Now, I expected to get maybe a comment about how innapropriate is was to find Jesus in Ross. Actually, I got nothing like that. I did, however, get what can only be called a BARRAGE of emails regarding my character, my lack of hygiene, my propensity for lying, and the (and yes, I quote), "special place in hell [I] now have reserved." Ummm. Okay. So, a few comments and questions answered from the emails received.
Comment: It is clear that you make up stories for the benefit of your blog. What you describe is impossible. (Note: discussing my combing my hair with a fork).
Answer: If you knew me at all, you would know that it is a miracle that I actually make it out of the house wearing pants. In fact, it is quite shocking that I don't comb my hair with a fork every day. I am naturally kind of scattered and save all my organizational energy to run my business effectively, so my personal look sometimes isn't my top priority. And I assure you, it is totally possible to comb your hair with a fork. Also, bite me.
Comment: I can't believe you discuss your deplorable hygiene habits so publicly. And you claim to be a professional? Have you no shame?
Answer: No. No I do not have any shame. And I have never claimed to be a professional anything. Clearly, if you read my blog you would know this.
Comment: Please tell me you didn't eat with that fork (Okay - this one is a valid question and kind of funny!)
Answer: No, in fact the fork is still in the top drawer of my desk. No worries.
Comment: You should be ashamed of yourself. Don't you have children? Don't you know the bad habits you are you teaching them?
Answer: I am teaching them to have fun with their life and not to take the silly stuff too seriously. And, you know, not to be judgemental.
Comment: I think you should know that your readers are tired of reading your overdramatic antics. You are a fabric shop. Embellishing stories for affect is a sin - it's LYING. There is a special place in hell YOU now have reserved.
Answer: Okay. Let's get one thing very straight. I WISH I were embellishing this stuff. I WISH I was a sleek, put-together person who floated effortlessly through the day. I'm not. I make messes. I often look a mess. I fall a lot. I'm generally a walking disaster. K? P.S. You should look up affect/effect.
Comment: It's not hard to do your hair everyday. A small amount of effort will really pay off.
Answer: :[
And it goes on and on. To be honest, I've had a UGH week. We had a 2 to 3 day period where our shipping completely got messed up about a month ago ( BAD. Like, orders appear to be shipped but they just never arrived at their destination) and so we are madly scrambling to remedy that. Understandably - people are upset (and who wouldn't be - I would be, if I paid for fabric and was still waiting for it a month later!!), and trying to fix that has taken up a lot of time. Please know, if you are one of these customers (although I really do believe we've caught them all at this point!!), we are so sorry and are working feverishly to remedy it.
Like all bad situations, though, much good has come of both the blog post and the shipping disaster. The blog post has really got me thinking about how much I share, and if it's appropriate for me to share as much as I do. I still don't know... I have a hard time balancing what is appropriate with just being myself (because I really border on inappropriate most of the time!)
And with the shipping, we have completely revamped our system. OVERHAULED. And it's been a ton of work, but it's worth it... now we can really be sure that what says was shipped actually was. Captain Hotpants and I have both been up at nights working on this and worrying- because we love our business and want everyone else to love it as much as we do. :) It's a constant process, but we love that we can actually make change for the better in our shop.
And also, because I hate posts without pics, here ya go. Me, in my special place in hell. :)
Ari -
ReplyDeleteI like (love, really) that you share as much as you do. I think (and this is just based on blog posts and emails) that that is the kind of person that you are! Why apologize!?!? I like who you are. And re: the fabric... it's like I tell my kids... I am unhappy with the behavior, not THEM! Things get screwed up... it happens. You deal with it and move on. And, if it helps you better your business, then good! Lots of love!
And FORK the haters! hahahahah
♥
Erin
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh Ari! We love you just the way you are! Forget those idiots who don't know crap about what they are talking about. I love reading your posts and laughing my ass off. You are the best and I only wish the best for you and your family. Keep doing exactly what you are doing and don't change just because a very small handful of people have nothing better to do with their lives than to criticize others. You are beautiful and smart and unbelievably talented and we wouldn't want you to change a thing!
ReplyDeleteKendra
zoeyscloset.blogspot.com
Okay - well I just want to say something to those folks that doubt Ari in her truthfulness and her amazing stories.
ReplyDeleteSince Ari opened her business, I have gotten to know her. I have walked into her new shop and the previous shop and her stories are real. I have been there on the "forgot to put on makeup" days,her "going in 12 different directions" days, and her "will bend over backwards for complete strangers" days. She is not fabricating stories to make her blog more exciting. If anything, she is actually withholding most of the stories.
Please remember, she is a unique, loving amazing person who does amazing things. These are all the reasons you would find her endearing and lovely. I hope someday you can each meet her and find out for yourselves.
