Americana Decor - Relic & Primitive trunk makeover

I found this little trunk/chest at an auction...

You'd seriously kick me if I told you how much I paid for it!  Of course the day I walked in with it my husband gave me that look.

Oh I knew what his brain was saying...

Our conversation went something along these lines...
His mouth only allowed the words "oh this is....ummm...cute!?!" to come out.

Me:  Please... You do not think this is cute!  Because I definitely do not!!  Really do you really think I am leaving it this way!?!  :::insert major eye roll:::

Him: Well I don't know what you are thinking...

Me: Hmph..don't you know me better than this by now?

And, then it sat in my basement for a good year.  You know because I loved the way it looked...
....under the pile of other stuff I needed to move around to make it look like I was making progress!

Ok really...I forgot about it.

One day as I was looking for something else that was buried I stumbled on it (truth be known..a secret between us...I purchased 4 or 5 more and remembered I probably should rid of this one before he found it again, and asked me oh so gently what I would be doing with this "cute" chest/trunk thingy.)

It was a simpleton... Nothing spectacular about this sweet boy right here.

But, I changed that....

Painted him in Americana Decors Primitive.

And, gave him a nice outline in Americana Decors Relic.

And, I used a reverse stencil that I cut using my Silhouette Cameo on the top that I felt suited him well.  That stencil was a fun one to prepare for the reverse part of it... It was the longest part of the entire project!

I used liming wax to tone down the Relic and to create a nice steel grey color.

Gave him some wheels and he was ready to roll on over to Newburgh Vintage Emporium.

  He only lasted there for a very short time before he moved onto his new home.  I think he is going to be happy & well cared for!

Much love, peace & happiness
~Lynn

Armadillo Egg Recipe

Do you like bacon and cheese?  

What about spicy?  

Well then I have a really yummy recipe for you....

  Armadillo Eggs!! 

What you are going to need is –

1.       Jalapenos (the bigger the better)

2.       Cheese – can be anything you like… cheddar, pepper jack, American.

3.       Bacon…hmm bacon!

4.       Skewers or toothpicks

5.       Cookie Sheet

Preheat oven on broil. 

Wash your jalapenos and dry them.  Cut the stem end off.

Lay your bacon and cheese out…

I wear gloves for the next steps.  Have you ever handled jalapenos and then wiped your eyes?  I don’t recommend it…unfortunately it took a few times for me to “get it”.

I roll the peppers a little to loosen up the insides (veins & seeds).  This makes it much easier to remove the guts.

I have a grapefruit spoon that I use, but if you don’t have one a knife will work just fine.  You want to cut around the insides moving around the edges & then scooping out the veins as much as possible. 

Once you have all of the peppers insides removed, wash the insides out so you get as much of the seeds out.

Stuff your peppers with cheese.  Again, this can be the cheese of your choice.  We just like cheddar with this recipe. I’ve used shredded cheese, cheese sticks and block cheese.  Cheese sticks and the blocks I just cut to make sure the cheese fits inside the pepper.

Wrap your peppers in the bacon.  I always go over the top of the pepper covering the cheese, but that is just to help hold the cheese inside.

Put the peppers on your skewers or put a toothpick through the pepper.

We have this really cool gadget that we are able to put the peppers in to keep them upright.  I make these often enough it justified making the purchase.  A trick I use to do was to use aluminum foil and rolled the foil to make circles or squiggly lines to stick the peppers in.  The main thing is to keep them upright so the cheese doesn't just run out.

I place them in the oven on broil until I see the bacon is starting to turn…usually between 5 – 7 minutes.  I then turn the oven down to 425 – 450 and bake for about 20 – 30.  Key is to cook the bacon & then they are done.  

Sometimes if I need to hurry through, I will cook the bacon for just a little while during the prep.  I do this just enough so that the bacon is still flexible.

Once they are done, I let them cool for just a few minutes…

Dig in!!

Hope you enjoyed this recipe!!

**If you don’t like really spicy, you can make these with poblano or Italian cooking peppers. 

Much love, peace & happiness

~Lynn

Maison Blanche Wrought Iron Desk Makeover

One day I walked into Habitat ReStore and nothing was speaking to me.

I have those days sometimes.  It's strange really because it's like walking into the pound where all the doggies are wagging their tail & talking to you... begging you to take them home & give them a chance.  But, sometimes the constant bark is more nagging me than speaking to me.

And, this day I felt that way...  

Until I turned around and saw this...

It was the ugliest dog begging me to please just pet me because once you do you'll be in love...

...and I'll be going home with you!

And, so the story began!

Who knows how long this poor baby had been left out unattended...

....neglected!

But, those legs...oh those legs.  I loved them so!

I knew instantly I'd be painting her black...

The perfect color would be Maison Blanche Wrought Iron!

She still has many imperfections to tell her story of a previous life she lived, but to me she is sheer perfection!

I painted her in Wrought Iron, only 2 coats... and she got several days to cure.  I then sealed her with a quick poly wipe down.  I decoupaged the sides & the drawers.  New accessories to let her know she is loved by adding some pretty knobs.  

She now sits in my space at Newburgh Vintage Emporium!

Much love, peace & happiness!

