Merry Christmas!

Well Merry Christmas! I wanted to write about traditions and how we often do things at Christmas with out thinking about the reasons or symbolism behind it, but that seems far too serious this Boxing Day*, so I'm going to talk about what MY family does to celebrate Christmas.

In Perth where I live it is Summer, so my family have never had a hot Christmas dinner. Until this week! Every Boxing Day growing up we would pack the car and head down south to the beach and spend a week with my Aunt, Uncle, cousins and Grandparents (and whatever friends would show up). We crammed 10 of us (usually more) into a 3 room duplex with an outside bathroom and we had the best of times. We would spend most of the day at the beach, my uncle (Dad's brother), Dad and Pop (Dad's Dad) would be gone most of the day fishing or crabbing. We'd have afternoon sleeps every day and we'd stay up late partying with all the neighbours at night. So you can see the beach and my Aunt & Uncle were a huge part of my Christmas growing up. They don't have the beach house down south anymore but they do have a house north of Perth near the beach. The kids and I went up there on Monday and had a great time at the beach then that night my husband joined us from work and my lovely Aunt cooked us my first ever hot Christmas dinner. Roast turkey, ham, roast vegetables and plum pudding & custard for dessert. It was good the sea breeze was in making it a cool evening, I certainly can't imagine eating all that hot food on Christmas day! We stayed over and went to the beach again in the morning. An immense sense of peace always comes over me at the beach, I think it is my favourite place to be, especially watching my family enjoying it too.

Christmas Eve has 2 family traditions that stem from my parents. 1. The house MUST be clean 2. You HAVE to watch "Carols by Candlelight". The clean house always seemed a little crazy to me but now I'm a parent, I get it. If Mum had all the housework done, then on Christmas Day she could enjoy it like everyone else and not be cleaning up or cooking. I don't know if other places in the world have Carols by Candlelight as we do but it's where a crowd sit with candles and sing Christmas Carols. The biggest and best (in my opinion) is in Melbourne at the Myer Music Bowl were thousands of people sit and sing songs of praise to our Lord and is broadcast on TV. Most suburbs have there own carols and if you have the opportunity to go to one, I highly recommend it. With our beautiful weather, being able to sit in a park and sing and share Christmas spirit with others is great.

One of my husband and my new traditions we have started with our kids is going to look at Christmas lights. Some people go to so much effort and I think it's wonderful to admire there hard work! The photo above is of a house near us, apparently a single lady decorates her house and she collects for the charity CANTEEN. It was wonderful being out with lots of other families admiring the lights, getting excited about Christmas.

Christmas day my kids are up early, they can open their stockings first (they love us to watch, so we get up early too). Then we have to have breakfast and get dressed then we hand out our family presents. I'd love to tell you we make it to church but since having kids we've never made it Christmas morning! Too much to do! My Mum is the oldest of 3 girls and my Nan (her Mum) is still with us. Each of the girls had a boy and a girl, so now all the girls of the family take turns at hosting Christmas lunch. The host supplies the house, chairs, plates, bread rolls, icecream and then every family brings one plate of cold meat, salad, dessert and drinks and we have a shared lunch. We're all very organised now, we plan out who's bringing what so there's no double ups and we draw out names so that everyone buys one present for someone. This year was at my cousin Sharon's house, it was good but a little hot. We didn't seem to go too crazy on the food this year and I know I didn't over eat, I actually felt hungry last night (unlike every other year)! It was wonderful to see my Nan, who is so special to me. She's 87 and I lived with her for 2 years when I was younger. What made it even more special was that she pulled my name out and got to buy my gift. She bought me a beautiful silver heart pendant on a chain and I will treasure it for ever.

We came home and jumped in the pool (it got to 36 degrees Celcius, that's 96.8 farenheit) and then the kids played with their new toys. We all went to bed happy and super tired. My daughter had tears in her eyes, hugging me in bed, saying this was the best Christmas ever.

I hope all of you had wonderful day with family and friends, and remember Jesus IS the reason for the season.

Love Vanessa.

