tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25443165830942667852024-02-18T21:48:06.755-08:00Country Chic ~ Shabby Vintage BoutiqueLocated in Bowmanville, Ontario, Country Chic offers one-of-a-kind vintage finds and repurposed furniture and decor created lovingly by owner Rhonda Melanson. Most recently featured on Million Dollar Neighborhood, Season2 on OWN.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17722136557742230075noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-87306668793917974702014-10-24T08:23:00.001-07:002014-10-24T08:23:13.789-07:00For the Love Of Barn BoardFor the Love of Barn Board<br />
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I've been concentrating on reclaimed wood lately. I absolutely love the look of barn board. So why not turn it into art? I began to look around my work area for odds and ends and little bits and pieces of unused rusty pieces, drawer pulls and whatever was in my path. I figured out a way to re-purpose them and add them to a lonely piece of board and create a piece of art!<br />
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The picture below is a beautiful reclaimed piece of wood. It's actually from the end of a vintage crate. The rest of the crate was so badly damaged that I was only able to use the end piece. It sat around for months and then I went on a wood sign extravaganza.<br />
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It seems to me that all of the bits and pieces I've been saving, you know the ones....'I can't throw that out, I may need it someday' have really come in handy haha. I love this more creative side of me. Don't get me wrong, I do love my furniture refurbishing, but I need to use the other side of my very old brain ~ smile ~<br />
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My next step in to get off my butt and create stained glass like I was a few years ago. To ease my self back in, I used one of my extra vintage windows and added two panes of stained glass, followed by a chalkboard on the bottom. I love how it turned out. I haven't touched my stained glass supplies for nearly a year...and I only cut myself six times haha<br />
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Don't forget to drop on by to my Facebook site for daily updates on what's for sale at Country Chic!<br />
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Rhonda<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/countrychicbowmanville"></a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-61580377989482362014-05-08T07:40:00.000-07:002014-05-08T08:06:08.058-07:00GratefulIt's been awhile but I've finally decided...hey...you have a blog, you had better write on it! Since this is my only web site, I'd best be gettin' to writing. My Facebook site is my bread and butter but I also need another networking outlet for those of you who don't have Facebook. What? Some people don't have Facebook? tee hee....I couldn't live without it, or have a thriving business without it.<br />
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I spent the horrible winter in purgatory held up in this meat locker of a farmhouse painting and collecting what I love....vintage treasures!! Since I am void of a social life outside of my house/shop, I thank God for the internet to keep me connected to the outside world. As crappy as my internet is, next worst thing to dial up, I'm grateful.<br />
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My Facebook site has grown to over 2500 followers and for that, I am also grateful. I keep connected to followers around the world and it's such a fun world. I make friends and network and connect to people that I would have otherwise never known. We share ideas and creations. It's the creative process that keeps us all going strong.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Dl2ZONrSlsW7npgbOq6khcBA0ZLKesgOAXA02BEJpGIu6iJanpPREgN-VD1q-0gx9eFmvYzZLvLsA-yhfJg60ifIUzf3UpyfqKnoYjrPFqqyIKsIosc2e5wDv5j6bhEGPgFO8NEY1eQL/s1600/20140504_173059_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Dl2ZONrSlsW7npgbOq6khcBA0ZLKesgOAXA02BEJpGIu6iJanpPREgN-VD1q-0gx9eFmvYzZLvLsA-yhfJg60ifIUzf3UpyfqKnoYjrPFqqyIKsIosc2e5wDv5j6bhEGPgFO8NEY1eQL/s320/20140504_173059_LLS.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-HtSj1-GOPwPqwL6CNav_b9jSIX20bSoyMJPFD_BGy0qhyphenhyphenzXQ-fxYB8u5pu4oBOArXQvsKeVPVDWAOtYAeGku6Hckk9PTXLop3GxesJMbNjPTiJqezaRm5lubyBGF34tEufmp1LfDyWA/s1600/20140503_114126_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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I'll keep this short! I am attaching some wonderful transformations I created while keeping warm aside my wood stove (very very grateful for that as well).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0Bowmanville, ON L1C, Canada43.913042999999988 -78.68961718.391008499999987 -119.998211 69.435077499999991 -37.381023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-17483451444181787072013-07-17T07:31:00.000-07:002013-07-17T07:47:43.410-07:00Re-Love ~ Re-Purposed ~ Re-Cycle...and trying to Remember<b>Hi All</b><br />
