Merry Christmas 2015

.........Keep it simple!

The Ugliest Christmas Sweater Ever!

Hands down the ugliest Christmas sweater ever, find an old tan tube sock, a couple of squares of different shades of green felt plus white and black felt for the eyes, maroon ribbon, some white feathers and stuffing and make this DIY party award winning sweater!

Celebrate!

Send us a picture of you in your Ugly Christmas Sweater!

The Long and Short of it..........Jazz Festival

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." Yves Saint Laurent

Happy Easter!

Do you have an old Easter photo to add?

Frame the Days in Praise

I am sandwiched between two generations, the one ahead of me seems to go so slow, almost "no go" and the generation I'm ahead of seems frenetic.  I have survived the first half of life. I have established an identity, relationships, friends, community, security and foundation for life, even though it seems to be in a constant state of flux. But now, I find myself paying more attention to the interior of my life rather than it's exterior as I clarify my intentions and examine my motives. I came across this quote the other day and it helped me understand my imbalance, a bit.

"One cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life's morning; for what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening, and what in the morning was true will at evening have become a lie"
-----Carl Jung, The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche

except for this: "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!"

Psalm 113:3

Credit to Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.

Week One, Stopping Identity Theft

Identity theft is a concern, especially for the elderly. I meet with my parents and elderly aunt weekly and thought we could all benefit by doing what we could to prevent identity theft. After investigating identity theft insurance and reading online reviews it became apparent that perhaps with a little effort we could save the premium and actually do a better job of protecting ourselves.

We move at a snails pace, but don't frown at our small beginnings because perhaps we will win the race.  Come along for the ride and investigate solutions along with us.

Week One

Put a freeze on credit:

A credit freeze prevents potential new creditors from viewing your credit report without your permission. This way, you will be the first to know if someone is trying to get a credit card or car loan in your name. It will not allow criminals to open new accounts using your identity or pieces of your identity.

A credit freeze does not affect your credit score, nor does it stop you from getting your free annual credit report. However, a credit freeze is not for everyone. If you apply frequently for credit or on short notice, a credit freeze is probably not for you.

We used this link to print out the form letters, etc. You can also freeze your credit online or over the phone which is quicker, easier, and cheaper, too.

It will cost approximately $10.00 to remove the freeze and then another $10.00 if you reinstate the freeze.

It did not cost us anything to freeze our credit. We used all three formats available. Also, please note that husband and wife must each file a separate credit freeze on their account.

Let me know, if you join the journey!

The Wardrobe Mistress Shops the Mercado!

Mercado is Spanish for Market. The Mercado located in an urban American setting has many of the same qualities a tourist can find in a Mexican market in Mexico. Ours is a large store  divided up into smaller stores inside, similar to stalls, with just a hint of disorganization. There's a vitamin and health food area, women's clothing area, western store with western wear and cowboy gear, household items, toys, etc. similar to Family Dollar or Dollar Tree. The prices are excellent.

The Mercado offers an infinite supply of great fashion finds. Our favorites: wild leggings (3 for $10.00), crochet headbands ($2.99), short, short glitter skirts ($10.00), and the ultimate infinity scarves ($2.99). The possibilities are endless and new merchandise arrives regularly.

The leggings are wild, wild, west and the material is unbelievably comfortable and wears and washes well!

And for all our readers in the UK:

The short glittery-glitzy skirts worn with plain black leggings and casual top can take a women from the the ski slopes to apres-ski in five!

The infinity scarves are the perfect width and length. They can be worn in a million different ways and are perfect for traveling.

The Mercado also has a myriad of shape-wear for women but I haven't been brave enough to try on the skin tight, push-up, figure flattering attire.

Common and share your local fashion haunts with us!

"It's a WhyNot!"

"What a great hat.", I said. It matched her outfit perfectly and she looked wonderful!
She responded, "It's a WhyNot!"
"What's a WhyNot?", thinking it was a brand I hadn't heard of before.

She explained that she had made the hat. It was a plain green hat before she added the lace, the lace flower and the brooch accent piece to liven it up. She added, "I never fit the mold." So I asked myself, "Why not be the woman God wants me to be?"adding, " I embrace that woman now."

What's your "Whynot"?

Why not be the woman God wants you to be?

Sometimes a stranger can say a sentence or two that can change your life. 

Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The quote is from Charlotte Bronte, the author of Jane Eyre.  Charlotte Bronte married Arthur Bell Nicholls.  She initially turned him down but became increasingly attracted to him and soon accepted his proposal.  They honeymooned in Ireland.

May you all find a comfortable love that wears well over time!

Put a Pencil in Your Mouth and Work on Your Posture!

Who feels invisible and forgotten? Young moms, women over fifty, retired individuals, caregivers, disabled, and the obese. But whoa, who needs power in the moment, the most? 

I can remember my Mom saying, "I just feel invisible!" Now, it's happens, to me, with alarming regularity! How could this be? Does it happen to you?

Plus, the older I get I see myself hunching.  My body language moving inward, especially in situations when I need to feel empowered the most. 

I found this Ted Talk by Amy Cuddy: "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" incredibly helpful. Join me, as I work on improving my posture and practice my power poses, even the best outfits will wear better!

Enjoy!

I loved, loved Amy Cuddy's outfit!!

Now, that outfit is one to copy!

Thoughts? If you try Amy Cuddy's theories out or copy the outfit, let me know how it goes for you!

You Can Be Anything You Want to Be If.........

you have a few good friends to tell, teach and help you! 

The Wardrobe Mistress helps me, the ultimate  minimalist how to dress, another an interior designer pulls my house together, one teaches me how to paint. My paintings turn out just fine, thank you very much. My kids say, "Mom, you really have talent!" Ha, little do they know I have a good friend coaching me where to put every little dab and dash of paint. Friends are the "secret sauce" that makes working out fun! Friends know color and design, how to organize and create, how to be patient and live at peace with those you love, how to live with chronic illness, and walk by faith. Take Kathy below, for instance--the queen of thrift and coupons shows me how she took an old lace dress of her sister's and cut off the sleeves and collar and 'repurposed' it into a scarf. A different view point, a new look or skill makes a world of difference in our daily lives, thanks to a little help from good friends.

A good friend is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.

Matthew 5:15

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-berers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine!

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

The Message

It Started With the Boots!, Dressing Challenge!

The Wardrobe Mistress perused the Tommy Bahama catalog.....I have some vintage 1980 boots in the back of my closet......I can so do this outfit!

Kennet Stripe Sweater $98.00, Haddon Denim Boyfriend Jeans $128.00, Play Lady Play Sunglasses $125.00 and the Luna Boots $198.00: Total without purse, belt, hat or wrap: $549.00

1980's vintage boots, Paris Fashion Jeans purchased at the Army Surplus store $20.00,  (see blog post about shopping the Army Surplus Store for fashion finds, Jones New York striped top, Mexx corduroy jacket (folded and worn off shoulders), large silver bracelet, belt and purse, woven belt and cowboy hat purchased at local thrift store. Total cost, less than $100.00


Your thirty day dressing challenge, find a catalog picture and copy the outfit and I will post them all in thirty days! Get ready, get set, GO!

Lands' End

Women's Extra Long Pearl Necklace $49.00

Women's Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt (Currently on sale $34.00)

Two versions, the one above is more to the original the one below

is a softer version, for the more mature woman. :-)

Louis Vuitton

Social Media, How to Control it?

I got a new cell phone for Christmas. I try learning something new about it, an app, the camera, etc. every day. It has bells and whistles, I love it and I hate it. How did I live without it, how do I live with it?

Our church showed this youtube video on Sunday and I could so relate, can you?