Gabrielle Messina Just a Girl

Apothecary Must Haves

 While lookingg in the mirror, rather closely, the other day, I noticed that I'm not lookin' much like a spring chicken anymore. As young as I feel, Old Man Time has a way of creeping up on us... or on our faces. It's not the actual number that ever concerns me, that's all age is really, isn't it? A number. But, there's no crime in wanting to take care of ourselves, right? So, I decided to investigate a few... dare I say it... "wrinkle creams". I clicked my way over to my favorite online apothecary, Smallflower. Smallflower specializes in hard to find, classic and international brands. It's a place where I go for the mainstays in our home that I can not find in our local health food store, Wegmans, or Trader Joe's. 
I placed an order for the usual suspects... homeopathic medicines, men's shaving cremes, Dr. Bronner's soaps,Weleda products for the entire family along with a candle or two.  L'Aromarine Eau de Toilette has been an old faithful for years on end now, for me. While the majority of department store fragrances give me a serious case of the sneezes, these never do and are a fraction of the price. A spritz of Vanille works wonderfully well with a spritz of Péche. As much as I love the scent of flowers, for the most part, I like to smell like a dessert. Other old stanbys that never leave my nightstand drawer are Smith's Rosebud salves. The best for dry, chapped hands and cuticles.  Snuggled right up there next to my precious Tiger Balm. Talk about miracle cream... the best diaper cream for your baby's bottom. My mother in law brings a few back when she visits Germany, but, Smallflower also sells it. If you've got a tot with a tender tush, this is a must have!  Do you have must haves for your little ones? I'd love to know. Oh, and as for the wrinkle cream, I found that too. I've used it for the past few days and my face feels smooth as a baby's behind! Well, that's all of my product pitching for one day! What are some of your favorite can't live without products?  
 
 

"Maria"

 My brother and sister- in- law are making arrangements to have their sweet little Maria christened in the upcoming month and asked my husband and I if we'd like to be her Godparents! Of course we would! I wanted to do something special for her. And thought about how my kids all were baptized with traditional christening medals on a chain that our kids' godparents brought back from trips to Canada. Yellow gold(which I love) very traditional and very Italian. I wanted my niece to also be christened with one. With the exception that I wanted it to be handmade, by me, her godmother.  I love rosaries, always have and am pretty sure my love of rosaries comes from my grandma. In fact, if my son would have been a girl, his name would have been Rosaria(a whole 'nother post entirely... my love of names, that is. In fact, if I could have 12 kids just to name them, I would. Oh, yes, a whole 'nother post. Forgot! ) Of course a rosary provided the inspiration I needed to make the necklace for Maria. I went along searching for the tiniest findings I had. I wanted to make it delicate, petite and ultra feminine. The tiniest connector (only fitting that it should be Mary since it's a necklace for Maria) from an old, broken single decade rosary and pearl and rhinestone bit. The necklace is long enough for her to wear as she grows. I hope it's something she will treasure and wear with pride. Here's the piece that inspired the necklace.  A huge rosary... not an antique, but it's been around forever, hanging on a wall in one of my bedrooms since I was quite little. In our room, it's hanging on a curtain rod. Supposedly a temporary spot, but has since become permanent. I took it down and laid it on a chair in our room so I could get a few good shots. The connector fills my palm and the crucifix comes well out and over my hand....  While I was in the bedroom, I took a look around and found plenty to inspire me in creating for Maria. My favorite Mary statue... timeless, isn't it? It was a wedding gift to my grandparents when they got married.My grandma gave it to me when my husband and I got engaged. I feel so honored to have it... I picked this little wall plaque up in Florence when I was there in eighth grade. A tiny little thing... only about three inches.  These are the "walkabout Marys" as they may be found in the bedroom one day, the craft room the next. All plastic or resin. The two in the back are from the eighth grade trip to Italy, as well. The one on the right is from Medjugorje and filled with sand. My grandparents brought one back for each of their grandchildren when they visited about 20 years ago. I think I'm the only one of the grandkids that still have it.  Another favorite... In the 1940's, these were given as fundraising prizes in Catholic schools.... A picture my parents brought back from Las Vegas for me, years ago. I wonder how many people go to Vegas and bring a Mary and baby Jesus  picture back as a souvenir? Makes me love it even more... These are something we had a lot of in our family, growing up. I am sure there is a better, more descriptive name. We've always called them tri-folds.... They are painted traditionally in the  Venetian or Florentine gilded manner. Well girls, that's it for tonight. I think I hear some ice cream calling my name...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Peeks and Plans...

