Shellie Bowdoin's Blog, page 10

Tips For Getting The Short Haircut You Want

The FAB Journey

The subject of hair is never far from the discussion when any group of girls get together. And, there’s not one of us that doesn’t have a story of woe to tell. Today I’m talking about my best tips for getting the short haircut you want.

Most of us would agree that our relationship with the hair salon is a love/hate one at best. Oh yes…we love, love, love to have a standing appointment with a trusted stylist until that fated day when she says what usually starts with “Sorry” and ends with the bombshell that she will not be available in that salon to cut your hair six weeks from today!

Why is it so hard to find someone to cut our hair?!! I think it boils down to this…we just don’t know what we want or what to ask for. That’s why it’s essential to arm yourself with the right terminology and a game plan before you head to the salon; especially if you plan to get a short haircut.

Here are my best tips for getting the short haircut you want.
1. Confer with the stylist before your hair is washed.

The stylist needs to see how your hair lays when it’s dry. If you don’t like something about your hair, it’s much easier to point it out when your hair is dry. Plus, something happens to a women when she sits in a salon chair with a towel wrapped around her head…it makes her blurt out things like, “do whatever you think is best”…and none of us want that!

2. Do not expect the stylist to read your mind.

Show a picture of the exact hairstyle you want; including the back view. And then, ask the stylist if she thinks that hairstyle will work with your hair texture and face shape.

3. Use the correct terms for what you want done to your hair.

Terms To Know For A Short Haircut

Asymmetrical – hair is cut shorter on one side than the other
Bevel – the hair is cut with a slight curve that tapers in at the ends
Graduated – refers to hair that is longer in the front and shorter in the back
Undercut – cutting an area really short and allowing a top layer of hair to fall over it (this removes volume on the bottom)
Texturizing or “Point cutting” – cutting the ends of the hair at different lengths, usually done by cutting into the hair at an angle (I recommend this be done with scissors, not with thinning shears)
Weight – Area of the hair that you want to have the most volume
Pixie – a short hairstyle typically short in the back and on the sides of the head and slightly longer on the top with very short bangs (this is NOT my hairstyle).



4. Explain exactly where you want the most weight or volume.

Often, a good and bad haircut comes right down to unbalanced weight. Spend some time looking at your hair in the mirror before you go to the salon.

Does your current hairstyle flatter the shape of your face? For example, if your face is round, then balance the fullness with straight lines. If your face is long (like mine), then choose a hairstyle that draws the eyes outward to balance length of your face.

I’ve had two typical issues with my own haircuts in the past:

A-Frame – The weight of the hair is concentrated in the bottom third of the hair and there are not enough layers cut into the top portion of the hair.
Puppy dog ears – The weight of the hair is concentrated in the bottom half of the hair and usually looks too full behind my ears.

5. Do not let the stylist use thinning shears on a short haircut.

I don’t care what they say…thinning shears don’t work on my fine hair and they don’t work on my kids’ thick hair. And yes, only two years ago, I went in for a haircut with a new stylist. I told her that I did not want thinning shears.

She convinced me that she would use her shears in a way that was far different from all other stylists. I caved…needless to say, her method was NOT revolutionary. I ended up having to re-trim all the little hairs sticking up all over my head.

Ask your stylist to texturize your hair with scissors. Point cutting allows the stylist a lot more control.

6. A good stylist will know the correct terms for various styling techniques.

Discuss what you want, then ask the stylist to explain her plan for cutting your hair before she begins…just to make sure you are both on the same page.

I actually have a harrowing story of a stylist who gave me a haircut based on a picture above the one I had pointed to in a magazine. We were literally not on the same haircut!!

How To Get My Exact Haircut

It’s one thing to see a picture of a great haircut in a magazine or online, but it’s not always easy to walk out of the salon with a haircut that resembles the one you wanted. So, I decided to take things a step further for you today. Not only will I show you pictures of all sides of my hair, but I will also explain the exact wording I use when discussing this haircut with my stylist.

Even though I go to the same stylist every time, I go over my expectations every time, so there is no misunderstanding. Just remember, your regular stylists has cut dozens of other people’s hair since your last appointment.

