Welcome to our new weekly newsletter…

Watch for it every Thursday!
Volume I  Issue 3

Hi!  Welcome BACK to our new “Lynn’s Consignments” newsletter.   This is Issue 3! As many of you know this is a family business…that’s my daughter Indiana (Indy), me and my mom!  My son, Houston, is teaching high school in OKC for the next 1 1/2 years while he gets his Masters in eD from Notre Dame, so unfortunately, you won’t see much of him.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in with such amazing suggestions for our title.

I have picked my favorites and they are being input into a survey for next week’s newsletter….watch for it!  Whoever comes up with the winning nomiker will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to the store…..

So far we have
Lynn’s Lovelies….. from Anita
Lynn’s Latest…… from Wayne.
Havaheart to heart with Lynn….from Audrey
Lynn’s Look at Life/Lynn’s Loving Life….from Mary Pat
and so many more….many which include Leaf (in honor of my grandmother) Leaflet, etc.

With so many suggestions pouring in we are going to take a vote next week!

For those of you who don’t know, my grandmother was Cheryl Leaf of Cheryl Leaf Antiques & Gifts…a Bellingham, WA Antiques & Gifts store that she owned & operated for over 52 years.  She was AMAZING!

In each of these first few newsletters, I will be sharing fun tidbits about my grandmother because she is a big reason I opened this crazy fun store!  She is also the one who taught me so much about business and antiques, but most importantly lessons about life!

Here is a newspaper article that the Bellingham Herald did about me, my mom and my grandmother in 1976.  Yes, it truly is a family tradition 🙂

You will hear more about my grandmother in future issues, but for now I would like to share more about my father (such an amazing man) and the reason that we opened Lynn’s Consignments on March 1st, 2018.  Trust me…it is a special reason.

I love this picture of my dad and me.  It was 1987, I was a buyer for May Department stores and he was in Los Angeles (from Bellingham) to visit me.  This photo was taken at a Raiders Football game right before someone poured beer on us!  Oh those Raider Football games…one was definitely enough for me!

I  lived in Palm Desert from 2002 until 2018, because it was such a great place to raise my kids.  Back in 2016, when Indy was in her senior year of high school and Houston was already away at Pepperdine, I decided that it was time for me to return to my one true passion, that of owning a brick & mortar.

I was planning to re-open that store in Bellingham, WA as a Cheryl Leaf Antiques & Gifts 2.0 and had been negotiating for retail space for most of 2016 and early 2017.  I had finally found the perfect spot and we were about to close the deal.

The main reason for my moving back to Bellingham was in order to be closer to my dad, my mom and my nephews (8 and 10) because their mom, my sister Kiki, had passed away from cancer on March 12th, 2012 after a 1 ½ year battle and left her boys, then 3 and 5 without a mother.  I wanted to be back home to help fill that void.

Here is one of the last photos of us all together at my mom’s beach house in Bellingham.  Left to right back row, Houston, Indiana, me, my brother Lee, my dad and front row, my mom, my sister Kiki with Kai and Zach…. barely on her lap!

However, my dad, who had been a father figure to my kids (Hous & Indy) since they were born, was opposed to me moving to Bellingham and leaving them in the LA area without a home.  Here are some of my favorite pictures of my kids with my dad.  They were sooooo lucky to have him as their “Papa”

This first one is in Cooperstown for a baseball tournament right after Houston hit the walk off home run over the green monster fence!  I don’t think I have EVER seen my dad that happy or proud!  Oh did my dad LOVE baseball and his grandkids.

This one is my dad with Indiana and Houston after we surprised him by flying to Bellingham for his 75th birthday.  We got him to come over to my sister’s house at 10 pm to fix a leaky sink and my kids were hiding in a box.  LOL.  That is why he has a wrench!

And a more recent one when my dad, Indy and I visited Houston at Pepperdine during his freshman year.  Houston had a coke can made with Papa’s name on it!  My dad even drank the soda…and it was nasty 🙁

For some reason (God was looking after me or the universe, whatever you want to call it) I was never able to make a deal for retail space happen in Bellingham.

Then, on March 16th of 2017 time stopped.  My dad called and said a lot has changed since we spoke yesterday.  Huh?  The day before, he and I had been discussing his travel plans for Indiana’s graduation from Xavier College Prep High School in Palm Desert, CA.

My dad told me that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the night before at the hospital and it had spread.  Holy SHIT!  My dad was positive that he could beat it, but did not want to tell my kids until Houston was back in the US.  Houston was spending his sophomore year in Heidelberg, Germany with Pepperdine.  I convinced him that he must tell both kids ASAP.  Those were some incredibly hard phone calls.