 While the office still needs some finishing touches to be considered "finished", I thought I'd show you some details that went into the room so far. We finally received the rug that has been on backorder since December or January. See, so long ago I can't even remember the exact month!  Lots of pinks, tans, greens and some blues...  Velvet curtains... check! Some favorite old flowers... check!  Christening pictures of le piccolini. Check, check, check!  Vintage lighting, just for sparkle! Lovely silk roses, because I can't afford fresh in every room... LOL More sparkle and a pretty reflection in the morning sun. In between lots and lots of other things, I've slowly been working on a project with more of these! A rather large project. Hundreds down and a few more hundred to go!   This time, though, I've got a plan. And a tiny helping hands... Hopefully, sometime next week, I'll be back to show you a completed project! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Easter Playtime

  Dear Diary,

  Spring is here! The kids have had off school for spring break for the past few days. Today, I woke to chatting children, and the smell of butercream frosting... you know the when you begin to whirl confectioners sugar, vanilla and butter and the mixer throws off the sweetest smell.... turned out to be Nilla Wafers in my bed. I love having the kids home and am looking forward to having them home for summer... The girls helped me decorate their playroom last week with lots of plastic eggs . This is when their  Thumper comes out from hibernation. He's so sweet holding his flower....Easter's official couple is peeking from a huge hallowed egg in happy hues of yellow, pink and green. Vintage Annalee bunnies are all about the playroom... they remind me of when I was a little girl.  Nesting eggs... I think Bethany Lowe, from TJ Maxx were a steal a few years ago and have been annual favorite of the kids. There were originally little reproduction Dresden scraps on them. I took them off and added old jewelry, some stamens... floral pips, if you prefer... and a bow. The kids look forward to little toys and treats hidden in them every now and again throughout the Easter season!   The tulips are off to a great start.... A little nature indoors is a healthy thing! It's their job to maintain the water level. The bell pepper sproutlets will soon enough join other sproutlets and strawberry plants in out little garden, outside. The girls have been so excited to see their growth... everyday! Speaking of fresh vegetables, I was so excited to watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Can't wait for Friday's two hour show. I've loved Jamie for his straight from the garden cooking and what he's doing in the schools of the U.K. and the U.S. is truly admirable. Something that has needed to be done for years. I couldn't agree more with him about how backwards are nutrition standards are in our schools. And that the processed foods we're serving our children are just killing them. Don't get me wrong, my kids do eat junk food. They are not always served the "squarest" of meals, but, everything in moderation. It's so important to teach children proper nutrition from the time their little and my kids are excited to eat their fruits and veggies especially if the've gown them. So many of the poor children they showed last night were eating chicken nuggets, corn dogs and unrecognizable pizza loaded with processed cheeses and meats everyday.  The kids, along with their parents are loving Spring's Strawberry Lemonade and Apple Lemon Pomegranate iced herbal teas from Teavana. It's always such a treat to bring a new Tevana tea canister home. I love the pastel Japanese wasi paper covered tins best... I wish you could smell this.... I picked some spring onions that were already popping up in the beds, raked some leaves, and swept the stones that were out in front of the house from the snow. It felt good to get outside and do some work. Spring's warmer weather means the sidewalk artists are back to work too! The outside's looking better already! Yay! Three cheers for Spring! 

