Indiana, Larissa and their LA friends are working hard on the Variety Show!  We are so excited.  We hope to raise money from ticket sales, but also through our raffle.  Raffle tickets are $2 each.  Please order online or stop in and purchase!

You may also purchase at the show & YOU do NOT have to be present to win!

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS HERE.

We are still looking for Raffle prizes.  Thank you to anyone who can donate something…anything.  We want to support the Fire Victims as best we can :).  Here is what we have so far.

Donations so far:  & THANK YOU to our donors so far! 🙂

$399 VIP Party Workout & 3 Class Package from Fit Buddha….Marc & Eva are the best!  The Kick Your Buddhy Party includes a 50 minute Group Private Training Session for you and up to 9 friends on the MegaFormer.  Session to be followed by Champagne, Chocolate & Strawberries.

$100 Cash ….Courtesy of Susan & Brad Wheelan…Thanks guys!

$50 Gift Certificate to Ventura Coast Brewing Company ….Thank you Morgan & Kyle!

$50 Gift Certificate to Dexter’s Camera ….Thanks Greg!

And from Lynn’s Consignments

$100 Gift Certificate
$50 Gift Certificate
$25 Gift Certificate
Litre of Annie Sloan Paint …$46 Value
Myra Bag Purse….$40 Value
Chirpy Top Wine Pourer…$30 Value
Kazi Coaster….$30 Value
Black Lantern….$30 Value
Cheese Plate Book….$28 Value
Peace Sign Driftwood….$22 Value
Heart Chime….$22 Value
Baggu Bag….$14 Value

The Variety Show will be held Saturday evening, February 15th at the store starting at 5:30 pm.  Beer, Wine and Soda with light appetizers will be served free of charge.  The Entrance Fee is whatever you would like to donate as all will go to fire victims.

10% of all store sales that day will also be added to the donation amount.

THANK YOU in advance!

Buy your tickets here.

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #000032

Thursday, February 6th, 2025
Volume VI  Issue 000032

The store is at a crossroads. Our lease is up in the next few months and I need to decide if I want to stay on for another year in this location in the hopes that business turns around.

In true transparency, the past two years have been extremely difficult. Sales were down 16.7% in 2023 and then we dropped another 17.1% in 2024.

My grandmother always told me to “keep my overhead low” and that is not possible with a store this size. If I don’t continue in this location, I will look for a smaller space.

I welcome any feedback and ideas as I make this very difficult decision in the next few weeks.

I bought a really cool piece of art out in Palm Desert two weekends ago.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it or sell it.  But it just screamed, me!

My middle name is Adelle and my friends in high school used to call me “LA California Dralle”.  This is especially crazy because I didn’t even know I would wind up in LA back then.

This piece fit perfectly over the stove in my kitchen and I LOVE it!

Time for an eBay score!  Well, this is more of an eBay mistake turned into a score…gotta love those.

Let me explain.  I listed these Pottery Barn Penguin Holiday plates back in 2016.  Yes, that was before I ever moved to Ventura.  It is no wonder that I couldn’t find them on the shelf where they belong.

I was intent on finding it because of this sweet email from the buyer.

“Dear The Queen of Auctions, I recently broke this plate at my cousin’s house in Seattle and I live in Canada.  I am wondering if you could ship it directly to him to save both time and money.  Thank you in advance for helping me to replace this for him!”

My buyer paid $15 for this plate plus $11.95 in shipping.  Grand total $26.95.   I couldn’t find the plate in my eBay stock, but I did find it on eBay from another seller for only $8 plus $8.19 in shipping for a total of $16.19.

Long story short…I kept my customer happy and made $10.76 on the transaction!

View the listing here.

On Saturday, after a long work week, I headed into LA to take Hous and Indy to dinner before we saw Larissa’s play.

We met up in Santa Monica at the coolest little neighborhood bar, Brixtons.  I had the charcuterie board, Houston got a burger and Indy had the salmon rice bowl.  We all agreed that the food was excellent!

Then it was off to see Larissa’s play.  The title is Wolves and it is being shown at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica right down the block from our dinner restaurant.

Larissa played soccer player number 13 and she was hysterical in it!  She did an excellent job and it was such a great show.

After the show, we grabbed a photo with Larissa’s parents, Rob & Diane, who were visiting from Maryland to see it.

