There are so many things and places that I love! I love the three publications that feature women (Where Women Create, Where Women Create Business and Where Women Cook) and I love shopping at Barnes and Noble. Being featured in the current issue of Where Women Create is such an honor. When the proof of the article that goes with the amazing photographs arrived in my email inbox and I read through it, I cried. It tells my creative journey…my story. I decided that I simply must create a celebration. I have always wanted to host a retreat so I thought about it and determined that being featured was a perfect reason…and the planning began. I titled it the Create, Make and Celebrate Retreat and I can’t wait to post soon and share all about it. But, back to Barnes and Noble…this is about Me and what happens when the Create Make Celebrate Retreat hits Barnes and Noble.
When I planned a field trip for the retreat attendees, I asked Barnes and Noble (in Southland Shopping Center) if they wanted to participate. I was totally blown away by the response. They held a private reception and treated all of my guests to a mini shopping spree. I felt like such a superstar. My husband came to support me and I could see it in his eyes…just how proud he is of me. Jo Packham flew in for the event and getting to know here was such a treat. She is hands-down one of my greatest role models. Jenny runs events for Barnes and Noble and she is truly awesome to work with. I was thrilled with the event she put together to celebrate with me.
Barnes and Noble makes me happy. Book covers make me happy. Flipping through pages makes me happy. Cafes make me happy. Puzzles, games and toys make me happy. STATIONERY and journals make my heart skip beats. Children’s literature makes me happy. When you put it all together, it makes a happy place. Being there with so many of my friends at the same time, drinking cafe drinks and buying books, was a dream. This is what I bought that evening…all for me!
The DIY T-Shirt Crafts book is super special because my friend (and retreat guest) Adrianne wrote it! FOR REAL!!! She autographed it and I LOVE it. It is packed with awesome sauce ideas and project that are totally do-able. I will share more about this book and show you some of our masterpieces soon. Check Adrianne out on her blog, Happy Hour Projects.
Midge and Madge Mingle reviewed it and you can check that out here. They filmed this during the retreat. I even make a small appearance. LOL
AND this is how awesome the magazine looked on the magazine shelves.
If you are shopping for Christmas gifts for any of the following people, GO TO Barnes and Noble! I believe that you could truly complete your entire holiday shopping in one stop here.
- Teachers
- Friends
- Children
- Husband
- Wife
- Neighbors
- Colleagues
If you have kiddos, here is a fun activity. Print THIS out for each kid and take them to the store. Let them wander and fill in the blanks. If they behave and work well with you, treat them to a yummy from the cafe or a special book.
I promise to write about the retreat soon. It is still so overwhelming in my mind. Three nights and four days PACKED with powerful women, tears and laughter, making and creating and joy… I have to figure out how to put it into words.
Until then…CHEERS,
Laura