Frazzled Fridays!

Spring Trends

Gotta be the Shoes!!!!!

Hello my Friday Frazzled friends!  It really has been quite a frazzled week around here.  One basketball season has ended for our son and another started, and our daughter has her first dance competition of the season this weekend.  Load 'em up and head out!  Here we go!  This momma is completely frazzled and quite frankly has lost her mind.  Please tell me you understand.

This week will be short but oh so sweet.  I love me some shoes!  However, my closet is not chock full of them like it was 10+ years ago.  I finally learned that you can only wear one pair at a time (well, and look right).

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are the hottest trends for Spring (and Summer)...

Corked wedges of all heights!  

Cute Boho style

 

Dressy or casual slingback

You will see lots of jeweled and pointy slingback heels and flats.

Cutey patooty pink slingbacks!

Love these!  The animal print is very popular this season.

Even Crocs have them.

 

 

 

 

Lots of metallics and tiny, sliver heels.

A nice silver sliver heeled sandal.  The gladiator look is still very in!

You will also see a lot of pointy toed shoes both in flats and heels.  Very cute, but not so sure about comfort.  However, if you are planning on going to an event where you will not be standing or walking around a lot, then the comfort factor is not quite as great.

Here are comfy looking pointy toed loafers in beautiful spring, citrus colors as well as blue and black.  BIG colors for spring are all shades of coral and beige neutrals.

Speaking of loafers, this is a look I remember from the 80's and loved!  It's a feminine menswear type shoe that would be great for the office or a casual dinner look.  Would look oh so great with the high waist trousers!  Could also be worn with a casual skirt with a ruffled blouse or sweater.  

Another casual loafer look are the nautical style Sperry loafers:

And for those casual days and nights, at home or on vacation you'll want to find a great pair of espadrilles!  I think a lot of them look better on than on the store shelf.  ;0) 

These look great cropped pants and rolled up legs.  

I really like the way these look - and the Sanuk brand is very, very comfortable.  Like walking on a yoga mat.  

I told you all last week that I have another give-a-way!  A copy of Shari Braendel's Good Girl's Don't Have to Dress Bad book recently released!   Shari's book has EVERYTHING a girl needs to know about how to dress including accessories, jeans and swimsuits!   To be entered into the drawing for her book I'm asking you to please either leave me a comment about what you have read so far on my blog (past entries included) that has helped you the most or you plan to put into practice OR go to my new S.H.O.P. facebook page and click the "like" button.  I will begin posting my blog on that page and would love for you to receive it in your newsfeed!   Click here for my new fb page.

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

Frazzled Fridays!

Spring Fling!

Heavens!  If you live in the South you have enjoyed some beautiful spring-like weather this week.  Thank you Lord for the break from the cold!  The birds are singing LOUD today!

With the onset of Spring I want to tell you about some of the fashion trends coming up.  I walked/shopped around one of our local malls last night and found that not all stores are completely ready with this season's newest trends.  That surprised me.  They have their winter cruise-wear available, but just a few Spring options out.  I will try to stop by some of the smaller/stand-alone stores to see if they have more to offer here at the end of February.  It may be that stores are still clearing out from the winter to make room for spring things.. regardless, this week's focus is tops and jackets.

This Spring (and Summer) the decade(s) making a return visit are the late 60's, early 70's.  There are a lot of soft ruffles still to be found.  I really like ruffles personally.  I think they are very feminine and girlie.  

Jackets and some shirts are cut slim this season to show off your waistline.  

This is great for those with a D or X body type.  This is also good for B body types as well, just be careful not to have your shirt too tight around your tummy.  If that means you need to get the next size up, that's ok!!  Jackets will be important for B's just be certain that the length falls just below the fullest part of your body. 

Also, tunics will look nice on B and X body types. 

