WONDERFUL THREADS > Formula For The Perfect OOTD

Ever see someone looking so fierce that it baffled you? How did they know how to pair those shoes with that dress and manage to look absolutely stunning? You think to yourself, "If I tried that on, I'd look like potato sack" but the truth is, you can pull a similar look off with some minor adjustments. The trick is knowing how to use style components to formulate your OOTD. Here's another 101 guide to looking your best.

STEP ONE: Fit

You know the expression "If the shoe fits, wear it?" I want you to add, "and if it doesn't fit, fix it until it does." When designers create their clothing line, they are basing their measurements off of mannequins that are representations of real bodies, so its no surprise that a third of the things on the rack are too small, a third too big, and the rest will simply have to do. The secret to looking fabulous in everything you wear is to get it tailored. Don't have the cash to hire someone? Break out a pincushion and YouTube some DIY videos on doing it yourself. Practice makes perfect, and sewing is a life skill everyone could use.





STEP TWO: Texture

How does it feel? I reference fabric detailing in my previous post on Building The Closet Of Your Dreams, but it's important here too. Again, cheap materials look cheap and can irritate your skin. But when it comes to texture, you'll also want to keep in mind how textures look against each other. A denim jacket over a t-shirt and a pair of jeans is hardly interesting. But replace that jacket with a silk scarf and now you've got something!





STEP THREE: Print

Similar to texture, you want pieces to compliment each other, not blend into one another. I've seen my fair share of matching catastrophes where the belief that one color from head to toe (literally) made them a fashionista. Don't get me wrong, black is always flattering, but not if the shades don't match and you look like you belong in the Matrix. An easy way to start incorporating print is to wear one print piece among your solids. Then, slowly, start to up your number until you feel confident in this area. Just remember, not everyone should wear more than 3 different prints in one outfit.








STEP FOUR: Sparkle

Bling is just the thing to add luxury to any look, if done properly. Typically, just a touch will do. Your accessories are perfect to add just the right amount of sparkle and give your look sophistication. Makeup is a fun way shine, but careful with the glitter. (It can easily come off as juvenile.) If you choose to use your wardrobe, you want to be careful not to overdo it, otherwise you'll end up looking gaudy. Dark colors down play sequins, the same for matte textures with patent leather. There aren't too many people (certainly none I've ever come across) who can pull off sequin pants, so when trying something new, I re-interject the importance of fit.



STEP FIVE: Statement Piece

This is la creme de la resistance! Your statement piece demands attention the moment you walk into the room. It is bold, defined, and can be used to easily strike up a conversation with new friends. It can be anything: a bag, a necklace, shoes, a headband, even eyelashes! You just want to make sure that you calculate it with the rest of your look. If you've chosen a suede clutch, then you may have to think again about that suede vest. If it's a houndstooth skirt, then ditch the aztec belt. Some people formulate their OOTD around the statement piece. For best results, try everything on and look in the mirror. If you're second guessing something, go for something else you feel more confident wearing.


You now have the artillery you need to create spectacular OOTD every single day. But for heaven's sake, don't forget about color!!

I'll post my own ensembles in the ME tab in my weekly updates. Now go forth and conquer!

IMPECCABLE KNOWLEDGE > Study Like A Boss

You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy (that is, unless you actually are in Kansas.) Welcome to the wonderful world of college where last minute term papers won't cut it, and there's hardly any "easy A's" to be found.

Extra credit? Fa-get about it!

Sure you were on the honor role in high school, but it's going to take a lot more than memorization to be successful during undergrad. Here are five pointers to study smarter, as told by minions from Despicable Me. (Why not?)

1. Get A Tutor The First Week Of Class

Most colleges offer tutoring services from fellow scholars at little or no cost to students. If you're taking Chemistry this semester, and the only reference H2O brings to mind is The Water Boy, then you may need a tutor. Why struggle with a class if you can get help in the beginning? If you know something isn't your strong suit, you can get the assistance necessary to thrive in the classroom.

2. Study The Syllabus

Curriculum guidelines require that professors submit a syllabus for students stating what to expect from the course. Some only list reading assignments and test dates. Invest in a planner or wall calendar and post these dates for everyday reference. Awesome professors go a step further and list homework assignments! If you take the time to map out your courses at the start of the term, you'll save yourself from missing deadlines and will be able to stay on top of everything.

3. Read Before Class

Gone are the days where you just "showed up" to class to find out what's going on. Your professors expect you to have some working knowledge of the text (most likely for participation purposes) so you need to read before class. You'll gain a better understanding of the content because they'll explain things you may not have fully understood from the text with examples.