I will give one disclaimer for this post…the pictures were taken inside the salon, so I didn’t actually style my own hair. I usually find that no one else quite knows how to work with my hair like I do. But, I think you can still get the idea.

My hairstyle is…

Asymmetrical cut, the shorter side has a 1″ undercut above the ear and across the back bottom. The undercut is short, but not short enough to allow the skin to show through.
The back of my hair is graduated or shorter than the front. The top layers are cut at a diagonal angle (like an inverted V in the back). The neck line is cut straight across the bottom and the neck is shaved with a straight razor.
The long side of my hair is beveled. The side fringe is 5″ at the shortest point from the side part. The under fringe or bangs are cut at a diagonal across the front, the shortest (when pulled straight) is cut to mid-eye and the longest is cut to the lower lash line).
The weight or volume of my hair behind the ears is cut to end at eye level (this works especially well for me because I have a long oval face). A lot of attention is paid to this particular area of my hair; texturizing is done before and after the hair is dried.

Well, there you have it, I have laid out everything I know about the art of asking for and receiving a great short haircut. I hope it works for you! If the idea of a short haircut is new for you, check out my post on how to rock short hair.

Finally, I leave you with this thought.

 1 Peter 3: 3-4

3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

A great haircut can never replace the beauty of what’s cultivated on the inside!

Catch all my posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog page, footer of the homepage or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous fashion linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~ Shellie

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How To Be Fashion Savvy

The FAB Journey

A fashion savvy woman knows what she likes and why she likes it. Not only that, but she has figured out what elements work together to refine and define her style.

Have you ever considered how your fashion choices reflect, enhance or possibly detract from your personality? Take a minute to think of someone who’s style you admire. What elements of her style do you most appreciate?

 

When it comes to my fashion choices, I am a major fan of black, not because it’s easy, but because it’s honestly one of my most flattering colors. I prefer classic lines, but I like to mix things up with interesting textures and details. Then, I like to add just a touch of edginess to my outfits to keep things fresh and current.

How Fashion Savvy Women Refine Their Style
 1. They Know Their Colors

I am a true winter, which means I wear clear, unmuted colors. In fact, the more brilliant the color is, the more it suits my natural coloring. And yes, I wear A LOT of black. Again, pure black jives well with my coloring. Red is my signature color.

How about you…do you know your coloring? Wearing color over 40 immediately warms up your complexion.

2. They Know Their Shapes

I know my body, so I choose clothing styles to accentuate my best features. Although, I don’t seem like your typical petite I am actually short-waisted. I often shop for my tops in the petite section to keep the hemline from falling too low.

I also like to wear circle skirts. Circle skirts flatter many body shapes. I find the most flattering length is just below the knee cap. Likewise, I’m a major fan of the pencil skirt, which looks best when it tapers in below the knee. And oh, how I love a great pair of slim legged slacks!

3. They Know Their Style Vibe

I admire a myriad of different styles on other women, but I know my vibe and stick with what works for me. I prefer classic lines and feminine shapes. Often, I like to mix soft and hard elements.

When it comes to jewelry, I like metals and natural materials. Dainty jewelry doesn’t seem to work for me, so the bigger or clunkier it is, the more I like it. And, I’ve learned to rock my reading glasses over the last several years. Hey…if you’ve got to have them, they might as well be fabulous!

 

4. They Are Happy In Their Own Skin

Ultimately, a fashion savvy woman knows who she is and what she wants to convey to the world. I live out the lyrics from “Annie,” the musical,”You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”

While I love all things fashion, I also realize that fixing up the outside is only a small part of the equation. Ultimately, it’s what’s inside that comes bubbling through.

Psalm 139:14

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

Check Out The Style Of These Fashion Savvy Women
Jessica’s Style

Here is an outfit that best describes my personal style. I love color, and feminine styles. The shape of this dress is fitted, I love a vintage inspired look with the color and v back. Dressing for my shape is part of my style as well as wearing shoes that are comfortable and stylish. The block heel, vintage inspired, is a versatile shoe! I do love my floral patterns as well!

Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Dawn’s Style

I think this look reflects my personal style.  Here I’m wearing all my favorite things: flared jeans, cool shades, and kicken boots! I’m also loving revisiting the deep burgundy lipstick shades and black chokers of the 90’s!

