Do You See What I See?

I wonder what a mirror would say if it could talk. Like walls, they must see and hear a lot! I think they'd be sad. I think they would wish they could reach out and hug the woman looking back at them. They'd say, "What you are seeing isn't what I am showing you." I think they would be hurt to only see depressed faces looking at them. I think it would be hard for them to know whenever a woman looked at them they felt harsh and cruel. I'm sure the mirror doesn't think the woman is ugly or fat. I think the mirror would be proud to reflect the image they see.

Can you look in the mirror? For how long? Can you look at yourself in the eyes?

I used to have a really hard time looking at myself in the mirror. I didn't like what I saw so I just pretended it wasn't there.

Women compete. I know this may be news to you but we are competitive and cruel. Why? Because we are dealing with our own insecurities. I wonder if we weren't so insecure if we might be a little nicer. Possibly encourage one another?

I grew up hearing, "You're fat. Ugly. Worthless." Its hard to not believe it after so many years and so many voices. Oh I hated that mirror!

Recently, I've changed that. I am not worthless. I am not ugly and I am not fat. I am beautiful. Sure there are things that I am insecure about but I can't change that. (I don't have an airbrush) And even if I did, I wouldn't use it.

How do you really feel about the examples we have? Wouldn't you like to hear something positive? Something perhaps real? "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (psalm 139:14) YOU were wonderfully made!!

Be encouraging to other women! Be an example to the younger generation. They see what we do and will become like us. Now, I realize this is a natural thing that women go through but I know that we can build each other up so that it won't be so hard to look in the mirror and say something nice about yourself.

People don't encourage one another much. I realize it can be awkward for both parties but it means so much. I encourage you to look at yourself in the mirror. Stare. Point out every beautiful feature and stop. Move on and encourage another female.

By the way, YOU are not worthless...YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN (the mirror told me so)

If the Shoe Fits

Ok so fitting wasn't the problem. I was shocked as I was browsing the mall yesterday that this was still a full priced item. But I thought it was a nice shoe and I had time to kill so I'll try it on.

Now this post is purely for laughs. I have two bags on my already big shoulder (full with shoulder pad because I am wearing my big peacoat) since I'm on my way to work. Shoe is on and a little too big. However, the zipper got stuck. So, I'm in the isle playing it all cool like checking out the shoe and all while what people don't know is that I'm panicking because I think I might be stuck with this shoe forever. It was ironic that the shoe was too big yet I couldn't get my foot out of it! Well, now I'm sweating while I battle it out with this gladiator.

People start looking, my bags fall. So, I get down on the floor and try to rework the flap by the zipper. It finally came off. I put it back all cool and collected as if, "nah, I don't love it." I wonder how many people knew that inside my heart was racing and I wanted to cry!

Have you ever had a moment like that? Where you were by yourself and had to act all cool when inside you were wondering how you'd survive the next few moments?

I wanted to laugh out loud but thought I'd start scaring people so I just kept walking...

Super(fab)-Mom!

So, I admit I'm no "super-mom"....

But when it comes to taking care of myself and my family, I do try...both. I just wanted to write a quick Mom post about that. Last night I went to a gala. I wore a very pricey (well, free for me thanks to a friend) skirt. Not to mention stockings that would tear if someone looked at them the wrong way. Hair and makeup- check! Everything was set in place and we were almost on our way out. Then the two year old had a poo.

So, while I look ready for the night out and looking all hip- I wiped that boy's bottom! Don't be deceived by the look in the picture. I am still mom and will do my duties till I'm in that car and driving away.

Don't put off looking and feeling great just because your kids are young and have a dirty bottom. You're still you...hot, fab, you!

You may not be super-mom either....but you can be both mom and fab chic! And your kids will admire that.

Buy or Borrow...ask a friend

I was very lucky to find a job where I love what I do and who I work with. Its funny though, how we all ask each other for fashion advice even though we are all in the business. Everyone needs a second opinion!

I had an event to go to for Faith's school. It was "party attire". So, that means less than cocktail but a little more than just any old party. I knew what would qualify in that category but obviously had to ask the professionals. I am the youngest mom at this school (by a few years too!) and work in fashion. I wanted my outfit to say that without screaming it. I had a seperates picture in my mind. I really wanted a sequin skirt and plain top. But I didn't have one. So, where do I turn to?? Personal shoppers!! Luckily, I have two of them that I am close to and they were ready and willing to share the wealth! I saw a sequin pencil skirt but my friend said it was too old for me. I agreed. Then there was a dress that was perfect for this occassion but it wasn't on sale and it would've been pretty pricey! So, between the two ladies who shared their own clothes, I had 7 things to choose from. Some were too dressy, some were too old, and some were not right for this occasion (Ali's Miami dress....)