My kids spent the last week of April with Papa in Bellingham.  It was the week Indy had to make her college decision.  She was torn between Notre Dame and Pepperdine.  My dad wanted her to choose Pepperdine more than anything, but he didn’t say a word.  That was just his style.

She chose Pepperdine sitting by his side, as his health was rapidly failing.  It made him extremely happy.  My kids flew back home on May 1^st and my brother arrived in Bellingham on May 2nd.

I was scheduled to fly in on May 5^th.  The morning of the flight my phone rang at 7 am and Lee said “Dad passed away”.  He didn’t last 2 months.  FUCK CANCER!  I haven’t stopped crying since.  I still miss him every day and just wish I had 5 more minutes.

Many of you have asked, but for those of you who have not, the dog tags that I wear everyday belonged to my dad.  He had five sets of them.  Not sure why, but Houston and Indy each have one that they carry with them on their key rings.

Here is a link to my father’s obituary if you care to read it.  He was one special guy.  http://https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bellinghamherald/obituary.aspx?n=wayne-r-dralle&pid=185347296&fhid=9055

Everything after that was a blur.  Thank God for my kids, friends and family.  Indiana was chosen to speak at her graduation and received the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate of a Jesuit High School, the St. Ignatius of Loyola award.  Her graduation in May was a time of great joy and a distraction from the overwhelming sadness.

Here is Indy receiving her award.

Indiana was also voted to give one of the graduation speeches.  I was so nervous for her as my dad (her papa) and someone who was seriously the best father figure she could hope for had just passed away.  It started off a little scary for me…but I should have known…it was all just a bit.  She is a theatre major at Pepperdine after all.  Here is that speech on YouTube if you care to watch…Just click on the photo and the video will start!

In July, we moved my eBay business into a smaller space in Palm Desert.  Suddenly, my plans to open a store in Bellingham didn’t make sense.  My dad was gone, my nephews & their dad had moved to Mukilteo and my dad’s dying wish was that he didn’t want me to leave my kids without a home in CA.   He had also left me enough money to open a new retail venture…but where?

During “Move In” with Indiana at Pepperdine that August, my mom and I took a road trip up PCH to check out Oxnard & Ventura.  Can you believe I had NEVER been to Ventura before?  I fell in love with Ventura and Main Street.  I immediately started looking for retail space.  Everything suddenly fell into place.  My Spain USC college roommate was a realtor in Camarillo and the perfect location was available.   I couldn’t have stopped that train if I had wanted.

Long story short, we moved to Ventura in February of 2018 and I opened my retail store at 1975 E. Main Street on March 1^st, in honor of my father and what should have been his 84^th birthday.  It makes my heart sing to always be able to celebrate the store’s anniversary on my Father’s birthday.

Here is one last photo of my dad.  It is one of my all time favorites. My dad is on the left, my mom’s cousin Donald in the center and my grandfather (Cheryl’s husband), Elmer Leaf, on the right. I have to smile at the 22 on the cabin they are staying in as that is my favorite number and it was always Houston’s baseball number.

I was talking to my mom about it and she said “that is not a hunting cabin, that is where your dad and I lived when we were married students at WSU (Washington State University) in Pullman and they were converted army barracks. The address is 22 Fairway Lane.” Yikes is all I could say.

We all agreed that my dad and my grandfather’s big smiles just show how happy they were that day. My grandfather had one of his favorite dogs, Brit, with him and Brit was just a puppy (just like my Carlos is just a kitty LOL). Oh those great old days . Please bring them back.

Please join us this year on March 1st a Sunday for our 2nd year Anniversary and a celebration to honor the store and my father.  We will have food, drinks, door prizes and more.  Hope to see you there!

OK, thank you for letting me share about my dad….I miss him a lot.  It is strange, but time does heal all wounds.  My grandmother passed away 20 years ago this upcoming August and it has definitely gotten much easier.  My dad…not so much.  It was just so sudden.  So thank you for listening.

Many of you have come into the store and commented on my newsletter and most of you actually like it LOL…..but many of you mention that Cheryl Leaf is the reason for the store….so I wanted to share with you how my dad was the one that made it all possible and that I opened it on a day to honor him.

As I write this, a memory just popped up on my Timehop Feed from exactly two years ago.  Crazy!  We had just moved the first truckload from Palm Desert to Ventura.

