be a little brave

Today I rode my bike to work, and for me, that's brave.

I only live about 15 blocks from my shop, but I was wearing a dress (with shorts underneath! Always!) and carrying a super heavy backpack, so the 15 blocks were plenty long. When I made it to work I felt like I have really accomplished something.

Then later on this morning a sweet girl came in to the shop to buy her sister a present. This sister, she told me, was constantly trying to conquer her fears and she did that by repeatedly skydiving, despite the fact she hates both heights and falling. When the girl checked out she had finally decided to get her sister a set of three charms that featured Thor and the two words: Jump now. 

Fitting, right?

So what's that little thing that needs some bravery to conquer? Whether it's biking to work or sky diving, showing off some white Irish legs or facing an upcoming presentation, be a little brave and jump now. Conquering fear is always worth it.

fake first day

Today is my first regular day at the shop and it is so strange not to have a to-do list that needs to be frenziedly attended to in order to be ready for an upcoming something. Today I'm just here, at the shop, no pressing deadlines, and it feels amazing. It's the first chance I've gotten to just stop and look around at this place. It's still sinking in that it's mine.

Because that's what happens when dreams come true, isn't it? We look around and think, this is it right? This is what I wanted? And when the answer is yes you have to just slow down, get out of your head, and be happy about it. It's real and YOU did that. So today I'm just giving myself permission to enjoy my hard work and my real first day on the job.

welcome to the bookerie!

So as I let you in on a few weeks ago, I opened a shop on Saturday. A real live shop, like with people who shop there and everything. I know there are a lot of shops in the world, but somehow I feel like this is revolutionary. My shop feels like something that's been inside of me for a long time. I've never lived anywhere I could paint the walls or the furniture as an adult and this little room is the one place where everything is exactly where I want it to be.

This is my shop.

new home

When we got married I moved into John's apartment, so this feels like our first house. It's an adorable duplex 13 blocks from my new shop, which makes it feel like we've moved to a whole new city without leaving Tulsa. I've been unpacking like crazy to get everything ready before I have to unpack like crazy at the shop. Here are a few quick snaps.

back in black

Alright, you miss me yet? I know it's been a good long time, but I am finally back to a point where I can start blogging again! New home is almost all settled (pics to come!) and my closet looks like a place one could actually track down something to wear. 

Tommorrow (TOMORROW!) I get the keys to my new shop! We're cooking with gas now - literally. My new stove is gas. But anyway, having the shop keys is going to mean leaving the house in real clothes, so back to blogging it is!

Here we go!

a big dream

So after a year of staying home and making book-y goodies, I will be opening my own shop! Could not be happier or more blessed. I am so excited!

I am also excited because the shop will make me a so much better blogger - hello great downtown Tulsa photo backdrops and a daily reason to wear cute clothes! Excited!

In the meantime, expect me to continue being a little invisible, but come August, it's gonna get real!

i've been mia...

Like really super MIA - but I promise I have a good reason! As you may or may not have followed along and learned, I got a job that I had to leave almost immediately for personal reasons. In the wake of that, I have recommitted myself to my business with new fervor and I am hoping to expand in new ways while continuing to teach next year. In the past two weeks I have doubled the number of recycled book products that I offer and I still have more on the drawing board! Check out my updated shop here!

I am preparing so much so quickly because I am also getting ready to take two separate weeks of vacation - next week with family in Iowa, and the next week at a cabin with the hubby in the Ozarks! So basically, I'm trying to do three weeks of work in one, and the blog is getting "back burner-ed" for the time being. Stay tuned for more stuff when I actually start having some kind of schedule again later in June.