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.)