We weren’t living in Ventura yet, as it took us 3 weekends to move…Yikes!  The first weekend was my house furniture, the 2nd weekend was my eBay business and the final weekend was furniture for the store and all the leftovers.  It was CRAZY!

This photo is of my mom and my USC Spain College roommate (Joanne Carolan-the Carolan Group Remax Realty in Camarillo) https://www.facebook.com/thecarolangrouprealtors who got me my retail space!  Go Jobird & Jeff!  They are sitting in my house with the first load of furniture.  YIKES!

OK, but back to the store because that is ultimately why were are here….. Right? Check out these beautiful lamps that just came in. Priced at $125 each. The beautiful serving tray in front of the lamps is mirrored and only $39.50

Time for an eBay score!  I bought this vintage sign at a local estate sale here in Ventura.  I can’t remember what I paid…maybe $5 or $10.  It sold for a best offer of $180!  Gotta love eBay!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401930038091

My SUV needed a ton of work recently. Ughhhh! $3,100 worth to be exact. I normally go to Herb at Star Motors here in Ventura. He is awesome! But, the work was very specialized and Herb sent me to Starko’s in San Fernando…what? Long story short, I didn’t have my car for a while. Starko let me drive his Mercedes Station Wagon (damn I wish I had a photo)…maybe some of you saw it parked behind the store? LOL.

Then it turned out that Indy’s Jeep had a recall. Ughh and since she is busy at school, I traded cars with her when Emma and I went to Pepperdine to see her Improv show two Friday nights ago. Yes, my daughter is kinda funny and is the Co-President of PIT (Pepperdine Improv Troupe). Here is a photo of her during the show.

I took her Jeep to the dealer here in Ventura….thank GOD for Steve who moved us to the front of a loooooong line and got me the car back the same day!  Steve you ROCK!  In any event, because we had to trade the Jeep back for my SUV, I got to see my Indy girl and her boyfriend Brandon over this past weekend here in Ventura.  Always makes me happy!

Here are Emma (Houston’s girlfriend), Brandon and Indy sitting on a really nice Levi Brown Leather couch in the store.  This couch retails for about $1,800.  It came in at $995 and is currently marked down to $796.  This one won’t last.  It is gorgeous and new!

OK, time for another eBay score because…well just because.  They are soooo much fun and this is why I have been selling on eBay for over 20 years!  It is like gambling, but you never lose.  Seriously!  If any of you would ever like a tour of my back eBay room where we house the 14,000 items that are currently listed…just ask!

These 3 Bird Bath Goblets sold for a best offer of $600.  They have been all over the world…just kidding, but not really.  They were shipped to a snowbird who should have been in Florida for Christmas.  Never made it there, so now we are re-shipping them up to Ontario, Canada.  Just so you realize, selling on eBay is fun…but A LOT OF WORK!  Just ask Cindy or me and don’t EVER ask me to sell something for you, I just won’t do it.  Not even for my own kids.  Too labor intensive and some items can take YEARS to sell.

Our next Annie Sloan basics only paint class is almost SOLD OUT. We have two seats left for the class which will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 10:30 to 12:30 ish.  Cost is $69.  We found that it was almost impossible to get you out for an evening paint class so we have now moved it to the day.  Way more fun!  Spaces are limited so sign up here now.

If you have any questions please call the store at 805-628-3289…

http://www.kickstartcart.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=7FF2CB21-8A24-49FC-9294-87759EA393E1&pid=efe98f6b99584f1a87e510b15acb1d41&bn=1

This is the Basic Course offering an Introduction to the Annie Sloan Method of Chalk Painting….Furniture, Lamp Shades, Fabric and just about anything!

Come learn four techniques during this 2 hour hands on workshop. We will cover painting, waxing, buffing, mixing, blending,
distressing, and so much more!!!

You will create 3 Sample Boards with different finishes to take with you and all the confidence and knowledge you need to go home and tackle any project!!!

Please wear painting clothes and aprons will be provided…..you don’t need to bring anything except maybe a friend!

Can’t wait to see you and help you learn about the…..
BEST PAINT IN THE WORLD!!!

This amazing dresser just came into the store and was painted by one of our consignors using Annie Sloan. She did a base coat of Olive, Aubusson Blue and a top coat of Amsterdam Green. Currently priced at $395, it won’t last.

BTW, we are always looking for consignors who paint using Annie Sloan. These pieces sell really quickly and can become a nice income for you. Please come in and talk to us about it! We would love to add your pieces to our inventory 🙂

CARLOS’ Corner…..OK, so yes I am obsessed with my new kitty, Carlos.  He is AWESOME!  and so darling.  I will update you on his progress in every newsletter and Emma thinks it should be called Carlos’ Corner…any other ideas?

