personal shopper

Optimism

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Sooooooo I’ve seen my therapist and doctor and I’m back to feeling happy :).  I’m glad to have nipped things in the bud and be able to return to my regularly scheduled programming of thrifting.  Today I scored a gorgeous pair of Antik denim and on Tuesday…Tuesday I found a pair of True Religions!!!   Eeeeeek  :). Forgive me for repeating about the True’s I’ve been on a hunt for those for a long time. I’ve already skinnied those jeans that needed skinny -ing.  Have I mentioned that I sew?   I do for those not in the know.   

My son is coming home this weekend. I’m very happy about that. I’m also very happy that our relationship has been repaired. I’m not afraid of him anymore and when Thomas calls here from school he’s happy to talk on the phone with me and tell me about his day. True to Thomas form he will readily admit if he had a “bad day” and what his actions were to make it bad. Gotta love him for the honesty. He’s been that honest since he was small.

I’m sitting here happy that I have nothing to report depression wise. But as a result I’m not sure what to write about. Why does it seem easier to write about sad subjects than happy ones? When I was writing out my story of Thomas the words flew out my fingers while typing. I’d kept them pent up for too long. Now it’s like a weight has been lifted and I can look forward with optimism. I’m even debating going blonde again, but then again maybe I won’t. I’m fickle like that, always have been.

I’m feeling more optimistic about my business (www.nayaudo.com). Maybe I’m not supposed to be at the place yet where it takes off. I need to remember that I am not in charge here, God is and He has His own plan and His own timing.

Figuring things out

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I was thinking this morning about how amazing it is that you form friendships with people and you never know where that relationship will take you or how long it will last.  One example is my friend Jackie.  Jackie and I met 11 years ago online on a forum for children/adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  Her son was already diagnosed, my son newly diagnosed.   There were many friendships that developed from that forum, many of us are in touch with each other via Facebook and the support and caring is still there.

Getting back to Jackie. I know we were meant to be friends, we were meant to find each other. Our sons were just a catalyst to enable us to meet. I live in NY, she in Wisconsin. I mean seriously? How does this happen? We are very close, there are times I’m just thinking of her and she calls and vice versa. It’s funny and I love it. She understands me and I understand her. I’m so blessed to have found a friend who lives 960 miles away yet we talk and laugh as if we lived next door. She (and all the other wonderful friends from that forum) were placed in my life purposefully by God.

Then there is John. He is the grandfather of my youngest daughter’s best friend at school. John picks up his granddaughter from school and I pick up Samantha. Last year John and I started chatting, he knows a lot of parents in the school yard and is simply a really nice person. This year John and I started chatting and realized we’re both Christians. I really enjoy the fellowship I have with him. We attend different churches but The Lord is The Lord. Since I’ve recently been having a tough time with the depression I’m a bit quiet during our chats. But you know what, that’s ok as John, unbeknownst to him is ministering to me. He is guided by the Holy Spirit and the way he speaks of the greatness of our God makes my heart soar in praise of Him.

Moving forward

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I really wasn’t sure I would be posting with this title.  Moving forward seemed so far away when I started this blog.  I didn’t even know if I would be able to write out my story. Part of me worried that in looking back would I be also able to move forward?  I did write it out and I’m proud of myself.  So now that I can even be happy I need to do something with my life.  

I’d love for my business to take off.  I have shopped for friends and it is wonderful! I truly felt as if I was doing what I was supposed to be doing and everything fell into place. Part of me debated returning to school but I wonder if I’m really all that driven. It’s also not something I’ve always wanted to do. When my kids were all younger I loved going to thrift stores and yard sales but at young ages they weren’t all that cooperative. Now that everyone is in school and older with different needs than toddlers, I enjoy the freedom of this time in my life. What I don’t enjoy is the uncertainty and frustration in launching my business.

I’ve been a stay at home Mom for the better part of the past 16 years. This was a decision my husband and I made and it worked…most of the time. It wasn’t until the depression hit did I feel worthless or “less than”. I still battle those feelings. My husband’s schedule; the one we built so I can stay at home does not allow for me to work unless the kids are in school. I haven’t seen any job postings for “part time 10am to 2pm.” Another reason I wanted to start my own business, so I could work on my schedule and time.

It’s difficult to explain the feeling, the thrill of finding a treasure at the thrift. Even if it’s not my treasure, when I find something whatever it is that a client wants I have to suppress a squeal many times :). Also the process of searching, looking for that “something” is an exciting feeling. I guess it could be called the thrill of the hunt? Whatever, I love it and I love the inner peace I feel when thrifting. I am in my own space/world and very rarely do I let anyone in. I’ll take other people thrifting but only the precious few enter my space. A good friend said he couldn’t wait to read about my “zen” while shopping. Well there you have it 😉

These days

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Image

These days I’m feeling better and dare I say happy at times? I told Nancy this and she was thrilled for me which I thought was really sweet.

