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With the summer starting to heat up, it is time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and Nature's bounty. Since we were all in quarantine last summer, most of us are dying to get out of the house. But what is there to do in Clayton, Ga.?  We have compiled a list of some fun, (mostly) family-friendly things to do around town. So if you're coming into town for the weekend, or have lived here your whole life but never been a tourist in your own town, now is the time to explore Rabun County and see what there's to offer in this quaint little town (besides all the delicious eateries).  Foxfire Museum The Foxfire Museum is an amazing way to experience history in a hands-on way with their family-friendly, outdoor village with over 20 historic log buildings. Each building is filled with artifacts representative of life in the mountains from 1820 to 1940. Also, they offer heritage skills class where you can learn how to make a broom to foraging and cooking. The immersive museum is situated on eight acres of mountainside next to Black Rock Mountain State Park. Visit foxfire.org for operating hours, class registration and more information.     Black Rock State Park Georgia's state park with the highest elevation in Georgia boasts a spectacular view of the 80-mile vistas in the Blue Ridge Mountains with multiple overlooks going up to the park. There are four hiking trails that lead sightseers past wildflowers, streams, small waterfalls and through lush forests. Guests can partake in the visitor summit center for its gift shop, small parks for children and picnic tables overlooking the town of Clayton. Overnight visitors can choose from comfortable mountaintop cottages to campsites nestled within Rhododendron and weathered oaks. Also, there is a small lake with a walking trail around it (relatively flat- great for kids and dogs to get their energy out!) and a dock for anglers. For more information, click here.      Fishing Rabun County has an abundance of fishing options for the angler of any level. With numerous fishing spots along the many lakes, rivers, and streams that inhibit this beautiful county, we would be here all day if we covered all that... So I'm just going touch on two establishments here today: Andy's Trout Farm and Hatch Camp Art Farm.  Andy's Trout Farm, located in Dillard, is a guaranteed catch from their ponds, fully-stocked with rainbow trout, in a lush mountain environment. No license is required, and you can bring your own gear or rent theirs, but you have to keep and pay for what you catch. Family-owned and operated since 1965, they offer hiking, gem-mining, and dip in the swimming hole.  Hatch Camp Art Farm, located on Warwoman Creek, is the only private, guided trout stream in Rabun as well as one of the two fly shops in the county. The staff can take a newbie who has never even touched a fly rod and have them pulling in large trout by the end of the trip. They offer small to large group rate with options for fly tying, casting, and beginner class as well as off-site guiding.    Zip lining Another great adventure for the whole family is go zip lining! Clayton doesn't have a zip lining company in town, but we do have two nearby that are amazing, and both are about 20 minutes away. Chattooga River Zipline Canopy Tours provides over a half mile of air time with 2 sky bridges, 10 zip lines, 4 zips across Academy Lake, and ends at the 1100 ft. Bell Tower Express. Each tour is equipped with 2 Canopy Rangers to enlighten you on the wildlife and area history while guiding you through the trees. Also, you can make a whole day out of it and combine whitewater rafting and zip lining, so check out their specials!   Highlands Aerial Tours have something for everyone... even the scaredy cats! You can choose between the half tour (4 lines) or the full tour (8 lines), and there's even a Brave Little Indian ropes course/zip line for the little ones. Also, there's a giant swing, UTV guided trail, and a hiking trail to the waterfall. Tons to do for everyone in the family... no matter what their age or physical ability!  