BARCELONA ORANGE HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!

BARCELONA ORANGE

IS HERE

We are fully stocked and ready to fill your order!

Go to our website and place your order or give us a jingle at the store!

 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE ORANGE!!!

SALVAGE SHOPPING

One of the many things I've always loved is SALVAGE SHOPS.  I love what creative people are doing with salvage pieces and how they're being repurposed into gorgeous objects.  It just thrills me to see wonderful "Objects d' Arte" come alive from things that were torn down and ripped apart.  I have always felt that no matter what your design in your home - traditional, transitional, contemporary or just plain eclectic - each home needs a sense of history.  Something that tells a story.

Walking into a salvage store I can feel the history, almost hear the whispers of lives lived.  It sounds romantic or dramatic but just holding an item makes me wonder who owned this before...what was their life like....what did it look like in their home....and how lucky that this piece of history still remains long after the owners have gone.

I LOVE these balusters.  Decades of old paint just chipping away.  I can imagine a new coffee table with these gorgeous legs restored to their original lustre.  Or perhaps just cleaning them up a little, making sure the paint that is chipping is sealed and creating a beautiful shabby chic table.

Can't you just "See" the history??

This is one of my favorite shots!  I love the textures in this picture.  The old baskets.  Were they used to carry fresh harvested wheat?  The old chippy windows.  What views did they have?  Who gazed out of them waiting for a loved one to return?

Doors.  I love them.  I am ALWAYS drawn to them.  The hardware is almost always hand forged and withstands the test of time.  Did the family have horse and buggies that would drive through these gates?  What was their story?  Who came and went?  Look at this old fashioned cash register.  I love how simple life was and how thrilled they must have been when they invented this for merchants.  I think about our computer systems.  How far we've come, yet how many times we need to resort to the good old fashioned way of doing things when technology fails us!!

Did I mention that I love doors?  These doors (I bought 2) came from McDill Airforce Base in Tampa.  They were the doors that may have heard all the dreams and fears of Amerian airmen when they crossed the threshold of their colonels doors to accept their deployment.

I bought these and brought them home to my store to give them a new life.  They were gorgeous,solid wood doors that we painted ASCP Paris Grey with Old White, distressed them to embrace their age.

Waxing the doors a final time.  I had great plans for these doors. They came with us to the Orlando Expo where they were appreciated and adored.  We added gorgeous sconces and made them panels to hang.  Now they grace the walls of my showroom waiting for their perfect final home!

VOILA!  A gorgeous piece of history!!

Don't forget about our HOLIDAY CONTEST & GIVE AWAY.  It's all about creating new from old.  Finding pieces to create into gorgeous Christmas decor.  I'm hoping for some great inspiration!!!

AND

In case you didn't read the earlier post....we have a new

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT GIVEAWAY brewing!!

FANCY FLEA IN LAKELAND (and secret news of an ASCP GIVE AWAY!)

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!
I have MANY things to be thankful for.  I have the most attentive and wonderful husband.  A Fabulous son and daughter in-law.  Truly the MOST GORGEOUS grand-daughter, GREAT brothers with fabulous families, the WORLD'S BEST mother and a TERRIFIC staff at my store.

My life is full and now that I have extended friends through blogging and Facebooking, I am truly Thankful!
So have a wonderful day with your loved ones, I will be enjoying a fun-filled family day as well!!

__________________________________________
FANCY FLEA
Well, we made it back to Tampa with a lot less paint and A LOT of great memories.

Our booth FULL of ASCP

Thanks to all who stopped by our tent to check out the ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT.  There were many wonderful vendors there displaying their pieces done with this amazing product.  Those that never heard of it (if you can believe that!!) were amazed at the finish that you can achieve and came by to check it out.  As most of you know, once you try it - you're hooked.

So I think we managed to hook a few more this weekend!!  

What was the MOST FUN?????  Meeting SO MANY of our Facebookers and Blog Followers.  What a hoot.  THANK YOU so much for introducing yourselves and for making a point to come and meet us!

