Day 18 Holiday Challenge

Day 18 Holiday Challenge

 

One of the most important products you should wear is MOISITURIZER. Every day and every night, after cleansing your face (with a proper cleanser, of course, NOT bath soap) you should apply moisturizer to your face and neck…I also include the back of my hands in this process. (I’ve seen lots of aging hands on women and decided a long time ago to start moisturizing mine…you might want to also.)

I digress. You can certainly use the same moisturizer A.M and P.M.  but you might want something a bit heavier at bedtime. Your skin does its most repair work when you sleep so a little extra moisture is a good thing at night. Your daytime lotion should have sunscreen in it so you block those ultraviolet rays that do damage to your skin.

When should you begin to wear a moisturizer? At as early an age as possible, oil-free products are best for young women.  I recently attended the Southern Women’s Show and spoke to the Lead Dermatologist from Eucerin. She was telling me that most women don’t realize how important a moisturizer is and really, it’s not the brand that matters, it’s the actual act of using one. Eucerin is about $7 a bottle…so I asked her if a $7 bottle really worked. She told me it does but that when you are of a certain age (ahem, I think she might have been referring to my being over 50) that it’s also important to add alpha hydroxy products to the mix. 

So for today, check your lotions and potions. Are you FAITHFULLY wearing moisturizer every day and night? If not, you MUST begin today. If you don’t mind commenting below, I’d love to hear what you use, how much it costs (if you care to share that), where you buy it and how long you’ve been using it. This will certainly help our other readers.  

P.S. If you were one of the first 100 women from my newsletter who were able to sign up for the FREE Webinar on Holiday Makeup Tips, tonight’s the night! 7pm Central (8pm Eastern). See you then!!! It’s gonna be a good one!

Happy Moisturizing,

Shari

Day 18 Challenge: Frumpy to Fabulous!

Day 18 Challenge

Part A: Based on your Clothing Personality and what you’ve decided it’s going to be (Pure Natural, Classic Modern, Creative Original or Style Fashionista), look at your wardrobe.

Does it reflect your style?

Typically, the bottoms in your wardrobe can be basic pieces that may go with any Clothing Personality. Your tops and jackets, however, can reflect your style. Here’s some examples of jacket and top styles for each personality:

Pure Natural: Cotton Sweater, Linen Blouse

Classic Modern: Blazer, Classic Blouse, Polo

Creative Original: Lace or Crochet Shrug, Floral flowy top

Style Fashionista: Long length jacket, Sleeveless Tunic

These are just some examples but when you look for tops you may have on your S.H.O.P. list then look for something unique to your style. Please know that basic pieces are fine for the most part, but direct your mind to looking for something unique when you are out instead of just settling for what you usually buy.

Part B: ACCESSORIES! This is where your Clothing Style will come to LIFE. I don’t care what you already have, you MUST purchase some new accessories to bring any wardrobe up to date. It is the easiest and most inexpensive way to dress up any outfit.

Add to you S.H.O.P. list the following:

• 2-3 pair of earrings
• 2-3 neclaces
• 2-3 bracelets
• 1 ring

These do NOT have to cost you a lot of money. I just picked up a darling flashy ring at Payless that I plan to wear with most everything this season. It was ten bucks. And sooo cute! And they are having BoGo right now!

Also, instead of buying basic gold or silver for your new accessories, choose some in colors you are going to be wearing this season. I found a great pair of coral and yellow beaded hanging earrings for  $5 at Dots which is kind of like Cato’s. Kohl’s always has great sales and Target has beautiful jewelry (but can be pricey for their better stuff.) If you have a Charming Charlies or something like that near you then I recommend going to somewhere like that. Everything is arranged by color and it’s very easy to shop there.

PLEASE know that you CANNOT be FABULOUS without accessories. Remember, you are NOT frumpy anymore….but FABULOUS! Even if you are a Pure Natural, you need accessories so no wigging out on me here, okay?

Part C: Go thru your accessories and do the same with them as you did your clothes….Toss, Donate, Mend. Follow suit with your belts as well. Get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a really long time or is out of style.

Update, Update, Update with NEW accessories!

Vote for Susie Mag today!

Dial 383838 and text 4959

Shari

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.

*

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.

*

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?

*

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!

