I woke up one day, a seasoned custom sugar cookie decorator, and realized that I needed more; hand-piped sugar cookies weren't quite bringing the joy into my life they once had. I wanted to spread the feeling of warmth, creativity, belonging and love on a greater scale. I wanted to see how The Messy Cookie could make an impact.

When one of my closest friends, Portland food photographer Lauren Lear, invited me to share a studio space, everything took off like wildfire. Overnight, my ideas went to "Why not?!" from the ever-spiraling "Can I do it?"

I quickly learned that it's astounding what you can do when you feel empowered with the freedom to feel encouraged, make mistakes, and take a chance on yourself.

What initially began at Morrill's Corner as a one-day-a-week retail cookie shop just testing the waters transformed over time to fulfillment. A connection to this business I'd never known.

1190 Forest Ave. — aka Portland's finest intersection, as I like to call it (iykyk) — is where we get to grow more every day into the coziest cookie shop with wonderful local Carrabasset Coffee. Thank you so much for helping shape us and my dreams into the beautiful shapes you see them today.

If you haven't come by yet, I invite you to! We always have a set menu of cookies and while we're still perfecting the ideal rotation of getting cookies in and out of the oven so no one has to wait too long for the next batch, I'd like to think you'll enjoy yourself every time you swing in! As a matter of fact, that's my goal: Every time you come by, we want you to feel it. You're welcome here, we appreciate you, and you make our day; we hope we get the opportunity to make yours.