My favorite post to date...

Goodbye classrooms, books, research papers and studying!  HELLO clothes and fashion shows, markets and vendors, shoes and accessories and did I say clothes...and more clothes!!

Every morning when I open my closet and take a look inside, it is serenity to me, my daily dose of vitamin D.  The clothes, the shoes and jewelry and the pocketbooks feed my soul.  They represent who I am and help me conquer whatever the day holds.  Every event I have been a part of is remembered by the outfit….so yes you could say I am a bit obsessed with fashion.

Most of you already know that I have dreamed my entire life of owning my own boutique.  I wasn’t sure where or how it would happen but I was not about to let that dream slip away.  Soooooo, today I would like to announce that I am opening my very own online boutique “The Retail Therapist Boutique” (www.shopretailtherapist.com) on May 1, 2014.   Also in the very near future, I will become mobile, so be on the lookout for my truck on the streets of Myrtle Beach, SC, in my hometown of Tazewell, VA and surrounding areas.   

While this is not the exact dream I have always had of the brick and morter “Boutique”, it is a start.  And hey, we all have to start somewhere.  I feel this is the path that God wants me to take at this time and He has never let me down.  I simply trust his will. 

While each and everyone of you have played a HUGE role in making my dream come true, I especially have to thank my Mom, Dad, Brother, and Mikey. 

Mom, thank you for believing in me more than I have believed in myself, sacrificing your own life for Brennan and I, and ALWAYS putting us before yourself.  You have done more for us than we have ourselves, worried about us more than we realize, prayed for us, gave us, and loved us more than anyone else ever will.  You matter more than words could ever express.  You have never let either of us give up on anything and that, we are forever grateful for.  A couple of weeks ago you told me you had dreamed of owning a boutique your entire life, and guess what momma, we are making it come true.  I am so glad I have you here to help guide me along the way, and make the day to day decisions as well as order fabulous stuff for "ladies your age."

Dad, without you suggesting me setting up a tent at the Spring Bike Rally, I would have NEVER dreamed that come May 10th I would be in Murrells Inlet at my Pop Up Boutique instead of walking across the stage to receive my diploma with the rest of the 2014 Graduating Class of Coastal Carolina University.  Two years ago, I could not understand why you wanted me to finish to school so badly as I thought it was a waste of time, but writing this today, I couldn't be more thankful that you pushed me and made me finish school as education is something that can never be taken away from me.  As I am sad I will not be able to ride on the back of your motorcycle with you this bike week, I hope that I am making you proud while working at bike week.  Happy birthday daddy, I love you!

Brennan, you are the most loving, supportive, and selfless brother anyone could ever have.   Whether it is taking countless blog or boutique photos over and over and over, staying up all night with me to tag clothes, texting my photos of what we got in, planting flowers in 100 degree whether, listening to me complain, letting me cry on your shoulder, making me laugh, or just making me a sandwich, I couldn't be more thankful and appreciative of it.  I cannot WAIT to spend this entire summer with you while making it one to remember.    

I plan to continue my blog “The Retail Therapist” as I have enjoyed collaborating with so many wonderful people as well as providing you with the daily dose of retail therapy that I believe we all need, and, I STILL LOVE TO SHOP and make getting ready a little easier for you! As of June 1, 2014, my new domain for The Retail Therapist Blog will be www.whitneyrife.com. I will still blog all my favorite styles and continue to blog items from my favorite boutiques including Gallery Boutique, Bou'Tiki, Lotus Boutique, Kiki La Rue, Brandy's, Shop Bella C, Shop Bella Style, Lyla's Clothing, Rolling Rack Boutique, Rockin Royal Kloset, Swoon Boutique, The Girl That Loves, Teal, The Loft, Belvedere, Annie Jean Apparel, Piper Street Shop, and many, many more.  I am so thankful for all of my past collaborations and hope to continue working with you as well as collaborating with many more boutiques. (To collaborate, email me.)  

Thank each and everyone of you for making my life a better place to be.

I hope on Thursday, May 1st, you will "treat yourself to a little retail therapy"...

A preview of my website, launching 5/1/14:

Special thanks to The Kinch Life for making my site everything I wanted and MORE.

PS. A couple events you can find us at in the month of May:  

Thursday, May 8th @ 8:00 PM: Club Boca, Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC.  Join us for a Fashion & Art Show like you've never seen before. Sponsored by Club Boca, Red Bull, Absolut Vodka, Dirty Karma Clothing & The Retail Therapist! Proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Doors Open at 8 , Fashion Show starts at 9pm. Tickets will go on Sale soon! 

Friday, May 9th - Sunday, May 18th: Myrtle Beach Bike Week.  We will have a full store set up at The Big Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet, SC.  Tons of items that are not on the website yet will be for sale and you will be the FIRST TO SEE AND PURCHASE! 

Also, 

Be Sure to Follow and Like:

Instagram: @shopretailtherapist

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drofretailtherapy

Twitter: @rtl_therapist

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For New Arrivals, Styling Tips, Contests, Info on Locations, Sales, Specials, etc. 

Life lately via Instagram

^Last Tuesday, we lost my sweet mamaw.  This is one of our favorite photos 

of my grandparents as it truly shows how much love they have for each other.  

