TELLING MY STORY FOR AARP MEMBER BENEFITS
When I think of my childhood, I have the most beautiful images of my mother’s flower garden. I have such vivid images of her up early on Sunday mornings watering her gorgeous flowers and always cutting a few stems for the cutest arrangement for Sunday supper. I also have memories of my mom and her style of dress. She had such a great fashion style and yes, I get my love of flowers and fashion from my mom!
Fast forward to my early 40’s and I took my love of flowers and I began designing flowers for weddings and events. For me, flowers and fashion go hand in hand. Both areas are definitely creative passions you can share with others!
My last year of designing flowers, life happened and my ex and I separated after being together for fifteen years. Keep in mind that I’m now in my 50’s and I’m at a point where I need to truly take some time for self-care and do a lot of healing on the inside. I literally had to find myself because when I looked in the mirror, I just didn’t see Janie! I would see a woman whose spirit had been broken and I needed to make a change! I have to share that during this time of healing, I would always get up and get dressed and it would always make me feel a little better. As my mom would say, “Never look like what you’re going through”! She was so right about that. And one morning I had my “ah-ha” moment, and I decided to start Medley Style!
That’s right, I was 57 years young and starting a new thing in my life and actually a new thing where the field was dominated by ladies young enough to be my daughters. There was no way I was going to let that stop me. I planned out my first fashion shoot and I contacted my photographer/friend from the wedding industry and there I was, modeling for my first photo shoot! I loved it! Did I mention that when I was a little girl, I would look through fashion magazines and imagine myself being a model and years later…many years later…here I am!
The one thing that I wanted to do differently with Medley Style, was to not only share my fashion sense, but to be an inspiration to women 50+ and let them know that it’s never too late to start something new. Find your passion and go for it and don’t look back! Don’t let your age define you! I remember when I signed up for my AARP card. I was so excited because of the great benefits that come along with it! I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love getting discounts on my two favorite things….flowers and fashion!
That’s right, you read this correctly. AARP members get a free Tanger Outlets coupon book with up to $1,000 in savings from brand-name retailers when they show their AARP membership card at Tanger Shopper Services.
And when I need to order flowers for my friends, family and for myself, I call 1-800-Flowers and with my AARP membership, I can save 20% or $20 on online purchases when I spend $79.99 or more. Such a great savings for my wallet and what a cool way to support florists! A great way to honor my former floral career.
My hope is that I’ve been an encouragement to you and to let you know that we, the 50+ women are AMAZING! I encourage you to start that business, write that book, start a blog….whatever it is that makes you happy and be of encouragement to others. We got this!!