The shelter estimates his birthday as October 13, 2019.  That makes him exactly 108 days old or 15 1/2 weeks.  He has been alive for 2,592 hours.  Wild!  He is a Libra.  That is a tough one.  I haven’t had the best of luck with Libras.  My ex-husband is a Libra and so was my sister.  We had our moments.  Let’s hope this star sign aligns better with mine (Cancer) this time around.  LOL.  I LOVE THIS kitty!

Here is a recent photo of him from the Christmas break hanging with Indiana and reading a Steven King novel.

Now, let’s check out some of the new fun furnishings that came into the store recently.

This amazing wingback chair replaces the blue velvet arm chair that sold the day after the first newsletter came out.  If you see something you like, please come in ASAP because you know…things don’t last at Lynn’s.  This Guinevere Wing Arm Chair was originally priced at $395 and it may have gone down to $316.  I will have to check on that.

Don’t forget that most of our gift items can now be purchased on our website!  Super FUN and please keep checking back as we add more and more items.  We will even be adding unique one of a kind items from the store that can be shipped or picked up in person.  Super EXCITING time as we continue to grow our business both here and all over the world!  Here is a link to our website.  https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/

Now let’s take a look at more fun stuff in the store…..We just got an amazing shipment of Drawer Pulls/Knobs in and all that you see in this photo sell for only $6.95 each.  What?????

These will be up on our website soon.  Watch for it!

And here is the “infamous” and yet seriously famous (as so many celebrities carry them) Baggu as seen in the “field”.  It is Emma at Trader Joe’s putting her Baggus to good use!

OK!  Now for more fun items in the store.  Y’all (that Y’all comes from visiting Houston in Oklahoma City this past October where he is doing his Masters Ed teaching this year–I LOVE saying Y’all) here is our front window featuring live mannequins…. Indiana and boyfriend Brandon!  These amazing Egg shaped Tufted faux leather chairs with ottomans are super comfy and down to only $237 per set.  WHAT?  Yep, That is like FREE!

OH My Goodness!  The good news just never ends at Lynn’s……I am super duper excited to announce that we will be holding an outdoor POP up in the LOT market every 3rd Saturday of each month.

The first Pop Up will take place on Saturday, February 15th!

More details to follow, but we have room for about 20 vendors.  Please contact us in the store, by phone or email (popupinthelot@gmail.com) if you are interested in exhibiting.

It is with a heavy heart that I share this next news.  One of my first friends in Ventura was Steve and once I met Steve, it was only fitting that I would get to know his AMAZING mother Paula.  Steve and Paula became patrons of the Pepperdine Theatre department and we attended many performances together, including a dinner on the theatre stage.

Paula was fighting cancer and took a turn for the worse this past Monday.  Hospice was called to her house.  Steve text me at noon to say it would be a good time to come and see her.  The power was out at our house (scheduled maintenance) and by the time I could get my car out she had passed.  I am soooooo bummed I didn’t get to tell her goodbye and how much she meant to me after only knowing her for a year and a half.  Some people just make that impact on your life…no matter how long they were a part of it.  God Speed Paula.  May you rest in peace with your dear George.  We miss you and LOVE you!

Here is a tribute that Indy posted on Instagram..

OK, one last photo share of the store before I end this third newsletter. I am on a ROLL…3 for 3!

This photo shows the store about two years ago through the back doors…can you believe how empty it is?  We have come a long way BABY!  Thank you VENTURA for helping us make my dream a reality!  WE LOVE YOU!

Again…..A Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade from the Lynn’s Consignments team to you and your family!   We hope to see you soon!

Pictured…Ktea, Sandy, Indiana, me, Val, Adolio, Peggy and Mor Mor!

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!  And I will be hiring her again for photos during our 2nd year anniversary party on Sunday, March 1st.  Hope to see you there.  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.

Welcome to our new weekly newsletter…

Watch for it every Thursday!
Volume I  Issue 2

Hi!  Welcome BACK to our new “Lynn’s Consignments” newsletter.   This is Issue 2! As many of you know this is a family business…that’s my daughter Indiana (Indy), me, and my mom!

Thank you to all of you who wrote in with such nice comments after the first edition last Thursday!  I appreciate all of you and did try to respond to each email personally.

We still don’t have a catchy title for this publication…..Let’s make it into a contest…whoever comes up with the winning moniker will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to the store…..