Sorry, Ari,I had no idea folks were writing such things, and I'm sure I've embarrassed you, but I just had to say something. You have inspired me in so many ways, please do not change a bit!
Julie
Oh, and I mean the situation, not behavior in this case. I have a hard time concentrating with the Rowdy Bunch jumping/climbing all over me (not her... though I'd like to refer to myself in the 3rd person, I don't :) ).
ReplyDeleteI find it amazing that people were offended by that post. Even more amazing is the fact that people took the time to write their nasty comments! Don't they realize that all they have to do is click away or not follow you? Quite frankly, I happened upon you blog one day and was so amused that I became a follower. I don't think you should change a thing about you or what you write. I think the people should not take things so seriously, especially when there are much more serious(as in life and death) things going on the world.
ReplyDeleteI love the blogs! Keep them exactly as they are. My husband is constantly wondering why I am laughing so hard that I am crying over the stories of a complete stranger. It is because you share so much that I feel like I know you even if we have never met. I am so sorry you have gotten these comments. I can't believe how rude and judgmental some people are.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I may be joining you in that "special place" someday as I thought brushing your hair with a fork was an excellent idea!
Leigh Ann
I have to say Ari, you really are one of the coolest, neatest most amazing people I know. And to be honest I don't even know you that well, but reading your blog lets me know that you are "my kind of person!" I LOVE that you share so much of your life with us! It makes you human, and dammit you are! Even if I secretly do think you are superwoman underneath. :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, for those of you insane commenters, I first met Ari walking into her retail store in Spokane one day. I had just moved into town from Boston and was seriously depressed about my new surroundings. Meeting Ari and Captain Hotpants was like a breath of fresh air in the desert. It was meeting them that gave me hope I *might* be able to make it living in this city. Her store is just like her personality: happy, cheeful, helpful and just plain fun. It's inviting and makes you WANT to be there. How many stores can say that? I would be there everyday if I wouldn't go broke.
Thirdly, I also own my own small business (a small baby boutique in Boston & online business) and I have two small children at home with me. Those of you judging Ari and being spiteful, please raise your hand if you own a store. Anyone? That's what I thought, so keep your mouth shut unless you've walked a mile or more in someone else's shoes. AND the last time I checked, The Bible says only GOD can judge and spitefulness was a sin! It is crazy work like 100+ hours a week to run your own retail business. It takes money, blood, sweat, tears, and is often a thankless job (as evidenced by blog comments), but the truly loyal and wonderful customers are what make up for it.
Ari we love you. Don't change a thing! You are so freaking cool just the way you are!
BTW this post was hilarious! I love that you can actually write, instead of all these insane bloggers who don't know the difference between there/their/they're!! And why does no one *get* satire, irony and sarcasm anymore? People stop taking yourself so seriously!
Nothing but love to YOU and Grandpa Hotpants~!
I'll be in Spokane this weekend and hope to make it to your shop on Sunday...and I want to see that fork!!!! hahahahaha!! :)
ReplyDeleteAgree with Salina! Yes, you sell fabric, whoop-dee-doo, but it's the WAY you seel it that makes the difference for me. I HAVE to stop at Buttercuppity every time I am in town because it makes me happy. I can get the help I need there. No one minds me loitering, waiting for fabric to "talk to me" while my children play in the amazing play area. No apologies, Ari. You aren't just "any" fabric shop and you aren't just "any" woman. That is what I LOVE about you and your business. Okay, I think I am rambling now, so I will just sum up with YOU AND YOUR STORE ARE AWESOME AND MAKE ME HAPPY. (and my kids, too. Buttercuppity is a household name. Every where else is just "the fabric store".)
ReplyDeleteWow, what's so hard to believe about you combing your hair with a fork?! I cannot believe people reacted the way they did about something so trivial. Well lucky them for not having anything else to worry about than you and your fork!! Get a life people!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that anybody who is offended by you brushing your hair with a fork and not spending hours getting dolled up needs to really reevaluate what is really important in life. Looks do not make up who we are. Ari you are an amazing person inside and out and I think brushing your hair with a fork makes you that much better. Also the fact that you are honest and share your daily life with the world reminds me that it is okay that I am not completely pulled together everyday. Even if I haven't taken a shower or put on makeup I can still make a positive difference in the world and that is what you are doing each day. Just one more thing to add. If God really decides who goes to heaven or hell based on how we brush our hair then I think a lot of us may be in trouble me being one of them.
ReplyDeleteAll the hubbub over combing your hair with a plastic fork???? I thought it was inventive and hilarious and something I could have done. Some people need to get a life. I love reading your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI love your posts-they always make me laugh! In fact, my sister and I were discussing favorite blogs and I told her she just has to start following yours!
