if you would be beautiful...

our dogwood

I guess, I was a little ashamed of myself after Friday's blog post. Counting my clothes, really? People in Haiti would be thrilled to have as many clothes as I have. So would people living in shelters in northeast Japan - and some in the Raleigh NC area (thankful all our family members there are safe).

Since I am all about simplicity, by post was meant to inspire my readers to simplify - it greatly, well, simplifies your life! I love not having to agnozie over what to wear each day.

But I didn't mean to brag or sound callous.

The most important lessons about clothing and beauty, I learned from The Micky Mouse Club, my mother and God's Word. Not necessarily in that order.

Here is the lesson from the Mickey Mouse Club: (did anyone else ever see this?)

Beauty is as beauty does,

That's what wise men say.

If you would be beautiful,

Do this every day.

Help someone who's feeling blue,

Let kindness be your guide

For beauty isn't only looks,

Its what you've got inside

Wake up in the morning

And hop right out of bed.

You never will be beautiful

If you're a sleepyhead

From this blast from the past (seriously if you were born in the '50's or early'60's check out this link!)

Mom always encouraged me to focus on inner beauty - 'be beautiful on the inside, Cheri'. She modeled it as well.

And from God's Word:

Matthew 6:28-34

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

and

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. I Peter 3:3-4

Beauty. It has nothing to do with what is, or isn't in your closet.

one of our cherry blossoms

for Becky (and others)

In the words of the Car Talk guys, Tom and Ray, I'm not a slave to fashion. So, be very careful about accepting and implementing my fashion advice. But since fellow blogger and friend (though we haven't met) Becky just got a new job (yay!) and has to get a new wardrobe, here are my thoughts on the matter (and a few links to show you that if I am completely off my rocker, at least I'm not alone).

Here is a list of the contents of my closet:

• black skirt


• black dress pants (2) one in better condition than the other


• black exercise pants


• jeans (1)


• denim capris (2) one pair for going out in public, one for at home


• khaki capris


• black blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• blue blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• tan linen blouse (short sleeve)


• mint green blouse (3/4 sleeve)




• pink/tan/white striped blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• white blouse (long sleeve)


• white blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• black tee


• blue tee




• mint colored dressy tee


• white tee


• stained tee (suitable for at home only)


• black blazer


• tan blazer


• brown sweater


• striped sweater in muted grays and blues


• dark purple sweater

I also have two hoodies (one that is mostly ripped to shreds but is great for working outside in) and one gray turtleneck that I only wear for my early morning walks.

28 items including 5 things that are not suitable for wearing out in public. If I didn't work in the yard and garden, I'd really have a streamlined wardrobe!

Footwear includes: black boots, black slides (great with pants or skirts and comfortable as slippers) white sandals, black flip flops, and walking shoes. Oh, and a pair of worn out Crocs destined for this.

I'm not listing my unmentionables here, but rest assured there are enough to get me through the week and beyond.

This is what works for me. I do not work outside of the home, but if I did or if I were up in front in church, I would probably only add one skirt or dress and perhaps a pair of dressy khaki slacks.

Also, there is a new dress in my future when Daniel and Laura get married. :)

What works for you? Do you have lots and lots of clothes? Do you wear them all? Or could your wardrobe use some paring down? Please leave a comment - I'd love to know what your thoughts are?

Does a wardrobe a la Steve Jobs appeal?

Here are a few links to minimized wardrobes:

Living in Italy on what she packed in half a suitcase.

Seven steps to a minimalist wardrobe.

The minimalist wardrobe (aka the 10 item wardrobe).

and

How to manage your wardrobe with common sense.

Have fun perusing!

jump down, turn around

We had one of these in our house this morning. That never happened up north. Impressively identified by the resident entomologist.

The boll weevil was a reminder of my fruitless quest yesterday. I spent the better part of the day clothes shopping. I never do that. The shopping gene is not part of my DNA.

But we have a wedding coming up. A beach wedding in Mexico. So I want something simple, sleeveless (Mexico in July - outside) with straight lines and in a natural fabric, either cotton (hence the timely reference to the boll weevil) or linen. One color.

Apparently such a garment does not exist. I found a plethora of dresses in bold colors, loud patterns and synthetic fabrics. This mother of the groom is not interested in any of those.

I shopped and shopped and shopped. Then I dropped.

I did get a new swimsuit (the spandex in my decrepitly old one quit on me - I guess there is a limit to how far spandex will last or stretch ~smile~). I love this new one though. Granny will be playing in the pool/ocean with Joshy.

So, I've shopped on line. Here and here and here. I am afraid I may have to go to Knoxville.

The quest for a dress is on. Any ideas for me?

Unless I try to make one....

a fashion post

Those of you who know me well, know that I am 'not a slave to fashion' in the words of the Car Talk guys.



So you will be surprised to learn that I am a lurker at a fashion blog. It all started innocently enough. In my never ending quest to save money and the environment and all that good stuff I came across this intriguing blog. Readers are encouraged to not buy new clothes but to repurpose old clothes to bring them back to life (you know, like turning collars).



Some examples include - a husband's old ratty shirt cut down to size to make a cute blouse for the wife - or an old pullover sweater transformed into a cute cardigan. Admittedly, some of the things are rather ugly (in my opinion), but nothing ventured, nothing gained. As more and more retail businesses call it quits and more and more people lose their jobs, we may be very glad to learn the skills required to give our clothes new life.



In the course of reading the wardrobe refashion blog, I came across a link to this blog.



I love the subtitle: proof from the wizened and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age.

As far as I can tell in reading through some of the archives, this is not a tongue in cheek blog, but there is a genuine appreciation for the classy and classic styles exhibited. Okay, some are a little wacky. But all are very cool.



I would like to submit a photo of a very stylish couple I came across. Aren't they cute/handsome? Color coordinated in browns. I've got a lot to learn from these people.

dog gone