My Own Bramasole

Bramasole, Italy.

Never been there.  I've only ever been to Rome.

But, it's on my Bucket List ever since I fell in love 

with the movie

Under the Tuscan Sun. 

I think this was Diane Lane's most beautiful role.

It is one of my Top 5 Fave Movies.

I think we all secretly have a wish to sneak away to Italy 

or France or some beautiful European country,

buy a run down estate and fix it up...

and have a brief romance with a hot stud on the beach.

haha

(ok, maybe not that last part)

Last weekend, I visited a place FAR from

Bramasole, Italy.

The Village Thrift Store in Woodbridge, VA

sigh...so many treasures, so little time.  :)

It was a bit unusual for a thrift store, because it featured

 a small area of the store which featured more

 "high end" items.

What? A High End area in a Thrift Store?

I think it's a great idea.  Because I went straight to this

section.  Saved me lots of time.  LOL

I found a lot of silver and crystal, but I also found 

these dishes, almost a full set.

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch will recognize these.

Some of you who Tablescape may recognize this as a

pattern similar to the one she uses on her 

Tablescape Thursday Button. 

Yep. That's the price.  $99.90

Now I know what you're saying.  

"That ain't no Thrift Store price!"

It is if you think what you would pay in an antique store.

So, you can only imagine what went through my mind when 

I turned the corner and came across this.

I wasn't 100% sure but thought it was Vietri.

I was right.

I got all giddy inside, I could hardly believe there were

so many pieces.

8 plates, 6 salad plates, 6 bowls,

salt and pepper shakers (and an extra shaker?)

6 soup bowls, 2 serving bowls...

A beautiful soup terrine WITH the lid...

A gorgeous large platter...

And are you ready for the price?

Vieni a Mama.

That's "Come to Mama" in Italian.

:)

I gave it some thought, but talked myself out of it.

Did I REALLY need more dishes?

Had I not just made a secret pact with myself I would

not buy any more dishes?

I literally walked away from this find and left 

the store.  I immediately posted pics to my sweet friends

on Facebook.  I thought they would be the voice of reason

and say "Barb, remember your no more dish" pact?

Kathysue at Good Life of Design

was NO help at all.

In fact, we have dubbed her THE ENABLER.

:)

She DEMANDED I go back and get them asap.

Actually, she just suggested I do, based upon the price.

I made haste back to the store,  sickly nervous they 

would be gone, thereby forcing me into a life of  

dreading the day I walked away from these dishes...

Thirty minutes later, after bargaining for them

for $135 for the set ...

(hey its a THRIFT store)  :)

I walked out with two huge boxful's of beautiful 

Italian pottery.

(I will just say this...each plate sells for about $65, 

so I think I made a pretty good choice.)

So, what does Bramasole, Italy; Diane Lane and these

Thrift Store dishes have to do with each other?

After some research, I discovered that these dishes were

released by Vietri for the movie

Under a Tuscan Sun, written by Frances Mayes.

The pattern is named Bramasole.

So, I guess it was meant to be,

Most likely, my future does not hold the chance for me 

to go to Italy and buy a run down Italian

Estate, fix it up and have a hot beach

rendezvous with a young Italian stud-muffin -

...but, I now own my own "Bramasole."

I can't wait to create a tablescape with them.

Soon. Very soon.

(she says while rubbing her hands together)

:)

Ciao, Barb


I am joining Rhoda at
Southern Hospitality
for Thrift Treasures.