The Second friday four of 2024

It’s the second Friday of 2024 and I am doing a quick run down of four highlights from the week. Let’s get into it!

First - Oh my gosh, the excitement is building for the studio space in West Branch! Are you interested in seeing it before the ribbon cutting? Join me for very special sneak peak class (11 spots are open as of right now) on Wednesday 2/7 at 5:30pm for Candle Pour Bar. We will have over 30 fragrances and 12 jar colors to choose from, so you can really customize your candle in the cozy new space. During our downtime when the candles cure you can socialize, browse the open shops (because the first Wednesday of every month West Branch is open!), grab some food or drinks at one of the eateries, or stay and explore the Dried Floral Bar in store.

Second - Private party requests for the space are rolling in! The ideas people have been sending like baby showers, bachelorettes, team bonding sessions, and Galentine’s Day have been incredible. The nice part of the studio space is we can book parties of 2-18, and we can schedule in advance so you can secure the dates you are thinking about. Feel free to email me at erika@turaluraco.com and we can coordinate!

Third - Wick trimmers and candle dippers are finally back in stock! These are your favorite bougie tools that you didn’t know you needed. In the coming weeks you’ll start to see the online store get some more products and a refresh, but I do know a few people were asking for these specifically!

Fourth - HOLY MOLY SNOW DAYS! Iowa is blanketed in a magical snow covered winter wonderland and it’s not letting up anytime soon. While it’d be easy to feel a little annoyed and cold, I am leaning into feeling grateful for a warm home and lots of extra time to be creative. Tura Lura Co. started as a creative accident, it was an artist grant during covid that has snowballed into now creating a space to bring people together. I am so grateful to get to share this piece of my heart with you, and appreciate that you are continuing to be part of this journey.

Sending you love and light.

The First friday four of 2024

2024 is here and I’m trying to build the habit of sharing more about what’s happening behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co.

So we are doing a quick run down of four highlights from the week, whether fantastic happenings or just simple a learning opportunity.

Let’s get into it!

First up this week - Tura Lura Co. was featured in Redfin Blog about 17 enchanting scents to embrace the season! Scroll down to #5 to see the scent and a curated collection of 17 winter scents, each transporting us to a realm of festive joy, nostalgic warmth, and the refreshing crispness that defines the season. Whether you are renting an apartment in Burlington, VT, or purchasing a house in Providence, RI, these fragrances recommended by experts who know scents, weave tales of holiday traditions, cozy gatherings, and the unmistakable magic that only winter can bring. How cool is it that I got to share my favorite winter fragrance?

Second - If you missed the news, we shared that we are opening our first storefront in West Branch, Iowa! We will be located in the historic Opera House, in the most beautiful sun filled spot. It’s been thoughtfully restored, and over the next few weeks we get to transform it into a magical spot for creative classes (and more).

Third - I am so grateful for my family and friends. From the support of going after big dreams, to the sweat equity they help me put into this, I would not be here without my crew. We don’t do anything in isolation, I have so many people to thank for helping build Tura Lura Co. over the last two years.

Fourth - In building a storefront, I am excited to offer more artistic opportunities for seasonal workshops. And, I want to hear from you! What kind of creative outlets have you been searching for lately? What has peeked your interest but felt too intimidating to try on your own? What would you want to go to for an afternoon of spring creativity? Send me a note at erika@turaluraco.com.

Cheers to the first weekend of the new year. Sending you love and light.

Making my way back home

We spent almost a full week away with family. And it’s the first time in a VERY long time I didn’t work multiple days on the vacation, and I felt present. Yes, I did a few small maintenance things like taking a call, answered a few emails, checked messages on social (thoughts on the threads launch?), and wrote down some notes to myself. But everything else was able to be on hold. And I felt calm.

I don’t know if it’s the overachiever, need to be productive to feel good, part of me that keeps me checking off things on the to do list when I’m out of office. Or maybe it’s the mom part of me, trying to make sure everyone is taken care of and thinking a few steps ahead. But vacations and trips are usually hard. Because it’s just parenting in a different place while you are off routines, and in the world of remote it’s even harder to shut off the competing priorities of the multiple jobs I hold during family time.

I made a commitment this year to be whole. In a phase of life where my day jobs take up a lot of my waking hours, I am parenting two young kids with Matt, trying to keep up with volunteer roles, and after the kids go to bed (and on weekends) I’m running this small business. It’s not a glamorous phase, it’s a grind. I know the first few years of parenting require a lot, and the first few years of running a small business are hard. And I am learning and growing in so many ways.

This week’s learning gift was a big recognition that my consistency and congruence are a little off right now, as it relates to being whole. I’ve been skipping meals, missing movement, putting important self things on the back burner for more pressing issues. I got to reflect more on what I value and what I need to work on in my daily routine to build back some of positive habits, so I can feel more whole everyday. Not just on vacation.

This lesson is one I teach often to college students, and I think I love teaching it because I always need to hear it. It’s easy to slid into patterns because of fatigue or being out of flow. And by doing a quick self inventory, of where you are and where you want to be, you can identify the gap and build back your action plan.

In the dead of summer, I am in the fall and winter planning phase right now. For my multiple roles at the university, starting a kindergartner at school with adjusted schedules, for the upcoming line up of candles and candle pour bars, plus a special project I am not ready to talk about yet (but will be debuting in fall). I could feel overwhelmed returning home to the to do list. But after I unpacked and we got the kids down for much needed naps, I had a choice. Make some candles during the precious nap time and do an inventory of everything I needed to catch up on. Or do something for myself.

I lit a candle and took a bath, with epson salts. My go to self care ritual, as I can stare at the flame and find stillness. That bath was the official end of vacation and returning home moment, filled with gratitude and a desire to reset. During the week away from home I was able to be present daily with little worries outside of the moment I was in. And I need more of that.

So I made my way back home with more awareness. And an understanding what I need to adjust to take action so I am living my fullest each day, building in the habits again that make me whole. And I am going to add in something new. I took a step back on in person markets this year as a way to get back some more time, and now I am committing to having one day a week on hold just for family, play, home life, and relaxation. This will be an adjustment. I know it’ll be challenging and I may need some accountability to make it a habit. But it’s an adjustment that’s needed in this phase.

I pride myself on being responsible and dependable to others. I try to respond quickly on email, social, and do things for others first. So if you notice a slight delay from me, especially if it’s on a Saturday or Sunday, just know that I am trying my best to hold space for being whole. I will get back to you. I appreciate you. And I’m trying to appreciate me.