ReplyDeleteyou make me laugh...you make my day...everytime i resd your posts....the funniest ones have been on my bad days and sure have cheered me up...hold your chin up!!!!me and amy gotta get on the phone to tell the other to go to your blog then we will read them together and we laugh all over again.
ReplyDeletecarrie k
i don't really know you but i read your blog frequently. i just have to say that i think it's ridiculous people waste their time saying inappropriate, mean things to people they don't know just because they can hide behind their computer screens. i personally love your antics. your stories make me want to shop at your store more because i think you and your husband are super fun and i want to support your business. please don't stop your sharing because i'd be sad if you were different!
ReplyDeleteWow - what small-minded people! To those IDIOTS who sent those comments, why don't you put your idle minds to use, and go out and actually help someone? Volunteer! See what the world is really like! Go help people who don't own a comb, and would probably like a fork to comb their hair with! Or help bald cancer patients who wish they had hair!
ReplyDeleteWow Ari, I am just now catching up with the fork story... Almost speechless, but not quite. Are you KIDDING ME! I love your blog, your sharing and they feel of your shop. You have inspired me and I can't thank you enough.
ReplyDeleteI think people who comment like that are only out to stir the pot, get a rise, etc. You have handled it well, with humor and sincerity. Please don't let this change you.
I saw a huge fork on the wall of a local restaurant recently, I may have to find one for you to hang in the shop.... : )
Annie
Seriously - small minded people who choose to spend their time criticizing others do not deserve the energy you are giving them. Forget about them and keep your focus on all the happiness you bring others through your amazing store and blog. Good vibes out = more good vibes in :o) "The Secret"
ReplyDeleteWell, combing your hair with a fork is not that special. I do it, too. Messy hair is the new trend, why would I destroy that with a comb? And taking those extra minutes just for combing hair that will minutes later look exactely like before. No way!
ReplyDeleteAnd well, I have been known to embellish my stories a bit (which I don't show online, I am better at telling them in person) but sometimes life is just so crazy that even I wouldn't have thought of that :)
Keep on writing like this, I really like your style!
Ari - DON'T YOU CHANGE A THING!! I love your blog and everything that you put in it! Don't apologize to anyone - if they don't like it, they don't have to read it!
ReplyDelete:) Hey, thanks everyone! I didn't write this to get all this love, but THANK YOU so much!! And also, just want to make this clear - I don't embellish my stories. I wish I did. I am naturally a clumsy person. I am naturally always rushing around going in a million different directions. This is just who I am.
ReplyDeleteAgain - thank you so much for the love, guys. :)
Oh dear. Are you kidding me?? I can NOT believe that some people are so bored and judgemental. I'm glad that you can laugh about it because that person (I'd bet all those nasty emails were from the same person) is clearly BAT-SHIT CRAZY.
ReplyDeleteAri, you are darling, funny, totally loveable and REAL.
I say FORK THE HATERS. Yes, I'm going straight to hell too. I just hope there's a "special place" for me.
xoxoxo
Keep it up Ari. You are a wonderful and might I say talented person(I would have the fork wrapped around my hair so many times it would have to be cut out). Forget about the DUMB POOPY people that leave stupid comments and focus our YOUR customers. LOVE YOU Amy Foley
ReplyDeleteLife is too short not to have fun...if people are offended by what you write on YOUR OWN blog then they can stop reading it!!! They can start their own blog about stupid things that offend them and NO ONE will read it!! The good Lord made us all different and if you want to use a fork to comb your hair so be it! I doubt there is a place in hell for you to use your fork...more like a place in heaven to eat heavenly yummo food and it would be GOLD!!! HAVE A NICE DAY!
ReplyDeleteAri, I love that you are so candid! Everyone needs a laugh in the day and every time I read your blog, you give me a smile! Those people who commented so cruelly are just plain crazy. You are funny and witty and if other people disagree, they should just go read some boring blogs. I am sorry that all that shipping stuff happened, but I have to say that even though I was one of those customers who was without a package for a month, you took care of everything so gracefully and went above and beyond. All that to say, I will keep reading and buying from you!
ReplyDeleteHahaha. FORK THE HATERS! There should be t-shirts made and sold at Buttercuppidy with that on the front and the drawing you did of you in your special place on the back of the t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteI heart your store.
I heart your blog.
Your store puts me in such a state of blissful happiness that can not be described. Please don't change a thing!!
Aimee :)
Oh, Ari, this is ridiculous. If someone wants you to just be a fabric store, they should make their purchase and move on.
