It's been awhile since I shared an update on my 101 in 1,001 list (you can check out the full post here)! This is my second time doing a 101 in 1,001 list and while I still have quite a few things to cross off before July 11th, 2021, I am making some progress. It's hard to believe that 2021 is the year I'm supposed to have this list "finished." I never make these lists with the pressure to finish it though - it's more so a visual board of the things I want to do or get done. 2020 and the pandemic certainly hindered some of these but it also pushed me to get started on projects that I've had my eye on for quite some time!
Completed:
Paint kitchen cabinets - This was a major project from 2020! It's one I've had on my list for years and I have so enjoyed the update. You can read about it here.
Health - Before the lockdown started, I had a chance to try several new workouts! I'm glad I could give those a try as most of my workouts are now virtual or include just getting outside for a walk!
- Try Hot Yoga (February 2020)
- Try Cycling (Winter 2020)
- Go to bed before 10 every night for a week (pregnancy made this one very easy!)
Update my store office - Thanks to Ace of Space Organization, my shop office got a pretty update back in the spring of 2020! Read all about it here.
Celebrate our 3-year anniversary - We celebrated with a trip to Asheville! Read about it here.
Visit Colorado + Go skiing out west - these were two goals that we knocked out in one trip! We went to Breckenridge right after Christmas last year and it was the best trip. Read my Travel Guide here.
Celebrate Stephen's 30th birthday - Stephen turned 30 on December 27th. I had always had big plans of throwing him a big surprise party, but unfortunately with the pandemic, we decided to keep it low-key. We had dinner with one of our couple friends the night before and then spent the day together on his actual birthday, including a beach walk and low-key dinner at our favorite Italian spot. Here's to hoping 31 can be more of a shindig!
In Progress:
Update downstairs guest room - I started tackling this one over the summer and it's still a work in progress. We had it mostly finished but then decided to clean out all the closets in our house in preparation for baby, so it's now a disaster again. That is a big project I want to tackle before baby arrives!
Organize our upstairs closets - I think closet organization will always be a work in progress but we've really made some moves on getting this done. Before we could clean out the closet in the baby's room, actually had to start with our downstairs guest room closet because it was so full of clutter. It's amazing how great decluttering can make you feel. Our nursery closet has now been completely cleaned out and I'm working on getting it organized for baby girl. The closet in our office still needs some progress but it's much more organized than it was even a year ago!
Read 50 Books - 10 years ago, I would have had this done in half a year but I just don't read as much as I used to. That, however, has changed since the pandemic first began and I've been reading much more vs. spending so much time watching the news or on social media. Summer made it easier to dive back in but once the hustle and bustle of the holidays picked back up, I put my books to the wayside again. I have a goal to read at least a book a week - we'll see how that goes! Below is what I've read so far.
- The Perfect Couple - Elin Hilderbrand
- The Hurricane Sisters - Dorothea Benton Frank
- Sisters First - Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
- Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
- Educated: A Memoir - Tara Westover
- Blue Bistro - Elin Hilderbrand
- Same Beach, Next Year - Dorothea Benton Frank
- The Southern Side of Paradise - Kristy Woodson Harvey
- The Lemon Sisters - Jill Shalvis
- Winter in Paradise - Elin Hilderbrand
- Every Breath - Nicholas Sparks
- Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey
- Dear Carolina - Kristy Woodson Harvey
- Beautiful Ruins - Jess Walter
- Summer Sisters - Holly Chamberlin
- The Castaways - Elin Hilderbrand
- Surfside Sisters - Nancy Thayer
- Summer of '69 - Elin Hilderbrand
- Troubles in Paradise - Elin Hilderbrand
- The Guardian - Nicholas Sparks - in progress
After a few years of living in our home, we finally updated our master vanities! Our house has a lot of oak - I mean, a lot. From the trim to the doors to several vanities, it's everywhere. I had a feeling that a coat of paint would do so much for our bathroom but I had no idea how much more it would make me enjoy being in there!
My husband and I each have separate vanities across from each other, which meant two separate painting projects. I tackled the sanding, painting, and door re-installation and let him handle adding all of the hardware! I've gotten all kinds of questions about the process, so dive in!
What color did you use?
Light French Grey by Sherwin Williams
Where is the hardware from?
Etsy! I looked long and hard on Pinterest to figure out exactly the look I was going for. I fell in love with the look of lucite pulls and this shop has a great selection for a good price.
What kind of paint did you use?
Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in a satin finish. This is a paint and primer in one so I skipped the extra step of priming cabinets.
How many coats did you do?
Three coats!
Supplies:
Supplies:
- 2" paint roller
- Painter's tape
- Sanding blocks or electric sander
- Lint free cloth
- Cleaning solution
Step by Step Process:
- Remove cabinet doors
- Label doors with numbers - I did not do this and wish that I had!
- Sand vanity frame and doors - I purchased a few sander blocks from Sherwin Williams on recommendation from the staff there. Next time, I would probably use an electric hand sander.
- Use painting tape to cover any areas you don't want paint - I covered the floor just under the vanities, the area '
- Clean all areas - I used Simple Green (purchased from paint store) to scrub down every area that was to be painted.
- Paint & Sand - One thing I did that I never would've thought to was lightly sand between each coat. After each coat dried, I would lightly brush the sander over to smooth out the surfaces and then wipe the area down with a clean lint-free cloth with just a touch of the Simple Green.
- Re-install cabinet doors
- Add hardware
I also took this time to update our vanity spaces - I tended to always have some kind of clutter but with the addition of a tray on both mine and Stephen's, I've created an area that I enjoy keeping clean and organized. I love Capri Blue candles, so I've repurposed them to hold Q-tips and cotton balls. I snagged a cute little soap dish from a store in Williamsburg to hold my charcoal bar and this little sugar dish (other options here) holds my Invisalign. I also purchased some gorgeous little hand towels from Etsy and love the custom monogram the shop created!
I was so excited to dive in that I didn't take very good before photos - but the junkier the before photo, the better, right? We still have some oak in our bathroom that we'd like to paint but for now the vanities have made such an improvement.
