What to Wear Wednesday: Leggings!

I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan sitting in my hotel room as I write this post. Patti and I arrived at the airport at 5:30am yesterday to hit the road till Sunday and we're already having so much fun.

We're here at Zondervan as I'm speaking at their employees half day women's retreat first thing this morning and then we get to tour the Zondervan offices followed up by some meetings with publicity and marketing for my book that comes out next summer and then off to dinner and shopping with some of them.

Yesterday we spent the day shopping, too! Boy, I sure get to do a lot of that. Zondervan had a makeover contest so I got to help the winner pick out some new clothes and shoes...tough job I have, eh?

Anyway, as we were searching thru all the stores it is hard to miss that LEGGINGS are the talk of the town.

I remember when leggings were so popular I had them in most every color. I wore them with everything and probably even with things I shouldn't have! But I wore them...alot.

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So what is it about leggings that makes them so appealing? Well, for one, they suck in all your cellulite. They also keep you warm, dog gone it! But who should wear them? Really now.

Before we get into that let's not forget about tights cause they're everywhere, too. The difference between the two is that leggings have full foot coverage and leggings hit above your ankles. I saw both kinds everywhere today but the most popular are tights.

Leggings are meant to be worn with something loose and long on top. They come in all colors but mostly I saw black, brown and denim. For the life of me, I can't think of the name of the store where I saw them. It is in every mall and it caters to young girls. It's an accessory store and by the time I finish this sentence the name will probably come to me. I hate that when that happens. Okay, it didn't come to me. Oh dear, it just did...Claire's. I saw them at Claires for $18 and they're calling their denim leggings "jeggings". I guess that is jeans and leggings put together? Hmmm. Anyway, they're cute. For your daughters.

Most every department store has them including Dillards. Here they are in zebra print!

I'm more of a cheetah print girl myself so I just had to show you these. Fun and fab!

Both of those leggings are $19.

Now here's the thing about leggings. Yes, they are cute. Yes, they are trendy. Yes, they look adorable under a short dress. And oh yes, you will find them in the Junior department.

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Okay, I KNOW they're also in some of the other departments, but this is a trend I'd recommend you leave to the girls under 40. They also look best on thin girls.

Stick to tights.

Tights give the same kind of effect but without the "I want to be fashionable but not sure if these work for me" look. There's just something about wearing an item of clothing that I wore 20 years ago....seriously, that's when I wore them. Probably if you can remember wearing them, it's not such a good idea to wear them now...does that make sense? That rule might not apply to all things that make a comeback, but I have been looking around at all the women who are wearing these and if my opinion counts for anything, I'd recommend you stick with tights and leave the leggings for the younger generation.

If you insist on wearing them, just don't tell me. Sometimes it's better to be in the dark about some things, including your friends who wear certain items that you'd suggest they don't wear,

ya know?

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As for tights, if you want to buy only one pair this season, try these.

Now this is what I call versatile! They are reversible, chickadees! You can wear black one day, and brown the next! Or you can buy the pair that has charcoal on one side and black on the other. And still yet, you can get a navy/black pair. The best part? They have a shaper built in them...glory be!

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Happy shopping to you all!

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Would love your opinion on what you think of my take on leggings...

Love you much and Beauiful Blessings,

Shari

Inspiring girls and women to embrace their self-worth by connecting fashion and faith

What to Wear Wednesday: BOOTS!

Each week I'm bringing you news about a fashion item you might want to have in your wardrobe. Because we are busy women, I know it's important not to give you the frivilous stuff, but the items you and I will wear on a regular basis, maybe even every day.

So this week I bring you BOOTS!

Boots go with just about everything. Paired with jeans, skirts or trouser slacks, boots will go a mile and look every bit as wonderful in the evening as they do in the daytime and on the weekends as during the work week.

If you are only going to purchase one pair, there is a basic rule you should follow.

Buy your boots in a color that is closest to your hair color...yep, that's really what I said! This way, no matter what you are wearing, you will get that "put-together" head-to-toe look.

You see, you can wear all green clothes, and with your black hair and black boots, you'll be coordinated! With your blonde hair and taupe boots (no silly, I don't want you wearing white boots!), you've got a polished look. Medium brunette, medium brown boots. Red head? Go for a coppery brown or rust. Dark brunette, go for chocolate. Gray, White, Silver or Salt and Pepper? Go for Black since you most likely have a little pepper going through your hair or opt for cool gray to finish off your outfits.