Think along the lines of “Everyone Wins When they Shop at Lynn’s” but something shorter like Lynn’s Letter (too boring)

So far we have
Lynn’s Lovelies….. from Anita
Lynn’s Latest…… from Wayne.
Havaheart to heart with Lynn….from Audrey
Lynn’s Look at Life/Lynn’s Loving Life….from Mary Pat

Can’t wait to hear more suggestions!  We will have a vote in a few weeks 🙂

For those of you who don’t know, my grandmother was Cheryl Leaf of Cheryl Leaf Antiques & Gifts…a Bellingham, WA Antiques & Gifts store that she owned & operated for over 52 years.  She was AMAZING!

In each of these first few newsletters, I will be sharing fun tidbits about my grandmother because she is a big reason I opened this crazy fun store!  She is also the one who taught me so much about business and antiques, but most important lessons about life!

How cute is she?

OK, let’s jump into some history…..After my grandmother passed away in 2000, we spent the next two years liquidating the store before finally closing it in 2002.  There was still so much stock left that we ended up dividing it into 4 parts (of about 100 huge boxes each), one for my mom, one for me, one for my sister, Kiki, and one for my brother, Lee.  I have spent the last 20+ years selling that merchandise on eBay!  In fact, you might be lucky enough to purchase something in my store that was originally in hers.  I will be sure to point it out to you!

I have written seven books about eBay for publishers like McGraw Hill and Wiley.  But my favorite of those books, are the first four self-published ones that I wrote to honor my grandmother.  I will share one of those stories here to illustrate just how crazy my grandmother was about her “beads”!  Cheryl Leaf loved jewelry and beads.  The more beads, the better!

OK, but back to me & Lynn’s Consignments….LOL!

After years (literally about 20) of writing an eBay ezine (newsletter) that went out to 20,000 subscribers, I am ready to focus on my new brick and mortar store (est. March 1st, 2018)….I hope many of my former ezine readers decide to join us and re-subscribe!

I am not sure how this newsletter will evolve over the years, but here is to seeing what happens!

As I write this, a memory just popped up on my Timehop Feed from two years ago.  We had just gotten the keys to 1975 E. Main Street and my kids and their Pepperdine friends had fun checking out the empty shell of a store.  This picture is of my mom, Indy with her back to us and her friend Carmen.

The carpets had been ripped up, some pegboard had been hung, but you can still see some of the original blue walls….a lot would happen in those next six weeks before we opened on March 1st, 2018.  This picture is Reily, Houston, Indiana, Carmen, and Syd.

Time for an eBay score!  My eBay business was down about 50% last year….ughhh!  Not good!  I am happy to report that it has finally picked back up.  I think this is in large part due to the fact that I am actually listing 100 new items at auction each week and they are NOT all flatware.  To get through 2019 I was listing mainly flatware AND this year, I am focusing on more OOAK (One of a Kind) items.

Check out this very UNIQUE item that recently sold that I discussed on the eBay for Business Podcast with Griff.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401930038091

If you missed that eBay for Business Podcast I start at minute 9:00 and go to minute 20:00. Although the theme is “shipping” my segment is about sooooo much more. As we wrap up, Griff and I decide that our theme should have been “Egg” cups! LOL 🙂 I LOVE Griff!

https://community.ebay.com/t5/The-eBay-for-Business-Podcast/Episode-66-Shipping-Best-Practices/ba-p/30408191

I have known Griff for over 15 years! Here are a couple of pictures of the kids and me with Griff over the years. Can you believe how little Goose and Indy are? This first photo is circa 2007 and the next one is circa 2012. We have all changed soooo much!

I do mention my eBay helper/shipper in that segment and her name is Cindy!  Time to meet Cindy for those of you who have seen her working in the back of the store in our eBay area.

Cindy lives in Ventura (very close to where I live) and she originally got this job by stalking me on Next Door…just kidding kind of 🙂  Cindy is married to a former UPS driver (that is why she is soooo good at packing and shipping) and they have two sons, David and Alex.  They are great to have around as David is the best cat sitter and Christmas Light putter upper EVER.

Cindy tells it like it is and is not afraid to speak her mind.  I am very lucky to have Cindy on my team at Lynn’s Consignments.  Fun fact about Cindy…..She enjoys jigsaw puzzles and snorkeling vacations!

Next time you are in the store, pop your head in my eBay office and say “Hi” to Cindy!