Shop Bathroom Accessories:
We've had our bed in a box from Zinus for just over two months! I've always wondered how mattresses like these would turn out for the long term for both sound sleep as well as durability. The highlight: we've enjoyed it so far. The lowdown: we're not sure how long it will last us.
I spent a lot of time scouring the internet, polling readers, and reading reviews to find a mattress that could potentially work for us. Both Stephen and I prefer a firm bed and while there was nothing wrong with either of our mattresses (we each "brought" a queen bed into our marriage), we were ready to upgrade to a king size. I have also suffered from years of back and neck pain, so finding a good mattress was imperative for me. After a ton of research, I landed on the Zinus brand and we purchased the Pressure Relief Euro Top iCoil Hybrid Mattress.
The pros:
- Timeframe of shipment - it was at our door in under 7 days from the time we ordered.
- Easy delivery - we didn't have to worry about meeting a mattress company at home to get it inside. It just came with regular package delivery.
- Inexpensive - for a king size mattress, I was shocked at the price.
- 100-Day Trial - I liked that we had this option to give the mattress a try. I will point out that many companies do offer a trial period.
The cons:
- Mattress stability - this is our biggest concern with our mattress and I'll dive into that below!
Our mattress arrived, we set up our new bed frame and headboard, purchased box springs and voila - our mattress was ready to go! It was a fairly easy transition. For the first month, all was wonderful! While the mattress was more firm than I was used to, I transitioned pretty easily and Stephen was loving it.
Flash forward another month, however, and we've noticed that the mattress is starting to sink and sag a bit in the areas we where we sleep. At first, you you could barely notice until lying down but it's now become a more visual issue as well. It's not hindering sleep currently but our concern is that within 6 months time, we'll have a fairly new mattress that is starting to sink in and we'll be on the hunt for something new.
The conclusion:
We're really not sure. Both of us our sleeping pretty well with our mattress and surface level, we really do love it. Our issue is projecting what it will be like 6 more months down the road. While we're enjoying it for now, we're almost thinking we'd prefer to return this one and invest in something that will last us a bit longer. So stay tuned on what we decide!
Shop the Post:
It's been awhile since I've shared an update on my 101 in 1,001 list! For those who haven't heard of it before, it's a list of 101 items to complete in 1,001 days! This is my second list that I'm actively working on and I'm excited to cross off some of these items.
Recently Completed:
Celebrate our two-year anniversary (August 2019) - we celebrated with a fun date night out in Wilmington!Move our pink couch to our office - When I first opened the shop, I had a fun pink couch that we purchased for one of the sitting areas. As my inventory has grown, we needed the space for other things so that fun pink couch ended up in our garage... but has now made its way finally to our upstairs office!
Take a weekend trip to Charleston - May 2019 (read about it here)
Purchase AirPods - finally snagged a pair and they have been game changing, especially when traveling!
Update master bathroom cabinets - I can't wait to share a full post on the details of our cabinets but we finally checked this off the list about a month ago! We painted the oak with Sherwin Williams' Light French Grey and added lucite hardware and I can't believe how much it changed the space.
See the fall foliage in the mountains - while the leaves weren't as colorful as they have been in past visits, we did take a weekend trip to the mountains and it was so nice to escape 90 degree weather for a cool 50.
In the Works:
Update my store office - I had forgotten this was on the list but I actually had a really exciting meeting with Ace of Space Organization this morning! They are going to transform my store office to make it more functional as well as more aesthetically appealing!
Read 50 books - this has taken me longer than I thought it would. When I was younger, I would read 2-3 books a week if not more, but that was before owning a business, taking care of a home, social media, all of that good stuff. I also used to read on every road trip but in recent years I can barely look at my phone without feeling a little car sick... I need to step it up! I've also read more books than this but also have not been very good about recording them...
- The Perfect Couple - Elin Hilderbrand
- Sisters First - Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
- Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
- Educated: A Memoir - Tara Westover
- Blue Bistro - Elin Hilderbrand
- Same Beach, Next Year - Dorothea Benton Frank
- The Southern Side of Paradise - Kristy Woodson Harvey
- The Lemon Sisters - Jill Shalvis
Ship orders to at least 25 different states - One of my goals is to ship to the entire country! We've officially shipped to 32 states. But we'd love to keep adding to the list. If you're in the following states, check out our website! DM us for a special free shipping code!
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Indiana
- Wisconsin
- Missouri
- Arkansas
- North Dakota
- Montana
- Wyoming
Visit Colorado & go skiing out west - I'm combining these two 101 items because we're doing both of these this December! If you have any amazing recommendations for Breckenridge in the winter, let me know!
Bucket List/To-Do List:
- Take a weekend mountain trip
- Go to the pumpkin patch
- Carve pumpkins
- Decorate our house
- Make a fall wreath
- Football games
- Make an apple pie
- Go trick or treating with our friends' little girl
- Roast marshmallows on our fire pit
- Take a fall foliage drive
- Make caramel apples
- Host friendsgiving
- Create a fall playlist
- Change up our front porch
- Purchase new mums
- Go through sweaters
- Donate to a food drive
Download this Fall Bucket List Checklist below!
Weather has never really scared me, but all of that changed during Florence. I prepped for a storm like I normally would, but on the day before the storm's effects made their way onto the North Carolina coast, I was filled with a kind of anxiety I had never faced before. That anxiety took a strong grip and didn't leave until the storm had passed and I had returned home. We were some of the lucky ones... trees down, a huge mess to clean up. A few cosmetic damages. But we had a home to return to, and for many, the same could not be said.
Just a few days shy of Florence's anniversary, here we are again. Boats are on trailers but not headed out to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer but instead are heading to a safe haven. The streets were bustling and the grocery store full, but each person seemed to have a mission in mind. Every so often, a stranger will ask, "Are you prepared for the storm?" and you'll shrug in response, saying, "I'm ready as I'm going to be," hoping that your words are true.