Now that we've got that covered, what should your boots look like for fall?

Well, first of all, the over-the-knee kind are super trendy and hot!

I found some that you might like to check out...

* Here's a flat suede pair by Chinese Laundry I found at Nordstrom that can be worn either over the knee or folded over for a cool slouched look. They only come in black though and are about 100 bucks.

*Here's a faux suede pair that cost way less money...$39.99! They come in three colors, cognac, black and gray. The cognac would be great for blondes or light brunettes. I found these at Charlotte Russe. They have a slouchy look to them and I love them!

If you don't want your boots to go over-the-knee, then try one of the following recommendations. They have the same effect as the above mentioned boots, but stop under your knees instead of over them.

*This is the Marley style from Payless, on sale for $26.99. They come in black and brown and even come in extended calf sizes to provide extra width.

*Here's a nifty pair from Rack Room shoes that come in brown only. They are called Brandelina and might be just what you want if you require your boots to have a little bit of a heel. They also are nice on your pocketbook coming it at just under 40 bucks.

You into the cowgirl look? Then this is the season for you, girl! Western wear is begging to be worn so make sure you check out some of these babies!

*Rack Room...Brown...$45

*DSW Shoes...Coconut Nelson Cowboy boots...very authentic...leather...run half size big...beautiful boots...$139...gray, brown and black.

Cavender's is the place to shop if you want exotic boots and don't mind a hefty price. Just for fun, check these out...I couldn't pick just one pair, so I'm sending you here.

Rain or Snow comin' your way? These all weather proof boots are just the thing you'll want to get your kids smiling! They will have everyone else complimenting you...with big grins on their faces...take a look. Again, I couldn't pick just one.

Boots should be representative of YOU, and your wonderful personality. Make sure to walk around in them for a bit in the store to make sure they're comfy or if buying on-line, then wear them in your house on carpet to make sure they feel good.

When wearing your boots with a skirt, then wear some fancy tights, like the patterned kind or textured ones.

So let me ask you...if you are going to purchase ONE pair of boots this season, what is your pick and what color will they be? And of course, what color HAIR do you have?

Love ya much,

Shari

If you haven't done so already, make sure you go here to sign up for my free E-Fashion Newsletter...first issue in October!

What to Wear Wednesday

I don't know about you but one of my favorite pieces of clothing are my

JEANS!

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Today I want to tell you about several different kinds of jeans that cost under $50!

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I don't want you to think that the best jeans are expensive jeans.

It's simply not true.

So here ya go, some inexpensive options that will be staples in your fall wardrobe.

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Here's a pair that have become my favorites this season. I have worn them and worn them until they actually may be standing in my closet right now without a hanger! If you like a skinny jean, then you may want to order right now from Old Navy because they're on sale for $12.99 on-line...no kidding. I have them in the darkest blue wash called RINSE, but they come in Authentic blue and Slate Gray, too. They are available in long, average and short lenghths as well. They have a really good selection of sizes right now, too, except in the slate gray color which they only have a few of. If you have a straighter body type, with not much booty, then this skinny jean is for you. If you'd rather a jean that's not so skinny, but still has a straight leg AND you want a distressed look which is so in this season, then try this Diva Style from Old Navy. The cost is $34.50.

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If you are a fuller figured gal, you absoluely MUST try Right Fit jeans from Catherine's, Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug. These jeans run about $25 and they have 3 different fits.

If you're moderately curvy, try the Yellow Fit, if you are very curvy, you'll want the Blue Fit and if you are straight then you'll want to try the Red Fit. Trust me, if you have not found a pair to fit your fuller bod, then girlfriend these are for YOU. All three of those stores carry them, so find a location close to you and try a pair on.

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My final pick today is Riders by Lee.

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You'll find these at Walmart and KMart and are Stacy London from the What Not To Wear tv show is their spokesperson. These jeans are under 30 bucks and no matter your size or shape, you will find a pair to fit you. They have a slimming panel inside the tummy and will make you look slammin' skinny!

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You'll want to own a couple pair of jeans because they are a staple in any woman's wardrobe.

You can dress jeans up or down depending on your outing and mood.

