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Tampa’s First Custom Boutique To Hold Grand Opening
Kidney Disease Survivor Pays Tribute To Family Members
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Shantel Reid and Shanikki Peterson said they can’t remember anything in their lives they’ve had more passion for than being fashion designers.
Shantel has her DivaFit Design, and Shanikki has her Lujeanik Design. The two have joined forces, and on Saturday, May 9th, their boutique, The Fashion Plug Boutique, will be hosting a grand opening.
“Hillsborough County is gaining a new op- tion for shoppers wishing to have their custom online designers available at one location,” said both ladies.
The Fashion Plug Boutique, located at 7901 North Nebraska Avenue, Suite 300A, has been operating as DivaFit Design Studio for two years. At that location, Shantel, CEO of Di- vaFit Boutique, designed all of her clothing and sold online and shipped worldwide.
“Since DivaFit Design Studio opened its doors, customers have requested the items be available in the store to avoid the wait,” said Shantel.
After giving it a lot of thought, Shantel said she decided to open her design studio as a boutique to serve the needs of her customers and to add a twist by including other designers in the boutique.
“During a fashion show last year, I met Shanikki, and she was working out of tempo- rary space and her home at the time. We de- cided to come together to bring about The Fashion Plug Boutique. We think this new venture will allow designers to display their fashions in one boutique with extended hours for the partying crowd.”
Shantel said she’s excited to open Tampa’s first all custom clothing boutique.
“I think this will give local fashion design- ers an opportunity to showcase their talent while creating a one stop shop for customers.”
Shantel started designing clothes when she was 13, and concentrated on the latest trends.
“I just knew one day I’d have my own fash- ion line and store.
“I attended the International Fashion Academy, and after that I started noticing
what people were wearing to the clubs. That’s when I decided to create something unique, because one-of-a-kind pieces make people feel special.”
Shanikki said she used to sit while her grandmother was sewing, and that’s when she knew what her future would be.
“That’s when I decided to pursue my dreams. I left my native Jacksonville and came to Tampa to attend fashion school.
“My specialty is swimwear, and I do make other things. We have models to promote our designs and we have shows across the coun- try.”
Shanikki said she wants to help others with talent by giving them a market for their product.
“I have a passion for teaching and building my brand. I want to be known all over the world.”
The grand opening will be from 1 p. m. until 6 p. m., and there will be door prizes from each of the designers, along with refresh- ments and music by XTRAXFM radio.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For Margie McMillan Bellware, her fate was pretty much pre-ordained. Her mother and a pair of aunts succumbed to kidney disease, and she found herself in a life or death situation battling the disease.
Ms. Bellware survived, and has dedicated her life to helping others suffering with the ailment.
“In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought it would be ap- propriate for me to dedicate my victory and words of en- couragement to my surviving aunts and all of the mothers around the world.
“I love Gospel music, but one song that reminds me of my mother the most is “A name I love to hear, it sounds like music in my ear; the sweetest name on earth.”
“I remember going to church as a young girl and the sermons, the pastor, the white-gloved ushers (that I kept an eye on while chewing gum), the choir, and the con- gregation, some more lively than others. When I visit my mom and aunts, churches it is such an elated feeling and
MARGIE MCMILLAN BELLWARE
then to see my cousins wor- shipping the Lord with me is a blessing.”
Ms. Bellware said as we celebrate Mother’s Day let’s not forget that church or any ecclesiastical event of your choice is spiritual food for the soul.
“Those celebrations usu- ally continue with a family Sunday dinner. Please use good common sense when choosing foods that you will put into your body.
“For those of you on dial- ysis, choose foods low in potassium and salt, and mon- itor the amount you con- sume. Make sure you monitor your fluid intake.
“For post dialysis people, have a list of foods/herbs to avoid. If not, call your doctor for a list of foods to avoid.”
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015