The wounds are still fresh from Florence and it shows. There are countless people who haven't moved back home from the last big storm and here we are faced with another. We've watched Dorian go from a tropical storm to a Category 5 that left the northern Bahamas looking unrecognizable. We've watched the track go from a beeline into Florida to a long, slow trek up the eastern seaboard. My heart hurts for the Bahamas because lives have been lost and lives have been forever changed. My heart hurts for anyone in this devastating storm's path. And my heart hurts for North Carolina, because we've been through enough.
We've known the hurricane warning was coming. The waiting game has been agonizing, wondering when the storm moving 1 mile per hour would slowly make its trek up the coast. And yet when my phone gave the Emergency Alert sound signaling an official hurricane warning, it gave me chills. It took me back to a year ago.
The wounds are still fresh from Florence and it shows. There are countless people who haven't moved back home from the last big storm and here we are faced with another. We've watched Dorian go from a tropical storm to a Category 5 that left the northern Bahamas looking unrecognizable. We've watched the track go from a beeline into Florida to a long, slow trek up the eastern seaboard. My heart hurts for the Bahamas because lives have been lost and lives have been forever changed. My heart hurts for anyone in this devastating storm's path. And my heart hurts for North Carolina, because we've been through enough.
We've known the hurricane warning was coming. The waiting game has been agonizing, wondering when the storm moving 1 mile per hour would slowly make its trek up the coast. And yet when my phone gave the Emergency Alert sound signaling an official hurricane warning, it gave me chills. It took me back to a year ago.
A year ago, we felt 4 - 5 days of wind and rain that led to devastating flooding in areas that had never seen that much water. I watched Interstate 40 turn from a road to a river in front of my very eyes. I watched friends and family evacuate from flooding homes.
Tonight, I've watched the Weather Channel until I could watch it no more. I've watched the category decrease only to pick back up to a now Category 3. The opinions of our community are polar opposites: "It'll be nothing like Florence, it's not that big of deal," one person might say while the next person comments, "We haven't had a Category 3 hurricane since Fran..." One thing that I've learned growing up through hurricane seasons is that no one storm will be like the next and the non-predictability of it all is part of the agony of the season. No one truly knows what this storm will bring so we can only prepare for the worst, pray for the best, and keep panic at bay in the meantime.
One thing that Florence taught me is this: our community is a strong one. People bonded together, strangers helped one another, and we slowly but surely recovered. Dorian is showing that same thing - Americans are joining hands with Bahamians to put together supplies for a community that has gone through a historical, life-changing event. We can't change what happened. We can't rewind the damage. But we can love our neighbors and provide a glimmer of hope in the darkness of heartbreak.
It will never be lost on me that we live in an incredible place. I always try to remind myself as I walk the loop at Wrightsville, or dine at a waterfront restaurant, or look for shells at Mason's Inlet, or shop in one of our many small businesses that we are so incredibly lucky to call Wilmington home. And that's what makes these storms even harder...
As we hunker down to ride out the storm, I pray for the people of the Bahamas. I pray for North Carolina. For the farmers, the first responders, the mission teams. I pray for anyone and everyone in this storm's wake. I pray for the families of those lost and for those who feel as though all hope is lost. I pray for the power crews already gathered to help those in need. And as I said last year, I pray that we find comfort in the days to come. God bless our beautiful city, our beautiful state, and its beautiful people.
To aid the relief efforts for the Bahamas, consider donating here.
Tonight, I've watched the Weather Channel until I could watch it no more. I've watched the category decrease only to pick back up to a now Category 3. The opinions of our community are polar opposites: "It'll be nothing like Florence, it's not that big of deal," one person might say while the next person comments, "We haven't had a Category 3 hurricane since Fran..." One thing that I've learned growing up through hurricane seasons is that no one storm will be like the next and the non-predictability of it all is part of the agony of the season. No one truly knows what this storm will bring so we can only prepare for the worst, pray for the best, and keep panic at bay in the meantime.
One thing that Florence taught me is this: our community is a strong one. People bonded together, strangers helped one another, and we slowly but surely recovered. Dorian is showing that same thing - Americans are joining hands with Bahamians to put together supplies for a community that has gone through a historical, life-changing event. We can't change what happened. We can't rewind the damage. But we can love our neighbors and provide a glimmer of hope in the darkness of heartbreak.
It will never be lost on me that we live in an incredible place. I always try to remind myself as I walk the loop at Wrightsville, or dine at a waterfront restaurant, or look for shells at Mason's Inlet, or shop in one of our many small businesses that we are so incredibly lucky to call Wilmington home. And that's what makes these storms even harder...
As we hunker down to ride out the storm, I pray for the people of the Bahamas. I pray for North Carolina. For the farmers, the first responders, the mission teams. I pray for anyone and everyone in this storm's wake. I pray for the families of those lost and for those who feel as though all hope is lost. I pray for the power crews already gathered to help those in need. And as I said last year, I pray that we find comfort in the days to come. God bless our beautiful city, our beautiful state, and its beautiful people.
To aid the relief efforts for the Bahamas, consider donating here.
It's hard to believe that this summer we'll be celebrating our 2nd anniversary! Stephen and I have now lived together for close to two years and have adjusted to married life (which is wonderful!). I've also really gotten a handle on what I use on a day-to-day basis. I remember being so overwhelmed when it came time to register - it's easy to get distracted by all the bright and shiny things and items you think you "need." We were fortunate to receive so many wedding gifts throughout our engagement and at our wedding and we loved (and continue to love) everything. It's neat to reach for crystal vase and remember it's from your best friend's mom or for a spatula and remember a fun shower your friends threw for you. Despite loving everything, some of our favorites have ended up being these pretty self-explanatory and daily household items, but as we go into wedding season, it's a great time to consider what to take as a gift or what to register for yourself!
- Dinner Plates - When we first registered for our dishes, I fell in love with these Argent White dinner plates by Raynaud. I knew I wanted to mix and match our china with everyday pieces, so opted for this pattern to serve as both every day and what we mix with our fine China pieces. And as my registry consultant at The Fisherman's Wife said, "There's absolutely nothing wrong with heating up a piece of leftover pizza but eating it off your nice dishes." So true.
