Give me your dresses

So, I always have grand ideas that I could do things like run a soup kitchen or start a charity to deliver clothes to homeless children across the country. But, I'm just one little person. I'm just Becky.

I'm just average Becky who sleeps in old t-shirts and eats Honey Bunches of Oats for breakfast. My kids need me around all the time just in case they need something. I don't have the funds to start up any of my ideas. I don't have resources. How do you even start a charity or non-profit? Doesn't it require, like, lawyers or accountants or something? It's beyond me.

But, it's actually not. One day, about a week ago, I realized (in the shower because that's where all my good ideas come) that those are my excuses. But, what if I just did it? What if I just said forget all those reasons not to and just forged ahead? Would I overcome some of those obstacles? Would it possibly just work out? Yes. I believe so.

So, a few days after I finally gave myself permission to do something crazy (I wouldn't live any other way), my sister-in-law posed her own idea to me. "Becky, I've been wanting to start a charity that recycles donated gowns for girls from financially-struggling families to attend proms and other events." "Really?!" I exclaimed as I leaped and wrapped my arms and legs around her. I told her how I'd thought of doing the same thing a month ago during homecoming season. Of course, that idea at the time was pushed aside with reasons why it'd be inconvenient, and therefore impossible.

So, without further ado, let me introduce our brainchild, Shine Utah.


We steal gowns from the rich and give to the poor. No, actually, we wait for you to donate and then we divvy them up. I am so excited! I've spent the past few days designing the logo (I'm a graphic designer), blog images, layout, setting up our Twitter account and Facebook page, stalking following people on Twitter to get our name out there...whew. Anything else? Oh yeah. I did a couple loads of laundry and took a dirty diaper out to the dumpster because it stunk up the bathroom. I'm beat!

So, I hope you'll hop on over to visit us at Shine and please, oh please, follow us and spread the word to any fellow Utah-ites! (I actually think it's Utahns, but since I'm from Maryland, I don't really care I'm not 100% sure.) This post had quite a few strikeouts. I'm in a mood.

Oh, and my sis-in-law, Natasha (partner in crime) wrote an awesome post about Shine here. You've gotta check this girl out. After reading, I'm sure you'll add her blog as a regular read.