Fun fact, Larissa’s grandfather (Robert Dowling) was the publisher of the “Hollywood Reporter” for 17 years.

After our photo, I made my exit stage left (hahaha a theatre reference) and drove back home to Ventura.  It took me an 1 1/2 hours to get there and only 55 minutes to get home.  Sweet!

Time for another eBay score.  Mo bought this coffee mug for me out in the desert for $1.  We have only had it since October.

It sold for asking price of $46.79 on Tuesday.  The buyer was super sweet and asked if he could pay extra for faster shipping since it was a gift for his girlfriend.

Even though I am not in the store on Tuesdays, I stopped by to get it shipped out for him by priority immediately.  I dropped it off at the post office that afternoon and let him know that there was no extra charge.

Here was his reply…

Check out the auction here. 

His user ID cracks me up.  Deacon Blues.  Who remembers the Steely Dan Song “Deacon Blues” from the late 1970’s?

I remember it in a crazy way!  It was a summer in high school and my friend Teresa Thornberg was house sitting for the Dahl’s.  We all lived in Edgemoor, but they had a pool.

Teresa and I “borrowed” some of their scotch whiskey and went swimming.  The song Deacon Blues came on and the line “Drink Scotch Whiskey all night long” played and we cracked up and sang it over and over.  Still smile when I hear that song today.

The lyrics are actually a lot darker than I remember.

“Learn to work the saxophone
(I) I play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
(I) I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues”

Here are Teresa and I about 15 years ago at her house on Eliza Island.  Good times!

After a redo, my mom’s house is back on the market.  Please pass this along to ANYONE who may be interested.  Need to get Mor Mor down here ASAP!

We have made a BIG decision….We will not be carrying Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Iron Orchid Designs or Redesign with Prima any longer.

The market is shifting away from painted furniture and we are following the trends.

We will be liquidating this stock and this week you can save 20% on any of these brands!

The store needs….

Table Lamps
Floor Lamps
Baskets
Nice Throw Pillows
Rugs in Great Condition
Metal Ware
Oil Paintings
I am expecting a special guest from out of town next week. In preparation for his visit, we will be redoing the majority of the vignettes.

If you can believe it….Val is even coming back to help Jeuje up the store on Monday. Can’t wait to have her back in here doing her magic! We have missed her sooooooo much!

On my walk with Cha Cha two nights ago I saw this neighborhood library and it reminded me of the one that Houston photographed in the Palisades. Sad.

I have been trying to take Cha Cha to a beach once a week.  I’ve been to the beach down at the Harbor and Port Hueneme recently.  I would love some advice….  What is your favorite beach for dogs?

The reason I love taking Cha Cha to the beach is because she runs so fast (off leash) that her back feet pass her front feet.  Hahaha.  I can’t find a great pic of this, but you get the idea!  She only has one foot on the ground in this pic! LOL.

Don’t forget about our Design Service.  We have successfully completed our Pasadena Job and our schedule is open for you and your makeover!

Here is a before and after from Pasadena.

And for the first person that contacts us for a design job, we will waive the $50 initial consult fee.  So email or text away 760-880-3535!

Susan and I can’t wait to get started on your redo!

And now, for what most of you have been waiting for….our new arrivals.

Pescara 70″ Velvet Loveseat Silver/White/Gold $395.00  This came in at $995 originally and it has been marked down!  A great piece that retails for close to $3,000!  Check it out on Wayfair and it is brand new.

Dresser Coaster Furniture Beaumont Seven Drawer Champagne $395.00

Side Chair Best Quality Grey/off Brown Tones $69.50 each – 2 in stock.

West 70″ Console Blue $395.00

7 Drawer Dresser Brister Antique White $495.00

Console Isla Brown/black $495.00

Walnut Console Table $195.00

Pier One Glass Entry Way Table $74.50

Best Master Furniture Ireland Dressing Table Poplar Wood, Engineered Wood, and Lacquer $95.00  This was originally $395 and is now deeply discounted.  Really cool piece that you could also use as a desk or a dresser.