Goats on the Roof The name says it all.... they have goat on the roof! But so much more to do for the whole family! There's a general store full of Amish goodies and unique gifts, a small playground for children, gem mining, and a cafe for lunch. After lunch, make sure to order some yummy nitro ice cream, and watching it be made is half the fun! Back to the goats though, it's free admission but just 50 cents for a cup of feed to give the goats, several inventive ways to get the feed to them, and even become an official Goat Ranger. Great pit stop for the whole family! Find more information and events on their webpage: goats-on-the-roof.com   Axe Throwing Speaking of rainy day options, Admiral Axe, located beneath Wander North Georgia, is great choice for keeping active on those rainy days, or while you wait for dinner reservation at the multiple restaurants on Main Street. So what is axe throwing? Think of it like darts.... but with axes. Closer the axe gets to the bull's eye, the more points you earn. You can play as an individual, or with a team, and the best part is that each session comes with a tutorial from trained staff and stay near to answer questions, help with keeping score, and ensure you have an amazing and safe time. They even allow kids, 12 and up, throw axes, too (with parent in attendance). They will be open Friday-Sunday, kicking off on June 11th.    Distilleries Rabun has 2 local distilleries, Moonrise Distillery and R.M. Rose Distillery. This part of the list is more geared to adults.... so please don't get your baby drunk at the distillery. That's highly frowned upon.  Moonrise, located right in Clayton, has received 17 awards, medals, and recognitions since their beginnings in 2013. They started out with 2 products and have since grown their line to 19, from vodka, gin, and rye whiskey to alcohol-infused pickles, jellies, snow cream, and BBQ sauce. They offer tours and have live music on Sundays 2-5. Check out their website for music acts and additional information at moonrisedistillery.com   R.M Rose Distillery, by the Dillard House, opened in 2016 because of the water, the best water in the state. "When you got good water, copper pot still and the finest corn, you can make some of the finest whiskey around." With 150 years of distilling experience, R.M. Rose has some of the finest brands on the market: Old Georgia Corn Whiskey, George Sudderth Corn Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey Fire on the Mountain Cinnamon Whiskey, Apple Whiskey, Blackberry Whiskey, Peach Lemon Whiskey, Cinnamon Cherries. Swing by and take a tour of the distillery, which ends in their old-fashioned gift shop where you can try the different types of whiskey (straight or in a cocktail). Make sure to grab a bottle and get you a "Ask the Revenue Officer" t-shirt.             

Memorial Day is Monday! This upcoming weekend kicks off summer, and at Cage-Free, we have all your lake day essentials to weather the heat! Straw Hats & Baseball Caps The best way to keep those harmful UV rays off your gorgeous face (besides sunscreen) is to wear a hat! CFB has wide brim straw hats (with adjustable bands inside) and baseball caps to keep you covered.  (Gigi Pip's Aiden Straw Pork Pie) (Gigi Pip's Roxy Ballcap) "Headed to the Lake" Outfits We have the perfect outfit for you to throw on over your bathing suit. We have T-shirt dresses that are great for a quick "throw-over" as well as super soft, double-guaze short sets that make getting ready for the lake an easy task.  ( Christina Striped Dress - black and grey) ( S'Edge's Coco top and Marty Drawstring shorts ) Beach Bag If there's one thing we know, it's that you have to have a big bag to throw EVERYONE'S stuff in from sunscreen and snacks for the kids to your husband's wallet and keys. As a women, it is our job (apparently) to keep up with everything, and we have these huge bags to carry all the lake day essentials. We have fun market bags that are convenient for transporting your summer gear as well working double time as an environment-friendly alternative to plastic bags.    ( All In Bag ) ( Market Bags )   Sandals Sandals are a summertime staple! And boy, do we have some options for you! We've got sandals, slides, open-toe wedges and platforms. ( Sorel Ella II sandal- comes in three colors: black, white, and tan- sold in store only) ( Musse & Cloud Leila Slide ) ( Blowfish's Haxy Wedge ) ( Emmshu's Faby Platform Sandal )  Sunglasses No summer outfit is complete with the perfect pair of sunglasses! Or "sunnies" as the hip kids call them. Here are a couple of options we have for you:    ( Elton John Sunglasses ) ( La Vie En Violet Gold Sunglasses ) With Summer around the bend, it's best to be prepared, and at CFB, we got what you need. In honor of Memorial Day and to kick off summer, we are taking 20% off your total purchase in store or online Friday through Monday, so stop by and stock up on all your Lake Day essentials. Happy Memorial Day!!!  

