"Fashion fades.

Only style remains."

-Coco Chanel 


 

I love everything Sarah says today.

Here it is in full.

Start Quote

Women frequently want to have a

mad passionate fling with fashion,

but given a choice,

most of us would marry style.

 

 

That's because style, like a good man, doesn't let you down.

 

When fashion seduces you,

the affair usually burns itself out before the next season.

 

 

Fashion is a show-off, concerned with the cutting edge.

Style has seen it all before and knows that the classic tenets of

simplicity, beauty, and elegance have staying power.

 

 

Fashion is a cult;

Style is a philosophy.

 

 

Fashion mocks individuality;

Style celebrates it.

 

 

Never forget that fashion, while frequently a charmer,

is also a self-centered, frivolous bore.

Style is high-spirited and generous,

given to touting your best features for all the world to see.

 

 

Fashion is a provocateur;

Style prefers to sooth.

 

 

Fashion is self-congratulatory;

style waits for the inevitable compliments.

 

 

'Fashion can be bought,'

Edna Woolman Chase observe in 1954.

'Style must be possessed.'

 

 

Fashion guesses, so it can only bluff.

Style knows.

 

 

Fashion is impatient and eventually passes away.

Style is steadfast and waits for every woman's awakening,

because authentic style is born of Spirit.

End Quote

 

 

 

 

 

I love this.

 

Let's all try to never fall for fashion,

and always be in style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

 

1) My Nana. She came over this morning to go shopping with me, and it was so much fun.

 

2) My new skirt! I'll wear it this weekend and show you guys.

 

3) It's conference weekend. Are you excited?! I'm excited.

 

4) The kids got all excited about going to Nana's.

 

5) The games we play. I was vacuuming, and then the vacuum became a monster and the kids would run up to it, I would go rawr and push it towards them and try and get their feet and they would run away. Then they tried to kill the monster with pillows. And then we started a pillow fight. They would throw the pillows at me, then I would throw it back at them, and as the pillow hit them they would fall back on the bed laughing and laughing. Who said chores can't be fun?

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 30th - Sense of Style

I really love these sections about clothing that Sarah writes.

Today, it's about style.

"Celebrating your authentic style 

through the clothes you wear is an art form...

Style begins when you seek and discover your strengths, 

then bank on them for all they're worth. 

Personal style flourishes when you realize that you really don't need as much clothing, accessories, jewelry, or makeup as you once thought you did because you've got attitude."

"We all know style when we see it-

Bogart and Bacall, 

Garbo and Jackie O., 

 

Audrey Hepburn, 

Lauren Hutton, 

 

Lena Horne- 

all different, and all synonymous with style.

Their clothes, however grand or simple, 

proclaim not simply taste but intelligence, wit -a little daring. 

What you see is self-definition rather than trendiness. 

Style is the intersection of what you wear with who you are."

-Leah Feldon-Mitchell  

"This year, be willing to experiment to find out what works for you 

and what doesn't.

Then stick with what works, no matter what everybody else is wearing...

Your own sense of style may come in fits and starts, 

but trust that it will come and when it does, 

it will be glorious."

"Styles, like everything else, change.

Style doesn't."

-Linda Ellerbee 

Remember you're an artist. 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Funny kids. Jacob covered Indy in blankets so she would be warm. Now my blankets smell a little like dog, but at least she had a good nap.

2) Blanket forts. The kids decided they wanted to make their own today, and it was incredible to watch.

3) Being super productive. I got so much laundry done!

4) Jacob. I love him. And that he's potty trained and speaking so well. He's such a little person. He came in to the room I was working in to tell me "Chase is breaking the wall"...well, that's nice. Thanks honey.

5) Oxy Clean. 

March 29th - Comfort Clothes

"I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch."

-Gilda Radner 

Right? 

Oh my goodness.

It's taken me YEARS to learn that if it isn't comfortable, 

even if it's just a little bit uncomfortable, 

I'm not going to wear it.

I love the clothes from Narnia.

C. S. Lewis mentioned the clothes in one of the books, or perhaps more than one. He described the clothes something along the lines of being the most beautiful and the most comfortable all at the same time. 

