3 YEARS! It’s A PARTY & Flashback Friday…Lynn’s Latest #04

 

You are cordially invited to our 3rd Year Anniversary Party!
MONDAY, March 1st from Noon to 4 pm.

 

OMG! We have made it 3 FULL Years!
Thank you soooooo much for the LOVE and support!

It will look a little bit different than last year’s party….

Here is what we looked like at last year’s celebration……
it almost looks fake doesn’t it?

Left to Right, Lori, Peggy, Emma, Sandy, Indiana, Me, Kathy, my mom, Gala, Joanne, Steve, Jo Dallas, and Valerie!

 

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #04…

February 26th, 2021
Watch for it every Friday or every other Friday!
Volume II Issue 04

 

This past year went by sooooooooo slowly and yet on the other hand it almost seemed to fly by. I can’t believe that the photo above was taken just a year ago. So much has changed. I am not sure we will all ever be the same again. I feel like innocence has been lost.

Nevertheless, we will be holding a small socially distant celebration on Monday, March 1st from noon to 4 pm. A day that should have been my dad’s 87th birthday. Here’s looking at you dad! Hope you are NOT washing dishes in Heaven!

And another photo that just popped up of my dad and my kids…love this shot!  We were at a baseball tournament in Las Vegas and had dinner at the expensive steak restaurant in our hotel.  Such fun!

Time for some Friday Flashback Fotos from the past 3 years of the store’s life.  Let’s start with the very beginning…..Click here for a short video posted on Instagram that Joanne Carolan (Realtor Extraordinaire) took of the progress back in January of 2018.  WOW!  We have come a long way!

Here are my kids and their Pepperdine friends posing in the empty store right before the concrete floors were stained.  From left to right, Reilly, Houston, Indiana, Carmen, and Sydney.

Here is a fun photo of one of our first consignors….George helping us to fill our empty space (my mom is helping him)!  We LOVE you George!

Here is George dropping off a beautiful Kidney shaped desk yesterday and Val is helping him.

Here is that desk that is currently for sale in the store.  It is priced at $325.

Here are the girls with one of our first pieces of furniture!  This photo was taken on February 13th in 2018…..That is Val, Lyn Summer, and Gina Cole!

On February 22nd, Signarama hung our signs!  We were almost in business…..

Alrightyo, let’s check out some of those first vignettes!  Here we are working on the very first one that we needed for our newspaper and Breeze ad….crazy huh?  That is me, Mor Mor, and Bridget Boland (my first Ventura employee)!

It was February 23rd at 3:30 pm, the clock was ticking.  We were set to open in just 5 days!

Here is that first finished vignette…WOW!

Here are Val and my mom working on Vignette number 2.  It was February 24th, 2018 at 4:20 pm and we had just 4 days til opening.  Would we make it?

Here is that finished vignette and this photo were taken the first time I met Jimmy Ventura (as I call him, but in reality, he is Jimmy Hibbler) and he sooooo matched that second vignette that I had to ask him for a photo :)!

OK OK…….

MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR UPCOMING Anniversary Party

As per state mandate, we can allow 25% of our max occupancy of 88 in at one time.   There will never be more than 22 people in the store at one time.  There is also plenty of room outdoors to celebrate!

Monday, March 1st from Noon to 4 pm

Individually wrapped appetizer type food, individual drinks (beer, wine, soda, etc.), and Door Prizes!

Please stop by and help us Celebrate!

Back to the store and those days leading up to the Grand Opening.  Here is vignette #3 being worked on by Indiana, Carmen, and Mor Mor.  This photo was taken on February 25th, 2018.

Here is completed vignette #3 with Carmen, Carmen’s mom from Washington and Indiana.  We were on pace for about one vignette per day!

My neighbor Rebecca actually bought that creepy silver boy.  Here is a photo of her and me at her Halloween Birthday party in 2018.  She dressed him up like a creepy clown!

And finally, here is the “in progress” of Vignette #4.  That is Carmen, Indiana and Houston all working their magic.  The Date was February 26th, 2018.  2 Days until the Grand Opening!

Here is the after and they called this one “The Holland Garden” complete with a bicycle (thanks to JD!)  But remember, you can only say “The Holland Garden” while using a European accent.

It has been crazy for me to look back on these first vignettes because as you all know, the store is sooooo packed right now.  Here is what the back corner that originally housed “The Holland Garden” looked like a few weeks ago!  WOW….we have come a LONG way!

So, while all of this vignette building was going on over on the right-hand side of the store, what in the world was happening on the left-hand side?  The left-hand side is where the cash register and counter would be going.  Well, first of all, we had Toni build us an amazing distressed front counter cabinet.

Then Leslie and Gary (from House 466) stopped by to lend their support. They were so kind and helped me price some things for the Ventura market (of which I knew nothing about and had no idea it was known as “Ventucky”)!  They also told me about Howard’s furniture polish, so I will forever call Leslie and Gary, Leslie and Howard!

In the back was Addie putting together our Popcorn machine!  Which we wish we could put out again….I miss the popcorn!  Hopefully, someday soon 🙂

Then we started working on the two vignettes that would be on that side.  The first one was made up of mostly items from my Rancho Mirage neighbor, Sandra.  It was all of her really cool Folk Art Pieces.  She is the one that blessed us with Harry!  How many of y’all remember Harry?  More about him later.  But here is that first vignette next to the front counter.