But one day Alli got a hold of a return at the store....a gorgeous sequin skirt. She automatically said I could borrow it...actually she said I will borrow it! Now, I absolutely loved all I tried on but this one skirt was destined to be the one for the night.

As part of my love and talent in the industry I have a natural idea of what will work and what won't and once I had the idea of the skirt in mind, I couldn't let it go. It was the perfect combination of young and stylish. It was fun and I felt great in it. It made for a more fun time at the gala.

Don't be afraid to ask for advice....and maybe to borrow something from a friend. There was no way I could afford to buy the only other option in my head. Thank goodness for friends and their fabulous clothes. (and their extreme honesty!!) It doesn't have to cost a lot to look amazing. And you don't have to let go of that image in your head of the perfect outfit.

Thanks to Alli A and Maria. You guys made this such a fun experience!

Is it borrowable?

If I were my friend, would I borrow my stuff?

I looked down at my bracelet today and thought...'I really like that, if it were mine, I'd wear it all the time. Its so not me that its me!' Luckily, it was mine. A friend brought it back from over seas as a gift. Not something I would've picked out but I LOVE it!!

Got me thinking. The other day another friend of mine was reading in a magazine, "Would I be friends with me?" It asked questions like, "Would I meet up for coffee in the rain with me?"

So, when I looked at my stuff I thought, "Would I borrow from me? Is what's in my closet stuff I would borrow if it were my friend's?"

Its fun to borrow things from other people because it switches things up. But what if we thought that way when we purchased? When I see something in the store...do I really like it? If it were in my friend's closet would I want to borrow it?

I looked at my closet and thought, "Eh, I wouldn't borrow this....but I would soooo borrow that!" Its just a fun way to take a spin on what you are constantly buying. I always fall for the silk tanks. I don't know why. They are not flattering on me and I always put it back in the closet after attempting to wear it for the day. (well, night.) So, if my friend owned it, would I want to borrow it? Probably not...and in this case I wouldn't LOVE to borrow it, I would for an occasion that it was necessary for...that's it.

So, then think of your clothes in the way of, if I were my friend would I borrow it? It will either give you a new appreciation for your clothes or you might realize you didn't absolutely need that thing you thought you couldn't live without when at the store.

crossing the line

600,000-800,000.

That's a large amount of anything. Thats approximately how many victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide. *

More than half of that number...are children.*

Does that bother you? It turns my stomach and seems unreal.

According to Slaverymap.com 27 million people live in bondage. Did you know slavery still existed? How about the slavery that is happening right here in Massachusetts?

The other night a couple of friends and I attended a meeting with a safe house in the area. The reports from this area are stunning. Yet, just two days before I was at the mall and saw two young girls on the escalator in front of me. Their "behinds" were literally hanging out of their shorts. Their shirts were skin tight. I thought, 'Do these girls know their worth?' Probably not because they are young and invincible. It screamed easy target. The amount of vulnerable people out there is astonishing. I don't just mean inappropriately clothed girls either. Depressed and lonely, hurt and confused.

At the meeting I thought about these girls and the women I see at the mall everyday. Its in the area...pimps are out there and getting away with too much.

What are we teaching (or not teaching) our girls? Where is the line that is drawn between fashion and lack of respect?

I'm appalled at what kids see and hear these days. I can't even have a nice family dinner at the food court without some sort of inappropriately clothed people having some sort of sex on the tvs. "Uh kids, just look directly at your food and you should be ok..." Its horrible. And the parent that has no problem with what their kids wear....would they feel different knowing their child is a target? What kind of example are we setting? Hmm...

I've done some serious thinking about what true fashion means and where it falls in line with respecting yourself and the others around you. It opened my eyes real wide.

*US department of health and human services

updates

Some of you have been sending me pictures of your outfits. I can't seem to get them from your texts to the computer...so please feel free to post your pictures. I am impressed with your choices. Did you feel better or wish you stayed with the sweats? Let me know your thoughts!! And hopefully we will get to see your pics!