PresentPast Collection

The Christmas Spirit

With such a busy week behind me, I'm now in full swing of my holiday decorating. The Man has pulled out all the boxes, which now flood the living and dining rooms in a sea of festive color. All I can think is, where do I begin?

It's raining and cold outside, perfect weather for lighting the fireplace and decorating the tree. But this morning before Sweet Girl left for school, she said, "Do not decorate the tree without me!" So, while I wait for her to get home I will work on the rest of the house, which should be plenty of work for this elf. If all goes as planned I hope to have a Holiday Open House on Monday for everyone. Perhaps some of you will want to show us your decor as well? Have a great weekend everyone, see you Monday!

Holiday Shopping

Here is the beginning of my holiday shopping. I usually start buying decorations before gifts and it's quite easy since there are so many gorgeous shops with such lovely offerings. Last year we spent the holidays in Florida and I missed decorating so this year we're going all out! These are a few of my treasures from Paris to the Moon. I bought several bags of the silver beaded garlands that came in various sizes. And I just loved the Wendy Addison globe garland with the metal chain, wish I bought more! Then there was the beautiful ribbon ornament with the rhinestone brooch center. Wouldn't these be fun to make?

And I bought this very large crown cloche for my ever changing displays and vignettes. I know I'll enjoy finding things to set under it's dome.

Dear Fifi came bearing gifts for me, a vintage French enamel marker and the Merci sparrow tag both in my favorite color combination of ivory and black.

There were also a few treats to be had at some other shops such as the vintage mitten ornament and gold tinsel trim and my favorite tarnished silver pipe cleaner garland! I picked up several of those along with a clock I forgot to photograph for you, oops.

Have any of you seen these at your local Target? They are giant glittered snowflake ornaments, probably 8- 10" across and only 5.99! What a deal for the size. Run don't walk if you like them because I know they will be sold out fast.

Now the best part will be unpacking all the holiday decorations I've collected over the years. We have lots of vintage and sentimental pieces that make everything more special. I'm looking forward to listening to Christmas music and setting out our nativity, which is of course, the true meaning of Christmas!

Time Flies!

I just can't believe how fast this past week flew by! We had a fantastic Thanksgiving day that ended with a dance off in my family room. I don't think I won, more than likely it was my sister since she has the best moves! I also finally got myself another car. It's taken me forever to decide what I wanted and I ended up buying one from here. I'm so excited to learn how to use the 4-wheel drive and go "rompin" as my Sweet Girl calls it. I think I'm getting the hang of the navigation system which I love!

I also spent several days with my sweet friend Fifi and the incredible art director Miss Sunday who were out scouting some incredible California hot spots for upcoming projects. These photos are from Paris to the Moon in Costa Mesa (sorry, no website). It is a magical little jewel box of a store filled to the brim with holiday goodies!

I bought quite a few things as you can imagine. Everything is so tempting! I'll take some photos of my loot to share with you.

We also stopped by Christie Repasy's home and studio. Her sister-in-law Rita, sells at the La Maison Rustique Barn and there are always some of her beautiful paintings available for purchase at the Barn. Here is a shot from one of the bedrooms which is so romantic and inviting.

Here is part of her studio in Laguna Beach which is filled with her incredible paintings.

She has a very large workroom in the back with antique frames hanging all over the walls waiting to be filled with her artwork and large work tables with prints and canvases in various stages of completion.

She was just as sweet as can be and was so kind to let us snap, snap, snap lots of photos. There were lots of other shops and locations but I don't have very many photos to show you. I brought my camera with the best of intentions but completely forgot to take pictures because I was sidetracked by my shopping! I'm so excited for Christmas this year I can hardly stand it and all those stores filled with holiday finery was just the inspiration I needed. Let the decorating begin!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you all for leaving such wonderful comments of your Thanksgiving blessings. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving with those you hold dear!

There have been some jewelry items restocked in the shop. The Fleur De Lis necklace, the Good Luck Charms, the Parisian Charms and the Bebe necklace are back just in time for your holiday shopping and arrive to you beautifully packaged. There will also be new items added and several that have been continuously "sold out" next week. Thank you dear customers for keeping me so busy! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Thanksgiving Preparations

With the holiday fast approaching, I'm sure we are all making our menu plans and choosing our table settings. We host Thanksgiving every year in our home and I truly enjoy preparing for the day. This year I'm going with a cream and silver theme. I'm bringing out my well aged ironstone and tarnished silver.

I've inherited 2 sets of antique flatware from two different sides of my family tree and I love mixing them together. Blended, just like families.

Most of my silver has tarnished from lack of attention. When I was younger I used to be concerned that it wasn't polished, but now I enjoy the patina of the pieces. Hmmm, or maybe I'm tired of cleaning it.

We have several family traditions during the holidays and one I thought I'd share is our "I'm Thankful For" tradition. When each person arrives, they are given a card and have to write something or someone they are especially Thankful for during the previous year. Sometimes they are funny, other times so poignant that it brings us to tears. All the cards are then put into a bowl which is then passed around the table. Each person will read a card out loud and then we all guess who wrote the note. It is so wonderful to focus on how we are all so blessed by the people who love us but sometimes don't take the time to say.

I'd love it if we all play along today. Please leave a comment stating something or someone you are Thankful for and let's all be blessed by what we are most grateful for!

I'm Thankful For.....

Where Do I Begin...

How about with a small sampling of the shopping? The rest is still in transit somewhere between Omaha and California. My partner in crime Carol, picked me up at the airport and drove us straight to the antique stores before we even checked into our rooms! Here is a petite start to my holiday decorating.