I can’t remember what was in the vignette next to that…..Hmmmmmm, let me think.  Oh, I remember!  It was awesome furniture that Andi Malone brought me.  A full living room was literally the first furniture we received.  Thank God for Andi & her husband….

I don’t have a photo of it from the front, but here it is with my Mom standing across from it.  We still had a lot of stores to fill up!

Next up, the front windows.  Thank God for Harry!  Harry was the prized possession from my friend Sandra and her husband Alan’s private collection.  He was a racing horse from Coney Island, OHIO circa 1905.  Still had all of his original paint.  He came by private sprinter van from Rancho Mirage to Ventura.  Here he is displayed in Rancho Mirage where he had a lovely garden view.

Here he is covered up as a surprise in our front window!  And also to protect his paint.

Harry sold to the most wonderful couple who live in Malibu above Nepturne’s Nest Restaurant.  Harry now has a full ocean view.  Way to go Harry!

We were blessed with Harry for just over a year.  It seemed like forever!  We miss our mascot.

For the other front window, I was lucky enough to find two brand new custom sofas at a business that was going out of business by the mall.  Our front window looked pretty decent….Check it out here.

Thanks to Doug and Sandy for providing that amazing rug!

A big shout out to our first consignors that really rallyed to help us fill the store.  THANK YOU THANK YOU!  Here is a list of some of y’all by first name only….

These are the consignors that brought us merchandise BEFORE the store even opened and we are forever grateful!

Indy, Houston, Sharon, Sandra, Valerie, Gina, George, Lyn, Colleen, Tina, Lyssa, Joy, Andi, Denise, Chris, Shannon, Toni, Peggy, Rose, Crystal, Teresa, Pamela, Gina, Anna, Jenny, Pat & Bill, Jeff, Ellen, Harriet, Claudio & Maggie, Bethann, Addie, Nancy, Adolio, Sherry, Chris, Fay, Cindy, Sylvia, Lynda, Carol, Christine, Rosemary, Rick, Gerri, Sandra, Dean, Tammy, Deborah, Ingrid, Tim, Sandra & Doug, Christine, Frank, Tracy, Dick, Judith, Christine, Manjo, Midge, Leslie & John, Jeanine, Cheryl, Karl……and the list goes on!

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH and I hope that a few of you will be able to stop by on

Monday, March 1st
from noon to 4 pm
OR at least HONK your car horn when you drive by!

And then Breezy from The Breeze showed up with this super special ad that my “Queen’s Court” members (special eBay group) had placed in the paper.  Aawwwwwww!  Love that group so much!

And miracle of miracles, we were ready to open on Thursday, March 1st at 9:30 am!   AND it did NOT rain!  Even though it was in the forecast.

First surprise of the day, Pam & Terry Clayton showed up to represent the Queen’s Court and they brought many gifts!  Flowers, spa treatments, and their smiling faces.  It was such a special treat to see them in person!

Here we are at the ribbon-cutting.  From left to right, unknown, Terry & Pam Clayton, Stephanie, me, Indiana, Mor Mor, Amy, unknown, unknown, and Ashley!

And then the flowers started rolling in!  So amazing 🙂  Here is Indiana reading one of the cards to my mom.

And my stepmom, Sue, sent the most beautiful arrangement from Mom & Pop Floral.  I really felt like my dad was with us!

From left to right, Mor Mor, Terry & Pam Clayton :), me and Indy.  I look soooooo exhausted in this photo and I seriously was!

On the docket for the day was a catered spread from Santa Cruz Market and a string quartet (The Cherry Quartet featuring Bridget Boland)!

Not on the docket were the surprise guests!  First, Kimberly Wallace showed up from Orange County and THEN, Jo Dallas and Kathy Rutan walked in from Bellingham, WA, and McMinville, OR.

To say I was shocked would be putting it mildly!  I asked Kathy and Jo where they were staying and they said, “With you”!  And they were not kidding!

None of this incredible experience would have been possible without my friends and family.  It is very interesting, I didn’t mention employees in any of that.  You know why?  I don’t consider them employees at all, but rather friends and extended family!

A HUGE THANK YOU AND SHOUT OUT to this crazy GROUP!  LOVE YOU ALL MUCHO!  From left to right at our 2nd year Anniversary Party.  Indy, Val, me, my mom, Sandy, Steve, Peggy, Joanne, and Kathy Rutan.

Another great photo from our 1st year anniversary. From left to right, Ktea, Sandy, Indy, me, Val, Adolio, Peggy, and Mor Mor.

Well, that about wraps up our Grand Opening Journey and a little glimpse into what it took to get us there!  My mom and Jo Dallas are on a plane headed to LAX as you read this.  Unfortunately, Kathy couldn’t make it this year and the jury is still out on Kimberly Wallace.  She does love a good surprise!

Since Kathy couldn’t make it, I have decided to share a few candid photos of us in the Santa Cruz Market Bar winding down after one of the store’s first Hectic days.  On the left, she has just picked up her beer glass and on the right, I caught her in motion as she falls off of her stool.  I bet she will join us next year!  LOL!  Just kidding my friend!

Just a reminder of Our CURRENT HOURS:

Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm
Sundays 11 am to 3pm

Regarding Covid, I just want to reassure you that we are taking this very seriously and following protocol. We sanitize, wear masks, request that you wear a mask (unless you have a health issue that exempts you), and have a very large store.

