~ Shine Through | Boudoir Retreat ~
Cape Charles Tiny Livin’ | Cape Charles, Virginia | September 7, 2024
For the past several years, I had been dreaming of hosting a weekend boudoir retreat for women to help build their self esteem and build on the foundation of Sisterhood. I wanted this retreat to appeal to women who either are first timers or women who really love boudoir as a form of self expression, self love and self healing! I didn’t want woman to feel excluded or nervous. Every shape, size, and walk of life is welcome. Eric & Sylvia at Cape Charles Tiny Livin’ loved my idea and were lovely enough to extend a few of their tiny homes to us! Since this was my first year hosting it. I kept it small and intimate and we did it in an abbreviated form in just 1 day. We started the day with Mimosas, breakfast, pick outfits and chatting.
I wanted the first set to be a fresh face or minimal make up to emphasize their raw & natural beauty. The Greenhouse is by far my favorite spot for pretty much any session or wedding held in the space. Marcy was ready first so we started with her and then rolled into Sylvia’s below are my favorites from this set.
After the Greenhouse, Sylvia went first in the Red House while Marcy got her make up done by the lovely Shaleria Smith. The Red House used to be a ode to Jimmi Hendrix with some spice of 50 Shades of grey. They remodeled it and left a gorgeous red door on the bathroom as a tribute to the original form of the Red House. Sylvia brought out her spicy pieces and even a few toys with her. Marcy hopped in second with a hot red lip and even brought in her husbands favorite Band shirt from their last tour.
After the Red House we went back to The Barn, our home base. The upstairs has a fun, flirty vibe and these ladies brought out their most colorful pieces. Marcy went first as Sylvia got make up touchups done. Marcy brought out a hot pink piece with the gorgeous heels to complete the look. Sylvia dressed up this set and focused more on self love and appreciation this set and I LOVED it. Also I love how Sylvia’s electric blue lashes just POP!
The last shoot of the day was supposed to be at the beach, but it ended up being too crowded for the ladies comfort so we found a horse trail that had a beautiful bay view! Sylvia took the lead in a super cute swimsuit/pant combo with a hat to complete the look! She was radiating confidence!! Marcy wrapped the shoot with her super cute light blue teddy, hat and sunnies combo! She was beaming with exuberance!! These ladies in my 40+ bracket (I know, I can’t believe it EITHER they do not look it), and I truly hope they inspire more women their age to give this a try!
At the conclusion of the day, everyone got comfy and had some lunch. After lunch I passed out some white t-shirts and we wrote our names and empowering statements on them, tied them up, took them outside and had a really great time chatting and dying our shirts. The ladies got to take home 10 instant film photos to hang up or give to their husbands! I had such a fun day with these beautiful ladies! I hope to do this again with these vendors in 2026!
See the Reel from the Shine Through Event HERE
Vendors:
Venue: Cape Charles Tiny Livin
Hair & Make Up: Shaleria Smith
Flowers: Harris Teeter