- Mixing/Serving Bowls - How cute are these bowls? We received this little set and they've made for great mixing and serving pieces. This is a great storage set as well.
- Stand Mixer - When I say this is most-used, I use that term lightly because if we're being honest, I just don't cook all that much! But anytime I make anything that needs mixing, I'm quick to toss it in our Kitchenaid mixer!
- Marble Pastry Slab - Another little tidbit about this piece - I've only used it once for actual pastry (that pie I made for Easter) but we use it every single day! We have a gas stove range, and it's the perfect decorative piece to go on top and make for a clean slate.
- Set of Pots and Pants - Stephen and I had plenty of pots and pans that we used throughout our years in college and then our years living separately, but we were much overdo for a new set. We have thoroughly enjoyed our Calaphon set!
- Cooking Utensils - Some of my friends gave me the cutest arrangement of cooking utensils at one of my bridal showers, and I love the copper finish on these! Each time I pull them out, I think about how cute they are.
- High Ball Glasses - we've really enjoyed our set of high ball glasses from Crate and Barrel. They also wash really well in the dishwasher and we've had no issues with clouding, streaking, etc.
- Measuring Cups - I got rid of our plastic measuring spoons after we received this set and I love the stainless steel!
- Flatware - Who knew I could like forks and spoons so much?! The Molten collection by Michael Aram is beautiful and we received a few of their serving sets as well.
- Cheese Slicer - This is probably Stephen's favorite gift we received haha! We use this more often than I thought we would - we'll set up an easy little cheese appetizer when we're cooking at home or a larger charcuterie board when we have guests.
- Towels - I cannot say enough good things about these towels from Pottery Barn! We love them. We opted for white, and even two years later, they're looking brand new. I just throw a little bit of bleach in when I wash them and it gets them back to their bright white.
Another thing we have really enjoyed is our Vietri chargers! I break them out every so often when we have company and decorate with them at holidays.
Shop the Post:
Hope everyone is excited for Easter weekend! We're excited to be hosting our families for an Easter lunch and we are so looking forward to it. I'm working at the shop this weekend as well so it'll be a busy one for sure, but between our planned sunrise service on the beach + having our family celebrate, it's one we can't wait for!
What kind of car do you drive?
I have a Suburban! I got it last summer and while it's a big car for just me, it's perfect for when we do events for the shop (I am doing a pop-up this week and the Suburban holds everything much more easily than my 4runner did) and since I don't plan on getting a new car anytime soon, it will be a great family vehicle when that time comes.
What do you eat in a day?
Yikes! This is a tough one. Some days I am super conscious and eat clean, others I'm super healthy until dinner when we order pizza, and then there are days where I just want all the junk food. As a whole, I'm trying to be more conscious of eating, so a typical day when I'm at the store looks something like this:
- Cup of coffee (or two) while I'm getting ready
- Oatmeal or smoothie when I get to the shop (I usually eat this while I'm catching up on computer work)
- Brown rice bowl with veggies from Epic Food Co. for lunch or leftovers from dinner the night before
- Chicken, pork or steak with a sweet potato and broccoli for dinner
I use the above lightly because there are so many nights where we grab dinner out (we love Mexican food), but as we head into summer, I'm trying to make a more valiant effort to eat a more healthy dinner at home.
How long have you and your husband been together?
Almost 9 years! We dated for close to 7 and then August will be 2 years of marriage.
Favorite Wilmington restaurant?
This is a tough one too. We have so many places that we love and then so many more that we want to try, but you can check out this post here for some of the places we frequent.
Which camera do you use for pictures?
My parents gave me the Nikon D610 for Christmas which was a definite step-up from my Nikon D3200. I loved my first Nikon but the D610 has definitely improved the quality of photos, especially when I'm taking them for other people.
By the way, are you in the Richmond, Virginia area? If so, you should check out River Run Dental Spa! I had the Invisalign treatment (which they specialize in) for a year and still wear my nighttime aligners every single night!
That being said, I'm trying to be better about keeping monthly goals or to-do lists. I reference my 101 in 1,001 list pretty regularly as I want to accomplish more items on this list than I did on the last one! That being said, here are a few things on my to-do list for this month:
- Cook at least 3 times each week
- Read 3 new books (I have three books at home waiting to be read!)
- Try a new workout class
- Drink more water
- Cut out excessive spending
- Update store office
I've also been chipping away slowly but surely on some of my 101 in 1,001 goals. Here are a few that I've completed since creating the list in October 2018:
- Change my last name - finally completed January 2019
- Order our wedding album - completed November 2018
- Host an ornament exchange - December 2018
- Order our first "yearbook" photo album (did this collab with Snapfish which worked out great!)
- Update living room light fixture - completed November 2018. We went with this one from West Elm!
- Mount our TV on our living room wall - February 2019 - Stephen surprised me with this while I was gone for my cousin's wedding weekend! While I was getting ready with the bridesmaids, he had some time at home so he and a friend hung it! Such a great surprise!
- Find the perfect artwork for our downstairs powder room - completed November 2019
- Try 10 new-to-me restaurants - halfway done!
- Italian Bistro - November 2018
- True Blue - December 2018
- Skytown Beer & BBQ - December 2018
- Kornerstone Bistro - January 2019
- Port City Cheesesteaks - March 2019
- See a new-to-me Broadway show - February 2019 - While in NYC for market, my mom and I saw Mean Girls. It may be a new favorite!
What goals do you want to accomplish this year?
I'm often asked where I find my workout clothes and the answer is always everywhere! I love Lululemon, Alo, and Beyond Yoga (some of which I buy online and some at my local athletic store/Pure Barre), but I have also found some great options at places like Forever21 and Old Navy.
Both of the pieces shown in this look are super affordable. I wanted a pair of Alo moto leggings but bought the Spanx motos the same week, so I knew I didn't need to spend over $200 on two pairs of leggings... lucky for me, I found these from Old Navy and they are very well made, super comfortable, and have the compression factor that I always look for in my workout leggings. There's nothing worse than leggings that stretch out!
