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Here at Cage-Free, the perfect brand is one that offers a whole lot of style with an equal dose of value and functionality.  The three brands we feature here fully embody the branding that we adore and want to share with you.  Sorel (Sorel Ella II Sandal- also comes in black and white)   Founded in 1962, Sorel started with top-quality boots and blossomed into "a brand dedicated to both functionality and fashion." Sorel combines professional artistry and modern design to create footwear for all seasons, and they defy the standards "by creating unexpected footwear that pushes the boundaries of fuction-first fashion." One of the reasons we love them is their mission statement: "We believe you are your most powerful tool and the determination you find within is in an unstoppable force. We stay in motion so you can push yourself forward." Hell Yeah!! Here are 5 more reasons: 1) Highly Fashionable- no matter which ones you get, be prepared to get lots of compliments on them! 2) Functional 3) Comfortable 4) Waterproof- most, if not all, of their boots are waterproof! 5) Comes in a variety of different colors and styles- boots, wedges, sneakers, sandals and slides.... Be sure to come into CFB to check out our Sorel selection! (Sorel Lennox Lace Boots- on Sale $148) Blanc Noir (Getaway Jogger)   Our newest addition to Cage-Free is Blanc Noir, who identifies with four main principals: comfort, mobility, versatility, and a classic style for the busy, modern lady.  Made for the gal on the go, they offer a sophisticated selection of active wear to help round out your contemporary wardrobe. Currently, we have two pieces from Blanc Noir (with more on the way): the Getaway Jogger and the Infinity Top. The joggers are "cozy and comfortable" and paired with sneakers and an oversized tee for your athletically-inspired outfit. The active tops have been designed with "a fitted silhouette," and the Infinity top is seamless with body contouring texture and mesh ventilation. Your workout gear just got an upgrade!  ( Infinity Top )      Day&Mood     (Kee Tote in the color Saddle) Starting out in a small Danish town in 2013, Day&Mood has been creating handmade bags and wallets from their trademark buttery, soft-quality leather, and now, they have departments in New York City and Los Angeles. They incorporate "Scandinavian minimalism with a chic bohemian vibe" while using creative practices and a purposeful approach in every aspect of production. Not only do they produce high-quality bags, where each bag is handmade and no two bags are the same, CFB stands behind their motto: "Live a Little." Just a little reminder that "you are the one in control of your life." Day&Mood encourages this message with every design because every creation they make is "perfectly unique. Just like you." So drop in and check out all our Day&Mood bags and wallets; you definitely won't regret it!    (Malou Maxi Crossbody in Light Mocca for $98)  

Lori Shepard Woosley, Cage-Free's floor manager during the week, is a former debutante from Kentucky. (Like was presented in a debut, went to the ball and all that!)  For those of you who do not know what a debutante is, it is an upper-class young lady who makes her first appearance in fashionable society. Often I have dreamed of being a Southern debutante, coming down the double grand staircase in a white cotillion dress with lace gloves and a parasol, and drinking mint juleps when you get a case of the "vapors." Lori is a timeless beauty and a wealth of helpful advice, so it only made sense to impart upon our readers these enlightened tips for some guidance in life. There's some beauty hacks as well as some advice on love and life. (Don't know about you, but I need all the help I can get!! Hahaha!) Tip #1 "If you don't feel it, fake it till you do." Fake it til ya make it! Often times, if you just put on a smile, even when you don't feel like it, it can make a difficult situation just a lil easier. You can fake "feeling" confident, but you can't fake "genuine confidence"- this comes from confidence in your knowledge and skill; you really can't fake comprehension and ability. Your smile will promote positive vibes to others, and in turn, they will pass that cheerfulness back to you. Synergy! (when two people produce a combined effect greater than the sum of separate individuals)    Tip #2 To avoid this.... "When you have to wear a mask, lightly dust the nose piece and other areas that touch your face with translucent powder, and your makeup will last longer."   Tip #3 "Shop with someone who will give you an honest opinion. And don't be offended by the truth." Cage-Free is always here for you! While we do enjoy making a sale, the real joy comes in helping you feel your best, whether you buy from us or not. We will not push you into buying something if you are not comfortable or don't "love it."  If we don't have something you need, we will give you other suggestions to find what you do need. We just want to give you the best shopping experience so that you leave feeling happy, helped and harmonious. 