*Boxing Day originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. December 26th, or Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries.The traditional celebration of Boxing Day included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, needy individuals, and people in service jobs. The holiday may date from the Middle Ages (A.D. 400's--1500's), but the exact origin is unknown. It may have begun with the lords and ladies of England, who presented Christmas gifts in boxes to their servants on December 26. Or it may have begun with priests, who opened the church's alms (charity) boxes on the day after Christmas and distributed the contents to the poor.

Ahhh, Christmas.

Christmas should be a wonderful, joyous time of year where we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. But for many it's not, the happiness is sucked out it. For me, busyness and illness/ injury have been stealing my joy. A couple of weeks ago I injured my neck which left me in agony and unable to move. I have recovered (not fully though) but I'm 2 weeks behind on everything. I've done very little Christmas shopping, no tree yet or decorations and I'm swamped with Christmas parties and end of year events.

I don't know what it's like in other parts of the world but here in Australia it is so hectic. Many companies close around Christmas, my husband's work will be closed from Christmas Eve until after New Year's and all children finish school for Summer Holidays. This week is my children's last week at school, so every class is having a party and concert, then we've got the school awards night and my husband's work dinner. It might not seem that big of a deal but the cooking (every child needs to bring food to the parties), planning, driving on top of all of my normal activities with an injury and now a cold have left me exhausted, slightly depressed and feeling a bit of a failure!

The problem is most of the stress and activity is self inflicted! I could buy food for the parties instead of making it, I could say no and not go to so many events, I could even choose not to decorate my house, everything would still be okay. My children would still have fun, my husband would still love me, the police do not arrest for offences such as these! We are not all Martha Stewart, and that is OKAY. Our own expectations can be the chains that bind us too tight at this time of year. Maybe it's time to let them go, simplify, it will all be fine and if you've let it go, I mean really go and you know it's okay to do less, you should be less stressed and have fun too.

How can you help a friend going through it like me? Watch your words, don't talk too much about having all your shopping done & wrapped beneath the tree (it can make others feel like there's something wrong with them because they don't). Offer to babysit while she gets some stuff done, take them a meal (it's amazing how much time gets freed up not having to plan & cook a meal). Offer to do her hair, make-up or nails before a Christmas party. Help wrap presents, ask what gifts they're looking for and see if you can find it at shops (an angel of a friend remembered something I was looking for, for my daughter and when she saw it in a catalogue, she let me know so I could go get it instead of going all over to find it). The little things make a huge difference to a stressed friend.

Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times, and a brother (sister) is born for adversity." One of the best gifts anyone can ever receive is a great friend. Many people are going through financial hardships, marriage break-ups, health problems. Christmas can be a lonely time due to family problems, living in different states or countries. If you know anyone in these situations, reach out and be there for them. You may have the opportunity to change someone's life by a small act of kindness.
To finish is something sent to my friend who is packing to move interstate just after Christmas, a huge job to be doing with 3 young sons and close to Christmas.

The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush;
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity;
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all importance, will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquillity.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the peace of my Lord, and dwell in His house for ever.

Amen, have a great day.

Time Poor

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. I have some great things on my mind to post when I get time.

When I get time, that could be my motto lately! My calendar has been so full, I've hardly had time to add to the calendar!!!

Expect new posts soon, and a promise is a promise (as I lecture my children!).

Men

Have you ever realised that sometimes we give men a really hard time? We expect them to be tough and manly, good providers and protectors. We want them to be MEN, then when they don't do things like us we get frustrated and annoyed with them!
I said something to someone at church today about my husband and later I think the Holy Spirit prodded me that my words were not edifying. Something I said in jest was, when I thought about it, a put down. Too often women say things about guys like "they can't help it they're men, I had to do it because I couldn't expect him to do it properly" We lump them in a bucket like they're all useless at everything. None of us are good at everything, why are we so hard on the ones we love?

My husband is a loving, caring husband, a wonderful, fun dad, a hard worker, a faithful prayer, a giver, kind hearted, passionate and good provider. Do I think about these things everyday? I do think of them but unfortunately no, I think about how while I was out and he was looking after the kids the house got messy, when he made me toast he didn't do it the way I like it, how he left his clothes on the floor. If a Proverbs 31 woman "husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it" I have a way to go. "Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long."