I also can't say enough about this adorable cropped workout bra. It is a mix between a sports bra and a workout tank and it is honestly so comfortable. It comes with built in support which is great so you can skip two pieces and just opt for this one item. For sizing reference, I got the medium.
For sports bras, I love Alo as well. I normally opt for light to medium support as I really don't need much more than that, and this bra is great if you're looking for something in that level. It also comes in a lot of great colors!
Workout Looks Under $50:
Other Favorites:
As we dive into the new year, I want health to be a priority. It's very easy with my schedule to slip into terrible habits: pizza for dinner, skipping workouts because of a long day at the shop, etc. One thing I'm trying to do more of is building my workouts into my schedule. This time of year is difficult because it gets dark so early and it is so cold! Summertime makes it easier because I love getting outside with Sophie and I'm much more motivated after work. Despite all of that, scheduling my workouts in is making me commit a little bit more, but I'm also trying to extend grace when I've had a full work at the shop and just need a few minutes on the couch.
Right now, when I put on a swimsuit, I'm not 100% confident. I think we can all relate to that in various points of our lives. For this spring, I'm focusing less on the number on the scale (which I have often gotten way too caught up on), and instead, I want to think about how I feel. I hope to have a stronger core by the time summer rolls around for two reasons: 1) abs are always great and 2) when I have a stronger core, my back hurts a lot less, which should of course be a priority!
Another area I'm trying to improve is my food choices. For the longest time, I was pretty conscious of what I ate, but as of late, I have opted for more fast food and less cooking at home. Cooking is not something I overly enjoy, but I've been exploring more recipes to see if I can find things that are great to cook but also great for my body.
I'm also thankful that we have a Chopt in the same shopping center as my store. I absolutely love their salads and most recently tried one of their warm bowls. It's a healthy lunch that I actually look forward to. I'm still trying to find that perfect "take-to-work" lunch, so if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!
One other thing that I've found is that when I deprive myself, I end up having cravings that outweigh the healthy efforts I put in throughout the day. I've definitely added on some "holiday fluffiness," and need to lay off the cheese croissants and sugary coffee drinks, but I do think life is about balance, which is one area I'm working to achieve. When I make healthier choices during the day, I feel less guilty having that small piece of candy and I will say, I never, ever turn down a piece of cake.
Shop the Post:
jumpsuit from ZIA Boutique
I definitely feel like I'm finally at a place where I don't second-guess every decision I make and where I've finally come to terms with some of the inevitables of retail (like the fact that you just can't predict store traffic). I'm fortunate to have mentors and collaborators in the industry that I can "talk shop" with and that is always incredibly helpful. It's also important to have those collaborators instead of viewing every other store owner in your industry as competition - it's helpful for no one.
The following doesn't even begin to encompass everything that comes with opening a retail business, but it will give you a brief overview of what my experience was like! (And as a reminder, this is my personal experience so I can't speak for what is like for other business owners).
The following doesn't even begin to encompass everything that comes with opening a retail business, but it will give you a brief overview of what my experience was like! (And as a reminder, this is my personal experience so I can't speak for what is like for other business owners).
How did you get started?
This is the #1 question I'm asked in regards to opening ZIA Boutique. From the time I was a little girl, I told my parents I wanted to open a store. I remember seeing an article in a local magazine about a new boutique opening and I was both inspired and envious as I desperately wanted to tackle that for myself. I remember it clearly - I was sitting on the floor of my parents' kitchen after working out and I said to them, "I just really want a store." I had said it for years but this time, my dad said, "Well, if this is something you really want, now's the time to do it." I was newly engaged, working in a job I really loved, so I was overwhelmed at the thought of planning the wedding & quitting the security of a "normal" job, but I decided to at least investigate.
I put together a business plan - it looked very professional, though the realities of what things are like vs. what I imagined are laughable! Despite the fact that some of my numbers weren't quite realistic, I did my research. I looked at brands that weren't in Wilmington, I read tons and tons of articles about store ownership and the retail industry, and I even visited my prime location (and the shopping center where I ended up) so I could have an accurate idea as to what rent would cost. I presented a portfolio to my business advisor and while he warned of the hardships of retail, he was was supportive and on board with my concepts and so we made the move to get things rolling.
Location scouting began after that. I had a hard time committing to a space as I knew where I wanted to be, but it's also a premium location so rent is a huge factor. There were several space options and the one I liked ended up getting leased by someone else as I wasn't quit ready to commit. Finally (several months later), we locked in the space with a target open date of mid-summer. The space I ended up with was actually where I really wanted to be, but was a bit larger which made me hesitant. However, I can't imagine the shop being anywhere else (at least right now)! I first looked at it on January 27th and fell in love with the bright light and large wall of windows.
As I began to work on build-out concepts, brand scouting, etc., I realized my timeline just wasn't going to work. I was planning a wedding (August 5th) and was the maid of honor in a June wedding, and a bridesmaid in a July and September wedding. I realized that the ideal time would be to push opening until September (exactly one month after I got married.) Between all of that, here's a brief look at how things worked:
- Research and business plan creation
- More research
- Location "scouting" - non-committed, just research
- Met with business advisor
- Loan approval
- More location scouting
- Point of sale research
- Brand scouting
- And more...
- Market trip
- Lease negotiations
- Point of sale purchase
- Store build-out plans
- Another market trip
- Build-out begins
- Hiring
- Inventory arrives
- Set up store - inventory in system, steaming, tagging, store layout, furnishings, etc.
- Opening
There is so much more to the above timeline, but that's a brief overview of how it went!
What was the process of renting space?
I touched on this a little bit in the above but I had a pretty decent idea as to where I wanted to be located based on the brands I wanted to carry, price point, etc. I spent a lot of time searching through online rental listings but even more time driving around town and looking at spaces that looked vacant. Several times I came up empty handed because the spaces were empty but spoken for. Some didn't work due to being too large or too small. One space I liked, but I didn't like the parking situation, so I skipped that one. Ultimately, I kept coming back to the center where my store ended up and though it took some time negotiating lease space, coming up with a timeline, and figuring out the exact right spot, I'm happy with where we are.
