The Missus Smarty Pants Blog: Moms:Take Time for Style

The Missus Smarty Pants Blog: Moms:Take Time for Style: "

Moms:Take Time for Style

 Moms, how is your style looking lately???

Remember when you knew all the latest trends and styles—and how to wear them? If you are like most women, it was probably before you had kids. Why is that? Our beautiful children are gifts from above, but somehow in the process of becoming a parent, we miss-place our sense of style.

Now you have a budget and anything stylish seems suddenly not important. On the contrary, dressing stylish is very important to who you are! I found this out the hard way as a young mom I let "frumpy" style take over my look. I knew better, but thought that is what moms do....everything for their children. I soon realized this all or nothing attitude is not what I should be doing. I just needed to shop wisely to get my stylish look back. I put my style and budget savvy mindset together and started dressing better. As a young mom in my 20's, it feel fabulous to be a mom w/ style!

Great style doesn’t have to cost a lot. Even inexpensive accessories can really up-date your look and make you feel special. I also found shopping in second-hand stores kept my budget intact. I started by building my wardrobe with the needed basics and took it from there. The fact that I was able to sew (alter) the clothes I purchased made it an even more affordable way to shop.

Taking care of our appearance maintains our sense of identity (as a woman, not just a mom) and makes us feel more confident in general. An improved self-esteem makes us a better mother, wife, employee, etc. Why wouldn't we want to do everything we can to be our best?

We are busy! Our daily lives are often like a juggling act—trying to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. This is what busy moms do. There is no doubt about it, when you are a mom--life is busy. Often practicality makes us feel we must give up on style. When babies spit up on you, lots of errands to run, or you are staying at home—you think why bother? No real need for makeup or dressing well and before you know--practical and frumpy has taken over your life and looks!

Moms do NOT have to wear un-styled clothes to be comfortable. You can have style without breaking the bank. It is more about changing your attitude and making it happen. That’s where MissusSmartyPants.com comes in with my weekly style help! I have done most of the work for you--I give you mom-chic style ideas and make it easy! With my weekly shopping guides, style advice and encouragement, you'll be the best you can be...even with your busy schedule!

Women have a way of giving so much that there is nothing left for them. You don’t have to be a martyr in order to be a good mother. No need to lose your sense of style or identity either. You can do both—have style and be a great mom! 

In fact, being the mom that dresses nice and cares about her appearance is actually the one that is teaching her children an important lesson. You are telling them how an adult woman, mother and wife should take care of herself. Set the example for your children by showing them how you love yourself! You are worth it! FlyLady at FlyLady.net tells us to take time and pamper. Heed her wise advice and care for yourself.

  

Take time for style! Add a splash of makeup, a touch of accessories and wear styles are right for your body type—your attitude will be more positive. You will feel like you are no longer blending into the background—you will find that you get noticed and love how you feel. You are a woman of importance after all! You are—just ask your family! Moms, take time for you, take time for style!

Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants

Good Skin is Beautiful!

Dear SYSters,

If you have been a MSP SYSter for awhile, you know I advocate good skin care as one of the best ways to look your best.

I'm always looking for products that help us keep our skin youthful and healthy. I encourage you to avoid too much sun exposure and wear sunscreen DAILY.

I just started using this skin care system faithfully and I'm seeing fabulous results! It is made of all natural ingredients and I'm quite pleased with how it makes my skin feel and look.

I've arranged special pricing for all of my MSP SYSters since I love this skin care system so much!

http://www.theskinsociety.com/MSP/MissusSmartyPants.html

Join me and keep your skin healthy and looking its best!

Love, Leslie MSP

P.S. Dr Mike Hegi is the chemist behind The Skin Society website he works closely with dermatologist and plastic surgeons to create these products. He has been on my BlogTalk Radio show in the past and I'll twist his arm (okay, just ask nicely) to get him back to answer our skin care questions!

A Lesson From Larry

Sometimes we don't know how lucky we are until we lose someone or something. Why does it always take a loss or something devastating for us to realize how lucky we are? So often we take for granted the gift of life and the pleasures we have of living each day to its fullest. Recently I had this brought to my attention and it has made a huge impact on my life ever since.

