About Julie


Thank you for visiting The Vintage Barn.  I am Julie, mommy to the two sweetest, cutest and liveliest little girls I know! My handsome husband Anthony, is a 3rd generation CA dairy farmer, and works very hard.  We live right on the dairy...and there isn't a better place to raise kids.  I didn't grow up in the country...but, I sure do love it now!



I grew up in a small farming community in Central California (pretty close to us now.)  I have wonderful parents, a sister who is a labor and delivery nurse and is married to a fire fighter (I know...perfect pair, right?!?)  My parents built and own their own towing business...totally on their own nearly 40 years ago.  I would say they are a perfect example of what hard work will do for you!  Working hard for my own business is just in my blood!



In my former life (aka "Before Kids") I was an elementary school teacher.  Teaching is truly a rewarding career.  Not too many people really understand the love teachers have for their students...unless you have taught.  I still enjoy seeing former students...honestly, it can make me feel old quick!





When we had our first baby,..I "retired" from teaching to be home with our little family.  I found out QUICKLY that being frugal was more than fun.  Being frugal was a necessity...necessity is the mother of invention...and The Vintage Barn was born.  Today, with our two girls...my plate is full...and I have more fun than I could have ever imagined!

I am also mommy to Millie, the BEST Chocolate Lab in the world!


 AKA Millie Monster







I am not a professional interior designer nor am I a journalist.  I am, however a do-er, thinker, dreamer and a creative junker.  My mind is definitely a business mind (or just ALWAYS busy??)...with a creative spin.  If I had a dollar for every time I told my husband, "I have an idea" we would be rich!


Almost every piece of furniture in our home is from a yard sale, thrift shop or a relative that no longer needed it. I rearrange and change furniture layouts and decor often...using what I have and tweaking it somehow.   I LOVE using what I have and what we love to decorate.  That is what truly makes your house...your home.



A can of paint, my sewing machine and my rubber gloves (I have to keep my nails nice for manicures from our 4 year old!) are some of my must haves! Making our house a home did not at all involve "breaking the bank," and it doesn't have to for you either. I hope you will be inspired by my vintage finds, the cute stuff I find and create at The Vintage Barn (www.thevintagebarn.etsy.com) and will live YOUR real life!





Love & Junk~
Julie


27 comments:

  1. Hi Julie!
    Love your "can do" frugal attitude. {I, too, will tuck and roll out of the car to grab a piece of "trash". LOL!} You have a sweet family, including that precious Millie.

    I'm a new follower via Embracing Change.

    Blessings from Oklahoma,
    Meredith at The Laundry Can Wait

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  2. Why, thank you Meredith! I LOVE your "tuck & roll" tactic...so funny what we will do for a good find!

    Thank you for finding my blog...I just love Stacey over at Embracing Change. She has really been a friend and mentor to me in this whole blogging world.

    I am off to go check out Laundry Can Wait (while my dryer is buzzing and waiting!!)

    Have a blessed day!
    Julie

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  3. Hi Julie,

    I love your blog. Will follow for sure, thanks for sharing.

    Nichole from Suburban Epicurean

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    1. Hi Nichole!

      Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by...and the follow is very sweet!

      Have a great week...
      Julie

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  4. Beautiful blog, beautiful family! Stopping by for UBP2013.

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  5. From UBP13, nice to meet you. You sound like my kinda gal. Looking forward to reading more and getting to know you.

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  6. I have found that necessity is certainly the mother of invention! I too grew up in a fairly small town and am now loving raising my kids in the country. I'm stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party.

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    1. Country life is sure fun! Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Visiting from UBP13, love you transformations. Your newest follower can't wait to see what you transform next.

    Desiree @ YourCraftyFriend

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    1. Thank you, Desiree!!! I am ALWAYS transforming something....

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  8. Saw your blog on UBP13 - love your blog!! Stop by mine at www.dollycreates.blogspot.com

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  9. Love what I've read so far! I'm also a do it yourself kind of decorator. I'm looking forward to reading more!

    Amy
    www.justdoityall.com

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  10. Thank you Jen...headed your way in a bit!

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  11. Hi Julie, your girls are the sweetest! Love that you included the dog, aren't they just part of the family? I can't wait to read more about your projects..have a great party!

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    1. Thank you...our girls are our world! That includes our chocolate lab, Millie. She has cancer...and we are just loving on her as much as we can now!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Julie

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  12. fun stuff and uber cute family. Here via UBP13---I am a can do gal too...who loves curb side treasures. I am still working on the frugal part but I'll get there - with 4 kids a dog, a super fantastic husband life sure is busy around here and frugal would be so helpful!!!

    Becoming your newest follower; have a crafty weekend.

    tina
    one crafty mess

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words! I will be honest...some of my projects (not many) have turned into messes...expensive messes!! Ha!

      Thanks for following...nice to "meet" you!

      Julie

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  13. I love your "About Me"! Your girls are adorable and you seem to have a lot of fun!
    I'm from L.A. but now live in a very small town in Central California and there are lots of dairy's around here!
    Selene @ Restoration Beauty

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    1. Thanks, Selene! You are pretty close to where we are...a hop, skip and a jump!!

      So fun to be working with you...love your blog!

      julie

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  14. Thank you for stopping by....banana bread is my favorite!

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  15. Hi Julie, I just "found" your blog through a couple of other blogs I follow. Anywhoo, it was funny reading this page because my immediate thought when I saw that you lived on a dairy farm was.."I wonder if it's near me?" (It seems like all the blogs I find are people who live nearer the East Coast) Then I saw that you said it's near the Central Valley and that's where I live. I have family that have dairy farms here and my Dad grew up on a dairy farm. So, it's in my blood to love farm decor I guess you could say..lol. Looking forward to seeing more posts from you!

    Nicole

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    1. Thank you, Nicole!!! Yep, we live smack dab in the middle of all the cows...really a fun way of life!

      So glad you found me...looking forward to "seeing" you here!

      Julie

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  16. Julie! Girl, I just visited your website! This is awesome! I love the font, your blogging, everything! I'm so proud of you and in awe of your hard work! This is SO great! I'm gonna share it on FB.

    Love,
    V

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    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! You are so sweet...always LOVE visiting with you!!! I will have to have a special guest post by you...a tutorial of sorts on one of your many crafty genius ideas you have!!

      XO
      Julie

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