JERSEY FRESH

Im a born and raised Jersey Girl without a doubt, but that doesn't mean I don't love the country life.   I live in Central Jersey, 20 minutes from Major Airport of NJ and have 2 shopping malls 10 minutes from my house. My town of Woodbridge, New Jersey is a central location for almost all major highways in the state and we are the famous Exit 11 on the New Jersey Turnpike.

However I am also the mother of 5, who this year opened a little recycled art/vintage finds shop in my hometown on yes.....you guessed it Main Street.    I say hi to all the shopowners and people walking by, cause thats just my nature.     I give things to local businesses because I want to have a connection with them as business owners and to support one another.

My town is very supportive of small businesses, they are supportive of the Arts and are extremely focused on a GREENABLE lifestyle.   We even have a GREENABLE MUSEUM in our local mall that showcases some of the best ideas, concepts and projects Ive seen.

We hold amazing events, parades, craft shows, free concerts and something that has become a favorite of mine The Farmer's Market.    The location has changed to a little historic property in town and has been combined with the Summer Free Concerts and I have to say that it has been an amazing summer.

I have gained a ton of new friends in town and discovered so many artistic talented individuals who have also become part of my Lucky 7 Design family.  

Tonight while at the market, the band playing was a cover band of Fleetwood Mac and I was surrounded my people who were out to enjoy the evening.   I had a few of my vendors there as well and it was just a wonderful night.

I wanted to share with you a collection of photos that I have taken of the market the past few weeks so you can see that you really can live the simple country life even in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.   Planes...Trains and Automobiles are a daily visual around here, put tonight just sitting on my old wooden rattan chair surrounded by everyone under the big trees appreciating the end of summer was a blast.

I hope you all have a town like mine, and if you don't be the one to do something about it.   I will say that I will be the big mouth in town, I want parades, events, I want people to get out and enjoy everything the town has to offer.   I want our Main Street to be a destination for friends to gather, families to walk around, couples to dine out and to share in a connection of small business and small town life in the big city.

My daughter watching/listening to the sound check of Delta Rae

One of my 1st tables at the market

Stylish woman at the market, that I had to photograph

My 1st chalkboard sign for the market

  

My 2nd table at the market

My issues of FOLK magazine come with me and people love them

Some jewelry and photography on display from my shop

Fresh peaches from the Farmer (local farmer located in Hillsborough NJ)

Fresh  Apple Pies I brought along with handmade soy candles one week

Intro of my new Teenage designer at the shop...

My revamped sign for the market

This table was focused on jewelry and accessories

My muse rocking recycled jewelry

Peppers at the market...

Beautiful sunflowers

This weeks table...theme was recycled jewelry and dessert candles

We have a few more weeks to go and I will be sharing more of next week's End Of Summer table along with the upcoming Fall/Harvest themes I'll be bringing to the market.

- MJ

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Here is a quick peek at what Ive been working on ..........

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

   July 28 - 29th

Lucky 7 Design

76 Main Street

Woodbridge, NJ 07095

732-750-1777

Hope to see you all there..

-MJ

PEEK A BOO

Hey everyone....I see you!

It's been awhile since Ive posted, it's been such a busy time with my daughter's prom, then graduation and then my husband and his new job.

The shop is crazy busy and Im always trying to do new displays and traveling around town to local events to get the word out about a new cool shop in town.

Just wanted to stop in and tell you .................................I see you!

         Oh yeah........I decided to dye my hair back!    Fade to Black

                                                      - MJ

TODAY WAS A SPECIAL DAY

My oldest daughter Gabriella attended her Senior Prom today   They grow so fast and it has been a crazy few weeks around here, with lots of prom drama.

Her request was that she wanted to do a vintage style.............so you know Mama did whatever she had to do to make it happen.  Thankfully I have the most creative, talented friends around and this is what we came up with at the end of the day.   Her handsome friend & prom date was great and didn't mind going along with her vision.

They looked amazing, original and every other adjective to describe something that stands out on it's own in the best way.

With her friend & prom date Zach

The official porch photo

Zach's boutineer (vintage lace, sash from dress, feathers with fresh flowers)

Jewelry in ears and hair (those are rings I found...they worked perfectly)

Love this earrings...perfect match

This bracelet was so gorgeous with the dress too.

Besties....Gabi & Zena

Candid photo

Trendsetter....

Prom Dates on standby

The stylish couple of W.H.S  Class of 2012

Im a proud mama for sure tonight.

-MJ

Have to give BIG THANK YOU'S to:

EcoBling Couture for the fabulous jewelry

Amanda Rose Studios for an amazing custom handmade vintage dress

Femme Fatale Florals for the original and awesome boutineer & corsage.

TIME FOR A BACKYARD MAKEOVER

Things have been so busy at the shop that my husband and I noticed that in order for us to throw our big BBQ this weekend we need to get the backyard squared away.