Our next Annie Sloan basics-only paint class for 2020 will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 10:30 to 12:30 ish.  The cost is $69.  We found that it was almost impossible to get you out for an evening paint class so we have now moved it to the day.  Way more fun!  Spaces are limited so sign up here now.

If you have any questions please call the store at 805-628-3289…

http://www.kickstartcart.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=7FF2CB21-8A24-49FC-9294-87759EA393E1&pid=efe98f6b99584f1a87e510b15acb1d41&bn=1

This is the Basic Course offering an Introduction to the Annie Sloan Method of Chalk Painting…Furniture, Lamp Shades, Fabric, and just about anything!

Come learn four techniques during this 2-hour hands-on workshop. We will cover painting, waxing, buffing, mixing, blending,
distressing, and so much more!!!

You will create 3 Sample Boards with different finishes to take with you and all the confidence and knowledge you need to go home and tackle any project!!!

Please wear painting clothes and aprons will be provided…..you don’t need to bring anything except maybe a friend!

Can’t wait to see you and help you learn about the…..
BEST PAINT IN THE WORLD!!!

Check out this before shot of two black glass front Ikea cabinets that were for sale in the store.

Here is the after…I eventually bought them and repurposed them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Louis Blue and an IOD decor transfer. Voila!  Don’t miss our first chalk paint class of 2020!

Now, let’s check out some of the new fun furnishings that came into the store recently.

This beautiful chaise lounge and ottoman are priced at $495.00.  The Papasan chair came in at $195 and is currently at $156.  If it is still here on January 25th it will go down to $117.  That is a bargain!

And NOW……drumroll, please…I am pleased to announce a new section written by a guest writer!  This article was written by Emma (my son Houston’s girlfriend)

Why I Love Baggu: The reusable bag I never leave the house without

A few years ago, the overwhelming stress from college (Pepperdine), the sorrow of a recent shooting nearby (Borderline), and the threat of climate change and the Woolsey Fire meant that I lived in a state of anxiety and dread. But there were a few things that made my experience more bearable:

1. Blenders in the Grass (their peanut butter banana smoothies ran through my veins)
2. Main Street Ventura (I could walk up and down the street for hours and always find something new)
3. The Morongo Casino gas station on the way into the Coachella Valley (I have bought way too many mood rings there)
4. Baggu…

What is Baggu? you are thinking. I could go into a long monologue about how these compact, reusable bags have taken over my life and filled my bags/pockets with colors and fun prints. Or how every conversation I have somehow includes a long-winded encouragement to buy these bags.
But, all I will say is that Baggu is life-changing.

They are the perfect bag to stuff in your back pocket, purse, suitcase, etc in case you’re like me and tend to buy things on a regular basis that I was not expecting to purchase (especially here in Ventura).

And the best part? We sell them here at Lynn’s Consignments! Seriously, we have Baggus out the wazoo (hey, that rhymes).
Some of my favorite styles at the moment (they constantly retire and come out with new styles) are the Lox Plate pattern that is the bag equivalent of Trader Joe’s “Everything But The Bagel” seasoning and the Cantalope Slice pattern that reminds me of the sherbet I used to eat in the summer. You know you could never show me a plastic bag that looks that good!

Come check Baggu out and see if they change your life as much as they did mine.

-Emma

P.S.  I am looking for my forever job…It is my dream to work at Patagonia.  Do you know anyone?

Thanks, Emma!  Great guest column 🙂  And these amazing bags hold between 30 and 50 pounds each and sell for $10, $12, and $16 depending upon the size.  The bags that Emma is holding sell for $12.  What a great gift!  And they are the new trend in Hollywood…I just saw Jeff Goldblum carrying one 🙂

If you are not local to Ventura (and even if you are), we have just launched our shopping website and they can be purchased here!

We are still working on tweaking the shipping costs so if they seem out of line, please call us at 805-628-3289.  Also, for you locals, you can order and pay online for easy and fast pick-up.  Just like Grub Hub!!!

https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/

OK! Now for an eBay score. Y’all (that Y’all comes from visiting Houston in Oklahoma City this past October where he is doing his Masters Ed teaching this year–I LOVE saying Y’all) know that I will always sell on eBay. It is part of my DNA….apparently.

So, check out this score! I bought this at a very “sketchy” estate sale in Palm Desert about 3 years ago. I got three pieces of this rare pottery that was made to look like Native American baskets. Pretty cool, huh?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401248021140

Welcome to our new weekly newsletter…
Watch for it every Thursday!