Fashion Should Be Fun – Style Over 40

Patti’s Style

 I like to mix dressy with casual, have a fun and funky piece as the eye-catcher, and use jewelry to help define the look. I always want my shoes to have a little personality, like these black booties. And I like to incorporate trends (e.g., cropped trousers) with classic silhouettes.

Not Dead Yet Style

Cherie’s Style
 I love to be comfortable in what I wear so this was right up my alley.  Pairing it with metallic slippers or slides seemed to be the perfect mix.  Casual elegance.  I have a difficult time defining my style, but people have described it to me as just that, casual elegance.

 Style Nudge

Andrea’s Style

This look captures and defines my style which is often a blend of dressy with a casual piece mixed in or visa versa. There is something about mixing casual and more dressy pieces and soft fabrics that makes me feel polished yet more comfortable. For me, being refined means wearing things you love but always feeling like yourself and exuding confidence.

Living On Cloud Nine

Trina’s Style  

This bohemian style dress, which I’ve layered over a peasant blouse, and paired with lace up flats definitely defines my everyday style.  I’m not afraid to layer, I feel comfortable running around in flats (even at my wonderful height of 5’3″) I am more likely to throw on a dress on any given day for just about any given occasion because it makes me happy!  I feel truly confident in this little number and just a bit unique which is what makes us all that much more refined.

Tea Time With Trina

Each of these fashion savvy women know what works for them and it shows! If you relate to their style vibe, make sure to check out their blogs for more inspiration to help refine your own style point of view. Also, these awesome pics were taken by my cutie-tootie niece, Rebekah. Check her out on Instagram…@rebekahswindal .

Have a great day!

Catch all my fashion posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous fashion linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~Shellie

 

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5 Defeatist Thoughts That Make Us Powerless Over Food

The FAB Journey

A lot of us are guilty of defeatist thinking when it comes to food. We just assume defeat is inevitable; that we’re powerless to its magnetic draw. What’s interesting is that this affliction appears to be no respecter of persons. Defeatist thinking with food takes down men and women, rich and poor, the corporate CEO and the suburban housewife.

Why is it such a struggle to gain control over food? The answer lies in what we think about the food we eat.

I am convinced that a person can never fully gain control over food until she gains control of her thoughts about food. It’s time to realize that it’s more than the food itself. Let’s look at 5 defeatist thoughts that make us powerless over food.

a person can never fully gain control over food until she gains control of her thoughts about food.
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5 Defeatist Thoughts That Make Us Powerless Over Food
1. Food is just too good to resist.

Defeatist thinking says you might as well accept weight gain as inevitable because, after all, food really is just too irresistible. When allowed to flourish, this thought pattern can easily become an emotional scapegoat. If you approach food with zero planning…then, couple that with the foregone conclusion that food’s draw is too much for you to handle…you can definitely expect to gain weight.

It’s like a cheesy Sci Fi movie…the alien turns on the tractor beam as the helpless subject is unwilling drawn to the light.

How many of you have ever compared a bad eating episode to an “out-of-body” experience? You just lost your mind somewhere between the door and the buffet table, only to regain it hours later as you unbuttoned the top button of your jeans in the car.

It’s a lot easier to pass blame than to take personal responsibility for your actions. When you say a food is just too good to resist, you are actually passing the blame for overeating to the food. In so doing, you view your actions and food choices externally or separate from yourself…the food was so yummy, it made me eat it.

I write more of this in Excuses For Being Overweight – I Like The Taste Of Food.

2. I will just have to pay for it later.

Putting off the consequences of poor food choices typically leads to the situation where one pound quickly piles on top of another. Eventually, “later” is postponed so long that it will take a lot more than a few days at the gym to make up for the extra calories.

3. Food is part of the fun.

No one will deny that tasty food is fun. But, what happens when fun and entertainment become the norm instead of the exception?

Problems arise when we grow to expect food to consistently entertain us. This expectation causes us to gravitate toward foods that appeal to the pleasure centers of the brain. It’s natural to enjoy extra food when we attend a special party or celebration as long as we have eaten sensibly every other day.

However, things quickly spiral out of control when our mind tells us that EVERY MEAL should be a little party for one.

