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!
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