A great verse from the Bible is Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" NIV. The Message Bible puts it "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift". I read a book years ago by Florence Littauer called "Silver Boxes", it was on this passage and how our words should be a gift. If something I said as a joke made someone think less of my husband, that would devastate me.

If we speak with love TO and ABOUT the men in our lives, perhaps they'll start to become the men we want them to be.

Spring Cleaning

It's taken a while but I've just got into my Spring Cleaning. I did start a few weeks a go (probably 5 now I think about it!) and started de-cluttering some rooms. I finally let go of the kids baby clothes and some of my clothes I hadn't worn in the last year. But now I've started on the big stuff. I washed all the windows yesterday and helped hubby weed the front garden (that was a big job). Today I washed all the curtains and started moving furniture and vacuuming underneath. I had a Personal Training session at the gym in the middle too, so I'm feeling really worn out now.

I'm not a naturally neat person, I love a nice clean house but I'm not someone who uses something and puts it straight back. My other fault is I start too many things at once so I get all the stuff I need to do something then get sidetracked and leave it there, which is why my sewing machine is still on the lounge room floor from last week!

Something I have found that does help me be neater and more organised is The FlyLady. My friend Coralie introduced it to me. The FlyLady or ladies have some great systems for getting your house clean and getting on top of clutter. The website even has great plans for planning your day so cleaning isn't an all day event, it just works into your day.

I can recommend you start at the Beginner BabySteps, then when you've conquered that head into the Flying Lessons.

It's a dirty job but someone's got to do it and remember Proverbs 31 "First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking." I haven't got to the eager to get started stage yet, I guess I need to keep blossoming!

What do you mean blossom?

When I started this blog I kind of thought I'd just talk about clothes and looking nice, but I've been led to add more. Our Pastor Kerry did a great talk on young women from Titus and said how the older women are called on to give the young women advice. Even though I fall in the young women age bracket (hooray!), I realised I love to help people and I would love to pass on any advice I can to help anyone else trying to become a Proverbs 31 woman. Trust me I'm still working on it! That's why I called this blog, blossom. Blossom, as you can see from the definitions to your right has 2 meanings. Blossom is the flowers that appear on a tree before the fruit. From a spiritual perspective, we all want to bare fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 talks about the fruit of the Spirit, the qualities we aim to have. If someone or something blossoms, they develop good, attractive, or successful qualities. I know that's what I want to do.

So what is a Proverbs 31 woman? Here is the verse from "The Message" Bible

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message)

Hymn to a Good Wife
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Wow, it seems daunting but with God on our side and good sisters to work with, all things are possible.
Keep blossoming!

Today's Outfit

Sunday's my day to wear heels (off to church)!
Top with camisole- Autograph $59 (bought for a special occasion)
Violet cardigan- from a outlet store in Sydney $10
Navy pants- same as yesterday, Made by me
Violet shoes- Kmart $12
Earrings- Diva $12

The top and Earrings were bought to wear to one of my dearest friend's birthday party earlier this year. The colours don't show as well in real life, it's gorgeous (and a lot more violet).

Violet

Day 7- Violet by nessa-elle featuring Versace

Sunday

Hooray, the last colour of the rainbow!
It's been interesting how I've felt doing this little challenge.
1. At least I knew what to wear every morning.
2. I didn't like not being able to pick my clothes to suit the weather or how I was feeling.
I had no idea my mood influenced my clothing so much, I knew the weather did. I'm quite practical like that.
It did make me pull some things out of my wardrobe and wear them differently, I did feel out of my comfort zone so I guess we'll call that a success.

Let's see what Mary has to say about Violet.

VIOLET

Includes: Periwinkle,clear or medium violet to purple, plum and indigo.
Psychological Power of Violet
Positive Attributes: Imaginative, sensitive, intuitive, unusual, unselfish.
Negative Attributes: Weird, impractical, immature, superior.

Wearing Violet for Emotional & Physical Impact
• In business situations where you need to project confidence and individuality. Mid-tone to deep purples are both appropriate and professional in business.
• Looks great on television as long as it’s not too dark.
• On any occasion requiring diplomacy.
• As an alternative to black for evening elegance and charm. (!!!)

