HAPPY BIRTHDAY...................

On this day 11 years ago, God blessed me with Adelina Maria.   She was the easiest of my 5 children to delivery and she hasn't been too bad to raise either.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINI!!!!

On one of her 1st days of school 

Starting karate school

Her bday 3 yrs ago 

Mama was having some trouble on the skates. lol

At her cousin Jordyns pajama bday party

My little fashionista waiting for the school bus

Today on her 11th birthday!!!

LOVE YOU ADELINA!!!!

THE SHOP......

Okay so I have been posting the difficulties of finding properties for the new physical Lucky 7 Design shop.  You all know Im a big fan of my town and wanted to be in the heart of our downtown business district.

There are some vacancies but I have had a hard time, some have been sold and some just weren't the right space.

As you all know I got a call the other night from a property owner from our Main Street and we discussed the prospect of me renting in his building.

Well tonight we met at his shop, which is located in the building.  It is a really nice building, an old historical building in town, he refinished the front in stucco.   It has big cool windows perfect for merchandising, and Im excited to show you all.....

ARE

YOU

READY????

Here we go..............................

This is the building, it is 100 yrs old, he redid the bottom facade but you can see the original corbels and brick..Its really the nicest building on Main Street.

I will be on the right hand side

This is the front of the store...check out the cool fence installation in the window

Front left of the store

Left side 

Segway to the back of the shop

Left back wall

Far left back wall

Back wall, with a private bathroom 

This will be where kids recycling craft classes and eco-friendly painting workshops will happen

The checkout counter on the right

Right side front way...doorway to basement. (lol)

Obviously it is currently a cool skate shop, but it is an awesome size space and will be a blank canvas.   

Envision burlap, wood, mirror and chalkboard walls....and beautifully painted furniture with the most amazing accessories and handmade art.

I will keep you all posted, but let's just say I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

- MJ

Big things happening for Lucky 7 Design!

POSSIBILITIES................

Well most of you already know that I was not able to go with my original location for the new Lucky 7 Design shop.    I was disappointed and then I took to the pavement and started walking Main Street area looking for possibilities.

Well here is what I have found, it is just a possibility but Im hoping it will be my saving grace.   I shared the photo on my facebook page and got some really great feedback.   Although the window will be challenging for me since it's all split up, I think it will work.   I had a great suggestion for a window box....I'm excited with all of the possibilities.

The more I look at it, the more charming it can be with some simple touches.   I would first paint the door and the window frame woodwork either a white, an off-white or grayish white.   I think the facade is perfect with the shingles and the signage will work too.  Remove the lettering and it's a blank slate for a new logo....MINE!

Big things happening for Lucky 7 Design this year!!

- MJ

So what do you guys think?


P.S.  I forgot to mention earlier when I posted this, that the owner is a woman and a dress shop owner as well.  She is only 2 stores down from this one, and she is such a lovely lady.   Maybe it's another sign that my saving grace will be given to me from another businesswoman.  

TREASURES FOR THE SHOP

My friends Jeanette, Liza and I all went on a little girls day out.   Well let me say I was thrilled with all the treasures I found for the shop.  

For now I will be listing in my Lucky 7 Design Etsy shop, then some will be brought to the new shop.

A beautiful glass shamrock suncatcher.

Cream/Green tin 

Wooden utensil caddy & wood cheese slicer

Wood/Glass Cloche

Vintage plate of St. Joseph's

Hurricane glass inserts for vintage brass candleholders

Stainless espresso set

Heart cookie cutter set in tin

Vintage muffin tin from Sears

Vintage rolling pin w/ red accents

Vintage biscuit cutter

I can't wait to take the items out the studio and display them all over the new shop.   

- MJ

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

Today Im reflecting on the women who inspired my fashion sense and my love of vintage.   I grew up in a 1 parent household after the age of 5.  My mother Maria and I watched alot of tv together and these were the women I would see.  Her mother Anna was a pretty snazzy dresser herself...she has some amazing legs.  Her thing was stilettos, she had a pair of orange ones.   I have saved a pair of her silver leather weaved sandals..lol

My mother's closet was always fascinating to me...always packed to the ceiling with boxes of shoes and tons of bars holding clothing and coats.   I use to hide in there and try on shoes...and she would eventually catch me and tell me to get out!  I always thought of my mother as a cross between Jackie O and a white Diana Ross....she had the poofy black hair, drawn on eyebrows, BIG sunglasses and always dressed even to go to the store.  I can count on one hand how many times I've seen her wear sneakers, in fact it was in the house when she was doing aerobics. hahaha

Diana Ross

Joan Collins & Diane Carroll

Elizabeth Taylor

Faye Dunaway

Eartha Kitt

Diane Carroll

Joan Crawford

Jacqueline Bovier Kennedy (yes..YSL)

Another of Diana Ross...I love this longer full bob and the fur...(sigh..this is my winter inspiration)

Well here is to the fabulous stylish women who inspire my love of all things old and beautiful...thanks to my Nonna and you too Mom!