What could one expect to spend when opening a boutique? What was one expense you overlooked or that you weren't expecting?
The first part is a tough one as it honestly depends on location, cost of inventory, lease terms, etc. My ballpark number for what I thought it would take to get started was not quite right, as there were certain things that I under (and over)-estimated. Insurance costs are definitely one of those much needed but pesky expenses that I never even thought about in the beginning. I also definitely underestimated the cost of what my ideal build-out would be. I ended up scaling back on a couple of my initial build-out ideas so that I could have better quality on some of my bigger projects (like my custom cabinetry and cash wrap).
How do you acquire brands for your store?
Prior to attending market, a lot of what I did was scouring Instagram and online to find brands that I liked. I hit a lot of dead ends at first, and it made it frustrating. Thankfully, brands offer distribution protection, meaning that in most situations, the store next door can't carry the exact same things as you. As a store, I'm thankful for that! But that also meant that I couldn't carry a lot of my favorite brands because other places were already carrying them (even if it was only one or two pieces). That being said, it made me dive deeper and try to find brands that had either never been found in Wilmington or that maybe had previously been in another store but were no longer being carried.
My first market trip was in April 2017, and very few people even knew I was opening a business, so I was carrying the weight of all of it on top of literally having no clue what I was doing. Mom and I went to Atlanta for our first market and I remember her looking at me and saying, "Are you going to be okay?" I thought I was going to be sick at some points because I was signing my name to thousands of dollars of inventory with no clue if I would develop as to if I would have any customers! It was a very overwhelming experience. Despite that, my mom and I had a great time diving into our first market trip and finding brands that we felt would be a good fit for the shop.
My first market trip was in April 2017, and very few people even knew I was opening a business, so I was carrying the weight of all of it on top of literally having no clue what I was doing. Mom and I went to Atlanta for our first market and I remember her looking at me and saying, "Are you going to be okay?" I thought I was going to be sick at some points because I was signing my name to thousands of dollars of inventory with no clue if I would develop as to if I would have any customers! It was a very overwhelming experience. Despite that, my mom and I had a great time diving into our first market trip and finding brands that we felt would be a good fit for the shop.
What are the legal things you have to do?
The legalities of owning a business was one of the things that stressed me out the most! I wanted to make sure I had everything correct. I created my business as an LLC and that was the very first thing I did. I have to provide my EIN to every new vendor I work with to prove I am a valid business and I also have to have my NC Resale Certificate. I provide that as well and it is also displayed in the store as evidence that I am a valid retailer.Did you have a mentor to work with you in the beginning? Starting a brand new business is hard!
I definitely had some mentors, though I didn't really have anyone to reach out to that was in my direct industry. My parents were huge resources for me as they have both been business owners (my mom owned a dance studio for years and years and my dad is a general contractor & part-owner of a boat company). Despite being able to pick their brains, they didn't have specific retail knowledge which was difficult at times, so I felt like we were all learning together. My business advisor was (and still is) a huge resource for me. He helped me get my business plan tailored, walked me through QuickBooks, helped me with tax documents and made sure I had correct legal documents. I still will randomly call or text him with a random question I should probably know the answer to, but he's always quick to give me the correct answer. I also consider my husband a mentor throughout all of this - he is much more "math-minded" than I am, so he helps me with a lot of numbers things and he's also my sounding board (along with my parents) for just about every business decision I make.
Now that I am actually up and running, I've been very fortunate to connect with bright and inspiring people in the creative and business industries. Lindsey Cheek, owner and designer for Gathered Group, was and still is a big mentor for me. She has given me so much advice in being a young female business owner and also walked me through some hard decisions I had to make early on. I also love connecting with the other boutiques here in The Forum (my shopping center) - they are all locally owned and operated and the owners are in the shop most every day, so every so often we get together to chat and brainstorm on ways we can collaborate.
What is a hard or non-glamorous part of your job?
Though this job is rewarding, there are definitely some hard parts! One of the toughest parts to me is managing people and sticking to policies. I've had some sort of manager role for the better part of 5 years, but being the ultimate boss is still a tricky one for me. I'm a people-pleaser, so it's sometimes hard to stick to my guns and address issues that arise. It's also hard for me to stick to our policies because I want every one to have a great experience, but another friend of mine told me, "Policies is what will make you successful." You have to find the fine line of giving every one the ultimate customer experience without compromising your business.
Another hard part is the fact that retail ebbs and flows. I remember the first day we were slow hurt my heart so much. We were just off of the opening month momentum and it was quiet. Now, I've just come to terms with the fact that retail is a tough biz to be in. There are weeks when people love to shop and others where they just aren't into it. So instead of dwelling on that, I spend that time coming up with new events, working on our website, and creating new ideas to reach new customers.
Another hard part is the fact that retail ebbs and flows. I remember the first day we were slow hurt my heart so much. We were just off of the opening month momentum and it was quiet. Now, I've just come to terms with the fact that retail is a tough biz to be in. There are weeks when people love to shop and others where they just aren't into it. So instead of dwelling on that, I spend that time coming up with new events, working on our website, and creating new ideas to reach new customers.
There have also been some non-glamorous parts. Many days are spent putting together furniture or clothing racks, steaming, cleaning base boards, loading up a car for a pop-up, staying at the store extra late to make sure everything gets done because you're under-staffed... Steve has also had to put together quite a few pieces of furniture and I think he's now forbidden me from anything that has more than 10 pieces (haha). There are a lot of 12-15 hour days and the work doesn't stop when you leave the store.
Despite all of that, those things are what makes this a small business. At the end of the day, it's me and my family and my sweet employees running the show and I love the fact that this little shop has a small-business feel. Blood, sweat and tears have gone into this place (literally all three) and I wouldn't have it any other way.
What is your favorite thing about owning a business?
