Thankful

Last week we were told our customers had voted us The Best Boutique for The Best of Wilson County 2013, we were more humbled and thankful than we could ever express.  You took the time to vote for us and we appreciate your loyalty and hope we have many more years to serve you.

For those of you that don’t know us, if you have shopped with us, you have met us.  You will always see one or both of us when you come in.  We are Jesse Fish and Beverly Carter.  Since we opened, many of our customers have asked us why we opened the store and we wanted to share our story with you since you have made it possible for us to keep our doors open.  

Our journey to find a job we loved began a little over 2 years ago.  We were both working for the same company and had worked in adjoining cubicles for about 2 years.  A friendship and a common goal of wanting something different led to us first just talking about what we would like to see open here in Lebanon; then as we brainstormed ideas we thought would be a good addition to Lebanon, we really got excited and serious about trying to open a storefront.  These conversations started months before we really seriously began the planning for opening.  We both had really good jobs with a great company, but we decided that we wanted to take the chance for ourselves and to bring more to Lebanon. 

Once we decided on the type of store we wanted to open, our next step was to try to find a location.  After looking at available spaces when we were ready to move forward, we found a small space in the heart of our wonderful town.  What better place to open than our historic square.  Once our location was decided, we began the process of opening as fast as possible.  We opened our doors October 20, 2011 and we have no regrets in chasing our dreams.  We love our customers and helping them find the outfit they are looking for and just being able to learn about each and every one of them.  We can never express how grateful and blessed we feel to be able to go to a job we love and get to interact with so many wonderful people.  

We have talked many times about how we hoped we were purchasing items that our customers would love and want.  That is so much of the fun.  It’s like shopping for friends and family to get them that perfect gift you think they will love.  The best part is getting to see someone everyday that comes in and finds that dress or outfit they have been looking for and how great it looks on them.  We want to thank you all for continuing to come back again and again.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

Remembering the Fallen

What does Memorial Day mean to you?  Is it a time you spend with family… do you spend the day on the lake… spend the extra time off to finish projects at the house… or do you just take it easy and relax?  Do you remember the history and why we have this holiday?  I didn’t remember much about the day from my history classes, so I had to do a little research to find out what the holiday - Memorial Day was set aside to be.

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally observed to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War?  After World War I, it became a day to remember all of the fallen men and women who serve and give their all for our freedom.  Even though the tradition of remembrance started in several cities in the US in the 1860s, it was not a National Holiday until 1971.  Different movements or traditions have been popular to celebrate this day over the years, but the main theme of taking the time to remember all the heroes that have been willing to serve and lay down their lives for our freedom has remained the same.  “Thank you” or “We are sorry for your loss of a loved one” does not seem to be enough when you think of individuals that are willing to lay down their lives and for the families of the fallen, but no other words seem to encompass what is truly in our hearts.  Here is a poem written in 1915 by Moina Michael as tribute to all the fallen in response to the poem ‘In Flanders Field’.

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.

As I sit here and plan what I am going to do for Memorial Day weekend, I can’t stop thinking about how much the military families give up for all of us to have this freedom.  We seem to have forgotten the history of Memorial Day and use it to plan something fun for the family.  I am guilty of not remembering and treating this day with the respect it deserves.  So as you start the 3 day weekend, hopefully we can all plan to spend a moment to remember what this day was set aside to be.  Although they need our prayers daily, let’s all try to remember to say an extra prayer for the men and women that are willing to lay down their lives for us on Monday.  

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend and to all the military men and women I say THANK YOU for all you do! 

Making Memories

As I looked around the square last night, I was reminded of things I’d seen and heard from my childhood.  Although my memories are not of the Lebanon square, they are centered in a Tennessee small town where family and friends gather to enjoy good old fashion fun.  Before Atari, Nintendo, Wii, and all the computer games, the best way to have fun was to get together to enjoy a night with friends and/or family.  I can remember the stories I heard from the older generation telling me about how things were when they were growing up and watching old men sit and whittle while setting under the old trees in front of the courthouse.  These are the images that come to mind when I think of a small town.

Last night I saw small town living at its best when I looked around.  People were talking and having fun while listening to music.  That is a good way to spend a night.  When I looked around, I was reminded that no matter what is happening in the world, there is no place I would rather live than in the south.  Our square has so much charm and character, and with the Capitol Theater opening back up this summer it will be a place to bring the family to make memories for the kids to be able to remember what it is like for a community to gather on the square for a night of entertainment.

If you missed out this month, plan ahead now for next month’s event.  Next month’s Jammin’ with the General is scheduled for June 20^th and Daryle Singletary will be performing.  It is sure to be a great night full of fun and entertainment for the family!

 

 

 

Don't Forget

It’s almost here…  Are you ready for Mother’s day?  Has she been eyeing that dress, top, or shoes that she just won’t buy for herself because she would rather spend that money on her family?  This is your chance to show mom how much she means to you.  Get her that gift that will make her feel special.  If you’re not sure what that perfect item is, get her a gift card that will allow her to give herself some much needed retail therapy.  Whichever you decide, we can help you make this Mother’s Day special to her. 

Here are a couple of outfit ideas that you can find at Dreams Boutique. 



 

We all make time to spend with our families for holidays like Mother’s Day, but next week begins a great way to spend time with them and enjoy some free entertainment.  Every month this summer there will be live music on the square for the family to enjoy.  This month’s event takes place next Thursday night, May 16^th starting at 5:30pm.  Make plans to bring your lawn chair and come out to enjoy live entertainment.  If you are in need of some retail therapy, Dreams Boutique and other shops on the square will be open for you to do some shopping.  You’re not going to want to miss this fun!

Down Memory Lane

It has happened again… I’m all excited about spring getting here and the weather being warmer.  Easter has pasted, it’s not Memorial Day yet.  Oh yeah, that’s right Mother’s day is just around the corner.  Time to rack my brain to figure out what that perfect gift she can’t live without is.  That is where I always get stumped, it’s been that way for years and bless her heart she has gotten some really bad gifts over the years that I just knew she had to have and would love.

 I remember one year in particular that my family and I still laugh about.  My dad took us shopping for us to pick out gifts for her.  As I search the store, I found a pair of shoes I thought was perfect for her.  There was a slight problem; they were sold out of her size.  So being young and not understanding the size of the shoe matters, especially when open toed shoes are concerned, I insisted on us buying the next size up that they had.  They were about 2 sizes too big.  Dad tried to talk me out of them, but there was no changing my mind.  My sister did a little better, but on a limited budget of a child, a real gold ring was out of the question.  It was a beautiful gold flower looking ring with a fake pearl in the middle.  As you can imagine, my mom was overjoyed with our wonderful gifts.  Being a loving mom, she even wore these wonderful gifts out in public when we asked about them shortly after giving them to her.  I can only imagine how she felt trying to walk in shoes that she could barely keep on her feet and a ring that turned her finger green.  We believed she loved our gifts so much when she would tell people that we had given her the shoes and ring, but I now know she just wanted to make sure everyone knew she would never buy these items for herself.

 Learn from my mistake… take the time to find out your mom’s sizes when you go shopping. 

 Here are a few great looks to purchase for mom on Mother’s Day that are sure to be a hit.  And if you can’t decide what that perfect gift is, let her pick out exactly what she wants with a gift card that is sure to make her day.