(I'll post an article about how to best read those giant textbooks in the near future)

4. Take Notes

There are 3 main methods of learning: auditory or verbal, pictures or visual, and kinesthetically. If you're a kinesthetic learner, like myself, then you learn best by doing. Taking notes reinforces your learning because you are able to use your book as a visual source, the lecture for verbal absorption, and writing as the kinesthetic process. Because this will help you learn better, you won't have to study as much because it'll 'stick' more in your brain.

(An article on note taking soon to come)

5. Find Your Study Flow

It's important to have a routine for learning, because we are creatures of habit. If you're a morning person, then late night sessions are probably not going to be very productive and vice verser. Find a place that's well lit and study in that same spot. This puts your mind in "study mode." Stay away from TV and Facebook, and be sure to dress comfortably. Music is alright as long as it isn't distracting and snacks are a must.

College courses are challenging, but they don't have to be a struggle. Master these tips and watch your grades get better every week! 

BEAUTIFUL MARRIAGE > Before You Say I Do

Congratulations! At last, your love has come along, the one who makes you see fireworks. Apparently you can feel the love tonight, there's a sparkle in your eye, and ain't no stopping you now. They want to make your house a home, but do you have what it takes to make it last? (Hope you're enjoying all these love song puns!)

On a serious note, are you ready to make this kind of commitment and live with your decision, always and forever? (I had to do it.)

Talking before your big day is critical to the success of the relationship. Problems stem from our expectations of marriage. You have this idea in your head of what it looks like, and so does your mate, but if you're not talking, these views are bound to clash down the line. So sit down and hash out all the hard stuff before you walk down that aisle. Here are some things to consider before you say "I Do."

Defining Marriage

What is marriage? Some people see it as a sacred bond between a man and a man that's honored by God. Others as a civil union recognized by the government. And some even look at it as a way to save money and live a more comfortable lifestyle. With all these mixed messages, it can be difficult to determine the true meaning of a marriage, so I'll just say this:

Marriage is exactly what you see fit for it to be. Every couple is different and what's best for one may be obsolete for another. It's important to respect how the people in your life have chosen to be married, because frankly, it's not your job to make people do what you think is right in a marriage. Whether good or bad, it belongs to them so mind your business! It's important to sit together and decide what you will honor in your marriage and what won't be tolerated.

Ball & Chain

There's an old figure of speech that once you get married, you lose your freedom, and that's why a lot of people are deafly afraid of commitment.

In my marriage, I don't feel chained down by our relationship; I'm set free! I can be my true self without fear when it comes to my husband. He uplifts me, supports my dreams, and gives me the room I need to keep growing as an individual. This is crucial. You still have to fulfill your commitments to yourself even though you're married.

Keep chasing your dreams, going out with your friends, and just being plain awesome. Just make sure that you know what behaviors would upset your spouse and avoid doing them. I know that sounds restricting to some of you, but you wouldn't want your mate to do the things that upset you either, so suck it up. It's in the name of love!

Finances

There are tons of stats out there about divorce, and the one I'm constantly hearing is that many marital problems revolve around money. It's already demanding to keep your relationship healthy, but when you add financial strain to the mix, it's a living nightmare! Imagine trying to live peacefully together amongst collector calls, eviction notices, and late fees. Not a pretty picture.

Get a financial plan together and follow it. Decide how bills will be paid and if you'll merge your funds or not. Create a strategy to get rid of debt and a savings plan. Set goals. And most importantly, do it together.

Role Play

You think it's a woman's job to cook and clean. They think both spouses should work full time. You think chores should be divided evenly. They think the man should be the one to bring in all the money to pay the bills. There's all kinds of ideas out there about what role each person has in a marriage, and this can trip you up in your relationship. If you're religious, this could impact your beliefs of the roles in a household as well. You need to discuss what each person can bring to the home in order to live harmoniously. For example, what if the husband can cook and the wife even burns buttered toast? You just going to eat charred food for the rest of your lives? You can agree on how your household will run and fulfill your agreed upon responsibilities. If both people are doing what they said they would do, what's there to argue about?

Children

This is a BIG deal. You're no longer talking about your own life, but complete responsibility for the life of a little human being. Someone's life literally being in your hands. This topic is not to be taken lightly.

Do you want kids? Do they? How she raised? Do you agree with how their family raised him? Do you believe in spanking children? What would you qualify as a spanking? Would you ever consider adoption? Are they against it? How strict were your parents? What if he doesn't believe in a curfew? What about dating rules and the birds and the bees talk?

See? It's a big freaking deal. Talk about it. Reflect, and talk some more. Keep talking on into your marriage and onto parenthood. Whatever you decide, be unified.


To be honest, there's no way to be fully prepared for marriage. It's a journey full of the unexpected but it can be heaven on earth. I really hope this was helpful, but if it wasn't, here is a list of ideas and resources for those thinking seriously about marriage.