In honor of the upcoming 2021 graduation, we have asked our Senior, Rissa McDonald, to look back and give us her thoughts on the past year, her time at CFB, and her future aspirations. If you don't know Rissa, she's our sales associate, cashier, and model- I know you've seen her sweet face on our social media. Rissa has been a valuable part of our team since she started. She shows intuitive and drive, which is hard to find in this generation. She's funny, smart, kind as well as a pretty face. Basically, this girl is a power house, and as much as we hate to see her leave at the end of the summer, we are comforted in the knowledge that this young lady is going to great things in her future. And we are blessed beyond measure to know her! Without further ado, here's her story: I don't think I've fully accepted the fact that I am graduating high school in less than two weeks. The thought of it is almost surreal, and the anticipation and delight of it is indescribable. I view high school graduation as one of the most early and significant transitions that one can go through in life, and to be able to reach that achievement and prepare for it is extremely rewarding as well as bittersweet. Ever since I was able to comprehend what "graduation" was in elementary school, it immediately game me ambition and served as a long term goal throughout my life. I've experienced several high school graduation ceremonies, and I can say I am beyond honored and proud to watch so many friends and family reach such a milestone in their lives. I am simply blessed to be experiencing it for myself right now. I always try to find the beauty, positivity, and potential in the change of something, and the year of 2020-21 made that difficult. It's obvious and evident that Covid-19 is responsible for a global change in people's everyday lives and makes the year 2020 a rather noteworthy year. I can easily admit that the pandemic has personally affected my family and myself and introduced numerous, unexpected, and sudden changes of lifestyle. Throughout 2020, I've learned to adapt to changes in a way I never anticipated: to be more appreciative for what I already have; to be there for others in any way I can; and understand that they are adapting to changes, too. Cage-Free Boutique served as a new beginning and a change for me in 2020-21 as well and to be surrounded by some of the most kind-hearted, lively, imaginative, supportive, and fearless ladies I have ever met is something I will cherish forever. I give each of them thanks for all they have done, and still do, for me. 2020-21 has taught me how to be stronger and a bigger supporter of myself, and for that, I am thankful for the past year. I am confident in the entire Rabun County High School graduating class of 2021, and I'm proud of us all for enduring such an unusual and, now, memorable year. There is a boundless number of family members, students, teachers, coaches, community members, friends, and even strangers that I can't thank enough for their individual impact at any point in my life that has continuously pushed me towards my goals, specifically my goal of graduating high school.                         -Rissa McDonald   We at Cage-Free can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing young lady! Rissa, there's nothing you cannot achieve once you set your mind to it, and it has been an honor and a privilege to have you with us. The sky is the limit! Congratulations on the success of all your hard work, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you. And please know you always have a place here at Cage-Free and in our hearts, forever & always!

 The Cage-Free team is dedicated to bringing the brands we adore to you.... for you to love as well. Here, we will be discussing two of our treasured brands we have carried for a while in addition to our brand-new line. We are sure that you will be enamored with these brands as much as we are.  Bou Cou Jewelry Bou Cou is an Atlanta-based jewelry line from the creative mind of Becka Cowan. When Becka began dabbling in making jewelry, she had her own style in mind, but once friends started showing interest in her creations, she got the motivation to jump-start a full-fledged jewelry line in 2005. Becka's late grandmother became the cornerstone to her passion- not only as the face of Bou Cou but as a way to honor the woman who shaped her meticulous perseverance in the business world. "What is personal is often universal," is the committed goal that makes Bou Cou so remarkable, and it is why each handmade product is "both unique and universally appealing."  