For some reason, I will always remember that. 

And if I could find my darn copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, 

I would have searched for the quote 

(my google search came up empty). 

"I am convinced that we are our own best selves in comfort clothes...

[why should we be] squeezed into uncomfortable things that 

pull, pinch, tug, choke, itch, hike up or down, 

and make the days of our lives miserable. 

We wear these creations of torture, we tell ourselves, 

in order to be agreeable to the rest of the world. 

But why shouldn't we find a way of making the world agreeable to us instead?"

Sarah suggests taking a few things into consideration when searching for comfort. 

Check the fabric to make sure it feels good, 

the size should be your true size or a bit larger

 ("be honest, not vain"), 

what styles suit you best, 

and maintenance (dry clean only is a pain). 

"Now see if you can't find clothing 

that matches your personal preferences 

and be willing to wait until you do.

Consider budgeting and saving for quality comfort clothing 

you can wear all day long and love for years.

The Simple Abundance path encourages us to be patient until we find what's perfect for us, rather than continue to waste our money, energy, and emotion settling for second-best or the second-rate." 

All I can say is I agree. I add my testimony that I am my best self when I'm wearing something comfortable. If I'm not I can tell you from experience that all I'm thinking about is escaping the situation that I'm in to go change. 

I hated living life that way. 

I hated having the only comfortable clothes I owned being my pajamas. 

But not anymore. I still have some work to do, as I obtain a few more first rate clothes I can get rid of a few more of those second rate clothes. But I do still need clothes, so I can't just get rid of everything.

***

But I did start clearing today.

And it was amazing, and it wasn't, all at the same time.

My kids had a great time helping, at first. 

We chose some happy music, they helped me throw everything on the bed, and then they all stripped as I was trying on clothes...

And then the crying began.

He fell off the bed. 

You know that song about monkeys jumping on the bed, right? 

I did not call the doctor. 

But I did take a picture before I started comforting him.

Here it is ladies. 

Empty.

(at least my share)

Sarah said 2 hours...

I hate to say it, but the asldkfj lied. 

It took me 3 and I had to call it quits. 

This is how far I got.

Here's what I had left to go through

And here's my donate pile.

(the pile on the chair got bigger after I finished)

I forgot the bags to put my donate stuff in.

Happy music just made more noise, and I realized Pandora was playing a lot of commercials, and that every happy station I tried ended up either playing a whole bunch of sad songs or a whole bunch of commercials. 

The kids stopped being helpful, and didn't want to play in their rooms, you know, where their toys are? Lots of whining and crying.  That's probably why it took 3 hours tops, I was trying to be a mom at the same time as do something for myself. 

New step: 

DO THIS WHEN THE KIDS AREN'T IN THE HOUSE 

AND YOU HAVE 4 HOURS TO YOURSELF. 

And music. 

I no longer trust Pandora.

I will have to try Spotify. 

Anyways. 

I did clear off the bed. Winter clothes will be put in a box, and the donate clothes will be put in a bag, and accessories will be finished tomorrow. 

It really feels good, to know that everything in my closet and dresser is something I love and is comfortable. Looking at a piece of clothing and thinking, "do I love this? Does this spark joy?" made tossing and keeping really easy.

Robbie said "that's it? That's all you wear?"

Yeah. It is. 

And it feels good.

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) My mom. 

2) Fabric shopping for Easter dresses and vests.

3) Cafe Rio, and splitting a salad with my mom.

4) Holding a newborn baby.

5) Revelations. I don't know if I shared this before, but I'm going to share it now because it's been a problem I've been having. If any of you other moms have this problem, I hope this helps you as much as it's helping me.

So my mom and I were able to talk tonight, and cry a little...we talked about how I lost a sister, but my mom lost a daughter, and how I hold Riley a little tighter when I think about the idea of losing her. Shelby's passing has been hard, and it sucks, but at the same time it's been a huge wake up call and I'm grateful for that. You go through life sometimes not paying attention to the things that are important, and then one day something or someone is gone. It is so important not to worry about the little things, not to be angry, to love, because even though it may feel like it, you might not have tomorrow.