  

 
 
 
 

Spring Candy Shoppe

 I've wanted one of the faux chocolate bunnies you sometime see around here and there for Easter for more than a few years now. My grandma and mother- in- law have a few of the old ones. I'm sure they would have even given one to me if I'd asked for one. I just don't want to constantly be hounding them for their old stuff, you know? I was thinking of getting one from Bethany Lowe, it's just this year, I was trying to be a little conservative. I love Easter decorations, as mush as Christmas ones. The only way I keep myself in check is by only allowing myself to decorate the kitchen and playroom. So, I was out of town for a few days and ventured into The Christmas Tree Shop. Are you lucky enough to have one of these near you? I have only ever been in one twice, both times finding great things at next to nothing! I came home with two of these "chocolate" bunnies. I think they were about $3.50 each! As soon as I brought them home, I took the green ribbons, green feathers and brightly colored eggs off and added just a few millinery flowers and some pretty ribbons! In just a few minutes I had some beautiful decorations!  This is a smaller one. I got two of these also. I left him as is. I may change the ribbon yet, I don't know. He was a steal as well... I think he set me back $1.99!  I couldn't pass up this foil wrapped bunny. I added some sweet ribbons and a flower to his neck and placed him on the kitchen buffet table with the other rabbits and some jars of candy that are usually above my kitchen mantle. It looks like an old fashioned candy shop in here.  These little baskets were to sweet to pass up! I think they were a dollar. I put a bunch in my cart... 10 or 12... I don't now. There was originally a little bunny or chick in them that I removed along with bright green ostrich feathers. I added scraps of tulle and flowers to some. These would look cute hanging on a an feather tree or a garland or just as a little basket on it's own. They remind me of these... little baskets I got maybe three years ago.  Yes, Spring has sprung... inside at least! 
 
 
  Oh, if you want to see how the craft room's coming along, just enlarge this picture! It's a disaster in there! And I'm still waiting for shelving to be finished! It's not my hubby's fault.... I'm waiting on the vintage brackets I ordered weeks ago! Think Spring!  Tweet Tweet! 
 
 
 
 
 

To be Four

 Oh, what a smile! We celebrated my youngest daughter's birthday on Monday evening. It was just our little family. Very simple and small little celebration, this year. {I don't know about you, growing up I didn't have a big party every single year. There was my special day with cake and balloons and a gift or two every year, but as for a big 'ol celebration.... they came about every two years. Never did I feel like I was missing anything. I'm pretty sure that's how we will be celebrating birthdays in our home too.} 
 She was tickled pink with the big fuss leading up to the event. Daddy brought balloons home from work and I made a cake earlier in the day. We went around the house and gathered some fun things to help with decorating. The buffet and chandeliers were decked out in their finest party ware in just a few minutes. Easy as.... cake!   A simple festoon I made with some miniature honeycomb bells and girly nut cups were tied to the mirror.... I used many of the decorations I made for their party last year, as well. Her big sis is always up for a party. Or, is it the cake? Either way.... She was having a ball!  He had one too!   We ended the night with a Strawberry Shortcake Cafe... that was the icing on the cake. 

 
 
 
 

Snow Days

 It's one of those comfy, cozy, stay in your pajamas all day sort of days around here. We're snowed in and I'm taking the opportunity to just enjoy my family and our home. It's nice being around the house having nowhere to go. (Well, my poor husband has been quite busy with snow removal around our home, our shop and his parent's and grandmother's. In all actuality, he's not a cozy as the rest of us. ) Last night, I made some pumpkin muffins. Glad I snapped the picture when I did, because these little puppies got gobbled up quickly! They are something I like to make a lot in the fall and winter to just have around the house for a quick bite! You can find the recipe here if you'd like. At around eight 'o clock this morning, the house was blanketed in fluffy white. It finally stopped snowing around three. I love how snow seems to soundproof the whole world..... It snowed here, just a few inches the other day. We I made a snow man.  Now, I may be getting a little ahead of myself here with eggs, since it's not even quite Valentine's Day, but at least I'll be ready for Easter when it comes! I've been wanting to try gold leafing for a long, long time. I decided to finally try it last night. I gold leafed some goose sized wooden eggs. It was quite the process, but one that I rather enjoyed. I loved how they turned out. Very reminiscent of foil wrapped chocolate eggs! These will be around a lot longer than chocolate eggs would ever be at our house. Took apart a few old hats today. And used some flowers right away!  Even though my craft room move is not done, I've been itching to get in there and do some crafting. Today, I embellished the golden goose eggs and will be sure to show you them very soon!  Here's the window covering in new studio. That's all I'm showing right now 'till the construction is done.... 

