Year: 2021
My Top 5 Favorite Pantry Items
Food is good for the soul, especially when it’s comfort food! That’s why we started Jessie’s Gourmet Pantry, to hand-select good products that not only taste good, but bring you comfort and remind you of home. While I don’t like picking favorites because I think they’re all special in their own way, here is a list of my top five favorite pantry items that you can buy today, in stores or in my online shop!
1. Peach Serrano Jam
In our pantry, we carry two brands of jams and jellies. While I enjoy the products from both, my favorite jam so far has been the Peach Serrano Jam by Lagniappe Spice Company in Cookeville, Tennessee. My favorite way to eat this jam is on a warm bagel with cream cheese. The sweet and savory combination makes a perfect breakfast or mid-day snack!
2. Berry Cabernet Tea
All tea that I carry in my pantry is from Octavia Tea which produces high quality, gourmet tea with unique blends and full flavors. The tea that I have almost every night and have fallen in love with is their Berry Cabernet! I use one of my small serving diffuser pots to steep the tea leaves, and then add a spoonful of honey to my cup before pouring in the delicious tea itself. This is the kind of tea that brings comfy, cozy feelings along with all the health benefits that come with a daily cup of tea.
3. Old Tavern Beer Bread Mix
This bread mix is made by Mimi’s Mountain Mixes, which I love supporting because the Mimi behind it all uses some of her proceeds to help women and children’s shelters. To top it off, her mixes are easy and make delicious bread! Like she says on the box, just add your beer of choice. I don’t drink alcohol, but the beer definitely does something to make this bread work! Feel good buying this product because you’re not only getting yourself a treat, but helping others as well.
4. White Chocolate Raspberry No Bake Cheesecake mix
You read that right! NO BAKE. That will bring a smile to anyone’s face, especially my friends who find themselves to be baking-challenged. All you need to make this delicious cake is cream cheese, Cool Whip or something equivalent, and a pre-made graham cracker crust you can pick up at any grocery store. You can also make your own crust, but the pre-made ones can taste just as heavenly.
5. Spinach dip mix
I’ve always been a fan of spinach and spinach artichoke dips. Our family buys some every year as part of our traditional Christmas Eve feast (for 4). Next year we’ll be able to make our own dip with this delicious mix from Rabbit Creek Farms! All you need is some sour cream and your dip will be ready in seconds. It’s delicious, and perfect with bread, chips, or crackers. Next time you have guests over you can tell them you made the dip! How satisfying is that?
Whether you’re having guests over or it’s a quiet night in, these pantry items will bring joy to any home looking for some feel-good comfort food. You can find all of these items in my pantries at Sweet Home Vintage Market and Uptown Vintage Market. Most of these are available in my online shop and I’m working on getting the rest added as soon as possible.
Let me know how you enjoy these items, and what your favorites have been! I love to hear from my customers. As always you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check back here for more blog posts!
Sneak Peek: Vintage Postcard Projects
There’s something special about vintage postcards. They have so much history, art, and love poured into them. I started collecting postcards and selling them a couple years ago, and I’ve been working on incorporating them into my happy creations! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the projects I’ve been working on:
1. Wood Transfers
One postcard project I’ve been playing with is transferring the image of a postcard onto painted or stained wood! It can be a difficult process, but the look is well worth it. After successfully transferring the image onto wood, I’ve started to think about other ways I can incorporate this method into my furniture makeovers. Stay tuned to see if I can make that happen!
2. Digital Art
One advantage to having these postcards in the 21st century means I can produce high quality scanned images of them. To be able to have these beautiful works of art to play with in creating digital art has been a pleasure. Some of my favorites are the Christmas postcards that I can blow up and place in a custom painted frame. I can’t wait to get that going again when the Holiday season returns! Lord knows it will be here before we know it.