Original Mary and Jesus Painting $125.00

Walnut Small Round Pedestal Table $75.00

Wall Mirror Name Brand Greywash Framed $49.95

Wall Mirror Kate & Laurel: Audubon Farmhouse Black $125.00

International Mirror $295.00 each – 2 in stock

Wall Mirror Name Brand Rustic Wood Brown $95.00

Nesting Tables Walnut $125.00

Wood Coffee Table with Claw Legs $126.00

Comforter Set Frye 3 Piece Faux Fur Queen Beige $95.00

Antique Pitchfork $149.50 each – 2 in stock

Red Bamboo Asian Screen $189.50

Assorted antique California License Plates….$49.50 each. Antique California License Plate $49.50 each – 16 in stock

Thanks for reading my ezines!  I appreciate it….as always!  Lynn & Family…

As we head to our 7th Anniversary on March 1st, I am reminded of how far we have come when I see this photo of my mom in the store before opening.

I have been deep cleaning my office at home (filing and purging)…and I came across this daring photo of the kids back in the day at Disneyland!  Indiana text me and said “Awwwww so cute!  I thought Aurora was you for second haha!”  Yes, that is me in a blue full length ball gown…NOT LOL!

If you look closely, Indiana is holding her Disney Princess Autograph book.  We still have it!  Of course we do!

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

Past Newsletters can be found on my blog. 

P.S.  If you have a friend who wants to sign up for this newsletter.

Every day I learn about more of my friends that have been affected by the fires.  It is overwhelming and extremely sad.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by these fires.

Again a huge shout out to the First Responders and Fire Fighters who are putting their lives on the line every day.  THANK YOU!

Indiana and Larissa have pulled it together for our comedy night fundraiser enlisting many of their talented LA friends.  I am so excited for this show!

It will be held Saturday evening, February 15th at the store starting at 5:30 pm.  Beer, Wine and Soda with light appetizers will be served free of charge.  The Entrance Fee is whatever you would like to donate as all will go to fire victims.

We are also looking for donations for a raffle/silent auction.  Restaurant Certificates, Gift Baskets, Service Certificates, and really anything that we can raffle.

Donations so far:  & THANK YOU 🙂

Fit Buddha Fitness…….Kick Your Booty Party…….Value $399
Ventura Coast Brewing Company……Gift Certificate….Value $50

Sandy will be spearheading the donation portion of the event.  Please text her 805-628-6025 or me 760-880-3535 with any questions.

10% of all store sales that day will also be added to the donation amount.

THANK YOU in advance!

Buy your tickets here.

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #000031

Thursday, January 30th, 2025
Volume VI  Issue 000031

Last Thursday night I got a surprise visit from Houston!  Pepperdine is back on campus for class and with PCH closed it was taking him 2 hours to get to campus when it normally takes about 25 minutes.

He decided to spend the night in Ventura since his commute would only be 45 minutes from our house.  Fun!  We ended up going to Salzers to shop for vinyl and then to a sushi dinner at Osabi.

I was going to post the picture with the caption “Dinner with my Favorite Son” and he convinced me to just say “My Fav” to see what his sister, Indiana, would say.  Silly Goose!

She doesn’t check her socials that often so never saw it.  But I met her the next morning in Sherman Oaks to drop off the Cha Cha and have breakfast with her.  So I got my payback by posting “Breakfast with my Fav”.  LOL.

It was an epic 24 hour period as I was able to see both my kids!  Then I headed out to the desert.  When I arrived I went to the house that Jo and Jon Dallas were renting on the golf course in the Palm Desert Country Club.

Then Jo and I hit some thrift stores.  Check out this awesome handmade mailbox that Jo found for me to purchase.

Jo and I had plans that evening to meet up with Tina Burke (another high school friend) at Sullivans for Happy Hour.  Always fun to see the Bellingham girls in California!

Then on Saturday, I picked up Jo at 10:30 and we did more thrifting and then headed into Palm Springs to take my mom’s cousin Gwen to lunch.

We ended up at Billy Reed’s (fan favorite) and I showed Gwen some of the family home movies from the 1930’s that she is in before our lunch came.

Gwen doesn’t look happy in the photo, but trust me…she was!  She kept saying “I don’t want this day to end.”  We spent 3 hours with her and had to “exit stage left”.

Then on Sunday, I picked up lunch for Jo, Jon and myself at The Old Spaghetti Factory and headed to their house to watch the football playoff games.  Some great football and then I met up with Kel for dinner at Cactus Jacks.

Unfortunately, Mo had to work the entire weekend that I was there so only saw her before and after work at her house.

