Gabrielle Messina Just a Girl

Poor Girl...

   It started our as an ordinary morning. I was in the bathroom getting ready to start the day and my youngest daughter ran in and said "come look what Deet Deet (her nickname for her big sis)did!" 

Remember her from this post? My most prized possession, my Trixie. Well, I was about to hyperventilate/cry when I saw her looking like this....

 

Except, instead of standing right side up, she was on her side! After freaking out on the inside, I calmly sat my big girl down and asked her(in a very rational manner) what had happened. Turns out she was only trying to help.

She was pushing the big ol' commercial sized laundry cart to the linen closet to put away towels and sheets. She ran the cart into her. How could I get mad at that? Of course I am upset Trixie's broken(even more than she was before), but I am also so glad my little guy was not crawling on the floor and none of the kids were hurt. And my big girl has a tendency to not pay attention so where she's walking sometimes. But, it was not intentional. Poor Trixie. We now have a new rule, along with no touching Trixie, no pushing the big ol' laundry cart. 

In other news I intricately cut out 40 cowboy cupcake toppers for my little man's birthday party....I have no clue where they went. They mysteriously vanished from my table. I am so looking forward to this upcoming vacation.

New to Me Finds

    After I came home from the flea market with the girls, I took a quick shot of the backseat. There was not too much more room in the back of my bitty VW Beetle. 

Here's the larger loot spread on my kitchen table. I bought the clock for my son's bedroom. My hubby hates it. Our conversation that night, went a little like this: 

Me: "Hunny, come see what I got. Look at the clock I got for his room."

Him: Yeah, I gotta tell you I don't like it....at all. No, I'm not joking I really don't like it.

Me: Are you joking? 

Him: I can't believe you paid for it. 

Me: You'll like it after I hang it with the rest of his stuff.

I'll bet you, after it's up on the wall, and his room is totally accessorized, he's going to like it. You just wait! It's just so funny, he never has an opinion about the stuff I bring home. He really must not have liked it huh? Oh well, I like it. It's staying.

Along with the very cool, chippy clock, I got a train case and another jewelry box(I have this exact one already that was given to be my my great aunt. But, I could not pass it up for 12 bucks!), the hatbox was a steal for 3 dollars! One can never have enough.  The Christmas balls, $1.50...for all of them and a baby Jesus hidden somewhere....

hat bek

The inside of the jewelry box held my smalls safely while I shopped. See the paper cake up there? That's going in my big girl's bakery bedroom ! (This is taken at a weird angle, I don't like it at ll actually. But, I really do not feel like editing or retaking, so it's staying here.)

I was on a mission for Holy Cards, didn't find a one. But, instead found two vintage German scraps with holy images. See the beautiful Bakelite button with rhinestones? Hope bought two and gave one to me! What a doll! We each bought a rhinestone button for our aprons for Silver Bella. And this pretty aqua bracelet was in a pile of junk. This stood out.

Love my new old beaded purse... one to add to the collection. It was good day of treasure hunting made better with friends.

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start! 

Something Old

  So finally, I am going to show you my flea market finds from three weeks ago. It was a rather bountiful trip, much unlike my Mother's Day antiquing was. My oldest daughter and I woke up extra early to go.  We arrived earlier than three quarters of the vendors! It was a very nice day. Something different, got to spend some one on one . She happened to find a dress for her doll. I was in search for a new mirror. Did not find a mirror, but I was lucky enough to find two wedding cake toppers to add to my slowly growing collection. I just adore wedding cake toppers. Really though, the entire notion of a wedding is just blissful to me. Something so beautiful.  I love the bride's skirt and the groom's chipped nose on this topper

  Here's a shot of my buffet right now. Filled it with all things wedding. The apothecary jar is filled with corks from the champagne and wine bottles from our wedding reception. I politely requested they not throw them out. Rather, put them aside for me. I am sure they were thinking the bride must have fell off the deep end! But, they graciously obliged. The second topper I purchased is on the left.  This one is musical. And actually still works! It plays the "Wedding Song" and was the selling point for me. There are ever - so delicate millinery flowers on it also. This one is certainly older than the first. The dealer said this one is from the 1920's. The one on the right is most likely from the mid 1940's. 

  Made a simple wall hanging of my grandparents on their wedding day and placed the softest velvet blossom I've ever felt on the top part of it. The flower was off of a hat I purchased the same day. Bought the hat for that one single flower.

  Found some other smaller things too, but today it was all about weddings.  My husband and I are celebrating our sixth anniversary next week. Hard to believe. Those years just creep up on you. Well girls, that's it for now. My girls are at their first day of camp. I'm home with my little man. He slept till ten. I almost didn't know what to do with myself....almost.

