Prims & Trims by Terry Beltran

What a humbling moment……. On Sunday my daughter’s and I went to brunch at City Winery on Racine and Randolph in Chicago. Afterwards I realized the neighborhood I was born in “Little Italy” was only a few minutes away. I hadn’t been back for many years and decided to take my daughters to the building I grew up in. My grandparents owned the building and it consisted of 6 flats filled with aunts, uncles and cousins. The building was sold many years ago after my grandparents passed but the memories, oh the memories are as vivid as yesterday. What a wonderful place to grow up, with cousins to play with and the sweet aroma of “gravy” cooking on the stoves every Sunday. It was a simpler time where we did not have a lot of money but we were rich with family. There was always an extra plate in case someone stopped by and enough spaghetti to feed the masses! It was a neighborhood that movies are made about. It was a short walk to the famous “Mario’s” lemonade stand where if you were lucky enough to get a wedge of fresh lemon in your scoop, it was like winning the lotto. It was emotional taking a pic of my daughters in front of the home my story began in. I will be eternally grateful for those memories, growing up in a part of Chicago’s history. I won’t wait years again to go back. ❤️

Brought in this lovely large Chinese peacock motif vase to . It is a little out of my genre of my usual vintage finds but I think it will make a beautiful umbrella stand by a front door . Stop in and check out all the fabulous vendors that make so special!

Hi friends ! Here is a pic of our authentic retro diner in Batavia,Illinois. We are going on 18 years and what a ride it’s been. We offer delicious comfort food , a fun atmosphere and always great retro music playing. The survival of small independent businesses depends on your support. So please stop by Daddio’s and other local businesses to keep them going strong! We appreciate every single one of you! ❤️

Refreshed my space today at . Today marks 60 years the Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan show . Can you believe that ! They are my fav !!!🎶❤️

It’s the time of the season for loving!! ❤️⏰ Valentine’s Day booth refresh coming soon to !! Punxsutawney Phil said springtime is right around the corner… who else is ready?!

Did a booth refresh today at . Added some fun “artsy” finds !

After hesitating to venture out this weekend, I decided to bundle up and hit an estate sale. And so glad I did!!! Found some great unique things, especially this large plastic face mask and this fantastic set of wood painters palettes and wood artist mannequins. Stay tuned for a new “art display” in my space at .

As I sit here having my morning cup of coffee in my well loved mama bear mug while my house is quiet, I am taking a moment to reflect on this past year and all the pages to my story before. What a year it’s been!! The highlight was my oldest daughter’s wedding, where we welcomed Dom into our family. No life is perfect, we all have dark chapters, but we need to embrace all the good and blessings we have to overshadow those dark moments with the good ones. I am truly blessed. I have a wonderful relationship with my daughters, who choose to still spend so much time with me, planning fun “Beltran Girls” adventures. I am grateful for making our dream come true owning a true neighborhood diner , where my daughters learned the value of hard work and the joys of being part of the Batavia community. I am grateful for my loyal and wonderful customers supporting my Folk Art business for 33 years . lol that’s alot of Santa’s and Snowmen! I am grateful for for inviting me to join as a vendor to showcase my “vintage side” . I am grateful for the friendships I’ve made within the Warehouse community. I am grateful for my family and friends, as my mama bear mug represents, I will fiercely protect. So before the craziness of the weekend begins, wrapping, cooking, doorbells ringing, I want to wish you all to embrace those happy chapters of your life and have a wonderful holiday ! MERRY CHRISTMAS! and remember that message from Its a Wonderful Life ….. DEAR GEORGE- Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the Wings! Love Clarence ❤️

Refreshed my space today at just in time for weekend shopping. 🎅🏻☃️🎄

“IT’S NOT WHATS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE THAT MATTERS, ITS WHOS AROUND IT” …………….Charlie Brown ❤️ Thank you to all who came out for day one of Holiday Market. We so appreciate every one of you! I restocked with this absolutely fabulous rare 3 piece 4 1/2 ft standees of Charlie Brown, Lucy and the Christmas tree. A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite holiday movie. It represents the true meaning of Christmas and when friends get together to decorate a sad tree, magic happens. Stop by this weekend and see the “ the magic” that happened when our fabulous vendors got together to create a Winter Wonderland. ❄️🎅🏻❤️

The Magic starts today at !!! The displays are incredible. You will be transported to Christmas Wonderland! Stop in this weekend for our Holiday Market ! 🎅🏻❤️🎄

This is my favorite find of the day heading into for our Holiday Market. I have never seen this King Christmas before ! Loving the blues!

A friendship that lasts a lifetime is rare. I am one of the lucky ones. Jeanine and I have been BFF’s for 50 years. Yes 50 years !!!! through thick and thin, good and bad , tears and fears . The bond that we have can never be broken even though there were times we’ve disagreed. Though we live in different states we make a point to meet up including today at the Elkhorn Flea . What a lovely birthday surprise she brought , always wrapped to the 9’s which I can’t open till Thursday which is my special day ! We have been each other’s cheerleaders, counselors, creative inspiration and I can’t imagine my life without her. So the moral to this story is hang on to those dear friends, life goes by way too fast and we couldn’t survive without them. ❤️❤️❤️Thanks Chippy hanging in there with me all these years !

Who says you can’t go home again …. Over the last 30 years I have made thousands of snowmen and Santa’s which I sold at art fairs throughout Chicagoland. So it’s not unusual to come across one of my items at Estate sales and garage sales. Today was one of those days . While shopping an estate sale today I spotted this guy . The lady who owned the house passed away and they were selling her things. I was shocked because I made this snowman over 25 years ago and it was in pristine condition. The owner of the home must of loved it so much to take such good care of it . When I told the lady conducting the sale I was the one who made it she gave it to me and said it was meant to go full circle and come home with me . It was a humbling moment for me to remember those late nights sewing in my workshop while my daughters slept . So this guy came home again and I will treasure it. ❤️

Did a big booth restock at . Lots of new fall and vintage Chicago Cubs memorabilia! Stop in to see this shop of amazing vendors!!!🌻🎃

Going back to my roots as a folk artist! I miss it ! So more handmades will be popping up in by booth at

I did a big booth refresh at today. I brought in some fun fall pieces! Stop in this weekend and shop all the fabulous dealers that make Warehouse the best of the best!!!🎃❤️

Did get some fall pickin this past weekend. Love this cement squirrel! It is so heavy I could hardly pick it up ! Booth refresh coming to this week.

It is truly a sad day. Truth be told , I am a “Parrot head” ! I’ve seen Jimmy in concert many times wearing bright Hawaiian shirts and colorful lei’s!. My daughters grew up with Jimmy Buffet’s music echoing thru our home daily and singing to his songs! I had hoped that one day they would join my husband and I at one of his concerts but unfortunately now that will never happen. This is why I live my life as …. “Carpe Diem”. Life is way too short my friends. So today I’ll raise my glass to Jimmy ….” It’s 5 o’clock somewhere “🌺🌺🌺