My good friend Deb from Vintage Soul

Can you believe we didn't take ONE picture - Nada, zippo, nothing!!  What a total bummer.  I'm borrowing gorgeous pictures from other more organized people (thank you by the way for taking such amazing photos!!)    But honestly, we showed up at the designated time, 5:30 a.m.!!!! and started setting up immediately with only the street lights to illuminate our spot.  By 7:00 there was a race that was running right down the middle of Kentucky Avenue and once the race was over people actually started shopping.  Ummm, hellllooooo, we weren't ready!!  But that was okay, I was also in a frenzy to buy buy buy!!  I was there to sell Annie Sloan Chalk Paint but I was ready to find a few goodies myself!  And no worries...I did!

Isn't this GORGEOUS!!

Here are a few of my favorite finds that I sold at Fancy Flea.  These burlap panels, sacks and pillows were ALL THE RAGE!!  I have to admit, my heart skipped a little beat each time I sold one.  I really wanted them for myself.....but that's okay, I can always get more! I have a few left and more on the way.  So if you missed them at FANCY FLEA, come on in and grab one before they're all gone!

The Union Jack is in Honor of my FAVORITE Brit - Annie Sloan!!

This is in our showroom but we brought LOTS of those panels that we framed!!

Okay, so I have to be hush hush and can't give you any details but I am bursting at the seams with some delicious news.....all I can say is
  HUGE ANNIE SLOAN GIVE AWAY.
THAT'S RIGHT ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT GIVE AWAY.
This is just the tip of the ice-berg for all you loyal "Sloaner's" out there!!
That's it.  But please keep posted.
THIS IS GONNA BE BIG!!!!!

"STORY" TIME and a FAVORITE RECIPE

As many of may know.. my store Robyn Story Designs and Boutique sells gourmet nibbles.  Everything from Stonewall Jams and Chutney's, to USF, UCF and Florida State Peanuts.  Yes, those were Ellen's idea to carry and boy are they ever successful.  They're a GREAT gift for the sports fan, alumni or students and they're also tasty so it's a win-win!!

Aside from selling wonderful gourmet products we always have a buffet of homemade appetizers and nibbles every day.   I hope that when people come into our store that they check their problems at the door and come in and just enjoy a visit with us.  That always includes Starbucks coffee, latte's, cappuccino's, soda, water as well as many little treats throughout the store.  It's important to my staff and myself that our customers know that they can just forget about the outside world when they come.. a place where you can just let go... My goal has always been to captivate all of your senses once you walk through our doors. 

I am also so fortunate to have great reps for our food lines as well.  They are fantastic and always offer to come to our OPEN HOUSES and serve some of their delectable products.  One of the most delicious and versatile ones that they always bring this time of year is Earth and Vine's Mandarin Pumpkin Marmalade.  If you've been to my store, chances are you've sampled it and bought a jar or two - if not more!  If you haven't I really think you might want to try it.  It's fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving all bottled up in this little treat!

Lori went online and found a recipe using a jar of Mandarin Pumpkin Marmalade to make the most moist Pumpkin Bread I have ever eaten.  Ellen also went online and found a recipe for a baked Mandarin Pumpkin Marmalade Cheesecake.  Can you say "slices of heaven".  We were all stuck in the kitchen eating both of them, barely leaving enough for our guests!!  You can go online at www.earthandvine.com to read all about their products.  If you can't find this marmalade anywhere, as always I'm happy to send it out.  It's definitely something you'll want to try and I've ordered several cases of it since it sells out so quickly!

Since I'm sharing some yummies with you, here's one of the most requested recipes, we have several and I'll eventually share them all with you - they're all WINNERS!  But here's one that I've been serving at my store, in my home and often bring to events.  It's my husband, Steve's Salsa and it is FANTASTIC!!  It makes A LOT so plan on having some friends over when you make it!  Let me know when you try it, I'm certain you'll be hooked just like many of my customers.

Steve and Louie!!

STEVE’S FAMOUS SALSA

1 can sweet niblet corn, drained

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 can black eyed peas rinsed and drained

1 onion chopped

1 red pepper chopped

1 green or yellow pepper chopped

1 cup Wishbone Zesty Italian Dressing

1 tomato chopped

1 handful of fresh cilantro chopped

Toss all together, let marinate in frig a few hours or overnight.  Serve with Tortilla chips or pita wedges.

Of course, for those that like it HOT, chop up a small jalapeno and add in.

"So You Think You Can Create HOLIDAY CONTEST and Giveaway!!!!!!"

It's always something here at Robyn Story Designs!!
No one can accuse us of letting grass grow under our feet!!