Hi! Welcome to our new “Lynn’s Consignments” newsletter. As many of you know this is a family business…that’s my daughter Indiana (Indy), me, and my mom! Many of you have asked who the kids are in the huge beach photo behind the counter and I have always played dumb….but not anymore! Wow, I am already spilling the tea….but yes that really is my son Houston & daughter Indy pictured with their backs to us in that back & white photo.

For those of you who don’t know, my grandmother was Cheryl Leaf of Cheryl Leaf Antiques & Gifts…a Bellingham, WA Antiques & Gifts store that she owned & operated for over 52 years. She was AMAZING!

Here is a newspaper article about my Grandmother in the 1950’s I think…WOW! How cute is she?

OK but back to me….LOL!

After years (literally about 20) of writing an eBay ezine (newsletter) that went out to 20,000 subscribers, I am ready to focus on my new brick and mortar store (est. March 1st, 2018)….I hope many of my former ezine readers decide to join us and re-subscribe!

I am not sure how this newsletter will evolve over the years, but here is to seeing what happens!

I do hope to show you lots of the new merchandise that comes in each week…However, as many of you know, it often sells before even making its way into the store.

Here is a new display that Val, Emma (my son’s girlfriend), and I put together the other evening.

What I love about this mini-vignette is that it epitomizes the way we mix old, vintage, gently used and brand new in the store. The Victorian Fireplace Screen with the man in needlepoint is circa 1880’s and is priced at $395.00.

The Luxe Velvet Arm Chair with Gold Accents by Kulus is brand new and priced at $295.00. I believe the throw pillows are also brand new and reasonably priced. The lamps are both vintage and so much fun. One is circa 1950’s and the other circa 1990’s. What is so awesome is being able to mix so many different decades together!

We will also be sharing our upcoming Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Classes in this newsletter. Our first basics only paint class for 2020 will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 10:30 to 12:30 ish. Cost is $69. We found that it was almost impossible to get you out for an evening paint class so we have now moved it to the day. Way more fun! Spaces are limited so sign up here now.

If you have any questions please call the store at 805-628-3289…

http://www.kickstartcart.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=7FF2CB21-8A24-49FC-9294-87759EA393E1&pid=efe98f6b99584f1a87e510b15acb1d41&bn=1

This is the Basic Course offering an Introduction to the Annie Sloan Method of Chalk Painting….Furniture, Lamp Shades, Fabric, and just about anything!

Come learn four techniques during this 2-hour hands-on workshop. We will cover painting, waxing, buffing, mixing, blending,
distressing, and so much more!!!

You will create 3 Sample Boards with different finishes to take with you and all the confidence and knowledge you need to go home and tackle any project!!!

Please wear painting clothes and aprons will be provided…..you don’t need to bring anything except maybe a friend!

Can’t wait to see you and help you learn about the…..

BEST PAINT IN THE WORLD!!!

Check out this before shot of a worn-out and tired dresser……Keep in mind it is still functional, just not “in style”…

Here is the after…with just a little Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and a part of an Iron Orchid Design Transfer.  Voila!  Don’t miss our first chalk paint class of 2020!

For those of you who have been following me and my family for the past (almost) 20 years, here is an update from where my most recent eBay ezine (from March of 2019) left off right after our 1st year anniversary. Here is a link to that if you missed it.

http://www.thequeenofauctions.com/articlepages/ezinev15is01.html

Zach and Kai (Kiki’s boys–my nephews) came to visit us for Spring break in April and it was epic. Right boys? We did Pepperdine, Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, Universal Studios, and the Danger House (Houston’s apartment with the Milch Men in Calabassas). Can’t wait for their next visit!

The biggest news of this past year was my little Goosie (aka Houston) graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Film History.  So proud of this kid!  Do any of you remember when he was about 10 years old and he went up to a table of my students at a Live Boot Camp and said: “Hello Ladies”?  LOL!

And btw,  this photo of him on Instagram was my most liked photo for 2019!  Please follow me at both LynnDralle and LynnsConsignments!  I spend most of my time on Instagram and hardly ever visit Facebook.

And to top that off, he was accepted into Notre Dame’s ACE Teaching Fellows M Ed Program.  What this means is that he attends Notre Dame in the summer, teaches at Mt. St Mary’s Catholic High School in Oklahoma City during the school year and in just two short years he earns a Masters in Education that is tuition FREE.  WOW!

We had a graduation party for him at the house and it was amazing.  About 50 people attended and many of them were our new friends from Ventura.  We love our new home town.  As my brother says….it is Bellingham, CA.  Perfection!