I found quite a bit of ephemera, including the horse shoe postcards I collect. Isn't that rhinestone covered lipstick case adorable? Perfect for photo shoots! There are also some vendor night wares mixed in there from Speckled Egg and a few things from those famous LuluBellas and some great things from the talented Rebecca. I didn't have a lot of time to shop on vendor night but was able to pick up a few treasures to take home. The editors from Country Living were there for the weekend covering the event and they took photos of my booth and we had a chance to visit. Everyone was very excited to meet them!

I went on a couple of extra antique excursions and found the cool Nebraska plate from the 1930's. I love the black and white graphics on it.

Here is one group of die hard antique shoppers. From left, new friends Beth and Karla both absolutely fantastic gals, my always sweet friend Jennifer and me.

Yet more shopping loot. Vintage sheet music, charms, an ironstone soap dish, just your basic lovelies.

I got these incredible cast iron grates from the Second Chance antique shop. The wreath one is my favorite. Security at the airport searched my luggage, of course!

Here are my special Bellas that made my weekend complete! It would not have been the same without these gals. Carol on the left of me and my newest friend Stacy from Texas on the right. She doesn't have a blog yet, but I can feel it coming soon!

To say that the weekend was incredible would be an understatement. It was not at all what I had expected but so much more. The people that attended are what made it magical. I have so many to thank for their generosity and kindness, especially Cindy, the cutest gal from Texas that you'd ever meet and her darling friend Lisa Zuelke (let me know if you have a blog!) who helped me set up for vendor night. I couldn't have done it without them. They were just awesome! And then there was Karla Smith who brought me a handmade charm and bracelet gift. Bella's are very kind indeed!

Now, I'd love to show you some of my projects but let's just get real honest here. I didn't finish one. Not a single one. By about the second class I realized that perhaps I was out of my league in the crafting department and decided to just enjoy the people and do what I could. The fact that I had to buy the entire list on the Basic Tool Kit should have been my first clue! So, I brought home my kits and will continue to finish them. And just to warn you.....they may show up in February here on the blog.

Oh! Before I go, I have to show you one of the funniest things I saw in Omaha!

This is the parking meter! It costs $4 per day to park, so you have to cram 4 one dollar bills into those tiny slots to park there, then somebody comes  around and opens the back to see which boxes have dollars in them. Crazy right? And Melissa (Jenny's sister) was finding that it's not that easy to shove 4 one dollar bills into those slots and Charlotte said, "Can I just give you a five to put in there? I'll take the loss." Seriously, I've never seen anything like it in my life! I suppose the city is conserving energy by not using electric meters. And heck, it gives the tourists a laugh!

Back from Bellaland

Well, I'm back from my glitter fest weekend! It was filled with lots of shopping, meeting new friends, trying my hand at paper crafting, eating yummy things, slumber parties in my room until 3 in the morning, non-stop laughing, more shopping and learning from some fabulous teachers!

I have lots to share and many to thank ahead. But right now, it's back to reality for a bit. I came home to a pile of orders that need to be processed and sent out and quite a bit of luggage to unpack. So, I promise an update in the next day or two. Let's just say those Bellas sure know how to have fun!

Barn Sale Photos Galore

The monthly Barn Sale in Temecula starts this Friday and although I'll be at Silver Bella, there will be some Present Past Collection goods available for the local gals looking for a fun get away! I know how much we all love to look at photos so here are some closeups. Click on any photo for a larger view.

Here's Tessie Faye's ensemble for the month:

And a closeup of her vintage hardware and millinery belt:

And her lovely antique key necklace:

And see? I still like toile and so does she:

This is a vintage washstand with a sink propped inside and filled with hydrangeas and some new bath products:

Here is an old potting bench that I spruced up with a champagne gold crown stenciled on the window:

A closer shot of the crown. A potting bench fit for a queen!

And there are some glittery houses that light up inside, so adorable:

And lastly, a few small Christmas gifties to pick up, including some great desk calendars and cracked glass ornaments:

I hope you can stop by La Maison Rustique Barn Sale and pick up some inspiring holiday gifts and decorations!

Located at: 39195 Avenida Antonovich, Temecula, California 92591

Dates and Hours: Fri & Sat 9:30-6:00 and Sun 11:00-5:00. For more information call 951-699-9609

Now, I'm off to start packing! Next post will probably be from Silver Bella!

Romantic Homes Feature

It's here! I finally got my hands on a copy of the December Romantic Homes magazine. It sure takes a while to get to the West Coast. I'm just so thrilled to be featured in their Holiday Blogging article by Tara Frey. I've loved this magazine for years and it's so exciting to be a part of it! Thank you, thank you!

There are 3 other fantastic bloggers featured in the article, Kim of Olive Juice, Sara of Sadie Olive and Cathy of Cathy Penton Designs. Be sure to stop by their blogs for a visit, I know you will enjoy all of them! Such beautiful company to be in!

I can't describe how fulfilling it is to be able to see my own photography included in the article. I get so much enjoyment out of taking the photos and know that I still have so much more to learn. To see them in print is beyond what I ever expected when I started this blogging adventure.

And even more than that, I'm happy that they printed my quote verbatim on how I feel about my blog and about those who drop in for a visit, "Ideas are spread, inspiration abounds, creativity is shown, lives are celebrated and the sense of community is unlike anything I have ever experienced". Truly from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for coming along on this journey with me.

"Happiness is only real when shared"   Quote by McCandless