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I've taken my sweet time to write. Instead of excuses, I'll be posting pictures for your viewing enjoyment ;) (hopefully)<br />
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Since I haven't written since April, I've completed too many transformations to remember, so I will share two of my favourites.<br />
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Have you ever tried to pry veneer off a vintage piece of furniture? Well, it's one of the most difficult tasks to take on if you want to re-purpose a piece that might otherwise end up in a junk pile or a fire pit. Although the process took days, it worked perfectly. The top of the side board cupboard, in the picture below, was damaged on half. So if half of the top is damaged, the whole top has to be removed. But let me tell you, the effort was so worth it. The end result was a beautifully transformed piece that adorns the dining area of my friend Ana's home.<br />
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My second piece was a yard sale find. What a steal it was. The owner hated it!! I have a feeling that it was his ex-wife's vanity...she moved out and she must have left it behind. This vanity was in nearly perfect condition. It just needed a wee bit of wood filler and some sanding. This beauty sold in record time. Geeze, why don't I ever keep some of these pieces for myself? Oh right...I'm the chick that buys, re-purposes and sells furniture for a living ~ grin ~<br />
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Till next transformation....<br />
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LoVe Rhonda<br />
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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.<br />
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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!!<br />
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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 :)<br />
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Yours...as always<br />
<br />
Rhonda xx<br />
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<a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?sid=4525&rid=2&lid=12&tid=36283"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JSdBYrthow1SdlQQvhiSuz3p5Fe2UflvBH1FiV-USCrj6cAGGzOK-fivGIZXk8VetLPP2kcpHi_bppC_B6Xe0RH0LqiQEBWCa22wpYaC2IQzS9sYMpuiWybib-g9oHYFtvRM-dG4PocW/s1600/IMG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JSdBYrthow1SdlQQvhiSuz3p5Fe2UflvBH1FiV-USCrj6cAGGzOK-fivGIZXk8VetLPP2kcpHi_bppC_B6Xe0RH0LqiQEBWCa22wpYaC2IQzS9sYMpuiWybib-g9oHYFtvRM-dG4PocW/s320/IMG_0146.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkLMABpReGqwTh0254VNnszqAP8skRsaiNlGySvd0IL5a8urfqFdwlNXA9az2QxCW9mhZLdcpJyj9vAM_Vc30ewztu8tEQg_DzTbLi-TjRqOzmc8QqFrMh9aIY8sCItgnBOXZ8ufOD5db/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkLMABpReGqwTh0254VNnszqAP8skRsaiNlGySvd0IL5a8urfqFdwlNXA9az2QxCW9mhZLdcpJyj9vAM_Vc30ewztu8tEQg_DzTbLi-TjRqOzmc8QqFrMh9aIY8sCItgnBOXZ8ufOD5db/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0129.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84dOjB3B_hXhdQ05lGtEVPf4bYLvlAm-5kVjTFh2zrz1xu-_Gf7W8egJFCdBde3JdXkXQIrCJpZ08Yq_b1W-94HhRnkGY9B1rlJtKDHtuG_4amtZmfz9zAeBRKsUNPNtCf4Z1p06IuTl8/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84dOjB3B_hXhdQ05lGtEVPf4bYLvlAm-5kVjTFh2zrz1xu-_Gf7W8egJFCdBde3JdXkXQIrCJpZ08Yq_b1W-94HhRnkGY9B1rlJtKDHtuG_4amtZmfz9zAeBRKsUNPNtCf4Z1p06IuTl8/s320/IMG_0143.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DZNkEbdxyDP20yV32ESLMzfLoJTUGR5KMd8jWKypXw_jCEqPpnHY7_JuPONya4gwip5vKwEhtyJ5LHfHU0BgA7svEEiZnBG9NUKYa5BU0U2sMElP0AdTfPESoM16TmGh4fI7BZ6gndo-/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DZNkEbdxyDP20yV32ESLMzfLoJTUGR5KMd8jWKypXw_jCEqPpnHY7_JuPONya4gwip5vKwEhtyJ5LHfHU0BgA7svEEiZnBG9NUKYa5BU0U2sMElP0AdTfPESoM16TmGh4fI7BZ6gndo-/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0126.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-68730699229254150072013-03-09T06:00:00.000-08:002013-03-09T06:42:20.130-08:00Fabulous in your FiftiesWhen 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