Saintly Inspirations

  Ever since I was a little girl, I have been intrigued by statues of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. I love walking into old churches, filled with old statues, Holy Water fonts, pews, and candles. Upon entering I feel so very small, not literally, but in the sense of all the history these houses of worship hold. I think of all the small little babies that have been christened, of all the little children that may have had their First Holy Communion here, all the couples that have taken that walk down the aisle and, inevitably the faithful members of the congregation that are carried to their final resting place. This is just something so much bigger than myself. Even if you may not be religious or spiritual, these statues are pretty to look at. 

  I have grown up surrounded by these statues, my grandmother is very religious. She attends mass daily. One summer, when I was about 9 or 10, I attended mass with her every morning. It was a very peaceful, waking shortly after dawn and then off we'd go to attend mass and set out to do her errands for that day. I learned a lot from her that summer, as I still do. She's a source of constant inspiration for me, not only spiritually, but throughout many aspects of life.

  When I was just a wee little tot, I attended a Catholic preschool. The nuns that taught there were practically saints themselves. I loved going to that school. I remember everything about it. It was located in a huge old mansion that was changed into the school and there was also a beautiful little chapel with gorgeously painted ceilings of fluffy white clouds and sweet cherub faces. The nuns also resided there. Everyday they made homemade lunches, not something that was just whipped up. No, no something that was planned and prepared lovingly. Nothing in the place was new, the toys were the same as the generation before me played with and the generation before them. The place was spic and span. You could have eaten from the floors, not that I did. But the thing that made the biggest impression on a 3 or 4 year old was their little potties. Yes potties.

  I  loved all of the nuns, but had a special relationship with two special sisters, Sister "B" and Sister Jo. These special women felt more like family than my teachers.  While the other children slept(I never took naps as a child), I would run errands to stores and wherever else may have been on the agenda for that day with Sister "B", she happened to be the only one that knew how to drive out of the eight or so. Sister "B" actually gave my brother a vintage electric red Corvette ride from the early 60's. He still has it till this day, something he will surely pass onto his future children. Sadly,  Sister "B" along with all but Sister Jo have passed away and the mansion is no longer a school, it has been converted into a home for, very fittingly...aging nuns.  Before the school closed, I went back for a visit, I had not been there in a good eight years or so. Sister Jo was still there, tinier and more frail than I could ever remember. She was sad to see the school close. Many, many years of her life she served the little children and their families.

  Gee, and to think this was just supposed to be a post showing you a portion of my religious statues...that will be continued another time, when I'm feeling a little less sentimental. 

My Saving Grace

Every night, around 6:30, it calls me. My saving grace. Knowing the kiddies are winding down for the night, 7:30 their bath time. Followed by a story picked from a stack of books in a bedside table or from their Mama's imagination. Then to bed they go by 8:30. After a long day, it's my time to relax in the tub. I don't do it everyday, but once or twice a week usually does the trick. 

I enter my bathroom. It's good to know there's a helping hand where I can empty my pockets and take my jewelry off.

A pile of fresh towels awaits for me! Scented with Lavender. Mmm....I'm already feeling more relaxed

A sweet birdie, sings me a tune while I bathe. Actually, the little fella provides some soft light. He's part of my vintage chandelier collection.

Dr. Bronner is ready with his "magic".(My very favorite liquid castile soap. Lavender for relaxation, Peppermint for a cooling treat on a summer night, or Almond for pure yumminess!)

A wonderfully scented candle all ready to be lit.

A fluffy mat just waiting for me to sink my wet little tootsies into.

Finally a vanity to apply my lotions and potions and some Lavender essential oil so it can send me into LaLa Land. Hang on Mama, 8:30's coming.

Pink and Green Color Scheme

  So, as promised here's my antiquing finds from my most recent "me" day. I think as mothers, most don't take nearly enough of these. We all need a break sometime. And after as little as two hours we can come home and be totally refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day may hold. It was a rather bountiful day especially in the velvet department! Found a super cute basket purse with pretty rolled roses on, I don't know  If I will carry this one. It's rather large. In terms of a basket purse. I may store some things in it for my craft room. Here's a close up of the lid. Yes, It's a little frayed and there are some wear spots but none the less beautiful. No?

This little whimsy is in mint condition. I don't think it has ever been worn! Love the petite pink and green velvet blooms.

A pretty lingerie bag with more pink and green blossoms! Only $.50. What a bargain! 

And lastly another hat... I'm on a roll with hats lately. It's not the most beautiful by any means, but they will look pretty added to projects. I think I'd call these petals rather than actual flowers. But some are velvet, some organza. They make me happy! Happy, happy, joy, joy!  There has been quite a lot of antiquing going on lately! Something I really don't get a chance to do too often with three little ones. So, I'm sure glad I took the opportunity to do it! After all there was treasure to be found!!

