08/30/2026
A little boutique-owner confession: I am not always the most stylish person in the room. 😂
Most days, I’m wearing the same basic essentials I always wear—and if I find something I love, I will absolutely buy it in every color and call that “building a wardrobe.” Occasionally, I’ll add a fun, trendy piece and feel very proud of myself. But no one should assume I opened a boutique because I wake up looking like I stepped out of a fashion magazine. Some mornings, I’m just proud that my shoes match. 🤷♀️
But being the most fashionable woman in the room was never why I opened a boutique.
I grew up in retail alongside my mother. She passed away years ago, but I will always be thankful for the pieces of her that live on in me—especially my love of retail and the way she taught me to make people feel comfortable, welcomed, and never like a stranger.
I’ll never forget being a little girl, hiding inside the clothing racks at Macy’s in Deerbrook Mall at 5:00 in the morning while they were doing inventory. Apparently, retail really has been in my blood for a very long time. 😂
What I fell in love with wasn’t simply the clothing. It was helping people.
I loved helping women and men find the outfit, the right fit, and their own personal style. I loved helping someone get ready for a first date, an important business meeting, a special celebration, or just a regular Tuesday when they needed to feel good about themselves.
It was always about the customer service, hospitality, and connection. It was seeing someone’s face light up when they looked in the mirror. It was creating a place where people could feel comfortable instead of uncomfortable—without judgment, pressure, or pretentiousness.
That is why I opened Apricot Lane Boutique Kingwood.
So, if you see me at the boutique dressed like the CEO of Basic Essentials, just know this: I may not be the most stylish girl in the room, but I will work hard to help you feel like you are. I’ll help you find what fits, what feels good, and what makes you walk out feeling more confident than when you walked in.
As I reflect on this anniversary, it brings up so many emotions. On the hard days, I wish I could call my mom. I wish she could walk through these doors, see what I’ve created, and know that so much of what I love about this business began with her.
I’m thankful. I’m grateful. I’m blessed—and honestly, I’m still a little amazed.
When I think about where I came from, what I’ve overcome, what I’ve built, and where I am today, it all still feels surreal. This boutique was never about proving how fashionable I am—thank goodness, because that would be a lot of pressure. 😂 It has always been about serving my community, caring for people, and carrying forward that little piece of my mother that makes others feel seen, welcomed, and never like a stranger. 🤍