*

Happy shopping to you all!

*

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

MONDAY MAKEOVER: Jacque Spott!

I am thrilled to bring to you JACQUE SPOTT...our Monday Makeover Model!

For those of you who are new here, each Monday we feature a woman who has read Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad and she shares her makeover story! You could be one of them!

Before we get started, I want to say a BIG, HUGE thank you to those of you who responded to me about being a featured model! Because of your willingness to do so, I've got a line up for the whole month of February!!!!! So girls, if you were NOT one of those gals, then you've got another month to get it together and be featured in March! Here we go! The following is from Jacque, in her own words:

Hi, I'm Jacque!

Here are my BEFORE pics first:

Definetly BEFORE.  Too much white too close to my face!

Ahhhh...bad hair color, bad clothes, purse doesn't even come close to matching.

After I read the book these things were donated to my local thrift store!

BEFORE for sure: This black skirt was a staple. At least it was away from my face!?! After I read the book both items left my closet. The cuffs of the shirt were pretty worn upon closer inspection.

Now for some AFTER pics!!!!

After:  I bought this color before I had my color swatches in hand. 

 But I think I did an okay job. And isn't my husband a hottie???

 

 

AFTER!!! No more black!  

Brown and red, I've discovered, are both my colors!

So here's my story!

 I am a Mostly - SAHM. I clean homes for elderly people here in my town and volunteer one day a week at a local Thrift and Gift. This allows me to have a little "pin" money of my own and still be flexible enough to be home when I need to be.

I recently started blogging and have found it to be a great creative outlet for me. I've been married to my husband for 18 years and we have two beautiful, incredible daughters age 13 and 15.

I loved!!! Shari's book!!!

 I bought it for at least 6 of my favorite girlfriends for Christmas!

And so my story begins, about 3 years ago I lost 35 pounds, so my transformation started about that time.

I went from a size 14 to a size 6/8!

Both of my girls were in school then and I was a SAHM without a day job!

 I had to find myself again. Boy, had I left myself go. Overweight, out of shape, bad clothes. You name it.

FIRST, I decided to update my wardrobe.

I found that the nicer I looked the better I felt about myself.

Then I decided that while I ate pretty healthy I needed to let some of the sugar go. Okay, a lot of the sugar go and I really had to start exercising.

Initially I started out just to get healthy. But then this amazing thing happened. One day in the dressing room of a store I discovered that I could wear a size smaller!

That was an amazing day for me.

 I had been the stereotypical Mom, too busy worrying about the family to remember just who she was. I'd forgotten my love of pearls, pretty heels, and perfume. Everyday was just about getting my kids cared for.

Sunday morning, which is really my only excuse (still) to dress up I just had to make sure the family looked good and we all made it out the door. Pretty sad, but true.

 I reverted to orthopedic shoes (you can easily chase a toddler in those) and wash and wear clothes. My purse and jewelry was multi-purpose. I never changed because I didn't have the time or energy to - Or so I told myself.

 Your book seems to be the latest piece in this puzzle of ME!

I want my girls to grow up and be real ladies.

How can they do that if I don't model it? This book has been a fabulous addition to my motherhood journey.

Together and with the book open we have poured through all our make-up to see if we were wearing the right shades.

We've measured our faces too many times to count!

We finally gave up and took the book along to the hairdresser to have him check it out!

I'm a square by the way, which is what I thought myself. Still coming to terms with that square doesn't sound nearly as pretty as heart shape or oval.

We have hauled it along on shopping trips and to Gramas! (We loved it so much we gifted each G-ma with one too)!

 "Where's "the book" ?", has been a common question around our house!

This book was an excellent reference and guide to just make sure I was on the right track.

A great friend commented that she really liked the part about (loosely quoted) "loving this body God gave us just the way it is right now".

I'd have to agree.

There are still days when I feel fat and just because you lose weight you still have the same body shape issues but I know that

 I'm beautiful in His eyes.

 Not only that but your book helped me to address those shape issues and find clothes that work for me! It's really not about the weight anyway because he would love me at 200 pounds.

It's an amazing thing to be fearfully and wonderfully made!

The woman I saw in the mirror before the book is not a lot different than the one I see now.