Using a mix of eye-catching gems, rare baubles, and antique trinkets, Becka creates innovative pieces that are pleasing to every woman. High-end fashionistas are bewitched by the decadent chandelier earrings; where the rockers respect the fortitude of the salvaged bullet charm; and the nature lovers are drawn to the suede trims and brass hardware. Regardless of personal aesthetic, everyone loves how easy the jewelry can be layered for a luxurious, striking effect. Bou Cou infuses your self-esteem by "encouraging pride in individuality."  The looks are chic and attention-grabbing, and extremely versatile too!   (Bou Cou Jewelry)   Melynda's side note: I love the creative, fun, funky, one-of-a-kind jewelry from Bou Cou. I have several pieces, and I always get compliments on them! They are great conversation starters because everyone wants to know where to get one! Musse & Cloud Musse & Cloud is a genuine leather footwear line established in "quality craftsmanship and everyday comfort," created and constructed in Spain.  Established in Valencia, the Mediterranean surroundings contributes as an infinite source of perpetual influence, while "curiosity, travels and love for the natural world help round out each collection's narrative."  Since inception, Musse & Cloud has had two core beliefs- artisanship and functionality- and after 70 years in the industry, they have made a name from themselves for their continued dedication to this core philosophy. Working along side thier local fabrication community, they create a balance between revolutionary techniques and traditional craftsmanship that can be seen and felt in each pair shoes from Musse & Cloud. Design and innovative methods unite to produce a solution for everyday necessities.  (Musse & Cloud sandals)   Melynda's side note: I've never been a "slide" (sandal) type of girl. But then I met this gal- Leila. We had a photo shoot last year, and I begrudgingly put them for the pictures... by the end of the shoot, I bought those slides, and since then, I have bought 2 more pairs! For me to not be a "slide" wearer, I absolutely worship these! They are classy and go with everything, but it's the comfort of walking on a cloud all day that really puts these shoes on the list for me! Molly Bracken Molly Bracken is a French brand with impressions from vintage references; a feminine wardrobe with a throwback style for certain trendy pieces.  Founded by Julian and Catherine Sidonio in 2008, they drew inspiration from pictures of Julian's grandmother, Molly Bracken, from the '20s in Ireland as well as their 25 years in the fashion industry. The Sidonio's intention of capturing the spirit of this strong, feminine, authentic Irish women is seen in the sequins and lace, tulle and knits in a mix of boho and vintage classic looks. Over the last 12 years, Molly Bracken has launched several sister companies including the Mini Molly line, a collection for little girls from 4 to 14 years old. This dazzling and playful collection for girls has matching looks for Moms too!    (Mini Glowing in Coral Dress and Denim Venom Jumpsuit) (Tangled Up in Blue Dress and Mini Pretty Petunia Dress) (Boss Babe Blazer and Watermelon Money Pants)   Melynda's Side Note: We are so pleased to introduce this line to CFB not only for the matching Mommy & Me line, but for the beautiful patterns, the classic silhouettes, and the affordability! These pieces have been snatched up as soon as they hit the floor! They're fun and flirty, but classy and chic!  A brand that intends to live up to its image: glamour, feminine and trendy.    

Sunday is Mother's Day- a day to celebrate the woman who brought you into this world, cared and loved you for all of your days- so now it's time to show your appreciation by lavishing her with gifts on her special day! Here's a list of some of amazing options to give her:  A New Outfit We just got in this stunning double gauze set that is perfect for the mom-on-the-go. It's light-weight, chic, and easy to throw on for her morning routine. Help her be more efficient with this shirt and pants from the S'Edge collection. I promise she will thank you! It comes in white or khaki- wear together or mix and match!   (S'Edge Coco Top and Cate Full Crop Pant)   Hats We have an array of hats from GiGi Pip that are sure to be a hit with moms everywhere! From the mom that gardens to the fashion-forward mom, we have a hat for her!  (GiGi Pip hats) Hand Bags There is not a woman alive that doesn't love a good handbag! And we have what she's been dreaming of with our Day + Mood or our Latico brand, real leather hand bags. We carry a variety of different sizes and styles, so we're sure we have the "dream bag" for her!  (Day + Mood and Latico bags)    CBD For the mom who needs to take the edge of her stressful day, we have a couple of choice CBD methods for her. We have CBD pre-rolls for that "end of the day" relaxation as well as some amazing bath bombs for her to soak her worries away! (And as your mom, you know she worries all the time- it's what we do! Hahah! -But seriously!) All our CBD products are sold in store.  (CBD pre-rolls- $10 and CBD bath bombs- $12) Slippers Speaking of relaxation, how about these incredible fuzzy slippers? Can't think of a lady who doesn't love a good pair of slippers... Bonus: these have some mud-grip on them for those countryside jaunts to the mailbox or whatnot.   (Rally Faux Fur Slides) The Little Things We have all the little things that would make her day from picture frames for your favorite family memory to some entertaining candles to several funky jewelry cases and dishes. If you already have a big gift, but just need a little something extra... we have choices!!  (Jewelry cases and dishes, picture frames, and Evil Queen Candles)   All Else Fails... If you have absolutely no clue what to get Mom, then we have gift cards, and she can come in and pick out exactly what she wants!  (Gift cards)    

For this month's Local Lady Icon, we nominate Lizzy Falcon, self-taught artist extraordinaire, Lotus Gallery owner and operator, and mentor to many young artists in the area. Doesn't hurt that she's a die-hard Cage-Free fan, and we love her for that!... and for MANY other reasons you will soon see... PLUS: Her last name is Falcon!! How freaking badass is that!!  Lizzy straight ROCKIN' a whole CFB outfit at Lotus Gallery soft opening in 2020 (Mixed Emotions Dress- on sale) This Saturday is the Lotus Gallery's Grand Opening (delayed from last year due to Covid), and it's going to be spectacular with several international artists' pieces as well as some local young creators artwork.  Lizzy has always aspired to be an artist, drawing inspiration from Margaret Keane's "Big Eyes" and Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse- drawing him a thousand times. After doing government work for the past twenty years, she was given the opportunity to began play around with clay and paint while developing her personal style.                 Lizzy, her husband, Rick, and her beloved Chihuahua, Pico (model for Picontous), moved to Rabun in 2011, where she met illustrator Jesse Clay and shadowed him for two years. Her artwork has since garnered much success and recognition over the years to domestic and international collectors.  Exhibit at Noble Wine Cellar in Clayton, Ga.  Art Show in Portugal  Her motivation to open the Lotus Gallery & Art Center is to celebrate art of all genres with the community and to inspire as well serving as a mentor to younger, aspiring artists. And she's doing  one helluva job in my book! Here are a few examples of her mentorship: (click on their names for their art)  Grace Nolan Art Ali Wilkins Designs  I first met Lizzy Falcon when I worked for the Georgia Mountain Laurel, and she had come in for an interview for the magazine. Regretfully, I had no clue who this petite, sweet lady was, but when my kids (aspiring artists) came into the office, they knew exactly who she was and were automatically starstruck by Lizzy and her talent! The three of them sat around with their sketchbooks and talked about art for quiet a while. Since this fateful meeting, Lizzy has since taken my kids under her wing and has encouraged them to turn their passion for art into a successful career. And I'm eternally grateful for this amazingly talented and caring lady!  Just some more awesome things Lizzy does for our community                   "In the Dawn" Collection  You can find more of her art on her website- lizzyfalconart.com or Facebook/ Instagram. Also, you can purchase her artwork in the form of stickers, T-shirts, or puzzles at Blue Ridge Toy Company.                    So be sure to stop by the Gallery on Saturday starting at 6:30- located next to Mountain Feathers Gallery and Custom Frame Shop in Rabun Gap- and see Lizzy,  the other phenomenal artists, and all the awe-inspiring art she has displayed for your viewing pleasure!

