A Love Letter To 2018

As 2018 quickly comes to an end I feel now more than ever inclined to reflect on what a wonderful year it has been. I can honestly say I get a little teary eyed when I look back on this beautiful year (if you know me, you know I cry A LOT!). It has been a year of challenges, adventure, fun, gratitude and so much love.

Our year started out spending time with loved ones and when everything is closed on January 1st you are forced to reflect and set your intentions, so I did just that. I am a list maker and a note writer, so of course I set my intentions in my phone because let's be real, your phone is the one thing that is always on you. When I thought about how I wanted 2018 to go I knew I wanted MORE. More creativity, more collaborations, more opportunity and more of getting out of my own way. This year has proven to be just that.

 

This year we traveled to Mexico, Southern Ontario and Europe. For those who know me outside of Poplar + Birch you know that this is something that fuels my fire. I cannot imagine a life without travel. 

Holbox, Mexico

The June Motel, Prince Edward County

London, England

 

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

 

 The launch of our online store was this April and we are so thankful that it has been so well received. It was a great deal of work that went into the site and is a constant work in progress. The whole thing has been a learning curve, but at the end of the day that's what keeps us on our toes.

 

In June I had the pleasure of traveling to Southern Ontario to attend the first ever Atelier Collective. This was a day spent with three hundred likeminded women in a vineyard in Niagra on the Lake. It was a business conference reimagined. It was a day of inspiration, creating, experiencing, connecting, growing and learning. I truly felt inspired that day talking with ambitious and driven women from all across the country. At this styled event I had the pleasure of listening to the women from The June Motel, Team Jilly, Fraiche Nutrition and many more speak of their trials and tribulations. I hope to make this a yearly event. 

My longtime talented gal pal, Laura Olsen from Laura Olsen Events.

 

 June was definitely a busy month. On June 23rd we celebrated turning ONE! How crazy is that. A year can certainly fly by in the blink of an eye. Our celebration fell on a Saturday, how convenient. As always I was blown away by the love and support we received that day. We went with a tropical theme as I love me some tropic vibes. We had decorations, a sale, sips, snacks (including adorable logo cookies) and so much love. The celebration went into the evening with my crew of girls I adore. How are we going to top this next year?

A few days after the high wore off from our anniversary party I woke up to my phone blowing up. To my surprise and maybe my second favourite thing that happened this year, we received a shout out from one of our favourite influencers, Jillian Harris. 

 

 

From July until Christmas we had a few collaborations with Chartreuse Spruce, Harbour Jewelry and The Ink Pad. We hosted some giveaways as well as givebacks. We hosted our second annual gift basket for a Mom in need. I had the privilege to meet the recipient and her son, Sam. To me giving back is always the true meaning of Christmas. 

We held our first ever Pop Up Shop at Curvy Chick in Fort Frances, something we hope we are able to do more of in the coming year. We also had our annual Holiday Sip n Shop and this year was even better than last. I had a little help from a couple friends to help get the shop into the spirit, and it couldn't have been more perfect. 

And finally to end our year on a high note the call I received at the end of November. I had been in a bit of a funk, feeling like nothing was progressing and then I received a call from Condé Nast Traveler Magazine asking if I would like to have a product featured in March, April and May's issues. I cannot tell you how excited I am and how much that phone call was needed. It leaves 2018 on a high note but makes me so excited for 2019 and seeing the issues, which will be on shelves end of January!!

 

 

As this year comes to a close I know that it has been one of achievements. Moving into 2019 I hope that it can a year of balance and nourishment. I know that the universe will guide us (the store) where we need to go, when we need to go. I am hopeful that this coming year will give us more time, after all that is the greatest gift we could receive. More time to improve, connect with our customers, learn more about this ever changing industry and more time for self improvement. When you are in the thick of the year it is easy to get down on yourself and think negatively. But when you look back on a year as a whole, you can to see how far you have come. We are leaving 2018 with such a grateful heart and hope that 2019 can measure up. We are ready to welcome 2019 with open arms. As always it is a new year full of endless possibilities, fresh starts and new chances. Cheers to a new year, 2019 we're ready for ya!

 

With love and gratitude,

 

Ashley