Spiritually it was refreshing to have you say it's okay to do something for me. I'm a first born and by birth order I have a really hard time doing for me! So that's still stretching me, but I'm a work in progress after all.

My favorite chapters were...all of them really, but I loved that you told us where to shop for jeans. I loved the color chapter and finding my style chapter.

I think I'm somewhere between a pure natural and classic modern! I run a house cleaning business so I usually wear -gasp - workout pants and a long sleeve t-shirt to work in. It just makes sense for me! That is definitely something I've come away with. Whatever you're wearing, wear it well!

It just doesn't make any sense for me to scrub someone's floor in a fabulous suit but I certainly wouldn't go out to dinner in my workout wear! And by the same token I don't want to show up at a client's home in scruffy worn out sweats even if I am the cleaning lady!

As far as practically how I started this change, well, after reading the book cover to cover I emptied my closet and donated anything that wasn't in my color group.

Overall I found I had been doing pretty well. But the black was definitely out.

 My first purchase in my colors was a new winter coat. I had a black one and it was just too much black for me.

No wonder I looked so tired all winter long!

My new coat is a beautiful camel color that I wear with brown gloves!

Next was a visit to my hair dresser.

I always put my own hair off much too long! You're right! I really have to keep my cut up to date. I've been doing much better at that and find that a lot of my hair issues were really just a cut that I left go too long.

In conclusion, I'd recommend your book...in fact I have...to EVERYONE!

What a fabulous find.

This stays within easy reach to answer any fashion question that pops into my head! Thanks Shari!

You can check out my blog HERE!

In honor of being a Monday Makeover feature I'll be giving away a home made dishtowel and a bottle of dish soap for all those nasty dirty dishes we women have to do, to one lucky winner who leaves a comment over at my blog on my featured day! Can't wait to see what the ladies have to say!

 

THANK YOU, Jacque for your beautiful story!!!!! Thank you for sharing and for stepping out and being bold and honest before us about your makeover. Do you love it, girls? Show her some love!!!!! And don't forget to pop over to her blog, too, so you can win her giveaway!

Love you girls...and love you, Jacque!!!!

Shari

Author of Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad!

MONDAY MAKEOVER: Brenda Breckbill!

 Happy Monday Makeover Day!!!!! I have heard from sooooo many readers thru emails and comments that you are absolutely LOVING Monday Makeover! I'm soooooo glad you do and that I listened to you...because it was YOUR idea that I do this, remember? 

Anyway, for those of you who are new to this blog or feature on this blog, Monday is the day we get to meet someone who has read my book Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad and find out how it affected her. The reader answers some questions and also lets us see some before and after pics of her. Before pictures of what she looked like BEFORE she read the book, and AFTER pics of her showing us what she looks like now!

This week I am excited to introduce you to BRENDA BRECKBILL.

Brenda is a stay at home mom and has an infant daughter and a toddler son. She's been married for 9 years to a wonderful, patient man! They reside in a small town in Pennsylania and she enjoys reading, sewing (often done for Christmas gifts), scrapbooking, baking (although she says now it's not as much fun because she doesn't eat it!) and her newfound hobby of shopping! (I think that's thanks to me! LOL!)

Let's take a look at 2 BEFORE pics of Brenda:

Now let's take a look at some AFTER pics of her:

Describe the woman you saw in the mirror before you read this book.

I saw a frumpy, extremely fluffy young woman who could look better, but didn’t know how to nor had the motivation to do all the work required for it.

 Inquiring minds want to know all about you! Give details!

I am a practical and frugal lady, so spending time and money on my appearance just didn’t fit with my values at that time. Also, I am soon 33 years old and am 5’3” tall. I always dealt with being overweight, but put on a lot of weight after the birth of each child. I am currently a size 18.

Also, I am a SOFT.

 Did this book affect you spiritually? If so, how?

