One thing that I have learned is that Blogland loves an inspirational story. Are you ready for another one?
An Inspiring Store to Adore
About a year and a half ago I introduced you to Olive Annie’s. It was a wonderful shop owned by the fabulous Lani Griffin. She lovingly restored this quaint bungalow into a glorious boutique. Sadly, a horrible fire swept through this charming store a few months later. Lani told me the pictures that I took were the only ones that she had.
It took months of insurance paperwork to determine that the fire was indeed an accident. But the stress was too much for her husband and sadly their 20 years of wedded bliss came to a crashing halt. But this girl persevered and began selling her wares in Sirens and Saints. That is until a drunk driver decided to destroy the store.
Ever determined, sweet Lani decided that the third time would be the charm and moved Olive to a top floor in Paris. Paris Envy that is!
Olive in Paris is full of fun. Where else can you can take a picture of your new frock in a vintage photo booth?
Gorgeous vignettes are found in every nook and cranny in the store.
Oh deer, this is SO cute!
Lani stocks the sweetest carpetbags. I WANT to be Mary Poppins. Sigh.
Another dazzler on my wish list is a darling sundress made from vintage fabric.
Olive in Paris
Almost everything Olive in Paris carries is lovingly created by imaginative unknown artists. As a mother of a struggling fashion designer I so appreciate Lani’s willingness to give the little guy and gal a chance to shine.
Lani also supports fair trade/wage. This girl is all heart!
If you’re seeking true beauty for your home, it can be found on the first floor of Paris Envy.
I never fail to find something beautiful. The shopkeeper, Laurie Lavy, has AMAZING taste.
Heart singing happiness.
Hello Santos? Please come live at my home.
Everyone should have a gazing ball.
I am not sure which I love more, the lantern, the Ferris wheel or the screen.
This is truly a match made me heaven!
To quote a great gal, “Peace, Amour, and Olives”.
Laura
Goodmorning Laura! Wow, what a story. I am so amazed at the strength of character in so many people! What a triumph!
I did check out French Basketeer! Dangerous to my bank account! But, oh…
thanks for sharing,
Blessings,
Kathy
A very inspiring story! I wonder if I could “reinvent” myself twice after this kind of adversity.
I could spend loads of time in both shops admiring all this beautifulness!
Hi Laura: I just “met” you over on Mary's blog and was intrigued by your name. I've read and reread the Little House series. And, I see that you are also a Mitford fan. Well, stop by my blog because, for the past several days, I've been posting about my visit to “Mitford”! You are most welcome to come along for the ride!
I'm most anxious to further explore your blog and take a “chance” on one of the wonderful French totes.
Best,
Bonnie
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww her story is truly amazing and double WOW she is here in Phoenix….U know where I will be this weekend! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
What an inspiration and what a great store!! Love it!
Wish I lived closer. I would love to visit. Poor Lani, she is a real trooper. I admire her determination. I hope God blesses her new shop this time and she does well in her new location. She certainly deserves it. I will keep my eyes out for your shoes. They are pretty awesome! Love & blessings from NC!
What a great story of perseverence. I hope she has newfound success in her new location.
I love the unique creations that fill her shop.
Hope you are catching up on some R & R!
Oh my goodness, I wish we had a store like this here in my town!! 🙂 Lovely, lovely!! I'm especially fond of the beautiful sundress, as I love unique items to wear – I don't want to look like everyone else. 😛
Hope you have a blessed weekend,
Linda
Good morning Laura..
just popping by..
what a delightful place!
so much to see..
oohing and aaaaahing!
Third time truly seems to be a charm!
have a wonderful weekend!
warmest hugs..
Loui♥
Laura, how can anyone have such bad luck trying to get a little shop underway. Bless her for not giving up. Her shop looks fantastic. I hope she has great success. Hope you are having a super weekend. Hugs, Marty
What a lovely shop and a wonderful story!
Yes, Laura, I have the cookbook. I grew up in the south so many of the recipes are very familiar to me–as are the folks who inhabit “Mitford”.
