​I never saw myself becoming a thrifter. I used to be among those who wondered why someone would willingly shop second hand fashion. I had this vision in my mind of hoards of ragged, outdated clothing.  And the germs?  Oh my, the germs!  You know what?  I was wrong…dead wrong! One weekend, a friend asked for my help with finding outfits for an upcoming trip. We went to a few stores and then she suggested that we go to Goodwill.  We perused the racks and I came upon this gorgeous African print dress.  It blew my mind that this beautiful, apparently handmade creation was sitting there with a tag on it for $5.99. I examined that dress inside-out, convinced that something had to be wrong with it. I put the dress back on the rack, still skeptical, but it kept calling my name lol.  I could not leave it there…a perfectly beautiful dress.  My friend could not fit the dress, but it ended up being exactly what a client was looking for as a birthday outfit.  I was hooked!  I knew that if this treasure was sitting at the thrift store, there had to be so much more to be found.  The treasure hunt was on for me.

​Along the way, I let go of my hang-ups with second-hand shopping.  The germs?  Here’s the reality.  I haven’t found this to be a problem.  In fact, when you consider the lax return policies of most retailers, we are probably wearing second hand clothing more than we even realize.  Furthermore, the vast majority of thrift/resale shops that I’ve visited have been just as clean and organized as any other retailer.  I recently visited Seeds Resale Store in Woodstock, GA.  The store is beautifully organized and offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The store has a wonderful selection of fashionable items (home décor and nursery items, too) at very reasonable prices.  I can’t wait to visit again!  Needless to say, thrifting has become a new way of life for me. Read on to find out what I enjoy most about it! 

You will often find new items
How many dresses, blouses, or pairs of shoes do you have in your closet with tags still on them or that have only been worn once or twice? For many of us, the answer is “a lot”.  These unworn and gently used clothing are very likely to end up donated to a thrift store or sold in a garage sale.  During most of my shopping trips, I find clothing with tags still on them.  Like this Doncaster dress pictured below. MSRP $295

The Thrill of the Hunt
I’ve known people to decorate entire homes with items found while bargain-hunting.  You never know what you may find…from home décor to sporting equipment and so much more.  What I have found is that you have to have an open mind. If you go shopping for a very specific item, you can become frustrated and disappointed.   You’re likely to be more successful if you are shopping for a certain category of item (e.g. special occasion dresses versus looking for a purple mini dress, living room decorations versus shopping for a gold lamp).  My favorite finds are usually retro looks like these dainty pink dresses by Talbots.  

​Guilt-Free Shopping
Yes, you can save lots of money by shopping thrift/resale shops.  My expenses for wardrobe for photoshoots and fashion events have decreased substantially.  However, be careful.  Some shops brand themselves as resale shops, but their prices are more in line with standard retail stores.  Another fact that you should keep in mind is that consignment shops generally have higher prices (though usually still reasonable) than most thrift stores.  

Hot Tip!
When evaluating your thrifting haul, be aware of items designed by high end designers who have produced lower priced fashion lines in collaboration with mass market retailers.  Still great finds, but know that the value isn’t the same as high-end pieces by these designers. Here are a few examples:
Simply Vera by Vera Wang available at Kohl’s and Macy’s
Christian Siriano for Payless
Stella McCartney’s sustainable fashion lines with Gap and H&M
Karl Lagerfeld for H&M *In 2004, Lagerfeld became the first designer to collaborate with H&M
Alexander McQueen for Target 
If it’s what you like, pick it up!  But make sure that you’re knowledgeable of the actual value of various fashion lines.   

Fun Fact
I enjoy hunting for fashion treasures so much, that I have transformed my online boutique into a resale shop. If you’re not up to the bargain-hunting escapades, I have done the work for you! Shop Charmed Life Apparel for new, gently used, and always fashionable women’s clothing! 
I look forward to sharing my thrifting stories with you along the way, so stay tuned!

Do you enjoy thrifting?  Tell us about your favorite thrift story!  

This summer, more than any other, I have noticed an emergence of women chopping it all off and rocking short, cropped hairstyles.  In these looks, I see power and fearless beauty!  In a previous post (HERE), I told you what my hair means to me.  For some of us, hair is an accessory.  For others, it's so much more.  Read on as seven stunning beauties tell us their HairStory and give us advice on embracing beauty with confidence.  