A word of caution to D's with ruffles... keep them closer to your face.  I have a cute shirt with a ruffle all the way down the front (bought it without trying it on first - my first mistake, in another state no-less!), and after getting home and putting it together with a great pair of pants found that the long ruffles hid my waistline and made me look much fuller through my hips.  

If you are an O body type, the newest graphic prints are a must for you!  You may even consider a bold, print scarf.

This season you will find bold colors both in solids and graphic prints.  Popular bold colors are fushia, hot pink, coral and citrus colors.  

This is great for those with a Deep, Clear and Cool dominant color characteristics.  Some bolds can be worn by those with a Warm DCC, but please, please stay away from pink!  DCC for additional information.  

However, if you are a Soft or Light, have no fear.  There is also an abundance of refreshing pastels and softer colors; some in lace and feminine menswear. 

Other popular "flavors" for the Spring include chambray (light denim), 

leather with decorative zippers and stripes with a nautical feel.  

When you choose something with stripes remember to make them proportionate to your size.  For example, those who have a smaller frame, maybe a size 6 or less and/or are 5' 4" or under should not wear very wide stripes as it may "swallow them" looking too big for their body.  You want people to see your face before they see stripes coming their way!  On the other hand, those who have a larger body frame, maybe a size 14 or above and/or are tall should not wear smaller stripes as those may make you appear larger. 

Next week I will have information on the Spring trends for pants and skirts.  There's another style coming back that many of you may have forgotten.  Can you guess what it is?  AND, I will have another awesome give-a-way, so be sure to check back again next week!

 Blessings!

Dawn

Frazzled Fridays!

So What's a Body to Do?

Happy Friday to you!  I will announce the winner of last week's give-a-way in just a few minutes.

This week I will help you discover your body type!  The God of the universe created your body uniquely for you!  Oh, but you don't like your body?  Well, I suspect strongly that you are not alone.  However, I want to breathe some truth into your soul... In Psalm it says that God knit you together in your mother's womb.  Can you just picture that?  Do you have a family member who knits?  Or have you ever attempted it yourself?  I crocheted for a short period of time way, way back in my younger days.  My Granny taught me how.  It was really cool to just crochet until my little heart was content and have something to show for my time!  But I digress... I was hoping to put together a word picture for you with the whole knitting/crocheting thing.   God made your body specifically for you, for a purpose, on purpose... and He called it good.  Regardless of what we think of our body, the LORD calls it good.  Oh my, that just makes a girl smile!  

So let's get to discovering your body type.  First question to answer:  Where do you carry or gain the most weight?   There are four different body types: b, o, d, x.

If you are a B body type you generally gain or carry your weight in your belly and you have little to no rear end!

If you are an O body type you carry or gain weight in your bust and upper midriff area.  Generally a fuller figure and you have very nice legs!

If you are a D body type you carry and gain weight in your hips and thighs and generally have narrow shoulders and a small waist.

An X body type has shoulders and hips that are even (or balanced) and you have an indented waist.

The key to dressing is to look balanced and evenly proportioned like and X by the way we dress. The main thing you want to avoid is drawing attention to or accentuating your challenge area(s).

Ok, now what?  Here are some tips and tricks for each body type.

Someone who is a B body type should never tuck in their shirts. Be careful not to wear a shirt that is too tight around your belly.  These both draw the eye immediately to your belly.  Instead wear shirts (and jackets) that cover your fullest part.  A slimming trick is wearing v-neck shirts as it draws the eye upward.  Just be careful that these v-neck shirts are not too low cut.  The low cut shirts are a trend today, but you can always wear a tank or cami under it.

Stay away from pleated pants as they will make your midsection appear bigger.  Instead wear flat front or side zipper pants that are a relaxed fit/ full leg.   Tummy shapers are a nice addition to your wardrobe.

Slimming tricks: wear a top and bottom that are either the same color or of similar hue and intensity.  This is called   column or monochromatic dressing. Then wear a jacket that is in one of your pop colors.  You could wear a long scarf draping in front which draws the eye away from your tummy and lengthens you.  Accessorizing around the neck also draws the eye upward.