Time for an eBay score.  I bought this coffee mug back in 2017 when I still lived in Palm Desert.  Yikes!  Paid 50 cents for it.  Some of these Taylor & Ng animal mugs can sell for a lot of money.

I took a best offer of $70 for this one.  Cochon means Pig in French.

Check out the auction here.

I left the desert on Monday morning and met Indiana and Larissa at the WEIRDEST restaurant ever to pick up the Cha.

Indiana had googled Vegan Paleo and got Leo’s Restaurant in Panorama City.  The only thing I know about Panorama City is that the May Co had their clearance center there when I was a buyer for them back in the 1980’s.  It didn’t strike me as a great city to meet the girls in, but whatever.

You can’t be too picky when you get free “doggy day care”.  Well, kind of free.  I did buy them a $40 Leo’s lunch and also slip her $100.  Pets are soooooo expensive!

Time for another eBay score!  Bought this at an estate sale back in May of 2023 for $5.  Just sold it for $67.85!  Even though smoking is not hip anymore, people still love to collect smoking items and ashtrays.

Check out the listing here.

The store needs….

Table Lamps
Floor Lamps
Baskets
Nice Throw Pillows
Rugs in Great Condition
Oil Paintings

Don’t forget about our Design Service. We have successfully completed our Pasadena Job and our schedule is open for you and your makeover!

 

Here is a before and after from Pasadena.

And for the first person that contacts us for a design job, we will waive the $50 initial consult fee. So email or text away 760-880-3535!

And now, for what most of you have been waiting for….our new arrivals.

Surfer Palm Tree Painting $89.50

Palette Knife Cows $49.50

Breast Feeding Picture $59.50

Egret Picture $89.50

Pasadena Framed Print $195.00

Captain Sign $49.50

Funky Colorful Mailbox $195.00

Coopers Sportswear Suede Jacket $75.00

Rebecca Elliott Outerwear Metallic Jacket $49.50

Vintage Black Cashmere Mink Sweater $65.00

limited black cardigan $28.50

Thanks for reading my ezines!  I appreciate it….as always!  Lynn, Emma (I miss Emma), Indiana and Houston.

Houston is coming home AGAIN tonight!  Because his commute to Pepperdine for his law school classes will be shorter from Ventura than from Marina del Rey with all of the road closures!  So excited to see him AGAIN :).  We may go to sushi again or to Paradise Pantry for dinner!

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

Past Newsletters can be found on my blog. 

P.S.  If you have a friend who wants to sign up for this newsletter.

A huge shout out to the First Responders and Fire Fighters who are putting their lives on the line EVERY DAY.  Y’all are real heroes in this world so THANK YOU!

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by these fires.  This is such a tragedy and heartbreaking.

We have been racking our brains trying to figure out a way to fund raise for the fire victims.  I was talking to Indiana and Larissa the other night and they said,

“We could come to Ventura and put on a Cabaret/Stand up Comedy Show at the store to raise money!”

I LOVE that idea.  They are rallying some of their other talented friends to participate.  I think we will even get some Barbershop Quartet action!

Indiana and Larissa have each produced numerous comedy shows in the Hollywood area and they are excited to co-produce this one!

Tentatively, it may be Saturday evening, February 15th at the store.  Entrance Fee is whatever you would like to donate as all will go to fire victims.

We are also looking for donations for a raffle/silent auction.  Restaurant Certificates, Gift Baskets, Service Certificates, and really anything that we can raffle.

Sandy will be spearheading the donation portion of the event.  Please text her 805-628-6025 or me 760-880-3535 with any questions.

10% of all store sales that day will also be added to the donation amount.

THANK YOU in advance!

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #000030

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025
Volume VI  Issue 000030

For any of you that have brought in Christmas for consignment, please come in and pick it up ASAP.  We need the space back!

Don’t forget our 9′ Pre Lit Christmas Trees are only $95 each.  They retail for over $600.

Time for an eBay score!  eBay sales have been steady….very grateful for that!

Check out this antique serving dish that I bought for $5 at an estate sale in Faria Beach.  It sold for $200 yesterday!    You may view the actual listing here.

Last Thursday was super fun.  I was invited to Susan’s birthday luncheon at El Encanto in Santa Barbara.  What a treat!

Check out the table decor.  Susan is so creative!

Susan invited 9 fun ladies for a beautiful luncheon on a perfect day!