3. Hand Towels
Everyone loves a decorative hand towel. Whether you’re putting it in your guest bathroom or displaying it proudly on your oven door, a well placed hand towel can bring you so much joy. That’s exactly why I’ve been working on my very own hand towel designs. These will feature both images that I have composed myself as well as images of, you guessed it, my vintage postcards! I’ve made some in the past, but I’m working towards making these a regular item in my shops.
Are You Ready For This??
If you’re anything like me, you’re going to love these vintage postcard projects! I get so much joy from my work, especially when I can be my most creative self. Thank you for taking the time to pop in, and I can’t wait to share these new projects with you!
You can show your support and stay updated on my work by liking me on Facebook and following me on Instagram and Pinterest! Check back weekly for new blog posts, have a beautiful week!
5 Ways To Request A Custom Order (And What To Expect)
I’m always open to requests for custom orders! If there’s a piece of furniture that you love but it’s not quite the right color or style, I’m your girl. I also love the challenge of bringing your imagined painting or wall art to life as I’ve done in the past, specifically with beachy pieces like pallet and rope art.
How To Reach Me For Custom Orders
There are a few ways you can get in touch to discuss what I can offer you:
- Facebook Message: this is one of the best ways to get in contact with me. Having this business, I find myself with my phone often checking my business social media accounts. I get instant notifications for Facebook Messenger, as well as the other administrator on my account (my daughter). Feel free to shoot me a message any time, and I will get back to you soon!
- Instagram Message: this is another great option because I see my Instagram messages with my Facebook messages. If Facebook isn’t your favorite, I can still see your Instagram messages and will get working with you on your new piece quickly.
- Website Form: my website form sends your message to my email where I can reply to you and get the details of your order solidified.
- Direct Email: I’ve also listed my email directly on my website and various social media accounts. Feel free to click on this link and send me a message about your order as well!
- Give me a call or text: My phone number is available for anyone in the area wishing to reach out to me about a custom order. If you’re busy and just want to get in touch quickly you can text me and we can set up a time to discuss your needs!
What To Expect From The Experience
Once we get in contact about your custom order, we will discuss the details. These include a quote on the price for labor and materials, the time I need to complete the order, and delivery to my studio and back to your loving home.
These details will vary per project, as certain furniture pieces and art will take more or less time to complete. I’m also happy to help you choose the style/color of your new piece if you’re having trouble with that as well! In the past, I have visited client’s homes in order to properly match colors and other decor.
Your experience will be personalized and your piece completed with detail and care. Reach out any time to start the conversation!
Once again, like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and check out my Pinterest to stay updated on my work. Check back every week for new blog posts!
Feeling A Little (French) Country
As someone working in the world of home decor, I’m constantly looking at new styles for inspiration. I’ve gone through beachy, farmhouse, and vintage phases. The newest style that’s caught my eye is French country. Let me tell you a little more about it, and why I’m starting to fall in love.
What Is French Country?
When I think of this style, I think about a more European inspired farmhouse. There’s a comparable use of white as the main color, but the pieces involved are more ornate, eclectic, and vintage. If you’re styling a room in your house in French country, you’ll most likely have a mix of natural wood and white furniture, muted colors, a healthy amount of grey/beige linen, and greenery/flowers. Your room will have plenty of natural light to highlight the brilliance of the whites, which are tuned perfectly with the unintrusive hints of color.
Here is a reference if you’re having a hard time visualizing the differences between farmhouse and French country:
As you can see, they are VERY similar. You could arguably have a little hybrid of the two aesthetics without really trying. Some differences to point out:
- Farmhouse utilizes more industrial fixtures and hardware. French country integrates more traditional, ornate pieces.
- You’re more likely to find plaid/gingham in a farmhouse kitchen than you would in a French Country kitchen.
- Greenery and florals are a must in both styles, and in my opinion they’re welcome in all styles.
- The furniture (table, chairs, buffets) are more often straight lines and edges in a farmhouse setting. Whereas in French country, there is a flare to the furniture that signals the European inspiration of the look.
