I wanted to share the vision in my mind. Those colors are just so beautiful, and I find pieces like this, and I walk in the room just as put together as the women in the photo.

Where It Began

I want to share my story, not edited, not made perfect for the internet to tear apart, but because this is the real story.

Recycle Me Fancy began as a vision, a love, and a passion for thrifting beautiful pieces all over the city from thrift stores, to Goodwill, to estate sales, and I had fun doing it. Many still judge me for buying used clothing, or say why would you go to a Goodwill or a thrift store. Why ask why? I enjoy it and love it. Some hate going through the racks. I love going through the racks. I love finding that one piece, and that is where the magic began, the hunt, the treasure, the find. I find beautiful pieces, clean and restore them again. "The Recycle Me Fancy Way."

I have a story that I will share. I walked into a Goodwill, and something wonderful happened. My sister always said I was always at the right place at the right time. My dad said recently, "No, you were there. You showed up and you bought the treasures." Yes, this day I did show up. This Goodwill was moving across town, and she rolled out a rack of jewelry and said, "We can't take everything, everything on this rack is 99 cents." The women in the store that day nearly clobbered me. I spotted it immediately. When others were looking for gold, I grabbed the watch, I snagged a Rolex for 99 cents. Not to mention the other treasures. I purchased 60 pieces of jewelry that day for 99 cents each. That was one of my best scores. The joy in finding treasures, no one can take these moments away. We all have gifts, and you should follow yours. This is truly one of mine: the good eye. I see things others may walk right past.

My sister and I had this in common. I like to mention her because she believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. We both thrifted all over the city and would call each other to show what we found that day. There was one funny day, she called me to show me what she found. I had found a large vintage hat, green and white. She had found almost the same design, but it was a blazer that matched. We would laugh, but these were the precious moments.

She was pushing me to open an antique booth to sell vintage fashion. She introduced me to a close friend who owned an antique store and asked him if he could put us in a booth. I was working full time in Healthcare Operations, selling on multiple platforms, and didn't know if I had the time. She said this would be so much fun to do together, and anyone who knew my sister knows it was hard to tell her no. We later decided to open an antique booth together. She supported me and pushed me to start my own business. It was more of a hobby to me at that time of my life, but she was pushing me to take it to the next level. He agreed and was so great, he allowed us to open for $100 a month, $50 each, and he would take it out of our sales.

She was excited. That day she said, "What will you name your side of the booth?" I said laughing, "Recycle Me Fancy" as I just threw it out there. I said I recycle clothing to fancy every day, but it was just for fun. She then asked him if he could paint the wall pink for me. I laughed and said that was okay, he didn't have to do that. But he was actually going to do it for her, it was always hard to tell my sister no. We lost her to cancer. She was my best friend, my mentor, and I still feel her nudging at me, correcting my grammar. She was an English professor and coffee shop owner, and just an amazing woman. I know this story may not be perfect, but this is my story.

We had fun together. I sold curated, colorful clothing and was a regular thrifter, and I would see alot of the employees, customers that would watch me often, as they were always watching me on the hunt, because I would stop by at lunch or after work. I was there every week while I continued to work my full-time job. People would follow me around the thrift stores and watch me put complete outfits together. I looked like I walked out of a fashion magazine, but I just had a good eye. I knew then that this was not just a side hustle, it was my passion.

I realize today the years of working in leadership and watching something shift inside of me. I was going to give it all regardless of any job. I always performed well and was a problem solver. If we have a problem, we bring a solution to the table, not just the problem. We have to have critical thinking in our daily lives, family decisions, work life, and in business.

People ask: "How did you go from nursing to banking to technology to building your own brand?" I gained skills from every one of those roles, but more than anything is always remaining calm under pressure.

Today, I want to take my passion and skills and turn it into a beautiful business, but this is not just for me. This is for every woman that has the same gifts. I want to build something great, something that brings value, something that refuses to treat any piece of clothing old or new, as worthless. Every piece was once crafted by someone who had that skill or good eye, and appreciated the value of the design, every stitch, and the material they chose to last for many years to come. This includes jewelry, handbags, clothing, let us bring these pieces back to life. Once loved, never forgotten.

"Every job and every challenge shaped the woman and the brand you see today."

"The Pink Box"

"The Pink Box was never just a box. It was a reminder. We may not always hit every check mark in that perfect little box, and we may not always be perfectly put together, but we keep trying and with perseverance, it will pay off in the perfect timing.

They tried to put me in a box. I did not fit. So I built my own, and I made it pink. Every piece we put in that pink box, we will create something beautiful for you."

Are you ready to join me in this?

Always keep your Faith. My sister always said follow your dreams. I say, "Follow your gifts" to the core, and don't stop. You may pivot. You may continue to go through some wrong turns before you get to the right one, but that is how we learn and grow. And I am always up for the challenge.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move.'" Matthew 17:20

The Heart Behind It All

Our story is always evolving, and so are our offerings.

The Pink Box Drop was born from my love of little happies, those small, intentional gestures that remind you how special you are, especially on the hard days. The monthly themes are designed to feel lighthearted and joyful, a moment to breathe, to prioritize yourself, and to remember that you deserve something beautiful, just because.

We want to build the platform for women with their beautiful stories. What is your gift? What can you bring to the table?

We are working hard behind the scenes for the next phases. We are building something for you too, stay tuned as we put it all together, and we hope you will join the journey with us.

We will keep you updated as we continue to adjust until we get it right. But we are here, and we are showing up. Check out the Storybook for all the news and updates as we build it!

On June 18 th, In memory of my beautiful sister, I will be  sharing some happies, and one box in particular I added a touch of pink and touch of green, she loved green, I love pink. 

 

Recycle Me Fancy
Once Loved, Never Forgotten

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Thank you for being here. Thank you for believing in the vision. This is just the beginning.

XOXO with Love,
Angela Bailey-Briggs
Founder, Recycle Me Fancy