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So Lucky!

3/8/2019

Spring in Ponchatoula is the place to be with something BIG planned nearly every weekend! Tomorrow is a fun filled Saturday with St. Patrick's Day parade, a Cook Off, and a town clean up day. Definitely squeeze in a trip to Nest as new Spring arrivals are here!
This of course, is just the lead up to our town's biggest event of the year, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. This year I've got something very special coming to the shelves...Here's your peek!
More details next week!

xoxo,
Lisa

Sparking Joy...

3/1/2019

Yes, I've caught Kondofever! If you don't know about Marie Kondo's Magic Art of Tidying; do yourself a favor and catch it on Netflix. I read the book a couple years ago, and the process seemed harsh, but the show feels more relatable and kind. So, as I'm decluttering home & shop, I'm also, looking for things that would help you also "spark joy" and just make cleaning fun!

First off, I've been looking for products to get my kids on board with tidying. I shared with my twins the new ADORABLE animal dust pans that came in and they loved them...until they began to fight over who gets to sweep up a crumb of dirt. Anyway, it's a start. My favorite (and my daughter's) is the pink pig...because pigs are amazing!

And also, we recently received a new shipment of the Makeup Eraser. Hey, tidying up your face also counts! I heard so many good things about this product, I was excited to bring it in (and try it!) I have very sensitive skin, so finding a make up remover that doesn't irritate my skin has been challenging. The makeup remover uses only warm water, and softly buffs off your make up. I was shocked, it truly works. Plus, your not using disposal wipes, a great eco-benefit...and again they are ridiculous cute!

Knock Off Fragrances & Your Lampe Berger...

2/14/2019

This morning I ruffled some feathers of a couple customers. They were purchasing new Lampe Berger wicks for a wick that curiously stopped working. I suggested that maybe it had aged from continued use (its recommended to change every year with frequent use). Then as they were checking out, they discussed buying the oil down the street. Hold up! As I'm the only Lampe Berger dealer in the area, I asked what they were buying to put in the lampe? It was a knock off and most likely the reason the wick stopped working. I really tried to explain how important it is to use the right fuel with a catalytic lamp as this is way beyond a candle...unfortunately, they suggested I tried to sell them something that didn't work...and actually, I was being honest, no your Lampe Berger wick will not work with ABC fragrance. Here's why:

Lampe Berger uses a different alcohol than copy cats; competitors usually use Isopropyl Alcohol (the same stuff sold at drug stores) they can offer this at a bargain, but it has a completely different flash point and can ruin the wick or worse, cause a fire.
Lampe Berger fragrances are tested for reliability. I googled the company of the copy cat my customers were hot-footin' to get. They do not sell lamps or wicks, just the fragrance. That does not sound like they are very committed to their product line.
Lampe Berger only releases maybe new 2-3 fragrances a year because they test them for 6-7 years to make sure they are free of any carcinogens. Does your knock off boast this as well?

We want all our guests to understand and fully enjoy our products; if you have a Lampe Berger Catalytic Lamp (or perhaps have considered purchasing one), I'd love to help you find just the right selection of lamp and fragrance that you can confidently use in your home around your family.
xoxo,
Lisa

New at Nest

1/20/2019

There's so much to be excited about right now at Nest! Mardi Gras is definitely on the mind of many customers as we're in a nice long Mardi Gras season (Fat Tuesday is March 3rd this year). Here's a few favorite picks for our local parade goers:

Also, check out our Events page; I've updated it with a few not to be missed items in the next couple months (also, a family vacation squeezed in there).
See you soon!
Lisa

We Moved!

1/12/2019

Yes! We moved right after Christmas, swapping places with our favorite tenant, Flowers by Linda. It's something I never thought I'd do; but after 10 years business, it does teach you something about flexibility. We moved right next door to a space we renovated in 2014-15; even though it's a lot smaller than our original space, I was so enamored with it. So in October, when the Florist desperately needed more space, I started entertaining the idea of moving into this cozy space.

A few other factors came into play too. One was, for 10 years I was getting tired of always being on my feet in such a large store; my body is plain and simple telling me it was enough. I wanted to simplify too and focus on our bestsellers; we worked hard over the last 6 months to let go of a lot of product lines that just weren't selling...so, what you see today in our store reflects exactly what you love best about Nest. The last reason was the biggest surprise of 2018...we started a new business, a little by accident.

So, how do you accidentally open a whole new business? Well, in my experience, much like Nest, I just jumped in feet first and asked questions later...and that's how Le Roost was born. Le Roost is a home stay vacation rental we opened in the apartment above the store in October. Immediately, it was a success...and a lot of work, taking me away from some of my duties at Nest. Now, currently I'm working on opening the other apartment as another vacation rental opportunity for families in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area.