When to avoid wearing Violet
• Whenever a low- key yet reassuring profile is needed.
• Any situation you need to project calmness and security.
• If you are depressed, it will make you feel more depressed.

Hope you've enjoyed Mary's insights.

Today's Outfits

Jeans- Target $50
Peacock T-shirt- Ebay, from Target $20, LOVE this shirt!
Cardigan- Rockmans $12
Shoes- originally $59 got for half price when hubby purchased a pair of shoes.
Earrings- permanently borrowed from my Mum, my favourite earrings!

Navy waterfall jacket- Miller's $19.99
Blue Sequined tank top- Valley Girl $10, I always thought their clothes would be too young & trendy for me but if you look they have some lovely pieces.
Navy pants- Made by me
Same shoes as above
Earrings- bought somewhere in Sydney
Ring- Diva $3, another favourite!

Indigo

Day 6- Indigo by nessa-elle featuring J Brand jeans

Saturday

Another colour I love, well I think most of us do as who doesn't have something denim in their wardrobe! Saturday mornings mean kids sport events so we had a busy time running around. I dressed for comfort and practicality.
In the afternoon I saw a client (Hi Josie!) and had a great time doing her colours and make-up. I love it when I can help someone find their best colours, not just use a swatch as a guide but really see in the mirror what looks good and what doesn't. It's exciting (to me anyway!).

Mary doesn't have anything specific to say about indigo but re-read blue or wait for violet for the gist of it.

Today's Outfit

Blue tunic- Autograph $19
White pants- Crossroads, years a go $5
Belt- gift from my Mum, from Malaysia
Brooch- Made by me
Silver thongs- Can’t remember.

Blue

Day 5 Blue by nessa-elle featuring Emilio Pucci

Friday

Yay, I made it to Friday. The weather has fined up and I’m in one of my best colours today. I bought this top recently on sale, I loved the colour and fabric but the cut doesn’t really suit my shape. It reminds me of Maggie Taberer (Australian fashion icon, above), she wears white shirts like this with white pants and just drips coolness even though she’s nearly 73!!!

Oh to be so half so hip at that age.

From the book “The Complete Style Guide” by Mary Spillane
BLUE
Includes: True, royal, navy, clear and medium blues; not pastel versions or aqua.
Psychological Power of Blue.
Positive: Peaceful, trustworthy, constant, orderly.
Negative: ‘Holier than thou’, tiresome, predictable, conservative.
Wearing Blue for Emotional & Physical Impact
• The deepest blues project the most authority (think police), if you want to look like the person in charge navy or deep blue do the trick.
• Inspire confidence.

When to avoid wearing Blue
• When making a creative pitch. Blue and creativity are not felt to be synonymous.
• Anywhere you need to stand out.

Green

Day 4- Green by nessa-elle featuring Forever21

Thursday

The weather is still a bit iffy (not sure if it’s going to rain or not). All the kids are at school today, so I’m going out to do some stuff. I love green but didn’t feel in the mood for it today.

From the book “The Complete Style Guide” by Mary Spillane
GREEN
Includes: Olive, moss, forest, spruce, pine and true greens (not too yellow or too blue).
Psychological Power of Green
Positive: Self-reliant, tenacious, nurturing, dependable.
Negative: Boring, stubborn, risk averse, predictable.
Wearing Green for Emotional & Physical Impact
• When overstressed or overtired, green produces restorative results.
• Helps you feel “down-to-earth” , more balanced and level headed.

When to avoid wearing Green
• When fundraising, research has shown people will donate to you.
• Rallying for a political movement, It projects dated, backwards ideas.
• In the evening unless it’s Emerald in satin or silk (not a head turner apparently).

Today's Outfit

White cardigan- Trent Nathan free from friend.
Green tank- Target $8
Patterned skirt- Made by me
Silver necklace- Diva $10ish
Earrings- Made by me
Silver shoes- Kmart $25

Yellow

Day 3- Yellow by nessa-elle featuring Tibi dresses

Wednesday

Another tricky colour for me! I do love yellow though, it’s such a happy colour. I have a little bit of yellow that have hardly worn, I need to wear it with something dark like black or navy.
The day started out okay but ended up cold & wet so I had to put on pants and a thicker jumper (sweater) in the afternoon.