I read the book “Captivating” several years ago, and the prelude to this book is similar to what “Captivating” covers. That was a great reminder about how women reflect God’s beauty—we’re made in His image. I also had been thinking I really needed to lose weight because my kids would most likely end up overweight or obese if their mother was. Even if they didn’t, I didn’t want them to be embarrassed about me when they started school. However, I didn’t think I could ever lose the weight because I lacked the self-control. I loved food and used it to soothe myself emotionally when I was frustrated or upset. When I read the beginning of “Good Girls Don’t Have To Dress Bad” and saw that my body is not my own but a temple of the Holy Spirit as well as belonging to God, I was convicted. I knew this in my head, but the book drove the point directly to my heart. He created me to convey his glory. The weight I was carrying around and my attitude and behavior toward food did not align with that! I knew there was no other option. In order to please God, I had to get my food attitude and choices in line. I needed my body to be healthy and honor Him with it. That was a month ago (at the writing of this), and I’ve lost 13 pounds. I am not looking to be thin. My goal is to be the healthy weight I was when I first got married. I’d love to fit into a size 12 again! I’m so grateful that God used this book to get me where He wanted me.

 What was your favorite chapter and why?

I love the whole book because it was exactly what I needed. I knew very little about fashion and how to put things together. I’d look in my closet and dread dressing for church because I felt I didn’t have anything to wear that looked great. Each chapter was so important in giving me an overall beautiful look. I can’t believe the transformation in me. My husband says that people are soon going to start commenting that he married out of his league.  Obviously the hints and helps in the book worked at transforming me! I love to get dressed each day now! It’s such fun and there are so many options! I really enjoy having jeans that fit! I am a “d” body type, and so I loved that I could go to 2 stores, pick out exactly the brand and size that would fit me and be done with it. I always dreaded jean shopping before!

 What practical steps did you take to give yourself this makeover?

I first ordered color swatches and got a haircut. (I was too frugal to pay for a hairstylist, so for years my husband used to trim my hair.) I used my much forgotten nail polish, weeded out the clothes that didn’t fit into my correct coloring or body type, wrote out a shopping list for the things I needed according to the book, and started sale shopping!

I didn’t realize how fun it all would be.

 What was the biggest challenge for you during this process?

 I wasn’t sure I wanted to do a skin care regimen (that Mary Kay Miracle Set stuff isn’t cheap and it takes time!), but decided I might as well do it and do things right. My husband and I both think my skin look so much younger after just a month of use. It doesn’t seem like a chore now. I actually kind of enjoy it because it’s a way to pamper myself; I guess it makes me feel special.

 What did you determine your clothing style is and do you like knowing this?

I love the classic modern look, and so that’s what I’m buying clothes to look like. I do like to know this because it helps me further narrow my search results when shopping.

 What was the most memorable or transforming part of all of this?

 Knowing how to shop is amazing! It makes life so much easier and shopping so much fun! I know what I need and what I’m looking for, and so I’m shopping with purpose!

 Who do you see in the mirror now?

I see a beautiful lady who radiates God’s glory and who now walks with confidence.

 Any final words for us?

Enjoy the moment of dressing, putting on makeup and doing your skin care regimen. It does take time, but the results can be so dramatic and you might as well enjoy how beautiful you look!

 Why do you recommend this book to others and what benefit does it have for someone who reads it?

This book is so amazing for anybody!

Even those who think they know about fashion could learn something further from it, I’m sure. Shari did all the research for us!

Why not take advantage of that knowledge?

Oh Brenda, thank you so much!!!!!!!! We had a wonderful time getting to know you and I'm thrilled to tell our readers that Brenda is giving away something special today! She is giving away a hand-made crocheted dish cloth! I would love to have one, how about you?

Gals, let Brenda know how amazing she looks and pour on the love!

And for last week's winner of the Microdermabrasion, I'll announce it on Wednesday's blog after Mary picks the winners today!

Love you girls!!

Pray for me...while you're reading this, I'm at Jury Duty! I told my husband I just might lead a fashion workshop for the other jurors to pass the time away...he thought I lost my mind...LOL!

Love ya,

Shari

http://www.fashionmeetsfaith.com/

Remember you might have to scroll down ALOT to reach the comment form...hey, Katy-Anne..I tried your tip so let's see if it works!!!!

Smile!

MONDAY MAKEOVER: Tabitha Dumas!

I't's Monday Morning Makeover Day!

I'm thrilled to introduce you to our beautiful Makeover Model this week:

Tabitha Dumas

Every Monday a woman who has read

Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad

shares her story of the effect the book had on her and the changes she made because of it. Ready? Here we go!

