SIMPLICITY ~ “the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). SOPHISTICATION ~ having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Those two terms seem to be CONTRADICTORY which makes having them intertwined even more impressive.

Here I am at age 56 doing something I never would have imagined - going somewhere without makeup ON PURPOSE! Somewhere where I know people. I find it funny and SAD all at the same time. I have been wearing makeup since I was 12 years old. For many years it was a mix of wearing it to hide my acne as well as to HIDE myself.

One thing all midwesterners know is that you have to LAYER - sometimes all year long, but especially March through October. The day may start out chilly and by the mid-afternoon be downright dreadfully hot! You must always, ALWAYS, be prepared. That’s why I chose my WHITE denim jacket to highlight today. Take chances with your WARDROBE, you will be surprised with all of the ways you can turn things you already have into so many different outfits by incorporating just one item like a white denim jacket.

Our clothes reflect not only our PERSONALITY, but our mindset for the MOMENT. When you change your clothes, you CHANGE your mindset. When I taught science, I went to school dressed in a specific manner that was considered business casual. As soon as I got home, I changed into my “at-home comfortable” clothes of a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants. Immediately my mindset CHANGED. Have you ever felt that SHIFT? Well the same thing happened when I saw this hot pink Wrap-Tie blouse. At first the COLOR caught my eye. So VIBRANT that it just popped!

How do you take a graphic t-shirt and make it really stand out as a statement piece? SANDWICH IT! I could also have worn it with jeans to make a very CASUAL look, but it wouldn’t have focused the attention to the message on my t-shirt. That’s why we wear graphic t-shirts, isn’t it? We have a MESSAGE to convey, no matter what the wording or picture. We want someone to KNOW (even if it’s just a reminder to yourself) something we like or believe in. It may be a funny message, it may be a concert t-shirt, it may say WHO you are (baseball mom, grandma, etc.), but it’s always INTENTIONAL.

Nose hairs are considered a natural air FILTER. Your nostrils are lined with tens of thousands of hairs that BLOCK germs, viruses, dust, and pollen from making their way to your lungs as you breathe. But sometimes you may want to REMOVE some of those hairs to give you a more clean, polished look. However, since these hairs have a very important function, people should ONLY ever target the visible hairs that they deem to be UNSIGHTLY. Waxing the outermost nostril hairs allows you to shorten only a few (or a little more) protruding hairs. As a result, the MAJORITY of hairs remain intact and able to protect the airways.

Do you have a piece of furniture that is either in DESPERATE need of repair or just doesn’t fit your style, but is still functional? Maybe you’ve seen something at a yard sale or thrift store that catches your eye, but needs a little MAKEOVER.

I have a chair that I had already RESURRECTED with a lovely black and white polka dot fabric that ….well, let’s just say that it looks like a rabid dog got ahold of it, but it was just children who didn’t RESPECT what belonged to someone else. As you can see from the first picture above, it was either to put it out of its misery at the landfill or REVIVE it yet once again. I chose the later because I still saw POTENTIAL in it.

XOXO The Original Love Letters - we often use “xoxo” which stands for HUGS and kisses. It is a term of ENDEARMENT. But on this shirt, there are spikes/nails used to represent the X’s. Those are what attached Jesus to the wooden CROSS He hung from. The O’s are made out of rings of thorns representing the crown of thorns placed on (pushed into) Jesus’ head as He hung on the cross. The saying “The Original Love Letters”? YES, the spikes and crown of thorns represent the pain Jesus endured because He loves us! What a MESSAGE!

I just love making a statement! Why are people so afraid of a lot of COLOR? I think it brightens up the world. Now don’t get me wrong, I used to would have NEVER worn something like this. But do you know what? As I have discovered and uncovered the REAL me, I have learned that I like to mix things up. For so long I dressed “normal” or what was ACCEPTABLE by the majority of society. I say majority because there are some daring people (I put myself in that category now) who readily and happily break that MOLD and do their own thing.

The Bee….Bold, Honest, Courageous, Different, Confident Genuine, Strong….You t-shirt. It is a Bella + Canvas brand shirt, and if you have any Bella + Canvas shirts, you know they are incredibly SOFT and comfortable! You don’t have to be a bee person to LOVE this shirt - you just have to love YOURSELF and who you are!