By the way, loves this store and the tenacity of the owner. I love shopping boutiques and independent stores/bookshops, etc.
Thanks for the visit!
Best,
Bonnie
It's great to see success come out of disaster. Gives us all hope. The charm of your friend's store is in her vision so it's bound to return!
love your blog!! so cute!
i'm now a follower!!
happy new friend friday!
That is the cutest shop ever. I'd get into so much trouble. Not just because I'd never leave, but because I'm a sucker for a story like hers and I'd keep telling myself “I'm shopping to help her out”.
Great story, and gorgeous pics.
Very inspiring story! Thanks for sharing it. And thanks for stopping by my blog – appreciate it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this story and thanks for visiting my blog today! I'm following your blog now! Have a great day!
That is a beautiful story and a beautiful store!!
What a beautiful story and a lovely blog. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm following you too =)
Dawn
Hi! Following you back from Friendly Friday! Congratulations on your college graduation!
Bridgette
Groschen Goblins
This is the kind of person we all want to succeed. Darling store, wonderful post, Laura. xx's
Another awesome story! Love those sandals! 🙂
~Liz
Thanks for your comment on my blog! LOVE your blog! I am a new follower 🙂
XOXO
that was a nice ending, I felt bad for her losing her store twice.
Thanks for visiting and leaving a sweet comment. Love the shoes.
🙂 Returning your visit and comment. What a lovely blog.. love the pics in your header! Purple… so calm and peaceful!
What a great role model!
xo xo
PS Nobody looks good in gladiators, even if they are wedges.
What an inspiring story and equally terrific post to highlight it. This was wonderful. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
You can't keep a good girl down!!! Great story! I love the shop, I could spend lots of time there….I love the ferris wheel!
Hi there,
I'm your newest follower from Friendly Friday! If you get a chance, would you please follow me too? Have a great weekend!
http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com
That truly is an inspirational story. I would like to think that I would persevere under those circumstances but I don't know that I could.
Thanks for stopping by my blog from Follow Me Friday! Your blog is 'adorable' and I look forward to reading more!
Returning the Friday follow love! Thanks for stopping by my place! 🙂
Love those shoes, I had not seen those but I was in a bidding war for some similar looking Kork Ease wedges and they are on the way!!! I was in WR from 92-94 at the Band of the Air Force Reserve, then again at HQ AFRC for 2003. My brother still lives there and I go back occasionally to sing with the band for July 4th. It is a small world!! And no one loves the “Little House” books more than me! My grandmother got the set for me in the '70s and I still read them. Now I feel like I know you:-)
My stars, what a string of bad luck for her! Hopefully now karma will glow on her in a most positive way. I would break my neck in those sandals. Good luck on finding them!
Brenda
that must be one tenacious lady to endure two stores getting ruined! I'm very happy that she has found a new home for her wares.(very nice wares, I might add!) I LOVED the ferris wheel, how cute! I wish her well…too bad I'm not close enough to shop….it might be dangerous for my wallet. 😮
Have a wonderful weekend my dear!
blessings
Melissa
Hi there, I am your newest follower, love your blog!! Hope you have a great weekend and cograts!!
Smiles,
Nicole
What a beautiful shop! And such gorgeous pictures!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, and congratulations on finishing school. It never matters how old you are!
I am following you back! ~Lanie J.
What a beautiful story as well as a beautiful shop, thanks for sharing. I am a new follower from Follow ME Friday, so glad to have found your blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/
Hi Laura! Oh, yes, this was a wonderful story. Bless her heart and it looks like her perseverance has certainly paid off! Love the store.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I love your blog with all my heart. I think its so beautiful. I gave you some link love on my blog & I am following your blog! Hope you will check mine out.
Hi Laura!
Have always loved Olive Annie–so good to hear she's at Paris Envy! And thank you for the sweet ecard!