From the book “The Complete Style Guide” by Mary Spillane
YELLOW
Includes: Sunny, bright and banana versions, through to gold, but not pastel shades like lemon.
Psychological Power of Yellow
Positive: Cheerful, hopeful, active, uninhibited.
Negative: Impulsive, tiresome, whirlwind, volatile.
Wearing Yellow for Emotional & Physical Impact
• Too cheer yourself up, particularly on a dreary day.
• When in a fun mood.
• If working with children- it’s the colour they most prefer.
• If you want to stand out in a crowd.

When to avoid wearing Yellow
• When negotiating (e.g. a divorce settlement) as it has frivolous connotations.
• Anytime you need to be taken seriously.

Today's Outfit

Black cardigan- Target $24
Lemon tank- Big W $8
Black skirt- Salvo’s $2.50 (fantastic skirt, what a bargain!)
Necklace- Made by me, about $8 (It's hard to see from the photo but it's a mixture of lemon pearls and natural yellow stone beads, with a yellow shell flower as the feature)
Shoes- Kmart $15

Orange

Day 2- Orange by nessa-elle featuring Monsoon

Tuesday

This was the one that worried me most! I don’t own anything orange (at least I didn’t think I did) and couldn’t buy anything what was I going to do. It’s not a colour my family wears so it’s not like I could borrow something of my hubby. As fair skinned, blue eyed, ash brunettes it really doesn’t suit us. As I was hanging up one of my favourite summer tops on the washing line, it dawned on me it had orange in it (it also has pink & purple) so that’s what I wore. I also discovered a necklace I’d put in a box for costumes. So it all worked out okay in the end.

I didn’t feel myself all day though.

ORANGE
Includes: True Orange, pumpkin, tangerine, bright peach.
Psychological Power of Orange
Positive Attributes: Vitality, fun, enthusiasm, sociability, uninhibited.
Negative Attributes: Superficial, common, faddist, giddy
Wearing Orange for Emotional & Physical Impact
• Wear only if it suits your colouring (Warm Spring or Autumn), and then in measured doses.
• If you want to be seen in the dark; try neon orange (ha ha!)
• If you want to wear an energising colour

When to avoid wearing Orange
• For business of any kind, orange is the least professional colour
• When you want to look elegant, as orange is a “declassifier” and looks cheap on some seasonal types
• When dieting as you are more prone to act impulsively in orange and less likely to maintain self control

These are from the book “The Complete Style Guide” by Mary Spillane. I don’t know if I agree with all of them but they are interesting!

Today’s Outfit

White cardigan- Trent Nathan free from friend
Orange (white, pink & purple) top- Crossroads $5
White pants- Made by me, white calico from Spotlight
Necklace- free from friend
Earrings- free from friend.
(what can I say I have great friends!)
Gold sandals- Kmart, years a go, will be going soon as they are really uncomfortable

Today's Outfit

Black cardigan- Target $24.01 (20% off day)
Red tank top- Kmart $7
Skirt- Salvo’s $3.50
Earrings- Diva (too long a go to remember)
Shoes- Shoe Show $19 with DIY decorations (will be on a future blog)

I haven’t worn the red tank or skirt before so the plan to wear more clothes from my wardrobe is working.

Red

Monday

Today is going to be warm and sticky. It was 20 degrees by 7am and the humidity was around 85%. I love red but just didn’t feel like wearing it today, it felt too hot. I’m not sure if it was my clothing choices or the emotions it psychologically induces.

Did you know colours certain colours actually affect you physically and psychologically? Wearing the right colours in the right situation can help get the right reaction from people and also boost your own feelings. I will include these in my days colour wrap-ups. These are taken from “The Complete Style Guide” by Mary Spillane. My comments are in Italics.

