Meet my friend and fellow blogger

Jamie Lapeyrolerie

and discover

The Shoppe

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I’ve mentioned this many time over but the book blogging community is really something special. One of the extra, extra special bloggers I’ve connected with over the years and now call friend, is the fabulous Jamie Lapeyrolerie of Books and Beverages. Jamie is such a creative and insightful blogger, her website always looks spectacular, and I adore working with her on the INSPYs Advisory Board. Given Jamie’s creative talent, I wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear about her new venture, The Shoppe ~ a great new site for bloggers and readers to buy literary gifts to assist with blogging, or simply honour our love of literature. The Shoppe has arrived at the perfect time for those searching for a unique gift for the book lovers in your life! Or for yourself…just because!

But first, let me introduce you to this wonderful and caring woman!

Who is Jamie?

Oh goodness, what do I want the internet to know about me?!? I’ll keep it simple! I’m a girl who cherishes family (especially my nieces and soon, a nephew!!) and friends and love them something fierce. Outside of reading, I love sports (even when my teams are terrible beyond belief – here’s looking at you LA Lakers and New Orleans Saints), traveling as often as possible, and I’m really into Mexican food and desserts. I also love Jesus a whole lot and am amazed at the path He’s taken me on in these 30 + a few years and excited for what’s to come!

Where does your passion for reading come from?

Definitely my Mama! She always encouraged reading and always signed us up for reading programs during the summer at our local library. I did not mess around with those summer challenges either! She would often have a new book waiting for me when I got home from school and I still have many of them. They each hold such fun memories.

How did you discover book blogging?

It was early 2012 and I was phasing out of wedding photography (I had a small blog with the business) and I wanted to keep blogging. Since I loved books, I thought a book blog might be fun. I remember thinking something like, “I bet there’s a few other folks who have book blogs too – this could be fun!” Lucky for me, there’s so many fabulous bloggers I now consider friends! Several months into blogging, I also discovered book blogging programs with publishers and that opened a whole new world!

Why Books and Beverages?

I confess, this is the most uncool story in the history of book blog title creation. I wanted “books” in my title and while I was sitting at my computer thinking of other “b” words (I liked the flow of B & B), beverages came to mind (probably because I was thirsty), and I thought, “Hey, that could work!” Like I said, totally creative – ha! I really like incorporating beverages into the blog too – it stretches me and is fun!

What do you love about book blogging?

Oh so much! I really love the community. I don’t know if I would have kept blogging if I didn’t make such awesome friends. Plus, it’s so great that publishers and authors connect with readers. It really makes it so great and any chance I get to talk about my favorite books is a win for me.

Which of your many fun features do you enjoy putting together the most?

Ooo..good (and hard) question! I really love “introducing” the world to awesome authors and fellow bloggers through the 4 Questions Series and Blogging Friends Series, so I count those as some of my favorites. But I confess, the monthly Inklings series is close to my heart because it gives me an excuse to read Tolkien and Lewis and I love the discussions that follow.

Tell us about your day job

I work in marketing for an office solutions company based here in Texas. I get to work on a variety of projects and I have awesome co-workers, so it’s great!

Please explain your ‘obsession’ with The Walking Dead?!

Haha! I love this question because my obsession with this show is so out of the norm for me! I don’t like scary things at all (I close my eyes – and sometimes even plug my ears – during scary movie previews), but several people kept mentioning the show and finally, just so people would stop bringing it up, I gave it a shot. After one season I was so hooked! The best way I can explain it, is to say the show is really about people. It’s such an interesting look at what humanity would do in a dire situation. It’s the characters and their stories that definitely keep me watching (and I totally cover my eyes when there’s lots of zombies in a scene!)

Share about your new venture, The Shoppe

It’s been great – what started with a little idea has turned into a Shoppe for book bloggers and readers! I wanted a place to feature custom designed gifts readers would love to have and give. I know I love showing my literary love in any form or fashion, so I decided to join in the fun and be one of the folks who provide that. I started with an Inklings Collection because I have a teeny bit of an obsession with all things Tolkien and Lewis. I also thought it would be fun to design some items myself, so then came the “For the Love of Literature” collection.

How did it grow from an idea to fruition?

It really started with the planner. Once I discovered the designer who could bring my planner idea to life, I started thinking of other possibilities to add to The Shoppe and talked with designers and things just kept moving forward! I’m so happy with how things have turned out. I also knew I wanted some way to give back, so early on I decided that a portion of the profits would go to a handful of organizations doing incredible work around the world.

How do you go about the creative process?

Inspiration always seems to hit at the most random times, so I make sure I always have my phone near by to jot down my idea or set a reminder to look up this or that. When it comes time to start working, having music helps me focus. If it’s too silent, I get distracted easily. If I’m working on photo type work, music like Adele (her latest album?! Ah-mazing) helps. If I’m writing, instrumental music really helps.

Can you share the best use of The Book Blogger’s Planner?

I really like the checklist – I included some popular places to post reviews (like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads), but also left space for bloggers to add their own reminders, whether that be for a specific tour or another site. As a book blogger, it’s important I do the best I can for the authors and publishers who send me free books and something as little as having a planner/checklist helps me stay on track!

What other fabulous goodies can we hope to see at The Shoppe?

Oh I’m so excited with some of the stuff coming to The Shoppe in early 2016! I’m working with a couple of my favorite Etsy Shop owners for some fun custom designed accessories for the planner and really awesome key chains. I’m also finalizing details for tumblers and Kindle cases, so I hope I can officially announce those soon!

Name some titles coming up in your Book Blogger Planner

The rest of the year will be a bit all over the place with end of the year posts and I’m taking time off between Christmas and 2016 (how already?!), but some titles coming early January are Until Dawn by Elizabeth Camden, The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen, and Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I can’t wait to chat about those books!

Any last words…

You’re the best Rel! I’m so glad I get to work with you on all kinds of bookish projects and the INSPYs and thank you so much for having me and sharing about this new adventure!! And to you readers – thanks for taking the time to read this and checking out The Shoppe!! Y’all are the best! 🙂

Thank you, Jamie ~ so proud of you and your new venture. I can’t wait for my planner to arrive! It’s going to be such a help keeping my reading and blogging on track!

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Books and Beverages
Visit The Shoppe