I have had the bad habit of saying what I'm thinking without thinking of the consequences of my words. My mom told me that one day up in the mountains Chase was being his usual difficult self and she told me I pushed him away and said "I don't want you". She told me, that you don't ever want your child to ask you "why don't you want me?"

I have also said "I can't handle you right now" and "I'm done with you". It hurts my heart to even think the words. But when you've had an entire day of whining and you've done everything you can think of to love them and take care of them and they are still whining, you just snap. It's no excuse, but there it is. 

I had the thought awhile back, and when my mom brought this up it reminded me again about it. 

Would Christ ever say something like that to me? 

Isn't he Christ because he can handle anything? He knows exactly what we're going through, no matter who we are or what it is he knows what it feels like and how to help. 

Can you imagine him saying to you, "I can't help you, I'm done."

...

I can't either. 

Aren't we supposed to be like him? 

I never want my kids to question my love for them. So I need to fix this. I can't say things like this, if I'm going to snap I need to just put myself in time out, and pray for some more patience and help. 

Anyways, I'm grateful for revelation and inspiration.

And my mom. And being a mom. It's so hard, but it is so wonderful.

March 28th - Clearing

"It's never too late

-in fiction or in life-

to revise."

-Nancy Thayer 

"Revising your wardrobe to reflect your authenticity begins when you ruthlessly part with the fashion mistakes and mismatches that crowd your closets 

and confuse your cluttered mind. 

But let's be realistic for a moment.

Most women I know have to be psyched up 

before they can tackle a project like this. 

Clearing out closets and dresser drawers is daunting to contemplate

(all that money, all those bad choices)

and hard work once you're at it. 

But few things are as satisfying as bringing order to a closet 

in which chaos once reigned. 

A change of seasons provides the perfect opportunity to get to work because it's time to pack away winter clothes and bring out spring and summer ones. 

With a plan of attack, 

you can also clear away the past."

Sarah's plan of attack:

          *You need at least 2 hours

          *Boxes and garbage bags in the room you're working in

          *Happy music

          *Take everything out of your closet

"There, it's too late to turn back now."

          *Look at every item

          *Try things on you're not sure about

          *Don't forget your accessories

"Keep only those things you love 

- things that make you look beautiful or feel fabulous. This is simplicity at work."

"Consider the various real lives you lead and the clothes you need for them: 

work, dress-up, and comfort. 

If you haven't worn something in a year, why not?

Be willing to part with it, even if it was expensive.

Don't save it unless it has tremendous sentimental value...

If you have room to pack away sentimental favorites, the do so.

If you don't, be willing to pass them on to someone else who will love them as much as you once did.

Now take the plunge

and give away the rest to those who will bless your generosity.

In return, you'll experience a sense of grateful abundance when you realize how much you can give away.

This positive attitude is essential for attracting more prosperity into our lives. 

...

Every woman has fashion mistakes that clutter up her sense of style 

and tempt her to whine about her wardrobe. 

Clearing our closets of past incarnations provides the space and freedom for us to choose clothing in the future that authentically reflects the women we are becoming."

She has some more good advice,

"What if some of the items don't fit you today but you still love them? Save only one size smaller than you're wearing now, because getting back into it is a realistic goal and something to work toward."

I might suggest also, if you are an adventurous seamstress, or love it so much you want to spend a little money to get it tailored, keep the things you love that you'd like to try and make fit. Shirts are pretty easy to take in or fix the sleeves. 

I also like keeping shirts that I love and turning them into dresses or shirts for Riley.  

Also, I'm going to actually put away the winter clothes. 

See what that does to my closet.

Do you guys remember in 2015 that book that was going around? The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Here is an article about it, hopefully it will help you (and me) to get on with this.

 

I can't wait to show you guys tomorrow everything I pull out! 

This is happening.

Tomorrow. 

Yes. 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Kids. I ask them to get some toilet paper so I could help them blow their noses, they bring me the whole roll, and drag it all over the living room, with huge smiles. I love them so much.

2) Getting laundry done. Last week the kids were sick, then this weekend I was sick, I think I probably always feel like I'm behind in the housework...but then I do some laundry and feel better.

3) Sunshine. Jacob says the cutest thing, "the sun's awake! Can I go outside now?" Probably got that from Frozen.

