Candid Keepers #338

Introducing:  Angie McLaughlin

Wesley Chapel, FL

Special place to her heart:

Hometown of Ontario, Canada

Q: Hey Angie, you know the drill. Tell us your basic info.

A: Ok, Here goes, my name is Angie McLaughlin and I am MJC Trunk Keeper #338 in Wesley Chapel, FL. I live here with my hubby and two beautiful kiddos, Rory and Sadie. We also have the cutest ever 12 year old dog named Flossie (I stole her name from Drew Barrymore). My husband is a Senior Chief in the US Navy and we are a proud military family. We have had several different postings and made wonderful friends along the way. I am Canadian, and all of my family lives in the “Great White North” (except for my Dad and his wife who join us here close by for the Florida Sunshine every winter) I enjoy painting, and used to have my own business painting furniture, children’s name blocks, and house numbers among other things. I spend my spare time with family and friends, cooking, entertaining, travelling, and giggling as much as I can.

Q: I was lucky enough to meet you in Florida a few weeks ago. What a FUN weekend!! What was your favorite part about spending the weekend with your fellow teammates?

A: Ahhh, Thanks Jami, it was a pleasure to meet you too.
Well, ROSEMARY BEACH, for one. What an amazing place to spend the weekend with my team. I always feel like I’m in a movie set when I am there. GOOD HART is so beautiful! To have had first glance at it and to feel the softness of the fabrics, and to have had the chance to hear Denise’s and Sam’s inspiration for the collection was icing on the cake! AND It really was all “GOOD HART”. While we were there, and all together, we raised over $2000 for Chelsa through a walk-a-thon and a silent auction.

Q: How many kiddos do you have? Give us a little glimpse into who they are.

A: I love being a Mom! Rory is 9, loves playing baseball, video games, enjoys golf and attends a Montessori School, in 4th grade. He wants to be a professional baseball player when he grows up. Sadie is 5, attends a wonderful Preschool and loves gymnastics, ballet, tap and of course twirling in her favorite MJC’s! She would like to be a teacher when she grows up; probably a testament to the wonderful teachers she has already had. My children fight like cats and dogs, and yet at the end of the day, are the best of friends. They really do have “good harts”, and fill my heart with happiness every day! (Sorry if that’s too cheesy, but its true.)

Q: How long have you been with Matilda Jane and when did you know you wanted to be a Trunk Keeper?

A: I am in my 3rd season as a TK, and I’ll never forget my first MJC experience. My good friend Amanda, invited me to a Trunk show, about 5 years ago, for the launch of Gypsy Blue, and I had never heard of Matilda Jane Clothing before. When I walked into her home, I fell Head-over-heals-in-love with everything about it! I placed my order, booked a Trunk Show, and hugged the TK (Beth Fallon) a million times! From that point on, my girlfriends and I shared hosting Trunk shows for every release and we each got to have our chance at the awesome Jane benefits. I applied through the MJC website and began emailing Lynette and had each of my TK’s (at the time, Stacy Gutterman and then Traci Farina – Thanks Ladies!) put in a good word for me. Now, a year and a half later, I am thrilled to call myself a Trunk Keeper and am loving every minute of it! Through Matilda Jane, I have met some wonderful people, made great friends and have a growing list of the most wonderful clients I could ask for. Thank you MJC!

Q: What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?

A: A good glass of wine at the end of a long day!

Q: What special talent do you wish you possessed?

A: I think that those who possess patience are very talented! I guess I wish I was a little more talented in that area.

Q: Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

A: I can’t narrow it down to just one. I am blessed to have 3 very positive role models in my life. My Mom, and my husband’s 2 grandmothers. They all possess strength, grace and a strong sense of family. They also each have their very own wonderful sense of humor!

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would that be and where would you go?

A: I would grab my hubby, jump on a plane and fly to Provence, in the South of France and have a romantic pic nic in a lavender field with a crusty French baguette, some delicious local cheese, and some yummy red wine! YES PLEASE!

Q: What is your favorite time of day and why?

A: I sort of LOVE getting up before the sun comes up, while everybody is still sound asleep. I make coffee and have time just for ME.

Q: What is your favorite family tradition?

A: I love that we try to cook a nice meal every night and eat together at the table. Sometimes it becomes difficult with our busy schedules, but we make it a priority to have that family time together almost every day.

Q: Which TV family is most like your own?

A: I grew up watching the Huxtables in the 80’s and loved the humor, the lessons and morals, as well as the strong sense of family they brought to the show. I hope I am able to instill all of those qualities in my children.

Q: Are you a country mouse or city mouse?

A: I have lived both in the country and the city and have loved both. I guess now I’m a suburb mouse. HA!

Q: Good Hart is such a special place to Denise. What town holds a special place in your heart?

A: Definitely my home town, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I have so many people there near and dear to my heart. As soon as I cross the border into Canada, a feeling of “being home” comes over me. The first thing I do is get a Tim Horton’s coffee, and then settle into spending as much time as I can reconnecting with family and old friends.