Dover, DE and Philadelphia, PA

Dover, Delaware
Wednesday, July 24th

Delaware! Had a relaxing stay at Main Stay Suites, Dover thanks to Main Stay Suites and Claire's Accessories. When we arrived at the truck the next morning we were greeted by cheerful volunteers from Claire's and Icing. The volunteers happily helped us prepare the boutique for shoppers and eagerly jumped in and ran appointments. The Claire's and Icing volunteers loved interacting with the girls and providing fashion advice. Our shoppers once again received 1 on 1 VIP attention during their appointments. Towards the end of the day, NPR visited the boutique and interviewed Allyson. All in all a pleasant stop in Dover.

Link to NPR Interview

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Thursday, July 25th

What an exciting stop in Philadelphia! The truck and trailer was parked in the Xfinity Live parking lot, in the center of all of the major league Phillies sports' complexes. Truly an awesome location! Much thanks to Xfinity Live for an amazing location. Once again, Claire's and Icing sent out volunteers that were more than excited to be helping. The Claire's and Icing volunteers once again ran appointments and provided knowledgeable fashion insight. We had numerous girls visit the boutique from organizations like, Youth Service Inc. The girls and staff members were very impressed by the variety and quality of clothing and the helpful volunteers. Among the most popular items today, our newly unpacked Steve Madden sandals and Claire's and Icing accessories. Following the shopping appointments, Xfinity Live provided our shoppers and volunteers with packaged lunches! Towards the end of our day, we had Urban Outfitters executives visit the mobile boutique. Urban Outfitters' headquarters is in Philadelphia, so we were more than excited that they took the time out of their busy schedules to visit the boutique! The Urban Outfitters executives were thrilled with the mobile boutique, looked forward to continuing their relationship with Threads for Teens and offered more product donations. Truly wonderful! A great stop in Philly!


XOXO

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore, Maryland

Tuesday, July 23rd 

Wow! We had the most amazing, relaxing night at the beautiful Hotel Monaco, Baltimore. This morning we were greeted by another group of volunteers from Icing and Claire's. They were eager to help, which was greatly appreciated. Once again we had numerous girls visiting the boutique, most of which arrived prompt and ready to shop. The girls were referred from The Children's Home and Social Services. We had so many shoppers and volunteers that our shoppers had to wait their turn outside of the boutique, but the girls were so sweet and patient that they didn't even mind! They waited patiently, chatted with Natalie, and enjoyed provided snacks. Once inside, shoppers were again given 1 on 1 VIP attention. They had numerous ladies eager to provide fashion advice, reassuring compliments, help with finding sizes and styles, and fitting room assistance. Once again, among the popular items for the day- the Claire's accessories. All in all a great day! A special thank you to our wonderful volunteers from Icing and Claire's and the Hotel Monaco, Baltimore. 

Allyson with Joe, Hotel Monaco's General Manager. 

Icing and Claire's volunteers' gift to Allyson.

Allyson and Joe, General Manger of Hotel Monaco.

Nadine (shopper), Mafran (Nadine's grandma), Trish, Jennifer, and Audrey (Icing and Claire's volunteers). 

Stay tuned for more updates about tomorrow's stop in Delaware!

Washington DC

Washington DC
Tuesday, July 22nd

After a restful night's sleep at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, we woke and went downstairs to set up the mobile boutique. We were greeted by two members of Ford's grassroots marketing team. Following their arrival, the local Fox affiliate sent out their reporter, Wisdom and a camera man to film a live segment for the morning show. We were very grateful that Ford's grassroots marketing team was able to put us in connection with the Fox news station.

Wisdom, Allyson, Taylor and Natalie.

Link to clip of Fox News Segment

The segment was successful and so widely watched that we had people visiting the boutique just to get a closer look because they had seen us on TV. Two viewers in particular, Jania and her grandmother, Gwen, saw us and "just had to stop by" to say hi and learn more about what we're doing. Jania was awestruck and inspired by the segment and was truly ecstatic to visit the boutique and meet Allyson, Natalie and Taylor. So sweet! We're always happy to have visitors.

Jania, Allyson, Gwen, and Taylor. 

Following the taping of the morning show segment, Icing and Claire's employees and managers arrived at the boutique ready to volunteer- 6 boxes of donations in hand. The boxes held Claire's accessories including- hats, scarves, jewelry, bags, sunglasses, etc. Not only did their donations replenish our accessories, it provided the boutique with items we previously did not have. We were so excited to receive the donations and we knew the girls would love it all!

Taylor, Natalie and Allyson posing with all of our wonderful Icing and Claire's volunteers.

At around 10 am the girls began arriving for their shopping appointments. Our shoppers were referred by Courtney's House, Family Matters, and CASA. The trailer was booming with the hustle and bustle of numerous shoppers and volunteers. Luckily, we were so heavily staffed that each girl was truly able to receive 1 on 1 VIP attention during her shopping appointment. Our shoppers definitely enjoyed the newly unpacked Claire's accessories. Through the course of the day about 20 girls received clothing and accessories items. All in all it was a great, busy day!! We love doing what we do.

The hustle and bustle of shopping appointments in the boutique.

Following the shopping appointments, we spent the afternoon sightseeing in our spacious, air conditioned C-Max Hybrid. Thanks again Ford!

Capital Building!

Taylor, Natalie, Allyson and Anika at Marine Barracks.

Taylor, Natalie, Allyson, and Anika at Georgetown Cupcakes.

Our delicious Georgetown cupcakes.

9/11 memorial at the Newseum.

The White House!

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Piece of the Berlin Wall at the Newseum.

Iwo Jima Memorial.

Iwo Jima Memorial.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. 

Off to Baltimore, Maryland!! Stay tuned.