Let me tell you about Tabitha. She describes herself as a Southern Belle turned Cactus Hugger because she spent the first 20 years of her life in Florida and the last 13 in Arizona. She's been married to the true love of her life for 8 years and they've got two boys who will soon be 5 and 18 months old. She and her husband just down-sized to a home in south Phoenix so they could re-prioritize their lives, spend more time on their own individual spiritual development and get on their feet financially. She said they are LOVING the slower pace! Here's Tabitha:

1. Describe the woman you saw in the mirror before you read this book.

I saw a typical stay-at-home mom who had defaulted to wearing T-shirts and shorts, who had just lost weight but didn't know how to dress her new shape and who wanted to look as good as she felt on the inside.

2.  Inquiring minds want to know all about you! Give details!

 I am almost 33, I love to write, blog, craft and throw parties. I have an Etsy shop, I'm a rep for "Blessings Unlimited" and I'm in the process of launching a business to help female small business owners with their writing and social media needs.  

3.  Did this book affect you spiritually? If so, how?

 I realized that I have always liked to feel pretty and dress up and God made me that way so why deny my desire to look great??

4. What was your favorite chapter and why?

I can't pick just one!  

5. What practical steps did you take to give yourself this makeover?

The first thing I did was made an appointment with a new hair dresser. I followed Shari's recommendation and got a chin-length bob and left my hair color natural. I loved the results and have already gotten tons of compliments! With having just moved, when I rearranged my closet, I purged a lot of clothing that didn't work, didn't make me feel good or that wasn't in my best colors. I also had the opportunity to go shopping with my mom and was able to buy two pairs of amazing jeans plus a few new tops, all in colors and shapes that flatter me. Shopping is so much easier now!!

6. What was the biggest challenge for you during this process?

My big challenge is taking good care of myself like getting regular haircuts, keeping up my pedicure and spending a few bucks on an item I need. I'm always tempted to spend time and money on my family instead but when I invest in myself, everyone benefits!

7. What did you determine your clothing style is and do you like knowing this?

I'm a Pure Natural because I do gravitate toward cotton and linen fabrics and flowy clothes, but I do like to add a little bling or a little creative "pop." Knowing this will definitely help me keep my shopping focus and make my wardrobe more workable and less stressful.

8. What was the most memorable or transforming part of all of this?

Remembering how good I felt as an 18-year-old and being able to re-capture that by finding shapes, colors and styles that fit me well.

9. Who do you see in the mirror now?

A lovely woman who carries herself with pride and who obviously takes good care of herself.

10. Any final words for us?

I love this book so much that I'm going to give it to all of the women on my Christmas gift list! I know any woman, regardless of size, ethnicity or budget, can benefit from this book.
For the extra-special women on my list, I'm going to wrap it up in a scarf in their POP color!

11. Why do you recommend this book to others and what benefit does it have for someone who reads it?

 My mom and I have both devoured this book! I think all women want to look and feel great and the book really helps with that by helping us know what looks best on us. We can shop and dress with confidence and take the worry out of getting dressed. I even blogged about Shari's book last week so if you want to hop on over you can read about it there! I'd love you to visit!

*

Wow! Thanks, Tabitha! We LOVE all your pictures and think you look like a movie star! Hey, wait, maybe you are!!!!!

Tabitha has a beautiful Etsy Shop and is gifting one of you with a beautiful animal print chifon fabric flower just for reading this post. I want to encourage each of you to post a comment giving some love to our very fabulous Tabitha! And you are going to LOVE the etsy pin...she sent me one for my birthday and I immediately pinned in on my blouse and wore it...it is beautiful...just like her! So post a comment and we'll pick a winner next Monday!

Speaking of winners, our first Monday Makeover Winner for the beautiful scarf in YOUR beautiful colors is:

Elaine Davis! Hey Elaine, make sure you email me a pic so I can see what your best colors are...then I'll go shopping for you!

Okay gals....give some love to Tabitha and win a leopard pin!

Love you girls...isn't this fun?
I'm loving it!

love, Shari

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, need your blog link if you want me to link to you. Blog link to the post about the book: http://proudgrits.blogspot.com/2010/10/fashion-love-it-or-hate-it-i-have-book.html

Etsy shop, if you want to provide it: www.proudgrits11.etsy.com