==================================================
We're preparing for
Fancy Flea
vintage home & garden market

We are so excited to be a part of the wonderful open air event in Lakeland, FL but there's

LOTS to prepare for.

We'll be there with all kinds of wonderful Ribbons, and Christmas Decorations as well as

THE ENTIRE LINE OF ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT

and some pieces finished with ASCP from our store, as well as

MANY other fun and creative items.  PLEASE stop by and say HI.  We love meeting our bloggers!

===========================================================
NOW, FINALLY...
We are so excited to be launching our "So You Think You Can Create (Series One) Holiday Contest and Giveaway".  (This is just the FIRST of many to follow.)

  So if you're excited about entering and share our enthusiasm over future Series, 
RULE ONE .....

Simply become a follower of our blog.  Once a follower, be sure to COMMENT on THIS post using the phrase
"So You Think You Can Create (Series One) Holiday Contest and Giveaway"
If you're already a follower, we appreciate and thank you, but you |STILL need to comment on THIS post using the phrase "So You Think You Can Create (Series One) Holiday Contest and Giveaway"

 It's TOO easy to participate.

What you need to do to win this FABULOUS contest:

• It must be a HOLIDAY decor - Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, it's YOUR holiday  
• Create your decor using any product or material that you like. Of course we always like to see how you can incorporate Annie Sloan Chalk Paint/waxes into your project.
• Here's the catch: You must incorporate a found item(s) that you have repurposed...like our wonderful used brushes and old pots of  paint.  

• You can click here and refer to our original post to further understand the inspiration behind this Series One of So You Think You Can Create.  
• If you have a blog and want to share the love , take our button (top right-hand corner) and put it on your blog.  Make sure to let us know (via comment with the phrase "just for fun giveaway" on our blog) and as an extra thank you we'll enter your name for our 'just for fun' giveaway!  One lucky person will win a $50 American Express Gift Card to complete your Holiday shopping or a treat just or you!

Once you've become a follower and commented on this post it's time to START CREATING!!!  When you've finished your masterpiece simply:

Email us a picture, include in the email the procedure and products used.  Address:
SoYouThinkYouCanCreate@aol.com

VERY IMPORTANT:  The Subject Line on the Email MUST read, SERIES ONE ENTRY
any entry sent without this in the subject line will be invalid

Once we receive all the entries (must be emailed to us by midnight December 20) we will post all entries on our blog on December 21 and the voting will begin!!!

At that point all you'll need to do is check out our post filled with images of all the entries, review them all and comment on your favorite.  Those comments on the ENTRIES WILL NOT be published until the contest is over.  This is to ensure that it will be a surprise to the winner!! Way cool huh!?
The Entry that followed all the rules AND receives the MOST comments  wins  
$250 GIFT CERTIFICATE!!

 Spend it anyway you want anywhere you want and of course we'd LOVE it if you spent it at our beautiful little store!
ROBYN STORY DESIGNS!!

announcement will be made on the blog at Midnight on Christmas Eve


Please don't forget....For each entry I am personally making a donation to the Ocular Research and Education Foundation.  This is my personal way of saying THANK YOU to an amazing doctor, Dr. Steven Maskin.

It was his expertise that I completely credit for saving my brothers' life and eyesight.  Please click here to read my original post about this event in our family's life.

So put your Holiday music on and get inspired.  Time is flying and the Holiday's will be here before you know it!!!

EXCITING HAPPENINGS AT ROBYN STORY DESIGNS

Where have we been?

We've been so incredibly busy there's hardly been time for Facebook or Blogging!!  And I've missed it!!

Our OPEN HOUSE was a HUGE success and such a wonderful way to start the HOLIDAY season!!
For those of you that attended and helped make it so successful
THANK YOU!!
I know, and never take for granted, that I wouldn't still be in this business without YOU!
Let me fill you in on some of the wonderful things going on here at
Robyn Story Designs.

We have had several fun workshops in September and October.  Here are just a couple of pictures.

We always have a full house for our workshops.  During these workshops in September and October we had lots of laughs, great stories and several people that came from the East Coast of Florida to spend the day with us as well as an adorable woman from Paris, France.  Okay, okay...so she didn't fly from Paris to take our class but I have to tell you I tried to soak up as much of her Paris as I could!!  It is my dream destination...

Homemade roasted veggies are always on the lunch "menu", a customer favorite!

I love this...people come in and meet new friends and exchange numbers!!