It's pretty surreal to work for yourself. I remember walking into the store early one morning not long after we had opened, and I just looked around and could hardly believe that it had all come together. Similarly, as I closed up the shop on December 23rd to be closed through Christmas, I literally had tears in my eyes. There was a great Christmas song playing, the sun was setting, and our Christmas tree was lit. I was running numbers and feeling so thankful for a blessed holiday season. I have so many incredible customers and the people I have met are so rewarding.
I do like the flexibility of being my own boss. It's still weird to me sometimes that I set the hours, "choose" when to work, etc. Even though I work long days and often weekends - and I feel like I'm glued to my phone and email even more now - I do like that I can occasionally sneak out for a random week day errand or appointment.
The store has also opened up so many doors to connect with incredible people. This town is filled with smart, talented people - whether they are business owners or stylists or photographers or teachers or stay at home moms - they are all people with individualized talents and I feel blessed to know them.
What is a good piece of business advice you have received?
One of my best friend's dad is a long-time business owner and when I worked for a marketing and advertising agency as an account executive, he was also one of my clients. Every so often, he checks in, and as I was going through some difficult decision making, I said something about the fact that sometimes I'm a control freak and a little too type-A and that maybe I needed to lessen that aspect. His response is something I think about every day: "You should never have to apologize for the way you choose to run your business, if you are doing it in an honest and integrable way." From that point on, I gained a bit of confidence which has since empowered me to make other decisions.
I hope you've enjoyed reading a little bit about my business opening experience! Have more questions? Feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP!
Thanks to Kelly Starbuck for the photos. You can check out her website here.
Seaside Ambiance:
Bluewater - If you want a good meal with a beautiful view, check out Bluewater! It's a great tourist favorite but plenty of locals enjoy it as well. Located on the Wrightsville Beach, just over the bridge.
What I Order: Crab Dip
Dockside - Need a quick bite to eat while out on the boat? This is a great option. Beach coverups are accepted and it's a great summer happy hour spot.
What I Order: Fish tacos
Bridge Tender - One of my family's fave places to go during the summer - or year-round, if we're being honest. Great seafood and steaks and it overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, on the Wilmington side of the bridge.
What I Order: Crab Dip Appetizer, Blackened Mahi with Mashed Potatoes and Brocollini, Key Lime Pie
Downtown/Riverfront:
PinPoint Restaurant - the menu of this downtown favorite changes daily and offers seasonal favorites that are sourced from local farmers, fishermen, and markets when available! It's been awhile since I've been but it's on my date-night dinner list for 2019!
Elijah's - Overlooking the Cape Fear River, Steve and I used to grab a bite to eat here on his lunch break when his office was located downtown. From seafood to steaks, they have something for everyone.
What I Order: Fish Tacos
Mexican:
Live Eat Surf Restaurants - this includes Tower 7, K38, K-Bueno, and Cruz. All great options! Tower 7 is located right on the beach, so it's often crowded during the summer but most definitely a crowd fave. Steve and I love checking out K-38 for half priced fajitas on Tuesday nights. You won't be disappointed.
What I Order: Tacos in a Blanket, Queso, Wannabe Margarita
Beer Barrio - This little taco bar is located in the heart of downtown Wilmington. We love sitting at the bar for appetizers and tacos and there is always a great local beer selection available.
What I Order: Tequila Chicken Tacos, Guacamole
Italian:
Terrazzo Trattoria - Though I've been going to this restaurant for years, it's recently become one of our favorite date night (and double-date night) spots!
What I Order: Mozzarella Sticks and Italian Nachos to share, Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli
Osteria Cicchetti - fun fact: Steve got this for take-out the night we got engaged! Safe to say it's one of our favorites. Great Italian dishes with a nice atmosphere.
What I Order: Fried Mozzarella, Tortellini Michaelangelo
What I Order: Mozzarella Sticks and Italian Nachos to share, Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli
Osteria Cicchetti - fun fact: Steve got this for take-out the night we got engaged! Safe to say it's one of our favorites. Great Italian dishes with a nice atmosphere.
What I Order: Fried Mozzarella, Tortellini Michaelangelo
Italian Bistro - located in Porter's Neck, this is one of our favorite new spots an easy dinner. We normally dine-in, but it seems as though take-out pizza is a huge hit here as well.
What I Order: Pesto Tortellini
Brunch:
Boca Bay - looking for the ultimate brunch buffet? Look no further. There's literally something for everyone, from an omelet to eggs Benedict to salmon.
What I Order: everything
Sweet 'N Savory - I've had SNS plenty of times (it's a great brunch, lunch and dinner spot) but I tried the french toast for the first time right after Christmas. No words. Fun fact: It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
What I Order: French toast
The Basics - Located downtown, this is a great breakfast and brunch spot. Especially when the weather is nice, we love to head downtown on a Sunday morning, grab breakfast here, and then wander around.
What I Order: Migas Mexican Scramble
Coffee:
Bitty & Beau's - Coffee with a cause? Absolutely. Bitty and Beau's is run by people with intellectual or developmental differences. It's a place that leaves you happier than when you arrived and it's a must-visit in Wilmington.
Drift Coffee & Kitchen - this is the perfect spot for a coffee date with friends and is also one of my fave spots for a coffee meeting. True story, I've never had avocado toast but I've heard it's amazing here. Another true story - Drift had a shop in Ocean Isle, but, wanting to expand, they also operated a coffee cart out of Stephen's old office building here in Wilmington. Steve would stop by their cart just about every morning, and now they have an amazing spot that is perfect for meeting friends.
Drift Coffee & Kitchen - this is the perfect spot for a coffee date with friends and is also one of my fave spots for a coffee meeting. True story, I've never had avocado toast but I've heard it's amazing here. Another true story - Drift had a shop in Ocean Isle, but, wanting to expand, they also operated a coffee cart out of Stephen's old office building here in Wilmington. Steve would stop by their cart just about every morning, and now they have an amazing spot that is perfect for meeting friends.
