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A life beyond finding Mr. Right

Posted on Jan 7th, 2009 by PrincessBubble : Princess Bubble; A Modern Fairy Tal PrincessBubble
A life beyond finding Mr. Right

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 Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb (click for larger version) 
January 06, 2009 | 10:16 AM
Once upon a time there were two Delta flight attendants who were single and unapologetic. Together, the women wrote a book that turned the traditional princess narrative on its head. The end.

Actually, Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb's story of Princess Bubble is the opposite of "the end" theory, in which every princess gets her man and proceeds to ride off into the sunset. The classic fairytale, they say, is not always reality and can leave many young women wondering where it all went wrong if they don't immediately find a prince charming.

The determination to change that kind of thinking is exactly what led Johnston and Webb to write Princess Bubble. Inspired by play dates with the daughters of her friends, Johnston was struck by the limited view of fairytale fantasy.

"These girls told me, as we played, that their Barbie or princess doll could not live 'happily ever after' without a prince," she said. "I told them that I was single and had a great life. I had traveled the world and loved my family and friends. [But] they said, 'You can't live happily ever after, that's not how it works.'"

A light bulb went off for Johnston. She began hearing more and more reports on girls who took drastic measures to impress boys, often turning to self-destructive beauty routines because they lacked real self-esteem or singular self-worth.

"I thought, 'We are teaching these girls this message, it is time for a new type of fairy tale,'" she said.

Hearing Johnston's idea, her friend, Webb, immediately came on board and together they wrote the story of Bubble, a princess who finds out that living happily ever after is not about finding a prince, but about "being comfortable with who you are already."

"I grew up in the era of 'The Bionic Woman' and 'Charlie's Angels.' These women were not waiting to be rescued. They were strong and independent," said Johnston, who, along with Webb live in Atlanta. "I think it is fun for girls to have all the [dress up] costumes and be able to feel beautiful like a princess, but real princesses - like Princess Diana - do not just sit and wait to be rescued and served. They help others and make a difference. I want young girls to see the beauty that radiates from a person who cares about others. This is a lasting beauty that does not fade with time and gravity."

The message has hit home for many women. The book has received national attention, including features on CNN and The Today Show. Clearly there is a demographic for this new kind of fairytale.

"We have been most surprised that married women have gotten so much out of Princess Bubble for themselves. We hear 'I need to be reminded of this daily. My marriage is better when I remember the message of Princess Bubble, because I can not expect my husband to be everything to me, but to share my life with me,'" Johnston said.

She recently faced a lay off just like many other Americans and has seen the truth in what she preaches become even more important in her own life.

"It reminds me of how easy it is to believe or wish some knight in shining armor would ride up and say, 'Don't worry about money or insurance! You are a princess!' [But] I believe even if Prince Charming was at my door right now waiting to rescue me that I would not truly have 'happily ever after' if I depended on him to be everything in my life," she said.

However, the two authors try to make it clear that they are not anti-marriage. In fact, Johnston believes the message would only grow stronger if she was to get married.

"It appears to me [when you are married], you are having to remind yourself more that you are not perfect either and you are in a partnership and not in a Disney movie," said Johnston, the "ultimate bridesmaid" who has participated in a staggering 17 weddings. "A partnership requires work to flourish."

Johnston and Webb have big plans for Princess Bubble in the future.

"We would love for Princess Bubble to travel the world and learn about culture and how our differences make us special," Johnston said.

So the story doesn't end in the absence of a prince. In fact, it's just the beginning.

Locally, you can purchase the book at the following locations: Phine and Whimsey-Duluth; My Sister's Gifts-Alpharetta; Curls & Boys-Alpharetta; The Chandlery-Roswell; The Cannery-Alpharetta, or visit www.princessbubble.com.
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Book Review: Princess Bubble by Susan Johnston

Posted on Jan 14th, 2009 by PrincessBubble : Princess Bubble; A Modern Fairy Tal PrincessBubble

Book Review: Princess Bubble by Susan Johnston

Parents read to their children all the time; in fact, some expectant mothers read to their children while they are still in utero and one of the most popular things that parents read to their children are fairy tales.

One thing you will be slapped in the face with repeatedly while reading any fairy tale is that all fairy princesses find their prince and then live happily ever after. Of course most fairy tales were written so long ago that sure, finding a man and living your life together was the standard; but what you can absorb through watching just one episode of Sex and the City is that finding a man and living “happily ever after” is no longer the standard. Now, women can be without a man and still go on to pursue their careers, own their own home and most of all, be happy with who they are without needing the validation of having a man–And now there’s a fairy tale for the modern day life.

Princess Bubble is the fairy tale story of a princess who sees her friends find their princes, get married and live happily ever after all the while being told that she too must go out and find her prince charming. After searching high and low for the man of her dreams, she finds that she is happy just how she is–She has a career as a flight attendant, she has her very own castle (that is decorated just the way she likes it and she didn’t have to give up an entire room in that castle for her prince to make into a den or a rec room, by the way,) and best of all, she is happy with herself and her life without needing to find a prince.