With over 5,000 square feet our max capacity is 88 people. WOW, I wish I could have 88 customers at once when covid is over! Wouldn’t that be amazing? Just kidding, but kind of serious.

Bottom line is this, even at 25% of capacity (which the Governor is suggesting), there can still be 22 of you in the store. We never get that busy, so please feel safe and please ask us if you have any special requests. We are more than happy to make your shopping experience a great one!

HOPE to see you on
Monday, March 1st
Noon to 4 p.m.

And a final flashback photo from March 1st, 2020 before all of this madness began and we could all be together.

My team, from left to right.  Emma, Val, Mor Mor, me, Indy, Cindy and Peggy.   Those were the days my friends!  Soon to come again I believe…Keep the faith and keep smiling (as my dad would say)!

 

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

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

P.S.  All of the professional photos I use on Instagram, Facebook and in these newsletters were taken by my friend Denise’s daughter, Jaclyn Sabo.  She is amazing!   To learn more about Jaclyn….https://www.jaclynszabo.com/

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

P.P.P.S  For those of you who don’t live close to Ventura…don’t forget you can shop our store online!
https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/

Is Disney Calling For Indy?…Lynn’s Latest #03

 

You are cordially invited to our 3rd Year Anniversary Party! MONDAY, March 1st from Noon to 4 pm.

OMG!  We have made it 3 FULL Years!
Thank you soooooo much for the LOVE and support!

It will look a little bit different than last year’s party….More details to follow!
Here is what we looked like at last year’s celebration……
it almost looks fake doesn’t it?

Left to Right, Lori, Peggy, Emma, Sandy, Indiana, Me, Kathy, my mom, Gala, Joanne, Steve, Jo Dallas, and Valerie!

 

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #03…

February 13th, 2021
Watch for it every Friday or every other Friday! Or even on a Saturday!
Volume II  Issue 03

 

It has been a crazy few weeks and I have not had time to write a newsletter.  Reason #1…of course, it has to do with the DOG.  Cha Cha got Spayed on January 28th and our lives changed drastically.

Here she is just chilling in the waiting room prior to surgery and then in the cage when we left her.  It broke my heart!

Here she is after surgery with Dr. McNeill, Indy, and Ya Ya trying to put a DeBell T-shirt on her.  Shout out to the girls of DeBell at Pepperdine!

So why was it so difficult?  You try keeping a 35-pound Floppy Doodle (as my friend Tina Burke calls her) from running, jumping, and chewing at her stitches for TWO weeks!  In addition, she couldn’t go outside by herself.  Which meant any time she needed to use the “facilities” (even if it was at 1 am) she had to be on a short leash with either Indy or me.

It was not pretty.  Lots of sedatives (for both me and the dog LOL) and round-the-clock watchers.

Thank God Indy was home until last Sunday to help me, otherwise, I would have gone CRAZY!  Here is Cha Cha dressed in her finest surgical suit and floppy cone.

Time for an eBay score, don’t you think?  I bought this beautiful and delicate Italian Art Glass Vase at a recent estate sale.  It was marked $45 and everything was 30% off, so I ended up paying $31.50.  I took the best offer of $257 for it.  I could have waited for more money, but I was happy with that rate of return after it was listed for ONLY 21 days on eBay!

Oh, and it shipped to Puerto Rico!  If you want to learn more about this piece, check it out here.

I recently read a book that has changed my outlook on a lot of things.  It is called “How to Make Sh*t Happen:  Make more money, get in better shape, create epic relationships and control your life” and the author Sean Whalen is very unconventional & a bit radical.

Even though Sean’s approach is unconventional and some people even find him rude, it has shocked me into making some radical changes.  The most important takeaway for me was that I need to put myself first.  Wait a minute….slow down.  I am a mom and have ALWAYS put my kids first.  What would that even look like if I put myself first?

Sean’s reasoning made absolute sense to me.  If I am not at 100%, how will I have anything to give to the people around me that need me.  There are 4 core principles that he talks about (Core4) and they are Power (your body), Passion (your relationships), Purpose (spirituality), and Production (work).  He teaches that equal time must be spent in each of those quadrants.  WOW!  What an eye-opener.  I am pretty much all in when it comes to the 4th core principle, Work, and I give that my 110%.  No Bueno!

The first change I have made is to focus on Power.  I hired a personal trainer for both Indy and myself, Bree at The Vent, who is phenomenal!

The first thing Bree had us do was get our body fat tested.  OH MY GOODNESS!  Check out Indy!  It was scary!

I worked with Bree privately for a few weeks and she has slowly eased me into the group classes.  LOL.  I have to laugh because 4 weeks ago I would not have believed that yes, this is me… Lynn Dralle, going to a 7:30 am cross-fit group class!  OK, I don’t go to all of those 7:30 classes, but I am making two a week….so far!

You see, I am a night owl.  I work on eBay or the store until around midnight, get up when the puppy gets up at 6:30 am, and try to wear her out so that I can get some more sleep until 9:00 am.  I have finally realized what a WASTE of time those hours are and instead of trying to wear her out, I just leave for the gym.  Hahaha!  Jokes on you Cha Cha!

Here is what those two USED to look like in the morning roughhousing while I try and sleep.  It is such a funny picture because Cha Cha still has her cone on Hahahaha!

I must say that I am really proud of myself for making these changes and I believe it will become my new modus operandus!

MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR UPCOMING Anniversary Party

As per state mandate, we can allow 25% of our max occupancy of 88 in at one time.   There will never be more than 22 people in the store at one time.  There is also plenty of room outdoors to celebrate!

Monday, March 1st from Noon to 4 pm.

Individually wrapped appetizer type food, individual drinks (beer, wine, soda, etc.), and Door Prizes!

Please stop by and help us Celebrate!

OK, that brings me to the store of course! Just what has been happening there? LOTS of new items! And I finally changed the front window to Purple. The last in our ROY G BIV series.

RED
ORANGE
YELLOW
GREEN
BLUE
INDIGO
VIOLET

I am not completely satisfied with it yet, but here is how it looks right now. Definitely a work in progress.

In more great store news, I got a text from a gal who was looking for help in selling her mother’s furniture.  Her mother is 94 years old and had just moved into assisted living.  They were looking to sell her entire living room full. Her mother had purchased Mid Century Modern furniture starting in the 1950’s from Urner’s in Bakersfield.  Well, it wasn’t called Mid Century back then (I don’t think) it was just “new”!

I could NOT believe how amazing all of the pieces were!  I was so excited to get it into the store.  Luckily, Adolio and Sunny were able to pick it up this past Tuesday.  Here they are ready to unload!  The boys do such a GREAT job of moving for us and our customers!

I was so excited to redo the front window, that I actually came in on Tuesday (my day off) to work on it with Sandy and the boys!  Here is a shot of the work in progress.

Unfortunately, before I even got to style that front window we sold the Dux Barrel Chair!  Ughhhhhhhhh, I hate it when things sell out of my front window.  Just kidding, kind of!  And then we sold the nesting tables and the small three-drawer wall unit.

Here is a shot from the street at night and it is still not styled….Oh well!

I think it is time to talk about Indiana, because Oh My Goodness, does she have A LOT going on!  First, for those of you who saw her in “Polar Bears, Black Boys and Polar Fringed Orchids” thank you for watching the Zoom production.  Even Carlos caught one of the shows!  That is Indy in character on the left.

Here is an Instagram post from Pepperdine Theatre.  Indy got a letter of interest from Casting at Disney!!!!!  Yay!  She is shopping for an agent if any of you know a great one!  I am so excited for her and for what is to come!  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

In more Indy news, ever since Pepperdine broke for Christmas break back in November, she has been working on a special project, Allegories of our Youth, that aired last night and will air at 10 am this morning through the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine.

It is free and delivered directly to your computer.  Even if you can’t watch it live, the downloadable live stream will be available for 48 hours.  Indy and the other students poured their hearts and soul into this for the past several months.  I highly encourage you to sign up for it here.

Indiana also created the cover art (she has always been incredibly artistic).  Next to the art is a post from Pepperdine showing Indy talking about her part in the project.  I love how she reposted it and said “I’ve Made it to the Big Leagues”  Hahahaha!

Here is more about the performance and its back story.  View the event program here.

For Indy’s 5 minute performance she questions herself regarding whether or not her mom should put up a Black Lives Matter sign in her store.   Indy played nine different characters (all parts of herself), recorded it and edited it.  It was a huge undertaking.

I think it is wonderful!  But of course, I am her mom!   My favorite character, of course, is 12-year-old Indy.  I miss that little kid!  Which of the two photos is the REAL 12-year-old Indy?

Thank you for letting me overshare about Indy!  I appreciate it!  Now back to an eBay score, don’t ya think?

Check out this WILD bedspread and curtain set.  I LOVE it!  Bought it at a Ventura garage sale for $20 or $30.  Sold it for the best offer of $155 last week.  Gotta love eBay!   And this piece is so MCM (Mid Century Modern era 1947-1969) and Hawianna.  Two styles that can’t be beaten!  Check out the listing here.

Before Cha Cha got spayed, there were some milestones we should definitely talk about.  First and foremost, we have been taking her to obedience lessons.  Check out how cool she and Indy look doing the work….in the cold….outside…in the dark…with a mask on!

She (along with Indiana and I) graduated from Puppy Obedience School at Doggin’ Around with Ellen.  She is awesome!  Check us out on graduation night!

The next milestone (right after obedience school mind you) is a no Bueno.  A few days after graduation, she got into Houston’s room, found Emma’s blue tie-dye dye in a bottle, and proceeded to carry it around with her so she could chew on it…the plastic bottle that is.  But guess what happens when you chew on a plastic bottle and you have really really sharp teeth?

Bingo!  Blue dye ALL over the dog and my house.  At least it is a really pretty blue color…..  Still trying to find someone who can clean the cushion covers for me….anyone knows a good upholsterer cleaner?

And here is the culprit who was caught red (or should I say blue) handed after several baths.

Speaking of Houston and Emma, boy do I miss them!  I just text Houston and said please send me a current photo for the newsletter.  I have forgotten what you look like!  Luckily, Emma was in OKC for Valentine’s Day and she is going to corral him and get some shots.

These are random, but fun!  One of Hous and Emma with Indy right before they headed out to OKC and one of Houston on a recent bike ride!

In more store news, we just got in the new Baggu designs.  So much fun and very Spring Like.  We have new masks and bags in stock!  Come and check us out!

Time for an eBay score!  Actually, this is a score in the making.  My mom just called me and it is so freezing up in Bellingham right now that she grabbed a hat that she had just listed on eBay to wear to keep her head warm.