I was supposed to have Friday off, but ended up working because we got in a truck.  I was able to sneak out at 2ish though and did enjoy a nice afternoon with the Cha.

I also worked on Saturday and then Sunday I went to see Shawn Jones play at the Bombay with Sandy and Marion.  Shawn was one of my first customers at the store before we opened 7 years ago.

He is always fun to see perform.  He will be performing on February 28th at the Grape with an 8 piece band.  We have already purchased our tickets and have three tables in the front!

So far, it is me, Val, Sandy, Susan, Jeff, Joanne, Marian and Sendia that are attending.  If anyone else wants to join us, let us know before it sells out!

Then Monday was Fit Buddha and lunch with Marc and Sandy.  It was also the day of the National Football Championship and Marc and I decided to watch it at my house.

Trouble! We get to my house and Marc says “Do you still have the champagne I gave you for Christmas?” and that got opened in addition to numerous Gin & Tonics.

We ordered Pizza and played dominoes while watching Notre Dame lose to Ohio State! Fun, but exhausting day! Luckily, his daughter Shanti drove him home :).

One last eBay score.  I bought this sweatshirt back in 2017 before I had moved to Ventura.  Yikes!  You see, sometimes it takes 8 years to sell something on eBay.  LOL.  Anyway, I probably paid $1-$3.

Check out the auction here.  Just sold it for a best offer of $60!

On Tuesday, I drove out to Pasadena for a design job.  It has been a long week so far!  And I leave for Palm Desert on Friday for the weekend.  Excited to see the Palm Desert girls and also Jo Dallas and Tina Burke (two of my high school besties) are in town as well.  It should be fun!

The goal is to get a picture of the three of us together!  SHS Class of 1981.

January 23rd is always a bittersweet day for me.  123.  I met Peter on 1/23/1987 at Mom’s Saloon on San Vicente in Brentwood.  We dated on and off for 30 years.  A huge part of my life.  I dated him before and after my marriage.  But DEFINITELY not during!

The night I met him we put our Amstel Light Beers down on the dance floor and danced around them.  Then I went with him and his two buddies, Kurt and Bob back to his apartment.  Peter gave me a copy of his head shot.  LOL.  The 1980’s were so fun!

Peter’s head shot and a random bartender behind the bar at Mom’s.

I have been thinking about Peter lately because he called to check on me and the kids.  He was really worried about the fires.  I never got to talk to him because we are both so busy, but we did text back and forth.

It’s nice to know that someone who was such a big part of your life still has your back and would do anything for you.

And now, for what most of you have been waiting for….our new arrivals. This sofa came in at $995. It is currently on sale for ONLY $95!

Dallas 104.72” Upholstered Sofa Grey $95.00

Miller Upholstered Sofa Stax Dust Blue $595.00

Sleeper Sofa w Matching Pillows Coral $995.00

Sofa Jones 86″ Upholstered Beige $445.00 – SOLD late yesterday…you gotta be quick at Lynn’s!

Sectional L-Shaped Reversible Geo Faux Leather Carmel (Light Brown) $695.00

Club Chair Red Hooker Furniture Asten 31” Wide Genuine Leather Top Grain Leather $695.00

Contemporary Tufted Dining Chair $95.00 – 4 in stock

Round Dining Table $395.00

3 Drawer Grey Desk Moti Furniture Inverness $395.00

Bestier Electric Fireplace Tv Stand Entertainment Center Walnut $179.50

Decorative Faux Plant in Plaster Dish $24.50

Spode Deer Octagonal Pattern $75.00

Spode Turkey Serving Platter $45.00 – 2 in stock

Spode Deer Serving Dish $75.00

Singing Santa Home Accents Holiday 6 ft $117.00
+ an additional 50% OFF  He sold late yesterday as well!

Bear Handmade Cream Colored $49.50  Such a talented seamstress who made these bears.  There is even embroidery on his/her paws.

Bear Handmade with purple rug small $39.50

Thanks for reading my ezines!  I appreciate it….as always!  Lynn, Emma (I miss Emma), Indiana and Houston.

Houston is coming home tonight!  Because his commute to Pepperdine for his law school classes will be shorter from Ventura than from Marina del Rey with all of the road closures!  So excited to see him :).

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

Past Newsletters can be found on my blog. 

P.S.  If you have a friend who wants to sign up for this newsletter.