Step 1: For reading this blog.... Open this tab RIGHT HERE
Step 2: Leave that second tab open - make sure the song is playing.
Step 3: Start Reading and come on a journey with a twenty two year old, design obsessed business owners who's typing this while looking at her honours project while wearing a spandeau ballet vintage t-shirt and eating aldi chocolate with a face mask on at 6pm on a Saturday night...
16 years ago, i watched my mumma put her career on the line to open a store in the heart of Earlwood. As locals, i remember the excitement of opening a store, walking distance and filled with curated pieces that other people would also love (well thats what one will always hope for in stores like ours). My Dancewear with an emphasis on 'My' represents the personable nature of my Olga and thus, the experience in her store. 
Today, Twenty Two, still an Earlwood Local, but with a big realisation of the hard work that goes into a glorious store and a full time honours degree of design to finish up... i really wouldn't have it any other way!
The shop was vacant, my dreams bigger than ever and a family that support me in all of my dreams.
Most at the tender age of twenty -something are dreaming of getting out of their hometown, for me... it was simple. Since i was young i have been obsessed with interior design ( sounds like a weird childhood passion) but i slowly learnt my ocd with spaces was more than a disorder, but something that would later blossom into a skill of styling, visualising and communicating. 
My Store X Two is a culmination of my life experience, my skill as a design and a visual communicator. Let's be real? Most weekends i was mapping out new boutiques across sydney to visit to get unique designer gifts, homewares and Australian designer labels. That isnt always fun, because like you, you want to live somewhere burgeoning of cool... you want to be proud of where you live and the people who you neighbour with. I want to create a community experience like no other in Earlwood.
Crazy? I think no... Why?
Because Earlwood is so very unique. We are filled with creatives, with makers and with parents who have worked so incredibly hard to provide us with the education and activities to allow us to flourish!
Olga (Mum) and myself are avid design lovers with our own swimwear and activewear label : www.gerrycanactive.com and we NEEDED a space that matched the design of our pieces.... we wanted a grown up store to showcase our designs in the right setting!
The store is a filled with pieces from Australian labels or handpicked from buying trips all across the globe with my mum. The store i guess was a result of travel, sketches of designs, 200 inside out magazines and a lot of coffee, dark chocolate, late night building of shelves, upcycled furniture from council clean ups and a whole lota love. 
My Store x Two represents two women on a mission, to create affordable, bespoke lifestyle stores from little to big. Just like our dream, little to big... i present my dream in reality form. Filled with maker friends, one of a kind labels and all ethically produced items. 
To finish, maybe it was those sunny days in Yamba, watching my mum run wild and free, or maybe it was watching my grandma working hard and picking us up from school and still managing the best greek food for an afternoon feast. Could it have been watching so many passionate ladies around me, or juggling mumma's or extraordinary do it all dads... something ignited a spark and i wanted to create a store, work hard in a store and grow while helping our community grow and become some where where all of our friends can come and rejoice! 
Design is for life. When we design we are changing the world.
I hope you love the store. Pop in and say hello! Everytime a new face comes in it ignites a flame that's breathtakingly beautiful. 
Shop Local, Always,
S x