Finally, I feel like it all makes sense; Nest and Le Roost are the perfect blend and a great experience for both locals and visitors to our quaint town. And thanks to all of you for sticking with us as we evolve!
XOXO,
Lisa

Easy Chalk Paint Project...

8/9/2018

I often hear customers excited about the prospect of tackling a chalk paint style project, but unsure where to begin, what to do, and how to start. My advice, just begin! Confidence is about equal to skill, and the more confident you become, the greater your skill will grow!

Here's a simple step-by-step of one of the most basics of projects: a wooden picture frame.

using a plain wooden frame, remove glass & backing; clean lightly with soap & water
Add one coat Cottage Nest Paint in "French Quarter Rain," let dry
For second coat, add water to Cottage Nest Paint "Cotton" creating a wash effect, let dry.
lightly sand with fine sandpaper, distress and smooth as needed, wipe clean
Add Chalktique Paste Wax in light or dark and buff to matte finish, let dry.
Pop in a fun Cavallini paper or your own picture

Purchase everything you need in store at Nest Interiors

Complete one or several of these, playing with different brush types, waxes, and distress techniques to develop a comfort level for a larger project.
Have your own tips? Share with our readers now...
XOXO,
Lisa

Copy Cats...

3/29/2018

I know this isn't a real warm and fuzzy topic but, I feel I need to address the issue of Copy Cats. In my 10 years in business, it's happened here and there to us...another store grabs a line we did the hard work to find at market or they replicate a promotion, copy product ideas, etc. But in the last several months, I've seen similar content to our business now once to twice a week on social media from a few local stores and artisans. The worst offender, by far, tho lifted an image I took in my store and then copied verbatim the copy I wrote for the product!

The top image is from my site, the bottom is from the store down the street. I consider this stealing. I also consider the behavior I've been seeing from multiple stores and artisans to be un-befitting of small business owners. Honestly, I'm not looking to ruffle any feathers, but giving these people (because obviously they are reading this) the advice another store keeper gave to me in my 1st year...Be different, Mind your own business, and work hard.

And a message to my customers, just yesterday, a lady told me how much she enjoyed visiting each local store in town and seeing what was different. My goal, from day one is to keep bringing unique content to you with fair prices with an atmosphere that everyone is welcome.

xoxo,
Lisa

Thank You Friends!

3/20/2018

Just a quick hello, and thanks for a spectacular Saturday! Placing our 10th anniversary party on St. Patrick's Day was so appropriate because you all made us feel so lucky. It's Tuesday, and I'm back open for the week and I still have people coming in to shop and tell us how much we have meant to them all these years. Not a bad way to start the week or the next 10 years!
xoxo,
Lisa

Double-Digits Y'all!

3/16/2018

It's hard to believe our little store and dream are now 10 years old. We've had all the ordinary struggles as you'd expect of any business, but uniquely in our 10 years we've survived a damaging hurricane, a cancer diagnosis, and high risk twin pregnancy. If you like underdogs...you'll love us!
So, tomorrow...March 17th, St. Patrick's Day...we are celebrating being the luckiest of stores.

Open 10am - 4pm
Every purchases chooses a surprise discount at checkout; 10-30% OFF
Meet Kelly Dupre of Repurposed Finds
Cake and Refreshments at 1pm
Save your receipt and receive a FREE month at Snap Fitness Ponchatoula courtesy of Bree
Online use LUCKYNEST for 15% off your purchase thru the weekend

And thank you to everyone who entered our door or click our links...we're still here because of you!
xoxo,
Lisa

Bugging Out Over Butterflies...

2/6/2018

You never know where your heart will take you! Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sharing with Brownie Troop 32003 my passion for helping butterflies and why we created our Monarch Waystation here at Nest Interiors. These ladies are super smart and asked great questions, all to earn their bug badges.
We learned about the unique migration of the Monarch butterfly. We also looked at examples of host plants for caterpillars, including milkweed for Monarchs. We talked about other common butterflies we find in Louisiana throughout the year. We even talked about how butterflies are not only important pollinators like bees, but they are an excellent larval food source for birds. And as a treat, I had a couple Gulf Fritillary caterpillars and one chrysalis to view.
And a special thanks to Troop Leader, Erin, who asked me to present to the girls. I've never formally done anything like this before (tho I've been known to prattle all of these things off to unwilling customers - hee hee). Seriously, seeing 8 girls all excitedly asking butterfly questions at the same time fills your heart full of hope for not just butterflies but for all of us.

Join our Butterfly Community on Facebook, Butterflies in Berryland where we share not only news of our store garden but butterfly and gardening information specific to Southeast Louisiana.

xoxo,
Lisa