4) Cutting stress out of my life. Sometimes it sucks to say no, but already it feels better. 

5) Good books. And reading at lunch during nap time. 

March 27th - Fashion Statement

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

-George Eliot 

Yesterday Sarah asked us to think about our wardrobe 
and what it is that we're saying with, and how we feel about, what we wear. 

Today she asks us to remember the Golden Mirror Meditation 
she told us about back on January 30th. 

She tells us a little about the woman she sees when she does this exercise, and how she delights "in discovering that my authentic self was very well dressed and always managed to look glorious...

Start Quote

By paying attention to the subtle signals the woman within 
is constantly trying to send us, we can learn how to reflect our own best image, 
even if our pocketbooks don't match our exquisite taste...

Simplicity is also the key to pulling together and converting 
a personal style with panache.  

It's a woman of substance's secret weapon. 

Think of Katharine Hepburn's trousers in the 1930s,

Grace Kelly's hair and handbags in the 1950s, 

 

Jacqueline Kennedy's pillbox hats in the 1960s, 

 

Lauren Hutton's white T-shirts and khakis in the 1990s.

 

Understated.

Elegant.

Chic.

Classy.

Stunning.

Simplicity is a fashion statement every woman today can make 

no matter what her personal style has been in the past. 

That's because true simplicity never disappoints.

Once you learn that less is more, 

than enough becomes plenty, 

and your entire outlook on life

-including fashion-

is transformed.

Today, I want to ask you to consider clearing away the fashion clutter of 

past incarnations that lurks in your closets.

Just because you bought it once doesn't mean you have to keep it forever.

Be willing to let simplicity pare down your wardrobe to your authentic essence:

Identify the clothes you absolutely love and can't imagine living without. 

That is all.

Merely consider and identify, while remembering that it is never too late for you to become the woman you were meant to be. 

End Quote

Again, another exercise I am looking forward too. There are already a few pieces in my closet that I'm thinking of that need to go, because I am not in love with them. 

Also, this made me think of the atonement, and how it is never too late. 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Food poisoning, or a bug, whatever it was seems to be over. I've had several experiences in my life that I do not enjoy and will never enjoy, and throwing up is one of them. But I have come to appreciate that you feel better afterwards, and that your body is smart enough to get rid of whatever is bad for it. Also, now that I'm 27 years old, I can finally handle throwing up like a champ. I didn't even complain. Of course I still can't stand pepto bismal, and there's nothing you can say or do to ever make me take it...I guess I have more growing up to do.

2) Sick days. Sick days, while it's quite awful being sick, it is nice to take it easy because you have to. Robbie is pretty amazing. He held my hair, stayed up with me, then took a sick day to help me, and took the kids for a couple hours so I could get some sleep since I didn't get much the night before. I read some of a book, cuddled with the kids, read to them...Sick days aren't so bad.

3) Anniversaries. Seven years today. And I spent it trying not to throw up saltines and gatorade and ending with Mcdonalds. On the outside that might not seem like a very glorious anniversary, but to me it was one of the most romantic. In sickness and in health. I love my husband, and I love our marriage.

4) Wind chimes on a windy day.

5) Watching my kids laughing so hard because the dog is kissing them, and then getting french kissed by the dog and laughing even harder...So funny. 

Also, yesterday. 

The twins were still a little sick with a cold, so Jacob and I went to church on our own. We went early as to not wake the twins during their nap. We took a walk...

Can you find the lady bug? 

I did get better pictures, but the camera focused on the greenery and the lady bug was blurry. I'm still trying to figure out this new camera.

I know gardeners hate dandelions, but we love them. 

It's like making a wish and sending little fairies off on new adventures. 

He chose his outfit himself.

Ready, set, 

Blow!

We probably blew about 5 of them...the last one he blew too close and it got in his mouth. He was so hilarious, bleh bleh bleh. Then he went chasing after birds. We were both covered in dandelion fairies. And then we went to church. 

It would have been a most delightful Sunday, 

if I hadn't spent the end of it hugging the toilet. 

Food poisoning, you shall not rob me of my joy. 

It was still delightful.