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkhXz-S0qNS5kF_sX7luRkbP1Cu5jWuC0e5Sd3hz7KQ7JfeBkpYNRVVs4vofJoLP0MY1Ft-nr2T9az_grXjZiOW57iyjUZ-9IZFkxf26fI82aWPLFdky8W66vFx_hlB2ytPB8nEp7yad_/s1600/50.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkhXz-S0qNS5kF_sX7luRkbP1Cu5jWuC0e5Sd3hz7KQ7JfeBkpYNRVVs4vofJoLP0MY1Ft-nr2T9az_grXjZiOW57iyjUZ-9IZFkxf26fI82aWPLFdky8W66vFx_hlB2ytPB8nEp7yad_/s320/50.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkA1uWcnbcvSmcqFqx7NpA6NttnIfGr7O0VCdc1oYsGnKO9H-wMx9QmaovWUnDPWZGJsCnPu-UueI3rN2oRK0i2bTGKnvKtplE6aKR0T_yWFnEnLtYdlU1OojbHZAAsSFRRFixwhDJXiN/s1600/50cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkA1uWcnbcvSmcqFqx7NpA6NttnIfGr7O0VCdc1oYsGnKO9H-wMx9QmaovWUnDPWZGJsCnPu-UueI3rN2oRK0i2bTGKnvKtplE6aKR0T_yWFnEnLtYdlU1OojbHZAAsSFRRFixwhDJXiN/s320/50cake.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIQdvl_iekJBn8pqnqf736iXtf5-LZmcrOPqK_nJWbhfnHRD4Sr5w2lN9DbvfeGdMW-fDRaYne7fkMa5mbePY62mmDkRCjNczH4OGvttZlVTB3W4jNlT-6NonnDXLtMt1z8ukiUG-cuVe/s1600/Scanned+Pics+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIQdvl_iekJBn8pqnqf736iXtf5-LZmcrOPqK_nJWbhfnHRD4Sr5w2lN9DbvfeGdMW-fDRaYne7fkMa5mbePY62mmDkRCjNczH4OGvttZlVTB3W4jNlT-6NonnDXLtMt1z8ukiUG-cuVe/s320/Scanned+Pics+001.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-33439509991224970472013-03-02T08:17:00.000-08:002013-03-02T08:17:19.405-08:00The Cupcake Girls visit Country ChicI 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.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaKsDpzFyZJhKcgRuGzbZEFT5GTMXw0JmDr7yrhWOBpLKPH6QcYHoLwsiLAHL-QRzHjIo2Zu69bTgn-4AVWhz1eY850-61MATsYjEwqCuyUcbudnfjSXsxj4FpcJ0DkAZkD1rXIXNx7O-/s1600/2012-10-02+17.12.24-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaKsDpzFyZJhKcgRuGzbZEFT5GTMXw0JmDr7yrhWOBpLKPH6QcYHoLwsiLAHL-QRzHjIo2Zu69bTgn-4AVWhz1eY850-61MATsYjEwqCuyUcbudnfjSXsxj4FpcJ0DkAZkD1rXIXNx7O-/s320/2012-10-02+17.12.24-1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jGM7N6CSYGVo59cQ9Yuyf17Bjt2cku6ANvwG-x9zCaLa8CuxjzZKJRlC0ZUKBhsgrQ2hZ6rl8sZunXp5Xhbku79c7tm3LMsVGES-rwa9uU3Ba3gtgnlCSonxvsjsxSdovg3ba42w1lU5/s1600/cupcakegirls.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jGM7N6CSYGVo59cQ9Yuyf17Bjt2cku6ANvwG-x9zCaLa8CuxjzZKJRlC0ZUKBhsgrQ2hZ6rl8sZunXp5Xhbku79c7tm3LMsVGES-rwa9uU3Ba3gtgnlCSonxvsjsxSdovg3ba42w1lU5/s320/cupcakegirls.JPG" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-45315694529713942662013-02-02T09:38:00.000-08:002013-02-04T07:46:44.359-08:00Ugly Chunky Shelf <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When my picker came to the shop, I noticed two extremely ugly, chunk 80's looking shelves. I thought...hmmmm...firewood for the winter? Or a re-purposing challenge. Well, as you can see, I picked the challenge. I painted both in antique white and distressed them into pretty shabby chic functional pieces. I added stained glass in one shelf and this shelf has chicken wire. LoVe em and sold them as soon as they were posted on Facebook.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-31288589232418716012013-02-02T06:28:00.001-08:002013-02-04T07:49:27.306-08:00Vintage Tool Box Make-over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXvG8cHjBYBxJRTBhJaAZE0h5To-nKMv9oodhHDjwKjvWfIYjdOKl1CtVAHF70hjw9B0Ud10XPmUe49dOBRVj8tTb4rOhJr7atBIGZ5znJjMQdKhJl3tkpbVVt-36D_P9bCw_42VofhoC/s1600/toolbox2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXvG8cHjBYBxJRTBhJaAZE0h5To-nKMv9oodhHDjwKjvWfIYjdOKl1CtVAHF70hjw9B0Ud10XPmUe49dOBRVj8tTb4rOhJr7atBIGZ5znJjMQdKhJl3tkpbVVt-36D_P9bCw_42VofhoC/s320/toolbox2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I purchased this old dirty smelly tool box at a yard sale. After having in my shop for sale...forever I might add. I thought it too needed a facelift (again I think of myself when I say facelift) ....I added a couple of coats of antique white paint...covered the front with chalkboard paint and tah dah!! A functional piece of home decor.