In honor of Fromage & Other Fine Foods opening back up this month, we would like to honor Jenny Wilson, owner and chef, as our leading lady icon! Miss Jenny is a super woman and a role model to many of us here at Cage-Free! Kimberly, Marissa, and I have all worked for Jenny at Fromage, and because of this amazing woman, we all have a deep love for fresh food, community, and of course, REAL cheese!!   Opened in August 2007, Jenny channeled her passion of food and creating new and eclectic menu items into a successful lunch spot and catering business. So much so, she has been awarded Best Chef's of America multiple times. (not hard to see why she's the best!!)   When Jenny is not running the restaurant, she is giving back to the community. She has been president of the Clayton Merchants & Business Association several times,  was on the board for Paws for Life, and the driving force behind creating the Clayton Crawl, the Turkey Trot, the Halloween Mutt Strut, and the Fur Ball. (I told you this lady is a super woman!) She is epitome of a leading lady icon, and we are so glad that she has been a strong role model for us by showing us that WE can run a business and still give back to the community in which we live.  So make sure you go by 31 Earl Street in Downtown Clayton to the adorable, historic, blue house and get some of the best chicken salad this side of the Mississippi! Jenny uses the freshest and finest products to create the most delicious, unique options for you. The menu changes weekly, and everything is prepared in house from the appetizing soups to the mouthwatering desserts!   

What is a capsule wardrobe? Coined in the 70s by boutique owner, Susie Faux, a capsule wardrobe is the collection of essential, or basic, pieces that are high-quality, neutral colors and fashionably timeless. With all the time being spent at home these days due to the pandemic and the rise of Marie Kondo's tidying tips, the capsule wardrobe has become more appealing to those of us who want to streamline our closets and take the guesswork out of dressing. (Unfortunately, we weren't all blessed with an automated closet like Cher's from the movie, Clueless) Courtney Carver of Be More With Less defines the capsule wardrobe as: A small collection of [...] items including clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes that encourage you to wear your favorite things every day (not the trendiest things, the most stylish things, or the perfect things…your favorite things).  It's easy to fall victim to fast-fashion or trendy items, but there comes a time in a woman's life where fashion is less about filling your closet with the latest trends of the season... holding onto it because it was expensive and you "may" wear to an unforeseen, future event... Fashion becomes more about comfort, dependability,  functionality, and versatility. To have a foundation of classic pieces that are easy to mix and match is definitely the way to always look elegantly put together and timeless. As women who wear multiple hats all through the day, it's nice to have a base of essential pieces to build off and simplify your morning routine (who's not down for that?) Cage Free is here to help, whether you're just starting your capsule closet but balling on a budget, or you're ready to make an investment into some high-quality pieces.  Budget-Friendly Basics Black Denim Jacket/ Gray shirt/ White Jeans/ Black Mules Accessories: $5 Studs Earrings and BouCou Mask Chain {$20} (both are available in store), Buddha Bracelets   Investment Essentials Denim Jacket/ Gray shirt/ White Jeans/ Black Mules Accessories: Shiela Fajl Stud Earrings, Interlocked Bracelets, and Mask Chain    So whatever your needs are, Cage Free Boutique is happy to help you have the best shopping experience! 

For Valentine’s Day, most of us show our love to our significant other or to our children, but what about to the bestie that has been there through it ALL with you? Let us help you appreciate your BFF with our Galentine’s GiveAway from some of our favorite gals in Clayton. Enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for both of you at Lulu & Tully’s, Madison’s on Main, and Cage-Free Boutique along with a buy one-get one lunch at Fromage & Other Fine Foods.  The Who? (Not the band…Hehehe)  Lulu & Tully’s is a unique store that carries a little of everything- a fun and eclectic mix of older, well-selected antiques; newer pieces and knick-knacks that you didn’t know you needed; and original artwork by the owner, Rabun Martin. So come in and shop for a welcomed surprise to add to your home decor!    Madison’s on Main offers a “happy, fabulous, comfortable and accommodating” environment from the thoughtful gifts and home decor to jewelry and women’s clothing. Pooh and Madison Lancaster, the amazing mother-daughter duo who have created a shop atmosphere that pulls from a love of family and caters to women of all ages. Stop in and shop “all things pretty!” Fromage & Other Fine Foods use the finest and freshest products to create a delightfully diverse selection from soups and sandwiches to daily specials and delicious, home-made desserts. Jenny Wilson, owner and chef, prepares everything in house and changes the menu weekly. Lunch is available Tuesday through Saturday starting back up from hibernation on February 9th, so drop in for “Eats, Sweets, and a Place to Rest Your Feets!”  Cage-Free Boutique … ‘If you don’t know me byyyyy now….” Just kidding!  Cage-Free Boutique is on a mission to empower women of all ages and sizes and celebrating diversity through simple, sophisticated style. We have sizes from 00-18 and XSmall- 3X in ladies’ sizes as well as a variety of little girls’ clothing and some must-have baby items. Also, we have a lounge area with bottled waters, tea, coffee, and hot cider for the menfolk to stay while you shop. Stop in, say “Heeyyy!” and check out our new arrivals!  The How and When?  We will be posting on the CFB’s instagram on February 8th to start off the contest, so be on the look out for that!! Make sure to like the post and follow all the accounts (Lulu & Tully’s, Madison’s on Main, Fromage & Other Fine Foods, and, of course, Cage-Free Boutique). Then tag as many of your best gal pals for a chance to win because each tag is an entry! We will announce the winners on February 13th! Let us help you treat your bestie to a day of shopping and lunch! 