As broken hearted as I am to have lost her, my heart aches for my grandpa as she 

is the only girl that he ever loved.  What an inspiration and true love story the love 

that they share will always be for us.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers

as he as never been without her.  And thank you SO much for all of your sweet

comments, flowers, messages, notes, food, cards, etc.  It truly means the world

to my family and I.  Sorry that I have not blogged in a week as I took time 

to spend with my family during this time.    

^Spoke to an Entrepreneurship class at Coastal Carolina University. 

(Shirt, Skirt, Necklace, Heels, Purse)

^Took some blog photos with Michael Maxson for the blog and found this fabulous

Easter look. (Dress, Necklace, Hat)

^Ran across this GORGEOUS illustration by @sumyhre_illustrations. It definitely

made my day to see this and couldn't be more thankful! This look was from the 

Charleston Fashion Week Finale Post. (you can view it here)

^Took some GORGEOUS photos at Brookgreen Gardens with Painting With Pixels

^Wore this adorable dress to a spring celebration.  (Dress ℅, Necklace ℅)

^Took in some sun and sand (Dress ℅, Shoes ℅)

^Worked out and rode my Fit Desk (Top ℅, Watch ℅) 

^Little lunch date action with this clutch and fresh mani. (Clutch ℅)

^Welcomed Spring in wearing this fab blouse and necklace. 

(Blouse ℅, Passport ℅, Luggage Tag ℅, Ring ℅, Necklace ℅) 

^Took an elevator #selfie with the fan at the Grandover Hotel in North Carolina.

^Rocked this cheetah-licious top and hair accessories to a concert.

(Top ℅, Necklace ℅, Hair Clips ℅)

^Styled some fabulous clients at Gallery Boutique. (Top ℅, Jeans, Heels, Earrings)

^Purchased these fabulous Steve Madden's thanks to my favorite blogger Pink Peonies.

Went furniture shopping, imitating her look found here. 

(Tee, Jeans, Shoes, Necklace, Purse)

^Kicked off Spring Break with this FAB beach bag (℅).

Couldn't forget my #shophopesrep koozie. Don't forget to use code: RETAILTHERAPY

for 10% off + FREE SHIPPING at Hope's.

(Ray Bans, Bronzer, Maui Babe, Evian Face Spray, PINK Body Spray, 

Necklace ℅, Passport ℅, Luggage Tag ℅)

^Little retail therapy on King Street at my fave store Moon & Lola

^Celebrated Mikey's Birthday at Ruth Chris with amazing friends.

(Dress, Heels, Purse)

Be sure and follow my Instagram (@rtltherapist) to see behind the scene shots, sneak peeks, 
AND great deals only offered to The Retail Therapist followers.  I hope everyone has 

had an amazing Easter weekend and thank you so much for your continued support!!!

OH, and one more thing…don't forget you can vote for 

Vanity Fair's Best Dressed DAILY here. 

Hats Off With: A Southern Drawl

Today I had the opportunity to team up with the stunning fashion blogger

Grace from A Southern Drawl.  Grace and I decided to style a Panama Hat, Two Ways. 

Top: ℅ Shop Bella Style | Jeans: Madewell | Wedges: Target | Hat: Far Fetch | 

Necklace: NY & Co. | Necklace: The Limited (similar) | Handbag: Celine
Photography by: Scott Lee

…

While Grace decided to style a white hat and took on the more flirtatious role, 

sporting a statement necklace and chambray shirt, I styled the black panama hat and 

was ready for a day of shopping and appetizers with some girlfriends.  

However, I love how both of these styles not only show case how cute but how 

comfortable and stylish!  Over the next week or so if you find yourself wearing a 

fabulous Panama Hat, be sure to tag us on Instagram, (@rtltherapist, @a_southerndrawl)

 as we love seeing our followers looking FABULOUS!
You can find all of Grace's outfit details on her blog, & of course make sure you follow along!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, 

stay tuned for an Easter Giveaway with Lotus Boutique.

Spring Olive

Button Down: Jack | Shorts: Velvet Heart | Booties: Seychelles | Handbag: Madewell

Photography by: Scott Smallin

…

I always love going to Gallery Boutique and playing dress up with Hannah! She 

always has the most amazing pieces in her boutique for all styles and even

gets me out of my comfort zone! When I go in there I am always looking for either

"Airport Ready" or "Nashville Ready" styles and I think this nails "Nashville Ready."

Be sure and check Gallery's Spring Look Book here. 

a maxi fit for a castle

Dress: Hope's | Heels: Jessica Simpson | Earrings: Bou'Tiki | 

Ring: Francescas | Bracelet: Dillards | Clutch: Chanel

Photography by: Painting with Pixels

…

This weekend Painting with Pixels and I got to play at the BEAUTIFUL

Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park.  We thought the outside

was beautiful until we went inside and oh my gosh, it was 

GORGEOUS!!! The old stone, archways, ivy, hallways, fireplaces, etc. 

were simply stunning and I cannot wait to go back and shoot there.  Robbie

did a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the castle as well as the 

beautiful palm trees and shining sun.  I am obsessed with this neon maxi

and wanted it SO bad when it was made by BCBG but it sold out before I 

could get it, so when I saw it on Hope's website I HAD to get it!

Don't forget that you can use code: RETAILTHERAPY at www.shophopes.com

for 10% off + FREE SHIPPING.