Beautiful You, Cancer Charity Op Shop

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It's a delicate balance being a woman in today's world. Yes, there's a lot of us women who love to shop.

But there is a growing number of us who are not only becoming more judicious in how much of our finances we allocate to our wardrobe - we also want it to make a difference.

How so you say? Many of you here on the Sunny Coast - locals and visitors - have fallen in love with the beauty that is our vintage boutiques. Otherwise known as your thrift shop, second-hand store - your Op shop. I know this because hundreds of you devour my "Top Op Shops on the Sunshine Coast" blog every month! (It's always a thrill to see the latest count - so a humble thank you!). Each and every one of those shops supports a charity, or a bigger cause - whether it's the homeless, struggling local families or kidney disease.

I can't begin to share the butterflies I enjoy at discovering a new treasure trove of above-said criteria, but to be personally invited feels to me what a "red carpet" moment might feel like to others. And on what was a typically gloomy rainy July day, the luminous "Beautiful You, Charity Shop", Maroochydore, was a revelation. Beautiful You sets a new standard for "op shops" from painstakingly created displays on its multi-level floors to the team's tireless dedication to its single purpose - in helping women with cancer.

In its 12 months of operation, the shop has raised $20,000 for local women battling the disease with all money going towards its Sunshine Coast namesake charity "Beautiful You" which provides practical, emotional and financial support for women with cancer and the families also waging war on this cruel and indiscriminate disease.

Recently this crusade became all too familiar for me with my incredibly beautiful, vibrant and too-young sister-in-law being diagnosed with Hodgkins. I now know personally the onslaught that cancer is for a family - first as a diagnosis then as a treatment, and now "fingers super-dooper crossed" remission with Kelly's first round of chemotherapy doing its job.

Beautiful You founder Debbie Clayton lost her mother to breast cancer and she, husband Vince and team member Kristy say they hope Beautiful You will one day open a retreat where women and their families can enjoy an escape from treatments and their every day."The incredible stories of these women inspire us every day," Debbie says.

Stories like those of flamboyant 67-year-old Rose whose infectious flair and eye for styles that pack a punch conspicuous by the knee-length white boots she walks in wearing on this day.

"I would honestly say fighting breast cancer has been the best time of my life," says Rose, now in her sixth year of remission.
"I learned very quickly to appreciate what I have, what I wanted in life and to get out and do the things I wanted to do," she says as she saunters off to join the 15-strong crowd of her peers who have made the journey from Brisbane to do some "shopping with a conscience".

While second-hand stores do not typically have the luxury of being fussy about items that come their way, the strict quality control of Debbie and her team of five means that even if a garment is not suitable in its entirety, Beautiful You's sustainable practices ensure that buttons or zippers are saved to be the final piece for that other cherished item destined to live another story.

Kristy explains "I love playing a role in keeping stories going."
"From knowing how cherished that jewellery or piece of clothing was to someone and then giving it to someone who is just as excited to receive it," Kristy says with a mega-watt smile."It's magic".

Magic that comes from one of a kind discoveries, and when you have had your fill of the racks and rows of unique jewellery, designer labels and vintage wear, take a moment to step inside the "Treasure Trove" room.

The endless shelves of books, CDS, pre-loved ornaments combined with the stylish site tiled floors, quality sound system and lounge chairs made it a perfect retreat after the frantic frenzy I always find myself in when looking for bargains.

Beautiful You Charity Shop is located at 2/100 Sugar Road, opposite Centenary Crescent, and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm or shop online . Phone 5326 3205

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#charity
#cheap
#jewellery
#maroochydore
#things_to_see
#vintage_retro
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