i was recently informed that i haven’t had much of a voice here lately. i suppose we could consider this a break in the silence.

every day i get asked the same two sets of questions.  while i work (as a nanny, for now) i get asked, ‘why marolory? biecause (phonetic spelling) why?’ and repeat.  when surrounded my able minded adults i hear various versions of, ‘so how’s the shop going?’

hear me say, i am grateful for the questions. really, i am.  but i am tired. 

the process of opening a small business never seemed simple to me. or even quick. i knew this road would be a long and challenging one.  as i near my year anniversary in the great city of austin, i look back on a year of hard work with (as of this exact moment) little to tangibly show for it. 

have i worked tirelessly on business plans and menus? yes.

do i have folders full of color samples and fabric swatches? yes.

do i have a milk man? actually, yes.

do i have a storefront? no.

that, my friends, is the question that not only raises my blood-pressure but dampens my spirit. i don’t have a property with my name on it yet and that is frustrating. frustrating because i am a type a person who is extremely goal and timeline oriented.  frustrating because i wanted to be open by now, so as to be prepared for the influx of patrons during the week of SXSW. frustrating because i’m tired of being a nanny and want to be around 20 somethings. frustrating because i place my value in the success of this endeavor and my pride is on the line.

i look forward to the day when i can say, ‘yes! it’s over on _____ and the shop should be open by ___!’

but until then, i will hold my head and heart high.  i will continue to welcome the questions as i’m so very thankful for the interest and support of those around me. i will continue to carve out a vintage heart shaped space into the austin community in preparation for the storefront that will one day come to light.

be love, pretties.

pleasantries are something i hold in high regard. i personally practice them and typically enjoy very much when others do as well.  now, please hear that i don’t mean ‘pleasantries’ as though we are all simply humoring each other. no, no. i mean those little moments of respect with the chance of endearment. you know, those moments where you pass through a door someone held for you and you get to utter, ‘thanks’ to this stranger who took 3 seconds to pause for you.  those three seconds may mean nothing; i however choose to believe they carry a bit of respect.  and for those three seconds i am thankful.

i have spent the majority of my working life in some form of service and/or hospitality position.  i thrive off of customer interactions so this sector of the work force clearly makes my tiny heart sing. i love the regulars and strangers alike you can greet with, ‘what can i get for you, doll?’ to which they look up with just a bit of a smerk because one, you called them a doll and that is so 1950’s, and two because it was a bit endearing, showing that you might actually care about what they want.

some would argue this cheapens the pleasantries and steals the weight.  i argue vehemently against this. those words carry as much weight as you give them.

so for me? i’ll keep it up. i will hold your door, i will greet you warmly and if i don’t, hold me accountable. you deserve the pleasantries.

be love, pretties.