Fortunately, she checked the auction (that had only been up for 2 days) and this particular hat already had 4 bids and was up to $50 from a $17.99 starting bid.  She decided not to wear it!  hahahaha  And she forgot to even put Hat or Cap in the listing….just goes to show you, anyone can sell on eBay!  Just kidding mama!

If you want to follow the auction, you can do so here.  Let’s hope it goes even higher for her!

In more exciting Annie Sloan news, she announced a new color last month, Capri Pink!  And yes, we do have it in stock!

Peggy and Sandy painted a couple of end tables/nightstands in an Athenian Black and Capri Pink combo.  The icing on the cake is the Leopard print in reverse color block.  I LOVE THESE!  Only $125 each.

Let’s check out some of those Scandinavian Teak MCM pieces in more detail.

If anyone knows the maker on any of the MCM pieces that we have been unable to identify, please help us out!  Thanks!

OK, time for a super funny story.  My friend, Kimberly Wallace, posted this on her story.  I misunderstood and thought this was a picture of a movie star.  So, I messaged her and guessed James Woods

This is what she posted in response to my message……hahahaha!  I love Kimberly and she obviously has a great sense of humor!

Of course, I had to immediately report on my story and proudly say…..I AM THAT FRIEND! Not my proudest moment, but a super fun one!
Let me show you a photo of what Kimberly really looks like and she is beautiful! This photo was taken during a live eBay boot camp that she attended back in 2010. For the record, I have known Kimberly since 1993 when she walked into my grandmother’s antique store in Bellingham to sell me flower arrangements. We have been friends through thick and thin ever since!

Just a reminder of Our CURRENT HOURS:

Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm
Sundays 11 am to 3pm

Regarding Covid, I just want to reassure you that we are taking this very seriously and following protocol. We sanitize, wear masks, request that you wear a mask (unless you have a health issue that exempts you), and have a very large store.

With over 5,000 square feet our max capacity is 88 people. WOW, I wish I could have 88 customers at once when covid is over! Wouldn’t that be amazing? Just kidding, but kind of serious.

Bottom line is this, even at 25% of capacity (which the Governor is suggesting), there can still be 22 of you in the store. We never get that busy, so please feel safe and please ask us if you have any special requests. We are more than happy to make your shopping experience a great one!

Since Indy was moving back to her condo in Agoura Hills on February 7th to start the Spring semester remotely, I knew that it was my last chance to get out of dodge.  Cha Cha was still recovering from her surgery and Indy being the angel she is, agreed to let me head out to the desert on Weds February 3rd for a few days.

It was heaven to not have to babysit the pooch 24/7 and worry about her stitches!  My friends all had to work, but I went thrifting every day (found a ton of great stuff) and went to my hairstylist and aesthetician.  Since I lived out there for almost 16 years it still feels like home.

I did manage to squeeze in lunch one day with Kel and Candy.  Super fun!!

I brought back two of these mermaids for the store.  I guess you could say I rescued them from the desert and brought them closer to the sea!

I have to apologize here to both y’all and to Carlos. This entire newsletter (AGAIN) has been hijacked by Cha Cha.
And here are a couple of pictures of my little “bubba” from a year ago this week. He was soooo tiny and we do love Carlos so much! He was helping me write an ezine! Crazy how much he has changed in a year!

Thinking about our 3 year anniversary has me thinking about my dad.  He passed away at Cinco de Mayo in 2017.  I opened the store with money that he left me and that is why our grand opening was on March 1st, 2018, the day that should have been his 84th birthday.

My dad was my biggest cheerleader and biggest helper (my mom still is!).  Always willing to do any kind of job to help at my grandmother’s store, at my house, or at my eBay warehouse.  I really miss him and know that he would love the store so much.

This photo popped up in my time hop of him 5 years ago.  He was sitting at the table in the front window of my eBay office/warehouse on Boardwalk in Palm Desert patiently sorting the crazy messed up boxes and boxes of jewelry that I inherited from my grandmother.

Here he is helping (well actually not helping because he built the entire thing) build a crate to ship an expensive painting I sold on eBay.  That was my Dad, always making friends wherever he went, even if it was the guy down at Lowes.

Then there he is on the phone with my brother building the crate outside of my office in Palm Desert.  Check out my awesome turquoise crowns.  I still am The Queen of Auctions you know!   But, I really miss my dad.  Just know that our anniversary party on March 1st is my way of honoring him and I hope you can join us.

One of my friends posted a very poignant slogan the other day and I feel like I must share it.  Covid has made it extremely hard to do business and we have been working tirelessly to keep our customers happy, keep our consignors happy, and quite frankly to just stay in business.  It has not been easy.

Lately, some (very few but it still makes a huge impact) customers and consignors have been so angry, mean, and unreasonable that I wonder if it is worth it to keep the doors open.

So please read this and do what you can do to support your local businesses.

Please, please, please show us your support at our Anniversary Party on Monday, March 1st.  Even if you just honk while driving by.  It will be greatly appreciated.

AND, please don’t forget us….it has been super slow lately and your business is greatly appreciated.

Oh, and one last final future eBay score.  I bought this Rainbow Mid Century Lamp at a local garage sale for $75.  I have it listed on eBay for $1,999 or best offer.  Check it out here.

Finally, a great photo from back on March 1st, 2020 before all of this madness began and we could all be together.

