About a week ago the city of Tulsa became a lot better place to live. Why you might ask? Well, ANTHROPOLOGIE finally opened their doors! Here are some shots of the amazing displays they put together this time around.
Well as you can imagine, I was completely excited to go to the grand opening, however I never would have imagined the feelings that started to come up once I walked in those doors.
Months ago when Anthro was hiring, I decided I would apply for the “Display Coordinator” position. This is the person in charge of the crazy cool window displays and all the creative set-ups in the store. It’s pretty much the second best job in the whole world (second only to having your own design show of course). So anyway, I applied and much to my disappointment was not hired. You know how sometimes things happen that make you think you know the direction your life is going to take? For instance, I had a couple of RANDOM people e-mail me to tell me about Anthropologie coming to town and to say they thought it (Display Coordinator) was the perfect position for me. Yeah, I thought that was a sign, but apparently not.
Anyway, as I entered the store on opening day all these feelings of rejection and failure swarmed me. Before Anthropologie had always been my mecca of design, my inspiration station, a place where all the crazy ideas that I come up with seem acceptable and even admired, but on that day all I could think was “they don’t think you’re good enough to work here.” And while I know that is not the positive thinking I should have, it’s how I felt. So, I wallowed in my own pity for a little while. At the end of the day though, I tried to remind myself that God has a wonderful plan for my life and getting that particular job would have left me no time to pursue my ultimate dream. Although it would have been GOOD, maybe it wouldn’t have been BEST. And if given the choice to have a guaranteed job at Anthropologie for the rest of my life OR a possibility of one day having my own design show, I would choose NOT TO SETTLE for my second choice. Because I NEVER want to wonder “what if!” Do you?
About those mirrors …
I read a blog post a while back (cant remember the blog though – sorry!) where this mirror was DIYed. I dont remember all the details but some kind of chemical was applied to the back of the mirror in a few spots to get the silver stuff to rub off and then the fabric was placed on the back so that it would show through. I hope that made sense!
This is my first time commenting on your blog but I read often!
Anthro is a dangerous place. LOL. It’s definitely my design Mecca right now. Now, if only I could buy everything in there…
I definitely believe in the journey of life. No one thing is the “be all end all,” and every open door or *closed* door happens for a reason – even if that reason is not readily apparent at the time. Or takes 6-8 hrs to come to you. And it’s ok to have some down time when things don’t take the turn you hoped they would.
MHO, at any rate! I’m jealous that you have an Anthro close – I have to travel an hour to my nearest one. Although, my wallet does appreciate that. 😉
Heres the link to the DIY – I remembered reading it too!
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/07/anthropologie-inspired-mirror-tutorial.html
I know far too well about thinking things are a sign and then feeling rejection and failure. Sums up my search for a different job perfectly.
Also, the building for our Anthro is not nearly that cool&fun.
thank you for sharing. i appreciate your sincerity.
Here is the tutorial for that awesome mirror! http://www.flamingotoes.com/2010/06/anthro-inspired-mirror/
PS I love your blog. I even copied your coffee filter light fixture! Love it! Thanks for the tutorial!
Remodelholic featured a DIY version of the mirror. Here you go!
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/07/anthropologie-inspired-mirror-tutorial.html
I am a part-time associate at the new T-Town location, and just being around all of the inspiration is a huge chunk of why I wanted to work there. It was really neat to see how all of the displays were made and came together. I’ll admit, I’m one of the folk that thought that you and Anthro T-Town would be a match made in heaven, but you know, I think that all of the recent jobs you’ve been posting (especially the Ida Red displays, for reals!) have been amazing and you are definitely making your mark all on your own. You’ve got the freedom to create and dream and design the way you want to, and that’s plenty to get excited about…;)
You would have been an awesome Display Coordinator at Anthro.. but you’re right! God does have an even bigger and better plan for you!
When big life changes or events that are out of my control come along, I always pray for “clearly open or clearly shut doors”.. that way if it doesn’t happen, I know it wasn’t meant to be or in His plan.
You’re an awesome designer! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Ohhh i love that store!! I wander around aimlessly taking pictures:):) I applied (just to work at the store) and they didnt hire me either:/ Its probably better off since i would have wanted to buy everything in sight!!
God ALWAYS has a plan and its ALWAYS 1082487508 times better then what we could ever imagine!! Just keep being willing to be used!
I think you are a wise woman for a number of reasons: #1. you are willing to be real, vulnerable, authentic (even putting your creativity out for the world is a courageous thing) #2. you are willing to go out on a limb and go for what you want (like applying for that “dream” job) #3. choosing to believe that His best is always THE BEST! I’m sure that God wants to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or imagine.
You are an inspiration; you go girl!
Hi Kara,
i wanted to comment regarding the mirrors with fabric on them. back in the day, my mom cut out her favorite fabric(that matched her shower curtain) and made a border for the bathroom by putting it on the walls with wallpaper paste, she also did little flowers cut from the fabric on the knobs the same way. i dont know how it would work on mirrors, but i guess it’s worth a try 😀 let me know if it works!
God Bless,
Abbey