Now if you are an O body type YOUR BRA is the most important piece of your wardrobe!!  If you missed my post on bras, click here.   Beware of low cut or v-neck shirts.  You will most likely need a tank or cami under these.  I saw on TV there is this thing called Cami Secret.  I cannot specifically recommend this since I’ve not seen them personally or used them, but I thought it is a great idea so that you wouldn’t need an additional layer.

Prints look awesome on O body types as well as jackets!

Your pants need to have a slight flare, you may appear boxy if they are too wide at the bottom.  

Slimming tricks  for O's include the column/monochromatic dressing with the inside pieces the same color/hue; wear jackets; push sleeves up 3/4 length. 

For those who are a D body type, v-neck shirts are not the best because they make your shoulders/upper body look more narrow.  Better choices would be square or scoop neck or collars.  Shoulder pads which balance your shoulders and hips.  If you have questions about where and what kind of shoulder pads, please ask me!
 
Find pants that fit you in the hips and thighs and then have them taken in in the waist.  This may mean you need to go up a size but I'm telling you this really makes a difference when pants are taken in so they do not pull down in the back drawing more attention.  There are some manufacturers that are making pants for curvier shapes.  Hooray!  Make sure pants have a flared or wider leg; no skinny jeans.

Slimming tricks for D's: your monochromatic dressing should be with your outside pieces (outer shirt or jacket and pants).  Accessorize with necklaces or scarves drawing the eye upward.  And shoulder pads.

And for X body types, look for fuller tops (shirts) to go over skinnier bottoms and vice versa.  Belts are a must with pants.  With your body type you want to draw the eye in and then up.

The best slimming trick for X body types is look for dresses, shirts and jackets with a cinched in waist.  

The drawing was quite scientific; I wrote down all the names of those who commented on blogger as well as those who commented on Facebook in some form or fashion and then my sweet daughter drew a name from the bowl!  Ok...drum roll please... The winner of her very own swatch color kit is.... Shirley Bryant!  Congratulations Shirley!  I will touch base with you and will get your swatches to you asap!  


Blessings!


Dawn

Frazzled Fridays!

True Colors

Welcome frazzled friends!  This week I have a real treat for you!  I have an awesome give-a-way just for you... read on...

Do you remember the days of Color Me Beautiful or the seasonal color analysis?  Shari Braendel, author of Good Girl's Don't Have to Dress Bad, my trainer, mentor and friend, developed a way to analyze our true colors (Dominant Color Characteristic = DCC).   Shari has worked in the fashion industry for 20+ years and has seen all the different ways to analyze which colors look best on people.  Using the Color Me Beautiful approach, she developed her own placing women in six categories rather than twelve, offering more color choices.  It works!  And it makes SO much more sense.  

So your dominant color characteristic (DCC) is based on the color/intensity of your hair, skin and eyes.  That's it - real simple.  Our natural, God-given coloring is what determines which colors make us look youthful or aged, radiant or washed out.

If asked, what would you say is the most "universal" color?  Most would say black.  Did you?  We've been told that black is slimming and that everyone should own a 'little black dress'.  Lots of stores offer lots of clothing choices in black, therefore it must be the best color, right?  Not necessarily.

There are six different DCCs.  Light, Deep, Soft, Clear, Warm and Cool.  In order to determine which category you are in, you must be completely honest about your natural hair color.  We will get into the whole highlighting/lowlighting thing later.  For now, what is your current God-given natural hair color?  If your hair is 75% or more gray, silver or white, that is your natural hair color.  If you color your hair, then your natural color is the closest to what it was before turning gray, silver or white.  (Not what color hair you had when you were in elementary school).  Please be honest with yourself... it makes a big difference!

