Frazzeled Fridays!

^{Fancy Pants}

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20-21 - NLT)

God says He created your inmost being (Psalm 139:13-14).  He even knew you before you were created!  He loves you very much and wants to have a personal relationship with you.  Not just when something goes wrong or something bad happens.  An every day, every hour, every moment relationship.

Go with me here... just because my body (the pottery) was not shaped like 'hers' does not mean that her body (or pottery) is more beautiful or special than mine!  I am constantly convicted when comparing myself with others.  Whether it's the way I look, the way I act, my blog, my ministry, my circumstances.  God loves us unconditionally.  We don't have to DO anything or BE anyone other than who He created us to be.  That should be freeing.  But I suspect others struggle with this like I do.  “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph 2:10 (NLT)  

In one of her devotions, Renee Swope said "...God has taught me that He wants my spiritual ears more than my spiritual efforts. He wants daily dependence, interaction and intimacy with me. And He is more concerned with my character than my calendar."   Over this last year the Lord has been surveying, drilling, building and shaping my character.  I can say for certain that this has not been the most pleasant experience.  

When you (we) find ourselves comparing the way we look, certain body parts, your clothes, we MUST constantly allow the Spirit to whisper Truth into our hearts... “The king is enthralled by your beauty…” Ps 45:11 (NIV) and my "vase/pottery" may not be as fancy as "hers" but God created us exactly this way because he knew that it was the absolute best for each of us. 

Speaking of fancy pants... I thought I would give you some tips for the best type of jeans for your body type (click here for information on body types).  I realize it is summer now, but there are times when long jeans are necessary and, there are lots of jean shorts and other shorts with pockets.  And there is a secret to pockets.  Read on.

For 'b' body types:

• Make sure your jeans cover your midsection, particularly if you tend to have a muffin top.
• 
• Find jeans with flap pockets with buttons
• Pockets that are not too far apart
• Pockets with decorations in a curvy or vertical line or design.

For 'o' body types:

• No skinny or wide-leg jeans.  You want to have jeans that help form a straight line - balance.
• Stay in between the skinny and wide-leg styles with a relaxed fit or boot cut. 
• Mid-rise is best. 
• Consider wearing a tummy shaper or a camisole shaper. 
• Make sure the pockets on your jeans do not have lots of bling on them (draws attention) and, that the pockets hit right where your bottom begins to curve under.

For 'd' body types:

Because it is very difficult to find a pair of jeans that fit nicely on your waist, hips and thighs, you need to find jeans that fit nicely on your hips and thighs first.  Then if needed, have them taken in in the waist.  This may mean that you will need to go up a full size in your jeans so that when they are taken in it doesn't pull the waist down too far in the back.  Concern over the size? Cut the tag out!  You want to know that you look good in your jeans, not what size they are.

• Look for relaxed fit jeans that do not hug your hips and thighs (draws attention). 
• • Stay away from decorative pockets or pockets with flaps.  These make your rear end look bigger. 
  If the pocket has some detail on it, make sure it is curvy or vertical in shape.  Horizontal designs make your hips look wider.
  
  • Large pockets make your bottom look smaller
  • Simple and small designs are best on pockets that are proportionally sized and spaced on your bottom.

For 'x' body types:

• Because your body is already balanced or proportional top to bottom you can wear most styles of jeans (or pants/shorts)! 
• If you tend to gain weight in your tummy area, consider wearing a tummy shaper
• Pockets should be proportionate to your size and shape.  (i.e., women who are size 12-14 or higher should not have small pockets on their jeans - looks unbalanced).
• Mid size pockets with mid size designs
• Notice the design on the back pockets.  If your bottom tends to be wider, you want to have curvier and more vertical designs.
• Bottom of pockets should hit right where your bottom starts to curve under.