I learned a lesson from Larry. I didn't know him and I still don't, but I wished I had taken the time to get to know him better before he walked out of my life. For Larry was reaching out to me and my husband and we didn't know how to respond.

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I were shopping at Trader Joe's (a small specialty grocery store). Half way through the store we were at the back of the store where they offer free coffee samples. We were tasting our mini cups of coffee when this man came up and tried to strike up a conversation with both of us. He asked us if we liked the coffee and we made small talk for a few seconds.

Moments later we were at the refrigerated cheese case, the same man boldly again came up and asked us if workout at a certain local gym. We said we both go to the gym regularly, but not the one he mentioned. He mentioned that my husband had on an exercise shirt (Under Armor), looked familiar and his hair was a "military" cut...so maybe my husband was former military (like him)? Well, since my sons ARE in the military, we got to talking with him. We found out his name was "Larry".

Larry was a pleasant (and obviously friendly) man (and in good shape for being 57 years old). We learned what he did in the US Army back in the day, explained what our sons are doing now in the Army and Air Force, etc. We learned his only son is only 2 years older than our youngest...and they both went to high school together. Perhaps they know of each other? We talked about exercising and staying healthy. Then Larry dropped the BOMB on us!!!!

Larry has been alone for 6 weeks. His wife passed away suddenly after being ill (undiagnosed) for a month. He brought out a picture of this beautiful blond woman that was only 52 years old. It was an obituary card of her life. My heart sank and broke at the same time. He said they had been married happily for 32 years. Suddenly she (her name was Patty) was gone! When he came home from work, he found her on the bed and she had died there. It turns out she lost lots of weight, felt like she had acid-reflux and no energy. Larry's wife Patty passed away from a heart related issue. Suddenly, this man has his life pulled out from under him! It was so overwhelming and quite shocking to hear.

I felt awkward pain and sadness at the same time. What do you do when some kind and friendly who is obviously reaching out tells you something like this...plus you don't even know him???

After another 15 minutes of talking, we said bye, it was nice to meet you--you are in our prayers. My husband and I for days, even off and on for the last couple of weeks have felt we should have DONE something for Larry. He was reaching out and needing a friend. Should we have invited a stranger over for a beer, a home-cooked meal, an ice tea? What would you have done? I feel horrible that the opportunity to be there for someone is now gone.

I feel now I should have done something for this sad and lonely person. However, HE did something for me. He taught me the lesson to stop taking life for granted. Live each day to its fullest. It was so good that my husband and I experienced this TOGETHER...because this month we celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary!

Thank you Larry! Thank you for the gift of loving each day to its fullest--we don't know how much time we have on this earth. I'll keep looking for you in Trader Joe's grocery store...because my husband and I have a home-cooked meal waiting for you. We'd love to have the pleasure of your company one day...

At home facials

Since my recent beauty post, I've been getting quite a few requests for my at-home facial recipe. So here it is...

• 1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
• 1 tbsp organic yogurt (not flavored)
• A few drops of honey

Mix together, apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water, then follow up with a washcloth to remove dead skin. Pat face to dry and apply your regular daily moisturizer. Your face will feel silky smooth and wonderful!

This facial is for all skin types! Enjoy, Leslie

Beauty Do's & Don'ts

Sometimes its the smallest things that make the biggest difference. This especially holds true with our personal grooming. By maintaining our eyebrows, wearing appropriate makeup and keeping our hair styled we look polished and put together.

Here's a little reminder list for you. Here is a quick list of "beauty do's & don'ts"...

Don'ts:

•  Don't fight curls
• Don't squeeze pimples
• Don't tan in the sun
• Don't cover freckles
• Don't over pluck
• Don't over-accessorize
• Don't let your hair go un-styled  

Do's:

• Do use SPF full spectrum sunscreen
• Do blend makeup
• Do exfoliate weekly
• Do have regular hair appointments
• Do sleep 7-8 hours
• Do drink plenty of water everyday
• Do use an eyelash curler
• Do shape brows and clean up strays
• Do wear a smile everyday!