The LakeGypsy

02/07/2026

01/25/2026

Snow days hit alot different than they have in the past. For nearly 20 years I managed the various food and beverage spaces at the Natural Bridge of Virginia. This meant snow days didn't exist. You basically were required to shelter in place at work, and work!! We stayed in the hotel and it was definitely an adventure. There are many memorable moments, keeping the staff safe meant bed checks for the younger staff but it could also lead to sledding using serving trays complete with pan coat added to the bottom for that death wish factor.
The most memorable extended snow stay was the blizzard of 2010. It was not expected. We closed early on a Friday night and sent most of the staff home. So it was me, 1 chef and his sweet fiance who could serve and bartend (they lived in an apartment on the property) and my 70 year old morning manager. There were 39 guest in the hotel that night...no problem! By the morning there were 120, and shortly it rose to about 50-60 more. No one could get in...the roads were shut down and most of the people who checked into the hotel were stranded there. Buffets were made, simple but even that was a struggle, we did the best we could, the first night people begged me to open the bar offering copious amounts of tip money for some alcohol, so I did. At one point I thought of drinking on the job myself when I looked at the dining room which seated 200+ people and every table was dirty with dishes piled high...but not one complaint from a customer. Many offered to help and do dishes...it was one of the most difficult tests of restaurant endurance I ever experienced. But we made it. I often look back and know all of those years at the Natural Bridge let me know what I am made of, and sometimes, especially lately I forget just how tough I am. Today I sit by my woodstove, next to the love of my life (also found at Natural Bridge). I am sipping Fireweed Mountain tea from my sweet friend's company in Alaska (seems fitting) Jen Hankins out of a pottery mug I made in the class where we met, too many years ago to remember. I'm am using honey from the sweet local apairy in Hurt, VA from White Barn Vintage. I am all up in my feels this morning...a

01/25/2026

They say pins will be on point this year in Fashion. We've been collecting these forever. Spending this frozen weekend curating some beauties to bring to next month's Market at . The "love" market...because like a good pin we are stuck on you!! Save the date, see you soon!!
xoxoxo LG

12/20/2025

Every spring for as long as I can remember we have a bluebird get trapped in our woodstove. Every spring one of us (usually me) will rescue the bird. You would think by now that we would have a tried and true method, but we don't. Most of the time it's an ordeal. It's always try to seal off the opening of the stove and that typically results in the bird escaping and flying around until it tires and eventually surrenders to a towel or net as a vehicle to freedom. Most of the time it feels like the bird is trying to hijack it's own rescue by constantly flying away from a helping hand. Once I have the bird outside it usually takes a while for the shock to wear off, and I watch the bird collect itself and get it's navigation instincts in check. Although birds in the house are typically associated with bad omens, it is ALWAYS a bluebird, and since bluebirds are symbolic for happiness, I've deemed the annual rescue as the RESCUING MY OWN HAPPINESS event. I've thrown away the superstition and opted for it to be a nod from the universe. This annual event always make me take pause and reflect on what I am doing to be happy. I allow nature to remind me of the existential questions of life.

Today, on close to the calendar watermark of winter I heard a fluttering in the stove pipes, and sure enough after a few hours of stuggle she made her way down to the stove. I opened the stove just a crack expecting to see a finch or chickadee since I would expect a bluebird to be further down the mason dixon line by now. But no...there she was, the harbinger of happiness and joy looking tired, dusty, defeated, grounded and not happy at all. I put my experience to work, closed any interior doors opened exterior exits cover the stove with a fitted sheet grabbed a soft towel and slowly opened the door. She sat perched in the corner legs locked on the fire bricks. She didn't move. I said ok, will you let me help you? I attempted to grab her but my grasp was too light. She moved to the front corner of the stove, I thought oh boy here we go...again I asked...will you let me help you?
I reached in again, she let me slowly and gently wrap my hand around her. I carefully pulled her out of th

11/12/2025

It is going to be down to the wire getting ready for this weekend but I'll pull it off...
Next month things will shift for the Lake Gypsy and with that we will be doing some Very Merry Markdowns all weekend in our booth at White Barn Vintage to make room what is next in business and in life.
There is the most AMAZING vintage Chrismas that you can imagine. All under one roof, with food, Santa and reingoats! With more that thirty vendors the barn is packed to the roof with vintage! Grab your friends and stay for the day!
We will be making room to change what we do a little and help our customers make their own one of a kind creations. We will still have vintage but we will also being putting our own unique spin on what we do, it's a change and a pivot that's overdue. Stay tuned for what is next and we can't wait to see you all this weekend!!
Get there early to get the best stuff! No fighting over great vintage...the man in the red suit is watching you know!!

04/26/2025

I always seem to come across authentic vintage beaded belts. They tend to be super small...often times being sold as souvenirs for children, but still I rescue them. A few years ago I started making them into hat bands for my collection of hats. I love them. I also add celluloid shoe clips and other found vintage goodies to make things even more unique.
Being innovative with vintage goods is a gift. I'll be adding a few to our space at White Barn Vintage for the coming market. Be sure to check it out...it is a benefit market celebrating those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

04/24/2025

These 2 framed beauties (from a 1962 bird book) will grace the newest adventure for the LG tribe...starting next month we will be changing things up a bit. Always staying ahead of the curve. Next month we will launch the Crow+Magpie found object jewelry bar The White Barn Vintage. Create one of a kind jewelry with an array wonderfully curated found objects turned into pendants. Just pick your chain and add a unique peice of vintage history. We will still feature our 100% handcrafted jewelry, upcycled and vintage clothing as well as cool vintage goodies.
We started this company making jewelry from unique treasures with keys, tiny knives, religious medals, coins and all the shiny things, now we want to help you create your own. Stay tuned for monthly workshops that we will host in the tribe loft at as well as some new spaces. TBA. Sometimes when things are hard you just need to look up!

04/17/2024

Have you ever wanted to create your own upcycled clothing? Well here is your chance! Come on down to for Sweet Violet's Vintage Market THIS WEEKEND April 19th and 20th 10am to 5pm and see the launch of our upcycled clothing bar. We will have flannels, sweatshirts, and denim jackets and all types of appliques on hand for you to make them your own. Do you have fabric, shirts, tees, quilts that you hate just keeping in a drawer, do your have sentimental or clothing you want to embellish with your own style...bring those too. We will help you create a one of a wearable work of art! This is a brand new concept we will create and sew on site! All inventory is first come first serve so get here asap! But trust us...we have a ton! Feel free to reach out if you have any question! We are so excited to launch this unique and one of a kind concept at Sweet Violet's Vintage Market because it is one of the places this all began 7 years ago!!








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01/11/2024

It's been the toughest week I've had inba long time, not gonna lie. 2024 will bring alot of changes and challenges. I need to remember and prioritize what is actually the most important in my life.