Now that you know what styles of jeans (or pants and shorts) to look for, PLEASE remember to bend over and look in the mirror when you try on jeans, shorts, pants.  Is anything showing or falling out?  When you crouch down does the waist line fall well below ... well, you know... no plumbers please!  Are they too tight?  If any of these are true, then move on to another pair. 

So that's it for today my frazzled friends.  Feel free to leave a comment or question!

Blessings!

Dawn

Frazzled Fridays!

 Spring Trends

pants, shorts, skirts, etc.
Pssst...another give-a-way!!

Welcome back my Frazzled Friends and a special welcome to those joining for the first time!  Why yes, we are still loving the spring-like weather here in NC.  However, I must admit that my sinuses and head are not playing nicely with the weather.

This week our focus will be on our bottom half *smile*.  You will see higher waists (anyone else thinking Prince and Purple Rain??), continued obsession with distressed jeans and boyfriend jeans.  

More of the late 70's early 80's styles coming back... rolled pants and shorts and guess what has coming back?? 

Jumpsuits!! (So now I'm having a Saturday Night Fever flashback!)

High waists look awesome of D body types.  Jeans look great on all body types... but not just any jean looks good on all body types.  I will do a separate blog on jeans in the next few weeks.  Jumpsuits will look great on all body types.  Just be sure to follow the advice previously given regarding how to dress to flatter your particular body type and,  just know that you may need to have your new jumpsuit tailored a bit (unless you are an X body type).  D's should stay away from the tapered leg jumpsuits.  I like how a jumpsuit provides a "put-together" look and can be dressed up with accessories, shoes and a dressy hairstyle or can be more casual with sandals, espadrilles, cork wedges and even a floppy hat!

Skirt and dress hem lengths are longer this season!  I am so excited about this one!  You will find hem lengths right above the knee or a little below.  This looks so feminine without crossing into the "cute" category (for those who don't like being called cute).  

You may even find a few dresses (or skirts) with tail hems - notably longer in the back or side(s) than in the front.

A quick lesson on where hems should fall on you:  Stand in front a full-length mirror (otherwise, this won't work!)  and put your heels together (or at least close) and your toes at 10 and 2 o'clock respectively.  Now look to see where the openings are between your knees and ankles, those openings are called diamonds (cool, huh?).  Your hems should fall in the center of those diamonds.  

There is a time and place for a maxi dress or long boho skirt, but not all your dresses and skirts need be so long.  Nor should they all be too short.

Since a new season will begin shortly, this would be a good time to plan a little closet "housekeeping".  Check your skirts, shorts, cropped pants and dresses to see where the hems fall.   While you're at it do a little "wardrobe inventory" with the goal of keeping those clothes that fit you properly and are in colors that flatter you.  So... if you haven't worn something within the last year:

• Remove it from your closet/drawer.  Do you like it?  Does it still fit? 
• If it doesn't fit are you sure you will wear it again one day (and it's a color that flatters you); or, you have multiple sizes, get some storage boxes and begin labeling them respectively.  Store them somewhere else in your house (if you can).
• Is it a color that works best for you?  This is where the beloved color swatches really come in handy.  If it is not donate it.
• Do you have special occasion pieces that you haven't worn in the last year?  If they are a color that flatters you then store them as well.

These steps should help you have just what fits and flatters you in your closet.  You could go further in your organizing and group things together by style and/or color.  You can now make a list of things you may need based on what you removed.  I would keep that list in your purse (along with your color swatches *smile*) and when you are out and about you can shop on purpose and not on impulse.  

OK, as promised I have an awesome give-a-way... a copy of Shari Braendel's newest hit book Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad.   Shari is my friend, mentor and certified me as a Christian Image Consultant and Speaker.  Her book is chock full of style and fashion wisdom for all women!  It makes a great gift for someone as well, which is why I'm giving away a copy!  


To be entered to win Shari's book leave a comment telling me what you have learned from this post or any of my previous posts that has made a difference in how you feel about yourself as a child of God, made in His image and/or any helpful tips or tricks you have learned and applied. 

Blessings!

Dawn