I am please to feature Antionette from DeDivahDeals for my third installment of Fab Feature Friday. I met Antionette while in a blogger group called Bloggers Like Me. The blogger group is supportive, informative, and helps establish “real”lationships. Antionette is what some would say is a non-traditional blogger. She is a fifty something lifestyle blogger, who brings blogs feverishly about life including: deals, shopping, and food. Let this be a warning her blog is very addictive!
When she isn’t blogging, you can find her on Instagram posting pictures of her family (cute sons-shh), fabulous finds while thrifting and life in general. Antionette really open’s up her world to all. She’s won 2013’s Best Blog from Delaware Magazine, had several published DIY post via Parade Magazine, and has recently been chosen as an “Featured Owner” on Oprah.com. In other words, This blogger one to follow. With that being said, I am please to bring you Antionette…
1) What inspired you to blog?
The inspiration for blogging came after the death of my grandmother in 2009. She was my shopping buddy who had taught me how to seek out and find some great deals. After she died, I lost my buddy but continued to shop however, I didn’t have anyone to share these deals with. I would post my thrifted hauls in daily outfits of the day (OOTD), as well as other bargains on Facebook, but after some time I felt that my ‘friends” weren’t interested. I started watching YouTube videos and discovered other frugal fashionistas who also had blogs so I decided to create one of my own and ‘DeDivahDeals’ was born.
2) What’s the story behind your blog name?
DeDivahDeals – De is the abbreviation for Delaware and I think every woman has an inner Divah, and of course it started with the posting of deals found in and around the state of Delaware. DeDivahDeals has evolved and I now consider myself a lifestyle blogger, but shopping and saving is the foundation of the blog.
3) What inspired you to start thrifting?
My inspiration to start thrifting wasn’t really an inspiration, it was a necessity. My grandmother raised my sister and I in the 60’s and 70’s New Rochelle, NY and although we never knew it, we were poor. Shopping at the Salvation Army and Goodwill was where most of our clothing came from and I remember enjoying going through those barrels of donated clothing. My grandmother was also a maid for several wealthy families who would also give her clothing, some pieces I still have. My sister was killed in a car accident in 1992, and her last place of employment was at Goodwill in Dover, therefore, I will always be a supporter of Goodwill and their mission to help those less fortunate in our communities.
4) Can you share something about yourself to my readers?
If there is one thing that I can share with your readers it would be to remain positive in all aspects of your life. Our time here on earth is so very short and precious that if evil is allowed to penetrate, we lose too much of what should be a joyous time. God/Allah did not create man to suffer, however, there are choices that man has made to cause suffering, God is always there to ease that burden – just pray!
Want to keep up with Antionette and get more information on DeDivahDeals? You can follow her below:
Hi LaShonda – Just checking you out, girl! I was so glad we got to hook up (though it was way too brief!) at Zest and Zing. Love your blog!! Would love to get together soon if you are game.
Now You’re Cookin’,
Chef Alli
Ha! Chef Alli,
Thank you so much for your comment, I appreciate it! I would love to meet up with you. Let’s plan for next month!
LaShonda
Great post! I’m off to check out her blog now!
Kari, You’ve been warned. You’ll be checking out her blog several times a week. HA!
Thank you and I like your blog too!
Thank you! *blushes*
Thank you my sis, this is just one example as to why blogging can be such a blessing – having the opportunity to meet lovely ladies such as yourself makes it all worthwhile. I appreciate you and wish you many more years of happiness and success! Bloggy Hug!
Antionette,
Thank you so much! You are one of my blogger muse. You inspire me to work harder at my craft and to work hard. I appreciate the trail you’ve have blazed and continue to set on fire.