 

4. Eating food makes me feel better.

If you are hungry, food can make you feel better, physically. However, food cannot alleviate emotional pain. In fact, a lot of foods, like sugar and fatty foods, actually cause your mood to spike before it comes crashing down.

Long-term exposure to sugar and processed foods has actually been linked to depression.

Long-term exposure to an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression, according to the findings of a 2014 study in the online journal PLoS One that looked at diet and depression in 3,663 people. What constituted an unhealthy diet, for purposes of the study, was one that was high in sugar and processed foods.

Source: EverydayHealth.com

5. I am supposed to gain weight.

If you tell yourself that you will gain weight over a holiday, vacation or business trip away from home; chances are you will do exactly that! Why?…because our behavior follows our beliefs.

Are you guilty of any of these flawed thoughts? Maybe it’s time to target your eating habits at the thought level. Weight gain is not inevitable unless you tell yourself it is. You always have a choice, so why not choose to focus your thinking on positive, proactive steps toward a healthier you.

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If you would like to read more about the excuses we often use when it comes to food, check out my post on the problem with focusing only on the symptom of weight. A list of excuses is provided at the end of the post…you can also type any of those titles into the search bar to learn more about each excuse.

Remember, your thoughts can make you feel powerless over food. But, you are only truly powerless when you allow yourself to be!

Catch all my posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous lifestyle linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~ Shellie

 

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Paint It Red – Holiday Outfit

The FAB Journey

I absolutely love Christmas. For me, it honestly is the most wonderful time of the year! It’s a season for sappy Christmas movies and sparkling trees…and I’m crazy about them all. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a holiday when red is the signature color. And you can be sure that I take every opportunity to paint it red with a red holiday outfit.

But, a colorful outfit is only the icing on a life well lived.

The real “cake” of life is found in nurturing meaningful relationships.

I’m thrilled to be home with my big kiddos for the next several weeks. Regardless of what I find under the tree on Christmas morning, it’s the days of laughter and togetherness I will most treasure.

Red Holiday Outfit

Red is my favorite color, but it can be difficult to find a lot of red clothing outside of Christmas and Valentine’s Day. So, I take advantage of the season to pick up a few new pieces each year. I kept things simple for this red holiday outfit and allowed the color to be the star.

 

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” – Theodor Seuss Geisel, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Grinch had it right…regardless of what he thought and even despite his less-than-ideal background… He was changed by the extended friendship of a stranger.

Hopefully, you can all find small ways to elevate people above your projects and holiday doings…maybe there’s a Grinch who is ripe for a change or could it be that the biggest change will happen in your own heart.

May the joy of Christ’s birth dwell richly in your hearts this Christmas!

Until next year,

~ Shellie

Catch all my fashion posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’!
Check out the other fabulous fashion linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

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Casual Holiday Outfit – What I Really Wore

The FAB Journey

Our holiday celebrations in Manila often look quite different than they do when we are in America. Probably the biggest difference is that we often go out, rather than cooking a big meal at home. This works especially well, now that’s it’s only the husband and I here at home. Last week, I chose a casual holiday outfit to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner.

I’m not usually big on lace, but I thought this vest had just enough to be feminine, but not frilly. Typically, I steer away from lace because it tends to add a lot of bulk to the silhouette and, hmmm… we girls just don’t need that!

Casual Holiday Outfit

When it comes to putting together a casual holiday outfit, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. But, it does help to consider the details. Choosing clothes with small details adds visual interest to an otherwise ordinary outfit. This outfit is full of subtle details; the cut-out strip along the sleeve of the blouse, the lace of the vest and the blue flowers that run down the side of my jeans.

 

It’s also important to remember that a stylish woman dresses from head to toe. Shoes are typically the cherry on top of any outfit. I love these taupe suede loafers. They offer a little polish, but don’t fail to deliver loads of comfort. If you don’t have a nice pair of neutral loafers, I think I’ve just given you the perfect idea for your Christmas wish list. When looking for loafers; think sleek and simple.

But, don’t be thrown off by the whole neutral idea. I actually have some red  and orange loafers that pair nicely with a lot of my wardrobe. Even though they are anything but neutral, they actually can be worn with a lot of my outfits and they add visual interest.

