REAL Exclusive Magazine Becca Smith - Perspectives - REAL Style

Lilly Pulitzer – Loving Yourself In

By Becca Z. Towery

Photography by Jolanta Bremer of Jola Portraits

The Women of the Sun Coast of Big Brothers Big Sisters are “loving themselves” in Lilly as they prepare for their first annual “Loving Yourself” Health & Beauty Extravaganza.

Who are the Women of the Sun Coast?

The Women of the Sun Coast of Big Brothers Big Sisters is a group of philanthropic professional women who support the organization’s mission to provide children each year with Big Brothers and Big Sisters to transform their lives. This extraordinary group of women come together to Educate, Encourage & Empower. Annually, the group hosts a signature fundraising event and other various activities for Bigs, Littles and its members.

Those of you who aren’t familiar with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization; changing lives is what they do best. For more than 47 years, Big Brothers Big Sister of the Sun Coast has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. The organization makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (‘Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in the communities they serve. Big Brothers Big Sisters, CEO, Joy Mahler adds, “We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.”

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The Women of the Sun Coast and Lilly Pulitzer will join together on February 6, 2016 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center to celebrate loving relationships and raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. They are “Starting Something Big” with their first annual “Loving Yourself” Health & Beauty Extravaganza, Saturday, February 6, 2016, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The word “Extravaganza” translates into an exciting day of: health & beauty vendors, a Lilly Pulitzer Big & Little fashion show, giving luncheon, auction, a special performance by Artist, Matthew Pecson, and much more. As a proud member of the Women of the Sun Coast and the Chair of “Loving Yourself”, I am thrilled to have Hayley Wielgus, News Anchor, ABC 7 as our Master of Ceremonies, Jamie Vrinios and Best Selling Author of “Warrior Magnificent”, as our Guest Speaker. Corporate Tables and Sponsorships are available, so don’t miss out on “Starting Something Big” with the Women of the Sun Coast. Come celebrate loving relationships and help the Women of the Sun Coast raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, so they may continue to keep their Mission & Vision STRONG: Mission – To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Vision – For all children to achieve success in life.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Lilly Pulitzer as the Fashion Show Presenter at “Loving Yourself”. I Love Lilly! Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau, better known as Lilly Pulitzer, was an American socialite and fashion designer. She founded Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. in 1959. On April 7, 2013, age 81, she died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida. Lilly Pulitzer’s name is a legacy, her outlook on life is an inspiration and her story should serve as an example. “Do things your way. Be yourself and don’t accept your life as is – make it what you dream it to be” is what she believed. She was proud to be different; believing “we are who we are”. For example: some think that Orange is the new black, for Lilly its pink. There’s no secret with Lilly, you just have fun. Let’s face it Real Style readers, Lilly just touches a cord. Their clothes make women feel happy. “You feel happy wearing bright colors”.

Lilly Pulitzer believed that Life is as good as you make it. A Lilly quote “BE HAPPY. Wear colors – they affect people’s moods, you know.” Lilly lived the life she wanted and the Lilly brand encourages you to do the same. She built a business on a spill and she lived in paradise year round. The Lilly Pulitzer brand is a life style and an attitude. It’s you having fun, it’s you being fun.

^[2]Rebecca Z. Smith, a fashion stylist/image consultant, is founder of We’ve Got Style. She offers wardrobe planning, closet consultations and is available for styling/personal shopping services. Rebecca knows fashion: the looks, the trends, the runway buzz, and how to put an outfit as well as a sustainable wardrobe together. More importantly she takes pride in knowing each client personally. This combination of professional expertise and highly personalized service ensures every client has the wardrobe that expresses their best self. For your entire wardrobe needs contact Rebecca at (941) 223-6643, beccarealstyle@gmail.com ^[3] – www.wevegotstyle.biz ^[4].

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