Once you have determined which category you fall into, there are 36 shades of colors that have been expertly chosen for you!  These are the colors that will most flatter you.  I will give you a very quick general guideline, but you may want to consider getting your own "Color Swatch Shopping Guide".   I have had my color swatches for over 2 years and keep them in a special pocket in my purse at all times.  You never know when you will need a new red t-shirt (because yours has faded) and you are in Target and they are on sale... so having my color swatches I can pull out that particular swatch and be sure that I am getting the right shade of red.  Store lighting can be very deceiving.

Now to the color analysis (DCC): 

If you have fair skin, light eyes and light hair (blonde) then you are a LIGHT.  You want to stay with light to medium intensity colors – those look great on you!  Beware of black!!  Keep it away from your face. Break up with white/black or pop color.  If you are changing or enhancing your natural hair color, highlights/lowlights are good (no more than 2-3 shades lighter or darker than natural).  Be careful of all over color which might look fake.  Your best pop colors: turquoise, pink, lavender, sapphire blue.

 In contrast, if you have dark hair, dark/medium skin and dark eyes you are a DEEP.  Your best colors will be medium to deeper shades and some brights.  You can wear black!  Stay away from muted colors.  Your dark natural hair color is best, so if you choose to highlight I would suggest no lighter than a caramel or toffee and not too many around your face. Your best pop colors are purple, true red and royal blue.

If you have light/medium hair (sometimes called mousy or dishwater blonde), light/medium skin and medium intensity eye color, you are a SOFT. Wear medium intensity colors. Never, ever, ever, not ever wear BLACK!  Black ages you and drains you of your beautiful color.  Sorry, but it's true!  I suggest charcoal grey, medium brown and camel as your neutral base (instead of black).  Also be careful of wearing very bright colors.  These will overpower your natural coloring.     If you choose to color your hair stay with medium highlights and lowlights (you could do several shades but be careful not to go too copper.)  Your best pop colors are mint green, coral, teal blue and butter yellow.

I don't know her natural hair color, but here she is a soft

If you have dark hair, light/medium skin and bright eye color you are a CLEAR.  This group can wear bright colors or those with high contrast like black and white.  Beware of wearing browns and beiges together.   Your dark natural hair is the absolute best for you!  This group is the only one that I suggest not get highlights.     Best pop colors are bright purple, true red, sunny yellow, hot pink and royal blue.  As a side note, I am a clear.  When I speak I show my driver's license to my audience (sometimes when I doing color analysis depending on the size of the group).  My hair is well, sorta brownish and blonde-ish.  A poor attempt at trying to look younger.  Since going back to my natural hair color I have received more compliments on my hair color than I can count.  I'm telling you from experience friends, stay with your natural color!!

If you have red, golden blonde or brown hair with reddish highlights (maybe some freckles), you are a WARM.  Your should wear colors that you see in the fall when the leaves begin to turn. I would suggest chocolate brown instead of black (or at least keep the black away from your face).    Wearing pink is a big no-no.  What? But you love pink?  Well, it doesn't love you back.  Pink clashes with your natural coloring and ages you.  Go for more coral or peach. Absolutely stay with your natural color!  You can add copper highlights if needed.  Your best pop colors best pop colors are rust, butterscotch, copper, turquoise. 

If you have silver, gray or ash brown hair, light to deep skin (usually pink undertone),  and anywhere from light to deep eye color/intensity, you are a COOL.  You should wear colors that are light to medium in intensity staying with those with a blue or pink undertone.  You can rock some black!   Please, oh please keep your hair it's now natural color!  It's beautiful!  Your best pop colors are ocean blue, royal purple, a blue-red, and soft pink.  I would suggest staying away from brown/beige, yellow and orange.  

Whew, I no this was a long post but I do hope you gained a lot of knowledge and don't hate me for the whole black or pink thing.   And since I am absolutely crazy about my color swatches, this is my give-away this week!  To be entered into the drawing to win your own personal color swatch and guide, just leave me a comment which could include anything from a color/style/fashion question or whether you like the length of the blog posts, pictures ok?, should I continue doing Bible segment or just stick with fashion (or just stick with Bible teaching *smile*)!