The Details In Your Day-To-Day

It’s also important to consider the details in your day-to-day. Life has a way of convincing us that if we can just make it through today, then our reward will be dropping into bed in anticipation of yet another dizzying day. But, life is more than ticking off the days…it has to be.

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

I don’t know about you, but just making it through the day falls well short of rich and satisfying.

Life…I mean really living…is found in the details, those small blessings and wonders that often go unnoticed when we are ticking off the must-do’s on our lists.

If you have actually taken the time to read this entire post, then you can start right now. Take a second to recount one detail from your day…something that brought beauty or richness to your life…something that satisfied you in some small way. Now, share it in the comments below.

May your days be blessed with new discoveries!

~Shellie

Catch all my fashion posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’! Also, check out the other fabulous fashion linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

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This Mom’s Take On Turkey In The Microwave

The FAB Journey

This Thanksgiving, my kids won’t be sitting with me around a laden family table. They’ll be enjoying the holiday on the other side of the globe. Still, I’ll choose to commemorate the holiday by thanking God for our many shared memories…they rest securely in my heart regardless of time or space.

This Thanksgiving, I’ll focus on our shared memories instead of empty chairs.
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I’ll focus on our shared memories instead of empty chairs…

My son’s holiday plate piled high with two different kinds of dressing and three rolls.

My daughter, waiting to dig into the pies…the comfortable banter they share as they sprawl out on the living room couch after dinner.

I can see them in my mom’s eye…not even the expanse of 7,703 miles can take those memories away.

This Mom’s Take On Turkey In The Microwave

I hear the familiar ding of my phone and look down to see a message from my 21 year-old daughter, “Hey mom how long does it take to cook a whole turkey in the microwave?” I immediately reply with, “DON’T”…followed by a list of maternal advice.

Of course, I am then let in on the prank…there’s no turkey and thankfully no microwave…

It’s just a cleverly devious prank to momentarily frazzle a few parents the week before Thanksgiving.

The FABulous Journey.

What To Do In Your 30s To Have Great Skin In Your 50s

The FAB Journey

Benjamin Franklin was on to something when he coined the term, “an inch of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, here’s some of my best tips…what to do in your 30s to have great skin your 50s.

When it comes to your skin, it’s a lot easier when you start with a good foundation. I guess you could say I have a proactive personality. I grew up in the Sunshine State, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that marinating in the sun was not going to do much for my skin. Now, I can’t say I didn’t have my share of brown summers, but I had pretty much given up laying out in the sun by the time I hit my 20s.

Keep Your Face Out Of The Sun

I know you’ve heard about the negative effects of sun exposure a thousand times. Every girl wants to look tan when the sun goes into hiding for Fall or in anticipation of an approaching summer season. Even if you can’t resist tanning every other part of your body; protect your face.

Here’s something you may not have stopped to consider; you have young skin for about 30 years, but you’ll be living in that same skin for hopefully 80+ years. There is a lot of life left to live after 30.

There are some excellent self-tanners and bronzers on the market, so use those instead.

Use The Same Products on Face, Neck And Chest

A lot of us only focus on the face. But, interestingly enough, the crepey skin on the neck is one of the first things to give away your age. The skin of the neck really has to fight against the pull of gravity, so you want to make sure to keep it as tight and moisturized as possible.

Always Remove Your Make-Up Before Bed

Forgetting every now and then will not do much harm, but habitually going to bed without cleaning your face can really age your skin. Make-up and foundation clog the pores and introduce bacteria that can cause acne and inflammation.

Throughout the day, our make-up soaks up free radicals from the environment. These eventually break down the collagen in the skin; leading to fine lines.

Also, your face needs to have the opportunity for cell renewal while you sleep. By removing your make-up and using proper moisturizers, you give your skin time to repair itself.

 

Use Serums On A Cleansed Face

To be honest, I only discovered the value of simple serums over the last few years, but I wish I had started using them long ago. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to spend a fortune to find good quality face serums. I buy mine on Amazon. These brands don’t run brick and mortar stores, nor do they have to spend tons of money on advertising, so you reap the benefit of lower prices.

