My Story for Chico’s, or How to Find a Dress that is Twirl-Worthy

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Chico’s gifted me with this outfit, but all opinions in my story are my own.

This is my story for Chico’s, and I hope you might see a little bit of yourself in here, too.

Here’s the thing about women.
We’re beautiful.

Whether we’re talking about inner beauty, or outer beauty.

And women have a longing, no matter what our age, to feel that our own very unique beauty is being appreciated.

When I was little, I demonstrated that longing through playing dress-up.  I remember loving trying on dresses I deemed “twirl-worthy”. You know: the kind of dress that makes a little girl want to do a little twirl, when she walks into a room.

So, this summer, when a dear friend of mine told me that after dating the same fellow for 21 years, that they’d decided to get married, after I picked myself up off the floor from the dead faint I’d collapsed into – (hey, they’re both in their 60’s) – and after I’d squeeeeeed for joy and generally expressed to her my happiness for her,  – I started asking her for wedding details.

Venue. Wedding Color. Type of dress she would wear. Overall mood of ceremony. 

Because I wanted something to twirl in, on this most extraordinary and wonderful occasion.

My dear friend has been my friend for 36 years. Friendships like that don’t come along every day. Occasions like this don’t come along every day.

But even so, I knew that our budget was non-existent. If you know me, or follow my posts, you’ll know that my husband is an Emmy-nominated music producer here in Nashville, but that due to changes in the music business, work has become more and more scarce. We’re scraping to get by, and a clothing allowance is not even CLOSE to being on my radar! 

And Then A Sort of Miracle Happened

That’s why I was so thrilled to have been contacted by Chico’s, whom I connected with due to their sponsorship of the BAM conference, a conference for Bloggers at Midlife, in Las Vegas. With their, “#HelloImFabulous“ campaign, Chico’s encourages women to find that confidence they need, to allow not just their outward beauty, but their inner beauty to shine through.

Confidence is what allows us to look our very best. When we feel like we look fabulous, it’s easier to be LESS self-conscious (because we’re no longer worried about our own appearance), and to be more OTHER-conscious. And that is ALWAYS beautiful. 

Chico’s believes that women of a certain age ARE fabulous. Beautiful clothes merely enhance the beauty that is already there in a woman, waiting to be unveiled. 

So could there be anything MORE fabulous, than this occasion, where my friend, a woman of a certain age, who, while celebrating her already existing relationship, was ready to take a step into a promise-making ceremony that celebrated a new beginning, of sorts. A new phase of their relationship?

I would hasten to add that weddings aren’t the only examples of new beginnings. I know lots of women my age who are stepping out and taking risks by going back to school, entering into new careers, and trying things they’ve never done before. I’m taking my own risks, by writing, by learning about social media, by blogging, and hopefully soon, by learning about publishing my own cookbook. This is a FABULOUS time of life! Growth doesn’t have to stop!

I’d venture to guess that YOU might have some new beginnings on YOUR horizon as well!

Life is always fresh, and new, when we take the time to notice it. Each new day gives us the opportunity to start over, and to celebrate those things which are good, and beautiful,  if we only have the eyes to see them.

Age really is just a number.
And love, and beauty, are eternal.

For such an occasion as my friend’s wedding, I needed a twirl-worthy dress! Yet…with  no budget…

And then, Chico’s contacted me with this opportunity. 

Their sales associates were a dream to work with. And I found a dress perfect for an outdoor venue, using my friend’s wedding colors. And the neckline of my dress echoed the neckline of her dress, as she had described it to me.

And because I look for God, in every aspect of my life, I thought of this: 

Jesus said, “Why do you worry about clothes?  Think about the lilies of the field. They neither labor nor spin – and yet King Solomon, in all HIS glory didn’t have clothes as pretty as theirs.”
He told us not to worry about what we would wear, for if God so clothed the lilies, weren’t we more important than they? 

Well, this summer, I’m thinking maybe I should change MY name to  “Lily” – (and did you know that the name Susan MEANS Lily?) – because I really feel that on this most special of occasions, God used Chico’s to clothe ME, when I had no money to do so myself, in lovely, lovely clothes!  

Talk about a blessing!

I’m excited. I’m grateful. 

That’s my story.

When it comes to feeling beautiful, what does it for you? Is it an inner beauty? An outer beauty? A combination thereof?

Or have you ever even realized your own beauty?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Leave me a comment!