What I Order: Ham, Egg & Cheese Toasty and Caramel Mocha
Bespoke Coffee - Downtown and need a pick-me-up? Walk into Bespoke for a quick cup of coffee or stay awhile in this beautiful space.
Port City Java - there are several of these located around time and some feature a drive-thru, so if you're in a hurry but want a cup of coffee, this is a great option. This is also Steve's go-to (pretty much every day).
Bespoke Coffee - Downtown and need a pick-me-up? Walk into Bespoke for a quick cup of coffee or stay awhile in this beautiful space.
Port City Java - there are several of these located around time and some feature a drive-thru, so if you're in a hurry but want a cup of coffee, this is a great option. This is also Steve's go-to (pretty much every day).
Lunch/Deli Spots:
David's Deli - A club sandwich is one of my fave things to get for lunch, and David's Deli is normally where I get one. They also have burgers, salads and more, and it's located right before crossing the bridge onto Wrightsville.
What I Order: The Club Sandwich with fries
Sweet 'N Savory - I've mentioned it above, but for a delicious sandwich and an after-lunch sweet treat, stop here.
What I Order: Johnny Appleseed on a croissant
Pender's Cafe - Walking into Pender's takes you back in time. A great "mom n' pop" burger joint, this is a great lunch option for classic old-school burgers and fries.
What I Order: Cheeseburger, fries & lemonade
Trolly Stop Hot Dogs - To be honest, I actually don't like hot dogs at all, but my entire family does and their favorite place to go is Trolly Stop! I hear it's great, so stop in to get one the next time you're at Wrightsville Beach!
What I Order: Johnny Appleseed on a croissant
Pender's Cafe - Walking into Pender's takes you back in time. A great "mom n' pop" burger joint, this is a great lunch option for classic old-school burgers and fries.
What I Order: Cheeseburger, fries & lemonade
Trolly Stop Hot Dogs - To be honest, I actually don't like hot dogs at all, but my entire family does and their favorite place to go is Trolly Stop! I hear it's great, so stop in to get one the next time you're at Wrightsville Beach!
Steak:
Portland Grille - This is one of our favorite date night spots! Its "progressive American cuisine" offers something for everyone and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. It's a great place for a good steak though I normally sometimes for seafood. Their menu does change so I always try to browse for something new! They also have a great selection of appetizers so we normally choose something to share to start our dinner as well!
What I Order: Wedge salad, vegetable plate, sea bass with pound cake mashed potatoes
Port City Chop House - this one of our fave date night spots. We love checking out their 5-7pm happy hour specials and if you have a sweet tooth, the skillet cookie is a must.
What I Order: Beef Tenderloin Tips with Grand Marnier Sauce
Burgers:
True Blue Kitchen and Butcher - this is a relatively new addition to the Wilmington restaurant scene, but it's unique in the fact that it not only serves as a restaurant but also a butcher shop. The appetizers are delicious and the burger is probably the best one I've had in Wilmington (personal preference).
JohnnyLuke's - this restaurant has a great bar area as well as a rooftop bar and seating arena that's perfect for happy hour or even a casual birthday party. Steve and I like to go sit at the bar for a quick after-work dinner.
What I Order: New Orleans The Kicker Burger
Fork 'N Cork - Located downtown, this little restaurant is tough to get into without calling ahead, but it is definitely worth the wait. Their burgers are delicious but every so often, they offer a Monte Cristo sandwich that is absolutely amazing.
JohnnyLuke's - this restaurant has a great bar area as well as a rooftop bar and seating arena that's perfect for happy hour or even a casual birthday party. Steve and I like to go sit at the bar for a quick after-work dinner.
What I Order: New Orleans The Kicker Burger
Fork 'N Cork - Located downtown, this little restaurant is tough to get into without calling ahead, but it is definitely worth the wait. Their burgers are delicious but every so often, they offer a Monte Cristo sandwich that is absolutely amazing.
Acaí Bowls & Smoothies
Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar - located on Wrightsville Beach, this is the perfect spot to grab a smoothie or bowl. I've walked the loop at WB and then stopped in for a refresher and it is (insert raising hands emoji here). We will also snag coffee here when we're staying at the beach house.
Playa Bowls - love stopping into PB! It's right across the street from The Forum (where my shop is located) so I will sometimes grab an Electric Mermaid Bowl on my way into work!
Pizza
Benny's Big Time Pizzeria - owned by chef Vivian Howard, this pizza spot is the perfect place for date night, girls' night, and all the things. The pizza is amazing as is the dessert.
What I Order: Southern Fried Chicken Parm + Tony Pepperoni Pizza
Local Neighborhood Spot:
Ogden Tap Room - this is located not too far from our house, so it's a fave spot for us to meet some of our best friends, who are also our neighbors.
What I Order: Chicken and Waffles (burger is great, too)
Girls' Night Out/Date Night:
The Little Dipper - Looking for a great place for a girls' night or birthday? Check out The Little Dipper. I went for the first time in years to celebrate my best friend's birthday a few weekends ago and it was so good. Fondue is always a fun experience if you want to hang out and chat for a bit. The meal was delicious, but let's be honest: I was there for the dessert!What I Order: Tuscan Sundried Tomato Cheese Fondue, "The Undecided" (I chose Filet, Ravioli, and Pot Stickers), and the Milk & Cookies Chocolate Fondue
Indochine - Love Thai food? This is your spot. It's a great place to go in the warm weather seasons so you can take advantage of the beautiful gardens and outdoor dining.
What I Order: Pork Pot Stickers, Chicken Thai Fried Rice
Ceviche's - I first tried this spot for a friend's birthday but have since gone back to meet friends. In complete transparency, I haven't tried their ceviche as I'm not a huge fan of the dish (seafood isn't always my favorite), however there are so many other great options that regardless of your favorite food, there is something for everyone!
What I Order: Guacamole Sampler, Chorizo y Goat Cheese Empanada, Arroz con Pollo
Places I Want to Try:
There are so many amazing restaurants we want to try and the list below doesn't even begin to cover it!
- TacoBaby
- Quanto Basta
- Catch
- Manna
- Roko
- Rx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)