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Sunday, July 21st 

A pleasant day in Virginia Beach! We began our day with a morning stroll to the beach. 

Following our morning stroll, we set up the mobile boutique and awaited the arrival of our shoppers. Our shoppers were referred by their organization Seton House. The shoppers were in utter shock when Allyson explained that they could select any three items they wanted. One shopper in particular was gasping when she learned that all of the clothing was brand new and she could select whatever she desired. It was truly heartwarming to see the girls' excitement. The girls eagerly tried on multiple outfits and happily strut their stuff through the mobile boutique. One shopper in particular loved her new dress so much that she chose to wear it out. 

Our shopper who opted to wear her new dress out.

(Another shopper is sitting enjoying our AC unit). 

Now off to WASHINGTON DC!!! Stay tuned to hear about our fun filled stop there. 

Charleston, WV

Charleston, West Virginia
Saturday, July 20th

We had a great day in Charleston, West Virginia! The truck was parked at University of Charleston's football stadium parking lot. Through the course of the day, 17 girls from the Children's Home Society of West Virginia visited the mobile boutique. The girls were accompanied by mothers, staff and Andrea, WE CAN Coordinator. Andrea was just as enthusiastic as the girls were about the shopping experience in the mobile boutique! In fact the girls were so eager that they arrived early and offered to help setup! We were flattered by the offer but politely declined because this was their day to be treated, not work. The girls visited the boutique in groups of four, which was great because the truck was booming with positive, high energy. Our shoppers were pleased by the selection of clothing and accessories, some so much that they opted to wear their new outfits out! It was a pleasant day, even despite the humidity and HEAT! Once again the girls made it a worthwhile day.

Two of our shoppers who opted to wear their new outfits out!

Charleston, the capital of West Virginia. 

Taylor, Allyson, Andrea, and Natalie.

Off to Virginia Beach, Virginia stay tuned for updates about tomorrow's stop.

Columbus, OH

Columbus, Ohio
Friday, July 19th

The Third Leg has begun!

We arrived in Columbus, Ohio late last night and had a great night sleep at the Crown Plaza. We woke, excited and ready to begin the Third Leg. Allyson, Natalie, and Taylor were greeted in the lobby by a group of volunteers from Soroptimist International of Columbus and Franklin County: Kristi, Megan (Kristi's daughter), Paula, Vicky, and Helen. The group was a big help in setting up the mobile boutique, prepping for, and running appointments. The women greeted the shoppers, parents, and Kinship staff, with warm smiles and cold water- which was much appreciated!

Megan, Allyson, Kristi, Natalie, Taylor, Paula, Vicky, and Helen. 

A reporter and a photographer from The Columbus Dispatch visited the boutique to interview Allyson, shoppers, parents, and Kinship staff, and to gather information for the story they plan to run tomorrow. Both young men were a pleasure to have and we look forward to reading the article.

Today was Taylor's first day of the tour, but you couldn't tell because she effortlessly adjusted to running appointments. Through the course of the day, 21 girls visited the mobile boutique. The girls were ecstatic and eager to shop! Allyson, Natalie, and Taylor encouraged the girls to try on as much clothing as they wanted, though it was stifling hot in the trailer. One of our shoppers in particular was adamant about not trying on clothing due to the heat, but after some encouragement, she tried on a two blouses and a dresses and loved them so much she wound up taking them all. Another shopper, was tentative about trying on Black Halo dresses, but after Natalie convinced her that they would be perfect for her Senior Homecoming and Prom, she did. Much to her surprise, both dresses fit as though they were made for her! She chose to take both dresses and left with a grin ear to ear. All in all a great day in Columbus, Ohio!

Taylor, Natalie, Diana (shopper), and Allyson. 

Thank you to Soroptimist International of Columbus and Franklin County: http://soroptimistcolumbus.org/?q=node/2, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soroptimist-International-of-Columbus-Franklin-County/126630247388833

And thank you to The Columbus Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/
(Watch for our story in tomorrow's paper)

Now off to Charleston, West Virginia! But first.. A super shopping spree at Torrid!

Before we left Ohio, we stopped at Torrid to restock our plus size section. The staff at Torrid was superb, one sales associate in particular, Marie, was just as passionate about girl empowerment and self esteem, so she made sure to help us in any way we could. Which we greatly appreciated, considering our receipt was over 20 feet long! But don't worry, we snagged some great deals.

Allyson, Natalie, our helpful sales associate, and Taylor posing with the 20 foot long receipt.

Now off to Charleston, West Virginia. Check back for an update about tomorrow's appointments.

Meet Taylor!

Meet Taylor Foster! She is currently a rising senior at Cardinal Newman High School, and will be 

running the Windsor Threads for Teens boutique this coming fall. Taylor loves fashion and currently co-edits a fashion blog (www.daydreaminautumn.com). She is extremely excited to be working with Threads for Teens and plans to implement several new girl empowerment workshops into the organization. We are excited to have you a part of the Threads for Teens family Taylor!

Check out this interview with to learn more about Taylor.

What are you hobbies?

In my spare time, I enjoy working on my website dedicated to photography and fashion (www.daydreaminautumn.com), spending time with friends, and volunteering at Threads for Teens.

How did you learn about Threads for Teens?

I became involved with Threads for Teens through knowing Allyson and volunteering at the boutique.

Why did you choose to take such an involved role with the organization?

I have chosen to take over Threads for Teens for my CBSL (Community Based Service Learning) Project because I love being able to assist in the building of self-esteem in the young women of Sonoma County. It is such a great feeling to know that I am a part of something that goes beyond simply giving new clothes to teen girls.  

What would you like to bring to the organization?

I am hoping to add a social component to the organization. I am looking forward to possibly hosting activities for girls to meet new friends and share in the empowerment of young women in our society.