The picture I posted is me at a recent festival/fair I attended to promote my business. I am a personal shopper specializing…wait for it…specializing in the thrift! Yes I am :). I have a website http://www.nayaudo.com where I have some of my current inventory. I mainly take requests of a designer or style of clothing one is searching for. If I find it at the thrift my cost is low so your (the customer) price is low as well. I’m more than happy to look for just about anything for anyone. Clothes and shoes though let’s not get carried away.

So getting back to me being happy. I don’t feel odd or euphoric I just feel like “me” and it’s been so long since I’ve felt this way. I’m not 100% and still on the quiet side and I can get lost in my thoughts and insecurities. But I’ve learned to open up a bit especially to Tommy. I take medication too, something I neverever in a million years thought I would do. Part of me felt like a hypocrite as I was terrified of meds, meanwhile my son takes meds. I’m over that now and honestly if I need meds for years or however long my doctor feels necessary I’m ok with that. Depression is effin serious man.

I had thoughts and said things when I was depressed that I couldn’t imagine thinking or saying when I’m just “me”.
Depression is real, it’s more than feeling blue and you can do something or treat yourself to snap out of it. It’s dark and scary and can be dangerous and not a place I want to revisit.

As scary as depression is asking for help can be almost equally as scary. It was for me anyway. As I waited for the elevator to see my psychiatrist the first time I wanted to throw up. I was so, so nervous. But once I was in his office and completely honest about what I was thinking and how I felt, I wasn’t afraid anymore, actually it was good to get it out to someone I knew wouldn’t judge me and wasn’t afraid of what I was saying. I have a wonderful doctor and I’m sure I’m fortunate to have found him without much searching. He is in Manhattan so I have a small commute but it is so worth it, plus there’s a Goodwill across the street. ;).

Designers, familiar names and “who??”

MenayO1 Comment

When I started to thrift there were many designers and name brands I’d never heard of.  This is where my iphone became my new best friend.  I can’t tell you how many designers I “discovered” in the middle of the thrift store thanks to google!  Just a few that were new to me are;  AG (Adriano Goldschmied) denim, Splendid (I have a top with that name from Bergdorf Goodman, Diesel denim~I’d heard of Diesel but I had NO idea how pricey they are~wow!  To name a few more are William Rast, Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and Joy Han.  Designer names I’d never heard of.  I had no idea of the wonderful world of these clothes and handbags before I became enamoured with the thrift.  Most of the general public is familiar with Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc…in fact I have a gorgeous Burberry satin skirt on my website http:www.Nayaudo.com as well as other either more “common” designers or unknown to some.  I encourage everyone to find out about a designer if you see a piece of their clothing that intrigues you.  This is not to say you should become obsessed with and/or become deep in debt to acquire said clothing or handbag, but you seriously never know what will turn up at the thrift!  I have the coolest vintage Christian Dior skirt suit found at the thrift.  I adore this suit and one day I will find the best venue to wear her and she will shine!  

Through the thift I’ve gained knowledge about vintage Coach bags.  I currently have 3 in my collection that were made in the USA, One made in NYC.  I think that is the absolute coolest ever!  Don’t get me wrong I love the newer bags I own as well, made in China but there’s something oh so special about “Made in NYC/USA”.  An era gone by.

 

As usual I encourage anyone reading who is in search of a specific designer or style of clothing, shoes, handbags, etc…to contact me.  Email, text, whatever is best for you.  If I’m selling an item and you’ve never heard of the designer/brand feel free to ask.  If you’ve seen a specific designer item but it’s not in your budget right now, let me know.  As your personal shopper I would absolutely keep my eyes open while at the thrift~you never know what will turn up!Image

 

My new blog!!

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Hi,  I’m Menay~SAHM to 4 and I’m a personal shopper specializing in “the thrift”.  What is “the thrift”?  It’s shoppping at various thrift stores whether they’re here at my home town of Staten Island NY or when I venture to the big city of Manhattan.  Both venues provide and equal number of wonderful, bargain thrift oppportunities.  My finds can range from high end shoes such as Manolo Blahniks, Seven for All Mankind denim, Free People to Old Navy and Banana Republic.  I love the thrill of the hunt and I love shopping.  I’m more than happy to search for anything you’re looking for.  There’s no need to bargain shop in retail stores, I can find those same brands many times new or nearly new and provide them to you, my client at much less than the original retail or even the retail “sale” price.  I’m available by email:  Menayorcuilo@gmail.com, phone or text:  347-404-2300, you can also visit my website http://www.Nayaudo.com to see my current inventory.   My inventory is really a snapshot of what I find while in the thrift.  When I have a specific request such as Citizens of Humanity or Diesel Denim or Manolo’s they usually don’t make it to the website as I’m too busy shipping out that custom order for that client.   I hope you continue to visit my blog and my website!