My Lucky Day

  Over the weekend I rediscovered a favorite vintage store that I frequented when I was in school. I have not been there in years. I was overwhelmed walking into the store....My eyes were all over the sparkly jewels, lots and lots of jewels!  It must have been my lucky day because I found a pale purple(yay! more purple!) rhinestone horseshoe pin. I really like horseshoes...wore one around my neck almost daily for years while in high school. It broke and somewhere along the way I lost it. Did you know a horseshoe is universally recognized as a symbol of good fortune? Well let me tell you I had a lucky streak. Also found one of these.... 

a four leaf clover! The stars must have been aligned! Found lots more baubles, bits, brooches even a key-chain and some vintage shell necklaces just in time for summer! 

I also got lucky in the hat department some.

Let me tell ya, it's been a while since I've found hats worthy of talking about. The taupe Cloche hat has three big velvety Roses, a very large hat covered in tiny pink and creamy white blooms with some pretty butterflies  resting atop (from the early '60's for certain!), my favorite of the three is the white velvet with a few clusters of velvet berries and a big 'ol velvet ribbon. Can't go wrong with velvet on top of velvet! And a small pink one with some delicate flowers the shop keeper threw in for free! Well, I can guarantee it won't be years till I venture back to that store! Last night, my brother's fiance asked if she could watch the kids...that she wanted to give me a break. Was it written on my face? I am indeed in need of a beak. I happily obliged. Maybe I'll pop in another antique store and maybe my lucky streak will continue. Or maybe I'll head over to the garden center and browse! Decisions...

Passion for Purple?

 

  If you were to ask me what my favorite color was, I indeed would not say purple. Most likely pink or cream, gold and shades of yellow would be my response. However, lately I have noticed violets, lovely lilacs, lavenders, and pretty plums are making their way into our home. Blame it on the Spring perhaps. Or on the beautiful purple Hyacinths growing outside my door. This color may be here to stay!

I have been crafting with it. A pretty paper cake I made with velvety lavender blossoms picked from a new old hat I was very attracted to.

I was fortunate enough to scoop up this lavender hat with velvet berries at a favorite antique store downtown.

Oh those lovely clusters of velvety berries. Just love them. These hats are my all time favorite. And in my new hue too!

Some beautiful trim I found! I couldn't say no. Yup, three yards of this will satisfy my new violet craving.

And a super pale lavender egg with little violets painted on it. Just perfect for the upcoming Easter holiday. I'm sitting this on my buffet with the rest of my Springy decor. That about sums up my newly acquired vintage finds in the purple department, be back soon with some other vintage finds. But now it's time to go play outside and enjoy the beautiful weather we're having! Yes, beautiful today but yesterday we were hit with major hail!

Meet Trixie

This is Trixie, my gilded girl! She's a vintage lamp.I have mentioned before I have a small obsession with lighting. Right?  Have you ever seen anything like this? She's the only one of her I have ever seen. Some may think she's odd or even tacky. She is all gold. All but  her pretty little face and cute little arms. Nope not me I think she's lovely! 

 

Here she is almost entirely. I just adore her tiny little waist ,her bloomers(don't know what else to call them, I'm sure there's a proper name), and her very elongated very broken fingers. They have been glued many a times before I bought her. Flaws and all, she's my prized possession. 

We went quite a long ways to be together(yes, I do realize I'm talking about a light here).

I was visiting Las Vegas about eight years ago. While walking into a Jeanne Lottie store in the Desert Passage(now Planet Hollywood casino), my eyes immediately went to her, not the hundreds of purses that surrounded her. I asked the gentleman behind the counter, very doubtfully if she was for sale. "She's not." He replied. We talked a little about her but, I left empty handed. Well, back home, about a month had passed. I could not get her out of my head. So, on a whim I called the store and spoke with the same clerk. I asked the same question. "Would she happen to be for sale?" Well let me tell you persistence paid off. He replied "Well, we are actually closing the store. And everything must go." Oh my I could not believe my ears! She was going to be mine...right after I paid the hefty price tag they put upon her head! But, alas she was mine. Now, at this same time my then fiance and I were saving for our wedding and home and everything else that goes with starting a life together. He was not happy in the least that I bought her. But, in my defense, it was my money I was spending here. Money I worked for. I say my money then but after marriage it becomes our money. Love her as much today as I did when I first saw her!

Oh, thought I should show you the chandelier part too! Since, she really does have a function!

xoxo Have a wonderful weekend!