Happiness and Laughter

This past month simply flew by.

I have been criss-crossing California on my book tour. From Orange County to San Diego to Santa Barbara to San Francisco.

Virtually every event went hours longer than planned. Meeting and talking to 100's of Shabby Chic people. It was a lovely experience for me and I thank all who came. And all the lovely little gifts I was given.

I drove from county to county so I could also do some antiquing. And I came back with a wonderful load of treasures each time.



I have been driving the highways from antique malls to antique stores for years. I love everything about a road trip. Gives me a chance to listen to music while I drive through farmlands and lovely little American towns. It's pure joy for me.



I feel myself prioritizing choices and re-evaluating what is important to me.



And I find in both my personal and business life it is the quality, the little details that I am protecting. The bigger picture of life isn't my focus at the moment. I am finding the quiet unsung heroes in my life most important. The little authentic things are the basis of my relationships and Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture.



I am finding that my customer is really wanting to be educated by how my sofas are built. Many elements go into creating these mushy, comfy, customized, bespoke heirlooms. The little tacks have just an important a job and the big strong coils. Customers are appreciating knowing these pieces can be passed onto their children. From an aesthetic and quality standpoint they are timeless and classic.



Not all people are looking for big items. But they are taking the time in my shop to discover the little quiet details too. I buy these broaches and use them for napkin or tablecloth adornments. This is my Marie Antoinette moment. So affordable but priceless




Getting back to this part of my world is pure joy and giggles. It's the romance of my life. My imagination is endless and forever evolving. And once again, my stores in Los Angeles and New York has all the yumminess. Click to stores.



While white anything is always a favourite, playing with dyes is so satisfying. Teals, dusty pinks and neutrals are my colors of choice right now.



With so many ruffles the dye came out a little irregular but adds to the character. Perfect platform for my new dinnerware of plates with crowns and little Fleur de Lys. All very subtle and quiet but makes such a statement.



Throughout all the uncertainties and changes this year, flowers kept blooming, growing and spreading their fragrance. And reminding me of patience and law of nature and life. So many metaphors.





During the time my business was shut down, I reflected and imagined how things might be different in the future. A richer palette that I consider more mature and mellow found a place in my designing. A velvet illusion with rough dark woods seemed to continue my Shabby Chic design philosophy.

My understanding of why everything had to turn out the way it did has given me such an insight to faith. And from faith there is a key to pure joy. That in the end, if we do what we are supposed to be doing, in the way our path leads us, laughter is easy. And its lovely.

Bucket List (Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman)

There is truly much to write of the past few weeks events.



New York opening party and book launch, hosted by Target.



Writing my book was the easy part for me. Flying in the unfriendly skies to attend my book signings was my challenge and avoiding elevators, picking onion and garlic out of my food makes for travel to be exhausting for me and my companions.

The response from the a beautiful two page article in the New York Times has been global and extraordinary...Penelope Green, the journalist, captured our whole twenty years.



I can't help but grasp that it is way more than products that connect us all in this Shabby Chic world. I have been touched and humbled by every single person I have met these past few weeks.

My mothers anniversary of leaving was a few days ago.

And a common thought it seems when some form of life ends is "how do we affect the world during our time here". For me to inspire is a value important to me. But one we cannot contrive.

One lady I met in Vero Beach, Florida at my book signing held my hand and she said that I was on her "bucket list," and thanked me. That's a fairly monumental compliment and moment in my life. At times I have not escaped feeling dismissed from peoples lives, so this was an honor.

And it got me thinking of my bucket list.



When I left the book signing there was a double rainbow outside. That was an extraordinary sign.



One thing that stood out to me from my signings was what a community that we have created. For me it manifested in some profound products we have in our stores. Beautiful illustrations by Lisa Mann Dirkes. An amazing lady with her own story to be told.



My Vintage finds are of huge value in my aesthetic and quality of my stores.



I am convinced our eyes and soul need authentic beauty, of which there is much. There is sadly much ugliness too. And far too much noise. Just taking up space in our ears.

For sure price point is not my focus, but value is.

And then we proudly partner with Target for affordability and I also share my fleamarket tips for others to do themselves to attempt to counterbalance my whole Shabby Chic world.



My stores are now my canvas and art and the fact that I was a choice on one persons bucket list has raised by bench mark of my art, to be worthy of such.

Inspiration to me is simply a key we find to help us see what is inside ourselves.
So if the inspiration is authentic and eyes, ears and hearts are open we are all bucket lists for each other.

How lucky we found each other through prettiness.



And I will continue to bring what I have, for all to share. Whether a flower, a meaning or just a new understanding of my lessons. And I will be open to your stories and lessons too.

We will have a huge big Shabby Chic bucket, and we will collectively make the world a more beautiful nest, for our time here.

(Just leave the garlic and onions out of mine and give me wings so I don't need an elevator, or a plane.)