RED
Includes: True, warm, burnished, bright and cool variations. Not shades that are too light (such as pink), mixed (such as fuchsia), or too dark (such as burgundy).
Psychological Power of Red
Positive Attributes: Up-beat, confident, assertive, exciting.
Negative Attributes: Aggressive, domineering, bossy, threatening.
Wearing Red for Emotional & Physical Impact
• Choose for occasions when you want to be recognized, or to catch someone’s eye.
• Can give you an artificial energy boost when tired.
• To project authority without being threatening, wear red as an accent or in moderation, e.g. a blouse under a neutral suit.
• If you feel cold it gives you a feeling of warmth.

Avoid wearing Red when
• Overtired or overstressed as it can exacerbate tension.
• Not prepared to be called on to defend your position, as you would be signaling you are.
• Being interviewed for a job you want; you’ll give the impression that you’re not a team player. Whenever my husband has been for a job interview, I won’t let him wear a red tie as it looks like you want to be the boss, but I guess it depends on what you’re going for, it could be good to present yourself that way!

Coming Soon "Rainbow Week"

I’ve been thinking of ways of wearing more of my clothes. Did you know most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time? I have lots of clothes, I’m a bargain hunter, op-shopper and a dress-maker. I fall in love with colours, patterns and textures all the time. Style and price are the two things that pull me back to reality! Only certain styles suit me and I won’t compromise on that and price, well I try to be wise with my money.
So I’m trying to come up with ways of wearing more of my own clothes and I thought of a rainbow as a good starting point. It has seven colours so I can do it for one week. So I’ll start on Monday 26th, wearing RED.
So in case you don’t know the colours of the rainbow are RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO & VIOLET. I need to wear at least one item of clothing that colour. I can also wear my neutrals and I want to not wear just accessories in the colour, like all in black with a red belt for example. If I do that I’m not really challenging myself to wear more of my clothes.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hardest as I don’t wear orange or yellow, that said I do have one thing in yellow but orange? I also don’t want to buy any new clothes, that would make the challenge pointless. I am allowing myself to sew something but only if I already have the fabric at home.
I will post what I wear each day and let you know how it goes. Keep blossoming!

Dare to be different!

A friend of mine is organising a ladies mystery tour and the theme is “dare to be different”. She wants everyone to wear a colour they would never normally wear. We both thought it was hilarious as the colours she never wears are pink & purple, which I wear all the time and my colours were yellow & orange, which she wears all the time.
I love the idea of doing something different although in my mind I was trying to work out how I could still look good and wear colours that don’t suit my colouring at all.
Most of us have paradigms when it comes to dressing. I have a friend who never wore pants, she just didn’t think they would suit someone her shape and size. Then one day a friend convinced her to try some on and she bought them. She was overwhelmed with compliments, mainly because nobody had seen her in pants, she looked great and it was a nice change. Well after that she was in them all the time and now I can hardly remember her wearing anything but pants as they suit her lifestyle. Maybe someone will have to get her to try a skirt again!
Dresses have been my challenge. I love dresses, I just had trouble finding ones that suited my shape. I’m an 8 shape or hourglass and my waist is nearly 2 sizes smaller than my hips. Shift style dresses make me look pregnant (which I’m not!!) as do empire line. So thank God for wrap dresses which I finally discovered a few years a go. I’m thinking of challenging myself to wear a dress everyday for a week soon, just to shift my paradigm. What could you challenge yourself to wear?

Wow, I’m writing a blog!

If you had talked to me 6 months a go I wouldn’t have even read a blog let alone contemplated writing one.
Something happened. I don’t remember when or how but one day I came across one, it was www.workthatwardrobe.blogspot.com/ by Jane. She had nearly finished her year long quest to not buy any new clothes for a year. I was so gripped I went back and read every entry, a whole years worth. My husband was getting sick of finding me on the computer, but I just loved it.
Now I have many I read, I can’t wait to see what people are wearing that day, see their DIY, find out I'm not the only one having a rough day. Without having met me or even communicated online, the wonderful women who write these blogs have become people I need to see everyday.
They stretch my paradigms, make me smile, make me laugh, remind me of the beauty that is in all of us and feed my need for fashion! I want to do that for someone else out there, so that’s why I’m giving it a go!
I hope to learn more about myself, appreciate the woman I am.
I’m just trying to blossom.