one year ago at this exact time i was here in this same building frantically uploading item after item to our brand new website before it went live. jeremy was helping me put final touches on my storefront and trying to figure out how to use our cash register and rachel was at home pulling an all-nighter to make cute bows and journals. we were opening a store and a website on the same day... crazy? very. i can't believe it's already been one year.
it's not that different from the first year of marriage... they say if you can make it through this, you can make it through anything. :) i'm so thankful for this past year. i am very thankful for everyone who helped and contributed, shopped and spread the word. opening a new business in the middle of a recession is not exactly a 'sure' path to success. i hope that every one of you know that we couldn't have done this without you! i love you and i am glad that i could share this dream with so many old and new friends this year. looking back it feels overwhelming and impossible, but here we are... we did it! things have never been brighter for our little dream shop and from the bottom of my heart, i wanted to say thank you.
cheers to a new year!!! XO. elsie
congrats, here's to many more to celebrate :)
Posted by: Diana | January 31, 2010 at 11:30 PM
xo.
Posted by: jari | January 31, 2010 at 11:30 PM
thank YOU!!! you have done a fantastic job. yay congrats!
Posted by: Jeremy | January 31, 2010 at 11:32 PM
hey i was there that day!!! :] hehe. it was wonderful :] loveeeee youuuuu! :] can't wait to visit again soon :] one month!
xo
mj
Posted by: Michelle | January 31, 2010 at 11:33 PM
so glad this reality became so fun...thanks els
Posted by: angela | January 31, 2010 at 11:35 PM
You're such a creative inspiration :D Happy 1st year!
Posted by: Rachel | January 31, 2010 at 11:42 PM
i cant believe its been a year either!! so excited to see whats in store for rva!
congrats on the one year elsie!
<3
lauren
Posted by: Lauren | January 31, 2010 at 11:42 PM
time really does fly!!!
xo.
Posted by: tiffany. | January 31, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Awee congrats, Miss Elsie! I don't know where I'd be without you, or RVA. I stumbled upon your blog purely accidently when looking for fisheye photographs. It was during an insanly dark time in my life and I was just done. You brought me back to life by inspiring me to start doing the things I loved again;; crocheting, knitting, sewing, crafting in general. Thank you *SO* much Elsie. Your blog brightens my day [it's my homepage =} ] I can't wait to see where RVA is headed. =] <33
-Taylor
Posted by: Taylor | January 31, 2010 at 11:45 PM
yay! I can't believe it's been a year already. How time flies. (i completely forgot that you were married, but let's not go there!) LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU ELSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
Posted by: amanda | January 31, 2010 at 11:46 PM
yay for RVA! I'll forever remember the month leading up to it and how much fun that party was.
And how much work you put into making it all happen!!!
Posted by: rachel denbow | January 31, 2010 at 11:54 PM
Congrats on your dream come true! It's really inspiring for me because I usually feel that I can't do anything and I have a fear of pursuing my dreams. But since reading your blog, I've been really inspired to toughen up and try to recognize my strengths. I know I have some monster of creativity lurking in the depths of me. I hope to do something as fulfilling some day soon. Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Nathalie P | February 01, 2010 at 12:03 AM
happy birthday rva!!! it has been such a wonderful year for you and your store :] and i hope this year is just as fantastic!!
Posted by: Liz | February 01, 2010 at 12:05 AM
congrats RVA team!!! Here's to many many MANY more birthdays!
Posted by: april | February 01, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Congratulations, Elsie!
Posted by: cindy barriga | February 01, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Congratulations on an awesome first year! =)
Posted by: Michelle B. | February 01, 2010 at 12:16 AM
Congrats! I love RVA and it's so inspiring that your dream is now a reality. :)
Posted by: Carrie | February 01, 2010 at 12:36 AM
happy one year anni to RVA! one of these days i will hop in my car and drive the 200 miles just to shop there! i totally promise. :)
Posted by: julie | February 01, 2010 at 12:47 AM
awwwwwww,,,,miss elsie!!,,,congratulations on a succesful year!!!,,,i can only imagine how good it feels!!!,,,you deserve all the success you have had..simply because you are you and thats what you put out there...love your creations..love you!!..you are very inspiring!!!..love ya!!!
Posted by: nely | February 01, 2010 at 01:08 AM
congrats, :p
xx. A
Posted by: alyse | February 01, 2010 at 01:15 AM