• Seek marital counseling
• Take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course
• Attend a couple's retreat
• Visit the National Healthy Marriage website http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/index.aspx
• Check out the Stronger Marriage website http://strongermarriage.org/

WONDERFUL HEALTH > Love Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ of the body and it takes a lot of crap! It's burned by the sun, chaffed by cold winds, frozen by snow, dried out by cheap products... It's your body's first defense from sickness and disease. Isn't it time to show your skin some love?

I've included some DIY ideas to baby your epidermis with the much needed TLC it deserves. I usually suck at DIY projects, but these are so easy they don't need special tools and you can find most of these supplies in your kitchen!


Face: Avocado Mask

Peel and remove the pit from an avocado, then cut it in half. Throw one half into a bowl and add a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of honey. Mix until soft. Spread onto your face with your hands or a sponge. Let it sit for ten minutes, then rinse. Your face is going to feel like butter, baby!

Hands: Sugar Scrub

Squeeze a small size of body wash into your hand and add a teaspoon of sugar. Mix by rubbing the solution all over your hands, focusing on the palms. This gentle exfoliate will soften calluses and remove dead skin. Say hello to princess hands! (To use on feet, substitute the sugar for sea salt.)


Feet: Soak Solution

This soak is great for sore or swollen feet! Fill a large bowl with hot (but not scalding) water. Add a few tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and half a cup of honey. Soak your dogs in this potion for 20 minutes and they'll emerge glass slipper ready. Rinse after if desired, and rub down with your favorite oils after to seal in the moisture.

Body: Aromatherapy Bath

Aromatherapy is a plush way to detox and unwind after a stressful day. A simple recipe is to add lavender and vanilla oil into your bath water. Light some candles and cue the soft jazz and you'll be in heaven! I found an awesome website with loads of recipes to choose from for those looking for a more extravagant experience.

Check it out! http://www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com/bath-oil-recipes.html


I like to have what I call "Princess Pampering Days" to groom and treat myself to some at home luxury and these solutions are are part of the 'royal' routine. Show your skin some love today and you'll glow from head to toe!

IMPECCABLE CAREER > Do What You're Passionate About

Let's do the math. A lot of people work 9-5's, so that is 8 hours per workday. With the average of 5 days a week, 20 days a month and 12 months a year, that is equivalent to 240 work days a year out of 364.

That's a little over 65% of the year dedicated to working. That's 40 hours a week, 160 hours a month, 1920 hours a year from your life that you can never get back!

Now, I know we have to earn an income to provide for ourselves and our families, but when you think about it, your job only values these precious hours of you life at an average of $10/hour.

I don't know how you feel about it, but I'm worth so much more!

We should all strive to dedicate or 240 work days a year to something we enjoy, something that adds value to our lives, and not just the company's bank account. It's time to take control of your work life and turn your labor into favor.

ID Your Strengths

 

What are you naturally good at? Maybe you have an ear for music or pride yourself in a pristine home presentation. You can coax a fish out of water or throw together meals that make taste buds sing! Make a list of all the things you do really well, then circle the ones you like doing most.

If you're unsure, give Strengths Quest a try to find your top 5. Visit www.strengthsquest.com 

ID Your Passion

What makes you feel fulfilled? What is it that makes you feel powerful, like what you're doing makes a world of a difference? I'll share my own passion to get you started. Ever since I can remember, I've always been a 'girls rule' kind of gal, and am a proud feminist. (The equal rights kind, not the man hating bra burning kind) I grew up in a city of few opportunities and many of the girls around me were abused or ended up with several children by the time the were 18. Thus, my passion is to make an outlet for young ladies to be inspired to reach for their dreams. My sisters and I didn't have money, but  we had hope, and that is a powerful thing. I'm using my strengths of writing and public speaking to build a career dedicated to this cause. What are you passionate about?

Google It

Once you find out what your strengths are and identified your passions, search online for potential careers involving these skills. There are positions out there you never knew existed, positions that will change the way you think about work. The best job I've ever had thus far was camp group leader, a job where I danced and chatted with girls all day long, serving as their mentor. And got paid well for it too! You may not think that's a big deal, but for someone who loves helping girls, it was a dream come true.

Plan It

After you gather a few careers you want to pursue, start researching what its going to take to
get the job. Some will require education or certification. Some will require experience or recommendation. You may think you're too old/young to invest in the preparation it takes to get these jobs, but you've already wasted how many years doing something you hate? Exactly. At least this is going towards something that actually matters to you.

The time to act is now! How many more hours, days, years will you spend in a position you tolerate just to survive? Why not go after something that's going to bring in an income and make you happy? You can absolutely have both. If you're willing to put in the work, and to never stop trying, eventually you'll end up in a career you love. You may not be a millionaire, but you'll be happier, and that's priceless.