Shabby Sisters; Chapter 2

Wow, it’s been a red-hot minute! But it feels good to be back.

So, what’s been happening over the last three years? Has it really been that long?! It feels like both a lifetime ago and only yesterday that I took pause. At the time, I didn’t realise how much I needed the break until I was able to stop and take a breath. And it really has taken me three years to re-focus.

For the past two and a half years, I’ve been working at a small, specialised school supporting teachers and therapists. It wasn’t something in my skill set, but it’s something I’ve truly enjoyed. It’s allowed me to learn new skills, given me better balance between work and family, and provided a much-needed creative space to reflect and redefine Shabby.

So here we are.

When I pressed pause on the business, I didn’t think there was much I’d change if I came back - and coming back really was the last thing on my mind! But with time and distance, I’ve come to understand what wasn’t working and what made it impossible for me to keep going. Spoiler alert: I was completely burnt out from a 24/7 online presence—and I was so unhappy.

So why come back? Well, I’ve missed it so bloody much. I’ve never stopped thinking, dreaming, and creating pieces I want in my wardrobe—it’s as simple as that. Interestingly, when I made the decision to pause, people asked if I’d consider selling instead. At the time, it didn’t feel right. I couldn’t fully explain it, but I knew I didn’t want to sell. Looking back, I think I knew even then that it was a pause, not an ending.

So what does Chapter 2 look like? Well, it’s still a work in progress, but I’m taking all the good bits and adding in the things I was too scared to do in Chapter 1. To start, if you’re looking for weekly new arrivals, you won’t find them here. What you will find instead are small-batch, intentional pieces. They’ll be one and done—so if you miss out, I won’t be restocking.

I know, I know… this doesn’t make much financial sense. But I no longer want to contribute to waste or overproduction. Chapter 2 will be all about quality not quantity. I won’t be focusing on trends, but rather thoughtful designs that fill gaps in our wardrobe, instead of creating chaos in trying to find something to style them with. It’ll be slow and steady as I rebuild—but as they say, all good things come to those who wait :)

Next—and this is a big one for me, and one that might not be liked or supported by everyone (and that’s okay)—Chapter 2 will be a Monday-to-Friday business. I won’t be online on weekends when I should be with family and friends. You’ll still be able to message us, but I won’t be back online until Monday. I understand that might be frustrating for some people, but I promise it’s a model that not only works for me, but also ensures longevity in a small business.

Finally, the algorithm can go f*ck itself. I won’t be showing up every day, and I won’t have a rigid posting schedule like every social media manager on TikTok says we should. Instead, I’ll show up when I have something to say—when I have something meaningful to share—and it will be intentional. Will I have low engagement and lose followers as a result? Absolutely. But I’m comfortable the people who want to find us and stick around for quality rather than quantity will.

I do hope you’re one of those people and choose to hang with us. I’d love for you to come on this journey with me—I’m so excited and can’t wait for this next chapter to begin.

And if there’s any gaps in your wardrobe you’d love me to fill, please drop me a message so we can start designing.

Kylie x