It's always interesting to see what ladies actually carry around in their purses... Personally, I'm a self-confessed bag lady and carry several different bags in my vehicle at all times. Being raised in the South with the adage of "Your purse must match your shoes and belt," I have two bags that stay in rotation depending on the shoes I wear... I'm not much of a belt girl. One is a cognac leather backpack and the other is a black leather sling, but they are both from Latico Leather! (Latico Hester Backpack and Austin Sling) My backpack is mostly for work but can be converted over quickly to my everyday bag with a few quick exchanges in the back of my Jeep. But my true everyday bag is the black sling since it's so easy to match with and big enough to carry my essentials while being small and sleek.  So let's dive into my work bag backpack... I love the versatility of this backpack because I can use both straps or make it into a crossbody backpack.   I always have my notebook and my calendar. I know that most people put everything into their phones these days, but I'm still an analog girl when it comes to notes and dates. If I don't write it down, I don't retain it. Hahah! Since we're talking about me being old, I have my Nectar blue-light blocker glasses since I spend most of my time on the computer.  Since I'm old-school with my paper, I have a canvas pencil case filled with Blackwing pencils with removable erasers and leather pencil covers, which was a wonderful Christmas gift from Lori Woosley, our floor manager.   Also, I have a little bag from Ipsy that I carry a couple of lipsticks, lip gloss and chapsticks. Plus when I see this bag in my backpack it makes me smile.... Look how cute he is! Speaking of cute, I have these two pins from Blue Ridge Toy Company that I couldn't pass up... I felt like these pins epitomized my loves- coffee and writing! There's still good bit of room in this backpack to carry the things from my everyday bag, so switching them over is a snap!  Now, on to my everyday bag- this gorgeously sleek leather sling that can attach at the bottom on either side so you can wear it on either shoulder.  Keys and wallet are a must in every ladies' bag! Since I tend to misplace my keys a good bit, I have this large ribbon-covered keyring that makes it hard to lose them down in my bag, but also, makes for a nice bracelet to throw on if you need them on the fly.  I love my beautiful woven-leather wallet from Day + Mood, but I recently went on vacation, so all my credit cards and id are in a minimalist wallet attached to my keys for convience. I still have my insurance cards and some cash in my "main" wallet, so it stays in my bag for emergencies- or until I remember to switch them back over.  Another must-have in this day and age is my mask and hand sanitizer because... well... the Rona. I love this floral mask- it seems to match everything. I have multiple hand sanitizers stuffed in places, but my favorite is the everyone for everybody hand sanitizer in lavender + aloe because it's not straight alcohol-smelling and the spray is super handy (pun intended).  Apparently, I can't have enough lip balm... hahah! My latest faves are Grown Alchemist lip treatment and Pixi by Petra shea butter lip balm in with a small mirror from Kut from the Kloth that we picked up at the last show. Gotta be looking good on the go! Thanks to Fabfitfun and Ipsy! And my other latest obsession- foot glide! As Spring arrives, it's time for sandals, wedges, and sneakers without socks- so to cut down on blisters, just rub your foot over with this foot glide and say goodbye to shredded heels and blisters! As a lady, we must have back-up protection, so I carry my emergency tampons in this cute little bag to make running to the bathroom a lil cooler. Hahah! While we're on the subject of being cool, I ALWAYS have my sunglasses in my bag- my newest pair are these fancy Audrey Hepburn-inspired cat-eye glasses from Prive' Revaux via Fabfitfun add-ons.  Recently, I went to the Creator's Corner and racked up on some stickers, which apparently I'm still carrying around. Support your local artists! Grace Nolan Art and Ali Wilkins Designs And to be completely honest- a pack of smokes and lighter... yes, I know, but let me get my daughter to graduation next year and we'll talk about quitting. Hahah! Also, I have a vape for those moments I can't sneak out for a smoke, so I do try... kinda.  And, of course, my cellphone.... So this is what I'm carrying at all times- What's in your bag? 

