f a l l 

I am dreaming of the fall. I know, I am crazy.

I am craving September and schedules. 

Crisp cold mornings and sunny, but not too sunny afternoons. 

Cozy nights in when I don't have to feel guilty about cuddling up in front of the tv at 7pm. 

I prefer fall clothes to summer clothes. 

I just can hardly wait until I can put pumpkins out on the front porch of the new store. And have wine and cider parties here with customers and girlfriends.

I want to sit in the back of the store on a rainy day with my tea in hand and look out at the Sound. 

I want to paint with metallics again instead of summer whites.  

I want to wear rain boots and fleece shirts.

I am a NW girl.

I am still in the moment and enjoying all that summer has to offer. But that doesn't mean I can't do a little fall dreaming. 

{all photos where sourced from Pinterest}.

the new shop

I sort of don't know where to begin with this one. I also didn't plan this blog post so I am just going to kind of wing it. Yesterday I finally got internet service here so I figured I would make use of it!

Also, I am not normally here on Tuesdays but my kids are spending the afternoon with their aunts and I felt like I needed to be here and work.

This is my first day working here by myself. In my very own shop. And it feels right, not weird at all. 

And I actually know what I am doing! 

The first thing that surprised me about this shop is the amount of shoppers that came in and said they have followed MCC from the beginning and were so excited to follow me here to the new shop. That means so much to me. 

The second thing that surprised me is how busy the walkin traffic is at this new shop. Being the only retail shop in Old Town with a ton of offices is going to be a great thing. So far I haven't had a sleepy day here at the shop. It is consistently busy. I am happy about this and a bit relieved.

 Ah, I do need to get the pilates studio sign down still but it is high and I am scared to get on the ladder, so I think I will tackle that with my husband tomorrow night.

It is going to be a bit of a juggle working the next month while my kids are still home for the summer. But they are my priority and they can be here with me on Thursdays and Fridays. Starting in September I will add in more open days to the shop. 

The very last thing about the new shop is the happy spirit here. 

You can just feel it before you walk in the door and I just love that about this shop. It comes from the customers and it comes from the love that us shop painters put into it. 

So thank you to all that came to visit me! I got three bouquets of flowers from other shop owners last week and that just brought me to tears. And the shoutouts on Facebook blew me away too!

And huge amount of gratitude to Bride on a Bike, Blue Roof Cabin and Ferpie and Fray {and their husbands!} for painting, moving, bringing joy to the shop last week. I don't know how I got so lucky to have them in my life. 

Here's to the new journey. I am officially open.

c o m f o r t 

{source Pinterest.com}

I love comfort. I am one of those people who as soon as they walk into the door of my house, I put pj's on, hair up in a bun, makeup off and comfy. I have also been that way with my life. I do take some risks but never ones that could be financially risky or cause me to under go unforeseen stress.

In fact, if you would have asked me six months ago what my dream life would be, it would be just to be comfortable everyday. Wake up each morning stress free. Not having to worry about money, not worry about my kids fighting constantly, a comfortable and clean house, a husband without a long commute home each day, customers that are always happy, and friends that support me regardless of my shortcomings.

But I read something last month and it changed my mind.

It was an article describing women who own their own businesses. And one line stuck out at me. It was- "Successful people in business often become comfortable in uncomfortableness". 

Dah! Lightbulb! This is where I grow! And let me tell you I have a lot of uncomfortableness in my life right now. I am smack in the middle of opening up a new store with my kids home with me for the summer, family in town, and funds that are being stretched to accomplish this {this part I am being careful with, I really would like to stay debt free in my business}. And a new shop with rent that is double what I used to pay with my name not only on the lease but on the front door.

Scary, but I actually know I can do it! I am doing it! It means in this "uncomfort" I set boundaries, set goals, acknowledge my mistakes, and celebrate my successes. And to try to do this every single day.

With this "uncomfort" I get to do it my way! I get to grow in stressful times and I always get through the other side. 

Even when I am going through something that is stretching me, I always need to look at what good I am getting out of it.

So here is to being comfortable in "uncomfort".

I will still put my pj's on as soon as I walk in the door to my house though, but I promise not to wear them to the shop.

f e e l i n g   h a p p y

 

 

 

I read this article on "The Nine Things Happy People Do Every Day". You know, the kind you see on FB that one of your friends posts a link to. Here is the link.

 

So, I clicked on it. And you know what?! For the first time in a long time I felt like on some degree I checked every box yes. And I would have to say at least half of them were things that I had just stared to do in the last 3 months.  

 

And it took effort, and it made some people upset with me. But I am truly happy and I feel lighter and a whole lot of freedom which in turn will make me a better mom, wife, and friend. 

It could be full of baloney but, never the less, I had to say I felt proud of myself for taking steps to control the happiness in my life.

So that is where my heart is at today. 

Feeling pretty darn happy. 

 

 

{all images in post from Pinterest}