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-67002177066963021332013-02-02T06:20:00.000-08:002013-02-04T07:50:50.276-08:00Rachel's Hutch Make-over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's nothing like giving new life to a dated piece of furniture. My customer Rachel, found this hutch online and brought it to me to make it more relevant..to giver the once over...spruce it up...to make it purdy! haha. She has a good eye and knew that this piece could transition into a stunning piece of furniture to showcase in her dining room. In less than a week, Rachel's husband picked it up all painted and distressed. In less than two hours after he picked it up, I received a picture of the hutch in its new home. I've attached the picture. Oh I just love it...After I posted the before and after pictures on my Country Chic Facebook site, I was was flooded with inquires. I will be receiving my newest hutch for a make-over on Sunday. Ah make-overs...I'd love one done on myself .... ~ sigh ~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-67851709382655087042013-02-02T05:28:00.001-08:002013-02-02T08:54:12.901-08:00Reality? Check!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just the very thought of participating on a reality show always sounded so vile to me. In my opinion, I think reality shows are for people who are seeking some crazy level of narcissistic self worth and are people who want to drag the hell out of their 15 minutes of fame. I’ve seen it so very many times in various American reality shows…you know them all…drunken orange tanned twenty-somethings…bachelors and bachelorettes and starving bug eating island castaways. I’m not discounting them all…but most of them, especially the ones that exploit their children to fulfill their parent’s childhood voids.
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Another reason I found them so vile is because I knew I could never participate in any of them. If you dropped me on an island and told me to starve, find shelter and eat any sort of insect, I would have waved my white flag and called for a boat to take me back home…I nearly cry when I see a spider…you are not going to make me eat one. I could never be a contestant on the Bachelor either…waaay too old…and as for drinking, tanning and sleeping around? Geeze…that’s a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ I like to call ‘the 80′s” haha<br />
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Do I still think all of this? Yup…I sure do. But on the same token, I believe the reality show I participated in is different. Ok yeah, I may be biased but the premise of the show is different. Honest!!!<br />
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<a href="http://ownca.oprah.com/Shows/Million-Dollar-Neighbourhood.aspx">Million Dollar Neighborhood</a> is a family show that brings a community together for the greater good for all. 100 families (including mine) were united this summer to collectively achieve greater net worth and alleviate financial stresses. Yup…lot’s of ‘keeping up with the Jones’, so to speak going on nation wide. We as a community opened our personal lives to help other families and show the nation that everyone has their own story. This show has taught us all not to judge and learn how to help ourselves. I mean honestly, if we don’t help ourselves, who is going to?<br />
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Being on this show was extremely cathartic. I met new people in my community that I probably walked by a thousand times and never thought one day, that I would know them like I do.
Our first show has been aired! <i>…and just like we thought, it was edited for drama!…</i> but my MDN2 family and I know the <i>real</i> stories. It’s ok that the directors and producers perspectives distorted some of the stories we’ve seen already. We know the real ones. I just know the distorted drama is going to happen to me once the business week episode is aired. <i>Oh boy I just know it.</i><br />
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Part of the reason I went on the show was for my lil’ shop in rural Bowmanville, <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/countrychicbowmanville">Country Chic</a></b>. I, as much as anyone, need to learn more about business. I know I’m on the right track, but I’m very open to new suggestions! I did learn that I’ve been working ‘in’ my business too much and not as much ‘on’ my business. I want to bring Country Chic to a newer, higher level.<br />
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As you know from previous posts, I re-invented myself at 50 years old, followed a passion and now I am making a wonderful living at it. It’s not work, <i>it’s fun! </i>I should be having a some fun at work by this age right? I say heck yeah!