~Lynn

Thrifty Trip Tuesday #6

As I write up this post I sit in amazement that it is once again Tuesday.  Already!  I have had a busy week spending time with the girls.  It was the last week before school, and so we had lots of organizing & school shopping to be done.

The weeks just seem to fly by.

Anyway, this week I am taking you to the place that I put my thrifty finds...

...that is if they don't stay at home with me!

Let's take a stroll through Newburgh Vintage Emporium.  

Source

Just like last weeks visit, I'd hardly call this a "thrifty" place.  However you can find many inexpensive items, but the dealers bring in a wide range of quality high-end items as well.  Honestly there is something there for pretty much every price range. 

Gorgeous desk.

I've seen some of the most amazing Hudson Valley primitive pieces come through along with some refinished trunks.

The Copper Penny

My wonderful friend Terry takes old worn down trunks and makes them beautiful again

I've watched some gorgeous antiques from England make their way in...

And, from New England!

Fox Run Antiques never disappoints with her finds from New England

There is also some pretty fabulous vintage jewelry, clothing and accessories that is sure to catch your eye.

Mission Mod

 One of the things that I love most is the variety of items that each vendor brings in to the shop.

Zoeys

Piece by Piece

Little Cherry Vintage

Ole Carousel Antiques

Wednesday's Pick Up

Urban Renewal Home Goods

Dagmar Bleasdale Home

The owners Troy & Jimmy take great pride in providing a quality place for customers & clients to shop. The atmosphere is always a fun, pleasant experience.

They even have a wonderful little coffee station for you to sip on while shopping!  It sits on a beautiful piece that Troy redid...

We are extremely fortunate to live in an area that is close to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and on route to upstate New York.  The shop is easily accessible to anyone traveling the Tri-State area.  With that in mind many high end interior designers have visited the store on more occasion.

It is fun to see people like Christian Siriano stroll into the store (more than once)…instagram photo

I love being a part of Newburgh Vintage Emporium… 

It provides such a wonderful outlet for me to be able to sell not only my thrifty vintage finds, but my upcycled, refurbished, reloved furniture pieces.  Plus on the upside..for me..it is a fun place to be. 

I could provide so many more pictures of the wonderful thrifty finds that others have worked their magic to bring something beautiful to you...

So...

if you are visiting the New York area you will just have to come in & pay us a visit. I promise you won’t be disappointed.  

Next week I am going to be taking you to a very special place... If you follow me on instagram (http://instagram.com/fernavenueblog) or twitter (https://twitter.com/fernavenueblog), you might just get to catch a few glimpses this Friday/Saturday of what's to come.

Much love, peace & happiness

~ Lynn

Thrifty Trip Tuesday #5

I almost feel guilty for calling this a “thrifty” trip since everything in this cute shop is so very adorable.

We take a vacation to LBI (Long Beach Island) with my husband’s family every other year.  We rent a large house for us to stay for an entire week…Saturday to Saturday!  I will be blogging soon about this amazing year…so come back to see the house.  It was AMAZING!

A few years ago, prior to Hurricane Sandy, while on our vacation I had ventured into this store.  At that time I had barely started my blog since it was shortly after our fire.  I had yet to dive into redoing furniture. 

It was a day I had taken to myself…the fire was fresh, and my mom’s heart attack had just recently happened.  Needless to say, I had a breakdown of sorts.  This was a day that I just went…

shopping to clear the mind.

I remember that day very clearly.   It was the store that sparked a few inspiration ideas for me.  I just loved everything.  And, this store was just what the doctor ordered...

So…I had to go back while on this vacation!  When I walked in…the smell and the familiar surroundings gave me such a peaceful feeling.

Artifacts Consignment Boutique is owned by Amy and she is such a sweetheart.  The first day I had gone in I spoke with Melissa.  Who was so very kind and just dove right into the conversation about painting pieces with me...  I was seriously in heaven!

I had to go back to see if Amy was in the next day and introduce myself.  I couldn't leave the island without just saying hello at least... I am so glad I did...

I seriously could have stayed and chatted shop with each of them all day long, but they had customers in and out.  It's a busy little boutique...and rightfully so.  When you are as friendly & welcoming as they were...well who wouldn't be drawn in.

Amy also has a flower shop on one side of the store called The Container Garden.  I spied several fresh flowers & potted plants around that were to die for!

Not that I would call this place "thrifty"... It is far from Thrift Store.  Someone took the time to turn a piece of furniture from drab to fab or to find those special finds to clean up & bring into this shop for someone to enjoy for years to come!

Lots of reloved furniture, great salvaged items, and upcycled articles made this place feel like I was right at home!

You can see the love that has gone into each piece for sale.

Ahhhh...that beautiful yellow scale. 

The enthusiasm by both Amy & Melissa when talking with them about painting furniture...and finding vintage pieces. Their eyes lit up.  You could feel & see the passion the two of them have. 

I love connecting with others that have that same love & passion for bringing new life into something old, worn & tired!

I wish Amy all the very best, and so happy she made it through Hurricane Sandy for me to visit her again.  I will be back to visit in the years to come.

And, if you are around LBI for vacation, it is a must to go in and shop!  And, if you are on Facebook...go like Amy's page to keep up with the amazing pieces she has coming in & out of her shop.

I need to have these....  To die for!

With much love, peace & happiness

~Lynn