 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 

Fluttery Heart

 So, I've been pulling a few Valentine's Day decorations out, and I thought I'd share this one with all of you. I've been wanting to share if for a while now... the sun's been playing a game of hide and seek here for the last week. Hiding for the most part. More crazy weather today. I've also been putting in some more time at our shop. Which may explain the longer than usual breaks between posts. I managed to snap a few photos of it today... in my bathroom. It seemed like the only room in the house with good lighting!  LOL I made this heart wreath last year from coffee stained and hand dyed muslin, chiffon and tulle along with vintage stamens. I think the prettiest things are made from the humblest of materials. 
   A festive wreath with my favorite colors to enjoy. Instead of packing it away this year, I think I may keep it out in my studio all year. Who says hearts are just for Valentine's Day? Speaking of my studio, we are about to change it's location.... again. About two years ago, I moved it down into our just finished basement. Right next to the playroom we also finished.  My husband fixed the studio up so nice for me with a French door and painted it pink and put up a chandelier. Well, the kids never want to go down to play. The'd much rather play upstairs even after we moved the majority of their toys downstairs. And, when they are sleeping, I'd rather be closer to them. Also, the fireplace that we have in the playroom to keep it warm, doesn't reach the studio... so I end up crafting in the cold. Very discouraging. So, long story short, my husband suggested moving our washer and dryer and and then using the laundry room(perfect!!!) for my studio. There's a window in my new space along with a closet! I am so looking forward to starting this project! And will be sure to share my progress with you! Ok, back to our regularly scheduled program.... Along the sides, I added loops of seam binding and silk ribbon in muted shades of cocoa cream and pistachio.
   I made some headbands for both of my girls last year with some of the left over flowers. This year, the wreath has been inspiration for some other projects. I have a lampshade I really don't care for and thought "how pretty would the shade look covered in these blossoms?" I think that's a project for the very near future. Or, even a onsie for my sweet niece... who should be making her way into the world any day now!!  While I was snapping away in the bathroom, I snapped this picture of the new corsage I made with my velvety blooms from the last post. It's on the belt of my metal dress form that stands next to my tub. She does not have a name.... maybe I should think of one. 
 
 
 

January Glass

 Now that all my Christmas decorations are down, I washed and dried all the apothecary jars, candle holders, cake stands and other vessels that held vintage ornaments and fluffy snow and sparkly tinsel.  When they were all dried, I put them on my buffet just so they would be out of the way. As a temporary spot for them to sit until I figured where I wanted them to go next. Along with the empty vessels, I put anything I may have used as a little prop or stand for the decorations. I'm loving the way it looks with all the empty glassware on it. It's far from uncluttered, but, it's sort of a clean clutter... Do you girls get me? Or am I talking plain crazy here? No sight of a doilie or lace runner.. just the bare furniture. No millinery flowers, either.
 Kind of reminds me of the month of January. The gleaming glass sort reflects the magic of the holidays, but other than that, not there's not too much going on in January... at least for us, here! 
  
 
 

Home Office Plans

 Color Inspiration for the our home office.... It's always been too green... It was a shock to see that the sage I picked out was more like a cabbage and that the painters had already had the entire room complete.... That was three years ago.... I've lived with it long enough.... We're going with the darker one in the middle... Hopsack, is it's name.... As for the other details, I've been drawing some inspiration throughout the house.... 
   A favorite postcard....
  Dusty rose... a perfect shade There will be velvets....
 And sparkle... I found a rug and ordered it. It's on backorder 'til late February. As for new curtains, I'm thinking velvet and lace. Maybe, with all the changes to the room, I'll actually enjoy doing things like writing checks and doing taxes.... Yes, I guess that's pushing it!