It’s so funny, while I was watching our first episode, with some of the gang from the show, I kept saying to myself…"hey, I know them"…"and I know them!"<br />
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I’m so loving it and I wouldn’t trade all the hard work of filming from July to October for anything!<br />
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Cheers to you all<br />
LoVe ~ Rhonda xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-47671097676846603072013-02-02T05:11:00.001-08:002013-02-02T10:56:38.056-08:00Joining Professional Forces - DaVintage Divas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw2IWhzxTOX0jXrIHE63UJVS5CI1Q6s3AXQ7oCqpaCtxUVvsjwX3sOxKhILb0A9bkr86EFYlm4tR1uJJjsZHU8ZfBysVbSE61DARrVGkZEkQTlFGwZfgRd_4YlvXQhyphenhyphenpOF45KnCP8-aQ-/s1600/divassale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw2IWhzxTOX0jXrIHE63UJVS5CI1Q6s3AXQ7oCqpaCtxUVvsjwX3sOxKhILb0A9bkr86EFYlm4tR1uJJjsZHU8ZfBysVbSE61DARrVGkZEkQTlFGwZfgRd_4YlvXQhyphenhyphenpOF45KnCP8-aQ-/s320/divassale.jpg" width="240" /></a>Now what you can do is think of other creative women entrepreneurs as ‘competition’… <i>or</i> you can think of them as like minded spirits and join forces bringing your innovative one-of-a-kind creations and present them to the public in a joint venture.<br />
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Joining forces with a local entrepreneur is exactly what I did. In welcoming my colourful artistic friend Mary, we brought together both of our creations, gave ourselves a kitchy name and had a sale that brought in an eclectic gang of people of all demographics to view and purchase our pieces all in one place.
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Our maiden voyage was our Halloween sale at the end of October. We needed a name though. We needed the public to know that <b>Rhonda of Country Chic</b> and <b>Mary of Mary’s Thrifty Boutique</b> (both home based businesses), have bonded and are having a spectacular sale. <i>Hmmm…what could we come up with? </i><br />
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Well, it didn’t take long for a mutual customer and now a close friend to both Mary and I, Terri to come up with a name. With both Mary and I being artists and also divas in our own right, Terri came up with the name <b>DaVintage Divas</b>…and so our partnership was born!<br />
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We staged our pieces throughout my shop…mixed and matched…piled and stacked until the shop was filled with colourful retro, shabby chic, vintage, kitch & boho to the rafters. Mary and I utilized social media to the max and advertised wherever we could for free…we built it and they came! In droves…from all over the province…small towns and cities. Mary and I also invited five other artists to complement our pieces and we had a ball. We sold…we chatted…we networked and made new friends and business leads. The sale was a win win event!
So why the heck wouldn’t we do it again? <i>What are we nuts? </i><br />
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With the holiday season quickly approaching, we found ourselves in the perfect position to host yet another event. So the DaVintage Divas were at it again…creating a festive atmosphere here in the shop to lure the ‘out of the box’ consumer into our event. Not only did we have another incredibly successful sale…we out did ourselves!! Another roaring success…and for that, we are grateful.<br />
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We brought in two new artists Marcelo (not a diva :) but a good friend and a talented Uruguayan painter that has to be brought to the public’s attention. Not only is he a wonderful family man he’s an incredible talent. We also brought in a sweet young friend Kiah who blew us away with her window paintings. Both new friends sold pieces at the event.<br />
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If at any time, I had thought of my artistic friends as competition, I wouldn’t have been in a collective partnership of this magnitude. I would still be just me…which in my opinion, can be a wee bit boring on my own haha. I am grateful and celebrate all of our spirits…together we are artists.<br />
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Peace
Rhonda xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-77059468479808808662013-02-02T04:19:00.004-08:002013-02-02T08:56:49.815-08:00Reinventing YourselfWell here it is, my very first blog post!<br />
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I highly doubt I’m interesting enough to have any followers….but I’m going to write one anyway :)
I want to start out by chatting about reinventing yourself.<br />
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I found myself jobless at 50 years old. Now who wants to be in that position? Not too many people I know…not too many people at any age. So I thought to my 50 year old self…what now? My journey to my lovely vintage shop here in my old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada was an interesting one….<i>hey, maybe I’m more interesting than I thought?</i><br />
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Anyhoo, I had to sell my wee bungalow, due to my unemployment situation and the journey lead me to rent this old farmhouse in a rural part of my town. It took two months to paint and clean it to move in condition. It was very run down.
