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 1st and my brother arrived in Bellingham on May 2nd.
I was scheduled to fly in on May 5th. 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 1st, in honor of my father and what should have been his 84th 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…
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.
https://lynnsconsignment.ricoconsign.com/