"I went to work at a very young age, just so I could spend every dollar I earned on clothes,” she says. “In high school, I had a walk-in closet, which I finally had to padlock to keep my sister from stealing all of my clothes!” As a teen, she saved all the money she earned as a grocery clerk to travel to Paris to shop.
Today, her fashion passion and her steely work ethic have come together with the opening of her new Lilly Pulitzer signature store, Limeade, in Cherry Creek North. In college, Paige says Ralph Lauren had taken Texas by storm. A few years later, she discovered what would become her signature look: Lilly Pulitzer, the flowery, preppy, East Coast line Jackie Kennedy made famous. “Around the time I met my husband, Ed, in 1993, I bought a cute little Lilly dress and everyone kept saying, ‘Is that Lilly?’ I didn’t even know the history behind it, I just loved the dress. So I started buying more and more, and eight years later, it’s pretty much all I wear.” A year ago, Paige and Ed saw a Lilly Pulitzer store in Dallas and realized there was nothing like it in Denver. She went right to work, meeting with Lilly officials, designing her retail space, flying to Palm Beach, Fla., to pick out the spring line for Limeade. “I think people in Denver have a great sense of style, and definitely a sense of fun, and that’s what Lilly is all about, so I think Limeade will do really well here, I hope!”
Favorite clothing stores: Of course, my store, Limeade. Honestly even if I didn’t own it, it would still be my favorite because I just love Lilly Pulitzer!
Favorite Restaurant: Tamayo
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? I met John Denver once in a restaurant in Sante Fe. He just walked right up to me and said, “I love your jacket” and we started talking. He was so sweet and very down to earth.
Who are your heroes and why? My Mom and Dad, because they have really made it through some tough times. They are both survivors and they persevere, even when things are very difficult, and I really respect that.
Saturdays are likely to find you: Either at Limeade, at my kids’ gymnastic class or at the park.
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner, about you? That I had kids.
What words describe you best? Honest. What you see is what you get; I’m not a phony.
How would you like others to describe you? A straight shooter, honest.
What was your first job? Working at “Corndog on a Stick” in the mall when I was 13.
What word or expression do you use too much? Yummy
If there were one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be? I’d like to have a better vocabulary.
What is your greatest indulgence? Chocolate.
Best gift you ever gave? I bought my best girlfriend a plane ticket to come visit me when she really needed to get away.
What is a favorite childhood memory? Our annual family vacations. I have so many hilarious memories from these, like our car breaking down, and warm memories too, of all of us just being together on an adventure.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband, Ed.
When and where were you the happiest? The blind date when I met my husband.
Which talent would you most like to have? I wish I could sing.
What is your current state of mind? Thrilled, excited and a bit exhausted. Sometimes lately I feel like pinching myself and saying, “Is this really happening?”
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a mom with two kids and having a job and somehow making it work.
What is your most treasured possession? My family.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Going back to work at the corn dog stand.
What is the quality you most like in a man? A sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honesty.
What is the best advice you have ever received? When I was considering moving to Denver to be with Ed, my grandmother told me, “Life is an adventure, and you need to go out and enjoy it. Go for your dreams because if you never take a chance, you’ll never know what could have been.” I followed her advice and am so glad I did! That’s what I did with Limeade too and although it’s kind of scary, it feels great!
Motto - Carpe Diem (Seize the day).