My HairStory
What inspired me to go natural was after having so many issues with weave. My hair wasn't healthy and I was experiencing breakage. In 2011, I decided to do the "Big Chop" to start a new look. Of course it took me a while to adjust and embrace the style that I chose to wear, but I grew fond of it. The first look was the afro and wearing a lot of up- do's.  Then, I decided to do a tapered look. I chose this look because it was FIERCE, BOLD and SEXY! This was definitely the look for me. It represents who I am as a black woman.
 
Embracing Your HairConfidence
The best advice to women who are struggling with embracing their beauty is to first start with self. Make sure that you are in love with the person who you see in the mirror every day! If you find yourself struggling, then make sure you seek why and get the help you need to love every part of you. It's a must to embrace who you are!
 

My HairStory
I have been wearing my short hair since I was 19 years old.  I am now 36 years old.  I went through a stage of low self-esteem and trying to figure out what makes me happy and confident as a woman.  One day. I looked in the mirror and told myself I was FINE! My hair, to me, means empowerment, strength and courage.  
​ 
Embracing Your HairConfidence
My advice to women seeking to embrace their own beauty is to just go for it.  Find what works for you.  Find your niche, and make it great.  Never allow anyone to define or dictate how or what you should look like. Only you can stop you! 

My HairStory
I’ve always been really particular about my hair. I’ve always wanted my hair to be what it wasn’t: long, thick, silky…well you get the point! It took me a while to come to terms with myself, with the fact that I wasn’t blessed with luxurious hair.  But I was blessed with what God intended for me to have. After trying numerous times to be naturally content, I decided in March of 2017 to be FREE in ME and wear my natural!! It was the best hair decision I’ve ever made! I feel bold and beautiful and simply free being me!!

Embracing Your HairConfidence
To anyone of you beautiful ladies reading this that’s having the same struggle, let it go!  Be happy and free, naturally how God made you!!
You are not your hair!!

My HairStory
I have been rocking my cut off and on for 5yrs. I have always wanted to do it. I made it happen in 2013. I LOVE IT! I feel so free with my cut.
 
Embracing Your HairConfidence
My advice to other beautiful Queens who are considering cutting their hair: DO IT! Embrace your beauty and continue to live your best life.

My HairStory
They say that women cut their hair when they are going through something. Well, that could be true for me. I started cutting my hair after separating from my ex-husband. From there… chop, chop, chop and it feels great.  I started to like it the more I cut it.
 
Embracing Your HairConfidence
My advice is to just do it and don't look back. Embrace your face with a short cut, you will feel and look thinner.

My HairStory
In 2011, I was diagnosed with Alopecia.  After receiving this news, I began to get treatments to help my hair grow. During this transition, I found it difficult to go to the salon or receive any services that would force me into the public’s eye. The embarrassment was overwhelming.  

As confident as I am, I would hold my head down and close my eyes so that I wouldn’t be noticed. One day I decided to start learning how to make wigs and watched some YouTube tutorials. I then began to wonder what people would say about me wearing wigs. I found myself becoming depressed and insecure. Nowhere else to run, I was forced to lay my burdens down, literally, on the altar.

In January of this year, I wrote everything down that was holding me back from moving into my destiny. I prayed and asked God for guidance. I looked in the mirror and said “you are beautiful”. I began to repeat it over and over. That was the beginning of my healing. I became stronger and it was invigorating. July 13th is when I took my wig off. I felt free!

Embracing Your HairConfidence
My hair does not define who I am. I am beautiful, with or without it. God loves me unconditionally and that's all that matters. Practice loving yourself. Admit to all that hurts so that you can start healing. Embrace your now!!!

My HairStory
I really don’t have a hair story. I just always admired natural, short hair, so one day I up and cut all of my hair off. I was 15 years old.  Yes, I cried in the barbershop chair in front of everyone. I lost a lot of my confidence, but once I got a lot of compliments on how it fits me, I most definitely started getting my confidence back.
 
Embracing Your HairConfidence
Do what makes you feel comfortable.  No matter what anybody says or feels, you are beautiful in your own way.  Seek it. Find it. Embrace it.  

When I decided to write this post, I never imagined how powerful it would become.  I absolutely LOVE when we love ourselves.  Yes, these ladies are beautiful with their chosen hairstyles but they also inspire confidence!  I'd love to read your HairStory.  Comment and send good vibes to our featured beauties, but don't forget to share your HairStory!