My team, from left to right.  Indy, Val, me, my mom, Sandy, Steve, Peggy, Joanne, and Kathy Rutan.  Those were the days my friends!  Soon to come again I believe…Keep the faith and keep smiling (as my dad would say)!

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

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

 

P.S.  All of the professional photos I use on Instagram, Facebook, and in these newsletters were taken by my friend Denise’s daughter, Jaclyn Sabo.  She is amazing!   To learn more about Jaclyn….https://www.jaclynszabo.com/

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

P.P.P.S  For those of you who don’t live close to Ventura…don’t forget you can shop our store online!
https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/

How It Started & How’s It Going?…Lynn’s Latest #02

 

Well, 2021 is off to a start….not sure if I would call it great!

Our power was out for almost 2 days & I had to rush Cha Cha to the pet hospital….ughhhhh

However, I am very grateful when I look back at my photos from 3 years ago today. I had just taken on a huge PROJECT! An empty store! Can you believe what our space looked like back then? This is HOW it started!

 

That is my mom talking to Indiana and Indiana’s friend, Carmen.

Welcome to Lynn’s Latest #02…

January 22nd
Watch for it every Friday or every other Friday!
Volume II  Issue 02

 

Let’s take a look at what that same view looks like today! Here is how it’s going! Fun, and it is now a lot of our gift lines. And just a heads up we are going to be carrying Christmas year-round. We will edit for more beachy, year-round themes to be stocked all year, and then bring back the real Christmassy ones next holiday season. It will be here before we know it…scary, right?

OK, time for an eBay score before we get into those scary winds, power outages, and what in the world did Cha Cha do to wind up in the hospital? Check out this chess/checkerboard that I bought out in Palm Desert for $2.00 and it sold at auction for over $70! eBay never ceases to amaze me! Click here to see the auction.

It was so nice to have my kids home for so long over the holidays.  Houston and his girlfriend Emma left on a road trip back to OKC on January 11th.  Sooooo sad!  But he will be back in California for good once he graduates from Notre Dame in the spring.  Fingers crossed it is in person.  Before they left, we all decided to do something fun with the puppy.

I had always wanted to go to the Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch.  It is such an inspiring property.  I have followed them on Instagram forever!  Since it is a large property, you can take your dog and your family (staying in our pod), order to-go food, and socially distance.  We decided to spend Saturday afternoon there to have lunch, celebrate Christmas with Emma and chill with the Cha Cha.

Here we are all packed up and ready to hit the road!

Fun Fact, check out Houston’s Trucker hat in that last photo.  On the road trip to Calamingos, Indy had Houston do a Tic Tok.  You can check it out here, but it has been her best one to date!  Over 14,000 likes, almost 4,000 comments and someone reposted it and got close to 20,000 likes.

For those of you who don’t know what Tic Tok is, don’t even worry about it.  In the scheme of things, I think it went My Space, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tic Tok, etc.  It’s just the social media craze that I am personally OVER!   Check out this timeline.  OMG!  Crazy.  Shared from platformmagazine.org.

OK, but back to why we even care about social media…..Houston on Tic Tok asking what is your favorite freeway?! How fun is this. Click here to check it out.

Our time at the Malibu Cafe at Calamingos Ranch was super fun.  We felt safe and socially distanced and still got to enjoy a beautiful sunny Southern California Saturday outside with food and drink that we did not have to make ourselves.  WIN-WIN!  Cha Cha had a blast, learned that she is most likely a bird dog (chased a lot of ducks from the edge of the Lake), and was just a chill companion.

Emma even got Indy a “Cha Cha” script necklace as her Christmas gift.  How cute is that?

One thing to know about me.  I have always tried to live my life to the fullest.  Always up for an adventure.  Always ready for that road trip.  Don’t care how much it is going to cost, I am ALL in.

One of my best friends from college, Juliette, remembers me saying in our 20’s, “Use your credit cards because when you are older what does it matter that you paid a bit of interest to LIVE your LIFE”.  And so we did!  (Not sure if that is what I really said, so I text Jules to find out…check out her response….LOL)

OK, so I just have to share a photo of what Juliette and I looked like back in the day! LOL! We used to have soooo much fun & get in so much trouble…….. She lives in Orange County with her 3rd husband and her kids. I haven’t seen her since I opened the store. She will be visiting soon. Can’t wait to see her!

I think Covid has really brought my “how to live life” philosophy back home.  I am going to make the BEST of any situation.  Even if it means taking a road trip to Palm Desert (not seeing anyone) because of Covid, but doing it anyway!

Staying in a hotel with my little pod, check out thrift stores, and got take-out dinners.  All the money in the bank won’t buy you any more time, but those MEMORIES I try and create everyday for my kids (my friends and my family) are PRICELESS!

Here is a photo of Houston and Emma when they were leaving for OKC the Monday after our fun Saturday at Calamingos.  Of course, Indy and the pets had to be in the shot!

One thing I want to reiterate to you all….I don’t care how old you are (or how young)….YOU are alive and life is precious!  Thank God every day you wake up and honor him by living your life to the fullest!

None of us know how many more days on this earth we have so……Buy the car, Take the vacation, Buy the shoes, Tell them you LOVE them, Get the puppy, Binge watching Netflix (especially Shield), Open that business, Take that Leap of Faith!   Do anything that makes you and those around you HAPPY….but promise me that you will GO FOR IT even if it is a tiny first step!

