Christine's Story: From No One to Someone, Leaving the Gypsy Life Behind
What makes you a Beautiful Disaster?: From the time I was young, I was a wild child. I lived life by my own rules. This, though, didn't work out well as I got older. My mom passed when I was 14 and I didn't take that so well. It made me more independent and I acted out. High school was the age of introduction: to booze, pot, acid. I heavily self-medicated myself for at least a decade. Finally found out I was bipolar, and got help. I still dabbled in things that were not good for me. I always worked, but was never satisfied. Went from job to job, career to career. Did a stint in college. About the ripe old age of 25, road hard and put away wet, I applied for a job in a male-dominated world. Stuck it out, even though I wasn't exactly welcomed by all. I found my niche in life. Went back to get help, again. This time I stuck with it and in time let all those bad habits (which led to bad choices) go. My work took me all over the U.S. in the early '90s and I learned a lot about living. It wasn't easy being a single woman on the road. I came home mid-'90s to everything and everyone the same. I had changed. It was like the place I left was stuck in a time stoppage and I had moved on. My work was great and I evolved as a person. I am now retired and love it. I travel with a husband that adores me (whom I met late in life). I own a home and left my gypsy lifestyle behind me.
From no one to someone. Life was hard. I climbed from being a lost soul into a person that I could be proud of. When I was about to give up, I poured my soul into myself and became a Beautiful Disaster, instead of just a Disaster. I ran with the wrong crowds and got myself in trouble on many levels. From being used to overcoming adversity, it was a crazy ride. There were times where I was on the edge and didn't want to go on. I never acted on that, but it was always background noise.
What happened for you to turn it around?: In my 30s I decided to set goals. I achieved many things and grew up. Living life on the edge can be fun, but there is a time to leave those things behind. I now like myself, am comfortable in my skin and take care of myself.
Name 3 things you’ve done to move closer to happiness.: Learned that I only NEED myself, but wanting someone in my life is okay. Stopped the negative behaviors, realizing they only put me on a downward spiral. Got the help I needed to get me on the straight and narrow. I help those without voices, by running a small rescue. It gives me purpose.
Why do you Identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?: I love the truth behind "Beautiful Disaster". It speaks of who I am and how I got there. I am not ashamed to be who I am, and BD sums it up on the clothing lines!! I even gifted some to my friends and they wear it proudly.
What is your favorite Beautiful Disaster collection, past or present and why?: Oh, I love so many of them. It's hard to choose. I love the tank tops, without the lace and without the racerback... though I do own several. I mean, they speak to me. LOL. I adore my B&W flannel and I wear it everywhere when it's cool out.