My inspiration came when I purchased a beautiful shabby chic harvest table and four ladder back chairs, to fill up the large country kitchen. My first thought was, hey girl, you can do this! Buy an old piece of furniture and paint and distress it!! How hard can it be?<br />
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The hard part was going to be starting a business and getting the word out there that I knew what I was doing and I was good at it all the people of the world where going to rush into my lovely new store a buy it all…<i>haha</i>
I started out applying for a program through the Ontario Government called the <b>Self-Employment Business Program</b>. I completed their pre-module workshops…applied for the program…dazzled them with my business concept…and <i>wowzers! </i>They picked<b> me</b> for their program.<br />
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After two long months of in class workshops…tons and tons of networking, learning and picking up pieces of furniture here and there, I had myself a business! Reinvented at 51!<br />
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I have now been in business with my vintage home decor shop in my home for a year and a half. It’s the very very best job I’ve ever had. I don’t know how I can even classify it as a job when I’m so in love with it.<br />
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The trick to reinventing yourself is to absolutely and undoubtedly, choose something you are passionate about. It’s in you…just think about what it is you love to do…think hey…can I make a living from this passion?<br />
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Food for thought ~ warm smile ~
RhondaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-58472583731133597382013-01-31T14:32:00.003-08:002013-02-04T07:53:04.150-08:00Before & After: Antique Record Table DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found this Antique Record Table at an Auction and can you believe that nobody else bid on it? I saw it's potential right away and snapped it up for a great price! I painted the whole thing white, added some contact paper in the back for that "vintage" feel and left the bottom natural (after I stripped it). A basket in the bottom and ta-da! It's a lovely console table or piece of bathroom furniture!<br />
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<b>Price: $150</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17722136557742230075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-34881891979721409642013-01-31T10:50:00.001-08:002013-01-31T10:50:58.362-08:00Welcome to Country Chic!Thanks for stopping by! If you've never been here before, take a look around!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17722136557742230075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544316583094266785.post-40356220375327240162013-01-01T04:25:00.000-08:002013-02-02T08:59:24.182-08:00Branding Country ChicI’ve been really needing to brand my Country Chic shop! To make Country Chic my very own.<br />
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I desired a caricature of me being all artsy fartsy and talented looking. A cute country but chic looking cartoon woman with paint brush in hand just doing her painting thing with a piece of vintage furniture. I love to look all smart like …while of course, being superbly attractive doing it. Vain till the end!<br />
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I spoke with my talented illustrator friend and I told him that I have two stipulations…one…make me young looking. <i>(Being over 50 and such and what-not and all that tomfoolery)</i> Please make me young and super good looking. Also, the obvious, all of us women desire…make me look thin! …and <i>pah-leese make sure my pre-movember/pre-menopause moustache is not visual to the naked eye</i>.<br />
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My preliminary sketch arrived today and I am beside myself excited and awestricken with his talent…he’s genius ’cause I say he is!! I just cannot wait to see the finish product and share it all with you.
It is so important to brand your business. You want to be as successful as you know you can. Branding builds a strong company “essence” that inspires loyalty and trust and provides a level of familiarity and comfort to draw in potential customers. When a piece of furniture leaves my shop, it is a reflection of me…my brand. Although shabby chic furniture isn’t something new and Rachel Ashwell has branded her own shabby chic creations…but all of us are different. We all have our own twists to our businesses.<br />
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I adore, I love, I am obsessed with vintage treasures and I love how they incorporate themselves in with the shabby chic/country look. I much prefer the ‘real’ vintage to reproduction. I’ve been networking for the last year and a half since I began my business venture and networking has brought many ‘pickers’ to me. I’ve met the most incredible, eccentric, eclectic gaggle of collectors, pickers and artisans. I’ve learned to pick and barter on my own as well. I love authentic pieces…a reproduction piece has to be very well made for me to love it.<br />
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I will keep you up-to-date with my Country Chic caricature…I hope this lil’ blurb helps any ‘would be’ entrepreneurs out there in the big giant land of small business. I know my new venture with branding will help my business ten-fold. I really believe that it will show the fun side of what Country Chic and I have to offer.<br />
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Cheers my lovely Dears<br />
xo
RhondaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923042947230199926noreply@blogger.com0