My Secret Hobby

When I was in college I worked in retail, as a clerk and window decorator. I loved decorating the windows. Recently Stampington had a contest on their blog.  I knew I had to enter...

We’re inviting you to be a stylist for a day and give us your best shot (pun totally intended) at snapping a styled photo of your favorite August Stampington magazine.   

Daughter and I had recently been back to school shopping. While she was trying on outfits, I was stylizing stores. As I grabbed items to stylize the August magazine Where Women Create  I was reminded of when I started this hobby.    ....A new thrift shop had opened up in our neighborhood. My daughter was a few months old and I hadn't lost all of the baby weight.  I was in need of some in between clothes, till I could fit back into my favorite jeans.

  

Everyone knew each other, by name. It was in a quaint strip mall, at a nice location.  As I was browsing around...I found an outfit I really wanted, but didn't have the $ to buy it and the in between clothes.  I decided to stage it.  As I set it in a visible spot...the owner rounded the corner and caught me.  I could feel the heat and still can rising in my face. I have always blushed easily.  "Oh, what is this" I heard her say.  I told her I wanted this outfit, but couldn't wear it just, yet.  I thought maybe someone else would like it, so I left it put together. 

 She says in her southern drawl, "Oh, honey been there done that. It is fine. You know what, this is really pretty...I'm going to use it.  I'll put it over here."  She went and put it in a more prominent place.  The heat in my face gradually subsided.  I handed her the items I wanted to purchase. " I will let you know about your outfit, she smiled n' winked at me. I use to do the same thing."    When I was brave enough to show my face again in her shop, she announced the outfit had sold, within minutes. She told me, she couldn't hire me, but I was welcome to stylize a few outfits and leave them. Yes, she enabled me to secretly style and I haven't stopped.  I even style Lowes.  I recently told my daughter, who decided she wanted to try out my elf like hobby, "it is about having fun, we are just trying to make things more appealing."  We left pillows on couches, decorated coffee tables, left personal touches.  

Hubby reminded us, "You know you are on camera."  Yes, but I wait to redo that place.  The business thinks it is an isolated incident, lol.   (So, I hope)

When I stylized this issue I wanted it to reflect the woman on the cover, Rachel Ashwell. She is know for her Shabby Chic style.   She has taken comfort and time worn pieces and made them fashionable.   She is all about finding beauty in imperfections~
What a great philosophy, she has!

 I used a faded silk rose, a small pillow from my daughter's bed, a table cloth and vintage linens from a thrift shop,  and Lavender I had purchased from ETSY.  Tomorrow I have to run errands.  I just might have to go downtown, ;D    I wonder if the park could use some stylizing, perhaps fortune cookie sayings in the trees and a poem or two written with colored chalk!