Indy finished her Sophomore year at Pepperdine at the end of April and came home for a few weeks before heading off to Buenos Aires for her summer abroad to study Spanish.  It was such an incredible opportunity for her.  She came back with lots of great stories and a darling boyfriend, Brandon (a Chemistry Major at Pepperdine), who we love!

Here is a photo of Indiana and Brandon at Cafe Nouveau in Ventura when we celebrated her 21st Birthday.  Can you believe my little Indy is 21?  Me either!

After everyone went their separate ways this Spring, we were fortunate to meet up for the 4^th of July at my mom’s beach house.  Houston from Notre Dame, Emma from Portland, Indy, and I from Ventura and it was awesome!

The craziest part of that visit was that we stopped by my grandmother’s old shop/house and were given a tour of the remodel.  I hadn’t been able to step inside that place for over 17 years because it would have been too painful, but this visit was therapeutic and brought back great memories of working for my grandma.  Here we are taking a selfie in front of the old shop at 2828 Northwest Avenue.

I took the Lynn’s Consignment Girls up to Bellingham in August and it was a blast and then the Palm Desert Girls spent a weekend with my mom in September.  So much fun travel and great memories.

In September we had a 50^th birthday party for my sister Kiki on my mom’s beach deck.  Only my sister could rally about 30 people to celebrate her birthday 8 years after she passed away.  She was something special!  And Zach, Kai, and John were able to join us!

In October, my mom and I flew to OKC to check out Houston’s new digs as a history and economics teacher at Mt. Saint Mary’s Catholic High School. It was so fun, but the weather was crazy. My mom and I watched him help coach a football game in a down-pour. Yes, we are dedicated. I am so proud of him. He is a true adult and my dad would be proud.

Indy had a role in the Pepperdine fall musical (Ragtime) and it was so much fun to watch! She was also accepted into the extremely competitive Edinburg Scotland program to perform at the Fringe Festival in the summer of 2020. I am going! Can’t wait to see this European musical!

Both my kids were home for Thanksgiving–in addition to my mom and brother being in town! Yay! And Houston’s girlfriend Emma turned 21 in our new “hometown” of Ventura. We had a blast making her feel special.

2019 was an incredible year with so many blessings. The store is doing great, my kids are both happy, and I have great friends, customers, consignors, and employees at the store. Couldn’t ask for anything more! Here is a photo from our 2019 Christmas Card and we want to wish you and yours a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

OK! That was a lot to update you on and now back to the “Lynn’s Consignments” newsletter….our inaugural issue!

Does anyone have a catchy title for it?.. I would love to hear your suggestions! We have the best catchphrase for the store

“Everyone Wins When They Shop at Lynn’s”…

Now we just need one for this newsletter! Lynn’s Letter?…No boring! Lynn’s Lecture?….Too stuffy! Can’t wait to hear what you think…now let’s wrap this up!
OK, you know me…I can never just wrap this up that quickly. Let’s take this time to share an eBay score! Houston went through his room last Christmas and did a Marie Kondo on it…for those of you who don’t know she is a “minimalist” to put it bluntly. Lucky for me, I got this train book for free! Well, probably not for free since I bought it for him originally…LOL.

I listed it on eBay back in January of 2019 and I just took the best offer of $140! I am doing the happy dance 🙂 Here is a link to the listing on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312417653846

One more thing…I surprised the kids with a rescue orange tabby kitten this Christmas!  Talk about an awesome experience.  Houston and Indy were both so surprised and we just absolutely LOVE Carlos (yep that is the name they gave him at the shelter)!  He has brought so much love and joy to our lives.  We love this little knucklehead.

OK, one last photo share of the store before I end this first newsletter.

Our new front window is done in red, black, grey, and white to celebrate the Chinese New Year….when is that anyway?  Just kidding, it is Saturday, January 25th, 2020 on what would have been my grandmother, Cheryl Leaf’s, 108th birthday!  I wish she was still alive, but I do know that her spirit lives on in my store.  Here is to 2020, a great new wonderful decade and the year of the RAT!.

That red couch is a brand new Klaussner that retails for over $1,700…our price is $695.  You have got to love that curly willow and black room divider/screen…current price is only $177…Seriously?  It came in at $295 but has had its two markdowns.

Happy New Year from Lynn’s Consignments team to you and your family!   We hope to see you soon!

Pictured…Sandy, Adolio, Val, Sharon (Mor Mor), me, Indiana, Peggy, and Ktea!

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

eBay with Heart & Design with Heart……Lynn