Hugs,
Cindy
this is such an amazing post.
thank you.
also i want to say thanks for following, i am here to return the favor!
you blog is a complete gem. i am glad i found you.
greensubmarinediydesign.blogspot.com
Soooo adorable…I love to shop at these type of stores..unique treasures. Thanks for sharing the sweetness today. xoxoxo
That is quite a story! I wish her the best of luck with the new shop. Such an pretty place to shop!
I have looked at 2 Target stores for you to try and find your shoes, but have had no luck. They had the sign up in the store of the shoes, but no shoes. Hopefully someone can find them for you. My daughter wanted a necklace that Target had. After not finding it, they got more in and put them on the website and she was able to order one. Keep checking, maybe they will get some more of these shoes in. Good luck!! Love & blessings from NC!
I love shops like these. And yes, I too want that carpetbag!
Pearl
Not once but twice? That's horrible. The original shop was beautiful. I'm sure she appreciates that you captured it on camera. So many goodies in both of these stores. I get lost in places like this for hours. I too love the sundress made from vintage fabric.
Have a happy weekend, my friend.
Deborah
Laura, you are SO right ~ everyone loves a GOOD triumphing over EVIL story or one that is just plain INSPIRING! Love the tale of Olive in Paris…. looks like it would be a wonderful shopping experience. I'll keep an eye out for your shoes!
xx P&H
Now that woman has determination!
Her story is unbelievable! That poor girl. I am so happy to see she is doing well.Her shop is fabulous!
Have a pretty night,
Kristin
If I ever see that pair of shoes anywhere they are yours-I could never wear anything that high!
Great story and great store too!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Hi Laura,
I have featured you as my Great Craftswoman Of The Week. Please drop by and take a look when you have time. Grab a button if you like. Congratulations.
Rory
Thanks again for introducing me to Lani's store!! LOVED it!! And you know…I asked the young girl that checked me out at Melrose if any classes were coming up…and sadly, the answer was no….. bummer! But thank you again for the store info…will be heading that way again!! And Lani took a photo of Brookie….sooooo she is on her wall FOREVER! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
(Sigh) How I would love to shop their without a budget! I could do some damage to that store….but in a good way! Kudos for her perserverance!
Wonderful story and an adorable shop…..I am always inspired by your blog…
Hi Laura! Oh, I'm so honored! You're asking me what I lined the back of my tiny little china cabinet with? You, the most decorating one! Well, I wish I could say it was something fabulous, but it is just scrapbooking paper. Just sprayed the back with a glue and poked it up!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
How wonderful that she picked herself back up and brushed off the dust and kept going- how many times do we all feel like giving up sometimes?
I was very inspired by Lani's persistent heart.
Thank you for telling her story!
I wanted to tell you that I got your entry for my birdcage giveaway, thank you for coming by my home 🙂
So nice to see new faces!
Blessings to you as you make your home!
~leslie
Hello Laura,,what a treat to find your note at my blog again..I am always Honored by you taking the time..
Hugs from Iowa~~~Dena
wow….what a story !
i hope if anything like that ever happened to me, i could pick myself back up and carry on.
and those shoes are fantastic…..but you know that !
Hi Laura,, what an amazing story of inspiration. I am also in Phoenix and I will definately get by to visit her sweet shop.
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I love the post on the market baskets! Sooo pretty.
Have a great day, Gail
What determination and perserverance! I'm sure it would have been so easy to give up with all of those tragic set-backs. She has obviously not only perservered, she has created such beauty. Thank you for another inspiring story. laurie
Thanks for stopping by my site. I am now your newest follower!
Have a GREAT day!
http://www.couponclippindaddy.com
HI!!!
That is a GREAT STORE!!!!What was a sad story until the end, she sure has perseverance!!!And for that I applaud her!!!!I must check it out when I ma near there!!!!!
Hugs,
jamie
did you find the shoes!!!
I have always loved Paris Envy and it is one of my favorite store when visiting Phoenix's historic Melrose District. I knew that she had moved to Paris Envy, but did not know the story behind it. Thanks for sharing!