Onwards and Upwards

Hi all

Well what a turn around it has been emotionally in the last couple of weeks - who would think that sore feet, voice loss (from talking so much), and general tiredness could be so much fun!

 

We are in week two of the new store being open and I have loved it! I was fortunate enough to have my parents here to help me transport all the stock, fittings and to sort and organise which otherwise would have been so overwhelming. Considering I only received the keys the week before my opening it was definitely a case of all hands on deck.

 

With a non existent budget, lots of enthusiasm and an optimistic attitude I opened the doors. The signage is done and if nothing else, is definitely eyecatching, and so the customers have started coming in. I have some big plans for the coming months and should the custom just grow and grow I might very well be able to realise some of those plans. In the meantime however, I am open to suggestions, advice and constructive comments.

I must say that having the shop - even if it is a real punt for the area, the location and the style is exciting and has brought me out of my melancholy mood somewhat, which directly filters down to my children. I have met some lovely and helpful people and I can't wait to meet more and to build friendships. Just what a solo mum living in a new place needs (stress ... what stress...)!

There are so many gorgeous frocks out there waiting to be worn and what fun to be had dressing women and helping them to make decisions on great clothes that make them feel special and beautiful!

 

 

 

So I will leave you with this wee quote because I just love it and it is all in the attitude!

Rachel
x

Exciting Times Ahead!

Having long been a lover of most things vintage, be it furniture, books, cars, caravans, chinaware, clothing, I find I am often at odds with myself... and with a background and focus on the traditional in interior design I admit to also loving modernity.

 

Onto my next venture ... "Elsie George". The plan is to blend my love of fashion, my passion for refurbishing and reinventing old furniture, my enjoyment at meeting new people, my desire to become part of this community, my necessity to earn an income – and still be around to collect my children from school, be home in time to cook dinner, supervise homework and spend quality time with them on the weekend. Is this possible?  ... well I guess if I don't try I will never know!

 

And so during a week of emotional lows (dealing with the fallout of a recently broken relationship, house woes and my youngest child starting school), I had an exciting high ... on Friday I received the keys to my new shop! Woohoo! After some weeks of negotiation I now have the lease of a very rundown retail store on Vincent Street - which is the main road through Cessnock. Sadly the street sports some neglected and unexciting stores and buildings, but on the upside we are the cusp of the stunning Hunter Valley, renowned for its many fabulous vineyards and a very popular tourist destination.

 

The very next morning, bright and early saw me dragging my excited little team of decorators to the new store to help me give  it a much needed facelift.  Well ok their excitement lasted five minutes but my 15 year old and I did get some wallpapering done ... yay!

Exciting times ahead...

 

 

STARTING OVER ...

Where and when did it all start.... and what is the destination? At my age and with my life experience you would think I would know the answer to this by now! Alas, the answer eludes me still. I struggle to decide my goals and my destination keeps changing.  Just when I think I can see it, the road takes another twist. Working back from their goals makes sense to some people, but for me it seems that the journey is the destination.

I am hoping this blog will help my journey.  How you may ask?  Hopefully by providing clarity - letting me see where I have been so I get some clues as to where I might be going.  Perhaps along the way it will amuse and entertain others (fingers crossed).  And some of you may just relate to my experiences.

So, who are they? Well, Elsie and George are my grandparents on my mother's side. They passed away when I was a child. Although I have memories of them which I cherish, they probably would not have been too keen on the many directions my "not always" conventional or comfortable life has taken (to date). 

I'm not proud of my lack of direction and shonky decisions.  But, hey, its never too late to change!

To start with, I am a kiwi girl from north of Auckland. Over the years I found myself with a failed marriage, a couple of failed long term relationships, a failed business, a whole bucket of tears and no career! And now I find myself and my three gorgeous children in a small, rural town in Central New South Wales.

How the heck did that happen? That wasn't on the GPS a year ago.

I hail from a family of achievers, settled in marriage and careers.  My two brothers (law and IT) and two sisters (sales and accounting) are happily married. My parents recently celebrated over 40 years of being together.  (My dad says how the hell did that happen!)

Australia was the solution to the second-to-last calamity in my life: cross the Tasman, start again, wipe the slate clean, get up every morning with a smile on my dial and a positive attitude to boot!

And yet - here I am in Cessnock having joined the 'happily ever after', real-deal Aussie guy - who walked away.  Once again, no job, no friends, not a lot of prospects and only just with a roof over our heads - and I mean only just.

Well today is a new day, the sun is shining, I have my health and the rest of our lives to look forward to! I WILL remain positive and cherry and make the most of what we do have!

And so to my latest idea - the birth of Elsie George Boutique, combining my passion for design and fashion with the realities of having to earn a living.  So please join me on my latest journey.  Watch this space!