My First Solo Television Appearance

When I received the message that a local television station wanted me to appear on their one hour television show "Know it ALL" I was flattered. A show called Know it All? ...and they want me? Do they think I know it all? Well I don't but I appeared on the show anyway :)

What a wonderful experience. My sweet friend and production assistant from the Million Dollar Neighbourhood, M.J. Slauko was instrumental in organizing my appearance on the show. We arranged to meet at the station with some of my favourite pieces from my Country Chic shop. I must admit to be nervous, but super excited at the same time. We arranged the pieces and the cameras started rolling. The host of the Know it All show, Barb was fantastic!! When I stumbled on a few words, Barb was there to save me. While showing my vintage make-overs, I demonstrated how to create functional home decor out of discarded pieces of frame and chicken wire. We highlighted some of the vintage, retro and kitchy pieces of days gone by, we chatted, we laughed and the whole experience was just a dream come true. So fun and oddly, I felt in my element.

I would like to thank the producer Judi, M.J. and Barb for inviting me. Hey...maybe I'll get my own show? How incredible would that be? I would love to showcase like minded souls who re-purpose and re-love discarded furniture. Lovers of non-conventional home decor...junkers, antique lovers...artists who can make a chandelier out of bed springs...lovers of barn board art...lovers of all that's vintage, retro, boho and kitchy styles. The list is endless. The best and greatest thing of all, is there are no rules to re-purposing!! I run with some of the best local artisans. I would never run out of guests..ever!!

So I'm sending my request out to the universe...The Vintage Chick on the Road!...now that's a catchy title for a show :)

Yours...as always

Rhonda xx

Fabulous in your Fifties

When you have a blog...write what'cha know right? I could write all day about turning 50. All the little things that happen to your body, the failing eye site, goat hairs, and that first pubic looking mystery hair that has magically appeared on the side of your face. Last but not least, light incontinence..tee hee. Growing up as a teenager in the seventy's was amazing. Guys in long wavy shag hair cuts, bell bottoms, platform shoes and 70's bubble gum AM radio music. Now those same guys are bald, they wear 'dad jeans' and running shoes. I never thought of how fast those days were going to fly by. Every decade blurred by me like my relationships with boyfriends (and boy of boy were they a blurr)...and then I turned 50. I had my very own birthday party. Yup, just for me! I even had my own birthday slogan. 'It's All About Me'...it wasn't about my kids this time. They've all had wonderful parties. I care for them every day...I wanted one day where I could be celebrated. After all, a milestone was approaching and I didn't feel any sadness about getting to the half a century mark, I was celebrating it by actually reaching it!!! Youthful Tip 101: I've found that you can take care of your face all you like, dye your hair and wear super cool clothes in your fifties(please never wear your daughter's clothes, it makes it so obvious you're trying too hard.) Do you know what gives you away? Your neck!!! Oh that sneaky neck. You don't even think about it...all of a sudden the skin has changed from supple tight youthful splendor to...hey I'm starting to look like Grandma!! Author Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally) wrote a book 'I Feel Bad About My Neck' a candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life. A recommended read by the way. If you are going to feel sad and depressed about reaching this monumental milestone in your life, then the only thing that will keep you from living a wonderful fulfilling life is You!! Keep your spirits up! If it takes daily affirmations or watching re-runs of Happy Days, do it! Go out and flirt with a younger man (or woman) and smile...for cripes sakes smile! (smiling lessens the look of jowls lol) Gad...I even catch myself being too serious sometimes and I put myself in check and smarten the hell up. Don't complain and whine and feel sorry for yourself. Nobody wants to hear it...nobody...they really really don't. Oh sure, a friend may ask how you are doing, don't tell them the bad stuff...always find something positive to say. I will leave you with a wonderful Nora Ephron quote: “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” ― Nora Ephron Love Ya xx Rhonda

The Cupcake Girls visit Country Chic

I had a wonderful summer and fall filming the OWN Canada reality show the Million Dollar Neighbourhood. What are the chances of being able to be on a reality television show that is filmed right in your hometown? One reason I became a part of the show was to learn how to manage my finances and meet the wonderful community members I may never have met otherwise. Secondly, I wanted to help promote my passion, my shop, Country Chic. As I've mentioned (probably too many times) I re-invented myself at 50 years old and turned my passion of vintage home decor into a business perfect for me in so many ways. The first being I get to shop shop shop! I get to peruse vintage shops, auctions, estate sales and meet pickers from all over the province. I have now become my own picker, along with my artist friend Mary. I converted my farmhouse into a gallery of vintage treasures and re-purpose vintage and antique furniture right here in my own home. During the filming of the Million Dollar Neighbourhood, I had the pleasure of meeting the Cupcake Girls. The girls, Lori and Heather, are entrepreneurs who are based in Vancouver. British Columbia. The girls have turned their small cupcake business into a Canada wide empire...they also have their own reality show! For our business week episode for the show, the Cupcake Girls came to give business advice to some of us small business owners in the community. I'm a little nervous I must say, to see how the show will be edited. At any rate, my shop and I will be on national television for all to see! I'm very very excited about this. Tune in Sunday, March 3rd at 8pm Est on the OWN Canada Network to see the episode!! I'll see you then. I'd love to hear your feedback.