Thinking About Redecorating?
After writing about it so much I certainly am. I may even paint my cherry kitchen cabinets white…don’t tell my husband I’m thinking about it!
If you’re interested in the idea of incorporating some fresh European feels into your home, you’re just in luck! My new booth at Uptown Vintage Market is showcasing this very style. I have a few beachy blue pieces of furniture that you’ll see, but soon it will be as if you walked into a lovely home in Provence, France. Everyday I’m working on new white pieces of furniture, elegant decor, and hand-picking pieces that scream FRENCH COUNTRY.
Are you sold on the idea? Tell me what your favorite style is in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.
Once again, like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and check out my Pinterest to stay updated on my work. Always be on the lookout for new blog posts!
It’s The Little Things
Having a small business is no piece of cake, as many of my friends could tell you. There are times where you feel like giving up, that you’re not good enough, and that no one really needs what you’re selling. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference.
The most important thing to remember when you start a business is to have a good support system. This helps A LOT until you have a consistent customer base. My family and friends have been there for me through all the stages of Happy Creations, and the other day I had the sweetest interaction with one of my customers.
An Afternoon At Sweet Home Vintage Market
Every week or so, I visit my booths at Sweet Home and Uptown. These visits are for adding inventory, rearranging some things, and sprucing up my merchandise. Recently, I took a trip down to Sweet Home to replenish some items and was pleased to see a healthy number of customers perusing the shop. After hanging a new piece, a group of women walked into my booth talking about how they loved my merchandise.
I don’t believe they knew it was my booth at first. I introduced myself as the owner and was pleasantly surprised by how enthusiastic one of them was.
“Oh I love your booth, I buy from here all the time!” The woman was so kind, and had brought in her friends/relatives to look in my booth. Having that interaction erased any of those doubts about my business. Even if just for an afternoon, I was confident in the time I spent working hard on my Happy Creations and building this business.
Moral of the Story
If you find yourself struggling with your business, your career, or just in life (it’s hard regardless of what you do!), remember that there are people out there that support you and love you. Even if you don’t know who they are, there’s someone who roots for you. Take solace in the little things that bring your joy. And above all else, God will show you that you are loved when you need it most.
Thank you for being here, and remember where you can find me! If you’re not located on the Space Coast, I’m now offering a selection of home decor, pantry items, and the cutest little teacups in my Shopify store. Check it out here!
Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and check out my Pinterest to stay updated on my work. My blog is a great place to keep up with what I’m doing. So be sure to pop in again soon!
Expanding At UpTown!
Hi friends! I’m excited to announce that I will be moving back into UpTown Vintage Market on May 4th. This will be a second location where you can find a larger selection of my furniture as well as a variety of art and small decor items.
UpTown Girl (Cue Billy Joel)
As you know, I already have a small space in UpTown for my Gourmet Pantry items. The booth right next to my pantry opened and it just felt like a sign from God when I got the call. I am super excited to be back with the UpTown Vintage Market family.
You can still find me at the beautiful Sweet Home Vintage Market in Sebastian. I will continue working hard to keep adding beautiful beachy furniture and home decor items along with my Gourmet Pantry items. I am still taking custom painting orders and would be happy to work with you to create the perfect piece for your home!
Two Is Better Than One
I’m looking forward to the challenge of maintaining two locations where all my friends on the Space Coast and Treasure Coast can find me. Come on by and check out my new space May 4th!
Thank you all for your continued support, it’s not easy having a small business. Though the last few months have been hard, things are definitely coming together. God is always on time! Getting all the support from my family, friends, and the community means more than I can explain. God is good!!
Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and check out my Pinterest to stay updated on my work. I’ll be posting to my blog more often in the months to come, so be sure to check back for more!
Dresser Makeover 
Garage Sale Find Makeover 
The Hutch Transformation 
Give me some Bling (on fabric) 
Rocking Horse Restoration 
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