Tags
clothing, Dress for Success, Flip Flop Consignment Shop, Gallatin Shalom Zone, gently used clothing, IRL, Megan Mae Daily, Sarah Darling, secondhand clothing, shopping, style, The Baker's Rack
Have you ever met any of your fellow fashion bloggers “IRL” – in real life? I hadn’t, until last week.
When it comes to going to new places and meeting new people I’m not always entirely comfortable. It’s difficult to be spontaneous in exploring little shops and boutiques if I don’t know about their wheelchair access beforehand. It’s not fair for me to expect my Mr to maneuver a chair over steps or into impassably narrow shop isles. Then there’s the fact that most of my real-life conversations are with my dogs who aren’t likely to tell me if I’m being too honest or socially inappropriate. I don’t want to come off like Martha Stewart, but I don’t want to be a pill, either.
Megan of Megan Mae Daily and I have been planning, and failing, to meet IRL for several months now. Megan recently began working part-time at The Flip Flop Consignment Shop and this past Saturday she invited me to a special event.
The shop hosted a benefit for the Gallatin Shalom Zone and “Dress For Success.” The Gallatin Shalom Zone is a non-profit organization that “works to transform negative forces within the community, focusing on spiritual renewal, economic development, race relations, health and healing”. “Dress For Success” educates teens on career choices and gives them the ability to dress appropriately for job interviews. To that end the shop has relegated an entire rack of clothing for the cause, which are also for sale to the public, with all proceeds going to The Shalom Zone.
In addition to the rack Country music vocalist Sarah Darling stopped by to perform a brief acoustic set, sign autographs, and donate several items of clothing to be auctioned off for the cause.
I didn’t really know I would be attending until the last minute so I think I caught Megan by surprise. She’s such a warm person and a delicate beauty. She gave me a big hug and seemed very happy I had come. Megan promptly directed me to the appropriate racks for shopping and I purchased a few goodies for next to nothing. Be on the lookout for them in the future.
The afternoon went by too quickly and, even though we couldn’t chat for long because Megan was busy working, we found a moment to snap a photo with shop owner Lacey Montgomery.
Lacey, Me, and Megan
I don’t think I put my foot in my mouth once during the entire event. Wait; well, who knows? I’m fine with it either way. I had a great time supporting a Middle Tn independent shop and buying secondhand. My hubby and I even had lunch next door at The Baker’s Rack and got free cupcakes!
More importantly I got to meet a very special young woman whom I only knew from the ‘net and who exceeded all of my expectations. I look forward to getting together with her again when she isn’t working and can have a good time doing whatever we want to do.
In other words, shopping.
It sounds like a wonderful time! I’ve been so fortunate to meet many other bloggers, and whenever we do it’s been like chatting with an old friend. There are still so many I’d love to meet, including you!
It was, Pseu! I have to say that you’re on my short list of bloggers I’d like to spend the day with 😉
So jealous you got to meet Sarah Darling – I love her! Also, that is awesome that you met another blogger IRL!!!
Not being a Country music fan I didn’t have a clue who she was. She said that she played at the Grand Ole Opry the night before so I’m guessing she’s pretty popular.
I hope to meet more bloggers IRL. Not a lot of us in the Nashville area yet but I’m sure that’ll change. You should come down to see all the Country Music Stuff (said the clueless lady) and then hang out with me!
Yes, I’m dying to visit Nashville! I grew up loving country music (which I guess is odd for a Jersey girl), and I would love to see the Opry. Let’s see if I can take a road trip someday soon and visit you! 🙂
How exciting that the two of you were able to meet! Two bloggers that I admire in one spot and looking beautifully radiant!
It was so much fun, Judith! I look forward to doing it again as soon as possible 😉
Looks like a fun day! You are looking lovely in your white top and jeans. Enjoyed seeing bloggers meet each other in real life!
blue hue wonderland
Thanks for your compliments, Ann! I encourage everyone to meet their peers IRL if at all possible.
Oh, how fun! I’m a bit hesitant to try new things and visit new places too. I’m so glad you ladies got together. I look forward to meeting up with a blogger friend IRL too!
When you do you’ll have to tell us all about it 😉
That’s so cool – Megan is one of my favourite blogfriends, and I would love to meet up with her. What fun that you surprised her!
It really was fun to surprise her. I think she enjoyed my dropping in without warning.
I’m so jealous! Megan is my best friend in the whole world, even though I’ve never met her. And you have! Glad to hear you had fun. This is my first time visiting your blog… think I’ll look around!
Welcome! Make yourself at home! Feel free to have a look and your comments are always appreciated.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Megan is the best. What a great cause to support a well.
Thanks so much for your comment, Lynne!
Great fun for both of you! And great for us … we get to peep in and watch a bit. Thank you for sharing with us, Alicia. You both look lovely! Megan in her black and white has all the delicate beauty you describe. But Alicia, you look soooo great in the very pretty and romantic top, with your classic jeans. I really am drawn to that oriental print, the little fluted sleeves are flattering. But when you’re standing … it defines you waist so well. You are just a tiny girl (with some goodly jugs, not to put too fine a point on it.) Great look, especially great for cruising the shops.
Cool!
Thanks!
You’re so good for my ego, Jan LOL! I have what used to be called a “brick house” figure. I love to tease folks that I’m really a supermodel that never grew the additional 8″ to walk the runway ;-P
We had a great time. Now it’s your turn to come up and hang out with both of us for a day or two!
I enjoy reading your blog, so I have chosen to nominate you for the Liebster Blog Award. If you’d like to participate, check out my latest blog post.
Alexa
Congrats on your award, Alexa, and thanks so much for choosing me! I’d love to participate!
that is so AWESOME you got to meet sweet Megan!! she is a DOLL!!
Can’t wait to see what you brought in the shop!!
Isn’t the internet a great thing for meeting new people? I hope someday we can meet IRL. You can be as verbally inappropriate as you want…in fact….I encourage such behaviour.
If you’re going to “encourage” me that much you’ll need to bring bail money with you! I think you should come over and help me be inappropriate immediately 😉
This is so awesome! What a great organization. One day I hope to meet a blogger in real life too. 🙂