Thursday, February 28, 2008

promised pictures

For those of you who are still digging out from snow and ice, or who live too far and wide to come for a visit just yet, I've tried to snap some pictures to give you a feel for the shop. That is, until I get the urge to start mixing it up again and before more springtime goodies arrive next week.

And if I can find the time, I'll try to post some more in the next couple days. Enjoy!


















a gigantic thank you...

... to Tami. Sister-friend, I could not have imagined anyone else to be my partner in this venture. You are inspiration itself and being around you continually pushes me to get my brain outside the box. God has blessed you with talents galore and I am so thrilled that you share them with me. I shall be eternally grateful for your friendship and my new affection for twigs and sticks.

... to Darlyn and June, the best mother and aunt a girl like me could have. Even though I'm not "twenty" any longer, thanks for trusting me with a vision of my own and giving me the space in which to make it a reality. Thirteen years of your time and patience have made me who I am, and if there were ever two women with a heart for others and for retail, I could not have had two better to learn from. I love you both with all my heart.

... to Robyn, graphic designer extrordinaire, for always taking my not-so-concise ideas and crafting them into the perfect culmination of what I so poorly tried to communicate. For fitting my projects in to your schedule even when I'm in a time-crunch. You were my catalyst into blog-land and I hope this blog is lucky enough to even be half as wonderful as yours.

... to my friends and family. I could try and list you all but this blog would then be forever long. Thanks for asking, laughing, cheering, encouraging, supporting and loving me and for understanding when I disappear for weeks in full shop-mode. For taking me on shopping excursions and to my first auction, for girls' nights and e-mails, and for conversations that come just when I need them most.

And finally... to all the wonderful people who have braved the never-ending snow and cold weather to stop in this week and see the shop in person. I've been blessed by your comments and compliments and it has been a pleasure to get to know you.

It's been said that every journey begins with a single step (or in this case a leap of faith). Each of you have made this so wonderful that I can hardly wait to see were it goes from here.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

happy birthday, baby.

The beginning is the most important part of the work. ~ Plato

It had not been my intention to start off the premier post with a quote from a lofty Roman. But the sentiments fit so perfectly I could not look past them. Beginnings are so much work. I keep repeating that to myself as I keep making to-do lists that have downgraded from must-absolutely-get-done to bare-necessities. There are times when being a perfectionist, or as my friend Tami says "having a storm in your brain", is nerve-wracking deluxe. Proudly crossing off yet another necessity, I cheer myself with the idea that there really is only so much preparation that can happen in life, but even more so in retail. You have ideas and these grand mental images of what you want, but once you're hands on in the middle of it, anything is liable to happen. Regardless of how it goes off, whether exactly as imagined or with on-the-spot improvisation, there is work and lots of it.

Today is the beginning of Alice Adair. In fact, someone at church asked me the other day if the beginning wasn't in November when the boutique previewed at 2nd Street Interiors' Holiday Soiree. I had to pause for a minute to think of how to properly explain it. Logically, the answer would seem to be "yes". And then it dawned on me -- it was a baby shower. A party to let everyone know that a new arrival to our little corner of the world would soon make it's scheduled entrance. So for months I've been telling friends, family, customers... even total strangers the "due date" - February 26th. There were times when it felt it couldn't get here fast enough and others when I wondered if it wasn't a bit premature (especially this week of "labor" pulling in all the loose ends). But somehow, some miraculous way, all of us are proud to announce an incredible "birthday" and the party to celebrate it!

The shop is brimming with garden, silver, jewelry, linens, ephemera [paper], books, pictures, and other one-of-a-kind finds. Spring is blossoming even if there is snow on the ground! There's even a great line of iron benches and planters guaranteed to get you dreaming of the flower-filled months that are on their way (just not soon enough!). And as if the goodies and delights weren't going to tempt you to brave the weather, there will be refreshments and party favors for all! We'll be serving the most delectable cupcakes and tarts from DaVinci Desserts with plenty of coffee and tea to warm you right up.


Grand Opening
Tuesday Evening: 5:00 ~ 9:00 pm
Wednesday through Saturday: 10:00 am ~ 5:00 pm


130 west second street, dover, ohio
330.343.7776