Remember: the darker the wash, the thinner you'll look. But it's fun to have a distressed look this season, too, if you want to be a bit more trendy.

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If you want to sign up for my free quarterly fashion e-newsletter, please pop over to my website and do that. The first newsletter will be going out in October.

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Beautiful Blessings!

Shari

*Winners from yesterday:

Michelle from My Journey to Hope

Kim

Nancy J.Locke

Please e-mail me with your address so I can send your workbook!

Shari-P31@earthlink.net

Got Prayer?

If you happened over here because of the Proverbs 31 devo today,

a warm welcome to you!

I am the fashion and beauty go-to girl on the P31 team

and I hope you'll let me be your fashion go-to girl, too.

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Each week this fall I am writing a post called

What to Wear Wednesday

It's about what's in, what's hot, what's not and how to dress to honor God at the same time...

with style, of course!

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However, since today is Tuesday, let's talk about this thing we call prayer.

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Do you have a few friends who consistently pray for your specific needs...and you for them?

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As you read in my devotional, I count heavily on the women who commit to praying for me. I'm not ashamed to tell them my struggles, my needs, my desires.

I think it's a rare thing when we can be open with friends and I consider myself blessed to be able to do so.

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What about you? Be super honest with yourself about this. Are you open to sharing your inmost feelings or are you afraid to open up to others? Maybe you're afraid you won't find the time to pray for them, or you might forget to.

I had some of those challenges in the beginning. I wondered why I'd want to spill my junk, and honestly, why bother God with things He already knows?

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When I lived in Miami, Florida I heard this pastor say something so profound. He said this,

Prayer is not to convince God, it is to cooperate with God.

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Even Jesus prayed.

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Luke 3:21 (NIV) And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:

"You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

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Just as God was pleased with His son, how pleased will He be when He finds you, too, on your knees.

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I'd like to challenge you to something today so I'm going to give away a copy of my workbook

"If Clothes Could Talk"

to three gals.

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Here's what I want you to do:

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1. Ask 1-2 friends to commit to praying for you.

2. Tell them you will pray for them to.

3. Give each other 2-3 things that you each need prayer for.

4. Commit to praying for these specific things for 30 days.

5. At the end of 30 days, set up a time for coffee and go over your lists and see how God has answered each of you.

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I think you'll be surprised.

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If you take this challenge, just let me know here and I'll enter you in the drawing.

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I hope you'll check back tomorrow for What To Wear Wednesday AND for the announcement of the three winners!

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Beautiful Blessings!

Shari Braendel

www.ShariBraendel.com

Inspiring girls and women to embrace their self worth by connecting fashion and faith

What to Wear Wednesday

Welcome Fall! Ohhhh, I LOVE this time of year!

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Maybe it's because the colors suit me so well, but, there is just something about this season that has me, well, shoe shopping. Seriously, what's that about?

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What to Wear Wednesday

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Is kicking off today! Each Wednesday I will be bringing you the latest and greatest fashion and beauty ideas of the season. It will be a place for busy women like you to know

how to dress, what to wear, what to buy, and basically, how to be in without letting it all hang out!

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This week I am a guest blogger on my friend Glynnis Whitwer's blog.

On her blog I listed the top 10 fashion and beauty trends for fall and gave a little description of each.

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For today's What to Wear Wednesday advice, let's talk about EMBELLISHED TEES!

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I am excited about these cool t-shirts! No matter how you're feeling, if you put one of them on, you can look dressed up, even if you're not, and you don't have to wonder what jewelry to add with it.

* Here's some I found at JCrew that are called tissue tees.

*Here's a black one with bell sleeves from Macy's you can wear with black jeans or slacks to create a column effect or wear over washed denim for a more casual look.

*Create your own embellished t-shirt look by adding a "bib" necklace like these. Now girls, just don't go dressing like these chicks cause they look a little hoochie-mama-like. This is just to give you the IDEA of what you can do (smile).

*And for my favorite one, I'll bet you creative gals could design this with stuff from Michaels! Unless, of course, you have an extra $264 to spend this week....hmmm, NOT.

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So have at it! Be on the look out for some fancy tees or a do it yourself kit...either way, you'll be stylin' this season! See you next Wednesday!

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Beautiful Blessings,

Shari