"Unmentionables - those articles of ladies' apparel that are never discussed in public, except in full-page, illustrated ads"--Changing Times
The fact is sex sales. Whether we'd like to admit it or not. Scantly clad women work auto shows, conventions and more! Victoria's Secret markets lingerie better than any other company...period.
I understand about marketing and persuading people to buy a product they didn't know they needed (like a sports car, perfume to smell sexy, a bra that makes you 2 sizes larger, etc. ) It makes business sense to try and sell more of what you have and beat your competitors. However, when it comes to "unmentionables" I wish the marketing was a little more discrete.
I hate to sound like a prude, but as a mom it just seems so "in your face" and makes it hard to teach proper values to our young daughters and sons.
Again, I understand sex sells. I get it, but it just seems Calvin Klein and Victoria's Secret, Benneton all push the limits beyond reason.
What's your opinion? Do you agree with me or feel the sex volume is not turned up too high, or it's not a big deal?
Did you know you are fabulous just the way you are? You probably don't think so and start thinking doubtful thoughts after reading this statement, but I believe it to be true. It has become my mission in life to help other women discover their beauty (inner and outer beauty) through the clothes they wear. I'm not talking "high fashion" here, but a practical everyday feel good attitude about our outer appearance.
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to something. When you consciously decide to make a change, it will happen if it is truly your will and desire.
To start, you must set realistic goals that help you obtain what you want. If you want to look stylish and become more fashionable –it can be done! Women do have one BIG obstacle they must get past, however. Ingrained in many women’s minds are some not so realistic ideas of what beauty and style is all about.
Women often give up on themselves and feel they can never look as good as they once did when they were younger or thinner. Truth:Beauty is NOT a size or particular shape.
Women of all body types write to me about how they have more confidence and feel better about themselves because I’ve encouraged them to try new styles. They are finding flattering clothes that make them feel like a million bucks, isn’t that want it is all about anyways? Be realistic with yourself and love yourself enough to make some positive changes in your appearance. No more do you have to just put on “whatever”! You can have great style right now—just the way you are!
When it comes to images of beautiful women, we are inundated by the media of what we should look like. When you stand at the check-out lane in the grocery store, you see slim, vivacious women on the covers of magazines. You see celebrities that look too good to be true. Guess what? They are! The glossy photos of women on the cover of Cosmo, and other magazines, ALL have been re-touched. Yes, they may be beautiful women, but if the angle was not quite right or the woman appears “thicker” than what the editor had in mind, the picture is re-touched to make them appear “perfect”. This in NOT what real women look like! (Thank Goodness) To get a more realistic idea… look around you. Open your eyes and see women on a bus, in the doctor’s office, out shopping at the stores, everywhere. They are not magazine covers--they are REAL women. They are beautiful women with flabby arms, average height, petite women, and ones with large bottoms, those with skinny arms and everything in-between. Take a look in the mirror and see what another REAL woman looks like—YOU! This is reality of what beautiful women look like!
I can not be your therapist and talk you out of your body insecurities that you have (we all have them). Regardless of your dress size or shape, you CAN have terrific style! All women have some figure challenges—it a matter of finding the styles and cuts that work for you. When you learn WHAT to wear and WHY, then you will begin to have style other women envy!
You may feel that is it is too much of a stretch because you mourn the loss of your “twenty-something” body… you could never look that good again. I’m here to say you are wrong! Why not look better today than you have ever looked? By learning to dress your body shape and using the right style techniques, your body will “appear” better proportioned and and everyone will want your “style secret”!
So what are you waiting for? Accept your shape, dress for it and get on with your life! You'll start to finally feel fabulous just the way you are!
I can’t say enough about your website! Every time I get a compliment, I give you the credit and tell everyone about how wonderful you are! Bless you for sharing this style help to so many women at such an affordable price.
The Personal Profiles are making a huge difference on how I dress now but I also find the weekly style missions are really good too.
Last week you had us clean out our makeup drawers. I did but I have one container of eye shadow I just can not throw out. I paid good money and love the color but it is a shattered mess. The powder was all inside my makeup bag. I’d love to keep my eye shadow but simply hate the mess it has created. Do you have any suggestions?
Charlene
Dear Charlene,
Thank you for the sweet comments!
I love hearing http://www.missussmartypants.com/ is helping you improve your style. It does feel fabulous when other people give you compliments about what you are wearing.
I do have a way you can keep your broken eye shadow and return it to almost its original state:
Now that we are smack dab in the middle of summer, I'm anxious to partake in all this season has to offer--before it's gone! Soft serve ice cream cones, watermelon, wearing bedazzed flip flops, bright-colored tank tops, comfy sundresses and warm toes in the sand...(and maybe a tall adult beverage w/ an umbrella in it would be good too, LOL!)
Another thing I love about summer is wearing my casual denim shorts. They say relax and don't take your day too seriously when I wear them. Which gets me thinking about the "new" summer trend that was spotted on many fashion runways for spring/summer 2010. The good news is I have NOT seen much of this "new"trend. Which trend, you ask? WEARING DOUBLE DENIM!!!
Can one be a fashionista and truly pull off a "double denim" look? Is it possible to look "fashionable" wearing two pieces of denim??? I highly doubt one can. Or maybe it's just that I CAN'T pull off this trend?
Even though this may become a new trend that we MIGHT actually take seriously down the road...I'm not liking the idea of wearing two denim pieces in one outfit! It's simply overkill and looks very un-styled when worn together, in my humble opinion. I mean with all the denim being worn top and bottom, why not add a denim handbag why you are at it--and shoes?
In the top picture, I feel Vanessa Hudgens rocks her double denim look ONLY because the shorts she is wearing are black. Wearing double denim the SAME SHADE looks crappy (in my opinion of course). This picture below I think makes my point. Even though it's a professional ad for jeans--it looks washed out and boring:
What say YOU? Do you feel wearing "double denim" is a fashion faux pas or that a true fashionista should be able to rock this style? Have you worn "double denim" and felt good about it? I sure want to know!
What is worse than an outfit of "double denim"? How about a couple all glammed out in nothing but a sea of denim blue??! (I have to admit, it's kinda cute that you like your guy so much you want to match him)
Maybe it's just a guy thing....you think? I have noticed that somehow guys with a cool vibe can pull off a "double denim" look. For example, Zac Efron below looks pretty snazzy! Is double denim only for young guys or only if the denim pieces are of a different shade? I'm just wondering if this trend does become a full blown style how I'd pull it off?
I'd love to hear your opinion about loading up on denim in one outfit. Do you purposely avoid wearing a denim jacket because you are wearing blue jeans? What say YOU? A do or a don't?
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!
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!
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!
