good thing noticed #1: flowers with your books
On Saturday mornings in Ariel bookshop, Oxford St, Sydney, you can buy a little posie of flowers for 3 bucks. I love this.
They wrap them in brown paper for you. It clearly isn’t a profit-making exercise! But the good-will, well, it got me wanting to spread it. The kooky girl behind the counter who likes wearing brooches said, “we just think flowers are nice things to have with books”. Yes! They also sell little Haigh’s chocolates. Flowers, books and chocolate. So nice.
I just bought two posies of daisies wrapped in brown paper for friends, and a copy of The Adventures of Blinky Bill.
(I should probably have a picture of the posie here…but I haven’t worked out how to do that yet.)
Deus ex Machina in Camperdown, Sydney, is same-same-but-different. Dare Jennings (ex-Mambo) likes beautifully built, artisan bikes, duck ragu and art. So do I. And he’d like to share these three passions with all of us. His bike shop is also a gallery and a great cafe. With back issues of the New Yorker on file to read.
It’s important, I think, to care about how you consume. When it’s mindless, it doesn’t satisfy anyone. When it’s infused with care it’s more than just a commercial transaction. Some shops just sell stuff. Others seem more like an inspiring holding space for things the owner would like to share with you.
I don’t like to consume much. But I like generous experiences that contribute to life.
I would like a french pastry when I buy a book, maybe I should start a bakery/bookstore?
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Sarah, the book shop sounds like a gem, we live in the country and can’t buy a posies of flowers for $3. Books, Haighs and flowers, if only they sold a cuppa as well … perfection .
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Charming!
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I wish we had a book store like that near me, how very sweet.
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That is really sweet. And I love the name of that shop, Deux ex Machina.
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What a wonderful blog! Look forward to reading a whole heap more. Books and flowers are a brilliant combination. Makes me wish I lived in Sydney.
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there might not be a bookshop like that near you…but the idea can translate wherever you are. little moments of care! have a lovely Sunday x
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shops that do stuff like that r great and always feel homely its rare to find places like that i reckon. and its even better when u develop a relationship with the owner coz u always no they will help u out or go out of their way. no much customer service like that these days
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Hey Sarah – am so glad your blog is finally up, congratulations. I look forward to reading your little snippets of life from the caring and thoughtful perspective that your words bring.
xo
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I love the idea of shopping at places that provide a more personal touch. I particularly like the flowers at the bookstore. What a lovely idea.
Good to see your blog up and running. I’m looking forward to checking in regularly for your thoughtful comments on everyday life.
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Sarah! I love reading your sunday column and I’m so glad you’ve started this blog. I’ll be sure to add this to my list of blogs that get daily (times about ten) views. xx
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Sarah – while I think I’m the only person in Australia it doesn’t watch Masterchef, I’ve only just discovered you through your Sunday column and what a inspiring breath of fresh air you are. There’s a poetry to your writing and many sentiments you express that I also share. As a married mum of two small boys who was recently made redundant, I too am on my own personal journey, but I will look forward to following yours. Thank you for sharing your thought provoking and entertaining perspective.
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books and bicycles, how deliciously quaint. i find many modern consumers are accustomed to the machination of buying, but everyone remains touched and tender when you find a way to make real human relations and compassion resonate within your business.a lot of the time it is important to reiterate to the customer that you want them to have a quality product with value, not an expensive product. but it seems to be the rare consumer who cares for the small business owner, like the small business owner cares for the consumer.
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