Every start to the school year is like New Year’s Day to me. It’s a time to reflect on new beginnings, not just for my children and for us as a family but for what I’d like my school year to look like. It always involves exercise plans, cooking healthier meals, cleaning out closets and organizing our home. How exciting, right?!

This Fall there is a lot more on my mind. Our son is starting to look at high schools and our daughter is starting middle school! What happens when those “guppies” (as I call them), leave for school and it’s not the drop off line, it’s college drop off?! It’s not like I never thought this day would come...it’s just getting here a lot faster than I anticipated.

I guess this is the “oh boy-what am I going to do with the rest of my life when they are gone?” phase. I suppose if I had been working all during my motherhood years this wouldn’t be such a difficult question? Maybe not? But it certainly has made me really reflect on what I love most. What brings me joy? What is my “why”?

My life and clothes…

I don’t know about you but I can’t remember a time when what I was wearing or what I was going to wear wasn’t important to me. I recall past events by first remembering the outfits that I wore to them! I have friends that can totally relate to this and others who love me in spite of it.

As a child, I remember loving certain outfits and the way they made me feel. I can recall certain shoes and how exciting it was to get new ones! I would wear layers upon layers of necklaces and the jazzier the earrings, the better! And don’t even get me started on Halloween!!! NO COSTUMES FOR THIS GIRL! I just wanted to dress up and call myself a princess. I think you get the point and I could go on but there are a lot of examples because I’m 51 and that’s a lot of ground to cover!

It’s probably important to tell you that not much has changed in this area...I still have favorite outfits, shoes still excite me, I don’t pile on the jewelry like I used to but I’m not afraid to add a couple of extra bangles. I still hate wearing costumes on Halloween. The good news is..I don’t refer to myself as a princess anymore!

So, now what?

Although I majored in Psychology and minored in education, all of my working career was in women’s retail...jewelry store, bridal salon/European clothing boutique, intimate small designer boutiques. I even worked an “out of the home” clothing business for a while.

In every single one of these roles the most important thing to me was helping women find the item or outfit that made them feel really good about the way they looked. I would help them plan outfits for special events and for traveling. I took the stress out of their lives when it came to coordinating their clothes. They would come back and tell me about their event or travel, show me pictures and tell me about how comfortable and confident they felt in their choices. I loved that my customers became my friends. I met them when their children were small and watched them become empty nesters. I mostly enjoyed watching their style and self-image evolve!

Throughout all of my childrearing years I have had friends and family rely on me to help them find the outfit, pick the shoes and plan the wardrobe for the trip or even the season. It is no longer just about me and my love for fashion. It has evolved into a calling to help women find items and wardrobes that are unique to them and their stories. This brings me so much joy.

I’ve realized that, just like the new school year is a fresh start for my kids, it’s time for me to create a fresh start for myself.

The signs are all there.

People have always asked me…”when are you going to open a store?” I come up with excuses all day long. “The face of retail has changed”, “I’m too busy, how could I pull it all off?” “I don’t want to miss out on anything with my kids.” I see retail vacancies in great locations and think “that would be a great spot for a store” and lo and behold, a couple of weeks later there is a store going in!

And then one day, my husband and I walked into a local coffee shop. There was a woman there who paints inspiring messages on rocks and leaves them around North Palm Beach for people to find. She was telling us her story. She took a rock out for each of us, a complete stranger, and handed me one that was painted with “dream”. My eyes filled. My husband noticed (he’s one of my biggest fans) and here we are!

So, a new journey begins...Chacha Olivia

Named for my daughter’s nickname as a toddler, Chacha Olivia is my new start. It’s my way to take my many years of buying and personalized styling experience in the fashion industry, and help women (initially through the online world) find a refreshing, effortless and authentic shopping experience.

Through my blog, I will help you identify and develop your unique “look” through fashion advice, wardrobe building, wardrobe deconstructing, closet organizing, travel/packing planning and event specific outfit planning.

During my travels I always seem to “find” wonderful artists and small designers and I’ll bring those special items to an online boutique section. (I tell my husband “it’s not shopping-it’s doing research!”)

I will highlight some of my favorite designers and introduce you to some of their newest pieces so you aren’t the one having to search! I will also introduce you to my “go to” retailers so that you can see why I am so inspired by them.

I will be on the lookout for a physical location to house Chacha Olivia. My dream is to have a spot for you to come and try and touch and feel! Online is convenient but personalized service is so important to me and I want to share that with you!

Please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

I look forward to seeing you there! WE are going to have a lot of fun!!