ReplyDeletePlease, please don't censor yourself. We love you the way you are. Long live the fork!
I am also a person who as you put it so well has "a hard time balancing what is appropriate with just being myself (because I really border on inappropriate most of the time!)"
ReplyDeleteI have finally gotten to the point of "this is me like it or not this is who I am". If people don't like it then I didn't need them in my life anyways because I want people in my life who are a reflection of me & who can laugh & have fun & be inappropriate. Life is way to short to be taken so seriously.
On another note - I love your shop & your online store & I will be in your store every chance I get to Spokane.
You keep rockin it like you always have & let the rest of the world sit back wonder!!!!!!
Did people seriously write that to you? Your life is so funny, that I love to hear what's going on in it. Don't often do my hair either, so ha ha ha to all those snoots. At least we're creative!
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry to read that some people have been so crummy to you! I just don't understand it. It's not like they are being forced to read your blog...it's free...they are reading because they are choosing to. If they don't like what they read then they should just not visit anymore.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find you very amusing and witty. Furthermore, I don't really care if the stories are true/not true, exaggerated/minimilized....I enjoy reading what you have written and that is saying a lot. I only wish I lived closer to your area and could actually visit your shop!
Keep doing what you are doing and don't let the nasties get you down!
I LOVE YOU just the way you are. You just keep being you!
ReplyDeleteI was so sad when I read those nasty comments...seriously, if you don't like the blog then don't read it!! You are such a sweet person and totally don't deserve that kind of treatment! Your blog is great and I don't think you should change a thing!
ReplyDeleteThese are my thoughts:
ReplyDelete1. The reason I read your blog is because of those stories. Trust me, I understand.
2. As a beginning entrepreneur myself, I take great comfort in your stories. There are enough business blogs out there that make me think I'm not good enough and never will be. I think you are amazing - starting from where you did and doing what you love. I see a lot of myself in you... I'm a technical writer by day, hoping to build a business with fabric and creativity to get out of that (even though I still love the English language and grammar). And yes, affect/effect bothered me in that nasty comment too!
3. If your dear readers don't like to read what you write, why are they reading you? It's not that hard to hit "unsubscribe" and walk away, right? (Although I'm not really sure why anyone would do that when they could anxiously wait for the next hilarity to ensue!)
4. There are enough fabric shop blogs that post repetitive "Here's what new fabric we got in" posts. I love the variety you provide.
5. I hope this makes you feel better about what you choose to write. You don't know me, we've never met or talked, but I feel like I know you just a little, and despite all the blunders and mistakes you feel you make, I consider you a role model.
The end.
Ari: FORK-get about them!!! We've never met and I love you already. I will continue to follow the blog and shop with you via Etsy. Heck, the fork story is exactly why I keep coming back. You Rock!!
ReplyDeleteIf you get those kind of threatening comments over that post (which was AWESOME and I think we need to be friends) then I should have received death threats on some of mine! hahaha. wow. Seriously why have I never found you until now?! Oh man.
ReplyDeleteI also love the picture of you in hell...I tried to make a picture of me cleaning a shower with toilet bowl cleaner for "AFFECT" on my blog... but gave up....you have given me a reason to start trying to draw ridiculous pictures using microsoft paint again! hahaha! hooray! I hope you come visit me and we can be blogging buddies....and maybe even real life buddies as I live really close to Spokane! Ok, better go. THANKS for the laughs today!!!
I love your blog and online shop just the way it is!! Be yourself and don't worry about the haters who have too much time on their hands to sit around and write mean things to you for being you! Its blogland, and a free country! Write what you are because you will attract more people that way than if you conform. The conformers can enjoy the fall off the cliff with the other sheep. :) Peace.
ReplyDeleteAri, you are an inspiration to me personally. I love your blog and one day hope to quit my day job and live in a dreamy fabric world where I can sew and quilt and meet Amy Butler and Laura Gunn. You totally rock in every way! :)
ReplyDeleteAri, I LOVE you just the way you are. (With apologies to Mr. Rogers, of course.) Please don't let what some small-minded poop head had to say about forking your hair affect your free-spirited approach to your blog. (Sidebar: LOVE the fact that you couldn't resist pointing out that one particular gremlin hasn't mastered affect/effect yet! Once a comp instructor-- always a comp instructor...) Your stories and your personality are the creative foundation for Buttercuppity. Anyone can open a fabric store, but it's not everyone who can make it a warm, welcoming, whimsical, and entertaining shop to visit, whether in person or via social networking. You have a gift you've chosen to share through your successful business. Keep being YOU. (PS...I really think your business needs a secondary by-line: "Where a fork isn't just a fork"--in honor of giving some small minds something to consider).
ReplyDeleteAngela