This story is a must-read for both children and for adult women, in my opinion. It is a cute story and it validates women for the wonderful people that they are–And not because they attracted the attention of the right man. What I also liked about this story is that it did not mention that in order for Princess Bubble to be happy living her life without a man, she had to go out and get a lot of cats. The crazy cat lady stereotype may now be put to rest!

http://womantribune.com/book-review-princess-bubble-susan-johnston

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Princess Bubble Review

Posted on Jan 14th, 2009 by PrincessBubble : Princess Bubble; A Modern Fairy Tal PrincessBubble

Princess Bubble

What is your idea of "happily ever after?" That is the concept that I struggle with when reading fairy tales to my daughters. I try to convey to them that BEFORE I met their father and got married I was living "happily ever after." He was just icing on the (wedding) cake. I tell them, they can find fulfilling lives of travel, careers and good friends without or before marriage. What do these ramblings have to do with this blog?

PrincessbubbleWell, there is a book that I just discovered written by two Spirited Women - Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb - and it is titled Princess Bubble. Princess Bubble has a career with an airline, travels the world, owns her own home and has lots of great friends and family. One day she is called to meet with the Queen who puts pressure on her to marry (because all of her friends are!). So she signs up for Royal on-line dating (which is very clever) but after going on date after date she realizes that she is already happy. Her fairy godmother appears with an empowering message for Princess Bubble - "you do not have to be rescued!" True happiness is about helping others and making a difference in the world. 

To learn more about the book, meet the authors and find out where to purchase it, log on tohttp://www.princessbubble.com and become enchanted!

- Kristin Flannery

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In Her Heels with Princess Bubble Author, Susan Johnston

Posted on Jan 22nd, 2009 by PrincessBubble : Princess Bubble; A Modern Fairy Tal PrincessBubble
In Her Heels with Princess Bubble Author, Susan Johnston http://www.shetakesontheworld.com/ We've all read them: Fairy tales that end with a princess finding Prince Charming and living *sigh* happily ever after. Or so we've been told. Move over damsel-in-distress; there's a new princess in town! Her name is Princess Bubble and she's an independent, intelligent, globe trotting princess that doesn't need Prince Charming to live her life. Creators Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb are changing the way girls think of happily ever after. Susan, I love this book and I love what you ladies are doing. How did you meet each other? Although Kim and I were both Delta flight attendants, we actually met through an old boyfriend. So, we joke and say that did not work out but I kept Kim. What sparked the idea for Princess Bubble? After being in 17 weddings and exhausted from hearing "Why aren't you married?" I was playing Barbie with a friend's daughter and was told that Barbie could not live "happily ever after" without a prince. I questioned this little princess, telling her I was single and happy and had traveled the world, had wonderful friends and family...And she informed me this was not possible for Barbie or any of the Disney princesses because it had been clearly documented -No Prince equals no chance of "happily ever after." I thought about this and wondered what we were teaching our girls. Wasn't happiness to be shared and not made the responsibility of another human to fulfill? I wrote an email to friends with a rough draft of Princess Bubble asking what they thought. Isn't it time for a new fairy tale? Kim quickly responded, "Yes! Let's make it happen." So, we published Princess Bubble together. Tell us more about the Princess Bubble character? From an excerpt I read that she took a job with Royal Heir Line to travel. It sounds like Princess Bubble is based on your own lives. Is that a correct assumption? Princess Bubble is a better version of us. She is educated, well traveled, wants to make a difference, owns her own castle and had also been a bridesmaid and is told in the story that she will wear the bridesmaid dress again. Recently, my life took an unexpected turn I NEVER expected for myself and I met a prince. This relationship has made me even more passionate about the message of Princess Bubble because we both feel so strongly about being happy first and then as secure happy people you are able to encourage each other to fulfill their dreams and be a better person. Not expect the other person to be the dream. Kim is very happy single and has a fabulous life traveling, dating and has mastered Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. We are both very close to our nieces and nephews. What is your vision for Princess Bubble and your company? We would love for Princess Bubble to travel the world and learn about languages, cultures and the education of travel. But, we self-published Princess Bubble and are not in the financial position to finance her travels just yet. But, that is our dream. If there are any publishers or investors reading, take a look at Princess Bubble! What is the message you want to get across to women and girls? Kim and I believe it is far better to be single and wish you were married than married and wish you were single. Our passion is for girls/women to recognize their value and worth. We believe true happiness comes from loving God, helping others and liking who you are already. There are so many girls compromising themselves, starving themselves and in abusive dating relationships-all seeking the attention of some guy. We want these girls to know they are a special princess and feel secure in their own skin. What is a day like in your heels? Kim still works for Delta and she tutors Spanish. She has her Masters in Romantic Languages. I left Delta in 2006 and took a job with a builder. I was recently laid off. So, I am looking for a job and we both are promoting Princess Bubble hoping to empower girls and reach people with this message we are so passionate about. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me today. Happily ever after!
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