and smile. I know it will be one of the things that will never leave me.....
The temperature's been dropping here come nighttime. Whenever the cooler temps begin to set in, I like to bring out the throws, blankets and extra pillows that have been in the closet since the end of winter. It's time to make our nest a bit fluffier. I just love a layered home.
So, after school one day last week with the back door open, crisp air filling our house I sat down at the kitchen table with lots of bits and pieces of material and my sewing machine. I figured I could have a new bed scarf whipped up before the kids went to bed that night.
I began by cutting a portion of a Mary Jane's Farm white chenille shower curtain I had for a few years and never used. I dyed it in coffee for an aged look. Next, I hemmed portions of lace left over from another project. I pieced the portions of lace together and used this as an overlay on the chenille for added depth and texture and to make the chenille a bit prettier. There was a long skirt I had in my closet for years... lovely, but this short Italian can't wear long skirts with out looking like she's drowning. So, I took it and tore it apart. The pretty, iridescent pink you see on the side of the bed scarf is underside of the skirt. The pretty flowers were cut out of a a portion of scrap fabric left over from blinds I had custom made a few years ago.
I used the wide rose ruffle at the bottom of the skirt on the bottom of the scarf.
I put to good use some old trims...
and laces.
All the while keeping in mind, I wanted pretty but not too precious. The three little munchkins like to crawl and jump(not too gently) into bed on Sunday mornings. I don't want to have to worry about them tearing irreplaceable lace. Now then, four hours turned into four days and we have ourselves a new bed scarf. A a little delicate, some new, some old, a bit rough around the edges.... like most things in our house. Rough around the edges, new blended with the old but pretty.
I managed to use up things I had and didn't have to step foot in the fabric store. Yes, once again I've put to use a skirt(see previous post) for an whole 'nother purpose....
Thank you girls for stopping by and a thank you to Natasha for hosting another fun and fantastic Revamp It party!
This past weekend, while doing a little shopping at Forever 21, I picked up the prettiest skirt! Lots of romantic lace detail in dusty rose! I must confess, I do love Forever 21. Don't get me wrong, there are other stores out there I love too... like Antropologie, for instance. It's just that I have three kids and I know there will one day be college, so little Anthro, lots of Forever 21 for me!
As I was straightening out my train wrecked closet today, I held the skirt and pondered when I might where it.... A bit later in the day, I was putting our fresh sheets back in the linen closet and spotted a down pillow with a plain Jane cover on it. That's when I said to myself, "I kind of wish the skirt was a pillow cover..." Light bulb! I grabbed the pillow from the shelf and headed back to the closet.
There's a gold zipper on the back of the skirt... another detail I love! I unzipped it and stuffed the pillow inside. It fit like a glove! I'm always up for a new throw pillow in luxurious fabric like silks, satins and velvets
Now we have a new pillow for our bed. Best of all, I can unzip it and wear it for a night on the town with the one I love.... The skirt only cost me $23 by the way!
In my opinion, it's never too early to start crafting for the next holiday. They usually seem to sneak up on me every year and seem to inspire the most. Since Halloween would be the next "decorating" holiday, I thought I'd begin working on a few things. I've always been intrigued by masks. In particular masquerade masks. My mom had a collection of them hanging on a wall in our powder room as a little girl. I still remember them fondly.....
For Halloween, I tend to avoid the typical black and orange(except in the kids' playroom). Usually, just working with the colors that are already in my home. I'd had this idea of using masquerade masks to decorate for Haloween in my head for months. I only came across one mask at home, here and thought I'd give it a whirl.... This is what I came up with. A mask trimmed in vintage tulle trim and an old strand of pearls, covered in German glass glitter with tattered velvet flowers and leaves in shades of pink and white and a little black and rhinestone button for some added sparkle in the night....
It's just propped up on my buffet for now. Hopefully, it will inspire me to go out and look for another mask at the craft store so I can make a few more.....
Has anyone ever been to the Country Living Fair? Gosh, I've been itching to go for the past two years or so..... It looks so amazing! The antiques, the crafts, the farm fresh goodies! I was just wondering if any of you girls have had the opportinity to experience it. Maybe you're itching to go too?
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