Our Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshops are too much fun!  Everyone leaves totally empowered after an afternoon of fun and instruction with the paint!  We have several more dates for workshops, be sure to check it out online!

==================================

After our few workshops we had to scurry and get ready for the  
FAUX EXPO in Orlando!
Now that was a BLAST!!!!
We were there representing our WONDERFUL Robyn Story Designs and Boutique as well as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and our other product line that we'll be carrying in the near future,  
Amy Howard.
We did mini demo's throughout the day, chatted with the MOST AMAZINGLY TALENTED artists and soaked up some of that talent!

All of our menagerie before it was staged!

It's getting there, bare bones but shaping up!!

Our finished booth!!!  Complete with a vintage desk, found objects mounted on reclaimed wood with a back drop of vintage bread boards from a bread bakery in Ybor City!  A touch of glam with our Mac Sculpture candelabra's  and a few treasures from our boutique!

Our mini demo area, complete with an Annie Sloan Chalk Painted canvas as our 'rug'

One of our ASCP sample color displays

We had a 'full house' of demo's every 30 minutes and they all left LOVING the paint!!

Another picture of our completed booth!

One of the many things that I love about my store is that my customer's want and expect something different all the time.  I pride myself on never letting things get stale, always changing venues around and ALWAYS thinking outside the proverbial box!  Take a look at our latest creation, we affectionately call her Antoinette!

She is a wonderful seamstress mannequin that we covered with a vintage wedding dress with layers of tulle and a gorgeous boa.  We finished her with a vintage corset and she's actually electrified with a chandelier.  Is she not the MOST luxurious piece of work.  Vintage clothing, a crystal chandelier, a vintage mannequin and voila~ an amazing 'floor lamp' that any woman would love in her dressing room, bathroom or a perfect feminine touch for her office!!

Here she is posing in front of a mural that upon our entrance to the expo was just a large blank canvas.  As the two days progressed the artist painted this masterpiece before our very eyes!  Take a look at Joel Cook's portfolio.  Thanks Joel for allowing us to use your art as Antoinette's background!

My staff that helped pull off this amazing feat!! We were proud of our booth and our three days of fun!

 

I also need to thank four very important people for ALL of their help as well.  Three of our Florida Annie Sloan mini stockists met us in Orlando and were instrumental in helping us pull the whole thing together.  So thanks, Denna, Carmella (and her friend Caryl) and Lorna.  You girls ROCK!!!
=========================
Once we returned from the Expo we had to hit the ground running and get the store ready for our Holiday Open House.

We also transformed our workshop into our Untold Stories Warehouse Sale.  It was filled to the rafters with amazing deals on Christmas ribbons, ornaments, greens and a some home decor objects.

We had so much fun and everyone enjoyed it so much that we've extended it through this weekend.  My staff has been as busy as Santa's elves adding more to Untold Stories and revamping the showroom.  As always, I like to keep it fresh and new.  Many garlands and trees sold during our Holiday Open House that we need to fill those empty spaces!

===========================

I hope this explains where we've been lately!  As if the above isn't enough I'm heading to Market in North Carolina next week to purchase some WONDERFUL, NEW and EXCITING products to the store!!

Robyn Story Designs and Boutique

IT'S HERE

THREE DAYS ONLY

ROBYN STORY DESIGNS

Holiday Open House!!

 

 

Holiday Open House Specials!

  Thursday!  Friday!  Saturday!

 October 6th, 7th, & 8th 

(Thurs/Fri 10 -5  Sat 10/4)

 

20% off 

YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE* 

 

As Always Great Food... Great Finds...
...And New Inspirations For Your Mind
And For The Artful Soul!  

Plus...

We've Made A Special Purchase of  

Exquisite Christmas Ribbon And Other
Holiday Decor And We Are Passing The
Savings On To Our Valued Customers! 

Daily Doorbusters!!

Unadvertised daily specials in all departments!

Spin the wheel for free gifts and special discounts!

Check out a very special trunk show with Stella and Dot 

 

It Will Be So Much Fun You Won't

Want To Leave! Ridiculous Pricing On

Designer Ribbon As Low As $1 Per Bolt!

 

 

*  Not good with any other offers, custom or special orders.  Does not include any discount off of Robyn's Untold Stories. Offer expires October 9, 2011.  Certain restrictions may apply.  See store for details.