Here’s the ones I use:

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Use A Low Percentage Retinoid/Tretinoin On Your Face

Retin A is one common brand name of Tretinoin. Basically, a retinoid is a vitamin A molecule. It is commonly prescribed for acne, but it has also shown great results as a long-term beauty regime when used in small amounts and at low percentages. Unfortunately, this product is not available without a prescription in the US; however, there are a number of products that contain retinol in lower concentrations.

Avoid Sleeping On Your Stomach Or Side

Remember waking up with a ”bed head” when you were young? The creases down your cheeks were an instant giveaway that you’d just crawled out of bed. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, which means it just doesn’t bounce back like it used to. In fact, the older we get the more those creases etch permanent wrinkles and sagging into our skin.

Alcohol Is Not A Friend To Your Skin

Alcohol consumption causes the blood vessels to widen and expand. This affects your skin in several ways. First, it causes your cheeks to redden. Small blood vessels around your nose and mouth can also pop; leaving small spider veins. And, the whites of your eyes will darken and yellow over time.

If not for your health, then you might consider what the cumulative effect of twenty years of drinking will do to your face.

Lose The Goal of Looking Younger

Age happens to us all and there’s not a thing you can do to stop it…so, stop trying! Instead of striving to look younger, learn to be satisfied with being the best version of you…no matter what your age may be. Constantly, striving for the fountain of youth is a futile effort.

The more years I add to my life, the more I come to realize that true beauty really does radiate from within….so, embrace your age.

*This post contains some affiliate links, which don’t cost you one penny. This just means I may receive a few cents if you choose to click on them or decide to purchase something I recommended.

Catch all my posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~ Shellie

 

 

 

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Conditional Gratitude| Expressing Genuine Gratitude

The FAB Journey

This weekend we saw two major storms unleash their full fury on both sides of the globe.

Hurricane Florence ripped across the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Meanwhile on my side of the world, Typhoon Mangkhut mangled the terrain of the Northern Philippines and Hong Kong. Both storms dumped a literal ocean of water upon these unwilling landscapes.

Only time will tell the work it will take to restore these areas to some sort of normalcy.

I myself awaited the onslaught with a saddened relief; knowing that I would not be in the storm’s direct path, but realizing all-to-well that many others had no choice.

Many who were much less prepared to weather the effects of the storm… the effects that will remain long after the water has receded and green shoots once again emerge as eventualities in the tropical climate.

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Conditional Gratitude

At times like these, I’m grateful…grateful to have electricity, running water and a firmly secured roof over head. But what about the other days of my life? Am I so willing to express gratitude when these blessings become just commonplace expectations in my everyday?

So, I went without electricity for about three hours on the morning after the storm. But, how long will the residents of the Northern Philippines have to go without it? I doubt I would feel quite so grateful if I had to change places with them.

Often, I’m guilty of expressing conditional gratitude. But, Paul reminds us to:

 …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thessalonians 5:18

We don’t serve a conditional God, quite to the contrary, He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Yet, we seem so easily distracted by the crises of our everyday. Does this sound familiar?… I was in a hurry and couldn’t find a parking space close to the mall, so I had to park a “mile away”…things just didn’t line up for me today. Before I knew it, I had allowed this incident to color the rest of my day…. I was not grateful, in fact I felt resentful and just plain bothered.

Now, if this same scenario happened to me, on THIS day in light of the recent calamities that many others are enduring, I would be more likely to say, “what have I got to complain about?…so I have to walk a few more steps to the mall…right now, people are out there wading through waist-deep water!”

God doesn’t change, but often the framework of our response does. We are guilty of conditional gratitude.

What if?… We disciplined ourselves to focus on God’s unchanging face…to intentionally focus on His constant character and unfailing love despite our everyday circumstances.

What if?… We could practice a lifestyle of gratitude for the beauty of the mundane that gives us respite from tears or sleepless nights…for the blessing of minor inconveniences that can easily be chalked up to triviality if given one second’s thought?

What if?… We could just practice gratitude and thankfulness because in so doing we are pleasing God and living smack dab in the middle of his perfect will for our lives.

So, what do you choose…conditional gratitude or genuine gratitude?

Conditional gratitude fails to acknowledge that God is always loving, always seeking and always working things for the good in our lives, regardless of the conditional state of our present reality.

