9.11.2009

Insomnia + A Little Shop


I've had raging insomnia for the past few nights.

It inevitably strikes around 2:00 a.m., when suddenly, I'm wide awake and, contrary to the sage advice of sleep specialists, I lie there in vain for hours trying desperately to go back to sleep. On the rare occasion, I actually get out of bed and read a little, answer some e-mail or do some work, but mostly I just stare at the dark ceiling, thinking about any number of things – what I should make for dinner, the fact that we’re out of cream (horrors), a particularly vexing working project, the note Audrey’s teacher sent home because she was trying to kiss her classmates… You get the idea.

Sometimes though, when I’m not stressing about, well…pretty much everything, I lie in bed and construct the dream shop I’d like to own. Now let me pause here to say that I don’t necessarily think the world needs another place to buy things…There are already plenty of lovely (and not so lovely stores) readily available for our purchasing pleasure, no? But I like to think my store would be different… (Doesn’t everything that opens a store think that??)

In my dream shop, people can come to buy something meaningful and lovely and well-made, or they can just hang out and chat and have a cup of Blue Bottle coffee and a homemade chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. There’s Cole and Sons Lily wallpaper on the walls, a grey cowhide rug on the floor, some sort of giant groovy chandelier right in the middle of the space and Carla Bruni’s dreamy French pop is on heavy rotation. I’d stock the place with lovely Tucker dresses and blouses in the prettiest prints (and since I’m dreaming, some Isabel Marant pieces too…), my friend Amy’s gorgeous recycled gold jewelry, sequin trimmed Vanessa Bruno totes (an oldie but goodie), colorful little Marais flats, groovy vintage house wears, found objects, a clutch of great art books, Christine’s perfect little girl’s frocks…

This is clearly a “winning the lottery” level fantasy, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll have my little dream space, but in the meantime I decided to go the reality route and open a little online shop where I can share (and sell) some of the things I love (did you ever think I’d actually get to the part about the real store ;-)

So, without further ado, announcing Simple Lovely Shop.

The idea to open a little online shop first came during the closet purge, when all of the sudden I had unearthed not only a pile of clothes (which I’m still planning to sell on ebay) but a slew of special things I’ve loved (and still love quite frankly) that never seemed to find a permanent spot in our house. Grouped together, they all felt very (for lack of a better adjective) “simple lovely”… They seemed to reflect the aesthetic of the blog and, it felt like a perfect starting point for a new little venture.

Moving forward, I’m planning to update the shop weekly with things that sort of “represent” the blog -- some vintage, some new…The inventory will always be small – about 10-20 things at any given time, and while I’m not sure how the shop will evolve long term, I do know I want to eventually add some homemade items – Audrey and I have big plans to sell our necklaces in the shop for the holidays.

So take a peek and let me know what you think…Maybe you’ll find something you love.

32 comments:

knack said...

Congrats to you....it looks so lovely.....and your dream shop sounds amazing!

happy weekend! xo

amy and ann said...

bravo! sounds like a perfect new venture for you.

Our Green Nest said...

Well I certainly did find something I love - those two dresses! I would have bought that 3rd one too but it was already sold out :(. Please let us know when you update it. Congratualations!

mb said...

Very lovely concept Joslyn. Now get some sleep.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on opening your shop! And hopefully one day you will be able to open your dream shop, because it sounds simply divine. :)

Jane Flanagan said...

Congrats on opening a shop! - So exciting!

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Congratulations on your new venture, Joslyn! And I love the dream for the shop... In a way, it already feels like that - the warmth and neighborliness of it is being conveyed through this post. Loved stopping by your shop and having a virtual cup of coffee surrounded by beautiful things. Thank you.
-maria

katy elliott said...

I love the shop. Great job!

p.s. such great ideas for a fantasy shop too!

Sarah Bradley said...

Congratulations! I love this idea!

I absolutely cannot wait until you and Audrey sell your necklaces. Would you consider starting an email list so we know when they're available? I'd love one similar to the one you wear. It would be perfect for a gift this year!

Katie said...

I just bought that groovy coral chunk... Love it! Congrats on the new venture. You have impeccable taste.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful idea, Joslyn! I look forward to many shopping journeys in your new boutique!

mominaledo said...

I can't wait to hear more! At least your insomnia is productive!!

nelya said...

How exciting! Your fantasy is mine as well. Loved the mental images you created. Off to check out your new digs. Wishing you great success!

Anonymous said...

I wish I could have snagged some of those toddler clothes this morning.

Lovely shop, really!!

nicole said...

Bravo! I'll pretend I am sipping a perfectly pulled blue bottle espresso while purusing the shop. Bravo again!

Sabina said...

How wonderful - well done!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ !!

Rachel said...

It really is lovely, my dear! Congratulations. Love that San Jose key ring, but struggling because I know it would end up living in one of my stuff bowls.

Jordan and Jandee said...

Shop looks lovely!

Lucia said...

Yay! I love the shop! So thrilled about it. And you really must open your real-life dream shop... we need you out there. And cheers -- I've got some serious insomnia too. Hello ceiling fan going around and around and around...

nichole said...

Awesome! I'm bummed I am just getting here now. Were there dresses?!? Add some more, please. :)

Perfect venture for you. Just perfect! Congrats.

Alice Q. Foodie said...

How cool - I want to see what you sold though! I have been thinking of switching my store from Etsy to Big Cartel - curious to see how you like it. I love the Fine Little Shop too. Happy Weekend!

Joslyn said...

oooh thanks for all your kind words and support...you guys are the best!

I'll be putting a few more items in the shop over the weekend, including some more toddler dresses, so take a peek back

xoxox

Joslyn said...

Sarah -- I'll definitely start an email list and send out a little update when we put the necklaces in the shop. Right now we're shooting for November 1st!

Joslyn said...

Alice -- I just set up a new spot where you can see all the sold items...

http://simplelovelyshopblog.blogspot.com/

alice said...

Good luck with your new shop - such a great idea.

Unknown said...

What a lovely idea...some beautiful items in your shop already ad I'm sure it will evolve into something big!

I've also been suffering from a strange insomnia.I just got married but keep waking up in the middle of the night panicking that I've forgotten to organise something for the wedding, only to realise it's already happened! You've inspired me to put these restless hours to good use and think about what would be in my dream shop x faye x

Unknown said...

this is AWESOME! Congratulations Joslyn, I am so excited that you have a little online boutique of your very own! I love the selection so far and it is taking me all my will power not to just snap up everything here and now. Can't wait for you and Audrey to sell your beaded necklaces! xox

belinda graham said...

congrats! some gorgeous things in there and i'm so picturing your dream shop - beautiful!

Unknown said...

love, love, LOVE it! Congrats and I think the necklaces are a GREAT idea! Can't wait!

Melissa de la Fuente said...

Oh Joslyn....you have such a lovely way of introducing things and your beautiful shop is no different! How I wish I could go to your fantasy shop as well(that is exactly the kind of place I wanted to open too....) and, I am so happy your online one is there for us to enjoy.
xo
Melis

Ellie said...

congratulations!!!!

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