It can be overwhelming with all the CBD products on the market and trying to figure out what works best for you?  Are you interested in trying CBD, but don't want to smoke? Are CBD gummies the best method for you?  Rising in popularity as one of the most convenient and delicious way to ingest CBD, the CBD gummy is touted as the newest wellness treat! Why is that, you may ask?  They are super easy to take! Some CBD methods use a dropper to measure out the dosage, or you need a glass of water for the capsules. With the gummies, the dose is already measured out- just pop one in and chew!  They are convenient and discreet as they can easily be taken on the go! And most of the time, people won't even know that you took CBD! They are tasty! Gummies are a great alternative to those who want to try CBD, but do not necessarily like hemp's strong natural flavor. It was created to mask the nutty, earthy flavor with a candied sweet treat with all the benefits.  Here at Cage-Free, we carry two types of gummies from The Georgia Hemp Company: CBD sour gummy bears (10 mg and 25 mg) and CBD Fruit Gummy slices (10 mg). These gummies are great for keeping your anxiety at bay or helping you fall asleep (and stay asleep) at night. So which gummy is right for you?  It really depends on you and what fits your lifestyle the best.   A Quick Breakdown of the CBD gummies we carry: The gummy bears are a CBD isolate (CBD extract only to infuse products), and the fruit slices are broad-spectrum CBD (the full plant has been extracted, minus the THC). So what does this mean? It just means that broad-spectrum is just a little stronger than the isolate because it has the rest of the cannabinoids from the plant added to it whereas the isolate is just CBD by itself.   The other difference between our gummies is one is organic and one is candy. If you have a sweet tooth and want to try out CBD for the first time, then the CBD Gummy Bears are just what you need! The Gummy bears are made just like the candy you grew up with on the candy aisles, and with the broad-spectrum CBD added, these are a little stronger, and therefore, a little faster at getting into your system. For someone who wants an organic, clean product albeit still a gummy, then the CBD Fruit Gummy Slices are the perfect choice for you! They are colored and flavored with fruit, not a chemical, which makes this gummy the "healthier" alternative.  So which ever gummy you prefer, you'll be sure to feel all the benefits of the CBD!  Please check out our other blogs on CBD benefits. Thanks!

For 2021, Cage-Free is bringing in some new brands that we are pretty excited to share with you! From a new handbag line to a new shoe brand with some contemporary basics you didn't know you needed, we chose these brands not only because of the awesome products they sell... but because the amazing charities these businesses donate to and are passionate in helping.  <click on any picture to shop instantly> Latico Leather  Since 1984, this family-ran business creates "100% handcrafted leather handbags, wallets, and accessories with boho-vibes + individual style" in New Jersey. In 2020, Latico received the "2020 Independent Handbag Designer Award." Not only are they winning awards, but they are donating to Feed America.  Because with every purchase, ten meals are donated to Feeding America, and thus far, 56,000 meals have been donated... and counting!       S'Edge Apparel Founded in 2020 in Atlanta, S'Edge focuses on "providing the highest-quality fabrics," fully made in America, and a chic styling with an ideal fit. S'Edge realizes that the modern woman "wears many hats from mother to entrepreneur to volunteer to caregiver and so much more," and with that in mind, they "provide effortless essentials to fit" today's multi-tasking lady. With each purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes to Joni and Friends, an organization "committed to bringing the Gospel and practical resources to people impacted by disability around the globe." One of the amazing aspects of the Joni and Friends organization is their "Wheels for the World" initiative that provides a wheelchair to those less fortunate.    Chinese Laundry  Started in 1971 by the Goldman couple in Los Angeles, Chinese Laundry has developed from "a small shoe manufacturer to a globally recognized fashion footwear." Since their humble beginnings, they have branched out to four brands: Chinese Laundry, CL by Laundry, 42 Gold, and Dirty Laundry. When they aren't running their global shoe empire, the Goldmans are giving back, and one such charity that they donate to is the Shoes for Orphan Souls (SOS), providing new shoes and socks to the millions of orphans worldwide.   

