Wednesday 14th January, 2026
In Which a Crown Finds Its Queen and Ideas Take Flight
Today was a funny day - the kind that sneaks up on you with moments you weren’t expecting.
A beautiful family came in: a mum and her three kids. She immediately spotted a colourful woollen blanket that has been draped over our couch since the day we opened, a lovely thing that had somehow gone unnoticed by everyone… until her. She fell in love, scooped it up, and declared it hers.
One son chose a pirate dagger. Another selected two gold rings. But her daughter - bright, thoughtful, heart already set on something grander - was torn. She wanted the stunning green jewel crown. The problem was the budget they’d all agreed on.
They left without it.
A couple of hours later, she burst back through the door, breathless and determined. She’d talked her mum into the crown. And when she placed it on her head, she looked every inch the queen she already was.
I was so proud of her for refusing to settle that I gave them 10% off.
We all deserve a crown. Especially the girls who fight for theirs.
Later in the afternoon, some family friends surprised us with a visit. We haven’t seen them in ages, but they’ve been following our journey online, and it was lovely to settle onto the couches and catch up. They asked questions, shared thoughts, offered ideas - and one left with a book. It felt like a reunion the shop had been quietly waiting for.
After they left, Kris and I sat down and talked through plans for 2026. We’re both feeling the weight of money worries at the moment - that awkward in-between stage where the shop is still finding her footing, still teaching people she exists. Sales haven’t been as high as we hoped, and the pressure of loans and life sits heavy.
But we have ideas.
Workshops. Book clubs. Writing groups. Subscription boxes.
A whole constellation of possibilities.
So many ideas flying around the room today that the shop practically sparkled.
It was a day of small victories, brave queens, and hopeful plans, and the shop gathered every one of them into a beautiful bouquet.