So we moved some things around, added some outdoor spaces and still have some things to do but the foundation is set and I gotta say we kinda like it.

Here is a little peak of what we have going on so far

This Talavera tile from Mexico was inspiration for the color scheme and decor

Put my vintage bar cart to use to hold plates and bbq items

We moved our patio furniture down from the deck to the yard area...added some fabulous bright red umbrellas.

I freshened up my faded cushions with some ....yep...rag rugs. Perfect!

The new gifted hot tub of a family friend got a colorful makeover....RED again.

A gazebo on the deck, now provides a shady retreat and lounge area.   Pulled a vintage brass/glass table that I had in the garage and it works perfectly.

I will share more of this little transformation with pics of this weekends BBQ.

Congrats to my husband on his success, I'm very proud of him (but then again I always have been)

- MJ

SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO......

You have to paint a good vintage piece......here is that instance.

Here is one of my trips...you can see the Imperial hall table back left.  I purchased it from a woman who was  selling her mother's estate items.  Those 3 tables were all from her.

I brought it to the shop and left it in original condition.  Painted a vintage mirror to match...and it got some good looks but no takers.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...in my many years as a retail merchandiser I know when something doesn't sell you re-merchandise it or take it off the floor.

What do you think I did???

Yep I took it off the floor.....but only temporarily to paint it. (LOL)

You can only merchandise something so much, if it's not selling it's got to go.

Well here is the new redesigned table.  I did in a two tone with 1st a undercoating of Maine Harbor Blue then  a top coat of Memphis Blue by CeCe Caldwell's Paints.

I so excited at the two-tone makeover and the fact that I have become such a fan of blue since using this paint line.  It's shows in the shop and now in my home too.

So...........if you have a piece that is tired...... redesign it with some paint and new accessories.

-MJ

MINI MAKEOVER.............FOR ME

Well I have been refinishing and making over so many pieces for resale at the shop and pieces for customers.   I came across something and thought, "this one is for me".


Here it is.....children's dresser found for FREE in my neighborhood.

Now anyone who knows me knows that I do not like blue at all....however I have been obsessed with Blue Montana Sky from CeCe Caldwell's Paints

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Here is my 1st idea to go blue then I wanted to go a little funky with my plan which was to be functional since this space was now missing the former big hutch

I was inspired by a painting of mine, terracotta pots and lemons.

Well here it is..........my new kitchen storage space.  Bottom drawers were left natural wood and intact to hold napkin rings, place mats and napkins.  The wood also matches the color of the kitchen cabinets.

Now the chair I just left there because it was too tattered for the shop and it was the same honey wood color.  I have had that painting for awhile and I love it because it reminds me of Italian countryside, which is the team of my kitchen.

I think Im happy with my blue obsession and my new piece.

For more info on CeCe Caldwell's Paints go HERE

The paints are also available at Lucky 7 Design Shop, I use this paint of all of my pieces by personal choice. I have tried them all and I feel that this is best for me and my concept of living a GREEN lifestyle and having an eco-friendly shop.

-MJ

I have been so busy with the shop I haven't joined some of my favorite linky parties in awhile...so Im going to visit the best at

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IT'S TIME FOR THE RED-WHITE-BLUE

May is an exciting time in our family, no not for Mother's Day but because it is a month that signifies many things for us.

The beginning of the summer season, the opening of the pool, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and this year a very big graduation.

So I finally decided to throw away my tattered (that's a nice way of putting it) wicker furniture and went with some new pieces to dress up the porch.  A splash of color in the furniture this year.

Here is what we are starting off with and will add to in the next week or so.

                                      My favorite wreath made by my friend LP from Crafty                                  Southern Chick....it has all of my front porch colors and matches my birdbath too!  

New RED chairs for the porch...I left the Made in the U.S.A stickers on them (hehe)

Front door

Left side of the porch w/ chairs and flags flying

I gave the old Pier 1 trunk a makeover AGAIN..this time just dry brushed some CeCe Caldwell's Memphis Blue over the tired Black.

Touched up my Marine and he and the other 3 branches of the military are sold in my Lucky 7 Design shop in Woodbridge, NJ

Nothing like a Boston Fern hanging on the front porch to make it summertime. Old Glory right next to it.

This wind chime makes the loudest but nicest sound

My "window to nowhere" as my brother calls it...with some butterflies.

Vintage Ball Jar is now flag holder.

Scrap piece of picket fence got some white paint and will be adorned with some patriotic pieces as I add them.

My simple little sitting area, bench, bird bath and bird feeder.

A view from the lawn

THANKS FOR VISITING MY PORCH....HOPE YOU ALL WILL SOME YOUR PATRIOTISM THIS MONTH AND EVERYDAY.

GOD BLESS THE U.S. MILITARY 

 GOD BLESS AMERICA

                                                                              -MJ