Next week I will discuss body types.  Do you know how best to flatter your God-given body shape?   I will also announce the winner of the drawing. 

If you are reading this via Facebook, I would love for you to share my post with others in your area.  

Blessings!

Dawn

Frazzled Fridays!

The Body Armor of God

The Sword of the Spirit
(What do you carry at your side?) 

Welcome back my Frazzled Friday friends!  (say that three times fast!)

The Lord has certainly blessed me earlier this week with less activity.   I also was very blessed to have the privilege of ministering to the women at the St. Giles Presbyterian MOPS group here in Charlotte.  What a wonderful group of women!  I so love doing what God has called me to do!!!

As we finish our series on the wearing the Body Armor of God, we will focus in on the second part of Ephesians 6: 17 which says, "and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Chip Ingram explains the definition: 

"The sword of the Spirit is the Word (rhema – spoken word, or words given to us by the Spirit of God) to do close, hand-to-hand combat with the lies and deceptions of the enemy. The truth of God’s Word quoted and applied to the specific lie or deception of the enemy will allow you to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”" (emphasis mine)

 God's Word IS our defense against the many lies of the enemy.  If we do not have God's word in our heart and mind, then we are at a significant disadvantage against the enemy, and he knows that - because we are defenseless in some area(s).  I don't know about you, but I sometimes have a hard time memorizing things.  I think for the most part the reason for this is that my mind is crowded by trivial things compared to the desire to read and memorize God's truth.

I really like the way The Message reads for this verse: "God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

Now after reading God's Word daily and throughout the last two years, I realize what a complete advantage it is to know Truth!   "But where do I start?", you might ask.  I am not an expert on memorization or specific verses or books of the Bible to start with.  But I do know that there are Bible reading outlines available either on-line or through your church (even our local Christian radio station 91.9).  Or use the Chronological Bible which I personally recommend.  Before you begin reading each day ask the Lord to help you understand what He specifically wants you to know and remember.  And write it down.  Write down what you remember like a special verse that jumped out at you.  It's ok if there isn't a verse that jumps out each day.  But do know that God loves you and wants you to know Him better through reading His Word.

There are also a number of on-line devotional options.  My personal favorite is Encouragement for Today.  But find the one that you like best and begin to write verses down.  I keep a small spiral bound note card-size book filled with verses for specific topics like fear, truth, hope in my bathroom by my mirror.  And since I look in the mirror everyday I always see it and flip through to find a verse that covers the emotions going on at the time.   

Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, ... It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."(emphasis mine)  Now that's the kind of sword I'd like to have defending me!

So what do we carry around by our side, strapped around our shoulders?  Our handbags!!

Here's the key to handbags... remember balance and proportion.  If you are a small woman don't carry around a handbag that's big enough to carry a small child in!  

People see the handbag coming before they see you!  In contrast if you are tall or maybe wear a size 14 or larger, don't carry around a little purse. 

It will make you seem larger.  You definitely can rock the larger bags!  If you are somewhere in between, stay with medium sized handbags.

But what color or style??  The style is really up to you, from casual to fancy-smancy.  As for color, either go with one that closely matches your hair color (except for those who are blonde or have very light colored hair - you would need to stick with tan/beige/taupe or a charcoal color).  

Or, pick a pop color for that season that looks great on you.  I will be covering Dominant Color Characteristic (DCC) beginning next Friday.  Do you have to have a handbag for every outfit?  Again, that's up to you.  I do encourage you to have a spring/summer bag and a fall/winter bag.  Linen or straw bags do not look right in the winter any more than wool looks good in the summer!  I am seeing some leather and canvas mixed bags coming out for the transition into spring.  But this bag really reminded me that spring is coming!!

Tune in next week when I will explain more about DCC.  You don't want to miss it... I'll have a give-away!!

Blessings!

Dawn