I think it is time for an eBay score.  I LOVE this one.  And since Cha Cha has decided she is a “bird dog” this just seems fitting. Bought this out in Palm Desert at the end of November for $20 at Revivals.  Such a score.  Sold for close to $300!  Click here to see why!

Thinking about how fast the past three years have flown by has been crazy.  Val (my first Ventura employee :)) text me this the other night.  She has a book that has you write a small synopsis of your day every day for 5 years so you can look back at some point.  The book is called  “One Line A Day: A Five-Year Memory Book”.  Here was her entry for January 18th, 2018.

Her name is Lynn…..Hahahaha!  I love this!  Here is a picture of Val with a contractor and my mom in the empty store from that “meeting her tomorrow” comment.

Couldn’t have done it without Val and my mom.  We were pretty much a three-man team or rather a three-ring circus working so hard to get that empty space ready to open on March 1st!

Indy has been working at the store more which makes me super happy!  Check out this Tic Tok she did.  Time-release of her redoing a vignette.  Wow!  You can check out the actual Tic Tok here, but I think you need an account or the app to view.  I will find out from the kiddo and let you know!  Nope, apparently, anyone can click the Tic Tok links and view.

Before I forget, that Tiffany Ink Blotter from the last ezine (if you missed the newsletter check it out here) sold for my asking bid price of $299!  Super score!   If you just want to see the eBay listing click here!

Cha Cha has been going to Puppy Play at Send Rover on Over since she was 3 months old. It has been a lifesaver for us as it wears her out and she is learning to socialize with other dogs. She LOVES it! Well, at almost 6 months she is too old for it now. Sooooo sad! But for her final visit, she was featured on their Instagram account. I saw the post and thought “that dog looks a lot like the Cha Cha” Hahahaha…it was her!

I think it is time to talk about the store!  And another blast from the past.  For those of you who don’t know, I went to USC.  I was there at the same time as Chappy Morris (Wm L Morris Chevrolet) Rest in Peace and we were in the Entrepreneur program together.

I was also there at the same time as Marc Kettles (who owns Fit Buddha with his wife Eva).  You might say that Marc and I dated…because we did.  Oh those Fraternity and Sorority parties.  It has been fun to run into Marc around town and last week he brought me some awesome consignments.

Here are a few of those consignments from their larger Santa Barbara studio (totally high-end stuff people) and then I will share some “How it started” and “How it’s going” photos of the two of us.  LOL.  Couldn’t resist!

OK, here is the “How it started” Photo of Marc and me at a sorority party in 1982.

And here is the “How’s it going” photo of the two of us.  LOL.  I own a business and he is a consignor!  So fun to reconnect as I have known Marc since I was 18.

In more store news, Check out the new paint kits from Annie Sloan that we have in stock!  Purchase now for her “Big Paint” that will be taking place in February….Can’t Wait!

Click here to order yours now!

Here is more info about The Big Paint & It will be virtually taught by me at the store (an independent stockist that’s me :))…..

“The Big Paint is an international online painting workshop that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Hosted by Annie Sloan and her network of independent Stockists, The Big Paint workshops will be taking place online in countries all over the world during the same week (1st – 7th February 2021). Reconnect with friends, family, and the wider Chalk Paint® community whilst nourishing your soul with some soothing creative therapy.

Your workshop kit will be sent directly to you by your local Annie Sloan Stockist and will contain everything you need to transform an authentic Indian tea tray. Included are 120ml tins of Chalk Paint® in Aubusson Blue, Scandinavian Pink, and Chicago Grey, an exclusive stencil design, a small tin of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax, a Flat Brush and the tray.

On the day itself, you’ll log on to your online hosted workshop, and follow along with other upcycling ticket holders as your Stockist demonstrates the ease of applying Chalk Paint® to create high-end finishes at home.”

Check out what comes in the kit and all of the creative different ways you can finish your tray!  This is going to be FUN!!!

In more exciting Annie Sloan news, she announced a new color yesterday, Capri Pink!  And yes, we do have it in stock!

OK, so what should I lead with?  The power outage or Cha Cha going to the Vet Hospital?  I am going to start with the Cha Cha.  My girl (our girl or rather really Indy’s girl) loves to play.  She is a puppy you know….right?

Well, she and I were roughhousing as puppies like to do out in the yard and as we were heading back into the house, a light bulb from our strand of deck lights popped and shattered.

Here is what our super cute deck looks like with the “said” string of lights.  Indy was cleaning it up and rearranging it a few days prior to the “incident”.

When the glass exploded, it fell right next to Cha Cha and before I could grab her she had a piece in her mouth and ran into the yard.  She was chomping on it the entire time and even swallowing.  Try and catch a “big fluffy floppy puppy” who has not finished playing yet.  I couldn’t grab her.  Here is what she looks like after an “Aloha Grooming” and just how fully and floppy is she?  Thanks Tina!

Here are what the shards of glass looked like that I was able to pick up to show the vet.  Ughhhh.  As soon as I got her in the house, I called our vet and was told to get her to a puppy hospital.

I got her there in record time (OMG this sooooo reminds me of being a mom) and they checked her out immediately. So grateful to Horizon Vets for getting her in so quickly. I got a phone call (No contact people) and the Vet and I both agreed that nothing was phasing her.

