Seriously, I have always loved makeup and fashion.  When I was 19, I started modeling professionally.  It was really exciting in the beginning, but I soon learned the hard way that modeling isn't nearly as glamorous as it looks in the magazines.  And the demand for junior petite models (I'm only 5 feet tall) isn't great so it was obvious that I was going to have to choose a back-up career just in case I didn't become rich and famous as the world's top pocket-size model.  I ended up becoming a professional photographer instead.  But along the way I learned how important it is to eat right, stay healthy, stay in shape without starvation diets, get front row seats for all Bon Jovi concerts, and most of all -- how important it is to take care of your skin.  And thanks to Oprah, I learned how to choose the right coconut bra size to go with my grass skirt for all the Jimmy Buffet concerts.

Looking good and taking care of my skin has always been important to me, but shortly after becoming a single mother with 3 kids, I saw my first wrinkle and EEEKKKK!!!!  Suddenly I became a crazy woman, determined to find a way to stay 29, wrinkle-free with great skin.  I stopped using products with harsh chemicals, switched to all natural mineral cosmetics, and starting drinking Xango.  Then I discovered the miracles of olive oil.  Now I use olive oil and goat's milk soap, olive oil lotion, olive oil shampoo and I cook with olive oil.

I live in the heart of a little Greek Village on the Gulf of Mexico where 90% of all the natural sponges in the world are processed, so switching over to using natural sponges was inevitable! 

Several months ago I discovered European Bare Minerals.  I had been using the popular brand of Bare Minerals seen on infomercials, and I really wanted to love it as much as everyone else seemed to, but the truth is that the well-known brand adds bismuth oxide to their products and like a lot of women, I am allergic to bismuth.  The bismuth made my skin itchy and the unnatural shine from bismuth made me look like I was going trick-or-treating.  Lots of women are allergic to bismuth oxide so I'm not sure why they add it, other than the fact that it is a cheap filler which can still technically be called a natural mineral -- but then again, so is chalk.  Anyway, when I discovered European Bare, I was ecstatic!  European Bare doesn't contain bismuth oxide so I can wear it with no problem.  And it is good for your skin!  I was so impressed that I contacted the company in Italy and asked for permission to begin importing their wonderful minerals into the United States so I could share them with my others.  It was the beginning of a whole new love affair!

Soon afterwards I opened Village Boutique so I could share my passion for healthy, natural products with others.   I only sell products that I believe in and use myself, so if it is in Village Boutique, I believe in it and recommend it.

Customer service is always important to me and I work hard to give each of my customers the best service I can -- from answering emails truthfully and honestly, to shipping all orders within 48 hours of receiving payment.  I work hard to keep all of my customers happy.  I don't want one-time shoppers.  I want happy, loyal customers who are so happy with my products and my service that they come back again and again.  I love my customers.  My customers are like family.  They are my friends.

So that's me.  And that's Village Boutique.  I hope you will come back to my store often.  I enjoyed visiting with you!  Better yet, bring a friend with you next time!

Colleen

P.S. --  I will still happily trade products for front row tickets to Bon Jovi concerts any time!