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we want to show you a few ways we give back to Mother Nature as well as a few cool hiking spots so you can see the beauty of our county.  To cut down on plastics, CFB has a couple of options for you. We have some cloth market bags to use in place of the plastic grocery bags as well as bread bags for your fresh baked goods.  Market Bags Rolling in Dough Reusable Bread Bags Also, we use brown paper bags to house your new purchases because they can be easily recycled. And we take all our broken down cardboard boxes to the recycle center.  To really appreciate Mother Nature in all her glory, you need to get outside! Here are a few of my favorite hiking spots: Short Line Trail in Tallulah Falls ( 1/4 mile paved trail- easy) Minnehaha Falls ( .4 mile with a few stairs at the start and several tree roots- easy) Black Rock Lake Trail ( .8 flat loop trail around Black Rock Lake- easy) Dick's Creek Falls (1.2 mile trail with a bit of decline near falls- moderate) Angel Falls Trail (1.75 mile with some steep and narrow inclines- moderate)  Hemlock Falls Trail (1.9 mile kinda rocky and lil muddy trail- moderate) Pinnacle Knob via Courthouse Gap (4.6 miles very steep and several switchbacks- hard) Rabun Bald via Bartram Trail (8.1 miles of fairly strenuous steep inclines- hard) For more hiking trails and for all your hiking supplies, check in with our friends at Wander North Georgia or Outdoor 76.  And while you're out hiking, remember to always leave the trail exactly how you found it... or better, bring a bag to pick up trash along the way. And if you really wanna help with littering, be sure to sign up for Keep Rabun Beautiful, a community volunteer association for Rabun County Georgia, promoting "Keep it Clean, Don't Litter," and trash clean up events. Another amazing group to look into is the Chattooga Conservancy, who work to "protect, promote, and restore the natural Chattooga River watershed ecosystems; ensure the viability of native species in harmony with the need for a healthy human environment; & educate and empower communities to practice good stewardship."

Now that you've been reading our blogs and following us on social media, it is time to meet the ladies who helped cultivate the business and make Cage-Free fun, friendly, and female-empowered.   Kimberly Holt Ramey Kimberly is the owner, CEO, CFO, marketing coordinator, buyer, customer relations, employee management, sales associate to name just a few of the many hats she wears here at CFB. She's a 36-year-old boss bitch who married the boy version of her BFF (Melynda who we will learn about later), and they have two precious little girls, 4 and 2, with another one on the way and a 12 y/o Chihuahua who is "ornery AF." She grew up in Rabun County on Lake Burton and has degrees in Photography, Culinary Arts, and Environmental Studies. She has predominantly worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry where she learned patience, tolerance, and how to multitask. Her hero is her mom, Janet Holt, for her inspirational selflessness, and Kimberly strives to be just as "good" as her. But as far as fashion icons, Kimberly loves the classics like Jackie O for her sunnies, Audrey Hepburn for her LBD and pearls, and Iris Apfel for her bold colors and patterns. The people who know her best are her husband, Ben Ramey, and her Bestie, Melynda Hensley... "They are basically the same person but one's a boy and the other is a girl. They keep me laughing and sometimes all you can do is laugh… " Also, she's a Libra who enjoys a rare steak, sushi, and short walks on the beach. "Give me a rocking chair, a cool breeze, and a dirty martini, and I’m a happy lady!" About 6 years ago, Kimberly and a friend saw a need for a clothing boutique in Clayton. Since opening in 2015, CFB has expanded from an 1,100 sq. ft. building to 3,600 sq. ft. building with 6 part-time sales associates as well as a social media manager and email marketing manager. Also, she volunteers with the Clayton Merchants and Business Association. Her proudest accomplishment is that she is the sole owner of CFB and has recently purchased the building as well as being a mom. She believes 2021 will be our best year yet!  Melynda Hensley Melynda is the General Manager (Kim's Right Hand Bitch) and blogger (yes, I'm writing this in third person). She's as local to Rabun County as they come, coming from 7 generations deep in this county, and is proud of her Appalachian heritage. She is a widow and mom to one son and one daughter, Chandler, 18, and McKaylin, 16. Growing up in a beauty salon, she was influenced by Vogue, Cosmo, and Marie Claire and all things fashion. She has worked in some form of the hospitality industry for years from Coming from a background of advertising with Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine, she was eager to join the CFB team and help her Bestie (Kimberly) in any way possible to become successful. Her favorite part of working at CFB is helping ladies pick out the perfect outfit, cultivating new relationships, and, of course, getting to work with her BFF. Also, she's a