On the other hand, genuine gratitude finds its most sincere expression in a positive attitude and the confident assurance that God’s got your back no matter what life may bring.

God wants us to choose genuine gratitude, because he knows that our perspective ultimately colors our thoughts and our thoughts determine our behavior. Basically, we view life as brighter and full of more possibilities…it’s a win on all sides!

~ Shellie

PS – Back to the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut (Typhoon Ondong here in the Philippines)…Pray for the northern Phillipines…they are hurting. We will be assisting in the rebuilding and repair in the coming months, feel free to contact me if you would like to help with these efforts.

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Black Pants and Winter 2017 Style Challenge

The FAB Journey

Woohoo, it’s December and time to get to some serious Christmas fun!!! I’ve already decorated the house and I’m counting down the days until my kids and in-laws make it to Manila. There will be lots to do and so little time to do it in the three weeks they’ll be here. I’m also excited to tell you about the Winter 2017 Style Challenge.  I’ll be sharing more about the challenge at the end of this post.

Black Pants

I believe black pants are a staple items every woman should have in her wardrobe. Not only can black pants be worn in a myriad of ways; they also make us look thinner and who doesn’t want that? Well, I should say, they have the possibility of making us look thinner.

Black in itself will not necessarily make you look thinner if the cut and proportion of the pants do not suit your body shape.

Take out your pants and give them a closer look. It’s easy to take this little piece of clothing for granted.

Is the shape classic and current? The leg should gradually taper at the bottom. Slim-cut pants should hit just above or below the ankle, while wide-legged pants should fall just above the floor with your shoes on.

Also, beware of pants with vertical slit pockets that bulge out from the body. Instead, look for diagonal pockets or pants without pockets at all.

Does the fabric have enough weight to hang well? Heavy fabrics are less likely to bulge and pucker at the waist.

Do the pants skim the body without clinging to it? There’s nothing wrong with holding on to well-constructed staple pieces for years as long as they still fit. However, if your pants no longer fit the current version of you, then it’s time to find some new size-appropriate ones.

I currently own seven pair of black pants in different cuts and fabrics. Why? Because they provide endless wardrobe possibilities and they also flatter my figure.

Winter 2017 Style Challenge

Get Your Pretty On (GYPO) offers some great resources to pep up your style quotient this winter. I always try to offer fashion tips in my posts, but I know some of you could still use more step-by-step help to guide you in your fashion choices.

Recently, GYPO contacted me about their style challenges program. I really like their easy-to-follow model for making fashionable dressing accessible to every woman. Most importantly, it’s affordable and you determine how much you want to spend on your wardrobe and how to use pieces that you already own in new ways. I LOVE that!!

Today marks the start of the Winter 2017 Style Challenge. If you could use a little boost in your style this winter, this challenge could be just what your looking for.

 

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What I Really Wore – Favorite Color Combo

The FAB Journey

I know some of you are really cooling off, but things are still sizzling in Manila. As much as I’d like to pull out some boots and a sweater, it’s still short sleeves for me. Black, white and red are undoubtedly my favorite color combo. I met a friend for lunch yesterday and I decided to keep things simple.

What I Really Wore

Favorite Color Combo

Here’s a look at what I really wore. I am a major fan of black and white, but my signature color is red. So, I often put these three colors together for my favorite color combo. Typically, I add red by way of accessories. In this case, I opted for my comfy red leather loafers.

I like to turn up the bottom of my jeans a bit. It’s nice to highlight this area because the ankle is the narrowest part of the leg.

I chose this top for a couple of reasons. For one, the horizontal strips are narrow, which keeps the pattern from adding width to my silhouette. I added a long vertical pendent necklace to further draw the eye up and down instead of side-to-side with the stripes.

The front also has a fun knotted detail. Most importantly, it skims my body rather than clinging to it. Fashion Tip: When shopping for jersey shirts, look for styles that skim slightly away from your body without adding a lot of excess bulk. Also, look at the back view when trying on clothes to see how they hang…you may not be able to see it, but everyone else can.

What’s your favorite color combo? Think through your favorite outfits. Does your go-to, favorite color combo reflect your personality? If not, maybe it’s time to find ways to integrate your signature color into more of your outfits.

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