My grandmother along with my mother as a young girl. (1950's Brooklyn, NY)

- MJ

JANUARY 6TH 2012 ..........................

The 12th day, Three Kings Day, The Epiphany..........January 6, 2012



Background on Epiphany


Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It was celebrated since the end of the second century, before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God
”), especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany also refers to the church season that follows the day.

Whatever you call it or however you choose to celebrate this day, just keep in your heart the true meaning!  It is the celebration of Baby Jesus.    For those of you with children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren.  Love and Cherish them....today and everyday!

- MJ

FRIDAY FINDS....SCHOOL DAYZ

It's been quite some time since I've been in school, however I have a huge love for vintage school supplies, desks, and chalkboards.  Maybe because my mother was a Special Education school teacher and my father (RIP) was a School Administrator at the end of his career.  

Once again....Craigslist to the rescue.    I found this baby on there and lucky me the man lived right in the next town.    I drove 5 minutes, he and a young man carried it from their garage to my van and even loaded it. (thank you gentleman)

I have visions dancing in my head on how I can display this in the store and what will go with it.   Yay!

What do you think???

Isn't he handsome 

This was taken by my son...lol

Nice back...no damage

Fresh clean start .......

Friday was always dress down or bummy day at school...so rest assured I am posting this in my husband's coaching sweatshirt and some yoga pants.

Have A Great Weekend!!!

-MJ

\

CRAIGSLIST CONNECTION...THIS TIME A GOOD ONE!

I had been posting on facebook earlier today that I was picking up some vintage canvas shopping baskets for the new shop.   Along with those 25 baskets I was also acquiring a vintage wood Murphy desk.

So after many emails this week, the poster "Dave" and I spoke via telephone and I made it to his home which is literally 5 minutes from mine.  But that is not the funny part of this story.

I tell him in my email that I don't enter properties so could he please have them on a porch or near entry.  He agreed.

I arrive at the home and ring the bell, a young man comes to the door and says hello.   I immediately recognize him, I say "you are my son's.....and he stops me and says no I don't think so.    I said no you were my son Alexander's karate instructor.  LOL

Yes, he was my son's instructor for almost 2 years and Im sure I didn't look the same (pre baby#5. lol)

So we start talking about where he found them and what I told him about me opening the shop up the street (he is right off of the downtown area).    I was shocked, I would never have figured him for a picker but turns out he is definitely that and a good one.

He took me to the garage and showed me his AMAZE-BALLS (Im a Tori Spelling fan what can I say) collection of vintage spray paint cans. Pssssssssst if anyone has any and wants to get rid of them...he is your guy.   His facebook page is Cap Matches Color....he and his partner are working on a book and I was so impressed with his collection.

He had some other items that I had seen on craigslist and I told him that we need to become bff pickers.  I'm still taken with the fact that he is into old and vintage things.    He is primarily more automotive and paint but that works because me...not so much.

Here is what Im crushing on next from his pile......................

Do you know what it is????   Can u guess what Im going to use it for in the shop???

I guess that is why they say you can't judge a book by it's cover.   Who knew that a very strict and talented karate instructor was a auto repair guy and a picker too.

What a fun day....wait to you guys see what Im getting from him next.  I'll have to pace myself so I dont spend the whole shops inventory budget.  But these pieces will be such great displays for the shop and Im so excited to have made this connection/contact.

TIME TO SADDLE UP....AND KEEP RIDING!

Well this is the 1st post of 2012....my last post wasn't so fun (my father had just passed) and I kinda just put blogging aside.

Well it's time to saddle up again, I have big plans for 2012 and I need to make it happen.   Im in the process of opening my own physical brick & mortar shop.   I like the word shop rather than store, it feels more inviting to me....a store is where you buy your groceries. lol

Things are going well, I have met with some officials in my town to discuss the opening of the shop and it's concept.   The shop name is Lucky 7 Design    Eco-Friendly Home Interiors.  The concept of the store is to showcase furniture pieces repurposed and redesigned for today's use and therefore keeping a recycling and green concept.

I have gathered up some of my favorite artisans/crafters from coast to coast and their lines will be available in the shop.   They all have a unified concept and business mindset and I want to share that with my community here in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

My town goverment officials are huge believers in the GREEN concept and way of life.    Our Mayor has put into place some fantastic resources and we are all hoping Lucky 7 Design will be apart of that plan soon.

Classes & Workshops will be offered at the shop spotlighting ways to decorate GREEN and also how to recycle and repurpose items.

I will also be hosting a children's class once a month and teach children that there is really more to recycling that separating trash into different bins.   Each month will we create something from a spotlighted item.

I hope you all will join me in this wonderful journey, as the time gets closer I will of course share with you all of the wonderful vendors who have signed on to be apart of this dream of mine.

I leave you with some inspiring photos of my visions for the shop and the window displays and that downtown Main Street feel.

All images found through Google.

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

- MJ