Libra (Kim and Melynda are a year and 11 days apart) who loves to kayak on flat water, hiking, camping, traveling to new places, and a good book. If you see her out and about, she's never without her Starbucks Matcha and a good pair of sunglasses. Her proudest accomplishment is her children- Chandler is graduating 3rd in his class and an Eagle Scout; McKaylin has been published in the Foxfire book for her art and has an upcoming show at the Lotus Gallery May 1. She feels that if she doesn't do anything else in this life, she created these two amazing kiddos, whom she feels confident that they will change the world with their extraordinary artistic abilities (they got from their dad- I can't draw a straight line to save my life.) When it comes to who knows her best, it would have to be her two best friends- Kimberly Ramey and Nicole Kelley. Both of these ladies have been supportive to her through the good and bad and been such an inspiration to her as they both have started their own businesses while being kick-ass moms. Melynda is thrilled to be a part of the CFB team and can't wait to see what the future holds for the boutique.  Marissa Moore If you have seen our social media posts and thought "Daaang, this looks awesome! What a great job! " Well that would be our sweet Marissa Moore, our photographer and social media extraordinaire. And if you would like to reward this sweet girl for her incredible skills, she likes vanilla lattes and flowers. (Wink, Wink) She has always loved any form of art, but after taking a film class in college, she began to focus more into photography and fell in love with the entire process from the people she meets and works with to the art she gets to create. Marissa appreciates and loves her parents for being her biggest supporters, friends, and teachers, and believes they are "simply wonderful" inspirations and could never truly explain how much they mean to her.  Her favorite part of working at CFB is the ladies she works with and getting to play around with styling the clothes and products. "It's so fun to create and the women here are great!" Starting a photography business has been her most cherished accomplishment thus far as Marissa developed a sense of confidence in her ability plus it has been so rewarding as she loves what she does! In 5 years, Marissa will be married (wedding in May 2021) and continue to operate her photography business as well as becoming a biblical counselor. Also, she hopes to have traveled more, loved a lot more, and just live a really sweet, simple life. (Don't we all??) Lori Woosley Lori is the floor manager on Tuesdays and Thursdays at CFB and the inspiration for our "Tips from a Former Debutante." Primarily a Kentucky girl, she spent many summers in Rabun County with her father and his side of the family, and she loved it so much that she and her husband came to visit about 5 years ago and stayed, saying "It's hard to leave God's country!" (Too true!) Andrew Woosley, her husband, knows her the best with her two sweet pups coming in a close second. Her fashion icon is Coco Chanel, and her personal hero is her grandfather, James Joseph Ryan: a WWII hero; a businessman with exceptional work ethic, and undying love for his family and friends. He undoubtedly passed these traits on to this sweet woman. Lori was motivated to work at Cage-Free by Melynda and the Cage-Free Queen, Kimberly, and has past experience in retail and administration which make her irreplaceable and a wonderful, encouraging manager to our other young ladies on the floor.  Rissa McDonald Rissa is native to Clayton, Georgia and has grown to learn the importance and appreciation of being family-oriented as well as a love for the town with it's nature and beauty. Ever since Rissa was little, she had an open, accepting, and friendly attitude, but as an only child, she learned to appreciate privacy and alone time. At Cage-Free, Rissa wears a couple of hats: sales associate, cashier, and model. (If you've seen our Instagram, she's the face of CFB). Her motivation to work at Cage-Free came when she decided to pursue a career in fashion retail or marketing management at age 16. She has always enjoyed fashion, shopping and finding confidence in herself, and wanted to share that with others. She believes that what you wear can be an expression and representation of yourself and was motivated to work at CFB because of the friendly, inviting atmosphere and staff in addition to the refined and diverse clothing section. Rissa looks up to her grandmother, Kandy McDonald, as the glue to her whole family as well as being the most dependable, loving, kind, hard-working and selfless soul- which she has obviously passed on to her granddaughter. (Thanks Kandy!) Rissa is excited to see a resurfacing of 70s ethnic clothing, more specifically, the 70’s corduroy clothing, and her fashion role models are Princess Di and Zoe Kravitz. Her proudest accomplishment to date is being accepted to University of North Georgia, where the rest of CFB staff knows she will thrive, as Rissa is curious and imaginative and eager to aspire outside of her comfort zone and small town.