As we enter into 2021, many tend to start the new year with resolutions that focus on health, home, or happiness... but not many people think of how they can work on their mental health. I believe we can all agree that 2020 has been a crap year with the pandemic, protests in the streets after the death of George Floyd, the toilet paper shortage,  murder hornets, and the loss of so many loved ones... just to name a few events that shaped the past year.   There's so much uncertainty and anxiety in everyday life that it's hard not to think about your mental health. In a recent report from the CDC, anxiety and depression symptoms have risen 17.4% and 17.8%, respectively, from 2019. The rise in these mental health symptoms has led to the escalation of substance abuse (one in ten) and suicidal ideation (doubled from 2019). So what can we do??  A wise woman (Tracy McCoy of The Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine) once told me, "When you fly on a plane, the flight attendant gives a safety demonstration, and tells you that you must put on your oxygen mask first before helping those around you... because you are no use to anyone until you helped yourself first." So before you help others, you need to evaluate where you are, mentally and emotionally.  There's often a stigma attached to mental health- if you need a therapist, then obviously, you are batshit crazy! This can't be further from the truth, and as an advocate for therapy, I can personally attest to the strength and clarity I get from each session. Not only does my therapist offer me clarity, but she is my unbiased sounding board and suggests a new perspective that often speaks a truth into my life. But finding a therapist can be difficult in these isolating times, so I am linking two local mental health services in the Rabun Area.  Georgia Mountain Psychological Associates and The Family Art Therapy Center  If you live in the state of Georgia, you can click here for the Georgia Crisis and Access line for any mental health emergencies.  If you know anyone who is suffering with depression, suicidal thoughts, or just going through a rough time, but they're not ready for a therapy session, you can click here for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call  1-800-273-8255.  Make 2021 your best year by taking care of yourself and your mental health! 

Here at Cage-Free, we are in the business of building up women and encouraging  each other to accomplish our goals! In that mind set, we are going to start sharing our fellow woman-lead businesses! Our first business lady is Nicole Kelley of Little Bee Bodyworks.   She's a local to Rabun County, and on top of creating her organic body care line, she and her husband, Scott Low, run Hatch Camp & Art Farm on Warwoman. She's a supermom to her two kids, Winnie and Hank, and to her step-son, Avi. Also, Nicole has done some modeling for us... and we think she's just the bee's knees!! Plus she's a supporter of Cage-Free (note: all her outfits pictured here are from Cage-Free).   Here's her story....  In 2014, I was 29 and living in my parents basement when I started Little Bee Bodyworks. My (now) husband and I had broken up, and I decided to stop drinking. I think it really started as a hobby; just something to fill my time. The more I learned about essential oils and beauty products, the more intrigued I became. Infusing oils with herbs I grow in my garden is a dream come true. Knowing the soaps and balms I make are clean give me a piece of mind. It wasn't until 2019 that I took the plunge and made LBBC my full time job. Pregnant with our second child, I knew I wanted to be home and be creating; making something that I could call all my own. It was so terrifying to leave a safe job with a steady paycheck and co-workers I called family. Today, I'm sitting here in my basement workshop, and I can hear my little girl upstairs talking. My website is nearly sold out from the holidays, and my heart is bursting with gratitude. I hope to be an inspiration to other women who want to "go their own way" (Stevie Nicks). I hope that if you have a dream, you have the courage to break out of your routine and make something that just sets your soul on fire. I am a Mama, I am a boss, I am a friend. Please continue to support small businesses, women owned, minority owned. Lift up others everyday, because we are all here doing our best. If you would like to check out the Little Bee Bodyworks Line, click this link to go to her Etsy page, and this link to go to her webpage. Support your fellow woman business owner by shopping local and buying local.