She was just as happy, jumpy, and playful as ever. No cuts or any damage. I was advised to feed her some bread (which she loved) to help move the glass through her system. Awwwww the perils of being a pet parent!
Time for another eBay score? I think so. This one just goes to show you that patience is a virtue…especially on eBay. I listed this back in 2014. Seriously? Yes, I did. Houston had not even graduated from High School yet and Indy was a sophomore at the same high school as her brother, Xavier College Prep in Palm Desert.

Here is a link to see that listing and yes, this vase did sell for the full asking price of over $300.

Just a reminder of Our CURRENT HOURS:

Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm
Sundays 11 am to 3pm

I know that I have been talking about Indy a lot in the ezine and for that, I apologize, but she is going back to her condo in Agoura Hills soon to start the Spring semester with Pepperdine REMOTELY…..pisses me off, people! EVERY kid should be back in school…unless they are in a high-risk group which most are not! OK, I am off of my soapbox for now.

Anyway, here are a few of the fun vignettes she has been doing for the store. She really is talented and has a great “younger” hip eye, so please come in and browse.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how she took some of the Kazi garlands and strung them in the background.  As many of you know, Kazi is near and dear to my heart.  I love this company that pays a living wage to people in Africa.  Here is a cool screenshot I took of one of Kazi’s recent Instagram posts.  We always have a ton of their cool baskets in stock, so please come in and check them out!

Regarding Covid, I just want to reassure you that we are taking this very seriously and following protocol.  We sanitize, wear masks, request that you wear a mask (unless you have a health issue that exempts you), and have a very large store.

With over 5,000 square feet our max capacity is 88 people.  WOW, I wish I could have 88 customers at once when covid is over!  Wouldn’t that be amazing?  Just kidding, but kind of serious.

Bottom line is this, even at 20% of capacity (which the Governor is suggesting), there can still be 17 of you in the store.  We never get that busy, so please feel safe and please ask us if you have any special requests.  We are more than happy to make your shopping experience a great one!

Some more of our new arrivals.  We have gotten in some fabulous pieces recently, so please stop in.  There is no way for me to get them all up in our web store…not enough time in the day!

I have to apologize here to both y’all and to Carlos.  This entire newsletter (AGAIN) has been hijacked by Cha Cha.

Here is a cute photo of Carlos taking over his “little” sister’s bed.  HaHaha…whatever Carlos wants, Carlos gets!

And here are a couple of pictures of my little “bubba” from a year ago today.  He was soooo tiny and we do love Carlos so much!

So, in keeping with the 2020 meme, “How it started and How it’s going”, let me share with you a few photos from a local guy who happened to walk past the store back in January of 2018 and took some awesome shots!  Photos courtesy of Bill Horstick (67BILLH).

And here is my crew in front of the store with a temporary sign.  From left to right, Noel, Houston (quite the poser), Indy, Carmen and my mom.

And here is “How it’s going” with the front window in Navy Blue.

And I can’t end without telling you of our “power outage” adventure….LOL.  Many of us in Ventura woke up on Tuesday to NO POWER.  The winds were horrendous the night before and not many of us (I imagine) even slept. SCARY…Tuesday is my work-at-home day (write the newsletter and list on eBay) and I was soooo not down with a day and night with no power.

Indy and I started brainstorming and came up with a few options…we could go to her condo in Agoura, we could find a hotel in Ventura, or we could find a hotel in Carp.  The condo turned out to be our last choice since she has roommates.  I started calling Ventura hotels and not ONE of them had power.  Moved it up to Carp and we found the Holiday Inn had a room for us and they would take the Cha Cha.

Time for a new adventure and more memories!  My favs!  We headed up there immediately and got take-out Linner (Lunch and Dinner) at Teddys ( We LOVE Teddys).  Here is Indy in the back of the SUV waiting for our meals.

After we got our food to take back to the hotel, we parked on Linden and checked out the local shops.  I bought a vintage oil painting at the antique mall for my gallery wall in my bedroom…so excited to work on that next week.  I will take before and after photos.

I also bought letters from the Coffee Leaf store that had gone out of business.  I was just going to get the LA since those are my initials (well not all just the beginning Lynn Adelle), but then realized that I MUST get the ef to make LEAF.  You do all know that my grandmother was Cheryl Leaf and her antique store was Cheryl Leaf Antiques….so excited to find a spot for those 3d gems!

Anyway, we loved shopping local and sooo appreciate all of you who do the same.  Don’t forget for those who are far away from us, we will ship any smaller items for FREE…Thanks!

OK, after that fun we walked down Linden to the beach for the most amazing sunset ever.  I swear the entire trip was meant to be.  EPIC day with my two favorite girls.

So, for How’s it going?  I want to THANK YOU for your continued support of me and my small business!  THANK YOU  THANK YOU!!!

BUT, please don’t forget us….it has been super slow lately and your business is greatly appreciated.

Finally, a great photo from back on March 1st, 2020 before all of this madness began and we could all be together.

My team, from left to right.  Indy, Val, me, my mom, Sandy, Steve, Peggy, Joanne, and Kathy Rutan.  Those were the days my friends!  Soon to come again I believe…Keep the faith and keep smiling (as my dad would say)!

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

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn

 

P.S.  All of the professional photos I use on Instagram, Facebook, and in these newsletters were taken by my friend Denise’s daughter, Jaclyn Sabo.  She is amazing!   To learn more about Jaclyn….https://www.jaclynszabo.com/

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

P.P.P.S  For those of you who don’t live close to Ventura…don’t forget you can shop our store online!
https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/